Chapter 11: Waterlogged library
After they got close enough, Fiddle clambered out of the boat, waving goodbye to Kai's father, who instantly began rowing away for fear of being spotted. On the dock, she began the trek to the castle, knowing she'd certainly be punished but ready to do whatever it took to help Kai and the others. Steeling herself, she entered the palace, and was met with Allura on her throne, who stared at her in surprise. "I was wondering where you'd gone." the nymph began, stepping off her throne and staring at Fiddle, who met her gaze. "Well, you'll learn your lesson about straying from my side. Are you ready to resume your duties?" Allura asked, Fiddle slightly surprised. She was acting as if this was the most normal occurrence- and then the first part hit her. What did she mean?
Allura gently took Fiddle's hand, not even bothering to offer the girl a cloak to wear, since it was clear she was warmly dressed- in clothes Allura had never seen. She wondered if Kai had helped her, then. If so, she would punish that little slug for daring to interfere, and, worse, double-crossing her! She silenced her thoughts for a moment, before leading Fiddle to the library, where the waterfall seemed to be flowing much faster than before. Having nothing to cover her head, Fiddle simply held up her arms as she walked through- and her skin began to burn. Allura had flooded the library.
"Oh, I don't know how on earth this happened!" the nymph gasped, Fiddle turning to look at her in a mix of disbelief and fury. Holding her gaze, Allura transformed once more- not into a siren, but into a beautiful mermaid, the true form she'd been holding underwater for all those years. Gold seashells replaced her dress, a green tail of iridescent scales trailing behind her, and she gently plucked a stray pink starfish off the ground, placing it by one of her tightly styled braids. "Much more comfortable." she sighed, Fiddle turning her head away in pain. Every movement underwater caused more and more agony, the girl gritting her teeth. The books were in disarray, and she somehow had to drain the room, so she had to start immediately. "Would you like a little help, Fiddle?" Allura asked, voice sweet and musical, but the girl shook her head, resolute. She would outlast whatever punishment was inflicted, no matter the physical pain it caused her. It occurred to her that the waterfall was still flowing, so clearly the water was coming in constantly, so finding the source would be the easiest way to drain it. Noticing some of the stones had come loose on the side, she examined them, realizing that the waves were crashing against the side, hence why so much water could seep in. Bending down, she replaced the rocks, trying to ignore her fingers practically screaming in pain when she did so. Managing to practically stop the constant flow, she then set about organizing the books, occasionally having to swim to the top to take a breath. Glad the library was draining, she wondered if the books were ruined, but they'd survived Atlantis and the constantly fluctuating amount of water, so she hoped they'd be okay.
After several hours, Fiddle had finally drained the library and reorganized everything, even managing to find the lost pages of the Blue Horizons book. When she saw Kai again, she'd give it to him as a gift. Approaching Allura once more, who was now content to rest on her throne as a mermaid, due to the water vapour being in high concentration, Fiddle bowed. She had to keep up this charade of a meek, apologetic young maid. "Have you learned your lesson, Fiddle?" Allura asked, Fiddle nodding eagerly, trying to win her over. "Good girl. Come, I have something for you." the mermaid spoke, Fiddle trying to hide her slight trembling as she walked closer to the throne. Gently, she sat down, feeling nauseous as she lay her head on Allura's lap, the usual for her but now completely redefined. Before, Fiddle had attached herself to Allura like a remora, believing she was all she had, whereas now, she knew the truth about their relationship- she was a glorified prisoner, wrapped in shining golden chains. After a moment, Allura stroked her head, and passed her a familiar instrument, her old pan pipes. Surprised, Fiddle took them and gently blew into them- they worked fine even though they had been submerged, so she gratefully touched Allura's hand- pretending she wasn't internally screaming curses at the siren. After a while, she sat up and bowed, heading outside. Tears stung her eyes as soon as she reached the dock, pulling back the sleeves of Kai's oversized shirt to hold the pipes and play them properly. Remembering the song she'd played for Kai before, she thought of the family she'd lost and continued the melody, begging for Hermes to keep everyone safe.