This story was inspired by my Gencraft friend who created the first AI pictures of our special mermaid that started the beginning of Ayanna's tale.

Thanks Souleyes! This story is dedicated to you.

So here is the first chapter. Others are to come later as I finish them (but it does take me a while because I write kinda slow. I plan on finishing this story, so don't think I've abandoned it) lol

Tail of a Mermaid

Chapter 1

Foundling of the Storm

The heavens seemed alive on this dark night; unleashing its full fury on the watery world below. Black ominous clouds blanketed the sky, swallowing up any light the moon and stars might give, pouring down rain in one continuous sheet. The wind screamed, the lightning flashed down, and the mighty rumblings vibrated the very air; all declaring their claim over the ocean's surface. The majestic waters boiled like a mad caldron, foaming waves rising out of the dark waters to crash down again. Nothing but angry water in all directions.

Another wave formed and curved upwards as did thousands of others around it; but there, amidst the foam, a lone figure surfaced. Momentarily caught in the watery grasp, he was dragged along with the upsurge. Just before it came crashing down, he was able to dive, avoiding the crushing weight as he submerged underwater. Beneath was not much better, the currents were strong and it took all his strength to fight against them. He reached out with both arms in wide sweeping motions at the water. Behind him, from the lower of his torso and down, a long scaled tail swept out, the two large deep blue fins at its end fanning frantically against the resistance.

Even for one born of water, the merman struggled not to be swept away into the endless abyss below. Over his torso he wore a plate of armor, elegantly engraved, with pauldrons on the muscular shoulders. Covering most of his head, a silver helmet with large fin-like sculptures sweeping back from both sides framed a handsome battle scared face; fresh cuts marring the well-formed cheekbones and forehead. The type of armor that a guard would wear; the kind one would wear proudly. But at the moment it was more of a hindrance. It weighed him down, making him call upon more of his quickly depleting strength. From between the iron chinks on his side, a bright red haze seeped out to swirl away on the water's current. The wound was serious, but there was no time to think of it at the moment. It seemed like ages since the storm had broken in all its fury, and seemed in no hurry to end; but on he swam, aching arms stroking out, taking him forward.

Forward.

He must keep going forward. There was no going back; at least not for now. He reached down to feel at something; a small bundle wrapped in a silken cloth tied tightly against his chest with the shredded remains of what had once been fine cape. Relieved, he found it secure. But it too added weight, and every bit of strength was precious. In order to reach safety, something had to go, and, proud as he was of it, he knew what he must do. He reached up, yanked at the straps, and the chest and back plate and pauldrons fell away to sink into the deep blackness below. Next the helmet slipped off as shoulder length locks of beep blue flowed out. Seconds later it too followed the rest of the armor to its fate. Re-securing the bundle safely him, the merman once again continued his struggling journey.

For another two hours the storm raged before finally began to calm some. The rain still poured down and the lightning lashed relentlessly, but the wind and waves were not as angry as before. Even so, the merman could feel his body growing weaker with every passing minute. He wouldn't be able to go on much further.

Just when all hope seemed to be fading, a bright coral ahead caught his eye. A reef. He quickly surfaced to see what appeared to be a small island through the haze of rain. Mustering up all the strength he had left, he swam for it. When closer he found its shore to be pitted with small coves and large black rocks, worn smooth over the years. Beyond a short beach, palm trees and green foliage bowed in the whipping wind. He made for one of the smaller coves, using the waves currents to help him and they roughly washed the merman ashore. Weakly, he pulled himself further onto the beach and flopped to the wet sand; no more strength left to give.

He lay there on his side, the pouring rain pelting down on his body as the sand beneath him slowly turned scarlet in color as the wound continued to drip blood. The proud tail laid limply on the sand, the lapping waves angrily buffing the deep blue fins. With great effort, he wrapped his arm around the bundle of silken cloth still secured to his torso, trying to shelter it from the elements with his own body. Pain was just a haze of a feeling now, as if he were suddenly numb to it all. The thunder, the wind, and rain; all a fading blur of noises as something else called his name. He could feel the life steadily draining from his body, draining out onto that wet beach. Breath only came shallow, the world dimming before his heavy eyes. Sleep. Its lulling presence beckoning him to close his eyes and enjoy its peaceful darkness.

Sleep. He couldn't fight it anymore. He felt one last time at the bundle he tenderly sheltered.

"I am … sorry … little one," he breathed to the night.

A small surrendering sigh, and he lay still.

Nuala swam over the rainbow hues of the coral, the handle of her weaved basket hooked in the crook of an elbow. Behind her, the small underwater city became smaller as the distance grew. She could have just bought what she needed at the market there, but she liked her mussels fresh from the reef. She was one of the only ones who knew about the little cove where you could nearly find them by the handfuls.

