The Girl On The Shore

"You nervous?" Eugene asked. Asher shrugged as he walked the shoreline with his old friend.

"Of being a Captain? Or that I have to sail across the ocean in a couple months?"

"Your nervous."

"Yes but its excitement too. I never been anywhere but Corona." Asher admitted.

"I wish I could join you." Asher laughed at Eugene.

"Rapunzel said the same thing the other day." Eugene said sadly.

"She might want it more than me considering she's been in a tower most of her life."

"What?" Asher asked surprised and Eugene sighed.

"Story for another day." He looked to the horizon as the sun lowered more into it. "Well ill let you enjoy the rest of your day off." Eugene reached his hand toward Asher and he took his hand with a hearty grip. He patted his back and headed back up to the docks.

Asher stayed and decided to watch the sunset on the waves. He set himself on a rock close to the water. He pulled out a small booklet from his coat pocket and flipped through the pages. Revealing tiny illustrations as he flew to a blank page. His mother was an artist and learned from her but when she passed away he stopped for a long time. Though when he made a life for himself in Corona and found his childhood friend Eugene and his wife Rapunzel he started back up again. Plus the princess had an interest in it herself and she liked to learn the different techniques from Asher that he had retained from his mother.

He took a small piece of charcoal out as well and started drawing his picture. He captured the sunset and the waves on the page. He used his fingers to smudge shades and after a few moments he was finished. He liked how it turned out and scrolled to another empty page and began drawing boats on the sea coming to port. The ocean was great inspiration and before he knew it, the stars and moon came out illuminating the water creating a beautiful scene. It looked as if the sky was staring back at itself. Asher grinned and closed his eyes, laying his back on the bolder, relaxing his hand behind his head, he could stay there all nig-

"What is this!?" He opened his eyes at the sudden voice. He sat up when he heard more irritated grunts. "Let go- Ow!" Confused he slid off the rock and walked toward the voice in the dark.

He curled around rocks until he reached mini little tide pools everywhere. He was careful not to step in any, hoping not to disturb any of the sea life living in them. He continued until he reached the source of the cries. It was a girl tangled up in a fishers net.

"Are you alright miss?" He asked and she froze. After what seemed like forever she finally answered.

"No...i-im fine." He walked a little closer and noticed blood shade the sand crimson as the waves washed up over her.

"Your bleeding!" She threw her hand behind her without turning her head.

"No! I'm fine I don't need any humans help thank you though."

"Human?" Asher repeated with a raised brow. She gasped.

"I mean- Just go away please!" Asher refused and walked toward her. He knelt down and grabbed her hand. "Hey!" His eyes widened at her beautiful curly teal hair. It seemed to shimmer in the moonlight.

"What an unusual hair color?" He wondered aloud and the girl pouted while giving him a sour expression.

"It's not unusual!" She whipped her hand away and winced turning to her side.


He looked away embarrassed and looked down. "Miss where are your clothes?" He asked with a short laugh. She looked at him strange.

"Clothes?"

"Yes ma'am...Here let me help yo-" He was cutoff by something strong and wet hitting him in the face. It hit with such force it knocked him back a couple feet. He shook his head set himself back up but he was not prepared for what he was about to see.

"Your...No..that's impossible." He inched closer with a curious smirk.

She had a tale. A bright beautiful tale with blue and green scales shinning in the moonlight. Giving off the allusion that it was teal. He frowned seriously when he noticed the cuts and gashes in her tale and stomach. Asher reached in his pocket and pulled out a small carving knife. She sucked in a breath and tried scooting away.

"No, no its okay...I'm going to cut through the net." He waited for her approval and she nodded. Asher smiled and grabbed the netting. He cut through them a little at a time. Moments later she wiggled herself out with his help. He threw the net to the side and focused on her wounds.

"No I'm fine!" She gasped and Asher shook his head.

"I can help you!"

"No! I....I don't want to trust anymore humans." Asher licked his lips.

