Disclaimer: I own all.

Author's note: They story idea has changed again. The character who was going to change things is no longer screaming at me to allow him to be included. Therefore he will not be unless someone out there wants him to.

I know I said this would be out after finals (they end tomorrow) but I've decided to put it out now. I'm hoping someone will be willing to offer ideas to help with the progress of this story but if not it'll take me a while with the next chapter.

Thanks to Lellida and Katsiebee for their reviews. Thanks to Ashanya for the partial beta. And thanks to haikugirl for her constructive criticism. Thanks to everyone who actually reads this and feel free to tell me what you think, flames welcome.

Reminders:

It has only been about three weeks since Melena became human.

"/Words/" = Common/ English.

"Words" = Melena's home language - Athenian

{Words} = Written words in Athenian

{Words} = Written common/English.

~Lies, damned lies, and…nicknames ~

Melena's mind raced, she began saying the first thing that came to her mind. "/I will come willingly if I am given a horse of my own, I am allowed to bring my harp, and that if you insist upon using my son as a means of bringing me quietly, I want to be able to see him when we stop. If these things are done I will not run from you./" Melena also realized what the guards had heard and cringed inwardly. She didn't want Rowan to be harmed because she told the truth and said that he was a mere brother but she couldn't help the lie. She was still too weak from the fever to fight them, making this the only way to save both their lives.  

"/She makes fair requests. We will not have to chase her much this way if we cooperate./" One officer muttered.

"/It is not our job to cooperate with the entertainment!/" another snapped.

"/Both your council is sound,/" the commander started, "/but I agree with the woman. We will do what you wish girl, if you come with out a fuss and you do not try to leave once we reach the castle. Do you accept?/"

She nodded and curtsied slightly. "/I do accept milord but I am afraid your soldier is frightening my son./"

"/I'm sorry miss but that cannot be helped. He has nothing to fear from us so it is his choice if he is afraid. May I inquire about your names lady?/"

Melena knew she could not give her real name. They might enquire about her in the village and she did not want to be found out. "/My name is Eloren. I was on my way back from a visit to my sister./"

"/Ah, a sister, little tigress? And who might she be?/"

"/She is the wife of the blacksmith in the village yonder./" Melena pointed the opposite direction as the spring. "/She did not know we were coming. I wished to surprise her./"

"/Ah, surprise. Those hold so much intrigue. It must be ironic how you were on your way to surprise your sister, little tigress and now you're coming with us to surprise Prince Julian./" He smiled at her, "/Bring the horse!/" he barked at one of the soldiers. 

"/Sir, it must sound silly of me to ask this but where is Carthan? We have lost our guide and he never told us where we were./" She sounded slightly sheepish.

"/Why dear tigress, it is nearly three days ride west./" The captain of the guards seemed nice though he seemed to think she was something of a simpleton.

"/Wonderful sir. Would that I speak to my son before we depart. The we can be on our way./" She smiled pleasantly.

"/Of course you may speak with him./" He snapped his fingers and one of the men brought Rowan forward.  

Melena knelt down to hug him and whispered in his ear at the same time. "/They think I'm your mother Ro. Let them believe that. If you do not, they may kill us both. They also think we're going to visit your aunt. They think she is Elesea. Be quiet, be good, and don't say a word./" She added the last part when she saw a soldier coming to collect the little boy.

"/Time to go missy./" He took the small boy's hand, and lead him to a horse that another soldier was already ridding and placed him in front of the other rider. They were not frightening or threatening him in any way. Melena smiled. They seemed to be nice men. Maybe they were all bark and only a little bite. She certainly hoped so.

She was lead to her own horse presently and mounted with out too much difficulty. Pretending she knew how to ride was one of the hardest things she had ever done. It was difficult to stay seated when the horse bounced and jounced at every step.

*~

After three days of ridding and camping they came to a large castle made of gray stone. Melena sighed staring up at it. It was so different from her father's castle. His had been made of iridescent coral* and was not nearly this, compact. It was built for the pleasure of the occupant not, protection. She sighed again. Her sisters had probably destroyed it by now.

This castle was tight compact and the walls looked very thick indeed. She was slightly frightened but her horse moved forward and so did she. The soldiers seemed happy to be home. They were chatting and talking and the one who was riding with Rowan was playing a little game with him.

~*

Seventeen-year-old Julian sat in a large plush armchair in his study reading. His light brown hair was unkempt, falling into his eyes gray eyes and his long legs were curled up under him. There was a knock on his door but he ignored it. If it was important the door was not locked. Whoever it was opened the door and came in.

"/What are you doing here?/" He asked slightly annoyed seeing it was his army captain.

"/You expressed your wish for pleasant entertainment the last time we talked and I have found some. She is here in the palace now and my unit and I are about to leave. I have come only to inform you that she will be here shortly./" He  bowed and left.

"/Who is coming?/" Prince Julian was confused. He didn't understand why they had brought someone back with them, a woman no less.

A knock sounded at his door and seconds later a tall, ethereal girl appeared. Her skin was pure white and her eyes were almost golden, they were so light brown. She wore a long, flowing black dress with a low neck line; the belled sleeves almost covered her hands and were outlined thickly with white strips and gold embroidery. Her hair was pulled back in a tight plait thrown over one shoulder. In her hands was a small lap harp. The only thing missing was a pair of wings to make her an angel.

"/Who are you?/" he asked annoyed that he had been interrupted again.

"/I am called Eloren, by most milord, though your captain called me tigress. I was instructed to come here by one of the other servants. I am told I will be your new harpist./" Her voice held a strange accent and he was not sure he had ever heard it before.

*^*^*^*^*

*  I made this up. I do not believe that coral is actually iridescent but here, in the world of this mermaid it is. If that bothers you, well, too bad. I like it this way. If you can't see it, think shiny plastic sorts of things.

I hope this is alright. I rather like Prince Julian and I was wondering what you readers thought of him. Do you like him better than 'Robert' or do you not like either of them and think there should be a new male lead?

Answer or don't but I'd really like to know.