There was a commotion in the castle. The fish citizens, or fishizens as they were called in Atlantica, looked up a the structure continuously. They knew that the newest royal child had been born. Some of the fishizens were unhappy with this. They knew that the recent pollutions made birth defects increasingly common. The land-people dumped their apothecary's chemicals into the sea, not caring what effect it had on the sea-people. Sometimes the fishizens thought that the land-folks had no idea that they existed. After all, who could be so cruel?
The kingdom Atlantica consisted of a sprawling seascape, the poorest on the outskirts. Those houses on the edge of the kingdom were constantly flirting with the danger of the wastelands and the many horrible monstrous creatures and sorcerors who lived in it. There was no road out of Atlantica and the nearest kingdom was leagues away. Any fishizen who tried to escape was doomed, as they were told in school.
Around the central castle and town square, many high-ranking fish lived in large fancy homes covered in shining oyster shells and beatiful gems. These people policed the peasant fishes. The castle loomed over all of these structures. The castle was plated in gold, shining brilliantly during the day, but flickering dully with moonlight during the night. The royal family lived here, a bloodline of mermaids and mermen living in luxury for the entirety of their long lives. Most fishizens never saw the inside of the palace. Those that did were often heading to the executioner's room, having one chance to see the radiant inner castle.
Within the castle, the new merchild was lying in her mother's arms. She looked around the bedchamber, marvelling at all the colors and intricacies of the paintings on the ceiling and the preciousness of the funiture and ornaments. A merpreist stood above her. His headdress was covered in pearls and glass jewelry. This made his head appear to have a luminous glow surrounding it.
He picked the child up. "I here baptize you Ariel of King Triton and Queen Athena in the name of Our Goddess Ariela, the saviour of our people and the giver of this beautiful land, and Our Ruler Arien, He who permisses us to speak over the fishmen and the land-people and rule as we see fit. Bless!" The religious man took a vial of air from a gold chain and took off its cork underneath Ariel. Her eyes widened as she watched the bubbles of air dance to the cieling. They bounced on the ceiling, making their way to a vent.
King Triton, her father, looked down on Ariel. Queen Athena kissed her forehead. "You will make a great Queen someday, Ariel. Arien Bless you."
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The Birthing
FanfictionIn which Ariel the Mermaid is born. She is an anomaly in the mermaid world and seeks to become human against all odds. Even the cost of other lives.
