The very next day, Blackagar announced his parents' death to all of Attilan.

He and Medusa stood on the balcony of the palace, while the Inhumans gathered in the courtyard below. Even from there he could see the apprehension of the faces of his subjects. They were worried about the future of their city, and the destructive power of their king-to-be.

"I'm sure you're all aware of the ship that crashed into the cliffs yesterday," Medusa said, her voice carrying over the congregation. He was proud of her—she stood tall and noble at his side, persevering despite all she had been through. "I am sorry to say that my parents were on that ship. They did not survive."

Worried murmurs broke out below them, but Blackagar forced himself to continue despite the stabbing pain of grief in his chest.

"I know you're all apprehensive about my powers, and rightfully so, but what happened at the Christening was not my fault. My brother, Maximus, was given powers by the Terrigen Mists—powers of mind control—which he kept hidden from everyone and used against me and my family. His Terrigenesis made him mad, and his madness he thought I was his enemy. The result of that was my parents' premature death, but I will do everything I can to restore his mind to what it once was, for he is still my brother."

His hands paused as he let the words sink in.

"Additionally, I wish to make it known that I slew the Pacifiers."

Gasps and shocked cries greeted the statement.

"I did not do such a thing willingly. My brother had set them upon me while I attempted to save my betrothed. It is just as well, as I want no Inhuman to fear what Terrigenesis and the aftermath will bestow upon them as I had to."

More murmuring.

"Three days from now, the King and Queen will be buried. Every citizen of Attilan is invited to attend if they wish."

With that, Blackagar turned on his heel, offering his arm to Medusa. She took it, and they entered the palace together, leaving the Inhumans to wonder at their new leaders.

/

True to his word, the funeral was three days later. It was held in the crypts beneath the Tower of Wisdom. All of the Royal Family came, including Mander, Azur, Korath, and Milena. Additionally, it seemed that the citizens of Attilan had taken up Blackagar's offer. The room where the royals were buried was packed to the point of bursting.

Blackagar stood between the two ornate coffins as the ceremony went on. He was glad he could not see what lay inside; only bits of charred remains had been found according to what the workers had told him. The rest of the Royal Family stood off to one side, watching the proceedings somberly.

When the priest finished speaking, it was Blackagar's turn. Traditionally, the heir to the dead royals would speak words of blessing to his or her parents before the coffins were interred, but he signed his blessings instead of speaking. Then he stepped away from the coffins, feeling his eyes grow hot as the servants hurried forward, lifting them and moving forward to place them in the crypts prepared for them.

After that, the body of the brave servant Halis was interred in a different room, reserved for the most courageous of Inhumans.

"He died trying to protect his queen," said the priest. "There is no nobler death."

The Royal Family left first, the crowd parting the way for them. Medusa took Blackagar's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze as they walked. He swallowed, his throat feeling tight.

"Are you doing alright?" she asked as they left the Tower.

As well as I can be, he signed.

"It will get better," she murmured. "I promise."

Blackagar paused as he felt someone tug at his hand. He looked over, and saw Medusa's little sister standing there.

"Er, hello Prince—King Blackagar," Crystal said, curtsying awkwardly. "We haven't officially met yet. I am Crystalia Amaquelin, Medusa's sister, but you can call me Crystal." She paused, her cheeks reddening. "Oh, I guess you wouldn't call me that. Forgive me, my king."

Blackagar smiled, his mood lifting. She shared the same awkwardness Medusa had when they first met. He crouched down to her level and signed a greeting.

Crystal looked at Medusa expectantly. "What did he say?"

"He said: hello, future sister."

Crystal looked back and forth between the two of them. "So you are still going to get married?"

Medusa shrugged and smiled. "As far as I know."

Crystal smiled brightly. "Oh, that's wonderful, my king! So I suppose you love him, Medusa?"

"Yes," she said, flushing a little. "I love him."

Blackagar smiled wider and signed something else.

"What was that?"

"He said to just call him Blackagar."

Crystal blinked, looking back at him. "Alright, Blackagar. Can I tell you a secret?"

He nodded.

She leaned up to whisper in his ear. "I'm glad you're marrying her. She loves you a lot!"

"Crystal!" Medusa scolded, overhearing her words.

Blackagar shook his head in amusement and signed, I'm glad, because I love her a lot, too.

/

A week after that, Medusa had her first night terror.

She dreamed she was killing Halis again, his life ebbing away beneath her clutches while she was powerless to stop it. She woke in the dark, breathing hard, her heart beating so loudly in her ears that she didn't hear when Blackagar entered the room. She almost screamed when she saw the dark figure moving towards her bed, but then she recognized the figure. He sat down on the edge of her bed, and neither of them said or signed a word as he drew her into his arms.

Medusa leaned against his shoulder, her shuddering breath slowly evening. He was wearing nightclothes, the fabric soft against her cheek. She breathed in his scent, familiar and real and comforting. It had only been a dream.

"You didn't have to come," she whispered, her voice sounding loud in the quiet dark of her room. "You didn't have to…"

A hand, ungloved and warm, touched her lips, silencing her. I wanted to. Lips touched her hair, and he held her close.

She fell asleep at some point, and she woke up the next morning to an empty room. Her door was ajar, however, signaling easy access if he needed to return.

Some nights were worse than others. Sometimes she didn't dream at all, but when she did, he was there mere minutes after she woke up, holding until she fell asleep.

/

The next months were ones of healing. Blackagar healed from the deaths of his parents, and Medusa healed from the overtaking of her mind. He began to take on the responsibilities of the king, his days often taken up with meetings, and Medusa was by his side the entire time. When he felt overwhelmed with all the responsibilities that had fallen upon him, she was there to comfort him. When she dreamed of pain and death, he came to be with her.

