A Tail of Two Mermaids

Chapter Eleven: LORELEI

Her Highness, Princess Lorelei of Baltica, told me that you're a hard worker, who likes to be kept busy, from low tide to high tide, so I thought you could help out at the palace's oyster farm, alongside my grandson, Pons" said Marie, the head royal housekeeper.

"Uh, okay", sighed the real Princess Lorelei of Baltica, as she followed Marie through the corridors of the Atlantean royal palace, dragging her turquoise fins. The disturbing nightmares of last night continued to replay in her mind, over and over again. It was downright scary that Lorelei's life was no longer her own.

"Both of Pons's parents, may their memories be a blessing from Amphitrite, foamed when he was just a hatchling, in an epidemic of the Rare Aquatic Virus" said Marie, her hazel eyes clouding over with sadness. When merfolk died, their bodies turned into seafoam and vanished, so "foaming" was a commonly used euphemism for death.

"Pons is, well...". The head royal housekeeper's voice dropped to a whisper. "I think the politically correct term these days is developmentally delayed. He was born during a lunar eclipse, and he is seventeen years old, not that much younger than you, but he is pretty, shall we say, immature, and he doesn't exactly have the best manners, you see. I have been his legal guardian ever since his parents' untimely foaming, and it hasn't always been easy, but I would like to think that I've done the best I could".

The oyster farm was situated in a secluded section of the palace grounds, accessible only through a network of narrow, bioluminescent tunnels. Cages, which were constructed from a strong, bioluminescent seaweed woven into a tight mesh, were meticulously arranged in a grid formation.

Atlantean scientists had developed a method for subtly manipulating the genetics of the oysters, encouraging them to produce larger and more lustrous pearls. Special bioluminescent pods, attached to the cages, emitted a specific frequency that stimulated this growth. A network of bioluminescent tubes snaked throughout the grid, delivering a carefully formulated nutrient solution directly to the oysters. This ensured that they received the optimal nutrition for pearl production.

Marie smiled affectionately at her grandson, Pons, who was currently swimming energetically in circles around the oyster farm, and gestured to Lorelei. He was a scrawny and short teenage merboy with shaggy ash blonde hair, big, olive green eyes, and a shiny silver tail. "Pons, I'd like you to meet Nixie, the Tailmaiden to Princess Lorelei, who is a good friend of Crown Prince Delmore's". Lorelei was pretty sure that she would never, ever get used to being referred to by Nixie's name. "She will be working at the oyster farm with you, for a while".

"Hi, Nixie!" exclaimed Pons loudly. A cheerful grin lit up his round, cherubic face. "You're pretty!". He had such a blunt and childlike way of speaking.

The unexpected compliment regarding her physical appearance made Lorelei blush. "Um, thanks. It's nice to meet you, Pons".

The head royal housekeeper pointed to one of the many oyster cages. "Seaweed and other debris constantly accumulate in the cages, which is not good for the health of the oysters. Several times a day, the cages much be cleaned by hand" explained Marie. "That's usually Pons's job, and I know he would appreciate a helping fin! Right, Pons?". She patted her grandson on the shoulder.

"Right, Grandma Marie!" Pons uttered. He then held up a bioluminescent scraper, which was the main tool used to clean the cages of the oysters. It was a handheld tool that looked like an elongated seashell with razor-sharp edges. The edges were infused with a bioluminescent algae that emitted a soft, blue light.

"Now, please show Nixie how to use the scraper, Pons!". Pons swam up to Lorelei, holding out the scraper. "Okay, Nixie, you gotta hold it like this" he said, demonstrating how to grip the tool. "Then you scrape away the yucky stuff". He made a scraping motion with it, and the bioluminescent edges glowed brighter for a moment.

Princess Lorelei took the bioluminescent scraper from Pons. She had never done anything like this before. "Like this?" she asked, trying to imitate Pons's motions. Focusing on the task at hand temporarily helped to take her mind off everything else.

If your dear mother knew, her heart would surely break in two! A telepathic message from Felipe, Lorelei's bonded giant seahorse, popped into her head. Felipe had quoted the lyrics of an old Baltican merfolk ballad. Had he somehow psychically sensed that the true princess was performing manual labor?

Pons nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, that's it! Let's get to work, Nixie".

Lorelei had to admit that there was something surprisingly satisfying about working with her hands, and seeing the cages sparkle clean after they were done. Pons chattered away as they worked, telling Lorelei all about the different types of seaweed that grew on the oysters' cages, and the most effective ways to remove them.

After a while, Marie came over to inspect their work. "Well done, Nixie!" the head royal housekeeper remarked.

"Thank you, Marie" said Lorelei. "I was wondering if I could please take a break and visit the royal stables...? I love giant seahorses so much". Felipe's telepathic message sparked a desire in Princess Lorelei to visit the royal stables, where she knew he was waiting for her.

"Of course, Nixie! I'll show you the way".

The stables were located behind the royal palace of Atlantis. Instead of the usual stalls, individual giant seahorses resided in spacious, bioluminescent chambers. These chambers were designed to mimic the natural coral reefs where seahorses dwelled.

My sweet little Lorelei!, Felipe said telepathically, as she floated up to him.

For the first time since she was forced, at knife point, to switch identities with Nixie, Princess Lorelei felt a glimmer of joy. Her heart swelled with affection as she reached out to stroke her beloved, copper-colored seahorse's soft, iridescent scales. "My dear Felipe", she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've missed you so much".

Felipe nuzzled her pale hand. You are a smart and beautiful mermaid princess. You should not let Nixie swim all over you. Lorelei's bonded giant seahorse was always encouraging her to break out of her shell and assert herself. He absolutely adored her, but he was frequently frustrated by her exceptionally passive disposition and crippling lack of confidence.

I think you still have a chance to win Crown Prince Delmore's love and live happily ever after, Felipe reassured Lorelei.

"You really think so...?" she questioned. Princess Lorelei's eyebrows arched in doubt and her turquoise mermaid tail fluttered uncertainly.

I know so! Felipe's response was firm and reassuring.

Lorelei's face relaxed, a small smile creeping onto her lips as she felt a tiny spark of hope ignite within her. Maybe, just maybe, the giant seahorse was right.