The River Maid (6 page)

Gaspard drank down the rest of his wine.
“I’ll get the horses ready.”

The footman gestured for the boy to leave, but he didn
’t move. He stood there, anxiously scuffing his foot.  

“
Was there something else?” Christian asked.

The boy ducked his head and jammed his hands into his pockets. “It’s just that Jutta is dead and they think that other girl who disappeared might be dead as well. And now Adrianna is miss
ing. I don’t want her to be dead.”

“Adrianna is missing?” Gaspard asked.

The boy nodded and scrubbed tears from his eyes. “She went for a walk by the river, but she never came back.”

“Isn’t
that the girl you talk to?” Christian said.

Gaspard rose, his face grave.
“Yes. I hope nothing has happened to her.”

“
We will come and help look for her. She might have fallen.” Christian scrapped back his chair. It was dark outside now and cold. They needed to find her quickly. He knew from experience that if she had fallen into the river, she would not survive long.

“
You can ride with me to the town,” Gaspard said. The boy’s eyes lit up. He ran after Gaspard.

They didn
’t need the boy to direct them to where the girl was; the entire town had gathered outside the small house. Christian lifted the boy from Gaspard’s horse and set him on his feet. The crowd parted for them as they approached. The front door led directly into the main room of the house and Christian had to duck down to avoid hitting his head on a beam. Inside the small cramped room, a girl sat in a chair before the fire, her profile to him. He knew she was the girl; it was clear she didn’t belong there. Long golden hair fell in a waterfall down her back to puddle on the floor and she had delicate features and pale creamy skin.

She hadn
’t noticed them enter. Her violet eyes stared lost into the flames. Her small hands were neatly clasped in her lap, the long graceful fingers locked together, while her damp ball gown clung to her body, illuminating her slender curves. She looked so fragile. The thick golden bracelets she wore seemed too heavy for her slender arms. Strings of tiny pearls and strands of gold were woven into her hair and looped over her forehead like a crown. He could see why the boy had thought her a princess. It looked as if she wore every piece of jewellery she possessed. Perhaps when the ship started to sink, she had done just that.

The girl looked up, her eyes wide and afraid, and then she saw him and smiled. It was like a sudden ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds. She had the sweetest smile, so trusting and innocent. He smiled back. She rose to her feet and had to grab the back of the chair as she swayed unsteadily. He quickly crossed the distance between them and reached out an arm to support her before she could fall.

“Careful,” he said, helping her back to the chair. Gaspard, who had been speaking to the women gathered in the corner, gestured for him to come over. He reluctantly left her and went over to hear what his tutor had been able to find out. 

“
She says her name is Lorelei,” Gaspard said, “but she remembers nothing else.”

“
What of the other girl? Has she been found?”

“
Not yet. Men are out searching for her now.”

“
We will help them look for her.”

“And w
hat about Lorelei?”

Christian looked over at her. She watched him from beneath her lashes. He stepped forward and went to one knee before her.
“They say that you don’t remember where you came from.”

She shook her head slowly. 

“If you wish you can stay at the castle until your memory returns. My mother is there. She will take care of you.”

She beamed at him as if he had just said something wonderful.
“The castle is where you live?”

“
Yes.”

“
I would like that.” She spoke slowly and carefully. Her voice was soft and sweet, although her accent was strange. It didn’t sound like she was German.

“
Gaspard will take you there.”

Her fingers curled around his sleeve. “
What about you?”

“
I have to stay and help the search. A girl is missing from the town. You didn’t see her when you were down at the river?”

Lorelei shook her head.

He turned to Gaspard. “Take her to the castle. Then come back when you’re done and help us here.”

Gaspard bowed to the girl.
“Mademoiselle, if you will come with me.” The girl shrank back from him.

“
He won’t hurt you,” Christian said.

The girl shook her head. She looked at him pleadingly.

“It seems I’m not the one she wants,” Gaspard said quietly.

She had been through so much. Christian couldn
’t be harsh with her. Perhaps she had realised Gaspard wasn’t German. “I will take her,” he said to Gaspard. “Start organising the search. I will be back as soon as I can.”

Gaspard nodded and left. Christian held out his hand to Lorelei and she immediately stood, the blanket falling from her shoulders, and slipped her hand in his, her fingers locking around his own. He led her outside, through the crowd, and over to where the horses waited. She struggled and tried to pull away as they neared the animals.

“You have nothing to fear,” he said. “I will ride with you.”

