OMG Cliffhanger (kind of) for almost 3 monthes! X_X
You guys are amazing! I love your reviews, especially vampireluph who reviewed every. Single. Chapter! Way to be; your virtual cookies were delicious! Haha
And for all the reviews asking me to update soon, here's another chapter! Finally! Thank you so much for the encouragement!
Prince James of Mori floated on a balcony of the castle, overlooking a large area of Atlantica. He smiled as he saw the place filled with merpeople, whispering and confused seeing the princess's ex-fiancé there.
King Triton was wheeled onto the balcony in a clam chair. Here he would make his announcement.
"Merpeople of Atlantica!" he spoke with as loud a voice as he could. Guards repeated his message throughout the crowd so everyone would hear. "You recognize Prince James of Mori as a traitor who used dark magic and was banished with his kingdom from our united Kingdoms of the Seven Seas. With time, I have come to see the Prince as resourceful and determined. As will you. His magic is not something to be feared, but a tool by which Atlantica may prosper. With my daughter, Princess Molly's disappearance, I would like to pronounce Prince James of Mori as crown prince of the Seven Seas!"
Whispers were heard immediately, rising as guards repeated the king's words. The Prince continued to smirk. He would be king soon, Molly would return in another day from her impossible task, heartbroken, and he was going to have so much fun.
The whole way back to the castle, Molly tried not to show how happy she was with Sherlock's kiss. Yes, it was on the cheek, but it was a start and she only had 24 hours.
Sherlock didn't appear affected, but in little ways he seemed to be trying to make up for his behavior at the restaurant. He held her hand as they walked back, claiming her bad balance and clumsiness as the reason. He sat close to her at dinner and whispered details of past cases while the others talked. Both pretended not to feel the Queen's glances their way.
Back in her room, Molly changed into a simple cotton dress, filled a glass of water and put it on her bedside table. She wrapped herself up in a red silk robe Mary had brought her and called softly, "Meena? Meena?"
For a while there was no answer. As Molly pulled her feet onto the bed, she saw a small swirl in the water.
"Molly!"
"Meena! I didn't know if that would work," Molly breathed out in relief as her friend appeared in the glass.
"It was very faint, but I heard you," Meena smiled. "Molly, your father has sent guards everywhere. He's worried sick about you. I've been hiding at home for fear of interrogation. I'm surprised no one has come to me yet."
"Oh Meena," Molly said, worried for her friend. "My father won't let any harm come to you. Don't be afraid to live your life."
"I suppose you are right," Meena sighed. "I still worry. Could I at least let your father know you are safe? Give him some kind of message?"
"No!" Molly fired out, then spoke more calmly. "He can't know that you know anything. That will keep you safe."
"I understand. Oh, what I've gotten myself into for you," she muttered.
"Meena, you'll be fine," Molly insisted. "Stay low and if he asks, tell him the last time you saw me was at my grotto. That I told you I just needed some time and I'll probably be back soon. Or something like that."
The princess's friend groaned. "I'll come up with something. Are you… going to be home soon?"
"I'm not sure, but…" Molly started to grin remembering Sherlock's actions. "I do have news. The prince kissed my cheek and told me he liked me earlier today. That's why I was trying to contact you." She sucked in her lips, taming the smile at the memory.
"Oh Molly! Do you think he could – you know- fall in love with you before sunset tomorrow?"
"I think it gives me a chance," Molly gave a relieved sigh, finally able to tell someone about these feelings.
Meena was about to respond when there was a knock at the door.
Molly glanced at it with wide eyes before turning back to her friend. "I must go."
She hurried to the door, tightening her robe.
"Hello," she said in surprise seeing Sherlock standing awkwardly in the hall.
"Hello," he answered and rocked on his heels. "At the morgue today, you seemed rather taken with pathology and I wondered if you wanted to see the books we have on the subject? I find it quite interesting myself and I could have Mrs. Hudson bring some tea to the library. If you're interested?"
Molly smiled. Sherlock did have a hard time with emotions, didn't he? She glanced back to see Meena gone. "I would love to," she told him before moving out into the hallway and closing the door. Hopefully Meena would be safe and everything would smooth out in Atlantica soon.
Accept for the concern for her friend, Molly was content. She sat in a large, comfortable, red chair with a stack of books on the table beside her and a warm cup of tea in her hands. Sherlock poked at the fire in the fireplace before sitting in an identical chair opposite her. She didn't know which was more mesmerizing: the flames or the prince's eyes in the light.
"Sherlock?" she finally asked. "How does a fire…burn?" She hoped this wasn't an embarrassing question.
