The next morning Urchin got a visit from the Howells and out of habit he bowed to them.
"No need for that Dear Boy," Mrs Howell said smiling as she knelt daintily in the sand. Her husband knelt beside her.
Urchin just smiled. "Sorry. Habit!"
"Pardon our inquisitiveness Lad but we were wondering…"
"About King Truan and Queen Isabella? They're the best!" Urchin said with a smile that held a tinge of sadness.
Mr Howell chuckled. "What of their relationship? How do they treat you?"
"Well...they really love each other. Just last week there was a ball for Her Majesty's birthday. Before that she spent the day with Corla and I." He smiled. "She made a pretty mermaid! Her tail was pearl white."
Lovey smiled. "Oh how Marvelous!"
"Do they have any children?" Mr Howell asked curiously.
The merman shook his head. "No they don't."
"Who will inherit the kingdom then?"
"I don't know…" Urchin said swallowing. "They're healthy. Not gonna die anytime soon!"
"Thurston!" Lovey hissed at him before turning back to him. "Are you alright Dear?"
"I'm fine Mrs Howell," Urchin said smiling.
She studied him for a moment before reaching out a gloved hand and cupping the merman's cheek. "You must be dreadfully homesick."
The merman swallowed. "I am but...it's not like I've been lost for years like you have…"
Mr Howell smiled gently. "We're going to let you in on a little secret. Lovey and I do not consider ourselves lost. For the first time we are around people that we can trust. We have both changed since that dreadful day. We have changed for the better here and will take those lessons home with us when rescue does come."
Urchin nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."
And he was. The King and Queen were good people and Urchin could tell that the Howells were as well.
Meanwhile…
Erik finally got it right. He poured the potion into a glass container and put a top on it before rushing out to the castle. Raina was hot on his heels.
Once in the throne room they bowed.
"My Lord and Lady I have finally finished the potion! We can retrieve Urchin!" Erik said excitedly.
"Wonderful! Tell us what must be done! How does he fare by the way?" Truan asked.
Erik turned to his wife. "Raina go get Corla." She nodded and ran off to do just that! He then turned back to the royals. "I made enough to be able to take The Gilligan. He's ok. Our mirrors have been taking extremely good care of him and he's worked his magic on them of course."
Isabella nodded. "We should bring something as a thank you. Are they in need of anything."
Erik grinned. "Probably something other than fish to eat for a change. You know how Silas is! He can eat a steak!"
The royals grinned in fond amusement.
"Very well. Perhaps some jewels for the ladies and provisions. We will celebrate with them and lift their spirits before our return," Truan said.
Erik nodded. "I will inform the captain."
A few hours later Corla was helped onto the ship by the crew as several chestfuls of provisions were loaded. Erik, Raina, and the royals boarded.
Silas took the wheel and watched as Erik approached him. 'We'll need a lot of water space. The portal I'm creating is a whirlpool that will suck us in and we'll come up by their island alongside a beach."
"Is that where Urchin is?" Silas asked.
"No he's in a lagoon. Their Professor had the foresight to put him in calmer waters in order to heal."
Silas nodded with a deep breath. "Are you sure Corla can make the trip?"
Erik raised an eyebrow. "You want to be the one to tell her to stay behind?"
The captain chuckled. "I see your point!" He then frowned. "Are you SURE he's ok?"
"Captain trust me. The only thing wrong with him right now is homesickness and that will be remedied the moment he sees all of us."
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Gilligan was out collecting oysters along one of the beaches when he caught something out in the ocean. He watched it curiously as it grew into a whirlpool of sorts then stared in shock when a wooden ship just suddenly popped out! As it came closer to shore his shock turned to excitement as he read the side of the ship before turning tail and bolting back to camp!
By the time the ship dropped anchor and the six took the lifeboat to shore the seven castaways were there to greet them!
With a smile the Skipper stepped forward. "Welcome to our island! I'm Jonas Grumby, Skipper of the S.S. Minnow. This is my first mate, Gilligan, as well as our passengers: Mary Ann, Ginger, the Professor, and Mr and Mrs Howell. Urchin's in our lagoon." He grinned. "He doesn't know you're here...yet!"
"Please take us to him!" Corla said smiling through her tears. "Oh I just have to see him!"
King Truan stepped forward. "Before we do I must express the gratitude of myself and the others for taking care of our dear Urchin. He means the world to all of us."
