Warrior Princess Part 7

Nymph by Hellacre13

THEMYSCIRA Ten days ago When Diana vanished Althea and Zoe were thrown into a state of panic.They rowed back to Themyscira and waited,somehow or the other hoping Diana would reappear.But after an hour,Diana did not reappear.Althea tuned to the sea nymph and cried,"This is all your fault!I told you it was a bad idea going and meddling with the Eye!What do we do now?" Zoe looked guilty at her but cried hurt,"How was I to know she would vanish?" "Where would she have gone?" "Based on what she saw,the outside world.How do we get her back?" Althea looked desperate."We need to tell her mother.When she does not turn up at the palace it'll be known something happened.Hippolyta will be able to send out her sisters into the world to bring her back." Zoe gulped."The Queen will have my father punish me.I will probably lose all my privileges to walk upon the land.Must we tell her?" "Well,who do we tell?"asked the wood nymph tearfully."I will probably be turned into a tree forever for this." Zoe looked miserable."I do not know.Maybe if we wait a while longer,Diana will find her way back." Althea chewed her lips."It is the best we can hope for.We will wait.It is not yet noon and the palace is caught up with preparations for the tournament.Maybe they will not notice." So with this pathetic hope the nymphs went back to their respective habitats and waited. Queen Hippolyta saw Cleo mid afternoon and asked her for Diana.The scribe had not seen the princess since the mid morning.Hippolyta did not think too much of it.Diana had probably indulged in a fit of mutiny and gone roaming the island at her leisure.It wasn't until meal time that Hippolyta noticed her daughter's place at the table empty. Hippolyta looked at Mala."Where is Diana?" "I do not know,Majesty.I haven't seen her all day." The Queen glanced at Phillipus."Have you seen her,Phillipus?" Phillipus shook her head."No,my Queen.I have been overseeing the field with Euboea." Hippolyta gestured for a guard to step forward."Go and check the Princess' apartments and bid her to come to the dining hall."The guard bowed and went off. Phillipus said quietly,for the Queen's ears only,"You know she was very hurt at your tone this morning......" "It won't be the first time I have rebuked Diana;and she is old enough to understand that indulging in a fit of the sullens is not gracious behavior for a princess." Phillipus recognized the finality in that tone and let the topic drop.It was ten minutes later when the guard returned with a bemused look on her face.She said,"I cannot located the princess anywhere,my queen." Hippolyta looked slightly irritated now."What?!This is not some game!The tournament is tomorrow,I am in no mood for obstinacy." The guard looked lost.Phillipus got up."Majesty,why don't I go look for her?I know some of her favorite haunts." Phillipus left the hall,and taking a couple of guards began to search the grounds.It was past dusk and they checked the usual places.The top galley in the hall of History;the roof of the Astronomy Tower,the labyrinth of the royal gardens and the stables were all searched to no avail. Phillipus wondered aloud,"I wonder if she's in the cypress grove or down the cove?I hope she's not hurt somewhere........"Phillipus saw Niobe coming from the temple of the Oracle.She stopped the priestess and asked,"Niobe have you seen Diana?" "I saw her hours ago with those two nymphs.They were heading for the beach." Phillipus let out a groan.Historically,Diana paired with those two always spelled trouble. ****************** Half an hour later Althea and Zoe stood before the Queen in her audience chamber quaking.Hippolyta was pacing and looking infuriated.She had gotten the entire story about their sneaking to the Bana and stealing the Eye and Diana just vanishing. "Why didn't you come to me sooner? Althea stammered,"W-we thought...she might return...." Zoe added,"We didn't know that would happen........The Eye is just a seeing stone......" Hippolyta hissed,"The Eye has magical properties and is capable of more than foretelling the future.That's why it was buried,you little fools!Now she's gone!Into the Patriarch's world no less!The gods know where!How do we find her!?It is rumored to be like an ants nest." Phillipus said,"We can consult the Oracle,Majesty.Maybe Menalippe can see something." Hippolyta glared at the nymphs."You two will be severely punished for this." Althea began to sniffle and Zoe fell to her knees."I'll do anything.Just don't tell my father.I will muck out your stables;trim the verge;wash the marbles;shine the...........'' "Silence!"She said grimly."The tournament will have to be deferred until we can find my daughter.Inform the Amazons."She turned to Phillipus."Let us go to the Oracle." ************************ After consulting the Oracle,the Queen learned that her daughter had gone to the land across the water of the Atlantic.Where exactly she was in the United States of America was something of a challenge.Menalippe