Suddenly, Sam charged at me, with the biggest grin I had ever seen, glued to his face.

"Lorelei!" he called out to me, as he ran down the street.

I hid my face behind the hood of my cloak. With the commotion he was causing, Sam was sure to draw attention to me. I could just imagine the crowd gawking, and saying, 'why is that boy calling the princess Lorelei?'

"Hi," he exhaled as he reached me, "what's wrong? You look sad."

For some reason, I found my self thinking of Warren, and how my father was going to act when Warren informed the king that he had lost me, yet again. I was going to have give something extra special to Warren for Christmas, as well.

"No, not sad," I replied a little more cheerily, "I was just thinking."

"Of me, I hope," smiled the sailor.

"Why, who else, Samuel?"

"Come on," Sam laughed, "We've got somewhere to be right now."

"Where?" I inquired.

"The horse races," answered Sam, "I've got money riding on Abbey Road!"

We sat together on the bleachers, as we waited for the race to begin. In fact, I had won a few competitions with Brisk on this very race track. I had no clue that the tracks doubled for recreational purposes, and by that, I meant gambling.

"I can't believe that you actually placed a bet," Sam admitted.

"Well, that just goes to show, that I'm full of surprises, Samuel," I replied coyly.

"You picked a good horse," Sam chuckled, "smart girl."

"You're only saying that because I bet on the same horse as you!" I pointed out.

The sound of a gunshot, unexpectedly flooded our eardrums, and we nearly jumped out of our skins. That was the cue for the race to begin. Somehow, the realization that there were other people packed into the arena surprised me.

The horses took off, like bolts of lightning, and zoomed around the race course.

"I have some questions about you, Lorelei," said Sam, glancing over to me.

"Is that so?" I tried to sound cool, not nervous, though I wasn't so sure I succeeded.

"If you were banished from the, um, mervillage so long ago," he began,"why did you have a tail when you rescued me just a few days ago?"

"All mermaids, have magic, Samuel," I answered, somewhat truthfully, "I have the ability to turn back into a mermaid, but only temporarily."

The horsed began their second lap around the tracks, at this point.

"Go Abbey Road!" we cried simultaneously, jumping up and down.

"Sit down," Sam ordered, "I still have more questions."

"Yes, sir," I giggled.

"Why do you live at the palace, and why did you need a decoy at the ball?"

My shoulders sagged. I hated having to lie to him like this, but I was already in so deeply.

"When I was first banished, and lost my fins, the princess found my lying on the beach. She took me in, and made me her lady in waiting, you see."

The story seemed pretty good to me, but Sam stared at me suspiciously.

"And the decoy?" he questioned with a singular eyebrow raised.

"Oh," I paused, for I needed a moment to think, "the king is dead set against having servants attend his parties, unless their working, that is. Considering I really wanted to see you again..."

"Sounds like the typical rich person," scoffed Sam.

That comment was a little bit offensive, but then I remembered that Sam didn't know I was royalty.

"They're not all bad," I defended.

"Didn't the princess miss you at the ball last night?" Sam asked unexpectedly, "I mean if no one was there to tie her shoes..."

"The princess is perfectly capable of tying her own shoes!" I shouted.

Sam stared at me a minute, obviously confused, "Okay, no need to take it so personally."

As Sam finished his sentence, the tired horses began their third and final lap around the course.

"Hurry up, Abbey Road!" we screamed together.

"You know," I asked, turning to Sam, "I have a question for you too."

"Shoot," he smiled that adorable smile at me.

"How did you get into sailing, in the first place?"

Sam froze, his smile completely dissolving from his face, "I don't really talk about that."

"Okay, I'm sorry," I apologized, feeling a little bit dejected.

We sat on the bleachers in awkward silence for a moment, but the mood soon lifted as the horses crossed the finish line. Abbey Road had won the race. Sam pulled me up, into an embrace, and we jumped up and down, celebrating our victory, together.

The end of the race, was not the end of our day, however. Sam and I spent hours, wandering around town aimlessly, doing a whole lot of nothing. Yet, it was the most fun I had ever had in my entire life. Really, Sam had to be the funniest man on Earth. No joke.

It was growing late, the sun was beginning to set in the sky, staining it pink and orange. I just loved watching the sunset, with my head leaning against Sam's shoulder. It was almost like a piece of living poetry.

Despite the beautiful scene, in all its splendor, terrible ideas began to plague my thoughts. My parents were furious with me, no doubt. Warren probably had his ear chewed off all day long, and it was more than likely that I single handedly ruined any chances for an alliance with Galuerhaven, forever.

I stood and said, "Sorry Sam, but I really need to be getting home, now."

"Not just yet," pleaded the young sailor, "just come with me to one more place."

"Just one more place?" I considered.

"Just, one." Sam grinned wickedly, "I promise."

Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah

Where do you think Sam will take Hali next. Tune in next wee to find out! Oh, when I said next week, I actually meant soon. The story should be ending shortly. It wasn't meant to be very long in the first place. I'd like to say it should be finished in about two chapters, but sometimes stories take on lives of their own. At least, I don't feel like this story is running the show anymore. I've regained some control on it!

The horse Both Sam and Hali bet on, Abbey Road, was named after the Beatles album that debuted in 1969. The chapter title is named after a song appearing on the album Abbey Road, entitled, Come Together.

It's delightful, it's delicious, it's de-lovely,

xJadeRainx