Top Note – Honestly, I did not find much about Namor's world. Most of what was there seemed to happen when he was on land. I am sure there is more out there, but I could not find it. Thus most of this part of the story is my own conjecture. Thanks for bearing with me.

Oh, and the title of this chapter comes from a song that I heard in my head when describing what Peggy was seeing for the first time. Here is the link to that song if anyone is interested. I find it very ethereal :)

Green Shell Suit by Hybrid:

watch?v=dBj4sKapHIE

After proclaiming his royal presence, Prince Namor then strode back into the hallway. As he left, the arrogant Atlantean made some over-the-shoulder comment about taking them to meet the Emperor shortly.

Smirking, Peggy looked at Howard, "Atlantis? Is that what we have been seeking this entire time? So does this at least mean that we are done with the test?"

Tentatively touching his increasingly sore nose, Howard replied, "To answer your questions, as far as I can tell, yes."

She nodded in the direction that their rude host had gone. Peggy murmured, "And you've had to deal with that?"

As his throbbing nose worsened, the millionaire glared at her, "He's alright, unlike others."

"Think of it as a love tap, Howard," Peggy stated, amused. "Besides, you deserve it for playing the valiant knight." After a loud exhale, she asked, "So, how is everyone?"

Pulling his hand away from his aggrieved nose, Howard checked his hand for blood. Peggy shook her head at his actions. If she had meant to break it, he would not be awake to complain.

Ever dutiful, Jarvis answered for his boss, "Everyone is fine and accounted for, Miss Carter."

She nodded, "And so is Zemo's son?"

Howard stopped squeezing his nose and muttered, "Yeah, and he's back with papa in another chamber down the hall."

Peggy then looked at her friend closely, "And other than your nose, how are you feeling?"

"I'm alright. Oh, you mean after just barely escaping the brink of death." Howard shrugged, "Honestly, at the time, I was pretty much out of it. But once I was aware enough to comprehend what had happened, it really scared me. I don't recommend nearly dying," he added with a weary grin.

Peggy patted him on the back and vowed, "I plan on never making that a reoccurrence for you ever again." Then with a determined nod, she got out of bed. The usual steadfast agent wavered a moment while she adjusted her stance. The pressure was slightly off in the room.

After she had gotten her bearings, Peggy marched out of the chamber. Upon exiting, she nearly staggered at the sight before her. A huge glass window showed a startling view.

Flabbergasted, she stared at the miles and miles of seawater surrounding them. Though figuring that being in Atlantis meant they were in the ocean, she had never imagined such a spectacular presentation possible.

Blinking rapidly, Peggy stared at the amazing underwater garden in front of them. There were large colorful coral reefs that resembled pretty plots of flowers. Throughout the grounds, tall ribbons of seaweed sprang up, and it reminded her of swaying trees. A few bubbling ground vents rippled in the air, which gave off the image of a flowing waterway.

She then noticed the bustling multicolored sea critters that swam around in the crystal clear waters.

It was all breathtaking and a bit overwhelming.

Howard was right behind to stop her from collapsing if she should suddenly feel weak. He should have known better. The only sound of surprise Peggy made was when she gasped out a shocked, "Crikey O'Reilly."

Peggy rounded on Howard, "Where did we end up?"

Enjoying her surprise, a smug Howard replied, "Well, he did say he was Atlantean."

She was in no mood for his games and challenged, "Where exactly, Howard?"

Realizing he was on tenuous ground, Howard answered a bit befuddled, "Somewhere near the Antarctic, I think."

He pointed upwards. Squinting, Peggy saw far above them tiny dots swimming about. Surprised, she realized that these darting specks were actually penguins hunting for fish or frolicking in the freezing waters.

Sputtering, she demanded incredulously, "How is it possible that we went from the North Pole to the South Pole in the blink of an eye?"

Howard chuckled and explained enigmatically, "Well, this is the same group that adapted all those destroyed Wonders for us to find. You should be asking how they could not."

