Beware the Mermaids Song

Velora smiled sweetly at the curly haired pirate who was helping her so generously. She was astounded by how wrong her father was, not all pirates are bad, some actually want to help and know compassion and love. However her smile dimmed as the young male told her of why he had become a pirate. How he had been tricked and forced onto a ship under false pretenses.
"Come with me," the words left her lips before she even had the chance to comprehend what she was saying, "I-uh- I mean, if you help me get off this ship unscathed I will help you find your father." Velora awaited the young mans answer afraid that he would say no.

~

"Well Eleanor," he paused making sure he had her name right, when she nodded her head slightly he continued, "Whatever your father has told you, he's wrong. Not all pirates are evil and want mermaids for the reasons you may have been told about," pausing he looked at the brunette. "I honestly want to help you be reunited with your sister. No mermaid deserves to be plucked from her home, none." Stopping he looked into her dark eyes and spoke again. "Come you must be famished." with that he grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his quarters before he began removing various jars and bottles.

Harold filled the sandwich completely full before using a knife and cutting it in half so Velora wouldn't struggle with eating it, he looked at her and raised his eyebrows in surprise. He hadn't been expecting her to ask him to join her, but he was flattered that she had. "I honestly don't want to find my father, he did leave me and my family. I was only hopeful thinking when I started to search for him, but that doesn't mind I still can't join you. We could have an adventure of our own" He said as his green eyes never left her face, "Besides I still have to get you back home" He smiled liking the idea of them going out into the large world together, he wanted to know her better and spend more time with her.

-

Eleanor nodded her head, "I'm starting to see that. But you still need to know that I've been told only the bad stories about pirates for my entire life, you may not be a horrible pirate but the ship that took my sister does have those pirates on board" She looked at him and let herself gaze into his eyes, "Thank you for helping me Liam, if there is anything you need in return than please just ask" She smiled feeling his fingers wrap around her own, his hand was warm and sent tingles up her arm which she had never experienced before. She stood by him and watched as he began to make her something to eat.

"Of course, but as of this moment all I want is you to eat something. Now... what does a mermaid eat?" he asked turning to look at her. From the stories Liam heard the only thing that the young pirate knew a mermaid ate was fish and as of this point in time the only fish that was on deck was fermenting somewhere. He placed the jar on the deck top, jars of pickled vegetables and meat was all he had, it wasn't much to offer the young woman. "I'm sorry we don't have a lot, but we have not been to port for months." he apologized a small smile spreading across his face.

~

Nodding her head Velora chewed on the food she had been given, once swallowing she spoke again, "What about your mother? You must miss her, perhaps I could get you back to her?" Velora was determined to do something for this pirate, she just had to dig deeper to find what he truly wanted.

Harold nodded his head slightly as he watched the beautiful mermaid eat the sandwich he made for her, "I do miss my mother and my sister. I wish that I could go see them, but I'm worried that they won't want me after being on this type of pirate ship. There are much nicer pirates out there who try their best to protect the creatures under the water, this ship isn't one of those" He admitted to her as he did deserve to know about everything that he could share, if he could get her over the railing and back into the water safely than he would because she deserved that. He'd have to give up his life as the Captain wanted to sell Velora, though he wasn't going to let that happen.

-

Eleanor smiled at the handsome pirate, "We eat everything that you do. I'll eat whatever you have to give me, it's nothing to apologize over" She reassured him as she stood in his quarters, she was finally getting the hang of using her legs and walking. "What made you want to become a pirate?" She asked wanting to know more about him, though it was a very personal question. "I'm sorry, I tend to get nosy sometimes" She added quickly as a light pink flush tinted her cheeks.

