There goes a legend of a siren who left the sea years ago to live with her family. The old Duchess’ daughter heard her song and suddenly got lost and never came back. Since then, the Duchesses that came along and heard of the story forbid themselves and their children from going anywhere near the sea. Though, the new Duchess’ daughter, Bronwyn found interest in the ocean. She often snuck out just to feel the sand beneath her feet, the salty air through her hair, and the cool water against her skin.
She had a high interest in merfolk and sirens as well. Though she heard the legend of them, she felt no fear towards them. In fact, she wrote many stories and drew many pictures of them. Of course, to her parent’s dismay.
They always saw her as different and unlike the other children, and she was. For she had a secret. A secret that no one but the royal family could know about. At night on a full moon, Bronwyn shifted into a werewolf and ran out into the night to hunt and howl until morning.
Her life was royal and full of secrets here and there. She had only some friends since others could easily expose her secret. Her life was quite busy as well. People came into the castle to ask about the queen and have requests for the Duchess herself. One day, since not many people were coming in and not much work was being done, her mother let her go out into the village. She packed a small bag full of small foods, water, coins, and treats for the people before heading out.
She headed into the village by noon, looking around at the houses and the people as she skipped through the neighborhood. She stopped at the market where she saw a girl having trouble paying for spices. The seller seemed angry and impatient with the girl. She seemed scared and nervous. Bronwyn knew in her heart that she had to do something to help.
She stepped over to the girl and the seller, wanting to get to the bottom of the situation.
“What’s wrong?” Bronwyn asked.
“She won’t give me enough coins for the spices!” The seller retorted, jabbing a finger at the girl. She whimpered, almost beginning to cry.
“Hey! Do not yell at her! It isn’t her fault if she doesn’t have enough coins!” Bronwyn stated, getting in between her and the seller.
“What will you do about it since you care so much?” The seller demanded. Bronwyn took her bag off her back and took out the bag of coins, dropping them on the counter.
“There. Now leave her alone,” Bronwyn stated. The seller nodded and took the coins. Bronwyn took the girl by the hand and walked from the marketplace with her. They stopped near an alleyway.
“Why did you save me?” The girl quizzed.
“I don’t like seeing people harming those who can’t help themselves,” Bronwyn admitted.
“But, I can help myself. It’s my fault for not having enough coins,” The girl doubted.
“How about I take you back home? It’s the least I could do,” Bronwyn offered.
“..Sure. My mother may be worried about me,” The girl accepted, walking by her side.
“What’s your name? I’m Bronwyn,” She introduced.
“Ainsley Dallis,” The girl established. “Aren’t you the Duchess’ daughter?”
“Why, yes! I am,” Bronwyn answered. “I didn’t think anyone would recognize me.”
“Well, I did. I hear about you a lot, honestly. Though, you never come with your mum when she comes down to visit and buy things from the market,” Ainsley commented.
“She says that it’s for my own good. She’d love to bring me, but she wants me to be safe,” She advised.
“My mum wants to keep me safe too. She always tells me to keep away from the ocean and to only take showers. I can’t tell you why though,” She acknowledged.
“My mum says not to stay out on full moons. Though, I don’t know if I have a choice,” She sighed. Ainsley gave a comforting smile and put a hand on her shoulder.
“You know, I can’t stay out on full moons either,” She admitted. “I can’t take baths at midnight too.”
“Looks like we both have secrets,” Bronwyn grinned.
“Maybe so,” Ainsley smiled, walking up to her house. “This should be it. Would you like to come in?”
“I have to be back by sundown, but I’d love to come in,” Bronwyn grinned. Ainsley knocked on the door. Her mother, Laire answered it shortly to her relief.
“Ainsley! Thank the gods!” She exclaimed, holding her close and smiling at Bronwyn.
“Thank you, my liege!” She appreciated, bowing in thankfulness.
“No need to thank me!” She smiled. “May I come in?”
“Yes, by all means! Do come in!” She chirped, letting her and Ainsley in. The cottage she lived in was small but comfortable and roomy. Ainsley and Bronwyn sat on the couch together while Ainsley’s mother fetched tea for them. She set the cups and kettle on the coffee table neatly and sat on the couch on the opposite side.
“Thank you for bringing home my daughter, your majesty,” Laire appreciated.
“Just doing my job, miss!” She grinned.
“If you don’t mind, would you like some time alone?” She quizzed.
“Why so?” She asked.
