“Just like old times,” he chuckled with a half grin.
Lizzy headed back down the stairs and couldn’t help but to admire the Cape Cod navy blue stair wall and was glad her mom was brave enough to paint it that color; she wanted to do it for awhile. It was perfect with the white wainscoting along the oak wooden stairs and banister.
It made her heart ache for all the things she had dreamed and planned for her home one day.
~~~~~
CHAPTER TWO
LIVING A DREAM
The Island Traveler sped through the waters as it traveled the Oceans of the South Pacific below South America and entered the South Atlantic.
Jedediah walked up from the galley with his merwalker son Jireh and they sat along the bench seat at the aft of the cruising yacht.
He couldn’t believe it had been five years since he and Seturus had married, let alone Jireh was now four years old. Time seemed to fly by; he treasured every moment.
He loved the life he was living with the mer. He helped them as much as he could with information on weather and possible dive sites; especially those near their cities. The world was slowly beginning to encroach upon them.
Jedediah also loved sailing the Island Traveler; she was yar and a second home to him when he traveled to and from the North Atlantic. He helped his uncle Micah by being able to hear the Mer and keep them on course as they followed above them.
Jireh watched as his father trimmed the sails; he loved how they billowed in the wind; it made him smile.
He was still young but spent most of his time on the yacht with his father, the Fijians, Kawikani, Talei, her little daughter Anue, and Talei’s 22 year old cousin Faith when they traveled.
Jedediah wanted Jireh to enjoy life above the water as much as below being he was a merwalker and could easily adapt to either like his aunt Lana who was now Queen of the Mer.
Princess Seturus jumped out of the water next to the yacht and smiled to Jireh. She wore her shell top and ruby stone necklace Jedediah gave her when they married. She also wore a string of large grey pearls around her head like a crown as all Princess mermaids did as well as the Queen.
King Titus restored the title of Princess to Seturus not long after she was married to Jedediah. He knew her title had been taken unjustly in her former Kingdom.
Her blue-green tail shimmered in the sunlight and also her long white hair.
Jireh laughed, “Do it again Mommy!”
Seturus dove down deep into the water quickly turning and thrusting her tail on the sandy bottom of the Ocean floor. She thrust even harder with each stroke as she swam upward. She rocketed out of the water at least thirty feet into the air.
“Now you’re just showing off,” Jedediah called with a smile and a wink.
Jireh clapped his hands and cheered.
Seturus swam alongside and spoke to Jireh in her mind, “Come on!”
Jireh jumped into the water and swam into her arms.
“Isn’t Mommy pretty?” He looked up to his father on the yacht as they swam beside it.
Jedediah also jumped into the water and took Seturus into his arms, “Yep, she’s the prettiest in all the Sea and on all the land.” He kissed her and beamed a smile of pride.
“The same could be said of your father, only he’s the most handsome.” She smiled to him and to Jireh.
“Your mommy won my heart the moment I looked into her beautiful teal-blue eyes.”
“Your father won mine at that same moment.” She flipped her tail upward splashing Jedediah.
“Hey now,” he chuckled.
“We better hurry if we want to catch up.” Seturus smiled to him.
Jedediah put his hands on her shoulders.
Jireh wrapped his arms around his dad’s neck.
Seturus sped through the water with them until they caught up with the Island Traveler.
~~~
King Titus called for all of the Mer to stop and rest awhile. There were several krill in the area; they could take the opportunity to eat and feed their young.
Queen Lana let go of King Titus’ strong neck and smiled to him.
He was still handsome with his shell crown upon his head of long white hair. As all mermen did, he wore it loose except for a braid pulled back behind each ear. He now had a small white beard.
He had grown considerable in size and strength with a massive chest and muscle-bound arms. He carried his golden forked staff as he was the King like his grandfather of old King Titan before him. His glistening blue-green tail dealt a deadly blow to anything he felt threatened his pod.
He grinned to her; even his silver eyes said he loved her, “Yes, you may go to Jedediah and eat the foods you love.” He took her into his arms and kissed her lovingly.
Their five year old son Prince Titan giggled.
Queen Lana smiled and took off her crown of pearls and removed her emerald necklace and handed them to the King.
He took them and placed them in a small net bag he carried around his neck when they traveled so his Queen may keep her promise she made to her father so long ago that she would never wear them out of the water.
Cole didn’t want anyone to see them and connect her with the legend of the Mer, but he also wanted to keep Lana safe from those who might harm her or the Mer to get them.
“Thank you Titus. Titan stay with daddy.”
“I will Mom.” He smiled proudly to his father.
Lana couldn’t believe how much Titan looked like his father and older brother Tarrock; he had the silver eyes, fair skin and blue-green tail. His hair was now a lighter shade of blonde, but she knew it wouldn’t be long and it would turn white as he matured.
She smiled and then swam up towards the yacht.
Seturus met her on the way down with Jireh on her back.
“Jireh wants to eat with Titan.” Seturus smiled.
“He would love for him to. I’m headed to eat with Jedediah.”
“I’m giving you fair warning, he’s in a sparring mood,” Seturus giggled. She continued swimming with Jireh.
