Kaldur hadn't been back in the capital since he had learned of his parents executions by Orms orders... Actually that wasn't strictly speaking true... He had attacked this place several times with his father. Sometimes causing more damage than others. One thing he had learnt was how to swim around undetected and unnoticed. As he headed towards the palace he made sure to keep his head down and not draw any attention to himself. He swam along like any other Atlantean did, through the streets.
Eventually he arrived at the foot of the palace. This was where it would become more dangerous. Once, he could of simply walked in now he would have to sneak in. Did he have time? No... There was only one way he was going to be able to make it there in time and that was by taking a huge gamble. Leaving his place in the shadows the traitor swam straight up to a guard who looked at him with a mix of fear and shock.
"I am Kaldur'ahm. The son of Black Manta and an old agent of the Light." He declared "I am here to surrender."
/
Queen Mera was looking at her six year old son. The boy, Arthur, had his father's hair but his mother's eyes. He was busy playing around with some simple magic. The doors to the royal chamber were suddenly flung open. At least ten guards came in. The Royals all looked over in surprise and curiosity. The biggest shock was yet to come. Two guards appeared dragging a handcuffed Kaldur'ahm.
They through him to the ground. He attempted to lift himself back to his feet but was quickly knocked back down by a guard who kicked him in the back The others pointed their spears into the back making sure not to allow him a chance to get to his feet. It was obvious to all those present that the guards were terrified of their prisoner despite the chains.
Tula who had been visiting took several steps back, her old friend had severely injured her several years earlier. Garth's eyes narrowed and he held his girlfriend's hand. Orin looked on with wide eyes as did Mera. Orm watched somewhat distantly. Mera quickly headed over to her young son and picked him up.
"Kaldur'ahm what are you doing here?" Asked Orin
"He swam up the gates and surrendered you majesty." Said one of the guards "Then he begged audience."
"Should we dispatch him now?" Asked another guard
"No... Let him talk." Instructed Mera
"But Mera he is a traitor and an enemy of all Atlanteans protocol dictates that they are to be dealt with with maximum prejudice." Reasonned Orin
"All the same... Speak Kaldur'ahm." Declared Orin
"I do not come for myself but on behalf of the woman I love..." Kaldur declared
Queen Mera raised an eyebrow, her husband had told her of this Rocket and the trouble that she had gotten into with the Light. She was a surface dweller and a member of the League. She must also of known that Kaldur wasn't exactly the person of the week in Atlantis at the moment. So why send him?
"She is with child and had recently gone into labour." Kaldur continued "But... The child is mine, therefore part Atlantean... Giving birth to it is killing her and she has not much time left... I need your help your magesty."
"You cannot just return here and issue demands boy!" Declared Orm "The girl is your problem! Mera where are you going?"
The queen was already swimming off. She turned around to listen to her brother in law.
"Guards release Kaldur'ahm. I will get some medicine that may be of help to your partner."
"Mera!" Orm shouted outraged
"Kaldur'ahm may of done much wrong in his life... I believe he knowns this and he deserves to suffer for it but not even Neptune himself could convince me to allow an innocent woman and child to suffer!" Mera declared
"Guards be gone!" Ordered Aquaman "You too brother..."
The guards and Orm reluctantly left. Leaving Kaldur alone with the king, Tempest, Tula and Lagoon Boy. The traitor slowly raised himself to his feet. He had expected some rough treatement from the guards yet it was a pleasant surprise to still be alive... For the moment, at least... Orin sat on his throne and let out a deep and regretful sigh.
"You realise of course Kaldur'ahm that since you have returned I can no longer pretend that I know not of your whereabouts... The people will want you to pay for your crimes."
"I am aware..." Said Kaldur'ahm blankly "But I shall attempt no resistance you have my word..."
"You really do love her, do you not?" Said the king to his ex-subject
"Your majesty without Raquel, I would have died long ago..."
Mera reappeared a moment later holding a small atlantean bag. She nodded and they headed over to the nearest Zeta-beam portal. A moment later, the queen and Kaldur were back at the island. Nightwing was waiting for them concern and a grave expression etched on his face but he seemed somewhat relieved to see his friend alive.
"She's not doing very well..." Said Nightwing
"Let me see her!" Said Mera
Mera followed Kaldur and Nightwing to the room where Rocket currently was. She'd grown ever paler since Kaldur had left, he quickly ran over to her side and placed a hand on her head. She was burning up. Still she managed to smile to him, he returned the smile. The queen was already busy examining Raquel.
"You kept your promise..." Managed Raquel
"I told you I would..." Kaldur said gently stroking her hair "How are you feeling."
"Like you know what..."
"The is Queen Mera of Atlantis..." Said Kaldur "She has come to help."
"Nice to meet you..." Said Rocket
"Indeed. Raquel you are bleeding heavily internally..."
"Can you do anything?" Asked Kaldur
"I believe so... Eat this, it will help with the pain."
She handed Kaldur a piece of some kind seaweed to give to Raquel. She looked at it with disgust but to her credit ate it. Mera's tattoos became visible as she began to use her powers. Kaldur pronounced a silent prayer in Atlantean and held his girlfriend close to him muttering words of reassurance which he was unsure had any effect.
