Calm Waters

The Floating Palace pt: 4

Moving on.

xxx

Help me...Eezeyal.

Icicles tingled dusty rose feathers. A bowl of blueberries was spared by a stagnant beak. Peaking feathers furled on a head. Weak whispers carried by the ocean breeze turned the desert owl's head. Peaceful waves, pleasant fizzes of the crackling salt bubbles, overlapped on their merry way. The setting sun making the water sparkle and shine. Eezeyal blinked curiously. A dark omen crawled down his back. He heard a meek voice. He looked to the flag atop the wheelhouse. It flapped vigorously.

"Ubos!" He startled the anxious book awake. Ubos unintentionally slumbers when stress stiffens his old muscles. "Find Lydia." He droned urgently. He'd go himself. He knows where she is. But he can do nothing against a magic sea monster.

"Why?" Ubos didn't see her anywhere. "Has she sent you a signal flare?"

"No. She's in danger." Eezeyal's talons pierced the roof ledge, digging deep grooves in the wood. The calm waters couldn't fool him. Lydia was in danger. "Now get going!"

Ubos lifted a scrunched brow. All was almost too quite by the shore. Ubos certainly hadn't sensed anything since Lydia and Sofia departed. He was tempted to protest. Eezeyal's feathers fluffed gradually at his head, rising towards his tail feathers. Ubos's eyes widened in shock, then he smiled.

"Consider it done, My Friend." Ubos floated up. "I'll bring our girl home." He swore. In a puff of smoke he was gone. Eezeyal released a nervous breath, bowing his head.

Miranda strolled out to the deck, leaning melancholy to the railings. The gorgeous scenery, which brought amazement and wonder, had no effect on her worry. She scanned the water, the distant shore, and listened for excited footsteps. The silence wrapped a noose to her neck. She curled her fingers to her chest. It could be nothing. It could be everything. But something bad is happening. And, as a mother, she knows her daughters are in the middle of it.

Eezeyal's flapping caught her off guard. His rough feet lightly gripping her wrist felt extremely odd. This may be the first time Eezeyal's ever approached her without Lydia with him. "Are you worried too?" She asked him, half expecting him to not answer. Nonetheless, Eezeyal groaning woefully. He turned to the ocean, shuddering at how deceitful it was. "Yeah. I feel the same way."

xxx

Abyssal, sapphire eyes dying of light. Haze blackened to ebony night. A gaping mouth permitting a flash flood to fill withering lungs. Muffled heart beats, after every other beat, spanned farther and farther apart. Color vacated beautiful tanned skin. Chestnut hair breaking and growing wirey.

Cedric's wrapped tentacle throbbing irregularly. He blinked dismayed by the sensation tingling his arm. He figured it was because he was squeezing too tightly. Then he heard it. Thump...thump...thump. It curdled his stomach. He bit his wrist. Her heart was stopping. She's dying...in my hands. His tentacle shook. Dread loosened his grip. She was slipping free. Sinking.

"Ohh..." He wavered. Those vibrant cheeks slugged. Her beautiful eyes threatening to stay closed for all time. Never will she dance...sing...or become Queen. Her fingers never to hold her wand. "I can't do it." He lifted her towards the surface.

"APERIO!" A powerful pulse sent Cedric flying into a rock wall. "No one harms my Princess!" Lydia sank fast. Bubbles escaping her mouth let her drift to the abyss. Ubos swam under her. He blew and conjured a calm whirlpool around her. Lydia was returned to her manta ray form. A pit formed in Ubos's stomach when she wasn't moving. "No...please...no..." He lowered his bindings. Please...I hurried...please don't let me be too late. Lydia's eyes shot open. A second wind inflated her lungs. She flipped around, coughing up the water. "Ah! There's my girl..."

"Ubos..." Lydia wearily rasped. She wobbled disoriented, dipping and rising dizzily. She wasn't strong enough to stay afloat. She rested a hand on him, letting the weakness diminish. "What are you doing here?"

Ubos propped under her arm, helping her stay afloat. "Eezeyal's instincts are top notch. I am glad I came when I did." He is contrite that he doubted the bird. Ubos, too often, takes Eezeyal's bond with Lydia for granted. As a powerful wielder of magic, he assumes hed be able to detect the amiss in the air. Lydia would have resided permanently on death's bed were it not for Eezeyal. Forgive me, Eezeyal.

Burning tension assuaged from Lydia's clearing head. 'A shame your talking book isn't here to save you.' "He...knows." Lydia rasped heavily. Thick salt water had yet to clear her lungs and nose left her delirious.

"Who knows what?"

"The sea monster!" She choked on her animation. She grasped Ubos, the panic in her eyes frightened him, "The sea monster knows about you! That you can talk!"

"Impossible!" Ubos barked. He's careful 24/7 when not in seclusion. Even as he saved Lydia, the sea monster didn't have a chance to see him. "The sea monster and I have never once crossed paths! How can he know about me?"

"I don't know! But he does!" It may very well be a trick. He could be bluffing. But how would he know to bluff about a floating book? Waving kelp sent spark shooting down Lydia's spine. "The Kelp Forest!"

"What of it?!"

"We lost the sea monster and Oona in the kelp forest! We were only minutes behind him when they disappeared! What if he was still nearby, and we missed him?!" Ubos's rage faded, and his expression drooped to a horrifying realization. The Kelp Forest was thicker than soup. It wasn't improbable that he may have hid in plain sight. Waited for the coast to clear. "He must have seen you talking to Sofia and me!" It's the only explanation that made sense.

"If that's the case, why has he not attempted to obtain me?" The sea monster sounds very capable with magic. No doubt he's ascertained, with Ubos in his possession, possibilities would be endless.

"Because he wants Oona's enchanted comb."

"Enchanted...comb?" Ubos repeated, baffled by the claim.

Lydia had to pause and marvel. Ubos always had the answers and information. This is the first time he's been stumped. Eezeyal's head would explode. "The sea monster wants Oona's comb for something. And he's going to stop at nothing to get it." She doesn't know what the comb can do and it sent her in a spiral of fear. She shook her head, staring disappointed at her empty palms, and the blistering bite mark left by the squid, "But I'm too weak to stop him!" She crushed her fingers to a fist. "And my wand is on that boat." She dropped it after getting bit.

"Then there is one sole course." Ubos declared. "We find Sofia, retreat and regroup, and come up with another plan."

"She dove after the key to Oona's cage." Lydia gazed at the seemingly bottomless abyss. "She has to be down there somewhere."

