The Forgotten Waters.

Chapter Eight: Festivities

The festivities had begun. Mermaids and mermen danced in the clear waters. Some were singing sweet songs while others sat on the sides waiting for something, someone to catch their eye. Mermen were speaking to father's, asking for hands before they asked their loves themselves. The jellyfish had began to light up near the Above. The shells and special rocks shined, and the white sand had began to glow such a vibrant blue. The mermaids and mermen all had paint on their body. Different colored neons that lit up the white sands with another array of colors. Even their scales seemed to let off that same glow as the moon shined brightly above.

"I do hope you've been enjoying yourself, darling. Where is Caspian? I expected him to be with you by now." Drake glanced around. For the old king, this was a beautiful thing to see. It had been such a long time since such festivities had taken place.

Aiden tilted his head to the side. The merman smiled lightly before glancing back at Caspian, "He's talking to Gal right now. I guess everyone is still shaken up about the girl, Drake." The light haired male glanced back at Caspian, "They've never gotten along as merpeople, but when it comes to being a Warrior, they mean business, huh? Drake?"

Drake's mind seemed to be elsewhere, "Hmm? Oh yes, but he shouldn't be worrying about that right now. Caspian should be with you, not the one who hurt you earlier." His arms crossed to his chest. The older male placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder before swimming forward to Caspian and Gal, "I hope you two have a explanation for trying to work at this point of time." Drake spoke calmly, but it was clear he meant what he said, "This is a special night. You two should be tending to your new brides. Not thinking about what I have already taken care of. The elder warriors will stand guard along with the Warrior's who have already been paired." Drake grabbed each of their shoulders, "So stop thinking about work, and go ensure the future of our school. You younger warriors can aid in helping escape if need be. Stop worrying, and go have a good time."

Caspian tensed as his shoulder was grabbed. The male looked at his father before shaking his head, "We were just speaking of the girl. Are you not worried she'll lead the Land Walkers here?" The large male shook his head. The girl had concerns stirring around.

Drake grabbed Caspian's shoulder and pulled him forward, "My son, I have it taken care of. You should be more worried about making memories with him. If you continue to show concern, you'll only worry our people." The King pointed towards a smiling Aiden, who was whispering to Penelope, "Now, stop your worrying, both of you, and go enjoy your night for me."

The dark haired male rolled his eyes. His arms braced to his chest as he listened to what Drake had to say. Caspian may had been acting as if he wasn't paying attention, but that wasn't the case. The Warrior took everything Drake said seriously absorbed it. The Prince understood before nodding his head, "Should you need me, call for me. I will come."

Drake smiled softly, giving a soft nod of his head, "You have my promise. If we need it, we'll make the call." With that, the male swam over and kissed Aiden on the head and patted Penelope on the head as well. Aiden had made his way back to Caspian.

The small merman twirled up around him with a warm smile across his lips. He pressed his frame to Caspian's in a tender form of affection. Aiden wrapped his arms around Caspian neck and pressed himself close, "You're being so quiet Caspian. You should relax." The male could see his Warrior love's clear concern for everyone. The red haired male frowned before leaning in and lightly brushing his nose to Caspian's own, "Caspian, everything is alright?" Aiden hugged him tightly as he looked around.

Caspian had clear concern on his face, but it wasn't just because of the girl. The dark haired male jumped as he felt Aiden press against him. He gave his soon-to-be a calm smile as he gestured towards the lights, "The lights, Aiden. They have everyone nervous." As the feminine merman brushed his nose gently to his own, Caspian seemed to come to. He brought the other's hands up in his before kissing the top of each one, "I'll relax. It's not that hard when I'm looking at you. Do you think you can manage distracting me from all of these lights, darling?"

Aiden's face had flushed a crimson red as Caspian took his hands to kiss each of them, and it was in public! That never happened. The warrior quite often stayed withdrawn, but it seemed even seasoned warriors were kind hearted on the night of the Pearl Dance. He smiled warmly as he gave Caspian's hands a tug, "Come dance with me then. You have to at least keep that promise, 'oh great warrior' or should I call you Prince?"

Caspian looked down at Aiden picked. The male had a soft smile on his lips. He turned to face Aiden, "You're really pushing your luck tonight. Maybe I shouldn't go easy on you." The male swam up, leaning down and lightly grabbing his hips and giving him a twirl, "Should I call you a brat, or is it mouthy, Squirt?" He grinned as he pressed his forward to Aiden's. Mermaid's and Mermen were swimming and twirling elegantly around their partners.

The male gasped out. His eyes widened as he was pulled into the much larger merman. Aiden had never had size compared to the other's. He simply reached up and wrapped his arms around Caspian's shoulders, "Pushing my luck?" He grinned a bit, his head cocked to the side, "How do you know you're not pushing yours?" As Aiden was held, the two twirled around; dancing off from the other's as everyone seemed to do the same. Though Aiden spoke with a rather brave tone, his face was flushed all the same, "You're the one being a brat." Aiden grinned as he hid his face against Caspian's shoulder.

Caspian had some size on Aiden, and as the two twirled around in the calm waters, the pestering had began to cease, "Just hush and let me hold you." He spoke softly as his rubbed Aiden's bicep, and his hand gripped on to the feminine male's hip in his other. The raven haired male had leaned down and pressed his face into the merman's shoulder, "Brat or not, you're stuck with me."

The night was calm, but festive all the same. Couples danced in the night, songs were sang, and shells were played. Caspian and Aiden did as asked, and focused on one another. The couple's had began to disperse and thin. The water was calming, and it seemed that everyone was there had began to leave and head back to their own places for the night. Bonds were being completed under the full moon. The warriors on guard hadn't offered to leave their posts. The night seemed safe, and all was well.

"You and Gal heading out for the night, Penny?" Aiden swam next to his friend. The two smiled warmly at one another as they chatted. Caspian and Gal were talking again, "Are you nervous? About, you know.." Aiden looked down. He rubbed the back of his head, "I don't even know what to do."

Penelope's face reddened. The pink tailed mermaid pressed her palm to her cheeks, "I don't know! Of course I'm nervous, I'm sure they are too." The two took a seat in the sand while they waited for their partners to finish talking themselves, "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Probably the same thing we are." He giggled as he wiggled his tail into the sand, "Caspian? Nervous? If he is, he's good at hiding it." Aiden stretched before floating back into the sand, "Besides, we already know what to expect."

"From what?" Caspian swam up with Gal. Everyone else had already gone, and it seemed they were the only ones still there. The raven haired male took Aiden's hand and pulled him up towards him. The male pulled him close as he ran his large hand through his small lover's hair.

Aiden's eyes had popped open. Penelope had seemed just as surprised as Gal pulled her into him as well. The auburn haired male's soft orange eyes glistened as Caspian held him close. He shook his head rather quickly as he and Penelope said, "Nothing!" They had been in perfect sync.

The large mermen grinned at one another. Gal gave a light gesture with his head as he gave Penelope's hand a soft pull. She looked back at Aiden, smiling shyly before nodding to Gal, "Be good you two! I'll see you both in the morning." With that, the mermaid and merman swam off towards Gal's own cave.

Aiden had watched, giving her a soft wave and a soft smile as they left. He felt Caspian's fingers intertwine with his own, and he glanced up at the large male with his sunset eyes, "Caspian, are you ready to go back to uhh, somewhere?"

Caspian looked down at Aiden. He gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before pulling it towards his lips and kissing the top gently, "Come with me, Aiden. I know where I want to take you."

Aiden smiled warmly, "Then lead the way."