Susan had never been comfortable around boys, especially those she admired, for instance, Legolas and Caspian. Making conversation was not hard but keeping it interesting had always been a challenge to her. It did not help growing up with two brothers for she was born with the incapability to communicate with the opposite sex. The only time she has gotten the courage to speak up would be when she was drunk in a bar and it had simply been alcohol working its magic. Whenever trapped in such a position, she would get frustrated easily and end up convincing the other person he had done something wrong. However, with Gimli, Sam, Aragorn or anyone way older than her, there was zero difficulty in chatting with them for they always seem to have endless experience to share, not requiring her contributions to the topic a single bit. But now, sitting at the table with her elven prince, she was once again in the position she dreaded most.

To speak the truth, she loved and hated the time she spent alone with the elf. If it required talking, she would rather the meeting ended as soon as possible but if it was simply cuddling or enjoying each other's silent company, she would hope for it to last an eternity. She might sound like a difficult girl to please but it was not the case for she has never told anyone about this nervousness of hers and it bothered no one but herself.

So, for at least half of the meal, Susan felt the awkward quietness seep into her bones. Yet, whenever she lifted her eyes off of her plate to gaze at him, he would always have a genuine smile hanging on his face as if he were enjoying every second of this private time they were spending together. Could he really be enjoying this? She thought. Deciding the atmosphere was too silent to her liking, she decided to break the silence by asking him the first question that popped up her head.

"Don't you miss Mirkwood?" She asked casually, tearing a piece from the sweet roll.

He lifted his head slightly and stopped to stare at her. It seemed like forever before he responded.

"What makes you think I don't?" He conveniently ignored her question while challenging her with another.

The warrior queen was taken by surprise of his approach of his and grinning, she accepted his test. "Just thought that you did not seem the least sorry that you had to leave Gondor or your homeland for that matter." she answered.

"How about you? Do you miss Gondor?" Once again, he avoided her previous statement.

She groaned helplessly at his words. Couldn't he just provide her answers to the doubts she had once and for all?

"Of course I do," she said gruffly, stressing the last word, "Why wouldn't I? Gondor and its people has been nothing but my home and family for the past months. At times, I miss Narnia as well despite having left that place for what seems like a century."

A smile appeared on his face and standing up, he leaned across the small table, narrowing down their distance to no more than a few centimeters. She could feel his warm breath tickling her neck as he moved to whisper in her ear, "No doubt I miss Mirkwood." She sat fairly still, determined to hold her breath until he backed off. But he did not. Instead, he continued in a seductive voice, "By the way, I just love it when you frown." His words surprised her.

Slowly, he shifted and landed a kiss on the space in between her brows. Instantaneously, her furrowed brows eased and a smile spread across her face. He returned to his seat after that and they continued with their own meal.

Susan was proud of herself for breaking the ice. At least, even with them not speaking for the rest of the meal, she did feel the least uncomfortable or annoyed. Occasionally, the two exchanged smiles when their eyes met but the conversation has ended and they were finally easing into this calmness, enjoying the other's silent company while listening to the soothing noise of the waves.

At first, all Susan could hear was the water splashing on rocks with the occasional noises by the seagulls despite the moon being out. But then, as if caught in a dream, she could hear whispers. She turned to look at Legolas to see if it had been him, yet all she could find on his face was a smile. So it wasn't him. She thought. There was once again, silence. She had tried hard to maintain her inner peace and enjoy the moment with the elf but the quietness was eating her up. Suddenly, the whisper came again "Legolas". The voice and soft and had a ring to it, definitely the sound made by a pretty lady. The prince seemed to have heard it as well and turned to enquire Susan. She shook her head in response and with ears wide open, they strained to listen for the voice once more.

"Legolas," it came again and getting out of the table as softly as possible, they walked to the deck, careful not to make a noise.

As they emerged nearer to the railing, the whisper grew louder. Following the voice, Susan looked out of the boat and into the dark blue sea. There, swam a beautiful, she could as well add, half-naked, lady. With white-blonde hair and fair skin, the gorgeous woman gave the prince a sweet smile as if to seduce him. The Pevensie girl was about to tell the girl to get lost when she noticed a light flickering and shimmering under the water. Getting a closer look, she understood why the ocean girl had been so charming-she was a mermaid, with a tail at the bottom half of her body. This discovery made the situation the more serious.

She turned to leave with one hand on Legolas' arms to pull him away, but he would not budge. She tugged harder yet it was as if he were stuck there by a strong magnetic force. It was then she realized the elf had his eyes fixed on the humanoid, who returned the gaze with a charming yet malicious smile, that she fully comprehended the situation.

"Oh no," Susan muttered under her breath.

I have heard both good and bad things about merpeople, but as you may see here, I am undobtedly against them. Sorry for not having posted this long. For one thing, I kind of had a writer's block and secondly, I am having my mid term examinations which are pains in the butt. I am sure I will be able to update regularly in no time. And for the time being, bear with the cliff-hanger :P

Believe me, I'm trying real hard to blend the adventure part in!

Reply to the Cretin: Thank you so much for supporting me this whole time. I hope you are still checking out this story to read this chapter LOL Though I could not find a decent story on Mermaids, I decided to follow my instincts to make them evil. I just find them sometimes to good to be true so allow me to make them notorious for once :D I hope my depiction of this magical creature is not too "fake". Anyways, I'm doing fine, hope you are well too! Good luck with everything!