Marie: Thank you for your review! The brothers should be appearing in the next couple chapters (well that's the plan at the moment

I want to thank those who favorite and followed this story. I hope I don't disappoint

Sea Song

Sea Spell


Chapter 8

"Well, I have some bait, so I thought I would go fishing," he responded with a wild gleam in his eye that was only intensified by the flickering flame.

"You're mad," stated Morfindir stunned by this revelation, "You seriously think, she would risk capture for me? She might not even know we're here."

"You are the only person other than Reavor to interact with either of those sirens. That has to mean something," challenged Nimmon as his hired henchmen maneuvered the ship farther out into the bay. The various torch lights placed around the ship shone brightly in the darkness and reflected on the black mirror of the water. Morfindir assumed it was an attempt to gain Nemir's attention, but wasn't sure if he wanted them to succeed or not. He never before thought his cousin capable of murder, but Nim's recent actions was causing his resolve to quickly dissolve.

"Come out, Come out, wherever you are!" taunted Nimmon, his body leaning over the water. The ship finally stopped when they reached a collection of rocks that was slowly being hidden by the rising tide. Morfindir was familiar with the grouping as it was responsible for damaging many ships who collided with the submerged rocks.

"Secure him to the stones, Lorn," ordered Nimmon as he motioned to the graying man who confronted Morfindir at the tavern.

"Nim, the tide is coming in, and those will be underwater within the hour," Morfindir was beginning to panic and he struggled against his restraints.

"If the sea witch appears, you have nothing to worry about. If she doesn't, your drowned body found on the shore will be rather damning. It shouldn't be hard to convince the public that your death was caused by fraternizing with sea monsters. Either way I have my proof," explained Nimmon with a disturbing amount of calmness.

Morfindir was stunned by this revelation, "You would shed blood, because of a moment of embarrassment. You would be a Kinslayer."

"I don't expect you to understand," replied Nimmon as Lorn pushed him over the side of the boat with a violent splash. He barely managed to hold a breath before his body contacted the water and sank into the wet void, the lack of light confusing his sense of direction. Using Nemir's teaching, he allowed the air in his body to direct him to the surface and then kicked his legs to break through. His arms were still bound and when he surfaced he saw Lorn holding the tether, the grizzled man used the rope to drag him over to the collection of rocks. With the addition of a few more lengths, Morfindir was firmly secured much to his dismay. The water already covered most of his chest.

"I don't suppose you would be willing to call for help?" asked Nimmon feeling quite confident about his plan. Morfindir replied only with a murderous glare. " Suit yourself," he said with a shrug, "Though I wonder if your sense of honor will fade once that water gets closer."


Nemir sat cross legged on the sand across from her mother, intently staring at the small puddle of sea water cupped in her hands. In her mind, she envisioned a simple sphere, and tried to project this image upon the water in hopes it would obey her will. Aeriel sat across from her daughter demonstrating as she suspended the water above her palm, forcing it to hold a form.

"I've been staring at this water for an hour Naneth, and I haven't managed to make it even ripple," sighed Nemir with frustration as she let the water fall from her hands.

"It seems we don't share all the same gifts," replied her mother as she juggled the sphere in her hand. "We are all blessed with our own set of talents, and you will discover the extent of yours in time."

"It's more exciting that way," interjected Mithiel with a friendly but firm pat on Nemir's shoulder.

"Not sure I agree…." Nemir paused when she spotted a strange light in the darkness, "what is that out on the water?"

The three Foam Maidens turned to face the bay. "Well that is something you don't see everyday," observed Mithiel.

"Do men typically use that many torches at night?" asked Laegwen, "I know their vision is limited, but that seems a bit excessive."

Aeriel furrowed her brow as she examined the large boat surrounded by fire, "This is no fishing practice I know of…".

"I hear a voice carried over the water, " Nemir took a few steps toward the water, straining her ears, "It sounds like...someone is yelling….My Name!" She turned to face her mother, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

"Laegwen, scout the boat," ordered Aeriel her casual demeanor easily shifting to one of authority. With a swift nod Laegwen strided into the waves, her skin shifted to mirror the color of the ebony water as she disappeared seamlessly into the night. Mithiel, who was not used to waiting, vibrated with restrained energy as she marched up and down the beach, blade in hand. Aeriel stood on the water's edge, still as a statue as she gazed out at the orange flame intensified by the reflection of the calm bay. Nemir nervously grasped her quarterstaff and tried to fight down the uneasiness growing in her gut, as the air around her electrified like a brewing storm.