A chuckle left Liam's lips when he heard the young mermaids question. Pulling the last jar from the shelf he turned to face her a gentle smile pulling on his lips. "I have always had a love for the sea," it wasn't the full truth nor was it a lie. As a young child the male pirate had had a love of the sea, but that wasn't the reason he became a pirate. The reason he became a pirate was because of what happened to his father when he was a young boy. He had witnessed his father been run through mercilessly when his fishing boat had been overrun by a hoard of pirates. Ever since that horrendous accident Liam had taken up piracy so that he could seek out the captain that had killed his father and get his revenge.

~

Velora was caught by surprise at the idea of the young man's mother and sister not wanting to see him all because he had joined a ship that was unkind to her people.

"I'm sure that is not true," Velora stated once finished her mouthful. "How were you to know the animals on this ship are unkind to the beings of the sea. How old were you when you joined the crew of this vessel?"

A chuckle left Liam's lips when he heard the young mermaids question. Pulling the last jar from the shelf he turned to face her a gentle smile pulling on his lips. "I have always had a love for the sea," it wasn't the full truth nor was it a lie. As a young child the male pirate had had a love of the sea, but that wasn't the reason he became a pirate. The reason he became a pirate was because of what happened to his father when he was a young boy. He had witnessed his father been run through mercilessly when his fishing boat had been overrun by a hoard of pirates. Ever since that horrendous accident Liam had taken up piracy so that he could seek out the captain that had killed his father and get his revenge.

~

Velora was caught by surprise at the idea of the young man's mother and sister not wanting to see him all because he had joined a ship that was unkind to her people.

"I'm sure that is not true," Velora stated once finished her mouthful. "How were you to know the animals on this ship are unkind to the beings of the sea. How old were you when you joined the crew of this vessel?"

Harold looked at Velora when she asked him the question of how old he had been when he joined the ship, "I know my family would still love me and welcome me. I just can't help but worry that I've disappointment them both. Neither wanted me to leave, I'm still as stubborn as I was back then" He said with a small smile lifting his lips, "I was sixteen when I joined though I had said I was eighteen" He told her and thinking of it now, he surely looked sixteen but the Captain must have been desperate because he was taken aboard.

-

Eleanor smiled as she looked at the kind pirate, "You have? That's a good reason to become a pirate, though you could have easily decided to be a man who goes fishing. Then you wouldn't be away from your family" She said to him however she didn't know the full story of why he actually became a pirate, "If you did go fishing than I could have rocked your boat and scare you" She laughed softly though it was still bell-like and high pitched, she and Velora had rocked many fishing boats because to them it was fun as the men couldn't see them.

"That is true," Liam agreed nodding his head knowing exactly where the female was coming from, and truth be told he would have became a fisherman had the tragedy of his father not happened. "You do that?" Liam asked incredulous, he had often wondered how, as a small child, the boats he was on would rock so harshly when the water was still. Eleanor laughed musically at his question before slowly nodding her head, "That always used to happen when my father and I were out on the water, I had always questioned how a ship could rock so forcefully when the water was so still and now I know. Your sister and you sound like little trouble makers." The pirates tone was light and playful as he joked with the brunette.

~

"What made you decide to join this ship?" Velora questioned the curly haired male as she finished the last half of her food. The brown haired mermaid was genuinely interested in why the young man had joined this crew at such a young age, surely he would have a good reason.

Harold looked into brunette's dark eyes and he suddenly didn't want to look away, "I was searching for my father who had left when I was ten. I had questions only he could answer, sadly I haven't found him and I'm beginning to think that I won't find him" He explained to her not finding a reason to lie to her, she had been honest with him and was actually kind considering the reason she was on the ship in the first place. "Enough about me, what do mermaids even do under the water?" He asked in curiosity, he would have loved to be a mermaid just swimming through the water and not worrying about everything that comes from living on land.

-

Eleanor smiled at him as she nodded her head, "We do. We can be trouble makers when we get bored, we've rocked a few ships in our time. But we don't just cause trouble, we help out fishermen who aren't catching anything but need to" She told him with a wide smile on her face, "Though it seems like now I won't be causing any trouble, having legs isn't all it's cracked up to be" She looked at him and gave him a small pout to her lips, "Now I actually have to walk places. I'm used to swimming and being faster than normal humans" She teased him with a cheeky spark to her eyes.

