For the Love of a Human

A/N: All characters and themes you recognise belong to the incredible JK Rowling; no profit will be made from this story.

This fic (of three parts) was written for the DAII forum's Fairytale Challenge. The classic fairytale prompt I chose this time was The Little Mermaid: Write about Merfolk. It was also written for the Challenge Versatility Challenge: Write a canon-compliant story. I absolutely love the Disney version (not so much the original, sad version) and therefore couldn't resist doing this story. I hope you like it!

Optional prompts:

Dialogue: "We were always meant to fall apart."

Picture: (1) Of the woman and her two sea monsters, ruling the waves.

Word count: 3446 words


Part One

"Kelpie! Avalon! Come away from those reeds!" Araxie called to her two Grindylows.

They came swimming towards her, each competing against the other to see who would get to their mistress first. Once or twice, Kelpie would turn to Avalon and try to rake her green skin with his long claws, only to be whipped in the face by the latter's tentacles. Smiling, Araxie swam backwards, coaxing her pets further towards the safety of the cave she called home. She loved how they would obey her and stick by her side. They were more than just protection; they were company.

Unfortunately, her father didn't seem to agree, announcing his presence with a bellow, "Araxie!" Spinning around, the young Mermaid turned to meet his frustrated gaze. "Araxie, how many times have I told you? The Grindylows aren't toys. I need them for the challenge today, and I can't have you wearing them out."

"Yes, father." Araxie blinked at him, softening her golden eyes in a way she knew her father couldn't resist. She was his princess and could never remain angry for too long.

As she predicted, Trenton sighed, breathing out a few bubbles as he looked at her. She gave him a smile, revealing her beautifully maintained, sharp teeth. Shaking his head, he looked up through the murky water towards the surface, seeing the barest hints of sunlight. Araxie didn't know how he could tell, but her father always seemed to use that method to tell the time.

"Alright," he relented, moving to stroke Avalon on her green head. The Grindylow bobbed upwards, embracing his touch. "Why don't you be a good girl and help with the students coming down? There'll be here any minute and the guards may need some assistance tying them to the floor."

Araxie nodded. Placing a quick kiss on her father's grey cheek and waving to her pets, she headed off to the outskirts of the village. Sure enough, when she reached the small embankment where the tournament would take place, several Merpeople were frantically moving about, trying to figure out how to attach the four young humans to the ground.

"Use the statues," she said, coming to her friend, Kai.

The Merman winked at her, and she found her heart give a little jolt. Out of all the Mermen she knew, he was the most handsome and sought after. Not only was his tail well-maintained with fish oil, his fingers were the most webbed and his voice the most enchanting. He was probably distantly related to a Siren somewhere along the line, for he could certainly draw her in when he sung. Best of all, he listened to her.

Gripping the seaweed nearest him, he pushed himself down to the tail of one of the stone statues guarding their village and knotted it around. Then, signalling to her to take hold of one of the humans, he tied the other end to its foot.

"Funny creatures, aren't they?" Araxie asked, inspecting the human's face. It was really too pale, with two, funny-looking pieces of hair above its eyebrows. The human's long hair was an awful shade of brown, and Araxie found herself subconsciously brushing through her own, luscious green locks. Thank Neptune she was a Mermaid.

Kai tilted his head, surveying it. "I dunno, if you maybe inked the hair it wouldn't be so bad."

Araxie laughed, nudging Kai. "Ugh, as if. I bet they shriek instead of sing."

Kai rolled his yellow eyes but smiled. Tugging on her arm as a horn sounded in the distance, he led her away so they could watch the game. She happily complied, revelling in his slimy touch. There was nothing more perfect than a Mermanhow could anyone ever fall in love with a human?