The Twins from the Sea

Chapter XXVI

As Moana, Ophelia and Fiona made their way out of the dark dungeon surrounded by guards, Moana felt fear rise up in her stomach. She looked at her sister swimming silently beside her and wondered what feelings were swirling inside her. She was sure that she was afraid too, but she hoped that some small part of her sister felt excitement facing this new challenge. Ophelia glanced sideways and met Moana's eyes, and she was surprised to see that Ophelia's eyes were filled with determination and excitement. Pride swelled in her chest as they surged ahead.

The three Siren princesses moved together flanked by several palace guards. Ahead of them was the enormous cyclops, still with his hands in chains, held by the guards. The only condition that Queen Coral had when her daughter and granddaughters followed the cyclops to the cave was that as many guards as possible went with them.

The castle grew smaller and smaller in the distance as the group moved farther away. When the cyclops turned and they started to move into a kelp forest, one of he guards had to take out his machete and slice his way through the thick growth. After what seemed like an hour of traversing the forest, the cyclops started to slow.

"We thought you said it was  a cave," snarled one of the guards, pulling on his chains.

"It is. We are not there yet. I need rest," said the cyclops, and Moana sighed in relief. Her tail was beginning to become tired and sore. The group slowed, and there was a loud thud as the huge cyclops practically collapsed onto the sand. Ophelia met her sister's eyes and glanced towards an area of dense kelp. Moana nodded and they headed over to the area of privacy together.

"I'm starting to get the feeling that we're walking right into a trap," Ophelia said nervously.

"I've thought that since the beginning. Why is it different now?" Moana asked, sitting and stretching out her long fin in front of her.

"Well, when we were researching in the library, I found a map of the below-sea Jade Bay and its surrounding area. We're currently heading west," she said, pulling a compass out of her bag. "And if i have my directions right, there are no cliffs or caves for hundreds of miles in this direction. Unless we're on a month-long journey, which was not what he said, he's taking us on a wild goose chase," said Ophelia, and Moana tensed with nervousness. 

"What are you planning to do? Are you telling the guards?" Moana asked. "We can't just wait around to see if something might happen."

"I agree. Something doesn't feel right. I'm going to tell the guards, and you go tell mum," Ophelia said, and they left their private place behind the kelp. Moana watched her sister motion to some guards for a word.

"Is there something wrong, your Highness?" asked the captain of the guard, a concerned expression etched across his intimidating features.

"Yes, sir. My sister and I are concerned that we're walking into a trap," Ophelia said, trying to sound more confident than she felt. The guard's expression changed from concerned to indifferent.

"I beg your pardon, your Highness, but that's been a concern since the beginning. What do you suggest we do?" asked the guard, reiterating Moana's words from their conversation. Ophelia explained her findings to the guards, and anger flashed across the captain's face. He bowed quickly to Ophelia, and rushed back to the cyclops sitting in the sand. The guard began exchanging angry words with him, and Fiona and Moana joined Ophelia at her side. They started to listen in on the guards' conversation.

"I don't know what you are talking about," said the cyclops, an unreadable expression on his face. "The cave is close, maybe one hour's more time..."

"There is nothing around here for miles. So you either tell us where the hell you think you're taking us, or it's the end of the line for you, cyclops," growled one of the guards. The group surrounding him circled closer raising their spears, until a panicked expression took over his face.

"It's a secret entrance! I'm telling the truth," he cried, and the guards lowered their weapons. Moana moved forward.

"Where is this secret entrance?" she asked.

"Where do you think we've been going for the past hours? We are close," said the cyclops, clearly frustrated.

"Watch your tone, that's a princess you're talking to!" snapped a guard.

"Please, it's fine. I think we should continue on," said Moana. The group turned to her, puzzled.

"Moana, why? We've gone far enough. I thought we agreed that this wasn't a good idea..." Ophelia said, thoroughly confused. One moment she tells her sister she agrees with her, then announces that she doesn't to an entire group if people.

"I think he's telling the truth," Moana said, shrugging. "I have his necklace, and-"

"Do we even know that's what controls him? Moana, think this through. It's not worth losing anything more than we already have," objected Ophelia. "We need to go back to the kingdom."

"Sitting around the castle and reading books is not going to defeat Poseidon, Ophelia! I don't understand how you can just sit there and do nothing when something so important is going on! Don't you think this might be something worth fighting for?" she exploded, trembling with passion and rage. "Just because it might be a little scary and it's unlike anything you've ever done before, does not mean it's not worth doing. This is our battle to fight, Ophelia. So this cyclops is feeding us information and there's an army waiting to ambush us. So be it! It's not an ambush if we know it's coming. I say we march on. I've said it since the beginning. This is the only shot we've got to figure out where this orb is, so we can get this army under control, and take on Poseidon. So who's with me?"

The crowd was stunned by her theatric speech, and Moana stood there with her fist suspended in the air. She looked around hopefully, waiting for a cheer to arise before they stormed into battle. She was met with silence, and she lowered her arm in embarrassment. She looked at her mother and sister standing frozen before her, and she choked up when she saw the hurt expression on her sister's face. Ophelia and Moana had had their disputes and arguments, and even yelled in each other's faces on occasion, but never had she said anything that hurt Ophelia's pride more than the words just spoken. She looked around in desperation.

"Anyone?" she said feebly; embarrassment, shame, and defeat in her voice. The guards turned to Fiona and Ophelia. Fiona sighed.

"Moana, I know you are passionate about this... And your intentions are good, it's just that-" Fiona started, but Moana angrily exploded again.

"Nothing, mum. It's just nothing. You're not going to support me, just like you never have. I'm going with the prisoner. I hope you two have a nice time with your books in the library, while your people are dying outside your walls," spat Moana, and she sped off into the distance.                                                                              

hi friends!!! I know I haven't left an author's note in a really long time but yes I am here hello :) I hope you are enjoying my story as much as I'm enjoying writing it! Leave a comment if you're on #teamophelia or #teammoana :) and before anyone asks YES  I am aware that there is a Disney movie with the name of my character and NO I did not intentionally do that. I started writing this book before the announcements for the movie even came out and I chose her name for its meaning. A lil sneaky fact for you... the name Ophelia means "Save" and Moana means "Sea" .... just let that sink in for a sec :) ok this has been a long authors note so I will see you all in a couple of chapters or so!! Remember to comment and vote :)