Dialogues:

"Sindarin / Quenya / Valari"

"English / Common Tongue - Westron"

"Other dialects"

'3rd person POV thoughts'

AN: Sorry for late updates. Work's really busy, too many patients and even less time to sleep. This story's kinda slow burn. I don't like haste. (Think about Saitama's face for my face reaction as I write this AN)

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Chapter 5: A drop of curiosity

- Erika

I've seen lots of movies and TV shows about mermaids and their journey towards something. Different story plots but same concept. Some stories were fighting for love, some about discovering a hidden magic that could transform you into a one powerful mermaid, and there's even this one about mermaids surfacing because of lack of food. All of those stories has a very impressive demonstration of the protagonist's character transformation. They were magical. There are lights and sparkles involve and the dramatics are incredible.

Not like I'm imagining to have the same blinding bright metamorphosis moment but what just happened was downright anticlimactic. Even to my own standards.

I have no idea what is happening. I yelp in shock and tried to wave the steam away thinking it would help but the smoke thickens and even my sight is completely clouded.

I remember my father and the emergency tips he gave my brothers and I if ever a fire occurs, the topic was opened thanks to our school's emergency drill for the fire-prevention month. Being one of the security guards of our school, Pops made sure we know what to do in times of emergency and even theatrically demonstrated some stuffs to us including how to roll on the ground if your clothes are burning. It was a bit comical but we made sure to always listen to all the things he taught us.

Though I'm not really sure whether or not it is applicable to my situation right now or if I really am on fire since I don't feel any heat or pain, I did exactly what I was taught. I rolled on the ground a few times, soaking myself in fine, white sands. It might not be the best idea at the moment but it sure helps because I moved away from the spot where some of the steam has build up. The wind blew them away and the steam gradually dissipates. The first thing that registers into my mind is to check myself.

I scrambled up straight, breathing heavily as if I just had a crossfit marathon. My painfully long hair has stuck into my skin and some has tangled itself around my arms and neck, still damp and coated with sand. It can be called the mess of the century. Even birds won't consider it as a nest. I swept away the strands that fell on my face, spitting the sands that entered my mouth and dusted some in my face. I checked the limb that's visible enough for my eyes to see. I lifted up my forearms, moments ago it was litered with blue scales. Now, I realized that the steam came out of those scales as I watch one slowly dissolves into a thin trail of vapor. All the remaining marks of blue vanished.

My jaw dropped in shock, eyes still scanning all the area it can search, bicep, forearms and even underarm but nothing was found. I looked down and noticed the same thing happens to the other scaly parts of my body. From my breasts, belly, and to the absolutely unbelievable mermaid tail, in its place are my legs back as if nothing happened. My hands are trailing my skin trying to check if this is really happening.

I'm confused. And speechless -for a while- trying to contemplate what has just transpired. Does drying myself triggered my transformation back to my normal self? I admit, I was thinking about the possibilities that this would happen but not HOW it would happen. Besides, not all of me was turned back to normal, the length of my hair didn't evaporate just like my tail, my body looks like I undergo some serious diet regime. Not that I instantly acquired a runway-worthy body but it definitely became much leaner. My dry-ass skin was never this smooth and my eyesight might not be as clear and vivid as my sight on other form but it's certainly clearer than normal, enough for me to see things like I have my glasses or contacts on.

I don't have a mirror at this moment to check my face and even my body but I'm sure everything's not the same. Here I thought things like this happens only in tales and movies, people of some prophecy or to people with exceptional skills and intelligence. But I'm nothing like those people. I don't even know how to play chess. I can't even walk on flat surfaces without tripping myself. I never received any honors or recognition during my studies, never finished college, with two left feet and singing skills that's only used passionately while washing dishes or taking a shower. Don't get me wrong, my voice isn't that terrible, in fact I can even play a guitar and sing along to some songs. When I was young, my maternal grandfather and I used to sing along in his old radio like two drunks making a heartfelt performance. He taught me how to sing, play guitar and appreciate music as if it's a gift of God much beautiful than gold. He also taught me not to focus so much on any technicalities the music industries these days used to criticise other people's artistry. Just simply sing and enjoy. Our neighbors are used to the racket we make everyday that not hearing us seems more strange than not having a peaceful afternoon. Those were one of the best times of my life until he passed away due to his old age.