had one vision,where by she saw tall buildings and something like a rotating atlas atop a metal structure with the name THE DAILY PLANET on it. Hippolyta was not only angered at having her hands forced but was afraid for Diana's safety.There had been intentions after the tournament of sending a champion out  anyway but that would have involved more planning.Now circumstance dictated she send some of her best and most discreet warriors to find the heir to the throne and return her home.Although the amazons had lived in isolation for three thousand years,Hippolyta,had,since the first Renaissance, periodically sent out two of her most learned amazons to document and keep abreast with the changes in the world.It had been a radical move,but considering that they were a race of warrior women and living in isolation,she recognized that they needed to be aware of what was going on around them.If  Gods forbade  their shield were breached or they were attacked by the outside world,they would have been very vulnerable;especially with the nuclear capabilities developed by man in the early 20th century. This circumstance had not been known to all the Amazons as they would have considered it a great risk.But Hippolyta was wise as she was pragmatic.She had chosen Cleo,the royal scribe and Mnemosyne,the historian as the two to go out into the world every half century to see what had taken place.Hence the reason the likes of Diana was able to be tutored in several languages.There were also documents,drawings and maps that were concealed in a special part of the library. Now Mnemosyne was bringing a map of the very landmass that the Oracle had seen to the Queen.She was at first rather uncertain of ever finding the princess as she pointed out,the United States could swallow Themyscira many times over.But when Phillipus produced a sketch of the vision of the Oracle,the historian looked a bit more confident. "This structure is imposing and very significant.Someone must have an idea what and where it is.We should go to the capital a Washington D.C. and start from there." Hippolyta  nodded."Good.You will go once again with Cleo.But this time you will take her  with you."She pointed to the wood nymph sitting with her sea companion  glumly in a corner. Althea stammered,"M-me?!" Zoe jumped up,looking half hopeful."And me?" Hippolyta said sternly,"No.You will be doing exactly what you volunteered to do to make recompense.Do then faithfully,and I'll spare you from Nereus' wrath."She looked at Althea who  was trembling."You glimpsed the images in the Eye and saw this man that Diana was fighting with.You will be able to recognize him.You are also capable of transformation,and will blend in as a human." Zoe cried,"I saw the images too.I can transform.I can help.Althea is terrified." "As she should be and I don't need both of you there.And whilst you can transform too,you can't survive away from the sea for long periods." Zoe sank upon her chair in dismay;Althea looked as if she was about to faint. She looked at Mnemosyne and Cleo."Phillipus will accompany you three as she is one of the best warriors I have.Be very careful and do not come back without Diana." Phillipus stepped forward.The historian and scribe bowed."As your Majesty wishes." Themyscira was surrounded by the magical forces only the Amazons could control.The shield was let down for only the second time since the turn of the millennium and ,this time the women would not travel by ship but via a special craft gifted to the Queen which traveled soundlessly and invisibly.So it was at dawn the next day,the four companions left the island  to go in search of their princess. ***************** SMALLVILLE Present Day Exams being over,and the term having drawn to a close,Clark Kent decided to spend the weekend at home,as come Monday he would be going to work at the Planet.Since Diana had returned to the farm last weekend,his days in Metropolis had been relatively quiet.She had gone obediently and from Mrs Kent's report she was a model house guest.Clark had been grateful for the respite in order to focus on exams.At least this was what he told himself and and his friends.He didn't want to admit that he missed the heightened sense of awareness and that feeling of not feeling so like an outsider when she was near. Lois and Chloe were coming back to Smallville so he got a lift with them. They were turning into the Kent yard about eight pm when Lois asked,"So,what's the plan for cousin Diana?" Clark,who sat at the back,looked up."What do you mean?" "I mean,she going to stay?Go to school?What's the deal,Smallville?" Clark cleared his throat."Er,I don't know.She's going to see if she likes America first.Then maybe she'll,er,go to school." "Well,it'll certainly beat minding goats." Clark shrugged."We'll see." Chloe said, as he got out with his knapsack,"Feel free to drop by.We'll be glad to see Diana.Maybe we can hang out at the Talon." "Thanks,Chloe."He waved after them as they drove off and walked up to the house.He dropped