"Then let us dive!" Lydia hugged him to her chest, and she curled into a strong dive.

xxx

The human ship's anchor wasn't lifting from the cove. Nor has Oona been released from its hollowed hull. Neither Sofia or Lydia have returned with Queen Emmaline's daughter in hand. And their deadline has long past. She has granted them as much time as patience and honor would permit. Clearly Plank spoke true of human intentions. They have betrayed her. Now is the time to fulfill her promise, and bring the vessel to the bottom of the cove.

"I can't wait any longer!" She proclaimed with a note of regret. In the deepest recesses of her heart, part of her held hope the girls are merely in the grips of undersea traffic. Or hit a snag. Either way, it was too late. She pried her trident free of its stand. "It's time we take matters into our own hands." She thrust it to the surface, declaring her encroaching onslaught's reign on the human interlopers. "EVERYONE! Go back to your homes until the storm has passed."

The merpeople offered no words of protest. Divided faith and irresolution in the Queen's actions echoed in the frightened murmurs. "Plank," Plank stood at attention, eagerly awaiting his Queen's orders, "Let's go get my daughter back!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" How he's waited to hear that.

"I'm coming too!" Cora declared.

"No. It's going to be too dangerous up there." Queen Emmaline forbade.

"But she's my little sister. I'm supposed to look out for her!" Cora pleaded. She can't sit by anymore. She has to do what she can. Plank understood her frustrations. But the surface will be no place for children. Regardless of age.

"We will find Oona," Queen Emmaline embraced Cora in a confident hug, "I promise." That said, Queen Emmaline and Plank swam for the human ship.

Cora groaned dismally. Oona's missing, and she's being left in the background because its too dangerous. Everything is too dangerous these days. For her, Oona, and their mother. Sofia and Lydia are braving those same exact dangers as she wallows in the palace. Lydia brazenly challenged the mighty trident. Before she faced down ferocious sharks. A regular defier and tempter of fate.

"Why?" She whimpered, wrapping her arms tight to hold back her fearful tears. Why, she asks. Why is a human so steadfast, is what she wants to ask. "Why go to such great lengths when you know we don't trust you?" That hard stare and iron resolve projected in rays. Cora shivered just thinking about it. "How can you be so brave...when everyone is against you?"

'Stand aside!' Queen Emmaline snarled.

''Not if she's going to hurt our family!'

As she mused about Lydia's actions towards the Queen, Cora realized something she's surprised she missed. Lydia was putting herself between Emmaline and Sofia. Staring danger down...and coming close to doing something she may regret. "Is that it?" It was so simple...but very complex. "Were you doing it...to keep them all safe?" Were it not for the fact she was smart enough to know a trident trumps a stick. Still, it moved Cora beyond words. "Lydia..."

xxx

Sofia darted around every nook and cranny of the cave's staggering depths. The key had to be in the water somewhere. It was harder to search the farther down she went. No ambient light reached after the halfway mark. She and Sven were literally searching blind.

"Ooh…" Sofia was swimming around in circles, "The key has to be somewhere."

"Sofia!" Lydia and Ubos finally found her. "Sofia, we need to go back to the ship!"

"But the key! Oona needs us!"

"We won't be of any use to her if that monster catches us." Lydia showed her the bite. Sofia and Sven gasped horrified. "He and that squid of his are too strong, and I dropped my wand on the ship. We need regroup while we have the chance."

"Okay…" Sofia slumped sadly. It's for the best. She wasn't getting anywhere anyway. "But after that we have to-" RUMBLE! The ocean reverberated around them. CLASH! Static riled the waters. Sofia squeaked, darting into Lydia's arms. "What was that?!"

"I don't know!"

Ubos squinted hard to the surface. White lights above flooded the depths. The serene surface lapped wildly. A storm was coming. An unnatural storm. "Oh no!" Lydia he completely missed. Invisible, kinetic strands tangled him.

"What's wrong, Ubos?" Sofia approached.

"Our time has expired."

xxx

Clouds riding the breeze already blanketed the skies. The tides reacted to the sudden shift, rippling aggressively. In time the clouds were due to pass. The sea to calm once they do. A golden trident arising from the water begged to differ. Immense power gathered to the center tip. A devastating beam struck the overcast sky. Eezeyal and Clover, pacing uneasily from the boats stern to bow, gaped at the beam. Mesmerizing, and terrifying all at once. Thunderous clouds accumulated directly above the ship.

Sofia and the others hid by spire rocks. The beam tearing the peaceful sky asunder disappeared. Of its own volition the storm expanded. The waves siphoned the ferocious weather, crashing and folding into itself. Waves plowed into Ubos. Sofia sprang and caught him before he connected to a sharp rock. He was grateful. However, the swelling squall lessened his appreciation for himself.

"Looks like a storm is coming." Sven nervously announced. The ship bobbed roughly, struggling to keep itself steady. The dropped anchor yanked defiantly, ensuring the ship wouldn't move. A meaningless gesture.

"It's not coming." Lydia cowered in her flippers.

"Queen Emmaline is bringing it." Sofia buried her sorrow in Ubos's back.

Thunder ravaged the heavens. Lightning attacked the world below. The ship was unknowingly trapped in a cage. As Queen Emmaline shrouded the skies in foreboding grey clouds, she furiously regretted that the humans brought her to this point. She wished to cease this madness. But the life of her daughter was worth more to her than a few humans.

xxx

The drastically changed weather coraled the Royal Family into the ship's parlor. It was well at the end of the day. They spent a good majority enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. They can wait out the storm inside for a while. Roland and Miranda engaged in a heated card game. By the looks of the pot, Miranda had Roland on the ropes. Meanwhile, James and Amber played a riveting game of chess. James already claimed her Queen and Knights. The bishops were next.

The ship weaved to one side. Lightness lifted stomachs. "Wow…" James woozily braced himself. The chess pieces slid.

Amber moaned intensely as the ship weaved to the other side. "Daddy!" She wheezed.

"It's just a little squall, Amber." Roland assured her there's no reason to be scared. The thunder and lightning made her and Miranda beg to differ.

"Baileywick, can you make sure Sofia and Lydia are alright?" Miranda needed closure that her daughters are okay. She hasn't seen them since lunch.

