Mermaid AU. Molly is a mermaid, obsessed with the human world. Sherlock is a prince with a secret that shows her the most interesting part. Why does it feel like there are never any The Little Mermaid AUs? Sherlolly.
Waves lapped against the shore, stretching nearly to the black rock cliff between the beach and civilization. No one was ever around at high tide, at least not on this beach. It was too narrow, too dark as the sun set on the other side of the peninsula.
It was perfect for the man who hid in the shadows, his back against the cliffs. The creaky wooden stairs were only ten feet away, but he waited until the steps of the two guardsmen faded. He had calculated the distance one could hear the loud clacking of their black taps and judged the navy blue uniforms to be long gone, or at least far enough away that they wouldn't recognize him.
The water skimmed his boots before receding back into the sea. Now was the time. He bounded up the steps and crossed the street into a small alley beside a sweet shop. Many little businesses had set up here overlooking the sea.
The man's black curls fell loosely in front of his face and his white shirt hung low instead of being tucked in properly. It would be supper time soon, and he knew exactly what his parents would say if they saw him in this state. And Mycroft. He rolled his striking blue eyes just at the thought. Mycroft would have a field day, looming it over his head. He had enough things of that nature as is; why his brother didn't just tell their parents already, the man had no idea. Though, and he hated to admit it, he did appreciate his covering for him on several occasions.
The man tried to ruffle his hair a bit more, hoping it would make him less recognizable on his way home.
Molly floated in front of the sunken ship, staring in awe at the wreckage. Splintering wood was stuck deep in the sand, but more stood out from the ground. Broken masts and torn flags adorned the human vessel.
"I told you you'd want to explore it, didn't I?" the mermaid beside her asked with a grin, flipping her orange tail.
Molly tore her eyes away and looked at her friend. "Meena, this is amazing. I can't believe you found this!"
Meena smiled with pride. "Come on!"
They swam toward the large boat, entering through portals on the side. After a while of exploring, Molly picked something up.
"What do you suppose this is?" she asked Meena. The item looked silver, but had been tarnished in the salt water. It looked like a small stick that divided into four spikes at one end, almost like an odd piece of coral.
Meena took the object, lightly tapping her fingers on the prongs, then looked at her chocolate brown hair. "I think it's for your hair," she said and started pulling the spikes through her curls.
Molly furrowed her brow. "Interesting."
She wandered further into the room. She picked up another strange object. It was black and curved, one end larger than the other. She turned it around in her hands, squinting at it. It appeared to be hollow.
Meena put the hair item in her netted bag and followed Molly. "What about this one?" Molly asked her, handing her the little item. She repeated Molly's inspection of it, turning it upside down briefly. "Wait!" Molly exclaimed, snatching it back. She took a deep breath before blowing into the smaller end. Bubbles shot out of the other end. The girls giggled.
"It's a bubble blower," Meena giggled.
Molly's grin suddenly turned into a frown. "Meena! The Bubble Festival!"
Her friend's eyes widened as panic settled over the mermaids. "The parade! You were supposed to be on that float with the king!"
"I know! It's the last one, maybe we can make it back in time! Let's go!" They zoomed out of the ship and through the ocean to Atlantica.
More guards, always more guards, the man thought as he peered around the corner. He clung tightly to a white stone wall. The wall stood around a white castle, protecting the fortress. From what, he had no idea; there were never any invaders. He guffawed at the extra sentries on duty; no doubt they were there because of him. Mycroft thought he was so funny.
Both sets of guards were set up to pass the same section of wall one after another, leaving a very small amount of time to get past. He only needed a moment to get to the loose bar in one of the aqueduct arches, move it, slip in and return it before they marched by again.
He quickly timed the soldiers' movements and chose his moment. Scurrying around the wall, he came to the first arch, and with a large tug pulled the metal bar loose. He'd barely put it back in place when he caught the glint of a golden button from the guards' uniforms and ducked to his left out of sight behind the wall.
