A Mermaids Tail

1: Surfacing

*In parts when the characters don't understand each other the speech is written in their native language, it doesn't always stay that way it's just to emphasise the gap between characters.*

Having never felt belonging in the place he was from the young man decided one day to up a leave his home, to escape society and people, to become alone. He wasn't a rich man but he was skilled and witty, so his talents would carry him a long way, through other towns in the dead of night stealing what he wanted as the residents slept, past cities holding up the rich as they passed through the forests. Always sticking to the woods, out of sight, akin with the faerie folk, mischievous and mysterious. Constantly being drawn inexplicably westwards to the coast, away from the cold mountains of the north. Time passed and after a long journey the traveller found himself on a path in the woods, the faeries flitting about him as they often did, so shut off from society and human contact their company was the norm, the forest creatures seemed to have forgotten he was human as much as he had, not having even spoken to a person in the longest time.

In front of him the trees began to thin and a sky that looked like fire came into view, dark clouds like smoke over orange flames burning down to the red embers of the sun reflected in a huge expanse of water, looking as if it would soon sink into it and be extinguished. leaving the path he walked the scrubby earth to the cliff and crouched gazing out over the ocean for the very first time, the waves crashing below him sounding like a constant stampede, the salty taste in the air as it blew against his face. As the last of the sun faded he worked his way down into a little cove, a shell washed beach and high cliffs surrounding it, rocks edging it and travelling out into the ocean.

Later sitting on the rocks a little out on the sea he sat watching the storm clouds far out at see forming a dark foreboding imprint on the clear night sky. As he gazed out something by the rocks caught his eye and he dropped between a gap in the rocks, pulling the black cloth hood over his head so his eyes could just see from beneath it. Watching carefully he saw something moving beneath the waves, then two delicate hands emerged taking hold of the rocks and pulling the curved body of a woman from the water, long dark hair wet and stuck to her back, her naked frame twisting to sit upon the rocks her silhouette dark against the star lit sky behind her. Her bare pert breasts outlined perfectly as he watched in wonder, feeling something stir inside him. Then softly her voice travels over to him and then out over the ocean, tender and sweet and enchanting him, his mind aswim and blurred unable to know what he's doing, the soft notes filling him with happiness. All he knew was he had to get to this amazing woman he had to meet her, after so long away from people this one woman he needed to be near. Suddenly he feels choked, as if something is pulling on his clothes, looking over his to see a small orb if light pulling at his hood. The distraction is just enough to break the spell and he looks beneath him one foot still extended out over the dark thrashing waters, shadows seeming to twist under the surface, his light hair plastered to his head by the storm that had blown in, the loud rumble of thunder the only sound audible over the crashing waves. A flash of bright lightening lights up the cove like it's daylight and he locks eyes with her, beautiful deep dark eyes, full of magic, shocked to see him stood on the rocks, drenched looking out over the ocean at her. Then she was gone as quickly as the lightening that illuminated her, vanishing into the depths. Within seconds the rumble of thunder resounds around the walls of the cove shaking the rocks and he turns back towards the land away from the ever worsening storm and crushing waves, the light of the faerie who saved him guiding him back through the rain hammered dark.

Nearing the end of the rocky outcrop he allows himself one look back to the ocean and in another flash of light a limp figure was there being thrown around in the churning water. It was unmistakable that it was her, he'd never forget the shape of that body for as long as he lived, and not knowing why considering he'd almost been lured to his death moments before, he set off running back over the rocks and before the faerie could react he pierced the black surface and sank beneath into the cold water. The current dragging him left and right as he swam beneath the waves to where the shadow lay above him and he rose, gasping for air as he broke the surface gathering her to his chest in his arms. By luck the sea lifted them in a huge wave and sent them crashing onto the rocks, making sure he let his back hit the rocks he stretched out one arm and grabbed hold fast, wrapping his other arm around her back and shoulders holding her tightly, taking a deep breath before another huge wave thundered down on them smashing him into the rocks once more. Gasping as the wave returned to the ocean he waited for another but it never came, a faint flash of light and a distant rumble through the pounding rain signalled the storm moving inland, away from them and he let go of the rock bringing his hand to rest on her face, the other sliding down from her shoulder across and over her breasts down her side to her hip where the soft skin began to merge with the smooth scales of her tail and then drop limp at his side as exhaustion takes over and the rhythmic patter of the rain sends him to sleep.