Liam chuckled at the young mermaid when she pouted declaring that having legs wasn't as good as she thought they would be. "I can imagine," Liam nodded his head in agreement, though he had never seen a mermaid in the water he didn't disagree about their speed. With a tale like the one he had seen Eleanor had he could only imagine the speed they could get up to. Their tales were also stunning to look at, much like the rest of them. "This may sound strange, but are there any not so beautiful merfolk?" even the young captain had to admit how terrible that sounded coming out of his mouth. "I mean, are they all as beautiful as you?"

~

Velora arched one of her brows at the curly haired human, she was about to speak when he silenced her with a question about what her kind do underneath. "Oh you know have races with the barracudas and pick fights with sharks," she couldn't help but laugh at the look of shock that spread across Harold's face. "No, I am joking, I suppose it is much like you people above, we simply live there, it's our world. We can however make connections with the sea life and some of us wield powers."

Harold had completely believed Velora when she mentioned having races with the barracudas and fighting with sharks, he knew obviously nothing so of course he'd believe every word she said. "That wasn't nice, I'm taking this very seriously and here you are lying to me" He said though she wasn't lying to him, he knew she was just joking with him. "Powers? Are you joking again? Do you have any powers?" He asked all in one breath because he was interested in learning more about merfolk, he might as well ask Velora as she'd know everything there is.

-

Eleanor felt heat spread across her cheeks when the young pirate said that she was beautiful, she had been called beautiful before by mermen but this time was different though she couldn't put her finger on it. "Most of us are beautiful, there are a few that are not as beautiful" She told him not knowing how to stop from blushing, "We're meant to be beautiful so silly pirates and fishermen do what we say, though I've never spoken to a human before now" She admitted to him as she looked at him.

"Well..." Liam started clearing his throat awkwardly, "I am sure you have lured many men into the waves..." reaching behind he scratched his neck as a warm blush spread across his cheeks. "Right, anyway, uhm... there is food there for you, I must go and check on my crew." with that he spun on the heels of his boots and walked out of his cabin and onto the deck where he began giving men standing around orders.

"You a'wight Cap'n' ya lookin' kinda rosey," one of the older crew members asked the young captain.

"Yes, Yes fine Dawson," Liam muttered walking toward the wheel taking over from Creeves looking out at the horizon to clear his mind.

~

"No I am quite serious," Velora admitted truthfully, "My sister and I are two of the few who possess these powers. Or father is the King of the Oceans. He wields the most power of these waters, he can create great waves, typhoons, strong winds. However he can also cause the days to be so hot and the water to be so still for months driving sailors to madness." Velora listed off her fathers powers easily.

Harold jaw dropped as his mouth opened in complete shock, Velora wasn't a normal mermaid. No she was a princess who held actual powers, this was the last thing he had been expecting from her. He stood there silently for a few moments as his mind processed what he had heard, "Alright... what powers do you have?" He asked now afraid of her father not that he'd ever meet the merman, but he was still afraid. He also wasn't as sure about the mermaid in front of him, could she still use her powers when not in the water?

If so than she could easily use those powers on the captain and the ship, not that he'd stop her of course after everything that has happened to her today.

-

Eleanor smiled seeing the blush on Liam's cheeks before he rushed out of his chambers, she made herself something to eat and spent some time looking around his chambers. She didn't touch anything because she knew better than to, she just liked looking at things. She placed the jars of food back where she found them before she walked through the door and up some stairs, reaching the deck of the ship she could feel numerous eyes on her but she ignored them the best she could.

Feeling the fresh air surround her and give her comfort, making her way over to bow of the ship and stared out at the open sea they were traveling through. She felt at ease with the ocean being so close to her, she could easily jump back into the water though this could be an easier way for her to find Velora.

