Disclaimer: I own all. I was advised by a reviewer to include here that I do happen to use elements of the original Little Mermaid story so they do not belong to me no matter how much fun they are to use, but I own everything else.

Author's note:  Well, here we are. First I would like to say Happy New Year to all those who observe.

Now, this chapter will introduce a new character. I personally like him a lot. Tell me what you think.

Sorry to those who like the princes. I didn't mean to make them quite so… well, how they are in this chapter but the just happened to be like that.

Thanks to Ashy for the beta. Thanks to every one who reviewed and thanks to little fox for her spelling correction.

Dedicated to: kaio because she asked for this update and because she has reviewed every chapter.  Thanks!!!

Reminders:

"/Words/" = Common/ English.

"Words" = Melena's home language - Athenian

{Words} = Written words in Athenian

{Words} = Written common/English.

~Until next we meet~

Eloren woke to the pounding of a fist on wood. Looking around sleepily she saw the huge door on the other side of the room was being opened. She flopped back into the amazingly soft pillows and closed her eyes again.

"/Mistress Eloren, you must wake up. Prince Julian requests your presence at the welcoming for Prince Cassius./" A maid entered the room confident and assured. 

"/I am no one's mistress. What would the good prince have me wear this day?/" she groused.

"/He did not leave explicit instructions lady. He said only that you should be dressed in a manner that accented your natural beauty. Such a way with words no?/"

The maid may have been impressed but Eloren certainly wasn't. She had heard far better in her father's court. "/Yes,/" she whispered looking into the distance for a moment, pretending to be completely enamored with him.

"/He wanted something dark miss. Maybe burgundy?/" the maid was chattering unknowingly.

"/That will be fine. I do not know what the prince likes./" Eloren sighed and deeper sank into the soft bed.

What seemed like hours later Eloren was dressed in a dark, heavy, burgundy velvet gown styled much like the one she had worn the day before. Thick gold embroidery adorned the belled sleeves and collar as well as the hem that almost dragged on the ground. A matching belt encircled her slim waist, knotted in the front and almost reaching the floor.

Her hair had been twisted and curled and braided so much that she was reluctant to actually look in the pitted mirror provided by one of the many maids that had swarmed into her room after the first had woken her. She was certain it was pilled high and that it looked silly. Despite what she thought the maids gasped and exclaimed over it and she decide that it must be alright if they were that excited about it. Either it looked good or it looked quite bad and they were having a field day with her appearance.

Next they came at her with paints and powders and brushes. She refused the makeup and spilled a good bit on the floor and over the maids who tried to put it on her. They did not understand why she refused them but they did not force the paints.

Finally the maids shooed her out of her room and a manservant lead her to a warm yet gloomy anti room where he left her to wait for instruction from Julian. She sat in a plush chair careful not to harm the expensive dress. Miserably she looked up at the ceiling. "I miss Grandmother," she whispered to the cherubs painted on the ceiling. "I miss Athenia. I miss Hartwin!" her voice grew higher at the mention of the golden haired merman.

"And just who is Hartwin?" a deep voice from behind her asked.

She turned and looked at the figure; Julian. "Hartwin is – was – my betrothed."

"You say was, what do you mean?" He sounded suspicious.

"I am not sure he is alive any longer. I have not seen him in quite a few years." She was quiet and sorrowful and hoped he hadn't caught her white lie. It had only been a year. 

"I am sorry for your loss." He was much too formal to be sincere and Eloren was immediately wary of him though she would not show it.

"I thank you. Is there some reason I am dressed in this hideous contraption or do you love torturing all your servants?" she asked sharply. She knew she should rise and face him because he was the prince but she couldn't be bothered to care.

"I want you to play for me and my brother is coming home tonight so you will play for the both of us."

"Ah of course. When does he arrive and when would you like me to play?" she did not bother to suppress the anger in her voice. 

"I am not sure when he will return. You will play when he wants you to." His voice became hard and his eyes narrowed.

"Of course your majesty." She said with a small laugh in her voice. She was mocking him!

He turned on his heal and left in a huff. Eloren also rose from her chair and left though she had no idea where she was going. Wandering the halls was actually comforting. She remembered walking this way in her father's castle; silent, alone, and at peace.

Everything from last night put aside, the castle was a lonely place and Eloren would rather be anywhere else but that was not possible yet. Sighing she stopped walking and lay her forehead on the frigid stone of the wall.

Pushing away from the wall she continued walking. All the doors she passed were closed except for one. It was a large door ornately carved with fairies and nymphs and elves. Disappointed she looked for mermaids but found none. She entered the room and found it was full of shelves upon shelves of books. After searching the room for others she was pleasantly surprised to find no one in the library. There was a long table in a far corner hidden from the door by shelves and a few books were laid haphazardly across its surface.

The quiet of the castle was getting on her nerves though she would never admit it. She walked to the table and sat down. Picking up a random book she began to read.

Hearing footsteps but being too apathetic to care Eloren continued reading the very interesting book on elven lore she had picked up. Only a soft voice caused her too look up. "/Is there someone here?/"

Deciding that if she was forced to stay in this awful castle she would at least have some fun with the other servants, she answered the voice without turning around. "Yes, I am here."

"I am sorry for bothering you miss. I will be leaving now." To her surprise whoever was in the room spoke Athenian as well.

Turning around she saw a tall, thin, dark haired man with a pile of books in his hands. Glazed green eyes were staring past her and only then did it occur to Eloren that he was blind. "No, wait, please! I am sorry I intruded on this place."

"You were not intruding. This is his majesty's library. I am only the librarian." He placed the books near her and sat down.

"I am only the youngest prince's minstrel." She offered.

"You do not wish to be? He is by far the easier prince to work with." He seemed genuinely interested and Eloren decided it wouldn't be bad if she confided in him.

"Nay, he is demanding and haughty. Nothing like the royalty I am used to; at least sane royalty." She smiled even though he could not see it.

"And you know the ones that are not sane?" he laughed slightly.

"I know them very well. I grew up in the court of the most jealous princesses."

"There were six weren't there. They were vicious as well as jealous." He seemed a little bitter.

"The elder five were horrible, though the youngest was not."

"How long have you been away miss-" he seemed tentative to even ask.

"I am called Eloren."

"That is not your name?"

"It is here. I did not use my given name when I was captured to protect the family I was living with. And to protect my younger brother. I have been gone from Athenia for only a few months. And you, how long have you been gone…" she trailed off eager to hear the man's name. She suspected him of having Athenian origins as well. She was certain he was a merman; she had seen the golden sheen on his hair when the candle light hit it and his eyes, once they lost their glazed cast would be a very surprising and clear green.

"I am called Abel."

"That is not your name either I gather but I am pleased to meet you Abel. I do hope I am not keeping you from your work."

"Nay, lady you are not. I can not do much beside arrange the books on this table. There is another librarian to place them were they need go."

"I see. I should be on my way, the prince maybe looking for me."

"As you wish lady. Until next we meet." He said and smiled a little.

"Until next we meet." She whispered as she left.