“I don’t think she wants to be bothered.”
“Of course she wants to be bothered, that’s what friends are for. Besides, she hasn’t eaten for two days. It is definitely time for her to get up.”
“Just because you eat constantly that doesn’t mean everyone does.”
“Don’t be so stuffy Pierce. It’s not like I’m gathering urchins or anything.”
“Don’t even joke about those. We were very nearly conquered because of those nasty things.”
“Beastie? Oh Beeeaaassttiieee!” Lance yelled.
Lilliana couldn’t help but smile. She stretched her arms and wiggled her toes and looked over at Spike and Spectrum. “I think we have company boys.”
Spectrum nickered and moved away from the door allowing the two sailfish to enter.
“I have breakfast for you,” Lance sang.
“And I’ve come to ensure your sanity in my brother’s presence,” Pierce said.
“Good morning to you both, if it is morning,” Lilliana replied.
“Oh it is morning, but you’ve missed a few of them. It’s been two days since you sliced up the shark. I’ve heard that shark fins are a delicacy on the land, but the chef wouldn’t let us bring them to you.” Lance placed the tray on a table and lifted the lid with a flourish. Spectrum peeked over his fin, checking for sea grass.
“Cheers to the chef,” said Lilliana as she eagerly eyed the tray. The small yellow berries looked delicious and she popped several in her mouth. They weren’t dragon berries, but they were tasty. She picked up some shrimp and sampled them too.
“Perhaps you should show the fine horse his breakfast as well Lance.”
“Of course dear brother. Is there anything else?” Lance asked with an exaggerated flourish as he backed out the door.
“Can I eat too?” Spike asked, swimming up to the table.
“Of course Spike, help yourself,” Lilliana said offering him some shrimp.
“Cool! I’ll be back later. I know just where some spicy clams are!” He swam off with a swish of his tail.
“Now princess, how are you feeling?” Pierce asked.
“I feel better with a little food in my belly, but I’m still overwhelmed. Was it a dream or did it really happen?”
“Oh yes, it happened. Our entire kingdom is in your debt. The king would like to meet with you this morning if you’re available.”
“Mhmm,” Lilliana murmured wiping the last traces of sleep from her eyes. Then she thought of something else. “Pierce, do you think I’ll be able to go home anytime soon?”
“That question is better for the king to answer than me.”
Lilliana finished her breakfast marveling at how delicious a meal under the sea could be when you were hungry. She tidied up her hair and smoothed out her clothes. The crystal was in her pocket and her friends were at the door. The first time she had met the king she had been worried about everything, including her appearance, but now she knew who she was. She was the Princess of Atlantis, daughter of the king and child of the Morning Star. She smiled at her reflection and went to the door.
The group went quickly to the castle, waving at friends and schools of fish as they passed. Rip was swimming guard duty at the gate and as the group approached, he swam straight and saluted the princess with his fin.
“What’s this?” Lance asked. “No queries about who we are and what we’re doing?”
Rip grinned. “I’d have to be the dullest sword in the ocean not to know the Princess, the Bearer of Light. The king and queen are waiting for you. Hello horse.” Rip nodded to Spectrum. Spectrum peered at him with one eye and put his nose in the air as they passed through the gate.
They swam through the glittering hallway and straight to the shining throne room. Sunlight poured in from the surface and Lilliana felt her heart lighten as she saw the king and queen turn to greet her.
“Hello dear one,” the king said. “I trust you slept well?”
“Yes I did. Apparently two day’s worth.”
“We wanted to thank you for your service to the Star and to Star Shadow,” Queen Doris said.
“Come with us to the garden,” the king said. He turned and went to a doorway on the side of the throne room. They went through the doors and colors leapt from every corner of the ocean garden. Corals of brilliant reds, purples and yellows covered the ground and a path wound through the vibrant mountains. Sea fans waved to Lilliana and tiny feathered animals danced in the light current. Brilliant orange sea slugs crawled along elegant white sea flowers. Lilliana followed the king and the queen to a large circular area in the center of the garden. The floor was paved with pearls that glimmered in the bright light and they reminded her of Spectrum. Her horse was shining like a rainbow as his coat reflected all the colors of the garden. Spaced around the edges of the circle were several large pearls about the size of her hand. They looked like the ones in her guest cave, only much bigger and more luminescent.
