the little mermaid

free

Days passed, then weeks, then months, all with the poor little mermaid being stuck in the castle with no one to entertain her but the maids and chefs.

But one day, Cordelia came back.

And she never left.

Cordelia's voice haunted Dorienne's thoughts for weeks on end. Every day she would ask Dorienne if she was ready to leave yet, and every day Dorienne refused her help.

Until one day, Dorienne cracked.

"I need to get out of this castle!" she yelled. "And I need you to leave me alone!"

"Both of those problems will be solved if you let me help you," said Cordelia calmly.

"Fine!" Dorienne shouted in a crazed voice. "Fine, fine, fine! You can help me!"

Captivity was really taking its toll on her.

"Ahh!" she screamed at the terrifying appearance of Cordelia.

She was taller than Dorienne and very slim with a pointed face and a black tail. Her eyes were a beautiful periwinkle and her hair was almost white and flowed behind her in waves.

For a moment they just stood there staring at each other, but their silence was broken by Cordelia. "Here's how this will work. I will outstretch my hands and you will grab them, and then we will be transported out of this terrible castle."

"Terrible castle?" asked Dorienne.

"Yes, terrible castle. Do you not agree?"

"I suppose I do agree, but what gives you the right to call my home terrible?"

"I have every right, Dorienne. I, too, was once locked in this palace. I know what it's like. Which is why I know how you desperately want to leave. And I'll let you leave. But I have something to ask of in return."

Please not my eyes, thought Dorienne, but all that came out of her mouth was, "What is it?"

"I need your voice," Cordelia said.

"No," stated Dorienne. "I'd rather stay here."

"It'll just be for a few days! I just need to borrow it," said Cordelia.

"Do you promise?" asked Dorienne.

"Yes, of course."

"I would like to ask you a question first," Dorienne said.

"Okay," agreed Cordelia.

"How can you do these things? The... magic?"

"I'm a sea witch," explained Cordelia simply.

"A sea witch?" asked Dorienne confusedly.

"Yes, haven't you ever heard of one?"

"No..." said Dorienne.

"Of course your father would keep that from you," sighed Cordelia.

"What do you mean? And why do you need my voice?"

"You said a question, as in one question."

"Please answer me," pleaded Dorienne.

"No. Now take my hands."

Dorienne was hesitant, but Cordelia forcefully took Dorienne's small hands into her ice cold ones.

"Sing," she demanded, and though Dorienne wasn't so sure about this deal, she had the compelling urge to sing.

So she sang.

She sang until suddenly, she couldn't sing anymore.

Then Cordelia said something, and they were whirling through nothingness, and then they were standing outside of the castle.

Dorienne tried to say how wonderful it was to be outdoors again, before remembering that her voice was in someone else's possession.

Cordelia let go of Dorienne's hands and said, "Have fun," before disappearing into nothingness.