He lifted her onto the horse and then mounted behind her. He put an arm around her to hold her in place. She pressed her body back against his chest and clutched his arm, her fingers digging into his sleeve. She seemed terrified. He set a gentle trot and eventually she relaxed back against him, although she continued to clutch his arm. Her head rested just below his chin. Silky strands of her hair, blown back by the wind, brushed against his cheek. He could smell salt in her hair and it made him think of the sea. As they clattered into the courtyard of the castle, his mother came out with a housemaid. He swung down and then lifted Lorelei from the horse and set her on her feet.

“This is my mother. She will take care of you,” he said, turning to go.

“
Where are you going?” she asked, panic filling her voice. She flung her arms around his neck. Gently, he tried to untangle himself from her.

“
I have to go and help with the search for the missing girl. You’re safe here.”

His mother came over and Lorelei was temporarily distracted giving him enough time to mount and turn his horse around. He looked back before he left the courtyard. Lorelei stood there, her white skin glowing in the moonlight, watching him with her violet eyes. His mother tried to lead her inside, but she wouldn
’t move. There was something familiar about her. He was sure he had seen her before, but where?

~~~~~

Adrianna clung to the bank, her numb hands gripping handfuls of grass. It was completely dark now. She could see circles of light from lanterns bobbing up and down and hear the townspeople calling her name. She moved further down the river, still holding onto the bank. She couldn’t let them see her like this. Not when she couldn’t bear to look at what was beneath her dress.

“
Adrianna,” Monsieur Gaspard called. He stopped almost above her. She sank further into the water and pressed her cheek against the ground, away from the light his lantern cast. She tried to slow her breathing, so that he wouldn’t hear her. She clenched her fists. The spikes of the golden comb that Lorelei had given her dug painfully into her hand, but it stopped her from calling out.

“
We’ve found no sign of her,” the prince said, as he came to stand by Monsieur Gaspard. He was close enough that Adrianna could see his black boots.

“
The more time that passes, the less chance we have of finding her alive.” Monsieur Gaspard’s voice was filled with sadness. 

“
I hope Lorelei is all right. She seemed distressed when I left her.”

“I’m sure y
our mother will look after her.”

Adrianna clenched her fists tighter. Lorelei was at the castle. She would never get her legs back now.

“We will never find the girl tonight,” the prince said. “Not in the dark. We should call off the search and try again in the morning.”

Gaspard paused for a moment after the prince had left. “Where are you, Adrianna?” He let out a heavy sigh before he moved away to follow the prince.

It started to rain softly. She didn’t feel cold, although she should have been frozen. In the darkness, she couldn’t see the tail. Perhaps it would be gone. Perhaps it would all turn out to be a dream. She reached down into the water and touched where her legs should be. Smooth scales met her fingers. Shuddering, she pulled her hand away. She pressed her face against the damp earth to stifle her sobs. This couldn’t be real. Please, she thought, don’t let this be real.

Chapter Seven

Lorelei woke to find her body enveloped in warmth and softness. She snuggled deeper under the blankets and with a blissful sigh, she stretched out her arms above her head. For once no jagged rocks dug into her, no cold stone met her hand. Light streamed in through a gap in the heavy curtains, making diamond patterns on the stone floor of the oddly shaped room they had placed her in. Everything was so dry and bright compared to the gloom and dampness of her cave.

She pushed back the covers. The white nightdress Christian’s mother had given her to wear pooled at her waist as she raised her legs slowly into the air to admire them. She curled her toes and then straightened her legs and marvelled at the delicate ankles and slender calves. She was just like all the other human girls now. Smiling, she hugged her knees to her chest. They were finally hers. She had finally got them, after trying for so long.

There were whispered stories among her kind of mermaids trading their tail for legs. She was not a sea witch, but she had remembered some of her people
’s magic. Something had to be given up, something of great value. She had decided she would cut out her tongue and give up her voice. Their voice was the most precious thing to them. She had held the knife to her lips, prepared to do it, if it meant she could be with Christian. The blade had been cold against her tongue. The edge bit into the delicate flesh and filled her mouth with blood. Then she had seen a girl walking by the river and she had thought, why not simply exchange them? With the first girl it hadn’t worked. She thought she just had to drink the potion. The second girl had screamed and screamed. She held her under the water to make her stop, but she had gone limp and lifeless and Lorelei had let her go and she had floated away. But finally, she had done it.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed. As she put her feet down on the wooden floor, pain shot through her. She cried out and grabbed onto the bed post before she fell. She clung to the wood and breathed deeply, trying to adjust to the pain. Gingerly, she walked to the window, taking each step slowly, and sank down onto the cushioned seat. She undid the latch and threw it open. Leaning out, she breathed in the crisp morning air. Endless blue sky stretched out before her. The castle was so high up. She hadn’t seen it clearly last night; she had seen nothing but Christian. Far below, was the river. Like a sea serpent it stretched on and on in thick coils. She could see the huge rock rising up where her cave was and the town. She had spent centuries looking up at the castle and now she was here, looking down.