"I'll go check on her." Baileywick's nonexistent sea legs lost balance. His lighthead spun the room. He threw himself out the door, braving the rocking ocean.

xxx

Clover took cover somewhere on the ship. For the first time, he was too scared to think about eating. He was finding ways to not imagine Sofia lost in the mounting storm. Eezeyal wished he could do the same. Watching the sky being consumed, all he could think about was Ubos and Lydia. The way Baileywick was racing across the ship, Roland and Miranda feared for them as well.

Eezeyal can consider it one of the hazards of sailing. The weather changes all the time. How he despised that he knew better. That beam that hit the sky all but confirmed it. The Mermaid Queen was behind this.

"Liddy...Ubos...work your magic." He pleaded that they hurry.

xxx

The ocean swelled roughly, tossing Lydia and the others about like messages in a bottle. Surface and depths weren't spared by the Queen's storm. Her natural and emotional ones. Lydia helped the despondent Sofia onto a stray speck of rock. She floated beside her, watching helplessly as the clouds rolled in. Thunder and lightning clashed heatedly. Ubos's eyes widened in the awe inspiring power of an ancient relic.

"Ubos!" Lydia shriek broke him out of his trance. "Get back to the ship! Do whatever you can to keep them safe!"

"As...as you will." In his head he is adamantly protesting. He swore to keep Lydia safe. To stay by her side. She was firm. He is to protect her family. And he will do so. "Come home, My Lady." Ubos meekly implored her, then raced for the bobbing ship.

"The Queen is going to sink our family's ship!" Sofia clasped her head. There's nothing she or anyone else can do.

"Let's tell her we found Oona." Sven proposed. That had to quell the storm.

"She won't believe us!" Lydia, in a fury, smacked the water.

"No one believes us!" Sofia buried her woeful face in her hands. "I don't know what else to do! This is all my fault."

"Don't say that!" Lydia protested strongly. She placed a hand on her shuddering tail. "None of this is your fault."

"If Oona and I hadn't become friends-"

"That is enough!" Sofia and Sven flinched at her bark. Lydia refused to listen to this type of talk. "You listen to me right now, if we give up here, our family is going to be gone! Forever!"

"But what can we do?!" Sofia was more than happy for any sort of answer. "No one believes us, the merpeople don't trust us, and...and Oona..." Sofia put her hands over her eyes, "Oona's in danger...and there's nothing we can do."

An amethyst glow pierced Sofia's hueing gloom. "Uh, Sofia..." Sven twisted his head confusedly, "Your necklace is glowing." Sofia gazed upon it, feeling all her sorrows fade. The Amulet heard Sofia's plight, and marshalled its powers. Lydia's eyes lit up in the glow. It was warm. Powerful. Mystifying. "What's that?!" Sven gasped. The same glow resonated in the water.

"Let's find out." Sofia dove off the rock. Lydia and Sven submerged after her.

They followed the glow to the sea floor. Amethyst changed to flowing gold. Warm light filled that section of ocean, melting Lydia and Sofia's defeat to mush. The light shined from a sunken barrel. A tea set long lost to the surface world nested on top. A beautiful woman with long, voluminous red hair plucked a saucer and creamer cup. Her dazzling blue eyes gleamed in wonder of the delicate china. She spied the audience her appearance attracted, and set her newly discovered treasures down.

Lydia's trembling jaw hung so wide a sea monkey swam in and out. Twice. "She's...no way!" She rubbed her starstruck eyes hard enough to shove them into her skull. When she saw the redhead hadn't vanished, it was clear she wasn't an illusion. "Sofia..." Lydia balanced herself on Sofia, about ready to faint any second, "Is that..."

"Ariel?" Sofia touched her racing chest. Lydia cracked like a nut.

"Princess Ariel?!" Sven exclaimed. They saw her too. Lydia wasn't going crazy. Princess Ariel of Atlantica...was floating right in front of them. "What are you doing here?!"

"Sofia's amulet brought me here to help." Ariel chipperly explained.

"Her amulet brought you." Lydia disorientedly repeated. "YOUR amulet CALLED her?!"

"Uh-huh." Sofia answered as if not a big deal. She cupped the amazing jewel, "If you remember me telling you, it also summoned Cinderella when I needed her."

Lydia took a very deep breath. In the distance, two puffer fish swam aimlessly along. "NO FLIPPIN' WAY!" The puffers screamed and puffed up.

"I hate it when this happens!"

"You said it!"

Lydia heaved raspily, fanning her disbelief before she really did faint. Ariel massaged her back, trying to help ease her. Lydia only became more excited feeling a real hand - ARIEL'S HAND - on her back. "I see her, but I still don't believe it." Princess Ariel. She far more beautiful in person. "Sofie."

"Yes."

Lydia cupped Sofia's hands. Stars twinkled in her eyes. "YOU HAVE THE BEST AMULET EVER!" She fidgeted in a ball. "I am sooo jealous!" Her cheeks flushed. Ariel couldn't help giggling. Lydia realized she must be coming off as a total nutjob. So worth it. "Okay! I'm done."

"Are you sure?" Ariel teasingly asked.

"Yes. You said Sofia's amulet summoned you?"

"The Amulet of Avalor will always call on Princesses past to help Sofia when she's at a loss." Ariel promised her. Lydia glanced at the amulet. Guardian angels in a small jewel. She can rest easy now. "What's going on, Sofia?"

"My friend Oona is in trouble. I tried to save her, but..."

"You couldn't do it on your own?"

"No..."

"And I wasn't remotely of any help to her." Lydia kicked herself. "I'm the one with the magic, and I just wound up failing when my family needs me most."

"Aw, don't say that. Everyone needs a little help sometimes." She placed gentle hands to Sofia and Lydia's shoulders. "Prince Erik needed my help when his ship sank. And my father and I needed my daughter Melody's help when his trident was stolen."

"Our family's ship is in danger too!" Sofia stated direly. "And Lydia lost her wand to the monster that has Oona."

"Mm-Hmm..." Ariel had to admit, they've got their hands full. A good thing she's an optimist with answers. "Well luckily there's an answer to both your problems."

"There is?" Both girls replied skeptically.

"Follow me." Ariel had both girls join her by a music box, guiding them to sit on either side of her."You tried to save your mermaid friend," She set a hand to both their laps, sharing a contrite smile, "But found it hard to do..." The two girls sunk in misery. "You think your quest is at an end," Ariel swam around them, opening loving arms, "But that is far from true..." She lifted the music box, winding the figure to twirl about.

