Elina gasped. Her body shook as she watched, frozen with fear. She wanted to scream but could not. She wanted to act but dared not. When the ship lingered too long, Elina turned and fled, racing home with all her strength. Long ago, beneath the rolling waves of the ocean, there lived a mermaid named Elina.
She was gentle of heart, yet always burdened with watching over her stepbros Ashley and Romeo. Though they were not children anymore, her father had entrusted her with care, for the sea is full of dangers. One quiet day, Elina, Ashley, and Romeo swam farther than they should. “Let’s go a little farther,” Elina said with a softer smile. Don’t worry, you are safe.
I will make sure of that. But Romeo frowned and shook his head. No, Elena. I’m already afraid. Mother warned us not to leave home until she returned. I will find my way back without you, too. Ashley threw back his head and laughed loudly, holding his belly. Run home then, mama’s boy. He jeered between laughs. “Do not call me that.
” Romeo snapped, swimming faster. Ashley wiggled his fingers and teased. “Stop that, both of you,” Elina scolded. But Romeo’s voice cut sharper than the tide. “You are as foolish as Ashley. Mother was right about you. You were supposed to guide us. But your curiosity brought us here. I will tell her everything. With that, he turned and swam away.
Ashley shouted after him, “If you know what is good for you, don’t tell mother.” Elena’s eyes widened. “If Romeo reaches home before us, we are doomed.” Ashley only greed. “No, Elina, you are doomed. She is my mother, not yours. It is you she dislikes, not me. When she hears, it is you who will pay. Elina lowered her gaze.
She knew his words were true. Then we must return now before she arrives. But Ashley waved her off. Number, you may go. I will explore a little longer and come home by night. What? Ashley, no. Elina begged. I don’t want trouble with your mother. You will blame me for this and she will believe you. Ashley turned, smiling slightly.
Just tell them I am fine. Before Elina could reply, a sound rumbled across the waves deep and dreadful. It was the roar of a giant ship, the kind that sometimes cut through the waters, bringing humans. Elina’s heart skipped. She darted behind a rock, whispering Ashley’s name. “Hide! Please hide!” But Ashley stood tall, pride shining in his eyes.
“You worry too much,” he shouted. The ship drew nearer. Humans leaned over the rails, their mouths open wide when they saw him. One of them called out, “Hey, little merman, would you like some candy?” Ashley nodded eagerly. The man tossed sweets, and Ashley caught them with delight. He tore one open and tasted it.
Another human stretched out his hand, smiling. Ashley reached forward and in an instant strong arms pulled him aboard. Elina gasped. Her body shook as she watched, frozen with fear. She wanted to scream but could not. She wanted to act but dared not. When the ship lingered too long, Elina turned and fled, racing home with all her strength.
She prayed to meet her father first and not her stepmother. And by luck, it was her father who greeted her. Through sobs, she told him everything. Together they hurried back to the sea’s edge, but the ship was gone. “Ashley! Ashley!” her father cried, his voice breaking. They searched the waters until their tails grew weary. But Ashley was nowhere.
Tears streamed down her father’s face like a child’s pray. Elina, how could this be? You know how harsh your stepmother is. How shall we explain this to her? Elina bowed her head. I am sorry, father. Truly, I am. Come, he said at last. We must tell the sea soldiers. But just as they turned homeward, a shadow appeared in the distance.
It was Ashley swimming back, holding a strange object in his hand. When they reached him, they saw it clearly. A camera, he called it proudly. Her father snatched it away and locked Ashley inside a room. Yet when her stepmother returned, Ashley lied again. He told her Elina had led him to the humans. That night, Elina was scolded, left without food, and told, “You must arise by dawn to tidy everywhere.
That is your punishment.” And her father said nothing for fear of his wife. Elina wept quietly, not knowing that the worst was yet to come. The next morning, before the sun had touched the waters, Elina rose as her stepmother commanded. Her belly was empty. Yet she began her chores with weary hands. But as she passed by the coral window, her eyes caught something strange.
Ashley and Romeo slipping quietly out to see. this early,” she whispered, heart trembling. She wanted to ask where they were going, but fear of her stepmother sealed her lips, so she watched them vanish into the dark waters. Hours passed. The sea grew brighter, and then Elina saw Ashley swimming back alone. Her heart skipped.
She rushed to him and asked, “Where is Romeo?” Ashley’s eyes darted, but he carried strange new treasures, another camera, and something he called a phone. He held them high, smiling like one who had conquered. “Where is Romeo?” Elina pressed again. Ashley narrowed his eyes. “Why, do you ask? Do you want trouble?” Elina stepped closer, her voice firm.
