Beware the Mermaids Song

Harold had to hold onto the railing tightly as the storm was starting to rock the ship, he watched Velora swim towards her sister once her legs disappeared and her beautiful tail returned. He wanted to do something to help them both get away from Phil, who had just seen Eleanor. "Rope! Capture them both!" Phil shouted to his crew who ran off to find a rope long enough, he felt sick and disgusted that he was surrounded by these type of men.

He was pushed aside as the crew moved to the back of the ship, even if he called out to Velora she wouldn't hear him over the loud storm which came out of no where. He remembered that Velora said her sister had mastered controlling the weather, he tried to wave his arms to capture one of the mermaids attention but it wasn't working.

"No!" He cried out in dread when the crew threw the rope with all their might, the other half of the crew was hooking on the net that had caught Velora in the first place.

-

"I'm here to save you, Velora. Let's go" Eleanor looked at her sister knowing that couldn't just stay there and talk, she grabbed her sister's arm and tried pulling her away. "Come on! What are you doing?" She looked at her beautiful sister, it was obvious there was something going on in her mind as it showed through her dark eyes. She looked back noticing Liam's ship was coming closer to the other ship, she had been distracted and didn't see the rope coming her way.

She was pushed under the water from the force of the rope wrapping around her shoulders, panic filled her body as she was pulled roughly towards the ship. She screamed when she surfaced the water, "Velora!" She cried out as she struggled which only caused the rope to tighten around her, cheering hit her ears from the disgusting men on board.

She stopped struggling and narrowed her eyes, she focused on herself and watched as a lightening bolt came down from the dark sky and hit the railing in front of the men. She started swimming back to her sister when the rope was dropped from the shock of the lightening.

Velora couldn't help the scream that left her lips as she watched her sister being hauled onto the ship. "Eleanor!" she screamed speeding toward her. However her movements stopped when she watched a streak of lightening hit the deck of the boat and the rope that had been wound around her body fell. Quickly she sped toward her sister gripping her tightly. "Let's get out of here." the two locked eyes before spinning and getting away from the ship as fast as their tales would carry them.

"Eleanor!" Velora stopped her movements when she heard a males voice call out her sisters name. Looking up she was inches from the side of a boat. Leaning over the side was a man, no older then twenty three, he held out a rope. The sounds of screams and yells alerted Velora and she turned her head a gasp left her lips when she saw Phil's ship was sinking, the wooden vessel was consumed with flames. Men were diving overboard everywhere, their tattered clothes alight.

"I..." Velora turned to her sister but saw she was already being hauled onto the deck of the captains deck. With that she dived under the waves staying under as she swam closer to sinking vessel. she scanned through the water looking for one person, the one pirate that had shown her kindness.

Velora looked everywhere worry gripping her when she couldn't find him, quickly she hurried to the surface looking up at the flames. She saw him, he was coughing harshly as his lungs filled with smoke his skin covered with cuts and burns.

"HAROLD!" she yelled. When he looked at her she called again. "JUMP! I CAN GET YOU AWAY FROM HERE!" she watched as his green eyes tried to focus on her. A smile struggled across his face before he fell in the water quickly Velora jumped under the water and grabbed his descending body. Bringing him to the surface she sped toward the boat her sister had been hauled onto.

"ELEANOR!" she screamed loudly. When her sister appeared over the side she nearly burst into tears. "GIVE ME THE ROPE!" she watched as Eleanor hurried around the deck before a long rope was thrown over the side, Quickly the mermaid tied it around the now unconscious pirate before gripping it tightly. "PULL!" when the rope began to ascend and her tail left the water her tail melted away revealing a smooth pair of human legs. Once hauled on deck she ripped the rope off of Harold and looked over him.

He was hurt, severely.

"There's no use. He's not going to make it. " Velora looked up meeting a pair of dark brown eyes.



Liam hauled the mermaid on the deck when he saw the male that was sprawled out on the deck of his ship his insides turned. The male was no older than twenty, dark curls that were singed from the flames that had engulfed the ship. His skin was covered with vicious cuts and burns that were unable to be treated. red and weeping.

