The Mermaid's Choice

Chapter 1

Anahi

    The sea was thunderous. I could hear the anger from the storm miles away. The devil rays darted frantically around me, warning me of the coming weather. I flicked my tail and drove myself to the surface. The waves were crashing; I could keep my head above water, but the foamy, white caps told me I should proceed with caution. I focused my attention on a large ship about thirty kilometers ahead of me. I could smell the sweat from the sailors and the thick, moldy scent of the old oak ship clogged my sinuses. I closed my eyes and took a deeper breath. These were not sailors. The scent of Caribbean rum, and the burning Jamaican herbs announced these men were pirates. I opened my eyes and made out the weather-beaten black flag with a golden kraken symbol surrounded by a ring of stars. There had to be at least twelve men. Slithering through the waves, my amethyst tail winked under the light of a robust moon, cautiously, I approached the ship.

    Once again, I broke the surface. My jet-black hair swirled around me. This time I could hear the out-of-tune melody from the bagpipes and the drunken, baritone hoots coming from the crew. I quietly hummed along to the pirates’ song as I swam closer. Worriedly, I began to consider the energy I was having to use fighting the tumbling current. I knew the storm coming was not going to be small, but I was not expecting it to be so strong. Trying to keep my eyes on the prize, I broke the surface to roar “and a bottle of rum!” along with the pirates before darting back into the jagged waves and leaving my concern floating behind. Minutes later I was lounged atop a small patch of stone I had spotted peeking out off the shoreline on one of my dives towards pirates.

Eirik

    "Sigrid, STOP!" I said, raising my voice in frustration. " Glancing around the great hall and encountering several surprised stares, I lowered my voice to a whisper. "I do not want to have this talk with you right now. We may be getting married, but rest assured, it is strictly a business deal my father made with yours." I rub my temple with my thumb and forefinger in an effort to massage away the headache I always got when Sigrid decided to try and discuss wedding plans with me. I hadn't meant to be so harsh, but with the wedding being mere weeks away I found my temper getting shorter and shorter the closer the date drew near. I let out a deep sigh, "I'm sorry, Sigrid. I should not have responded like that. You deserve better. I wish our father's would see it that way." I turn on my heel and briskly walk away.

"One day you're going to have to accept the fact that this is our lives! You can either try to be happy, or you can be miserable forever! The choice is yours!" Sigrid screams to my back. I raise a hand in a dismissive wave and continue to retreat. The doorman heaved open the large door, and I made my escape out to the courtyard. Taking a deep breath I inhaled the cold air. I let the steady snowfall cool my face. I heard the doorman grunt as he pulled the door shut. I wanted to get out of here. I took in the massive water fountain. The sides were frozen over with a thick sheet of ice. Through the ice I could make out the green moss that had found its niche upon the cold stone.

"I've got to get out of here," I mumbled, "no matter what."

Anahi

CRACK!

I could feel my hair on my arms rise from the electricity as a large bolt of lighting hit somewhere not too far inland. The instruments and singing from the ship crashed to a halt. In the silence I returned my attention to the sea. This storm was dangerous. I needed to get back to my people. I leap back into the tumbling sea. Instantly I the current grabbed me, ripping me in the wrong direction. I tried to overcome the strength of the water but it was too strong. I knew better than to stray too far from the city in middle of storm season. Panicked I swished my tail back and forth, hoping that I could somehow manage to even out the pull enough to overcome the force of the current.

After several minutes I had to give up. I no longer had the strength to keep myself in place, much less propel myself through this current to make it home. Home. As I was carried further and further away my mind wandered to the splendor of Anhiya. It surely was a sight to behold. Even though the city was hundreds of miles below the surface, the coral reefs and the sand sparkled as if it were just off the coast. Upon entering the large gates you can hear the hum of hundreds of siren songs all in harmony as though there were a full symphony and choir. The reefs were built into grand houses and buildings, and the fish happily darted around them. In the center of the reef towered the castle. It had several towers that glistened like fresh polished gold. The music seemed to swell from the city center even though nobody was actually singing. My eyes flash open and I am able to make out the dark, jagged figure of rocks ahead. I frantically try to slow myself. I'm too late. I stretch my arms out in front of me to soften my impact, but the current slams me around and my head slams into the cold stone. I see gold clouds as the blood pours from the wound. Not all mermaids have golden blood, just the royal ones. My vision darkens and the sounds of the sea disappear as I lose consciousness.

Eirik

The air is salty and wet. I hate the sea. I loathe everything about my country. Why is it always cold? Even in the warm season it never gets any warmer than a brisk chill. I hate being royal. I hate being betrothed. I feel like my life is not my own. Collapsing to the sand I pull my knees to my chest and stare into the horizon. The dark grey water crashes upon the surface as a storm rolls through leagues away. I try to calm down. Even at the age of twenty-one I know I still act like a child. I am almost positive it is stemmed from the fact that I wish more than anything I could be out of this place. My brother, Baldr, he's the one who should be in line for the throne not me, but I supposed that is the cross that the eldest born must bear. It had been a fortnight since I vowed to leave this place, and I was no closer to leaving now than I was then. I hear my friends hoot and holler as they dance with the waves rolling in, playing chicken with the icy foam.

“Eirik!” I startled as a firm hand clasps my shoulder. “What is on your mind? You have been especially distant today.” I look over at my best friend Gunnar. His deep red hair blew across his face. He brushed it aside and offered me a weak smile. His green eyes seemed to reach into my mind as he scrunched up his wrinkled nose and let out a little chuckle. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Sigrid’s a great match for you. Remember when we were kids? You two were inseparable. What changed?”

“I know. I guess I just never thought I would marry her, and now I am being forced to. I cannot do this Gunnar.” Gunnar glances towards the ocean, eyes widening as he focuses in on something on the beach. I follow his gaze and my eyes land on a heap of…is that kelp? Standing up I brush the sand off and start walking towards the mysterious pile. Gunnar follows me. The closer I get I can see it is not kelp. It looks like a woman. A naked woman. I break into a run as I take of my jacket. Slowly I approach. Where did she come from? She had to have washed in with one of the waves, I hadn’t seen anything earlier when I was watching the waves. I slip on the sand and slide in next to the girl’s body. After covering her with my coat I check for a pulse. It was faint, but she did have one. I cup her face in my hand, brushing away thick, black hair. Her skin was soft, with a dark olive complexion. Long, dark eyelashes rested on her cheeks. Whomever she was, she was not from around here. Carefully I pick her up. She is light in my arms even at dead weight. “She is alive,” I tell Gunnar as stride past him. “I’m taking her to the royal infirmary. Tell the others they are free to go. Not as though I wanted this bachelor celebration anyway.” Offering him a small smile I turn and make my way back to the palace.