Chapter 2-The Book

The first thing Rapunzel saw when she woke up was the starry sky she had painted on the ceiling. She then remembered she dreamt she was in the ocean, swimming with the merman, a merman she had discovered yesterday. Was yesterday all a dream? or did it really happen. Rapunzel slowy got out of bed and walked to the bathroom, she yawned before washing her face. She was still sleepy and she didn't realise that someone else was there.

"Good morning"

Rapunzel let out a scream, she was so startled she banged her back against the wall. She then recognise that it was Jack, tail and all.

Rapunzel took a deep breath to calm her heart "you scared me" she finally said.

"Sorry, but I couldn't resist," Jack replied still laughing but he groaned in pain as he moved.

Rapunzel's mood changed and she walk over to him to check on his injury "So, feeling any better today?" She asked, she could see things were mostly the same but the bruises seemed to be fading and the cuts beginning to heal. The same couldn't be said for the big gash, it still looked bad, but hopeful in a few weeks it would improve.

"A little bit better" Jack replied "but I do feel quite hungry".

Rapunzel face dropped, she never thought about giving him food. He must be starving. "Oh you must not of had nothing for days on that boat" she said panicking "I should of brought you food yesterday, I..."

"Hey, hey, it's ok. They did feed me, so don't go blaming on yourself" Jack said reassuringly. He took her hand and held it. She wasn't sure why but she felt strange by his touch. She thought that it was his ice powers or perhaps something else.

She wasn't sure how long he held her hand when a familiar sound rang out. It was Pascal, walking, still very tired into the bathroom.

"Oh good morning Pascal" Rapunzel cheerfully said before picking him up and putting him on her shoulder.

"Did you sleep well?" Jack asked, Pascal stared in shock before he rub his eyes to be sure that he wasn't still dreaming. This made the two teens chuckle.

"I think you nearly forgot what happened yesterday" Rapunzel said smiling at the Chameleon, then she turned to Jack "I'll make us breakfast, what would you like?"

"Ur...just fish, if you have any" Jack asked unsure, He didn't know what humans actually ate.

"I'll see what we have" she replied and off she went downstairs.

Rapunzel first looked for any fish they had but the only the Fish they had were fish fingers. She cooked them and got herself some of her favourite cereal into a bowl. She decided to take some fruit up so the merman could try some. Rapunzel return to her bathroom carrying the tray of food. She made sure her parents weren't up yet, she grinned when she saw them still sleeping. Rapunzel thought that maybe one day she should make them breakfast, "Well their wedding anniversary is coming up, I think they will love that"she thought.

Rapunzel pushed the door open and saw Jack watching one of her rubber duck floating in the water.

"It looks like you've met Mr Quackers" She laughed softly , finding the sceen funny.

"Oh I didn't know he had a name" Jack commented before he poked the duck and it floated away.

Pascal squeak to Rapunzel, she turned to see Pascal jesturing her to the tray of food.

"Oh, here's breakfast" Rapunzel said. She fetched a stool from her bedroom and place the tray down on it. The merman stared at the fish fingers. "I couldn't find any normal fish so these are the closest thing we have"

Jack nearly pick one up with his hands but Rapunzel stopped him and gave him a fork to use. He was unsure but ate one, Rapunzel could see by his face that he was having a hard time eating it, she waited until he finished before she asking "well how was it?"

Jack looking up to her " Ur...it's a lot different than what I'm use to, but it's not bad"

Rapunzel sighed in relief, " That's good, I will buy some real fish for you if you want".

The merman took another before he said "Thanks, it's a lot better than what those fisher men give me"

"Now, you mention, how did you get out of the net" she asked before taking a bit of cereal

"well there was lots of crabs on board, I ask them to help me by cutting through the net, well, it took a while for them to do it,but they manage it and that's how I escape " he explained.

"But why didn't you just use your ice powers?".

"Well my hand was injured. so I'd decided to wait until it healed before my great escape".

"Ah that explains it" ,Rapunzel commented as Pascal rested on the girl's knee.

"Anyway enough about me what about you" the merman asked, he wanted to get to know this human girl, Rapunzel was the first human he had ever met.

Rapunzel looked at him in surprise, she never thought she was that interesting "Ok, what do you want to know?" She questioned.

"Like how old are you?"

"Oh I just turned 18 a few weeks ago"

"I'm 18 too" and it lead the two talking about themselves. Jack told her that he lived with his mum and little sister and all the fun he had in the sea, Rapunzel talked about her family and what her hobbies were. As they talked, the two ate their breakfast. Jack tried the cereal that Rapunzel was having and he was surprised by how tasty it was.

"My favourite thing is to paint, when I have an idea from a picture, I have to draw it, even on my walls, I don't think I have any room left" Rapunzel said excitedly.

"I've never seen a painting before" the merman commented.

