Tales of the Royals

Plans

AN: What would you do if your best friend was going to get persecuted just for being who she was and had to fake normal to avoid that? And should you always trust your instincts or be more reasonable? Who do you ship together so far?? The next chapter is going to be an author note so just bear with me, I have stuff to say and clarify. 

Ella

Ok, so I admit it. I was scared. After all, we were about to enter the throne room and request an audience with the Queen. Too bad that plan got shot to hell once the descaled mermaid was brought out. Arielle gasped along with me as we stared at the beautiful creature. Then Arielle started to cry, pointing at the mermaid before signing out “SISTER” to me. Oh damn… this was so not good… Arielle and I ran, right down the stairs to my tiny place near the kitchen and we collapsed near the fireplace. As Arielle continued crying (letting out a few hiccups while doing so) to mourn her dead sister, I wondered what this meant for her. If anyone found out whom she really was… I couldn’t think about it.

 “Arielle, we have to run, far away from here”

She made the sign for ‘Why’ as I explained.

“Because if we don’t run, you’ll be killed - just like your sister! I can’t and won’t let that happen because you are my best friend. I couldn’t bear to see anything bad happen to you Ari, I just couldn’t. So we are going to run tonight, where they can’t find us and I’ll keep you safe till you can get to your father and tell him what’s happening. He needs to know what’s happening to his subjects. I’m not suggesting war but if it comes to that… well, I’ll be on your side just like all the other servants at this castle. This can’t continue.”

Ari looked at me tearfully before giving me a determined look as she nodded and gave me a thumbs up. It was on. Tonight we’d run and hope that we weren’t caught. I told her I’d keep her safe but I wondered how to do it. After all, I didn’t know any martial arts nor was I all that strong. And if my “gift” kicked in… well I couldn’t control it and knowing my luck, would probably end up skewering Ari with a random tree branch.

That night I woke up, scared but knowing it was necessary; I couldn’t let Ari get hurt. Thank god no one had found out about her. Otherwise she would have been dead and descaled (can I just say ew? It’s like skinning a human and exactly like scaling a fish… but it’s worse because they’re one and the same…) I hoped Ari had calmed down. As I put a bag of things together my mother caught me grabbing some apples and bread. Uh oh…

“What are you doing Ella?” she asked me angrily. I hid the apple behind my back before she could see but clearly mums are psychic or something. She marched right up to me, grabbed my hands and discovered the food I’d been stealing before noticing the tiny bag strapped to my side. And the second bag on my back I’d packed for Ari.

“Are you running away? With a boy?”

“What? No! It’s my best friend – Ari. She… I can’t tell you because… well, it’s a long story and I – “

“Why are you running away? You know you can tell me anything and I’ll guard the secret with my life. Like I guarded you. You know servants aren’t allowed children? I hid you away when the soldiers came and they hurt me, making me lose the ability to have children. But it was worth it because I had you. And if you have to run away, at least give me the reason. And be honest with me because I don’t want to lose you and never see you again without having a proper explanation”

“Mum, did you know about the mermaids? They descale them and well, Ari’s a mermaid. We’re running away because I need to protect her and she needs to get to the ocean. It’s-“