The Merfolk

What I am about to divulge has been sequestered in history for ages beyond your memories and has become legend—anecdotes for your mythologies. For centuries you have been taught to discredit the tales that belong to the very fabric of who you are as human beings. Some of you, in certain areas of the world, have never wavered in the certain knowledge you possess—most have. I believe in this time of new found openness, when the existence of vampires, werewolves, the faery folk and of so many other legendary beings have come out so prolifically thanks, in part, to the furious pens of so many authors—it is time you heard of us as well. The Merfolk.

I believe introductions are in order.

Greetings! I am Aqualus of Ionia, a merman from the deepest ocean. I am a warrior gifted with great powers and magic as are the other warriors of my race, and we share the sacred duty to watch over our people, the merfolk. We are the protectors. Unbeknownst to you, we watch over you as well. If you do not drown after a boating accident, it may very well be that either I or a mermaid may have witnessed your plight and we came to your rescue. I watch over the seas—protecting the animals you so readily kill for sport. How often after oil spills have our people gathered to save as much of the wildlife as possible. Another most pressing mission is the saving of our whales—those great gentle beasts–many of whom have become extinct…so we often sabotage your whaling ships, carving great holes in your metal bellies so you may sink before you cause more harm. In moments such as these, as you clutch frantically on flotsam while you drown, we may not come to your rescue…why should we have a conscience when you display so little? As for the plight of the seals and the brutal murderers who club them to death for their pelts…we leave their protection and the retribution over their suffering to the selkie—our brethren to the north and south and in the far reaches of the globe.

As a merman I have one mate—my Precious One. When I see her, I will know her, for she will bear my colors. She may be born with them, but usually my colors appear in strands through her hair and in the flecks of her eyes when she comes of age. I will sense her as my body will recognize her. Once I know of her existence—love—unlike any form humankind knows, suffuses me. Every male instinct kicks in—especially the ones of possession and protection. You see, our mermaids are treasured, for they are the mothers of our people, the ones that assure the continuation of the merfolk.

Sirens, on the other hand, are the females humankind are more familiar with. They are the beautiful, capricious women who settle on a crag and with the crystal clarity of their voices lure hapless sailors to their death, again and again. Their suffering empowers sirens, whose hearts become colder as they become older. Our sirens are the cause of many grievances, and as the keepers of our laws, we, the warriors, must often administer harsh punishments.

We are many, and live right before you, but you would not know it, because we do not wish to be seen. We are masters of camouflage, becoming one with the textures and colors around us. Sometimes we dwell among you—but never for long. We need to return to water. Too long away from it makes us age faster…and can introduce us to disease, something we live without.

So, now you know something of us. Treat this information with utter discretion for though there are those of you who have always believed in the legends and have left us in peace…there are those of you who already seek us out for personal gain, much in the way you hunt the whales, the seals, the turtles…or the way you hunt your land animals for the ivory from your elephants, the silken cloaks of your snow tigers…the fury with which you disembowel the earth for diamonds, gold, sapphires, oil…it is never enough for you—the excess all about you, stolen from our very own world!.

Should one with no scruples ever happen to capture one of us… it does not bear thinking, for this would bode ill for our race, which is why we live in such secrecy and when we are among you we camouflage our appearance. For you would discover that we are the keepers of such secrets as your human minds cannot even imagine…Oh if you would know what we are capable of…what powers we have…you would herd us like cattle from the seas and imprison us for that that we could bestow upon you…I will say no more. Perhaps some day I will tell you…in increments.

Go in peace, gentle reader. And remember to love your home, your forests, your waters and the living beings about you…for we all depend on Mother Earth.

P.S.

And yes, everything you’ve ever heard about us is true. A merman is the ultimate lover of legend. With my voice alone, a mere whisper in your ear, a lazy trail of sweet nothings murmured over your belly and I can ask anything I want of you…and you will gladly—and most willingly– oblige. Once you see me, well, centuries of experience has confirmed, you shall yearn, your heart will fill with instant desire, your body will quiver, your skin will burn, waiting for my touch.

But, wait…come and see for yourself. Sometimes, when I roam the coast and I spy a lone female on the shore…perhaps she is gazing out over the silvery horizon, lost in thought…that is when you may just experience me for yourself…and do not be frightened when I approach you from the sea, this time I shall make my presence known by singing softly to you, it is…how should I call it in your terms?…Let us just say that singing is a special merman attribute. It prepares you for me, mellows you, softens you…only then does the desire overtake you, the longing, you will lose all inhibitions—I promise you. I would have it no other way.

So, do we meet this eve? I shall be roaming the coast, searching for you. Come. Do not hesitate. I won’t bite…unless you want me to. *grin*