There was a gentle knock on the door and a girl came in. She wore a black dress and white apron.

“
Good morning,” the fair-haired girl said. “My name is Hanna. I’ve been sent to wait on you.” Hanna moved around the room, picking up the still damp dress Lorelei had left on the floor last night, and straightening the sheets on the bed. “Would you like breakfast here or will you go down?” the girl asked as she worked.

Christian might be downstairs.
“I’ll go down.”

“
Her Highness thought you might like a bath.”

She disappeared and came back with another girl, carrying a metal tub between them with a sloped back. They ran back and forth to fetch water. Lorelei allowed Hanna to lift her nightdress over her head and help her step into the bath. Lorelei relaxed back while the girl washed her hair. The water was lovely and clear. She was used to it being murky. It felt strange bathing in warm water. For a moment the pain was gone from her feet, but when she stepped out, it was back. It felt as if she was treading upon glass. Her feet should be cut and bleeding, but when she examined them there was no mark.

Hanna wrapped her in a huge fluffy towel and used a smaller towel to dry Lorelei’s waist length hair. Then there were masses of petticoats and complicated undergarments to put on before Hanna lifted a white dress with tiny yellow flowers over Lorelei’s head. Due to its length, Lorelei had to stand while Hanna brushed out her hair.

“
You have such lovely hair,” the girl murmured as she worked to untangle the knots.

Lorelei used to spend hours combing it; there was little else to do in the river, other than look for things on the riverbed or watch the townspeople going about their lives. It was lovely to have her hair dry for once. Hanna braided it loosely and then twisted it up and secured it to the back of her head with pins. Lorelei winced. As soon as the girl turned her back, she pulled the pins from her hair and combed out the braids with her fingers, leaving it loose over her shoulders. Hanna opened her mouth as she turned around, but said nothing as she led Lorelei out of the room and down the stairs.

Lorelei followed Hanna slowly, stopping to touch things as she passed. She smelt the squares of fabric that hung on the walls and traced the outline of the stags and hounds embroidered into the scarlet cloth. She sank down onto a heavy chair and grasped the arms and imagined Christian sitting there. Everything was wonderful and precious to her, because it was his.

Hanna stopped outside a door. The maid gestured her forward. Lorelei could hear voices coming from inside. She took a deep breath and entered the room. Christian
’s mother was there. She wore a dark blue dress with white lace at the neck and sleeves. She rose from the table and smiled. “You’re awake at last. Please, come and join me.”

There was no sign of Christian. The male voice she had heard had come from a servant.

“Where is Christian?” Lorelei asked, as she sat down across from her.

Male servants, who all looked the same, brought her a plate of warm bread and little pots of butter and jam. She copied the lady and smeared them onto the bread with her knife.

“He left early to continue the search for the girl that is missing. They still haven’t found her.”

Christian had left her to go and look for Adrianna, but surely he would want to be near her?

“Does Christian care for her?” she asked, gripping the knife tight.

His mother smiled. “
Of course not. He has never even met her. But it’s his duty to go and help with the search.”

“
Perhaps she went away,” Lorelei said.

“
Perhaps. You were lucky that you didn’t come to harm when you were down at the river by yourself.”

The lady sipped her tea and Lorelei followed suit. How wonderful everything was. Sweetness filled her mouth as she bit into the bread.

“Have you remembered anything yet?” the lady asked, setting down her teacup.

Lorelei swallowed her mouthful and shook her head. “I only remember
being in the river and then coming here.”

“You’re welcome to stay with us for as long as you wish.
Christian has been lonely here. I’ve been worried about him. But now that you are here, he won’t have to be so alone.”

Lorelei beamed at her.

“It may be some time before your memory returns. I think you should stay inside and rest. You need to get your strength back and recover from your ordeal.”

“When will Christian be back?” Lorelei asked.

“As soon as they find the girl or they call off the search. I doubt she is still alive, not now.” Christian’s mother shook her head sadly.

After breakfast, Lorelei seated herself at the window. She had waited so long to be with Christian and now she had to wait still. But it wouldn’t be long now, she told herself, and then they would be together. She folded her hands in her lap and settled herself to wait for him to return.

~~~~~

Adrianna pressed her cheek against the cold rock, her arms trembling with the effort of holding on. She was so tired. She couldn
’t hold on for much longer. She wedged her sore fingers into a crack to try and get a better grip as the current tried again to pull her away from the cliff face. Her hands were cut and bleeding, her lips cracked from thirst, and there were purple bruises on her arms from where Lorelei had held her.