"There's no use, he's not going to make it." he stated, when the dark haired mermaid looked up at him he was startled at the look on her face. It was a cross between determination and anger. It was as if she was angry at his lack of knowledge of a mermaid and their abilities. He watched as she gripped the young males shirt ripping it open to expose a chest covered in burns. She began muttering words Liam couldn't understand her eyes drifting closed as her hands pressed against his chest. He watched intrigued as she began to glow, a faint blue glow encasing her body. He listened looking up when her voice cracked he saw that tears were streaming from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks and onto the males chest.

A startled gasp left Liam's lips as he watched the weeping burns slowly disappear, his chest returning to his dark sun-kissed tone. He watched on astounded as the burns and cuts began to disappear and the males breathing returned to normal. A strangled yelp left the Pirates lips as his eyes flung open. His irises silver before fading back to their natural green colour.

A thud resounded in his ears before a loud scream. Looking he saw the dark haired mermaid had fallen to the deck silver streaking her cheeks.

"What... What's happened to her?" he asked as Eleanor held her close trying to wake her.

[Okay, I got carried away... oops]

Eleanor watched her sister's actions only having heard about the power each of the mer-folk had for healing, she had never seen it until now and she couldn't look away. She was holding a coat in her hands that she was suppose to wrap around Velora's naked body, but her feet weren't moving as she stood there beside Liam. Her hair soaking wet and his coat covering her own body, she watched as the young pirates body healed and a wash of guilt flowed her senses. She had only been trying to get away from the pirates that were pulling her closer to the ship, she hadn't meant to start a fire and hurt people.

A scream escaped her lips as she ran over to her older sister, "Velora?" She said in panic as she lifted her unconscious sister into her arms, the coat covered Velora's body as Eleanor wiped the silver tears gently from her cheeks with shaky hands.

"Our tears can heal injuries" Eleanor spoke just barely loud enough for Liam to hear her, "She put herself at risk. His wounds took more out of her, she's in shock" She gently brushed the curled dark hair from Velora's beautiful face, it would now just take some time for her to wake but that didn't make Eleanor worry any less.

"I never meant to hurt anyone, the rope was so tight and I was angry" She turned her head to the side so her own brown eyes could gaze into his, she never wanted this to happen.

-

Harold laid there on the wooden deck as he slowly realised what had happened, why he wasn't in pain was beyond him. When the fire started he was the only one who had jumped into action, though he didn't have much to put the fire out which in turn caused the fire to spread. He had tried his hardest to save the ship but he wasn't getting anywhere, apart from being shoved aside and burnt.

When Velora told him to jump into the sea, he did without thinking though as soon as he hit the water he wasn't sure if she'd be able to save him or not. Now waking up on a ship that obviously wasn't his, he knew that the mermaid had somehow saved his life and he wanted to thank her.

"Velora? What's wrong with her?" Harold asked seeing the mermaid unconscious and in the arms of who he assumed was her sister, he slowly pushed himself up onto his knees ignoring the lightheaded feeling that washed over him for a few short seconds. Worry filled his body as she wasn't waking, looking around he spotted who looked to be the captain of the ship. "Do you have somewhere she can lay and rest?" He asked wanting to get Velora somewhere private where she could wake up when her body was ready.

"She's like this because of you" The other brunette mermaid snapped at him though he didn't blame her, she was right. If Velora had just left him then she would be fine right now, seeing that the mermaid stopped glaring at him once the captain rested his hand on her back. Harry stood up with them both as the dark haired male lifted Velora's body up into his arms, he followed behind them closely as they took her into a cabin below deck.

Velora put everything into bringing this pirate back from the brink of death. She would not let him die. Not when she was going to return him to his mother and sister. She owed him something, even though he had said he didn't want to go back to his parents she was going to do something.

As she muttered the ancient incantation she felt her body grow weaker as her tears fell. She swayed slightly becoming light headed. When she heard the Captain gasp she knew it was working, she continued. There was a yelp of surprise, she felt Harolds' chest move underneath her hands before everything went black.



