The Atlantean war council had been convened. Only matters of national security would be discussed in such meetings, which would be led in its discourse by the Ocean Master. Seeing as there was no Ocean Master under the rule of King Orin, councillor Shro'r was made head of military matters. Even then, he was more or less an aide to Arthur who wanted to handle all military matters himself to ensure positive relations with any allies of Atlantis.

Present at the war council was King Orin, captain of the royal guard Mera, Garth who now served as an officer in the Atlantean armies, councillor Vulko, and other members of the new royal council whose roles concerned the outbreak of hostilities.

Before the meeting could be brought underway, the large set of doors to the chambers was pushed open and the eyes of all in attendance were drawn to Camille, who politely shut the gates behind her.

"My Queen...are you lost?" Councillor Klem-Klem clucked, the mandibles on his crab-like face snapping together excitedly.

Camille looked at the politician, confused. "No...as queen, I felt like it would be important for me to be here."

Klem-Klem's clicking continued "That is hardly appropriate or required, your highness."

"So is dictating what the Queen of Atlantis can or cannot do. Be silent." Arthur said sternly. He beckoned Camille over to the empty seat on his right. Camille fought back the urge to laugh as she swam over, seeing the same efforts being made by Garth. The Queen smiled at Mera, who nodded curtly to her, as she lowered herself into the stone chair. "You...may begin." She said unsurely after an unsettling silence. It was customary for the last person seated to initiate a meeting, although it had taken Camille several seconds to remember that piece of Atlantean custom.

Shro'r stood from his chair, revealing to the war council his single crab-clawed arm as he reported "Words of hostility from Eirinikos have continued. King Kotorlyn, the father of Princess Brandilen, had expressed great dissatisfaction with your rejection of his daughter's hand in marriage. Of course, as many of you in attendance have heard, he even threatened marching on Atlantis with a full host."

Camille still hadn't gotten used to how 'Game of Thrones' it got down here sometimes. One kingdom wants to attack another kingdom because the king of that second kingdom didn't want to marry a princess from that first kingdom. It all seemed so...petty to her.

Orin huffed as he crossed his arms. "Kotorlyn would have found any excuse to invade. He is a traditionalist...and tradition dictates that the strongest of the seven kings will find his seat in Atlantis. It is time that we stopped letting our old ways force us to put our brethren to the sword. We will not take action."

Shro'r thinned his lips. "As it would, my liege, it may be impossible not to. I have received a communique from spies in Eirinikos informing us that armies have been gathered and prepare to attack."

"What? That's preposterous. Kotorlyn is no fool. To invade Atlantis is to commit his forces to certain death." Councillor Qurth argued, resting her arms onto the stone table.

Vulko replied "We must take all threats to heart, Qurth. It may cost us nothing, or it may cost us everything. It will benefit us more to be overprepared than underprepared especially in defensive actions."

Qurth massaged her chin. "I suppose...but our alliance with the humans could grant us a formidable ally in battle."

"Our alliance is of a diplomatic nature. I would prefer not to make them targets in this conflict. And, of course, human weapons have a certain price. Our oceans are polluted enough with the chemicals and materials of unsanctioned tests." Arthur added.

Garth was the next to speak. "Maybe it wouldn't need to get that far. Have they begun to march yet, Councillor Shro'r?"

Shro'r shook his head. "The last message from the embedded contacts declared only the mustering of men. That was several days ago. I have requested a detail of troop numbers, supplies, weapons, cavalry numbers, and marching routes but have yet to receive an answer."

"That should give us time to prepare, at the very least." Garth answered.

Mera seemed very relaxed in such a tense situation as she spoke "I will send men to the outposts between here and Eirinikos, then place the city watch on alert."

"Maybe we should set up those...defensive weapons in case the spies were caught." Camille said. "I mean if they were found out, we won't be getting a reply and this Kotorlyn guy could already be on his way here."

Klem-Klem narrowed his eyes at the part-human queen.

"Most correct, my Queen." Shro'r responded. "I sincerely hope that they have not been captured. Although it would explain the delay."

"It has proven wise to always expect the worst of a situation that could jeopardise the safety of our people. The order to man the wartime watchtowers outside of the city is to be given, and to ready the siege defences. All soldiers should be informed that they may be required to meet the enemy in the field of battle to prevent their advance upon Atlantis." King Orin decreed. "Garth, you will liaise my commands to the army."

