The Captain had never seen anything like this in his life, which was saying a lot since he's a pirate, and pirates see just about everything. He was so shocked he almost forgot to breathe. Luckily, he remembered before it was too late. The mermaid excitedly swam off toward the mountain without waiting for the rest of them, and so Arthur was stuck helping Christov paddle through the water. Even with the ability to breathe underwater, the large man still had a tendency to sink.

"Good heavens, Christov. Isn't it time to lose some weight?"

"It's all muscle, sah." His voice was joking, his face said otherwise.

They swam in silence after that as the mountain loomed closer and closer. Alfred swam alongside the Captain, but never said a word to the higher ranking man. Arthur didn't blame him. He did feel a little bad about giving the young man the worst jobs aboard the ship, but at the same time he didn't. This was his way of finally getting closure for what happened to his mother so many years ago, or at least that's what he told himself.

This trail of thought settled heavily on Captain Kirkland's mind, and he attempted to keep from dwelling on it any further. He watched the mermaid swim gracefully ahead of him even without the use of her tail. If he didn't know any better, it would seem as if she didn't have a single care in the world. It was a rather believable act, but he knew there was a lot she was hiding. Much more than he was aware of. The Captain didn't think for a second that he had her all figured out, but he never let on how ignorant he was. There was power in secrets after all.

"We're almost there."

If he wasn't swimming, Arthur would have jumped. He looked around to see where the mermaid was, but he couldn't see her anywhere. That was definitely her voice he heard, so where did she go?

"Down here."

The Captain looked down to see her swimming fluidly beneath him like she was water itself. Her previous confidence seemed to have melted away leaving her with only a nervous energy to keep her going. She met Arthur's gaze. He could sense her fear even without seeing it so plainly displayed in her eyes. A sigh sent bubbles floating to the surface.

"It's going to be okay," he told her.

She nodded absentmindedly. "I hope so."

"What could possibly go wrong?"

I really wished he hadn't said that. Everything always seemed to go wrong after someone says something like that. I broke away from his mesmerizing green eyes to face the mountain, which was now so close I couldn't see the top. A dark cave mouth opened at the sea floor, and I swam for it as calmly as I could.

The reality was that I was scared as I had ever been in my entire life. There had always been rumors and horror stories of mermaids who had lost their tails, but none have ever returned to the Isle of Mermaids as long as anyone could remember. Until now.

I took a shaky breath as the mouth of the cave passed over my head. Usually the sight of my home brought me relief, but not today. Glowing crystals lit the way for us as we continued through the dim tunnel leading to the center of the mountain where the other merpeople were. A small school of silver fish darted away from me as I passed them. Their thoughts were hard to understand since there were so many of them, but the gist was clear. Foreigners had arrived.

"I've never seen fish like that," Alfred whispered.

"They only live around here in the caves around this island," I answered. "They like the dark."

"Sweet." He reached out toward the school, but they swam away in a panic. It would be bad for us if they alerted anyone of our presence before we got all the way inside.

"Let's hurry," I urged.

"Easy for you to say..." Arthur's comment was snide, but the strain of supporting Christov was plainly evident on his face. I felt guilty for leaving him with that responsibility.

"Sorry. I'll call some help." I whistled. Nothing happened at first, but then a small gray head peeked around the corner. "Hey there. Can you help us out?"

The dolphin clicked and whistled excitedly as it swam closer. He was small for his age, but that was to our advantage in this narrow tunnel. I quickly filled him in on what was going on and sent him to help poor Christov swim. He was happy to help, and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before leaving. What a charmer. He was always the playful one.

I shook my head with a laugh and continued further into the tunnel. It was a relief to know he would still come when I called even without my tail. He was an old friend of mine, and I would miss his company more than almost anyone else.

"What's his name?" Alfred asked with a sparkle in his eye. He looked more excited than me at the dolphin's presence.

"Well, I don't know if you'd be able to pronounce it."

"Why not?"

"The language of the merfolk is...complicated."

"Try me."

"Alright, you asked," I said with a smile. "Its-" I made a series of odd squeaks, clicks, and pops.

Alfred's smile fell. "Yeah, I can't say that."

"Told you."

We laughed, and as we did the tunnel opened up into a massive cave with sunlight shining down through an opening in the mountain high above the surface. Only about half the cave was filled with water, but it was still a huge area full of shining buildings and people. Well, merpeople that is. Fish swam between waving plants and buildings as small children chased them excitedly. I almost called out to them, but one little girl caught sight of us first. Her purple eyes widened, and then she screamed. Yeah, we weren't off to a great start.

The guards showed up within minutes as a crowd began to form. Mothers quickly ushered their children away while others watched us suspiciously. Alfred smiled and tried to be friendly, but no one was in the mood for pleasantries. Arthur, on the other hand, wore an expression that matched many of the merpeople's. He glowered and eyed them suspiciously as the guards holding tridents surrounded us. I was glad he didn't pull out his own weapon strapped tightly around his waist. The last thing we needed was some kind of altercation before we could get any information.

