It's My Life

Chapter 29 - Reunited

We swam for what felt like an eternity, and I did have to rest a few times, to which everyone was understanding. Everyone had the same colour scales, ranging from medium green, to a few browns, but they were all awestruck by my silver scales. I got the feeling that that cemented who I was.
"Crystallia up ahead." I heard, and looked around, wondering if it would be like The Little Mermaid, or Harry Potter or, heaven forbid, Barbie, but it was different and beautiful all itself. We must have been far under the water, but the natural light here was dazzling. Must have been some unity between the land and ocean that got it all the way down here. I felt Tom squeeze my hand, and I looked at him.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
"Scared." I whispered. Cora, Andreas and Tom smiled.
"Not far now." Andreas said, and led the group down the 'street'. All around, merfolk were coming out of their homes to watch the procession, and I could hear the clamouring in my head as word spread. I let go of Tom's hand and brought my hands to my temples.
"It's so loud, so many voices." I gasped, and Tom moved in front of me, stopping me and taking my hands in his.
"Focus. Focus on me, on just my voice. Imagine closing a door, or lowering a curtain. Dampen them down." He coaxed. I watched his eyes, and tried, the sounds fading a little, the headache easing.
"Better?" He asked. I nodded.
"A little." I said. We kept swimming, my head lowered so as to not meet anyone's gaze as people watched us, and up ahead I saw a massive structure of rock and pearl, my eyes widening at the sight.
"Welcome home." Tom said, and I just kept moving, not sure what to do or say. Cora and Andreas waited for us.
"I know how overwhelming this is. You're doing great, Princess." Andreas said. I smiled gratefully at him.
"Thank you, Mr. White." I said softly. He reached over and squeezed my bony shoulder.
"You look better than before, for certain." Andreas said, then gestured for a guard to open the door. He and Cora entered first, then Tom led me in to the vast hall. We swam along, Tom's hair barely rippling, but mine streamed behind me like a black flame.
"Majesties, Andreas and Cora White from the Embassy." A voice called out, and the double doors ahead opened. I blinked in the light, rubbing my eyes, and we followed Andreas and Cora through the vast chamber to two thrones. My eyes widened at the sight. A regal looking man sat on one. a crown of gems on his head of dark  brown hair, his blue eyes watching us. Next to him was a black-haired woman whose brown eyes looked soft and gentle, also watching us. I lowered my head, body shaking as Tom and I stopped behind his parents.
"Your majesties, it is with great joy that I approach you today. The missing princess has been returned." Andreas said strongly. I noticed, oddly, that his lips moved as he projected his thoughts, which made sense to me, that way one knew whom was talking. At least that's how I saw it. The queen lifted a hand to her mouth, eyes growing big and doeful, and I wondered if that meant she was crying. The king sat up straighter and held out his hand to me. I faltered, and Tom gently pushed me forward. I looked at him, then slowly swam forward, stopping just shy of his hand. I took his strong hand in my weak one, and he searched my face.
"Remarkable." He said in a deep voice. I looked from him to the queen, then lowered my gaze, feeling very on-the-spot.
"What is your name, child?" She asked.
"Cassandra Silver, Your Majesty." I replied. She smiled.
"A fitting surname." She said.
"Luck of the draw, I believe. My parents who found me bore that surname." I replied. She nodded.
"You must tell us about the humans we owe a debt to." She said.
"I would like to, very much." I said. My cheeks coloured "If you would forgive me, Your Majesties, but I do not know your names." I added. Tom, Andreas and Cora blinked, then looked surprised that none of them had told me, but the king just smiled.
"I am King Arnes of Crystallia, and this is Queen Mallora, but you can call us Mum, Dad, Mother, Father, whatever you like." King Arnes said. I nodded.
"I understand. I don't want to b e rude, but I have a Mum and Dad that found me, loved and raised me. May I call you Mother and Father?" I asked. Mallora and Arnes looked at each other.