his bag in the hallway and walked into the living room to kiss Mrs Kent on the top of the  head as she sat in a chair reading.She was delighted to see him.She dragged him into the kitchen to get him something to eat.As he sat down he asked casually,"Where's Diana?" Martha warmed up some lasagna."She's in the barn.She likes it in there a lot it seems.Goodness knows why but the barn seems to be  the most attractive place in my house for  brooding." Clark looked up."Is she okay?" "Seems very quiet since coming back from Metropolis.She told me everything, and seems to be carrying around a bit of guilt for her part in Lex nearly finding out your secret." He put down his fork."I'll go see if she's............." Martha put her hand on his shoulder and stayed him."Give her her time alone. She'll come in when she's ready.Eat your dinner."She poured him a glass of fruit punch."Her shoulder has healed perfectly.You wouldn't even know she was shot.And you'll be happy to know that Lionel made some personal calls to the sheriff and that A.P.B  has been canceled and  every flyer yanked down from the county." Clark grinned,"I forget  that when he wants to be, Lionel is more formidable than Lex." Martha sat opposite him."Sweetheart,we need to talk about what to do with her." Clark looked curious."What do you suggest?" Martha sighed."I don't know.I get the impression that as much as she is fascinated  by this world and eager for knowledge,she looks lost sometimes.I know she's hopeful of returning to her home,but when will that happen?It can be next week,next month,next year......who knows?And we can't keep her isolated forever." Clark said heavily,"I know.We've got to do something.Kara has been settled in college and from all accounts is doing well.Maybe we can look to doing that?I can talk to her....find out what she might be interested in doing.?" "That's a start.What a pity you won't be here for the summer." "I'll try and fly in whenever I get free time.Tomorrow Chloe and Lois  invited me to bring Diana around.Do you think I should take her?" "It sounds a nice idea.It'll get her out with people her own age and let her hang out with girls for a change.Chloe is very discreet and between you two you can keep Diana from hopefully doing anything that'll raise suspicions." "You know what a blood hound Lois can be.She's really taken on this reporter role with relish and the moment she gets a sniff of anything,she's off and running." Martha laughed."Yep,that's Lois.Sometimes too nosy for her own good.But you're going to have to get that kind of enthusiasm,Clark,if you're going to become a journalist." Clark said seriously,"Lois is all about action and investigation.Me,I want to balance this world.I want to highlight the cause of the down trodden,the poor,the oppressed." Martha had never heard him speak with so much conviction;she said softly,"That's pretty admirable sweetheart.And I have no doubt you'll do it." He said,"Diana asked me something last week that had me thinking.She asked me if I would take more of an active role fighting injustice with this power I have.I have never thought  I wanted to openly act as a champion........for one,it's too complicated with who I am.I know there was the time I got together with Arthur, Oliver, Vic,and Bart and working as a team  had been really good.The idea of doing this on my own,it's so huge.I look at the television yesterday and I thought  I could have stopped that bridge from collapsing in China,or saved  those men from that burning rig in the North Sea,but how do I do that without being seen?I can't risk you and Chloe, Lana,Pete, Lois, John, Jimmy .........there's so many of you.......I use to think swooping in secretly enough but now it seems so inadequate." Martha said wisely,"Clark,I don't know what to say.But you are very special and that power whether you choose to do good secretly or openly......well,necessity is the mother of  invention they say......maybe one day you'll find a way and with it the strength to make that choice." He put down his fork and took up his glass."I know last week was crazy and I was on the verge of pulling out my hair but when Diana and Zatanna and I went up against Lex and stopped him,it felt good,you know." She smiled."I think it's been a blessing these other people coming into your life and I..........." She had to break off as the door opened,and Diana entered via the back door.She was holding the old tom cat Rufus in her arms.Her eyes lit up at once as they rested on Clark.Her  tone was unmistakably one of real relief and happiness. "Hera,you're home!" Clark was conscious of his mother watching them and he tried to act casual."Oh hey,Diana.How are you?" She sat next to him,with the cat on her lap."Oh,I am well.I am so glad to see you.When did you get here?" Martha took Clark's plate and glass."Diana,you want anything?" "No,Mrs Kent,I am fine." Clark reached out and stroked the cat's head."I came in about twenty minutes ago.I see you met the scoundrel.Where have you been,old