Chapter: 4 The Catch of the Day

Tomas could hear the soft sound of waves crashing in the darkness. As if they were calmly surging against a flattened shoreline. His eyes slowly opened with irritation from the saltwater. They were reddened, and his eyelashes were dotted with chunky bits of sand. He coughed up seawater and flipped over on his back. He could feel the warm sand beneath him, already beginning to dry him off. He sat up to find himself marooned on a beach. A piece of the longboat had followed him, and was wedged in the sand prior to his body. The only reason he had stayed afloat was by grabbing hold of his Guardian trunk and using it as a floatation device.

Tomas' beard and hair were soaked in seawater and teeming with sand. His lips were dried and his nose was runny. He sniffled while looking from side to side, searching for his crew. With a hoarse voice, he garbled, "Hello? Anyone!" His cries went unheard, so he stood up with a grunt and decided to explore the beach. A soothing wind beat against Tomas' ears, distorting sound for a moment. He kept trudging onward while hauling his trunk and wiping the sand off of his body. Palm trees towered and rustled overhead.

Looking into the land beyond the beach, Tomas could see a mountainous region covered in lush, thick foliage. As he stepped further across the beach, he discovered a series of steep cliffs with rocky shoals beneath them. The face of each cliff was smooth and flat, as if someone had polished them with sandpaper. Tomas admired such a marvel of nature that he brushed his fingers across the formation, feeling the smooth stone. He stopped at the sound of a dog barking. A voice called out, "He's found something! What is it boy?"

Tomas strafed into one of the crevasses between the cliffs. He poked his head out to the sounds of louder barking. Lucky for him, the rising sun showed the approaching shadows, giving Tomas an advantage. He hid again, listening until the barking faded out. Tomas cautiously lifted his head back up to find himself face to face with a furry mess of slobber. An Old English Sheepdog gave him a huge lick and barked in alarm. Tomas wiped his face with a grimace as a man approached. He was younger than Tomas, and wore a white tunic with blue pants. A red sash was tied across his waist, and his black boots sunk into the sand. The man's blue eyes were nearly as bright as Elsa's, and his hair was as dark Zi's.

The sheepdog barked again until the man pet him. "Nice work, Max. You got him." Tomas readily gripped his trunk's latch, prepared to equip the Guardian at the first sign of danger. After all, who wouldn't want to earn themselves the title of killing the last of the Maelstrom? The man put up his hands in protest. "Wooooah easy! There's no need to be afraid. You must be Tomas."

Tomas glared with suspicion. "Who are you?"

"Your friends told me you'd be suspicious. They said it was in your nature. Although Zi did say you had a soft side."

"My friends?...Zi?" gasped Tomas. "Where are they?"

"Safe in my castle."

"You have a castle?"

The young man smirked with a sigh, "Yeah. I'm Prince Eric." He shook hands with Tomas while hoisting him to his feet. "You've already met Max." he laughed.

The sheepdog ran circles around Tomas as he knelt down to pet him. "How are you doing, furball?" He stood up once more. "I have a little companion too. His name is-" Tomas froze up.

"Is everything alright?" worried Eric.

"Lucky..." Tomas felt a twinge of fear within. He furiously searched his body for his satchel. "Lucky! My snowgie!"

"Snowgie?"

"It's hard to explain, but he was in my satchel. You probably think I'm crazy."

Eric laughed to himself with a shake of his head, "Trust me you don't. I'm married to a former mermaid." He shook his head, "Let's get back to my castle. Perhaps one of your friends has this satchel of yours."

"Yes," mumbled Tomas. He hastily followed Eric and Max across the shoreline as thoughts of Lucky made his heart race. He feared the tiny snowgie had melted in the ocean, or was even just all alone somewhere, trembling with fear. Soon the cliffside depressed and gave way to an enormous, white seawall. "Trying to keep something out?" wondered Tomas.

