(AUTHOR’S NOTE— I’m writing this at 2:30 am and apparently my monkey brain believes sleep is for the weak. I apologize if this seems really rough or weak, I just wanted to get it down as a 1000 word writing exercise… because that’s exactly what I should be doing right now. Hope you enjoy anyways! Can’t wait to read everyone else’s work!)
You’ve ever heard of the story about the giant of the sea?304Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21swmpINrn
Surely you must’ve, child! Why do you think that tiny sea town thrives? The good candy’s all licorice (and the latest generation turns their noses up at ‘em,) and most of the beach has been closed off because of those… what’re they callin em… Albany tunes? Sulking goons? Collie- Ah! Algae blooms! That! Where was I…?
Ah, yes, that story!
Well, long ago there was a little baby thrown into the waves by a king who ruled over this land. He declared brokenly to all those who served him, that he’d never give the throne to a bast- err, well now, your mama wouldn’t be happy if I said that word.
Well, the King had a wife, but he also had… girlfriends. In their land, both the King and Queen had… sweethearts outside of their marriage. Though the King was less frowned upon when he did it because he was more efficie- you know what? Let’s move on.
No, I wasn’t gonna say nothing. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Hush now!
Well, one of the King’s girlfriends gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He was overjoyed, but the Queen and his other con- girlfriends were not. The Queen despised being son-less and his girlfriends hated all favorites. They went to him and told him to cast him to the sea, else they would leave and war would break out. That’s why he had so many girlfriends— to strengthen his grip on the throne especially after the civil war he spearheaded and won.
So, he chose his kingdom.
His most beautiful and wisest girlfriend, who’s named Celoria, was absolutely devastated. She was one of the poorest there and held no political power, so all she could do was beg and weep for her son, as dusk turned to dawn and back again.
Her burning gaze turned to the castle behind her, knowing that the women were overjoyed at her loss.
Then she turned back to the sea. She was on a cliff several stories high, but the water almost seemed to call to her… beg for her mother’s touch and lullaby to rest. It reached up to touch her fingertips in the form of a baby’s hand.
It made her shiver, but she smiled with relief. There was a small chance that he wouldn’t survive, but now there was no doubt in her mind. “This King loves his kingdom more than he loves me,” she whispered. “More than he loves anyone, really.” She reached farther down. “But you needn’t worry, my son. The sea is vast and eternal compared to that lowly mortal. Where he denied you, you will be accepted. A war torn kingdom for the world. A mortal man for eons of guidance and love. I only wish I could join you, but I have an obligation to the sea and the land, whether he knows it or not. I am the reason why he won, after all.”
And so she left, unbeknownst that one of her peers, Emmie at listened in.
I’m sure you can guess what happened next, can’t you?
Emmie, the most jealous of all, was not satisfied with merely her son dying. Celoria was still the favorite.
So she raised her reputation and spread rumors about Celoria of her treasonous words, having the court question her intentions along with her sanity. The King knew that they were wrong, but was pressured into finally giving up his wife a decade later.
And, like her son, he threw her to the sea. Before doing it though, he told her this: “Leave nothing behind. Not even the memory. This kingdom was not worth what I sacrificed— what I made you sacrifice.”
Before he was a King, he was a fisherman that became well versed in politics and fighting. He fell in love with a mermaid by the shore, who in turn loved him. They’re union brought her to land and gave her legs, while it gave the King knowledge and soldiers that would appear one night and disappear the next. That was the key to his victory.
And now, he would return her to the place which she came.
She turned her old, loveless eyes to the crowd of jeering maniacs, then turned to her husband. “You planned this?”
He nodded. “The moment when Emmie demanded his death. Is he old enough?”
”You DO realize that you could’ve killed him? We’ll talk about that, and trust me, we WILL talk about that.”
”Is he old enough to make a storm?”
“Not nearly. However, YOU are.”
”I cannot. The memory of my kingdom must die.”
”Then should I die as well?”
”No, no!”
”Then why bother? We have an obligation, do we not? One cannot be in one place without the other. Is that not what we agreed to? Do not let your grief run you over. I won’t let it.”
”I wouldn’t exist as you’d wish me to.”
“I only ever wished for you to be happy.”
“Then I betrayed you.”
”We’ll talk about it later.”
”But-“
”I said later.”
Yeah, I know that you don’t care about the details, but child you know better than to interrupt a story! Why do the little things matter so little to you?
Wait… what was I saying again? Oh, I got it!
She pulled him back to the edge released him, and dived into the welcoming waters. The King hesitated, found his old light in him again, he jumped after her.
The crowd and court all in astonishment and horror, ran to the edge to try to catch him. They, of course, were too late.
But not too late to see the water in the shape of a beautiful young woman’s arms, catching him and pulling him under. He didn’t struggle, but instead slowly closed his eyes as his robes floated up and cradled his body to the ocean floor.
Exactly one year later, a terrible hurricane swept over the entire kingdom. They say that the King led an army of torrents and the four winds to wreck havoc upon the hopeless nation. When the kingdom endured, he vowed to lead every storm against this place until all have perished. Until not even the memory remains.
Only then, can he find peace and stop the storms. Even give his wife a break from rocking the tides back and forth for their now sons and daughters! She needs her rest too, after all!
So now you know why I have to go to work everyday. Someone’s got to make the storms after all, and you know what? Your old man’s getting better at it! Maybe it’s my height multiplying over the centuries, but my arms bulked up quickly after making loads of tidal waves!
What was that? How did the conversation between me and your mother go after I jumped?
Uhh… that’s enough storytelling! I gotta go, love you! See you later, kiddo!
ns 15.158.61.8da2