He'd made it. Now to get to his room, a much easier task. His parents were rarely ever around, but he would have to watch for-
"Hello, brother dear. Catch your criminal?" Mycroft. He slowly turned to the right, frustration clear on his face. Mycroft seemed pleased with his arms folded and a smirk on his lips. "Who was it this time? The maid? The butler? The auto mechanic down the road?"
"The step-father if you must know," he said haughtily and spoke quickly. "Sent messages to his step-daughter as her online boyfriend in order to keep her from marrying and keep her inheritance to himself."
"Hm." The sound showed about as much interest as Mycroft could muster. Exasperatedly he said, "Sherlock, I suggest you change out of those rags; it's nearly supper."
"On. My. Way," Sherlock pronounced with each step toward the castle.
"Molly," King Triton said, sounding exhausted. The older man was starting to feel his age as his youngest daughter continued to be reckless. His older children had been much easier to get out of the castle, especially when his wife had been alive. He missed her greatly. But Molly was so much like him; he couldn't find it in his heart to truly punish her.
"I am so sorry, father! Meena and I went to explore this morning and didn't think we'd be gone long. I am so sorry!" she exclaimed at the foot of his tall throne. He had already dismissed Meena.
"Molly, I truly admire your curiosity, but you are slacking your responsibilities as future queen of Atlantica."
"I know, father. It won't happen again."
"I am sure," he said, but didn't sound as if he believed himself. "I have chosen you to be my successor here, Molly. Your older brothers and sisters will help you from their kingdoms, but they'll only be able to do so much. You must take your duties seriously, especially at your age."
"I know," she repeated quietly. "I will try."
"I should hope so. Also," he spoke more softly, "do try to visit her grave, today. Since you didn't make it to the parade. The Bubble Festival is one of our largest festivals as we celebrate her life. At least try to do that."
"Of course," she responded, nodding. King Triton gave her a nod in return, dismissing her.
Bark! Bark! The sounds of a dog were the first thing Sherlock heard when he entered the dining room, now wearing his usual black suit.
"Hello, Redbeard!" he said enthusiastically, a smile finally gracing his face as he knelt down to pet the great red Irish Setter. "I'm sorry I left you today. Easier to get about the city without the royal dog on my heels," he whispered.
"A dog at the table's a bit not good, Sherlock," John said, walking in behind him. The shorter man was usually with him everywhere he went. He was meant to watch over the prince's past drug habit, but it didn't stop the prince from escaping the castle unescorted every once and a while.
Dr. Watson was the youngest the royal family had seen in the position, but he obviously made the cut when Sherlock didn't fire him within an hour after meeting him. The two had really hit it off and everyone knew they were good friends, despite the difference in station and conflicting origins of their meeting.
"Oh don't ruin it; the only time he smiles is with that thing around." John looked from the man and his dog to the maid going past with a covered tray. She had short blonde hair and blue eyes that immediately made him smile even though her back was to him as she set the platter down. She turned around and grinned back at him before going back to the kitchen to fetch another tray.
"Her name's Mary." John's eyes suddenly snapped back to Sherlock as he was standing back up. Teasing, he said, "Also, I told you to call me 'sir' in front of my family. 'Your highness' would be even better. Respect is always well received."
"I remember," John said, sounding a little annoyed. "Your family isn't here yet." Sherlock shrugged. "…and thank you for that other bit of information… your highness."
Sherlock gave him a quick smile before moving further into the room. Just as he was about to sit down, another door opened and the voice of the guard loudly announced, "Her Majesty, Queen Violet of Glauwery! His Majesty, K-"
"That's quite alright," the king whispered to the announcer. The guard nodded and shut the door after the couple had entered.
Sherlock stood for his parents, merely nodding his head as a kind of bow, while John was much more formal. "Your Majesties," he addressed them, bowing low.
"Oh, Dr. Watson, you will be joining us for dinner, won't you?" asked the queen as she did most nights. John often accompanied Sherlock to the dining room, mostly to catch him up on what had happened while he was away.
"No, I'm afraid not, your Majesty. I have made plans already."
