by M. Schaefer
Destiny thought she had better cooperate, and quickly. The look in Mrs. Kelp’s eyes said she wouldn’t hesitate to have Pearl come carry her if she didn’t hurry up.
As she rose, her leg muscles screamed out in tired agony. She did her best to ignore them and hobbled over to the pool as fast as they would take her. Her body just wasn’t used to doing as much swimming as she had done today. She would definitely have to figure out how her tail worked before she planned anymore long underwater trips.
“Are you okay, dear? Would you like me to carry you?” Mrs. Kelp asked, sounding concerned.
“No, thank you!” Destiny practically yelled, a look of horror playing across her face.
“Climb on in then, Princess. We will take care of the rest,” Pearl said, comfortingly.
Destiny hobbled more quickly, building up speed, then leaped over the side of the pool, and landed with a big splash, clothes and all. She was worried that if she paused, her legs would freeze up and she wouldn’t make it over the edge.
Both ladies stood at the edge of the pool, dripping with water, and wearing unhappy faces. Just as Destiny was trying to muster a sheepish apology, Pearl dunked her head completely under the water. It felt surprisingly warm and bubbled and brewed around her like a hot spring.
In an instant Destiny was completely lathered up. She was turned around and around so fast, and scrubbed with a big pink sponge she felt like she was in the spin cycle of a washing machine.
“Come help a moment, Pearl.” Mrs. Kelp called from crouching over the chest. Destiny glanced over. She looked like she was trying to pry open the clasp. Pearl grumbled something about time under her breath, and then lumbered over, leaving Destiny in the pool. She melted into her sudsy bath, relishing the moment of peace and the way the heat massaged her sore muscles. Just then, a soft knock at the door disturbed her from her haze of contentment. Destiny glanced at both ladies, who were straining to open the chest. Mrs. Kelp was attempting to hold the lid and Pearl was trying to pull it open from the other side, red-faced and none too happy.
Destiny didn’t want to bother them, so as quietly as she could she climbed stiffly from her bath and carefully crept to the door, leaving a trail of wet bubbles. She gently turned the handle. A young girl with stark white hair and a rolled sheet of purple plankton stood in the doorway. The girl’s mouth dropped open and her pale blue eyes grew impossibly round.
Reflected in her terror-filled eyes was what looked like a mountainous mound of sudsy, white goo. Destiny’s hair was molded straight up on top of her head, like a snow-capped peak with eyeholes. No wonder the girl looked like she was going to burst into tears.
Destiny raised her hands and waved them back and forth. She tried to say “Don’t worry! I’m not trying to eat you.” But the words came out more as a puff of bubbles that sounded like, “MMMmm M mMMmmm EAT you!”
The girl screamed, threw the rolled seaweed at Destiny’s monstrous head--hitting her right between her sudsy eyeholes-- then turned and raced down the hall.
“Good shot!” Destiny called into the empty hall, impressed with the little mergirl’s perfect aim. That kid could definitely have a bright future in pitching! She bent stiffly over, picked up the tied purple sheet, and rubbed her swelling forehead.
The noise brought Mrs. Kelp and Pearl up to attention, which was probably good because by this time they were both splayed out on the floor, madly pulling and kicking at the lid.
“No time for playing, dear. Was someone at the door?” Mrs. Kelp asked as she leaped up and brushed herself off with the energy of a woman half her age. Then shocked at Destiny’s sudsy state, she said,” Oh for seas’ sake, Dear! Get back into the pool. We need to rinse you off.”
“There was a girl, but I think I scared her. She threw this at me.” Destiny said as she held up the plankton. “Oh, it must be a message. Just set it down on the edge of the pool and we will get you rinsed you off, so you can open it.” said Mrs. Kelp.
Pearl was not giving up on opening the chest. She went back to lying on the ground, heaving and kicking at the clasp. Destiny was impressed. For a tiny, older lady, she bet Pearl could take on half the school football team and win!
The thought made Destiny giggle, and a new burst of bubbles went flying around the room like butterflies. She did her best to sweep the bubbles that were sliding down her legs like the skirt on a ball gown and gingerly climbed back into the bath.
Mrs. Kelp spoke. “Lean back under the waterfall, dear. This will only take a moment.”