"You must marry soon, my king," said a council member one day. "Attilan must have its king and queen."

Blackagar glanced at Medusa. He sat on the throne in the recently repaired Throne Room, and she stood by his side, her hair curling over the back and armrests.

"I must remind you, my king, that you are no longer obligated to marry the Lady Amaquelin as per your parents' wishes. You may choose any eligible maiden of pure blood if you wish."

Blackagar inhaled sharply, and he signed rapidly.

"I will have Medusa, and her alone," Medusa translated.

"Of course, my king," the council member said weakly. "I was merely making it known to you as an option. You must be married soon, then."

"Very well. It shall be done."

/

Are you ready to get married?

Medusa bit her lip. "We have waited a while."

I can stay the Council if you're not ready.

"No." She shook her head. "We've waited long enough."

Do you want to marry me? His hands faltered. You are no longer obligated to marry me if you don't wish to.

Medusa smacked his arm lightly. "Don't be stupid. Of course I want to marry you."

Blackagar grinned and kissed her forehead. Just checking.

/

The wedding went into preparation not long after, and during that time, Blackagar finally worked up the nerve to look upon Maximus for the first time since that fateful day.

He stepped down into the area where Maximus was being contained. Beyond the electrical forcefield that was the wall of the cell, he could see his brother lying with his back towards the door on his bed. Blackagar had made sure he wouldn't be uncomfortable; he had given him a nice bed, books to read, and he was served food from the palace kitchens still.

Brother.

For a moment there was no response, and Blackagar wondered if he was asleep before he spoke. "Finally come to see me after all this time, have you?"

I have.

Maximus stirred, rolling over. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, which still held that mad glint. "I thought you would come sooner."

Blackagar tried not to feel guilty. I did not want to be angry with you when I spoke with you.

He rose, stepping towards the forcefield. "I didn't mean to kill them."

I know.

"But you were there in that ship, and you were going to kill me. I had to do something."

Blackagar shook his head. You were hallucinating, and you know it.

"Yes," Maximus murmured. "I was." He paused. "Are you going to marry Medusa?"

Yes, in three weeks.

He looked him in the eyes, and in that moment, the glint of madness was gone. "Be the husband she deserves, brother."

Surprised, Blackagar nodded, but as soon as the madness disappeared it had returned. I will get you help. I will end the madness that plagues you.

"I don't need help," Maximus sneered.

Blackagar felt the ache of sadness swell in his chest. Yes, you do.

Maximus huffed and did not say anything further. Blackagar stepped forwards until he stood just beyond the forcefield. He extended his hand and pressed it against the forcefield, and he suddenly became aware of just how opposite their lives had become in a matter of months. He was the one walking free, and his brother was locked away.

Maximus stared at the hand, once the symbol of their brotherhood. His fingers twitched, and hope rose in Blackagar that he might return the gesture, but he merely turned his back, signaling the end of the conversation. Blackagar let his hand drop, and he turned to go.

Goodbye, brother.

/

They were married—and crowned—by the sea, on the beach where Blackagar had flown them into the sky.

Blackagar was dressed in a black suit with the signature white stripes running down the front. A cape of black with white lining ran down his back, pooling around his feet. His cowl was forgone; instead he wore a circlet on his brow with a smaller version of the apparatus. He looked regal and dignified, but Medusa was the one who stole the show.

There was no need for a wedding train; her hair served that purpose just as well. Her gown was one of lightest purple, off-the-shoulder sleeves showing off her slender shoulders. Transparent jewels dotted her bodice and the ends of her sleeves, causing every movement to glitter. Her long skirt fluttered in the wind, making her seem like she was gliding down to where Blackagar stood. Despite that, the most radiant thing about her was her smile, which seemed to outshine the sun, and Blackagar could not take his eyes off of her.

Gorgon sniffled a little, and Triton elbowed him in the side. Blackagar could not choose just one of his cousins for a groomsman, so he chose all three. Crystal stood opposite them in a yellow and black dress full of ruffles as Medusa's one and only bridesmaid, and she stifled a giggle at Gorgon's emotions as Medusa came to stand beside Blackagar.

Medusa smiled as she met Blackagar's eyes, and he smiled back, his heart filling with joy.

The ceremony seemed to pass by in a blur, and the next thing they knew, they were saying their vows.

"Do you, Blackagar Boltagon of the House of Agon, take this woman to be your wife and queen for as long as you live?"

He looked her in the eyes as he signed, I do.

"And do you, Medusalith Amaquelin of the House of Quelin, take this man to be your husband and king for as long as you live?"

"I do," she said, her voice shaky with emotion. It seemed like an eternity ago that she was dreading having to say those words to a man she did not know, but now she couldn't wait to get them out.

The rings were exchanged, each emblazoned with the symbol of the House of Agon.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, and king and queen of Attilan."

The next thing Medusa knew, Blackagar had taken her face in his hands and kissed her. She kissed back, feeling the warmth of his lips on hers for the first—but definitely not the last—time. The crowd exploded into cheers.

They drew apart, and Medusa exhaled, unable to stop smiling. "My king."

My queen, he signed. He took her hand, and they both turned to face the crowd. At last, he was married to her. His heart swelled with love, a love that was more than words would ever be able to express. They stood together as king and queen as the cheers of the people rose into the sky.

The End

/

Well, it's been fun everyone! Thank you for reading! Do not fret; you will see the beloved couple again. I have an idea that involves the Avengers and another favorite ship of mine. Again, thank you all for the support and I'll see you again soon!