Over the next fortnight, the little mermaid would rise early and wrap her chest tightly in the fresh seaweed the maids had laid out the night before. She would painstakingly bind her long, beautiful, black hair up onto her head and press a cap tightly over it. Then she would dress. Though the maids had long ago offered to help her, she refused, unable to bear the pain of someone else stripping away her identity. And nightly, she would sit as the merpriest Chandwin droned on about how he promised a simple cure. The little mermaid would tune the man out, trying to pretend his words weren't like knives twisting slowly into her heart. It came one evening as Chandwin left that Maridessa entered her room. "Fair sister," she whispered. "How is thee?" But Antoinette only shook her head, blinking back tears. Maridessa sat carefully down, stroking Antoinette's back. She pulled out the pins in the little mermaid's hair and her hair came tumbling down. The little mermaid didn't move. "My sister," murmured Maridessa. "I know of a way to regain your voice without losing the body Alzisorin blessed you with."
Antoinette turned to look at her, eyes filled with tentative hope and signed "How?"
Maridessa lowered her head to whisper in Antoinette's ear, "Alzisorin said the only object powerful enough to create the magic used for your body without payment is father's trident." The little mermaid's eyes widened but she made no reply. "Sister," Maridessa whispered quietly, "Are you willing to commit this crime?" And she glanced at the little mermaid's hands, busy signing a message. It became abundantly clear within seconds. "We must steal it."
Her sister nodded quickly in agreement. "My sister," said she, "I will do it. You are already in enough of a mess with Father."
But the little mermaid shook her head and signed, "That is why it is I that must steal it. I cannot have you hurt because of me. Meet me in front of the apothecary tonight, dear sister, where we first met. I shall see you tonight." Maridessa made to argue, but was quailed by a look so stern that she immediately nodded and left. That night, the little mermaid snuck out of her room was fast asleep. The guard outside her room was fast asleep. Quietly, she stole down the hall down to the weapons room where her father kept his trident at night. All was silent and well. Unbeknownst to the rest of the palace staff, Antoinette and her sisters had long ago discovered a secret passageway that led to a grate directly underneath the weapons room. She traveled down this path, with nothing but a small glowing orb to keep her company and light the way. Once she reached the grate, it was only a matter of unscrewing it and gently floating upwards. The trident itself was encased in a case made of diamonds, which could only be opened by a special key. Antoinette swam forward and reached into her blouse to retrieve the key hidden in her blouse, something her sister Lorafine had stolen for her earlier that day. Lorafine had always been skilled in pick pocketing. Yet, as she readied her hand to slide the key into place, a stirring of shadows caught her eye. From the darkness emerged her father.
YOU ARE READING
Once A Merman, Always A Mermaid
FantasíaLong 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...
