Davy broke the surface again to the sound of booms. It was dark now, and the deep-blue sky was filled with strange, fizzling colors. He heard music and laughter from the ship. He swam cautiously to the vessal, climbing the anchor again. This time, he hid by the railing, making sure he wasn’t seen.
Winifred looked more beautiful than she had that afternoon. This time, she wore a huge white bell that seemed to go in all directions and a dainty gold tiara on her head. Young men in uniforms similar to the Captain’s surrounded her. The Captain kissed her hand.
“You’ve never looked more beautiful, Winifred,” he murmured. “I can hardly believe you’re sixteen now, almost a grown woman. Your mother would be proud.”
She sighed. “Thank you, Captain. You did a fine job with the party.”
The Captain smiled. “Only the best for Princess Winifred, the pride of Belgravia. This ship is my present to you. You can take it out on the ocean whenever you please.” He sighed. “I had hoped I’d be giving it to you for your wedding, though...”
Winifred shook her head. “I’m too young for marriage. Let me finish school and learn how to run a kingdom first. When I find the right man, I’ll let you know.”
Davy’s eyes were getting sparkly. She’s so beautiful, he thought. So charming, and smart, too! I wish I had legs, so I could dance with her and kiss her hand, like all those men in the uniforms.
The explosions were growing louder and louder, but Davy’s mind was so far away, he didn’t notice. How wonderful it would be to be able to sing and dance with Winifred, like all the men were doing! He watched as she moved from officer to officer, dancing and laughing and singing along with “Let’s Dance On.”
He hadn’t noticed it at first. He vaguely heard the Captain say something about the celebration coming to an end and telling one of the men to “start up the finale” and “get rid of her.” He finally saw Winifred alone and realized this was his chance to thank her.
He was about to climb on-deck when he heard a crashing sound, then bells and frightened screams. One of the sparkly explosions had mistimed, making a hole in the ship instead. The ship listed drunkenly to one side. Strange red-gold heat shot up the masts. Davy, frightened and confused by all the noise, jumped into the ocean.
He was only a few inches from the ship when he remembered Winifred. Was she all right? She had been close to the red-gold heat and the sparkles when they blew. He searched for her amid the ships and the people jumping into the ocean in desperation, but couldn’t find her. He swam under the boats, hoping he wouldn’t be noticed by the sailors.
He finally found Winifred under the water. She seemed all right, other than the bump on her head and the heavy iron box tied to her foot. He managed to snap the rope and gently pull her to the surface.
“Davy?” Davy was surprised to see Micky pop his head over the surface. “What’s going on? I heard the explosions down below, even over my drums, and I thought it was time to join the party! Who’s she? Is she ok?” He grinned. “Hey, she’s really hot, for a human chick! Is that the girl you were gonna thank for savin’ you?”
Davy ignored his ever-curious brother’s many questions. “Just help me get her to shore.” He nodded at the sinking boat. “We have to get her clear of the ship. Father once told me ships are powerful when they sink. I don’t want her to be dragged down, too. Humans can’t live underwater like we can.”
Micky took one arm, Davy the other, and the two managed to get her to the nearest beach, just as the the sun peeked over the horizon. Micky created a bed of soft sand and seaweed to lay her down on.
“Is she all right?” Micky asked. “She looks kinda pale.”
Davy nodded. “She’s breathin’. I hear her.” He sighed. She was the most beautiful girl in the world. She was even prettier with her long, golden hair down around her shoulders. Her waterlogged gown was pulled up around her knees, revealing slender, trim legs in ruffled pantalettes and white stockings. Micky was facinated by her black shoes. He unbuckled them and inspected them, then tried to fit one on his fin.
“I wish she’d wake up,” Davy said with a sigh. “Winifred, I love you. I want to be with you. I want to dance with you, sing with you.”
“Sing to her,” Micky suggested as he tried to fit the shoe on his other fin. “Your singing would wake anyone up.”
Davy rolled his eyes, but he did take his brother’s advice, gently singing one of his favorite love songs, “It’s Nice to Be With You.”
“Micky, look!” he exclaimed as he finished the song. Winifred’s eyes fluttered, and she looked as if she might be awakening. “She’s all right! She’s awake!” He stroked her hair. “How do you feel, luv?”
Micky was about to join his brother when he heard voices. Two men, one in a tattered uniform, the other in a good linen suit, were walking along the shore, calling Winifred’s name. “Davy, let’s get outta here! There’s humans comin’!”
“But...” Micky grabbed his brother’s hand and pulled him into the water before Winifred opened her eyes all the way.
The young man in the fine linen suit leaned gently over Winifred. “My dear, are you all right? Thank goodness we found you!”
“J...James?” Winifred murmured. “Was that you?”
The Captain looked angry at first, but then schooled his face into a smile. “You poor dear! It’s a good thing Prince James and I found you! We thought you’d been killed in the explosions!”
James took her into his arms. “Was what me, Winnie?”
“Were you the one singing that beautiful song?” She sighed dreamily. “I never heard such a voice!”
James chuckled. “I wish it was, darling, but I’m not much of a singer. Harpsichord is more my thing. Now, why don’t we take you back to the palace and get you a bath and a good, solid breakfast?”
“Hmm...” was all Winifred said as James carried her off to the huge palace in the distance. David smiled as she hummed “It’s Nice to Be With You.”
Micky peered out from around the rock they’d hid behind. “I don’t like the other guy. The blond seems to be ok, but the older one in the fancy get-up gives me the creeps. There’s something wrong with him. If looks could kill, Winifred would have been dead on arrival.”
Davy wasn’t listening. He was too busy watching the blond man and Winifred. Even he could tell from the way the man looked at her he cared about her. “He loves her,” he murmured.
“Davy?” Micky waved his hand in front of his brother’s face. “Dave, you in there?”
Davy was not “in there.” “She’s so beautiful,” he murmured. “She likes my voice. I have to see her again.”
Micky sighed. “I don’t know how. Yeah, she did save you and I don’t like what that older guy is up to, but she’s human and we’re not. There’s no way you can be her mate.”
Davy closed his eyes. “I know what I have to do. I have to see Madame.”
Micky’s eyes widened in horror. “The Sea Witch? Are you crazy? Do you know what she does to the mermen she gets her hands on?”
“That’s just rumors.”
Micky said, “Davy, don’t do it! Not for some human girl! Mike will have a fit!”
“I love her, Micky,” he exclaimed. “I love her more than any mermaid I’ve ever met. If you can’t understand that, leave me alone!” He dove into the water, swimming towards the direction of the witch’s home.
Micky gulped. “Why does he have to fall in love in every other episode? He’ll get killed...or worse?” He closed his eyes. “I have to get Mike. He’ll know what to do. He always does.” He dove into the clear blue water.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
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