Hello everybody! Here is the new chapter!

Jonek is a main character here and will be in 'The King's Daughter' so stay tuned with both stories so you get his backstory.

Also, please review this story! It would mean a lot to me, and it really helps me when I get feedback. *^^*

Disclaimer: I do not own Atlantis.

Meison

Meison was tired of the rumor that was spreading in the city that was being consumed and growing like a great fire.

The princess was in love with someone. The only thing that he knew so far was that this man that she was seeing was a warrior. Nobody else in the city knew what was his name. One of his friends told him that he saw the beloved princess walking around in the city with that man, but that he couldn't see very well who it was from a far.

Whoever that man was, he was going to be sorry for being close to the princess.

When Kida was born, Meison's parents agreed with the former queen of Atlantis, Maralana, that there would be an arranged marriage between their children. They were older now, and even though Kida didn't knew him very well he was sure that if he courted her she would fall down to his knees like the lovely ladies of the brothel.

Meison desperately wanted the throne ever since he was a small child, and he knew exactly what to do to ruin this unknown romance.

He was heading to the palace right now to talk to the King personally, and officially settle the issue about the arranged marriage.

When he reached the guards the gave him a stern look. He smiled, "I'm here to see the king for an urgent matter."

They exchanged glances and the twin guard from the right entered the throne room, and came out a few minutes later telling him he could pass.

As he was approaching the throne room, he saw the King sitting in his throne. He was blind, but Meison and the rest of the city always had an impression that he could see.

He bowed down to the king, "Your majesty. I have come to discuss about something very important."

The king raised an eyebrow, "Are the crystal caves alright?"

"Yes, the crystals are beautiful," Meison was the heir of the crystal caves. The crystals that are around their necks come from Meison himself. His family has been a wealthy family since many millennia ago.

"I am here to discuss about your daughter."

"My daughter," The King's white eyes had a look of concern in them. "What has she done to offend you?"

"Offend? No, your majesty she has not offended me," Meison smiled. "Except she has captured my heart."

The king's expression grew serious at what he heard.

"I know I am not worthy of the affections of your daughter, but my only wish is to court her and see if she feels the same way."

"I have given Kida the freedom the choose any suitor that she would like to marry."

"That is a wise decision, your highness," He looked at the king straight into his blank eyes. "Although, we still have that concern of the arranged marriage my parents made with the queen."

"I have not forgotten," King Kashekim stated. "But in addition to the agreement my wife made, I have declared that first my daughter should try and choose a husband of her own."

Meison frowned as soon as he heard this, "But-"

The king interrupted, "If she does not decide on a husband, we will follow with the arranged marriage Maralana made."

Meison sighed, "Very well, your majesty. Does this mean I have your permission to court your daughter?"

"You and the rest of the young men here in Atlantis. We could use a royal wedding anytime soon. Good luck." The king gave a small smile.

"Thank you, your grace." Meison bowed before he left. He was not happy with Kashekim's new law, but it was a minor annoyance that he could handle. He felt that winning Kida's heart would not be a challenge.

How wrong he was.

.a.

Kashekim Nedahk

That meeting he just had with young Meison gave him a headache. He knew that it wouldn't be long before more young suitors would come to the palace to ask for his daughter's hand in marriage.

Jani slowly walked into the throne room, "I could not help but overhear, but were you serious about what you said?"

"I was not lying that we could use a royal wedding. It will bring joy to the city in these harsh times," Kashekim sighed.

Times were getting more difficult. Every year it was more difficult in finding food in the caves. Atlantis was not yet in a famine, but Kashekim had a feeling that in a thousand years the city would die in starvation.

The king frowned and murmured, "I was lying in wishing luck to that young man. There is something about Meison that I just do not like. I see something dark within him."

Jani stayed silent, "You should encourage Kida to choose a better candidate than him."

"How will I do that?"

"You should make a small feast within the city. So then Kida can meet suitable and handsome men that are not married!"

The King smiled at her, "This is why I admire you Jani. You always have a solution to everything. You are a good friend."

Jani smiled at him back and reached for his hands. They held hands until Kida entered the palace and immediately let go.

She had her hunting armor on and had a big smile on her face, "The hunt was good today, we caught many baby cherohk."

Jani squealed excitedly, "Kida! Thank goodness you are here! Your father has just decided to make a feast."

"A feast? What for? So food is not scarce?" She smiled.

"No," Jani frowned. "It is still a problem, but your father just wants a distraction from all that and celebrate among the people."

Kida gave a suspicious look.

"It will be a good feast," Kashekim added. "It will be the last one I will enjoy before I pass."

Jani gasped, "Your majesty! Please! You still have many millennia left."

"Well I will be in my room," Kida left and the king hoped that in the festival Kida will find someone she would like for a husband. If not, it would have been all for nothing and he didn't want that. Any man was better than Meison. Any other wealthy man in the city, of course.

It was mandatory for her daughter to marry someone who would be of a high status in the city to ensure the security and stability of the royal family and the inhabitants of the city. Kashekim wanted a husband like that for Kida, because a man like that would make a great king. A man with good heart and wealth.

.a.

Kidagakash Nedahk

Kida left with some suspicion wandering in her mind about the festivity, why on earth did her tabtoap wish to have a celebration?

Later that day, Kida went to the kitchen to find Jani.

"Jani what will my father and I be having for dinner?" She asked as soon as she entered.

Instead of answering her question Jani ran up to her squealing, "Kida! The council approved for the festivities to happen. It will be in the fifth day!"

