That night, the little mermaid wrapped herself in a tattered brown cloak, and swam quietly past the oblivious castle guards. There, patiently waiting was her sister. As her sister made to lead the way, the little mermaid grabbed her arm, "Are you sure of the way?"
Her sister glanced at the little mermaid and murmured, "Doubtless." They swam for miles until their fins grew weary with exhaustion and their tails could lift no longer. Days and nights passed before they reached the home of Alzisorin. They slept on coral and swam in valleys, all the while the little mermaid shivering with fear and trepidation. And when they arrived, the little mermaid's shivering increased tenfold. It was as magnificently terrible as she had thought and it was beyond description. It was both blindingly iridescent and captivatingly gloomy. At the same time, a multitude of colors while remaining deeply black. For a while, they just stood there and gaped. And after shaking the sheer grandeur of it out of their eyes, Maridessa walked forward and raised a fist and knocked twice on the door, as the little mermaid trembled. For a minute, nothing moved, as though the ocean held its breath in those few moments. And, as Maridessa slowly shook her head and the little mermaid glumly turned away, the door suddenly banged open. From within emerged a merman, but the most peculiar merman the two had ever seen. His face was covered in glorious swaths of makeup, a rainbow of color adorning his eyes, and a spectacular dress was wrapped around his figure. From his head blossomed a beautiful, voluminous wig. The little mermaid had heard tell of such people but never before met one, a drag queen. It invigorated her soul. Seeing that her sister was speechless, Maridessa took the liberty of stepping forward and shakily stammering, "Are you...the famous seawizard Alzisorin?" The seawizard scrutinized her face, before pronouncing, "I may be who some say I am. If I may be at your service, I am at your feet. Tell me, child, why are you in need of my services?" Maridessa shook her head, and glanced pointedly at the little mermaid next to her. "It is not I who is in dire need, but my sister. You see, if I may be so blunt, she was born a prince, yet has always known herself a woman."
The seawizard paused, tapping his finger against his mouth. Finally he spoke again, "Yes, I have known many like her who have sought my help. Tell me, my child, what is your name?"
The little mermaid slowly raised her head and whispered, "I was born Anton. But my name is Antoinette."
The seawizard chuckled and said, "That's a beautiful name, Antoinette. I can help you. But, I must warn you, it comes at a price. Are you willing to pay the price?" The little mermaid was silent, her thoughts churning and broiling. The silence pressed on, weightless and invisible, yet as heavy and dampening as a blanket. Finally, she spoke, with a voice ringing throughout the floor of the sea, "Yes." The single word echoed along, snaking through the caverns hidden in the valley, as if a million Antoinettes were agreeing to the services. Without a word, the seawizard turned and beckoned the sisters forward.
YOU ARE READING
Once A Merman, Always A Mermaid
FantasyLong ago, lived a young mermaid whom was of most peculiar origins. For she was not originally born that way, having been a merman at birth. Yet, since childhood, she knew herself to be a woman. But she could not reveal her true identity, for many di...
