Author's Notes: Moving along to the next chapter. I'm thinking of Prince Orm and his release from prison and how to continue. What little WBD gave us over the past year only a few behind the scenes but nothing more. As I said before, the comics verse will play out in the next few chapters. Okay, here we go, and I hope you enjoy it.

~o~o~

Chapter 4: The Whole Truth

Atlantis present time:

Vulko is still in shock when King Arthur had told him that Prince Orm would be released on parole with restrictions, and that he would live with the royal family indefinitely. He couldn't believe it was true. Orm still hates Arthur for stopping him and his attempts to start a war with the surface, and that includes Mera, how she had spurned him and both their father's plans for them to marry.

He gave Prince Orm the news only a few short hours ago, but instead of hating the idea of living with the royal family, he at first actually considered it. Vulko didn't say whether it was needed for him to live with them, but Orm is giving it a second thought. He had nothing else to do but think about his life how it had ended in prison. He wanted revenge and it's still uppermost in his mind. He'd lost track of time, one year or ten, he wasn't sure how long he would need to watch these walls.

A few days later, Vulko told him the time had come for his release. He unlocked the door, and he's escorted by multiple guards to a room where he would be given clothing, the same as he had worn when he had been arrested and brought to the prison. He's now a free man and Vulko had been clear about where he would live, but Orm had other ideas and he refused to live in his brother's royal castle.

Vulko is stunned for a moment. It's not a requirement of his release, but the ankle bracelet could not be refused.

"Did you say an ankle bracelet, but how does that work underwater?" He asked his jailer as he watched him attach it to his left ankle.

"It will work underwater, but as I told you before, the bracelet is part of your release and if you are caught where you shouldn't be, other than Atlantis, you will be brought back to prison to finish your sentence of five years," Vulko replied. He still appeared stunned. "It has to be this way, now be still, and it will be done." He watched him closely. "I know where you're going."

Prince Orm told him the truth. "King Nereus contacted me, but he was never charged for his part of my 'bad choices' from years ago."

"Are you planning on living with him?" Vulko asked, not believing it.

"Yes, he told me I could live with him until I find a new home."

"A new home, but I think it's best you live with your brother and his family. You are family, whether you accept it or not."

His back went up, not believing it. "If they were my family, they only came to visit me once in… how long have I been in here anyway?"

"Three years," he replied.

"Three years, but it feels more like ten," he said sadly.

"Let's go, follow the guards and you will be released, free to go."

"How long do I have to wear this thing?"

"That's up to the King," Vulko replied smiling inside.

Fuming at that reply, but he's now a free man. He left the prison and found his transport vessel, waiting for him, then made his way to King Nereus' castle.

~o~o~

Meanwhile, Arthur's castle:

Arthur and Mera are waiting for Prince Orm's arrival but then Vulko called to tell them that Orm has refused to live with them.

"He said what?" King Arthur asked, stunned to hear this.

"Yes, he's not coming to live with you. I tried to convince him otherwise, but he has other ideas about living with King Nereus, Queen Mera's father."

"King Nereus, but I do not like this," Arthur said getting upset.

"Yes, I don't like it either, but living with you wasn't part of his release."

"Yes, I know, but living with us would have worked." He paused. "I still do not know my brother, what makes him happy, his thoughts about the future, none of it."

"I'm sorry, but he could change his mind in the future," Vulko said.

Mera walked into the bedroom, but the call wasn't on speaker. He would have to tell her about Orm and how he's not coming.

"Thanks, Vulko, bye for now." He hung up.

"Oh, that was Vulko, and what did he say about Orm? Is he coming?"

"No, he wants to live with… your father."

Stunned, she had to sit down. It's early in the morning, and AJ is asleep.

"He's not coming," she said, not sure to feel happy or sad.

He sat beside her. "No, he's not."

She sighed, not genuinely surprised; his hatred has not diminished. "But the ankle bracelet will work won't it?"

"Yes, it will work and we can track him wherever he goes."