“Come, dear one,” beckoned the queen as she swam in the center of the circle. When Lilliana and Spectrum joined them in the circle, the pearls began to glow. The larger pearls along the sides were like bright lanterns on a dark day.
“This is an ancient way for the original kings of the Star to communicate with one another. The pearls here have been kept safe in the garden, but across the lands they have been strewn and their purpose has been forgotten. One such pearl adorns the private dressing table of someone you know.”
“Lilliana, are you there?” came a low and mellow voice.
“Father!” Tears streamed down Lilliana’s face. It was him!
A shadow of his face appeared in the pearl in front of her. “Lilliana, my sweet child! You’re alive!”
“Yes, father, I’m alive. I’m right here.”
“I’m coming to get you sweet daughter. Your friend, King Nereus has ensured us safe passage to his kingdom.”
“Oh father! I have so much to tell you!”
“Not now, my dear, but soon.” The shadow in the pearl began to fade. “Take care of her good king.”
“I will, my friend,” King Nereus said, and the light went out of the pearls.
“What happened?” Lilliana asked. She wanted to hear more of her father’s voice.
“Those on the land have not tended to the pearls, so communication is difficult,” Queen Doris said, “but you can help with that when you return to your land.”
“Do you mean that my father knew about you and your land?”
“Did you not have classes in our language yourself?” the king asked.
Lilliana considered this for a moment. Why else would royalty be required to learn a language so strange?
“I have never known of anyone to speak with fish before.”
“Ah yes,” the king sighed. “The dark one has spread confusion across the lands for hundreds of years. You see child, years ago in the Age of Light, the kingdoms of Atlantis were united in serving the Morning Star. There were great evils in the land such as giants called Nephilim and dragons of the mountains and the sea. But each of the kingdoms was covered with the light of the star much like shield. We were able to unite together and vanquish many evils from the land. One by one the kingdoms became distracted by the small worries of life and have forgotten the ways of the past. We no longer speak with one another and sometimes we war with each other forgetting the one who called us and crowned us.
“You have joined two of the kingdoms in peace through your actions these past few days. You are the child of the prophecy. Listen to it again and open your heart:
PRAISE TO THE STAR, THE KING OF KINGS,
THE MORNING STAR SHALL BE WITH THE EARTH AND THE SEA FOR ALWAYS
HE SHALL RISE AND NEVER FALL
WHEN HE OPENS HIS HAND, ALL OF HIS CREATION IS SATISFIED WITH GOOD THINGS
MAY THE GLORY OF THE STAR ENDURE FOREVER.
It shall come to pass that a child will come born of the land and livi
ng in the sea. He will have a circle of light at his head, and a rainbow at his side. He shall be a sword traveling on the light of the Star and will be the bringer of peace. Though he travels through the pit of death he will not be alone, for I, the Lord your God, the one true Star and king will always be with him. I am the Morning Star. When my child has passed through all the lands that are mine, he will leave a blanket of peace in his wake. I will vanquish the evil one and the kingdoms of my light shall be united in peace for a thousand years.
“This prophecy speaks of you. The circle of light is your crown since you are the princess, and your horse is your rainbow.”
Lilliana looked at Spectrum and patted his neck.
The king continued, “The Star himself became your companion, and your sword.”
“But there are still evil things in the land,” insisted Lilliana. “Serena and her sister were the ones behind Titan’s attack. They won’t let your land remain in peace for long.”
“Perhaps not, but you have begun to unite the kingdoms of the Star again. Once we are all united, then Atlantis and Star Shadow will look forward to our thousand years of peace.”
Lilliana sighed and she looked at the shining black eyes of the king and queen before her. Their white and black bodies shone in the sun and the circles of light were floating over their heads.
“You have only to follow the Star, dear one. Do not think that you must devise a plan for this prophecy to come true. It is not something accomplished by the hands of man or the fins of a fish, but by the will of the Lord alone,” the queen said.