Looking over Howard's shoulder, she watched astounded as large schools of vibrant fish busied themselves throughout the 'lush gardens.' Peggy could not help but quip, "Well, now I know what it's like to live in a giant fishbowl. Glad there is oxygen in here."

Howard interjected, "Yeah, and we were really lucky that we were transported to that old arrival room and not to the Emperor's guest quarters instead. It would have been a rather short visit, glub glub." He pantomimed drowning.

Pondering this, Peggy frowned when she recalled that those greeting them had been in odd blue-plated scuba suits with large tanks of circulating water on their backs, "So only Prince Namor can breathe oxygen?"

After a quick nod, Howard replied, "Seems so."

"Then I am very thankful where we were sent."

"The Atlanteans seemed surprised to find me semi-conscious there, too. I guess the room had somehow alerted the Emperor of an unexpected arrival. When I was finally able, I told them to expect more visitors."

Peggy was heartened that he trusted her to bring their group through alive. But she was also peeved that he could not explain to the guards that there was no reason to shoot them.

She snorted, "That is all well and good, but none of this makes any sense. Such as why did we need to be cleansed throughout via the Labyrinth to come here?"

Howard tried his best but also seemed unsure when he explained, "Possibly to make sure we could pass through to this site in one piece? You felt as if you were being pulled apart, right? Well, maybe putting us back together might be easier if we have fewer physical and emotional problems attached."

Peggy just looked at him skeptically, so he confided, "Alright, fine, I honestly don't know, Peg."

Jarvis suggested, "Or perhaps the Labyrinth was only a test to see if we were worthy of being in the Atlantean's presence."

Nodding, Howard admitted, "Hell, it's all new to me. And I almost get the feeling that it is new to our hosts as well."

"All your questions will be answered in due time, surface-dweller," Peggy heard the Prince's growled response echo from down the hall. Their land-based designation almost sounded like an expletive.

Peggy wondered what that was all about. She began to demand answers from their surly host but stopped when she saw that his attention was focused solely on Zdenka and only her. Strolling next to Namor, the Russian couple tried to talk in private, but the Prince refused to leave their side.

Ignoring Peggy's hostile glare, the Prince continued to ask Zdenka all sorts of impertinent personal questions. The look on Dmitri's face said it all. The Atlantean had been hitting on the female blonde Russian babe, and it seemed that he was besotted with her.

Now close enough for Peggy to overhear, it almost sounded as if Namor's urgent words were a plea, but not for attention. It seemed that he wanted to spare Zdenka from something.

With a deep sense of foreboding, Peggy hoped they had not errored in seeking out the benefactors of this 'treasure hunt.' All the more, this reminded her that they were far from home and in a den of danger.

Unfortunately, they were stuck down here, and there was not much she could do about it. That didn't stop her from wanting to know what to expect. Determined, Peggy blocked the nearing group's path. But before she could find out what Namor wanted to save Zdenka from, she caught sight of her nemesis roaming in the background.

The focus of her ire strutted confidently behind their royal host. His son trailed further back, marveling at their surroundings. Peggy rather liked the kid. He seemed less extreme than his father.

Spotting Peggy, Zemo grinned smugly at her. Forgetting their perilous situation, Peggy took a threatening step toward the villain.

Howard grabbed her arm before she could lunge at the egotistical bastard. He gritted under his breath, "Best not until we can speak our peace. Things here are rather tenuous at the moment. We cannot risk ruining our chances here with you slugging anyone who looked at you funny."

Peggy snapped, "What are you talking about? He is the dangerous one here, not me."

Nodding in agreement, Howard still insisted, "Yes, but he is also their guest, and they do not take kindly to those who disrespect their rules."

"First impressions, Miss Carter," Jarvis added.

Sighing loudly, Peggy reluctantly nodded but stared daggers at the Hydra Leader.

Knowing she could not touch him, the Baron's smile grew as he arrogantly appraised her. She nearly forwent all guest rights then and there. Suddenly, she frowned, "What had happened to your better half?"

Zemo stared at her, confused.

