Okay, I just figured out how to add author's notes. Here it is:

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took so long to post, I had to work out a couple of details. Not to worry, it should be okay. Please review and tell me what you thought and what you think should happen next! Oh, and by the way, I do accept anonymous reviews.

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Anne chattered a mile a minute the whole way down to the harbor. She skipped ahead of Father and I, calling back guesses to Father.

"Is it a baby seal?"

Father laughed. "Guess again!"

"A shark?"

"Not even close!"

"Um... sunken treasure?"

I noticed that Anne did not seem too far off of her mark this time. Father's eyes were unfathomable as he answered, slowly, "No....Not sunken treasure..."

Anne, hearing the difference in Father's reply, stopped skipping and slowed down to walk by his side. She and I glanced at each other, our eyes full of unspoken questions that neither of us could answer.

Soon the harbor, and the Explorer, were in sight, and Father snapped out of his odd silence. We made our way down the wooden dock and climbed up the gangplank of the huge ship. Father led the way to his quarters, a small cabin whose doors opened onto the deck.

Father's room was small, with very little furniture. The furniture that was there, just a writing desk and a chair, was bolted to the floor, the drawers of the desk tied shut with twine. A large hammock swung from the ceiling, and a map of the Atlantic sea and its surrounding countries occupied most of the west wall.

Father crossed to the desk in four long strides and untied the string on one of the drawers.

He withdrew a small bundle wrapped in linen. Anne and I crept forward, waiting for him to untie it. Father undid the knot in one easy tug, and the cloth fell away. What lay in his palm was something so beautiful that I heard myself gasp, just as Anne did.

It was a necklace, a thin, intricately wrought chain with tiny charms hanging from it. The charms looked to be made of pearl, shimmering slightly in the light shining from the oil lamp hanging above our heads. The charms were little sea creatures, fish and seahorses and sea urchins. They were so well carved, it looked as though they were real. The most beautiful one, though was a large heart directly in the middle of the chain. It was carved out of pearl, as well, and was inlaid with shimmering fire red coral.

I sensed it when Anne drew back, finished inspecting the necklace, but I could not tear my eyes away from it. I seemed unable to move, and, shockingly, I started to hear distant singing, lovely and melancholy at the same time. The room started to spin, and I finally looked up to see Anne and Father looking at me with concern. I blinked, and everything came into slightly better focus.

"Mari, are you alright?" Father asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy, that's all. Father?" I said, looking up at him, "May I keep the necklace? Please?"

"Well.... Alright. You may keep the necklace. But put it in a safe place." Father smiled at me and wrapped it back up in the linen.

"Thank you, Father." I said, hugging him.

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So what did you think? Remember to review!

-E.G.

p.s: Thanks to 19answers for reviewing!