While he sounded slightly confused at her question, Sherlock willingly answered it. "A heat source fueled by oxygen releases energy."
"But water has oxygen, yes?"
"Yes," Sherlock answered slowly. "Water is made of Oxygen and Hydrogen. With 1 Oxygen and 2 Hydrogen atoms, they completely fill each other's electron shell, making the molecule non-reactive. It can't be fueled by heat."
Molly continued asking him questions, especially as she skimmed through a few of the anatomy books beside her. While she was afraid he would be annoyed by all her questions, she was surprised to see his guard drop and that bright look in his eye from solving cases return. Sometimes he would even ask her questions about her knowledge on a certain subject so he could explain further.
Sherlock enjoyed explaining science, especially to someone who seemed to have an interest and the information didn't go in one ear and out the other. He could see Molly's mind working to understand everything. Occasionally, she would finish his explanation as her brain caught hold of the concept. She was a smart woman and seemed to remember things easily. There was so much she could learn; she could even become a pathologist herself is she had the proper schooling.
After a little while, when Molly's questions had started to run out, Sherlock slowed the onslaught of information and the two sat in comfortable silence.
"You know so much about science, Sherlock, I wish I could know," she said frustratingly as she stared into the fire, lacing her fingers beneath her chin and placing her elbows on her knees.
The Prince paused before commenting. "We do have many prestigious schools in Glauwery. You could study pathology, become like Dr. Stamford. You would learn a lot about science."
"I would? You think… I could?" Molly couldn't contain the excitement at the idea. There were schools to study different trades in Atlantica, but nothing like this. Except… she would only be able to go if she could get him to kiss her before tomorrow night. A touch of doubt leaked into her heart.
"Of course. You seem fairly capable and I would be willing to write you a recommendation letter. As a graduate chemist of course."
Molly gave him a teasing look of disapproval. "More like as the prince."
Sherlock shrugged. "It's hard to say no to the royal family. I can't help that."
"Maybe not take advantage of it then."
He suddenly leaped from his chair. "How do you feel about the violin?"
They had already been in the library for 2 hours, but he felt relaxed here. If his deductions were correct, she felt the same.
Sherlock picked up his violin from a stand near the grand piano on one side of the room. With grace, he swung it under his chin and started to play. Molly recognized the song as the one he had played on the boat. The ship wreck felt so long ago. She had followed his movements with her eyes but now she turned her full body so that she was curled up on her side in the large cushions. Sherlock positioned himself to watch out the large glass window. From here you could see out across the peninsula to the ocean and the moon hanging in the sky. It was beautiful.
Molly stared out the window, memories of her mother returning just as they had the first night she heard it. Before she knew it, a few tears had escaped. Sherlock played faster and turned to her as he did so. At nearly the same place he stopped because of the storm, he stopped now seeing Molly so affected.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." He was confused as he lowered his violin. This tune was meant to be happier than most he played.
"No, no, I'm fine. You can keep playing. It's just – you play so beautifully and that song… it reminds me of my mother."
"Your mother?"
"Yes, she died about 5 years ago," Molly answered truthfully.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Sherlock tried to say sympathetically. "Did my playing help you regain those memories?" He placed his violin on its stand and moved to lean against the arm of his chair.
"I-" Molly stuttered. She had forgotten about her supposed memory loss. "Yes… she was very happy. All the time. I- I miss her." It was difficult to be honest and sound like these were new memories.
"Well I am sorry that that tragedy was one of your first memories, but I hope happier ones will return as well. It is good news." He tried to be delicate with his words. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but he resisted the strange impulse.
Molly nodded. "I think I'll retire for the night then." She slowly got up from the chair. Sherlock shifted forward to hold out his hand to help her. When she was standing, she spoke again. "Thank you, Sherlock. For everything."
She looked into his eyes, hoping to convey all the feelings she had toward him. Not the romantic ones really, just the gratitude and the companionship. How would any of this even be possible if he hadn't been willing to help her after finding her hidden in his lab on the beach? With his ability to blend in, who knows if she ever would have found him.
They stood close. Could she kiss him? Would the spell work? Would he kiss her back out of love? True love? Was it really the time? Their eye contact held longer than she expected.
"Do you think you can find your way back?" Sherlock asked, breaking her thoughts.
"Yes." Molly spoke, careful not to reveal her emotions.
He nodded then walked her to the door of the library. "Goodnight, Molly."
"Goodnight, Sherlock."
The early morning sunlight filtered through the waves onto the kingdom of Atlantica. Despite the beauty, the people were burdened with worry for their king and for their princess. Soldiers from Mori had arrived at first light with news from their kingdom, adding more tension to the atmosphere.