"Keeping someone in, actually." said Eric. "I'll explain inside." He waved towards to watchmen, and they opened the beach's gate for them. "I've found the final survivor!" he hollered, prompting the men to smile. Eric's castle was entirely white with the exception of its red, shingled rooftops. Several thick and thin spires protruded from the castle's center. The doors inside swung open, and then Tomas was led upstairs to the second level.

"TOMAAAAAAAS!" rejoiced Zi. She ran across the dining room floor to give him a grand hug. "I knew you were alive! I knew you'd make it!"

Tomas embraced her as well. "It's good to see you, Zi. What happened?"

"We were separated in the storm, and used Ben as a floatation device."

"His obesity makes for great buoyancy," added Alek as he munched on a slice of roasted pork.

"I knew my belly would come in handy someday," cheered Ben as he practically inhaled two dishes of noodles before making his way to the pork. He hummed with delight as he sipped a glass of wine.

"Well what are you waiting for?" urged Alek. "Come on, boy! Eat! Drink!" Zi helped Tomas to the table and he chugged down multiple glasses of water. He then began to cut up some meat for himself when Alek clinked a glass. "Gentlemen...and lady," he began. "This morning we celebrate our resilience. We pay tribute to those who lost their lives braving the terrors of the deep. But most of all, I once again express my apology for doubting you, Tomas. When all hope was lost, you kept us together. You helped us pull through."

"With all due respect," said Tomas. "This was a team effort, for even I cracked under the stress. Together, we braved the storms and slew the water drake. Together we made it here safely. This morning goes to all of us."

"Here here." Ben raised his glass as everyone cheered and did the same.

Alek and Tomas always found each other on opposite ends of the spectrum. While each was a born leader, they had methods that often contradicted each other. Yet still, when it came down to tenacity and unwavering courage, Alek could not help but admire Tomas. When it came to order, loyalty, and honor, Tomas found himself looking up to Alek. After all, he was older and much more experienced. But even teachers need to be taught a lesson sometimes.

"Does anyone have my satchel?" asked Tomas.

Everyone remained silent, "No, why?" asked Zi.

"That's where Lucky was before the wave," mourned Tomas.

"Oh Tomas..." grieved Zi.

"Poor little fella," sighed Tomas. "He was the bravest little ball of snow in all of Arendelle."

"Did you say a little ball of snow?" asked a woman. Everyone turned to see a red-haired woman in a sea foam colored dress. A golden tiara was nestled atop her head.

"Everyone, this is my wife." introduced Eric. "Princess Ariel."

All bowed in respect as Ariel said. "I heard our daughter, Melody, talking about one. I thought perhaps she was only joking, but-"

"Where is she now?" asked Tomas exasperatedly.

Eric replied, "I believe she's out playing in the town under the supervision of our servant, Grimsby."

As if on cue, a lanky old man came dashing up the stares in a sweat. "Prince Eric! Princess Ariel!"

"What is it, Grim?" wondered Eric.

"Where's Melody?" questioned Ariel.

"She wandered off from my sight again!" flustered Grimsby. "She's always sneaking away."

Zi stood up from the table, "I will find her. You rest here, Tomas."

"Are you sure?" worried Tomas.

Zi smirked, "Positive. After all, it's just like how I used to track down targets in my assassin days." She took two steps forward before turning back and cringing, "Except without...you know...killing anyone."

As they departed, Alek asked Ariel, "How far is this kingdom from Arendelle? We really must get home soon."

The redheaded princess pouted, "I'm afraid it's a very long way from here...IF you travel by ship."

"What else would we travel by?" pondered Ben. "Sea creatures?"

Ariel smirked.

Zi and Grimsby rode a carriage into the kingdom's grand marketplace. "This is where she gave me the slip," stated the old servant. "She's always doing this...the little ruffian."

"Not to worry," assured Zi. "I'll find her. What does she look like?"

"Little girl. Blue eyes like her mother and black hair like her father. It's usually styled in a ponytail."

