Silverwood

Underwater beauty.

The world under the water is so beautiful. The fishes, the jellyfish, turtles. And the most beautiful are the coral reefs. Colorful, bright, and shiny. We passed the kelp forest. And near it, there was a group of small marine kids. With one adult. Seems like a school trip. I get a glimpse of starfish, lobster, and octopus that was under a shell. Clams, the crab, was beautifully decorated on the bed. A group of mermaids harvesting pearls. Looks like we entered the city. 

Houses made of rocks, decorated with corals. Fishes with lights on their head are the trained traffic light. Dolphins are the ones used for carriage. The organism that shines is their supplements to the light for the night. I see a shark boy. He has fins and the tail of sharks. 

I feel like I have entered the movie of The Little Mermaid. So beautiful. Colorful. 

"Ouuu"

I focused on the sound. Plum is visible now. He is transformed into a cute whale and Vidya is riding him. Did I really ignore her or she is just overreacting?

"Look, there is the castle. Now, please excuse me."

"Arun! Where are you going?"

"You know what. If we meet again, then only give me my payment."

"What do you mean by if we meet again? Is the prince a monster?"

He chuckles and mumbles.

"Why to bother."

"Sayonara!" He waves before leaving.

I waved back.

"Devi, focus you are on a mission."

Vidya is right I should be focusing on my mission. I can not get distracted. Mostly with that desire which will never be fulfilled. 

"So what's the plan?" I ask.

"When you were busy......"

Huh, here she go again. Till how many days I have to hear that? If I can return then just six days, if not then maybe a lifetime. She is talking nonstop. Doesn't she have a pause or stop button?

"You get it?"

"Huh?"

"Devi, you get it right?"

Damn, I didn't listen to her at all. Just nod at her.

"Fantastic. All we need is to get you ready for the grand marriage."

"Whose marriage?" I ask.

She gives me a weird look. 

Mermaid's beauty standards are horrible. They spend lots on shiny algae. And for what, they apply it on their tail for a beautiful shine that attracts the male ones. 

"I am not going to do that."

"Why?"

"It is toxic."

"No, it's not."

"Can I get ready on my own way?"

"Remember, we need to have a low profile. You can not attract much attention."

"Relax. I am on it."

I clip my hair with the use of tiny dead clams. Two tiny twin starfish became my ear stud. They are dead too, I guess. With the combo of seaweed and seagrass, I made a dress. A pearl necklace to complete the look. 

At the party, I really stand out. Plum didn't get the entry, that was obvious. Vidya was visible to others and they were staring at her. It is awkward. 

"All eyes are at us, how can we execute our plan?"

She is worried about that. But look at me, I even don't know the plan.

An owl in the water. With a mermaid. Everyone started gossiping. Their strange look is horrifying. The castle is huge, but nowhere to hide. My every move is noticeable. 

"I told you we need to keep a low profile."

She blames me now. I am not the one who is attracting attention. She is. She is the outcast here. 

The shell rang. 

"What is happening?"

"Prince is coming. Bow in front of him."

I did as she said.

A piece of strange but catchy music started. I deny many dancing proposals. The prince himself asks me for a dance. How could I deny such a handsome fish. While dancing with him I notice Vidya is giving me signals. What is she trying to say? She is jumping, winding her eyes, nodding her head. What is it?

 "Princess Ania? Are you okay?" The prince asks,.

What? Princess? Why? How? Do I look the same? I give him a confused look.

"I know who you are." He whispers in my ear.

I gulp.

"Actually, everyone knows." He says with a smile. But it doesn't ease me at all.

"We know that the princess of the East Apah is fond of keeping land creatures as her pet." 

It's a relief. 

"Your bird is beautiful."

"Thank you."

"Oh no thank you."

Why is he thanking me? Does he want to take Vidya from me?

"Ah amm.."

"I am glad that you are here to take part in my grand marriage."

"Oh, it's your marriage. Whom are you marrying to?"

"You are too funny, princess."

"Am I?" I grin.

"Let me ask you. According to the rituals, from the candidates willing to marry the prince if the prince chooses the one and dances with her then whom will he marry?"

From the candidate.... Ohhhh oh no. These ladies are here to impress the prince for a marriage. The prince chose me. What should I do?

"This marriage will bring the east and the west Apah together."

