This chapter is inspired by the DC film, "Aquaman". Enjoy! :)

*.*.*

The Green Ring, as the merfolk called it, was a rounded dome everyone in Crystal City was traveling to for the match between Orm and Andalas. The dome was known for filling up with water whenever the Sirens fled the premises, and often draining whenever the Sirens returned to it.

It was an underwater spot, perfect for the Merfolk when selecting a new king. In this case, the choice was unanimous: Andalas would take the throne after today's match, for Rupert was surely dying and would fade soon.

The moment Andalas entered the corridor below the dome, he found it wasn't filled with water. Instead, it served as a place where the people could go before the match, getting whatever refreshments they could find. It made Andalas feel like what he was doing this merely for entertainment, then actually deciding who the new king would be.

"Good luck today, Andalas! I'll be rooting for you!" Rosetta cried, as Andalas walked towards the water barrier leading into the dome.

So, he would have to transform into a mer-hobbit here? Great. He knew how to fight on land, but in the sea? He'd be no match for Orm, who would probably kill him before he ever had the chance to defend himself.

Still, it was worth the risk, if he wanted to be the realm's new king.

He sighed, taking his silver triton. "Okay, I can do this." He readied himself, diving straight towards the water barrier and into the dome's water world. Right away, he was bare chested and had a blue tail for legs. All seemed to be well, as were the crowd gathered, who looked to be Merfolk of some kind.

He looked up, spotting Aslan above the dome's surface, observing the fight. He looked at Orm, as he charged towards him, prepared to whack him!

CLANG!

Andalas' triton met with Orm's silver triton. Orm somersaulted above him, stunning the poor mer-hobbit. The crowd cheered, loving the first blow, signifying the challenge had already started. Andalas backed away as Orm swam up to him before a circular stone platform in the centermost part of the dome.

"You're no king," Orm said, seriously. Andalas looked at him, wondering what the Atlantean's next move was. Orm continued berating him, telling him promptly, "You're not a prince! You just look the part."

"I'm a prince. I'm my mother's son," Andalas said, stunning Orm. Andalas smiled, admitting freely, "I won't fight you. I'd hate to do that."

"Well, here, you don't get to make that choice. You just attack," Orm said, backing away again. "You'll see I'm right." He charged at Andalas, forcing the mer-hobbit to back down.

Andalas hardly had time to think. Orm whacked his triton so many times in a repetitive dance. Andalas was forced to eventually swim away from him, just to give the Atlantean king time to recover. It wasn't enough. Orm kept charging at him… until he disappeared.

Andalas looked this way and that, wondering where the Atlantean king had gone. He spun around, long enough to see Orm swipe the air and slice his back.

"Ahh!" Andalas froze, finding himself falling towards the stone platform. Colors swam across his vision. His back throbbed, blood streaming out of the wounds, screaming at him to stop fighting Orm. No, he had to get up! He had to face Orm. He tried to swim, but failed. He was too weak to fight, his back suffering the most damage.

"Surrender. The crown does not belong to you," Orm said, furious.

Andalas stared, surprised that his long, jagged cuts on his back were healing, his blood no longer streaming out of the wounds. Overtime, his back healed, but the pain still resided. It was enough for him to shake off what he just experienced, enough for him to attack Orm again with another fierce blow.

His triton slammed into Orm's, breaking apart the seams. He let out a penetrating scream, collapsing on the circular stone platform again. His back ached, asking him—no, pleading him to stop and rest. He looked at Orm, right as the Atlantean readied himself for the final blow.

"I won't fight you. I'd rather die for this realm and these people, as well as my family, then face you down again and lose. I will certainly lose. It's just…" he ached painfully. His back had enough of this, "…kill me. I don't care. I just… want to sleep." He closed his eyes, right as Orm's triton swung at him.

It was over. Andalas opened his eyes, noticing Orm stand above him with a temperamental expression. Orm nodded, right as Rosetta, with her salmon tail and donned in a red seashell mermaid bra, came over to Andalas and placed her hand on the mer-hobbit's back. The sensation to his back went from hot to cold in a matter of minutes. He felt so much better, but still wounded. He looked up at Orm again, wondering if he would face him again.

