A/N: Finally, here it is. The last planned chapter of this story. So far I'm working on an epilogue but might be some time before I post that one. Anyways, I hope you have all enjoyed the story. It was real fun to write.
A/N2: the (") sign after a line means they are speaking in another language.
– Well, well, what do we have here brother? – Thor said getting close to the prisoners.
– I believe these are the rats that intended to get away with our sister, – Loki answered.
Both men now circled Rourke and Helga like vultures just waiting for their prey to die.
– They used to be our Commander officer and his Lieutenant, – Milo offered. – Rourke and Helga.
– Hmph, – Loki snorted. – And you really were that foolish as to believe you could run away from us with our beloved sister and live to tell the tale? You sure are daft.
– We had a deal, – Rourke said defensively. – Did we know she would fuse with that giant crystal? No. She said your father would buy the thing and gave her word for it.
– Eydís, what do you have to say about this? – Loki asked.
– I did what had to be done in order to protect Atlantis. I did not expect that my heritage would cause me to become one with the crystal either but I would have never done anything to wrong my kin. It is true though that I gave my word that father would pay for the crystal but…
– Seeming as the All-Father never got it,… – Loki continued the idea.
– And that neither Rourke nor Helga had the jurisdiction of actually selling it,… – Eydís complemented.
– The deal is off, – both said at the same time.
To everyone who was watching, this was a bit unsettling. Just how much time did these two had to hang out together to think so similarly? Well, everyone except for Thor. He knew those two like the palm of his hand and this was not the first time they would do something of the kind. Most of the time, they didn't even realized they had done it until the very end. It came all too naturally to them.
– Just who the hell do you think you are? – Helga sputtered.
– My name is Loki, son of Odin. I am the second Prince. Second in line to the throne of Asgard and the Nine realms of Yggdrasil. And this is our brother. Crown prince Thor Odinson.
The blonde prince looked around, everyone seemed to, for the first time, really assimilate the presence of his brother and him. Their names had not been a mere coincidence. They truly were Asgard's royalty. Besides, Loki had always been one for dramatic speeches and, more often than not, these were the results. Still, for the time being, no one said a thing concerning this matter.
– "Guards, – King Kashekim called out. – "Take these people to our dungeons. They shall await their trial there.
Four guards came closer and obeyed, practically dragging those two.
– As for the rest of you. I would be glad to have you here during the next celebration days, – the King then turned to the rest of the crew. – You two are invited as well, of course. It would be my honor to have asgardian royalty as guest once again.
Both brothers saluted and bowed, the crew now fulling understanding where Eydís had learned it.
– Celebration father? – Kida asked.
– I do believe there is much to celebrate now. Our city is on the verge of a rebirth, the crystal is back in place but, most importantly, our beloved Mika is back home. We need to restitute her title publicly as soon as possible. There shall be a reinstatement ceremony tomorrow to commemorate such event and the celebrations should last at least a couple of days.
Everyone became excited with the prospect and knew there was a lot to do. Kida strode to her father and the three of them began getting back to the throne room with everyone else following. Once they got there, Eydís placed her father carefully on his seat while Kida began ordering around. She had to speak to the guards, to the cooks, to the maids and pretty much every worker at the palace, letting them know about the King's plan. Eydís wanted to help but Kida told her that, instead, she should follow Sheshkala to see the royal tailor. She needed a new gown.
– I have brought several gowns myself, – Eydís argued.
– Yes, but none are atlantean. You will need one for your reinstatement coronation, – she answered.
– But, I have done nothing to deserve it.
– You call saving the whole city and giving us back the great crystal, risking your own existence in the process, nothing? – the older sister arched an eyebrow.
In Eydís' mind, Kida had just sounded like Loki.
– I did nothing really. I might have been chosen but the crystal did all the work, – Eydís insisted.
– Eydís, – Loki said softly, – you have earned it. Truly.
– Loki is right little star, – Thor ruffled her hair. – Besides, it is your birthright.
Eydís laughed and tried to move out of reach from Thor's hand not really wanting to. Kida looked at the three of them. Studied their relationship. Marveled at the strong bond between them. There was so much she had to catch up with. Mika was still very far from her reach but, somehow, Kida would become a big sister for her as well. Unknowingly, Kida had shared her little sister for thousands of years, she could share some more. Specially if that made Mika happy.
– What're we gonna do in the meantime? – Sweet wondered out loud.
