HOLD MY HAND THROUGH THE WAVES

CHAPTER 1

       INTO THE LAND OF LORELEI....
  
   Year 1782, Somewhere in the middle of North Pacific ocean. "CAPTAIN!! I don't think we can hold it for any longer.." The ship was moments away from drowning in the sea. It was the darkest evening they've ever witnessed in their life. Heavy rain and surge filled the ship with water. Thunder and lightening above their head, The families held each other close predicting their upcoming death. "ADAM!!" "MOTHER!!" Adam reached his hand to his mother's from the life boat. But the rope which was holding the boat broke before his mother could make it to the same boat. "MOTHER!!" "Don't worry Son I'll be right behind you in another boat, Stay with you sister and father." Things didn't work out as they were planned as soon as the boat started moving a huge wave made Adam's boat disappear from other's view. The wave pulled them far away from the ship and they all fell from the boat. Adam swam upwards to get air, He looked around. No sign of the ship or the people, He saw the boat was shattered into pieces.

     "VERONICA!!" "BROTHER" They both swam to each other. He made his sister sit on a broken wooden plank of their boat. "Where is father?" Adam asked Veronica. They searched for their father all around without success. By the time the storm was washed away. In the severe cold of night the both siblings fell unconscious on the wooden plank.
"Look! There are people in the water." "It's none of your concern Prince Rainier." "It is Minster Walter, I remember you teaching me we serve the people for their needs am I wrong? Get roped save the young man and the girl." Prince Rainier commanded the workers. Minister Walter seemed annoyed and unpleasant by Prince Rainier's act,  He walked back inside his cabin in the ship. "Are they alive?" "Yes..Your highness." One of the workers replied to Prince Rainier. "GO and check if there are more people in water." Ordered Prince Rainier and he walked close to Adam. He signalled his female workers to look after Veronica. He tried waking up Adam but his lungs where filled with water. "Don't die on me young man.." Rainier turned to his worker and continued, "Hand me a needle" The worker came rushing with the needle. Prince Rainier inserted the needle into the pleural space between the lungs and the chest wall.

      Adam suddenly gasped for air. "Where is Veronica?" "The little girl is safe young man, You should take rest." Rainier replied to Adam. Adam stood up and shook his wet copper blonde hair. His amber eyes and tall well built figure made Prince Rainier curious, "What is your name? And where are you from?" Rainier asked. "I am Adam from Miriana and you are?" Adam asked. "Rainier prince of Lorelei." Adam suddenly bowed his head, "Forgive me My highness." "For what Adam? You can call me Rainier. What were you doing in the ocean Adam?" "Tragedy struck out city, Drought killed kids and women. We had to move for help." "Where are the rest of your people Adam?" "Never saw them after the ship drown.." Adam replied. "I'm sorry for your lose Adam, What were you doing in your city?" "I was a musician.." "Your King, what happened to him?" "Father...He disappeared in the water.." "You are prince of Miriana Adam.." "There is no prince without land your highness." Said Adam patting on Rainier's shoulder. "Brother!" Veronica came running towards Adam, He kneeled down and hugged her, "Glad you are okay." "Me too brother." Veronica pulled away from his hug and greeted Rainier.
Minister Walter came out of his cabin. "Minister meet Prince and Princess of Miriana-" Walter raised his hand for Rainier to stop, "Well well.. I heard the tale, Prince and princess of the dried up city." "Stop it Minister you are insulting our guest." "It's okay your highness...Your Minister is right." said Adam "Good thing he knows his place." "MINISTER!!" Rainier yelled at the Minister. Minister went back to his cabin without saying anything. "I'm sorry prince Adam.." "No please don't call me that call me Adam." "Then call me Rainier." They both shook hands.

      Veronica untied her golden blonde hair. The workers helped Veronica dry her long wavy hair. "How old are you young lady?" One of the workers asked. She turned towards the lady with her widened silver eyes and a sweet smile. "I'm seventeen but my brother treat me like a five year old." The workers laughed with her. "Is he your Prince?" Veronica asked the workers. "Yes, He is coming back to our city after his medical studies." "He is a doctor? Don't look like one..He is a little shorter than my brother, has a forest green eyes and-" "And has brown hair? Rainier interrupted Veronica. "You were watching all along? I'm sorry I didn't mean to.." "Calm down princess I will not hang you to death because you described me so perfectly, Your beautiful eyes didn't go to waste..you have a nice observation." Rainier handed over some dry clothes to Veronica and walked away. "He startled me.." Veronica whispered under her breadth.

     "You are very kind compared to other princes I've met, Why?" Rainier asked Adam. "Maybe because I am not even a prince any more or because of my.......mother." "I didn't mean to upset you.." "No, You are kind too why tell me Rainier." "Maybe because I'm not interested in kingdom responsibilities or because I was craving for a friend like you." They both laughed feebly. "I'm the younger prince and I'm returning to kingdom because it is the crown prince's marriage." "Wait you're not the crown prince?" Adam asked all surprised. "No.. Arthur my elder brother." "Look my highness we are almost there.." One of the workers informed Rainier. "Welcome to Lorelei Adam." Adam stared at the beautiful and wealthy city he was seeing ahead.

