LEGEND OF THE MER (24 page)

“Yes, I believe we are, though neither of us have said it
.
”
Tarra smiled.

“Sometimes you don’t have to, it’s obvious to everyone,”
giggl
ed Lana.

“I suppose that Titus has accepted the fact that I may wish to join in union with a human.”

“Yeah, I think he’s accepted it, if that’s what you wish to do.  It won’t be easy for either of you, but love has a way of making up for the difficult.”

Tarra stretched out her arms above her head as she laid back and sighed, “I cannot help it Lana, he is s
o wonderful.  He is kind, brave
and strong, he makes me laugh...”

“Okay, I get it, you love him,” laughed Lana out loud.

“Yes, I do.  I never thought that I could love anyone else again, but it has happened
.
”

“I hate to be the one to tell you this, but he’ll never be as strong as you.  It might be har
d for him to accept that.  He’
ll also have to journey by boat when we travel back to the
Atlantic
.”

“I know that we can work it out, you and Titus have, and I know that your father and your mother had a deep love and they were so happy.  I know that he will not live as long as I, but at least we will have a time to love and raise our children together
.
”

“Yeah, but even that’
ll be difficult for your children as merwalkers.  Just do me a favor and keep them in the ocean if you can.  I know you said that some merwalkers don’t have gills, so that may be another thing you have to think about.”

“I really have thought about it all Lana and am willing to make those sacrifices for Micah if he is willing to make them for me.”

“Then all I can say is, may you two be as happy and blessed as Titus and I
.
”
Lana hugged Tarra.

When the men and mermen returned, Lana jumped into the water to go for a swim with Titus.  She knew that Tarra needed this time with Micah.

Makoa talked with Levu as he slowly drove his boat around the island, also giving Micah time to be alone with Tarra.

“Did you miss me?” Micah asked Tarra.

“Yes, I missed you very much
.
”
S
he smiled and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him tenderly.

“I have missed you also.  I miss you each time you go from me.  Tell me Tarra, why do the mer like Titus have white hair and the mer like Makoa have black hair?”

“Because long ago;
my people joined with island natives much like your own.  They were a happy people and they lived the sacred ways as we do.  The Chief’s son fell in love with a mermaid and the union was allowed by King Titan.  We mer and the islanders have lived centuries in peace, because the descendants of the natives have become the guardians of the mer.  Princess Lana’s father is the last guardian of that line.”

“Where is this island you speak of?”

“It is in the
North Atlantic Ocean
and that is where the other mer city of
Torbist
is.”

Micah seemed deep in thought, “Will
you be going there soon?” he
asked sadly.

“No, we have had some trouble there and the guardian asked that we
not return until the third winter, that is two more winte
rs,” said Tarra as she saw Micah’s face brighten.

“That is very good, that is wonderful!” Micah made the sign with both his hands palms outward on either side of his face moving them up and forward several times.

“Yes, that is wonderful,” she laughed at him.

“But, what is this trouble you speak of?”

“There are other mer who do not live as we do, they hunt and kill humans.  They even came and tried to take Princess Lana.  Their head guard was killed by Makoa.  That one’s brother Damon, has promised to take
her one day,” she said seriously
.

“Now I know why Prince Titus does not trust easily
.
”

“Yes, it is hard for him to trust; he is the head of our guard and is responsible for keeping the entire pod safe.”

“Then I am honored that he has allowed me to get to know you.”

“He knows that you are a good man
.
”
S
he smiled.

“I would fight this Damon to protect you Tarra, I would do anything to protect you,” he said with conviction.

Tarra put her hand along Micah’s cheek and looked up into his eyes and softly said, “I bel
ieve that you would.”  And then
she kissed him.

“I know that I have never spoken the words, but I love you Princess Tarra,” he said softly with such emotion.

“I have not spoken the words either, but I love you also Micah,” she said with tears filling her eyes.  She allowed him to wrap his arms around her and hold her against his chest.  She laid there listening to the sound of his heartbeat.