Mr Howell smiled as he put a hand on Gilligan's shoulder. "We know the feeling."
The boy smiled shyly and ducked his head causing the visitors to smile.
The castaways lead them to the lagoon and the visitors grinned as all but Corla kept hidden. The former fairy walked to the edge of the shore and put the palm of her hand up outstretched.. A pink orb flew out and went under the water.
It was instantaneous. Urchin popped out of the water and stared at her in shock before he beamed and dove under before shooting to the shore like a rocket! The moment he got there she fell to her knees and they shared a kiss.
The Professor watched Erik as he pulled out a wand and with a flick of the wrist had Urchin in legs and clothes!
When they finally pulled away Urchin put his hand on her stomach. "Are you both ok?"
Corla nodded. "We're fine. Oh Urchin I missed you so much!" She threw her arms back around him!
Urchin swallowed as he returned the hug. "I missed you too!"
It was then that the others came out and Corla smiled as Urchin ran over and hugged them all too!
Mary Ann went over to Corla and smiled. "It's nice to finally meet you. Urchin's told us so much!"
The mermaid grinned. "He likes to exaggerate when he's telling a story."
Mary Ann grinned back. "So you didn't throw a spear at him?"
She rolled her eyes! "One time! I wasn't throwing it AT him per se...just the wall beside him!"
They all headed back to camp laughing and getting to know one another. The royals thoroughly enjoyed having tea with the Howells while Ginger and Raina chatted about their lives. The two sea captains exchanged stories of their adventures while Urchin and Corla chatted with Gilligan and Mary Ann.
The Professor showed Erik his makeshift lab before turning to him. "Urchin spoke very highly of you."
Erik chuckled. "Yes well. He means a lot to me. I've been alone most of my life, devoted to magic before Corla's fairy grove was destroyed and she came to stay with me by order of the queen. She had been quiet and withdrawn. She used to be about six inches in height and had wings."
"Then how did she…?"
"Depression dimmed her light because she thought she was the only magical creature left. Then one day she flew home and informed me about a merman she had met. Did Urchin tell you about Romas?"
Roy nodded. "Yes he did. Whatever happened to him?"
"He was put on display in the town square for the longest time until someone tried to take Urchin to sell and King Truan offered Romas in exchange. That was the only time something like that ended peacefully." The wizard sighed. "Urchin manages to get into all kinds of situations because of his rarity. And now with…"
"CORLA!"
They both ran out of the hut to find Corla leaning heavily on her husband while Gilligan and Mary Ann tried to steady her.
Corla looked up at him. "Erik the baby's coming! I can feel it!"
Urchin looked at the wizard in fear! "We have to get her home!"
Erik shook his head. "There's no time!"
"My hut quickly! I have a cot!" The Professor said as he and Urchin helped get Corla settled.
Corla let out a cry as she was lay down. Urchin sat behind her and supported her while he held her hand.
Roy looked at Erik. "Do you know what you're doing?"
Erik looked at him. "Yes but your assistance would be greatly appreciated." He looked at the soon to be parents. "This is going to take a lot of strength and even more magic."
Urchin nodded. "I have her."
Erik nodded.
The Professor watched in amazement as Erik put his hand on Corla's stomach and shut his eyes. As he concentrated a warm glow shone from his hand and he smiled relieved. "So far everything is fine. The baby is in position."
The couple nodded before looking at each other. Their joined hands glowed a beautiful mixture of pink, white, and ocean blue.
It was at that moment that Professor Roy Hinkley knew he was seeing true love in magical form and it blew him away how strong and powerful these two truly were.
They were young yes...but woe betide any enemy that would face Urchin and Corla under the sea.
It was then that he saw the mirror of them in Gilligan and Mary Ann. Both had proven their strength time and time again. He saw what they could be capable of if given the chance.
Roy donned his gear but before he put on the mask he looked at Corla and knew just how do give her a bit more strength. He smiled. "Corla…"
She looked at him.
"I do believe in fairies. I do believe in mermen and merwomen."
It worked. The magic in their joined hands got brighter!
Roy went to the window. "Gilligan I'm sure you know what makes a fairy stronger. That part of mythology is true! She'll need everyone!"
Gilligan nodded as he stood up straight! "I do believe in fairies! I do believe in magic!"
The Skipper looked at his first mate and stood up determined. "I believe!"
One by one the castaways repeated sentiments over.
The magic just got stronger and when it came time to push Corla just knew that everything would be alright!