Liam carried Velora to the cabin underneath the ship laying her in one of the hammocks, stepping back he looked at her. She was pale and dark rings circled her eyes.

"I will come back later, I have to check on the crew," with that he turned and left Eleanor and the young pirate to watch the resting mermaid.

As he walked onto the deck Creeves hurried up to him, "What happened Cap'n'. What was that blue light?"

"I-I don't... mer-folk magic, that boy he was as good as dead and she bought him back. She cured him all his burns and cuts everything... He is alive Creeves." Liam rambled as he thought about everything that had just happened. It was in those moments that he realized just how special mer-folk were and why humans payed generously for them.

"We have to protect these two Creeves."

The pirate nodded his head, "of course Cap'n'."

Eleanor wasn't positive but she was pretty sure that she could trust the curly haired pirate, if Velora wanted to save him and nearly killed herself in the process than he hadn't be one of the good pirates.

But she still had her guard up around this stranger that her sister seemed to trust, she pushed a wooden stool over to the pirate knowing he wouldn't regain his complete strength instantly. She stood beside the hammock and held Velora's hand in her own as she watched her beautiful sister.

She hadn't even noticed how her emotions were affecting the weather, the sky turned dark with clouds that looked ready to pour down cold rain. She inhaled deeply to calm her emotions as she didn't want to put the crew through a storm when they had taken care of her.

She looked over at the pirate when he spoke to her, "My name is Harold. I made sure that Velora didn't get hurt or bother'd" Harold explained to the second mermaid that he has seen in his life, it was obvious that she wasn't going to be as friendly with him as her sister was which he didn't blame her for.

"I never meant for this to happen, be angry at me if you will but I like your sister" He watched as Eleanor's eyes narrowed slightly at him and he struggled to swallow the lump in his throat, he shifted lightly on the stool and cleared his throat.

"I ain't like other pirates and Velora knows that, we spoke lots and got to know each other" He told her with all the braveness that he felt, which wasn't much right now being around this mermaid who was clearly protective of her sister.

"You hurt her, I'll make your life hell" Eleanor warned him as she pressed a light kiss to Velora's forehead, she had to force her feet to carry her away from her sister. She had a feeling that Velora would be safe with Harold, so she made her way onto the deck and noticed how dark the sky was. She took more deep, slow breaths which turned the sky back to the light blue that it was before.

Liam stood at the helm of the ship watching as his crew mulled around the deck of the ship. They were all still talking about the mermaid that had pulled aboard. Each recollecting the small glimpse they had caught of her. Some even talked about the blue glow that encircled her as she muttered an incantation.

Liam was still trying to get his thoughts together and figure out what had just happened. How Eleanor's sister had been able to bring that young pirate back from death.

As he stood at the wheel thinking things over he saw Eleanor walk out onto the deck. She seemed to be trying to calm herself down. As she got closer to the wheel he spoke.

"She will wake up Eleanor," he stated even though he was unsure of his words.

Eleanor looked at Liam and gave her head a light nod at his words, though his words didn't encourage her. "She's not waking fast enough" She told him knowing that Velora wouldn't just instantly wake up, her body and mind needed to heal before she woke but Eleanor didn't like waiting.

She had overheard the crew muttering about what they had just seen, she'd be doing the exact same if she had witnessed a person bring brought back to life after he should have died. Not many humans fully understood the true power that mer-folk could possess.

"I'm sorry about causing this to happen on your ship" She looked at the attractive pirate.

-

Harold moved the stool closer to the hammock that Velora was laying on, he stayed silent for the most part. He just guessed that she'd need time before she woke up, "Your sister doesn't like me. I don't blame her, I caused this to happen to you. I don't know what you did to save me, but you shouldn't have pushed yourself this much" He told her not knowing if she could hear him or not.

"I would have understood and accepted if you didn't save me, I'm just a pirate after all" He spoke softly to the sleeping mermaid, "When you wake. I am going to make it up to you, Velora. You can refuse all you like, I don't tend to always listen" He warned her in a friendly way.