/
Lian sat on her father's lap, looking at the various heroes. She had always wanted to meet a lot of them but for some reason today they all seemed really gloomy almost sad. She was sure it had something to do with aunty Raquel but neither one of her parents would tell her what was going on. It annoyed her when the grown ups judged that there were things she'd better not know. Who were they to judge?
Her head turned as the teleporter flashed one more time. This time it was Aquaman who stepped through holding onto his hand was a little blonde boy with blue eyes. Lian jumped out of his father's arms and rushed over to the other kid. Perhaps they could be playmates.
"Hi! I'm Lian... What's your name?" She asked
"Arthur..." Replied the boy after some fish talk
"Are you a fish too?"
Aquaman left his son with the younger Lian and approached the other members of the League. Red Arrow kept a warm eye on both children. He noticed as both of them started to play fight but turned his attention back towards Orin. Despite his close friendship with Kaldur, he hadn't ever warmed up to the bigger fish and he got the feeling that it was pretty much mutual. There was a thump and Arthur junior was knocked to the floor. Red Arrow smirked.
"My kid's tougher than yours..." He told the king with a smile
"Guys!" Said Jade
/
"Congratulations Kaldur'ahm you have a healthy male heir." Said Mera
Words couldn't describe what Kaldur felt as he picked up the small child in the bundle of blankets. The child had dark skin, silver eyes so very similar to his own. He was too young to be able to tell what coloured hair he had. Barely a minute old, the child was waling; unhappy at being brought so roughly into the world.
Kaldur gently carried the boy back to his mother, so that she could have a look at him. Despite all the odds Raquel had survived and was slowly recovering, thanks in no small part to Mera's magic.
She smiled weakly seeing the baby boy. The baby slowly lifted a little hand, Kaldur then spotted something strange; the baby had tattoos very similar to his own but his had been given to him at
the conservatory of sorcery in Atlantis; no body was born with them... Unless it was because of Klairon's meddling.
The child began to quieten down somewhat when he was handed to Raquel who gently nursed him in her arms. It seemed somewhat unreal to Kaldur. Such a small child, no bigger than the distance from his fist to his elbow had somehow come to be... He looked over to Queen Mera his eyes full of joy and happiness.
"Thank you..." He muttered
"It is nothing... What are you going to name him?"
"Amistad..." Replied Rocket
"A good name..."
"I'll take on both of you!"Yelled Lian
"This child of yours Red Arrow, she is worse than you!" Declared Aquaman
The group turned as those who had been waiting outside slowly came in to see the young baby. Roy was carrying his young daughter over his shoulder as she tried to fight both Aquaman and his now crying young son. Her aggression stopped however as she noticed the little baby. She hoped down from her father's shoulder and rushed over to have a look. Her little dark blue eyes widened at the sight of the child who starred back her and blew a few bubbles. Lian laughed.
"He's kinda cute... Can we keep him?" She asked her mother
"Yes, Lian... Yes we are..." Said Kaldur glancing down proudly at the baby
/
"How do you fill out this thing bats?" Asked Nightwing "I mean I can't put down place of birth : Secret island! And Kaldur's a wanted criminal!"
"Let me see..." Said Batman
Batman and his ex-sidekick were busy filling out Amistad's birth certificate. A few hours had passed since the child's birth and Raquel had already regained a fair amount of strength now she was mainly tired. The baby was sleeping quietly in her arms. Kaldur handed queen Mera and Aquaman a glass of cold water.
"Thank you your majesties..." Kaldur said honestly "I do not know what we would of done without you."
"Think nothing of it Kaldur'ahm..." Said Aquaman
"Done!" Declared Nightwing "Amistad Ervin was officially born in Gotham!"
"Thank you!" Said Rocket
Suddenly the Zeta-beam teleporter started up. Everyone turned around in surprise, they weren't expecting any visitors... Prince Orm stepped through with another ten Atlantean guards. They approached Kaldur who closed his eyes but remained passive.
"Kaldur'ahm you are sentenced to death for treason and multiple attacks on Atlantis." Said the prince "This was decided by the high court..."
"What?" Raquel yelled shocked
"He has my amnesty..." Said Orin
"In that case you are sentenced to life's imprisonment." Said Orin "It is the will of the counsel and the people that this boy is punished brother, there can be no other solution... Or are we to forgive all murderers..."
"I give him a reprieve." Declared Aquaman
"The longest a traitor can have is one year!" Said Orm "Why wait?"
"Because it will give him one year more with his child... Now go!"
Kaldur had watched the scene with the others with a mix of sorrow and regretfulness. Upset by all the noise the child began to cry once more. Raquel gently rocked Amistad in her arms trying to send him back to sleep. Kaldur slowly approached and placed a hand gently on his son's head. The baby slowly hushed quiet.
"I am sorry Kaldur'ahm... I can do no more..." Said Aquaman
"You have already done more than enough..." Said Kaldur'ahm "You have saved Raquel and given me some time with my child... I am forever in your debt and I apologize for all the pain that I have caused..."
"What are you going to do Kal..."
"Stay... I have one year before my imprisonnement I will stay with you and our child... If you will so permit it."
"Of course..."
/
Kaldur lay awake listening to the quiet breathing of Raquel and Amistad who was in a cot by the side of the bed. Raquel had an outstretched arm and the child was holding on to her finger. The Atlantean gently brushed some of the girl's hair out of her face and kissed her on the neck. How would one year ever be enough? One life certainly wouldn't be...