"But of course, we understand entirely." Arnes said. I smiled.
"Why are you so thin and weak-feeling?" Mallora asked. I looked at Andreas, unsure of what to say.
"Some humans learned of her existence and kept her against her will, depriving her of what she needed." Andreas explained. I could feel the despair washing off Mallora, and the anger from Arnes.
"I hope those humans got their punishments." He growled. I almost cringed.
"They will, Your Majesty." Andreas said.
"Prince Shanthe and Princess Leira." A voice called, and I looked around in shock. I didn't think I was ready for this. I moved back to Tom who took my hand and squeezed it. The doors opened and two figures with silver tails swept in, the male entering first and the female behind him. I wondered whom was the older of the two, but since the man had entered first, I assumed he was. As they came closer I lowered my head, feeling their gazes on me as I trembled.
"Sister?" I heard, and looked up. Shanthe had stopped in front of me, Leira behind him, curiosity and awe in their eyes. Shanthe's blue eyes met mine, and I lowered my head again.
"Greetings, Your Highness." I said feebly. Hands took mine and pulled me forward, and I looked up again.
"There is no need to be so formal with us, dear sister. They found you." Shanthe said. I nodded.
"What is your name?" Leira asked.
"I'm C..." I started, but Tom stopped me.
"If I may present," he paused and looked at Andreas, who smiled and gestured for him to continue, "Princess Cassandra of Crystallia." Tom finished. I blushed and looked at my...siblings.
"It is a pleasure, indeed. But you look so...skinny. Why?" Leira asked.
"She was maltreated and imprisoned, but was freed. The humans won't bother her again." Andreas said. A flash of anger lit Shanthe's blue eyes.
"How dare they harm one of us?" He said, and I fought the urge to pull back from his grasp.
"Shanthe, calm." Mallora said. He lowered his head.
"Yes, Mother. I'm sorry." He said amiably. Leira came over to me and touched my arm gently.
"Welcome home, Cassandra. I know it must all seem very daunting, but you'll be fine, I am sure we'll all get on well." Leira said. She looked at Tom. "Who's this?"
"This is Tom White, son of the Correspondence Ambassador, and my boyfriend." I said. I could feel surprise from all sides, and Tom went red. I smiled.
"It's wonderful to meet you." Leira said.
"It's thanks to Tom that we're all here. If he hadn't befriended me at school, hadn't realised I was like him, I'd still be trapped." I said. This made Arnes and Mallora sit up straight.
"Then we owe young Mr. White here a great debt. He brought our daughter back us, reunited our family. Could anything be better?" Mallora asked. I moved slightly.
"I wish to meet Sulea, the uh...nurse." I said. Mallora smiled.
"I will have her summoned. No doubt she's head rumours already, word spreads fast." Mallora said and waved a hand. One of the servants left, though I wondered if they'd have to go far. Tom squeezed my hand. 
"She may be blocking, and besides it's more polite to be summoned in person than by mobile phone, right?" He sent privately. I nodded. It made sense.
"Do we have a place to put Cassandra?" Mallora called out to the room at large. A servant came forward.
"Your Majesty, once the Princess was announced we got people to open up the South rooms for her. They are fixing it up and tidying it as we speak." The servant said. 
"Excellent. We will hold a celebration in her honour once she's settled." Arnes said, and several people flitted around, no doubt getting all the contacts prepared.
"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" Tom asked, and I looked at him.
"Thirsty? How...how does that work?" I asked. Tom grinned.
"You have a lot to learn here. You're taking water into your mouth, right, whilst breathing? The gills will pull in the air from the water without needing any to enter your body. If someone were to autopsy me, or Mum or Dad, our insides would be identical to a land-dweller. You'll learn." He smiled. I nodded and looked around. The others were all talking, Shanthe and Leira with their...our...parents, but it didn't feel right to go to them.  As if on cue, both Mallora and Leira looked at me and beckoned me over.
