Chapter 19 A Pesky Mermaid

Princess Dyna rode to the borderland town of Etonville with infant Dracon in her basket. The new High Priestess of Etonville commenced her duties well and gained the favor of her villagers. She raised the Grand Prince with her fellow priests and priestesses. She visited with the Prophetess of Nix for an omen on her cousin. Lilia


forecasted an unnatural death leading to his ascension. This heir will live a long life and serve his people in times of war well. His name will be loved for generations like his great-grandfather Rurick. Dyna spoke to The Wizard about her daughter Ophelia’s betrothal to The Wizard’s son Aelous. Aelous and Ophelia spent days together approving of their parents’ choice of betrothal. Princess Ophelia studied with The Wizard to control the magic properties inside godly weapons. The Wizard informed Dyna that her daughter learns quickly.

Ophelia and the mermaid Lexie became friends. Lexie found her prince merman searching for turtle eggs along the beach. He appeared to ask her name. A prince of the sea swept his beloved with his affection to the pleasure of The Wizard. Desiring his daughter happiness, he met with the shy prince many times. Once the twins from Iris were visiting their father and played tricks on their sister’s betrothed. She shouted at them to cease their pranks to the surprise of the prince. Lexie explained the young gods are her younger brothers. This all confused the prince since The Wizard is not a god. Everything made sense at the wedding inside the Haunted Forest. Hadrian’s sisters and nephews welcomed the prince merman to the family. Alexis danced with his daughter and the goddess Iris. The mother-of-the-bride made an announcement pertaining to her twins. Aelous is the new god of winds and is betrothed to Princess Ophelia of Etonville. Laeos is the new god of rain and is betrothed to Justin and Leah’s daughter Elsie.

The sky god Andos was locked up inside a cloud by Isis after he destroyed her palace hall and released occasionally by his wife Petrie to reign over the weather. Hadrian saw the chaos god Ryan causing mischief a few times, but now he appeared sad as he played tricks on unsuspecting targets. Fairies lit the forest after sunset. Brownies Kali and Oden gave the couple herbs used in potions for their gift. Lilia pushed her daughters Ishtar and Cassandra to dance with their father Eurick. They felt he no longer desired any attention since he deserted them. Nonetheless, Eurick and Lilia reconciled during the wedding when she objected to his Blythan form. Upon her condemning his human form and demanding his darman appearance she loved, he changed back to his true form with glee. Thereafter, Ishtar and Cassandra visited their

father in Illium several times a year. Mermaid goddess Circe attended the wedding to completely ignore Eurick. She is now is betrothed to Treynor.

Alexis wished his former wife Lanie would join the festivities ignoring him so he could see her again. Iris candidly pointed out he knew exactly where Lanie lived. Alexis refused to enter the Black Forest. He guessed Lanie was still angry with him for taking their daughter. He did not want another confrontation with her. Felix came to the wedding alone after burying his wife Kaitlyn. His sons Damon and Justin went home after the funeral instead of coming to Lexie’s wedding. Ophelia danced with her betrothed and acquaints herself with the prince groom. High Priest Vim came to bless the marriage and stayed for several days to speak to Hadrian on the news of other lands they hear about.

After the spring rains from Laeos melted the winter snows from Vanir, The Hermit took his spring bath in Aurora Falls. As usual the mermaids have yet to occupy their birthing caves. As he swam in the waterfall mist, Hadrian thought it odd that a high pitched female giggle echoed in the forest trees. He thought it was probably a sprite and thought no more about it. The giggle grew louder and louder, moving as if it was trying to get the elf’s attention. Next, a beautiful set of amber eyes peered from the leaves gazing right at him. He greeted the young lass with long amber hair. He guessed by her seashell and shark tooth necklace that she was a mermaid. Her grin revealed a familiarity with The Hermit swimming in the river. She dived elegantly into the water and splashed the confused elf. She did not speak to him, but continued to laugh at him. She swam around and pulled at his submerged hands. Annoyed at being splashed at, he finally broke his bewildered silence to ask the mermaid who she was and explain her strange behavior. The pesky mermaid rose upon a rock and stared at her admirer.

“Do you not remember me? I died here.” answered Nix.

The Hermit shuttered and whimpered his relief that his beloved Nix had finally come back to him. With amber hair, amber eyes, and a fishtail, Nix appeared as divine as a blonde haired, blue eyed, and freckled human she was before. He reached for Nix and kissed her in the waterfall mist. They swam ashore to share a campfire boiling The Hermit’s meal. Staring at Nix in disbelief, The Hermit asks what made her finally come back to him. She explains the love goddess Ishtar came to her in the afterlife hills with a plea to return to the living world and pressed how his heart still aches for her. She did not realize how much time had passed until she saw him old and gray swimming in the river. As he fed his long lost love, his granddaughters emerged from their cave home. Ophelia was visiting her mother and cousin at the time.

