"The Call Of The Sea (Chapter 2)"
Aquadis was unhappy. His life was serene and easy - and that was the problem. One wouldn't know it to look at the buff, dark haired, green eyed merman, but lately he was extremely frustrated and bored. Aquadis wanted more than his life provided. There had to be more in this world than this. The same old tasks, the same old faces. If something didn't change soon, he thought he'd go insane. He had already contemplated seeking out Merbruna, the sea demon. He had heard that she had the power to transform merfolk into humans. The humans he sometimes caught glimpses of always seemed so busy. Their lives seemed full of possibilities, so unlike his. Aquadis needed challenges and, excitement, he certainly was not going to get those things living in Sleepy Hollow Lake. Yes, he decided he would find Merbruna, no matter what the price was, he was willing to take the risk. He could not spend the rest of his existence in a constant state of ennui.
Aquadis was so preoccupied, he almost passed the mermaid peacefully sleeping on a large rock. Luckily, Abbie let out a rather loud sigh as Aquadis was passing, he turned and then he saw her. She was beautiful, lovely warm brown skin, a tail that shimmered like pearl essence, dark hair delicately billowing around her perfect face. She had yet to open her eyes, but Aquadis was mesmerized. She certainly was not a native to Sleepy Hollow Lake, and that was what made her all the more alluring. A new face, a new story at last. Just then he saw her eyes flutter open. Deep brown doe like eyes. Aquadis stared in awe, she was mermaid perfection! His lovely discovery slowly sat up and sighed, "ahh, oh.. Where am I? Who are you?" She stared at the handsome merman in front of her. Dark curly hair, eyes the color of the sea, a perfectly chiseled chest. A girl could get used to this, she thought.
"I am Aquadis", he said in a sultry voice, "I am honored to greet you and welcome you to Sleepy Hollow Lake, my home. Would you be so kind as to tell me your name?"
Abbie thought for a moment and then said "Abigail."
Aquadis repeated her name, though he pronounced it "Ah-bee-gill". Strange name he thought, but he liked it because it was different.
"You could just call me Abbie, if you like"
"No", Aquadis said, "Abigail is a lovely name, it does suit you."
"As you wish", Abbie smiled.
Aquadis, excited over his new discovery, took Abbie to meet his family and friends. The Merfolk of Sleepy Hollow welcomed Abbie with open arms. They were intrigued by her lack of knowledge of Merfolk customs and traditions. They were impressed with her kindness and honesty. Aquadis was not the only merman to find Abbie attractive. All of the unmarried males of the enclave seemed to desire her. She was the shiny new toy they all wanted to hold. Aquadis, however, had discovered her and no onedared challenge his right to claim her as his own.
Abbie, of course, was oblivious to the bit of male angst her presence had created. She was trying to adjust to her new life in the enclave and her responsibilities. Although Abbie knew she was a mermaid, she couldn't understand why she had no memory of her life with any other Merfolk.
The females of the enclave were very gracious and greeted Abbie with sisterly affection. Two lovely mermaids, Coral and Planktona became Abbie's close friends. They taught her how to spot the tastiest fish. Abbie learned the fine art of crafting bras and jewelry from colorful shells and seaweed.
Abbie did her chores happily singing the lovely mer songs of the lake. Coral and Planktona also taught Abbie some rather risque Sea Shanties that the girls would sing when they thought no one was listening. Yes, life under the sea was good, it was peaceful and serene - what more could she ask for?
One day, Coral asked Abbie about her relationship with Aquadis. "He wouldn't give any of us a second look, Abbie, but in the short time you've been here, you have him wrapped around your little finger. He follows you like he's afraid you'll disappear if he's not careful."He is just so much happier now that you're in his life.
Abbie smiled and said, "Aquadis has been wonderful to me. I guess he thinks I'm kind of his responsibility since he found me."
"Abbie", Coral whispered, "you do realize he loves you, don't you?'
"Loves me? I've only been here for five days!"
"Well Abbie, he does, he told Muirice, my betrothed, that he intended to ask you to become his wife today."
"What?" Abbie was stunned. She was very fond of Aquadis, but she never thought he loved her. She realized she must speak to him before things got out of hand. Abbie swan over to the group of mermen Aquadis was speaking with.
His eyes lit up when he saw her. Abbie had become his beacon, a lighthouse of hope for the future. She made living in the enclave bearable. Perhaps she was the person he had been waiting for all of his life.
Abigail, I was just coming to speak to you."
"Well Aquadis, here I am. Let's go somewhere quiet so that we may speak privately." Abbie said softly.
"Of course, we have much to discuss." Aquadis agreed.
The pair swam to a secluded spot, not too far from where Aquadis first discovered Abbie five days before. Abbie opened her mouth to speak, but Aquadis beat her to it.
"Ah bee gill", he still pronounced her name with the wonder and reverence of their first meeting. "My life has changed so much since you entered it. You have given me a reason to hope for better things in the future. I find you are the reason I awaken in the morning with a smile and your face is what fills my dreams each night. I love you Ah-bee-gill, and I desire you at my side for the rest of our existence.