"Knock'em dead." Tom whispered, and pushed me. I swam over to them, my cheeks flushing red.
"I know it's strange, but you'll be fine." Mallora said. I nodded.
"Very strange. I feel like...a baby waking up to a new world. Or I've stumbled upon a dream." I said. They both smiled.
"Naturally. It is overwhelming. But you have support." Leira said.
"How old are you, Leira?" I asked.
"I'm 23, Shanthe is 25. You're what...20?" She said.
"Nineteen. A few months ago." Mallora said, and I smiled to her.
"Yes." I said.
"Well we hope to throw a big party for your 20th." Leira said.
"I've never had a big party before." I said.
"You weren't popular where you lived? With your looks I highly doubt that, though you are pretty skinny." Leira said. Mallora frowned at her, but I looked down at my body.
"The last week and a bit I was held prisoner and deprived the ocean, the sky, the fresh air. They tried to poison me by feeding me fish. That is why I am so ill-looking right now." I said, not harshly, more in deflated tones. Both Mallora and Leira gasped, then I felt anger radiate from one, or both, of them. I felt warm arms go around me, hugging me. 
"They will never harm you again." Mallora said. I hugged back, feeling sobs shake my shoulders.
"They shall not, Your Majesty. We have warned them to stay away from our kind. All evidence has been destroyed." Andreas said.
"Good." Mallora said. I pulled back, wiping at my face out of habit, but there were no tears, that I could feel anyway.
"Shall we take Cassandra to her rooms and help her settle in?" Leira said. I looked at my hands.
"I don't have anything, clothes, money...do you use money here? I'm very out of my element." I mumbled.
"Of course we use money. It's not like the land, true, but we do have money, and books. I suppose we'll need to hire a tutor or someone to give you lessons in our economy and ways. It's quite different. As to not having money, well, you have more than you need now. And you're lucky you have an older sister who is exceptional at shopping." Mallora said, and I giggled as Leira huffed, blowing a stream of bubbles.
"Sulea is here, Your Majesties." A voice echoed, and I pulled back, looking around. I had almost forgotten all the other people around us. Tom was watching me, and I smiled to him. He smiled warmly back, and I wondered if I could go to him, but before I moved the doors opened and an older woman entered. She bowed formally, then moved closer.
"You sent for me, Your Majesties. highnesses?" She asked, looking at Arnes, Mallora, then her eyes moved from Leira to me. Her gaze took in my tail, and her hand went to her chest in shock.
"It's you, the missing princess. Thank the gods." She gasped, and she swam closer.
"Sulea, thank you for coming. Our daughter has been returned, and we wanted to tell you in person. She's fine." Arnes said.
"Mostly fine." I thought, and everyone grinned except me and Sulea. "Ah crap, I am such a novice." I said.
"You'll learn, Princess." Tom said. I smiled to him.
"Why mostly fine?" Sulea asked. I looked at her.
"Just unfortunate circumstances. She can tell you later. Right now we are planning a celebration, a kingdom-wide festival, to welcome home our child." Arnes said.
"I wish, if I may, to give Sulea an honourable mention. Your Majesty, she must have gone through agony when Mo...that man did what he did, beating herself up all these years." I said. Arnes smiled fondly.
"I think that is a wonderful idea." He said. "And please call me Father like the others. I know you have a dad on land, but down here it would please me greatly." He added. I nodded.
"I'll try." I said. Leira took my hand to lead me away, but I pulled back.
"Just a moment, please." I said, then swam to Tom and hugged him.
"You deserve an honourable mention too. If you hadn't helped me..." I shuddered. He held my shoulders.
"I don't deserve it, just helping the girl I care about. It was nothing." He replied.
"Does your family live far from here?" I asked. He shrugged.
"I'm not sure, but I think they live in the main square. Most of the high people do. I won't be far away." He said. I kissed him.
"I'll see you soon." I said, blushing as Leira cheered. Tom blushed too, and then Leira led me away, Mallora...Mother...following, and I paused at the door.