“We have battled the sharks of Titan and his ilk for many years. You have given us a peace that will be enjoyed for generations. Now it is time to send you home and let your kingdom enjoy your presence once more,” the king said.
“Home sounds wonderful to me," Lilliana said and a smile crept across her faces as joy filled her heart.
23. Home
Dolphins leaped in front of the ships leading the king of Atlantis safely through the shoals of the volcano towards the edge of Star Shadow. The sun shone brilliantly through the clear water lighting up the sea life with vibrant colors. Pierce and Lance led Lilliana and Spectrum through the crowd of fish that had gathered to the small group of ships that had arrived. Many of the fish had brought bits of kelp and sea grass to lay on the path before them.
“Hooray for the Princess! Hooray for the Bearer of Light!” came the shouts through the water.
Lilliana smiled and waved at the crowd causing schools of small yellow fish to scatter in several directions.
“Perhaps you could just smile and nod,” suggested Pierce. Spectrum nodded his huge head, and another school of fish scattered at the action.
Lilliana found it difficult to keep her hands still as the joy in her heart continued to grow. She twisted her fingers in Spectrum’s mane and looked above at the large shadows coming near them on the top of the sea. As they swam closer to the surface the fish from Star Shadow dwindled until finally, in the warmest few feet by the surface, only Pierce and Lance were left beside the princess and her horse.
“Those dolphins always show off,” complained Lance watching the elaborate dance of the three groups of dolphins, one around each ship and they were indeed showing off. They did triple flips in the air and sometimes jumped to catch the fish that the sailors would hold over the side. The ones in front of the ships were chattering to the deck, telling them how to steer around the volcanoes and treacherous rocks. They would chatter and other dolphins would jump in the direction the ship needed to steer. Lilliana was sure that the shipmen didn’t know Jibbertyfish, but regardless of the language barrier they seemed to understand the dolphins.
“Perhaps you should show them how it’s done?” Pierce teased.
“I’ll pass thanks,” Lance said rubbing his sword. No doubt he was remembering past failed attempts of sailfish speaking with ship dwellers.
The ships came to a stop overhead and Lilliana’s heart beat faster. She was really going home.
“Thank you for all you’ve done,” she said, turning to Lance and Pierce.
“No princess,” Pierce said, “Thank you. We have peace again in our land.”
“Not to mention fewer urchins,” Lance said. “That’s the most important thing.”
A yellow blur flipped over Lance’s back and flew into Spectrum’s mane. Spectrum jumped and shook his head fiercely trying to get the thing out.
“Don’t forget me!” Spike said, spitting bits of horse hair out of his mouth. “I want to go with you!”
Lilliana laughed, “Even though you can hold your breath little friend, you can’t stay out of water that long. You would be miserable… if you survived.”
“But how will I see you again?”
“If you come to the beach I promise to swim out and meet you.”
“Yay!” Spike said and he started to do a flip. Spectrum snorted water at the fish and gave him a pointed look. Spike deflated and swam to hide behind Pierce.
A harness and platform were lowered in the water from above and they could see some of the king’s men peering down at them.
“Goodbye my friends,” Lilliana said as she swam up to her ship.
Once on board the ship, Lilliana and Spectrum moved off to one side to allow their lungs to fill back with air. Spectrum was ready in moments, but Lilliana took more time. She found that breathing air again was easier than it had been with the otters, and the fresh salty air smelled so good. The sun warmed her back and she pulled her hair out of her face and opened her eyes.
“Lilliana, my sweet!” boomed a voice and Lilliana gasped as she was picked up and twirled around faster than a cyclone.
“Father!” Lilliana beamed at the beautiful golden eyes shining down at her as the king placed her lightly on her feet.
“I have been so worried about you little one.”
“Oh Father, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I ran away and sorry I took the horse. My birthday was supposed to be a wonderful celebration for our country, but I ruined it all. I didn’t even stay to discover my Onsa and fulfill my quest.” Lilliana clung to her father and looked up at his face.