Still, that doesn't count. Everyone can do that. Everybody can found solace in music. Everybody can scream their lungs out and certainly everybody can enjoy music as much as they want.

So why is this happening to an average person like me? Not trying to be humble but honestly, I prefer to eat burgers and watch some gruesome blood slasher movies than have some kind of magical adventure thingy that makes me feel like I'm starting to have some loose screw. Maybe I'm the one who has delusional disorder? But for fuck's sake, this will be the third time I'm going to say that all of this, in all my senses, feels nothing short of real. Why I know? My instincts are telling me to believe.

I lift my hands to touch my ears and my face, feeling the familiar warmth of my skin and the soft ligament of my ears. I touched my limbs that came back to existence and check if I can still use it normally, even double checking if there's still any fishy evidence left. I found not even a single scale. I wiggled my toes as if checking my motor skills and glad to see it working as normal as it was before. I gathered all my wits and courage before slowly standing straight, trying not to wobble out of sheer stupidity. Hey, my first time being on my feet after all the shit that happens in the last 24 hours. Not a bad start.

Vaporising back into humanity. Now that's something I've never heard before. A really weird one.

As much as I don't like this I need to come up with a plan. One more problem to add on my big list is the fact that I am pretty much naked. The wind might not be as strong as you expect it should on the sea-side but it's definitely not comforting. The cold wind, which I never notice during my 'brainstorming' starts to sipped into my skin. Feels like it's about to get dark and for sure temperature will soon drop. I'm not exactly planning to roam around this place in my birthday suit. I need to improvise some cover so I won't look like a nudist wacko.

I turn my sight back to the forest. There's a chance I could find something in there but I'm kinda hesitating. I have no idea about what to do next and with this it's more stupid of me to venture into an unknown place. It's not as if I'm that someone who have surviving skills and honestly if a zombie apocalypse is gonna happen to the world, for sure I'll be one of those people who will be devoured in the first minutes. Well, maybe it's better to observe and check things out first?

Taking a cautious step near the woods, I tried to extend my neck at it's best just to have a peek inside. My eyes caught the sight of vivid green. The trees are tall, big and really sturdy, some of them has flowers and fruits on its branches. So far I see no snakes, no weird insects crawling everywhere or flying around that usually inhabits in the wilderness and above all, no people.

Wonderful. That's not sarcasm.

I took another step into the woods, my eyes observed my surroundings and looking for anything that can be used as a makeshift clothes. I can check for soft vines but I know eventually they will dry and become hard. The forest seems untouched and I feel like I would only violate it's beauty and peacefulness if I resort on peeling some of the trees' healthy barks. Besides, I don't have proper tools to use for the bark peeling. My fifth grade teacher might have taught us how to weave from a scratch but not with this kind of situation and my talent in thread work is worse than my limited skills in weaving. If you're asking what I weaved back then, it was a doormat.

I turn my attention to the plants in the ground which is in their most vivid colors, with healthy leaves and some are even making contrast with colorful flowers scattered in their vines. Those can't be use as a body cover though. The trees might be carrying huge leaves but they are too high for me to reach. They are more or less 7 meters tall and there's no way I would climb them! Not with my pathetic, non-existing tree climbing talent. It's just like planning how to kill myself.

I sighed dejectedly. Why is fate being so cruel to me? Did I do something annoy God? As far as I remember, I tried to be as nice as possible to others and never broke at least one of his Ten Commandments. Well, I might've made some little white lies but not deliberately and big enough to cause problems to others. "So whyyyy…" I whined with my eyes on the clear blue sky.

I sighed. Anyway it's quite unfair to blame all this to Him. At least, I'm still alive and for that I should thank Him. If there's anyone to be roasted, that would be that sneaky, ugly witch. Argh, remembering her made my blood boil again.

I retreated back near the shores. Somehow venturing away from the ocean made me scared. I know there's a chance that I can find fresh water inside the forest and possibly some food but… I don't know. I don't wanna be away from the sea.

There's a huge rock on the left side of the shore, I could at least stay there and it will provide a good cover in case somebody came. Thankfully, my thick messy hair provided some cover. It's length reached my thighs now that I'm standing up. I sat behind the rock facing the blue ocean with my knees folded closer to my body. My arms wrapped around me as I felt the chill in the wind.

