This next obstacle was inspired by a fanfiction called, Beneath the Waves, which was written by RubyMoon-Snape.

Chapter Five- Seaweed and Red Eyes

"Hey, Michelle. How did you know what to put on my burns back there?"

"My teacher taught my sister and me about plants and sea life in a series of lessons. He pointed out which ones to avoid and which ones could heal in case we found ourselves far from home and couldn't access the medical kit."

"That's what I call planning ahead. It's also useful information."

"Doesn't your teacher teach you that sort of thing?"

"No, actually. It's felt that a princess shouldn't concern herself with such things."

Michelle was surprised by this revelation. In her kingdom, it was felt that every merperson should be familiar with just about every plant he or she may encounter in life and her father made sure that everyone received that information. Michelle paid attention in those lessons and had taken notes, but she wasn't sure if she would ever need to use the information- until now.

Michelle spent the rest of the day, pointing out different plants, explaining them, and whether they were beneficial or dangerous. Amara paid strict attention, knowing that she would need this information once she was permanent mermaid. There was no doubt in her mind that they would acquire the mirror and that they would be together forever. The two of them stopped for the night after agreeing that they would resume their quest at dawn's first light since they would only have one day and night left to reach the mirror.

A forest of tall seaweed stretched before them. Some of the weed was so long that it drooped down to form a type of canopy above. Amara looked to see Michelle staring at the expense nervously. It looked harmless to Amara so why did Michelle look so worried? "Michelle, everything okay?"

Michelle shook her head slightly. "I've heard stories about this forest. They say it is dangerous and that extreme caution is called for as well as keeping your guard up at all times. It is also said no one should venture into this place alone. I think even fish avoid this place for I see nothing swimming through it."

"I'll be aware of everything around me," Amara promised. "Let's go."

As they glided through the tall seaweed forest, Amara felt tense and hyper-aware of her surroundings, but as they went deeper into the forest, she soon felt at ease and looked up to see sunlight streaming down through the water and some of it filtered through the seaweed above her. The overall effect was beautiful and the princess imagined her new underwater life where she would spend time admiring all the beautiful scenery when a tug on her tail caused her to come back to reality. She looked down and couldn't believe her eyes: A piece of seaweed had wrapped itself around her tail and was pulling her down while more were wrapping themselves around her tail too as well as her arms and body. "Michelle!" she cried in alarm as she struggled to break free. Her tail thrashed wildly and her arms strained to break loose but all that happened was the seaweed squeezed tighter.

"Amara, stop struggling. This seaweed gets tighter the more their victim fights. This is why many sea creatures do not come here. Their instinct is to fight and thus, they end up crushed to death. You've got to calm down."

Amara immediately stopped fighting and the moment she stopped, the seaweed ceased its increasing pressure. The current pressure was still there and Amara fought her impulse to break free. "Okay. Now, how am I going to get loose if I can't fight my way out?"

"That is why it is also important to have a companion when one wants to swim through the seaweed forest. You see the trick is to…to…well, ask them politely to let go or to tickle them."

"Excuse me? Ask them or tickle them?"

Michelle nodded. "That's right. So, excuse me seaweed. Could you please let go of my friend?"

Amara watched in amazement as the seaweed unwound itself from her and sank back down to the seafloor. "Thank you," Michelle said as she grabbed Amara's hand and guided her out of the forest.

Rubeus strolled along the shoreline, lost in thought about Amara and whether she was close to finding the mirror. Perhaps, once he had possession of the mirror, he would grant Amara's wish and change her into a permanent mermaid as thanks for bringing the magical item he needed; an item that would have incredible power that he could use as he wished.

Yes, that mirror has amazing power that I have only dreamed of and soon my dreams will be reality. He turned his eyes to the water and suddenly blinked several times. A pair of ruby red eyes were peering at him from the water. A length of green hair floated on the surface of the water. The eyes and hair were there for only an instant before their owner dipped back under the waves.

Was that a mermaid looking at me? If so, why?

Trista let out a sigh of relief as she looked around. There were no mermen in sight and nothing but empty sea around her. She relaxed and let her eyes drift upward as she reflected on her relentless suitors and the conversation she had with her sister. She was certain that Michelle had fallen for that Amara even though the green-tailed mermaid wasn't.

If only it was that easy for me, she mused. Her eyes roved over the water's surface above her and then focused on the sky and land above the surface. Suddenly, her eyes widened at the sight of a human on the sandy ground. He's gorgeous. His eyes and hair are as red as some sea plants I've seen. At least, I think they are. I need a clearer look and I don't think he'll believe he saw a mermaid.

Trista slowly approached the surface and carefully rose so that only her head from the eyes up were above the water with some of her hair floating on top of the water. There, she floated and observed the man strolling along the shoreline. He seemed deep in thought and the features she had glimpsed before were just as she had thought before. The man suddenly looked at the water and it seemed as if he was locking eyes with her. She saw him blink several times before she quickly dipped back underwater. Her heart pounded and her breath came in fast and hard. He saw me! It may have only been for an instant, but he saw me!

Trista closed her eyes and took a deep breath before slowly letting it out. Calm down, Trista. Even if he did see you, he's a human and humans can't breathe underwater. You're safe.

The way Amara and Michelle escaped the seaweed was inspired by a He-Man episode titled, "The Starchild." I want to make sure I give credit where it is due. I hope I don't miss any.