A:N: Sorry it took me so long. My computer broke down, and I had to get fixed. I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 1
My mother was a great queen. She had married her childhood love and had me. We lived in a kingdom of peace and happiness. I always looked up to my mother. I wanted to be as strong and brave as her. She was second in power to Aqua Regina, the ruler of the seven seas. People had said that when I was born, I had my mother's power. This was because I was the keeper of the Orange Pearl, the most powerful pearl. I could fend off enemies without changing into my idol form or without a microphone. My voice could either cause or stop storms or tsunamis. It was my mother's power, and she bestowed her gift upon me. I was her successor, and she taught me to follow in her footsteps.
While I was growing up, I had a best friend named Coco. She was princess of the South Pacific Ocean and keeper of the Yellow Pearl. She was gentle, playful, and loyal. She and I are very different in terms of appearance. She had long yellow hair, and yellow eyes with a beautiful tan that went well with her white skin. I had long curly orange hair, orange eyes and skin as white as alabaster. There could never be anyone who was closer to us than each other. We were always interested in fairy tales. Together, we pretended that we were damsels in distress and mermen princes would rescue us. We were also mermaid princesses who defeated the evil king of Panthalassa. When my mother was a mermaid princess, she had helped defeat the evil King of Panthalassa, who was imprisoned in his own castle. We hoped for love and happily ever after.
When I was eight years old, we heard that the king and queen attempted to escape, taking with them their one year old twin sons. My mother and her comrades of princesses, now queens of their own kingdoms, didn't want them to escape. They stopped them, and they killed the king and queen, and imprisoned the older twin, but the queen had successfully saved the younger twin brother. Before she died, she took him to the human world. The queens of the seven seas decided to let him go. I once asked my mother why she had let him go, if we had imprisoned the older one. My mother answered that because the boy was going to be raised in the human world, then he will not know his true race. If they let the twins remain separated, the more pain the older brother suffered. Coco and I feared that even though the older twin was imprisoned, he would soon cause trouble in revenge for what the mermaid princesses had done to his family.
Not only was I interested in fairy tales, but I was interested in what was above the water. I had heard that the earth had revolved around a beautiful light that lights up the solar system. I wanted to see its shine. It was better than the dark sea I lived in. There were animals that I had never seen. There were trees, plants that could touch the sky. Most of all, I wanted to see humans. I had heard that mermaids and humans were alike. The only difference was that mermaids had fins instead of legs. Mermaids could turn into humans on land, but when they touch the water, they turn back into mermaids. I also heard that if a mermaid turns into a human and falls in love with another human, and shows him her true form, then she will turn into sea foam. Even though I wanted to see the human world, and maybe fall in love with a human, I knew better than to turn into a human or I would be sea foam.
On my ninth birthday, while everyone in my kingdom were preparing for my birthday party, Coco came over, and I asked her, "Coco, let's do something different for my birthday!"
"Like what Sara, do you want to be the Evil King of Panthalassa?" Coco asked.
I shook my head, giving her a mischievous smile, and said, "I was thinking about something more exciting. Would you like to see the sun which breathes life in all living beings?"
I saw on Coco's face there was a look of fear. She knew that until we turned thirteen, which meant that we were full-fledged adults in the water world, we could not go above the water. "Sara, that is dangerous! We would get into so much trouble." I knew I shouldn't have gotten Coco into this. She always followed the rules. She was sweet-tempered and obedient. I felt guilty that if we did get into trouble it was because of my selfish reasons. Was I really a good friend to Coco, who besides my parents were more precious to me?
Coco, who seemed to read my thoughts like always, said, "It's okay Sara. It's your birthday, you are not going to get into trouble. Let's do something fun for a change. We are not going to the human world are we?"
I shook my head, "No, that is dangerous we would definitely be in trouble. We are just going to the surface, see the sun, and go back straight to the castle. Okay?" I winked at her reassuring her that everything would be okay.
Coco took a deep breath, "Okay, but let's not be long, please, Sara," she begged.