When Lana surfaced, the Island Traveler had already turned off her engine. She saw Jedediah at the back with his hand out to help her up. He was grinning with his dark sunglasses covering his eyes.
“I knew it wouldn’t take you long.”
“Yep, I’d much rather have a ham and cheddar cheese sandwich than krill,” she giggled as she took his hand and climbed up the ladder on the back of the yacht.
Lana and Jedediah sat down in the aft of the yacht and ate their sandwiches along with seltzer water and potato chips.
The Fijian brothers ate in the galley with Maiele, Kawikani, Princess Talei and their two year old daughter Princess Anue, as well as Faith.
~~~
The sun felt so good on Lana’s skin, but she knew she couldn’t stay out of the water for too long or she would sunburn.
“So how’s the boss?” Jedediah lifted his sunglasses onto his head.
“He’s fine, I know he’s anxious to get home; there’s always an increase in the amount of people traveling the waters each year.”
“Yeah, that’s for sure.” He instinctively looked around to make sure there wasn’t anything to be seen on the horizon.
“Most of the families are tired; there are a lot of little ones on this trip.”
“I can imagine having to swim so far with them on their backs.”
“So how are you Pirates taking it?” She grinned.
“Arrrr, we be fine my Queen, we haven’t had anyone walk the plank as yet,” he said in his best Pirate voice.
Lana laughed out loud.
“We’re good, no trouble so far.”
Princess Talei walked out of the galley with Anue and Faith.
“How can you two stand this heat?” Talei fanned out her Mer ears which were shaped much like butterfly wings.
“It feels good right now, but not for too much longer.” Lana smiled.
Jedediah picked up Anue and nibbled on
her neck.
She squealed with laughter.
“How’s Kawikani with your dad and uncle?” Lana asked Talei.
“They’re good; playing another card game. Faith and I are taking Anue for a swim.”
“Okay, I’ll join you. Sorry Jed, guess you’re stayin’ aboard with the guys.” Lana gave him a slight shove on his shoulder.
“Oh poor me; guess I’ll just have to join their card game,” he chuckled and headed for the galley.
The girls dove into the water.
Although Lana and Talei were merwalkers, little Anue was only a quarter Mer and three quarters human.
Talei didn’t allow Anue too deep into the water; even though she had gills like her mother which had opened up last month.
Talei loved her ohana and knew she was blessed to have this life with Kawikani and their little keiki.
Faith was a complete human Fijian, but had become accustomed to diving deep from spending many years with the Mer; especially Prince Ulysses.
She was slender and beautiful with dark skin, eyes and had long hair like black silk.
Her father Eli granted she may join the Mer for their journey to the North Atlantic, but it grieved him; he knew she refused to marry and he was concerned she had fallen in love with King Titus’ nephew, Prince Ulysses one of the Mer and it could never be allowed.
~~~
Lana swam with Talei and Anue.
Faith swam awhile with Prince Ulysses.
Lana began to sense Jedediah above on the yacht.
“Hey I need to talk with you,” he said in his mind.
“I’ll see what Jed wants.” She swam upward.
Jedediah was at the back of the yacht again with a grim expression.
Lana surfaced, “What’s up?”
“Dad just radioed Micah and asked to talk with me. Lizzy came home a week early and is skipping her graduation.”
“What; why would she do that?”
“It seems Robbie cheated on her and she broke off their engagement.”
“Oh no; we need to get home Jed. I’ll let Titus know we’re skipping our usual stop to Puerto Rico.”
“Are you sure Sis?”
“Yeah; I know she needs me Jed. Don’t worry; Titus is just as anxious to get back to Safe Harbor.”
“Okay, I know Lizzy will like that. I’ll let Micah know too.”
Lana dove down and passed up Talei, Anue and Faith.
Talei had also heard the conversation and decided to return to the yacht with Anue.
Prince Ulysses swam Faith back and placed her on deck.
She waved goodbye with a sad expression on her face.
He reluctantly swam away.
~~~
Lana continued swimming deeper until she found Titus.
He was helping to catch krill in a large net bag for the children. He turned and smiled at her, but then sensed her thoughts were sad.
“What is wrong my love?”
“Titus, we’ve got to get home. Lizzy came home a week early and isn’t going to her graduation. I guess she found out Robbie cheated on her and broke off the engagement.”
“I see; then you do not wish to go to Puerto Rico?”
“No, I think we should go straight home as quickly as we can.”
“Alright, let me call the guard back and let them know we need to gather everyone as soon as they have finished eating.”
“Thank you Titus, I just really think Lizzy needs me right now.”
“I am sure she does.” He hugged and kissed her and swam to let the guard know of the change of plans.
~~~~~
CHAPTER THREE
CALL OF THE MERMAIDS
Lizzy had cried herself to sleep for a week. She heard of depression but never really experienced it before. Now she knew what it felt like.
Today her sorrow was replaced by anger. She was angry the love of her life chose to be unfaithful and ruin their happiness. She was angry all of her future plans were destroyed by one thoughtless act.
She was angry at the woman who kept pursuing Robbie. She was angry at Robbie for giving into her.
