I am so sorry for all of those that have reviewed, favorited, and put this story on alerts and I haven't updated in a couple years. I can't guarentee if it will be updated weekly, but I will try. Thank you again...

The Punishment

Serenity swam as slowly as she could toward her father trying to delay the inevitable. As she swam closer, the Special Guards closed in behind her to keep escaping from happening.

"I thought I made myself clear… though I think my words went unheard in that childish head of yours. You were supposed to stay away from humans, ships, and anything that will notice you. This is how we live and if you can't obey those rules you will stay below and on guard until I say you are mature enough to return to your privileges."

"But father he would have drowned if I didn't save him!"

"One less human in this dangerous world won't hurt anything. They are the reasons the oceans are no longer safe. If you were caught, who knows what they would have done to you…"

"But father he is a prince! They need him. They almost lost him to the ocean when he was little. If it wasn't for me at that time…"

"WHAT! That is it… you are no longer going to go to the surface! From now on you are under complete watch by the Guards until I say you have learned your lesson or are married to a merman that can keep you in line."

"FATHER!" Serenity cried out.

"I have said my judgment and now you must obey it. Go to your room now."

Serenity obeyed her father's orders and was followed out by the Guards. Her sisters stayed quiet in the corner huddled together watching sadly as their youngest sister received one of the harshest punishments that was given to them growing up.

Later that night, Serenity was sitting at her vanity looking at her locket that once was her mothers. She wished at that moment that her sisters especially Mina could be in there telling her that she did nothing wrong, but visitors were not allowed in when the sisters were under punishment. Serenity knew she'd broken the most important rule in the mermaid world, but inside she felt that she did the right thing by saving Prince Endymion and not letting 'one less human die'.

"I see that you want to be with this Prince Endymion. Well I can help you become the human you so desire." A woman said from the mirror in front of Serenity. Serenity jumped back not knowing that this woman was there watching her, let alone a mermaid in a mirror. "I know that this is quite shocking at first, but I'm willing to help you for a small price."

"Who are you?" Serenity asked swimming further from the vanity and mermaid looking back at her.

"Where have my manners gone? My name is Beryl. You may have heard of my forbidden techniques of turning merpeople into the humans or figures they want to be, but I call it a talent that most fear, including your father. What do you say? Do you want to become that human that you so wish to become and be with the prince of your dreams?"

"W… What's in it for you?"

"We can discuss that later when you come. I like to do 'consultations' in person that way I know what to ask for as repayment. I will have someone come and get you later on tonight so be prepared."

"But I'm under…"

"Yes, yes I know. Just be ready tonight. I only offer this opportunity one time and after that I won't be the easiest person to get a hold of." At that Beryl disappeared from the mirror and Serenity was left awestruck at what just happened and what could happen later that night. Deep inside where she never expressed her desires, she wanted to be human and be with Prince Endymion.

"Your highness, it's a miracle you're alive. We were so worried that you would never wake up." The doctor said from the foot of his bed.

"Wh…What happened?" The disoriented prince asked while he was trying to sit up.

"Your highness, please don't move too soon. You've had quite the traumatic experience in almost drowning. Some ocean god must have been on your side a couple days ago when you were washed up ashore. I want you to stay in bed for another few days and then I will come and check and see if you're able to go back to regular duties."

When the doctor left, Endymion settled back on the plump pillows and tried to think of the events leading up to his birthday, the sinking of the ship, being rescued by a beautiful young woman in the middle of the ocean, and being found on the beach not too far from the castle. When he thought of the young woman all he remembered was her beautiful blonde hair and how it almost looked white in the moonlight that briefly came out that night after the storm and the crescent moon shaped locket around her neck. As soon as he was able to move, he vowed to himself that he would find this mystery woman and know her name.

As the sun sank early under the sea, Serenity prepared for the possible escape from the kingdom and go to Beryl in order to become a human. Though she didn't know why she was so compelled to be human, the possibility of being with Prince Endymion was strong. After her sisters were granted a brief good-night from the Guards, Serenity lay down in her bed fanning sleep.

"Princess Serenity, it is time. Please come with me." A voice said from her vanity mirror. Serenity looked around and saw a different woman than Beryl in her mirror. This woman instead of having flaming red hair and a green jewel-encrusted crown, had jet black short hair with two different colored eyes, one yellow and one grey.

"How do I get to Beryl through a mirror?" Serenity asked quietly while slowly swimming over to her vanity.

"It is one of her many talents. As long as I am here to escort you, you can come through the mirror and have your wish granted to be human forever."

Serenity extended her hand toward the mirror and instead of it blocking her finger tips on a cold surface, it started to go through toward this mystery woman. As her hand went further into the mirror, the woman grabbed her hand and yanked her all the way through. Once Serenity was on the other side, she saw the woman instead of being a mermaid, was in fact half woman half jellyfish. As the woman led to Beryl's looming castle ahead, Serenity started to think that this was a mistake and thought of turning back.

"I'm sorry your highness, but once you pass through the mirror to Beryl, there is no turning back. This was your desire and Beryl has agreed to fulfill it." At this Serenity continued at a steady pace with the woman. When she moved closer to the entrance of the castle, she started to notice all the statues, gold, silver, and bronze of mermaids and mermen in different stances. On one statue she passed she saw what looked to be a mermaid covering her eyes with a pained expression.

"Does Beryl like to collect statues of mermaids?"

"Those mermaids and mermen didn't know what they got themselves into when they came here and couldn't repay their debts. This was there punishment. Some of the others that look pained tried to escape before going in because they had a change of mind. Just to tell you, if you have a change of mind, this will be your fate. Beryl never lets those that agree to her help and have seen her castle escape and tell the tale to anyone else."

The closer they loomed to Beryl's throne room, the darker the corridor became. When they entered, Beryl came forward and floated in front of Serenity measuring her up. Serenity noticed other than Beryl's overly curvy figure; her fin seemed to blend in with the darkness of the throne room.

"Please follow me your highness. I need to see what I have to work with and the subject of payment. Though I do know what I want from you, it's up to you if you're willing to give it up for this prince."

As Prince Endymion began to move around more, his man-servant Andrew knocked on the door.

"Your highness, I have a visitor. She said that she found you on the beach and wishes to meet you in person."

"Please come in!" Prince Endyimon said enthusiastically. As he stood with the balcony window open behind him, he watched as the woman came forward with Andrew at her side. For a brief moment he thought that he saw the woman from the ocean until the curtains shifted in the wind.

"Your subject of payment will be your voice. I've heard it since you were a child like every other merfolk in the ocean. Do you agree that if your voice will be your payment you will be granted human legs?"

"Yes."

"Then sign this contract. If you don't fulfill your promise of becoming a full fledge human and gaining the prince's love, you will be mine."

Serenity looked at the contract and pin waiting for her to sign. She took at deep breath and reached for the pin.