“The seas are in turmoil Atlanta. I can’t control the tides or contact my sister.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
Anitra was right. The seas were in turmoil. Atlanta stood at the shore, listening to Mayren talk. The elder Frost sister spoke of war under the seas, and how the king refused to send help or even attempt to reason with the other Mer rulers.
“Atlanta, if your father does not intervene, the Accords will be broken. All magische creatures will be in danger. And will be forced to attack those who didn’t uphold it.”
Atlanta sighed, “I know, Mayren. Believe me, I will talk to him. If he doesn’t listen, I’ll go to Adrian. As crown prince, he is allowed to deal with matters like this.”
“Then go to him first! He will listen and take care of it! Forgive me, Atlanta, for being so bold, but your father doesn’t give a damn about his kingdom and the accords. After the death of Queen Lavada, he refused to help the magische and Atlesians. Something must be done!”
“If I was allowed to go to Adrian I would. I have to go through the king first. If Adrian cannot go himself, I will ask permission to go as a diplomat. He will grant this, and this will stop. I swear on Nos and Celestia that I will do my best to stop this.”
Mayren nodded, “You do not need to swear on the twin goddess. I trust you Atlanta. My sister has only said kind things about you and your siblings. It is your father and mother that I do not trust.” Mayren looked into the distance, at the mer watching the interaction between the Red Princess and the Queen of Tides, “I need to go, Princess. Please, speak to your father.”
“I promise, Mayren. Farewell, Queen of the Tides.” Mayren smiled sadly and slipped underneath the water. Atlanta turned and stomped toward the castle.
She stormed into the throne room, catching the attention of her father. “Ah, my warrior. What is the matter? You seem upset.”
Before her father could say another word, she spoke her mind, “I am concerned father. Once Anitra found out I was going to the beach today she asked me to speak with Queen Mayren. Said she couldn’t control the tides and asked me to see if something was going on in the seas. What I was told by the Queen of Tides was concerning.”
King Phoenix’s face grew red, “How dare you go to them without my permission! The Mer have done nothing to help us, and it is not my job to defend them. I did not sign the Accords, so I do not have to follow Magische!”
“You would not follow them. Only provide assistance in a war, or at least give aid in the form of proper food and medicine. Grandmother sighed the accords with the official seal of Atlantis, meaning future monarchs are duty-bound to follow its terms to the minimum at least.”
“Watch your tongue!” Queen Saiya shouted, “He is your king!”
“I am simply telling the truth. Grandmother may not have ruled long but I know that father was old enough to remember her. And grandfather fought for the mer in The Great Wars, everyone remembers that.”
“The Mer got my father killed!” King Phoenix shouted.
“He died defending his People!” Atlanta said cooly, silver eyes darkening, “That is something every king should respect, that’s what you always taught us. Why should this be any different?”
“Get out,” the king growled. Atlanta nodded her head and left, stopping just outside the door to speak with her brother.
“He won't give the order, will he?” Atalanta shook her head and he sighed, “Then as my right as the future king of Atlantis, I give you permission to serve as my ambassador to uphold the Accords.”
“Thank you, Adrian. I spoke with Mayren. You have the Mers' support, even if you don't have our people yet.” Atlanta took his arm. “Shall we tell the good news to my dear sister-in-law?” Adrian laughed at her, for the only time she spoke in the style of the court was when she was mocking it.
“What is happening?” Annabelle asked, standing from her place on the bench outside the throne room. “I’ve been waiting for hours, and father still hasn't let me in. Is there trouble?”
Adrian reached out and took his little sister’s hand, “No Belle. But he will not call for you. Tell me your trife, and I will take care of it.”
Annabelle's face lit up. “Lume proposed today. I wished for a blessing.”
Atlanta gave a gay laugh, and Adrian swept his younger sister off her feet. “Of course. You have the blessing of Atlantis, dear Belle.”
Annabelle looked at Atlanta, “Do I have your blessing, Atlanta?”
“Yes you do, Belle. The blessing of a sister is one of the best blessings you can get.” Atlanta took the hand Adrian wasn't holding, “Shall we tell Anitra? She will want to know.” Annabelle nodded happily.
The three of them walked quickly up to Anitra, who was still in bed with her children nearby. “Well aren’t you a happy bunch! What's the occasion?”
“I’m getting married!” Annabelle jumped onto the bed before anyone could stop her.
“What blessings do you have, little Belle?”
“Adrian said I had the blessing of Atlantis, and Atlanta said I have the blessing of a sister, which is one of the best you can get.”
“Now you have the blessing of the sea too.” Annabelle squealed happily and threw herself on her sister-in-law.
“Thank you.” Atlanta mouthed. Anitra nodded, a bright smile on her face. “Well,” Atlanta spoke loudly, “I say we have a tea party to celebrate.”
“Oh, can we have chocolate cake!?” Annabelle asked, folding her hands.
“Whatever you want Belle,” Adrian agreed softly, small tears shining in his eyes.
“Why are you crying, Adrian? Are you sad?” Annabelle frowned and tried to wipe away his tears.
“I’m happy Annabelle. You have found a good man to spend your life with. I’m proud that you've come so far despite many obstacles.” Annabelle hugged her brother, tears in her eyes too. Atlanta joined the hug, and Anitra grabbed Annabelle's hand.
“What's happening?” Alyssa and Amory stood at the door with hesitation and confusion on their faces.
“I’m getting married!”