Liam had been watching when out of the corner of his eye he saw the brown haired mermaid surface from his quarters, she leaned over the railing around the ship enjoying the fresh, salty sea air.

"She's a beauty, inn't she?" Creeves asked as he walked up to the captain a gentle smile spread across his young face. The young captain nodded his head agreeing with his crew mates comment.

"She is."

"What she want Cap'n?" he asked inquisitively.

"She's searching for her sister, she's on one of the other ships." Creeves nodded his head, "Here," with that Liam walked away from the wheel making his way over to Eleanor.

~

"I can control the currents, i have yet mastered the whether, however my sister has, she just has not mastered controlling sea currents... So I can make the water as rough and as calm as I want. You see I could have waves so high, I could ruin this very ship, or I could have the water so still that this ship doesn't move for days." Velora stated flippantly.

Harold didn't know what to think, "You can? Why haven't you destroyed this ship already? You could easily escape from Phil, I still won't let anything happen to you but you could just get away from this ship" He asked honestly wanting to know the answer, if he was in her position he would have caused large waves to form as soon as in was trapped in the net.

"I wouldn't have let myself get pulled onto the deck" He told her knowing she probably had her reason for why she didn't cause waves to crash into the ship.

-

Eleanor had her eyes closed as her brunette locks blew in the light breeze as the ship moved, she sighed softly reopening her eyes. She glanced over her shoulder when she was joined by the handsome Captain, "Am I actually going to find my sister or am I wasting my time?" She asked him softly, she needed him to be completely honest with her. She needed to know if she should continue looking for Velora, or if she should get back into the ocean and swim back home.

"If I am being completely honest, I am not sure, but if you give up then it is certain that you will not find her." Liam told the young woman truthfully. It would be hard for the young mermaid to find her sister due to all the merfolk that they sold in town. However if she gave up without trying then it was certain that she wouldn't find her.

"You have to try, we will all be here for you and we will help you find her." Liam told her truthfully.

~

"I have my reasons," Velora stated, the truth of the matter was that Velora had wanted to get caught, she had been wanted to haul on a ship, not necessarily the type of ship she was on at the time being. Velora had hoped to get onto a ship where the crew weren't as cruel. It was the only way she would be able to get out of the ocean and search for a merman that had been taken from her when she was only a child. A merman that she looked up at for years. A merman that her sister never had the chance to meet nor hear about.

Her brother.

Xanith, who was taken from their family by a ship of pirates. For years she had been plotting to find him and bring him back to his home under the waves.

Harold simply nodded his head knowing not to be nosy, even if he wanted to ask more questions about why she wasn't trying to get away. If she wanted to tell him than she would even she was ready or needed his help, "If you need any help than please do ask. If you like the next time we reach land, I won't let Phil sell you. I'll help you escape this ship" He told her knowing she'd be brought within seconds, people were disgusting and he knew the type of people who buy mermaids. He wasn't going to let Velora be around those kind of people, he didn't want to be the reason that she was hurt.

-

"I know but the ocean is so large and if the ship docks, she could get sold before I get near her" Eleanor said softly looking at Liam, she knew that her sister had plenty of time to swim away from the net. Velora was faster than her in the water, there was time but maybe Velora was too scared to move. She wasn't sure but she'd stop at nothing until she had found her sister and brought her home again, "Thank you for helping me. How shall I thank you for this?" She asked looking at the attractive pirate.

Liam shook his head, "Eleanor I do not want anything in return for helping you, I am happy to do this. You deserve to get your sister back. This is the least I can do for you." The brown haired captain stated. The two stood in silence staring out at the horizon.

"Cap'n' you might want to check this out," Creeves called out. Liam turned his head and saw that there was a ship ahead of them. Reaching for his telescope he looked into it.