I nodded. We went out of the castle, and we were just about to go up to the surface, when suddenly a voice said, "Princess Sara! Where are you going?"
I turned around and saw that it was Lin, a coral spirit that protects our kingdom. I waved at her, and said, "Don't tell my parents but we are going to the surface!"
Lin looked at us aghast, and said, "Princess Sarah! You can't do that it's dangerous!"
"It will be fine. Please don't tell my parents where we are going, please!" I begged and giving her a puppy dog face hoping she was not going to tell my parents.
She sighed, "Very well, but do not be long."
I squealed with utter delight, and I hugged her, "Thanks Lin. I don't know how to thank you enough to show my gratitude."
"Just have a great birthday, Sara. It's not everyday that a woman turns nine years old," she replied.
Coco and I then started swimming to the surface. We could not help but notice that there was a shining circle of light. When we arrived above the surface, it was so bright that it hurt our eyes. It took us a while to get use to this amount of light; in the meanwhile we were crying about the pain. The first thing we saw was the Sun. It was a huge yellow ball of light. Never did I see anything shine so bright or so beautiful. We also saw white fluffy pillows in the sky called clouds, white flying creature, called seagulls. I wanted to be a seagull to fly up to the sky and lie down on one of the clouds, and look up at the world, a world above the ocean. Did the seagull know that I envied him? Did he know that he was the luckiest creature on this planet? I long to be the seagull, I wanted to travel to go on land see places I'll never visit, see things I've never seen before. For once that seagull had a place in my heart. It made me realize that there was something missing in my life. It was freedom. Freedom to explore the world around me.
"Let's go, Sara. If we stay a moment longer, then we will get into trouble," Coco said.
I groaned. I knew she was right. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to watch the seagull soar into the air, but I knew she was right. I did not want her to get into trouble. Reluctantly, I followed Coco back into water. On our way back to the castle, Coco said, "Promise me, Sara. Promise me you will not go to the surface until after your coming-of-age ceremony. I do not want you to get into trouble. We will be lucky if we did not get into any more trouble now. Promise me, Sara. Please!"
Tears were streaming down her eyes. She cared for me, and I cared for her. Never was there such an excellent friend than Coco. I hugged her and whispered softly, "Do not worry Coco. I promise. Now dry your tears, and let's enjoy my birthday party."
She beamed and wiped her tears. We did not get into trouble. We made it back safely, and enjoyed my ninth birthday party. Even though I yearned to go back to the surface, I kept my promise. I didn't want to worry my friend. She was dearest to me. I vowed that I would protect her and keep her safe.
The most memorable birthday of all was my thirteenth birthday. It was the year I would begin my life as a new adult. It was also the day when everything started to change. I remember waking up to my mother's order to come to the throne room at once. I knew that it was important. My mother rarely called me to her throne room unless it was to discuss business. When I arrived, my mother and father were smiling at me and said, "I have some good news for you Sara."
I waited, hoping that they would say more, but when it was obvious they didn't, I asked, "What is it?"
"You are engaged to be married, my sweet princess," my mother said.
I was shocked. I was going to be married! I thought I was too young to be thinking about marriage. I also couldn't believe that my parents were arranging a marriage, and I was not going to marry for love.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"His name is Prince Phillip. He is the prince of the South Atlantic Ocean. He has a six-year old sister names Hanon, who owns the Deep Blue Pearl. Remember him, you were dancing with him on your twelfth birthday. He immediately has taken a liking to you. He wishes to marry you. He is going to be here at your coming of age ceremony."
I remembered him barely. He was four years older than me. I knew that as a princess I had to marry a prince, but I could not believe I had to marry so early. I didn't know that dancing and flirting with Prince Phillip would send me to a wedding march!
"So, we are not only celebrating you becoming an adult, we are also celebrating your betrothal to Prince Phillip!"
"How can you expect me to go through an arranged marriage, when you married for love! Why can't I marry for love?" I asked angrily, trying hard to bite back my tears. At that moment, I wanted to despise my mother. She was using me as a pawn to strengthen her alliances with the other kingdoms in the seas.