He thinks I am the princess. That is the only reason he wants to marry me. What am I thinking? I should find a way to escape. I look at Vidya and her action is telling me something. I looked back to the prince. The necklace? The thing I need is in his neck. Bingo. 

"This necklace is so beautiful." A compliment will work.

"Is it. Actually, it is the key."

He is so innocent. He just told me his secret. 

"A key? To your heart, hun?" I am really bad at flirting. 

Should I just tell him the truth? I don't want to hurt him.

"Not heart, but something great. Our ancestors made a safe, and this is the key to that safe. We protect it."

Don't ask.. Devi, don't.

"What is inside the safe?" I did it.

"I...I don't know."

"You don't?"

"Let's find out."

Is it a trap? Why is he trusting me so much? He takes me inside his top-secret room. Wow! it looks like a cave. Shining bacteria spreading blue light. 

"This is the gate." He points.

The electric eels well protected the gate. They have an electric producer, they can have other electrical appliances too. He stares at me. I became nervous. 

"Don't be nervous, these eels listen to me."

How did he know I was nervous.

"Wanna go in or not?" He asks with a smile.

"Yes"

The eels respectively moved away from our way. He placed the key in the enormous gate. Opens it and we enter. 

"That is the part of the summoner."

Finally.

"But it is protected. Even I can not touch it." 

I looked at him. He points.

"Another key is needed."

I have that. The charm. It is the key. But how can I use it? He is watching. 

"We have immense gold too. It is that way."

We swim to that place.

"Do you want to swim in the treasure?"

"No"

 "Okay, suit yourself. I will be back after a short swim."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure my princess."

"Prince.."

"Ritesh."

"Han?"

"My name."

"Prince Ritesh..."

"Only Ritesh."

I chuckle softly.

"Ritesh, from so may a candidate for your marriage. Why did you choose me?"

What a stupid question. Of course, he chose me because he mistook me for the princess.

"Because I saw others were after my wealth, health, and many more but you are different."

Yes, a princess.

"You are gorgeous. Full of innocence. And you don't want to harm me."

But I will. 

"Let's see."

"Haan?"

"See you. Wait for me."

I nod.

He is acting like Scrooge McDuck. Fine, till he is busy let me do what am I here for.

Placed the charm in the place provided. Nothing happened. Should I twist it? Wow! The transparent barricade disappears. I can touch the part now. Taking out my part of the summoner, and assembled the two-part together. Bingo! 

It worked. But I am not happy. This is stealing. What if I get caught? I can not steal. I am not a thief. 

"Still here?"

"Aaaahhh"

Jumped out of fear.

"You startled me."

"Sorry, princess."

"Actually..... I am not a.."

A strong wave pushed us.

"What was that?" I ask.

He holds my hand and said.

"Let's go."

I am holding the summoner which was under the protection and the prince didn't even notice it. It's impossible. He knows that I am here to steal, but he let me do it. Why? Wait! This is not the way to the party. Where is he taking me?

"Trust me." He says.

I see Vidya chasing us. Is that Plum? He is trying to enter forcefully. 

"Stop!" The prince stopped the guards and swim near Plum. 

"Ouuuu"

The prince turns to me and says.

"Your friend is in danger."

What? Plum is here, Vidya is here then?

"Ouuuu ouuu."

"Your elf friend. He went into the deep and he is not out yet."

How does he know?

"How do you know?"

"The royals have the ability to understand the fishes. Even if it is the changeling mammals too."

Shocking. Can he hear what I was thinking. If yes, then I am doomed.

"The deep is really dangerous. It is said that one should come out of there within an hour. If not, you will lose consciousness due to a lack of oxygen." Vidya says.

"She can talk. Brilliant." The prince says.

"Sorry, I.."

"It's okay. From the treasure, I brought you something. For my beautiful princess." He handed me a pyramid. 

"This..."

"We do have pyramids. But not in the desert, it is on an island surrounds by volcanos. The island is near the East Apah."

"Thank you so much."

"Service is not free." Saying this, he kissed my cheek and left.

I was smiling till it hits me.

"Arun!"

"We should save him," Vidya says.

"I'll go."

"No we all should go."

"If I don't return back in an hour, then you come for our rescue."

I grab a street light and swim to the deep. I am scared. Scared of darkness. Scared of losing him. I scared of dying here. 

After a serious search, I feel dizzy. The fish I was holding escaped. In the dark, I began to glow. The clams, the starfish, and the pearl. The pearl necklace I was wearing was before the party is not the one I am wearing now. The prince. He...

