21
After I was finished eating, Atzi and Namora re-entered the room once getting permission, and a few other servants came in with clothes to dress me. The placed a gold and green neck piece under my necklace, then wrapped a green garment tightly around my breasts while another garment was wrapped around my legs. I remained still keeping my eyes on the fishes and the water outside this room. Namora slowly walked into my vision and bowed to me.
"My queen, please, help me understand this fight you face?" she asked. There was a softness in her voice and I could tell she was trying to remind herself of our positions. I couldn't speak it and I refused to put more thought to this.
"Ask your cousin. He will tell you." I merely replied. She looked down and nodded after a moment. Green earrings were placed in my ear and a golden tiara with green jewels embedded all around was placed on my head after my hair was pulled back and placed into three tight buns. Bracelets were put on my wrists and ankles and I stepped into a long translucent skirt. Once it was done, the servants all formed a straight line in front of me and bowed. I blinked not sure what to do and I glanced at Namora and she caught my look of confusion before looking at the women and speaking to them. They bowed once more and left the room.
I was escorted from the room and now moving down the halls toward the water room, which is an empty all glass room that when the doors shut, water fills, and the glass unfolds to let the water in and that way we can swim out into the rest of the body. Today would be a busy day, I can tell. The city was alive with many people bowing and gesturing to us and I smiled and returned it. Many were still curious to see me, but Namora kept them at bay. A few other warriors approached and helped her escort me to the large court hall. As we entered Namora, began to slow her walk so that I was leading her. I glanced at her and she nodded and motioned for me to lead. I took a few even breaths and nodded and began to move easily down the familiar halls of the large hall.
There was a familiar light up ahead and slowly I moved out into it and this time, a place that was empty was now filled with numerous people, warriors and Talokan citizens alike. I could see Namor speaking to everyone up at the front, but as the crowd's attention was drawn to me, everyone seemed to look my way. Namor was speaking when he finally saw me and paused. I blinked quickly hoping I didn't interrupt him. Namor's eyes softened a bit on me and he smiled as he raised his hand for me to come to him. As I moved, many parted and gestured toward me and I returned it to all of them smiling softly as I did. As I grew closer to the front of the court I noticed a smaller thrown mirroring Namor's was beside his throne. I raised my hand to take his and he pulled me close and placed his forehead to mine.
To show such affection in front of all his- our people put me at ease. I closed my eyes and all the stress and panic I felt when I woke up was gone. After we pulled back from each other, he motioned his other hand for me to sit and I did. I saw Namora stand beside Attuma who gestured toward me and I returned it. I knew I would not be able to understand everything that would be said in the court, and I hoped my bracelet did not translate and disturb the court. Namor continued to speak to the court and it was basically an update on the world above and that none of the changes happening from above would come to Talokan. Then he spoke to the warriors instructing them on how training must progress and the newest warriors will need to go on their first hunt soon. Last was the scientists who were building the tunnels for me to move through from the Talokan cave. After that, everything was adjourned and everyone began to swim off in their own directions and I watched them all move before finally standing myself. I guess I had missed some of the citizens addressing their concerns.
Namor turned to me and smiled.
"I am glad you are here." he said and I smiled a bit.
"Are you? I am the only one who could not understand anything even with the translator. I'm sure everyone could tell I was useless up here." I replied and he shook his head.
"No my dear Thumbelina, you are not useless. Seeing you beside me, made my people very happy. They all like you and the more you are around they will come to love you." he said. I sure hoped so. I smiled at the nickname and nodded and turned to Namora and Attuma as they approached. The three began speaking and I just stood there waiting to be addressed in some way if needed. Namor seemed worried when Namora spoke, and he looked at me. "Are you alright?"
I glanced at Namora who just stood there and I figured she told him about what happened this morning. They are cousins, I am sure they tell each other everything. I nodded.
"I am." I replied and he nodded placing his hand on my cheek.
"Good. I must go to Wakanda to speak with Queen Ramonda later today. Once you are finished with your duties today, you can accompany me and rest at our home above." he said. That sounded amazing and so I nodded.
"Alright." I replied. We shared a gentle kiss, before I moved to leave the court with Namora behind me. I let her take the lead in showing me around the city and meeting people. They seemed very happy to see me and many flocked around me to talk to me. This I didn't mind. I was like a celebrity. Many were asking me questions and Namora made sure to keep them all under control so they did not crowd me too much. After a few hours of talking, my body began to tire and Namora and offered to guide me around by hand, but I wanted to try something else. Since I controlled the water, I had not once tried to use it beneath the water. I stopped moving completely and began to sink, and for a second this alarmed Namora.
But I let my arms remain out and I tried to push my body with the water around me and what did you know, I was gliding through the water without having to kick my feet. Thank Bast! Namora smiled big.
"Who knows what abilities your powers can have in the water my queen." she said. I nodded in agreement looking at my hands.
"Maybe you can help me explore them. Who knows I may be able to defend myself with them." I replied. She nodded.
"It would be my honor." she said. She now led me to a cave wall with numerous large holes in them and inside one of them were the same group of elders who I met before. They welcomed me in and talked to me about Talokan and their past. They had quite a lot to say especially about their king. His entire upbringing gave the Talokan's hope for survival. He was their protector- their god. After speaking with them, I was back in our chambers resting while Atzi helped me learn the Talokan language. Like most Wakandan's we know many languages and learn languages very fast. I was sure to master this language in a matter of months. We were sitting on the floor, and she was teaching me the Talokan alphabet.
"You learn quite fast, my queen. It is the Talokan blood in you truly." Atzi replied and I smiled my thanks to her. After a few more hours of teaching, Namor returned and Atzi bowed at him and told him of my progress which made him smile after she departed.
