Before dusky light began to turn to darkness we were nearing the habitat we had stayed in the night before. Wart was still draped over my arm, exhausted from his very complex day. I was wondering what to do with the little mandarin fish under my chin when we went inside. Maybe leave it in the gazing pool?
Just then a great hand reached out and grabbed it! "Aha! The last one!" said a deep masculine voice.
I turned to see Master Waterpot dropping the mandarin fish from his hand onto his cloak where I watched open mouthed, as it immediately swam around in great excitement greeting the other fish.
I looked at him suspiciously, "So, you have found them all and the last seemed to know just where I was. How could that be, Waterpot?"
Waterpot scratched his ear and smiled at Sir Max who had glided over to greet him. Trying to change the subject he asked, "Well now Phee, who do you suppose was going to fetch you home?"
I gave him a weak smile and said, "I haven't a clue about what is going on, do I, Waterpot?"
He shook his head in a most aggravating superior way and said, "The balloons, it seems, have slipped their enchantment and were last seen sailing over Oceania with a baskets full of Pixies."
Oh my!, the rascals, thought I. Now we will have to find another way home!
The whole group assembled outside the habitat and we made our fond farewells to Sir Max, Hypheria, Zeno and all the other lovely merpeople and creatures who had gathered round. Sir Max reversed the water pressure and flow in the tube that had taken us out into the water and now it sucked us back inside to rise up and pop out of the bubble into the living room.
I counted heads and found I was missing one. Harkin had not come in with the others. I went from window to window looking out and finally saw Sir Max herding Emily toward us, Harkin on her back. From the expression on their faces I was sure Sir Max was trying to convince Harkin that he must go inside and poor Emily! I was certain, if eels can cry, that she was crying. Harkin hung his head and patted her and then headed for the tube and came inside. Sir Max nodded at me and I smiled my thanks. After he swam away, I began to pack up and then Purdy came up and whispered that Emily was outside the windows. From window to window she frantically circled looking everywhere for Harkin. Master Waterpot watched her as I explained to him the affinity that had arisen between the eel and Harkin and how she wanted to keep him.
"Isn't it a shame Emily isn't an elvin girl." I said out loud.
Waterpot looked at me to see if I was joking. I was not! Harkin seriously needed a girl friend, one with all the qualities of Emily, but with a few less sharp teeth. "Well, I may not have the magic to turn her into an elf but I can bring her with us if Sir Max gives his permission. Tis my fear she may waste away of a broken heart if left behind."
His words touched my heart and I forgave him for whatever the trick was he had played on me about his fish. I clapped at the idea of taking Emily even though I had no idea how he planned to do it and he immediately left to find Sir Max. Some hours later he returned smiling with mischief but still not telling me a thing.
The Journey Home
Waterpot was waiting for me with a fine breakfast when I came into the habitat's kitchen in the morning. The children were all gathered, their little packs neatly piled up by the gazing pool.
"Has someone discovered a way for us to get home then?" I asked and poured myself some tea.
Waterpot chuckled, "And what makes you think you've ever been away?' I knew it, he had been playing a trick on us.
"Well, what is it, what have you done to us?" I sipped my tea and nibbled on a blueberry scone and tried to keep my sense of humor.
Waterpot drew up a stool beside me and said, "Well you wanted to see Sir Max's aquarium so I just made it possible!"
I began to speak and he raised a finger, "No, no more words, I can only show you."
He jumped up again and strode to the gazing pool in the middle of the living room. As he walked I watched the back of his cloak sway about and suddenly it was looking very familiar. The scene on his cloak was looking just like Sir Max's Aquarium. Then I saw Emily swim by.
"What's this?" I asked, spitting scone crumbs. "How did Emily get on your cloak?" Again, Waterpot raised his finger to silence me.
He lifted the cloak from his shoulders and dramatically swung it inside out and there before my eyes was the pathway leading to the glen. I gave myself a little shake, for even the best of us magical ones sometimes forget what we really are. Master Waterpot had emptied his fish side cloak so he could use it as a monitor for our journey. The little mandarin fish was his pointer, so to speak, keeping track of us. Then I had to laugh at myself for getting caught up believing I was in real time. Even the wisest have to protect each other at times and I thank'd Waterpot for keeping an eye on us.
Carefully wrapping up the rest of the scone I put it in my satchel and gently took Wart by his furry paw and stepped onto the path the would take us home. In a wink and a sparkle in a Leafy Sea Dragons eye we are all safely delivered to our own mystical glen. Ah, living in cyberspace is just grand.
The End
Afterword
I know you are wondering what happened to Harkin and the rock. Well, I told him the truth. It was a blow to the lad to find we had been teasing him, but he wouldn't have given up the aquarium adventure for anything. Being Harkin, he did go to the rock and apologize, she, being a rock didn't say anything. I think the whole experience has made him stronger and he now has Emily to visit for she is living on the waterside of Master Waterpot's cloak and he can go there any time he wishes.
We have received word from Sir Max that Lord Hyacinth completed his transformation back into a human being and returned to the human world. He has vowed to help us find Wart's true identity and will send us information as he discovers it.
On a more mysterious note Lord Hyacinth has requested that Harkin rise up from sleep just as the new moon rises and go immediately to the old oak near Harrows Creek. He is to be sure and bring with him a towel and a warm dress, possibly some soft shoes but that is not altogether necessary. We are all very excited about this latest mystery and have already planned the midnight snacks to eat while we watch what is going to happen.
Sir Max Coloring Projects Part Three
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For Sir Max's Sea Monster Coloring Projects |
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