"Well let me show you" Rapunzel went to fetch some of her paintings and her sketchbook. Jack stared in awe he'd never seen anything as amazing. "I did this one yesterday, before I found you" she said showing him the White horse painting.

"Urr...not to sound dumb or anything" Jack said sounding a bit nervous "but what is that exactly?" He added pointing at the image of the horse.

Rapunzel was about to explain and thought then that Jack would not know much about the land, which made sense to her.

"I think I need to teach you about what human life is like" said the human as she self consciously put a loose hair back into place.

"Ok, if I'll teach you a thing or two about the sea, if you want?" The merman suggested.

"Really", she answered in surprise "thank you".

"You're welcome", he replied with a smile, soon Rapunzel took their dishes downstairs and found her mum and dad having their coffee.

"Morning love, were you downstairs before? We could smell something from upstairs" her mum asked as her daughter came in.

"Yes, I was" she knew it wasn't a lie for it was true" I wanted to enjoy breakfast upstairs for in change"

Her mum smiled and she then glimpsed at a book that was next to her " I think you might like it, it's about mermaids"

Rapunzel stared in shock "Wh..What a about mermaids" she questioned nervously, she thought her parents didn't know about Jack, but mentioning (mermaids), made her worried if they had found out her secret.

"Well kind of, they are sea creatures but they called Selkies" her mum said handing over the book. The girl took the book and looked at the cover, it read in silver letters "The Lassie in the cove"

"It's supposed to be based on a old folk tale, around the time of the Vikings. Her mum continued.

"Thanks, I'll check it out later".

"Anyway sweetheart, when you're ready we'll go to town" her dad suddenly said.

"Town, oh town I forgot" she realise. Since she was little, Rapunzel and her dad always went somewhere at the weekend. They go to the cinema or to different cities but most of the time they went to town.

"When your ready we will get going" her dad said with a smile and with that his daughter placed the plates in the kitchen and hurried back upstairs. She quickly openied her bathroom door and immediately closed it behind her.

Before Jack could ask what was wrong Rapunzel said " I forgot about going to town"

"What is a town?" The merman asked but changed his mind before Rapunzel responded. "Ur, never mind"

Rapunzel was thinking about what to do. She didn't know how long she would be out but she did know they never stayed out too long. If Rapunzel and her dad leave 10.30, they may be back by 1.00.

"Ur...my dad wants me to go to town with him" she quickly explained the situation.

Jack didn't understand what Rapunzel was talking about but he thought if she said she wanted to stay at home this time, her dad may be suspicious.

"Hey it's ok" Jack said softly to her "I'll be fine till you come and besides I wouldn't be on my own you know" he added and they looked at Pascal who wasn't sure about babysitting a merman for hours by himself.

Rapunzel sighed in relief before asking "If you sure about..."

"I'm sure Punz" Jack insisted while waveling his hand showing it didnt't matter.

She smiled and then realise something "Punz?"

The merman turn red slightly at this and rubbed the back of her neck "Yeah I thought about giving you a nickname, do you mind?"

"No, I like it. I've never have one before" she said and smiled sweetly, this made Jack smile back to her. Rapunzel grabbed two towels, shampoo and shower gel.

"What are those for?" Jack asked wondering what she was doing.

"I'm going to wash myself in my parents bathroom, since I can't use mine"

"Well if you want, you can join me".

Rapunzel just looked at him in disbelief, " Ur..no thank you, I'll... manage" she replied and with that she left before anything else was said.

She washed herself and was dried and dress pretty quickly. Rapunzel gave Jack a couple of books, some snack if he got hungry and told him if he want to listen to music, he could ask pascal to put some on.

She said goodbye to her chameleon and the merman before Rapunzel left for town with her dad. They went around the shops they enjoy the most and the ended up in a book store, while her dad was having coffee in the indoor café Rapunzel tried to find any books about mermaids. Jack had told her what life was live being one and that he'd never travelled that far from home.

She had found a couple of books that told tales of mermaids but none about their history and lifestyle. "What would someone write about their everyday lifes, no human really knews they existed" she thought to herself.

Just as Rapunzel was about to continue her search, she heard someone clearing their throat behind her, Rapunzel turned and saw a friendly looking old man, she thought that he looked like Santa Claus. She also thought he worked in the store because he wore the same uniform as the other staff.

"Can I help you my dear?" He ask in a gently and caring voice.

"Ur, well..." Rapunzel didn't really know if she wanted any help finding books, she needed it so it was worth a shot. "I"m looking for a book telling about mermaids, I only found stories with them in, but none about them in their daily lives. She thought she must of sound silly asking it but was surprised when the old man said

"Well you're just in luck. This arrived today" and showing her a book with the words "Merology". It look quite an old book to be sold in a modern store, The book itself had a turquoise colour cover , with gold and silver decoration and had a mermaid and a merman side by side. Smiling with joy, Rapunzel was going to say thank you to the old man but when she looked up, he was gone.