"It is because you are a princess. You must sacrifice your happiness for the good of your kingdom!" my mother said angrily.
"Why mother! Why? I'm sure that the kingdom must also wish for my happiness!" I couldn't help it. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I was crying, and I hated my mother.
"Quit being selfish, Sara! That is your duty. As Princess of the Indian Ocean, you must take responsibility. Now get dressed so you can meet your betrothed!"
I ran to my room, and I cried. It wasn't fair. Why must I be so unhappy? Why did I have to marry a man that I did not love? I looked back on the memories I had of the two of us dancing together. He was very charming, and I found myself thinking that maybe I could love him. I dried my tears and I dressed to greet my fiance.
I met him after my coming-of-age ceremony. He was handsome. He had blonde hair and green eyes. He did not look like he was the keeper of the blue pearl's brother. "Good evening, Princess." He kissed my hand, and his lips lingered on my hand. I was repulsed by his action. He seemed a fake. He was not the prince I had dreamed of. I tried not to show my disappointment.
"Good evening," I said. I was surprised with how there was no emotion at all in my voice. It was cold and lifeless.
I took his hand in mine, and we danced. I was nervous. I would have flirted with him to make the mood light, but I wanted to know much more about the man who would soon be my husband.
"You are very beautiful. Never before have I ever seen such a beautiful mermaid." I blushed. We danced around in water. His blue tail leading in the dance, and my orange tail following the beat.
"You are very charming," I said.
"That's because I'm a prince. It is my duty to woo princesses," he said. I gasped. He definitely was not the prince that I long for.
"Why do you want to marry me?" I asked him, anger seething inside me.
"A very beautiful princess would make an excellent wife to a handsome prince, don't you think?" he said smiling. I realized that he was not in love with me. He was a narcissist. I could not believe my parents were making me wed a prince who only loved himself. It seemed forever before the dance was over, and they proclaimed my marriage to the people in the ceremony.
It was tradition for mermaids who turn thirteen to get their cards read for the first time. I was curious. This was one event I was looking forward to most. I wanted to know what my future would be like. I wanted to know if I would ever be happy, and if it could help me get out of my situation with the prince. I knew that if I married him I would be miserable. The fortune-teller arrived, bringing the mermaid cards, which is known to depict the mermaid's future accurately.
She shuffled the cards and looked at the many different pictures that I could not make out that had to do with my future. "What would you like to know?" she asked, studying my cards.
"Will I get married to Prince Phillip? If so, will I be happy?" I asked excitedly, getting out of the seat. I had to know that I would be happy to live the life I always wanted.
"You will never marry, and you will never be happy." she said. I was shocked. This was a nightmare. It couldn't possibly be! I did not want to be unhappy.
"What to you mean?"
"You will betray those dearest to you. You will live a life of treachery, hatred, and revenge. You will destroy your kingdom and join the evil prince of Panthalassa, and help destroy other kingdoms. Many who lives in the sea will die by your hand!"
I wanted to scream. This could not be happening. How could I destroy my own kingdom's and my best friend's? "I will never resort to evil!" I screamed.
"The cards never lie, Sara. This is your fate, but you will be redeemed. If you finally realize the true meaning of love, then you can help save others and restore the kingdoms. The kingdom of the seven seas relies on you. Only you can change the course of events," she said.
I didn't want to hear anymore. I did not want blood to be on my hands. She got up and left me. That will never happen. Why would I join an alliance with the Prince of Panthalassa, whose father my mother had defeated? I always thought that I would be a heroine. Never did I think I would be a villianess. "This is your fate, Sara," the fortune-teller said. No! It will not be my fate! I will not betray those I love! It is wrong. I have the free-will. I will never ever destroy those most dearest to me. The fortune-teller was wrong. It was I who controlled my future, not the cards. I would never betray my own kingdom. I am a princess, and I will let my kingdom and the kingdoms of the seven seas be peaceful. I will marry the prince of the South Atlantic Ocean. I will prove the cards wrong.
