Little Mer Boy

Inspired by Daekazu's deviation: fav.me/d3akoj4  Go see it fav it and comment!

Part 1

A small face peered around a smooth stone pillar. Hands placed upon the cold surface that had been smoothed by the tides of many generations held eagerly. Even the salt in the water had done little to mar the surface of the stone.   Blue hair whisked around his head, as the boy pulled his head back against the large column.   The hallway was lined with them. All the paths of the palace was decorated with the supporting cylinders of stone.   The palace was surly a site to see, though few had, unless you could breath in water.   For this was the city of Atlantis, the residence of the ruling family of the merfolk and keepers of the sea.

"ah come on! There's no one here, lets go out already." an even smaller face said besides the boy who had peered cautiously.  The little figure swam up,  keeping a steady place besides the boys ear.  The two were similar in that they both had fish tails, if there size and color was different.  The boy  shook his head.

"I'm not sure, Ariel, I don't want to get caught...."

"Your just worried about your cranky Mother Flounder."

"She's a bit more than just cranky Ariel, She's not only my mother but holder of the triton and crown. Is she caught me she'd tie in the safety of the kingdom as well as my own. You don't have to face her wrath."  He told his fishy friend sternly. Once more he peeked out from the pillar, his face wistful. "... I don't see anyone, so maybe we can go now."  
"Yes! I want to go see the surface!"  The colorful fish swam eagerly, speeding out quickly form the pillar and across the hallway.

"Ariel! Wait up!"  Flounder shook his head, crossing his human like arms.  Soon he was after his friend,  looking nervously from side to side to make sure that no one was watching.  With strong strokes from their tails they were soon down the hall and starring at  an archway.  Again luck seemed to be with them, as no one was immediately at the entrance.  Doors were the same as windows, under the sea. So it was more important to guard specific areas then actual 'doors'.  They would need to be careful coming out, but if they could get to the kelp garden outside, they would be able to get underway unseen.

As much as Flounder worried, they made it out safely. Practice and knowing the routines of the guards making what would have been tricky to a stranger, easy for a little mer prince.

They laughed, and swam in loops, playing along the way from the palace grounds.  It wasn't often that he could be a true child, acting upon his curiosity and playfulness.  His mother was more than strict.  She kept everything under a strong fin.  Always in the name of protection and duty, but for a boy still young, it was stifling.  When his mother was out on ambassadorial duties or in meetings, he was able to sneak out for some well needed fun.  If he were human, perhaps being the youngest would have helped him in this case.  Not so under the sea.  The youngest became the heir and not the oldest as  human customs went.   The thought was the younger princeling would have the older siblings to rely on and to help teach him, making a better ruler.  All of this was fa4r from the boys mind, for now was a chance to explore and play.

Ariel laughed, her sweet voice sounding like notes, more than a chuckle.  She raced toward the surface, zig zagging back and forth, teasing her friend.

Flounder slowed, his smile dimming as he stared up at where the surface would be.  He had only gone a few times.  He enjoyed the warmth of the sun, and the beauty of the moon. Yet he was still unsure.  It was forbidden to go the surface, and it would be worse than being caught out playing, if he were caught at the surface.  He wasn't really afraid of the dangers that made the law, but of not being able to go back if he were found out.

He watched Ariel as she playfully  swam upwards.  He followed at a slower pace, wondering what time it was on the surface. He thought it was a bit dark, so perhaps the moon would be up. Ariel of course splashed through the layer between water and air first.  His figure becoming disfigured by the translucency.  With a little less enthusiasm he popped the top of his head up above the waves.  The first thing he spotted was the moon. It was indeed up and high in the sky. The shape round and full.  The stars also twinkled down from him.  He gazed the surface and sky, reveling in the beauty.  When he turned he noticed a particularly bright star.   As he gazed curiously, he realized it wasn't a star at all. There was a dark shape underneath it upon the waters, and it moved with the waves.

"Is that a ship?" He asked part curious, part fearful, to his companion.

"Oh wow! What a chance! We have to go see it flounder!"

"I'm not sure that is a good idea, I mean, were not supposed to go to the surface for a reason Ariel..."

"It can't hurt to just go a little closer, besides, we've never seen a human before. I know you've always wanted to. Come on! One peek, If it looks dangerous we can always dive fast!" She said in her most enticing voice.  She swam just a little toward the smudge, as if showing it was fine.

"it's just, What if all those scary stories are true?  I mean the hooks and nets and stuff?"

"We won't be going that close! Besides your the fastest merboy out here, no one can catch you." She tried to appeal to his vanity.  Of course he didn't really have much of one, but he did have curiosity. It won out in the end.  He nodded to Ariel, who jumped in delight.    They swam closer and closer, the shape becoming more distinct. Large sails furled out carrying the ship at an easy pace.  The ship was square in the back, the sides curved toward the front in a point. A figure had was carved at the front of the bow.    Still keeping some distance he gazed at the shape trying to discern  what it was.  Unknowing it, he got a little closer while peering at it. His interest overruling his fear.  He was surprised to see it was the shape of a mermaid.  He blushed when he saw it had no protective shell coverings or anything to modesty, and it was even painted!  He looked away his cheeks red from embarrassment.  He glanced up at the deck.  Glowing boxes hung around making it easier to see, yet there were still many dark shadows around the structure.

"I think there are some humans on the other side," Flounder was startled by the sudden whisper of Ariel.  He had not heard his friend swim up to him.  He turned to follow, diving under the boat, rather than  swim around it. When he broke the surface of the water upon the other side, he did in fact hear some noises.  They were loud and there were several of them.  He had gotten to the edge of the boat before he realized it, trying to make out what they were saying.


