"How are we going to get back?" Xavier asked as he tenderly scooped his mermaid up in his strong arms.
"We could follow the arrows back," Sam contemplated, "but from there, I haven't got a clue."
"We'll figure something out," Xavier said decidedly, "come on."
Xavier turned to leave behind the awful pirate ship, and Sam hurriedly tucked Hali's book under his arm, and grabbed the Trident with his free hand.
The boys were in for another long swim, and as a result were becoming experts at swimming with their tails. Each prominent rock formation guided their way. Despite fatigue, sore muscles, and stinging wounds, they trudged onwards. Neither Sam nor Xavier had the heart to let Hali down now, after she just single-handedly saved the entire ocean from certain doom.
"Hey, watch it!" screeched Xavier.
Sam had just rubbed the trident the wrong way, and a burst of lightning completely demolished one of the rock arrows they were so faithfully following.
"Listen, buddy," Sam defended himself form this brutal verbal attack, "I'm carrying two weapons of mass destruction here! You got off easy. I'll gladly trade for what you're holding, though."
Xavier stared down at Hali's swollen face. The girl was sleeping peacefully.
Brushing aside a tendril on red hair, Xavier smiled, "No, I'm keeping Hali."
Sam would have challenged the landlubber, for his right to carry the sleeping princess to safety, but an unexpected, though familiar voice was conducted through the water, and finally reached the ears of the two young men.
"My baby!" Ariel screamed, "What happened to my baby?"
The sailor and the stable hand looked up in surprise. within sight was Hali's family, the annoying red crab, and her animal familiars that Hali so lovingly called Hachi and Kailani. Within moments, the unusual group formed a large circle around Sam and Xavier who was still clutching Hali tightly to his chest. The first thing Eric did was take Hali into his own arms.
Xavier reluctantly released the girl to her father, "She's fine, Your Majesty. Just sleeping like a baby."
"I'll take that," Ariel held out an expectant hand, obviously referring to her father's Trident.
Sam gladly obliged. He certainly didn't want to be responsible for the weapon any longer than was necessary, not after all the mishaps he had had with it already.
"How did you manage to find your way here?" inquired Sam.
"We followed the dolphin," answered Melody, "It took us a while to figure out what she wanted, but then when the octopus started pulling us along...."
Every last one of them stopped, when they heard a small moan escaped from Hali's lips.
"Tiamat?" her voice was etched with pain.
"She's dead, Hali," Xavier assured her.
"Oh," it was a simple reply, and Hali buried her face Eric's shoulder, and fell asleep once more.
It had been a full day since Tiamat's demise, and Xavier and Sam stood on the beach side by side, staring into the ocean.
"Take care of her," Sam offered each word between jagged breaths.
"I will," promised Xavier.
"When she comes back," Sam sighed heavily, "tell Lorelei I said goodbye."
Xavier nodded earnestly, "Of course."
"If I ever find out that you somehow mistreat her," warned Sam, "I'll come back for her."
Xavier snorted, "you don't need to worry about that."
With that, Sam turned, leaving for his ship. His captain was bound to be furious with him. After all, the crew was only supposed to be docked for a week.
Having been too weak to travel back up to the surface, she had spent her time recuperating in King Triton's castle. Ariel had sent word to her sisters, that the threat had been eliminated, and the kingdom was once again bustling with life.
Hali woke up with a groan. Serene had stuck dozens of seaweed band-aides, the kind with the little cartoon sea creatures etched on them, all over Hali's body. The little mergirl didn't seem to care that many of the band-aides were placed on areas of Hali's body, that had no visible injuries at all. The clam shell bed that Hali had been sleeping in for a solid week, now, was so littered with Serene's stuffed animals. that Hali could scarcely move her arms. There was Darwin, keeping a watchful eye on Serene's favorite cousin. Darwin was joined by the likes of Brutus, the blue whale, and Mr. Pointy, the starfish, was being utilized as a sort of pillow.
"Oh, Serene," Hali giggled.
Hali pushed aside the mass of stuffed animals, and Darwin toppled over the side of the bed.
