Free The Little Mermaid (Faerie Tale Collection) by Jenni James Page A

path. Many stared at him curiously, but did not attempt to stop him. He was in no mood for being stopped anyway. With such distress as he no doubt showed upon his face and the ailing, wounded woman in his arms, perhaps they were afraid to come closer.
    His heart warmed slightly at the thought. Was this his answer? He had heard that landfolk were a suspicious, fearing group of people who did not generally go out of their way to help those who were sickly, since they were too afraid to become ill themselves.
    He grunted at the morally perverted way of thinking. Such selfishness in a sect of people deserved the cruel, hard lives that they lived. It was no wonder they were in such a sad state of misery. They brought it on themselves, never venturing out beyond their own circles and beliefs. Never seeing the goodness and joy that awaited them in all areas of life—not just that which they could learn from other cultures and people and races, but no, more than that. They were shut off from experiencing anything new. Of course they were bitter and cruel and only thinking of their own gain—they had no hope of ever finding light.
    It was a culture as completely riddled with their own fears and prejudices as he had ever imagined before. And now because of a need to control, to greedily latch on and possess and destroy anything remotely different from what they were accustomed to, his own lively light may never shine again.
    She moaned in his arms, a soft, melodic mermaid wail as he stepped foot into the cluster of homes and shops and eateries that made up the village. People turned to stare. Many of them pulled several paces back so they could pass by, unaffected by Pearl’s strange noises.
    His chest felt heavier than the arms that carried her. He knew that mournful song well. He did not have much time left. The mermaid, as she is about to die, will call out to her loved ones and friends, using a deep cry to let them know she is nearly to the point of passing on. It is as natural as any instinct their bodies possess, and it allows everyone she loves to come to her and pay their respects before she slowly fades away.
    How could their world have been changed so quickly? Tears of sorrow mingled with rage filled his eyes as he continued to march down the cobblestone streets, carrying his heart toward her home. People continued to stare, but he did not make eye contact to see their true reaction to this display. He simply did not care.
    He was not there for them. He had one goal on his agenda, and that was to get her to the healing waters safely and destroy anyone who got in his way.
    Just then an older woman came toward him from amidst the alleyway. She held a small cup in her hand, and a piece of cloth of some sort.

THE WOMAN CHATTERED AT him with a look of great concern. When she went to touch Pearl, he pulled the mermaid out of her grasp. But she continued to chatter, her sweet face smiling as she beckoned to the cup she was holding and then to Pearl.
    Did she wish to help them? What trickery was this?
    Keel glanced around, glaring as he waited for the soldiers to attack. But all that looked on were astonished humans. Apparently, even they felt the older woman to be acting in an unexpected manner.
    Was she really sincere, then?
    The woman slowly ran her hand over Pearl’s hair and bandages while she chanted a quiet song. Keel’s heart rate increased, still fearful of what the woman might do. But she had such a kind way about her, she reminded him of his own mother.
    “Ruby,” she said as she touched her chest. “My name is Ruby.”
    Was she attempting to communicate with him?
    The woman looked to the girl in his arms and gestured to her. “Name?” she asked.
    “Pearl.”
    “Aww.” She smiled and then began to sing her song again, this time including Pearl’s name as well. When she was done, she dampened the cloth with some water and gently rubbed it on Pearl’s forehead and then brought the rest to her lips to