“Sweet princess. There was more to your birthday than we both knew.” The king wrapped his arms around Lilliana and started walking across the deck. “You see my dear; I was part of the problem as well as you. It appears we both meddled with what the Morning Star wanted, and in the end He fulfilled his purpose in you.”
“I don’t think I understand what you mean.” Lilliana put out her hands to catch her balance. Walking on the boat was very different from swimming. The king held her firmly as they went down to his cabin.
“Come and have a seat and I will tell you everything.” The king led Lilliana to a crushed red velvet seat by a window overlooking the sea. She looked out and saw dolphins jumping along the side, guiding the ship safely back to the trading route. Out the other window she saw Spectrum shaking off two men who were trying to lead him somewhere on the deck. The seat felt soft and inviting and Lilliana smoothed her hand over the table marveling in its dry feel. A servant came in and poured tea for them both.
“I know Nana makes you chocolate, but I thought tea was more becoming a young ruler.”
“It smells delicious.” Roses, tea and oranges filled her nose as she took in a deep breath of the hot drink.
“Now, back to your birthday,” started the king. He motioned his hand for the servants to leave and they quietly shut the door on the royal father and daughter.
“What happened to you my sweet daughter?”
Lilliana confessed everything she remembered from that day, including Sir Rhodius, the ride on the beach and the witch.
“I’m so sorry that I left Father.”
“It was wrong of you to leave against my wishes, and I forgive you as I hope you will forgive me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you remember when you came
to my chambers and I would not allow you in to the meeting?” The king poured another cup of the hot liquid for both of them, placing the sugar bowl next to his daughter.
“Yes, of course. I was so curious.”
“The prophet told me about a vision he had been given by the Morning Star. He said you would be far from home with no help, stuck in great darkness and swimming in a sea of blood. You can imagine the images that flowed through my mind after he said that. Then he told me that for your Onsa you would travel with a horse by yourself and that evil would force you to a place where you could serve good.”
“You mean like the witch chasing me into the sea so I could go to Star Shadow?”
“I think that’s exactly what the vision meant.”
“So I was supposed to sneak away?”
“No my love. I was supposed to send you on the Star’s journey with my blessing.”
Lilliana took a sip of the tea. It tasted strong but lacked the salt she had grown accustomed to. She ignored the sugar, pinched a few crystals from the saltcellar, and floated them in her tea.
“Why didn’t you send me away with a blessing?”
The king sat back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. “I was afraid for you, and I called in all my advisors to argue with Aaron and his vision. Ladies do not go into battle, especially at twelve. Our royal family could not afford another great loss of a dear life. We had agreed that you were far too precious to our kingdom to be allowed to encounter the dangers the prophet had seen. I had planned for my elite rangers to travel concealed with you; to protect you in all situations.”
“I don’t think it is wrong of you to protect me. You are a wise king, and a loving father. You must have been shocked that Aaron the prophet wanted me to go after he shared the vision.”
“Yes sweetheart, I was shocked and I am supposed to protect you, but my first duty is to serve the Star and Atlantis. Your Onsa was chosen by the Star himself and shown to me by his prophet. If I had accepted it, you would have traveled with knowledge of your purpose, my blessing, and most importantly of all the Star’s presence. I denied you those things. Will you forgive me?”
Lilliana reached in her damp pocket and pulled out the crystal. As she placed it on the table it began to glow brilliantly and it filled the room with a warm light. “The Morning Star was always with me father, even in the darkness and the sea of blood. I went on my Onsa with the best guidance and protection, even though I didn’t know it at the time. Even though you didn’t send me with your blessing, the Star stayed with me.” Lilliana stood up and hugged her father and he pulled her up onto his lap with a smile. “Of course I forgive you, and I love you so much!”
“I suppose the Bearer of Light who has fought off an evil shark is too old for her father’s affection,” he said as he kissed her head.
“Never!” Lilliana kissed her father’s cheek and stood up, wobbling a little.
“Rest here my dear while I go above the deck. We’ll reach Atlantis soon and your family will want to see you, especially certain red-headed