She was even angry at herself for not being enough for him; for somehow being at fault for his betrayal.
She decided to go for an early morning swim to the other side of Safe Harbor and out to Gull Island. She changed into her teal-blue floral one piece and headed out the front porch door before anyone got up.
She ran across the sandy beach and onto the dock until she reached the end and dove arms outstretched into the cool glistening water.
The water felt so good; it always seemed to sooth her soul. She surfaced and began to move her arms faster with each stroke.
At first she swam in anger and pushed herself even harder; it felt good to let it all out. Her dad always cautioned her and Jedediah to not swim their fastest. He was the Guardian for the Mer in the North Atlantic, but also guarded his family.
Lizzy decided to swim under the surface of the water where she could swim her full speed. She swam like a torpedo at least five miles out, only taking short trips to the surface for air every mile or so.
She smiled with the memories of the years she and Jedediah swam for their school swim team, the Island Chieftains, of which their mom was their swim coach as she had been Lana’s so many years before.
Little by little her anger was replaced by the joy she felt of being so deep in the Ocean and the realization of how much she missed her true self.
This is my happy place, she thought.
She swam around to the other side of the island.
The only thing which brought sadness to her was looking out with her exceptional eyesight onto the shore where Robbie’s parents lived. It was once her mom’s cottage, but Robbie’s parents rented it for a small monthly amount.
Rose was happy just for the upkeep Marty and Catherine lovingly gave to the old cottage which had been in her family for four generations.
When she reached Gull Island, she swam around to the back and climbed out onto the rock ledge. She sat down, leaned against the rock wall and began soaking up the morning sun as it was rising.
Several Seagulls had gathered and lifted up off the rocky mountain with a warm breeze.
Lizzy loved watching and especially hearing the Gulls call out to one another as they soared and dove above her.
~~~
Cole got up early after hearing Lizzy leave. He saw she went for a swim and decided to let her go. It was hard for him not being able to fix his baby girl’s broken heart.
He decided to go down to the Marina and continue varnishing the deck of his wooden schooner, the Bonnie Rose.
Just as he got his materials out his cell phone rang. It was his generic ring-tone, so he pulled it out of his pocket to see who it was.
His cell showed it was Robbie calling.
He hesitated, Oh boy, he thought. Then he decided to answer.
“Hello.”
“Hello Mr. Prentis, this is Robbie.” He said with his Southern drawl.
“I know.”
“You must’ve heard about me and Lizzy.”
“Yep.”
“Mr. Prentis, I can’t get Lizzy to talk to me.”
“Nope, I bet you can’t.” Cole wasn’t sure if he should just hang up.
“Cole, have you ever been so drunk you couldn’t remember what happened the night before? Believe me; I was just as shocked as Lizzy to find Lisa in my bed.”
This stung Cole, because he used to be an alcoholic and knew all too well, “Yes Robbie I have,” he said reluctantly.
“Cole I swear to you; if I’d been in my right mind it never would have happened. The guys told me I passed out at the party and they drove me home, only they also let Lisa come with them.
“They said they tossed me on my bed and Lisa convinced them to let her stay; they all thought it was pretty funny. Sure Lizzy and I’ve had some problems, but nothin’ like this.”
“Maybe you should tell her yourself.”
>
“I’ve tried; she won’t answer her phone, text, messages or emails.”
“Maybe you should talk to her in person.”
“Cole you know how it is; I’m the assistant swim coach for the college, I can’t leave right now.”
“Yeah, well maybe that’s a problem too,” he said angrily trying not to lose his temper.
“I know it is; Lizzy tried to tell me, but I wouldn’t listen. Would you please just tell her I called and need to explain my side of things?”
“Look I’ll tell her Robbie, but I’m not sure she’ll care at this point.”
“I know, just please tell her I love her and I’ll be there as soon as I can get away.”
“Okay.” Cole hung up the phone; enough was said.
He felt conflicted; some of what Robbie said made sense, but he would still side with Lizzy no matter what she wanted. All he could do now was pray for them both.
~~~
Lizzy decided to cool off and dove off the ledge and down into the blue-green shimmering water. She swam down deeper to the entrance of the cavern which her father had unsealed a few days ago for the Fijians.
She swam inside and surfaced. The cavern was dark, but Lizzy being a descendant of the Mer was able to see as soon as her eyes adjusted.
She swam over to the rock ledge of the cavern floor and hopped up. She looked around and saw her father had already put a fresh stack of wood along the wall. He even placed some inside the fire pit of stones for the Fijian families to light when they arrived.
It must be hard for the Fijian brothers to live secluded lives with their mermaid wives and children, Lizzy thought.
She saw the rain barrel was full of fresh water as well as some extra jugs along the cavern wall.
She knew her mom would bring a basket of fruit when it was closer to their arrival. Her mom and dad would see to it Jedediah, Jireh and Seturus would also be well stocked in their grotto.
Kawikani, Talei and their little daughter Anue would be staying on the yacht in Safe Harbor Marina.
I still can’t believe Lana and Jed live the life of a Mer; well, maybe Lana. She smiled.
Legend of the Mer III Song of Sirens Page 2