"For though our worlds have different ways, there's one thing that we share." She drew Lydia and Sofia to a family of colorful fish. A mother and father swimming happily with their copious children. "We both adore our family so," She grasped their hands, "With love beyond compare..." She led them to the open water, ascending fast. The pair kicked their fins faste. Ariel, Lydia, and Sofia launched high into the the air.

"Whether you live on land or sea," A school of happy fish glided across the floor, "We're all devoted to our family. Alone you cannot win." A baby fish swished in vain to swim, moving nowhere fast, "You need a helping fin." Ariel gave him a gentle push, and he rejoined his family. "The love we share. Can set them free..." The fish waved to her in thanks, but minded to keep up with his parents and sibs.

Ariel embraced her loving heart, "Joining together is the key." She swooped to the sea floor, scooping up a white shell, and broken amber shell. "For if our two worlds work in harmony," She placed the broken shells in their hands, having them join the different shells together. Creating a whole, "You could end your troubles," Two very different girls, sharing the same fretful expression, "If only they would see. The love we share can set them free..."

Ariel led the two girls along, knowing her job isn't quite finished yet. The Mermaid Palace gleamed radiantly amid the despair plaguing the ocean. Lydia lost luster seeing the palace. "Right there," Ariel surprised her wrapping an arm around her "Is a mermaid who wants to save her sister!" Ariel looped under Lydia, holding her hands, "Show her that you feel the same," She suddenly spun with Lydia, earning a huge smile, and handing her off to Sofia, "And you may just enlist her..." Sofia and Lydia swam hands in hand. The love those two share is unbreakable and unshakeable. No matter how different they seem, nothing will tear them apart.

Inspired and finding faith in the princess, Lydia and Sofia joined hands with Ariel. Lights at the end of the ocean's tunnel bred newfound hope. "Joining together is the key." All three girls sang in unison. "We have to learn to work in harmony." A curtain of kelp spanned in their path. The final stretch before entering the palace one more time.

"You could end your troubles..." Ariel trailed off, opening the kelp to reveal a somber Cora lounging on her throne.

"If only she could see..." Lydia leaned to the kelp, sighing sympathetically for Cora.

"No matter where..." Sofia lovingly hugged Lydia's shoulders from behind.

"In sea or air..." Ariel swam in back, edging them closer to the kelp.

"The love we share," All three chimed. Sofia and Lydia snuggled close, "Will set them free..."

Sofia and Lydia let out a breath. A weight's been lifted off their shoulders. "Thanks, Ariel." Sofia stroked frizzy hair behind her ear. "We know what to do now." But Ariel was gone. Vanished. Glittering specks faded in her place. Sven and Lydia wanted to ask where she went. Then again, it was made apparent how she appeared.

"Sofia! Lydia! What mermaid is going to trust a human?!" Sven being the voice of reason was killing the mood.

Lydia giggled impishly. "A mermaid whose little sister is in trouble." She poked his nose. Lydia entered the palace first.

Cora wallowed miserably on her throne, thinking of what horrible things could be happening to Oona at this very moment. And all she could do was sit there. Swishing fins interrupted her train of thought. "You again!" She snarled venomously.

"Cool your fins, Cora." Sven swam to intercept the blind rage.

"Where's my sister?!" She demanded Lydia and Sofia answer. It is unwise to underestimate a big sister's wrath. They can become violent in the blink of an eye.

Lydia raised a palm, asking Sofia and Sven to wait. "How many times are you going to ask before you accept that we don't have her?" Lydia was growing tired of the baseless blame.

"Until someone gives me an answer that doesn't raise questions!" Cora's voice cracked. The sorrows she's fought hours to hold back was leaking from her eyes. "I'm her big sister! My job is to protect her, and here she is missing because I failed."

"Cora, you didn't fail." Lydia reassured her. "You're an older sister. Not a fortune teller. No one can watch over someone 24/7."

"I still should have been there."

"You just would have been captured too."

"How do you know?" Cora snapped dubiously. Lydia showed Cora the bite the squid left her. Cora stifled a horrific gasp. "Oh my gosh!" She ripped a strip of moon kelp, tying it tightly to the infected wound. "What happened?"

"The sea monster's pet squid bit me when I tried to free Oona."

Cora tied it in a bow, then lifted that skeptical brow. "The sea monster?"

"Sofia and Lydia are telling the truth!" Sven came up to bat. "I saw the sea monster with my own eyes! Both of them!" He flexed those very eyes.

"You did?"

"He's after Oona's comb, and he knows magic." Sofia added ominously. She and Lydia are out of their league and their element. "You're Oona's big sister, and the only way to save her is together."

"To be honest, Cora," Lydia cautiously touched her shoulder. Her beseeching blue eyes chiseled Cora's shield, "We can't free her without you."

Cora knit her brow. She shook the hand, swimming with her back to the sisters. It still sounded farfetched. "You said the monster wants Oona's comb?" She offered them the benefit of a doubt.

"That's what she told me." Sofia answered. Oona mentioned it was enchanted. Sofia was skeptical as to how much power it actually has.

"Then we have to free her before he gets it. It has the power to control the ocean."

"It does!?" Sofia was taken aback.

"You gave the power of the ocean to a nine year old?" It wasn't Lydia's intention to overstep her boundaries. Seeing as Sofia has a powerful artifact herself, she questioned the wisdom behind such catastrophic objects being left in children's hands.

"Mom gave the comb to Oona so no one would abuse its powers. But she doesn't even know what it can do." Cora voiced her dissent of her mother's choice. Lydia tapped her chin, thinking about that. Sofia was given the amulet without knowing what it would do. In turn, she taken her ownership of it seriously. Never taking it off was a start. "She should have given it to me. I know how to use it. Then maybe Oona wouldn't be in danger."

"The safest place for the most powerful objects is with those who don't its power." Lydia recited philosophically. "Oona knows her comb is special. Queen Emmaline made her swear to always wear it. That's enough for her." Looking to Sofia, she was in the same boat.

"So will you help us?!" Sofia cupped her hands hopefully.

"Anything for Oona." Rumbling and flashes at the surface startled them. The storm was swelling faster than they realized.

"But what about the storm? We have to stop it before it sinks our ship!" Too many issues soaked up Sofia's courage like a sponge."

"Don't worry!" Sven was all over this. "I can stop Queen Emmaline."

"You and what army, Sven?" Cora wasn't in the mood for jokes. Even Lydia had to glare at that.