She turned to face him. "I can see it in your face, you still do not trust him?"

"No, I don't and now he's with your father again and…" He let that hang.

She felt a little sad about his assumptions about her father. "I see," she said, then took his hand, surprising him. "Arthur, I feel the same way. He wasn't charged but I understand how you feel. It's Orm and what he wanted, not my father."

"Yes, I know your father tried to stop him, but Orm could be plotting against us and it concerns me." He pulled out the tracking alert. "Do you see this? We will know whether he leaves Atlantis to reach the surface, or anywhere he may go."

"That is a relief," she said and tried to smile. He pulled her close as their eyes gravitated to their son sleeping oblivious to his uncle out of prison and what he may do to his family.

~o~o~

King Nereus' castle:

Prince Orm is welcomed to his home as a friend with a place for him to sleep. "Are you sure it's not a problem if I stay here?" Orm asked.

"No, it's fine, but did you speak to the King about this?"

"No, I didn't tell him anything," he replied, but he did look surprised. "Look, the King is not a friend to me, never has been."

"But you could remedy that by living with them. They are your family."

He fumed. "If I hear that one more time, I'll go crazy."

"Never mind; let us get you settled." They walked along several corridors and his room is ready for him.

"This is nice and thank you for doing this." He paused. "I heard you were not charged years ago for what happened."

"No, I wasn't charged for any of it."

Orm watched him closely. "But you felt guilty, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did, but the King's Council accepted my apologies and I felt relief to keep my throne. I have no other heirs accept Mera, but she's a queen now and extremely happy."

Not looking at him, he unpacked his clothes, which were not that much. "Yes, I know she's a queen. Congratulations on becoming a grandfather."

"Thank you, Orm; he's a beautiful little boy, a future king and he looks like…" He hesitated.

"Like his father; I know. Look, I'm finished unpacking, but we need to talk."

~o~o~

The Lighthouse later that day:

Arthur had given his mother the news of Orm's release this morning, but as part of his parole, he's not allowed to come to the surface at all.

Atlanna hung up, not sure how to feel about it. Tom came into the living room and he could see that she looked upset.

On the sofa, he sat beside her. "What's happened? Was that Arthur?"

"Yes, Orm is out of prison, but he can't come to see me; it's not allowed."

"Oh, I see, but Arthur could change his mind later," he said and took her hand.

She thought about it. "I understand why Arthur released him in this way. He doesn't trust him to not hurt his family."

"Yes, I thought that too. Nothing has changed from three years ago," Tom said sadly.

Her eyes watered. "I may never see him again."

He pulled her close. "Please don't cry." While holding her, he wondered why she never visited her youngest in prison, but she must have her reasons. He believed she's not ready to forgive her son after his awful behavior toward Arthur and everyone.

She pulled away and looked around their home then touched his cheek. "There's always hope, and I still believe it."

"I believe it too," Tom said and they held each other close hoping and praying for the best. He picked up the photobook of their grandson and his parents.

They both smiled, turned the pages, happy to see their beautiful faces smiling and laughing.

~o~o~

Meanwhile, the Lost Kingdom:

David had found this hidden kingdom without too much trouble. They had searched for it years and years ago. His father had found it through his mother's talks about it and there it is.

The waters felt cold and unforgiving but multiple buildings were intact and livable, which he didn't understand how that's possible. Still in his diving equipment, his suit, he entered one and he removed the helmet, and the water didn't move; it's watertight. He could not believe it.

He could live here for the time being and at once thought of Prince Orm; he would love it here. Instead of contacting him, he contacted King Nereus because they had been close friends during that awful time. He found out from him that Prince Orm is now out of prison. Perfect he thought, then replaced his helmet, now swimming back to Atlantis.

While swimming, he increased its speed, he had thoughts of the past. He hadn't been back to Atlantis in a long time since he was injured but he survived. The King and Queen of Atlantis are now on the throne, and he's still surprised it happened. Thinking of Sicily and the future King took him out like he was nothing. His pride was hurt but now that he's King, he didn't let it get to him, being beaten by a King, but he had held his own for a while at least.