man?" Diana said,"He has been keeping me company all day." "Really?He's  been lazy and bad tempered since he turned eight last year.But then he's never been noted for his rat catching abilities." Martha said,"Dessert,Clark?" Clark shook his head.He looked at Diana."So what have you been up to?" Diana smiled."I have been reading books,using the computer,and helping your Mother as much as I am allowed.I was even permitted to go for a walk around the area on my own.It is very pretty the countryside.I wish you could see my Themyscira but that'll probably never happen.My sisters will never accept men on the island." Martha came to sit with them."Would you let men on if you could?" She considered the question."Well,you are asking me about centuries of tradition.I have only been out here for a little over two weeks and I would say,after seeing men,that I would let them on if I knew they could all be like Clark." Martha saw the look on her son's face.He looked both gratified and taken aback at Diana's lack of artifice and candor.Martha said,"Wow.That's got to be one of the nicest compliments you've ever received, right darling?" Clark tried to pass it off jokingly,"Well,being  told I smelled clean ranks high up there." Diana said ruefully,"Oh don't remind me what I said.I was foolish." Martha said,"No,you are honest.I hope you never lose that,Diana." ********************* The next day after Clark did his chores,he decided to take Diana as suggested by his mother to meet up with Chloe and Lois.It was eleven when he and Diana drove off in the pick-up.He decided to show her some of Smallville's sights before they went into town to the Talon and this time there was no urgency.They drove leisurely;he showed her things he though  she'd appreciate,like an old crumbled mansion house,which was supposedly haunted; the riding school,with its beautiful horses ;and then the lake. As they drew up along side the lake,Diana's eyes glowed."It is beautiful."She got out and hurried along the jetty.The sun dappled the water and it looked as it it held thousands of stars.Smiling in amusement at her excitement,Clark parked and followed her.She was at the edge,looking down at the gently swirling water. She kicked off her slippers,and suddenly he saw her begin to pull off her filmy blouse and jeans. He  tried to stop her."Whoa,whoa.What are you doing?" Clad in black cotton briefs and a cami,she turned to face him without an ounce of embarrassment."I am going to swim.Are you coming?" Clark tried to look everywhere except at her."Diana,we aren't dressed for swimming.We......." Diana said drolly,"Well,one is not supposed to be dressed for swimming.I usually swim with nothing on in Themyscira."She pointed to a couple of girls in bikinis further along the  shore."The costumes of those females are no different from what I have on." To Clark's exasperation she plunged into the water.He sighed as she surfaced and called."Come on in,Clark.The water is wonderful." He was in jeans and a shirt.He folded his arms."I'm not coming in." "Suit yourself,"she said and disappeared beneath the surface.Clark sighed and took out his phone.He rang Chloe."Hey,it's me.Yeah,we're going to be a bit late.I'm not sure when we'll get there.You guys go ahead and grab a table.We'll see you soon." He picked up her clothes and sat down on the edge and watched her.She was beautiful to behold and he felt almost guilty being able to see her as she plumbed the depths of the lake and moved with the grace and speed of some ethereal water sprite.She eventually surfaced near the jetty twenty minutes later. "Finished?"he asked politely. She smiled."Yes.Help me up,please?" He extended his hand and she was pulled up in one fluid motion.She stood dripping on the boards.She said apologetically,"I hope you are not angry but I needed that." He replied wryly,"I could see that." She looked at herself and rung her hair out."I do not suppose we have a towel in the vehicle?" Clark said,"No,we don't." "Well,if you can bear with me the sun will dry my clothes out and........." Clark returned,"I can do better than that......." He blew on her and in seconds her wet hair was blowing softly about her shoulders and her garments were dry.He handed over her clothes and she flushed.There was something intimate about having his breath on her skin,and she felt a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach.Clark heard the flutter of her heart and turned away at once."I'll wait for you in the  pick-up." He walked back.This was not what he intended.She was as innocent as a twelve year old girl just discovering boys,and he found himself feeling protective of her but masculine enough to notice how desirable she looked standing with her cami clinging to every curve of her body.The memory of  kissing her in the nightclub still lurked in the back of his mind and he was sure she hadn't even given it a second thought.It had been a while since he felt anything  for another girl after he and Lana ended;and he felt all at once relieved,irritated