Smirking, Peggy supplied, "The last robot that carried you through the Labyrinth?"

Slightly aback, Zemo hastily answered, "It was too damaged from the Labyrinths' transfer, so it stays behind here."

Peggy knew he was holding something back, but Zdenka rushed to her side before she could press him on it. Her grateful smile was genuine, "Oh, thank God you are finally awake, comrade Peggy."

Namor seemed peeved that Zdenka was ignoring him and huffed, "But you see what I can offer you—"

Instead of responding to him, Zdenka suddenly embraced a startled Peggy and whispered urgently in her ear, "Please save me. I've tried everything, but the Prince won't be deterred."

To reassure her friend, Peggy hugged her back and promised, "Follow my lead."

She pulled back and gave Zdenka a critical eye, "You should be more careful, Doctor, what with you being pregnant and all."

Dmitri and Namor both started agape, but before Dmitri could demand an answer, he caught Peggy's wink and grinned. Relieved to have the surprised Namor back down, the Russian male pushed forward and latched onto Zdenka. "Yes, we mustn't let any stress hurt our child," he said possessively.

Zdenka almost countered his pronouncement but instead clenched her teeth in barely held vehemence.

Peggy had a feeling that the Russian Doctor did not want to be tethered to either one of them.

Unfortunately, in this day and age, that was the only way Peggy knew to get unwanted and rather persistent suiters to back off. Telling them to leave you alone never worked, so one must play the expectant child card. Well, that or some horrid communicable disease, but they could not risk being quarantined while Zemo ran free.

Namor loudly harrumphed at this news and then turned to Howard, Jarvis, and Peggy. He stated gruffly, "Good. You are ready. We will go see the Emperor now."

Without waiting for them to follow, he strode away. Watching the Baron amble cockily past them, Peggy wondered about the dynamic between him and his son. Junior followed timidly behind, and she figured that was her answer right there. And here she thought that her mom was domineering.

With them gone, Peggy looked to her Russian friends and whispered, "What was he warning you about?"

Zdenka pursed her lips, "No matter how many times I asked, he would never elaborate. He just kept vaguely warning me about some danger and that he was the better option than staying with all of you."

Noticing Jarvis and Howard exchanging a worried look, Peggy nodded to them in reassurance. But under the surface, she did not like any of this also. All the more, the SSR Agent wished she still had her gun or at least her knife. Too bad they were now scattered throughout the Mediterranean.

After a sigh, they hurried down the corridor to catch up to the Prince. Ahead, Namor was leading them toward a large metallic door at the end of the hall.

As they rushed along, Peggy marveled at the amazing sights she observed through the long glass window. In the distance, she watched surprised, as large blue-skinned people swam languidly along a white crushed coral path.

Shaking her head in disbelief, Peggy stared at the Atlantean Prince. Frowning, she whispered to Howard, "I'm confused. Why is he pale like us and not blue like them?"

Namor overheard her comment, and she realized he had good hearing too. Stiffly he admitted, "My mother was Atlantean, while my father was human like you."

He sounded affronted, so it was obviously a sore point.

In hopes of making amends for her faux pas, Peggy said, "Thank you for letting us stay here." Besides, it was not proper to be rude to one's hosts, regardless of whether they treated you impertinently.

The Prince nodded curtly and then stopped in front of the sealed door at the end of the hall. Easily pulling open the thick metal door, he indicated for them to enter. Peggy stepped over the raised lip and grimaced when she felt dampness in the air.

As the others crowded in the small room behind her, she saw a sealed glass door on the opposite wall. The crystal blue seawater twinkled on the other side, and she winced. Peggy had learned not to worry about the water itself but what was in it. However, being surrounded by so much of it made her rethink this belief.

Once they were all inside the cramped chambers, Namor pulled the metallic door shut behind him. It automatically sealed. He then pointed to the low bench against one of the walls.

As if already sensing that there would be protests, he commanded, "Put the chicada over your face."