"Who are you, and how did you get here?" one of the guards asked. He had a deep blue tail and wore a helmet shaped like a sea serpent that covered a lot of his face, but I still recognized him.

"Ray? Is that you?"

"(Y/n)? My tides, (y/n)! What happened to you?" He lifted the visor on his helmet to get a better look.

"It's a long story," I said quietly.

"You have to come with me! We have to tell Dad..." He stopped short when he remembered my companions. "Who are they, (y/n)?"

"Um, well..." I turned around to look at my motley group. "It's hard to explain." Ray narrowed his eyes. "But they're friends! You can trust them," I said backtracking.

"Hmm...okay." He eyed them warily, but didn't ask anymore questions. Ray leaned over and whispered something to one of the other guards, who nodded and signaled for the others to let us through.

I followed my brother as he led a path through the civilian crowd. They seemed surprised that we weren't skewered, and some even had looks of recognition on their faces. I wasn't known well throughout the city, but I knew there would be people I knew here. It was only a matter of time.

"Who is that guy, (y/n)?"

"My brother," I whispered back to Alfred.

"Oh, so he's not going to kill us?"

"I hope not."

I didn't expect Ray to be part of our welcome party, but it was probably for the best that he was. Or at least I hoped. He hadn't said enough for me to decide whether he was going to take us to our house or straight to jail. It was hard to tell with my brother. He was extremely loyal to his duties, but he was also a typical doting older brother.

"Ray, I-"

"Not here," he said quietly.

I kept my mouth shut and followed him as the buildings began to look familiar. This was my neighborhood. I had to hold back the urge to hug Ray. He wasn't taking us to jail after all. Our house came into view as we turned the corner, and I pushed past my brother to get inside. The door swung open easily and reveled a cozy front room.

"Dad? Dad?" I called into the house.

"(Y/n)? Is that really you? Did they finally find you?" My father swam into the room with excitement written all over his weathered face. Light gleamed off his blue tail, which was the same hue as my brother's as he slowed to a halt in front of me. "Oh, my darling."

"Hi, Daddy," I whispered. My eyes stung as tears pricked the corners and mixed with the sea water.

"What happened to you?" I could tell he was trying to keep the anguish out of his voice, but it didn't quite work.

"I'm sorry I-"

"You!" My father's voice thundered around the room. "It was you! I can sense the heart-bond between you and my daughter!" He pointed a finger threateningly at Arthur, who is standing behind Ray in the doorway. "I ought to spear you where you stand, human!" He spat out the last word as if it were the most disgusting thing he had ever spoken.

"No, Dad, please-"

"You wouldn't dare."

Everyone turned to stare at Arthur. He stood with his arms crossed and stared down my father. A smug smirk had tugged his lips up cockily, and my father quirked an eyebrow.

"What makes you say that, little man?"

Arthur's large eyebrows twitched in annoyance, but he didn't let it color his voice. "As you said, we have a heart-bond. You spear me, you spear her."

My father contemplated his words. The anger slowly left his face and was replaced by calm curiosity. "You speak well, human. I take it from your dress you are a pirate, no?"

"Captain Arthur Kirkland at your service," Arthur said with a flourish.

"Hmm, how casually you throw your name around. I assume that is what got you in trouble in the first place."

Arthur didn't have a response for that. In the meantime, Ray had ushered the others into the house and closed the door. "The Guard caught them as they entered the city. I sent the others away, but there is no doubt the Council will hear about this. There were too many witnesses."

"You have committed a grave crime by coming here," my father said to me. "You understand the consequences will be severe."

"Yes, but I had to," I argued. "I don't have any idea where to go to fix this." I gestured to the lower half of my body.

"I've heard stories but never..." He shook his head. "This is unprecedented."

"Then what do I do?"

"You must go to the Council."

"WHAT?!" Several voices bounced around the room.

"That's crazy, (y/n)!" Alfred said from the sea sponge couch. "You can't do that! He just said they'd punish you!"

My father stared with wide eyes. "That human knows your name."

"Well, you were yelling it when I arrived, but yeah, they know. And they may have heard Ray's name too, but they wouldn't dare try anything," I said with a pointed look at Arthur. "They wouldn't want to be bad guests."

"Nothing up my sleeves," Arthur said as he put his hands up. "I want to clear this up just as much as anyone."

"So you say..." my father mumbled into his gray beard.

"Everyone calm down," I said in exasperation. "We need to figure out what to do."

Just as I said that, a knock came from the door. My father slowly swam to it and swung it open. Several men stood in the doorway and talked with low voices. The conversation lasted for only a minute, but my father looked the worse for wear afterwards. He closed the door and joined us in silence.

"It would appear that the Council has heard of your return and wish to speak with you," he said after a long pause.

"You have to leave, (y/n)! You have to get out of here before they can do something to you!" Ray said urgently.

"No." I shook my head. "If Father thinks the Council holds the answer, I have to go." I continued before my brother could interrupt. "And I couldn't stand it if you lost your place in the Guard because you helped me escape. This is the only way."

