Author's Note: Almost dooooooone.


Chapter 14: Upon Reaching Another Dry Land


The sun beat down on them, causing perspiration to coat their skin like a shiny blanket of water. The wind blew gently against them, whispering its secrets and caressing their skin. It was nice because the wind actually cooled them off as they went along. The sound of the massive whale moving through the ocean water made Helen a little drowsy. It was all what nature had to offer; that serene feeling it gave you. Reaching over, Helen grasped the Mariner's hand in her own, intertwining their fingers together in perfect symmetry. The Mariner didn't look at her when she did, but she could feel him squeezing her hand back in a very fond manner. It made her heart swell with pure happiness and brought a soft smile to her lips.

"How long do think it'll take until we reach Enola?" Helen questioned the Mariner, her tone holding curiosity and other emotions. "It's almost evening. You said we'd get to her much faster now, right?"

The Mariner shifted a bit on top of the whale's back, staring straight ahead and giving Helen's hand another squeeze. "We'll reach her in about an hour or two, depending on if the whale needs to stop for a break," he elaborated to her quickly, eyes never leaving the seemingly endless sea before them.

Satisfied with that answer, Helen relaxed and continued to hold the male's hand with her own, looking away from him. For some reason, it sometimes seemed as though the Mariner didn't show much affection towards her through his words. However, he definitely showed it to her through his actions, which was just enough for her. She didn't need him saying sweet stuff to her all time and whatnot. She didn't need to hear him say those three words at all. Helen knew that he loved her and she knew that he knew that she loved him. It was all just perfectly enough for her and she hoped with all her heart that it was enough for him.

Ruminating on the Mariner, Helen could feel herself slowly drifting off to sleep, still feeling the wind upon her skin. Soon she was sound asleep, her head resting on the Mariner's shoulder. She had gone out like a light…

When Helen opened her eyes, she realized she no longer could feel the motion of the water or of the whale moving through the water. Sitting up, Helen looked around rapidly, seeing that she was lying on some sand while facing the ocean. Helen whirled around and looked behind her, seeing a large jungle with grass and everything in there. Peering up, she could see a large mountain that looked very much like a volcano in the distance, which it was, but she didn't know that.

"Is this…another dry land?" Helen whispered out, getting to her feet and allowing the sand to slither between her toes. The woman was really surprised and amazed at the same time. She was about to venture further into the jungle, but the Mariner was suddenly appeared in front of her, stopping her. Helen took a step back, startled. "Oh! It's you…"

"You don't want to go in there," the Mariner informed her seriously, appearing a little miffed. "There are creatures in there that I have never seen before. They're fast and they're extremely dangerous."

Helen stared at him. "More dangerous than you?"

"More dangerous than me."

Immediately, Helen felt some form of terror grip her heart, but she reminded herself that she had the Mariner there to keep her safe. Like what was stated before, he was her shield. It made her much calmer knowing that. "So, you've been in there then?" she asked him, curious.

The Mariner nodded.

"How did we get here?"

"The whale," responded the male easily as he stepped around her and towards a fire that was going that he had started not too long ago. "It brought us here for some reason," he dropped some kind of meat onto the sand beside the fire, obviously about to cook it. "I have a strong feeling that we'll be seeing Enola very soon."

Helen was thrilled by this, but she didn't show it. "How do you know that?"

"I just do."

Frowning, Helen became unsatisfied with that response, but she didn't voice her opinions. She just walked over and joined the Mariner over there by the fire. Wondering what he was about to cook, Helen spoke up and asked, "What are you about to cook there? Something good?"

"Something good," he confirmed.

Helen didn't say anything else as she watched the Mariner cook. He was flawless when he did it. Actually, Helen always thought he was flawless with what he did. It was truly amazing the things he could accomplish, things she would never dream of accomplishing.

When the Mariner was through cooking their meal, she devoured it quickly and without words. The Mariner ate his meal much slower, watching her. Through with that, Helen decided to get comfortable on the sand where she was and look out towards the sea, clearly anticipating the arrival of the large ship that had Enola. How long would it take?

"Staring at the water isn't going to make them arrive any faster, Helen," the Mariner informed her, slowly finishing up his food. He was still watching her with his eyes, unmoving as he chewed on the piece of meat in his mouth.

Helen glanced at him. "I know…"

"Then come over here."

Frowning in puzzlement, Helen turned around and scooted over to him where he captured her in his arms. His food was now forgotten as he held her close, smoothing down her hair that had grown longer throughout the years. He remembered the time when he had cut hers and Enola's hair. That seemed so long ago.

"Don't leave us again…" whispered Helen as she stared into his eyes, a pleading expression dancing along her facial features. "I know you aren't used to dry land, but please don't leave Enola and I again. We need you."

The Mariner stared at her. Could he really promise her that? No. He couldn't make any promises. Sure, he wanted to stay with them to make sure that they were always safe, but he didn't want to feel nauseas every time he walked around land. So, he kept silent and continued to smooth down the woman's hair.

"Hey, are you listening to me?" Helen spoke, a frown coloring her face.

"I'm listening."

"You have to stay with us…please?" Helen was now begging. "You don't even have to stay on land. You could just stay in the water, but close by. Just please don't leave us again. I can't stand being away from you for so long!"

The Mariner heard the hurt in her voice and his arms tightened around her. He ceased his actions of smoothing her hair and brought her closer to his body. "I won't," he said. "I won't."