Her head now had to throb painfully.

As if her tail, or now leg wasn't enough to cause her pain in movement. Cora made a mental note to bash the dark faery in the head the next time they met her.

Red hummed a cheerful tune as she packed food for their journey. Ella helped Red in doing so, while Lucas stared, awestruck at the different ranging weapons she'd earlier laid on to her table. He picked up a weird looking one, which Cora never seemed to have read about in her books. It was a combination of bow, horizontal on top of some sort of mechanism.

"I'm starting to doubt that you are just a peaceful young lady in a glen." Lucas said, dropping it back on to the table slowly.

Red chuckled in response.

"The world is unexpected. You never know when trouble walks in your door," she answered.

Lucas nodded slowly. Cora continued to put a wet, cool cloth against her forehead.

"Do you live all by yourself? Apart from the creatures in the Glen, I mean," Ella questioned.

Red opened her mouth to answer, but a low growl interrupted her. A huge wolf, bigger than the ones that attacked Maleficent, stood menacingly, in amidst the ruins of Red's doorway. It's blue eyes glinted as he sniffed the air around. Everyone froze, except Red, who smiled and walked up to the creature.

As she did, the creature began to shrink to a smaller size. His front paws began to shorten, and morphed in to a pair of human hands. It's back straightened, and his hind legs began to change as well. The tail shrank and disappeared. The snarling head, morphed into a human one. A very handsome male human. Cora dropped  the cloth and slowly got up to her feet, her jaw hanging open with awe.

The man, dressed in brown and grey, ran his hand through his tousled chestnut brown hair. His eyes, an ocean blue, twinkled mischievously. His features were the epitome of beauty, spare the scar that ran through his left eye and across his beautiful face. Cora could not help feeling attracted to him, given the strong aura of confidence and strength he emitted.

"I didn't know we were expecting company," he started.

Even his voice was so deep, warm and appealing. Cora smiled dreamily, let out a soft sigh. Lucas grunted and shook Cora wildly, and she instantly stopped and scowled at him.

"I'm sorry, love. But I wasn't expecting either! Let me introduce you. This is Princess Cora, the merrow princess who was destined to fulfill THE prophecy, and her friends Prince Lucas and Ella. And this, my friends, is Rhydion, my husband!" Red introduced.

Cora's heart sank a little, but she smiled brightly nonetheless. The man smiled at them cheerfully and waved his hand at them.

"I suppose we are going on a trip as well, love?" He called after Red as she went inside her room.

"Yes!" She called back.

He sighed and nodded. He walked towards the table full of weapons, and stood near Lucas. He picked up the same unusual weapon Lucas had picked up earlier.

"So you're a prince, eh? Ever used a crossbow on a hunt?" He asked with a grin.

Lucas fake smiled.

"No, never. I don't do hunts." He answered quickly.

Lucas left him standing aghast as he walked over to Cora, who now slouched in her seat.

"If this is how it's going to be, I'm having second thoughts about this trip," Cora pointed at her head and told them.

Lucas laughed slowly.

"Well, that's because you're not used to it. It's your first time above water, right?" He asked.

She nodded in reply.

"You'll be fine. It's not like me or Ella are experienced either," he confessed.

Cora raised an eyebrow.

"But you're a prince! I thought princes were trained to deal with stuff like this?" She asked.

He smiled sheepishly.

"They are, just--maybe I'm not that type of prince. I prefer to stay with my books," he replied.

Cora nodded, unsure if she'd understood what he was trying to tell her. Because for her, reading books was to gain knowledge of where she wished to go, to be aware of what lay under the water and above, and to be mentally and physically prepared for whatever was to come. And she was undoubtedly trying her best to accomplish just that. She'd never read about Maleficent, but she did read about faeries.

Faeries were strong creatures, and were feared immensely when angered. They were respected brethren of nature, the highest level of them all, and had a the utmost authority over its balance. One would consider it quite unfair, seeming that they had so much control. But they were most fair, loyal and just creatures, it was hard not to trust them with almost everything you hold dear.

"Magnificent creatures, faeries. Beautiful and powerful beyond imagination." Mermonte said.

"Have you ever seen a faery?" A six year old Cora asked excitedly.

Mermonte smiled and nodded.

