Nalu: The Siren's Song

Chapter 14

   "What are you doing Natsu?" Wendy asks as she watches the nearing shore with a look of concern in her eyes.
   "If you want to escape with us, we have to make one final stop first." I tell her.
   "You are still young so you have never tried to leave the palace, but the necklace you're wearing is set up to prevent you from escaping." Lucy steps in and answers.
Wendy's hands immediately cling to her neck, trying to pry the necklace off before finally realizing that it is stuck. "You got yours off." Wendy notes as she points to Lucy's bare neck. "How did you do that?"
"That's what we are going to do. Just hang tight, we will be there soon." I say as Wendy excitedly looks over the edge of the boat at the crystal blue water.
Now that I think about it, and I have the time to relax and admire the scenery, it is actually a very beautiful day. Without a cloud in the sky, the sun shines brightly bringing a comforting warmth to everyone under its light. The shimmering waves waver and sway with the soft wind's current providing us with easy and swift passage straight to our destination.
   This exact scenery and feeling of the warm breeze brushing through my hair is the reason I took up sailing and have always loved the idea of traveling.
My eyes then catch sight of Lucy at the bow of my small sailboat. The wind ruffles her hair as her skirt gracefully sways. The sun shines down on her at just the right angle to make it appear as if she is glowing- wait, no, she is glowing. She does not need the sun to do that.
Her smile alone can lighten up a dark room. Her hair is so shiny and golden, it can imitate and replace the sun. Then her eyes, her big, chocolatey brown eyes are like two mazes I get lost in if I dare to look too long.
Sure, I know it sounds cheesy, but it is true and I can't believe how lucky I am to have met her. She is someone I want to be with for the rest of my life as we live happily ever after together in my castle.
Lucy turns around and our eyes lock making my realize just how long I have been staring. Heat rises to my cheeks as I look away, hoping she won't notice.
With her usual soft smile, Lucy walks up to me and grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers. Staring into my onyx eyes, she brushes my salmon bangs out of my face with her other hand before resting her head on my shoulder.
The moment seems to last forever as time stops in our favor, but really it lasts no more than ten minutes as the entrance to the hidden cove comes into sight.
Inhaling a deep breath of fresh air I steer us into the hidden cove Lucy first brought me to. I am surprised that the sirens have not caught up with us yet, but am glad for it nevertheless and do not want to push our luck.
"Come on, Wendy. There is a grotto down there that contains the celestial stone, the only thing that can set you free." I tell her.
   "Wow the celestial stone? I have heard tales about it, but I have never seen it before!" Wendy says with eyes as wide as her smile.
   "Well, now is your chance. Hang tight, Luce, we will be right back!" I say.
Lucy nods and wishes us good luck as we jump into the water. As soon as Wendy is submerged in the water, her legs are replaced by a shimmering indigo tail and her dress is replaced by green scallop seashells.
"Meow!" Happy calls after us as he impatiently watches the waters edge as we resurface for one final breath of air.
"Stay with Lucy, we will be right back, Happy!" I say. Wendy and I take in a deep breath before diving back into the water.
This time I am able to swim faster and we make it there in practically half the time that I did last time. After I hoist myself onto the shore of the small air pocket, I pick up the young mermaid and carry her in my arms.
"Wow." She gasps as she admires the bioluminescent algae painting the walls. "It's so beautiful." A smile covers her face as her head darts from side to side with excitement gleaming in her eyes.
Seeing her childish delight brings a smile to my face as well. One year ago I never would have imagined that I would meet a mermaid, discover a society of sirens, see a magical stone and bring a mermaid back home. But though it is crazy and definitely unexpected, I am glad that I met them and am able to bring both Lucy and Wendy back to my kingdom.
I am excited, but I have to remember not to celebrate too soon. We may be across the island but we are not out of the woods yet.
Just as those thoughts leave my mind we round the corner into the large cavern but this time, something is different. The stone is gone. I look around the wide cavity trying to find anywhere else it could possibly be, but I cannot find it anywhere.
"Natsu!" A familiar voice calls from behind me.
   "Lucy?" I say as I turn around, only to be faced with a sight I never wished to see. Queen Layla is holding the celestial stone in her hand as all the other sirens are filing into the room after her and in the front of the assembly is two sirens restraining Lucy.
With a yelp of pain, Wendy collapses to the ground, out of my grasp, as shocks of electricity surge out of her green shell necklace. "Now then," The Queen says. "Let's stop this game of cat and mouse and get down to business."
I narrow my eyes as she slowly takes a couple steps forward. "You have my siren and I have the trader you seem to care so much about. Since you seem to be so dedicated to ripping apart my kingdom, I will propose a deal." She says. "Give us Wendy in exchange for Lucy. Otherwise we will deal with this trader according to siren law and you two will be free to leave. Only we will not allow you to remove her necklace so she will not get far."
Then just like that, my nightmare came true. What the heck am I supposed to do now?