Disclaimer: I don't own Aquaman or BBC Merlin, their characters, storylines or related films, comics and novelizations set in the corresponding universes. The franchises are property of DC Comics and BBC One/Shine Limited, and they were created by Mort Weisinger, Paul Norris and Julian Jones, et al., respectively. I am only borrowing them for the purpose of nonprofit expression of personal creative ideas in the same settings.


Chapter 3: Prelude to War

Atlantis' King makes the protector of the oceans and the surface his enemy by threatening war.


0 * 0 * 0 * 0

Kingdom of Atlantis - Private Audience Room

The throne room had never felt so cold.

Servants were scurrying about, performing the daily clean up. A few scribes were updating the room's records with council stipulations and all the new laws passed recently, in case of an audience.

Pointless, really. It had been a long time since this room had been used. The cozy chambers exuded an almost private atmosphere for the people who came to appeal their cases to the crown. Queen Ygraine had liked to be close at hand, approachable even, for those she served and ruled over.

Merlin remembered those times fondly, and sighed with regret. King Mordred, much like his late father, preferred the use of the great auditorium which held just the one throne. It made the people look up to him, the King who stood above all.

Unbecoming arrogance would be his downfall, Merlin thought morosely.

He swam idly towards the thrones, one inlaid in gold and the other one in pearls, watching the numerous people move around. He looked intently at the young maid that approached the smaller of the two royal seats and started polishing it. She performed her job swiftly and meticulously. It must be routine by now.

Her dark skin contrasted with the ivory of the seat's frame, calling to attention the strength of her hands. When she made a turn to retrieve more cleaning tools, Merlin made note of the beautiful features of her face, including the delicate freckles framed by dark brown curls.

Experienced and professional, the maid fulfilled her duties without acknowledging Merlin's study of her person.

How curious. Merlin was sure this lady was familiar. She was obviously a servant of the castle, which meant that he could have met her at any random hallway, room or even a public gathering. But something told him it had to do with his sister. Had she not described such a person before?

The heavy double doors at the entrance opened and the figure of the esteemed royal advisor Gaius appeared. The elegant charcoal glaive on his hands, a symbol that had become synonymous with the man himself, stroke against the tiled floor sharply and caused a clang to reverberate all the way to the high glass ceiling.

All movement ceased in the room as everyone turned towards the doors. Gaius nodded to himself.

"Leave us" he commanded, waving an arm impassively to encompass the whole room.

Silence reigned for a moment, before everyone bowed slightly and exited in an orderly manner.

Merlin did not move. He eyed the retreating maid, and made a mental note to ask Morgana about the lady friend she had among the castle workers in Atlantis.

When she left, Merlin merely turned back to gaze at the second throne and waited for Gaius to start with his usual nonsense regarding Ygraine's first born. That had become its own routine.

"To meet in the middle of the day, at the heart of Atlantis, Gaius?" His question echoed in the otherwise empty room.

When the elder reached Merlin's side, his deep sigh made him look towards his friend. To Merlin, Gaius seemed older, burdened with a heavy weight on his shoulders, and tired.

Merlin bit his lower lip, suddenly anxious. "Would you like to sit, Gaius?"

The man chuckled weakly, before shaking his head in response. "I'm afraid Merlin that we don't even have time for that."

How ominous, Merlin thought, frowning.

"And am I allowed to know why?"

Gaius sighed again. "Mordred is making his move, today."

Merlin's quiet gasp had Gaius nodding in resignation.

"He has decided that, as the last council session voted in favor of certain laws and your engagement anniversary is coming up, now is the perfect time to appeal to Xebel to form the alliance."

Merlin swallowed thickly, crossing his arms and hugging himself tightly. "We knew it would come… so why do I feel so unprepared?"

"I'm afraid that the reason is our lack of an heir to take the throne. We may have waited too long. The boy is determined to punish those who he believes took his mother away."

Merlin huffed, "The surface had nothing to do with Queen Ygraine's passing. Morgause would kill Mordred if she ever heard that."

