LEGEND OF THE MER (14 page)

“No, they would not dare to ask.  They all know that you are my intended,” said the Prince with a glare to the young mermen gathered nearby.  Now all of the mer began to choose partners and joined Lana and Titus in the dance.  Even Titus’ parents were dancing and smiling to the two of them.  “This is not, how do you say, awkward is it?” Titus chuckled.

“Yeah, I’d say a little,” she laughed.  Lana began to focus her thoughts on the Prince and it did help.  His thoughts were always so full of love for her.  They danced several dances and then Lana couldn’t help but hear the thoughts of a young mermaid nearby.  She was thinking of Prince Titus and how she wished that it was she and not Lana that was dancing with him.  Lana looked to see her and the girl looked surprised and quickly swam away.  She w
as one of the dark ones.  “Who’
s that girl?” Lana asked Titus.

“Her name is Sirene and I am sorry that you read her thoughts.  She has always wished that she were my intended.  I have spoken to her only a few times.  I told her that I was waiting for you to come of age.  I know that she hoped something might
prevent you and I
from being together.  I am sure that now she will realize that
we
were always meant to be
.
”
Titus
smiled
to Lana
affectionately
.

“Is it really me?  How do you know?
”

“I have always known, since the day you were born,” he said sincerely.

“You know, that’s kind of creepy
,
” Lana
giggled
.

“No, it has never been that.  Our ways must seem different to you.  It was as though I could see what you would become and I was willing to be patient for that day
.
”
H
e stopped dancing and looked seriously into her eyes.

“I’m glad you waited for me.  You’re right, I don’t understand it all, but I’m glad I met you and I’m glad my parents chose you
.
”
S
he blushed at being able to tell him what was in her heart.

“So, are you ever going to introduce me to her?” asked a young merman with dark hair and eyes.

“Yes I shall.  Princess
Lana, this is my dearest friend
Makoa
.
”

“Hi Makoa, it’s nice to meet a friend of Titus
’
.
”
Lana
smiled to him
.

“Well believe me, it is an honor to finally meet you.  You are all he has ever talked about,”
chuckl
ed Makoa, knowing that he was embarrassing the Prince.

“Now you know why he was the last one that I introduced you to,” Titus said as he gave a quirky smile to Makoa.

“You might say that your intended is a real task master.  He never lets up on us guardsmen.  We were at least getting a break in the day
.
”
Makoa smiled brightly giving Prince Titus a slight shove.

“I see;
you’re a hard boss are you?” Lana teased.

“If you do not wish double patrol duty, then you
should guard your words
,” said Titus jokingly to Makoa.

“I can see that I have overstayed my welcome,”
sai
d Makoa.

“Yes, most definitely
.
”
Titus
grinned
with a raised brow.

“Goodnight Princess Lana, may you enjoy our fair city and may I get the chance to talk with you again
.
”
Makoa
bowed
as he gave Titus a wink.

“Not if I can help it,” said Titus
,
g
iving
Makoa a friendly shove back.

“Goodnight Makoa, it was nice meeting you and I look forward to that talk,” teased Lana as she smiled to Titus.  Makoa then swam away.

“I should have warned you about him
.
”
Titus
smiled
.

“I’m glad you didn’t.  I like him, he reminds me of you.”

“He is nothing like me
.
”

“He may not look like you, but he most definitely acts like you,” said Lana with a wide grin.

Titus sensed that Lana really was not feeling well and he knew it must be her headache.  “Come, let me show you where I live,” said Titus as he held her hand and led her to one of the domed houses.

When Lana entered in, Tempest brushed up against her.  She was glad to see him and could tell that he was glad to see her.  The inside of the house was very plain.  In fact, the only thing in the center was a small luminous plant that gave a faint light and next to the plant, Lana realized, was the glass paperweight with her prom picture inside.

“Our homes are where we sleep.  We have no need of furniture.  It is also the one place we cannot hear each other
’
s thoughts
.
”
H
e gave an understanding look
to Lana
.

“Yeah, this is great.  I didn’t realize how bad it was starting to bother me,” she said as she began rubbing her temples.

“When we are born, we gradually learn to read the thoughts of our parents and our siblings.  We have the benefit of our parents to teach us to focus on the other’s thoughts and how to hear them one mer at a tim
e.  You have had the experience
much like your father, where you hear all thoughts at once.  It will take time, but you will learn, just as he did,” said Titus encouragingly.

“Yeah, I guess if my dad could do it, then so can I
.
”
Tempest brushed around both of them forcing them together.  “Who taught him that trick?” Lana giggled.

“I think that he taught himself that one, but I do not mind,” said the Prince as he slowly cradled Lana’s face in
both of
his hands and gently kissed her.

“Titus, I believe that it is time for the Princess to retire to her cavern,” said Titus’ father through the opening.

“Yes, I suppose it is.  She had a headache and I brought her here to relieve it,” said Titus with a grin to Lana and
then
to his father.

“Yes, I am sure you did.  However, the hour is late and I believe that you should es
cort her there with your sister
Tarra
.
”
H
is father
smiled
.

Princess Tarra was waiting outside the house and she
swam
with Lana and Titus to the cavern.  “I hope everything is to your liking Princess Lana.  There is grilled fish and I have made you a bed of seaweed.  The coals in the fire will burn all night and I will stay with you this evening so you will not be alone
.
”
The
Princess
smiled
.

“Thanks
, but I hat
e that you won’t
be in your own home
.
”

“It is my pleasure.  I would like to get to know you better,” said Tarra genuinely.

“That would be great, like a slumber party
.
” Lana
smiled
.

“What is a slumber party?” Titus asked.

“It’s just girls hangin out together for the night,”
said
Lana.

“Well, I suppose I am not wanted for such a thing
.
”
H
e smiled
to her
.

“No, you are not needed,” said Tarra with a half grin, knowing that he was not wanting to leave.

“Goodnight Princess.  May you have sweet dreams and know that I will have guards posted outside the cavern.  Nothing will harm you here,” he said as he gave her one last tender kiss, ignoring the smile of his sister.

“Goodnight Prince, and thanks
for everything,” said Lana as she watched him reluctantly swim away.

“I have not seen my brother this happy since before Tarrock died,” said Tarra.

“I’m glad
, he deserves to be happy.  He’
s so kind,” Lana said with a dreamy smile.

“It cannot be easy for you, leaving your home.  Thank you for coming to see your people and allowing us to show you our way of life.”

“It was hard to leave my father, but it wasn’t hard to leave my life on the island.  Even though he tri
ed his best, I’ve never been real
ly happy there.  It’s been hard for me to be so different.  Human’s don’t always treat people that are different very kindly,” said Lana sadly.

“Here we judge one by their heart and not the way they look,” Tarra said with conviction.

“That’s a good way to live and my father’s people would do better if they lived like that.  Not all humans are unkind.  I know the
re’ve
been many good ones in our
history
only some have forgotten and choose to be unkind.”

“
Y
our father is a very good man and a great example to his people.  He was always kind and very brave.  He loved your mother and you and was accepted as one of the mer,” said Tarra encouragingly.

“Yeah, my dad’s a great guy.  Enough of all this serious stuff; tell me about yourself Princess Tarra, is there a merman in your life?” Lana smiled.