“Father is not going to be happy about this. Besides you still need the blessing of Atlantis. He won't give it. He said he wouldn't burden any man with you.” Amory said timidly. He cast a frightened glance to Atlanta, shrinking back when he noticed her glaring at the floor.
“Lume is a good man and Annabelle is not a burden. I gave the blessing of Atlantis, Atlanta gave the blessing of a sister, and Anitra gave the blessing of the sea. Father can not stop it no matter what.” Adrian spoke sternly yet softly, knowing the hold their father had over his younger siblings. Both nodded and left the room.
“It's dinner time. Are you able to join us, Anitra?”
Anitra nodded and took her husband's hand, the lavender dress falling to her feet, “The midwife says that two weeks is enough bed rest for a small walk.”
They walked to dinner together, Annabelle almost bursting with the news, while her siblings almost prayed for her to keep silent. “Why is Annabelle so happy?” Queen Saiya stared at her daughter in disapproval.
“Lume proposed, Mother! I said yes, and so now we can get married!”
“No, Annabelle,” King Phoenix growled, “I will not have you be a burden to any husband. You will stay here and watch your nieces, nephews, and siblings.”
Annabelle's eyes filled with tears, “But-.”
“Father, couldn’t Lume be of some help?” Atlanta kicked her sister under the table, silencing her, “He’s from the tribes, perhaps he could teach us about the customs.”
“I have no interest in allowing you to learn those.”
“But couldn’t it help in negotiations?” Alyssa cut in, before shrinking back, “I apologize, father, I did not mean to question you.”
King Phoenix scoffed, “You know nothing of politics. If you must know, we are in no need of negotiations currently. Annabelle will not marry Lume.”
Annabelle looked down with tears pooling in her eyes, “Yes father.”
“This is best for you, child,” Queen Saiya barked, “I hope one day you see it.”
Atlanta glared at her mother, fury coursing through her veins, “Mother! Have some sympathy. Annabelle and Lume care for each other, she is allowed to be upset.”
“How dare you speak to me that way?”
“I dare because I can,” Atlanta stood up, glaring at her mother, “What are you going to do to me? Kick me out? I know how to survive anywhere mother. And you should have more mercy for my sister. She can’t understand things like we do.”
“Atlanta sit down,” her father shouted, “Even if your words have merit you must be polite. Yes, we know Annabelle is different, but she needs to grow up.”
“Maybe if you had done a better job at raising her she wouldn’t have to!” Atlanta shouted back, storming from the room. She kept walking until she reached the stables, waving away any help.
Shadow sensed her rider's frustration and stomped her hooves, wings flapping restlessly.
“I know, girl. We’re going to fly I promise.” Atlanta opened the gate, leading the pegasus out, glaring at the figure of her father, “What? I’m going to clear my head as you told me to.”
“I know. But I am not pleased with the way you insinuated we didn’t raise you,” the king raised an eyebrow at his favorite child, waiting to see her response.
Shadow reared up once more, “I apologize, father, she is restless because of my feelings. And it came from old bitter feelings. I know running a kingdom takes up most of your time, but I do wish mother would’ve tried to be near us more as she has fewer duties.”
“Go clear your head, we will speak later red princess.”
Atlanta nodded, taking to the skies. Soon the palace courtyard ended, and she flew over the streets, smiling as she saw little children run onto the street to wave to her. Atlanta waved back and laughed when Shadow landed to receive the pets.
“She’s so dark! And big! How did she get so big?” one of the girls asked.
“She is a night pegasus,” Atlanta responded, “They grow a bit faster than the others and are near impossible to see at night.”
“I wish I had one.”
Atlanta looked at the girl's wistful face, “What’s your name, child?”
“Destiny,” Destiny smiled brightly, giggling as Shadow nuzzled her hand, “My daddy travels on the sea and my mama lives across the sea.”
“That must be a very fun job for your daddy to have. Does he ever return with stories?”
“All the time. And mama sends a bracelet charm every time he sees her,” Destiny lifted her wrist, showing the rain bringer stones hanging off the chain.
Atlanta smiled then noticed the baker stall not too far away, “Here,” she handed Destiny a few silver coins, “Go get you and your friends some cookies.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Destiny smiled again and ran off, leaving Atlanta to rise to the skies once more. She flew over the town square, over the neighborhoods, and into the forests surrounding the capital of Atlantis.
Atlanta smirked as she thought about her home, “Forests, beaches, and villages. Not the military power my father wants to present. Just forest towns and trade.”
Atlanta found her favorite cliff, the one where she helped her brother propose to Cora, and landed. She breathed the salty air and smiled, watching the sun dip down past the ocean line.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It is,” Atlanta turned around, slipping off Shadow to face the man behind her, “Is there a new village near here? I’ve never seen anybody at this cliff.”
“My tribe moved close by and decided to use the cliff as a place to grow some flowers, the maps said it was common land.”
The man stepped out of the shade of the trees so that Atlanta could finally see him properly, “It is common land, so you’re fine. I’ve just never heard of a tribe near here though. What’s your name?”
“Laurence Yuri, I’m the leader of the tribe. And you are?”
“Atlanta,” the princess sighed as she looked over at the sea, “I have to get back. My brother doesn’t like me out after dark.”
“Farewell, madam. Perhaps we’ll run into each other again.”
“Perhaps,” Atlanta mounted again, “Goodbye.”
Mounting into the sky, Atlanta smiled softly, doing her best to ignore the feeling inside of her.
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