Etoile, The Last Siren

Dreams

She watched as the sea slowly lit up and thought about the handsome prince. She smiled and danced, imagining her prince being there with her, in her home. She would take him to the corals and sing to him her favorite songs. Then, she would touch his face, his warm face that made her heart drop and rise, over and over again. She couldn't help but get lost in her thoughts, being in his arms, being loved. Whatever that means.

Etoile sighed and thudded softly on the sand, crushing it in her fingers and combing her fingers through it. No matter how much she wished he could be in her world, it was impossible, it's why her sisters left, she figured. She knew her sisters had found a way to make it up but she never cared to ask, she just couldn't understand why they'd want to leave. Even now, even with her prince taking up every second of every day in her head, she didn't know if she was willing to leave her home.

It hadn't been the same since her sisters had all left, but she never cared for legs, they weren't colorful like her tail and how would she dance without her tail. But on the other hand, what if this is the purpose her sisters had been pursuing? What if she gives up the purpose of her life all because she was scared of being homesick? The thoughts overwhelmed her head and all she could do was groan and close her eyes. Her sisters would probably know what to do.

Prince Thomas couldn't forget about the girl who saved his life. He only caught a glimpse of her face before she disappeared but even just a glimpse and he could tell that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Her beauty was supernatural, he had thought he'd died and ended up in heaven. By the time he had gained consciousness, he was back in the palace and surrounded by a worried entourage of advisors. They had all been convinced he'd gone crazy when he demanded to see the angel who saved his life.

He stared out into the sea and wondered who she was and where did she go. Did she not recognize him? Perhaps that meant she wasn't from the kingdom, a neighboring kingdom perhaps. Maybe he was going insane, too much seawater in the blood. Even more concerning was what had dragged him into the water? He was perfectly fine before he was being dragged deeper into the sea, was there a new creature in the waters? His brow furrowed and he prayed his angel was safe, the seas were cruel and unforgiving.

"Thomas, dear, it's unseemly for a prince to just sit around and gaze into the sea, dreaming is for the poor," A proper voice scolded from behind him.

He turned around and was met with his mother's stern and furrowed face. She looked exhausted and he knew that he was running out of excuses and time to not take the throne. His father had passed away a few years ago, leaving a ten-year-old Prince and a young thirty-something Queen responsible for leading a country that despised an outsider Queen. It had been fourteen years since his mother took the throne and despite his wishes to explore the seas, his duty was to the throne.

"Mother, it's not daydreaming, I'm plotting to meet the girl of my dreams," He bantered.

"The one from the dream?"

"It wasn't a dream, it was a sign. The heavens have sent for me an angel to give me my purpose."

The Queen sighed and shook her head. "Your purpose is to lead the people and bring prosperity to the land. You are their king, it's time you act like it."

The prince frowned. She would never understand, he had never asked to be king or to have any of this responsibility. As a mother, shouldn't it be her duty to wish for her son's happiness? He knew she was right, it didn't matter how much he wished things were different, at the end of the day, he had responsibilities and people to lead.

But for now, he would pretend that he was just another man. He pretended that he could meet his angel one day and they'd laugh and introduce each other. He would just be a normal man and her, a normal girl. They would get married, with no one to judge or have opinions about it, and he could kiss her and not worry about court etiquette. For now, he was a man with the freedom to dream and love and he prayed that maybe she was a sign, the sign, that the king could live happily ever after.

Etoile gave up. After a full day of trying to remember the name her sisters told her about, she just couldn't do it. She had never been so tired, she couldn't even remember ever having to think this hard about anything. All her sisters had said the same thing, the sea witch's name, the magic name that would help her reunite with her sweet prince. All because she was busy singing and playing, she was going to miss out on this chance of love.

"COME ON SEA WITCH! I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING! I WANT TO MAKE A DEAL WITH YOU!" She cried out in desperation.

She wasn't sure what to expect, but absolute silence was among her top three choices. This was ridiculous, with each passing minute, she began to get more restless. Humans had such short lifespans, who knew if he was even still alive? She clenched her fists until her fingernails began to draw blood from her palms. All she wanted was to not be alone, so why would the seas have her meet him if she wasn't meant to be with him.

The frustration grew in her throat. Her chest felt heavy and there was a lump in her throat, making it difficult to breathe and swallow. Her body felt hot and she could feel her eyes stinging. She didn't know what was happening, but the pressure in her head and body seemed to build more and more until she couldn't handle it anymore. She let out a blood-curdling scream and it burst out in waves throughout the sea.

Etoile automatically felt better, the pressure finally rising out her body and into the sea, as if the screams carried the heat out of her. She smirked, happy to get rid of the parasite, and was startled when she felt a presence near her. She let out a soft gasp and turned around where a tall individual dressed in all white, leaning against nothing, watching her intensely with a piercing gaze.

She felt exposed and uncomfortable and continued staring at him until he spoke. "I'm not deaf, you don't have to scream, I heard you the first time, Gaia, you sirens and your emotions, it'll get you into trouble you know?"

He walked closer to her and she instinctively stepped back, still not sure who and what he was. How was he walking in water, perfectly fine and breathing? She spun around him, analyzing him and determining whether or not he was a threat. He didn't seem threatening, then again, dolphins were cute until she learned what they were truly like.

"Who...are you?" She spoke slowly.

He gave a mischievous grin and with a blink of an eye, he was right in front of her face, just inches away. With the grandest gestures he could make with his arms, the unknown entity pointed at himself in a showman manner and said, "Didn't your sisters tell you? I'm your fairy godmother and I'm here to grant your wish!"