"Arun!"

He is floating unconscious. 

"Hey wake up. Wake up."

I gently slap him, but no use. Rubbed his palm, but same. I am too scared. Finally, I kissed him, giving my breath to him. It works.

"Ohh..aamm..You..." He is wheezing.

"Let's get out of here."

"No." 

"What do you mean by no. Come on?"

"You go I am staying."

"I am not leaving you alone, Arun."

"You go."

"I am not going anywhere without you."

The pearl is emitting light and giving me strength too. I feel I will never go out of breath. 

"I'll come with you."

"Fine."

We swim deep down. It looked like a wrecked ship. He gets in, followed by me. From the junk he picked a book. It wasn't wet at all. Maybe it is spellbound.

He faints again. Again my kiss revived him. 

"Thank you."

"Hurry up."

He nods and continues searching. He picks up a bag full of crystal stones. Taking the book, bag, and some coins, we headed upwards. Holding each other's hand, we swim up. A strong wave imbalanced us but it was none other that Plum. He came to our rescue. We hopped on to him. And finally we are out of the deep. After a long swim, we found an island. 

"Let's go there." 

Arun is yet dizzy. He needs rest. Rest on the surface. I opened the book but nothing I could understand. 

"Vidya, can I ask you something."

"Sure."

"The prince. He could understand Plum. Could he read the mind too?"

"It shows how attentive you are. I clearly told you before."

"What?"

"I told you that the party is to find the prince a bride. The royals can sense the emotions out of you, so try not to get panic. We should keep a low profile so that we won't fetch their attention. And many more."

"You said that before?"

"Yes I did."

"Wait! Did he know that I was not the princess?"

"What princess?"

"Ritesh, I mean prince Ritesh mistook me for a Princess of the east Ania."

"The princess of the east Apah is a five-year-old. Everyone knows about it."

"Huh! Such a player. But why did he helped me?"

"Maybe he had sensed you innocence."

"He does?"

***

"Thank you Plum."

We reached the island. 

We sigh, rest at the seashore. The potion is wearing off. Fortunately, Arun is in a deep sleep. 

"Is he dead?"

"Lack of oxygen made him weak. Rest will help him regain his strength."

Vidya is right. He needs rest. My gills are gone. I drag myself to hide behind the rock. Soon my legs appeared. Took off my dress made with seagrass. And I put on my dress given by the snake lady again.

He moans.

"Oh, shoot!" Closed my eyes. He is n***d. 

"Devi, where are you going?"

"Look at him. I will be right back."

I scream. Vidya can take care of Arun.

"Wufff!"

"Oh, Plum. I can not leave both alone. Please go and stay with them."

"Mmm mmm"

"Who is my baby?"

"Wuff"

"Go and take care of them."

I explore and get some coconuts. Palm leaves. Sand crabs. And nothing. No person at all. I can not stay here with a n***d man. Please, anyone. Just show yourself. 

While walking I hear strange voices. 

"Who's there?"

In some distance, I feel someone behind me. The bush shakes. I gulp. I was ready. To run. But the thing following me appeared. 

"Wuff"

With a deep sigh, I say.

"Oh, Plum! You scared me."

"Wuff"

"Fine, you can come with me."

"Plum, this is strange no. We are here on an isolated island. It is great that I opened the dress I made with seagrass and wrapped him with that. We won't get any shop in here and no clothes for him."

Again. A kind of whispering sound came again. 

"Who is there?"

"Look, we are no enemy. Please. We are here because we need your help."

I feel there is, no, there are people listening to me. 

"We need food. Only taking food. Nothing else."

"Gurrr"

"Plum, no."

"No"

Looking around, I see some glitters. Like pixy dust. Yes. 

Some glitters on the leaf. I lean to examine it.

"Wow!"

"Ahh." The creature scream.

"It's okay. I will not harm you."

It peeks behind the leaf.

"You are a tiny fairy."

"We are not fairies." A voice from behind scared me. 

A group of tiny fairies attacked me. 

"Ohh woo..uh"

"Gurrr wuff."

They back off.

"Strange creature." One says.

"He is Plum," I say.

"I was saying to you not him. Who are you? You don't seem like a wizard or a fairy. Who are you?"

"An elf!" 

"Then why are you not purple?"

Shoot. I forgot to drink the potion.