What am I going to do next? Honestly I'm scared. It's going to be dark soon and I need to build a fire or else I'll freeze to death. But I don't even know how to start a fire without a lighter or even a match. And with this wind, I doubt I'll even produce a heat.

I groaned miserably. I feel so helpless that my eyes started watering, I tried to blink it away but two stubborn drops spilled in my cheeks. "Ahh.. this is stupid!" I wiped them with the back of my hands, willing the rest to stop and dry away. Not now. I can't cry right now or else I'll feel much worst. Good thing I'm not hungry yet, at least I have one less thing to endure tonight.

An hour might have passed and I can feel myself feeling colder, the sun is starting to come down and the sky has turn its shades into mix of warm colors. From bright blue, it became hazy yellow with orange and pink shade.

A sudden gust of air burst out of the water surface followed by a loud splash as a huge tail came out of water surface and eventually submerge back into the deep. That must have been a whale! That tail is huge, it must be a really big one. Hey, I've never seen a real whale in my whole life!

A smile broke into my lips and I stood up hoping to see more. The frustration I felt just seconds ago vanished at the rush of my excitement, the idea of seeing such wonderful creature is a rare thing unless you paid for a sightseeing. It is also my first time seeing an actual whale, and luckily, it did not disappoint me when the whale showed itself once again. Making a loud moan as if greeting someone, its tail slap into the water, making a big splash, slipping once again into the waters.

"Bruuhh…" I said out loud in a squeaky, fan-girly sound. That was really amazing. That sight raised my stumbling spirit. I wish it's not over yet, I wanna see more. The whales might be hunting for food. I walked into the shores once again, completely forgetting about the possibility of my legs turning back into fish tail and I'm already knee deep into the water.

I stop abruptly and froze as the realization hit me. How STUPID am I again?! For sure I look like a robot that malfunctioned in the middle of its movement, waiting for something to happen. My eyes almost pop out of my head, dreading what will happen next.

Uhh… nothing? Seconds have passed but no fish leg came out. I wiggled my toes and stab the sands with it, then lifted a leg up above the water and waited for a while. Still nothing. I huffed a small laugh. Another one of the mermaid clichès didn't happen where if a water touched my skin I will transform again. I think I should stop referencing on those fictional stories since it was useless! I shake the water off the leg that's still up waiting if the the smoke-thingy will happen again as it dries.

Of course the idiot me didn't thought about doing that into the dry shores, and knowing the clumsiness that has been a part of me ever since I was born, I should've expected the wobbling of my knee out of balance. I quickly brought the leg down for a support and made such a graceless yelp as my feet made contact with a small sharp stone. "Ack!" I automatically lifted it up again to check if it's bleeding but fate must really hate me today -or I shouldn't blame fate with my klutz attack- as a wave flowed, not a big one, but enough to break my remaining balance resulting into me fell gracelessly into the water. Not that much deep but they sure know how to make me taste the salt.

"Blaah.." I spat the water that has entered my mouth and coughed a little as some reached my throat. Reminding me yet again why I prefer the swimming pool.

As if waiting only for me to be completely drenched, the clear blue water became clouded, it came out of nowhere and soon, thick smoke wrapped my body. This time, they are not scattered into the air. They are clinging into me.

A part of me wanted to freak out, another unnatural thing is starting to happen AGAIN but unlike earlier, I managed to keep myself calm. Watching only as the extraordinary sight unfolds right before my very eyes. The smoke looked so unreal as they 'float' into the water instead of being mixed into it. Gathering around my body and unbelievably absorb into my skin like a sponge absorbing water, changing some of my skin into blue scales. I felt them rise into my face and in seconds, I feel as if my hearing become much clearer that even the smallest sound of the wind was caught. My sight adjusted back clearer. And lastly, I noticed my legs are gone once again and the blue, long and impossibly beautiful tail is back in its place.

The last of the smoke is gone and for a moment I didn't move. Now that I am calmer than the first time I saw myself in this form, I started to appreciate the strange beauty of it. The tail might be blue, but they have different shades in some parts. The sides are a little bit darker until at the base of the tail. The tail, is wide and its lightest shade of color has the same shade of the summer sky. Behind it, the fins have the color of sapphire, and all of my scales has a gleam of gold whenever the sun reflected on it. My fingers traced the ones in my forearms, following its trail up into my collar bone.