Ashley, where is he? Ashley sneered, lowering his voice as if to hide a secret. Very well, since you ask, I gave Romeo to the humans in exchange for these. He raised the objects, pride glowing in his face. Elina’s mouth fell open. What? You cannot mean that. Ashley’s screen grew wider. Yes.
And if you dare to tell father, I will tell mother that you were the one who did it. Remember, she already despises you. Elena’s eyes filled with tears. No, I cannot hide this. She turned and swam fast toward her father. But Ashley, sly as a serpent, rushed ahead. When Elina arrived, she found Ashley already speaking with his mother.
“There she is,” Ashley cried, pointing at Elina. She gave Romeo to the humans. “Look,” she even asked me to keep the gifts they gave her. He held up the phone and camera. Elina shook her head in horror. No, that is not true. Father, listen to me. But her stepmother’s voice cut sharp like a blade. Enough.
You will bring Romeo back within 7 days, or you will never return here again. Her father looked down, lips trembling, but he dared not speak. Elina wept bitterly. No one believed her. Banished, she swam into the endless sea. Her tail grew weary, her body cold, her stomach empty. Yet she pressed on for the love of Romeo. Days passed. At last she reached the shore of the human world.
There she saw smoke curling from a small fire. A man knelt, roasting a fish, while a younger man, his son, sat close by. Elena’s heart pounded. She crept forward, hoping for food. But the man’s eyes caught her. His mouth dropped open. “A mermaid!” he shouted. Leaping to his feet, he grabbed a stick while his son trembled behind him.
No, please wait. Elina begged. I will not harm you. I am only hungry. The older man’s eyes narrowed. Slowly, he lowered the stick. A mermaid, he muttered. A living treasure. He forced a smile and said, “Come closer. rest here. We will help you. But that night, while Elina slept, she awoke to the rattle of iron chains.
Her arms and tail were bound, her mouth gagged. She tried to cry out, but her voice was trapped from outside. She heard the man’s voice, “Tomorrow we shall sell her. We will be rich.” Laughter followed, loud and cruel. Elina fell to the ground, tears streaming. She prayed for a miracle, for she was powerless. And then footsteps, soft, careful, drawing near.
A figure appeared, finger pressed to his lips. It was the younger man. The son. “Shh,” he whispered. He knelt beside her and whispered again, “I am Smith, and I am here to save you.” Smith’s hands trembled as he slipped a small key into the lock. The chains rattled softly, then fell away. Elina gasped with relief as the gag was pulled from her mouth.
“Quiet,” Smith whispered. “If they hear us, all will be lost. Follow me step by step. He let her out of the tent, turning his head often to make sure no one stirred. The night was still, and the waves shimmerred faintly under the moonlight. Elena’s heart pounded, but just as they reached the wat’s age, a harsh cry rang out. The mermaid, she is escaping.
Torches flared. Men rushed forward with nets and ropes. “Go!” Smith cried, pushing Elina toward the water. She shook her head. “No, I cannot leave you.” Arrows whistled through the air. One struck Smith’s arm, and he stumbled with a cry. Without thinking, Elina wrapped her arms around him and pulled him beneath the waves.
Together, they dove deep into the sea, the water muffling the shouts from above. Elina swam hard until the voices faded. Only then did she stop, breathless from the effort. Smith clutched his wounded arm, his face pale. “Forgive me,” he whispered. I have slowed you down. No, Elina said firmly. You saved me.
She tore a strip from his clothing and tied it gently around his arm. Smith winced, then looked into her eyes. Elina, I must tell you something. I know where your brother is. Her breath caught. You You know? He nodded. “Yes, some humans keep muroke in glass prisons. Wealthy men buy them and display them for others to see.
I once saw such a place. If your brother was given away, he may be there.” Elina’s heart pounded like a drum. “Then Romeo, he might still be alive.” “Yes,” Smith said. And if he is, we must be quick. Elena’s eyes filled with both fear and hope. Please, Smith, take me there. So together they swam, cutting through the dark waters.
Smith was slow from his wound, but he pressed on with courage. Elina taught him songs of the sea to ease his pain, and in return he told her of the human world, the ships, the cities, and the greed of men. Hours passed, and at last the sea grew brighter. On the horizon rose tall buildings, shining like towers against the sky.