In the public square, merpeople looked nervous, shifting their gaze between Atlantica's soldiers, Mori's soldiers, and the balcony where the king gave announcements, as he would soon.
Prince James stood within the castle, waiting behind the doors to the special balcony.
"Your highness! Prince James!" The prince looked down the hall to see one of his nobles flanked by 2 of Atlantica's finest.
"Moran!"
"Sir!" The knight made a quick bow while James dismissed the others.
Atlantica's knights looked bitter as they swam away, but Prince James seemed pleased. He clapped his own knight on the back. "It is good to see you. It has been too long."
"Agreed, sir, but I come with horrible news." The prince signaled for him to go on. "Your mother, the Queen has passed in the knight."
"Very well. We both know what kind of news that really is." James tilted his head with a knowing look.
Moran fought a smile. "Yes, your highness. You also realize, I am sure, that this makes you the King of Mori."
"Yes, it is a mantle I will proudly wear." James was starting to seem almost bored with the conversation. His interest was piqued however when he saw two servants coming down another hall with a very important chest. "Join your fellow knights, Moran. I will see you all soon."
Meena glided through the growing crowd near the palace. She had heard that the king was not well and that Prince James of Mori was here in Atlantica. While she had wanted to stay home and not venture out, she felt a duty to her friend to find out what was happening and only hoped it wasn't as bad as some of the rumors she had heard while meandering through the citizens of Atlantica.
A hush fell over the crowd and Meena followed their gaze to the castle's balcony. She nearly gasped seeing Prince James in the morning sun. He seemed even paler and darker than he had in the grotto if that was possible.
"My good people of Atlantica!" he proclaimed. "I am sorry to announce the passing of your dear king, King Triton of the Seven Seas. As you could see yesterday, your highness was ill and while we all hoped he would fight through and survive, I am sad to pronounce his death this morning." The prince paused letting his announcement settle over the stirring crowd. "As you may expect with this announcement, a successor needs to take on the responsibilities of ruling this kingdom. I had hoped I would not have to take these on so soon, but seeing as the dear Princess Molly is still missing, I will take care of this precious kingdom. This morning I have also received news…" Prince James started to show more emotion in his voice. "…that my mother, the Queen of Mori has also passed away." James' performance was short of magnificent. If a merman or mermaid hadn't known any different, they would truly think the prince didn't expect or want the crown so soon and was grieving for his two elders. "And so," he turned to the crown bearer on his right, "I accept this crown while understanding the responsibility I take on of uniting our kingdoms." The crown bearer placed the crown on now King James' head.
There were whispers and uncertain applause from the crowd. At the sound of a strong response from the knights of Mori however, merpeople started to clap more firmly. Though their faces looked more questioning.
Meena was about to swim away in shock when suddenly Prince Jason came through the audience with his knights all on their large seahorses.
"I will not let you rule, James of Mori!" he shouted. "You poisoned the king, my father!" There was murmuring and gasps. "The Seven Seas belong to the family of Triton!" A few brave cheers escaped the merpeople.
Prince James of Mori narrowed his eyes over the group until they landed on Prince Jason. The knights of Mori stood at the ready while the knights of Atlantica seemed more unsure, though they had every reason to fight for the king's son. "Stand down! Prince Jason, I will meet you to discuss these accusations. In a neutral place, such as Poseidon fields? I hope we can find the truth and a compromise to this new situation."
Prince Jason watched James in his father's crown warily. "Very well," he nodded.
King James took one last look at the merpeople of Atlantica before turning and swimming into the castle. This resulted in a loud ruckus among the people. Meena swam as fast as she could from the palace. Molly needed to know about this.
King James moved into the castle with purpose. Entering his guest chambers, servants were hauling his things to another room more fit for the king. Their eyes flitted to the strange mermaid waiting at the end of the bed. Irene stood when the king swam in.
"What do you need me to do, your highness?"
The new king gave an evil, reassuring smile. As the last servant left the room, he raised his hand to show a circular cloud. Soon it cleared and displayed Sherlock kissing Molly's cheek and their closeness from the night before. "I need you to do what you're best at, Miss Irene; distract Prince Sherlock."
Sorry I can't quite explain the whole fire thing like a scientist. I know there's like a thousand things to say to answer that question but I didn't want a page of regurgitating information and overwhelming Molly. Two semesters of Chemistry didn't even help haha.
I feel like I've been working on this for a very long time and you probably feel the same so thank you for those that are still reading. And thank you to all the new readers! I've loved the reviews and follows so keep it up because those are what got me writing and gave me that motivation. Anyway, we're almost done and I hope to have more soon!