The Mermaid's Mirror

Chapter 34

In the distance, a giant kelp forest swayed, the ever-shifting currents of the sea rocking it hypnotically.

"It's so beautiful," said Lena.

"It is the verge of our village," answered Melusina.

"You live in the kelp?"

"No, dearest. But the kelp provides a shield. Our lookouts patrol this area—if danger approaches, they can disappear into the forest before they are seen, and alert the village."

"I don't see them."

"No," said Melusina. "But they see you."

Nervousness seeped into Lena's thoughts. What if they won't let me in?

Melusina squeezed her daughter's arm. "My people will welcome you, Selena. There is no need for fear."

As they neared the forest, Lena's mind filled with a sound that was a combination of calling and singing, loud and melodious.

"Melusina draws near," called a merman. "Near."

"She brings her child of sea and land," sang a mermaid. "Sea and land."

"Melusina draws near ... gather here. Here."

"The child of Melusina is unarmed ... you will be not harmed. Not harmed."

"What are they doing?" asked Lena.

"They are calling out to the rest of the village to announce our arrival." Her mother's voice in her mind sounded amused as she added, "Visitors are rare."

"But how can I understand them?!"

"Ahh, my child! It is the charm upon the cloak. Brilliant, yes?"

Even as her mother spoke, Lena became aware of many voices beginning to fill her mind. They were growing louder and more excited. Billowing out of the forest, a crowd of mer-folk swam in her direction. She gasped. There must be forty or fifty! It had been a shock to see one mermaid the day she first saw Melusina ... the sight of throngs of mer-folk was almost overwhelming.

Lena shrank back.

"They wish to welcome you," said her mother. "They are your people, too, daughter."

They were all ages and sizes, tiny and plump to long and lean. Strong, young mermen and elderly, gracious mermaids. Some with long, streaming hair, others with cropped curls. The color of their skin ranged from unearthly pale to rich brown. Lena could see one very old mermaid whose skin looked almost blue.

"Auntie Lu," called a voice.

A young mermaid with flowing dark hair and dusky skin rushed toward them, ahead of the others.

She looks a little like Pem, thought Lena. A small frown came over her face. At the moment, she couldn't remember Pem's face. An image of a pink braid drifted through her mind. Lena looked down at her foot and was reassured by the sight of the yarn encircling her ankle.

"So this is your land child?" asked the mermaid. Her lustrous black hair looked like floating strands of silk. "She looks to be my age! Will you not introduce us?"

"Yes, of course, dear Lorelei. You have in common with your cousin the trait of impatience." She squeezed Lena's shoulders.

My cousin! thought Lena. Her heart beat faster. She felt almost dizzy. It was all so unbelievable. Was she really floating in the bright blue and purple depths of the sea, breathing liquid instead of air? Was she meeting a mermaid cousin?

"Lorelei, please meet my darling Selena," said Lena's mother.

Lorelei wriggled with barely repressed excitement. "Hello! I am Lorelei! You are welcome!" Then her brow furrowed and her voice grew louder in Lena's mind. "Can you understand me?"

Lena smiled and nodded, unsure how to answer. If she thought in English, would her cousin understand?

Melusina sensed her hesitation. "There is no barrier to your language here. As the cloak gives you comprehension, it does the same for your listeners."

"I am pleased to meet you," said Lena haltingly.

Lorelei beamed. "I heard your words! But will you also teach me that land-language?"

Before Lena could answer, two mer-folk who seemed to be Lorelei's parents approached.

"This is my brother, Nereus, father of the impatient Lorelei," said Melusina, indicating a merman with long reddish-gold curls. He smiled and kissed Lena's hand.

"Nereus?" said Lena, trying to pronounce the name correctly.

"Yes. All of our names have been handed down from generation to generation, some of them from ancient times. They are names from all the waters of the world."

Lena had an urge to thank him ... but she could not remember why. He had done her father a kindness, she thought. Before she could speak, Lorelei darted forward. "Oh, look at the brightness of her fingertips! How they shine! Like abalone shell. May I touch your legs?"