She quickly looked around but it's like he'd vanished. Rapunzel wondered if the old man was some sort of wizard. It could be possible knowing what she seen. She payed for the books and Rapunzel and her dad continued with their shopping, at 2.28 they make it home. Rapunzel immediately opened the front door and shot upstairs, calling out that she needed to do some things.

She opened her bathroom door and saw Jack asleep peacefully under the water. she placed her bags down and peered in the tub , she couldn't help but think that he was very cute right now. She noticed some sweets and crisps packets on the floor, knowing he must of ate some. She found Pascal in her bedroom also asleep on her bed. Rapunzel smiled at little friend before her tidied the bathroom.

As Rapunzel picked up the wrappers, Jack woke up. They came face to face and both of them jumped a little. Rapunzel was the first to come back from the shock and began to giggled, remembering the first time they met.

"Is this how we're going to meet everytime" Jack asked chuckling with her, seeing the funny side of it.

"No, I hope not"

The two continue laughing, the sound made Pascal wake up, he walked in on them, wondering why they woke him from his sleep. He wasn't happy (he was red) but when Rapunzel stroked his back, he changed his mood and he pinked up a bit.

"How was your trip?" Jack asked after they both finish laughing.

"It was good, what about you? It wasn't as long as I thought" Rapunzel asked as she finished the bathroom.

"Sorry about the mess, I didn't know where to put them but sweets tasted delicious " Jack said with a smirk at the last part.

Rapunzel smiled in return "It's fine, you could've reach the bin if you tried".

"Well anyway, I was ok. I can entertain myself with my power but I did enjoy Pascal and Mr Quackers's company" the merman said as he gently pushed the rubber duck so it bobbed in the water.

"Oh, I got these from the book store" Rapunzel mentioned and took the books out. She showed them to Jack and Pascal leaveing the 'Merology' book for last. She noticed a look of confusion on the merman face. "Is something wrong? She asked in concerned.

He look up to her and self-consciously rubbed the back of his neck. "I...I don't understand these shapes, I looked at the book you left before, but I didn't understand these shapes" he confessed.

At first Rapunzel didn't know what he was talking about, but it soon came to her.

"You mean the words?" She asked, she opened one of the books and pointed to the text.

"Yeah, is that what it's called?"

She nodded "If you want, I can teach you how to read it" she kindly suggest.

Jack thought about it for a moment and then said "I'm ok with that" and something came to him "maybe I can teach you to read mer script."

"I would love that" Rapunzel and said with a smile. Without them knowing the two teens just looked at one another, not saying anything. The moment broke when Pascal squeaked when he found the " Merology " book. "Oh I forgot about this one" she quickly said picking it up and opening it.

She saw the most beautiful illustrations of mermaids and mermen and even babies. The book also show their homes, some with shipwrecks or homemade ones done with driftwood and rope and a castle made from gold and seashells.

"I know that castle, my mum told me and my sister about that kingdom. It is the greatest merpeople Kingdom out of all of them because the royal family live there" Jack explained to her. Rapunzel turn the page which had the Royal family on it. There was a King and queen looking like what most Kings and queens look like and pretty mermaids which Rapunzel thought must have been the princesses. They all wore silks and pearls and had long hair that flowed in the water.

"They're beautiful" she said, Jack glanced at her.

"Well in my opinion, you're more beautiful than any of them" Jack immediately turn red.

Rapunzel blushed herself but gently smiled at him. She turned to the next page and some sliver letter...

"Moon spells" she read alone while Pascal climbed on to her shoulder. On the page were moon and stars, they were beautiful and mysterious.

"Oh" Jack said pointing at the page "They're powerful spells that only some merpeople can do"

"Can you do them" Rapunzel asking in curiosity.

"Well, yes I can. I was actually taught by the moon himself"

Before Rapunzel could asked about the moon, the merman explained when he was small he heard the moon talking to him and he taught Jack moon spells. "He said I was special but I can't tell anyone about it, but he wont mind if you knew".

"Wait, you talk about me?"

"Yeah, he likes you. He said, thank you for saving me" Jack said with a laugh.

"I'm just thinking what do moon spells do" Rapunzel asked " I heard that the moon can control the ocean, The waves that come in at night.

"That one, and other can change the colours of the coral, grow all sort of plant life and so much more" the merman explained in the best way he could for he still didn't know much about that himself.

"Well do you still want to look at this book. You can say what's right and what's wrong" the girl asked holding the book up.

Jack smirked at her and said "sure, I have time" and the two looked toward the book together. During the following days. they enjoy leaning about each others worlds and Rapunzel wished she could see the ocean Jack saw, but mostly she wish for Jack to get better soon.

If your wondering about 'the Lassie in the Cove' you can find it on my blog