Above The Sea

Chapter 3 - Audrey

As Aunt Uri swam back to the palace, I tested out my legs. I put them just under the surface and tried to swim like I was used to. Of course, with no tail, that didn't work too well.

"Hey, do you need some help?" A voice called out to me. I started to open my mouth, but quickly closed it, remembering I have no voice. I nodded in response.

"Well girly, I wish I could help you. But I'm just a bird. My name is Shelly. Why don't you just swim back to the shore?" Shelly said, finally appearing in my line of view. I shook my head, trying to get the point across that I can't swim.

"You can't swim?! Then how did you get out here?" Shelly asked, her head tilting to one side. I didn't really have an answer for that, so I simply shrugged.

"Well ok then girly. I'll try to get someone to come out here and save you. We aren't too far from shore so it shouldn't be an issue." Shelly told me, taking off towards the sandy beach. I turned and waited there, watching as a girl quickly got in a boat and started to make her way towards my rock. As she got closer, I noticed just how pretty she was. She had light brown wavy hair, emerald green eyes, pale yet tanned skin with freckles scattered like stars across her cheeks. I couldn't help but stare at her. She was beautiful.

"Hi there! Shelly here told me you needed some help?" The girl asked, her voice matching her appearance. Her voice was sweet and true. It sounded like the tides gently hitting the sides of the tallest tower in the castle. Still shocked by her beauty, I nodded.

"Ok! Here, get in my boat. My name is Rose by the way. What's yours?" Rose asked, moving forward just enough to allow me to climb into the boat. The way I climbed in was not in the least bit graceful. I wasn't used to my legs yet, so I ended up practically falling into the boat. I smiled sheepishly at Rose, trying to express how sorry I am. Pulling myself into a sitting position, I shook my head at Rose and pointed at my throat.

"Oh, can you not talk?" She asked, seemingly very clever. I shook my head again.

"That's ok! Once we get to the shore, I'll get you a pencil and a pad of paper and you can tell me your story!" Rose smiled, her teeth so bright the sun reflected off of them. Stunned once again, I nodded. With that, Rose turned back around and started rowing us to shore. 'She's absolutely stunning. She's so pretty and her name and voice fit so well. And her smile. Oh what I'd do to see that smile again. It was so bright and blinding. But at the same time, it was perfect. It lit up her face and made her eyes sparkle. Hopefully we can become friends!'

"Hey, we're at the shore. Follow me!" Rose said, smiling and extending her hand out to me. I nodded and took Rose's hand. I slowly stood up and tried to step out of the boat, but I promptly fell on my face. 'Dang it. I forgot I don't know how to walk.' I used my forearms to push my upper body up a little bit when I saw her. Since I was holding Rose's hand, when I fell, she fell with me. Sand was everywhere. It was in her hair, on her face, on her clothes, everywhere. Even though she still looked incredible, I felt terrible. She then looked at me and laughed. Laughed!

"You're really clumsy, huh? Oh, you probably feel bad about dragging me down with you. Don't worry about it! I live nearby, I'm used to being covered in sand. Here, I'll help you up." Rose told me. Once again, she extended her hand towards me. I didn't take it this time. I knew I would fall again and I didn't want to drag her down again. I started to get up by myself, failing terribly. 'Why is this walking thing so hard?!' I thought, frustrated.

"Did you forget how to walk or something?" Rose asked, kneeling down again. Not knowing how else to excuse this, I nodded, focusing on the ground. It was so embarrassing, being this helpless in front of someone like her.

"That's ok! I'll help you." Rose smiled at me, helping me get to my feet. Slowly but surely, I figured out how to walk. I wasn't the best at it, but I wasn't the worst.