Beware the Mermaids Song

Harold knew that Velora would be scared, all she knew about humans were the horrible things that they did to mermaids. It only made sense that she would be terrified of going onto land, he was going to reassure her that he’d be right there beside her. But the captain asked to have a word with him, so he followed Liam aside so they could speak in privacy. “What is it, cap?” He asked looking at his friend, when Liam brought up protecting Velora he already knew it was going to be hard.

Even if he made it be known that Velora was with him, it wouldn’t stop anyone from stealing her if they found out she was a mermaid. “I know, all I can do is protect her the best that I can. Keep anyone from knowing the truth about her,” He spoke glancing over to the beauty that he was clearly falling head over heels for, she had nearly died because she wanted to save him. Protecting her with his life was the only thing he could do once they arrived on land, he wouldn’t need to think twice about keeping her safe and he’d do whatever he needed to.

“Be careful with Eleanor, those two are worth more than we know.” He looked at the captain who would already know that, but Harold wanted to make sure to remind him. Men only killed mermaids to sell the scales, but two young beautiful mermaids would be used for much worse things. It sent a cold shiver down his spine just thinking about that.

---

Eleanor rushed over to her sister, “We’re nearly there. This is going to be amazing, Vel!” She couldn’t stop smiling as the ship got closer to the dock with every second, of course she remembered all the stories that her parents told her about humans. But she was on a ship with the nicest men, none of them had tried to hurt her or Velora so maybe not all humans were horrible beings who just wanted their scales.

Father must have been mistaken when telling her the stories about humans and what they did to mer-people, that is why she was so excited about stepping onto land for the first time. “Aren’t you excited? What’s wrong?” She asked her sister who didn’t seem to be as happy about this as she was, but Velora was quick to smile and brush it off as nerves but Eleanor saw right through her sister.

She saw the fear in her eyes as she looked at the land, clearly the events of getting captured and father’s stories were still fresh in her mind. “Everything will be great, besides you have a handsome pirate drooling over you. He’ll make sure you don’t find trouble,” She gave her sister a cheeky wink which matched her smile perfectly, it was obvious Harold was developing strong feelings for her sister.

Velora smiled when her sister hurried over to her, she saw her excitement and Velora couldn't quite understand how she could be so excited and not at all fear what she was coming into. How the tales her father had told her could not make her fear.

The brunette rolled at her sisters statement about Harold, and it was true, she wasn't blind to emotions and she knew that Harold had feelings for her and she was flattered and there was a swirling of feelings inside her for the male but she wasn't sure what kind they were yet. Yes she had saved his life but that was because he had been kind to her in a place where the men were horrible.

"Eleanor I want you to be extra careful. The men over here are nothing like the men on this ship. They will steal you away in the blink of an eye when they realise what you are. And you are beautiful so it won't just be for your scales. I want you to stay as close to Liam as possible he will protect you."

---

Liam nodded his head, "in that case you need to change your look, you need others to believe that you are a higher ranking on this ship. Come with me." the captain headed toward his cabin where his clothes hung, he was certain he could find something that could make the curly haired male look of higher rank so that he would remain inconspicuous around the docking and people wouldn't question him about Velora.

"Here, put this on," he handed the male over a pair of boots that he could tuck his tatty pants into and a large jacket to hide his stained white shirt as well as a black feathered hat. Once he had handed it over he left the male to get changed as he headed back to the deck to where the two females stood talking.

Harold was very thankful for what Liam was doing for him, in the clothes he wore now it would be crystal clear that he was at the bottom on the pirate chain. But as he changed into the extra pieces of clothing that were being leant to him, he did look slightly more important. Brushing his curls back as much as he possibly could before placing the hat on his head, he didn't look like he could be a captain but he did look much better then before.

Walking out he noticed the sisters were talking so he moved beside Liam, "I can't thank you enough for the clothes." His voice was hushed as Velora hadn't seen him yet. Although it probably wouldn't make much of a difference to her, he couldn't tell what she was feeling... For him, mostly.

---

Eleanor looked to her sister, always so protective just like their father. "I'll be careful and won't leave Liam's side," She spoke to her sister as she still understood the dangers that came with them being on land, she'd need to be extra careful around water as she really didn't want her tail and scales forming.

But she didn't have any reason to leave Liam's side, she may see the good in everyone but she wasn't completely trusting of people she didn't know. She's be wary of everyone that she came across, until she felt that they were worth her trust.

Liam nodded his head, "It is okay, but you have to protect Velora! This men will take her and god knows what they will do to her. So stay close to her," when the curly haired male nodded his head he turned and headed toward the two females that were talking amongst themselves.

"Ladies, not long now and we will be docking. Are you both sure you wish to come ashore, it is not safe."

"We're sure," Velora stated nodding her head her eyes darting over to the Harold who stood next to Liam in his new clothing. The brown eyed captain noticed the way she eyed him, her eyes trailing down from his head to his toes before she retuned her attention to her sister grabbing her hand as the ship came closer to the dock.

---

Velora was surprised to see Harry dressed in new clothes, she automatically assumed they were Liam's as they were too good for the other men to wear on board. She also didn't miss how tight the jacket was around the curly haired males shoulders. He was broader then the Captain and that was obvious. Taking her sisters hand she tried to calm her racing heart as they docked.

Not long now and she would be able to start searching for her brother. A brother she hadn't seen in years.

Harold noticed Velora’s eyes move over his body, she was taking in his new clothes but she didn’t say anything about how he was now dressed. He was only dressed that way for her, to help keep her safe and be his side. He was praying silently that the clothes would be enough to keep the men away from the mermaid, he knew he wasn’t the strongest or the toughest. But if things did turn bad, he wouldn’t think twice about fighting to keep Velora safe and with him.

But he wasn’t even sure how long they would be staying in the sea side town, was her older brother even in this town? He had no idea where her brother was, but he wouldn’t stop until they found the merman.

His eyes moved from the beautiful mermaid as he looked passed the sisters, the dock was right there in front of them now. The ship was beginning to slow down and was being eased closer to the wooden dock, he stood there silently as the crew worked around them to tie the ship to the dock as the anchor was lowered down into the water until it was firmly stuck in the sand.

---

Eleanor held onto her sister’s hand as the ship was moved closer to the dock, she focused herself to stay there until it was safe to get off the ship. She didn’t want to get in the crews way when they were trying to work, but the second that the ship was tied off was as long as she could wait. Letting Velora’s hand go, Eleanor ran over to the wooden ramp and carefully rushed down as she was just so excited to be on land and explore as much as she could. She could hear her sister’s laughter while Liam called out for her to wait for him, she slowed down once she was half way on the dock and turned to watch the Captain catch up with her.

“You’re going to slow,” She teased him as she wanted to see everything, Liam didn’t understand how exciting this way for her. She had never once been on land, this was her first time. The first time her feet had touched wood and grass and pavement stones. The wind on her face and in her hair, the breeze caused goosebumps to prickle her skin as she waited for Liam to make his way over to her.