The Mermaid's Mirror - L. K. Madigan [66]
"Melusina draws near ... gather here. Here."
"The child of Melusina is unarmed ... you will be not harmed. Not harmed."
"What are they doing?" asked Lena.
"They are calling out to the rest of the village to announce our arrival." Her mother's voice in her mind sounded amused as she added, "Visitors are rare."
"But how can I understand them?!"
"Ahh, my child! It is the charm upon the cloak. Brilliant, yes?"
Even as her mother spoke, Lena became aware of many voices beginning to fill her mind. They were growing louder and more excited. Billowing out of the forest, a crowd of mer-folk swam in her direction. She gasped. There must be forty or fifty! It had been a shock to see one mermaid the day she first saw Melusina ... the sight of throngs of mer-folk was almost overwhelming.
Lena shrank back.
"They wish to welcome you," said her mother. "They are your people, too, daughter."
They were all ages and sizes, tiny and plump to long and lean. Strong, young mermen and elderly, gracious mermaids. Some with long, streaming hair, others with cropped curls. The color of their skin ranged from unearthly pale to rich brown. Lena could see one very old mermaid whose skin looked almost blue.
"Auntie Lu," called a voice.
A young mermaid with flowing dark hair and dusky skin rushed toward them, ahead of the others.
She looks a little like Pem, thought Lena. A small frown came over her face. At the moment, she couldn't remember Pem's face. An image of a pink braid drifted through her mind. Lena looked down at her foot and was reassured by the sight of the yarn encircling her ankle.
"So this is your land child?" asked the mermaid. Her lustrous black hair looked like floating strands of silk. "She looks to be my age! Will you not introduce us?"
"Yes, of course, dear Lorelei. You have in common with your cousin the trait of impatience." She squeezed Lena's shoulders.
My cousin! thought Lena. Her heart beat faster. She felt almost dizzy. It was all so unbelievable. Was she really floating in the bright blue and purple depths of the sea, breathing liquid instead of air? Was she meeting a mermaid cousin?
"Lorelei, please meet my darling Selena," said Lena's mother.
Lorelei wriggled with barely repressed excitement. "Hello! I am Lorelei! You are welcome!" Then her brow furrowed and her voice grew louder in Lena's mind. "Can you understand me?"
Lena smiled and nodded, unsure how to answer. If she thought in English, would her cousin understand?
Melusina sensed her hesitation. "There is no barrier to your language here. As the cloak gives you comprehension, it does the same for your listeners."
"I am pleased to meet you," said Lena haltingly.
Lorelei beamed. "I heard your words! But will you also teach me that land-language?"
Before Lena could answer, two mer-folk who seemed to be Lorelei's parents approached.
"This is my brother, Nereus, father of the impatient Lorelei," said Melusina, indicating a merman with long reddish-gold curls. He smiled and kissed Lena's hand.
"Nereus?" said Lena, trying to pronounce the name correctly.
"Yes. All of our names have been handed down from generation to generation, some of them from ancient times. They are names from all the waters of the world."
Lena had an urge to thank him ... but she could not remember why. He had done her father a kindness, she thought. Before she could speak, Lorelei darted forward. "Oh, look at the brightness of her fingertips! How they shine! Like abalone shell. May I touch your legs?"
"Lorelei!" scolded the mermaid next to Nereus.
"That is Iona, Lorelei's mother," said Melusina. "She comes from the warm waters. I journeyed with her to her native village when I was sorrowing over your loss."
Iona moved forward. "Welcome, child," she murmured. "We are so pleased to meet you." She frowned at Lorelei. "I apologize for your cousin's rudeness."
"It's okay—I don't mind if she touches my legs," said Lena quickly.
Lorelei came closer, eyes wide. She put one hand on each of Lena's legs, shyly feeling the long muscles