Sven put his tail in his mouth. A loud whistle summoned a small platoon of seahorses. "THIS army, Cora." Lydia, Sofia, and Cora have never seen so many seahorses in one spot. "Actually, this is just the immediate family. We'll pick up the cousins on the way. Let's hit the waves gang!" Sven ushered the charge. The squeaky voices of his family roared, ready for war.

"Once you have the comb, can you use it to defeat the sea monster?" Lydia established their plan B. What? Plan A was already hatched in Sofia's head.

"It'll take a moment to get ready." Cora flourished the water around her hand. "The comb has intense power. The amount I'd need to win - you'd have to buy me time."

Lydia was afraid she'd say that. "Then…" She pensively stroked her headband. She really didn't want to do it. But Oona was counting on them. She sighed resignedly. "Can you two keep a secret?"

xxx

Heavy rain unleashed its fury upon the land, battering the ship. An inch deep of water flooded the decks, spilling as it swayed. The waves jerked it the ship, pummeling the waning boards mercilessly. Eezeyal used the stairwell as a makeshift barrier. Ubos, who arrived a few minutes earlier, was helpless to intercede the storm. His only option was to hide with Eezeyal, and offer what minimal support he could. They were drenched head to toe. The frigid winds left them numb. As for poor Clover, the rocking ship sent him bouncing along.

"Where are you, Sofia?" He moaned. The ledge was approaching fast. Clover closed his eyes, not a great swimmer. Ubos and Eezeyal intercepted him. "Thanks guys. Are they back yet?" The two solemnly shook their heads. "Where are they?!"

"I wish we knew." Ubos groaned.

"TALLY-HO, CHAPS!" Farley dove in. He swooped Clover up in a net, taking him out to sea.

"OYE! GET BACK HERE!" Eezeyal commanded, chasing after him.

Ubos would argue darting off in the midst of a raging storm. He'd also argue two juvenile girls braving an ocean with a crazed woman wielding a powerful force of nature is suicide. "So why am I following them?" He cursed himself flying after the birds. "Because I'm going down fighting!"

"What's the rush, Farley?!" Eezeyal shouted over the heavy rain. "Why'd you come back?"

"Oona's still in danger! So I thought the lot of us could team up. We'd be unstoppable."

"In theory!" Ubos despised being the rational voice. But he must on air of caution. "I am confident we can deal damage to the Sea Monster! What I fear is that he anticipates are second volley of attacks."

"Then we deal a fifth and tenth volley!" Eezeyal decreed. "That monster is hurting our girls, and I won't stand fur it!" Ubos nodded firmly. The time for caution has past. Now it is time for swift action.

Clover spread his paws like wings. "Operation: Mermaid rescue has begun!" Clover inspired the crew with his own mission theme music.

xxx

The storm was progressively worsening. Admiral Hornpike wrestled the helm, not conceding to mother nature without one heck of a fight. He had to tread carefully. Turning to hard or too soon would capsize the ship. A grand challenge he hasn't faced in many years.

The Royal Family wasn't sharing his excitement. Outside the parlor window, the storm was ramming into them relentlessly. James was nervous the windows would break with how hard the rain was beating it.

A winded Baileywick returned, bringing the rain water in with him. "Your Majesties!"

"Did you find Sofia or Lydia?!" Miranda asked outright.

"They aren't in their rooms." He regretted to inform her. "But I have all the servants looking for them. we'll bring them here as soon as we find them."

"Okay! But be quick." She didn't want him swept away by the storm either.

Roland tried to maintain his composure to ease his scared family. It was wavering every second. The storm wasn't passing, and both of his daughters are not within arms reach of him. They could have been swallowed by the sea. Trapped on the island. Or worse.

"Maybe if I would have believed..." He put a worrisome hand to his forehead. Perhaps if he'd taken their side they'd be by his. Eezeyal flying off into the distance raised his hopes. "Is he...going after Lydia?" Wherever Lydia is, Eezeyal always follows. And wherever Lydia is, Sofia is undoubtedly with her. Eezeyal is no ordinary pet, Roland is convinced. He is Lydia's trusted partner through and through. his bond with her is thick as blood. "Bring our girls home, Eezeyal."

xxx

The storm wasn't bothering the caves. The water was unusually calm. The roaring skies, however, vibrated the walls. Irrelevant. Cedric was too enthralled at his approaching victory to care about the outside world.

"At last..." He purred, leaning to Oona's cage with a devilish grin, "I have found the spell that will retrieve your comb~" He sang dauntingly. Oona winced, finding it hard to doubt him after the last string of failures. Unawares to the enemy pair, they weren't entirely alone. "Eclypso facto! break the charms! And float into my waiting arms!" He flourished his wand. A stream connected to the enchanted comb.

The comb came right off, reeling to the sea monster. "NOO!" Oona's reaching fingers tapped it, losing it beyond the bars. The sea monster excitedly opened his tentacle to receive his long awaited prize.

"Not so fast," Sofia leapt and snatched the comb right from him, "Mr. Sea Monster!"

Cedric was sick and tired of these meddling princesses interrupting him. He wasn't fighting her for what he rightfully earned. "Give me the comb, and I'll let your mermaid friend go." He offered at. The wand aimed at her wasn't really granting a lot of options. Sofia backed into Oona's cage, protecting her from him.

"Don't give it to him, Sofia!" Oona hissed. She'd sooner stay in the cage than let that monster have it.

"Don't worry. I have a plan." She whispered, winking impishly. "What are you gonna do if I don't give it to you?" She tauntingly fanned it. "Make me vanish or something?"

"Yes..." What a brilliant plan. Cedric should have thought of it sooner. "That's exactly what I'll do." Sofia dared him to try. She threw the comb into the water. "NO!"

"Sofia!" Oona couldn't believe she actually did that. She prayed this was part of the plan.

"That's it! you leave me no choice!" Cedric seethed. "Vanitzo wayfaria!" Sofia hit the deck. Oona threw her arms up. The spell missed and hit Oona's cage, sending it to a place far, far away.

"You tricked him?!" Oona beamed.

"Uh-huh!" Sofia and Oona joined hands.

"But you won't trick me again!" Cedric roared. Sofia and Oona held each other close. A flash of green whisked through the cave. An orb exploded in a gas Cedric's face. He choked and fanned it out of his eyes. "BAH! What sort of stupid trick is this now?!"

"Oh, my dear sea monster..." Heads turned towards the back of the ship. Lydia walked on the boat's ledge. Yellow lightning clashed in her golden eyes, "I'm done with simple tricks!" Static surged in her ears, streaming to her shoulders. Her askew hair stood in the cling.

