The royal guard who dares not tell anyone that his loyalty belongs to the true Merman prince, Adrien, struggles with his conscience. He worries about Adrien's safety as well as for that of the girl whom the prince loves.  He knows for a fact that the other guards are not as trustworthy.  
    
       Most of the other guards either work for the wicked aunt and uncle of Adrien's, or they work partially for them, and Adrien.  He feels the need to warn Adrien for some reason. He is not sure why.  He just feels as if it necessary both as Adrien's guard and as his friend.  He hides so that others do notice him.  He can not have any of them question where he stands.

      The guard waits until the other guards are a long way off.  He is sure that by now the young man and young lady are out of the water. He can sense they are among the land dwellers or humans for the moment.  He has no idea how to find them, but find them he must. 

     Wayhem is his name and he must get going soon. He has to before dark hits the surface of the water.  He swims as fast as he can and far as he can in such little time.  He arrives at the edge of the ocean.  He looks up and sees he is on dry ground. He picks up a small shell rubs it and turns into a human.  He walks further into the sandy beach shore.   He searches and finds it. He smiles as he picks up the cord.  He attaches the shell to it and ties it around his neck. 

    This way he can be sure he will lose his legs if by some mishap he gets wet later.  He dries off with his merman abilities.  Then, he smiles as he looks around for some covering.  He must not show up naked when he arrives in the city.  No, that would look suspicious which is the opposite of what he hopes to achieve.  He finds it.  He spots a large blue cloth and drapes it over himself. 


 The item does not cover him fully but is enough to cover his privates, and his legs as well.  At least now he appears to have pants on.  He uses some seaweed for a makeshift belt to hold it in place.  

    Wayhem now heads to the area where he believes he might find those he seeks. He sure hopes so for their sake and his own.  If not then perhaps, they are all doomed.  He reaches a funny looking building and knocks on it.  He has no clue what to say if someone should answer it.  He just stands there with hesitancy.  He hears a noise that makes him jump.  He is about to pull out his sword when he hears a familiar voice.

    "Wayhem, is that you?"  Adrien asks.

      Adrien looks at his old friend and bodyguard in amazement.  He never thought he would see him here.

  "Adrien, who is it darling?"  Marinette asks. 

   "Oh, it is an old friend," Adrien replies.

         Marinette smiles as she enters the room. She looks at the boy who looks almost like Adrien expect for the eye color is much darker. She then glances at her fiance.  She has no many questions in her head right now.

       "Yes, Adrien, it is me, "  Wayhem says.

     "Do not just stand there, come inside," Marinette states.

     "Okay, thank you," Wayhem replies as he steps inside the house.

       Marinette closes the door and locks it behind him. She wonders what brought Adrien's pal her anyway.  It is not like she is ever heard of him before yet somehow he appears to be rather familiar.

      "What brings you here?" Adrien asks as he hugs him.

   "I  felt like I owe it to you, your majesty,"  Wayhem says.

  "Look, you do not have to call me that now.  It is ok, Adrien is good enough,"  Adrien responds.

    "It is nice to meet you,"  Marinette says.

   "Likewise, I am sure, Marinette,"  Wayhem says.

    "Wait, how did you know my name?"  Marinette asks.

   "Adrien has spoken much about you.  I came here because I worry for you both," Wayhem says.

   "Why should you worry about us?"  Adrien inquires.

   "It is not that easy to explain,"  Wayhem answers.

    "The royal guard duties never fail,"  He says next.

    "Guard duties, wait, but that means..." Marinette remarks.

   "Yes, it means I am a loyal servant to prince Adrien the rightful heir to the mermen royal court, and throne,"  Wayhem replies.

    "Wow, Adrien, you never told me you had such a faithful bodyguard," Marinette says.

   "Yes, well it did not seem important to bring it up," Adrien says.

   "Not important, I will have you know it, young man, that your well being is the most important thing ever as is hers too,"  Wayhem says.

    Wayhem's  POV:
    He can tell Adrien does not seem to understand what concerns him.

  He is sure the one Adrien loves does not get it either.

 Very well, he shall do his best to protect them both.

Adrien's  POV:
Why should Wayhem worry for myself let alone Marinette?

It is not as if we are in any real danger here.

Her mother is behind bars and as for the royal family, they are back at sea.

I see no worry, so naturally, Wayhem should be at ease.

Marinette's  POV:
What is this the guard goes on about anyway?

It seems as if he fears for us, but why?

Who could be after us anyway?

Marinette's  POV:
  No one followed us here.

I am sure of it, so why then does the royal guard approach us in such a manner?



Adrien's  POV:
  It is good to see my old buddy who doubles as my humble servant and guard.

The only thing that puzzles me is what he is up too.

 It seems that he came here for a good reason. 

I am sure that he has every intention to keep Marinette and me alive.

Wayhem's POV:
 How do I tell them what I overheard the other's planning?

It seems they plan to ambush them if they should ever return to the ocean.

What then shall become of those two?

*Author's  Note:  Will Wayhem be able to tell Adrien and Marinette the bad news in time or will something dreadful happen to stop him?

Find out more when the story continues in Chapter 23...

-Summer out!