"Lorelei!" scolded the mermaid next to Nereus.

"That is Iona, Lorelei's mother," said Melusina. "She comes from the warm waters. I journeyed with her to her native village when I was sorrowing over your loss."

Iona moved forward. "Welcome, child," she murmured. "We are so pleased to meet you." She frowned at Lorelei. "I apologize for your cousin's rudeness."

"It's okay—I don't mind if she touches my legs," said Lena quickly.

Lorelei came closer, eyes wide. She put one hand on each of Lena's legs, shyly feeling the long muscles and marveling over the hard kneecaps. "Is this what your legs looked like, Auntie Lu, after you were Riven?" she asked.

"Lorelei!" This time it was Nereus who reprimanded Lorelei. "That is quite enough. You have greeted your cousin, now be so kind as to allow others to meet her."

Lowering her head, Lorelei retreated.

Melusina's face had paled, and she did not answer Lorelei's question.

From the crowd of mer-people, an older merman emerged, coming closer to Lena. He was powerfully built, with broad shoulders and chest. His shimmering blue-green tail was single-finned and marked with several scars. A smiling mouth curved above his long beard.

"This is Merrow, your grandfather," said Melusina.

Careful not to dislodge the sealskin cloak, the merman put his arms around Lena, saying softly, "Welcome, child of my child." He patted her gently, then drew back to study her. "Ah, look upon the fairness of her face," he crooned. "Look upon her cunning legs!"

Melusina laughed. "Beauty and strength, indeed."

"Precious maid," said Merrow, his eyes shining ... eyes the same gray as Lena's. "When Melusina had the memories back, and we knew of your existence, I longed to see you."

"Grandfather," said Lena. "I did not know about any of—" She looked around. "This. You."

Merrow hugged Lena more tightly. "Alas, we did not know about you, either. Else we might have aided Melusina to return to you long ago."

Lena nodded, feeling safe in her grandfather's arms. So many years lost, when her mother could have been with them on land. But what about Mom? She felt a stretch of blank confusion opening up in her thoughts. Mom? Her mother was right next to her! But there was someone else on land, someone she cared for ... a woman, with kind eyes. Something about diamond earrings ... Oh, Allie! She would not have been there if Melusina had come back. Lena felt a pang, but the vague thought drifted away as she rested in Merrow's embrace.

"Commence the greeting," called someone, and other voices added their agreement. "Yes, the greeting." "Bring her to the circle."

"Come," said Melusina. She took Lena's hand and led her through the crowd of curious mer-folk. Then they entered the kelp forest, swimming between the heavy stalks. Lena felt sure she would have become lost without her mother.

Where is my grandmother?

A couple of minutes later, they emerged in the village.

"Is there a castle?" asked Lena.

Her mother looked at her, perplexed.

Lena laughed. "There's a fairy tale called The Little Mermaid. In the kingdom below the waves, there's a big castle with, you know, fancy windows and gardens and stuff. I remember the line about the fishes swimming in and out of the windows."

"Ah, I fear I must disappoint you. Our village is not so grand, nor so permanent. We must live simply, with few possessions. When the threat of discovery seems nigh, we must leave this place until our scouts tell us it is safe to return."

"Leave?!"

"Humans are incorrigibly curious." Melusina smiled. "We leave the village, sometimes for days, sometimes for weeks. We take what we can carry. When the danger has passed, we return. Look there." She pointed to an immense stone slab. "To prying eyes, that resembles nothing more than a very large rock formation. To us, it is the communal dining table."

Lena looked at the huge empty slab. There were a few boulders around its perimeter, like makeshift chairs. She could see heavy gold bowls and shallow stone basins, some of them still containing food, as if their diners had rushed off in the middle of their meal.

They came to see me, she thought.

Melusina led Lena into a large clearing, which was bounded by a loose circle of stones.

In the middle of the circle, Melusina stopped. "Have no fear," she said. "This is the ritual of welcome." Then she squeezed Lena's hand and let go, leaving her alone in the ring of stones.