Oki doki. Here comes my new chapter.
Enjoy, review and follow if you want.
A/N: The (") sign after a line means they are speaking in another language.
A/N2: I have no idea what the true conversation of the original film was. I merely gave it an interpretation of my own so I didn't have to write the weird sounds of the atlantean language. :D
As always, I do not own either Atlantis nor Thor but feel free to review and hit the follow and/or fav buttons if you like the story so far. I would love to know about what you think and feel about my AU.
Shortly after that, they were putting up the tents. For the most part of the journey Eydís' tent had been kept with the rest of the kitchen team so there was no way for her to see the deplorable state of Milo's, but that day she decided she would sleep closer to him and this group of people that had been kind enough to relieve a little part of her soul. She was happy when Vinny helped out Milo and when Audrey asked with honest curiosity about Milo's grandfather. The way he talked about his foster father reminded her of how she used to talk about her own when she was little. She still did but less often.
Audrey and Vinny shared their stories as well and Eydís couldn't find a thing untrue in them. The sincerity of their voices was reflected by their body language so that made the Princess relax a little. All of the present were actually quite interested in Mole's story when Sweet cut Audrey's story short and the mystery remained. After that, they simply tried to sleep. For Eydís it took a little longer but eventually she fell asleep until one of her wardings suddenly buzzed in her mind. In a flash, she was wide awake but kept low to count them up.
One.
Two.
Three.
They were indeed stealthy and quick but she realized they had come from the direction of the digging machine and were checking someone's bag by the sound of it. The girl, wasn't put off just because of the disturbance, the tickling in her stomach had turned into a soft burn, like the remnants of a fireplace that had suddenly been fed up once again, the sparks of a new fire about to arise. Taking her satchel, she disappeared and rose from her bed with even greater stealth to look upon her adversaries. If needed, she would fight them.
She saw the blue glow of two pair of eyes just in time to hear someone else rise. The intruders ran away. Something in her made her follow them, unsure of exactly what. Maybe she was angry at them for following the convoy from the shadows, maybe she was just curious or maybe it was just this burning feeling that made her heart race. Eydís was really close from them when she noticed the light of the lamp change. It became brighter once again and something began to fly out of it.
Were those… fireflies?
But it was weird, the animals felt disturbed, angry even. Something was wrong. She had to go back but she couldn't. Her body was stubbornly moving forwards, closer to the intruders.
– FIRE!
She heard Milo's scream from afar but she couldn't stop and only moved forward. When she was close enough to the intruders, she could also make out screams and explosions from behind, the sound of a crash and the screeching of wheels but she couldn't even look back yet. Finally, she caught up with the strangers. There were not three of them but five. They all wore the same kind of huge masks that covered their faces and torso. The long manes covering their backs made them look a little like monkeys. It was obvious they heard the commotion as well so they began moving through their path until they saw someone, alone and unconscious.
One of them made signs to take this person, evidently this was the leader. With a closer look, Eydís realized it was someone from the convoy. Not just anyone but her friend, Milo. There was a cut on his chest and Eydís was dying to try to help but there was nothing she could do without being discovered. She noticed how Milo's breathing changed and deduced he was about to wake up. Just in time, he opened his eyes, slightly confused and overwhelmed by the masked people. He was panicking.
The leader of the group approached him. Eydís heart thumped quickly, violently almost. Then, this person took off the mask. It was a woman. Older than her. Possibly the same age as Thor or Loki. As it turns out, the blue glow from the masks actually came from a great jewel hanging from a strap around her neck. This woman got closer to Milo looking at the wound. She placed the jewel close to it, let its light spread through the bleeding section with a circular movement and then, at the same time she let go of the jewel, she placed her hand upon the cut. She pressed and Milo winced but then relaxed completely when the woman separated her hand from his chest, there was no trace of the injury. He was mesmerized by the stranger just as much as Eydís was. Therefore, nothing prepared them for the loud noise that suddenly echoed through the cavern. It made everyone jump.
The masked people began leaping with their spears from rock to rock, getting away from what was surely the expedition group. Milo followed clumsily. Eydís followed as well from the shadows with much more grace. She felt as if this was an exercise her father or Sif would put her through. She smiled and then, up ahead, saw a crack on the rock walls. This was an entrance (or an exit, depending on the angle). Since she had long passed Milo, Eydís waited for him to catch up and stayed right next to the threshold. Once he wriggled free form it Eydís lifted her invisibility spell and followed her friend.
She found Milo standing almost on the edge of a cliff, astonished by the view. Eydís soon joined him. Furthermore, little by little, a small party of convoy that had been looking for Milo arrived all with a similar look on their faces.
– Wait! Mother of Jefferson Davis! – Cookie said.