“Well, you know what they say of young love and legends,” She advised. “I thought it’d be okay to let you two become more acquainted.”
“Of course! I’d love to know your daughter more!” She chirped.
“I’ll leave you to it then! Have fun!” Laire cheered, walking up to her room and leaving the two girls in the living room.
“So, what do you want to talk about?” Ainsley questioned.
“..I want to know about your secret,” Bronwyn answered.
“My secret? Are you sure?” She queried.
“I have a secret too. I won’t be afraid to show you mine and I’m positive I won’t be afraid of you if you show me yours,” She reassured, holding her hand.
“Very well. But you must keep it secret. Don’t tell another soul of what you’ve seen,” She stated.
“Of course. Cross my heart and hope to die,” She accepted, crossing her heart. Ainsley nodded and got up, holding out her hand for Bronwyn to take.
“To show you, I need to take you to the ocean,” She said. “I’ll take you, but we’ll need to be back by night.”
Bronwyn gave a small grin and took her hand. Together, they left the house and walked to the beach. Bronwyn and Ainsley slipped off their shoes and felt the sand on their feet. Bronwyn closed her eyes and breathed in the nostalgic, salty air. Ainsley stepped onto the wet part of the shore and looked back at Bronwyn with a smile.
“I hope you still trust me,” She said, stepping into the water. Bronwyn opened her eyes and watched as she disappeared under a wave. Panic suddenly took over, prompting her to run to the shore and look for her. What she found was something she’s loved since she was a child. Ainsley had turned into a beautiful siren with long, flowing, tea-brown hair, shimmering, cyan eyes, and a sparkling, yellow tail with a pink ombre. Bronwyn couldn’t believe her eyes.
Her heart raced, her eyes widened, her stomach fluttered, and her legs turned to jelly. She was enchanted by her beauty. Ainsley found it sweet how Bronwyn adored her. She gave a soft chuckle and softly caressed her cheek. She felt a swelling warmth grow in them, signaling a high blush.
“Do you like it?” Ainsley quizzed.
“Like it? I love it! I love you!” Bronwyn chirped, cupping her cheeks with a wide, beaming smile. Ainsley softly grinned in return.
“I love you too!” She professed. “Though, I don’t know if we can stay any longer. It’s almost sundown.” She looked up at the orange-pink sky. The night was coming soon, and Bronwyn had to get back home. Bronwyn snapped from her loving trance and gasped with realization.
“I have to get home!” She exclaimed, running to put her shoes back on. She used all her strength to take Ainsley from the water and took her home before nightfall. Her mother thanked her for bringing her back home safe, gave her bag back, and sent her on her way.
Once she got back home, Bronwyn spent the rest of the night thinking about Ainsley. Ainsley spent the rest of the night thinking about Bronwyn as well. So much so, that she went out to the beach at night to sing a special song only those who’re love-stricken can hear.
That night was, unfortunately, half a full-moon night, meaning that at exactly midnight, Bronwyn shifted into a werewolf and ran out into the night. Luckily, she heard Ainsley’s songs and ran in the direction it came from, eventually ending up at the beach. She found Ainsley lying on the beach, She trotted over to her, careful not to scare her.
Ainsley looked up at her with a soft smile. She knew exactly who she was even in her werewolf form. She knew her from her scent, fur, and eye color. Her fur was like her hair, fluffy, and cinnamon brown. Her eyes were the color of shimmering amber, and her scent smelled of lavender. Even while she was shifted, Ainsley saw her as a majestic creature.
Ainsley reached up and softly felt her hands upon her fur. It felt like she was running her hands over clouds. She gave a low hum and reached up to place a soft kiss on the wolf’s fur. Bronwyn gave a soft whine and lied beside her with her ears pinned back and her tail wagging. She couldn’t be happier. Nor could Ainsley. Though she couldn’t talk, Bronwyn still showed her love by licking Ainsley on the cheek. They spent time on the beach for the entire night and until sunrise.
They shared one lasting kiss before returning back to their homes without anyone noticing. Before she left, Ainsley gave Bronwyn a special bracelet to remember her by while they were apart. Once she woke up, Bronwyn twirled and danced and sung with joy. She couldn’t wait to see Ainsley again. The guards and servants in the castle didn’t know what was wrong with her.
Some said that she accidentally got into some mushrooms in the forest. Others say that it has something to do with that bracelet she wore. Word soon came to her mother who wanted to know what her daughter was so happy about. They chatted about the matter over breakfast.
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