Sleepless. That is what my night was like.
Adella tried her best to comfort me after the murder of my father. Mother took it hard, but after twenty-one years of not being together, it seemed to have numbed the pain for her. Still, perhaps she is dealing with her grief more privately, away from the prying eyes of our people.
I don't know what to think. What to feel. But what I do know is that I may be a princess, but I was a pirate first, and I'm not going to stand for the murder of someone on my ship. I swam out to meet my mother, "Are you ready for this?" She asked; I nodded,
"I'm ready to be their princess," I told her,
"Alright," she said, "let's get started."
Mother swam out first, making her way to the throne where Adella was, holding a crown of seashells and pearls. I waited a moment, then swam out myself. Everyone stared at me as I made my way to my mother and the throne. I bowed my head to her, then swam up to the throne, sitting on it as my mother took the crown from Adella before coming to me, "Do you, Caspia Thatch, half-breed daughter of Queen Marina, accept the responsibilities of the princess of the mermaids?"
"I do," I say as she brings to place the crown on my head,
"Do you promise to do everything you can to learn and help grow the mermaid culture and guide us into the future?"
"I do." My mother smiles,
"And do you promise to do whatever it takes to protect your people from harm from here on out?"
"I do." She nods and turns back to the people,
"My people," she said, "I give you Princess Caspia of the mermaids." Everyone cheered; I got up so everyone could see me and raised my hand. Instantly, they fell quiet, and I began to speak,
"I am honored to be your princess." I say, "But first and foremost, I am a pirate. I was a daughter of the sea before I knew I was your princess, and it is because of this that I call upon you, here and now." They stared at me nervously; I turned to my mother, and she nodded, telling me to continue. I took a breath and looked back at the people, "Our species, our way of life, is in danger. Humans, those that don't know us as some do, are planning to hunt us, take us as trophies, or even pets." Many gasped, and others whispered, "I want to protect you, that is why I will not ask you to fight, but I urge you to hide, perhaps avoid the surface if you can. Stay safe. I plan to attack, but I will not force you to risk your lives for my fight." I got ready to swim away, but Edweana swam forward with Adella, stopping me in my tracks,
"Princess Caspia," Edweana said, "you have the support of the shark half-breeds. We will fight with you." I smiled as Adella kissed my lips,
"Your fight is my fight, my love." She tells me, "I don't plan on losing you in life or death." I nodded, and before I knew it, everyone began announcing their loyalty to me and telling me they would join the fight.
"Alright," I say, "then let's get ready for a war."
YOU ARE READING
The Pirate Princess
FantasyA young pirate has been at sea her whole life. She grew up on her father's ship and knew the sea as well, if not better than her father. She is forced into marriage by her father because of a law so she can inherit her father's ship. On the night of...