"What is this?!" Cedric paddled frantically, pressing his back to the jagged rocks. "This cannot be!" The power pouring from her was astronomical. The scales on his skin stood on end. "You don't have this kind of power!"

"Fulmenos..." She touched and spread her fingers. Sparks pulsated at her feet. A net of lightning surged between her fingertips, "VENITE!" The power sucked to one palm. Condense lightning streams howled at the thrust of her palm. Yellow bolts illuminated the cave. Cedric threw up all eight arms. The lightning was like a stampede of bulls. He was rammed into the wall. Stars circled his head, and her dirted under water. Cora, still hiding in the water, Oona, and Sofia gawked completely flabbergasted. Lingering streams snaked Lydia's numb, shaking fingers. Her eyes gradually faded back to normal. "Hmph!" She twirled her headband around one finger, flipping it back to its proper place.

"What…" Oona's throat ran dry. Lydia strolled to them, checking to make sure the monster hadn't hurt them.

"Lydia...that was…" Sofia slapped her forehead in disbelief. She felt the release and impact as if it was aimed at her. "How did you do that?"

"You're protected by a magical amulet," Lydia tapped the headband, winking cryptically, "I've got my headband regulating my wild magic." Thankfully, Sofia's too awestruck to hear the lie in her truth. Heavens forbid its off for longer.

The water bubbles furiously. Cedric sprouted forth, roaring smoke from his mouth and snout. "THAT-IS-IT!" The girls' ears rang. The water boiled in tandem to his rage. Stack of steam humidified the air. "I've just about had enough of your interfering!" Lydia went to removed the headband. Shocks pricked her joints. Intense numbness rusted her arms, leaving them limp at her sides. Her legs and feet were no different. everything was heavy as lead. She hadn't noticed her exhausted breathing until too late. "Forget the comb! Forget the amulet! Forget everything! I'm sending you three so far away, you'll find another galaxy!"

"GET AWAY FROM OUR PRINCESSES!" Clover dropped literally from nowhere. He hooked an elastic ribbon to Cedric's snout. Throwing his bodyweight, Clover wrapped him up nose to eyes, sitting victoriously to his blinded snout. "Blackout device deployed!"

"CLOVER!" Sofia cheered.

The squid growled in his bucket, climbing to the edge to attack. "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT, SIDE DISH!" Eezeyal grappled the squid's comb, ripping him out and dropping him in the water. "That's how we do it back home!"

"EZEE!" Lydia's hero. Sparkling dust sprinkled on Lydia. Her fatigue evaporated as her skin absorbed it. "Ubos! You all came!"

"Of course we did!" He wiggled his nose. A discarded wand by the barrel floated back to Lydia's hands. "This yours?" He playfully asked.

Farley came in hot like a fighter plane. He opened his beak, and the wand was snatched from the evil sea monster. "Magic wand secured!" Clover confirmed. Wormwood got a charging start. he leapt out of the water and barreled into Farley, who then collided with Ubos. Both hit the water. The wand dropped to the boat. "Magic wand unsecured!" Cedric tore Clover and the ribbon off. Eezeyal fanned his talons, going for the eyes. Cedric threw Clover at him. The two crashed and burned on the rocks off to the side.

Sofia gathered her wits and made a mad dash for the wand. "Go Sofia!" Oona bellowed. A tentacle captured her and Lydia, lifting them off the boat.

The wand was in Sofia's grasp. She dove for it. Cedric swiped it last second. He tauntingly waved the wand, and dangled her friends. He squeezed them like grapes, earning strained wheezes. Sofia's backup was blacked out. "Your little animal friends can't help you this time." Cedric boasted. His raised wand was ready to attack.

"But my mermaid friend can! Cora!" Sofia signaled.

"Cora?!" Oona gasped.

"Cora?!" Cedric turned to the water.

Cora arose from the water. The mermaid comb was in her hand, and was glowing. "Waters! Rise at my command!" She fanned the comb up. Water percolated at the comb's behest. Cora swiped the comb forward, unleashing a raging torpedo. Cedric dropped Oona and Lydia on the boat. The water connected hard, launching him so far out to sea he would never be seen again.

"YEE-HAW!" Eezeyal flipped, tossing Clover in air and catching him by the tail. "WE WON!"

"Operation mermaid rescue - SUCCESS!" Clover high foured Eezeyal.

"JOLLY GOOD, MATES!" Farley bobbed in the water.

"I never doubted us for a second!" Ubos lied through his 40 chaptered teeth.

Oona wrapped Lydia and Sofia in a gracious hug. She'll never be able to repay them. "Thank you both for rescuing us."

"It wasn't just us, you know." Lydia turned Oona's head to the water.

"OONA!" Cora waved.

"CORA!" Oona returned to the water, darting after Cora. "You saved me!" She jumped Cora, hugging her so tight she would never let go. "I guess having a big sister looking out for me isn't such a bad thing after all."

"You got that right." Lydia lovingly smushed Sofia's head.

"Here," Cora re-placed the comb to Oona's bangs, "This belongs to you."

"Thanks. Maybe you can show me how to use it sometime."

"Sure. If mom lets me." A most likely not.

"I hate to break up the reunion!" Lydia held onto her headband, feeling the raw, malignant force of Emmaline's storm pound her skin. "But Queen Emmaline is still on a tear!" Lydia dove in. Ubos's spell returned her flippers. Eezeyal and Ubos raced after her.

"We have to find her fast!" Sofia jumped in. Her mermaid tail sprouted. Oona and Cora were right behind her.

"I hope Sven is alright." Lydia worried.

xxx

"SWIM, SEAHORSES, SWIM!"

He was better than alright. Sven had Queen Emmaline and Plank on a wild goose chase for her trident. Plank urged her to bring forth a typhoon that would demolish the ship. Just as she was about to, Sven and his family robbed her of the trident, keeping it as far from her grasp as possible. He begged the Queen and Plank to believe Sofia and Lydia about the monster. Plank wouldn't hear of it. He was convinced Sven was bewitched. Leaving Sven no choice but for him and his family to maintain hold of the trident. It bought Lydia and Sofia time, but the storm wasn't calming on its own. And Sven's family wouldn't be able to keep the trident forever. So if they had Oona, they had to hurry.

"SVEN!" Plank roared, hot on their curled tails. Queen Emmaline was behind him.

Lydia and Cora followed the screaming echo to the ship. Sofia and Oona held on by their sisters' hands. At first they only saw Sven and his family playing keep away with the trident. Then Plank and Queen Emmaline emerged.

