The Mermaid and the Werewolf: Adella’s Tale

Secret Powers

Adella sat on the edge of the bed for a long time. She was trying to think about anything but nothing came to her. She had no idea where she was from, maybe she had always been here? If she isn’t from here then where? She can’t recall anything from her past. Nobody with a familiar face. Nobody her heart missed. She heard them call her Lady Adella, was that her name? How did they know that? Maybe that is proof that she has always been here.

She touched her hair and ran her long fingers down the braided cord. She reached the end and untied it. As she thought about nothing and everything at the same time her fingers worked their way back up the braid unweaving it as she went. Her hair fell around her and this felt familiar to her, but why wouldn’t it? It’s obviously been there a long time with her.

The food in her stomach gave her strength and she tried to stand again. No dizzy feelings came to her as she stood there. The wood on her feet didn’t feel right, it was hard. Probably because she hadn’t been up on her feet, for how long? She wasn’t sure. She didn’t feel sure about anything. A chill ran up her spine and she folded her arms in front of her. Suddenly feeling very lonely.

She noticed the window and took the few steps to get to it.

The sun was setting and she watched the all the people work in the courtyard, walking here to there. Not in any rush. She saw the girl that showed her how to eat her soup; she was milking a cow. Not that Adella knew what she was doing, she had never seen such a creature in her life, she was sure of it. Why was everything so unfamiliar? She continued to watch everyone working.

She watched intently as they interacted, smiling, laughing, talking maybe even telling secrets.

Sister Nancy noticed Adella at her window watching everyone. She made her way up to Adella, stopping to get some clothing for her. She knocked and entered her room, Adella turned toward her and smiled. Sister Nancy was kind to her.

“Here are some cloths.” She laid them on the bed, just a simple dress with a smock that all the girls wear. “I guessed at your foot size. Here are some shoes. We can try others if these don’t fit.” She set the shoes down.

Adella furrowed her brow in response.

“Here, let me help you.” She brought Adella away from the window. She started pulling her night gown up and over her head. “You put this one on first.” She held up the full dress and put it over her head. Adella slipped her arms into it.

“Then this goes over it. It is easier to wash the apron than the whole dress.” Sister Nancy explained.

“Dress” Adella repeated. It was her first word out of her mouth.

Sister Nancy didn’t want to overreact and just smiled “Yes, dress.” And she tugged on the dress.

“Now we need to put on your shoes.” Sister Nancy said as she bent down and held the shoe out.

“Shoes” Adella copied her with a smile on her face.

Sister Nancy smiled back “Yes, Shoes.” And she pointed to both of them. Then she stood up. Pointed to Adella and said her name.

Adella copied her pointing to herself “Adella”

“Yes, your name is Adella.”

“Adella” , she almost said to herself.

It was time for supper and Sister Nancy led her down to the hall where everyone was gathering. It was quiet as getting ready to eat was a time for reflection. There was a collective gasp as Adella entered the hall. Sister Nancy guided her over to the line and they waited together to get their food. Adella watched everyone else eat the way Lady Catherine showed her and felt pleased with herself that she wasn’t always different.

The food in her stomach felt even better this time. She could feel its nutrients make its way through her body. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it. Soon her entire bowl was gone and she was left wanting more. She noticed everyone getting up and she followed suit. Lady Catherine came next to her in line looking up at her with her big innocent eyes and her long brown hair. She would come to be the Great Great Great Grandmother of the Catherine the Great that ruled over Russia.

“Hello” She said in a low whisper.

“Adella” She turned and pointed to herself.

“Yes, Adella.” She returned with a huge smile on her face. Her voice was so light and airy to her. They set their bowls down and Catherine took her hand and guided her out to the courtyard.

“Catherine” She said and pointed to herself.

“Catherine” Adella repeated and touched her shoulder.

The moon was a half moon tonight and she held her hand as she walked her around. The barn cat came up to them wanting to get petted with a small meow. It was a grey and white cat.

“This is a cat.” Catherine said as she picked him up.

“Cat” Adella copied and reached out her hand to touch him. He was purring being held. His fur was so soft to Adella and the curiosity in her eyes was glowing.

“Here, hold him. He likes it.” Catherine handed the cat to her.

Adella watched with wonder as he leaned against her purring. “Cat.” She said to him scratching under his chin and he purred even louder squinting his eyes from the pleasure. Adella let out a giggle, which surprised her and she stopped. Then Catherine giggled and then they both started to giggle.