I released the breath I didn't realized I've been holding back and look up to the sky. It's peaceful. Totally unlike my situation.

I scrunched up my face and blurted out, "God, why me?"

- Glorfindel

The scouting party settled their camp as the evening approached. For most of the ellyn who is not tasked with hunting and preparing for their supper, they willingly took the most important task of picking out wildberries that the Teleri cooks has asked. Nestaron, a Sindar elf from Glorfindel's warriors has gone out with them not to partake at the berry picking but to look for wild herbs of the south-western forest of Harlond. The ellon is one of Elrond's most skilled healer and Glorfindel does not need a gift of foresight to see him asking to join the scouting.

As for him, he stayed back in the camp, practically doing nothing more than starting a fire. The elves of Mithlond treats him too delicately saying 'he is one of the honored eldar who have seen the light of two trees'. Feredir coaxed him to humor the young ones just this time and he can't help but to roll his eyes. Though he prefered them not to do this, he did what his friend has asked him seeing the younger ones almost worship the soil he stepped on.

'Wait until they meet Ecthelion.' He can only imagine the younger ones' reaction upon seeing the Lord of the Fountain, Ecthelion the fair, one of his mentors and very close friend.

Feredir and his son Faeron sat near him discussing the plans on going deeper into the forest until they reach the small elven settlementlocated at the southern forest of the Blue Mountains. That will be their journey's path for the next expedition, set just a day after the departure of the sailing Ñoldorin elves. The settlement is seven days away from The Grey Havens, its Sindar dwellers has been living there since the reign of Díor Eluchil though their numbers were not the same as it was before, and have been settling together with some of the remaining Laiquendi who survived the fall of Doriath. The warriors who watch their small settlement's safety isn't also that much. Though known to be peaceful, the Teleri elves are quite fierce when it comes to the security of their kins specially they have lots of elflings to treasure. It is only one of the elven settlements that is scattered around the realm of Lindon, living peacefully since The War of Last Alliance. Lord Círdan not only made the scouting ride regularly, he chose the best of his warriors for the task. Elves with centuries of experience, capable of cleaning the remaining filths of darkness who would dare to enter the realm.

Glorfindel will never ignore even the smallest possibility of an attack but he believes that the enemy would think twice about attacking a region that is both guarded by elves of The Grey Havens and the dwarrows of the Blue Mountains, not to mention the various village of edain in Eriador that is constantly guarded by the rangers. All in all, he can put this scouting as one of the easiest the Teleri warriors has ever done. The only task they need to fulfill was the berry picking for tomorrow evening's dinner. The cooks will cook it as soon as they get their hands on it.

He can only smile at the thought of the celebration the Teleri elves would throw for the departing Ñoldorin elves. Thousands of years ago, no one would truly do this thing to any Ñoldor specially not the Teleri themselves considering they are the two sides battling horribly together during the first kinslaying. It only shows their capacity to forgive.

For Glorfindel himself, forgiveness is easier to give away than to carry bitterness to their hearts. And it might be just the will of Eru so once again they can live in harmony. The dwellers of Arda can now stand in their own feet. His mission is done. And he missed the land of his birth specially his parents whom he hadn't see for hundreds of years. Glorfindel sat comfortably underneath a big oak tree where his travelling packs lay. With it is Rhosfein, his magnificent white steed. The elven horse is seriously attached to him and would never really go somewhere without his master in his sight. A feisty horse according to his kins but a loyal one. Cirdan gifted him Rhosfein when his previous steed passed away from old age and after serving him loyaly through war and through peace.

Feredir turn to him. "Like I said, mellon nin, this patrolling would be an easy one so no need to worry about these young ellyn. They are much more worried about your impression to their work, and thus making them look like they are about to march in front of Mordor's black gate. I hope you enlighten them a little."

The golden-headed Ñoldor gave an amused smile. "I wonder what you've told them, my friend. Sometimes you love to exaggerate."

Feredir laughed out loud. "You wound me, Glorfindel. To tell you honestly, I haven't told them anything but the tale you were so known and that has made them slightly frustrated."

"Not even about the mud war we wage against the sons of Fëanor in Nargothrond?"

