Disclaimer: I own everything.

Notes: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Thank you to x-silver-saffire-x   for her suggestion about the narration. I'm sorry. It will change next chapter I promise. This was my intention all along. She'll go away until the last chapter. I promise. By the way can anyone tell me how to use italics on this thing? Please???

~Escape~

The old mermaid was waiting the next day in her coral chair. Flocks of mer-people -- young and old -- came to crowd around for the story. This day she would tell them a different part of the tale though. One they were not expecting.

"Good afternoon everyone! Today the story will be a little different but you will understand what it has to do with the rest of the story at another time. On with the story.

"The sea nymph, Kalypso lived in a lavish home at the far end of the mermaid city. She was very beautiful though she was also very old. Her Skin was a beautiful shade of light lavender and her tail was golden. She was wise and she was the one every one went to when there was a problem. She was also the king's grandmother. The nymph was a nice old woman but she was lonely.

"She brought this matter to the king and because she was loved by all he granted her a companion. The companion was one of his own daughters. The youngest to be exact.

"Melena had the most beautiful voice out of all the princesses and because the sea nymph was the king's grandmother and he could not deny her anything the youngest princess became the old nymph's companion/ musician.

"They were good friends from the start. Melena liked singing for her great-grandmother and her grandmother would often tell her stories of places mermaids only dream about.

"For many years Melena would spend many hours each day with her grandmother going home for meals and such things but she preferred to spend her time with the old sea nymph.

"During the last two years of companionship Melena had been distracted by her prince and then her father's failing health and yet she still made time to see her grandmother.

"The day her father died Melena was at his side. He still hadn't appointed a ruler and she was afraid for her life. Her sisters had always hated her for her beauty and voice. She rushed to her grandmother begging for help.

"' Grandmother! Papa is dead! What will I do? He is the only thing that kept me safe and now he is gone!" she sobbed into her grandmother's shoulder for long minutes until the old nymph snapped her fingers and pushed her a way slightly. The old woman knew exactly what was happening and she had a way to end it.   

"'Child hush! I know a way for you to be safe. It is dangerous but at least you will live. You may even live to come back here one day. Now you must listen to me. I am going to give you a potion that will give you legs. You must swim to shore first before you drink this so you will not be stranded. It may change your appearance some but do not worry."

"'But grandmother, you will be so lonely with out me. What will you do?' Melena cried.

"'I have an idea Melena. Play your harp for me. Sing while you do so.' The princess found this an odd request but she complied anyway. The old one began to mutter and then a bright light left her cupped hands to envelop Melena. All the while Melena continued singing even though when the light was around her it felt as though her voice was being pulled out through her mouth.

"Soon the old nymph had her stop singing but the music continued. Puzzled Melena took her hands from the harp but it wouldn't stop playing. Then her voice began to sing along but Melena had her mouth closed.

"She opened her mouth to say what would have been, "Grandmother how can this be?" Instead only bubbles left her lips. She stared at her grandmother in horror until the old lady held up her hand and began to explain.

"'Granddaughter I do this for your safety and my sanity. You see to use this potion that will give you legs and make you human you must sacrifice something of yourself. I have taken your voice so that can be your sacrifice and I have woven it into the song of this harp. This way I can hear your voice again when I am lonely. We both get what we want this way. You understand do you not?'

"Melena could do nothing but stare and nod her head as tears formed in her eyes.  Kalypso hugged her granddaughter and handed her the potion in a beautifully decorated emerald bottle. "Take this and go to the surface with me. I will lead you to the place where an old friend of mine lives. She will take care of you until you are able to care for yourself."

"Melena nodded quickly and motioned for her grandmother to lead the way. They swam for hours until they reached an underwater cove. There were steps leading up from the tiny beach that could only go to the surface. Here Kalypso told her granddaughter to drink the potion and go up the stairs there she would find a cottage and within would be a woman named Elesea. She was an old friend and would help Melena."

Here the old mermaid stopped. She sighed and got out of her chair. "I am sorry everyone. I must end the story here for tonight but tomorrow I will continue." With that she entered her home and closed the door not waiting to see the crowd dissipate.