Queen Mera & Me

September 27, 2019. Atlantis. Throne Queen's Ready Room.

I was standing by the door leading to the throne room. I had been the Queens Personal Guard for close to four years now. And the person I had been watching over in that time was someone who I would ocassionally look at like an older sister. Mera. But the funny thing is, is that our relationship adoptive or not. Didn't start like most did. I think it would be best if I backtracked a few years. Like when I left my surface life behind and embraced my new home of Atlantis and the sea.

August 10, 2005.
I had been on my own for close to a couple years, I was truly alone. My mother gone, father died a year before her. I had been roaming arond the country as a vagrant worker. I soon found myself on the ship MEG which was a leisure Craft heading to the Bahamas and we had just been caught in a very bad squall. When we crashed into a small isle of rocks and bust apart did the ship go down with all hands and the three passengers, everyone. Except, ME. I was lost at sea for close to four days and was close to giving up hope when a tall man with graying red hair surfaced and was about to kill me on the piece of wreckage I was on. But something stopped him. He told me after I was back to full health, that I had this look that told him that I wasn't afraid to die. I had to initially wear a breather in order to breathe underwater. It wasn't too long after I was taken in by King Ryus. He even had me train with the best commando's and soldiers in all of Atlantis. I met Mera officially at a special graduation ceremony Arthur had set up to congratulate me on quickly learning all the styles and ways of Atlantis. But also for becoming extremely proficient if not dangerous with all weapons used by soldiers, commando's and royalty. Mera gave me a specially made trident forged from the toughest Atlantean steel and Titanium that was salvaged from ship wrecks all over the kingdoms. I was happy to become part of the Atlantean people. But there were a few who didn't like it. Prince Orm comes to mind. He had a major problem with me being accepted by the Atlantean people. So as an impromptu screw you to Orm. Mera and Arthur did the one thing I didn't expect. They gave me the highest honor I believe I could get. They made me the Queens Personal Guard.
Orm was very pissed, but was silenced by that decision none the less. And the last thing I wanted to do was ruin or fail at being Queen Mera's Personal Guard one way or the other. And a month after I became Queen Mera's Personal Guard. That a nanite was developed that changed my genetic makeup enough for me to breathe not only on land but also in the sea. And for two years after that. Mera came under death threats from Black Manta. After the initial threat, former Queen Atlanna gave me the order to stay by Mera's side until Black Manta was caught. And so far it's been going pretty well. I try and keep my distance unless she needs an ear or a shoulder to cry on. Then I'm back to being her confidant and consigliere. It got real interesting when me and Mera would playfully wink at each other, toss flirting glances at each other or even a simple smile. But I would always remember my duty as her personal guard.

Present Day...
Mera and Arthur were going to make a very special announcement.
"Daniel." Mera said.
"Yes, Mera."
"Would you come here for a second."
"Sure." I walked up to her and she had this look of confusion and sadness on her face. "What's wrong Mera?" I asked.
"I'm just worried about you and the fact that you hadn't had one date since  you got here." I smiled and chuckled.
"Mera. Your like an older sister to me. But sometimes you try and use my personal life to hide what your really worried about." She gave me an accusatory look that would make Arthur buckle but it had no effect on me courtesy of the fact we were like siblings.
"That's not fair." She fake whined.
"Don't whine glasses." I said making her laugh. "So what's really going on?"
"Well, as you may know me and Arthur have been trying to have a child of our own and this would make the third attempt." I nodded. "Well, me and Arthur do hope this one succeeds." I smiled as I knelt in front of her.
"Mera. I want you to listen to your little 'Brother'." She smiled. "Some couples on the surface who try and start a family don't always get it on the first few tries. They sometimes try five to six times or look into adoption or other means. And by no means. Am I telling you what to do. I just think that you and Arthur will succeed eventually. Like you I hope that this time actually takes. But if it doesn't. I don't think Arthur or the people of Atlantis will blame you or call you cursed because of it." She smiled weakly. "Now. Regardless as to what others think including, Arthur. You'll always have me."
"Yeah. My little 'brother'." She grinned. I nodded. Then Vulko came in.
"Excuse me, it's time for the Queen to come in."
"Be right there Vulko." Mera said. She stood up as did I and we made our way out of the Queens ready room and to the throne room. Vulko stopped me at the door.
"I'm glad that your being there for the Queen. But you musn't forget your duties as her personal guard."
"The one thing I'll never forget is my duties as her personal guard. But when she needs an ear or shoulder. I'll be her 'brother' first. Nothing else." I told Vulko.
"King Ryus always knew you were special. I didn't see how until now. He chose well when it came to bringing a surfaceman to live amongst us. And you may not be related to Mera. But whenever she's hurting or worried. Your always there for her like a little brother ready to make her happy with a kind word or a joke or just listening to what's bothering her. And even though Arthur may not like me saying it. But your here for her more than he is."
"That's what a brother or friend is supposed to do." I smiled.
"Good point." He gestured for me to catch up with Mera and I did.