Thanks for beta-ing it for me, Stephy :)
Dedicated to Cherry, who reminded me of this idea (unknowingly, but still :P)
Sky was slowly turning peachy pink outside, and the warm light of setting sun filled big common-room in the orphanage, as children slowly stopped screaming and running around, pulling each other hair and do this thing that they oddly considered fun. Kids surrounded old lady, who just wobbled into the room, sat in rocking chair and covered herself in blankets. She was their favourite storyteller - she knew every single legend that existed.
"Granny Mavis, tell us about pirates today!" Black haired boy cheered. Blonde girl, looking about seven years old, pouted.
"We heard about pirates yesterday! Tell us about maidens!"
"Pirates!"
"Maidens!"
Old woman chuckled. She loved those children, they were like her own grandchildren. Although she didn't have any of her own, those orphans in the town of Acalypha treated her like family.
"Layla, Macau, don't argue. You're making granny tired." A Boy older than others, in fact he looked as if he was going to be leaving the orphanage soon.
"Thank you, Makarov. You know, children, there was a maiden once..." she began her story. Boys whined, not wanting to hear about some boring girls, but they quickly changed their minds. "Her name was Lorelei. She was very beautiful, and broke many hearts. But finally she did fall in love. He was young boy, who was sailing with pirates."
Now, it got interesting for everyone, and kids gathered closer, to hear granny better, as she continued.
"Unfortunately for Lorelei, the boy - even if he liked her - left her with broken heart when he left with his crew. She cried, cursing pirates for taking her love away from her. It evolved to hate, eventually, and she began to blame them for every bad thing. Soon, broken-hearted, she threw herself off the cliff, not wanting to live without this boy."
"NOOOOOOOOO! IT CAN'T BE!" blonde girl interrupted, tears filling her eyes. Mavis smiled at her.
"Don't cry, my child. When Lorelei died, the mighty Sea King, who hated pirates for dirtying his beautiful castle with blood and wrecks of the ship, made a deal with her. He offered her life as a beautiful mermaid who controlled the water. In exchange, he made her promise that she would lure and drown every pirate ship she could, and she gladly agreed to this, thinking that it will soothe her pain."
"NOOOOO, SHE'S AWFUL!" This time, it was the boy who couldn't resist.
"Is she?" Mavis smiled again. "I leave this for you to decide. But try thinking what would you do, if you were in her place, sweet pea. And now, my children, I will go to sleep, as I am very tired."
"Good night, granny~" kids said in unison, when Makarov helped her stand up and go to her room.
Children crawled into their rooms and beds, all thinking about the story, with different thoughts on the legend - ones admiring Lorelei, others hating her deeply. Yet, every single one of them smiled before falling asleep.
Mavis sure was the greatest storyteller.
Hope you liked it. R&R :)