Chapter 3

It wasn't until Eustace walked for a good mile that he actually looked behind him to see if she was still there, but when he did, it was to find a now very empty looking forest. Her presents seemed to fill the very air around her when she was near him, and to tell the truth he would have liked it if she had come along. But, there was also something about her that didn't quite sit right with him, so he had to make the snap decision to just leave without her.

He had learned the last time he was here not to trust anyone, because even the most innocent looking people (or animal) could belong the wrong side. Still, he would have enjoyed some company.

Oh well. He told himself. Better to be safe than sorry.

The further he walked, the muddier the ground became, and he knew that he was nearing a source of water. He walked a little farther and he could now here the sound of a waterfall.

Spirit lifting again, he broke through the last of the trees and came to a small oasis: It was a very private and serene looking place, with trees growing all around it until they met a big cliff where the water fell from, looking like a thousand white crystals as if fell and hit the water below. There were many different kinds of flowers that surrounded the water, of all different colors, including the ones that grew on the lily pads that floated on top of the water. Birds chirped and sang on the branches of trees, some of them swooping down and landing beside the water to peck at the small water bugs as they swam around.

Eustace smiled and walked over to the water, sitting down and crossing his legs when he got to the edge. He carefully put one hand on top of the water, and skimmed it lightly across, making a small wave as the water rushed over his hand. The top of the water was warm from the hot summer sun beating down on it, but the deeper he plunged his hand into it, the colder it got. He loved water; he loved how when he floated on top of it he felt like he was flying.

Deciding that his adventure could wait for a little bit so that he could take a breather and rest, he took it shirt and shoes off, and rolled his pant-legs up to his knees. Throwing the cloths over his shoulder he carefully waited into the water, trying not to go to fast in his eagerness to swim just in case he were to step on a sharp rock and cut his feet.

He walked deep enough until the water reached to just below his knees, and extended both hands to the water, and scooping up a big handful, he splashed it on his face and hair. The water was very refreshing after that long walk, and the coolness of it was just what his sore feet needed.

He didn't rush his time in the water – he really wanted to keep going, but he was also content to stay right where he was. This really was a very captivating place, one that he would be content never to leave.

Just as he finished that thought, the water started to ripple a few meters in front of him, moving towards him at a very fast pace. Backing up slowly; he was about to make a run for it for fear of whatever monster lived here, but then it suddenly stopped and two human eyes poked out of the water.

Or at least he thought they were human.

Just from looking at the top of her head he knew that it was a girl, but when she peaked her head fully above the water, he saw the splash of a tail behind her and knew exactly what she was.

"Your a mermaid," he said in awe, the urge to escape vanishing altogether.

She smiled at him and nodded, bobbing up and down a few feet in front of him in the deeper water.

"My names Nerissa," she said in a singsong voice.

"E-Eustace," he chocked out.

He had never been this close to a mermaid before, and had only seen them once when he was on Caspian's ship while hanging over the side of the boat throwing up from seasickness.

They were just as astounding up close as they were when he first saw them then – maybe even more so: she had bright blue eyes, and white blond hair that floated back and forth across the water as she bobbed up and down. Her tail, that was splashing happily in the water was a teal blue color that complemented her eyes nicely, and she had a brown cloth of fabric secured around her chest for a top, stopping at the bellybutton.

"I've seen you before," she said, tilting her head to the side, studying him. "On Caspian's ship."

"You were one of the mermaids that I saw," Eustace breathed, understanding lighting his features.

"You've grown quite big since I last saw you."

Eustace puffed up his chest at what he considered a great complement.

"How did you get here?" he asked, his expression changing to one of confusion. "I don't see a way in or out."

"There are tunnels underwater that lead to the ocean; I can leave whenever I want to, but, its so nice here, I stay here most times," she said smiling then rested onto her back, looking up at the sky. Her tail now flopping up and down in front of her - she just laid there smiling up at the sun.

"You don't get lonely here all by yourself?" asked Eustace, taking another step towards her.

"No, not really – the fairies keep me company," she said, not taking her eye's off the the sky.

"Oh," was all he said taking another step.

Finally looking at him, her middle collapsed in the water so that once again only her head and torso was visible. "And now I have you," she said, something changing in her expression that he couldn't quite pinpoint.

"Y-Yeah I guess," he stammered, suspicion creeping into his voice. "But, to tell you the truth, I better keep going. I have to find somewhere to camp before it gets dark out."

He really just wanted to get out of there before something crazy happened, like her capturing him and making him her prisoner or whatever. But, now that he said it he did realize that it was starting to get dark, and it really was a good idea for him to keep going so that he could find somewhere to camp for the night.

So, backing quickly out of the water before she could stop him, he gathered up his cloths and quickly put them on. Every once in a while he would glace over at the mermaid who was still bobbing up and down in the water, her eyes never leaving his, he didn't even think that she was blinking, and it scared the crap out of him.

"S-See ya," he mumbled, then made a run for it.

Was there anyone her who didn't give him the creeps?

As he ran back into the woods he took a quick glance over his shoulder only to find that she was no longer there. The pond was completely empty but for a small bird that pecked another water-bug from it's home.