Chapter 24

Months.  That is all Ursula had until she was 16.  Nevertheless to say, Ursula would certainly enjoy each and everyday until the sixteenth of April.  It was just day one of January, so Ursula had a good 4 months to enjoy her freedom.  She dreaded all the duties she would have, and Morgana was of course happy to remind her every day of those duties. 

"So you think you will be able to deal with working with ma?" Inquired Morgana, not bothering to hide her smug face. 

" Of course.  I've dealt with her my whole life, as have you.  The only difference is I will be traveling more and getting hit less."  Ursula said confidently.

"Oh?" Morgana said, " You will be able to handle trade with the 4 seas that we own?  You will help them pay off debts and supervise hours after hours of work and labour to make sure nothing goes wrong?  You will help put down naughty mers rebelling?  You will help the governments and prevent oligarchies and the seas from having power greater than our own?"  Morgana's smile expanded with satisfaction as she noticed Ursula's face turn red with annoyance. 

"I will deal with it!  Just like I deal with you."  Ursula said haughtily. 

"Of course, my dear modest sister.  Make sure you don't let all that confidence fatten you up again."  Morgana sneered. 

"What is your problem?  Are you jealous I will get to travel and do new things while you will be busy cleaning litter and dealing with pesky children trying to help?"  Ursula scoffed, laughing,  "Ha!  Of course you are.  Your green face and fat nose is going to be sniffing human crap while I will be talking with others who will take me seriously."  Ursula looked down at Morgana from the rock she was hanging on,  inspecting her nails while doing so and smiling in pride.

Morgana picked at the kelp next to her furiously, suddenly sure her sister was going to leave a permanent frown mark on her face.

We're supposed to be fetching bones for potions, but oh no!  We're having non-bone-related quarrels about how Ursula will be having fun without me there to ruin it. 

While Ursula observed her sister skinning the kelp to its stem, she couldn't help but wonder exactly how difficult and time consuming her new duties would be.  The more she thought about it, the more tangled her mind became.  Preferring not to waste her time thinking about things that were months away, Ursula occupied herself by thinking about why Morgana was behaving like a jealous brat.  It started mainly the day she woke up from her coma, but really began to to spiral the day after they got boozed up with Eli's married lover. 

Her thoughts suddenly turning to mush, as well as her stomach, Ursula promptly slapped Eli out of her thoughts and continued to search for Morgana's trigger warning.

What could possibly put my sister in a sour mood? 

Dice?

Not enough crab?

Criticism?

Ursula's mind whipped to her mother at the first four letters.

Did mother visit Morgana?  Did she give her a lesson?

Ursula immediately discarded the thought.

Of course she did.  She must have snapped after not being taught for 2 years.

Ursula glanced at her sister, who was moving on to another kelp plant. Suddenly feeling motivated, Ursula twisted down to the sand and began digging for bones. 

After a while, Ursula looked up and finally said,

"Did she give you a lesson while I was unconscious?"

"No.  She bought me some flowers and took me out for toys." Morgana said sarcastically, then snapped,

"Of course she did!  It's about time you figured it out!  For being ma's favorite, you sure aren't as smart as she says you look."

Ursula frowned, feeling the slightest bit offended and annoyed at her sister's rudeness.

"Haven't you heard about manners?  It's obvious mummy didn't include etiquette in your lesson.  Let me guess, she compared your rat face to my charming one?"

Morgana glared at Ursula and said calmly, knowing this would put her on edge,

"When will you run away with Eli?  Ma will be so disappointed in you."

Ursula immediately stiffened and glared sharks at Morgana's proud face.

" I will not run away with anybody. That is to be expected from you, not me. I don't have any intentions towards him at all. Mother will be disappointed in you, just as she is now."

"We'll see. It'll happen eventually."

Morgana said calmly.

A few hours later, Ursula and Morgana made their way back to the empire from the Kelp Forest, bags heavy with an assortment of bones. As the two sisters swam, Ursula decided to make small talk which she usually found annoying, but somehow necessary at the moment.

"So when are we raiding the kingdom again?"

"Two months after your Name Day." Morgana replied.

"The babies you brought back are doing well. They'll be ready to be slaves in no time. Just as soon as they can swim..."

"How many are left?"

"Slaves in total? About 12 million."

"I have to say I've had a change of heart and hope the fish folk are thriving."

Morgana smiled.  Ursula did too.  The sisters continued to chat and in no time arrived at the empire.  They tucked most of the bones in the storage vault, then handed the rest of the bones to the merchants of their empire.  They then set off to their aunt to make plans for the next raid.

*****

Back in the Kingdom of Atlantica, the mer were indeed getting better.  They slowly resumed trade and with the hard work and dedication of the citizens and guards, and a touch of the King's trident, the rebuilding was nearly finished.  About two more months and only the finishing touches were left.  Things were looking up, especially for Triton. 

