Celeste

17.

I awoke from a dreamless sleep to the ringing of a bell. Frowning, I cautiously peeked outside my doorway, Ruby's words coming to mind.

"What about attacks? Like sharks or pirates?" I had asked, halfway through weaving a rather poor fleece.
"We have a bell for such occasions. Maintained by crabs who keep it from decaying. One bell for sharks, two for pirates. That's when we attack."

The bell rung clearly through the still chilly waters. Two chimes punctuated the silence. A few mermaids began to peer out of their homes, blinking away the sleep, before darting like fish, shouts ringing alongside the bells.

I wasn't aware of what was going on until Mitch appeared, appearing out of the gloom with a jellyfish bobbing behind him, casting a glow onto the sand. "Celeste! You need to go to the cave and wait with the children!" He took my hand and lead me down the paths. I struggled to keep up with the frantic pace he kept up.

"Why don't we keep inside? I spluttered.

"Some pirates might be mermaids who want revenge. It's a possibility, but most want to keep children safe. And when we sink the ship, it has to land somewhere. Debris has fallen on houses before, and killed children. Sorry I didn't explain before." He says, swiftly darting into the caves.

"You're attacking them?!" I yell in surprise. "You could be hurt!"

We've stopped in the throne room now, facing each other in the pale light of the gems on the walls. He searches my face. I search his. The light of his jellyfish cuts sharp shadows on his skin. Silver eyes shine brightly into mine. "I won't." He swallows, sending an Adam's apple up and down his throat. "I've been preparing for this."

"You mean this is your first time doing this? Fighting pirates? What if you get hurt?" I ask, eyes burning with unshed pearls.

He answers my question by sealing my mouth with his. It's quick and fierce, a statement branded onto my tingling lips when he pulls away.
I've never been kissed like that before. Eli comes to mind briefly, a stinging memory of long summers and poems under the setting sun.

"Mitch! Let's go!" A shout rises from the tunnel. Mitch lingers, a hand on mine. His thumb rubs in circles on the back of my hand. "I'll be back" he whispers, before turning to the tunnel and vanishing from sight.

Giggles meet my ears and I turn around, eyes widening at the sight of small child mermaids with pigtails and huge grins muffled by little hands. Dozens of silver eyes reflecting like lamps in the dim room. I wave.
"Hi"

The giggles explode into laughter, ringing around the room. A few older mermaids, to judge by silvery hair and deep wrinkles chuckle amongst themselves.
A chant starts, "she's got love fish, she thinks he's really dish! She's got love fish, she thinks he's really dish!"

I flush hotly and make my way to the older mermaids, who send sly smiles my way. I recognise benny from the market, and settle beside him. He chuckles as I hide myself from the children, who are still chanting.

It takes a kindly lady to silence them with a story, using big voices which ignite more giggles. Benny leans over with a sly smile.
"Mitch has never been like that with anyone as long as I've known him. He's one lucky catch." He says, pausing with his weaving. I blush again.

He sends a mischievous grin my way. "Want a go?" He asks, nodding his head to the storyteller. She looks vibrant, silver bands flashing on her arm as she talks about pirates. The kids seem bored, leaning on pointy elbows and nodding off after a while.

"Story telling?" I question, turning my gaze to him.

He finishes a golden row on his knitting, "these kids need new stories. I doubt Mariana is up to the challenge anymore. You're welcome to have a go. She wouldn't mind." He says, knitting steadily.

I think of a storybook of mermaids Gloria have to me one frosty Christmas. It was worn and yellow, but I read it cover to cover. "Yes, I think I have a story in mind." I say.

Benny nods to Mariana as she finishes her story. She looks tired, I realise, as she makes her way over.
"Celeste here would like to tell a story to the little un's" he says, giving me a friendly shove towards the front of the room.

The little kids look on with interest as I clear my throat. Benny nods in encouragement as I hesitate.

"My name is Celeste. I, er, came from the land, where I was born. Growing up, I wasn't allowed in the library, where they kept books. One Christmas my friend gave me a book on mermaids. There was one story I really liked. It's called the fisherman and his catch."

I cleared my throat again, and recalled the story. "Once there was a lonely fisherman who wanted a wife. He lived on a rocky outcrop and in the past this had proved difficult to young ladies who didn't love the sea and it's waters as he did. The smell of fish and creaking steps made it so no one would go there .

One day he cast his rainbow net into a still calm sea. The instant he pulled the water chopped and became rough. He was tough, so he pulled, and pulled untill a woman's face was revealed to him. He almost dropped the net in shock, but curiosity bought him strength. Soon he had a struggling mermaid onto the boat.

The mermaid begged him with big eyes, "kind sir, please release me or I shall turn human again." She pleaded, still stuck in the net. He obliged, still in shock. The mermaid slipped back into the sea with hardly a ripple.

But curiosity got the better of her, and she returned to his boat the next morning, before he could cast his net. They conversed, she told him of a lonely life and he the same. The visits became more frequent untill she walked into his lighthouse one star lit night, and they lived together, happily ever after. The end."