Upon the bench rested numerous odd-looking tentacle sea creatures. Their translucent squid-like bodies were just large enough to fit over one's head.

Peggy swore that one of those critters was staring right at her. It reminded her too much of their recent encounter with the giant squid. Jarvis also appeared a bit horrified at the sight of these transparent cephalopod-type creatures.

Eyeing them uneasily, Peggy crossed her arms. If the Prince expected her to wear one, he was sadly mistaken. She demanded crossly, "What are those things?"

Namor took in her defensive stance and countered just as testily, "Air masks. This way, you can breathe and also communicate with one another." Seeing her hesitancy, he stated affronted, "You wore them earlier when you were brought from the transport room to my dwelling. Now put them on."

Howard picked his up and examined it critically. Proclaiming that it was "remarkable," he then plopped it on his head.

The critter looked rather comical perched on top of Howard like a fleshy hat. Then it quickly began to flow downwards. Though the creature's triangular mantle and eyes stayed where it was, its body slowly stretched over Howard's head, fully encompassing it. Then the membrane puffed outwards. It was almost as if Howard's head was inside a clear bubble.

Once settled, a tentacle wrapped loosely around Howard's throat while a smaller appendage rested against his ear. Peggy could see Howard's eyes through the squid's bulbous translucent skin as he looked around, astonished.

"My God, this is amazing," the inventor gushed. Thankfully, the only thing affected was the slight muffling of his voice. He didn't even sound like he was being strangled, Peggy thought, relieved.

He nudged his manservant, "Go on, Jarvis. Give it a try."

With a grimace, Jarvis did so and flinched when the squid creature lowered its clear body. In moments, only the cephalopod's crest and eyes sat on top of Jarvis' head. Peggy involuntarily shuddered when the creature's eyes blinked at her numerous times.

Marveling at the simplicity of the breathing apparatus, Howard mumbled, "I bet it takes the oxygen out of the water and makes it soluble for us." He turned his attention to their host, "And it also helps with the depth pressure?"

Namor explained, "We ourselves have difficulty handling the pressure this deep for very long, so there is no need to worry about that. Our realm is well sealed to keep any outside influences from intruding." As if he had let a secret escape, he quickly glanced away. Then looking back at his guests, his face was once more a mask of arrogance.

Shrugging, Dmitri muttered nonchalantly, "I've done worse," and sat it on his head.

Not to be outdone, Zdenka took his challenging tone and did so as well. As it settled over her face, she asked, "So you say this will help us communicate with your people as well?"

Pleased, Namor grinned and explained, "Yes, via its tentacles. It will translate whatever you say and hear into Atlantean. Most of my people do not speak English as well as I do."

The Russian Doctor asked before anyone else could, "How is it that you can speak our language so well?"

"At a young age, I decided to learn my father's language. The chicada's can be great teachers as well."

Zdenka nodded, impressed, and when the Prince's smile became a bit more than it should have, Dmitri leaned closer to Zdenka.

Peggy would have chuckled over this odd love triangle, but she was too preoccupied with her own dilemma. These thin membraned creatures were the only buffer between her and drowning.

Obstinately, Peggy demanded, "How is it even possible that it knows our language?"

The Prince sneered at her and commented haughtily, "The chicada is an ancient species. Some say that our distant ancestors had bred them to do many amazing things. That includes translating primitive dialects."

Peggy fleetingly thought of the giant squid she and Jarvis had dealt with back in Malta. It too was an amazing old and intelligent creature. She wondered if these smaller squid-shaped models were its descendants.

Namor's strident command knocked Peggy out of her musings, "Now put it on, or you will be left behind, surface-dweller."

Knowing that she needed to be with her team, Peggy picked the chicada up. She tried not to react squeamishly when a tentacle wrapped cloyingly around her wrist. Unlike her friends, she was not so easily enthralled.

Howard looked at her horrified features and laughed, "Trust me, pal, it won't bite."

"No, but if you attack the chicada, it will react defensively," Namor stated overly seriously.

