Daughters of Land and Shore

In this version, Ariel's mother: Queen Athena is alive, and Melody has a twin sister named Harmony. The sisters and their parents spend part of the year at their Father's palace on land and the other part at the palace of heir mother's family. The arrangement was made possible after Morgana was vanquished, and their grandfather gave them the ability to transform into girls on land and mermaids when in the sea. The plot takes two years after their twelfth birthday and the wall was removed.

Ch. 1 Royal Anniversary

~ Harmony~ Golden rays of sunlight sailed in through the open sandstone windows of our room. Melody and I were fourteen years old and still stuck together as close as we were in the womb. When we found the matching lockets with our names on them, I was the one who suggested that we find out why there were two identical lockets and who made them. So, we went off to the sea.

When Melody went to take Grandpa Triton's triton from its stand, I kept on the lookout. Though, now I can't say that I'm proud of that adventure.

In our room, the rays illuminated my long curled locks of hair, which was auburn like Grandma Athena's, but looked red in sunlight

Melody was sleeping sound as a manatee with her black hair spilling over her sponge pillow.

I crawled out of my adjacent queen-sized bed and crouched next to her pillow. "Hey, Mel. Psst. Wake up," I said softly while shaking her shoulder.

My sister turned over in her sleep as if nobody was at her bedside.

I let my lips turn down in annoyance and then gave a hard shove.

"Aye Mel, wake up."

"Hey! What's the big idea?" she asked with her hair disheveled and eyes partially closed.

"Mom's old treasure trove, that's what."

"Oh right!" she said with her big bluish green eyes flying open. We had the same eyes.

"Mom hasn't come yet, maybe we can go before breakfast. That is, if we hurry Mel."

"Ooo, I heard Tip and Dash mention this cavern with crystals that glow at night, maybe we can go after the anniversary celebration?"

Grandpa Triton and Granma Athena had been ruling Atlantica for fifty years and the whole weekend was to be filled with the royal parade, the family concert, and the royal festival. As royal grandchildren we were to feature in the concert as a duet, aside from the performances of our mom, aunts and cousins.

Presently, the mention of mom's treasure trove and the glowing cavern was enough to get Melody out of bed and put on a pair of seashells before brushing her hair.

I put on my favorite corral seashells and let my auburn hair fall around the golden shell locket grandpa made me.

We had our kelp sacks in tow and were about to slip out when mom called, "Melody, Harmony. Girl's it's time for breakfast. "

We looked at each other and sighed quietly before mom let herself in through the reed door.

"Girls, remember today is Atlantica's celebration of your grandparents' rule and today's breakfast is to be a special spread." Mom looked at our kelp sacks and said, "Girls, you weren't planning on swimming off and missing breakfast, were you?"

"No, we're just bringing them with us just in case," I started.

"Yeah, just in case we saw some beautiful sea glass outside the palace or some spiral seashells," Melody added. Gosh she was a bad liar.

Mom's hands were on her hips and her green mermaid tail was curved like a hook. "This day is important to the whole family, but especially grandma and grandpa. For twelve years we couldn't be together as a family and now that we are, we must take advantage of the occasion. So, get a move on," she said swimming ahead of us. She looked over her shoulder occasionally, so we didn't sneak off.

~Melody~ The royal dining room table was longer than dad's ship. Grandpa Triton sat at the head while Grandma Athena sat at the foot. Grandpa's golden diadem was lined with pearls while Grandma's crown was shining with brilliant diamonds wand matching earrings. Between them were our aunts and uncles lined with our many cousins.

Dad was talking about the royal guard with Grandpa, when Mom led us to him and said," Good morning Daddy. Here are your two missing grandchildren."

Harmony and I bowed to him and then to Grandma and I said, "Good morning Grandpa and Grandma. Happy royal anniversary."

Grandpa was the first to respond, "Now girls, it's not just the anniversary for your grandmother and I as queen and king of Atlantica, but an anniversary for our whole family. For as long as Atlantica has existed, our family has been on the throne."

"It is a celebration for the next generations too and those to come," Grandma added.

"And it's important that the next generations uphold the family legacy," mom said with an admonishing tone.

Harmony and I both nodded.

"Now give your grandmother and grandfather a hug," Grandma Athena said in her usual warm voice. There was a soothing way about her that made you feel safe and comfortable.

When Grandma hugged me, I felt like an infant held close in a swaddling blanket.

"Now don't forget your grandfather," Grandpa Triton said, bear hugging us three.

Harm and I sat next to our parents, who sat on either side of Grandpa. We helped ourselves to the trays of sponge cakes, kelp patties, scrambled algae and all sorts of delicious food. What the food in Atlantica lacked in substance, made up for it in seasoning and its rich flavors.

Harmony nudged me after we finished our plates and breakfast slowed down. Everyone was talking amongst themselves, but I could tell by the intentional look in her eye that she meant for us to ask about going exploring before the parade.

I stammered "Grandpa could we um ask you something, er that is for your uh permission."

He tilted his head upward to show that he was listening to me,

Mom and Dad stopped talking and started listening too.

I couldn't find my words anymore. So, Harmony continued on confidently "We were hoping that we could do some exploring before the parade. Or maybe afterwards if time's too tight?"

I felt the whole table stop its buzz of conversation. I held my breath, hoping that we didn't just offend our entire family twelve years of separation that Morgana caused. But Harmony was a master at pulling up a reason out of thin air.

"The thing is Grandpa; Melody and I were thinking about making a poem as part of our performance at the concert. So, we thought exploring Atlantica would inspire us by seeing the wonderful kingdom. We want to see the sites for ourselves."

I watched Grandpa Triton's face and wondered if he was buying any of this.

Mom and Dad looked tense as scared starfish.

Grandma however, had a patient calm in her eyes.

Grandpa's silence seemed to last forever, and I thought for certain that he was going to be angry and offended. But he answered, "Well, considering that you are descendants of Atlantica and heirs to the throne, it might be a good idea. You may go before the parade, but on the condition that Sabastian goes with you two."

I met eyes with Harmony and knew that we had to ditch the crab if we were going to have any fun.

Sebastian crawled to the corner of the purple table and said, "Me?! But your majesty, there's the preparations for the concert and the whole celebration."

"All the more reason to make sure that my granddaughters make the parade and the whole itinerary on time," Grandpa said.

"I seem to remember a certain royal daughter who missed a concert when she had a solo," Grandma said casting a playful glance to Mom.

"Well that certain daughter was sorry, and that day led to some great things in this family. Like, some grandchildren and a son-in-law," mom shot back a little defensively.

My eyes flew open and I blushed.

Harmony Looked down at the table embarrassedly.

"With that girls, you may go exploring," Grandpa said mercifully changing the subject.

Just as we got up from our places next to our parents, I heard our cousin Aquamarine say, "I want to come too!"

Harmony and I looked at each other with turned down lips. We both knew how clingy she could get and that she was such a copycat.

"Very well, "Grandpa said before Aunt Aquatta could object.

Now there was Sebastian and Cousin Aquamarine to bring down our plans.