Gaius walked to the pearl throne and touched an armrest reverently. "Queen Ygraine's influence was felt much more than King Lot's, and the loyalty she inspired was much more dangerous to him. His excuse for the execution, however, was well played and his son follows in his footsteps blindly."

All this Merlin knew perfectly. So did his sisters. But, what could they do? Xebel's King refused to act without proper evidence and due course, citing a need to leave Atlantis' internal affairs to itself.

Merlin knew it was more than that. After all, King Lot had rarely let him leave Atlantis' territories since the betrothal contract with Mordred was signed.

Merlin always felt more like a bargaining chip than a valued ally.

"Regardless, are we so certain that the other one would not be worse? He has not even set foot in Atlantis, why should we leave our fates to him and his brutish ways?"

Merlin felt justified in his doubt of the Queen's first born. He had not made a favorable impression during their first meeting at the outpost that held the Motherbox. Aside from having aided in the defeat of Steppenwolf, the man himself acted arrogantly, bad-tempered and antagonistic. Merlin found him beyond irritating.

Gaius smiled, mysteriously, before patting the young prince's back in commiseration. "Arthur inherited all of his mother's best qualities, despite what you may think. Also-"

Pausing purposely, Gaius reached into an inner pocket of his long vest and took out a communicator. He handed it to Merlin.

"-we have no choice."

Merlin took the device, absently noting it had more features than just as a communication enabler, and put it away inside the pouch hanging from his armored waist for easy reach.

Gaius placed a hand on Merlin's shoulder and squeezed firmly. "This will lead you to him. It contains the usual programming but for the added mapping and coordinates' reading systems. And remember, Arthur will fight you on this; he will refuse to acknowledge you. You must prevail."

Merlin nodded, mentally preparing for that fight.

Even though this would be a very dangerous undertaking, and there were no guarantees of success or survival with the current state of atlantean politics, he felt strangely excited. Within him, his magic thrummed in anticipation. His eyes washed gold in response.

It seemed that approaching events would mark a turning point in his life.

He couldn't wait.

~0~0~*~0~0~

Amnesty Bay - Seashore Town

Arthur was having a great day. His father was in good health, gray-templed but strong and definitely still able to drink his son under the table. He was determined to find the secret to Uther's ability.

Drinking games aside, Arthur was feeling settled and comfortable. He traveled a long distance, nonstop, to reach his home waters and meet his remaining family. His restlessness calmed with a few simple words of encouragement from his father. Uther never judged, and he also never missed an opportunity to hint to his son about using his abilities for the greater good.

Wasn't he already doing that?

Uther was also ever mindful of Atlantis. Arthur hated disappointing his father, but he remained firm on never visiting the place nor meeting any other atlantean. He had enough with his regular surface-and-shore adventures, pirated submarines notwithstanding.

They were having a very pleasant, if drunk, conversation on the way to the truck when a splashing sound from the docks behind him made Arthur turn around. He promptly lost all breath.

A vision garbed in atlantean green armor that hugged all the right places, with a long neck framed by a crimson high collar, walked out of the water. Soaked black tresses curled softly around a pair of adorably large ears, reaching past high cheekbones and an elegant jawline. Shiny droplets traveled down the fey features of the man, reaching the hollow of his throat and disappearing underneath the modest neckline.

Arthur's throat went dry and he had a sudden, inexplicable, impulse to follow that path with his tongue.

The golden crown glinting at the man's brow brought Arthur back to reality. This was not only someone from Atlantis but the very same little fish he had saved during the Steppenwolf ordeal. So much for not meeting any more sea-born people.

Before the figure could even open his pretty little mouth to speak, Arthur was already turning back to his father, saying over his shoulder, "I'm not interested".

The man's disapproving silence was so loud Arthur's lips twitched in an aborted smile. He helped Uther settle in his seat, before prowling towards their foreign visitor.

The man seemed to hesitate before straightening, clenched fists at his sides. "You are a hard man to find," he said, soft tenor slightly different to his underwater voice.

Arthur eyed him and chose not to comment.