The suds poured from her hair and slid down her shoulders like a warm, wet blanket and were quickly rinsed away leaving her pale skin and hair sparkling clean.
“I did it!” An elated Peal stood up. Her hair had come unpinned and she looked like she had just been in a fight. She sauntered around the open chest strutting like a rooster. “Terrific! And just in time,” Mrs. Kelp said, reaching for a fluffy, green robe that had a dolphin emblem embroidered on the shoulder. She held it up, jiggling it like a treat. “Come, come, Destiny, get out and grab your letter.”
Destiny climbed out and pulled the robe over her wet clothes. It was soft and cuddly against her skin, smelling of freshly cleaned laundry. She plucked her letter from the ledge and followed Mrs. Kelp, carefully unrolling the sheet of plankton. The brief time she spent in the bath seemed to loosen up her legs; now, they felt rather rubbery.
“Sit here, dear,” Pearl ordered, motioning madly to a small decorative chair like it might get away if she didn’t hurry. She reached in the chest for a large brush and spray bottle filled with a blue liquid. The label read: Mermaid Mist.
Destiny cringed inwardly, but knew it would be pointless to argue. She plopped down unceremoniously, sank in the small seat and let out a deflated sigh.
“There, there, Princess it won’t be that bad,” Pearl said sweetly, spraying her hair with the blue mist.
“What do you think, Pearl? Should we go upswept or maybe braids?” she asked, raising Destiny’s wet mess of hair up and down and back and forth.
Destiny let the ladies debate. She really couldn’t care less, so she read the letter.
Hello Princess, I hope all is well. I am very disappointed, but am afraid that I won’t be able to attend dinner tonight. It seems the King has requested your presence alone. I look forward to seeing you again very soon. Your friend, Kincade.
Meet the king alone? Kincade looks forward to seeing me? The last thought made her feel wonderful. She had never had a boy look forward to seeing her before and actually admit it. She would be glad to see him, too. He had a calming way and she already secretly missed him.
Mrs. Kelp pulled her from her thoughts by saying, “These are some of your mother’s things we stored away for safe keeping many years ago. I think she would be thrilled if we gave it to her precious little girl,” Pearl explained, pulling the chest in front of Destiny.
As Mrs. Kelp quickly braided tiny sections of her long hair with lightning speed, Destiny leaned closer and closer to see what was in the chest. Finally, she found herself on the floor and Mrs. Kelp just took her seat on the fancy stool and continued braiding without losing a strand.
Destiny rubbed her hand along the chest lid. It looked like very old, warn wood on the outside but the inside looked perfectly preserved, lined with plush, red velvet. It was like a time capsule. Simple, pastel colored dresses with matching slippers were folded neatly along the back. Several books on cooking, American history and dancing were there, too. Her eye was drawn to a black, miniature piano music box half covered by a baby blanket, and she picked it up. It was so delicate and perfect, with its tiny keys and little bench. She carefully opened the lid and a crisp, clear tune broke the silence. She couldn’t quite place the words, but it seemed familiar.
Pearl’s hand went to her heart and she took a deep breath like she was remembering something long forgotten. “She loved that song so,” she said, her voice cracking. “She listened to it over and over, sometimes through the whole
night. It was a gift from your father on her eighteenth birthday.”
“Really?” Destiny answered, feeling her heart twinge. Then suddenly remembered where she had heard it. Her dad sang it sometimes, late at night on the deck of the Seadancer, when he thought she was sleeping. She had crept from her stateroom many times to see him stare out at the sea with an empty look in his eyes. Now, she understood why. He must have been missing her mother. She felt tears well up, but fanned them away hastily.
Inside the piano was a framed, white porcelain square, no bigger than her palm. She took it out of the box. It was slightly bumpy, but it seemed to be blank.
“What is this, Pearl?” she asked curiously.
“Oh… that is very special,” the older woman said seriously, a sad smile spreading across her features.
“Really? It looks blank. Well, ..no, I think I can almost make out something,” Destiny said, tilting it at different angles.
“Let me show you, princes,” Pearl said, fumbling around in the nightstand drawer for a moment until she pulled out a candle and match. She lit the candle and placed the blank frame in front of it on the nightstand. Destiny could barely believe her eyes. The light from the candle shined through the porcelain, and a three dimensional picture sprang to life from the blank glass. It was a young, beautiful merwoman, her tail curled on a sandy beach, long hair draped around her and the delicate merbaby she held tightly.