He approached the castle of King Nereus, not sure how to manage this meeting, but he suspected Prince Orm is still in a revenge mode and to be honest, he was too. Aquaman is now a King, and he has a wife and a son. Inwardly smiling, he approached the building and castle guards came closer, but they recognized the suit, and let him in. He removed his helmet, then the King and Prince Orm came forward, not sure what to think.

"What do you want?" King Nereus asked, stunned to think what his return could mean.

"I need shelter for a while, but we all need to talk about the King and Queen," he replied vaguely.

Orm spoke up. "Come this way," he said and walked toward the throne room.

King Nereus followed them, not liking this at all. He feels like it's three years ago, where he had no control of what's about to happen, no control at all.

Everyone took a seat, King Nereus on the throne, while the other two sat beside him.

"Now tell me what you have on your mind," Orm said.

"Well, there's a place in Atlantis you may have heard stories about it years ago; it's called the Lost Kingdom and I know where it is."

Both stunned to hear this. "Where is it?" Orm asked.

"I'll get to that in a minute. Now, tell me your plans for the royals, your family, from what I heard, the new King is your brother?"

Orm fumed but told him the truth. "Yes, he is my half-brother; we share the same mother," he admitted it.

"I cannot believe this. But why did you want to have him killed?"

King Nereus rubbed his tired eyes, thinking of all this talk about his family; my daughter loves her husband, the King plus they have a child, my grandchild. He spoke up tired of this.

"Enough of this talk about killing," he demanded. "No more killing." He stood up. "You both can leave at once," he demanded and pointed to David.

"No, you stay, you can leave," Prince Orm said to the King.

"This is my home not yours; you both can leave, get out right now;" the King demanded.

David spoke up. "The Lost Kingdom is livable. Come with me," he said to Prince Orm.

"Let me get my bags; I'll be right back," Orm said.

The King sat back down. "If you even think of harming my family, I will see that you're put away forever."

David stood up straighter, but he believed him. "No, we won't harm anyone," he lied.

The King looked him in the eye. "If you're lying, I'll come for you."

David felt threatened and placed his helmet back. Orm returned, then they both left without a word.

The King at once contacted King Arthur.

~o~o~

Back at the royal castle:

Arthur and Mera are playing with their son, a joyful child that rarely cried only laughing, learning words to speak, and playing with his parents with his toys.

An alert came through from Mera's father. He felt at once worried, he rarely saw him only since AJ was born.

"Your Majesty, what can I do for you?" Arthur asked.

"Your Majesty, I have bad news," King Nereus began.

He sat down and motioned for Mera to join him; the call is on speaker.

"Mera is here; go on."

"As you know, Prince Orm is living here with me but… David Kane, the assassin who Orm sent to kill you, well he arrived minutes ago, they left together and they're headed to the Lost Kingdom. David knows where it's found; I know it exists, but I don't know where it is or," he stopped when Arthur interrupted.

"The Lost Kingdom, but that's only a myth; it doesn't exist."

"It's not a myth. David said he found it and he and Orm are headed there now. I have no idea what they're planning, and I'm worried."

Arthur checked the ankle alert and Orm is moving away from Atlantis. "After I find out more about Orm and David, where they're headed, I'll contact you."

"Thanks, Arthur and I'm sorry about all of this. Bye now." He hung up.

He turned to his wife. "He's still within range of Atlantis, but if he moves further away, the guards will follow him. Please don't worry," Arthur said.

"I'm trying hard not to, but the two of them together again, it makes me sick to even think it."

"I know; I feel the same way, but we will know when they stop moving and we can have the guards follow them to find out whatever they're planning, if anything."

"I hope so," Mera said.

"If it will help, I'll contact the guards; I'll be right back."

"Alright," she said still worried.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too." She said and watched him leave.

