Light at the Beginning
By: Wilona Riva
Disclaimer: I don't own TLM or the nursery rhyme.
Red Sky
"Eric, what's this?" Ariel asked, picking up book with strange symbols. The human language was so complicated compared to simple Atlantican.
"I'm sorry, Ariel," Eric apologized. "I forgot you're still learning our language. This is a book of fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen."
"Who is he?" she asked him, brushing a strand of carmine hair out of her eyes.
"Well," Eric began, "It was rumored that when he went under the sea in a submersible, his ship almost sprung a leak. A mermaid and some crabs saved him, according to the account."
Ariel twitched slightly. "Was it a real story?" she asked.
Eric shook his head. "I don't know for certain, Ariel, but I've invited him here for a few weeks. Maybe he'll tell you the tale."
Ariel smiled. "I'd like that."
Another book caught her eye. This one had a bird on it with a blue sunbonnet on, and children sitting in a semi-circle around her. "This is a weird looking one," she said.
Eric grinned. "This is a book of Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Whimsical nonsense for children. Would you like me to read you one?"
Ariel nodded eagerly. "Oh would you, please?"
Eric laughed. "Okay," he said, flipping through the pages until he found one she'd like.
Red sky at night,
Sailor's delight;
Red sky at morning,
Sailor's warning.
"What's it mean, Eric?" Ariel asked, frowning in confusion. "It has something to do with the sea, that much I do understand."
"It's really more on how to predict weather conditions, while at sea," Eric explained.
"Oh," his wife murmured. Then her face brightened at she saw another interesting tome.
The shopkeeper smiled at he busied himself dusting a few shelves. With the prince's curious wife, they would probably be here another hour or so. The girl was full of bubbling energy and joy. Rumored to be a mermaid, he could tell she had a mind like a sponge, soaking up everything in sight.
"Hey, Eric..."