The night had seemed to last an eternity. Exhausted and her body aching from whatever Lorelei had done to her, she had drifted in and out of sleep. She had been clinging to the bank when she had lost her grip on the grass and the river had swept her downstream and slammed her against the cliffs. She had hit her head and for a moment she was lost in the water, before she had managed to grab onto a rock. At least she was out of sight of the town now, but the fishing boats would soon be out. She couldn
’t stay here for much longer.

She froze. She could hear people calling her name
. She could hear the deep booming voice of Herr Fleischer and the high-pitched shrill sound that could only belong to Jorg. Among them, quieter than the rest and filled with desperation, was her mother’s voice.

Adrianna pressed herself against the rock and tried to shut out the sound of her mother calling for her. She wanted to shout back, to tell them that she was here, but what would they do when they saw what was beneath her dress? She couldn’t even bear to look at it. They would never believe her story; she could barely believe it herself. They might think her guilty of some sort of witchcraft. Her mother would be shunned or worse. Images of burning stakes flashed through her mind. They could never know. Not until she got her legs back.

Her mother continued to call her name over and over until her voice was hoarse. Unable to bear the desperation and pain in her mother’s voice, Adrianna squeezed her eyes shut and dug the golden comb into the palm of her free hand until it drew blood. 

She couldn
’t stay here. She looked around desperately for somewhere to hide. Lorelei had mentioned a cave; the entrance was beneath the water. But she would have to go into the river. She had been clinging to the rocks, afraid of going under, but soon, she wouldn’t have any strength left. 

Seeing a boat approaching, she pried her numb fingers from the rock and, taking a deep breath, she went under. When she opened her eyes, she expected the water to sting, but it didn
’t. The river was four times as wide as the town and so deep the church steeple wouldn’t reach the surface. She made little circles with her hands to keep herself still. There was a whole world here. It made her feel so small. The cliff extended down and down into a black abyss. She could see how narrow it was in this part of the river and how dangerous. Far below on the riverbed, dark shapes of wreckages jutted out of the silt, half obscured by the sediment.

A shoal of fish passed before her, so close she could have reached out and touched them. They paid her no mind. She tried to swim as they did, moving her tail back and forth. She went in a circle, using her arms to direct herself, but she kept trying to move as if she had two legs still. She imagined that her legs were bound together and kicked out with her tail. It was awkward and difficult to move this way and soon the muscles in her tail were aching. She tried to head toward the huge rock that Lorelei had pointed too, but it seemed so far away and she moved so slowly.

Eventually, she reached an opening in the cliff where a jagged horizontal crack split the rock like a gaping mouth. It looked like the jaws of some terrible beast. Inside, a narrow tunnel led into darkness. There was barely enough room for her to squeeze through. How did she know this was the right entrance? If she was wrong and it led nowhere, she would have no way to turn around. She would be trapped.

Trying to be brave, she pulled herself in and felt her way through the tunnel. She had to squeeze through the passageway as it curved round; her hips were not as narrow as Lorelei
’s. Twice she got stuck and had to wriggle and pull herself through, the rough stone scrapping her skin. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced herself on. Finally, she saw light up ahead. Her head broke the surface of the water and she gulped in air.

Light blinded her. She put her hand up to shield her eyes. Sunlight streamed through tiny cracks in the rocks and made the walls sparkle. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the sudden light. The space was narrow, two paces wide and the same across if she had still been able to walk, and shelves had been carved into the rock all the way around the cave, from water level, up until it curved to form a ceiling. Jewels and gold and other treasures filled the shelves.

There was a golden goblet studded with rubies, strings of pearls, golden combs, a pile of gold coins with faces of kings that Adrianna didn’t recognise, rings and heavy bracelets. She hauled herself up onto a ledge. The water reached just past her waist, leaving her tail in the water. There was a fortune here. On the top shelf was a pile of clothes neatly folded; dresses that hadn’t been in fashion for centuries, petticoats and nightdresses, even a bonnet and a pair of green silk dancing shoes. A chill raced down her arms as she realised Lorelei had probably taken them from the drowned.

Amongst all the jewels were less valuable things; a set of wooden teeth, dozens of wine bottles arranged by size, a dented fork and a wooden doll with her face worn away. They had all been thrown away or lost to the river. The most ornate bowl, encrusted with diamonds and emeralds, was filled with tiny pebbles. The stones were unremarkable next to the jewels and yet Lorelei must have valued them.

Water started to drip through the cracks and run down the walls of the cave. Adrianna held a golden goblet under the crack to catch the rainwater. The water stung her sore lips as she drank it. She set a golden bowl and a silver goblet to catch more. There were a few jars and two bruised apples on the shelves so she wouldn’t starve.