Garth, quite expectedly shocked by the declaration, stammered "M-My King...I am no general. We need an experienced Ocean Master."

"Your former squire is correct, your highness." Klem-Klem reinforced. "Regardless of your personal opinion of the peacetime jurisdiction of an Ocean Master, they exist to relieve the King of certain pressures during dire times and to professionally lead our forces in battle. Garth has no understanding of how Kotorlyn shall deploy his forces, where he shall attack, and how best to counteract these tactics. No one in this room possesses the required knowledge to do these things."

"Yes. The only person who does at this moment in time, and has prior experience as an Ocean Master, is my brother." Arthur said sombrely. "I'm afraid I cannot allow him respite from his exile. His crimes against the surface were too great. Reinstating him will warrant distrust and questioning from the humans."

Shro'r hesitantly stood with Klem-Klem. "We may have greater numbers and resources than Eirinikos, but a clever military mind can easily shatter those benefits with careful contemplation."

Vulko sighed "The old ways are not the only path to victory, my friends. Why must we be so eager to reembrace them?"

Arthur raised his hand, and the people who planned to argue held their tongues. He said calmly "I ask that members of this council trust that I will not underestimate the enemy and allow my city to be taken. I understand the tension, as Atlantis has never confronted active hostilities without an Ocean Master, but I believe our ancient military-centric methodologies are the very reason why our cities seem to crave war. We cannot condone it."

Garth ran a hand down his face. "That's well and good, King Orin...and you know that I agree with you. But I'm not ready to have the lives of thousands of good soldiers on my shoulders."

"You won't, old friend. You'll only be telling them what their king wants of them. That burden is upon me. This meeting is adjourned." Arthur replied.

All members of the council, save for Camille, stood in unison then filed out of the chamber on their way to fulfil their duties before the hostile army arrived at Atlantis' doorstep. Camille looked to her husband, who crossed his arms and contemplated the coming calamity. "This is my fault. It's all because I didn't want to marry that blood-thirsty witch."

"Hey...was it not worth it?" Camille said quietly, smiling and resting a hand on his chest.

Arthur glanced at her and huffed in amusement. "Of course it was. But now my people are going to pay the price."

"Maybe you need your brother here. You're like a president trying to control the military at the same time. That just isn't possible, you need a general. This is dangerous, Arthur."

"I need to..." He said pushing to his feet. "I can't put the lives of the United Nations embassy in his hands. I can't put your life...in his hands."

The advance of Kotorlyn's host was grossly underestimated. The advance force of his military had already left by the time Shro'r's spies had sent their first warning; the soldiers they saw were the secondary wave. The first had already pierced the border of Atlantean-ruled territory. Although Camille felt as if someone else would've come up with the idea to pre-emptively prepare for an early attack, Mera assured her that it was a natural human action but not so much Atlantean. Arthur was so preoccupied with his other duties that he probably wouldn't have considered it either.

One of the outposts that had been staffed by members of Mera's guard force had sighted the approaching army and sent word back to Atlantis in time for them to prepare a counter-offensive. The men at the outpost, instead of retreating as ordered, stood their ground and died in order to buy Atlantis more time. There weren't enough men to thin the invading army's numbers, but the defences of the walled outpost lasted long enough.

Arthur currently stood in the courtyard before the Atlantean citadel, securing the saddle onto his armoured whale shark. All around him were the soldiers of the Atlantean army doing the same; preparing to leave the castle walls and meet the approaching forces of Eirinikos head on. Traditionally, kings would be prepared for battle in the privacy of the Citadel, but Arthur found solace in arming himself beside his own men and women. He could tell that they missed and appreciated his modesty, and this allowed them to fight harder.

Before long, the departing army was beginning their march out of the city. Citizens watched as Arthur led his military through the water, with many soldiers stopping momentarily to say their goodbyes to family.

"Arthur!" Camille called. Aquaman glanced over his shoulder and saw his wife soaring through the water like a torpedo. "You can't leave..."

She slammed into Arthur, gripping his shoulders tightly. He swallowed and sighed deeply. "I'm going to defend this place. These people...and you too."

"But...but someone else can lead them. You're the king. What if you die out there? Let me come with you."

"Camille... I am doing my duty as king; if I'm ordering men to fight, I have no right to do any less." He said sombrely, holding his wife securely in his arms. Camille feared it would be the last remnant of safety she would ever feel. All too soon, their time was up. The soldiers fell back in line and awaited their king to lead them. Arthur pulled away from Camille and readied himself for battle. "I need to go."