“These are my granddaughters, fair maiden. Ishtar, Cassandra,

please fetch your grandmother Nix’s gowns at once. We have a

guest.”

The goddesses bring Nix’s old gowns and their mother to meet the mermaid. Nix’s gowns were a little tight and Lilia waved her crystal to size them just right.

“What is your name, mistress mermaid?” asks Ishtar.

“My name is Nix, little Ishtar.” answers the mermaid.

“That is our grandmother’s name,” replies Cassandra.

“Is it, Cassandra? Should I use another name as I stay here?”

asks Nix.

“No, Nix is a pretty name. I like it.” responds Cassandra.

“I shall keep it,” decides the mermaid.

“How long will you stay, Mistress Nix?” inquires Ishtar.

“It depends on your grandfather,” replies Nix.

Ishtar turns to The Hermit sitting across the fire.

“As long as she likes,” answers The Hermit averting his eyes

away from the females.

“At least a few days, dear.” replies Nix.

The meal is finished and Lilia plays a flute as they gaze at the stars. The moon rises high in the heavens and the twins bid good night to their grandfather and his guest Nix. Lilia takes them toward the waterfall and Ishtar spins around to look straight at Nix.

“Good night, Grandmother.” says Ishtar and dashes into their

cave.

“Smart one that is,” comments Nix.

“So how long are you staying? Are you leaving me while I sleep so not to see me weep when I discover you are gone again?” inquires The Hermit.

“How long would you like me to stay, Alaric?” asks Nix.

“Stay forever,” answers The Hermit.

“Will you marry me again?” requests Nix.

“No,” replies The Hermit.

A long pause consumes the night sky.

“That is all you are going to say to me? No?” pleas Nix.

“What would you like me to say? No, I am not allowing you to break my heart again. No, I am not letting you hurt Ishtar and Cassandra when you decide to hide in the afterlife again. No, you are not appearing to our son Eurick or daughter Lexie so they can miss your love again. No, I am no longer the same Alaric you knew before and will not marry you again.” finishes The Hermit.

“I noticed you no longer smoke your pipe. But you were glad to see me in the waterfall?” begs Nix.

“That was shock. The euphoria and disbelief has worn away and I hate you for what you have done to us. You do not deserve another lifetime to cause more pain for our children and me. And I threw away the pipe after you died. I only smoked it because of you. I hated it.” explains The Hermit.

“I promise to never leave you again. I have changed too.” asserts Nix.

“Liar,” responds The Hermit. “I had enough of this journey down memory lane. I am going to bed. Good night, Nix.” ends The Hermit.

Nix follows her beloved into bed and lies beside him.

“I love you,” says Nix before kissing him good night.

“I know you do. I do too.” replies The Hermit frozen as ice.

“I am very sorry I hurt you. Is there anything I can do to mend your broken heart?” inquires Nix placing her arm around him.

“Heal Eurick’s broken heart. If he can forgive you, I can too.” declares The Hermit. “You do not have to look for him in Illium. He will be here tomorrow. I foresaw it yesterday.”

The next morning Eurick the darman and King Jason the wolf arrived at daybreak. The Wizard met them first as he picked gooseberries covered in dew. Eurick explains they will not be returning to Illium. A group of soldiers raided the palace and murdered Prince Linos in his bed chamber. Eurick changed King Jason into a dog to escape the murders. Princess Mae and Prince Oskar were thrown into the dungeon to be freed by Eurick. Eurick and Jason brought Mae and Oskar to Princess Tatiana’s estate in Sarai. Jason spoke with his son there in a nearby village and his former lover.

Devastated, Mae jumped off a tower to her death and Tatiana promised to raise little Oskar. Eurick and Jason changed into a wolf next visited High Priestess Dyna and Grand Prince Dracon. Afterwards, they came home to hide in the Haunted Forest. Word has spread rapidly of the king’s disappearance. Many say Queen Jopria had him killed as others say the corrupt officials had imprisoned the king. Whoever murdered Prince Linos celebrated with Queen Jopria as she appoints a close friend general of the palace guard. All Jason had to say was that Queen Kia chose his betrothed poorly. Grand Prince Dracon listening to this tale from The Hermit turns his head towards the wolf sitting next to him and greets his father for the first time in the firelight.

“Father,” squeaks the prince lad.

