The Little Merman

Chapter Twelve: "Castaway"

Nate leaned on the Prince, ignoring how every step felt like landing on sea urchins along his legs. He just couldn't believe he had found him. Let alone was touching him. Walking across the beach, the prince pointed to the castle that laid just ahead and told him nicely. "I live there." Nate turned his gaze to the castle, marveling at its beauty. The castle sat on the large beach made from white stone with tops that were a sandy shade of red. It was gorgeous. The prince blushed at his reaction, telling him humbly. "It's small but I love it. The whole beach here belongs to me and behind the castle on the water is my private dock. Farther inland is the fishing town. When you are better, I can take you there." Nate smiled at him. The prince was so nice. People ran up to them, dressed in similar attire as one said with unease. "Your highness, everything alright? What has happened?" The prince gestured to Nate, answering curtly. "Must have been another ship that got wreaked in the storm. He washed ashore. Help me take him inside to see the physician."

One of the men moved in to take Nate from the prince, telling the prince defensively. "With all due respect, Highness. Let us take him to the village. We know nothing about this man. To let him into the castle could be-" The prince shook his head, saying in a polite voice. "No. The village is too far. He's exhausted. We can handle one man for a night." Nate shoved the man back that tried to take him away from the prince, causing the men to draw those strange sharp needles. The prince raised a hand, snapping out. "Lower your weapons! He's probably been through hell. Stand aside." The men tensed, refusing to sheath their weapons but they lowered them as ordered. Nate shifted closer to the prince, practically resting his head on his shoulder now. However, his eyes were locked on the men with a hard defensive glare. If he'd had his claws and tail, they'd be sorry. The prince walked up off the sand to a large patch of green that distracted Nate. He didn't know that they had mini seaweed on land.

Sitting on a blanket farther ahead, Sean met the eyes of Princess Verlaine. They had been having a picnic by the beach. As he approached with the shipwrecked sailor, she rose to her knees and stated aloud. "Good heavens! Is he ok?" Sean nodded, telling her reluctantly. "I'm afraid that I'm going to have to cut our breakfast short. I'm going to take him to see the physician." Princess Verlaine nodded, closing her book as she climbed gracefully to her feet and said with a bow. "Of course, Highness. Take him at once. I'll manage." Sean bowed to her in return, slowly walking away as he tried to coax the man onward. He seemed so distracted by the grass and the trees. Had he never seen them before? How long had he been at sea? Behind him, he heard Princess Verlaine tell the guards standing around her. "No. Don't pack up. I plan to stay and read a bit longer. Thank you." Taking the man across the small covered wooden bridge, the guards stationed there opened the large doors to let him inside. As he passed by servants, they staggered to a stop to watch him. The moment he looked at them though, they scampered off to no doubt gossip about his latest actions.

The inside of the castle was bright and decorated to look like the bottom of the sea. His family had always loved the sea and their castle mirrored the beauty of it. With pillars of polished white marble with crown molding of shells and coral. The man stopped, his eyes widening at all the little details. The floor was tiled in a blue that changed shades as the light reflected off it at different angles, making it appear to move like water. Between the dual staircases was a large open oyster shell throne chair with a plush purple seat. The windows were stain glass with the image of ships sailing the horizon. As more servants rushed in to ask if he needed anything, he told them to call the physician and meet him in the royal bath chamber. The servants nodded and rushed off. The man touched a statue of a large seahorse at the bottom of the steps and asked nicely. "Like it? He looks so real doesn't it?" The man smiled so genuinely that Sean smiled in return. He never brought anyone to the castle because it wasn't proper. It was nice to see someone like the things he did though.