Chapter 13. The Mermaid Pool
Rifiuto: Non Miniera
Elphaba landed gracefully on the ground.
Broom in hand, she made her way to the mermaid pool.
The mermaid pool was a pool of lifeless, murky marsh water where no animals or Animals drank from. It was inhabited by mermaids and mermaids only; fish refused to swim in it. It was said, that the early Lurlinists offered up sacrafices to appease the mermaid. The mermaid would only appear to those who stopped by her waters, and she would either give you the one thing your heart desired, the gift of eternal life, or drag you down the bottom of her pool to face certain death.
Since her return to Shiz, Elphaba would run to the pool whenever she got stressed or upset. She would sit at the water's edge, and stare into the water, until the mermaid would show herself, poking her head out of the water so all you could see were her eyes, before moving to a rock to brush out her long hair, or moving to the water's edge. Elphaba would have a silent conversation with her before the mermaid would hold out her hand, which Elphaba would do. She would then bestow whatever Elphaba desired.
Elphaba had stopped coming after she and Fiyero took the throne.
Now, a grown woman, a wife and mother of two children, a queen, she was returning to the mermaid pool.
Once she reached the edge, she sat down, setting her broom by her side. She laid her hands in her lap, and stared into the water's edge.
After a few moments, Elphaba saw a head slowly rise out of the water, and she stared into two eyes, before they disappeared below the water. Elphaba could see the ripples of her body moving, and soon, she found herself face to face with the mermaid. She sat a couple inches from Elphaba, perched on a rock a few inches away.
Elphaba noted that she had long, straight, light brown hair, and hazel eyes. She didn't say anything, she didn't need to. They communicated through their eyes. Then, she held out a hand, expecting Elphaba to do the same.
Slowly, the queen shook her head.
What I desire can't be held in your hand.
The mermaid lowered her hand. She nodded; she knew what Elphaba wanted.
I can't give it to you.
Elphaba lowered her head, and took a shuddering breath.
Is she alive? No body, no evidence that she is.
Then, she raised her head, and met the mermaid's eyes.
It was clear what she wanted.
She saw no other options.
No other exits.
Only dead ends.
Please, my daughter's most likely dead. I don't.....I don't want to live if she's not alive. I want....to die.
The mermaid nodded, and backed up, until she was far enough away to reach out and take Elphaba's hand.
Is that your heart's desire?
Yes.
Very well then.
Slowly, Elphaba took a deep breath, and leaned closer, reaching out. Gently, her fingers brushed the mermaid's, until the creature held Elphaba's hand gently in hers. Then, she slowly swam farther away, gently leading Elphaba from the edge into the pool.
All Elphaba could focus her gaze on, was the mermaid.
And all she could concentrate on, was the murky depth of the water.