Lost at Sea
As the storm raged and waves crashed against the pirate captain's ship, he fought to keep it afloat. Killian Blackheart cursed the bard that had encouraged him to take this secret route that would cut his voyage time in half. The bard had smiled at Killian's look of interest but only disclosed the route once he had paid the bard in gold.
"Half now and half when you next return to port, 'tis only fair that I should be compensated. What is this but a small price for your great gain? Surely, you yourself will be richly rewarded for making your delivery so early." It had sounded so reasonable at the time, and the route, once disclosed, did make sense.
Killian was pulled from this brief memory as the ship crested and fell nose-first into the trough of the next wave. This wasn't the end! He told himself fiercely. He only had to ride out this terrifying storm…
However, the Fae had other plans in mind. When lightning struck the main mast, it was such a powerful blow of raw energy that the cargo in the hold exploded. Wood splintered apart with rigging, sails and men blown into the sea. The winds and currents finished the work of the explosion and the waves battered the ship until it sundered. Killian was thrown overboard as the ship came apart. He struggled to stay afloat amidst the debris of his former vessel, but soon his strength began to wane, and he found himself slipping beneath the waves.
Just as he thought it was the end, the captain felt a gentle hand take hold of him and pull him up. To his amazement, he found himself staring into the beautiful face of a mermaid with violet eyes, shimmering green hair and a tail that flickered in the moonlight.
The mermaid pulled him to the surface of the water, and as she held him afloat, she fed him something slimy and salty.
"EAT!" She commanded, and he swallowed whatever it was whole. Within a few moments, his lungs began to burn as if starving for air. The mermaid was watching his face closely, and as he began to struggle, pulled him under the waves. He shouted in protest only to have sea water enter his mouth and lungs… The burning eased… He swallowed again and found himself able to breathe underwater.
As she continued to pull him down into the depths and away from the storming currents, the mermaid revealed a secret to him. She had been following his ship for days. It was rare to see a ship in this part of the sea. As the storm rolled in, she continued to keep watch and had seen his ship struck and falter beneath the waves. She had swum to the wreckage and found him struggling to stay afloat, and she knew she had to act quickly if she wanted to save him.
The mermaid introduced herself, her voice like a lilting song. "I am Nerida, daughter of Queen Lamina, who rules these seas."
"Captain Killian Blackheart of the Blue Oyster, at your service ma'am," he managed to stutter while wrapping his mind around the fact that not only mermaids exist but that they have a queen.
"How… how is this possible?" Killian asked, gesturing to himself and back up towards the surface.
Nerida told him about a magical plant that grew at the bottom of the ocean, which could allow humans to breathe underwater. She explained that it was a precious gift that very few knew existed.
"But… it does not last forever," she finished sadly. "You must return to the surface before it wears off."
Nerida reached out to take his hand and gently began pulling him along. The underwater world was a wonder to behold - bright corals, schools of colourful fish and creatures he had never seen before.
Killian was grateful for her help and for her calming presence. He felt more at ease with each passing moment, and he began to enjoy the feeling of the water rushing past him as she pulled him along. As they moved through the water, Nerida told Killian stories of her life under the sea, and he shared tales of his adventures on land. They laughed and talked, enjoying each other's company. When she smiled at him, he could see the appreciation in her eyes. She was enjoying his company as much as he was enjoying hers.
Soon the sea floor began to slope upwards, and glistening light filtered through the water. Killian began to feel a strange sensation wash over him. At first, it tingled in his fingertips, but then it spread throughout his entire body. It was more challenging to breathe. Nerida, watching closely, began pulling him up toward the surface. When his head broke through, and he pulled in that first mouthful of air, his lungs burned and ached.
Nerida held him until he was able to breathe normally. The sky was starting to turn pink.
"This is where we part", she smiled sadly and gestured behind him towards the shore. He did not recognize the coastline but could see the flickering lights of a seaside city in the distance. Killian knew that he had experienced something truly magical, and he couldn't bear the thought of never seeing Nerida again.
As she pulled away from him, he reached out to touch her.
"Wait, please… I... I don't want this to be the end," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want to see you again."
Nerida regarded him for a moment, her violet eyes seeming to search his face for some deeper meaning. Then she nodded slowly.
"I would like that," she said. "But… you must promise to keep my existence a secret. The world of men cannot know that we exist."
Killian nodded. "I promise," he said solemnly.
Nerida smiled at him, her face seeming to glow in the early morning light. She gestured to a large rock closer to the shore. "I will be waiting for you there on the next full moon."
Killian's heart leapt with joy. "Thank you," he breathed. "I'll be here. I can't wait to see you again."
With one final smile, Nerida slipped beneath the waves, disappearing from view. But Killian knew that he would see her again, and he felt a renewed sense of wonder and excitement as he returned to shore.