and dismayed that it should have to be now and with a naive,impetuous amazon. He sat in the car,tapping his fingers impatiently on the wheel.She came a few minutes later fully dressed.She sat down and beamed at him."Shall we go?" Shaking his head he started up and they drove off. ******************* When they arrived at the Talon,they saw Chloe waving at them from a table near the window.Lois was with her as well a  blond male with his back turned to them.Clark rolled his eyes when he saw who it was. He asked dryly,"Carter,what are you doing in Smallville?" Michael grinned."Nice to see you too,Kent.Hey,Diana,how are you?" She beamed."I am well,Michael.It is wonderful to see you again.How is John?" "Oh,he's most happy when he's tinkering in a workshop.Working on another project with his scientist uncle." Clark and Diana took a seat."So,why are you here?"asked Clark. Michael raised his brow."How paranoid we sound.Can't a guy come see his friends after the grind of the term is over?" "Yeah,but usually,you come with a purpose,"Clark shot back. Lois added,"Yeah,Mike,spill.Why did you drive all the way from Metropolis to come see us when you could see us next week?" He rolled his eyes."Et tu,Lois?Okay,okay,well you know I'm with the agency......" Chloe sighed."Still hoping of breaking it big into Hollywood huh?" "Hey,I'll let you know that last commercial I did was hot." Lois said mockingly,"Yeah you were selling oven cleaner....Mr Muscle....." "Very funny,Ha ha.Look,I sort of showed a picture of Diana to my agent and she went nuts.........." Clark intercepted icily,"You sort of showed?" "Okay..okay.I took one of her with my video phone....With her consent of course....."He looked at Diana.She nodded matter-of -factly,"Of course.He was showing me how it worked." "And let me tell you,my agent,thinks with her looks she'd be snapped up by Vogue at once." Clark said firmly."No." "Come on,Kent,she might be able to even make the transition to t.v and film in a snap." Clark reiterated,"I said,no.You might indulge in some wild, hair-brained, money-making,easy-road-to- fame scheme,but you will not take Diana with you." Micheal said,"Oh come on,you haven't even considered it.Or asked Diana her opinion.You'll go off to the Planet this summer,and your poor cousin will be stuck on the farm doing what?At least she'll get a chance at doing something." Lois spoke up."Smallville,he has a point,you know.Maybe your cousin might like to do something instead of sitting around and it'll give her the chance to see and learn about  America" "Oh come on,Lois,exploiting my cousin is not my idea of integration." Michael began,"Who says she'll be exploited?That's harsh,dude?What kind of guy do you think I am?" "The last time you went one of your big ideas you tried to patent some invention of John's and took out have the electrical grid of Metropolis.No." Chloe suddenly said,"While I'm not too sure about your idea,Michael,I do think you've brought up a valid point.Maybe we can get Diana something to do.Not necessarily what old money bags Mike is suggesting here,but we know people.I mean,I can talk to Perry,Lois can have a word with Oliver.you can even talk to Lionel,Clark." Clark looked very stubborn."I don't think you're understanding the situation,Chloe." "But,I am,Clark.And I know Mrs Kent's hands are full with the farm,and Diana is in a kind of limbo." Lois frowned."Stop acting like her father,Smallville.She's a big girl." Diana spoke up."Clark?" "She's only been here less than three weeks,she.........."Clark argued. "Clark?"Diana tugged his shirt. He turned."Yes,Diana?" "May I say a word on my own behalf?I understand,more than you think,about my situation here.And whilst I have no desire to use my physical appearance to enhance my  status or your ambitions......sorry,Michael," she said apologetically to  Michael who groaned."Aw,man." She continued,"I would like to be able to do something to be of use while I am here.......I do not know how long I will be here for......."She had to thread carefully as Lois was present, "but I would like to think I made some contribution during my time here.So,if Chloe or Lois or you could get me something worthy which you think I can  do,I will be happy.I have never  been accustomed to sitting around,you see." Clark looked dubious.Diana looked him in the eye."Whilst I would be happy if you supported me,I do not really need your permission,do I?" Lois teased,"If she gets a job in Metropolis,you can keep an eye on her,Dad." He was silent then asked gravely,"Are you sure,Diana?" "Very sure.And I will rely on you to find me something suitable." Chloe smiled."That's very reasonable I think,Clark." Clark looked around the table and saw the others watching him expectantly;he sighed."If that's what you want,so be it.We'll make some calls." Diana beamed."Thank you,Clark." Michael began,"Kent,we could have made a mint with her.I'd have put my dreams aside and been her manager.You'd have nothing to fear." Clark said tiredly,"Shut up,Carter."