As she was drawn into the picture, Destiny realized the woman looked like one of the statues she had seen in Remembrance Hall. She looked closer and closer until it was almost touching her nose. Her heart leaped into her throat; she was almost afraid to ask. “Pearl…is that? Could that be? My mother?” she asked, hope beaming from her eyes like a spotlight.
“Why yes, love. That is your grandmother Queen Shorna when she was a young, and your mother when she was barely bigger than a shrimp. She was such a lovely baby,” she said proudly.
“Absolutely adorable,” Mrs. Kelp agreed.
“You two knew my mother when she was a baby?” Destiny asked, surprised.
“Well, .. we ought to,” Mrs. Kelp said matter-of-factly. “I was your mother’s nanny when she was just a tiny merprincess, and Pearl was her tutor.”
Mrs. Kelp finished the last tiny braid and stood up to stretch. “Well, that has to be a record. It used to take me twice as long to do your mother’s hair. She was quite fussy about it, especially when she was going to see Jacob.”
Destiny was surprised to hear her father’s name mentioned. “You know my dad?”
“Oh no, dear, we never got to meet him, but it is safe to say we certainly knew of him,” the older woman replied. “After Shelleen met him, well …he was all she talked about,” she said, dreamily.
Pearl held up some underclothes and one of the short, simple dresses. “What do you think of this one, Destiny?” she asked. “I think it matches the shade of your eyes.”
It was made from shimmery aqua blue material with little abalone buttons shaped like seahorses down the front. It reminded Destiny of a shower curtain she had once seen in the mall. She hated dresses, but perhaps wearing it wouldn’t be all that bad since it had once been her mother’s.
“I love it,” she lied, graciously.
“I think there are some matching slippers in here somewhere, too,” Pearl said, sounding pleased. She fumbled noisily in the chest a moment. “Oh, yes. Here we are. Mrs. Kelp and I will turn around while you change. Hurry, hurry! Your aunt and uncle will be here any moment.”
Destiny hurriedly stripped off her wet old shorts and t-shirt and put on her mother’s clothes. She was surprised they fit so nicely. The dress was soft and looked like it would bead water nicely. She supposed that was probably important for a mermaid. Perhaps she could make a pair of pants out of the shower curtain at home…when she got back.
“Well, go look in the mirror!” Mrs. Kelp said excitedly.
Destiny turned to the full-length mirror next to the dresser. She barely recognized the girl staring back. In fact, she wouldn’t have guessed it was her, except the look of amazement on that girls face seemed to match what she was feeling. She stuck out her tongue and made a funny face, just to be sure.
Her shiny, pale hair lay in flat, perfect braids that tickled her bottom when she moved. Her skin almost seemed to glow a soft, creamy white. That abominable snowman soap really worked! She had never felt so clean.
“Thank you both, very much,” Destiny said, with half-excitement and half-dread. “I think I really am ready to meet my grandfather, now. Wish me luck,” she said, making punching motions in the air for an “I’m tough and super strong” effect.
Destiny saw them both exchange confused, quizzical expressions before they sent a “she is losing it smile” in her direction. They probably thought she meant to beat up her grandfather.
Luckily, a soft knock at the door came before she had to try and explain.
Chapter 7
King Dolphinium
“Wow! Looks like you were morphed into a real lady.” Uncle Bay said, teasingly. “I wish they could perform the same trick on my wife.”
Oceanna answered with a graceful, ladylike jab to his ribs as they walked down the polished rock hall.
“You truly look lovely, Destiny. Don’t mind your uncle,” Oceanna said with a glance in his direction that could melt ice.
Destiny giggled nervously, feeling more than a little self-conscious. She couldn’t imagine anyone on this earth being more ladylike then Oceanna. Just walking next to her made her feel like the clumsy tomboy she knew she was. Her new hairdo and dress were a false front and she liked it that way. Prissiness had no place in baseball.
“There has been a little change in plans, darling,” Oceanna said, sounding regretful. “Your grandfather has asked to dine in his study with you… alone. We thought we would escort you to explain. I didn’t want you to feel abandoned.”