After a few minutes, Laegwen exited the water, and as she did her skin returned to a lustrous shade of pale cream. "The boat is manned by four men, but there is a fifth who has been tied to rocks, his face is barely above the water as the tide rises. The man called Nimmon seems to be in command and he is the one calling for Nemir."

"What is the name of the man on the rocks?" questioned Nemir her heart tight in her chest.

"The blond one called him Morfindir," she reported, "Do these names mean something to you?"

"That spineless, bastard!" growled Nemir as her grip tightened around the bone staff in anger, "I'm going to end him this time."

'No," commanded Aeriel, "You will focus on releasing Morfindir and getting to safety without being detected. Leave Nimmon and his men to us."

"Naneth, my carelessness caused this mess to begin with, I should be the one to finish it," demanded Nemir.

"No Nemir. You have not yet mastered your skills, and it will be safer for us all if we face Nimmon. We don't have time to argue, we fight against the rising tide," said Aeriel as she collected a blade from Mithiel and handed it to Nemir. "Here, use this to cut the bindings and then return to this shore with the boy without being detected." Nemir reluctantly agreed knowing that she should trust her mother's millennia of experience.

"Just like old times," said Mithiel with a large grin as she placed a couple long knives into her belt.

"The others I care not about," stated Aeriel, "Nimmon is our target here."

The four Oaritsi slinked into the darkness, cutting through the water so smoothly that they barely left ripples behind. In unison they hummed a haunting tune which called forth a thick, white mist from the surface of the water. The ghost like tendrils spread and grew till they encased the boat and the water surrounding it.

"This fog appeared from nowhere," said one of the men as he warily gazed around the ship, "I can't even see past the sides of the boat."

"You may be in luck cousin," smirked Nimmon, "It seems as if your creature has arrived."

Using the fog to keep hidden, the three mermaids slowly circled the boat while Nemir branched off to rescue Morfindir.

"You shouldn't have come here," they sang in unison their voices beautiful yet menacing, "only death waits for you beneath the waves, for dead men tell no tales."

This greatly startled the hired men as the song caused terror and dread to flood their souls, "You said there would only be one!" challenged Lorn as he scanned for the source of the voices.

"We only want the one called Nimmon. If you give him to us, we will grant you safe passage from this place."

The three men eyed each other to nonverbally consider this arrangement, but Nimmon caught the look of fear and doubt in their eyes. "If I don't make it back to shore, you won't see a single gold piece, but if you help me now I'll double your pay." The promise of more gold seemed to pacify the men for the moment and they nodded in agreement. "Now quickly put the wax in your ears and be prepared to capture anything that moves," ordered Nimmon as he gathered a fishing spear.

During this exchanged, Nemir had reached the nearly submerged rocks and found Morfindir desperately trying to keep his head above the waves. The fog protected her from the view of the ship, so she approached the rocks till she was but a foot away from her friend.

"Morfindir, " she whispered and as she voiced his name his vision cleared allowing him to see her through the haze.

"Nemir" he startled at her sudden appearance, "you shouldn't be here. Nimmon has gone insane and is determined to capture you."

"Well I can't just let you drown," she countered as she began sawing at the ropes holding him to the rocks, "besides, I brought reinforcements."

"Your mother?" he asked.

"And a couple aunts," she said continuing to make progress. "It's your cousin you should be worried about."

"Maybe I can talk some sense into him, once I'm free," he offered.

"He was going to let you drown. Besides, his fate will be of his own making," with a final cut, Nemir freed him and he was better able to support his body in the water. "Place your arms around my shoulders," she instructed, "I'm going to take you to shore."

Morfindir wanted to argue, but his arms and legs were numb from the cold and tight ropes. He gently grasped her shoulders, afraid that his weight would make swimming difficult for her, but she gracefully moved through the water without any effort, pulling him along. They cleared the fog area when they reached the shallows near the shore, and here Morfindir was able to wade up to dry land. He turned when he didn't hear the sound of Nemir following him, and found her sitting at the edge of the waves facing the ship. Her tail glistened, dark hair fell in a long braid down her back, scales looked as if they were made of silver, and her skin seemed to be made of moonlight. The only clothing upon her was a strip of fabric firmly wrapped around her bosom and he was grateful for the darkness. He couldn't help but gaze in awe of her beauty in that moment.

