authors note: I hope you've been enjoying the story so far. I know it might be a little slow but I hope you find that this chapter answers some of your questions as well as make new ones. Stick with me and I promise it will get better! Constructive criticism and reviews are always welcome! Thank you so much if you are reading!

Chapter 4

The morning after that terrible night, the Prince regained consciousness. He tried to open his eyes but the sun was blinding even with them closed and his head was throbbing. Instinctively putting his hand to his temple, he felt something odd. Still lying on the rock, he opened his eyes and began to pull at the sea weed wrapped around his head. He thought perhaps it had gotten there when he washed up on shore. He slowly pulled the upper half of his body up in order to sit upon the rock. As he did this, he noticed a stinging sensation coming from his right arm and rib. Still disoriented he looked at his surroundings. Less than half a mile away was the royal harbor. Relief hit him hard. He knew where he was. He had been to this part of the beach many times and it would only take an hour to reach the castle. After taking a deep breath, he noticed the sea weed wrapped around his legs and feeling more confused he started to untangle it. The instant he got the mess unraveled he had a vision. Not unlike a dream. He saw a young woman swimming him to shore, singing a song that sounded like rain and thunder. The Prince startled out of his trance by someone shouting his name.

"Jonathan!" The voice called.

He recognized it immediately. It was his youngest sister, Pearl. "I'm here."

He noted like he always had that she was a complete opposite of him. Where as he had dark hair and dark eyes, Pearl had pale blonde curls that bounced around her face when she moved.

"Jonathan! I knew you made it! Everyone said no one could have possibly survived but I knew you would!" Her words struck him. No one could have possibly survived. They were right. None of his comrades, his friends, had washed up ashore with him. Grief enveloped him. It was his fault they were dead. They were all celebrating the day of his birth when the rogue wave hit his ship. If it had not been for that, they would all be alive, sailing and fighting alongside him in the future.

Jonathan looked down at his sister who was inspecting his wounds. "We should go. You need to get cleaned up."

XXXXX

It was mid morning when a messenger knocked on the youngest sister's tall door made of wood from sunken ships with shell inlays along the edges.

"Princess, the queen would like to have a word."

The young mermaid knew exactly why the sea witch wanted to speak with her. There was no doubt that she had seen what happened the night before, as she was always aware of what took place below and above the sea. She wouldn't be happy about what the little mermaid and her five older sisters had done.

Quickly the youngest mermaid swam to the throne room passing through the large halls of the castle. The throne room was one of the most immaculate rooms in all of the castle with it's high ceilings and polished stone floors. In the middle of the ceiling hung a beautiful chandelier that was crafted with strings of fluorescent pearls, blue gems and coral. The throne was an elevated large bed of golden kelp, slowly swaying with the tide.

When the little mermaid swam into the room, the queen was sitting among the kelp practicing her potions which made clouds of bright purple bubbles. Behind the throne glass bottles, clam shells and gemstones were lined across the sand and stone shelves, all of them having magical properties.

"You wanted to see me." Said the little mermaid.

"Meri. I hope this morning is finding you well."

"Yes, thank you."

"I assume you know why you're here, that is, before our lessons." The young mermaid had forgotten all about her potion lessons the sea witch taught her. Not that she enjoyed them, she loathed the queen and she was far beyond the skills she was being taught. Perhaps beyond even her teachers skills. Her only motivation was to learn the sea witch's weaknesses.

"I do."

"Then I'll get right to it, you know my rules about meddling with royalty whom is not considered a foe." Sharp ice sounded in her voice. "It was enough for you to take down his craft but saving his life? Help me understand."

Seething hatred sounded through Meri's voice, "If it had not been for a swayed council, you wouldn't be sitting on my fathers throne. It is the birth right of myself and my sisters to rule. As far as I can see it, I am above yours."

"Ha! Your sister's are half wits and you are as blood thirsty as Poseidon himself!" The sea witch swam down from her throne to meet eye level with the little mermaid.

Meri stayed anchored. She didn't fear the queen. "I was only doing what we are meant to do. We have always taken down men with no prejudice. We have become mere folk lore to men ever since you came to rule where once we were seen as gods and goddesses. If my father were still alive he would weep at what you have done to our people."

The sea witch's eyes darkened. She had always hated the six royal sisters, jealous of their entitlement, but she hated the youngest the most. "I see you will not be swayed. From this day forth you are forbidden to swim to the surface. I will be watching you at all times, little Meri."