My name is Militum.

I was born in the Undine clan of merfolk who live in the Northern area of the great sea. Even though my parents were very powerful singers, I was born with very little magic. In my heart, I knew that while my parents loved me, they would always be disappointed in me.

For the Undine, who are led by the three powerful Sirens, mermen are kind of a second thought. If you don't have a powerful song and you're a merman? Life can really get you down. 

I don't mind not having a strong voice though, because I've got something better than any song. 

"Militum!" 

I turn around at the familiar voice of my childhood friend and feel a smile already growing on my face. "Melodia."

She was swimming toward me, her dark locks fanning out behind her, with something clutched tightly between her fingers. Unlike me, Melodia has one of the strongest songs I have ever heard. Sometimes, when we stay out late together, she sings for me.

Those private songs are my definition of happiness.

When she sings, Melodia's face lights up with joy. Anyone who looked at her would know that she was born to sing. I've been looking at her since we first met so I know. Melodia comes to an abrupt stop, just a few hands away, and smiles so brightly that it hurts to look.

"Mother got me a gift!" She holds up a small silver box with an ornate design of small waves around the edges of it. I lean in closer to have an admiring look. From the looks of it, this is a human thing. 

"It's pretty. What is it?" Carefully, I reach out a finger and trace the waves. It feels cold under my finger, like the water will not heat it up.

"Mother said the humans call it a carillon à musique." Though she has a gift for speaking tongues, Melodia's mouth still stumbles over the slightly foreign pronunciation of human language. I had no doubt she would be practicing the words tonight to make sure she never stumbled over them again.

Melodia was nothing if not driven to succeed. 

"Look, Militum! You haven't even seen the best part." She leaned in closer and slowly wound a small metal stick. The faint sound of something clicking filled the water and then she placed the box on her palm. 

Melodia holds it up to eye level and then opened the lid slowly to reveal a mirror on the bottom of it. Inside the box was a tiny figure of a human woman with her arms raised up to the shoulders of a tiny human man. They began to spin in a circle and then suddenly, there was music in the water. 

Sharp notes ring out like tiny little bells and they chorus a strange melody I have never heard before. The music sends shivers down my spine and I look up at Melodia in wonder. "It's amazing!"

She lifts her chin up and her eyes glow like stars. "Of course! Mother gave it to me. Close your mouth, Militum, it's not polite to gawk."

Immediately, I feel my face grow warm and I know I am blushing vividly. One of Melodia's favorite past times is making me blush. She says it is because I make it too easy for her. I kind of hope I make a lot of things easy for her. 

I shake my head and close my mouth before pouting at her. "You're the one going on about how wonderful your gift is. Can't I appreciate it too?"

Melodia carefully closes the lid of the box and the music stops. "Well, yes. You are my friend Militum. You can always appreciate the gifts I receive, just as I always appreciate your company."

My heart skips a beat in my chest. Even though she takes great pains to always assure me that she likes when I am with her, I still find it impossible not to be affected by her words. I secretly worry that the day will come when she will grow tired of me. Part of me knows it must come, because she has everything and I am a disappointment. Part of me hopes it will never come. 

I try not to let that hopeful part of me grow too big. 

Melodia seems to hesitate before she speaks again. "Militum, there's something I need to ask you." She looks up at me with a seriousness that I rarely see when we are alone. Instinctively, my tail moves to curl around the tip of hers in a gesture of comfort. 

"You can ask me anything." I can hardly breathe with the sudden tension in the water.

She opens her mouth to speak and her eyes are more vulnerable than I have ever seen. "Militum, do you l-" Magic interrupts her, flowing in song from the city. 

Melodia and I turn as one towards the glittering city of Anthemusa, alarmed and wary. A summons is being sent to all the citizens of the clan. The last time a summons like this was sent, it was due to the death of a Siren.

I hear Melodia gasp and then her tail releases mine. She swims towards the city as quickly as she can, dropping the music box so both her arms are free. For a moment, as I watch her swim away, I feel as cold as the box. 

Reaching down, I scoop the box up from the white sand of the ocean floor and give it a gentle dusting. "Don't worry." The box shines in the light of the day cycle, beautiful and precious, like its owner. 

"I'll look after you." I start to swim towards the city, keeping my eyes on Melodia in the distance. 

"Always."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

This is the beginning of a snapshot of life outside the Naiad clan. I chose Militum to represent the Undine because his story is one that really tugs at my heart strings. I also chose to write in first person because I am traditionally bad at it and I wanted to flex my writing muscles by trying something that I do not normally do.

Please forgive me. And bear with me. I love all of you for reading this. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the clans or anything you want to see in their stories and I will see what I can cook up for you! <3