MELODY Ch 1
Melody was about to turn 18 and all her father could talk about was her getting married. As the only child and heir to the throne she had to get married in order to be Queen. She thought her father was being a huge hypocrite since she knew for a fact that he wasn't interested in getting married when he turned 18 until he met her mother, Ariel who happened to be a mermaid princess. Her family was far from ordinary, but she liked it like that. When she was 12 she learned she was half human and half mermaid. Her mother was the princess of the sea and the 7th daughter of King Triton. Her 12th year was a bit dramatic and dangerous, but it turned out ok in the end. She used to enjoy her freedom to swim when she wanted and not have to worry about ruling a country. Now her days were filled with lessons about running a country and how to lead a war. Melody really had no interest in those things. She just wanted her freedom back, but her mother was always reminding her that she was growing up and growing up meant more responsibilities. Easy for her mom to say, when she was 18 she had Melody and had to be responsible. Besides her grown up drama she was looking forward to her 18th birthday. Her parents were throwing a ball in her honor to celebrate and to hope she might find a potential husband there.
To avoid her father, Melody usually hid in her room to avoid the "husband talk". She was sitting at her vanity brushing her hair when she heard a knock at her door.
"Come in," said Melody. It was her mother, Queen Ariel.
"Melody sweetie what are you doing all cooped up in your room?"
"Mom I think you can guess what I am doing. I'm hiding from Dad so I don't have to sit through another 'let's find that husband' talk."
"Oh sweetie, he is just worried about you. There's that stupid rule about the princess having to marry before becoming Queen."
"You agree it's stupid, so why don't you get rid of it?"
"Your grandfather made that rule and I think your father's heart couldn't take it to get rid of a rule his father made. You know his parents died when he was rather young."
"I know, Dad told me plenty of times. But it's just so stupid. I can run a country… I think. I don't really know what I'm doing."
"Darling, you've been so good about attending your lessons and behaving during through all this and I know you never really wanted to be the Queen. But I am so proud of you. Being the oldest, or only child and heir to the throne must be hard. I was the youngest of 7 so I never had to take the harder lessons my older sisters had to take. Your Aunt Attina had it the hardest and soon she'll be the Queen of Atlantica once Daddy decides to retire. I've never known that pressure, but I wish I did so I could help you more."
"Oh mom you're very supportive. How am I supposed to find a husband in one night? You can't fall in love just by looking at someone."
"Well…I sort of did…"
"Oh…right. Well…like you and Dad were made for each other."
"I know it doesn't happen for everyone like that. Maybe you'll have to know your man longer than I did… Actually you probably should know your man longer than I did, even though I love your father very much, it did happen rather fast in retrospect."
"Well it worked out didn't it?"
"Yes it did. That's my point. It works out for everyone differently."
"What do you think Dad will do if I don't find a guy during my birthday ball?"
"Oh honey, I kind of don't want to know. I'll try talking with him for you. You know he can be sort of stubborn when his mind is set."
"Good luck… and thanks."
"Anything for you sweetie. Why don't you go outside! It's beautiful. Maybe you could go for a swim or horseback ride!"
"I'm just going to hang here thanks. I'm really not in the mood to go anywhere."
"Well ok. See you at dinner then."
"See you there, Mom."
Melody continued to brush her hair and looked out her bedroom window. She wondered how the ball was going to go next weekend and if her future husband would be there.