Do you want to come with me for a stroll in the kingdom?

Would you do me the honor of accompanying me for a stroll in the kingdom? 

Are you busy?  Would you walk with me in the kingdom?

Triton internally groaned as he thought about what to say to Athena.  It was a particularly beautiful day, and the first thing he thought of when Triton looked out his window was Athena's smile when he spotted the shining sun.

Triton passed through the concert hall, heading towards the servant quarters, when he spotted a mirror and felt it couldn't hurt to rehearse one last time.

Looking into the mirror, Triton tried to imagine his reflection actually being Athena's beautiful face.  Taking a quick breath, Triton asked with the slightest quiver in his voice,

"Athena... would you like to take a walk around the kingdom?  It's a great day today." 

"What time?"

Triton turned around so fast, his long brown hair smacked his face.  Athena giggled softly, then was tempted to reach out and brush his hair away. 

Triton hurriedly pushed his hair away, then couldn't help but smile.  Then he blinked.  He hadn't thought about the time. 

"When are you free?" He asked.

"Today is my rest day." Athena replied. 

"So is mine." Triton said, then immediately wished to be smacked again because everyday was a rest day for him. 

"I-I mean I'm not doing anything today, so you want to go right now?" He asked hopefully.

Athena nodded while smiling, suppressing the urge to grab his hands and then dance. 

They both stood still for a moment, then Triton turned around, bellowing,

"Let's not keep the food waiting!"

Ever the gentleman, Triton offered her is arm, which she took, and he and Athena swam out towards the entrance, passing several food stands and little trinket stores.  As they continued swimming and talking, they came across musicians, and Athena looked at the dancing couples longingly. 

Triton immediately noticed her face, and he cleared his throat and asked,

"Do you want to dance?"

"Yes!" Athena said excitedly, surprising Triton and eve more so when she took his hand and pulled him closer to the music. 

A heavenly eternity later, Triton was was dragging his tail through the water while Athena was talking about how great the music had been.

"It was so beautiful!  I've never heard that song before." Athena exclaimed.

"It's called Waving corals.  Do you play any instrument?"  Triton asked.

"Well..." Athena said thoughtfully, " I play a harp, but with all the things that have happened lately I haven't played it in a long time."

"Really?  I took some lessons, but I stopped after-" Triton stopped, suddenly embarrassed.

"What happened?" Athena asked gently. 

"The music teacher kicked me out after I broke three of his instruments.  Jay and I were playing Hide and Seek, and he hid in the classroom.  I saw his shadow through the door, so I swam in there too fast and knocked down three instruments from the wall." Triton explained.

Athena laughed, the sound reminding him of the music they had danced to; joyful, soft, and beautiful.  But of course, that's how the music started before it got exciting.

"What instrument did you play?  Did your father ground you?  What about Jay?" She asked him curiously.

"I played the floghera flute.  I wasn't very good at it anyway so it didn't matter to me.  Except for my father, he made me clean the whole castle as punishment.  And Jay got away with it." Triton said. 

Athena chuckled quietly, then continued to swim beside him. 

"Do you want to see something?" Triton suddenly asked.

Athena nodded, then Triton lead the way into the palace.  He lead her to the back of the palace, where he opened a door with a tunnel leading down.

Athena could see a faint sparkle of light at the bottom.  Feeling uncertain, Athena looked up at Triton.  Athena swam down first, then Triton.  The door lifted up as they came down, and Athena's eyes widened.  At the bottom was the most beautiful garden Athena had ever seen. 

"It's..." she began,

"Beautiful?  Lovely?  Amazing?" Triton asked while looking at the amazed mermaid. 

"Yes!  All the flowers....!" She said with happiness. 

Noticing there was a trail of sand between sea grass, Athena began following it.  Triton swam beside her, and, Adam's apple bobbing, took her small hand in his.  Athena looked down with happy surprise.  They continued swimming, each hoping the trail would never end, then heard the pretty music flowing closer and closer. 

"Did you bring me a serenade?" Athena asked teasingly.

His neck turning sweaty, Triton answered,

"No.  Do- do you want me to?"

Triton could have smacked himself, but decided that would ruin the mood.

"Would you?" She tested.

"Yes." He answered, then said, "Athena.. I..".  Triton swallowed nervously.  Athena smiled gently, then took his hands and began dancing.  Blinking in surprise, he swam too fast and then smashed into Athena.

"Tail last." She grinned.

"And I go first." Triton finished.

"Remembering my lesson?"

As the music slowly faded and the sun set, Triton repeated over and over,

Just... lean forward?  Duck face?  How does this work?  I should ask Poseidon, he would know. 

Triton didn't have time to make up his mind, for Athena swam up to meet his eyes and pressed a kiss on his duck face.  Triton returned the favor, holding her close to him.

"I love you, Athena."

She smiled up at him happily and said,

"I love you too."

Triton took hold of her hand, and continued towards the end of the trail.