He gently took her small hand into his own, "I like you more than I should" He whispered his thumb lightly rubbing the soft skin of the back of her hand.

Liam shook his head when the mermaid tried to apologize, "No, Eleanor you don't need to apologize, you were worried for your sister and angry. The crew understand." He knew that they didn't but he decided to humor her. Liam could only image how exhausted the mermaid must be, calling Mr Watts back to the wheel of the ship he stepped away and walked over to the brown haired mermaid.

"Come on you must be exhausted," slowly he lead her back to his quarters. He knew she wouldn't be comfortable down with Harold and her sister so he decided her best place to have a rest was in his quarters.

Opening the doors he walked over to his hammock that hung in the far corner of his section of the ship. "It's not much but it's the best I can do." The golden light of the evening sun filtered through his sea encrusted windows creating a halo like effect around Eleanor.

"You are beautiful,"the words tumbled from his lips before he could stop them.

Eleanor gave a light nod before she followed Liam to his captain quarters, she looked around the room and it wasn't much but she wasn't expecting the room to be amazing. "It's great" She assured him as all she'd need was somewhere to sleep.

A pink tinted blush settled on her cheeks as she looked at him, the sun warmed her as it shone on her through the windows. "Thank you" She said sweetly as she stepped closer to him, she pressed her warm lips to his cheek leaving a kiss there.

"I hope there are more pirates out there that are just like you" She spoke softly as she gazed into his rich dark brown eyes, eyes that could make her mind go blank.

She should be with Velora to make sure she was getting better, but as she stood there with Liam that's the only place that she wanted to be and deep down she knew that Harold would take of her. She wanted to kiss him and know what it felt like to have him hold her tightly in his arms.

Liam nodded his head a warm blush spreading across his cheeks like wild fire, the gentleness of her lips on his cheek stirred feelings inside him he hadn't felt for many years now. "I can't make any promises ma'am," he stated truthfully not sure if there were any other friendly pirates like himself. "Well I shall leave and let you retire for the night... Good night Velora," he bowed gently before turning and leaving the quarters.

"Cap'n'" it was Creeves who spoke as he appeared next to the brown haired Captain, "Are you a'right? yar cheeks are red."

"I'm fine Creeves," the male pirate stated a smile spreading across his face at the memory of the mermaids lips pressed against his skin. A warmness spread through his body.

[If you would like you can move onto the next day... ]

(Yes, I'll move onto the next day)

Harold had spent some time talking with the Captain on this ship, he wanted to give the sisters some time alone. Once he saw Eleanor step out of the cabin, he grabbed a bowl of stew and brought it to Velora as he hoped she would wake shortly. He sat back down on the wooden stool and continued to watch the mermaid, all he wanted to do was thank her. He wasn't sure how he'd do that yet, but he'd work it out as she had saved his life but in turn put her own life in danger.

She was only there because she wanted to find her brother, he wanted to tell her sister that whenever she glared at him. But he didn't and he didn't blame Eleanor, he'd be angry if someone hurt his sister or was the cause of his sister getting hurt.

---

Eleanor walked across the deck and stood by the railing, she stared out at nothing. She knew there was something she didn't know, Harold sometimes had this look on his face. Like he knew something important that she didn't know, a soft sigh escape past her lips as she heard footsteps behind her. She looked over her shoulder only to see Liam, a smile instantly forming across her lips as she was always happy to see him.

"Once Velora is healed, we'll get out off your hair" She told him even though she didn't want to leave, she wanted to stay on the ship and get to know Liam more. She wanted to be around him, he made her feel safe and wanted. Something that she always wanted, sure she could date another mermaid but she hadn't been interested in anyone she has seen yet until her eyes landed on the Captain.

[Okie dokie ]

Liam woke from his sleep, stepping out onto the deck of his ship the cool sea breeze woke him up quickly, his senses becoming alive when the salty air filled his lungs. Stretching his body he looked around the rather desolate deck. His dark eyes fell on the dark haired mermaid who was standing over near the railing.