~o~o~

The Lost Kingdom:

Prince Orm took it all in. "I cannot believe this place is real. It reminds me of Atlantis when our ancestors first arrived, only to adjust to their new surroundings, not sure how long it would take." Now inside one of the buildings. "You were right, it can be livable in time."

"I thought the same thing, and yes it does need work," David agreed. His helmet no longer needed then he finally noticed the bracelet and pointed to it. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Yes, and the King is the only person who can have it removed, no one else," Orm reluctantly admitted.

"Wow, then he knows where we are," David said.

"Yes, he knows, but he won't come here, only the guards, I would guess," he replied.

"Are you sure the King won't come; he will be curious about this place, the same as you?"

He sighed. "You're right, he will come, but it won't be effective. This place is not livable for now."

"That is true, but I was thinking about him and his family and a way to hurt him," David said. Before Orm could answer him, he shivered from the cold. "I know why this place is unlivable. Can you feel it? It's freezing down here not warm enough."

"It's winter; that's why it's cold, but the temperature will warm after spring arrives; you'll see. Now tell me your plans for King Arthur."

~o~o~

The King's castle:

King Arthur now knows that Prince Orm had stopped moving far from Atlantis. He checked the alert again and yes; he had stopped but he wasn't sure where he's located. He showed it to Mera, but she had no idea either, then she had a thought.

"Wait, let me see that again. No, it can't be. Is that the Hidden Kingdom? My father told me about this place when I was younger. It does exist, not a myth."

"You called it the Hidden Kingdom, but that name is not familiar. The Lost Kingdom, but that is the only name I've heard from my mother when I was younger too. Are you sure, then that means it's part of Atlantis?"

"Yes, but there's more to it; do you understand what this means?"

"No, I don't know; what is it?"

"Prince Orm can stake a claim to it and set himself up as its King, give it a name, all of it," she replied.

Arthur had to sit down. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I'm sure but please contact Vulko; he will know the history of kingdoms, how they exist and why they each have a king and a queen."

"Hold on, let me think. I'm the King of Atlantis, but there are other kings in other kingdoms; is that what you're saying?"

"Yes, we are King and Queen of Atlantis, but you know there are other kingdoms with kings and queens the same as us," she replied. He looked confused. "Do you remember when we spoke to my father, and you did not have the power to punish him?" He nodded. "It means that the King's Council has the authority to punish not us, only them."

"Ok, I get it now. But if we find Orm in another kingdom, after he stakes claim to this 'Lost Kingdom,' I cannot punish him?"

"Exactly," she replied.

~o~o~

The Lost Kingdom:

David and Prince Orm have their heads together both thinking this hidden kingdom is found and ready for them to plot their revenge against Aquaman.

"Before we get to that, this kingdom is new but I'm not sure if it's available for me to name it or stake a claim, but the King's Council will need to be consulted on all the details," Orm said.

"Yes, you could be right, but are you ready to face them again? You don't look like yourself," David said and looked him over as if he smelled something odorous.

"Three years in prison will do that to a person." He stroked his chin. "I need a shave, change my clothes to look presentable."

"Well, you should have thought of that before you insulted your friend, King Nereus. His castle is nice, with running water to shower, and a place for you, no problems," he said.

"I know, but he's no friend of mine; he never came to see me in prison," he said then he thought no one came to see me.

"Look, I know of a place you can go to clean up, change your clothes, but it's on the surface, and…"

Orm interrupted him. "I cannot go to the surface; my parole forbids it," he said frustrated and upset.

"Okay, I get it. I know a few of the guards and they have a place to stay at least for a while. Let us go now."

"Lead the way."

TBC!

~o~o~

Song Inspiration: Hidden Away, Josh Groban.

A/N: Sorry to end it there. This idea of Orm staking claim to the Lost Kingdom was only an idea I had about a new kingdom. I haven't seen any spoilers about the Lost Kingdom or the Hidden Kingdom only that it exists and what it could mean to the sequel. A little intrigue never hurt. Thanks for reading now tell me what you think, and a kudo would be nice too.