They were in the third day, so the evening party was going to be sooner than Kida thought. Kida frowned, "We should not have the celebration at all. We need to save the food for the colder season."

"It will be a small reception with a few guests! No need to worry!"

"Tell me the truth Jani. Is there a particular reason why my father made this feast?"

Jani's eyes looked away from Kida, "No, of course not!"

"You do not know how to lie Jani," Kida smiled.

Jani exhaled quickly, "Very well! Your father wants you to choose a husband already!"

Kida had a shocked look in her face, "What? At the feast?"

She nodded, "Your father wants you to acquaint yourself to all the bachelors in the city so you find one you will like to marry."

Kida was lost in her own thoughts. She was too shocked to hear, "All the men in the city?"

"All the ones that are not married and in a high social status," Jani smiled.

Kida frowned. Jonek was not married, but he was not wealthy. His family was very wealthy a long time ago. His father, whose name was also Jonek, was the captain of the city before the mehbelmoak happened. It was the highest rank for warriors, and they were a very social and elegant family who owned lands outside the city until the day Jonek's life changed forever. Now he only had the small house that he would inherit from the old woman who had raised him, and nothing more. Because of this he would not be invited to the evening party.

"Well if that is the reason why my father has done this then I prefer for you to cancel the festivities," Kida said in a serious tone.

This made Jani slightly mad, "Well what do you want to do? Do you want to be an old maid forever and rule the city without a king? Because if that is the case then you cannot do that. You father wants you to continue the line of heirs and he wants you to give him a grandson one day!"

Kida said calmly, "I just want to choose my own future husband in my own time like my father said!"

"Very well! Do it," Jani was now annoyed by Kida's attitude. "But quickly because these are not times to fool around!"

Whenever Jani was mad, she would continue doing her chores but at a fast pace while complaining on why she was mad.

"Choosing a husband, hmph! Look what you did," She blamed Kida for breaking a plate that she clearly broke herself for being so hasty. "As if there were many men in Atlantis to choose from!"

Kida rolled her eyes and left the kitchen as soon as Jani started blaming someone else for burning the food that she clearly burned herself, "Leena!"

The princess hurried herself to her father so she could talk to him alone. Everytime she entered the throne room she always found him staring at the stones in the waters, as if they were mesmerizing to watch.

"Father," She interrupted his thoughts and he quickly looked at his daughter. "Jani told me that the reception would be in a couple of days."

"Yes, the council accepted," Kashekim nodded. "We will have everything ready by then."

She cleared her throat, "She also told me the true reason on why you decided to have a feast. It is because I have to marry."

He shook his head, "It is not that you have to, but Jani and I have thought that it is time."

Kida smiled, "And you are right, but I would like to know if I fall in love with a man not in our social status-"

"What do you mean by that?"The king interrupted and now the princess was scared to say anything else.

She smiled, "I mean of a simple man who is good, loyal, with a name, but not wealthy. Would you be against it?"

The king grew serious, "Where are you going with this?"

Kida smiled again, "Nothing, it is just a simple question."

"I admire all the men in this city. They are all hard-working, but you should not be interested in anyone too below from your position. Yes, you are the princess but you should be interested in a good man who is almost as royal as you."

"Yes, I would like to marry someone good and noble," Kida smiled. "I believe that-"

"There you are," Jani exclaimed. "Dinner is waiting in the table. It is a bit overheated, but do not blame it on Leena! That girl has her head in the clouds, but she is just a child."

The king smiled and looked at Kida, "Come on."

Kida helped her father up and they didn't bring the subject again during dinner.

.a.

Jonek

It was evening and Jonek was having a fun time talking to his longtime friend. He said he had to tell him something important. They were now in a restaurant talking and drinking.

"So I went to see the king today."

"What for?" Jonek looked curiously at Meison. He knew that Meison also had feelings for Kida, but he never told him anything about his romance because he did not want to hurt his feelings.

"I asked for the hand of his daughter."

Jonek almost choked on his fruit drink, "Really? What did he say?"

"He wants his daughter to choose a husband."

Jonek couldn't help but smile. There was hope after all.

"But," Meison continued. "I just received the news from a royal guard that I am invited to an evening party at the palace in two days. I believe that every man in the city is invited so that Kida can choose a husband as soon as possible. I have a good feeling that I will be fortunate to be the chosen one.

"I have not received an invitation," Jonek was confused.

Meison finished his drink and started laughing, "That is because you are poor my friend. All the wealthy men in the city were invited."

Jonek frowned, but he was sure his best friend did not mean what he said.

Meison stopped laughing and looked at him rather serious, "I have heard a rumor that a warrior in the city has been winning the heart of the princess."

Jonek frowned, "I have not heard anything."

"Are you sure? You are a warrior. Surely you must know someone that is suspicious. Whoever the bastard is I will take care of him before he gets a chance with her," Jonek did not utter a word. He was afraid of his best friend finding out the truth.

"I have a feeling that it is Jaitok. That bastard has a way with women," Meison said seriously.

"He is married," Jonek said.

"That does not stop him from being at the brothel," Meison suddenly smiled. "Speaking of which, we should go. I will pay for your favorite, Carilesi. I know how much you like her."

Jonek shook his head, "No, I do not feel like having company tonight."

"Oh come on! Do not be such a woman!" Jonek finally gave in and joined Meison to see the beautiful women of the night.

Hope you enjoyed! Don't forget to review! Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Atlandim