LEGEND OF THE MER (19 page)

“
I‘ll
be careful Dad.  I won’t wear it on land
.
”

“Yes Cole, we will be careful,” said Titus.

“Well
I like the thing, it looks good on you Princess Lana
.
”
Makoa
smiled
.

“Thank you Makoa, I like it too
.
”
Lana
smiled
as she glanced at it once more.  “Are you sure that I should have it Titus, there must be many of your maidens that deserve it more?”

“No one deserves it more than you,” he s
aid
and kissed her again.

“Do not worry Princess Lana, we mer have plenty of treasure.  I have even found a necklace that I plan on giving my intended one day
.
”
Makoa
winked
to Lana.

“And I’m sure she’
ll be proud to wear it Makoa
.
”
Lana
grinned
.

~~~

During the next two weeks, Lana’s father came and went from the cavern at
Gull
Island
.  It was becoming harder for him to spend time with them.  The islanders were demanding answers for their loss and the rumors of sea creatures abounded.  With Lana and Titus’ union only a day away, he sent word that he would be there in the city of
Torbist
when the time came.  He would have to wear his scuba gear, but he promised that he wouldn’t miss it for anything.

Lana and Titus swam in the city coral reef gardens with Tempest.  Titus did not have the heart to make him stay in his home since he had been so long from him.  Lana thought that the gardens were every bit as beautiful as the flower gardens on land.  Lana especially loved the many white mar
ble statues of dolphins, mermen
and mermaids.  As they swam, Lana noticed a statue of a mermaid
.  She thought;
this
mus
t be my
mothe
r,
she
’s
the very image of her
. 

“It is Queen Horaios; she was King Titan’s mate.
  It was when she was younger. 
She died many winters ago before I was even born.  Her name means beautiful; you look just like her
.
”
Titus
smiled
.

Then Lana saw
a statue next to the Queen,
she knew that it must be of King Titan when he was a young merman.  He was holding his forked staf
f and he looked just like Titus; only he had a short beard.

Titus
smiled to read her thoughts about it.  “Now you know why we were destined to be together,”
he
said as he gently
took her in his arms and
kissed her.

There were so many vibrant colors
of blue, purple, orange, yellow
and pinks of every shade in the gardens.  Titus picked one of the small orange blossoms and placed it behind Lana’s ear within her hair.  She smiled at his loving thoughts.  “I cannot believe tha
t tomorrow you will be mine,” Titus
said
smil
ing
back to her.

“Well
you better believe it, because you’re not getting out of it,” she
giggl
ed.

“I would not think of it,” he said as he pulled her close and tenderly kissed her
again
.

“A few months ago I’d never believe
that I could find such happiness,” said Lana seriously looking up into Titus’ eyes.

“I have to say, that even though I planned this day for so long, I too never knew how much I could love you.  You have taught me a deeper meaning of love that I did not know existed,” he said as he
ran his fingers along her chin
and smiled to read Lana’s thoughts that she felt the same.

“Okay you two, time for that later.  Lana, we have preparations to make,” s
ai
d Princess Tarra
as she swam up to them
.

“Oh, I nearly forgot!  I have to go Titus,” Lana
said
rememb
ering
all that she had to do before tomorrow.  Titus grabbed her hand and pulled her close once more and kissed her deeply and let his thoughts tell her that it will be the hardest thing to be away from her for even a short amount of time.

“We will have forever my Prince,” said Lana as she kissed him once more and swam away with Tarra.  Titus watched until he could see her no longer.

~~~

The next morning came
so quickly and Lana felt butterflies roll within her stomach.  She thought of having to stand before King Titan at the front of the Hall and having the entire mer population watching her and Titus.  Then she remembered what Titus had told her so
many times before,
I just have
to focus on him and hi
s thoughts only, and I can
get through anything
.

For this special occasion, the
mermaids wear only white shells
and white pearls upon their heads.  Lana thought
,
how much like
a human wedding
.  Rose Perry even sent her a white bathing suit bottom with a small attached skirt.  Lana wore strings of white pearls around her ankles and her wrists.

“You look so love
ly my dear,” said Titus’ mother
Princess Cassandra.

“Thank you,” said Lana nervously.

“You will make my son very happy.  He has dreamed of this day for so long and I am so glad to see it
.
”
S
he smiled.

“I am too, only I hope I don’t embarrass him,” giggled Lana.

“You could do nothing to disappoint him on this day,” she said with a hug.

“I
t is time Princess Lana
.
”
Tarra
smiled
.

“Okay, here we go,” said Lana as she and the mermaids swam to the Hall.

Lana’s nerves were calmed as soon as she saw Titus up at the front with King Titan.  He was wearing a crown of white shells on his head and he had the most brilliant smile.  It warmed her heart to see him so happy. 
She thought,
I can’t believe that he’s actually gonna be mine
.  Then s
he quickly glanced around for her father and saw him swimming to her.  He smiled beneath his scuba mask and the bubbles escaped from his mouth piece.  Lana was so filled with love for him that he would do this for her.  She let her thoughts
tell him
, “Well Dad, not many fathers can say that they gave their daughter away to a merman
.
”
S
he smiled brightly.

“Nope, but not many daughters marry such a fine man,” he let his thoughts tell her.  Then the two swam to the front and her father took her hand and placed it into Titus’.  Prince Titus gave a knowing glance to him and let his thoughts tell him how honored he was that he and Princess Leona had entrusted him with such a gift.

The mer began to blow on the conch shells calling all to this sacred assembly and King Titan rose from his thrown holding his golden forked staff and he shouted to all gathered, “Let this be a day of celebration that we long remember.  For the day of the sacred union has come for Prince Titus and Princess Lana.  May the mighty Arius bless them with a long and happy life together.  May they never know hunger and may they live a life of peace.  May they be blessed with many offspring and always remember the sacred ways of our people.  Prince Titus, do you wish to speak a vow to Princess Lana?”

“Yes.  Princess Lana, I will do all that is in my power to protect you and provide for you.  I will try to always live the sacred ways of our people and teach them to our offspring.  I will love you for as long as there is a beat of my heart,” said Titus sincerely staring into her eyes.

“Princess Lana, do you wish to speak a vow to Prince Titus?” King Titan asked.

“Yes.  Prince Titus,
I’
ll do all that is in my power to
give you comfort and rest.  I’
ll try and live the sacred ways of our people and te
ach them to our offspring.  I’
ll also love you for as long as there is a beat of my heart,” said Lana sincerely, feeling as if her heart would burst from the love she felt for Titus.

“To all gathered in this Hall, I now declare that Prince Titus and Princess Lana have been joined, let us celebrate!” King Titan shouted and the entire Hall cheered with joy.  Then Titus kissed Lana in the presence of everyone and
all
cheered once more.

Everyone came to wish them well and music began to play in the Hall.  All the mer began to dance after they had greeted the couple.

Lana’s father was the last
one
to wish them well.  “I love you kid, and you made me so proud to be here today
.
”
Cole
removed his air hose from his mouth and kissed the top of her head.  He went to Titus and gave him a hug
and said
, “Take care of my baby girl
.
”

“I shall
.
”
Titus
smiled proudly
.

“Thanks Dad, it was such a beautiful wedding.  I hate that Rose couldn’t come,” Lana
said
sadly.