The Little Mermaid's Name is Luna

4: Evening and Morning

Luna's only visitor had been the tailor, delivering her clothes. In her closet now was: a sleeveless dress as blue as a night sky, sweeping the floor and glittering; a voluminous red dress with puff sleeves, also floor-length; a black dress falling just beneath the knees; three identical dark-gray nightgowns; a sunny yellow dress sweeping her knees; a pale blue dress with cup sleeves. There was also a pair of heels to match each and four corsets.

A maid came up now and told Luna dinner was ready. Luna nodded and held up a finger to indicate she needed a little time. She hung up her simple blue dress and put on the voluminous red dress and the matching heels. Her feet hurt even more once they were bound by shoes. Somehow she was able to walk gracefully, even though she felt she would stumble at any moment. The dining room held a table fit to sit thirty people, yet only three sat at one end of the table. At the head was the Land King. He was wearing red robes, a big gold crown balanced on his head. His brown eyes were condescending, and his curly brown beard was controlled. He carried a feeling of majesty that unsettled Luna. The queen was wearing a pretty white gown. Her hair was golden and intricately styled into a system of braids. She had diamonds pinned in her hair, looking kind of like a tiara. The prince was the most beautiful, however. He was a little more dressed up. He wore a black vest now, studded with diamonds, and a feather in his hair. He smiled warmly at her when he saw her. "My darling! Come sit here, at my right," he called, gesturing to the seat beside him.

Luna flushed and took her place, smoothing her skirts, beginning to feel a little overdressed. "Mum, Dad, meet my lady," the prince announced proudly.

"Is this the girl you rescued from the beach?" the Land King asked. His voice was husky.

"Yes," Prince Charles said, slipping an arm around Luna. "She is beautiful, do you not think?"

"Quite," the queen said. Her voice was like a Siren's. "What is your name, young one?"

"She can't speak," Charles explained.

"Ah," the queen said. She nodded. "Well, I hope you like it here."

"As do I," said the Land King. Luna wondered if she should show respect or fealty. She dropped her gaze to her lap, suddenly unsure if the dress's color went well with her skin tone.

Cooks bustled in, carrying covered trays, laying it all on the table. As each was uncovered, Luna discovered an array of foods. Her jaw dropped. All the food looked appetizing, even though Luna had't seen most of it before. Back at the underwater palace the only thing she'd ever had was fish, most times raw, excepting the special occasions when the cooks went deep underwater to volcanic vents to warm the fish. The chef, who had an accent, listed each food. Luna struggled to control her salivary glands so she wouldn't find herself drooling in front of the royal family. A glass of water was placed in front of each person, and then the empty carts were wheeled away.

A few servants stuck around, and when the cooks left they were immediately at the table, surrounding the four of them. Luna wanted to try everything, but the food stretched down the length of the table. Luna could hardly see it all, and she doubted she'd be able to get everything.

She stood and started walking down the table, inspecting all the food. She was not reprimanded, as she would've been at home - not that there'd be this much food at home either. Her family only took what they knew they could finish.

"There's a lot, isn't there?" the prince called from the far end of the table. "Don't worry; right now you'll only have to choose a soup." Prince Charles grabbed her arm and pulled her back towards the opposite end of the table. He gestured at all the liquids, sitting idly in their bowls. They were all different colors. She wondered what they would taste like. She picked out a pink "soup;" the servant that had been on her heels as she'd explored the foods immediately took a ladle and gave her a portion of the soup, putting it in the small bowl at her left. She picked up her soup spoon and dipped it into the soup, sipping politely.