"Would you like to join us Sulea?" I asked. "And Cora, if she's not busy?" I added. Both ladies looked at Mother, who nodded, and followed, leaving the men behind. Leira led us down a few corridors, pointing out everything, and she stopped by the ballroom. I felt my jaw open uncharacteristically wide at the sheer beauty. It was tiled with what looked like white marble, prisms of crystals hanging from the ceiling.
"I must be dreaming. This place is magnificent." I breathed. The women around me beamed.
"Come on." Leira said, but I let her swim head, Mother and Cora followed at my insistence, and I waited for Sulea.
"Please swim with me." I said to her.
"As you wish, Princess." She said, and we swam along next to each other.
"I am sorry for all you were put through, Princess." Sulea said after a few moments, a tearful note in her voice.
"Oh, no, please don't apologise, and my name is Cassandra, or Cassi. I lived a wonderful life. I was an only child, but my parents love me, they protected me. They found me on a beach near our home, and they had just lost their own baby girl." I gushed. Mother, Cora and Leira had slowed up, listening intently.
"You weren't hurt? Treated badly?" Sulea asked.
"I was never treated badly by my parents. And because of my healing, I was never hurt too badly." I said. I didn't tell her about the lab, which I felt was best. I didn't want to scare her.
"I am happy you lived a great life." Mother said. I looked at her.
"Here we are." Leira announced, and pushed open some double doors. She entered first and I heard her moving about, and light filled the room - actual sunlight, I realised. I had to find out how they did it. I went in and was surprised at the elegant, yet simple decorations. It reminded me of an old Grecian or Roman temple, or probably something from Atlantis, and it was bedecked in gold and silver filigree. I saw a bed of a sheer material and went over to it, touching it.
"This is lovely, what is it?" I asked.
"It's spun water moth webbing. It's found on land, or close to, brought down and spun and used as bedding." Mother said. I fan the material between my fingers.
"It feels like satin. Doesn't the water warp the thread?" I asked. It all fascinated me.
"Surprisingly no. I can understand how you would think that. Land people material doesn't last well at these depths." Mother replied. I lay down on the bed.
"Wouldn't you just float when sleeping?" I asked. Leira laughed.
"We use weighted coverings to help us, but we don't really move much when sleeping. Have you ever slept in your Mer form?" She asked. I shook my head.
"No. I never stayed in the ocean this long. And when I was little it was always at night." I said. All four women looked at me.
"Why at night? Surely the sun helped too." Cora asked.
"Mum and Dad didn't want people seeing anything for fear of...well you know. Land dwellers aren't as understanding." I faltered.
"So once you were older you were able to control it easier." Sulea said. I nodded.
"When I was about seven I stopped needing to change with every drop of water that touched me. Our backyard touched the beach, so we put in a gate in the fence and I went often." I said.
"Wow." Leira said. I looked at her.
"You must all come to the land, well you already do, Mrs. White, and see my house. I would love you all to meet my parents, I'm sure we could arrange a ball or party there too, at the Embassy." I said. Cora nodded approvingly, Sulea looked a little apprehensive, and Leira beamed.
"Oh, that sounds wonderful. I love that idea. I finally know someone that lives on land. Or did do." Leira said, looking at Mother.
"Well Cassandra is used to the land, so she may choose to live mostly there." Mother said. I looked at her.
"Considering the last fortnight, I think I should be very careful." I said. Mother came over to me, as did Cora.
"Normally we know who is on land, any of our kind. They touch base with their local office or member, as we have many around, it is just unlucky that you went so long without detection." Mother said. 
"And now we know about Sugden Laboratories, we will watch them closely. You have my word, Princess." Cora said. I smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. White." I said. I moved slowly away from them, then looked back at Mother, who was watching me closely. "This is all very overwhelming. I keep expecting to wake up and find myself back in my room at the lab, or for someone to pinch me and say April Fools." I added. Mother smiled.
