Last Voyage
Chapter Six: The Mermaids' Farewells
It was three days after Alannah had sung a last song for Elias, and the Bird was heading home, Alannah at the wheel. Elias had finally become too weak to stand, and with a heavy heart Alannah had helped him into bed, making him as comfortable as she could before heading to the tiller and lashing it eastwards. She kept her eyes fixed on the horizon, making minute corrections on the wheel, ears attuned to any sound. But the only sounds she heard were the crying of seabirds, the steady slap of water against the ship, and, worst of all, her father moaning and coughing as his life slowly slipped away. She wanted to collapse to her knees, but she couldn't. Instead, she gripped the wheel, her knuckles whitening, and screamed her agony to the skies, then jumped a foot in the air when she heard a voice.
"Lady Stayne, what is the cause of your wailing?" Serena was floating near her, her green eyes full of concern. Alannah blinked back tears, then spoke in a hoarse voice.
"My Daidi lies on his deathbed."
Serena gasped, her hand to her mouth. "I am so sorry, Lady Stayne. Your father is a good man, and has always been fair and kind to the merpeople. He will be sorely missed. If you do not object, my sisters and I would like to say goodbye to him."
"I do not, but Daidi cannot leave his bed. He is too weak."
Serena smiled. "That will not be a problem, Lady Stayne. I will fetch my sisters. We will return shortly." She dove beneath the waves, and returned moments later, followed by Lydia and Claudia. Alannah gaped as they leapt onto the deck, their tales vanishing to be replaced by legs. Serena stood up first, then helped her sisters up, laughing at Alannah's astonished face. "I told you it would not be a problem. Now, where is Captain Sullivan?"
"In his cabin. Please, do not cause him any exertion."
Lydia spoke up, her musical voice solemn. "We promise by the waves that we will not. Perhaps it would be best if we went in one at a time to pay our respects?" Alannah nodded, and Claudia smiled.
"So it shall be. Lydia, you are the youngest, so you may go first. Serena, you next, and I last. In the meantime, Lady Stayne, you must sit and rest. You are clearly exhausted. I will point the Bird toward home and let her steer herself. We will fetch you if you are needed In the meanwhile, rest and recover your strength." Claudia smiled at Alannah in a motherly way, and gently led her away from the wheel. "You can trust me."
Alannah smiled into Claudia's storm-grey eyes. "You watch over my youngest every time she goes to sea, Claudia. You and your people earned my trust and friendship long ago." She hugged Claudia, then staggered off to her cabin to get a little bit of rest.
Claudia nodded to Lydia, and she made her way into Elias' cabin. "Captain Sullivan?"
Elias blinked, his weak eyes struggling to make out the dim shape before him. "Yes?" he rasped. Lydia stepped closer, and Elias gave her a weak smile of recognition. "Lydia. To what do I owe the honor of a visit from the merpeople?"
"My sisters and I have come to pay you our last respects, Captain Sullivan. You are a true friend to us, Captain, and we will never forget you." The youngest mermaid came forward and kissed him on the forehead. "We will sing for you, Elias Sullivan. May the waves carry you home." She stood. "My sisters will be in to say their goodbyes shortly, Captain. Fairfarren."
Alannah felt someone gently shaking her shoulder. She opened her eyes, and Lydia gave her a soft smile. "Lady Stayne, your father wishes to see you." Alannah nodded, seeing the unspoken message in the mermaid's eyes, and climbed out of bed.
When she reached the Captain's cabin, Claudia gave her a gentle hug and kiss on the cheek. "He does not have long, Lady Stayne. Lady Death is near, but She will allow you to say your goodbyes. Come, sisters, we shall steer the Bird home." Her sisters followed her to the wheel, and Alannah took a breath before heading into the cabin.
The first thing that hit her was the smell. It was one that any healer could easily recognize. It was the smell of death. Her tears flowed freely as she walked over to the bed. "Daidi?" Elias's eyes were shut, and for one terrifying moment Alannah thought she was too late. But then her father's eyes opened and fixed upon her.
"My inion. Alannah, will you bury me next to Jessicah?" Alannah nodded, not trusting herself to speak, and Elias smiled. "Thank you. Alannah? I…I love you." He closed his eyes, and Alannah saw his chest settle. She kissed his cold cheek, sobbing.
"I love you, Daidi. Fairfarren."