The shore was loud with voices and laughter. Smith pointed. We have reached the land of the wealthy. Elena’s eyes widened. She had never seen such a place. And then, carried by the wind, they heard the sound of children cheering. Their laughter rang sharp, their voices mocking. Smith’s face grew dark. They are playing with something or someone.
Let me look first. He crept away and returned a moment later, his face pale. Elena, he whispered. I fear it is your brother. Her heart leapt. What? Where is he? Smith grabbed her hand. Wait, if you rush forward, they will catch you, too. Let me show you. He led her to the edge of a great square, and there Elina’s eyes fell upon the sight that froze her blood.
Romeo trapped in a shining glass tank, weak and helpless. While people laughed and pointed at him as if he were a toy. Elena’s cry caught in her throat. Tears filled her eyes. “Romeo!” Smith held her back. Be calm. We will save him. But we must be clever. Elina turned to him, her voice shaking. How, Smith? How can we free him? Smith raised the bow he still carried.
His eyes burned with resolve. Watch me. Smith drew his bow and pulled the string tight. The arrow whistled through the air and struck the glass with a sharp crack. A line spread across the surface like lightning. The people nearby gasped. Their laughter turned to screams as they scattered in fright. “Again,” Elina urged, her eyes fixed on her brother.
Smith released another arrow, then rushed forward with all his strength. He struck the glass with his hand and at last it shattered. Romeo spilled out weak and trembling. He lifted his head and when his eyes found Elina, he cried her name. “Romeo!” Elina sobbed, rushing forward. Smith helped him up and placed him gently into her arms.
“Take him,” Smith said firmly. Go into the sea quickly. But Elina shook her head, tears streaming. No, not without you. You saved me. I will not leave you behind. Heavy footsteps pounded closer. Angry voices rose from every side. The wealthy men were rushing forward with weapons. Smith turned. His face said, “Elina, go now. Protect your brother. No, she begged.
Come with us. But arrows flew again. One struck Smith in the chest and he staggered. Another hit his side and he fell to his knees. His bow dropped from his hand. “Smith?” Elena cried out, clutching Romeo close. Smith turned his head toward her one last time. His lips moved as though he wished to speak, but before he could, his body was pushed by the force of the strike into the waves.
Elena’s heart shattered. She wanted to dive after him, but Romeo clung to her, weakly, whispering her name. The men charged closer, their voices fierce. With a sobop, Elina wrapped her arms around Romeo and dove into the water. The ocean closed above them, carrying them deep away from danger. Elina swam fast, her tears mixing with the sea.
But no matter how far she fled, the memory of Smith falling into the waves burned in her mind. Elina and Romeo swam in silence. the sea heavy with sorrow. Neither spoke, for their hearts were full of grief. The memory of Smith, his kindness, his courage follow them like a shadow. At last, after many hours, the lights of their ocean home appeared.
Other murk spotted them from afar and rushed forward with songs of joy. Elina has returned. Romeo is alive, they cried, lifting Romeo high in celebration. But Elina did not join their cheer. She swam past them with quiet eyes, for her heart was heavy with loss. Soon the summons came. The king of the sea called for Elina, her father, her stepmother, and Ashley.
The great hall glittered with shells and pears, but the king’s voice was stern. Tell me the truth, the king commanded. How did this come to pass? Elena bowed and towed her tail the ship, the humans, the chains, and of Smith, the human who had saved her life. But before she could finish, Ashley burst out with lies.
“She’s the guilty one!” he shouted, raising the strange human objects. She gave Romeo away and kept these gifts. Elina’s tears spilled. No, that is not true. But Romeo lifted his voice. His eyes blazed as he pointed at Ashley. It was him. Ashley led me to the humans. He traded me for those things. Elina risked everything to bring me home. The hall grew silent.
All turned to Ashley, who could not hide behind his words. The king’s face darkened. His voice thundered like the storm. Ashley, for your lies and your greed, you and your mother are banished from these waters. Leave and never return. Ashley and his mother cried out, but the guards drove them away. Their figures faded into the dark sea, and none ever saw them again.
Then the king turned to Elina, his tone softened. “For your courage, I give you these pearls and this diamond.” But Elina bowed her head. The jewels did not comfort her, for in her heart she treasured something far greater, the memory of Smith, the human who gave his life so Romeo might live.
And so each year, when the tide returned on that same moonlit night, Elina fasted and prayed. She whispered Smith’s name into the current that his kindness might never be forgotten. Thus the tale was towed and retoed beneath the sea. That greed brings ruin, that lies cannot stand against truth. And that sacrifice for love shines brighter than pose. The end.