Peggy stared sharply at him, wondering if he was joking. But then, nothing he had done so far indicated that the Prince of Atlantis had a sense of humor. Scrutinizing him, Peggy tried to get a bead on his personality. He was certainly an odd one.

"Afraid, Agent Carter?" Baron Zemo chided, his voice sounding clogged from under the rippling mask. "Even a child could do this."

Peggy wasn't sure if the last barb was aimed at her or Junior. With a loud gulp, Helmut put his on, which just left Peggy holding out.

After a deep exhale, she reluctantly placed the living mask near her head. Peggy nearly squeaked when she felt the warm tentacles tentatively touch her face. In moments, the squid-like being pulled itself across, and its skin quickly enveloped her head.

At first, Peggy felt repulsed. But after a few quick breaths, she quickly got used to the warm creature's all-encompassing embrace. Strangely the reclaimed air smelled like cherries. And if she held her breath, she could hear its faint heartbeat in her ears.

It was so weird to be able to see through the stretched membrane as well as hear what the others were saying. Howard's explanation about how the breathable air was generated made sense. But Peggy still had doubts about how it could possibly translate anything through its tentacles. She supposed they would find out soon enough.

Hoping to earn points with the creature, she cooed softly, "I think I met a relative of yours. It was a nice being, too." The heartbeat in her ears seemed to flutter momentarily as it processed what she said. Peggy swore that it lightly caressed the back of her neck as if she was a cat.

Once they were ready, Namor went to the glass door that opened to the outside world. Then with ease, he pushed it open, and water quickly filled the room. Peggy barely had a moment to combat her fear of drowning before the water fully enveloped them.

Peggy noticed that she was not the only one that had to battle their survival instincts. Dmitri's living mask briefly expanded when the Russian finally released the gulp of air he had held.

After getting over her aversion to using this odd oxygen regulator, she thought it was rather remarkable, as Howard would put it.

Her fear now abated, she could concentrate on other things. Peggy realized that though the water circulating around them was cool, it was surprisingly pleasant. She was sure it would have been freezing this far South and deep underwater, but she got used to the milder temperature rather fast.

Since he had gills, Namor did not need a specialized breathing apparatus as they did, so he was the first one out of the small chamber.

When the humans began to swim outside, they were suddenly surrounded by trident-wielding guards in armored blue. Peggy was sure that these were the same security detail who had 'greeted' them in the arrival room. However, they wore no helmets this time, so she could see their blue features easily.

None of the guards sneered at their charges and lined up around the 'guests' like a well-oiled machine of discipline. Peggy was impressed by their professional demeanor.

Being this close, Peggy studied the guards that surrounded them, and besides their blue-colored skin being different from Namor's, they were also larger in size. Peggy wondered if these dissimilarities had ever been a problem for the Prince.

Though they were blue and had gills, the Atlantean features were similar to humans. Marveling at this, Peggy thought that maybe there was something about that Theosophy root theory after all.

Namor spoke, and it was surprisingly easy to understand him though he wore no means to communicate. It must be one of the perks of being Atlantean, Peggy figured.

He warned the humans sternly, "Do not stray from each other. The guards have orders to keep our group together at any cost. Now just over the hill will be our transport, and once on it, you will be able to gawk in awe all you want." And he led them forwards.

To reiterate the Prince's point, the guards stayed close to the small party. When someone slowed to sightsee, a guard nudged them with their trident weapon. Jarvis gulped and nodded his apology. It only took it happening once for Peggy's group not to lollygag there again.

Still making sure to keep up with the others, Peggy's grin vanished when she peered upwards. Instead of the sky she was used to, she saw the reflective surface of a giant glass dome. She could easily differentiate where the top of this massive structure that encompassed the entire realm ended, and the ocean began. The dark, colder water of the Antarctic could be seen through the clear partition, and she instinctively shivered.

She realized that Namor must have recognized her worried features, for he reassured her with a chuckle, "Do not worry, surface-dweller. The barrier that surrounds us is very thick."