"No..." She pleaded, desperation consuming her every feature. "Please..."

Seeing his queen reduced to begging was a pain worse than any he had known. Still, he needed to fight beside his men. Despite how difficult it was to leave her. "I will return to you. I always will."

As he turned to leave, Camille was overwhelmed with dread. Every muscle in her body trembled. Her mind screamed at her, propelling her forward just the tiniest bit, and forcing her voice to rip through her throat. "I'm pregnant."

The king paused. Then turned to meet her despairing eyes.

"You can't leave me...us." Camille was still terrified about the idea of having a child, but if it meant convincing Arthur to stay out of danger she was willing to publicly admit to it. She placed a hand, hesitantly, on her stomach. This weighed down the dress she often wore, made out of giant jellyfish hoods to hide her swelling belly. Because of her hybrid DNA the baby within her seemed to develop much faster than a human child ever would.

Arthur didn't look surprised, nor angry at her secrecy. He simply winked at her, lips struggling to hide his smile. "I know, Cam."

Camille's golden eyes snapped open in shock. "Y-You what?"

"You think I wouldn't notice? I'm not that oblivious." He teased, grip tightening sadly onto the base of his trident as he mounted the Whale Shark. "Also, your grandmother told me last week."

"You...saw her last week?"

"She's my family too now. I want to ensure that she's comfortable." Arthur gripped the leather harness tied around his ride, directing the creature forward and reaching out to run his hand across Camille's cheek. "I knew you'd tell me when you were ready. Don't worry. As long as I have you waiting here for me, I will never fall."

He left after that. Those words...that promise, dug a hole into Camille's heart then filled it back up again. And he just left. She wanted to go after him but Mera's hand on her wrist forced her to stay. "Have faith in him, my queen. Sometimes that's all you can do."

Mera then lead Camille back towards the main city streets, where the families of soldiers littered every corner in agony. They waited to know what hand fate would deal to their loved ones, and as Camille spotted the other pregnant Atlantean women, she realised that Arthur was right. If the people of Atlantis had to suffer, then they should as well.

This ideal was further proven to Camille when she spotted a small child amongst the mass. She floated quite alone, looking left and right, holding herself in a manner that suggested she'd like to disappear altogether. Camille watched her. The girl wasn't focusing, eyes scanning without locking onto any one thing, almost daydream-like. She shifted the position of her hands from across her sternum, to stiff at her sides, and back again every few seconds as if thinking of moving and yet choosing to remain still.

"Are you alright?" Camille asked, concern drenching her tone. "Where are your parents?"

When the kid opened her mouth to speak the words came out fitfully, the sounds half swallowed by a sobbing noise. To Camille's dismay, the small girl was crying almost too much to be coherent.

"Queen Camille..." Mera said in a hushed voice. "Her parents are with King Orin."

Camille gulped. "Both of them?"

Mera nodded. The queen was horrified that this city allowed both guardians to march into war, leaving their children behind. She bit her lip and placed a comforting hand on the girl's back. "Someone very special to me has gone to protect the city as well... How about we wait for them to come back together?" We can go to the palace and pray to Poseidon for their protection."

The girl didn't seem any less distressed about the situation, but agreed regardless. She felt helpless alone, but with an adult (especially the queen) she at least knew that she wouldn't be forgotten if her parents were to perish.

Camille gave the girl a smile, but it took all of her strength to do so, before turning towards Mera. "Search the area for any other kids that have been left alone...and inform the whole of Atlantis that the castle is open to them, if they wish to have a place to wait."

"That's a serious security risk." Mera said, urging her against it. "There are still many that disagree with your marriage to King Orin. They might use your charity as an opportunity to rid Atlantis of your influence."

"Our families are at war, Mera. We need to be together during this time, not divided by rank or opinion." Camille insisted. "That's my final decision. Any who come to the palace to find solace will be welcomed inside."

The guard captain sighed. Camille was a truly good person, but by Poseidon's beard, she made Mera's job far more difficult with her naivety.

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Author's Note: Just a heads up that, after I've finished the DC stories, I'll be moving on to Marvel. The stories are already up on my profile (with the first chapters for Thor, Hulk, Spider-Man, and Captain America already completed). So if you're interested be sure to add them to your reading list! However, they won't be my main priority until all of DC is complete :)