Chapter III: Cresting to A Maiden Fair

For the next several days, Frodo swam up to the spot where he'd seen the figure with the red hair, only to be met with disappointment. Even he couldn't really explain to himself why he'd suddenly become so fascinated with what should've been an ordinary sight. All that he knew was that something about that figure drew him to it. Perhaps it was the sheer enigma of it all, and as a result, his curiosity got the best of him.

Yet, despite his frequent disappointments, he was quite persistent. Fortunately for him, his efforts were not in vain. One morning, he saw the figure astride the horse again. As soon as he spotted it, he swam up as close as he good to get a better view. As soon as he did so, he almost immediately realized that the figure was female.

She stopped and dismounted her horse, making her way forward to sit down on the grass on the cliff above. She carried with her what looked like an archer's bow and a small knife. Frodo wished he could see her face so that he could watch as she concentrated on carving a design into the bow. Despite not being able to do so, he watched her intently until she rose, seemingly satisfied with her work. He watched her as she proudly returned to her horse and rode off into the woods.

Perhaps it was the way she seemed to enjoy adventure that fascinated him so. Or maybe it was the confidence that she radiated despite the great distance. However, once he looked away, he noticed a great waterfall in the distance. From what he could see, it seemed to be quite beautiful, and yet so far - much like the red headed girl he'd suddenly become so preoccupied with.

Without giving it a second thought, he dove off the rock he sat on and began to swim towards it.

...

Once he reached the waterfall, Frodo marveled at the sheer height of the mighty boulder that bore the heft of the crystal clear cascade. The sky was blushing with the first hints of a sunset when he heard hooves behind him. He turned around and gasped before quickly sinking beneath the surface and swimming behind the watery curtain.

He sat on a ledge at the very edge of the waterfall, just so that he could see her while still provided with the concealment of the flowing water.

He watched as she scanned the very same sight, as though she were sizing it up. He continued to observe her intently as she dismounted the horse and walked up to a towering, natural spire near the falls. He sucked a breath as he realized that she was about to climb it, his eyes glued as she took each step to the top.

She was almost halfway there when her foot slipped on to the rocks. Frodo's heart skipped two beats. However, she seemed to handle herself quite well, and soon enough she was back to climbing until she reached the very top, cupped her hands, and reached out to the crystal cascade before her. The merman's eyes widened in wonder as he watched her shout with joy at her accomplishment.

She climbed down with the same grace and skill that she had demonstrated the way up. There was a noticeable bounce in her step as she got back on her horse and rode off.

Frodo looked on and sighed. The girl was obviously beautiful and was beaming with a confidence that could only come with a love for life. Yet, even so, she seemed to never notice him.

He continued to look on as she rode to the great castle in the distance. Frodo wondered what it would be like to live there - if the girl he'd become so fascinated indeed did live there.

Only when she was well out of sight did he slip back into the water and follow the current back to the sea.

...

Frodo could still see the castle when he returned to the sea and climbed up onto another rock. The very last rays of the sun were dying on the water as the brink of night grew closer. The moon rose in the indigo sky, giving the water droplets on his skin a subtle iridescence - and even more so to the gold and silver of his tail. He stared up at the great looming structure on the stone hill in the distance, surrounded by a thick grey fog.

Suddenly, the girl he'd seen drinking from the waterfall entered his mind once more. Something deep down convinced him that she lived there. That sudden conviction quickly intermingled with his desire for her to notice him... which turned into an idea that was questionable at best.

If his instincts were wrong, he'd be making a fool of himself. If they were right... he had no idea how she would respond. The minutes he spent sitting on that rock debating with himself seemed like hours.

His gaze shifted back to the castle as he finally made the decision to take the risk. The first note that escaped his lips was a soft high tenor heavily laced with timidity, yet it still bore a clear, slender accent. He became far more involved in his improvised song as thoughts of the girl with the red hair flooded his mind. His voice became stronger and even clearer as he continued to sing, his gaze fixated on the great castle before him. In fact, at this point, his voice was so strong that it pierced the air around him, although he did not realize it. The final note echoed around him as he finally ended his song and sighed quietly. As far as he knew, nothing had changed. He slipped off the rock and back into the water, taking one last look before going on his way.

However, what he did not know was that the redheaded maiden did indeed live there - and that he had made her swoon.