The Drowning Mermaid

Her Handsome Prince

She passed quickly through the strange underwater brush that she bore witness to earlier, past the whirlpools. When she arrived at her father's palace she saw that the magnificent torches had been extinguished. All were asleep in the castle, however, the little mermaid dare not journ forth, for she was now dumb and ashamed, with a broken heart she stole into her sister's gardens and took one flower from each of them, kissed her hand one thousand times, and ascended through the murky waters near the shore to her beloved prince's palace. Twas still the dead of night when she emerged from the waters, the moonlight striking the magnificent steps. Steeling her heart, she drank the mystical drought, as soon as she did pain as if she were swallowing knives had gone through her throat; She swooned and fell as if struck down. As the sun rose she felt herself gain consciousness, and saw none other than the handsome prince; his coal black eyes stared into her with such intensity that she herself had to avert hers, even though she had seen it many times. It was then that she became fully aware that she had no tail of a fish, in their stead were two delicate and beautiful legs, along with their tiny feet as any young maiden would possess, she was covered only by her long flowing hair, as her clothing as a mermaid was gone. The prince inquired as to her identity, however he was met with deep sorrowful eyes as the little maiden could not speak. Every step was just as the witch said it would be, like knives and pins were the ground on which she stood, but she bore it with pride, knowing that she was finally with her handsome prince. With her light stride she walked with her prince as a feather would in the wind so that he and all who shared sight were enthralled by her elegant sway. She was soon garbed in the most costly of silks and muslins, and was the most beautiful creature in the palace; the only fault was that she was dumb, so she could not talk or sing.

The female slaves clothed in gold and cloth danced and sang for the royal family, the prince happily clapping to the one that sang better than the others. The little maiden was once more sorrowful for she could once sing much more sweetly than she, and to this she thought"Oh if he could only know that! I have given away my voice forever, to be with him."

To the sound of elegant music the slaves danced their fairy-like performance. At that moment the dumb maiden stood and raised her arms, preforming a dance so bright that the others were mere sparks, while she a blaze. Each moment that one saw her dancing was a moment to realize a little more of her true beauty; her expressive eyes pierced much more strongly than the songs of the slaves. none more enchanted than the prince, who caller her his little foundling. This was to her extreme delight as she danced readily for him, even though she felt knives with each step. She was given permission to sleep at his door with a cushion of velvet. The prince had her a dress for a page, so that she may ride with him through the sweet smelling forest where the boughs may brush their shoulders; the little birds sang in the trees as she accompanied him on a hike, even as her little feet bled and marked her steps she laughed and ventured on. While in the prince's palace while all were asleep the little maiden walked down the steps, easing her agony with the water while her kin were also sleeping. On one such night her sisters were singing near her, and when she beckoned them realized who the little maiden was, after explaining what had occurred the sisters promised to come back every night; once her grandmother who had not been in the surface for many years stared at her, along with her father the Sea King with his crown atop his head they reached towards her, but dare not get closer as her sisters had.

With each passing day the little maid's fondness for her prince grew, and so did the prince for his foundling, however only as one would a child, it had never occurred to him to make her his wife, and the moment that he marry another she would dissolve into seafoam.

"Do you not love me the best of them all?" the eyes of the little mermaid seemed to say, when he took her in his arms, and kissed her fair forehead.

"Yes, you are dear to me," said the prince; "for you have the best heart, and you are the most devoted to me; you are like a young maiden whom I once saw, but whom I shall never meet again. I was in a ship that was wrecked, and the waves cast me ashore near a holy temple, where several young maidens performed the service. The youngest of them found me on the shore, and saved my life. I saw her but twice, and she is the only one in the world whom I could love; but you are like her, and you have almost driven her image out of my mind. She belongs to the holy temple, and my good fortune has sent you to me instead of her; and we will never part."

"Ah, he knows not that it was I who saved his life," thought the little mermaid. "I carried him over the sea to the wood where the temple stands: I sat beneath the foam, and watched till the human beings came to help him. I saw the pretty maiden that he loves better than he loves me;" and the mermaid sighed deeply, but she could not shed tears. "He says the maiden belongs to the holy temple, therefore she will never return to the world. They will meet no more: while I am by his side, and see him every day. I will take care of him, and love him, and give up my life for his sake."