The Mermaid's Mirror - L. K. Madigan [74]
They swam in silence for a few minutes, then Melusina said, "I shall rise and take in air. We are far from the land, where no humans may see us. You must remain beneath the surface."
"Why?"
Melusina paused, then said slowly, "The cloak protects humans beneath the surface, just as it protects mer-folk above the waves. But once you rise above the surface, the enchantment of the cloak will cease for you and your body will require air."
"Oh," said Lena, wide-eyed. "I thought you said I could go without the cloak and still breathe under water."
"I did. But not above the water."
"Um, okay, I'll wait here."
Still holding her daughter's hand, Melusina rose for air. Lena watched from below, fingering the cloak.
"Let us return to the village now," said Melusina, when she slid back under water. "We will eat and drink, and you may spend time with your cousins. They have many questions to ask you."
"I can't wait!"
It was a long journey back to the village. As they drew near, Lena felt her heart lift. So many new family members to get to know! She found herself searching for Nix. So soon? she thought. Do I have a crush on a merman just days after I find out I' mha lf-mermaid?
Lorelei must have been watching for their arrival, because she hurried to join them. "Cousin Selena," she said. "Merrow is giving a lesson to the young ones about the world above the waves. Come listen! Perhaps he is mistaken, and you can tell us better."
Lena saw a group of small mermaids and merboys clustered around Merrow. "I doubt I can tell you better," she said.
"But you are from that world," insisted Lorelei. "Of course you know better! We should be taught the truth."
"Lorelei," chided Melusina. "Your grandfather teaches the ancient rhymes and songs. Those tales are meant to teach the young ones simple facts about the world above the waves ... not detailed descriptions of modern human life."
Lorelei pouted. "Well, I want to know about modern human life!"
Melusina sighed. "Yes, Lori, you are always curious about the human world. I do not know, however, if it is wise for Selena to share her stories." She turned to Lena. "As you see, we do not teach using pen and paper. We pass along images and songs to our young ones, and that is how they learn. But I am not certain whether we should hear your tales of human society. Perhaps they would be disturbing."
Lorelei scowled. "What a childish concern," she said. "I want to hear all about the humans."
Lena couldn't help smiling. It was a novelty to feel so foreign and interesting. "Maybe you should tell me some stories."
Lorelei shrugged. "Nothing ever happens here. Your arrival is the most exciting thing to occur in a hundred moons."
"What does everyone do all day down here?"
Melusina laughed, causing her pearl necklaces to dance. "Ah, Selena! We have much to do. We perform what you call 'work,' but not in order to gain—" She hesitated, again tapping her forehead. "I always forget the word. It means ... hmm, it has something to do with getting things."
"Money?"
"Yes! We do not work to get money." She shook her head, as if disappointed that she couldn't remember the word. "We work to find food, and we spend time preparing the food. We have scouts who patrol the waters around us, to ensure the safety of the village. We have lookouts, as you saw, to announce the arrival of visitors, or to warn of intruders. We spend time teaching the young ones about our history, and about the other creatures of the waters."
"Is that it? Don't you do anything for fun?"
Melusina smiled again and leaned close, teasing, "No, no. We have no fun. It is nothing but work and drudgery here in the world beneath the waves."
Lena chuckled. "Okay, that was a silly question."
"We spend far more time in play than work, as a matter of fact." When Lorelei made a disbelieving sound, Melusina insisted, "It is true! We sing, we tell tales, we make music.