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ARIEL AND BLUE-BLOOD SHOES

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SANGEETHA KAMATH

 

The waves crashed violently against the craggy mountainside and the moonlight shone on the lacy froths. As I waded through the water and stepped on the wet sand, I remembered another night which was many moons ago. The same glinting lights through the palace doorways and windows, the fireworks adorning the night sky like shooting stars and meteors. A royal celebration with all the works and the guests dressed up in their best finery and aristocratic jewelry. Of noble births they all were. Blue blooded as the matriarch had pointedly told me once. 

That unholy night! That night of icy hearts and howling laughter, the echoes of cackling that followed me till I ran on wobbly legs to find my place of comfort where the land met water…

Hot tears streaming down, I regretted those days when I lost my heart to a man so spineless. Had I not dragged him to the shore, he would have been a mangled mass after being torn apart by the piranhas and other monstrous maws. 

How I regret…Oh! How I regret it ! 

I'd swam furiously, until I tired myself out wanting an outlet. 

***

Finally the day had arrived.

The crown prince had borne an heir to the throne to carry on the family name. If only the world was fair, but it was not! So I had to snatch, grab, do whatever I could to calm the storm in the pit of my stomach.

As I made my way to the palace, the same wobbly legs took shape as I hobbled along, almost tripping on the wet sand. As I arrived at the palace grounds, I waited for an opportunity and blended in with a group of ladies. Their billowing gowns and oversized hats concealed me perfectly.

Poseidon and sea-glass luck were in my corner, as I slipped into the royal chambers. There he was in the bassinet, bundled in swan's down and softest silk. 

Revenge would be a dish served cold. Very, very cold. As cold as all your icy hearts!

Retrieving a vial of potion given by the sea witch from the pockets of my nursemaid's dress, a drop and two dripped between the rosy pink lips of the bairn. The cooing and gurgling exasperated me! 

I uncovered the baby and my eyes widened in glee to see a flapping fish tail instead of legs. The potion had worked!

Prince Eric would now wake up from his 'amnesia' and remember me—ARIEL!

Grabbing the new, untouched baby shoes from a gift box, I crammed them into my deep pockets.

The sea-witch could earn a few riches after selling these for a hefty price.

I slipped out unnoticed in my drab maid's dress into the kitchen and out the back door. As I met the welcoming waves, I gave up land legs once again and dived into it with a jubilant splash, my mermaid's tail sashaying to the wails and horrendous screams wafting from the palace and resounding in the kingdom.

An eye for an eye…and legs for a tail !

©️ Sangeetha Kamath  

Pic Courtesy: Image by sung hoon nam from Pixabay

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