“I’ll stay.” She said.

The Queen leant forward. “Are you sure? There is no going back now.”

Elise gulped. “It’s my destiny, isn't it?”

Her soft grey eyes searched Elise’s face. “Yes.” The Queen turned as if to follow Rilla out the door; then turned back. “Yes indeed; but remember my dear, that anything is possible; it’s all what you allow in your imagination.”

****

Back in the Gateway of Time, the female creature bent over the Glass of the Forseen.

"Arghh!" She cackled. "Tis the Chosen One, my lord! She said yes!"

"Aye," said the lord, "But I doubt her, Marlia. She seems like she might give up on herself."

"Come now sire, anything is possible if you allow it in your imagination." The toothless old creature grinned, bearing gum.

"That's what I'm afraid of. She doesn't believe in it." The grim old creature whirled around as if on a sudden thought. "If she doesn't believe in herself, the whole Kingdom shall be at risk!"

***

“Well, let the training commence!” The jolly King of the Underworld set down his cup of wine. He looked Elise up and down.

“Well, she looks like something dainty, but with a bit of training she’ll shape up.”

Elise looked like she was about to say something, but a slight squeeze on the shoulder from Rilla prevented her.

The Queen, who was standing behind the King, whispered something in his ear.
He looked more closely, his eyes all scrunched up. “But there is some temper. I can see it in her eyes. The most important thing. Hmm. Temper.”

Really, huh? I have temper, do I….I guess I do.

The Queen sighed. “Rilla, please take Elise to where she’s sleeping.”

As they were leaving the room, Rilla whispered: “I hope you don’t mind bunking in my room.”

They grinned. “Doesn’t bother me!”

***
"Wakeup, sleepy head!" Rilla was shaking the pillow. "I want to show you something.”

"Oh huh? Wha--huh? Lemme go back to sleep."

Rilla laughed. "Come on!” She pulled the reluctant Elise out of the sponge bed, tugging her out the door. “There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

By the time they had run down the hallway, up the flight of stairs, Elise was fully awake by the time Rilla stopped short at door. Throwing it open, she.

“Chick-a-dee! Where are you?”

An adorable little mer-baby crawled out from under the nursery bed. "There you are!" Turning aside, Rilla said in an undertone to Elise: “This is Pearl, my younger sister. She’s the most precious thing to me in the whole world.”

The baby reached out her arms for Rilla crying “Illa, Illa!” She laid her head on Rilla’s lap.

Elise marvelled at the extraordinary beauty in the toddler’s face; the silvery blonde hair, the charming face with its ruby cheeks.

As if feeling her look, Pearl glanced up from Rilla’s lap and held Elise in her gaze for a long time. Her big, bright blue eyes seemed to hold something in them…like wisdom.

Don’t be silly, Elise. A three year old can’t have wisdom.

Finally Pearl made a little gargle noise. “’S’ore name?

Both the girls giggled. “She said: What’s your name?”

“Oh, my name is Elise!”

Pearl clapped her hands to the delight of the girls. "P'etty."

"I think she likes you," Rilla scooped up the baby. "Here, see if you pass the test."

Pearl settled herself comfortably in Elise's lap, fingering her brown curls.
“’T’osen one,” she cooed.

Elise was startled. “Whoa! How did she know that?”

Rilla picked up Pearl from Elise’s lap and placed her in her own before meeting Elise’s eyes.

“My baby knows everything,” she said simply, as if that would explain everything.

Elise didn’t understand. “But she’s only three years old.”

“And yet she is one of the Wisest,” Rilla spoke tenderly, “in the whole palace.” She paused. “That is why I must come.”

“Come where?”

Rilla stopped tussling Pearl’s blonde hair. “Come with you on the quest.” She looked into Pearl’s face. “She is so special…if the sea dragon got to her…I would never forgive myself.”

Elise felt something; something like a bond. A tie, a tie that knotted her, Rilla and this baby, together. Whether it was fate or friendship, she couldn’t guess. Maybe it was both.

As she watched them together, it reminded her of her own mother. Something tugged at heart, as memory after memory came flooding back.

“Mummy, mummy!” The joyful shouts echoed through the rooms. A four year old girl came running through the hallway, hurtling herself onto the figure on the couch.

“Mummy, guess what I found! A big, brown bird’s nest in the backyard!”

The woman laid down the magazine she was reading. “Really, baby? Come on, let’s go see it!”