"I need you to come to Atlantis." The man's earnest blue eyes entreated.

Arthur huffed, glaring at the sky in silent protest before crossing his arms.

"I just said I'm not interested."

"There is a war coming-!"

"Listen, I will tell you the same thing I've told Gaius the handful of times he dared to show his face…" The man's attractive features showed outrage at Arthur's words. "... except maybe nicer because you are-" Arthur's mind supplied the words 'sexy, enticing' and 'would you like to go home with me?'. His hands suddenly itched to do something. He coughed to avoid that train of thought, "-anyways: no, thank you."

Arthur turned around to walk to the car when a hand shot out to grab his wrist.

"The surface world is in danger!"

Despite the gravity of the words, Arthur's actual reason for halting was the electric shock traveling up and down his spine which originated from the touch of the little fish. Said man shivered in response and dropped Arthur's wrist as if scalded.

Choosing to ignore whatever just happened, Arthur asked seriously, "Danger?"

The atlantean gathered himself. "Your half-brother, King Mordred, is amassing the armies of the kingdoms of the sea in order to declare war on humans and destroy the surface".

Arthur gritted his teeth. "What have we ever done to you?"

Deep blue eyes sharpened and grew stormy, and the man bit his lip in an obvious attempt to withhold a scathing retort. He straightened his shoulders again. "It matters not, the reasons Mordred uses to incite his war. What really matters is that billions of people, yours and mine, will die pointlessly if he is allowed to continue."

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Arthur thought for a moment, decided this was not his problem, and promptly ignored the warrior in front of him.

"Whatever this is, it has nothing to do with me."

The man choked on his sudden fury. "H-How can you say that?!"

"The reason why you came to me is because Gaius told you to, right? He's always wanted to bring me to Atlantis in a sorry attempt to assuage his misplaced guilt over my mother's abandonment and later death." Arthur only got widened eyes and a sharp intake of breath as a response. "So no, I will not go, and I doubt I would be welcome there even if I did."

"You saved Atlantis and the world when you stopped Steppenwolf!"

"I didn't do it for Atlantis!"

"Then do this for your humans!"

Arthur threw his arms up in the air, then dragged a hand down his face in exasperation. What he would not give to gag those plump pink lips with-!

He strangled that thought before he did something he would not regret. "How do you propose your King is stopped, uh?!"

There was a pause, before the atlantean cleared his throat. "You are the first born of Queen Ygraine. The throne is yours by birthright. Claim it and you can put a stop to this war before it begins."

Arthur would have laughed if he wasn't feeling so drained. "I am the bastard son of Queen Ygraine. Atlantis would never accept me, as I am, when it didn't accept her for what she did. Mordred will not just give up the throne to me." He stared straight into the lovely deep blues of the atlantean. "I am no King."

The man frowned severely, "I agree-"

Arthur felt slightly hurt at that.

"-but Gaius seems to believe in you for some reason. And he has the means to allow you to prove yourself in a way the people of Atlantis will not deny. If you do this, they will listen and accept you in the throne".

Arthur stepped closer to the man, until they were both breathing each other's air. "My childish need to prove myself, to Gaius and to you, died when my mother did." Another visible shiver swept over the atlantean at Arthur's growl. "But know this, Mordred can try to bring his war to the surface. I will have no mercy for him then."

They stared at each other, somewhat spellbound, before the man looked away first and Arthur turned around.

After those final words, Arthur headed back to the truck, turned the engine on and drove off, leaving behind the stunned figure of a man too beautiful for his own good.

On the way back to the pier and the lighthouse that they called home, Arthur mourned his previous good mood gone to hell. His tumultuous thoughts raced over each other and made it difficult for his attention to stay on the road. Worse than that, he ignored the churning in his gut and the rising pressure in the air.

The sudden cry of the innumerable seagulls flying to the mainland in a hurry momentarily distracted him before he noticed the huge oncoming wave barreling from the sea. The fishing boats and luxury yachts on its way capsized, getting smashed against the rocky shallows and drowned by tons of water.