"Mom!" Oona swam as fast as she could to her mother.

"OONA!" Queen Emmaline met her youngest daughter, snuggling her in an octopus hug. "You're alright! You're alright!" The figure in her arms wasn't an illusion. Her daughter had returned to her at last.

"Thanks to Sofia and Lydia." Queen Emmaline was stunned to see Cora presenting the two girls.

"What?!" Plank was confused. They really brought Oona back.

"You were wrong about them, Plank!" Cora placed hands at their backs. "We all were."

Queen Emmaline approached the girls, completely ashamed of herself and how she's treated these two."I'm sorry! I don't know what to say." What can she say?

"You don't have to say anything!" Lydia held Queen Emmaline's hand, pointing desperately to the hectic surface. "Just stop the storm!" During the chase for the trident, the storm amassed to a regular hurricane. The ship wouldn't survive for much longer.

"Sven!" Queen Emmaline barked. Sven and his family returned the trident posthaste. Queen Emmaline dashed to the surface. Hopefully she wasn't too late.

xxx

Admiral Hornpike roared animally in his fight against the tides. It seemed the harder he fought, the worse the sea's temperament became. He wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to prevent the boat from flipping. He prayed for a miracle. Any miracle! Someone above those clouds had to be listening. And they were.

A trick of the storm, or he was so flustered he was delusional - Admiral Hornpike saw a woman appear in the water. In her hands is a scepter of all legends. A trident.

"Your Majesties!" Baileywick burst into the parlor.

"Did you find them?" Miranda assumed by his excitement.

"Not yet, but-" Roland and Miranda weren't waiting anymore. They raced to find their daughters themselves. Amber and James soon after. "Your Majesties, wait!" Baileywick had something important to tell them.

Everyone stampeded to the deck. The storm was worse than they thought. Eyes to the skies were lured to the raging water. A golden blur radiated amid the crashing waves. Roland and Miranda's mouths hit the deck. There was a woman in the ocean, holding a scepter in defiance of the storm.

"Miranda! Is that what i think it is?" Roland's mind screamed it was the storm playing on his desperation to see his family spared.

It was no trick. Miranda saw her too. "It's a mermaid!

"A mermaid!" Amber squealed.

Queen Emmaline grasped both hands at the trident's base. She swung it up. Natural and Arcane forces ignited in a heatedly orb at the tip. She swung it around, and thrust it to the sky. A lightning bolt as fierce as the storm broke through the clouds. Mother nature held her ground stubbornly. The thunderous clouds swirled, orbiting the beam, striving the maintain their shape.

"Barnacles!" Admiral Hornpike forgot about the wheel, entranced by the sight before him. "It's a mermaid!"

"Is she making the storm go away?" James asked hopefully.

"I don't know." Roland balanced on the brink, not wanting to get his hopes up too soon.

Ubos, Farley, Eezeyal, and Clover landed on the swimming platform. Their aghast expressions rooted for Emmaline, pouring their devotion into her ability to stop the storm.

"Come on...come on..." Clover bounced his fists.

xxx

Lydia squeezed her eyes closed, crushed her hands to her failing heart. The roaring storm made tears trickle. "Come on...come on..." Cora hugged confident hands to Lydia's shoulder, watching intently for that storm to blow over.

Oona and Sofia, unable to stand waiting, swam to the top. They sprouted into the storm. The rain felt surprisingly lighter. "LOOK!" Sofia cheered.

"LYDIA!" Cora tilted her up. Lydia lit up.

The storm finally succumbed to Emmaline's power. Thick clouds broke apart, revealing a beautiful, starry evening sky. "SHE DID IT!" Cora and Lydia cheered loudly, spinning in an ardent hug. Plank and Sven wiped sweat away in relief. Sofia and Oona hugged in victory as well. Baileywick hung on the edge, exhaling as the breaking storm took his seasickness with it. Roland held his family close, thankful that he will be able to hold them for another day.

Sofia was getting out of the water. She had to see for herself that her family was okay. Lydia planned to do the same. "That's my cue to reunite with my family as well." She told Cora.

"Thank you so much, Lydia." Cora held her hands. "For everything. And...I'm sorry for how I treated you."

"Don't be. I would have done the same thing." Lydia and Cora hugged one more time. The two waved, and Lydia was back at the swimming platform. "Heck of a vacation, huh."

"You said it." Sofia helped her out of the water. The girls savored the return of their legs, certain they wouldn't need the flippers again anytime soon.

"LYDIA!" Ubos and Eezeyal tackled Lydia. She laughed as her boys snuggled to her. "Don't you ever scare us like that again."

"YA HEAR?!"

"I hear. And I'm sorry." She kissed them both. Happy endings all around. "I bet Mom and Dad are having a heart attack right about now." She scooted the two off of her. "Let's go see them."

"Oona, can you wait here?" Sofia requested.

"Sure." After all Sofia's done, it's the least she can do.

"We'll be right back." Sofia and Lydia ran to the upper deck.

The girls rounded the last corner. To their eternal delight - one they will never take for granted - their family was safe and sound. Shaken up and possibly traumatized, but safe.

"MOM!"

"DAD!" The girls ran to them.

"Lydia!" Roland embraced Lydia.

"Sofia!" Miranda knelt and caught her. "Thank goodness!" She showered both of her girls in kisses. "My sweet babies are okay!"

"I'm sorry we doubted you both, girls." Roland cupped their cheeks. "We should have believed you from the start."

"It's okay, dad." Sofia reassured him.

"I was there and I still can't believe it." Lydia's whirling head had a hard time wrapping around it.

"So do you want to want to meet the mermaids?" Sofia thinks they've waited long enough.

"Right now?!" Amber cheered.

"Yeah!" James jumped.

"You bet I do!" Roland released his inner kid. He quickly cleared his throat, "Uh, I mean, why not?" He failed to play it cool. Lydia laughed at him, expecting that reaction.

"Oh, Sofia! I never doubted you for a second!" Amber masked her life in a hug. "What are we waiting for? Let's go see them!" She half dragged Sofia. James led Lydia like a dog.

The trio of younger siblings out ran Lydia and the other adults. Oona, nervous about the new humans, cowered at the platform. Sofia had James and Amber stop about halfway. The two poked from behind Sofia. There was indeed a girl in the water. Oona lifted herself up, fanning her tail and a warm smile to the royals. As Lydia guided her parents and Baileywick to the platform, everyone found themselves at a loss for words. Lydia and Sofia would forever treasure this moment.