"Everyone all over Talokan is talking about you." he said as he helped me to my feet.
"Oh anything good?" I teased and he grinned.
"All good. The elders are happy you are with us. They believe your healing abilities will help us greatly should anything ever happen here." he said. I continued to smile happy that most approved of me.
"I am happy to be here amongst you and your people." I replied. He smiled more and leaned in and kissed me passionately. I placed my hand behind his head gently caressing him as our lips danced together.
"Are you ready to depart to Wakanda?" he asked. I nodded and he took my hand, and we left the room. Within an hour Namor, Namora, Attuma and I were on the beaches of Wakanda where the Dora Milaje were waiting for us. They bowed, we bowed, and then we were escorted into the city. Upon entering the kingdom, my mother was already waiting for me.
"Eywa!" she called out happily and I smiled.
"Mother!" I ran up to her and embraced her. She pulled back looking me over.
"Oh look at you, still beautiful as ever. Are you eating enough?" she asked. I chuckled.
"I have not been gone too long, Mother." I replied and she smiled and touched my cheeks.
"Still, you have been gone from your tribe and we still feel the pain." she replied. I looked at her sympathetically keeping my hands in hers.
"I will visit soon." I promised before Namor approached.
"Zawavari." he replied with a smile. Mother looked at him with authority.
"Namor. I hope you are treating my daughter like the queen she has always been." she said. Namor's polite smile remained.
"Of course. She is taken care of and loved, like I promised." he assured. Mother looked at me and I smiled and nodded confirming his words. She nodded.
"Good." she said.
Ayo approached us now.
"The Queen is ready for you. Councilwoman." she said and lead us down the familiar halls. Finally we were inside the council room and Ramonda's eyes brightened as she saw me. She stood from her throne and approached.
"Queen Eywa." she said with her arms out. That title still seems odd coming from her. But nonetheless I smiled and embraced her. Even though I have not been gone long, I still have been away from everyone who is used to seeing me every day.
"Queen Mother." I replied softly and she smiled and leaned back admiring me with a warm smile.
"I am glad you are here. All of you. We have important matters to attend to." she said holding up her arm toward two large chairs of which Namor and I sat down at and Attuma stayed behind me as Namora stayed behind Namor.
"Your message said it was urgent." Namor replied and Ramonda nodded.
"Yes. Our allies are upset that you attacked an American ship and taking Queen Eywa and breaking an agreement we had with them. Eywa was to go to America for a few months and help with healing some uncurable diseases which would have strengthen our alliance and showed that Wakanda can be an ally. But when you attacked and formed an alliance with us, they see it as a betrayal." she said. I tensed remembering the deal with the Americans and Namor shrugged.
"Let them be upset. If they cut ties with Wakanda what will it matter, we are the two strongest nations in the world." he replied.
"Yes we but we have many of our people all over the world, who are our eyes and ears. If cut ties, America and France will not be the only nations to see us as a terroristic country, but the world will see this as such and right now are fighting a disease that is spreading rapidly and they are starting to think we are the cause of it." she explained. I leaned forward some.
"I thought Shuri was making a vaccine." I replied with concern. Namor looked at me upon hearing my worry.
"She is, but we have analyzed this sickness and it is not like anything our doctors have ever seen. Your healing abilities are the only thing keeping it at bay for now. But with everywhere around the world getting sick, and us refusing to share our resources we are starting to look like the culprit regardless of our people getting sick too." she said.
"An savage ploy to use this sickness as a way to back Wakanda into a wall and force you to give your vibranium to them to profit from." Namor said with a glare, and I sighed and looked down.
"More so our back is to the wall. Wakanda cannot go back into hiding and we cannot be seen to look like the enemy to all the world." Ramonda said firmly before gently placing her fist on her throne's armchair. "I would like to propose sending someone to America to speak with them."
Namor stared at her almost coldly.
"No one of Talokan will speak to those animals. They are without a soul and I will not risk their lives." he said and Queen Ramonda nodded.
"I understand, but we were thinking someone who was supposed to already go over there." she said and already I knew what it was she was thinking. Namor must have known as well, because he was on my feet, anger apparent on his face, the Dora immediately reacting, moving around Queen Ramonda. This made Attuma and Namora step forward as well, their weapons in hand.
"And you must not have heard me Queen Ramonda! None of my people are going!" he stated. Ramonda frowned.
"I cannot go and leave Wakanda unprotected. But someone of both our nations should go, and explain to our allies that we are not responsible for this illness. Eywa is a healer if she goes and explains the situation, heals some of the high profile associates then it will quell our allies enough to not ask us to share our vibranium, because that is Wakandas' options currently: discuss sharing vibranium for them to ultimately taint and create weapons of their own, or send a healer to heal their people and stop all other filthy rumors about Wakanda all together!" she said firmly. As they argued I looked down in thought before standing up myself. Namor stopped talking and looked at me and I looked at him.
"My king, I need to go." I replied and his eyes widened as he shook his head.
"No. I am not sending you into a den of corrupt creatures alone." he said.
"She will not be alone." Queen Ramonda replied. "Agent Ross and Okoye will be there with her." Out of the corner of my eyes I noticed Attuma's face brighten if only for a split second. Namor shook his head at her before looking at me.
"We cannot trust them." he said. I nodded.
"But I trusted Agent Ross, and I trust Okoye to keep me safe. Beside's I heard she went up against Attuma and really went toe to toe. You know she's good." I said. Attuma just looked down at the ground for a moment. Namor did not look phased or convinced. He looked at Ramonda.
"I need to speak to my wife. Alone!" he said.