Zi gave Grimsby a nod and wandered into the bustling marketplace. Her nose was soon invaded by scores of aromas. From flowers to food, the market had it all. She made her way through bundles of civilians and scoffed at how boisterous they were. She searched every cart and stand for Melody eventually stabling across something that caught her eye. A pair of smaller, watery footprints lay embedded on a sandy pathway. She brushed a finger against it and sniffed. "Saltwater," she whispered to herself. Zi followed the footsteps out of the market and up a grassy hill outside of town. As the foliage increased, the footsteps faded into nothingness. "Looks like I'm on my own from here." Zi brushed away some shrubs to find a cat sleeping. "Not Melody." She pushed down another shrub and found a seagull examining a telescope. The bird gasped at the sight of her and attempted to fly away. It was so clumsy, that it flew into a tree branch and knocked itself unconscious. Zi grimaced with a shrug, "Bizarre..."

In that instant, she heard a girl scream, "Give it back!" Her demand was followed by laughter. Zi crouched and made her way up the hill. Atop of it, she saw two older boys bullying a little girl. Her appearance matched Grimsby's description as she stomped her bare foot. "Stop it!"

"Stop what?" laughed the first older boy. A malicious smirk emerged on his freckled face. "This?" He held out Tomas' satchel just barely out of Melody's reach.

She hopped frustratedly, attempting to grab it. "Give it back! My new friend's in there!"

The other boy snorted, "Friend? Everyone knows you don't have any friends!"

Melody felt herself about to cry. Her face reddened and she slowly ran out of energy. "Ohoohooo," laughed the freckled boy. "I think she's gonna cry!"

"Princess Crybaby! Princess Crybaby!" mocked the second boy. "Princess Crybaby has no friends!"

"Yes she does," intoned Zi as she marched up.

The boys' eyes widened, "Who are you?" they said in unison.

Melody was just as confused, "Who are y-" Zi winked at her and she caught on. "Uh...I mean...Hey friend!" She glared at the boys. "She's my friend!"

Zi crossed her arms and stared down at the troublemaking teenagers. "Yes I am. And you have about five seconds to give back her bag, apologize, and leave her alone for the rest of your lives."

The teens took a moment to glance over at each other before laughing obnoxiously. They laughed so hard, they nearly fell over. "And who are you supposed to be?" taunted the freckled teen. "The red weirdo? Hahaaa!"

"Is she wearing pajamas?" snickered the other.

Zi had had just about enough. She lunged forward, simultaneously grabbing each teen by the ear. They squealed like babies and flailed about, unable to escape her assassin grip. Melody began to smile at the sight. "Drop...the...satchel," she growled. They did as she said and Melody quickly grabbed it. "Now apologize."

"What?" groaned one of the teens.

"I said APOLOGIZE!" Zi twisted their ears until they burned.

"We're sorry!" screamed one.

"Sorry sorry sorry!" writhed the other.

Zi smiled, "Good." But she would not let them go so easily. She then spun them around and grabbed them by their undergarments. Melody watched as Zi gave both teens a painful wedgie and hung them from the nearest tree by their underpants. She watched as they swung and panicked, unable to get down as their underpants tightened against the branch. The more they squirmed, the harder it pulled. Zi pointed up at them, "Now don't you EVER bother this girl again! Otherwise I will personally hunt you down. GOT IT?!"

"Yes ma'am!" pleaded one teen.

"Hail Princess Melody!" whimpered the other.

Melody blew them a raspberry as Zi offered her her hand. When she took it, Zi hoisted her up over her shoulders. "Thank you," said Melody.

"You are most welcome. I used to have bully problems when I was your age too."

"Really? How'd did you deal with them?"

"With a right hook to the jaw," laughed Zi. "They never bothered me again. I'm Zi. Your parents sent me to find you."

"I'm Melody. I wish they'd just let me have some fun for once. They don't even let me go in the ocean."