"This is my friend, Oona." Sofia introduced. "Oona, this is our family."

"Hi..." Oona shyly waved.

"HI!" Amber waved breathless.

"Hey!" James lifted a hand. Miranda wordlessly waved.

"Pleased to meet you, Oona." Roland stood on ceremony.

"Well, hello there." Baileywick exuberantly greeted.

"Do you wanna meet my family?" Oona offered.

"We'd love to!" Miranda answered for all of them.

Oona disappeared under the water for a spell. All was quiet. Baileywick and the others peered out to the sea, wondering if she was coming back. Oona sprouted a ways out to sea, waving to them. Cora and Sven appeared after.

"That's Oona's sister, Cora." Sofia answered before anyone asked.

"Oona's BIG sister." Lydia winked.

One after the other, the ocean was filled by an array of merpeople. Beings once scared of the surface, revealing themselves to the first humans to come to their cove in a long time. Gentlemen merfolk form two single file lines, creating an aisle from Oona and Cora to the ship. They all faced the head of the line. Queen Emmaline Rose from the sea, gracing the humans with open arms.

Lydia and Sofia shared James and Ambers awe. She sure knew how to make an entrance. Roland was enamored by her mythical beauty. "Oh my..." Miranda grimaced at him. She was standing right there.

The mermen bowed as Queen Emmaline and her daughters approached. "This is my mom, Queen Emmaline." Oona introduced.

"Your Majesty," Roland extended his right foot, and folded one hand back in a bow, "It is an honor to make your acquaintance." He gestured an open hand, welcoming her amongst them.

"The honor is mine." Queen Emmaline adulatedly replied. She will never be able to express how pleased she have the privilege of meeting the family of two very brave, and noble girls.

The shells on Cora's headband reminded Lydia of something very important. "If you'll all excuse me for a moment," She curtsied quickly to Queen Emmaline, "I need to go check on something. I'll be right back."

"Hurry back!" Cora told her. "You and I have stories to swap!"

"Deal!" Lydia spun around, skipping up stairs.

xxx

Tentacle wrapped to the ship's stern, hauling a broken and battered Cedric over the ledge. He tossed Wormwood on board first, then proceeded to topple. He had no energy left for the day. Being defeated by not one, BUT FOUR princesses was exhausting.

"Water to air...sea to land..." He lethargically swayed the wand, caring very little if the spell was cast properly, "Turn us back to bird...and man!" Magic zipped crazily, shrieking like fireworks. A glowing outline evaporated their invertebrate forms, and left them sopping wet as the royal sorcerer and faithful pet. "At least that spell worked! I so need a vacation!" He whimpered. Wormwood knew the feeling.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Lydia ran to the half dead pair, sliding on her knees to them. Cedric and Wormwood growled in indescribable rage at her appearance. Lydia, however, was just glad they were alright. "Geez! I've been looking everywhere for you! Whoa." She paused a moment to notice they weren't looking for hot. "Are you okay? What happened to you?" She helped them sit up against the wall.

If only she knew! "It is a fish tale I would rather not go into." He slapped a hand over his shameful eyes.

"Fair enough..." A ragdoll had more equilibrium than him. Wormwood was a drowned rat, and Cedric looked like he lost a fight with a fish. This oughta cheer him up. "You'll never guess! There are mermaids by the swimming platform." Cedric and Wormwood went rigid. "Wanna come meet them?"

Cedric smashed a palm to her face. "In all honesty, Princess Lydia," He slide the hand off her eyes, pulling her by the forehead, "I'd prefer not to see another mermaid for as long as I live."

"Oh...kay?" He's seen mermaids before? She thought it best to ask at a later time when that was. "By the way," She dug around in her shawl, "I found your shell."

"You did?" cedric brightened. A gorgeous, speckled shell. Smooth, pure, and positively gleaming. "Oh, it's perfect! Um...thank you." he'd almost forgotten he asked for one. He never imagined she get it for him.

"Of course." She climbed to her feet, wanting to get back to the excitement. "Make sure you get some rest. Tomorrow might have more surprises in store."

Cedric wasn't sure if that was a threat or a promise. When Lydia was out of earshot, pensively rubbed the shell. This whole adventure will be a blur someday. But what he's witnessed and experienced will forever be engraved. "So many secrets weighing heavily on such a young girl." Two more recently landed in his lap. A talking book, and her mysterious powersurge in the cave. One burden piling onto another, and they will only increase should he confront her about them. "Wormwood…" Cedric inhaled, "We are to forget we ever saw that book."

"CU-HAAAH!?"

"Yes! While my plans will flow much more smoothly, it is vital for Princess Lydia's magic to progress as her studies dictate."

"AWW!"

"Don't pout. Besides," He cradled Wormwood on his shoulder, "I rather enjoy having a young rival. She spices up a dull, provincial life."

xxx

Lydia joined the fun on the swimming platform. Sofia and Oona introduced their families, bringing both mermaids and humans together in a way neither ever dreamed. James dove right in and was swimming with the lovely creatures. Cora and Amber were getting acquainted. Lydia was going to have to wait her turn before having Cora to herself. Queen Emmaline fit in nicely with Miranda and Roland. All the while Oona and Sofia cherished the fact they were all going to be friends from now on. Lydia surprised Plank when she sat near him. She let her feet sit in the water, a little sad that she won't be a manta for a long time after this.

"I am not so that I cannot admit how wrong I was." He bowed in deepest regret to the princess. "Because of my own demons, I aided in the almost genocide of your family. Can you ever forgive me, Princess?"

"Lydia. My friends call me Lydia." Plank was honored. "And I forgave you a long time ago." She winked.

"Your kingdom will be in good hands when you take the throne."

"That truly means a lot coming from you." Though, Lydia doubted she would hold a candle to Queen Emmaline, or Roland. The weight rulers bear on their shoulders was intense. It's no wonder Queen Emmaline and Roland often struggle in their pursuit to reach decisions. No amount of magic will relieve her of that. It will happen one day. Lydia can't run from that. So, for the time being, she was going to take pride that she and Sofia united two worlds under the same blue sky.

Thank you, Ariel.

I will not lie, I wanted to skip the song montage for this because it really wasn't one of my faves. It was hard to write. But I love Ariel too much to not do it.

I am so tired right now. Sorry if the ending was lame or rushed. I'm working on this with a headache.

Till next time.