Erica preferred to stay out on the deck when she wasn't in her cabin pouring over papers.  It was a place to issue out orders and to keep track of the men.   Tonight was not unlike any other, although she was a bit more frustrated then usual.   The men were a bit restless on this trip. Many small errors had led to her losing her temper and issuing severe punishments.    The rations for one thing, were lower than they should be. When restocking a few important barrels had managed to be left behind. They could live without them, else they would have stopped, but it just had meant tighter belts, and a few grumbling bellies.   Another mishap was a poor patch job leaving a slow leak in the deck rats quarters.   Extra work, made the men stingy already on top of hungrier stomachs.   She wasn't an  awe inspiring captain either.   She was harsh, demanding and stern.  Capable yes, but not an easy task master. Put that on top of being a princess, well.....  She was not liked. Not that she cared. She wanted obedience not their praise.

She turned when a few of the men came up behind her. She eyed them warily, a stern eye glared at them.

"Madam Captain, we would like to address some grievous issues the men have."

"Oh?  Whining already are they? There complaints be put to themselves than any fault of mine.  I will not coddle them, if they want to hark a bunch of wailing they will soon find them hanging by the mast. I have no more patience for such a surely crew."

"But your heinous, surely something could.."

"No." she glared at her first mate.  Her glare was like an iron vice, its look holding firmly.

"We was afraid you would respond like that, cap'n." A few others came out from  the hold. They had been eavesdropping in the shadows of the ladder.  She watched them warily a hand going to her sword.

"We're thinking one less on the ship would help the mood." Another man growled toward her.

She laughed, a haughty and arid laugh.

"Surely you can not be serious.  Mutiny of this kind is higher than your little thieving minds could handle.  I am not just a captain, but royalty, you filthy dogs." She scoffed, both hands on her hips, one grasping the handle of her saber.

"no one would have to know, if you weren't hear to tell em."  the same rough looking crew member answered.  

She grew furious. Her face growing red with anger.  She glanced at all of them. Their were seven men, surrounding her.  All bigger than she.  Of course she was an excellent fighter, but these men were strong.  Pulling ropes and oars in the hot sun, made a man stronger than just sheer muscle.

"i see," she spat. She unsheathed her sword, instantly flashing out, stabbing one man in the gut.  He fell over with a gurgle.  The other man pulled out weapons jumping toward her.  Soon it was a melee of metal and skin.    She danced around the deck trying to keep them from overwhelming her.   She didn't know a lantern had gotten knocked over till she felt the blaze behind her.  One of them was desperately trying to put it out while the others were focused on cutting her down.   The blaze was like a ravenous beast.  It fed upon the tar pitched ropes climbing everywhere.  Soon men were everywhere and instead of purely focusing upon the  fire, they somehow got caught up in the fight. It was soon an all out brawl.  A few others lowered dingy's trying to escape the now out of control blaze.

Erica herself was ordering one launched for her. The original seven men who had fought her were either dead or caught up elsewere.  It was halfway to the water when her first mate caught up with her.  Her back was unfortunately turned to him, and he managed a hit to her head.  A little shove and she was thrown over the side. He didn't even bother to look after her to see if she sank.  Sink she did as her ship began to sink with her.



Flounder didn't understand the fighting at first, but even when he did, he could not take his eyes away from it.  He watched as the lone figure fought for her life.  A woman with long beautiful black hair.  He wished he knew what was going on. Why were all those men attacking one girl?  It didn't seem right to him.   Then everything became brighter and hotter.  It seemed like orange and yellow waves were eating the ship.  He swam a bit back, even Ariel afraid of what was happening before them.    When a few began working at the side of the ship the dove down a little ways keeping clear of any onlookers.   Soon debris was to sinking around them.  Flounder was beginning to think it was too dangerous to say when  he heard a particularly loud splash.  Something floated down, almost atop them.  Looking up he could just make out the shape of a figure.  He recognized the hair, and before he knew it he was swimming for it.   It became a dodging course as large planks of wood and metal fell around him.  Bubbles and steam also made things hard to see.   When he reached the woman, he grabbed her pulling her away from the sinking ship.  Ariel swam around worriedly,  helping him to dodge.  
They reached the surface none too soon.  He knew humans couldn't breath underwater and he was worried since he didn't know how long they could be under for.  

He watched as the last remains of the ship was disappearing, holding the woman's head out of the water.   What was he to do now? He had helped a human, wait he was touching a human. He looked over the woman.  It was like magic. A creature out of stories here in his arms.   Her face was relaxed in unconsciousness, no emotion showing.  She was beautiful, he thought.  The round and finely shaped face. Long lashes, and that thick black hair he had first seen.  Now that he had her, he almost didn't want to let go.  Surely he must. She could not live in his sea.  He would have to take her back to shore somehow.  Perhaps he could get some of  his friends to help him.

"Ariel, we need to get her to land, she wont make it otherwise.  Could you go get some of the porpoises to come help us carry her to shore? If we can get a few, we can get their just after sunrise."  He spoke a plan forming in his mind.  There was a small circle of land not too far from where they were at.  He had never gone, because it had humans there and he hadn't mustered up the courage to spy upon it even with Ariels nagging.

"Of course!  I'll get some right away!"  the fish dove down soon out of site and sound. Flounder waited gazing upon the human he had rescued.  Gently he moved a lock of wet hair from over her cheek.