“I got a note from Kincade about that,” Destiny said, nervously. She realized she was wringing her hands, but couldn’t seem to stop. She had to really concentrate to keep her rubbery legs moving at the same pace as her aunt and uncle.
“Not to worry, Destiny. I think your grandfather feels like he has a lot of explaining to do.” Bay said seriously. “And he is not one to like to do that in front of others.”
They stopped in front of a set of large double metal doors. Oceanna knocked gently.
“Come in! Come in! I’ve waited long enough!” a voice bellowed from behind the door. Destiny jumped backwards a bit. She guessed it could only be him. He was obviously an excellent bellower. She supposed he probably had many years of practicing his roar… being as he was the king of Mertopia.
Bay pushed open the heavy door and motioned for them to enter. Destiny wanted to go, but couldn’t seem to coax her legs into motion; they seemed frozen to the spot. The moment she had been waiting for and she couldn’t even move! How humiliating.
“Come on, Sweetheart,” Oceanna coaxed gently, gently squeezing her shoulder. “It will be a wonderful meeting.”
She somehow managed to muster the strength to force her legs into action. They slowly grated across the floor with a sound like rubbing sandpaper. She didn’t care. She was happy to be moving forward. As they stepped inside, Destiny could hear papers being shuffled around, but she couldn’t see where the noise was coming from. Her breath caught in her chest. She couldn’t believe what she saw. Every nook and cranny of the room seemed to sparkle and glitter. Her eyes darted back and forth to what she imagined could be no less than half the treasure ever lost in the ocean. Gold and silver doubloons were strewn about the room and stacked neatly in chests, ancient-looking jeweled brooches and necklaces draped over thick books. Priceless-looking Egyptian and Roman sculptures molded from solid gold sat on plain wooden shelves. It looked as everything was waiting to be catalogued and accounted for like one would expect in a museum. It occurred to Destiny that a day ago, this would have seemed really amazing… but after what she
had been through she wondered if she could ever be surprised by anything again. Ever.
In the midst of all this splendor, Destiny glimpsed a short, ball-like merman, with gray eyebrows so bushy they covered part of his bespectacled eyes. He sported a cloudy beard, and Destiny was sure that if his cheeks were a bit rosier, he would surely be confused with Santa Claus if he ever went topside. He certainly wasn’t what she had expected as a powerful, regal king! He looked more like a normal grandpa-type of fellow.
“Come here, girl! Away from the glare of these trinkets where I can see you,” he yelled, more than making up in voice what he lacked in height.
Destiny jumped again and her heart beat wildly in her chest. “Yes, sir.” she squeaked, in a mousy voice she barely recognized. Panicked, she tiptoed in circles, nervously looking for a place to stand in his sight without having to move any closer.
“Are you dancing?” her grandfather questioned, sounding oddly surprised. “Your mother liked to dabble with that silly nonsense.”
“Oh…no ..Santa, sir; absolutely not!” she denied quickly.
Santa? With horror, she wanted to melt into the floor. “I’m sorry! I mean Grandpa…No! King Grandpa!” she stammered.
Destiny could hear Oceanna’s soft musical laughter float around the room like a butterfly. She glanced to her Uncle Bay for help, who stood with an expression like he was trying to hold a frog in his mouth. There was obviously no help from either of them!
“You two, OOOOUT!” the king pointed to the door. “I am trying to visit with my granddaughter. I will see you later.” His deep voice echoed through the room, causing the stacks of coins to rattle.
Her aunt and uncle bowed slightly, and turned and left, but as the door clicked Destiny heard them burst into loud, giddy laughter. The sound seemed to follow them down the hall as they walked away.
Things were getting worse by the second. Where was all Destiny’s determination now, when she needed it? Her cheeks reddened like a tomato. Was she the kind of girl that cracked under pressure? NO! She took a deep breath and focused, letting all her worries escape on her breath. She let everything in the room drift away and fixed her attention on her grandfather. Destiny imagined she was at bat, facing the toughest pitcher this side of the North Pole. She squared off, squinted her eyes and wiggled her hips a little for luck. She decided against spitting on the highly polished floor, but took a deep breath instead. It seemed to work! She felt more confident.