Smiling he walked over to her, his boots tapping on the wooden surface, when she turned to look at him a wide smile broke across her face lighting up her dark eyes. A chuckle left the males lips, "There is no rush. You and your sister as welcome to stay as long as you like."

---

Velora was slowly stirred from the darkness, slowly her senses returned to her, she could feel the roughness of the hammock she lay on, her head throbbed slightly and her throat was as dry as sandpaper. Slowly she opened her eyes, beams of sunlight filtered through the small window on the side of the ship.

Sitting up she took her time afraid that if she moved too quickly she would pass out again. Groaning she grabbed her head and cursed quietly. The dark haired mermaid hadn't noticed the curly haired pirate that sat beside her.

Harry instantly stood up when he noticed Velora had woken up, "I didn't think mermaids were allowed to curse" He grinned as he gently touched her arm, he grabbed a cup of water and offered it to her. "Here, have a drink darlin'" He suggested holding the cup in his hand, in case she wasn't strong enough yet. "Take it easy or you're sister will kill me," He told her lightly even though he knew it was true.

He helped her take a few small sips of the water so her throat wasn't so dry, "How do you feel? It was very stupid of you, Velora. You could have killed yourself, I never would want you to be hurt or in harms way" He told her more firmly as she needed to know how stupid she had been, he didn't care about him. He just wanted her to be safe, she risked her life when she saved him and that wasn't okay with him.

---

Eleanor smiled at the Captain of the ship, "Thank you but I don't want us to take up room or be a burden" She looked at him, she couldn't stop herself from smiling when Liam was around. "Where are you heading today? Any plans?" She asked him as she wondered what pirates actually did on a day to day basis, being stuck on a ship for months on end didn't sound like fun to her.

Although she was used to swimming wherever she wanted and whenever she wanted, she tucked some of her hair back behind her ear.

Liam shook is his head, "it is no trouble. You most certainly are not a burden, it is nice to have the company of a woman on board." he admitted before clearing his throat awkwardly. Looking out at the horizon he shook his head, "Not really, but we have to make port soon, our food supplies are almost gone and the men are getting restless." it was true they had no food, all that was left were scraps and fermenting fruit, the rum was almost all gone and the men were desperate for the company of a woman. Even if it is only for one night.

---

Verlora was caught by surprise by the sound of Harry's voice, looking at him she tried to smile even though her head throbbed and her lips were dry. Accepting the glass she drank from it hungrily.

"All mermaid curse, where do you think Sailors learnt," she joked playfully. A light giggle leaving her lips which instantly turned into a groan due to her throbbing head. Slowly she swung herself out of the hammock, she needed to see Eleanor and make sure she was alright. Velora was certain that she had scared her sister with her act. She needed to explain why she had risked her life to save the young pirate.

Harry set the now empty glass aside, "Be careful" He stayed close incase the mermaid needed to get her balance, it was obvious what Velora wanted. "She's up on the deck" He told her before wrapping an arm around her waist, he held her through the ship and up the steps. He looked around until his green eyes landed on the other mermaid, letting Velora go so she could spend some time with her sister.

He suddenly wished that Velora wasn't a mermaid, he didn't want to risk having her save someone like that again. This time could have very well killed her, he truly liked her and wanted to protect her with his life. He never wanted her in danger ever again, but she was stubborn and could handle herself. That was obvious.

---

Eleanor looked at Liam as a wide smile appeared on her face, "Can I go onto land with you? Oh thank you," She smiled at him before he could even answer her question, she leaned in closer and pressed her lips to his scruffy cheek for a light kiss. "I promise not to get into trouble... I'll try my hardest, at least" She looked at him before movement caught her attention, a small squeal sounded from her when she saw Velora.

She ran over to her sister and threw her arms around her, she clung onto her sister tightly. "You scared me to death, what were you thinking? You could have died, Velora. Died and I wouldn't be able to bring you back" She frowned at her sister.