"She was a great creature. Never had I seen such eyes before. And those wings! Strong, powerful wings! How she soared in the sky! Absolutely stunning!" He chuckled as Cora looked at him with awe.

"She sounds so beautiful. What was her name?" Cora asked impatiently.

Mermonte stroked her little head.

"Oh, indeed. She is beautiful. Her name, is Maleficent."

Cora jerked and quickly got up to her feet. Rhydion frowned at her.

"You alright, Princess?" He asked worriedly.

The very old memory of the now dark faery made her feel jittery. She shook her head.

"Maleficent, I—I know her! My teacher he—I....." Tears welled up in her eyes.

She sat back on her seat, and burst into tears, unabashed at weeping in front of strangers. The very memory of him, brought back the memory of everyone else she held closed to her heart. She could hear the screams of her people, as she struggled to swim back to them. She could hear Mermonte's words, echoing in her head, telling her to stay down where it was wet. To stay put.

She felt a pair of hands pull her in an embrace. A warm, and loving one. It felt so much like home, in that one moment. It almost reminded her of how Arya always held her when she  cried. She sobbed more, but didn't fight back. She needed to feel that she had someone, to help her, to understand the problem she was facing.

"If—if I hadn't left—no one would have been hurt!" She wailed and sobbed into her hands.

Red patted her back gently.

"What are you saying, Cora?" Ella asked.

Cora rubbed her eyes, and hiccuped.

"My—my teacher, Mermonte. He is an—an astrologer. He told me not to go to land, warned me but I——" she broke down again.

Red stroked her head gently as she pulled her against her chest.

"No, Cora. It's not your fault," she said soothingly.

"There's always a way to make things alright." She added gently.

Cora almost thought it was Arya, and not Red, sitting next to her. Red reminded her so much of her eldest sister. She wished they were alright.

"But why did you come here? You could always come here another time, right?" Rhydion asked, scratching his head.

"Merrow royalty, except the King, is forbidden to go on land, unless it's their eighteenth birthday." Lucas answered.

Rhydion stared at him and Cora in sheer astonishment.

"Stuck underwater! For the rest of your life! But why?" He exclaimed.

"Some feud with merfolk. It's not quite specified in any books, though. This rule has been going on for at least forty years now," he explained further.

Rhydion wiped his face with his hand, his eyes still widened in shock.

"I'd die of claustrophobia if it was me!" He exclaimed.

Cora laughed weakly, amused slightly at his over reaction. Rhydion gave her a genuine smile.

"Rhydion, I don't think the water would be claustrophobic for anyone." Red told him knowingly.

"What happened when you rose above water Cora?" Ella interrupted.

Cora looked at her blue eyes, staring at her intently, wanting to know what the real matter was.

"I heard screaming. That's all I remember. I was swimming, rising above water. I couldn't turn back. The ritual—once it begins..."

"it cannot be stopped midway at any cost." Lucas completed, a grave look on his face.

Cora nodded. Red and Rhydion exchanged uneasy glances. Ella stared at Cora, and then looked away. Cora could see how deep in thought she was, and how keen she was to find out the reasons behind it.

"Let's start on our way before nightfall. The creatures past the Glen are not as friendly as they are here," Red said.

The trio nodded. Rhydion went on to grab the rucksack of the malicious, unknown weapons, and hung it over his shoulder. Red packed a basket with enough food.

"Ella! Why don't you change? It'll be a little hard for you in that dress," Red pointed out.

Ella nodded, and disappeared inside the room. Lucas sat silently, staring at a chain around his neck. He was deep in his thoughts. Cora didn't interrupt him. She too sat, and waited. Waited patiently, for what was to come. The prophecy was already in action.

All she had to do now, was wait for things to unravel themselves.

_________________

I think I remember saying I won't update? Yeah, well, I try. XD.
Anywho! So there wasn't much action in this chappie, and I'm glad for that. I take things too fast, if you know what I mean. :P

But anyway, you do get a little glimpse of how much Cora cares about her people, and her bond with her oldest sister, Arya.
I know, that is so sweet. :')

And Rhydion! What do you think about him? *Wink wink*

His picture is up in the Starring chapter, if you want to see what he looks like. ;)

Now, all you guys gotta do is wait. Wait patiently. And things will soon unravel on their own.
Don't forget to vote, comment and share! Until next time,
Tutz!!