MELODY!!!!! The cries of delight could be heard throughout the palace as the royal children discovered the surprise. Melody got a hug from each of them as they reached her. I didn't tell you she was coming, explained Justin, because I wanted it to be a surprise! Well you should have! Coral exclaimed. We could have been planning something for all of us to do together! Or had time to fix ourselves up! Serena said. Serena was the third eldest of the cousins and very beautiful! Some say that she was the most beautiful Mermaid in the ocean. She had long shiny Blue hair that reached past her fins. She would sit for hours and brush her hair as she admired herself in the mirror. She was quite vain! She had an orange tail and a yellow top. Whenever she was just wandering around the castle she did her hair in two braids and had a headband made of pearl, which was what she was wearing now. I think it's perfectly lovely to surprise us like that! Said Pearl the forth eldest. Pearl was always agreeable and tried to make everyone happy. She had blond hair that was accented with brown streaks; her shells were purple as was her shell hair clip and shell earrings. Her tail was also purple! Her neck was adorned with a string of perfect white pearls. Her green eyes were one of her best features and they always seemed to be happy and smiling. Thank you Pearl! Justin exclaimed in exasperation and happy to be defended, at least someone appreciates my surprise! We all appreciate it! The others chimed in. Well then let's show it by not bickering for Melody's entire visit shall we? Lily piped up. Lily was the quietest of the Cousins; she didn't waste words so when she said something everyone listened! She was one of the youngest cousins. Her hair was so light that it looked white! Her eyes were a light blue, her shells were orange and her tail was blue. Melody laughed and Justin and the rest of the Cousins agreed. So off they swam to spend the rest of the day wreaking havoc upon the palace.

Leah felt as if all hope was lost as she again was forced to hold her breath for an insane amount of time. Someone was pulling her deeper down into the water. She tried to kick her legs faster so that she could keep up with whatever was pulling her. She looked around under the water and noticed that they were swimming in an underground tunnel. It seemed to go straight for a while but then suddenly it went directly upwards! Leah was trying as hard as she could to keep up with whatever was pulling her along but she felt like seaweed that had no will of her own and had to move wherever the tide pulled it, so she allowed herself to be dragged along. Finally the figure seemed to break to the surface. Then it pulled her up and she gave a loud gasp as she yet again breathed deeply of the gift that was air. She looked over to see what had been pulling her along all of this time. It was the dark eyed man! She gave a cry of surprise and then another when she discovered she could make noise again! He motioned for her to be quiet and then pointed to an object floating on the water a short distance away, a boat! Leah smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. She wouldn't have to swim all the way to land! The man again grabbed on to her arm and pulled her towards the boat. She followed as fast as she could. Finally they reached the boat and the dark eyed man got in and pulled her in after him. When they were both in the boat Leah collapsed and he rested for a moment. Then he got up and grabbed an ore and began to move the boat along. Leah wanted to help so he gave her another ore and they quietly began to row away from the cliff side fortress and into the unknown sea that lay before them.

Melody was having the time of her life! She felt so at home in the sea! Her Cousins were doing everything that they could to make her feel at home. They taught her games that they could only play with their tails like kick the coral, and fin tag. Melody had no trouble learning the games and even helped make up a few new ones. Everyone was so happy! But everyone could feel that someone was missing and they knew that they needed Leah to truly be together. But they tried to keep themselves busy to keep their minds off of it. To keep them out of trouble Melody's aunts had suggested that they help with the younger cousins for the afternoon. There were tons of them! Seven of them belonged to Aunt Arista alone! The younger ones always made Melody giggle because of their crazy antics! At the moment they were trying to race with their rocking seahorses across the nursery. Melody laughed as she watched them. She held baby crystal one of the youngest who had not learned to swim yet. Crystal smiled up at her Cousin whom she had just met. Melody rocked her back and forth as the merbaby searched her face. Melody began to hum a sweet tune that soon put the baby to sleep. Some of the cousins thought that this was a boring way to spend the afternoon but melody assured them that it was fine. She reminded them that while they always had family around them, she was an only child and she loved spending time with all of her family as much as she could. The younger ones were especially fond of stories about land. Melody told them all about what she did on land and what people do for fun. She loved to watch their faces as she told them all about faraway places her father's ambassadors had come from. She told them about places where it was all sand and no water! They couldn't believe it! Soon they began to play a pretending game about all the faraway places. Melody couldn't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon!

Leah woke with a start. She had fallen asleep! For a moment she couldn't remember where she was but then it all came flooding back! She sat up in the boat and looked around. As far as she could see there was nothing but water! Suddenly she remembered the man! He was still rowing! She didn't know what to say or how to say it, so she just said the first thing that came to her mind: Hello. The man turned and looked at her. Hello, he said, glad to see your awake your highness. Please, Leah interrupted, call me Leah. Leah, he repeated the name. Hello Leah, he said. Hello um… Leah said. Terence, the man replied, my name is Terence. Hello Terence, Leah replied smiling. There was an awkward silence until Leah finally spoke. Thank you, she said, for saving me. Terence shrugged his shoulders. He didn't seem to be one for words. Why did you save me? She asked. He sighed and turned to look at her. Why would I let you stay there? He asked. The way he said it made Leah feel guilty for even asking! Who are you? She asked. How did you know I was in the cell? Terence turned away from rowing and sat down facing her in the boat. I worked for Murgan the sorcerer and I overheard him talking about you with the witch. I heard he soundproofed the room and I thought it seemed like an ideal time to escape. So I found your cell and the axe and decided to try. Leah's mouth dropped open. He talked of working for the sorcerer and escaping as if it were no more than saying "I'm going for a swim". You worked for the sorcerer? She asked starting to panic. Not of my own free will, Terence replied, no more than a slave really. Oh, I'm sorry. Leah apologized. Thus far she had done nothing but ask her rescuer nosey questions! He didn't say anything. It seemed like he was staring at her trying to decide if he could trust her. She was feeling the same way. Leah realized that now that she could see him better in the light he didn't look much older than her! Leah hated awkward silences so she decided to ask where they were going. I don't know, Terence replied, don't you have family on the surface somewhere? Leah gasped! How could you possibly know that? She asked indignant. Does the sorcerer know about them? What is he planning? Terence didn't say anything. He just turned back to rowing the boat. The sorcerer has no idea as far as I know, Terence said after a moment. Then how do you know? Leah asked. Terence just shrugged his shoulders. However he knew he certainly wasn't going to tell her! Leah decided not to push the subject. Yes, she said, I do have family on land, in Caledonia actually. Terence only nodded his head and continued to steer the boat. Oh! Leah cried out. What? Terence asked turning his head sharply to see what had happened. Oh, my mother! She must be so worried! My father too! How can I tell them I'm okay? Can't you send them a message? Terence asked. Yes! Leah said excitedly, then her heart sank. No I can't, she said sadly, I'm not a mermaid anymore. You are a mermaid, He said sharply, don't ever let Murgan win! Leah looked at him puzzled. What do you mean? She said asked surprised at his outburst. He turned and looked directly into her eyes as if trying to make her understand. Your highness, you are still a Mermaid… even when you don't look like it. But murgan- she tried to interrupt. Murgan did nothing except hide your true physical form. You see… Murgan has a lot less power than you think he does. He has not yet learned how to cause a complete transformation… only a physical one, so you are still the same old Mermaid that you always were… you just look different. Leah smiled at this comforting thought and nodded her head. She would contact her family! She decided contacting her cousins would be the best option so she closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she placed one of her hands in the water and sent her message.