The tidal wave got closer, inescapable on the beat up old truck driving as fast as it could on the edges of the cliff road. Arthur was not going to just give in, but the water reached them before long.

The truck turned violently, swept in the fury of the sea, cracked windows filling the cab with water and debris. Arthur was launched from his seat, bouncing around from the current and impacting against rocks, trees and telephone posts.

Digging his hands on the ground, he shook his head to get his bearings back. His heart thundered, and only one thought repeated in his mind.

"DAD!"

He propelled into the darkened waters, filled with dirt. He managed to find the crumpled truck snagged between rocks, near the cliff edge but the current was too strong to reach it safely. The motionless form of Uther was still inside.

Suddenly, a golden haze mixed with icy blue surrounded the truck and a huge air pocket formed, easily encompassing the top of the cliff all the way to the edge of the road. The glowing bubble was pushing away the remains of the wave, holding it back until it receded to the edge of the sea. Arthur entered the bubble, dropping heavily to the ground and watching in shocked wonder as the atlantean from before walked in, arms raised in a hold back gesture, golden eyes burning bright.

Had he not had more urgent things on his mind, he would have remained there, mesmerized by the view.

Breaking out of his stupor, Arthur ran to the truck and broke the door off its hinges, throwing it carelessly away. He tore off the seat belt holding the seemingly lifeless body of his father, and took Uther out quickly but carefully.

"Nonononono, you can't do this to me old man! Breathe!" Arthur chanted, worried out of his mind, pumping the unresponsive chest under his hands in a panicked attempt at resuscitation.

"Move!" a sharp voice said, before a green armored body threw himself over Uther and glowing hands roved over the man's chest and face. Arthur did not question his sudden trust on the stranger.

Astonishingly, Uther responded, turning his head aside to vomit water and coughing until his lungs cleared. Arthur hugged his old man, making him sit up and watching anxiously until all the water left his system.

The young hero's panting breaths were echoed by the slumped figure of the atlantean. His eyes had returned to the lovely blue from before, and his cheeks were reddened with exertion. Arthur could not help the wide-eyed wondering look he was throwing the man.

Having Uther's shaking, breathing, living form in his arms caused Arthur's eyes to water slightly. He swallowed before trying to speak.

"I-I don't even know your name."

The other man's eyes widened before they softened with something like understanding. He smiled, and Arthur felt dazed.

"I am Prince Myrddin Emrys of Xebel," the atlantean announced, posture straightening and eyes lighting up with pride.

Arthur blinked. Did his heart just skipped a beat?

"But you may call me Merlin," he continued, nodding imperiously but with the quirk of a smile softening his features.

Arthur mentally shook himself, tightening his hold on his father's still shaking form and helping him stand up.

"I'm Arthur," he responded. Then, he looked back at the atlantean and earnestly said "Thank you, Merlin."

Merlin looked surprised for a second, a quiet huff escaping his lips. Before Arthur could question him, Merlin bowed in acceptance, stood up and turned towards the scene beyond the road ledge.

Arthur stared silently at the other's profile for a moment before his attention was caught by Uther's gasp. Looking towards the town at the edge of the coast, he could distinguish the debris brought in by the tsunami. And the ruin that followed.

"My god," muttered Uther under his breath, seemingly sober now. Arthur could relate.

The town laid in flames, with houses and buildings half wrecked. The emergency siren echoed, late in the wake of the destruction.

More notable were the remains of the boats and sea vessels, among the piles of garbage and detritus settled everywhere.

Merlin sighed deeply.

"This was Mordred's doing," he said softly. Sad or disappointed, Arthur could not say. "And it is only the beginning."

Arthur resisted the urge to comfort him. Instead, he steadied his father and started walking away.

"In that case, my brother just made himself an enemy," Arthur responded, a severe frown on his face.

He would make sure Uther was safe first, then he would go to the town and help where he could throughout the night.

Tomorrow, he had some family issues to resolve. Of the brotherly kind.

~ End Chapter 3 ~

Next on Chapter 4: Road To Tintagel City

Arthur finally heads to the capital of the other side of his heritage.