Chapter 2 What They Hide
1829 Words
I hide in a perfect spot. I know I cannot be seen in that large rock that covers my whole body. I heard the voice, and I know to whom that voice belongs.
It is from Maiden Louvierelle; I try to sneak a peek and watch in my very eyes what she is doing.
She stands there mighty, but still, the darkness cannot hide her beauty that glowing as a glimpse of light comes through in the holes of the cave.
“How are you doing there father?” Maiden Louvierelle voice hinted a grimace
My eyes widen in terror as I see the large, dark creatures moved and growls. I realize that is a dragon.
The dragon neck and legs are locks with big chains. I cannot help but fear for my life. Our Maiden Louvierelle is hiding a dragon in the deepest part of the cave, and she calls it her father.
I calm myself and stay focus and listen more.
“Father the time when dragons and the wizard's reign in the World. Why did you not listen to our mother?
Why you let the dark wizards take over and have their new form pretending as upright humans?
Why you let our mother die?
My sisters and I, we have to live far away from one another to protect our kind. We have to live this way, hiding from humans that once you trusted, yet they betray you. Look at you now; a mighty dragon cannot dare to expose himself to the World for the humans you trust fear you and hunt you down.” Maiden Louvierelle's tears keep flowing in her cheeks.
“Is human that bad?” I keep on asking as I heard Maiden Louverielle cries.
I tremble, I heard a booming voice that answers the Maiden; the voice gives me shivers.
“My oldest daughter, the humans, are also victims of the black wizards. They fool me, and it is my fault, but humans are suffering like us.” The dragon voice is full of conviction.
“It's been years, yet you always defend those humans. What do they ever do for you that you always stand for them, but they do not for you.” Maiden Louverielle’s voice is hurt.
“Louverielle, you close your heart to love someone, the reason it is hard for you to understand.” The dragon once again speaks
“Love?” Maiden Louvierelle smirks
‘What do you know about Love, father?” Maiden Louvierelle trembled with fury
“you let our mother die, my sisters and I be apart. You ruined our family! Is that how you love?” Maiden Louvierelle croaky voice
“You and your sisters are bound to do great things for your kind and do not dare speak ill about my love for your mother. I have loved your mother dearly when she is alive. I am faithful to her, and she is the only one I love till her last breath and never love anyone else” The dragon voice is blazing with strong emotions.
“You know the black wizards fooled me to get what they want.” The dragon states bravely.
‘It is too late, father, the humans are fooled by those black wizards who mask themselves as Elders. They become successful in what they aim to eliminate the good wizards and control humans, especially the Royals.” Maiden Louvierelle said tragically
“No, it is not too late. The Gifted in the Other World: the Human World is not yet born. That Gifted will change the fate of our Worlds.” The dragon said in a quavering, large voice.
“When will the Gifted in the Other World be born?” Maiden Louvierelle asks
“I don't know.” the dragon voice echoed in the caves
“but that time will come.” the dragon voice is now calmly.
“If you believe so in that Gifted from the Other World. Stay here, chained and locked until that Gifted find you and freed you.” Maiden Louvierelle displeases smiles.
I am in shock at my new found secret. It never crosses my mind that the Maiden Louvierelle’s father is a dragon. It is unbelievable, and my head cannot grasp the fact that Madien Louvierelle is a “hybrid” of a dragon and a mermaid.
Maiden Louverielle’s father is a dragon, that type of dragon is a serpent, the kind of dragon who lives underwater.
I am ecstatic; I cannot move. I am pinned in my place and become a statue as if I become one of the rocks. My mother will surely scold me, for I am still not home by this time.
My knees are trembling, and I do not dare to move, for I am scared to get the dragon and Maiden Louvierelle’s attention. If they found out I am eavesdropping on their conversation, death is the only sentence Maiden Louverielle will punish me.
Maiden Louverielle leaves the place without noticing me. The only one I need to escape is the dragon. I need to be careful and crawl for the serpent not to catch me.
I cheer for myself internally, “I can do it”
I begin to crawl when I heard the booming voice echoes,
“you can come out now, mermaid.” the dragon voice sounds certain.
My eyes widen as I turn, and the serpent is in front of me. I cannot help but give an awkward smile.
"so brave for a young mermaid to come at these places. Sneak into, and eardrops with our conversation.” the voice is booming yet calm.
“I am sorry. I am lost” I knelled.
I never dare to look at the serpent’s face. I bow my head. I am scared for my life. I am trembling, and I cannot hide it.