– You all look exhausted, – the King began. – How about a quiet dinner, a hot bath and a warm bed? You deserve it as well.
Some of them were about to protest, specially Milo but the King shushed them with a sign of his hand.
– It is the very least I can do for you. Please, accept it. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day so it is better if you rest well tonight.
No one could refute him that so, with the exception of the asgardians, everyone else was lead through a corridor to an eating hall.
– What do you think they'll talk about? – Audrey asked when they had been seated at a dining table close to the kitchens.
– I don't know, probably politics, – Milo answered.
– Did someone else caught when the King said he welcomed the asgardian royalty AGAIN? – Sweet inquired.
Many of the gathered nodded.
– I can barely believe it. Not only did we found the city of Atlantis, we also learned that Asgard is real, – Milo said enthusiastically.
– I may not be all that smart about Asgard and gods but, isn't this Loki man supposed to be the bad guy, – Vinny asked.
– The bad guy? What do you mean? – Kida said coming into the hall quietly.
There was a small silence.
– Well, – Milo answered, – according to mythology, Loki is the God of Mischief. His schemes and treachery led the way for many unfortunate events. The most famous tale of him says that he is responsible for the death of one of his brothers. I believe his name was Balder. Legend says Balder was the kindest of the brothers, as well as the youngest. His mother heard a prophecy say that his little boy would be killed. She was so afraid that she casted a protection spell around his body so nothing would harm him but Loki grew envious and found a loophole in the magic. He learned that the spell didn't work with mistletoe, a plant considered so noble and little thing that no one bothered to think of it as a weapon. Supposedly, Loki made a spear from the plant and gifted it to a blind man, friend of Balder's. Not knowing about the type of wood, he pierced the Prince right through the heart, killing him.
– But why would a blind man be allowed to throw a spear directly at the Prince? – Kida puzzled.
– According to some authors, they were playing. Balder was showing off his shield and incited his friends to throw all kinds of weapons at him to demonstrate its power. Nobody noticed the mistletoe spear until it was too late.
Everyone fell silent.
– Well, I do not believe those authors, – Kida said vehemently.
– Why not? – Audrey wondered curiously.
– Were any of you there to acknowledge this happening?
At the negative responses, Kida kept going.
– I think it wise to listen the tale from someone who was actually there for one. In second place, have you ever heard Mika talk about her brothers, ill or not?
– Umm, well, not exactly, – Audrey answered. – She's never talked about Thor or Loki. Although, she did mention she had brothers.
– And, that she's adopted, – Sweet finished.
Milo was thoughtful.
– Well, she has spoken to me about them and she told me the truth behind that myth. You would be clever not to believe everything you read. You should give him an opportunity, – Kida continued with a sudden surge of anger.
– I don't think he's evil either, – Milo agreed. – Through the journey, Eydís and I didn't speak often about ourselves but, the little I got to know about those two was always positive. Kida is right. We shouldn't judge him for things we're not even sure he did. I mean, myth never even mentioned a daughter of Odin but a woman named Brunhilde and yet, Eydís is here proving them all wrong.
– I'm sorry, you are right, – Audrey said.
– Me too, didn't mean to harm anyone. Merely curious, – Vinny said afterwards.
– Yeah, I'm sorry too, – Sweet said as well.
Everyone felt a little guilty for prying on the life of someone they had literally met about two hours ago. Worst of all, they were merely speculating on no bases at all since the mythology had proved to be flawed. God knew what else it had gotten wrong. Milo spared a small smile thinking of someone brave enough (or rather stupid enough) to ask Loki whether he was truly Sleipnir's mother or not. Eydís would most likely be the best choice to ask if anyone grew too curious.
Kida didn't stay too long after that but it was unofficially agreed that they would rather not gossip about the royal's private lives anymore. Instead, they began wondering about what an atlantean celebration would actually look like, what Mr. Whitmore would say if he could see them, they even wondered what would become of Rourke and Helga. As mean as they had been, the atlantean wrath was a mystery to the group and, come to think about it, they didn't really wanted to know it.
After the meal, a maid and a manservant came to retrieve them. The maid took the girls, and the manservant, introduced as Jitakamah, escorted the men to a vast room with a steaming water pool in the middle. To Milo, this looked very much like a public bathroom from ancient Greece. The architecture was very different but the idea was pretty much the same. Aside from Mole, they all enjoyed the bath and welcomed the hot water on their aching bodies.