Peggy nodded but was still wary. If it broke, she was sure all would freeze to death from the icy water. Passing a large underwater vent, the water became warmer, and Peggy realized that was what kept the sea from being overly cold throughout the kingdom.

As they hurried along, Peggy was amazed at the ease of swimming over the incline. Usually, she would float to the surface, but here she stayed level without any weights added. The water, though, felt a tad thicker, more so than it usually did in the ocean.

Cresting over the hill, she saw an underwater skiff waiting for them. Beyond that, she spied many dwellings further ahead.

They reminded her of the drip castles she had made on England's beaches with her family when she was a child. At least she could swim in the water here. It was usually too bloody cold to do so in the crisp British waters.
Though all were built in the same style, each was individualized with carved walls and decorative seashells. It was quite a sight to behold.

Unknowingly, she had slowed down. It did not take long for her to be shoved in the back to hurry along. Without a word, she quickly followed everyone onto the large open skiff.

As they stood against the rail of the craft, the blue Atlantean driver flicked the reins, and a creepy-looking giant trilobite shook itself out from the loose sand. After a slight jerk, the craft was then on its way. It was a sedate pace, which seemed to track with the blue citizens who milled around.

Peggy wondered why the Prince's chambers were so far away from the others. She hoped this was due to his preference and was not ostracized for being so different from the other Atlanteans. She almost felt sorry for the brusque young man, a hybrid born of both species.

As the transport plodded along, Peggy spied her group huddled together. She joined them as they all spoke low to one another. Howard playfully nudged Zdenka's arm, "Congrats on finding Atlantis, Dr. Z."

Her huge smile grew larger as Zdenka gushed, "This is so amazing."

Dmitri mused, "First Hyperboreans and now Atlanteans. I guess that the Theosophical theory was right in some ways."

Zdenka shrugged, "Well, Helena Blavatsky had used ancient history and archeology to base her belief upon."

Grinning, Howard asked, "You don't think that the Lemurians will pop up at any moment, do you?"

Glancing outwards, the Russian Doctor explained, "Actually, I think we are already traversing across their remains." She studied a mound of earth as they passed it. "If I am not mistaken, that appears to be an ancient tell. It looks just like what we had seen in Nineveh. I am positive that the Atlanteans built upon their earlier civilizations much as we have done with our past."

Namor had been listening in, and he nodded in approval. "Yes, you are correct that countless generations have lived here throughout the ages."

Intrigued, Jarvis mumbled, "To think this place has existed for so long undiscovered."

Shaking her head, a bewildered Zdenka stated, "I can't believe any of this is real."

Namor said, sounding morose, "I wish we had time so I could show you more of our past."

Before Peggy could question him, Zdenka inquired, "Those who resided here so long ago, they were the ones who created these amazing devices?" She softly petted the chicada, who seemed to coo under her touch.

Namor shrugged and humored her, "From what I am told, my people have had these intelligent beings for a very long time."

Zdenka smiled coquettishly at him. "Were your distant ancestors the Lemurians?"

The regal Prince looked at her quizzically, "I do not know that name."

Trying a different track, she asked, "Well, where did your earliest ancestors come from?"

He frowned in thought. His voice became almost wistful as he recalled, "Supposedly, they fled a fiery cataclysm."

Zdenka nodded, "You must be referring to Thera, now known as Santorini. Then where did they go?"

"They soon found themselves at the Great Spine, where they started their new underwater Kingdom. Later there was a bloody revolt against their ruthless leader's tyrannical rule. Escaping persecution, the survivors came here to begin anew."

Zdenka breathed, amazed, "Yes, that is similar to the story of the ancient Lemurians," and she looked hopeful to her group and then Dmitri.

Catching this exchange, Prince Namor glanced from her stomach to the Russian male and instantly became silent.

Jealously oozed off Namor, and Peggy could easily read the standoffish Prince perfectly. It seemed that all the good humor and softness were gone from him.

Now ignoring them, he turned his attention to a nearing structure. Unfortunately, it seemed that was all the pertinent information they would get out of him willingly.