Stranded Upon The Shore (Jack & Butterfly)

Coral's eyes wandered over the tapestries lining the walls but as the came to rest upon the one of the mermaid, they seemed to linger there. His voice and words seeming to fade away into the back of her mind and she heard none of it. The sound of the ocean was in her mind once more she stared intently at that mermaid in the tapestry. "What is that one of?" she asked, pointing to the mermaid. "Who is the mermaid suppose to be?"

As he spoke of the legend of the mermaid, it was like the she could see it in her head. A stormy sea, a tattered ship, the skies alight with lightening. It was like she was watching it happen. And then it all ended and she was back in the moment with Hector once more. "If you believe in sirens what is so different about believing in mermaids? Are they that different a creature?" Yet inside her she knew there was a difference, she only seemed to want to hear him speak of the differences aloud himself.

Offering her his arm, he wished to lead her further into the keep as they spoke. Giving her a warm smile he tilted his head and had to think of a proper answer. His eyes lighting up, he gave her a sly smirk. “I believe monsters are just as magical as any other creature. You could say any science is magic until it is understood. I won't discount the existence of such creatures, but people claim to have seen all sorts of things.” Prince Hector told her.

Leading her down the grand hallway to a giant staircase where a silver-haired maiden stood. The female duplicate of Hector, the woman and her entourage watched Coral approach. One of the ladies-in-waiting's mouth remained ajar in surprise at her beauty.

“Sister, this is Coral. Our vanguard found her washed upon the shore. I am sending runners to all the surrounding communities to see if we can find her home. She has lost her memory.” He told his twin. Her silver eyes glimmered with the same compassion.

“My Lady, I am Princess Helena. Welcome to the Red Keep.” She told her. Her three ladies-in-waiting all curtsied behind her. “Will you come with me? You belong in clothing that fits you and befits your beauty.” Helena said, her eyes fixated on her fiery hair desiring to see it combed and styled.

Coral was just as stunned by the Princess Helena's beauty as the princess seemed to be of her. She bobbed a curtsy in reply to the one she has been given by the ladies, not quite sure where she stood in the social class of things here so she certainly had to show respect to the princess of the land.

She started to follow after the princess where she was led, only glancing back at Hector for a moment before turning it all towards the lovely Helena, "The kindness of your family must be the thing of legends in your kingdom. You all are to kind of me. You have no idea who I am and yet all welcome me as a guest into your home. You need not treat me so kindly my lady. As I told your brother, I could very well be a no one that would have no way to repay such kindness in the end."

Once more she had flashes of the sea in her mind but through it only figments of her imagination or caused by the trauma of apparently almost being engulfed by it. "I fear I do not. Nothing at all. And while things around me seem familiar they also seem so very... well... not."

Soon the pair as well as the ladies in waiting were in one of the elegant guest rooms. Helena ordered a bath to be prepared for the sea swept beauty. She felt a bit embarrassed as she stripped from the humble clothing she had picked up in the village and so quickly plunged herself in the bubbly bath water. The water felt right. Something about it just put her at great ease as she soaked in it.

Coral protested every step of the way over them making far to much of a fuss over her. "I need nothing made special. Anyone that will lend me something for a time is just fine." But no one seemed to be paying much attention to her. They were all seeming to enjoy dressing her up like a doll to much to pay her mind. The emerald gown fit like a glove and as the hand maidens laced her up to put a taste of her cleavage on display. After that she was plopped down into a chair before a mirror and the task of taming her wild red hair began.

Combing her fiery red hair the maidens were in awe, each of them combing with large ivory brushes intent on not grazing what they believed would be a fragile scalp.

The Princess took a seat on a nearby chair and watched Coral before the vanity with a small smile.

"My girls are very used to caring for my appearance. Somebody as new and as elegant as you is a very, very rare treat for them." She confided.

Coral could not understand their fascination with her really, but she allowed it. They seemed to be enjoying it including the task of taming her hair, which simply did not wish to settle down. It seemed no matter how hard they tried to straighten if and flatten it down, it just wanted to puff back up again. Eventually, the only way to do it was to braid her long locks, seemingly trapping her hair in a forced manner.

Princess Helena watched with an amused smile as they worked hard with her hair. It was surely an element of nature itself!

Dressed in the emerald gown and corset she rivaled the princess herself in beauty!

As they cared for the stray girl Prince Hector spoke to his father in the his study.

"No, her skin is far to soft and untouched by the sun... She can't be a commoner." Hector explained.

The old king tilted his head, twisting the tip of his gray goatee in his finger. "I have to see her for myself. I mean no offense by suggesting it, but there are girls raised in brothels that are pampered from birth and trained in singing, music, and dance. It is typical of some gypsy families." He told his son, his old gray eyes worried his son may have become smitten with a girl of ill repute.

"No, father... Certainly not. There is something dignified about her. Noble... And, I swear... Perhaps magical?" Hector confided.

"Does she have any distinct marks on her? Druids from the northern isles often have red hair. They tattoo their young as children with symbols of their element." The King suggested.

"Not a mark on her, Father. I saw her entire..." Hector recounted innocently before seeing her bare in his mind. His cheeks began to flush.

The King was remind quiet, hiding a small grin of amusement behind his cup of tea as he took a sip, surprised that a girl from the sea could make his son blush. Hector was a gentleman, but no virgin or at all timid around the opposite sex.

"My Son. Your cousin Lady Martine arrives in a few days. You know she will be livid if they see how you react to this stranger." His father warned.

