Arina
I poked my head from behind the hallway wall near the entree way staircase. I was waiting to be announced, father really went all out for the decore. White coral chandelier balls hung from the ceiling, filled with exquisite Moon Jellyfish. Fresh viridescent seaweed cascaded down the ballroom walls. Everyone was waiting on the dance floor. Sounds of the Celtic Harp, Violin, and myriad instruments filled the room with captivating music.
Father had every available male suitor in the kingdom show up, he had to pick the best. I would pick none of them, if I had the choice. Not one of them stood out, all of them look the same. Hoping they will be the next king and marry a lovely princess. They will be living off false hope, because I refuse to accept any of them as my husband.
"Her highness, Princess Arina."
Father waited for me at the bottom of the stairs. "Are you ready? Arina, please just give them all a chance. I know you are repulsed by this, but it's the law."
"I understand," I replied.
Father and I walked around and mingled with the guest. A room filled with people, yet I feel alone and bored. I just can't stop thinking about him, the prince of Essence.
"Arina? You remember Taryn, from the nighboring kingdom. His family would come visit every summer for our warm waters." Father explained, he shook Taryn's hand and pulled him in for a hug.
"Thank you, your majesty. You were always there when my family needed you."
I did remember him, but I wasn't going to admit it. Father had set me up, Taryn is handsome and would make a fine king. For his knigdom, not mine. He was bulit, like he could take on a great white and win. From a family with extradinary wealth and prestige, together we would make the most beautiful children in merfolk history. They'd have both our hair colors, a mixture of sand shades. Mel honey tone eyes, with a touch of brown from me.
"You do look familiar," I tell him.
"I leave her to it then Taryn."
He leaves us alone, thinking his plan would work on me.
"Would you like to dance, Arina?" My body accepted Taryn's invitation, but my mind refused to fall for him. The dance was lasting, but seemed short. Taryn's arms held on to me securely, safe and from harm. We then left the ball and woundered the halls of the castle. The music and voices slowly drifting into the background. I showed him the place garden, it was a sanctuary for me. Glimoring sea shells molded with the ocean floor, they lead to the statue in the center, right where the moon shines through the ocean into the castle. It was mermaid, she was made out of shimmering pink pearl. Surrounded by every sea floret know to man and merfolk. They gave vitality to the graden with it's use of coloration, covers ranging from crimson to sangria.
"Ocean flowers must bloom here year round." Taryn noted, picking one of the flowers he tucked it behind my ear.
"Yes, my mother loved this place. She would tell me stories and sing to me," I sighed.
"I'm sorry."
"It's alright. I remember a song to a story she once told me, it was my favorite." I start to hum the tune as we walk though the garden amiring the flowers. "They are ready for spring."
"Can I hear you sing the song?," Taryen asked. "I've heard you have a lovely voice, your father told me you don't sing much anymore. I know why now."
"It's called Winter Moon." (Play youtube media 0:25-3:20)
"In the woodlands low, born of ice and snow, there's a maiden weeping tonight.
Snow falls softly 'neath the winter moon.
Forest bare and white, she dwells there by night, Listen to her cry sorrow's song.
Tears falls softly 'neath the winter moon.
Breathless, icy, bright. Daughter of the night. Oh, who do you cry for?
Keening softly 'neath the winter moon..."
"Are you alright? Arina, your crying."
"I'm fine." I continued, looking to the sky.
"Traveler passing through, feet all bare his smile was true.
His eyes shone with starlight, he walked softly 'neath the winter moon.
Love made my heart soar, you're the one I've waited for, stay with me forever.
She cried softly 'neath the winter moon.
In the snow he stayed, from my side he did not stray.
My hands could not warm him.
He died softly 'neath the winter moon."
"Beautiful song. What is the story behind it?"
"It's about a tragic love. A men fell a princess, he would go see her every night. Until one night when he went to go see her, she did not show. Her father had found out and killed his daughter, for she was with child. The next day the man went to seach for her, when he found her out in the woods dead. She layed in a crystal glass case, it was bond shut with roes vines. He paryed countious for god to take his life instead. He never left the princesses side, hoping she would wake one day. When the man finally passed the woman woke up to find him dead underneath the winter moon."
"How did she live?," Taryn asked.
I sat down on a brench in the garden. "Her father had a witch cast a spell on both them. That the manmust die in order for the princess to live."
"She was sleeping the whole time," He said.
"Yes, and spent the rest of her life weeping. It's a sad story, but also a great love story too."
We stayed in the garden till the end of the ball. Father came looking for me, finding me in the garden alone with a kiss on my lips.
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Winter Moon - written, composer, sung by : Eurtan
Thoughts so far? - Lots of Love, Moore