About an hour later, the manservant returned with clean clothes for all of them. Then, lead the way once again to what appeared to be the remains of a guest wing. Some of the doors were now blocked by debris, others had been allowed to grow vines all over but some looked fairly well preserved, all things considered. The man stopped to face the group and signaled two parallel doors. He apologized for not having had time of cleaning anymore. He blamed himself for not being able to give each member their own room but the crew assured him it was alright. It would still be the best night sleep they would have had in a very long time.
Jitakamah bowed and went away, the crew drew straws to know who was sleeping where. Vinny and Milo were lucky to end up as roommates while Sweet exhaled a deep sigh before going into his own room with a loud Cookie and an excited Mole.
– You think the girls will be fine? – Milo said out loud.
– If I were Audrey, I would have gotten in the bathroom with the sleep mask already fastened to my face.
They both laughed.
The room was quite big. It had two beds (one in front of the other) covered with a soft fabric of a light blue color. It looked quite fresh and the mattress padded. At the far end of the room, there was only a fairly sized wardrobe and a simple looking night table to the left of each bed that had on it a sort of lamp. The two lamps were lit and as Milo and Vinny laid down to rest they became curious about how to turn them off, after all, there were no switches that they could use like back home.
– This's strange, – Vinny commented facing to the ceiling and eyes lost in thought, his hands placed together upon his middle.
– What is?
– How're we supposed to sleep with all this light?
– I was kind of thinking the same. Wait here.
Milo got up and left the room. After a short while, he came back with another person who looked a little distressed and, at the same time, amused by their trouble. This man simply touched the lamps with his crystal and the lights went out. Both men thanked.
– Hey! You think you could go across the hall to see if our friends have the same problem? – Vinny said before the man left.
– It will be my pleasure.
With that, the man bowed and closed the door. Milo got in his bed right away and drifted into a peaceful sleep almost instantly.
As promised, next morning was very busy. They all met at the same dining hall than the last night and took a small breakfast while every worker at the palace ran from one place to another to get things done. It was a bit hilarious really until Jitakamah, came running towards them, the maid, Kalayani her name was, close behind.
– Sirs, Ladies, we must hurry, – he said. – You must get ready as well.
– Wha' us? – Cookie looked surprised.
– Yes, the King and Princesses insist upon it.
That was nice to hear. The acknowledgement of Eydís as a Princess, was actually really comforting.
– That sounds fine ta'me, – Cookie said eagerly. – Come on y'all. Lets get this started.
They all laughed (except for Mrs. Packard) and went away. No one saw any of the royals, neither asgardian nor atlantean but they got caught with the euphoria of the moment. On the other side of the palace, Kida worked non stop on Eydís. They took a bath and ate some fruit at Kida's room. The seamstress was doing miracles. Though she had no time to confect a brand new dress for Eydís, Kida had given her access to her own wardrobe and even the King had allowed her to see some of the Queen's old gowns to choose something from there and adapt it for the young one.
As things would have it, the seamstress chose two gowns from the late Queen's collection to work on. Kida's dress wouldn't require too much work but Eydís, considering her smaller height and slightly muscular complexion, would need some more time. Neither sister had seen what gowns were chosen for them, let alone try them on but Kida was so confident on the old tailor that Eydís was somehow appeased. They waited patiently wearing a night robe and while the older Princess worked on her sister's hair, Eydís asked:
– Have you seen my brothers?
– Now that you mention it, no. I have not. At least not since we came back from Sukhakari's house.
– I asked for their whereabouts last night. No one knew but…
– But? – Kida said softly.
– I overheard someone say that they had seen them go out of the palace but they did not come back. I do not believe they are lost in the city. They have a very good sense of direction, specially Loki but, I would really like to know where they are. Do you think that Tabtop could have sent them away?
– No! – Kida said still in a quiet voice but with a bit of alarm, – Tabtop is not like that and you heard him when he welcomed your brothers into the city officially.
Eydís knew that Kida had voiced out her very thoughts about that theory so she kept going looking down:
– Do you think they could be angry with me?
– Angry?
– Well, I will be restated as Princess here so, what will happen to my title back in Asgard? Will I be able to go back? If not, would I be allowed to say farewell to my asgardian family? Or will I have to choose? Maybe this ceremony should have waited a little longer. At least until everything was settled.