Abbie had listened silently to Aquadis. His words caused her to seriously consider her feelings for him. It was certainly true that she was very fond of Aquadis. He was kind, handsome, warm and had a great sense of humor. She knew he would be considered a great catch by any of the other mermaids. Yet, 5 days was not long enough to fall in love. Abbie couldn't put her finger on it, but somehow she felt as if there was a hole in her heart, waiting to be filled by the love of someone. Still, she believed, it would not be Aquadis who would complete the void in her heart. There was someone else ...
"Ah bee gill', Aquadis' voice pulled Abbie from her reverie. "You have only to take my hand to seal our accord, and we will be officially betrothed, as is our custom."
The words he used reminded Abbie of something, someone.. "Wait", Abbie sighed, "Aquadis, I care for you deeply, but it is too soon for me to accept your proposal. I owe you so much. You've made me feel loved and accepted by your family and friends. I am so grateful for what you've done for me, but I'm not ready. I need more time to discover myself and my purpose here. I feel so out of place sometimes. I have no real memory of my past life. I need to rediscover who I am before I can make a promise to you, you deserve that Aquadis. Please give me more time."
"Of course dearest." There was a definite hint of sadness in his voice, but Aquadis took comfort in the fact that she hadn't really rejected his proposal. She had only asked for more time, he could live with that. "When you are ready I will be here. I love you, and I am willing to wait."
"Thank you for understanding Aquadis", Abbie leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on his cheek. Aquadis smiled broadly, it was enough ...for now.
Meanwhile back on the shore...
Jenny Mills had been frantically searching for her sister for the past 5 days. Abbie was a stickler for keeping appointments .She was extremely reliable, she always called if there was a problem .When she did not show up for dinner, Jenny knew something was wrong. She had tried Abbie's cell numerous times with no luck. There were no leads as to her whereabouts, and Jenny feared the worst. She, Ichabod and Katrina were desperately trying to determine Abbie's fate. Jenny had to admit, she had had her doubts regarding Katrina's true commitment to finding Abbie. Katrina was certainly not blind. She knew Katrina had seen the way Ichabod gazed at Abbie, like a lovesick puppy. Still, Jenny thought, Katrina had been an essential part of Abbie's rescue from Purgatory. Jenny and the now very powerful Witch, had actually become friends. Jenny enjoyed helping Katrina adjust to life in the 21st century. She, Ichabod, Katrina, Frank and Abbie made quite a team. Katrina was a good Witch, after all. Jenny reassured herself and she hoped her fondness for Abbie would make her do the right thing.
Ichabod, for his part, tried to hide his agony as much as possible. He felt Abbie's absence more deeply than he could have ever imagined. He had a difficult time admitting to himself how hollow he felt when Abbie was not by his side. He had realized he loved her during her captivity in Purgatory. Her absence plagued him more than Katrina's time there had. Abbie had crept in to his consciousness and taken over his heart. He felt as if he betrayed Katrina every time his mind wandered to Abbie. He was ashamed of his feelings, but powerless to end them. He paced the floor of the Archives, hands twitching in nervous frustration.
Katrina had cast a spell days ago to try to determine Abbie's location, without any luck.
"I do not understand it", Katrina sighed, "I have tried every spell I can think of to locate Abigail. If she is on land, her whereabouts should be known to us by now."
"Wait a minute Katrina", Jenny said, "You just said if she is anywhere on land. Maybe that's it, we've only been looking on land, What if she's somewhere else like.."
"Oh my, Katrina cut her off, "how could I have missed it! Jenny, Ichabod we need a book on Sea Demons." Ichabod looked through one of the Archive's huge tomes, while Jenny did a computer search.
" Merbruna!" Ichabod shouted, "Look". Katrina and Jenny both went over to look at the illustration of Merbruna, the Sea demon of Sleepy Hollow. "It says here", Ichabod read, ' "that Merbruna is a telepathic demon. She has the ability to turn maidens into Mermaids. her victims are usually lovelorn or emotionally troubled, making them more vulnerable to her spells. The victim of the enchantment can only be returned to human form by, he hesitated a moment and said, "by love's true kiss". This must occur by the dawn of the seventh day or the transformation will become permanent."
"Love's true kiss?" Jenny asked, "like in the fairy tales? Get out, really?"
"Yes, Miss Jenny, really" Ichabod said seriously.
" So love's true kiss is the only way then", Katrina stated .
"It would seem so." Ichabod sighed, "I suppose we could enlist the assistance of Detective Morales in this matter." Ichabod seemed to be choking on his words. He clearly still has feelings for Abbie.
"Luke?" Jenny was incredulous. Did Ichabod think she and Katrina were stupid. They both knew who had to kiss Abbie. "Come on, that ship sailed long ago Crane! I can't believe you! Love's true kiss has to be mutual remember? Abbie does NOT love Luke!"
"Then who?" Ichabod said sheepishly.
Jenny was seething. Just as she considered giving Ichabod a sound wakeup call in the form of a right hook to the jaw. Katrina stepped in...
"This charade must end", Katrina said sternly. She sounded like a mother admonishing a disobedient child.
Jenny just stepped back letting Katrina have the floor. She was relieved the damned elephant was about to be removed from the room, at last.
To be continued ...
Notes: So... will Katrina have the conversation Jenny has been waiting for and Ichabod has been dreading? Will they get to Abbie in time to save her? And what about Aquadis? This and more will be revealed in the next chapter of The Call Of The Sea. Remember, reviews are loved. I value your opinion. As always, thank you for reading.