"What about your friends? What if the Council wants to execute them?"

"Well..." I looked at the three pirates sitting next to each other on the couch.

"We're with you to the end!" Alfred said as he stood up. "I owe you, (y/n)."

A smile spread across my face at his determination. I couldn't have imagined such loyalty from anyone a few weeks ago. My mind turned to Peter, Sqeaker, and James. I had friends counting on me.

"Thank you, Alfred."

"One human won't make a difference," Ray said with a sigh. "They're the reason you're in this mess."

"Be that as it may, a pirate never backs down from a challenge." Arthur stood beside Alfred and looked me directly in the eyes.

"Well, looks like we're all in agreem'nt then," Christov added with a nod. My dolphin whistled excitedly.

"Alright." I smile at my companions. "Looks like we have a Council to meet."

There aren't any preparations to make, so we were ready to leave at once. I was the one of the last to leave the house, but my father stopped me before I could exit the door. He pulled me back into the front room before explaining what he was up to.

"My child, I cannot shake the feeling that I will not see you for a very long time." He lifted my chin up to look into my eyes. "You look just like your mother, dear one."

"Oh, Daddy..." I hugged him tightly, afraid to let go.

"I have something I wish to give you," he murmured in my ear. "It was something your mother gave me long ago, but I want you to have it."

"What is it?"

My father exited the room briefly and returned carrying something small in his large hands. "Your mother made this for me when we were first married. Mermaid hair contains many magical properties, and I hope it will bring you luck wherever you may go."

He gently laid the object into my hands. It was a thin cord that appeared to be made of braided silver, but I knew better. Mermaid hair changed color after it was cut. Some turned dull browns or blacks while others turned funny colors like green or pink. My mother was one of the lucky few whose hair turned metallic when cut.

"Thank you." My voice shook with emotion as I fastened the cord around my neck with the clever clips on the ends.

"Now go, my child. The Council awaits."

It was a silent swim to the large building in the center of the city where the Council met. We were surrounded by armed guards the entire way there, which made me nervous. The only thing that kept me from panicking was Ray swimming beside me and Arthur on my other side. Both radiated a cool calmness that was infectious. Even Alfred was able to stay calm.

More guards met us at the Council Building and quickly herded us to the room where the Council sat waiting, but wouldn't allow Ray to go with us. I hugged him quickly before being quickly pushed along. Large double doors made of colorful coral stood dauntingly in front of us, and opened to reveal a round room with high tiered seats around the perimeter of the room. I had never been here before, but I was stunned at its magnificence. The floor was made of small gleaming tiles that depicted some sort of ocean scene, and the walls behind the Council members were also covered in tiled images. A large chandelier covered in glowing crystals hung from the ceiling and filled the room with bright light. It was strangely beautiful.

The giant doors closed behind us as someone began to talk. "The traitor and three humans enter among the Council for judgment. What says the Council?"

"Wait!" From the looks on their faces, I wasn't the only one surprised to hear myself speak. "Please hear me out! I came to hear the Council's wisdom and find an answer for my problem."

"Silence!" shouted a fat merman. "You have betrayed the merpeople by bringing humans among us! You will receive no help from us!"

"Peace. I wish to hear what she has to say," said an older merman to the fat one. "It is rare for a fallen mermaid to return."

"Rare?" My mind spun. "Has this happened before."

"Only once," he replied. "Many thousands of years ago. Long before humans sailed the seas and plagued our people. It was an accident, but she still paid dearly. Death is the only outcome for a mermaid who has lost her tail."

Ice froze along my spine. "O-only death...?"

"Don't scare the poor girl." Another merman spoke up. He was much younger than the other two, and smiled kindly at me. "That other mermaid may have died, but that doesn't mean you will as well. Unlike her, you have companions."

"That's right!" Alfred stepped forward. "I'm going to fight to save (y/n) no matter what!"

A rumbling of uneasiness passed through the Council members. Some looked outraged while others chatted excitedly. Someone blew a conch horn to regain peace, and silence filled the room one more.

"The Council has only one piece of advice for you." An older mermaid spoke from my left. "Your best hope may be to find the lost people of Luxspar. They have dealt with stranger things in the past than a mermaid losing her tail."

"Luxspar?" Arthur spoke up for the first time. "The Lunar Islands are a myth. They don't actually exist."

"That is what the humans have been lead to believe, but the merfolk remember," she said. "You must find them before your ocean magic runs out. Once it does, you will die."

"I understand," I replied gravely.

"What's ocean magic?" Alfred asked no one in particular.

"Perhaps you will find out if you make it out alive." The fat merman had a twisted smile on his face that filled me with dread. "This mermaid still committed treason by bringing humans here, and she and her companions will have to be punished accordingly."

"What?" Arthur grit his teeth with disdain.

"I am afraid he is right," agreed the old merman with a sigh. "They have already sent for your executioners. I am very sorry."

"Executioners?" Arthur hissed him my ear.

Suddenly, something heavy slammed against the coral doors. I tried to swallow back my terror. "Sharks."