Marshmallow
followed Skye as she swam faster and faster away from the lagoon. She finally became too tired to swim any
farther and surfaced to float on the water.
"He
hates me Mallow." Skye could contain her sorrow no longer.
"You
should have told him."
Skye
cried even harder at the words her friend spoke. Marshmallow was right.
She would have told Paul but she was so afraid of his reaction that she
convinced herself he didn't have to know.
Then
she heard it, the mermaid’s song. It
was her mother calling to her. Her
mother. What would her mother say? Skye had disappointed her once again. Reluctantly Skye started for home knowing
her mother and grandmother would be waiting for her.
"Your
mother will understand Skye. Talk to
her." Marshmallow encouraged her as they neared the lagoon.
"I've
disappointed her again Mallow. What
kind of queen will I make? I am not fit
to be a queen." Skye lamented.
"Talk
to your mother, she will understand."
Marshmallow left Skye and headed back out to sea.
Queen
Daphne and Queen Mother Adolphina were at the lagoon waiting for her when she
returned. Skye saw them and sorrow
filled her. She did not want to face
them.
"You
have been gone a long time Daughter."
"I
haven't been in the water lately and I decided to go for a swim." Skye
lied.
Daphne
and Adolphina exchanged glances.
"You
left your man to go swimming?" Adolphina asked.
"He
isn't my man." Skye answered in a hurt voice.
"You
did not tell him and now he knows." Daphne stated.
Skye
looked at her mother and nodded, tears welling up in her throat. "He hates me."
"Come
home now Daughter."
Daphne
and Adolphina placed their arms around the young Princess and walked her home.
"We
are having a farewell banquet for our guests tonight. Will you be attending Daughter?"
"Do
I have to?"
"No. You don't have to be there if you don't want
to."
"I
would prefer not to go."
"It
is your choice. No one will think ill
of you for not attending."
Skye
left her mother and grandmother and went to her room; she could not go to
dinner. Skye lay on the bed staring at
the ceiling. She didn’t know how long
she had been there when there was a knock at the door.
"Granddaughter,
may I come in?"
Skye
did not answer but Adolphina opened the door and entered anyway. Adolphina stood in the room looking at Skye
but not saying a word. Finally Skye
could stand her grandmother’s silence no longer. She sat up in bed.
"I've
disappointed you." Skye could not
look at her grandmother so great was her shame.
"How
have you disappointed me?" Adolphina asked gently as she came closer and
then sat down next to her.
"I
haven't done anything right since they got here."
"What
have you done wrong?"
"I
lied to you. I lied to Paul and now he
hates me. I've done something I
shouldn't have. I won't make a very
good queen."
"Have
you learned anything?"
"Not
to trust men." Skye sounded hurt.
Adolphina
smiled, "And I suppose your man has learned not to trust mermaids."
"Grandmother!"
"Well,
you did say you lied to him."
"I
know, but that is different."
"How
is it different?"
Skye
could not answer.
"He
was not prepared. You shared intimate
moments with your man but you never told him you are a mermaid. Why would you expect a different
reaction?"
Still
Skye said nothing.
"This
will pass Granddaughter. You have
learned many things this day.”
"Yes
Grandmother."
"Will
you join us for dinner?"
"I
don't think I can." Skye replied in a shaky voice. "Are you angry at me?"
Adolphina
smiled at Skye as she took her granddaughter’s face in both hands and kissed
her forehead.
"I
could not be angry at you Granddaughter."
Adolphina
held Skye close as she comforted a hurt Skye.
"I
must join your mother for dinner.
Should we send a tray to you?"
"No
Grandmother. I'm not hungry."
"Very
well. Until tomorrow then."
Adolphina left Skye alone.