Legainia

Chapter 1 - The Runaway

As a maid in the Kingdom of Legainia, I, at first, despised my position. My parents sold me as a mere maid to this kingdom. Although I was disgusted at first, in the position as the prince's personal maid, I eventually developed a special relationship with the prince. I was then thankful, instead of disgusted, being there with the prince. After a few years, he even stopped giving me orders, and treated me as I was royalty myself.

One morning, I woke up as I normally do, but I felt different. When I went to the well to wash my face, I had seen something I had never seen before. My legs had disappeared, and a tail of a fish had replaced them. My face was pale in horror, for the very thought of a mermaid had been nothing but a fantasy. I dragged my new tail all the way to my room, just hoping that no one would see me. My skirt was covering my tail, but I knew it would be questionable if someone was dragging themself the way I was. It had been a miracle nobody saw me, and I was relieved.

I had locked my room, and was just laying on the floor. I had no idea why, or how this happened, or even how to turn back to normal. Moments later, there was a transformation..... my legs had come back!!! I was overjoyed. It had taken, what seemed to be half an hour for me to change back. What should I do now? I asked myself. I couldn't tell Taku-chan.... I mean, Prince Taku. I was already late to his room..... but he has the key to my room! He could come in right n- as I was thinking, the sound of my door unlocking startled me. "T-Taku-sama!!!" I yelled as he entered the room. "Natsu-chan! You're never late to work, what's wrong?" he said, looking concerned. "I-I..... Taku, I need to tell you something..." "What is it Natsu?" "Th- This morning, I........." "Natsu?" "I-I'm sorry!" I started crying. I ran out the door, face red with tears, and I knew that I could never come back. "Natsu, wait! Where are you going?!" Taku chased me.

I was so determined to run away, I couldn't control myself. I then ran right past the gates, and..... I was out! I then realized, where my destination would be. There was a river, a few miles from here. Maybe I could live there. As I ran without thinking about where I was placing my feet, I stupidly tripped on a stone, and came tumbling down. I looked back, the castle at a far enough distance..... no one would come for me. I felt that I had broken my ankle, and the pain was overbearing. What would become of me now? It was at the middle of day then, so it wasn't dark enough to take a rest yet. I then started dragging myself, as I did this morning. I found a large stick, just perfect for a cane, and I then started walking again. I was at a slower pace, because of my injury, but I was still set on reaching the river.

After, what seemed like eight miles, if I looked back. Now the giant castle was not at all visible anymore. It was finally dark, and I was ready to take a rest. The river couldn't have been much farther, now. As I started laying down and getting comfortable, I was getting hungry. I had nothing to eat that day, and was almost starving. I dismissed that thought, and tried to sleep. It was hard at first, but I eventually drifted off to slumber.

In the morning, when I got up, my ankle had been mysteriously bandaged. It didn't hurt as much anymore. When I looked around, I saw a man in the distance, staring at me. It appeared he had pointy ears, as an elf, and his hair was blue, like Taku-sama's. "Who are you?!" I screamed. He had then turned back, and started running. He was unbelievably fast, and he was gone in an instant. I wondered if he was the one who bandaged my ankle.....?