‘Do not fear. I am not eating any humans nor any mythical creature, for we are the same. We breathe life, and dragons respect all forms who breathe life.” The serpent's voice is dominating yet soothing.
“What is your name?” The serpent asked
“M-i-a-r-a” I softly rustle.
“louder your voice so I can hear you.” the serpent large, round red eyes glared at me.
I try to calm my nerves and soothe my voice “My name is Miara.” I introduced myself successfully.
“Miara” serpents repeat
“you know our secrets, please protect our secrets well, in exchange, you can go here at any moment you want, and we can chat.” the serpents offered me.
My eyes sparkle, and my heart in glee; I cannot explain, but the offer sparks some excitement deep inside me.
“Really?” I asked uncertainly if the serpent is being real about his offer.
“Yes, but you have to pledge that you will keep all of what you heard as a secret. In case you do not abide by our promise, then I will kill you.” The serpent said coldly and firmly.
I hold my chest and breath deeply until I find a word that I can utter. I do not know what I am bringing myself into, but I want to give it a try. I know it is dumb to risk my life, but I trust myself; I can abide by the rules. I made up my mind.
“Yes, I promise.” I certainly stated.
“Good, what a brave young mermaid’ The serpent complimented me.
“You go home now and visit me some other time. Your mother might be worried by now.” The serpents warned me.
The serpents move a little and pick up something by his mouth, those he gathers he show it to me, it is some seaweeds and sea herbs.
“Bring that home. Tell your mother you pick up some seaweeds and herbs on the way home, and you do not notice it is late. In that way, your mother will not be mad.” the serpent voices are now calm and soothing.
“oh,” that is the only words I utter.
I gather the seaweeds and herbs; I lift my head and face the serpent for the first time.
Oddly, he does not look scary anymore that my flesh not shaking, and my skin does not shiver.
The serpent is beautiful, and it looks mighty and prominent.
In all the creatures; I’ve seen in Forbidden Forest, the serpent is the most amazing in my eyes.
“young mermaid, go home.” the serpent once again remind me.
“Okay, Sir. Thank you very much for these seaweeds and herbs” I said sweetly.
The serpent stares at me and turns around; he nestled in his place; close his eyes.
“leave, it is my time to rest.” the serpent seems like alarming me that I am disturbance in his peace.
I quickly get it and flee. I swim and head home, trying to bury all the excitement I feel inside.
The serpent is right as soon as I presented the seaweeds and herbs to my mother, her fury is gone, and she instantly calms down.
My mother is in glee that I brought food; my mother even stated that I am growing well suited to the life ahead of me, for I know not to play, but know the means to live.
I cannot sleep well that night. I am in my bed, and I keep on twitching. My mind occupied by what happens a while ago, all the shocking things I discover. They mention something about a black wizard. How is the black wizard becomes successfully eliminating the good wizards and now control the humans? Deep inside me, even at my young age, I know it is something serious.
I cannot blame Maiden Louvierelle. My admiration for her character never ceases; her feelings towards his father, who is a serpent. I do not have any right to judge her. I know she has her reasons, and she protects her kind well.
Maiden Louverielle is selfless, and the serpent is right, the Maiden never loves, and she closes her heart to anyone. One of the Maiden pledges is not to marry. The Maiden is bound to marry her position and served the mermaids in the Fortress to assure they are productive. The responsibilities like: learning the mermaid's way of living, getting food for our family, practice singing to enchant unfaithful heart, and to follow the Maiden’s ruler words well.
The Maiden's role sacrifices a lot that includes loving someone, the mermaid forbidden to fall in love. The Maiden has a view of the future and focuses on that.
It is something I know that is sad, but I believe it is for a purpose. The mermaids sing to enchant men with unfaithful hearts and trap them in our Fortress with that role in our hand, believing in love is like a joke for us.
The mermaid exposed to many unfaithful men who are trap in our Forbidden Forest. Their will to be with their family once again is weak, and that makes them more unsure of themselves until they die in misery and anxiety.
The Maiden always remind us that men with fragile heart are not loyal. Their weak heart is the destruction and the reason for their death, not what our doings. The Maiden stated that we only bring out the color of their soul and the intention of their heart.
For those reasons, mermaids never trusted men and never find love endearing.
Copyright:
This story is solely my ideas and creative thinking. Please do not copy, use, distribute, or reproduce.
© January Garneth.2020. The Mystery of the Mermaid Fortress
- Writer