"It isn't like that, Father. You know how I feel about courtship with Lady Martine. But, I will be nothing but a gentleman in regards to our guest." Hector promised.

After she was finished being dressed up like a pretty china doll, she was invited down to dinner where she did not know it but would be introduced to the old king for the first time. Looking lovely, she stayed rather quiet not knowing anyone around her nor really when it was the proper time and place to speak up and let herself really be know. She was a quiet little thing but all eyes truly seemed to be upon her in all her radiant beauty.

The King, the youngest prince, and the princess were all intrigued by her. Sitting together with Coral at the table Prince Hector was absent to brief a small collection of royal messengers and send out a dozen carrier pigeons to the neighboring villages and manors about the sea beauty. The King was kind and curious about her while Princess Helena looked forward to showing her to the ladies of the Royal Court. The youngest prince just sat there bright red, trying hard not to stare at her.

At last, dinner had come to an end. Princess Helena offered a hand to lead her to her room, but Prince Hector entered the small hall. "Lady Coral, would you like to come for a walk with me?" He asked, now out of his armor and in fresh clothing. "She has had a long day, brother. Why not have her rest?" Helena added.

"I could go for a short walk..." she said with as very pleasant and serine air about her. She acted at all times as if she did not notice how every look upon her like some kind of strange, majestic, and rare creature. Perhaps it was her humility. Perhaps she was just dense. No, it was likely a great humility she possessed. Moving to Hector's side, she smiled warmly and took his arm, "But only a short walk of course."

With her arm-in-arm Prince Hector led her through the Red Keep’s corridors to the courtyard. Leading her along a cobblestone pathway, wild flowers bloomed along the path. Dusk was setting in, the courtyard darkening and the birds becoming silent as night was setting upon them.

“Lady Coral, I wish for you… It would please me… If you would remain our guest for a while. I have sent messenger birds to the corners of our isles and we are seeking out your people.” He assured her, halting and turning to face her. Looking down at her he was mesmerized. Drawn to her for some unknown reason.

“I must be honest with you. From the moment I pulled you up from the sand and found you breathing… I have wanted nothing more than to protect you and keep you safe. When I was a boy a beautiful crane hurt its wind and ended up trapped here in the courtyard. Unable to fly… Sick… I began feeding it. The servants were watching it thinking it would make a nice dinner some evening.” He said with a small chuckle, smiling warmly down at her. “But, I couldn’t have that. At first it was limping around and my father told me that if I insisted they not put the bird out of its misery I’d have the responsibility of burying it.

However, it began to get better. I spent hours with the crane. Most of my free time between studies and squiring. Even read to the bird. But, one day I watched it leap up from the fish pond and fly away forever. I didn’t know if I should be happy or sorrowful.” The Prince confided in her, studying her beautiful face.

Coral stayed silent for a long while as they walked along and he told his story about the poor bird. A mix of emotions went through her as she got many messages from the story. Others wanting to get rid of the bird. Him staying faithful to the bird. The bird flying away. If she was like the bird, would all those things happen to her as well. Would others want her to go? Would she eventually fly away? And was all this really just an elaborate gilded cage she was trapped inside.

"And what will happen to me should we never uncover who I am? If no messages return on my behalf, am I to then remain here forever?"

He was looking into her endless blue eyes he stood close to her. However, it seemed when he was near her he couldn't be close enough. Reaching out he put his hands on her upper arms, pulling her closer softly. Their chests together, he kept his gaze on her blue orbs.

What if they never came for her? He'd feel sorrow she wouldn't return home. But, if she left she would be gone and a different sorrow would consume him. As he tried to think of an answer his heart beat so hard he thought he could hear it.

“Lady Coral... You must not give up hope that we will return you to your home. But, if no word comes... I vow upon the honor of my family name... I promise I will always care for you and protect you.” Prince Hector swore to her, staring at her gorgeous face. His eyes shifted to her beautiful lips, aching to kiss them.

((UGH! I wrote a reply, though I hit post.... but I apparently not. Let's attempt to rewrite it))

A smile curved the very lips he was so focused upon, "You... are far to kind to my Prince Hector. You do not even know me yet you treat me even better then a guest. You treat me almost like family." The pretty little sea beauty seemed completely oblivious to how he yearned to allow his lips and her own to touch. It was not that she was dim. More due to her sweet innocence.

"I can never repay you for all you have done for me already. If not for you, I would surely be dead now. If you have not come across me, I dare not think who could have found me."

Reaching out, he gently put his hands on her hips. Staring down into her sea blue eyes Prince Hector felt something in his chest snap. It was almost as if it were painful. His heart beating rapidly he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to her's. Would she be timid to his kiss? Would she recoil? Hector did not think further ahead than the desire to embrace her. She was not the first woman he'd ever kissed, but no other had he ached to do so. What was so special about this one...?

He'd attempt to wrap his arms around her lower back and continue to taste her lips and exchange small kisses... Prince Hector would then try and deepen the kiss with his hot tongue pressing to her lips to coax her to open her lips.

As he reached for her, Coral was unsure of his intent. As he tugged her to him, only then did she start to wonder if he had intended to actually.... and there it was. His lips upon hers and she was startled by the suddenness of it. He had not asked permission or really given her any kind of indication it was going to happen until, well, it was happening. For a heartbeat, Coral froze in his arms, unsure of herself and the situation. But as his tongue pressed against her lips, it was like some kind of instinct awakening inside her and she just slightly parted her lips to his advances.