"Naturally. But this is all very real." She said. Her eyes lost focus for a moment, then she brought her hands together.
"Let's go back to the throne room, then we can discuss what to do next." Mother said. Leira led the way out and Cora followed her. Mother held her hand out to me, and I took it gently. Sulea smiled and started to follow Cora.
"Sulea...do you go on the land much?" I asked her as we moved along.
"Oh, I have a couple times, but it doesn't fascinate me. Why do you ask, Princess?" She asked.
"I would like you to meet my parents. My land parents that found and protected me. I wish everyone to meet them one day." I said.
"I would be honoured, if you wish me to." Sulea said. I smiled to her.
"The honour would be theirs, I'm sure." I said. Sulea blushed and kept swimming.
"That is a very nice gesture." Mother said.
"I'm sure the situation would be the same were the roles reversed. And I don't want there to be anymore guilt or sadness on my account. I feel self-conscious as it is. I am used to being the one in the background, watching everyone." I said. Mother chuckled knowingly.
"Well, you will never be in the background again. At least here. On land someone will always check in with you." She said. I opened my mouth, but she shook her head. "No exceptions, especially for the next few months, and if you want to go on land I will insist on check-ins with the Ambassador. Since you seem to be dating their son, that shouldn't be too hard." Mother said, smiling slyly, and I blushed. Guards waited ahead, then announced each of us as we entered, though they had to be reminded of my name. I moved in slowly, head lowered. I wanted to go to Tom, but Father held his hand out to me, and I swam over to him slowly.
"It's settled. Tomorrow evening we will hold a gathering, not quite a ball but not too informal, all nobles and royals invited to celebrate the return of our lost princess." He said, squeezing my hand. I smiled gently up at him, then looked around at everyone. They were all smiling too, and both Leira and Shanthe moved closer to me, almost protectively.  I fidgeted slightly. Mother came over and sat on her throne, and I looked at the four of them, feeling suddenly overwhelmed and light-headed. I put a hand to my head, moving to the floor, and Shanthe immediately came over, pulling me into his arms.
"When did you last eat, or drink? You are still extremely weak." He said. I shook my head, trying to dislodge the buzzing sound in my head.
"I don't remember. Yesterday...Dinner yesterday." I said, feeling odd. 
"She needs help." Leira said, and people started moving around. Sulea came over.
"We need to get nourishment into her. Her energy is very low." Sulea said, touching my temple. Shanthe put his arms around me and moved me towards the door, swimming in a way that meant I didn't have to move a muscle.
"Her room?" He asked.
"No, the infirmary." Sulea said. I glanced back at Tom.
"I'll see you later." He promised as I was led away.
"What did those humans do to you?" Shanthe asked as he settled me on a bed in the infirmary and covered me with a weighted coverlet.
"I...I think it best you don't know, at least right now. The last thing we need is for anyone to get, well, upset." I said, though my strength at projecting was getting tiring, and I wasn't sure how long I would last.
"She has a point." Leira said. I relaxed, my muscles aching, grateful for the weights.
"Just relax, Princess. You're in safe hands." A medic said. I looked up as Mother and Father entered, everyone bowing.
"How is she?" Father asked.
"Her life signs are weak, her aura dull." One of the medics said. I watched them all.
"She needs food, but if she tried to swim to land for the food she's used to she would not make it. I don't know what she'll be able to eat." Another medic said. I watched them all talking.
"Have you ever eaten any of our food?" I was asked. I shook my head.
"No." I said.
"Don't try and talk too much. Save your strength." A medic said. I lay back and Mother sat by my head, scales shimmering as her hand held mine.
"So she needs to try to eat and drink. Would she be well enough for a celebration tomorrow, or should we wait before festivities?" Father asked.
"Maybe a week, just until she's fully rested and adapted to our food. I want to keep her here. She needs training, as well as learn how to talk and breathe, eat, drink. It won't be easy." The medic said. I frowned.
