LEGEND OF THE MER Read Online Free Page B

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    Lana began to focus on the voices that she heard and looked around to see where they were coming from.  Am I dreaming?   This was all so strange and frightening.  Across from her was a pool of water where an older man and a younge r man seemed to be wading chest deep.  She heard them speaking to each other, only their mouths weren’ t moving.  How can that be?   They each had long white hair.  Their bangs were pulled back into braids behind their ears.  The rest of their hair hung loose and wet down their backs.  They each wore a ring of shells around their heads like a crown.  Their skin was pale.  The older man had a long white beard and white hair upon his chest.  He was a large man with a broad chest and muscular arms.  The younger man had no facial or chest hair and was also muscular, but not quite the si ze of the older.  How can I hear them speaking?  
     
    Then Lana tried to focus even harder and she heard the older man say, “You cannot keep her here, she must return to her people.”
     
    “She has finally come to us, why must we send her away?” said the younger man.
     
    “You know why Prince Titus.  Her father is the guardian and it will not go well for our people if he is displeased.”
     
    “Can she not stay a little while to find out who she is and what she is meant to be?” asked the younger.
     
    “She must leave as soon as she is able, we cannot take the chance.  Besides, do you not think that I know your dolphin Tempe st led her to us . ” T he older man smiled .
     
    “Yes, but only after she had come down below searching,” said the younger and then he looked towards Lana and said, “She wakes.”
     
    “Please do not be afraid of us.  We wish you no harm,” smiled the older man once more as he spoke the words out loud for the first time.
     
    “Where am I?  Who are you?” Lana asked cautiously.
     
    “You are in an underwater cavern.  My name is King Titan and this is Prince Titus, it was he who saved you and brought you here after you had passed out.”
     
    “I passed out?  Wow, thanks,” Lana said to the Prince.
     
    “You are quite welcome . ” T he Prince smiled .
     
    “ You must go and get your sister Princess Tarra,” said the King to the reluctant Prince Titus and he let go of his stare he had on Lana and turned and jumped into the water.  When he did, Lana was filled with fear as she saw his glistening tail follow behind him.
     
    “Please do not fear us, I know we must seem strange to you.  We are called the Mer.  We live below the surface of the water and have since time began.  We are a peaceful people and will not harm you,” said King Titan very compassionately.
     
    “I’m sorry, I am scared.  I’ve never seen anything like you before,” said Lana still a little unnerved.
     
    “You did once live among our people when your mother was alive, but you must have forgotten . ” H e smiled tenderly.
     
    “Are you serious?  Did you really know my mother?” Lana asked still a bit shaken.
     
    “Yes, your mother was one of my many generations of granddaughters, and she was Princess Leona .”
     
    Now Lana knew he must have known her to know her name, “You did know her.  You said that she was a Princess and your granddaughter?” Lana said almost in a whisper at the wonder of it.
     
    The Prince came back to the surface and he was joined by a young woman that could have been a sister to Lana, they looked so much alike. “Hello, my name is Princess Tarra, welcome to your home of old . ” S he smiled to Lana .
     
    “Hi, I feel like I’m dreaming a crazy dream,” said Lana half believing all that she was seeing.
     
    “It is not a dream, you have finally come home to your people, and I am so glad to see this day . ” S miled the Prince.  Then the King gave a stern glance to the Prince and once more, the Prince reluctantly took his eyes off of Lana and dove into the water.
     
    “We will give you a time of rest, you