"Not even the mud war. Ai, the look in Curufin's face was priceless. Your aim is something even until now I'm trying to immitate but still failing miserably."

"Decades of practicing spear throwing with the Lord Oromë. Don't get me started on that one. He can be perfectionist, and that... is scary." Glorfindel said with a knowing grin.

"Well, the hardship has paid off. The mud landed perfectly on Celegorm's face." Feredir commented nonchalantly.

Birds chirped sweetly and peaceful seconds passed before the two ancient ellyn burst into laughter. Faeron watched them with poorly concealed bemusement.

Glorfindel pinched the bridge of his nose while trying to stop his laugh. "Ahh, that felt good. However, waging mud war against tea-sipping Ñoldorin princes isn't exactly an inspiring tale to share to those young warriors."

"Well, this is where the spear throwing practice can be told. I can only immagine their hero-worshipping to you elevating into a higher level. You can even give them a little lesson about it, we have the whole night."

"Ai, please no!"

-.-

-Erika

Have you ever felt some kind of peacefulness when you're underwater? Where the water just block all your senses and your mind is only concentrating on making you hold your breath and keep yourself steady so you won't drown? I used to do do that whenever I get myself into a pool, holding myself at the edge and diving down into the water. Eyes open and ears plugged. All I can see and hear are hazy and my body is just wrapped into seconds of peace until my lungs are burning in need to breathe.

What I'm doing now defied normality as I am lying down into the sand, sunken at least three feet underwater. I've been here for at least half an hour already.

Minutes might have passed when I realized I'm not breathing as I have done before. It feels as if the water that's surrounding my body became a part of me as same as how oxygen is a part of every living being. It's confusing, believe me. I don't even have words to explain it but here I am still alive. Moreover, my senses weren't blocked by the water like before. I felt more in tune as soon as I submerged myself. It's like the feeling of putting and removing a powered glass into your eyes. My sight has never been this clear that I can see even the smallest wave of water or the faintest ray of sunlight dancing around the blue.

Normally, I would've freaked out again but I don't know. Here underwater, I felt more calm and… in tuned. I don't know why it kinda felt like I'm home.

Is it because I look like a hybrid of fish now?

Honestly, I have no intention of getting up now. I feel happy on this spot. But more minutes pass and I noticed lesser rays of light until the surface become dark.

I sat up, my head popped out into the water surface. As soon as my eyes gained it's focus back, the first thing I saw was the sky littered with almost hundreds of stars. No not hundreds, it might even be thousands of them! A loud gasp came out of my mouth as I gape them open in sheer amazement. If there's a perfect picture for the word breathtaking, this is it.

I have never seen stars this many and certainly not as beautiful as this. It's like a big painting of the milky way. The moon shines together with them and it's a little weird since normally moon does not shine like a sun, yet it gave a faint silver white glow that illuminates the world around me. And I'm not sure if it's full or what but hey, I've seen an eclipse and a rare super blue blood moon, it must be an unannounced moon phenomenon. Either way, it's incredible.

"How amazing is our Creator to do something as incredible as this?" And not to mention, how fool are the humans to block this sight with their artificial lights? A big smile appeared on my face. Out of all the weird stuff that happens, this must be the best.

I looked back into the shore and move a little further, just enough for me to lie down again into the sand and gaze at the night sky. Why I feel more comfortable now than when I have legs, I have no idea but with the sea around me and the stars above, it felt like I'm in a small piece of heaven. Really I'm not gonna be surprised If find myself waking up to the sound of alarm clock and realize all of this is just a dream. But this miracle felt nothing short of real and I'm gonna stick into that now. Screw all logics.

I don't know what to do and what will happen next but I at least have one thing that no one can take away even if they transform me into something again and that one is my faith.

"You call me out upon the waters. The great unknown where feet may fail. And there I find You in the mystery. In oceans deep, my faith will stand." I instinctively sing while looking at the stars. Well since no one's around, I'll hurt no ears by making them listen to my voice.

-.-

The trees listened to the voice, it carried messages for Eru. Praises. Love. Joy. The child of the sea can't be more right about her praises to the Father of their Lady Yávanna. And so the trees carried her voice, passing it into all creatures living and passing by into their territory.

And from a distance, the wolves longed to meet this child. This young daughter of Arda.