Kida sensed Eydís' distress. Neither of them had thought about that earlier. Had their Tabtop considered this? She hoped so because she could see just how tough it was being on her sister.
– If it came down to that? If you had to choose, what would you do? – she asked cautiously.
Eydís grew silent and evidently sad.
– I do not know. I would love to go back but I also want to learn about my origins. I have missed so much here but I owe too much to them. I… I…
Her happiness had now turned into utter heartache. For the first time she perceived all the politics behind this ceremony. If she decided to stay that meant not even Heimdall would be able to see her. No message would reach her asgardian family and no news from her homeland would get to her. She would be able to know her blood family, she could be able to help with the reconstruction of the city and, maybe, study some of the ocean's life forms seeming she would have to give up the study of the sky as well as her magical studies, no doubt.
On the other hand, if she left after the ceremony, people might grow suspicious or feel betrayed on both sides. As her father foretold, it would be almost impossible to imprison her crystal once again, she could feel it. For centuries it had been dormant, ever present but not entirely active. Now, not only had it been freed but it had fused with the Great source, thus, awakening to the fullest. So, say she could get back with a new necklace along with her brothers with no problem, there was still her physique to deal with. Her dark curls became silvery (just like any other atlantean) and her blue eyes were now as dark as her curls once were. Entering the city inconspicuously was sounding hard enough as it was, but once Asgard found out her true parentage, she would most likely have to deal with what the council would undoubtedly say about the matter for no midgardians were allowed in the realm of eternal for longer than a fortnight and she had been dwelling there for centuries. The last thing she wanted was to cause her family any trouble.
– Do not be sad or worried Mika, – Kida said, bring Eydís back from her thoughts, – I believe everything will be fine.
The big sister embraced the young one tenderly. Eydís was about to burst into tears but she didn't out of respect of the long time it had taken Kida to make the tattoos that came along with her social position and title. When Eydís had first heard the word "tattoo" she had refused vehemently, specially knowing they would be placed on her face. Kida then explained that even though most tattoos were permanent, she knew how to make temporal ones. Eydís would be properly tattooed only when and if she felt ready for it. That had soothed the young one.
If she had to pick a lesson from her brother Thor, the Princess would say without a doubt that never giving up was her choice. Beyond the fear, beyond the pain, she couldn't give in. Not now, not ever. There would be a solution for this. She just wished Thor and Loki were here with her and Kida so they could think of something.
Hours went by and Kida gave her a brief introduction on the few protocols that were still being used. They weren't too many and they were not complicated at all but Eydís' mind was just not focused enough to learn things properly. They had to make a pause at lunchtime to focus again until, finally, the young Princess got it all right.
– There. It was not at all hard, was it Mika? – Kida joked.
Eydís smiled only halfheartedly.
All through the day, Kida had called her Mika. Not one single time had she called her Eydís. Eydís knew that "Mika" was the diminutive form of her real name but listening it as her own name was still weird. She would need more time to adjust, if she had any left. The feeling to have to choose between Eydís and Mika was very present on her mind, unsettling her until she couldn't take it any longer. She was about to explode when a solution suddenly came to her.
– Kiki, – she began, – can I ask something of you?
Kida was a little surprised to hear her old nickname come from her sister's mouth.
– Anything.
– Would you call me little star please?
Kida blinked rapidly.
– I thought only your family got to call you that, – she answered.
– Are you not my sister as well Kiki?
Kida smiled widely. If she had had any doubts about Mika's disposition of accepting her bonding attempts, they were gone in that moment.
– You win little star.
To Eydís, this was as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her back. For the first time in the day she felt as if she were moving forward steadily. She truly smiled. Just about then, they heard a knock on the door. Sukhakari, the seamstress, came in after being allowed to carrying two carefully wrapped packages. She opened them with care to reveal two different dresses. First she took out Kida's and urged her to try it on. It was a cold-shoulder, bell-sleeved, floor-long, cornflower-blue dress. Upon it, stitched to the front was a second layer of a fabric with shoulder pads of a slightly darker shade of blue with gold and magenta colored lines. It dragged just a little and fitted Kida's figure perfectly. Sukhakari arranged Kida's hair and the eldest sister was done.
As for the second Princess, her dress was a bit different though the tones used were pretty much the same. It was a floor-length dress as well of an indigo color. This had an off-shoulder, bell-sleeved top part which was decorated with golden lines on the front torso. A thick, purplish belt around her hips marked the fall of a sheath skirt that had an overskirt. Said overskirt was lined with a fabric of the same color as the belt. The tail of Eydís' dress was just as long as Kida's.
