daughteroftheseasblog

[daughteroftheseasblog]

There have been many extraordinary couples throughout history. Romeo and Juliet, Lancelot and Guinevere. And I was there to meet them when their times came, some came quicker than others, but all of them were just as painful as the next. Over the centuries, I grew passionate about books and stories, and in what little spare time I had, I spent as a wandering storyteller, telling stories, to those who would listen, about the people I had met, all the souls I had touched and the adventures I went on along the way. People laughed at me, said I had a vivid imagination. There was nothing I could do to convince them otherwise. Not without revealing who I was. But here I am, and I am about to tell you one of the most tragic love stories I have ever come across.

This story takes place on the banks of the River Lee in County Cork, in the south of Ireland. The year was 1800, and the world was still recovering from a smallpox epidemic, over a million people had died worldwide. I wouldn’t be that busy again until 1912, over a century away. Society was still rebuilding itself, people were coming to terms with a new world, a more dangerous world. On a hill overlooking Blackrock Village, there was one of the most protected castles in all of Ireland, Blackrock Castle. And it is inside this castle that our story takes place. You see, in the early 1800s, this castle was used as military barracks to stop incoming invaders. Once I entered this particular castle, one lieutenant caught my attention, which is unnatural, as I tend to avoid the company of, how do I say this, the living.

But this particular mortal, he managed to catch my eye, there was nothing special about him, as a matter of fact, you could say he was quite unassuming, but it was this singular quality that gave him the courage to carry out destiny’s plan.

This story takes place over a few freezing cold weeks, it was the the middle of winter, the sky was grey and overcast, not a single tree had a leaf on any of its branches and freezing cold rain would pelt down on the village or maybe even Jack Frost would pay a visit. Go on, picture it in your head. I know you can.

Anyway, one particular day, the commander-in-chief decided to pay a visit to the barracks to see if his troops were improving in any shape or form. But this day was unlike all others, you see, he decided to bring along his daughter, a young girl of about 19 years old, Elizabeth I believe her name was, and she was one of the most beautiful women in the country.

The lieutenant I had been watching had been on guard duty this specific day and it was clear that it was love at first sight, and not just for him. Her father left her in his care and he went off to inspect his troops and over the course of a few short hours, they knew each other like the back of their hands. But you see, there was one thing in the way of them, or person I should say. And that person was Elizabeth’s father. Over the next few weeks they began seeing each other more and more often, sometimes even hiding out in the turrets of the castle. As more and more time passed, I saw their love grow more and more with each passing day. Until one day, tragedy struck.

They were hiding out in the turrets, as per usual, and they didn’t hear the footsteps until it was too late, they were found by superior guards and brought before Elizabeth’s father and a marriage was arranged with a wealthy family from a neighbouring County within the hour. Elizabeth was to be wed to their son within a few days. And as for her lieutenant, his last act of duty before being sent off to the frontlines, where he would surely die, was to act as a guard at her wedding. As they passed into the corridor from her father’s office, I whispered a idea into Elizabeth’s ear, she will never know it was me, and I will keep this secret for the rest of eternity. This was the last I saw either of them alive.

When the big day arrived, the castle was bustling with activity, everyone had something to do. The food had been prepared, the decorations had been put up, the only thing’s missing were Elizabeth and her lieutenant. They were found hours later in Elizabeth’s wardrobe holding hands and hanging from a makeshift noose. Their funeral was held a few days later, and though it was winter, it was one of the most beautiful funerals I witnessed in my lifetime. They were buried holding hands. As for Elizabeth’s father, he never forgave himself and resigned from his role a few days later.

As for me, I don’t believe I introduced myself yet. But you will meet me eventually, it’s inevitable really, nobody lives forever. And I will be there when it happens.

I am Death.

[daughteroftheseasblog]

Have you ever wondered, is the villain ever really evil? Or is the real villain hiding just under our noses? Are they the ones that changed the course of history? We’ll you’re about to find out. This is Ursula’s story.

Ignorant thieves, that’s what they all were. Stealing the one thing she had left from the life she had been forced to leave behind. She began rummaging through the things she had compiled through the centuries once more, just to be sure, until a glint of steel caught her eye. Curiosity got the best of her and she began rummaging even harder until she felt steel against the palm of her hand. She brought it into the light. It was a dagger. The hilt was embedded with jewels and rare stones and it gleamed in the light, it looked as good as new. She thought she had lost it decades ago. Something stirred inside her as she thought of one particular days centuries before, and she felt something she hadn’t felt in centuries- regret.

Time was running out. The guards would be back soon and they would accept no excuse- why? Because, you see, Ursula was born with a rare power, that the whole of her kingdom despised, and even if she proved she was trying to heal people, they would turn their backs on her without a second thought. The elixir was almost done and a sickening smell was rising from it, and her patient would be up and swimming away again in no time. Suddenly she heard voices coming up the hallway. The guards. There would be no time for her to hide her equipment, and even if there was, where would she hide it. As the voices grew louder, she prayed that they would swim right past and ignore the door to the infirmary completely. No such luck. She had just managed to hide the dagger up her sleeve before the door handle began to turn. The door opened and in swam two armed guards. It took them a minute to register the sight in front of them, and when they did, they seized a hold of her arms and dragged her to her fathers throne room. King Triton’s throne room. The closer they got to the throne room the more nervous she became. She was also becoming aware of the stares and the snide remarks that were being thrown in her direction, when at last they reached the throne room. One of the guards knocked on the door, and a powerful voice called out “Enter”. The doors swung open, and the three of them entered the room. “What brings you here?” Triton asked. “Well your highness”, began one of the guards began nervously, “ we found your daughter in the infirmary brewing one of the cursed elixirs”. Triton glanced at her. “Ursula, is this true?” He asked. “It is father, but I swear I have a good reason, I- “ she began, but Triton cut her off, “I have heard enough, no matter what you were trying to do, your actions will have consequences. From this day forward, you are hereby banished from the kingdom, now get out of my sight”. The colour drained from her face. “No, please father I can explain, please give me a chance father” she pleaded with him. But it was all in vain, as the guards dragged her out towards the door. And that was the day that her already fragile relationship with her father finally snapped.

That had been centuries ago. The years came and went, and decades passed, and each year as she was forced to watch her father’s kingdom grow and prosper, she became more and more vengeful. Her hatred only grew as she watched a certain red-headed mermaid swim off into the distance. The rest as they say, is history.

[daughteroftheseasblog]

What happens when a child of the sea dies?

The sea raged and the winds howled. The waves crashed down against the rocks and warned anybody who dared to wade out to deep. The rain poured down, making the sea all the more dangerous. For the sea was mourning. Mourning for the child it just lost.