"You have a battle scar. It will take time for your back to heal," Orm said, calmly. "You have passed the test and earned your place amongst your kin. Well done." He swam towards a blue-rimmed portal, leaving through it to his own water world.

"Ehhh!" Andalas groaned, feeling sleep breach his thoughts. The last thing he remembered, before passing out, was Parker's soft, cool, scaly light red dragonoid hand resting on his back, before the merfolk medics came over, tending to his wounds.

.

For a long time, all Andalas could see was darkness. Was he truly dead? Was he heading to the Portal Realm and be alive there? No. Instead, he witnessed a golden-brown Lion approach him. It was Aslan, roaring at him to wake up.

The throbbing pain returned to his back, but it had lessened. He was so heavy; he could barely move. He slowly opened his eyes, doing his best to focus on his surroundings. He felt his chest, finding he was shirtless, but thankfully still had his breeches on, though they were a lighter shade of brown.

He peered up into the face of his flaming red-haired mermaid lass, who still looked like a human and a hobbit. She even had short pointy ears. Ahhh, she was so beautiful.

"Rosetta," Andalas said, weakly. He tried sitting up, only to find several hands were on him, stopping him for sitting up any further.

"Easy!" Parker said, allowing Andalas to lay down on his soft bed again. "You've been out for three days. Andalis has been switching off with Melissa, keeping watch over you. Rosetta's been by your side this whole time, and so have I." He added, once Andalas was wide awake, "I'm afraid you'll have back troubles for the rest of your life. Orm attacked you good, but thankfully your spine is okay and your wounds are healed. You were lucky."

"As opposed to my father. He didn't survive," Andalas said, moping as he rested his head on his pillow. He sighed, admitting in a calm manner, "I am my mother's son. I'm surprised my fingernails didn't extend the day I fought Orm."

"No, that's Mara's curse, not yours," Parker said, wondering if Andalas was merely imagining his fingernails extending as he faced Orm.

In fact, Andalas was imagining just that. He imagined another outcome in which he fought valiantly against Orm. Andalas' fingernails extended after he told Orm, "I am my mother's son," before slicing Orm's arm and breaking his silver triton.

Ah! Andalas only wished this dream would come true. Sadly, life had other matters for him to attend to. Oh, how he wished he could have a rematch against Orm, but would it be worth it this time?

He looked up the second Orm approached him. No way! Orm could walk on land? What did he want?

"I won't let you face me again. I'll only beat you up, like I did the last time," Orm said, calmly.

"There's no need," Andalas shook his head. "I don't think I could face another battle like that again, not without paralyzing me completely."

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Orm said, lowering his head in shame. "What can I do to help you?"

"Just have our kingdoms unite. Atlantis can connect to the Land of Merfolk and Sirens in peace," Andalas said, not knowing this would be a vital move towards the Third Age. Did he know what this meant? He looked up at Orm in understanding. "I'm sorry things ended in violence."

Orm nodded. "Well, if you need anything, you'll have Atlantis' help. Farewell." He shook Andalas' hand, walking off with his head held high.

Parker looked at Andalas again, admitting to him, "Don't worry." He waited until after Orm was out of earshot before continuing, "I doubt we'll see him again."

"Maybe I won't, but you might have your chance with Orm. It might be a different story for you," Andalas said freely. He sighed. "I'm not going to be able to face anymore battles like this."

"Some wounds are internal for a reason, as are battles," Rosetta said with candor. "I have healing hands. I'll heal your back whenever you need it, but it seems like Parker has that gift, too."

Parker nodded. "Well, I am learning about my powers."

"Once you've healed," Rosetta told Andalas, "and can walk again, we'll go out to sea and tell the other underwater kingdoms about you and your fate. Also, King Rupert doesn't have long to live. Soon the crown will be passed to you."