Zi shook her head, "Why?"

"I don't know!"

"Based on your smell, I'd say you go swimming anyway."

Melody panicked, "Pleeeeaase don't tell my parents!"

"Your secret is safe with me."

"Besides, if I hadn't gone swimming this morning, I never would have found this neat bag floating around. It's even got a little fella in it!"

"Little white snowball with stubby legs?"

"Yes? How'd you know?"

"It's my friend's bag, and he's going to need it back." Melody's eyes widened with fear, making Zi chuckle, "Don't worry. I'm not going to pull you up by your underpants."

"LUCKY!" grinned Tomas as Zi opened up the satchel. Out popped the tiny snowgie's head. He smiled and leapt into Tomas' muscular arms, practically disappearing in them. "I thought I'd lost you, pal! I was worried sick!" The snowgie squeaked while rubbing his head against Tomas' cheek. "You surely live up to your name, Lucky." he straightened the snowgie's blue ascot and sighed. "The gang's all here."

Alek turned to Ariel and Eric. "Now...about that transportation..."

"Oh of course," nodded Eric. He called over his female servant, "Carlotta, can you take Melody upstairs for her bath time?" As she did so, Ariel beckoned the company outside.

She led them to the seawall while explaining, "I am sorry, but you must understand that Melody must avoid contact with the ocean."

"Why?" asked Tomas.

"When I was a mermaid, I struck a deal with an evil sea witch."

"Is there such thing as a GOOD sea witch?" mumbled Ben before Zi slapped him upside the head.

Ariel continued, "She was defeated, but her sister Morgana vowed to hurt Melody. Until she is stopped, I don't want her to be anywhere near the water. Now quickly, while she's upstairs..."

"Your majesty!" spoke a deep voice from the surface of the sea. Everyone looked down to see a tiny red crab. "Yo fada is on de way."

"That crab is talking," said Alek. "That crab...is talking."

"We stopped a deranged maniac dressed as a bird nearly a year ago and recently fought a viscous reptilian in the depths of the ocean. We also serve queen with ice magic who spawned a talking snowman, and whose sneeze can birth a thousand snowgies." replied Tomas. "I think we can let a talking crustacean slide."

"It doesn't get weirder than that!" laughed Ben. Right after he said that, two lines of mermen in golden armor emerged from the water. They made way for a mighty, white-bearded merman with a glowing trident. Ben stared at his wine bottle and emptied it, "Guess I spoke to soon. That's enough alcohol for moi."

"Hail King Triton!" proclaimed the crab.

"Ariel," began the king. "Sebastian said you needed my help?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Can you get my new friends to their home as fast as possible?"

"For you, always." smiled the king as he raised his trident high. It began to glow gold before he zapped the surface of the water. His magic created a huge clam shell with coral seats in it. He then summoned fourth two dolphins and beamed them with his powers. He made the aquatic mammals thrice as big and strong, and connected them to the shell like horses to a chariot. "Hop aboard, and these dolphins will take you home."

"But how do the dolphins know where Arendelle is?" asked Captain Alek.

One of the dolphins turned and said, "I used to swim up there when the waters here got too warm. The fjord's a great place to take a relaxing swim by."

Alek sat back in his seat, "Now the fish are talking? What psychotic realm is this? What's going to talk to me next? A horse?"

"A horse? HAH!" laughed a seagull perched on the seawall. "Horses are too busy giving humans rides on their shmoopdawoppers and zazzledappers."

Alek covered his eyes, "I'm done...I'M DONE! Just take me home please."

"Scuttle!" scolded Ariel. "Don't scare our guests!"

"Well, we'd best be on our way." waved Tomas. "Thank you for everything, Ariel and Eric."

"Goodbye, Melody!" waved Zi.

"Onward to Arendelle!" cheered Benjamin along with the other sailors as the dolphins began to kick up waves with their tailfins.

"Talking crabs...talking dolphins...talking birds," Alek shook his head.