Back at the boat, the three Oaritsi began their attack. Laegwen shifted between the fog giving the men limited glimpses of her form, like a seductive phantom. She paused for but a moment at the side of the boat near a squat man with greasy hair who attempted to strike her with a spear. She easily avoided the attack, grabbed the wooden handle, and pulled causing the man's over extended body to fall easily into the water with a large splash. The panicked man slapped the surface of the water as he flailed his arms about his body, "Help! Nimmon, Lorn! I can't swim," he yelled desperately. He was so dismayed that he was oblivious to Laegwen's presence, her skin yet again merging with the darkness. She silently approached the man from behind, and raised a webbed hand that now sported long, sharp nails that resemble the spines of fish. With a swift strike, she jabbed the points into the man's back causing him to call out in pain. He attempted to defend himself, but his movement's became increasingly slow and clumsy until he moved no more. Laegwen grabbed his body and kept it from sinking as Aeriel addressed the people in the boat, "We have one of your men, it you give us Nimmon we will return him to you and allow you to leave."

"Brand was always useless," responded Lorn with a snort, "besides, with him gone we both get a larger cut of the gold."

"So be it," responded Aeriel and with a nod to Laegwen, the mermaid and the man sunk into the bay.

The foam maidens continued to surround the ship singing a song of doom and despair as they slowly circled like sharks. The two remaining men grew continuously restless as they failed to control the growing panic, but Nimmon showed no signs of surrender. In a desperate attempt to fight the invisible foe, Lorn reached for a net and positioned to cast it blindly into the fog. Before he could do so, however, Mithiel released a scream so powerful that it toppeled the large man into the bottom of the boat, causing the net to fall on top of him. The pitch was so high that it forced all the men to collapse in pain as they covered their ears, despite the wax placed there.

"Do you still reject our generous offer?," sneered Mithiel with a dangerous gleam in her eye, "It doesn't seem as if your precautions offer much protection."

"Shut up you sea witch," screamed Nimmon as he attempted to regain his feet.

"I personally hope you don't," replied Mithiel with a grin, "I'm having too much fun." She then retrieved a small knife from her belt and threw it into the upper thigh of the remaining nameless henchman. He screamed in pain as it found its mark creating an agonizing if not fatal wound.

"Let's see how brave they remain, without the security of the boat," threatened Aeriel before diving under the ship. She ran her hands along the hull, and as she passed the binding materials aged and metal rusted weakening the integrity of the ship and allowing water to seep through. When she surfaced, the men were already bailing water out of the boat, "If you leave now, you might make it to the docs before the boat floods."

Lorn released a deep, frustrated growl, "Grab the runt Job."

"You can't be serious," said Nimmon as he aimed his spear at the two remaining men, "I hired you!"

"I can't spend gold rotting at the bottom of the ocean, I know when I'm beat," replied Lorn as he collected some rope, "Nothing personal."

"Cowards!" with a yell Nimmon tried to rush the men, but he was easily disarmed by Job who pulled the spear from his hands before forcing him into the water growing in the hull. Lorn restrained a wiggling and cursing Nimmon before lifting him onto the edge of the bow. "I have your word Foam Maiden that we will have safe passage."

" I swear upon the tears of my mother, " said Aeriel.

"Deal," with a single push, Nimmon's body was forced into the cold waters below. His screams were temporarily ended as the water flooded into his mouth, but was recovered by Mithiel before he could sink any further.

"Laegwen," called Aeriel and the mermaid approached carrying the body of the paralyzed man, "The poison should wear off by morning,".

"You didn't drown him!" exclaimed Job in surprise.

"Despite what the stories say, we try to avoid unnecessary bloodshed," said Laegwen as she lifted the man up the sides of the boat where he was retrieved by his cohorts.

"I have one last demand," said Aeriel, "Once you reach the shore, you will forget what took place here and will blame the loss on a night of excessive drinking. No go for time is limited." With their goal accomplished the Oaritsi disappeared into the waves with their prisoner.

"Why don't you join me on the shore?" asked Morfindir.

Nemir's cheeks blushed, "My pants are on the rocks, and if I transform…well uh...yeah."

"Oh," he nervously ran his hands through his damp hair, "I see. Do you want me to fetch them for you?"

"Please," she said with smile.