"Oh alright, very well," she dismissed as they sat in their high-backed chairs.
"Thank you, Ma'am." She nodded.
"You are always welcome, John," King Siger commented.
"Thank you, Sir," John said before heading out the door, briefly sharing a smile with Mary as she walked in with another platter.
After setting the dish down, she backed up to fall in line with the waiters who had followed her in, waiting for the King or Queen to signal the start of the meal.
"Well," the queen started, "Mycroft said he was busy and would join us shortly. I suppose we can start." The waiters moved forward at their que and Mary returned to the kitchens. "That brother of yours, always working," Queen Violet directed down the table to Sherlock.
"I know." He resisted rolling his eyes at her obvious hint for him to do something more productive. They didn't know the half of it; he'd solved more than half the crimes in their kingdom. He had suggested and expressed interest in being involved in security and police work, but they had only wanted him to help from afar. No, he wanted the practical experience. He would never be able to help run the kingdom if he didn't know its dark seedy underbelly, if he didn't see it firsthand.
Sherlock had just picked up his fork to eat the stuffed crab on his plate, when the door from the study opened.
"His Royal Highness, Prince Mycroft!" All the servants stood straight as the prince entered the room.
"I apologize for my tardiness; there were some matters I needed to look into." He sat in his chair and the serving began once again. "What are we having?" he asked as the silver dome was removed from his plate.
"Stuffed crab, Mrs. Hudson's specialty," Sherlock responded with a small smirk.
"And your favorite," Mycroft said with an odd smile and narrowed eyes. Why did he always have to sound so disgusted with everything around him?
"Well, it is my birthday tomorrow," Sherlock reminded him with an icy smile.
"Aw, yes, happy birthday, brother mine." Sherlock kept his expression.
"Yes, yes!" his mother chimed in excitedly. "Your father and I would like to give you your present now if that's alright. But you must act surprised when we give it to you tomorrow!"
A frown was already starting to form on his face. If they didn't want his true initial reaction at the party, it couldn't be anything too great.
"Very well," he consented.
Queen Violet called to a man at the door to wheel something in. Sherlock's feeling of dread increased, especially as a large covered mass was rolled into the dining room. He had already deduced what it was by the time the sheet was removed.
A stone statue of himself was revealed. The sculpture was about ten feet tall and five wide. There was a large tome in its arms, the laws of the land he assumed. He really tried not to look too disgusted, and Mycroft's snickering wasn't helping. At least they had put him in his favorite and signature coat. Though the long distance gaze they had given him was a little dramatic. Overall it just felt…gaudy.
He whispered sideways to Mycroft, "Please tell me you got me something more practical."
"A new microscope and slides," he whispered back.
"Thank you!" he praised quietly, rolling his eyes while both his parents gazed at the statue.
"We'll reveal it at your party on the boat tomorrow, of course," the King smiled good-naturedly, though something in his eyes told Sherlock that he understood his feelings about it.
"You're going to put that on a boat?"
"The ship can hold it."
"Well… it's something. Thank you," Sherlock said awkwardly.
"Of course!" his mother raved. "We had hoped it would be a wedding present, but…" And there it was.
"Oh, come on!" he exclaimed. "You're not still on about that!"
"Oh, Sherlock, it isn't just us. The entire kingdom wants to see you happily settled."
"What about Mycroft? He's the elder son; shouldn't you be trying to fix him up instead of me?" A logical point, he felt.
Mycroft coughed uncomfortably. "I actually sent a message to the princess of Surhaven just recently."
"Princess Anthea?! She only came here once, for a ball. You barely know her."
"I believe we will make a good match. Mummy and Daddy approve, and I've only invited her to stay at the castle for a month so I may get to know her before my proposal."
"Still that's not very long," he argued. It felt better to focus the attention to his brother.
"Love acts quickly, Sherlock. And in our line of work, it sometimes doesn't matter at all; you must do what is best for the people."
"Surely, there are times where royalty must put themselves first!"
