Elaina's POV

The next morning I was beyond tired and I couldn't even get out of bed. But I needed to talk to Llyr. I needed to tell him about my dream.

My door was opened and Rhixton entered to room.

"Good morning-" his words died on his lips when he took in my appearance.

"Elaina!" He said as he came over to feel my temperature.

"Rhixton, you need to help me get to Llyr," I said softly.

"No! You need to stay in this bed," he said.

"I need to talk to him, please Rhixton," I said.

"I'll get him here, but first Ida is going to take a look at you," he said sternly, letting me know there was no room for disagreement.

"Fine," I said. He nodded before he went to call Ida, I could only hope he would find a way to get Llyr here.

***
Llyr's POV

I was excited to spend another day with Elaina and as I reached the dock my happy mood diminished when I saw a worried Rhixton waiting for me instead.

"Llyr!" He greeted when he saw me.

"Morning Rhixton, where is Elaina?" I asked.

"She's unwell," he said.

"What's wrong? What happened?" I knew I shouldn't have kept her outside to late like I did.

"She had an eventful night. I heard her screaming and crying, she had a nightmare and it kept her awake the whole night. She's too tired to leave her bed," he explained.

"Can I see her?" I asked.

"Yes, she's been asking for you. Is there a way for you to get on land?" He asked and I recalled Primbroock telling me that if a merperson was to stand on land completely dried he might lose his tail for a pair of legs.

"Can you bring me a towel?" I asked and Rhixton hurried to get a towel while I got onto the dock.

After a few minutes he returned with a towel and a shirt and trousers. I quickly dried my tail off with the tail and then I felt a small stabbing pain before I felt my fin split in two. A few seconds later my tail was replaced with legs. I wasn't naked like I thought I would be, instead I had grey tights on.

"I'm covered," I said and Rhixton, who turned around to give me privacy turned back around.

"It worked," he said with disbelief as he handed me a white shirt.

I threw it over my head before Rhixton helped me up to my feet. I was a bit wobbly at first but Rhixton steadied me. And it made me realise he was probably used to helping Elaina.

I took a few tentative steps before I felt confident walking alone.

"You alright now?" He asked.

"Yes, I've got it," my determination to see Elaina forced me to walk faster but I wobbled a few times and Rhixton had to steady me.

Rhixton helped me up the palace steps and once we entered the huge hallway my eyes darted around, this was so different than under the sea.

"Elaina's room is two flights up," he said as he pointed to the stairs and I groaned.

"I hate stairs," I said. Rhixton chuckled at that.

"Elaina does to," he said and I could guess why.

When we finished climbing both flights Rhixton led me to a door. He knocked and a heard Elaina's voice saying 'enter'. I could hear her voice sounded weak.

"You'll be fine on your own from here?" He asked and I nodded. He opened the door for me. Once I was inside the door was closed behind me.

"Llyr!" I heard Elaina say and my eyes were pulled to where she lay on the bed. She had huge dark circles around her eyes and her face was pale.

"You can walk," she said as she was about to get out of bed but I hurried to her side, almost tripping in the process, as I pushed her back gently.

"You need to stay inside bed," I said.

"You sound just like Rhixton," she said with a sigh.

"Rhixton is right. You need to stay in bed. How are feeling?" I asked. As I sat beside her on the bed, careful not to jostle her.

"Like I've been trampled by a herd of horses," she said. I didn't exactly know what the reference meant but it sounded painful.

"I'm sorry," I said as I placed a lock of hair behind her ear.

"It's not you-"

"It is. I shouldn't have kept you out so late," I said.

"It's not entirely your fault. I wanted to stay," she said with a small smile. There was a small knock on the door before a woman stepped inside.

"Ida," Elaina said happily and I gave the woman a smile of my own.

"You must be prince Llyr," she said as she bowed.

"I am. And you are Ida?" I said.

"Yes, I brought you both some breakfast," she said before another woman stepped inside with a tray. They placed the tray on Elaina's lap and we thanked them before they left us alone.

"Take some," Elaina said.

"Thank you," I said. I took a bowl with a spoon and finished the content in a rush. It was so delicious.

Elaina giggled when she saw me finishing the food in record time.

"That was delicious," I said.

"I'm glad you liked it," she said and I saw her food was untouched. Concern filled me.

"Elaina, you should eat," I said.

"I'm not hungry," she said. I gave her a stern look before I took the other spoon and filled it with the strange delicious content. I brought the spoon close to her lips.

"Open up," I said. She wanted to disagree but I gave her one look and she opened up. After she ate half of the bowl she said she was full and I was happy she at least ate something. I quickly placed the tray on the table next to the bed.

Can you lay next to me?" She asked and I nodded. She cuddled to me and I felt a sense of peace and tranquility. If only I could spend my whole life with her like this, I would be a very happy man.

"Rhixton said you had a nightmare and that is why you didn't get sleep," I said as a played with her hair. I felt her tense.

"What did you dream about?" I asked as I looked at the girl in my arms. She looked up at me and when our eyes met I saw hers were filled with unshed tears.

"Shh, it's okay, you don't have to tell," I said as I pulled her closer. Trying to give her some comfort.

"No, I need to tell you," she said. I nodded.

"A few weeks ago, we had our birthday ball.  I went because I didn't want it to look strange that I wasn't there and my parents agreed. The only rule was that one of my family members had to be with me at all times. Ethan was with me and Eldrich was having a hard time getting away from one of the ladies. I told Ethan to go help. For that while I was left alone. I heard a voice behind. The man asked me to dance, but before I could answer him properly he pulled me to the middle of the room. My legs couldn't take the torture anymore and they gave in," she told me and I saw red. How dare a man force her against her will.

"It's okay Llyr, I'm fine now," she said and I realised my hold on her tightened when she told me about this man.

"Sorry," I said as I placed a kiss on her hair," but that man shouldn't have done that."

"Don't worry my father sorted the formoggal out," she said.

"What's a formoggal?" I asked.

"No one knows, except my grandfather, but he won't tell," she said.

"But anyway, you know how you told me where your mother died," I nodded for her to continue.

"I saw her picking up shells when that man came out of nowhere. They had a argument, but I couldn't hear about what. He picked up a fishing hook and...and...he stabbed her with it...I saw her lifeless body Llyr," she said and I pulled he close as she buried her head in my chest.

"You saw my mother? Did she have a tail like mine?" I asked and Elaina nodded in my chest.

"You think this man killed her?" I asked and she looked at me.

"I know it sounds strange, but it didn't feel like a dream Llyr. It felt like a memory," she said and I believed her.