He walked over to the grouping of rocks and had to feel around for the fabric in the limited light. He finally grasped some clothing that he hoped belonged to Nemir's and returned to the water. "I found them, I think," he said as he handed the legging to her, "Ill give you some privacy."

"Thank you," Nemir waited for his back to turn before she transformed. It was a little difficult pulling the tight pants over her damp legs, but she eventually managed. "It's safe now," she called out, "Though you might want to prepare yourself, because my aunt's have no sense of modesty." He turned to face her, his eyes wide with horror, and this caused her to break into uncontrollable giggles.

"I'm glad you two are having fun while we do all the work," teased Mithiel as she pulled a bound Nimmon onto the sand, followed by Aeriel and Laegwen.

"What are you going to do with him?" asked Morfindir as he uneasily eyed his cousin's body.

"That will depend upon Nemir," said Aeriel.

"Me!" squeaked the teenager.

"Yes, as you said before, your actions brought about this turn of events. It's your responsibility to end it," decreed Aeriel.

"Cousin!" begged Nimmon as he struggled against his bindings, "Please help me. They surely will kill me."

"You would ask me for help now? After what you did to me just moments ago!" Morfindir said his face twisted with disgust.

"I wouldn't have let you drown. You're like my brother," tears formed in blond's eyes as he gazed up at his cousin.

"You forget that I know you too well, Nimmon. You may fool others, but if not for these women here, I know I would be dead," he turned his back to the captive. "Nemir, I trust you to do the right thing."

Nimmon's pathetic face transformed into one of rage, "You traitor! You won't get away with this!"

"I've decided," interjected Nemir as she walked to stand before the prisoner, "You will tell your tale to all you meet, but your words will be that of madness. This will continue until you complete a selfless act of love, but if you seek out revenge you will suffer this curse forever." Never before had she used the Sea Spell on a person, and the power that flowed through her was intoxicating. It was as if all the energy of a storm raged inside her. Her voice had a weight to it, like thunder, but the song flowed as sweet as honey from her lips.

"So be it," said Aeriel, "Mithiel after we leave, free him from his bindings and leave him on this shore. Someone will come along and find him in the morning."

"My pleasure," replied the mermaid as she leaned over the scared man.

"Don't leave me here alone with her!" yelled Nimmon.

"You will leave him unharmed," her mother ordered.

Mithiel sighed in disappointment, "Fine."

"Morfindir, it's a long swim back to the mainland, and it will be faster if you let Nemir assist you. You can stay with us for the night and return home in the morning." He nodded in agreement, but kept his face turned away from the women in order to avoid their nudity.

"Give me a moment after I get into the water, and then follow me," Nemir said before walking into the waves. Once it reached waist high she removed her leggings and tied them around her waist before shifting. "I'm ready," she called out to the shore. Her mother and aunt had already gone ahead in order to give them a little privacy, which Nemir appreciate since this whole situation was so insane she wasn't sure how Morfindir would process it. He slowly waded into the water and wrapped his arms around her as before, but he remained quiet for the whole duration of the trip.

When they finally reached the beach near her house, she found her mother wrapped in a robe waiting for them. "Come, let's get you into some dry clothes and I'll look at those rope burns." He simply nodded and followed them up the hill and into the cozy cottage where a warm fire blazed. As promised, he was provided with spare clothing as his dried before the hearth, and a woven blanket and pillow for his makeshift bed. Aeriel wished them both a goodnight, before leaving the two young people alone in the kitchen.

"You've been quiet," whispered Nemir nervously, "are you mad at me for what I did to your cousin?"

Morfindir sighed as he rubbed he palms into his tired eyes, "No. I'm not mad. I don't know how I feel. This whole situation is so… inconceivable. They may be unpleasant people, but they did take me in after my parents died. I don't know if I should pity him or hate him."

"I'm sorry. I never meant to put you in this situation. If only I hadn't been so careless that evening, you wouldn't be in this situation." The weight of her actions and their consequences crashed around her and a few tears escaped her eyes.

As she turned to leave, his calloused hand grabbed hers, " I don't regret meeting you for a single moment," and he reached up to brush the tears from her smooth cheek. This caused her lips to grow into a small smile, and she slowly leaned closer into his body and placed a gentle kiss upon his stubbled face. Before he could react, she walked over to the ladder that lead to her loft before whispering, "Goodnight."


And that's all I wrote... for now. Please review. This chapter had a lot going on and I hope I did it justice.