The queen stepped in. "Sherlock, we are done discussing this." The younger prince knew his place and clamped his mouth shut. He sent a glare to all those at the table before excusing himself. He stopped by the kitchens to ask Mary for a servant to bring the remainder of the meal to his chambers, then made his way across the castle to his room.
"Hello, mother," Molly said, floating in front of the large statue that marked her mother's grave. This section of the cemetery was blocked off by a tall fence and guards posted at the four corners. As the Bubble Festival marked the queen's birthday, many people were placing gifts against the fence however, and a few extra guards were placed on duty to monitor them.
The festival had started the year Molly's parents were married, but carried on after her mother's death to commemorate her happy life. Molly was glad to have the festival. It meant she didn't have to celebrate the day something tragic happened, but the day her mother existed. She could tell her father felt the same.
"I'm sorry I wasn't at the parade." She spoke aloud. The fence and guards were far enough away she felt she could. "My excuses are never very good, I'm afraid… I brought you something." She sat on the ground and rummaged in her bag before slowly pulling out the bubble blower from that morning. "I know how much you loved bubbles." She smiled before blowing air into the object. Just as before, bubbles exploded from the open end, even making some of her hair move upward. She giggled. "Do you remember when we went to the bubble fields and swam around in the streams that came out of the ground? The water was so warm there…" She looked down at the object. "I'm sorry I can't leave this here. One of the guards would surely take it to father and that wouldn't be very good would it?" She stowed the bubble blower back in her bag.
"Not all humans are bad are they, mother? Of course, you may be a little biased now," Molly commented sadly, remembering how her mother had died. But pirates were different, weren't they? They killed humans and fish; her mother was no different to them. "I'm sorry, it's just… all I seem to want to do is explore that world above the sea. You used to love going on the shore, warming your fins on the sand. Father would never let me do that. He's still upset over what happened to you. I don't blame him obviously, but sometimes I just wish… I just wish he wasn't so strict about it. Can I tell you a secret, mum? Sometimes, oh it sounds ridiculous, but sometimes I even wish I had legs, human legs! I could run and walk and dance…" She laid on the ground and giggled. "…especially dance. Can you imagine it, mother? I think you would have fun dancing. It's not like it is down here at all. At least, I don't think so."
Molly heard something swimming towards her and sat up. "Princess Molly! Princess Molly!" She looked to her right and saw one of the messengers coming towards her. He stopped about five feet away as she got up; a few of the guards eyed him wearily, though they knew he was from the castle. "Lady Meena requested your presence; she said it was urgent."
Molly rolled her eyes; Meena always said it was urgent. "Very well. Thank you." She dismissed him and swam back to the castle.
Meena was waiting in the hallway when she arrived. "Ready to go?" she asked as soon as she got there. Molly knew what her friend meant. She was asking if they could go to the cave where she kept all of her human things. They would need to add their hair thing and bubble blower to the collection before they were found and reported.
"I'm going to be exhausted by the end of the day with all this swimming," Molly teased.
Someone watched as the two mermaids smiled at one another and swam off.
"Yes, swim away my little princess," said a chilling voice as its owner watched a projection of the sight. Brown eyes and a blue tail glinted in the shadows. "You would have had your legs a lot sooner had you not broken off our engagement, Molly. But look at you, still a fish, and me, not even allowed to celebrate her majesty's birthday. What a celebration, indeed. Bubbles!" he scoffed. "Irene!" The projected scene flipped around to show a beautiful mermaid with long dark brown hair that covered her bare breasts. She was obviously swimming.
"Yes, your highness?" She sounded annoyed.
"Keep a close watch on the princess. She may be the key to Atlantica's demise." He giggled.
Irene rolled her blue eyes at her boss's dramatics but swam faster to catch up with the mermaids.
I hope you like it! I've had this idea for so long but have been afraid of the commitment of a multichapter. I wanted something that really mixed Sherlock and The Little Mermaid and gave you recognizable elements of both but was still a different story. Hopefully, I have and will get that across to you successfully.
Thank you so much for reading!