"I keep forgetting she grew up on the land. So she stays here, under care." Father said. The head medic nodded.
"Keep her existence quiet a bit longer, just until she's better." He replied. Father touched the hand Mother wasn't holding, looking down at me with concern and love, and then left. I sat up slowly.
"Lie down, Your Highness. You must rest." The medic said.
"I want to fix my hair. I am not used to it being so...all over the place." I said softly. Mother sent for a handmaiden who came in with a comb and products.
"Fix the princess's hair so it is neat." Mother ordered. The woman settled on the side of the bed and ran a comb through the strands, then worked deftly so it was plaited and weighted so it wouldn't float everywhere.
"Thank you." I said. She bowed formally.
"You're welcome, milady." She said. I lay back down and Mother fixed the covers about my shoulders.
"We will talk soon, you just rest and get some sleep." She said. I frowned.
"I'm afraid to. What if I transform in my sleep? My gills disappear?" I asked in a whisper. She smiled.
"There will be someone with you at all times. They will notice if you start to transform, and will wake you up. You'll be fine." Mother said. I felt my eyes close, exhaustion taking over. She kept touching me though until I was asleep, her fingers gently caressing my forehead and temple and then, after ordering to be notified the minute I woke, she left.

After Arnes had finished his meeting with the government, he went back to his quarters. Mallora was sitting at her desk, and when he entered she immediately went over to him.
"How is Cassandra?" He asked. Her face crumpled and he pulled her close.
"She's very unwell. She's asleep now, but she's terrified. I wanted to hold her all day, to assure her all would be well. She has so much to learn. How to drink, eat, stay in Mer form." Mallora said. Arnes sighed.
"It's going to be hard for her, but she has support. They'll give her child food in the morning so it doesn't harm her system, but soon it will be as though she's always lived here. Tomorrow I will have our people contact her land parents and extend protection to them." Arnes said. Mallora nodded.
"I like that idea." She said. She went into the bedroom and changed for bed, but as she lay down she felt restless. Arnes came in and sat beside her.
"You are worrying. Do you wish to go see her? It'll ease your mind. And I can come with you. I want to make sure she's okay." Arnes said. Mallora smiled and moved quickly to the door, Arnes following.
They headed to the infirmary, and the night medic came over.
"She's sleeping." He said after owing. Mallora went over to the prone body under the coverlet, and pushed back a few strands of black hair that stuck to her forehead. Mallora sent out her senses but she didn't feel any anxiety or trouble from the sleeping girl.
"She's in good hands, Your Majesty. And in the morning we will start teaching her to eat and drink. If we can't do anything for her we'll have no choice but to get her back to the land and teach her differently. If she's not feeling better in the morning we'll manufacture a rig to carry her back home. To her other home." The medic said. Mallora frowned, but nodded. She knew that that was the logical way to go.
"As grateful as I am to the land parents, I want her taken to the Embassy at least. Her land parents can visit her there, if they want." Arnes said, a hand on Mallora's shoulder. The medic nodded.
"Has she transformed at al? Had any troubles?" She asked. He shook his head.
"I think her body is too weak to change again. Like it's stuck in this form. I will stay by her side all night, I get the feeling she will transform when some strength returns. But  she is very weak. Those humans..." The medic said, and Mallora sagged.
"Get the rig ready. Notify Andreas and and Cora White that she will be ready in the morning. No doubt their son Thomas will accompany them." Arnes said. The medic bowed and did as he was ordered, getting the people together to make the rig, contacting the guards that would take the rig to as close to the Embassy as they can. Another medic went to the White's house in the square and woke them up, telling them to prepare for departure in the morning. Mallora went over to the sleeping girl and kissed her forehead, feeling as though she might lose her again.
"She'll be fine my dear. Let's go to bed, there isn't much we can do. Notify us when she wakes up." Arnes said. The medic bowed, and he and Mallora left, heading back to their quarters, getting into bed and settling down in each others' arms, falling into light sleep, ready for anything.