     "Give me your hand princess." Rainier offered his hand to Veronica but she jumped to the sand without taking his hand. "Well that went well..." Said Rainier slapping his own face with his offered hand. Royal Army was waiting for them at the shore. "Minister, We have refugees from Miriana." "Give them shelter in the village and financial help." Commanded Rainier. "Yes my highness.." The soldiers left. Minister Walter wasn't pleased about Rainier returning to Lorelei. "My mother can be there, Rainier can you lead me to the refugees?" Adam asked. "Sure, Let's go." Adam, Rainier and Veronica entered the heart of the city, A busy crowded place. The voices of the crowd overlapping each other.

      "Tell me if you want something." Said Rainier to Veronica. Veronica decided to test the water since he asked. "Prince Rainier..?" "Yeah?" Veronica received a quick reply from Rainier as he was waiting for her to say something. Veronica ran her eyes all over the market, Until she noticed the right thing. "You see that person over there.." "Where?" "There with the dog...Don't you think he is going too much for making money with him? Rainier noticed the man torturing the dog to make him to do tricks. "I want that dog Prince Rainier.." Adam caught Veronica's ears and turned towards Rainier to say it was not necessary. Too late, Rainier was already on his way towards the man. "RAINIER!!" Adam made his way towards Rainier through the crowd.

     "What do you want?" "Your Dog Sir.." "Pardon?" "I think you didn't hear me properly, I said I want your dog." "It's not that I didn't hear you last time jerk, I was giving you a chance to change what you just asked for." The man fumed and pulled Rainier's collar. Rainier just smiled at the man the whole time. "This Jerk wanna steal my dog, Look everyone.." Everyone stared at the man and chattered, predicting what all could happen to the man for misbehaving with the prince. "Prince Rainier, is there a problem?" Adam pushed away the man from Rainier. For a moment the market became noiseless. The man kneeled down and rubbed his hand together for forgiveness. "I apologise my highness.." "How much?" Asked Rainier ignoring the whole scenario just happened. "What?" "How much for your dog? Never mind take this and I am taking him." Rainier left with the dog leaving Adam behind.

      Veronica just stood there like she was frozen the whole time.  "Name him Peach for me.." Rainier handed the dog over to Veronica. "I will not.." She took the dog and went ahead. "Don't you think she should have said a thank you? Why is she so different?" "How old are you Rainier?" Adam asked all disgusted. "Nineteen why?" "You are just dealing with the wrong girl." Adam ran towards Veronica to catch up with her. "Let us see about that." Rainier muttered to himself with a smile. "Adam wait for me...". The trio reached the village where refugees were given shelter. "MOTHER!!" Veronica ran towards their mother and hugged her. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Rainier introduced himself to Florence, Adam's mother. "Father?" Adam hugged his mother without saying anything. The tears were his answer. "Did they find a house for you?" Rainier asked. "No, I ensured the safety of our people and the houses are filled Prince.." "Then you can come with me to the palace Adam.." "No, that won't be right Rainier.." Adam interrupted Rainier. "Then at least let me lead you to the light house where you can stay safely.." Rainier placed his hand on Adam's shoulder. Adam hugged Rainier.

      "Here are the keys.." Rainier gave the keys to Adam and continued, "I have to leave now..If I don't my brother and Minister will create an entire master plan to kick me out of the palace." He laughed rubbing his neck. He waved at them and before he walked away he whispered in Veronica's ear, "A girl died here a few years ago, People say she still visits here." Chill went down her spine. She made a grumpy face at him and went inside the light house.

      It was almost mid night, Adam laid on the bed staring at the full moon through the window. Memories of Miriana flowed through his mind, To forget all these he decided to explore the light house. "Nothing interesting.." Adam let out an audible sigh. Suddenly his eyes caught the sight of a door blocked by a cupboard, He slowly moved the cupboard and opened the door. "They blocked the door and forgot to close the window that's interesting." He noticed the room was filled with musical instruments. He sat down on the piano bench and started playing '12 Sonate da cimbalo di piano e forte'  Fully immersed in music he forgot how fast the time flew. He stopped playing and was about to went back to sleep. As it was night even if a pin was dropped it will be audible clearly. He heard a slow clapping voice from the same room. "Who's there?" He started panicking, A woman in suddenly got out from hiding and tried to jump out of the window. Adam grabbed her hand, she was wearing a white cloak. She turned around and her sapphire blue eyes glowed in the moon light which made Adam loosen his grip on her hand. She jumped out of the window but her bracelet fell on the ground next to Adam. Adam picket it up and whispered,
                                                                    *"WHO ARE YOU?"*

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