Blackbirds

PART 17

"Madness!" hissed Athelia as she fastened the royal brooch of Theymscira to Diana's formal chiton.

Thessalys--adjusting Diana's crown--agreed. "She'll be in Charon's boat before she sees her husband's bed."

"Silence!" Diana finally snapped as she flicked the folds of her undertunic impatiently. Garth had sent word requesting the presence of Diana and Nubia, their attendants and the Theymsciran Senate as witnesses to his wedding.

She stepped out of the special area that had been hurriedly curtained off for her use. Nubia, striking in her formal headress and armor, waited outside Donna's room speaking with King Arthur and Queen Mera, both of Atlantis. The Atlantean scribe hovered nervously behind the royal couple, overwhelmed by his surroundings.

Garth's advisor politely urged those assembled to hurry inside.

The Amazons gathered on one side of the room, the Atlanteans on the other. More through habit than animosity. Diana noted that Mia as well as Garth and Donna wore formal robes fastened with the newly created seal of the Isle of Janus.

Harmonia, spokeswoman for the Amazon Senators, stepped forward. "We have concerns regarding this union." Garth gestured politely, indicating she should continue. "Your sacrifices, while appreciated, seem ill-conceived to bring about a permanent resolution to our conflict." Harmonia glanced at her fellow Senators before continuing. "When Donna of Theymsciraasseasses--"

"Donna is not my intended."

Harmonia blinked in surprise. Nubia threw a dark look at Diana. The Atlantean entourage watched the Amazons' reactions that mirrored their own. Garth gave them a moment to regain their composure, then held Mia's elbow as he walked her forward to greet Harmonia.

"Mia, Queen-Elect of the Isle of Janus."

Diana and Nubia moved to flank Harmonia. Diana smoothed her hands down her chiton, keeping her face and voice carefully neutral. "Our agreement specfies marriage between royalty of Themyscira and royalty of Atlantis."

Mia nervously cleared her throat. "Under Amazon law, I'm the same rank as Donna."

"For as long as you are her consort." Diana reminded her. "An association which dissolves upon her death."

"The Treaty of Poseidonis invokes a reciprocal clause regarding royalty." Garth said.

Nubia addressed the Senators, "What say you, sisters?"

The Senators gathered close, reverting to their native language as their discussion progressed, rising and falling in heated bursts of disagreement. Finally, as one, the Senators turned back to face the waiting group.

"The marriage is allowed because of her status as Royal Consort." Harmonia bowed respectfully to Garth and Mia. "And will continue to be recognized by the Amazons of Themyscira because of her status as your queen." Harmonia decided firmly.

"And you?" Nubia demanded of Diana.

Diana, careful not to rise to the challenge in Nubia's voice, nodded respectfully towards the Senators. "I serve the will of my sisters."

Harmonia glanced at King Arthur and Queen Mera. "What say Your Majesties?""

The Atlantean scribe fidgeted at Arthur's side, whispering in his ear. Arthur spoke briefly to Mera, who nodded in agreement. "In accordance with the Treaty of Poseidonis, we acknowledge the royal marriage of Garth and Mia, monarchs-elect of the Isle of Janus."

Harmonia smiled, pleased with the outcome. "Nubia of the Isle of Janus, we welcome your attendance as our newest Senator. Diana of Theymscira, we thank you for your steadfastness in preserving our traditions."

Garth laid Mia's hands over Donna's, then covered them with his own. Her gaze met his. There were secrets in those iris colored eyes, undercurrents of political savvy offset by his shy smile. But there was certainty there, too. And, Mia was suprised to find as he squeezed her hands, a genuine warmth.

The doors of the emergency room slammed open as Arsenal and Flash stormed in. Flash skidded to a stop, mouth hanging open in surprise. "You're really--but--I mean--you can't just--you just can't--she's not even dead yet!" He blurted out. Red with embarrassment, he looked to Arsenal for help.

Arsenal wasn't nearly as flustered in his protests. "Are you people insane?!"

"Just taking a page from G.A.'s book."

"In English?"

"He gave his life to save Metropolis. I'm giving my life to save Theymscira." She sighed. "Donna's always on my case about being a hero. Always telling me that it isn't about having special powers--"

"--it's about doing what needs to be done." Arsenal finished, having been the subject of the same lecture numerous times himself as a Titan.

"This--" Mia took Garth's hand in hers "--needs to be done." She shrugged. "And I'm the one to do it."

"I'll prt het her with my life." Typical of Garth, that was all he had to say on the matter. No speculation on what might happen between the two of them in the future. No grandiose proclamations. Simple. Straight to the point. It was one of the things Roy had always liked about the Atlantean. He rarely made promises but was rock solid in keeping those he did make.
Mia was in good hands. For Arsenal, that was enough.

"I'm holdin' you to that."

"That's it?" asked an incredulous Flash.

Arsenal shrugged then stepped back to allow the ceremony to continue.

Garth slid a signet ring with the seal of the Isle of Janus onto Mia's left index finger.
"Mia Amani Re'i'a, my hands to serve our people, my heart to you."

Mia took Garth's right hand in hers and slid the jeweled signet ring onto his finger.
"Garth Aman Re'i, my hands to serve our people, my heart to you."

Garth kissed her quickly on the lips, completing the ceremony.

Garth wasted no time in handing Diana and Arthur scrolls. "A lif pef petitioners requesting citizenship on Janus."

Mera glanced over Arthur's shoulder as he snapped the scroll open. She laid a calming hand on his arm before directing her gaze to Garth. "We will give these due consideration, Garth--Aman Re'i." She smiled warmly as she belatedly remembered to address him by his new title. He blushed, secretly pleased by her easy acceptance and discreet approval of his new role.

Nubia and the Senators left to discuss the merits and drawbacks of signing a formal treaty with the Isle of Janus. After months of tension, Diana was able to relax. To to step out of her role as leader of her people and become, however briefly, a grieving sister. A chance for her to say her own, more personal goodbye. She kissed Donna's cheek, smiling as she blinked back tears.

"You've done well, little sister."

She straightened, only to find herself face to face with a glaring Mia and a silently watchful Garth. Mia's hands tightened into fists.

"What the hell--?"

Gracefully, Diana knelt at their feet. Garth studied her for a moment, thoughtful, then touched her shoulder as permission to rise. He searched her face seeking answers to his and Mia's unspoken questions. His eyes flicked to Donna's hand holding fast to Diana's. He drew Mia's hand to Donna's, drawing her attention there as well as his hand held hers fast to Donna's and Diana's.

"...for.ve..ve..." Donna struggled to get her final words said.

Mia shook her head. Jerked her hand away. Turned angrily only to find Ollie filling the doorway in stony silence.

He couldn't believe it. He'd tried to warn her about Donna. And after all that, she'd turned around and--and this. Hadn't even asked him this time. Hell, hadn't even told him what she was planning to do. Hadn't cared if he was there for her or not. So much for being a family.

Mia swallowed hard, waited for him to say something. Anything to soften the lines of disappointment edging his face. He turned away. Mia's voice followed at his back.

"Ollie?"

He left without looking back.