Andalas nodded silently. Sweat beaded on his forehead. He watched Rosetta as she placed a wet washcloth on his head. Andalas reached up to her, knowing what he wanted to do. He pulled Rosetta in, kissing her on the lips. His heart thumped madly in his chest. He wanted her. He wanted to be with her! Was there a way for this to happen?

They released, leaving Andalas entranced. He didn't want to let her go just yet.

"That was beautiful," Rosetta said, hugging Andalas and kissing his hot arm.

Parker sat there, wondering what he was supposed to do with them. He looked away, finding it was better for Andalas and Rosetta to have their moment than leave them not having one at all.

.

It took Andalas a week to leave Crystal City's healing ward. By that time, his back healed up fully. Although, he still felt throbbing pain in his back from time to time, at least it wasn't too painful. At least, he could still walk or swim whenever he liked.

When he stepped outside the healing ward with Rosetta and Parker, Rosetta clinging to his arm, Andalas met up with Andalis and Melissa. He embraced them, happy to see them again.

"Come on! It's almost time!" Melissa said, exuberant.

"King Rupert's passing and you're excited about it?" Andalas asked, confused.

"No," Melissa said, stunning Andalis and Andalas. "I mean, it's sad that Rupert's passing, but it's exhilarating that you're about to be king of this realm! The Land of Merfolk and Sirens."

"Of course," Andalas said, not understanding her.

"Well, maybe we should go. Aslan's awaits us," Parker said, leading the group to the citadel, where the throne room awaited them.

.

The throne room was aquatic with blue sea life everywhere and green kelp in oceanic containers. Andalas stared in amazement at these containers, wondering if he would eat kelp as well. He turned to King Rupert, who sat on his white marble throne, ready to fade.

So many peoples, animals, and creatures were gathered around the throne, waiting for what Rupert might have to say. Rupert looked at Andalas, right as sharp pain breached the current king's side.

"Andalas," Rupert said, as Andalas approached him, "you must take my place… NOW! You have proven yourself worthy to be king and must now uphold the responsibilities of being one. I know what Parker Dooley says is true for your family, but when you become a Merfolk King, your wounds will no longer pain you… at least, for now they won't. You will be a survivor in the sea and to our peoples. Once you take my throne, your life will change. Do you accept these terms? Will you stand up for what's right and just in the Merfolk realm?"

"I will," Andalas said, looking up at Rupert now with wide, confident eyes.

Rupert nodded, right as he faded. "Then I pronounce you the new king of the Land of Merfolk and Sirens. All hail to the king!"

"Hail to the king!" the crowd said, as Rupert's advisors, now Andalas' advisors, led Andalas over to the throne. Andalas sat down, feeling Rupert's ghost overwhelm him. Andalas had a strange feeling, but accepted his fate, even as the golden Merfolk crown was placed on top of his head.

He winced in pain, looking up as Aslan blew on him. Aslan's breath flew to Andalas' back, the pain subsiding. He… he felt like a new hobbit again. It was so relieving. He looked up with a smile as Aslan spoke to him.

"I know what the Merfolk King said about your wounds," Aslan said, curtly. "They have healed, but the memories from your experience will remain. You are healed now and you are the new Merfolk King. That is how you will stay, and Frodo now has inheritance in both the Land of Merfolk and Sirens and in the Land of Talking Animals."

Andalas looked around, remembering Frodo. "Where did he go?"

Aslan sighed, looking at him in earnest. "Frodo is coming. He got held up."

"By who?" Andalas asked, watching as Frodo approached Andalas with candor.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Frodo apologized. "I'm sorry about what happened to you. I don't think I could stand watching another person die. I had to leave the room, before you got here, but I'm back now. So, that's what counts."

"It's all right. You're here now. That's all that matters," Andalas said, smiling at him.

"Thanks," Frodo said in relief.

Aslan turned to the crowd, making his announcement known to the citizens of Crystal City about Andalas' kingship. It was a good day. Now, Andalas could celebrate with his family… at least, until the coronation party ended that night.