Anthea Sharp - Mermaid Song: Five Fairytale Retellings

Mermaid Song copyright 2021 by Anthea Sharp. All rights reserved. Characters are fictional figments of the authors imagination. Please do not copy, upload, or distribute in any fashion.

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Cover by Ravven

Professional editing by LHTemple. Copyediting by Editing720.

ISBN: 9781680130478

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There are tales that begin Once upon a time, and I suppose that is a fine enough start for my own story, though I am not, perhaps, the usual sort of hero. I am not a knight, or sorceress, or princess in disguise, but merely a cat.

Very well, there is nothing mere about the feline state, Ill grant you that. And yes, I imagine you might be surprised that I can speak. My great-grandmother was a Cait Sidhe who strayed into the mortal world and decided to remain, and her offspring have been part of the Miller family ever sincethough Im the last of them, it seems. My kittens, so far, are all of the normal, non-speaking variety of cat, with so little faerie blood as to make no difference. My own fault, I suppose, for choosing that strong, stupid Tom but that is not this tale.

As a youngling, my mother warned our litter to be careful with our talents. Humans are strange, untrusting things, and she made us swear to only reveal our abilities in great need, and only to those whom we could trust beyond a doubt.

Many of my brothers and sisters, in fact, never spoke a word in their lives. But I did, and soon enough youll understand why.

When I was scarcely full grown, father and mother Miller decided to leave their lives as flour-grinders and retire to the warm southlands. After selling what they could, they divided their remaining possessions among their children. The oldest inherited the mill, which he was most pleased about, having the inclination to continue the family business. The middle daughter received the horses in the stables, and she was glad to add them as breeding stock to her own fine herd.

And the youngest daughter? Well, Elisetta had ever craved adventure, and I thought it a fine thing to be bequeathed into her care. Elly always knew precisely where to scratch behind my ears and under my chin, and shed smuggled more than one dish of cream to me, when her parents werent looking.

One bright summer morning, the parents bid farewell to their offspring. My own mama groomed me one last time (though I was certainly too old for it) and told me to take good care of myself, cautioning me once more to be careful with my secrets.

I purred and butted her head with my own, and reminded her not to worry. My last sight of her and my older brother was the two of them curled up in the bed of the cart, content in the sunshine, as the Millers drove off.

Ellys siblings had each offered to house her and give her work, but she declined. Instead, she prepared to take to the road herself, to see what adventures lay in store. I was happy to join her, especially as shed devised a comfortable sling to carry me in.

In addition to myself, Elly carried a pack with some provisions and changes of clothing, and a pouch worn next to her skin with a few silver and copper coins.

As she was a strapping lass, and I a small cat and not too much of a burden, we made good progress. Soon wed left the village behind and were striding briskly along toward the capital, where Elly hoped to make her fortune.

Im a good worker, she told me, though she didnt yet realize I could understand her, and reply if I chose. Im clever with my hands. Id wager I can save up enough for a house of my own some day, if I find the right profession.

I simply purred up at her and nudged her fingers, hoping shed pet me under the chin again.

I know I dont want to grind flour, or tend horses, at any rate, she said, absently petting me. And maybe I should keep going. Take a ship and see the entire world!

I gave a short, unhappy meow to that. The idea of being surrounded by water was not particularly appealing, even if it meant plenty of fish to eat. I was much more fond of staying dry than I was of a fresh piece of salmon.

Elly laughed. Why, Bootsi, sometimes I almost think you can understand me. What a funny cat you are.

I kept myself from making any reply, but merely settled down more comfortably in the sling, and soon fell asleep.

It took us several days to reach the city. Elly and I bedded down in a number of barns, where I was happy to catch mice (Ive always been a most excellent hunter). Elly did a bit of work in return for supper, a place to sleep, and breakfast the next morning. The farmwives were generous with their provisions, and we never went hungry at lunch.

One afternoon we crested a hill, and Elly halted.

There it is, she said, her voice hushed with wonder. The city.

I peeked over the edge of the sling, then blinked to see so many buildings spread out over a green valley. Not all of them were simple one and two stories, either. There were towers and steeples, turrets and minarets jutting into the sky. The sea winked, flat and silver, beyond.

I was not altogether certain coming to the capital was a good idea.

But Elly, with a little skip to her step, started down the hill. I had no plans to abandon her, and so I was carried along with her into the noisy, smelly city.

At first it was not so bad, but the deeper we went into the streets, the more uncomfortable I became. The stink of humans made my whiskers twitch, but the dogs were even worseleaping and barking until my nerves quivered.

A few other cats slunk about the alleys, hissing when they caught sight of me. I felt very young and untried, and could tell by the slowing of Ellys steps that she felt the same. The sun was starting to go down, and so much of the sky was covered by tall buildings that darkness fell very quickly.

The crowds wed been traveling though dissipated as the city dwellers made their way home, and a cold wind blew in off the water.

Surely theres somewhere we can stay the night, Elly said, glancing about the nearly empty street. Perhaps Ill ask that fellow there.