The Mermaid's Mirror

Chapter 37

Lena woke up under water.

For a moment, she was disoriented, remembering all the times she had woken up on the beach in the middle of the night. This watery cave was the reverse of those awakenings.

Every time I went sleepwalking, she thought, I was trying to reach my mother. Something inside me—the mermaid part of me—knew she was near.

Lena felt the sealskin cloak tucked warmly around her. She relaxed and closed her eyes again, feeling safe. She could hear voices—some of the mer-folk must be nearby.

She kept her eyes closed, trying to distinguish who was speaking. She had noticed earlier that the voices of the adult mer-folk sounded much alike in her head, although she could tell her mother's voice from everyone else's. Lorelei's voice had contained a distinctive ringing quality, and the children all sounded unique from one another. Lena supposed that the longer she stayed, the easier it would become to match voices to faces.

"...because of the male human on land," she heard someone mutter. "Now we must live in fear that she will remember, and leave us yet again. It is not to be borne!"

"Shh," said a second voice. "You will wake the child."

"Ah, yes. The child." The first voice softened. "She's a lovely little land child. But she belongs to us now. And in time, her legs will cease to trouble me."

Lena huddled under the cloak, ashamed. Who couldn't stand to look at her legs? And what did that mean, "she belongs to us now"?

"We always knew there was a chance the human would seek her again," sighed a third voice.

"Not as long as I am alive," said someone coldly. "I warned him not to enter the sea again. And I spoke the truth. Had he disobeyed my command, I would have charmed the sharks to seek him out, even as he sought Melusina."

Lena could not restrain a small cry.

There was a swish in the water near her, then someone asked gently, "Are you awake, child?"

"Yes," said Lena, opening her eyes. Her grandfather leaned over her. She sat up and peered through the fluid light of the cave, and saw her aunts, Metis and Thetis, her uncle, Nereus, and her grandmother. Melusina's entire family seemed to be on guard duty over her!

"Good. I hope you are rested. You slept a long time."

"I did? How long?"

"Ah, let me see. Time is not something we measure, except by the moon. The moon has begun to wane, while you slept."

Lena frowned. The moon had begun to wane? Had she been asleep for days?

"Melusina has been to the surface a number of times. She asked us to keep watch over you while she was away."

Lena nodded her understanding. I would have charmed the sharks to seek him out echoed through her mind. She felt acutely self-conscious of her legs now, too. She was relieved to see Melusina approach.

"Did you sleep well, dearest maid?" asked her mother, swimming into the cave and settling near Lena. The others departed.

"Yes," answered Lena. "How long did I sleep?"

"Ah, a long time! You were profoundly weary."

"Hours? Days?"

"Oh, you want a measurement? Let me think ... on land, the sun has risen and set again."

"How long before I need to surface for air?"

"Whenever you wish. Do you feel ready to take off the cloak?"

Lena stared at her in alarm. "Take it off now? I'm miles from the surface."

"Not miles, dear. And remember ... I told you that when your desire was powerful enough, you would be able to breathe on your own in this world."

"But how will I know?"

"The only way to know is to search your heart."

"What happens if I think I'm ready, but I'm not really?"

Melusina looked puzzled. "But your heart will tell you truly."

Lena looked back at her mother. "But what if I'm wrong? I'll drown!"

"If you have doubt, then you must remain in the shelter of the cloak."

"Okay." Lena was relieved. No matter what her mother said, this would not be the place to discover she couldn't breathe under water.

"Now we shall eat. You must be very hungry. Afterward, would you like to explore the world beneath the waves with me?"

"Yes!"

Melusina took Lena's hand, and they swam together out of the cave. Mer-folk watched them shyly as they approached the stone table. A few swam closer to look at Lena, especially her legs, then flitted away again.

Melusina introduced Lena to as many of them as came near.

"Why does she wear that human garment under the cloak?" asked a mermaid who looked about Lena's age. She wore pearls in her hair.

"On land, it is protective," said Melusina. "It is called a—" She frowned.

"A jacket," said Lena.

"Ah, yes. Jacket."

The mermaid felt the slippery fabric of Lena's jacket, then smiled and swam away.

"They have many questions," said Melusina. "You will meet them as their shyness abates. Mer-folk are taught to be wary of humans, so it may take them some time to befriend you. Now let us eat. The sea cucumber is especially delicious."

They ate until they were full, then Melusina put her arm around Lena. "Ready, dearest?"

"Where are we going?"

"You shall see."