The Little Mermaid

It has been far too long since a retelling so the current project of the week will be a rendition of the little mermaid for Emily. Two days have already been lost however, short and sweet is always the way to go when time is of the essence. Red hair, green eyes and a fiery temper to match, this little mermaid will be anything but. ^.^

Heros

Initially this started out in my head, just a small little dream about Hercules and the decision he made to sacrifice his life for Megara's. True, this is Disney's version of a classic hero; however, his valor and determination cannot be denied. Perhaps, Megara never existed, but Hercules still did the right thing.

This week, I offer a version of events that could have been (alongside a little artistic license...).

“Meg, what are you doing?”

The world was falling apart but I could only watch as she cried. Her hair tumbled down her back, red as the flames that licked at houses below us, flickering gold and orange like the lava that spilled down Mt. Olympus. Hunger roared through the streets while Disease ravaged the populace. Monsters which had once been confined ran loose. It was as the Fates decreed. The Gods had fallen.

“I never meant for this to happen. I want you to know that.”

Phil held her head up, willing life into Meg’s body, but I knew it was of no use. She was gone.

“Aidoneus, I know you’re watching.”

“And if I am? She’s gone, dear nephew. Not even I control death. I merely watch.”

His eyes were cold, empty of all feeling as he spoke. But it was useless, his attitude did not affect me. I could only think of Meg. As cries of pain met my ears, I made my choice. Jumping onto Pegasus’s back, I pointed him towards the River Styx. The Fates would take no more from me.

Souls gathered around the opening of the Styx, some vying to get in and others clamoring to leave. But Charon and Cerberus kept them in their proper place, just as they tried to keep me in the world of the living. I would not be driven from my decision. If the world was to end; I would do as I pleased.

I leapt, falling from Pegasus’s back into the cold waters. Souls pulled on my body, dragging me deeper, away from the light. I could feel the life being sucked away just as the souls around me grew stronger, turning translucent as they fed on the years which had been denied them, the few years which were still left to me.

I could see the Fates, spinning the tapestry of Life, holding a pair of shears, glinting silver in the cold moonlight. It was my time. I had failed.

“You know. I never imagined that you would surrender so easily.”

The voice was filled with laughter and incredulity. Tearing my eyes from the souls around me, I searched for the speaker. She stood a few yards away, toying with the folds of her gown, her green eyes glinting with mirth.

“What do you know, Envy? I would have thought you’d support him.”

“And I do. But you must remember, when all desires that cling to the heart are surrendered, a mortal becomes immortal. What I do is of no concern to you, dear Hercules.”

Her words woke me from my mindless daze and I turned my back to her, swimming towards the one soul which meant more to me than my life. As I reached towards Meg, trying to grasp her, I felt a sharp tug on my heart and faltered. The water before me cleared, showing a golden thread which would not break under Fates’ shears.

“What do humans cherish most, Hercules?” Envy’s voice broke the vision.

“Life. We desire life above all else.”