– It's very beautiful, – Audrey continued.
– Milo, I gotta hand it to you. You really came through, – Sweet concluded.
Beware, Eydís' mind yelled and she looked back in time to see the five warriors surround the small group. Everyone else was caught off guard.
– I take that back, – Sweet refrained.
– Holy cats, – Rourke said while reaching for his gun. – Who are these guys?
– They gotta be atlanteans, – Milo said excited.
– What?! That's impossible, – Helga countered.
Eydís didn't care what anyone else thought. She knew that Milo's theory was correct. She felt a knot in her throat. There had been survivors after all. She wasn't the last of her race. There could be answers for her despite the odds. The leader began speaking.
– "Are these the people that came here with you? – for Eydís this was crystal clear but by the looks of everyone, it wasn't for them. – "What are you doing here? I command you to answer me.
– I think she is talking to you, – Mole told Milo.
– "I demanded an answer, not small talk among you!
With difficulties, Milo began to formulate an answer as he dared approach her. Apparently, the woman didn't expect him to really answer so she took off her mask to give more emphasis. The talk only lasted a few sentences and then Milo changed the language again. Thanks to the All-tongue spell, Eydís could still understand. Mole got all hyped up and intended a not so smooth move on the stranger which ended with him being literally punched on the face. Sweet applauded her and Audrey seemed to approve her. The Princess could just watch with a smile.
Soon after, the other warriors took off their masks and began speaking in different tongues.
– We are explorers from the surface world, – Rourke interrupted loudly. – We come in peace.
The feeling that those were a bunch of lies invaded Eydís. Rourke was lying but she got distracted when the other woman said:
– Welcome to the city of Atlantis! – she took Milo's hand. – Come, you must speak with my father now.
Eydís followed closely. Some of the expedition members got on trucks as the Commander gave out instructions. Instead, she got close to the leader on foot. The burning feeling got stronger.
– Hello, – she said shyly.
– Hello, – the stranger answered with a smile.
There was an air of familiarity in the gesture.
– My name is Eydís, pleased to meet you, – even walking, the Princess made her usual salutation.
– My name is Kidagakash but everyone calls me Kida.
– Kida. That has a lovely ring to it.
– Thank you. How do they call you? Dís?
– Actually, they do not, – Eydís smiled amused. – People use my full name or, just my closest family, calls me Little star.
– That is funny. Why do they call you that?
– It has to do with my birth date. Something that happened that day.
– I see.
There was a pause.
– You have followed us for quite some time now. Why did you allow us to find the city?
– How did you know?
– You first, – Eydís taunted.
– That is personal.
Far from taking it like an insult, Eydís felt this exchange strangely familiar as well.
– Deki? Wha is tha? – little Eydís asked a young Loki.
– What is what? – he dodged.
– Tha in yu ands.
– That is personal.
– Wha do tha mean? – the innocent child asked.
– That means you do not get to pry on it.
– Bu am yu sista.
– Even I get to hide some things from my siblings.
– Bu…
– That is it.
The Princess had been left in the corridor, just outside of Loki's room. She had intended on visiting her brother after he had locked himself away for two nights in a row. She was worried and so, she went to check on him. The little one was about to knock when her brother had suddenly opened the door, almost tripping with her on his way out. Loki had his hands clasped together, while he held his arms near to his body. Eydís had grown curious but had left it alone because she had lost track of her brother.
Later on she had found out from Eir that Loki had been trying to make a potion and it had gone very wrong. It was supposed to paint someone's hands pink and, instead, it had glued his hands together. Those two nights he had been desperately trying to counter the potion's effects without success. Thus, he had gone to Eir for help. Eydís understood that rather than personal, it had simply been embarrassing. Loki was afraid someone would make fun of him so he hid instead. In that moment she threw herself in a frantic search for him.
– DEKI! – she screamed all over the palace.
Finally, she saw him in the gardens. The little girl assumed he was going to his private patch so she sped up. As soon as she found him, she tackled him down unintentionally. The momentum of her speed and the impulse she took to hug him from the waist threw both siblings to the grass.
– EYDÍS! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! – he yelled evidently mad.
– I uld neva laugh of yu, – she began not minding his tone, – only wi yu. Do no hide fro me please. I woy too.
As understanding dawned Loki, he relaxed. Now he looked perplexed but she had gone through all the trouble of looking for him to say this and the thought warmed his heart.
– I promise I will not hide from you little star, – he embraced her too. – Thank you.
Eydís' silence added to the smile on her face made Kida curious. Why was this girl smiling? And why did she cared? Why did she felt an urge to tease and embrace her at the same time? Why was her heart pounding so hard?
– Did I say something funny? – Kida finally asked.