They looked at each other and into the mirror constantly.
– "I am sorry for the lousy job but with such short notice, it was all I could do, – Sukhakari said a little worried.
– "Do not worry. They are prefect for today, – Kida smiled.
– "Princess Kida, – the tailor bowed and looked at Eydís. – "Young Princess.
Eydís was a little taken aback by this but she managed to give back the bow with a nod of her head.
– Ready little star?, – Kida asked while placing on her head a gold circlet with three feathers and the atlantean sigil on it.
– No, – Eydís answered.
Kida was a bit confused until she saw the young woman take out from thin air a small star brooch which she pinned close to her heart.
– Now I am ready.
The older woman offered her hand and guided her little sister through unknown corridors.
– Where are we going? I thought we needed to go to the throne room.
– This way will lead us to the terrace, unseen. The event is to take place there, for everyone to see. You will be the last person to walk through the terrace and up the main stairs to meet Tabtop at the highest point.
– WHAT?! – she panicked a little. – I am supposed to walk alone through there?!
– Do not worry, I will be waiting at the top. You will do just fine if you remember what we practiced.
They stopped at the sight of an opening.
– I must go back but listen carefully to what is being said so you walk in right on time, not a moment before. Am I clear?
Eydís nodded.
That said, Kida took off and left the young one with a knot in her stomach. What should she do? Should she step out and face Atlantis, binding her to this new place? Or should she just leave and look for a way back to Asgard before it was too late? Indecision gnawed her insides as minutes went by. The crew members were called out one by one by the King, leaving Milo till last. Then, Eydís heard some sort of speech but she was too busy in her mind to actually listen to what was being said. She walked back and forth biting a little her thumb's nail. At long last she heard:
– "I present you, our saviour.
Seeming as there was silence that followed, Eydís took a deep breath while squeezing the brooch a little, exhaled and marched out of the corridor. Her head high, a smile on her face and her hands to her sides. Upon seeing her, the crowd erupted into cheering and veering. Eydís waved at times looking amazed at the people that already considered her part of them. The rain clouds in her heart began to diminish but there was still something there that wouldn't allow her to enjoy this moment fully. As she climbed the stairs, she could see her Tabtop and Kida at the top. To their left, was the crew, all brandishing their own crystals in full atlantean fashion. She wished with all her heart that her whole family was there, not just her newly found blood relatives.
When she was finally face to face with the King she knelt.
– "I am proud and beyond happy to have lived to see this day. You have given us back hope and you have performed yet the greatest miracle of all, – the King spoke to her then made a small pause. – "My people! After so long, our Princess has finally come back home!
The people roared in excitement.
– "I ask you now. Would you take back my second daughter?
As one the people screamed.
– "Yes!
– "Would you have her as your Princess as well?
– "YES!
– "AND WOULD YOU HAVE HER EVEN IF OUR PEOPLE MAY HAVE TO SHARE HER WITH YET ANOTHER REALM?!
To this words Eydís opened her eyes as wide as she could. Kida had instructed her not to look up before the crown was on her head, otherwise it could be taken as an insult so she suppressed as best she could the urge to do so.
– "YES! – the people screamed with such power that Eydís could feel the very earth tremble.
A single tear rolled out of her right eye.
– "Princess, do you swear to protect your people to the best of your abilities as human and as royal?
– "I swear!
– "My people, I give you, – the King continued, – "Princess Eydís Shamatmika Nedakh Odinsdottir. Second Princess of Atlantis and first Princess of Asgard.
Eydís felt the golden circlet with a magenta feather being placed on her head.
– "You may arise, – she heard the King say.
As she did she looked upwards and saw, to the King's right a very familiar sight. Her parents and brothers dressed fully for the occasion. All smiling and looking at her with pride. She covered her mouth as her eyes watered but she couldn't let go just yet. The Princess turned to face the atlantean community all hands were up. Some there were throwing flower petals, some were whistling. Turning to her now right, Eydís saw one more surprise, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three had come as well and they dwelled on the stair steps, joining the multitude. All the clouds in her heart were now scattered and her happiness was beyond words. Every doubt she had before this moment simply banished.
The crystal had been right. This was her place, right in between her fathers, linking once again such powerful allies. The universe could throw at them the best it had, but this families wouldn't be parted ever again.