Oceans Call

Chapter 9: The Sapphire Comb

I woke up and leaped out of bed. I flew to the balcony, excited for a view of the surrounding sea. Tendrils of sea plants swayed with the rhythm of the ocean. Fish swarmed around the coral and enormous sea turtles loitered lazily through the water. As I continued my observation, I saw a few Undines swimming to different buildings slowly. The water had turned a faded orange color, indicating that the early morning hours had just begun. That would also explain the slow traffic outside. I stretched and made my way over to the closet when a thought struck me.

Why didn't my clothes get wet yesterday? I was in the water so why weren't they wet? Could this be some trick or illusion?

I sighed with relief as a knock came upon the door. I heard Eriladar's voice say, "Melody? Can I come in?"

"Yes," I replied.

The doorknob twisted and Eriladar stepped inside the chamber. Before he could say anything I said, "I have a few more questions for you." He groaned and I bit back a laugh.

"You know that's Aaronarra's specialty," he said. "But ask away."

"So yesterday, I was wearing my normal... human clothes. Why didn't they get wet when I left my bubble cell?

"I placed a thin bubble shell around you to prevent your clothes from getting wet. The clothes in your closet are made of a natural plant material that we chemically altered in our labs to be more comfortable. I'll take you out later to get them tailored to you so they'll fit perfectly."

Ooh. Fancy. "Thank you. So why isn't my skin and hair wet when I come out of the water?"

"Your hair and skin does get wet, but when you come out it dries in a natural process all Undines go through when exposed to pure oxygen or air, like on land."

"Why didn't that happen before though?"

"Because you hadn't had your breakthrough then. You didn't possess any of the magical abilities of Undines until you had your breakthrough; it was as if you were human."

"But why did I feel pulled to the ocean? And why the Oregon part of the Pacific?"

"Your 'pull' to the ocean was a natural instinct, as I believe I mentioned before. It was that particular stretch of beach because of it's nearness to Trocien."

"Thank you, that's all... for now."

He smiled. "Very well. Here's a schedule for today - I'm sure your eager to adjust. I'll give you a few minutes to get dressed then retrieve you. It's a good thing you got up so early otherwise we would have a lot less time to show you around." He handed me a slip of paper and stepped out of the room.

Even the paper was strange. It was a creamy white with veins of pale green. It felt moist and oily, kind of like seaweed.

Breakfast
Crowning Ceremony
Palace Tour
Tailor 
Lunch
Main Structures/Areas of Trocien
Brief Lesson on Undine culture
Break
Brief Lesson on Mythical Creatures (Particularly Shadows)
Brief Lesson on Battle Tactics and Roles as Princess/Future Monarch
Break - Dinner

I sighed. Yay. "Brief lessons". The only part that looks fun here is the meals. And mythical creatures. Maybe I'll see a whale or something.

I set the note down on the my nightstand and went over to the closet. The round, pearl doorknobs were smoothed to perfection. I pulled open the tall white doors and gasped.

The clothes were so interesting. They came in all sorts of vibrant colors and the materials were the softest I'd ever felt. Each came with paired jewelry. I didn't usually wear jewelry, but it was so beautiful I had to try on a few pieces. I knew I didn't have time to marvel at the clothes, and I wouldn't have enough time to narrow it down, so I closed my eyes and grabbed a random one.

A deep indigo gown with a laced collar. The dress fell down in wavy folds and tapered diagonally from one knee to my heel, exposing my calf. A necklace with a thin silver chain and evenly spaced pearls went with it along with multiple pearl bracelets. I put the dress on along with a necklace, securing one of the bracelets around my ankle. The sight reminded me of my mother, and I fought back a wave of fresh tears. Was she worried about me? Surely my adoptive parents were still searching - wondering if I'd run away from them. How heartless and selfish can I be? Marveling at jewelry and not even considering my family's feelings! In my rush to discover my true family, I forgot about the one that had always been there for me. 

Pushing the guilt to the recesses of my mind, I checked my appearance in the mirror and gasped for about the millionth time that week. I looked like a different person. Sure my hair was still a mess, but the dress fit me perfectly and the dark color complimented my blonde hair.

I searched the room for a comb and when I finally found one, I smiled. It was the same indigo as my dress, studded with sapphires. I brushed my hair quickly and set down the beautiful comb on the small stand beside the mirror where I'd found it. I glanced at it and couldn't help it. The comb was so beautiful and it looked like it was made for this dress - for me. I picked it up and gently slid it in my hair. I smiled at myself in the mirror. The sapphires caught the light and sparkled wildly.

Finally, I heard a knock on the door. Eriladar entered, (after I gave my consent), and smiled when he saw me.

"That comb used to be your mother's," he said.

"Oh..." I reached up to remove it. "Do you want me to take it out?"

"No, no! I like it. She would've wanted you to have it." He smiled sadly and led me out of the room.

We walked through the halls and arrived at the dining hall. The room was large with pale blue tile floors and one long white table. The seat at the head of the table was more intricate that the others, carved from ivory.

"After breakfast will be the crowning ceremony," he said.

I nodded nervously. Everything was happening so fast. Was I ready? The dining hall was empty save the exotic aromas in the air. Eriladar led me over to a seat and sat across from me. We sat for awhile, when finally, three Undines approached, each holding large platters in their palms.

The food was strange. The meal was composed of light flaky pastries with creamy centers, topped with unfamiliar fruits. One of them was a deep purple with yellow seeds and a bright orange, spiky skin. Unsure of how to eat it exactly, I avoided it. 

When we finished eating, Eriladar led me out of the large room and down the hall. At the end of the hall were two tall doors. As we approached, the doors opened and the enormous crowd stood and bowed. We walked slowly over to the front of the room and then climbed the spiraling staircase. Open doors led us to a wide balcony. I gulped as I spotted the millions of Undines looking up at me. At the edge of the balcony, an Undine dressed in white and silver cloaks waited for me. Eriladar instructed me to kneel before him and I obeyed. I licked my dry lips as the crowd fell silent.

What if they don't accept me? Will I be a good monarch? What about my parents?

As the crowd watched, these thoughts of doubt flew through my mind. But when I looked up at Eriladar and saw his prideful face, I smiled.

I was ready for this.
~*~*~*~

A/N
Will Melody be accepted? What about her adoptive parents?
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(1311 words)