Liam didn't have a chance to reply to the question before Eleanor had thanked him. He wanted to object, he wanted to say no afraid of what could happen to her if she set foot on land but she had pressed her lips to his cheek and all he could do was stammer for the words he needed. Within seconds she was away from him flinging her arms around her sister who was now awake and slowly moving around.

---

Velora smiled at Harry as he helped her though the ship navigating her towards the deck, she had only taken a few steps into the sun before she felt a pair of arms wound tightly around her as Eleanor was speaking. Slowly she pulled away from her sister she saw the frown that was set across her face.

"I had to Eleanor. He saved me, he was the reason I wasn't hurt on that ship. He watched out for me. I had to watch out for him. I couldn't ket him die on that ship, he deserved better." The dark haired mermaid explained to her sister.

Harold stepped over to Liam and looked at him, "If you need another man on deck. I will be honored to call you Captain," He told him knowing that Velora would still want to find her brother, which meant they needed a ship to use to track down wherever her brother was.

"I'm a hard worker and I will pull my weight," He spoke as he also needed a ship to be apart of, even if Velora decided to take her sister home. He needed to continue on and Liam seemed like a great person, a great Captain to work under.

---

Eleanor looked at her sister and nodded slowly, "I know that but you still could have died. What would I have told Mum and Dad then? That you died saving a pirate? Dad wouldn't stop until he found Harold," She told her sister as they both knew that their father would have wanted his revenge on who took his daughter away from him.

"When your feeling stronger, we need to go home. Our parents need to see us and know that we're safe," She told Velora as she had no idea that her sister had other plans.

Velora looked at her sister. As much as she didn't want to tell her sisters her plans she didn't think there was any other way. Velora needed to stay on this ship she needed to get ashore. She needed to see if her brother was anywhere to be found and she was going to do that. The older mermaid tried to think up something to tell her sister to make her stay on board. All she could think included the captain.

"We can't..." she began. Velora had no idea where she was going with this she had to be quick otherwise Eleanor would become suspicious. "I promise Harold I would help him be re-united with his mother and sister." it was the truth, and it was a truth that may help her get on land.

---

Liam looked at the curly haired male, he wasn't much from his tattered clothing but the Captain had a feeling that there was more to him then meets the eye. Especially if a mermaid had risked her life to save him.

"Very well then," he nodded his head, "Welcome aboard... properly," he smiled clapping his hand down on Harold's shoulder. Creeves here will introduce you to the crew. The brown haired male watched as his left hand man walked up to the young pirate.

"Thank you, sir" Harold gave the Captain a smile before he walked off with Creeves, he was introduced to the crew that he was hopefully going to be serving beside for a long time. He however didn't know that Velora was using him to stay on the ship, he didn't mind because he knew how much the mermaid wanted to keep the truth from her sister. He wasn't about to get in the middle of two sisters.

He thanked Creeves and asked for a job to do, the left hand man tried to tell Harold that he could still have a day of rest to make sure he was feeling better. Although Harold assured him that he had rested enough, he felt better than he had before he met Velora. He smiled when Creeves gave him a job of washed the decks, which he was more than happy to do.

---

Eleanor listened to her sister and thought about her reason for wanting to stay on the ship, "You must really like him then. A mermaid and human," She gave her older sister a cheeky smile as she tinted at Velora and Harold being together, although she wasn't going to tell Velora how she felt about the Captain of the ship. Her sister would say something similar to her if she did know, Eleanor couldn't stop herself from developing feelings for Liam.

"I'll help you two then, the more people helping the quicker he can find his family" She smiled as she thought it was the best thing to do, she gave her head a small nod as that plan settled in her mind and it wasn't going to move now.

Velora smiled at her sister, she knew that Eleanor would help with all that she could. The dark haired mermaid hated lying to her sister but she needed to keep her out of dangers way and if that meant making her believe that she was helping Harold then that was what she was going to do. She rolled her eyes at the comment she made about the male pirate gently shoving her sister a giggle falling from her lips.

"Don't think I have missed the way you look at the Captain over there, I am not blind and it is blatantly obvious your feelings for him." she stated watching as her sisters eyes darted over to the Captain.