The Twins from the Sea

Chapter XVII

Aikaterine's gold eyes widened. Everyone was silent for a while.

"What?" Moana said.

"It's the King!" said the messenger, on the verge of tears. "I don't think he'll live much longer!" A tear slid down her green cheek. "I have been sent by the queen. She said to bring the saviors."

There was no more to be said. The messenger raced off, shortly followed by Aikaterine, then the twins. Moana couldn't help but feel exhilarated by the moment. But she also felt guilty for feeling joy at a time as desparate as this.

They shortly approached the castle, and the messenger took a sharp turn into a hallway right next to the entrance. It led up to a steep spiral staircase. Moana wondered what the point of a staircase was, when nobody in the kingdom had legs to climb them with. As they swam up the stairs, Moana's long tail brushed the plush fabric.

At the top of the staircase, two stern-looking male Sirens guarded an elaborate-looking door. The guards held long, sharp-tipped spears, but immediately raised them when the messenger came, followed by Aikaterine, Moana, and Ophelia. She pushed the door open and the group entered a gorgeous room. It was elegant, yet simple. Framed paintings dotted the walls, and multiple daybeds surrounded a huge bay window that overlooked the Siren Kingdom, and it reminded Moana of her and her sister's room back in Dublin. A large table and cushiony chairs were in the corner. Pushed against the wall in the corner was a large four-poster bed. Scarlet, velvety curtains were closed around it. A soft weeping could be heard from inside. The messenger closed the door behind the group. The crying stopped as soon as it closed.

A second later, a blue hand reached out of the curtains, and slightly parted them. A beautiful Siren swam out. There were smile lines around her gold (but tear-filled) eyes and a small gold crown sat atop her dark green hair. When she saw Ophelia and Moana, she started to cry. She tried to stop the tears and gave the twins a weak smile. Ophelia's heart melted with sympathy. The Queen motioned for them to come closer. Ophelia looked back at Aikaterine and the messenger, and Aikaterine, in tears, nodded. Moana and Ophelia cautiously swam forward and met the Queen. She immediately took Moana and Ophelia into a tight embrace.

Moana and Ophelia were shocked, but soon enough they took the queen in their arms and held her tightly. Moana, against her will, began to cry. At that moment, a connection was made between the Queen and the twins that they would always treasure. They felt a strong sense of affection for her, and Moana and Ophelia vowed that they would do everything in their power to help the Queen of the Sirens. The queen let go of them, then looked intently into Ophelia's eyes. She smiled.

"Oh, you look just like your mother."

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hey guys, sorry for not updating in forever. I just started school and have been really busy. sorry for it being so short, but I feel like this is one of the most important chapters in this story...

just saying!

xoxo