Mother and daughter, hand in hand, crossed the porch to see the bird’s nest. They spent many tender moments like this, observing nature together.

That’s what I miss the most.

“You miss your mother, don’t you?” Rilla’s soft, gentle voice brought Elise out of her reverie, startling her. The eyes of both Rilla and Pearl where fixed on her.

“My—my mother? But how do you—my mother? How—what….?!”

Before Rilla could say anything, there was a step in the hall. An attendant stooped to the doorway.

“Excuse me, your Royal Highness, but the auditioning of the youth of the kingdom has commenced. The auditioning to accompany the chosen one, that is.” He tapped his finger to his hat to acknowledge Elise. Retreating, he left the room in silence.

“Let’s go see. Coming?” Rilla let Pearl down on floor.

“But how did—what about my—”

“Shush. Questions can come later.”

***

A long line of mer-youth was at the palace gates. A booth had been set up for the examining.

"Next! What's your strength, boy?"

"Might."

"Check the prophecy!" The deep voice of the sentry boomed out over the court, making even the boldest there cringe.

Elise leaned over to Rilla. "I don't get it," she whispered, "I thought every youth in the kingdom was going to train, then get chosen at the end."

"No, first they have to be checked by the Prophesy. If they don't have what it says, then they're out."

"Like....?"

"I read it the other morning....I think you've got to have strength, healing, magic, thinking, and perseverance."

Elise nodded. "But what about the training and stuff?"

"Well, then all those "approved" by the prophesy, shall train for 30 days. At the end of training, the prophesy shall reveal who shall be chosen. At least, that's what the prophesy says."

Then Elise really wondered; wondered if she really was here for real. "So, do you really believe in the prophesy?"

Rilla shrugged and laughed. "Of course! Everybody does! It brought you here by fate, didn't it?"

"Well yeah, but--"

"Hey! There's my friend! Come on, let's go say hello!"

A blonde mermaid was waving frantically at them. They hurried over to where she was standing in the queue.

"Hey, Rilla-girl! How are you?" The girl hugged Rilla affectionately. "Oh, and who's this?"

"This is Elise, the chos--"

The blonde girl bowed low. "Pleased to meet you," she said, with a new respect.

Elise laughed, immediately liking her. "Pleased to meet you, too."

"This is my close friend, Twila." Rilla linked arms with her. "And are you trying out too, my friend?"

"I am; I'm hoping to get in with my herbal skills." Twila tucked away a wisp of blonde hair, repositioning the white tulip.

A group of young mer-boys strutted by, talking loudly. One stopped.

"Hey, Twila! You trying out?" A handsome youth waved off his friends and joined the girls.

"Yeah..." Twila battered her eyelashes. "What about you, Rick?"

"Yes, well I plan to. And what about you, Princess?" He tapped her shoulder.

Rilla gave him a sassy look. "As a princess, I get free passage, of course."

Rick laughed. He then turned to Elise. "And I am quite honoured to be here with you too, Elise." He tipped an imaginary hat, and waved.

"See you later!"

Twila blew a kiss as he strode off.

"How did he know my name?"

"Oh honey, Rick knows about everything. And anyway, everyone knows what your name is."

"Uh...huh."

Rilla shifted. "Well, we better go. Hope you get in, Twila!"

Once they were out of earshot, Elise grabbed Rilla's arm.

"What are you talking about? How do you get free passage?"

Rilla sat down on a moss-rock. "Um....I made that up."

Elise rolled her eyes.

"I’ve made up my mind; nothing’s going to make me stop.”

"What about the prophesy? Don’t you have to pass the strengths, or whatever they’re called?”

"Already have."

Again Elise was annoyed at Rilla's self assurance that seemed to come easily; but at the same time she admired it. "What are they?"

"Perseverance. My sword skills are alright too.”

Images of swords, sea dragons and much worse thoughts whirled around Elise's mind, making here feel dizzy. "R...ight." She stumbled forward.

Rilla jumped from where she was sitting to catch Elise's body. "Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine I think," Elise gasped as she wavered on the brink of unconsciousness.

Rilla set her down on the sandy ground. "Just rest a bit. What came over you?"

"I....I don't know." The lie seemed to leave her lips like it wasn't a lie at all.
"Thanks for....catching me."

Rilla grinned. Something special passed between the two girls. "S'all right."

Elise knew that Rilla was now a true friend, and whether she was coming on the quest was not up to her father, or anyone else. It was prophesied. And they both knew it.