"Sorry, Darwin," Hali apologized, while placing the seahorse back upon the bed.
The word spreading quickly through the castle, was that King Triton had finally awoken. Hali was determined to see her grandfather, before returning back to land.
It was a short swim to the king's bedchambers, and Hali entered, making sure to knock first.
"Come in, dear," The voice belonged to her Aunt Attina.
"How is he?" Hali inquired.
"He's awake," Attina stated, "but he is still very weak."
"Hello, grandpa," Hali was tearing up.
King Triton attempted to speak, but his body was still under a large amount of stress from his ordeal, so a few meaningless gurgles was all that came form his lips.
"Shhh," Hali hushed.
Her grandfather didn't need to speak a word, because Hali could read the king's thoughts through his expressive eyes. After a while, Hali turnned to her aunt.
"I should be getting home, now."
"Yes," Attina agreed, "Ariel's probably out of her mind with worry.
Attina, who was still in temporary command of the throne gathered the family together to bid farewell to Hali. Hali hugged each of her aunts and many cousins.
When Hali came to Jade, she said, "Take care of grandpa."
"I will," promised Jade.
Next it was Serene's turn. The poor mermaid was bawling, unabashed, and clung steadfastly to Hali's chartreuse fins.
"No, Hali!" the child wailed.
"Now, Serene," warned Andrina, "let go of your cousin this instant!"
"No!" this was a very stubborn little girl.
"Don't worry, Serene," Hali comforted, "I'm not leaving forever. I'll be back for a visit really soon."
"Promise?"
"I promise," Hali smiled at the girl.
"Pinky swear?"
Hali laughed, and interlocked her pinky with Serene's. Then she fussed with the five year old's blond locks for a moment, and began her journey to the surface.
A man and a woman stood in the bright moonlight, with the waves crashing around their ankles.
"Sam wanted me to tell you goodbye," Xavier was shaking for no reason at all.
"I hope he finds happiness," sighed Hali.
"Hali?"
Hali turned, to face the man standing before her. Xavier was gazing at her, with a depth Hali had never seen before, through those sea-green eyes.
"Yes, Xavier?" her words were breathy.
"Je t'aime."
Having finally spoken those undeniably romantic words, Xavier pulled Hali into the kiss that she had been waiting so patiently for. Hali immediately wrapped her arms around the neck of her true love, and pushed deeper into the kiss.
Eric stood on his balcony watching the scene that was unfolding before him. A pair of star crossed lovers where wrapped closely in an embrace, and kissing passionately. His knuckles were turning white, he was griping on to the railing so tightly. Eric was huffing rather heavily, when Ariel's hand rested lightly on his shoulder.
Addressing his wife, Eric asked, "I'm going to lose this battle, aren't I, Ariel?"
"I think you're going to lose a daughter," Ariel wisely replied.
Eric seemed to contemplate this for a moment, then said, "Tell Hali that she can see whomever she pleases."
Eric turned to reenter their bedchambers, "Coming to bed, my love?"
"In a moment," the queen smiled at her king.
Ariel stared at the two lovers, who were now holding hands, and gazing out over the ocean. Hali's head was resting against Xavier's shoulder, and Ariel couldn't help but smile to herself. they made such a cute couple.
~FIN~
French Pop Quiz
If you can tell me what Je t'aime means, you will win a prize. I will fashion a character after none other than wonderful you. The character will appear in one of my sequels or in my prequel, if you prefer. The first to post correctly wins. Good luck to all!
Amendment: Contest closed. Winner Found.
Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah
So, I hoped you enjoyed the story. I just love, mushy happy endings don't you? This chapter shifted scenes a whole lot, but I wanted to capture everyone's feelings at the end. I have a mix of emotions right now. I'm happy that the story is finally over, but I'm sad at the same time. I really enjoyed writing this fanfiction. Not bad for a first attempt, if I do say so my self. On the bright side, there is always my sequel to look froward to! Be sure to check back for Ocean Heart trivia. Thanks a million.
Grab your coat. Don't forget your hat,
xJadeRain.