"Phil," the male growled, the thought of that man caused his hands to tighten around the scope, suddenly an idea hit him. "Eleanor!" he called. The brunette turned and looked at him, he beckoned her over.

"Is this the ship that stole your sister?" he asked handing her scope. He laughed when she looked in it the wrong way, even Creeves chuckled. "Not like that," he grabbed the device and turned it the right way. "That better?" he asked resting his hands on her shoulders.

~

Velora smiled at the curly haired male, "Thank you, and I will help you." the dark haired mermaid had finished her meal. Shakily she got to her feet trying out her new ligaments. It was strange, but it was also slightly painful. After years of having a tail she felt strange wobbling around like a new born gull.

Harold chuckled softly seeing Velora wobbling on her new amazing legs, he moved over to her and placed his hand on her lower back to hopefully stable her. "You right there darlin'?" He asked her already knowing what the answer would be, it's obvious that she wasn't close to being alright on her legs, "Rum could help you feel better. Though it won't help with being steady" He grinned at the beautiful brunette mermaid, "Do you even drink underwater?" He asked not knowing if they needed to drink considering they lived in water.

However if she asked him for rum than he wouldn't refuse to give her some, though he wouldn't let her take enough to get her drunk. Most of the crew drank their fair share of rum and whiskey on board as it helped them all deal with the cruel natural that Phil had.

-

Eleanor blushed as she nodded her head, "Yes thank you" She held the scope the correct way and looked through the device that she's never seen before, she took a good look of the ship but she already knew it was the ship from that morning. "That's the ship" She said frowning as she looked at Liam, "Don't get too close. The captain may not like that" She told him not wanting a fight to start as she could get onto that ship and find her sister.

"Thank you again for helping me" She looked into Liam's dark eyes as she leaned in and kissed his cheek, "Stay back" She told Liam firmly as she stepped over to the side and climbed over the railing, she took the clothes off from her body before she let her body dive into the ocean again. Her purple tail instantly covering her legs as she swam underwater towards the ship, a loud roll of clapping thunder sounded overhead as the sky turned dark. Hopefully it would alert her sister that Eleanor was coming for her.

Liam didn't get to say anything before the brown haired mermaid had kissed his cheek. He was in a state of shock that he didn't notice her climb out onto the railing before diving into the ocean. A loud clap of thunder was what brought him back into reality. Liam ran to the side of the ship and watched as Eleanor sped toward Phil's ship.

"That's not a good idea Cap'n'," Creeves stated as he came up behind the brown haired male. "She's gonna get 'erself killed." A knot formed in the Captains' stomach.

"No she won't we're going to protect her, get as close as you can to that ship. I won't have her getting hauled on board even of that means firing. I don't want that bastard to get his hands on her." Liam stated firmly his eyes darkening at the thought of the old sea man grasping Eleanor.

With this new weather it was easy to get his ship closer to Phil's.

~

"Yes, we drink the blood of our comrades," Velora joked, she couldn't help but laugh at the way Harold's face paled and he gulped loudly. "I'm joking," she clarified watching as he took a deep breath. "but we do drink, however we get our fluids from the things we eat." she stated smiling up at the green haired male who's hand was comfortably placed on the small of her back.

She suddenly heard a loud clap of thunder and the ship began to rock more violently. Velora sensed another mer-person was coming. Dread filled her stomach.

"No! No! No!" she rambled as she struggled out of the cabin she was trying to walk around in. She saw a crowd of men leaning over the side of the ship. Whistling and hollering. Running to the back of the ship she saw who was getting closer.

"Eleanor," a light growl left her lips before she turned to Harold who was now standing behind her. "Thank you for everything you have done... I will be back for you," shooting the curly haired pirate a smile she climbed over to the railing of the ship diving in just as she heard Phil shout. She sped toward her sister. She had to get her out of her before something happened to her. It wasn't long until she was inches from her. "What are you doing?" she cried as the waves slapped against her and the storm raged above her.