by Gemma Holden
“Thank you,” Christian said.
The General nodded to him curtly and then looked back out at the river. “As far as I’m concerned none of this ever happened. The ships ran aground against the rocks. Everyone knows how dangerous this part of the Rhine is. I will make sure my men never speak about what happened here today. I’m sure the Emperor would prefer to forget that the mermaid ever existed as well. I suggest you go now.”
The General went to speak to his men to arrange the rescue effort.
“Why did Lorelei help us?” Christian asked Gaspard.
“I think she finally realised what love is.” Gaspard put a hand each on her and Christian’s shoulder. “Follow your heart, my friends. I intend to follow mine.” He went over to Christian’s mother and held out his hand to help her into the carriage. She placed her hand in his and he raised it to his lips before he helped her in.
“I think Gaspard cares for your mother,” Adrianna said, turning to see Christian’s reaction to the startling news.
Christian didn’t look surprised, in fact he was smiling. “It’s about time he did something about it. I’m glad. He deserves some happiness.” He drew Adrianna to him. “I have to go,” Christian said, “before Ducasse changes his mind.” He swallowed hard. “Come with me.”
“I can’t,” she said, wishing more than anything that she could go with him. “You’re a prince. We don’t belong together.”
“Napoleon will confiscate all of my lands. He’s already destroyed the castle. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I just know that we belong together. You’re my future, Adrianna.”
“I can’t leave my mother again. I’m all she has.”
“Adrianna!”
Adrianna broke away from Christian as her mother appeared, running up the hill, her apron flapping around her neck.
“You have to go,” her mother said urgently, seizing Adrianna’s hand.
“I can’t leave you.”
“But you can’t stay here. You will never be safe. You’re alive. That’s all that matters. You can come back one day when the war is over. Until then you have to go. You don’t belong here anymore.”
“But you will be alone.”
“It will be enough to know that you’re alive and happy. It was all I wanted for you. You cannot have that here now.”
Christian was waiting for her to make a decision. There were two lives, two paths before her. She had promised herself that if she got her legs back, she wouldn’t hesitate again. She would be brave enough to make a life for herself.
She hugged her mother tight. “I will send you some money,” Adrianna said, fighting back tears.
“Take care of each other,” her mother said, her voice muffled by her own tears.
“We will.”
Reluctantly, she pulled away. Christian held out his hand and she took it. They were no longer a prince and a mermaid. Now, it was just her and Christian.
“Do you think we can ride?” Adrianna asked as Christian led her over to the carriage.
“You might have to hold me on,” Christian said.
He gathered the reins of his mare and mounted and then reached down to help pull her up behind him. The carriage pulled away followed by the wagon. She waved to her mother as Christian guided the horse out of the courtyard until she could no longer see her. She sat behind Christian, with her arms around him. Christian stopped the horse on the cliff above the river.
She could see Lorelei far below. The maid was just a small silver speck, but she knew it was her. Some of the sailors had reached the shore. Fishing boats were heading toward the ships as the townspeople went to help those still stricken. She could still hear Lorelei’s sad song, but it was softer now, barely more than a whisper. She thought she would always hear it when she closed her eyes. With her arms around Christian, she bid a silent farewell to the town.
“Where shall we go first?” Christian asked.
She looked ahead, to what waited for them. Green hills rolled like waves, stretching endlessly. Gulls cawed and circled in the sky. The whole world was there before them.
“Everywhere.”
About the author
Gemma lives in the UK with her dog and various other animals. The River Maid is her second published novel.
You can find her online at http://gemmaholden.blogspot.com