For the next year Adella re-learned how to talk, she also learned to read and write, which the merpeople cannot do. Her and Catherine became great friends and they often worked together doing chores. Since Adella had arrived the grain bin was over flowing, the vegetable garden produced 5 times what it used to, same with the fruit trees. The goats and cows needed to be milked 4 times a day instead of once or twice a day. This made the Abby able to help the community around it during the winter months. Anytime there was visitor Sister Nancy would hide Adella. She was very cautious about what was said about Adella by the women living in the Abby. She thought Adella was a fallen angel. In her heart of hearts she knew it.

Adella and Catherine were milking the cows one evening. It was a comfortable silence between them. “Are you happy here?” Catherine asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You don’t remember anything else from your past. This is all you know. Don’t you want to see more of the world?”

“I don’t think so, I feel safe here.”

Catherine was quiet again, she knew that Adella woke up often screaming from her nightmares. Little clues about how she got on the beach. It was definitely during that storm and she was definitely swimming away from something.

Adella and Catherine finished milking the cow, Adella gave the cow a pet and thanked her for her generous milk. Then they made their way to wash up for dinner.

That night Catherine question danced around her thoughts, exploring the world around her she enjoyed very much but she never left the walls of the Abby. She could see the tall trees and the mountains in the distance and wonder what is there. A coldness enclosed her heart when she thought of leaving the safety of the Abby. It was like her heart wanted to but her head would never let those thoughts gain any traction. She watched the moon pass her window as the time passed with her thoughts. Then a flash came to her mind, horse hooves on the gravel. She felt evil on top of those horse hooves and that evil was headed their way. Adella grew scared of her vision and pulled the covers over her face trying to block them out.

Captain Brutus dismounted his large black horse. His men were tired from walking day and night. They were close to the Abby now. “Set up camp here.” He commanded.

His short black hair and full black beard reflected the moonlight as he looked around. His dark brown eyes observed his men in detail to make sure they followed his command. He handed off his horse and surveyed the land. It was rocky and hard. Setting up camp could be an issue. He noticed a small beach down below about 50 feet. He looked up and down the beach. It wasn’t his favorite set up, the ocean can be unpredictable, but it would do for the night.

“Captain, Captain.” A young man named Atticus approached the captain. “Your horse threw a shoe and I must repair it.” He was the blacksmith that followed with the Roman army for this legion. His hair was a light brown and kept short, he had a sharp jaw line and deep blue eyes that made him very attractive to the ladies. His muscular body was natural for him. He had been found as a baby by a legion and taken into custody by the captain. His wife could not have children and he figured this one would do.

“Then do so.” Captain Brutus waved him off. He looked down the beach and saw the top of the Abby shadowed by the bright moon. They were here for either the Angel or the witch that provided for this Abby. The Emperor had heard enough rumors that he finally sent a legion to collect her. The Empire could use all their grains doubled, field of food doubled.

Adella tossed and turned as the men set up camp. Something deep down was worried about something. As she did dark clouds gathered around the Abby and as morning broke the clouds became darker and the winds began to howl. The Ocean started crashing onto the beach, higher and higher, the waves bigger and bigger.

The rain that started was unforgiving, pelting the legion with hail and high winds forcing them to stay put. The waves began to reach the first row of tents, pulling them into the sea with ease. The rocks above on the mountain side turned wet and slippery. Lightning began to strike the trees and rocks about the Legion. The animals all danced around knowing something big was coming but unable to release themselves from the tie outs.

Atticus tried to secure the tie outs in the rain and he saw one horse find its way free. He followed it into the forest when suddenly lighting struck the mountain side giving way to all the rocks creating a mud slide into the camp below them. Pushing everything into the sea in one swoop. The waves crashed in on the mud and rocks killing the men and pulling them out to sea as they tried to escape. The Captain himself could not escape the wrath upon them. Lighting continued to strike and seemed to be aimed at any men that were left on shore alive. Atticus watched in horror as everything was washed into the sea. As soon as the last man was dead the clouds withdrew and the sea calmed. Atticus walked along the beach trying to find any survivors and he was the only one. He collected some supplies so he could survive and he made his way into the forest, hopefully to find that horse that got away. He was excited that he was left alive. He had been wondering how to escape this never ending life of marching on and on. He knew that he wouldn’t with his life. He looked back at the c*****e below. He guessed he did have to die to escape.