The Merman
Noble fair maiden A mhaighdean bhan usal - by Emma
‘Do you think I will we be a good ruler?’ he asks his young voice tilted in worry. I smile to myself. ‘That’s up to you little one, do you think you will be?’ I ask humour in my voice. ‘Maybe. I hope so. My parents are good at it. So that means I should be good, right?’ he asks. So many questions…
I watch his reflection, his small head bowed in worry. Always a worrier, this one. ‘Will you help me?’ he asks quietly. My heart beats in pride. ‘I…will try my young prince. Alas I am restricted to the sea as you know,’ I say my words weighing with sadness.
I see him nod. A moment later he yawns tiredly. ‘Go to bed young prince, these worries are for another day,’ I say threading magic in my words. ‘Ok…,’ he mutters tiredly getting up slowly. He turns back as if remembering suddenly. ‘Goodnight Marlin,’ he says tapping the rock he sat on, (the one I sat under) a gesture he did as a ritual now. ‘Goodnight my prince,’ I whisper feeling the impending loneliness take over me.