– No. You just made me remember something sweet.
– Why are you with me and not with your people?
– Who knows, – Eydís shrugged. – Are you a single child?
The question came out of nowhere.
– I am, – she answered plainly but then added. – Although that has not always been the case.
– How so?
Kida looked at those clear, baby blue eyes so full of hope and curiosity. Why did it feel right to talk to her?
– I do not really remember but I have this images from long ago where there was someone else with me. My father might be able to remember better but I have never asked before.
– That reminds me. You said we had to speak with your father. Does that mean that he is an important person here?
– The most important. He is the King.
Eydís could barely believe her luck. She had found her family who were none other than the royal family themselves. She was most positive about that. Her asgardian father couldn't be wrong, let alone his magic. This feeling she was getting would only convince her further of her theory.
– Are you an only child as well?
– No. I have two older brothers. We used to be four but one of us died a long time ago.
– How did he die?
– He got hit by an arrow.
– Was it intentional? Were you under attack? – Kida asked concerned.
Eydís thought very carefully her next words.
– The murder was not intentional but, in a way, we were under attack.
Kida waited.
– After his death we learned that he had been planning on practically killing the whole family so he could get the throne for himself. He was even prepared to blame our brother Loki for it all. Therefore, our people would side with him and allow him to rule without question.
– What a twisted mind, – Kida made a disgusted face, – but wait. Did you say throne?
Eydís smiled mischievously.
– I think it best to wait until we are with your father to talk more privately about the matter. Could it be possible?
Kida nodded a little dumbfound.
The pair kept talking quietly without noticing the looks they were getting from Helga and Rourke.
– Commander, there were not supposed to be people down here. That changes everything, – Helga said.
– This changes nothing, – he answered.
– Commander, I've also been worried about this girl for weeks, – she signaled Eydís with her head. – No one seems to know a thing about her and, according to some, there was never a file on her.
– You worry too much. If she becomes an obstacle, we'll take care of her.
– Should we speak with her?
– Probe the terrain. Proceed as you think best, – he commanded.
They arrived shortly after to the palace at the top of the hill. Two fierce looking men guarded the huge stone doors. Inside there was so much water due to a pond that it made this throne room unique and beautiful at the same time in Eydís' eyes. Sure it was decaying a little and there were leaks everywhere but it was still a majestic place. Kida stepped in first through a stone path that prevented them to fall into the water. She was followed by Eydís, Milo, Rourke and Helga. As she approached the throne she put her hands together and kneeled. Both Milo and Eydís copied her.
– "Greetings your Highness. I have brought the visitors.
– "You know the law Kida. No outsiders may see the city and live, – the King said.
He looked very old. Eydís could swear he was even older than Odin because his voice sounded even more tired than the All-Father's.
– "Father, these people may be able to help us.
– "We do not need their help.
– "But father… – Kida began in a begging tone.
– "That is enough! – he said loudly, reminding Eydís of King Odin. – "We will discuss this later.
– Your majesty, in behalf of my crew, may I say it is an honor to be welcome to your city, – Rourke interrupted.
– Ahem, excuse me, Commander, – Milo tried.
– You presume much to think you are welcome here, – the King answered.
– Sir, we have come a long way looking for…
– I know what you seek, – now it was the King's turn to interrupt, – and you will not find it here. Your journey has been in vain.
– But we are peaceful explorers. Men of science.
The King laughed sarcastically.
– And yet you bring weapons.
– Our weapons allow us to remove obstacles we may encounter.
– Some obstacles can not be removed with a mere show of force, – he stood up. – Return to your people. You must leave Atlantis at once.
While their talk lasted, Eydís remained kneeled and with her face to the ground. The revival of the home fire had turned now into a forest ablaze. She could feel her whole body thumping to the rhythm of her heart. Her right hand clutched tightly the pendant under her clothes. She could barely focus on the conversation but she realised Rourke had managed to convince the King to allow them a one night stay. They were thanking and beginning to walk away, Eydís knew it was time.
– "Sire, – she began, – "I respectfully ask for a private audience with you.
All eyes fell on her.
– "Private, you say? What do you wish to discuss that you rather not have any more of your companions here?
– "It is a personal matter.
The King looked at the girl intently.
– "Alright.
Eydís smiled and rose to her feet.
– The rest of you can leave now, – he said with authority.
The trio looked at each other, confused, but complied. Milo sent a last longing look to Kida and Eydís in turn. Then he got the weirdest feeling, as if he had seen double. Those two standing quite close felt strange. In a way, they looked alike. The regal air around them, the shape of their nose, the size of their eyes. It was only a moment but Milo was unable to shake off that thought from his mind as he walked out. The doors closed behind him.