"Did a human do this to you?" He asked angry. She pressed her lips together and sighed tiredly.

"Thank You for helping me but I need to go." She wiggled toward the waves but gasped in pain. Suddenly she felt something cover her shoulders and lift her up. She blinked surprised and looked up to Asher holding her.

"I'm helping you and that's final."

"Put me down!" She slapped her hands against his chest and he looked down at her.

"No." Asher replied simply and turned and started walking up toward the town. When they reached the street she huddled deeper in his coat.

"No they'll see me."

"Don't worry I know a back way."

"Back way?"

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Asher and his new mermaid friend finally made it to the stables. He kicked the door open and carefully went in making sure not to hit her tale fin against the door frame. She jumped when she heard the sound of horses. She looked at them amazed.

"Sea horses?" She asked amazed. He chuckled.

"Actually up here their just horses." Asher walked down the hall of the stables and opened another door.

Inside was a small cabin. She looked around in wonder at the room. Human things everywhere. Asher placed her gently on the bed but her eyes were glued on her surroundings. There was a desk full of maps and books. A fire place with a rocking chair ans stool next to it but the one thing that interested her the most were the pictures. They were all over the walls. Finished paintings and sketches of landscapes, animals, people and the ocean. Her home.

She gazed around in awe waving her head in every direction. The only thing that released her from her trance was the screech of the stool being pulled to the bed. Asher sat down and placed a bowl of water to his side with a rag. She watched him dip the fabric into the water and ring it out. He lifted it up and stared at her uneasy expression.

"You ready?" She nodded and he dabbed gently to her cuts. She winced and took deep breathes. "So what happened?"

"My sister and I were exploring one day and....Sailors saw us on the surface so we thought we would talk to them." She put her hand to her head. "It was stupid but they kept us secret and we visited many times...They gained our trust so today we were too close and they threw a net. Thankfully my sister got away but I was caught. I fought them but they cut me with these pointy things."

"Fishing spears."

"I used a shell to cut through the rope holding the net and I dived. I passed out, woke up on shore and here I am."

He nodded in reply. Asher put the rag into the water and stood up. He walked over to the shelf above the fire place and grabbed bandages. He sat back down and continued aiding to her wounds.


"Um....Why are you not surprised to see me?" She asked and he smiled.

"I was at first but lets just say I have seen things," He stopped to rip a piece of the cloth and twisted it around her tale. "That just can't be explained and I know a women who could use magic with her hair to heal people." He tied a knot in the bandage and sat back. "How does that feel." She grinned and flapped around her tale.

"It hurts but better."

"Good. Now lets look at your stomach." He helped her turn and began to tend to her gash.

"Your hands are really warm." He rose his eyebrows at her.

"I guess that would make sense because your a fish." He heard her scoff and she glanced behind her.

"I'm a mermaid not a fish...well." They both quietly laughed as he wrapped bandages around her torso.

"All done." He slapped his knees and she turned around.

"Thank you."

"Your welcome."

"I'm Lorelei." Lorelei said suddenly. He smiled finally knowing her name and rubbed his neck.

"Nice to meet you i'm Asher."

"Asher." He nodded. "Well Asher could I ask a favor."

"What is that, Lorelei?"

"Could you please carry me back to shore please." He chuckled and nodded again.

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Asher walked out into the sea with Lorelei in his arms. He reached the shallows and placed her into the water. She sunk into the water and went underneath. She reemerged and smoothed her curly hair to the back. Lorelei looked up at him with a smile.

"Thank you for helping me."

"Of course." She started swimming away but soon turned back around.

"You'll keep my secret right?"

"My word as a Captain I swear to keep your secret." He promised and she gave a hopeful grin.

"Thanks...Asher?"

"Yeah?"

"Could I come visit?"

"I would be sad if you didn't." She rolled her eyes and waved goodbye before diving into deeper water and disappeared into the night of waves.