Into Atlantis

It was night again, Melody felt the cold shackles around her ice cold numb feet. But not for long! She thought. Tonight I can escape that pain and at the same time live up to my promise to Jim.
She took a few steps back, then ran in full speed to the water. When she couldn't stand anymore, she let herself float into the sea. With her arms she stirred her way through the water, while she kept her legs together. While she moved her legs up and down in the way waves do, they transformed into a tail of a mermaid and she sped forward. Faster and faster.
It was a long way to Atlantis and the sea was dark, but a mermaid has keen eyes. Her reasons were very important and she would only be here for a short time, she wasn't free yet, but Melody couldn't deny the true happiness she felt as she swum in the water after all that time. With delight she saw all the wonderful things around her and couldn't help but smile. I'm finally home again! She thought.

It is true that you are really fast if you want to get somewhere. In less than an hour Melody saw the shining gate to Atlantis appear before her. Her heart began to beat faster with enthusiasm and joy and she quickly swum to it. As she expected the gate was closed, it was in the middle of the night after all, but something was off. Melody looked around. where were the guards? They must be here somewhere. Grandfather would never allow the gate to be unguarded like this. Melody gripped the golden bars with both hands and peered through them. Nothing, that's strange.

"Who goes there?" Asked a voice, followed by the sound of a few small feet crawling hastily towards the gate.

"Sebastian? Sebastian, it's you right? It's me princess Melody. Quickly, let me in!"Melody cried to the empty space before her, not sure where the sound of Sebastian's feet came from.

"Melody child, what are you doing here?" Sebastian's voice came now from the other side of the gate, right in front of her. Melody looked down and saw a worried Sebastian staring at her.

"Sebastian, what's going on? Where are the guards?" Melody asked while Sebastian put a golden key in the lock to open the gate for her.

"Come quickly, strange things have happened here. The only guard has been called to your grandfather just a moment ago and I stood watch for him." Said Sebastian.

Melody swum quickly through the gate so Sebastian could close it again. She could easily tell that something terrible happened here. Sebastian was scared. "Why is there only one guard?"

Sebastian only shook his head and gestured her to follow him to the palace. Melody did so and while she swum slowly through the dark aisles of the sea city, her mood dropped like an anchor. Homes were destroyed and doors and windows of the remaining houses were barricaded. Neat lawns and gardens looked like wastelands and no living creature was around. Melody felt tears in her eyes and a big lump in her throat. How did this happen? Suddenly Sebastian stopped, just in front of the palace.

"Melody child you are not save her anymore. You know that." Said Sebastian grim, but caring.

Melody forced a smile. "Come on Sebastian." She said bravely. "I'm fine, Eris won't know I'm here and I need to be here. I have to talk to my grandfather and Kida."

Sebastian sighed and shook his head. "You are just as stubborn as your mother." Melody giggled at that. she took it as a compliment. "Alright, alright, why do you need to speak to the sea king?"

Melody's smile faded and she suddenly looked very sorry. "A young woman has been attacked by Eris and I want to help her. My healing ritual doesn't work and it will make Jim very sad if the woman stays like this."

"I should have known." Said Sebastian. "This human Jim is very important to you."

Melody allowed herself to blush and she giggled. "Oh Sebastian, Jim is the best!"She admitted excited. "He is very brave and he wants to protect me. No boy has ever said that to me."She watched Sebastian listen to her in his own disapproving way. "Hey Sebastian do you know what, we kissed twice! Ah, yesterday night was so magical." It warmed her whole body when she thought back to that moment at the beach.

"You know I want you to be happy, Melody." Began Sebastian fatherly. "I believe Jim can make you even more than happy, but this boy isn't enough to overcome Eris." Melody sadly closed her eyes, she knew Sebastian was right, but that was the reason she was here. She wanted to make a stand herself.

"Sebastian let me go to my grandfather, I want to hear from him personally what happened here."

King Triton sat on his throne as usual. Like Sebastian had told her, a guard just left the throne room when they entered. He didn't look at all happy to go back to his duty and he kept shaking his head in sadness. Melody followed him with her eyes till he went around a corner and out of sight. Then she had her own business to mind. She saw her grandfather and a lump filled her throat. She was so glad to see him again, but if Eris caused him trouble because of her? Will the reunion be troublesome for him? When she and Sebastian patiently entered the big elegant room the sea king noticed his grandchild and rose immediately from his seat.

"Melody, it is so good to see you again." He exclaimed and his voice shook with emotion.

"Eh h-hi, grandfather."Melody croaked. Her voice was lost and tears began to roll down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand, but they kept coming and before she knew it she found herself hugging her dear grandfather, while sobbing in his beard. "Oh how I missed you, grandfather." She said.

"I missed you too, my dear." Replied the sea king while he returned the hug. "I worried over you day and night."

Melody released him and looked at him with shining eyes. "Don't worry, I'm fine." She assured him.

"But didn't you take a huge risk by coming here? You should have waited for Kida to contact you." Said king Triton.

"Don't worry, Eris doesn't know I'm here and I'll return before the sun is up. It is not the same to talk to you through Kida. I need to speak with you now and with Kida too, if that's alright."

"Very well, Sebastian go find Kida and tell her I want to see her." Commanded the sea king and the little crab immediately hasted away.

AN: So what happened in Atlantis? Is Eris responsible or not? How can Melody save Anya and what will Eris do when she finds out Melody took off to see her grandfather in the night? Please Review!