“I do not know if your brother or your King would allow it, but I wish to join in union with you Princess Tarra.  I am the son of an island Chief, the oldest, and my people have long respected the mer in our village.  We too honor the sacred ways of our God. 
I believe that we worship the
same God, though we call Him by
different names. 
I know that I am only a man, but do you think that you could ever marry me?” Micah asked softly hoping she would want the same.

Tarra slowly raised her head to look into his eyes, hers were streaming with tears and she could barely speak for the emotion she was feeling at that moment, “Yes Micah, I would love to be your mate.  I pray that my brother and my King will allow our union,” she said as she kissed him deeply.

Princess Tarra, with the help of Princess Lana, told all that had been spoken of between her and Micah to Prince Titus.  He was not surprised, but knew that it would still be a difficult decision for King Titan to make.  Titus took Princess Tarra’s request before the King.

“I have not been blind to the situation, I have allowed her to continue meeting with him because I know how sad she has been since th
e loss of her intended
Kitchi
.  However, I cannot ignore the danger that such a union might bring to t
he pod,” King Titan
said
serious
ly.

“I can only tell you that I trust him and have come to know some of his people and they are kind and respect the mer.  I have only just been told that he is the Chief’s oldest son.  I cannot help but see that perhaps history is repeating itself,” said Titus in Micah’s defense.

“It may be so, I wish to meet w
ith him myself,” said the King
.

“I shall arrange a meeting at
Mer
Island
tomorrow,” said Titus as he gave a bow of his head and swam from the Hall.

~~~

Titus had sent word to Micah the night before and he was early for the appointed time at the island.  He could not believe that he was going to meet the King of the mer, Titan himself.  Since he was a young boy, he had heard of him and how powerful he was.  Needless to say, he was a little fearful, but he knew it was worth it to win the Princess Tarra for his bride.

Titus and Makoa surfaced first and then King Titan joined them in between.  Micah was still surprised by the size of him, he was the largest man he had ever seen half out of the water.  His eyes were filled with age and wisdom and it made Micah realize what an honor it was that he had even considered such a meeting.  Micah bowed his head to him and said, “Mighty King Titan, I thank you for meeting with me today.”

“Only once before has such a request been put before the mer.  Do you know if your father, your family, and your village will accept such a thing?” King Titan asked with compassion.

“I have not spoken of Princess Tarra to anyone other than Grandmother Nalani and my friend Levu.  I know that it would be a surprise for them, but they respect the mer, and I believe that they would accept it
.
”

“Only you Micah can know your people.  If you feel that they can be trusted to guard the secret of the mer, then tell them of your intentions.  Meet me here one week from today and tell me what they have said
.
”
King Titan smiled and then he dove into the water.  Titus and Makoa also smiled at Micah and then dove after the King.

It was a shock for Micah’s father to hear that he wished to marry a mermaid.  He was Ratu Daniel and the head of his village on
Kaloki
Island
.  He wished only the best for his firstborn son and was
not sure if this was the best.
He told Micah to be patient for his answer while he met with the village elders, which included Grandmother Nalani, and discussed the unusual request of his son.

~~~

The meetings lasted for three days in the grass roofed meeting house.  Then
Micah’s
father came to him with an answer, “Never before has such a request been made from one of our people.  I will not insult you by asking you to think of all the consequences of such a marriage, for I know you have already done so.  Do you love her and does she truly love you?” Ratu Daniel asked
him seriously
.

“Yes Father, with all of my heart.  I know that she feels the same for me.  I would give my life for her,” said Micah with conviction.

“In the end
, it may cost you your life my S
on.  It will not be easy for either of you.  I cannot deny you your happiness even if it is for a short while. 
I thought it had been difficult for my father when I chose a Hawaiian to be my wife,” Ratu Daniel chuckled.  “
You may tell the King of the mer that our village will guard the secret of his people and protect them as best we can, now that we will be joined as family,” said his father with a wide
grin
.

Micah wrapped his arms around his fat
her and hugged him, “Thank you F
ather, wait until you meet her, she is beautiful and has a heart to match her beauty,” he said proudly.