CHAPTER FOUR: MERLINA'S DREAM

It was just about daybreak when I awoke. I surfaced near Jack's boat and leaped aboard, crawling up to the warrior, as he lay asleep. He looked so gentle and sweet as he was sleeping on the deck of the boat; I almost hated to wake him. But it was time for us to be departing for the Sea Witch's lair, and it had to be done.

I got a mischievous idea. I loosened and removed the sash from his robe, then opened the robe full and wide. Then I lay my head on his chest, nuzzling his smooth, sleek skin with my cheek. It didn't wake him, but it made me let out a contented "Mmmm" as I decided to rest there for a while. (It was still quite early to set sail, after all.)

As I rested on Jack's chest, I slowly drifted off to sleep and began to dream. I dreamt that Jack and I were taking a long, leisurely underwater swim together, and I was showing him the beauty of the undersea world. He was totally fascinated by all he saw: the colorful schools of fish, the graceful dolphins, the seaweed as it swayed and danced in the gentle current. I, too was fascinated by all that I was seeing: watching Jack swim naked and free, with his long, black hair swaying around his head.

"Your world is so beautiful, Merlina," he said to me happily. "I want to stay here forever. And I want to stay with you forever."

My entire face lit up with excitement.

"Merlina," Jack said, "I would be most honored if you would be my wife."

I was so excited and speechless, I nodded my answer, and then reached out to give him the most wonderful hug and kiss he'd ever had.

Suddenly, I found myself in some kind of net that kept me from Jack. I tried to tear it open, but couldn't. It was just like the fishnet I'd been caught in when I'd first met Jack.

"Jack! Help me!" I called out to him.

Then, I heard a strange voice, which made my blood run cold.

"So! Trying to run away, eh, Merlina?"

I turned around. I saw the shadowy figure of a merman. I didn't know who it was, because even his face was covered in shadow.

"P-Prince Tyburon?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear.

"Come, Merlina! " said the shadow. "We've got a wedding to go to!"

"I'm not going!" I said defiantly.

"Oh, yes, you are!" the strange merman laughed. "Because it's our wedding!"

"I'm going to marry Jack!"

"Jack who?"

I looked around. Jack was nowhere in sight. I was starting to get very nervous. Had he disappeared?

I kept pulling and pulling at the fishnet and looking around for Jack, while I felt the net begin to tighten around me, to the point where I couldn't breathe.

"Let me out of this net...please," I gasped breathlessly. "Jack! Help me! Help me!"

I was still crying out for Jack when he woke me up, while I cursed Tyburon for ensnaring me in his net.

"Tyburon, let me go...I can't breathe!" I panted.

"Merlina! Wake up!" Jack cried, gently shaking me from my dream. "You are having a nightmare!"

"I'm not going to marry you, Prince Tyburon, and that's final!" Still half awake, half dreaming, I rolled out of the boat and into the water, sinking like a stone.

"Merlina!" he cried. Fearing the worst, he quickly disrobed and dived in. He quickly found me, then lightly shook me awake.

A few seconds later, we both resurfaced. I felt much better after getting a little water in my lungs.

"Thanks!" I said, tightly hugging the warrior. "I must have been out of water for quite a while."

"Are you all right, Merlina?" Jack asked.

"I'm fine now," I answered.

"Then we must be off to find the Sea Witch!" Jack said as he climbed back into his boat.

After quickly getting dressed, Jack hoisted up the anchor, and immediately set sail, with me leading the way. With luck, we would soon be reaching the Sea Witch's lair.

And with luck, my wish would be granted.

And Jack would soon be mine...

I sighed contentedly just thinking about it.