The animal rubs his wet nose on Dracon’s cheek and whimpered in its throat.

“But you called him Greken?” asks Dracon.

“I can not error by calling him the wrong name outside the

forest,” replies The Hermit.

Eurick then went out hunting and came back with a wild boar. This time Nix was outside the tree home sitting by the open campfire as Hadrian cooked a morning meal with a new pipe in his teeth.

“Who’s the bitch wearing mother’s gown?” beckons Eurick.

“She is a guest from Etonville and you will respect her. Her name is Nix.” answers The Hermit.

Eurick sits near the dried mermaid and slashes the pig to pieces. He notices the woman staring at him in awe as he cuts up the animal.

“Why are you staring, mistress? Something about me catches your attention.” asks Eurick. “My antlers, perhaps?”

“I have heard many stories about you, Eurick.” replies Nix.

Eurick avoids eye contact and continues his work. Nix sips tea and chews on bacon strips. Eurick loses his patience with Nix’s gazes.

“What is it, Mistress Nix? You are still watching me.” snaps Eurick.

Nix casually turns away from him. Eurick in return turns away from her. Cassandra comes up to greet her grandmother. Eurick drops his knife and faces his mother in tears.

“I am sorry, mother. I was not expecting you to ever come back to us like father said. I thought you no longer loved us.” replies Eurick.

“My poor baby. I was busy being selfish in the afterlife and thought I would be forgotten in time. I was wrong, my son.” claims Nix. The mother and son embrace. “Do you forgive my foolishness, Eurick?”

“I forgive you, mother. Please tell me you are staying with us.” begs Eurick.

Nix glances up at The Hermit standing near the fire.

“I can not fight all of you. Let me send a request to Vim first.” answers The Hermit.

Ishtar and Ophelia come up from the cave for their morning lessons. The Hermit informs the goddesses of the good news and cancels lessons for the day. Nix and The Hermit agree to a sweet and simple wedding in the forest. Eurick, Lilia, Ishtar, Cassandra, Lexie, her husband, Aelous, Laeos, Ophelia, Enki, and Kiko will be the only guests. After Nix had made herself comfortable back in her old home, The Hermit feared she had returned to the afterlife when she was missing when he awoke one morning. He found her outside walking on the creek water and singing an enchanting song to cries behind the trees. Another look from the footbridge showed her striding upon the rocks along the edge of the river. Lilia sat on a log holding a crying bundle of blankets. Relieved, he raced across the bridge to see what was crying like a wounded animal. Lilia declares finding a baby on the mountain abandoned by its family. She saw no bruises or bite marks so someone must have left the babe right before Lilia discovered it. She sensed this girl was special and had a destiny to fulfill. She decided to ask Nix to help calm the infant as she tried to obtain milk from a nanny goat. Lilia also decides to call the girl, Layla, after a prophecy she saw a year before. This girl shall be a great warrior queen someday. For the time being, Lilia will raise her

with the goddesses.

High Priest Vim came to Aurora Falls ecstatic at meeting the infamous Nix. He marries Prince Hadrian the Great and Nix in an elf ceremony under a willow tree near Nix’s rock. Nix was caught off guard at the changes in her beloved since their prior wedding. He is calmer and more serious when he recites his vows to her.

“I, Prince Hadrian the Great of Aurora Falls, renew my vow to take Nix of Brightsburg as my wife. I will provide love, hope, comfort, and security for her forevermore.” Suddenly, Nix changes her vows.

“I, Nix of Brightsburg, renew my vow to take the Prince Hadrian the Great as my husband. I will love him, comfort him, and give him never-ending hope of security for him forevermore.”

No marriage contract was signed since the first one was still valid. High Priest Vim announces the marriage bond resealed and the couple kisses again. Their children and guests applaud with Kali and Oden ordering fairies to drop iris petals over the party. Iris appears to give the couple their only wedding gift, magical bows and arrows. Iris explained their guests added spells to the arrows. After a week, Vim left for Rosewood Ravine and Iris flew away to create a rainbow. For Prince Hadrian the Great, life returned to normal. The years pass to see Princess Ophelia marry Aelous and Laeos marry Elsie. More time passes to see King Xerxes and Queen Boudicca leave their crowns to Rodric and Persephone. Prince Hadrian was summoned by His Majesty to crown him and Queen Persephone. Upon returning from Tenochtilan, he sits here today to recite these tales to eager lads from Etonville. Grand Prince Dracon, Homer, and the runaway peasant Alaric brace themselves to meet the notorious Prophetess of Nix waiting for them under Aurora Falls.