The currents had subsided since the storm had calmed in the world above and swimming was much easier now. Even if the merpeople were safe down below from the lightning and blasting winds, the waves made it extremely difficult and dangerous. And if one swam too close to the reefs, it was too easy to get swept up by the strengthened currents and be dashed against the rocky shores of the islands scattered throughout these waters. But once the wind died and the surface calmed, it was perfectly safe to venture up near the shores once more.

It wasn't too long after the city had disappeared from sight that Nuala approached the reef of the island cove. It was easy to find the mussels for they had gathered in the coral's nooks and cranny's so they wouldn't be swept away with the storm's currents. The long pearl white tail reflected bluish hues as it gracefully flexed and turned behind the mermaid as she swiftly went about her search, nimble fingers plucking up the delicious morsels. It wasn't long before her basket was nearly full and she closed the lid tightly so none of them could escape on the way home. She was about to leave when her gaze came up. Only a short distance away, the sea floor rose up to create the beach of the cove, and near the top strands of green and purple seaweed grew out from between rocks and along the sandy floor. Nuala watched them wave and fan their long leaves for some time. Their tender crisp leaves would make a nice salad for supper; but her heart ached as recollection reminded her of the last time she had picked some. Her little girl had been here with her then. Her dear sweet Anabela had loved to come to this cove to help her mother gather mussels and scallops, and they never left without a basket of that certain seaweed. It had been Anabela's favorite.

Nuala's little daughter had been all she had left after her husband had died in a building accident in the city soon after Anabela had been born. After that, the only thing that mattered was her daughter, the only one who could fill the empty hole in her heart. Her smile, her laugh, her eyes; they were the only thing that made her life worth continuing. Then about five years later, Anabela had fallen ill with fever. The healers did everything in their power, but a few days later Nuala had watched helplessly as her daughter breathed her last in her arms. The anguish and pain that shattered her heart were near to unbearable. For weeks she stayed in her suddenly empty house, spending the endless days and nights alone and weeping. If it hadn't been for her best friend, Sereia, she might have starved herself to death in her grief. But faithful Sereia didn't give up and continued to comfort and encourage. It had been a dreadful first year, but Nuala had managed through it. Though now, even three years later, as the day of Anabela's birthday approached, Nuala could feel the pain trying to push its way back to the surface. She felt it now as she remember all those wonderful trips to this little cove. Anabela's cove.

A lock of white hair drifted across Nuala's face as though wiping at the tears forming in the sky blue eyes. Then what Sereia had said came to mind: "Don't try to forget. It's remembering those happy moment you had together that make life worth living. Cherish them and be glad for the time you did have with her."

Since Anabela's passing, Nuala had not made any of the dishes her little girl had loved. It had been too painful before. But now Nuala pushed the hair back with deep sigh, determined she wouldn't run any more. Tonight, in celebration of those memories, she would make all of Anabela's favorite dishes, maybe even look at some of the pictures she used to draw about all the things "her and mamma" used to do. With resolve Nuala swam closer to the underwater shore. A smile even graced her face as she picked the tender leaves, each one seeming to bring back a happy recollection. Soon she had more than enough for a lovely salad.

One last thing to make this complete before leaving. With swift sure strokes of her tail, she rose upward through the haze of sunlight gleaming down like magical rays through the depths. Above it glittered from thousands of tiny little circles that danced along the surface, telling that the rain hadn't stopped completely but reduced to a light shower. Seconds later the mermaid's head and shoulders broke through and a fresh coolness caressed her face. The air had a lovely clean scent after the storm and the salty scent of the ocean filled her lungs. A thin layer of clouds still stretched out above, but breaks in their gray gloom allowed rays of sunshine to come dancing through; making the little raindrops that tapped at her face resemble hundreds of glittering diamonds falling from the sky.

With a toss of her head, the water flung from Nuala's long white hair in a thousand sparkling droplets, leaving the snowy locks nearly free of any dampness (as merpeoples' hair was basically waterproof). In the little cove, many large rocks poked out of the rippling glassiness; some pointed, others flat or arched. She swam up to one and, in one fluid motion, pulled herself onto its smooth surface, perfect for sunbathing. Setting her nearly overflowing basket beside her, folded her tail up close against her chest, wrapping her arms around it while letting her fins dangle in the water as she gazed out of the cove's mouth toward the wide endless sea. The sun peeked through another gap and an arch of rainbow colors stretched across the near horizon. Nuala gave a deep sad sigh. Anabela would have loved this, she always loved rainbows. They would often sit on this very rock and watch the sea as they laughed and talked. A deep loneliness squeezed at her already aching heart, turning the beautiful scenery into a liquidly haze as tears again formed. Sometimes it was hard, very hard to only remember the good, especially when alone. A tear trickled down her face.

"I miss you so much, sweetheart," she whispered to the rain. "I miss you so much. I've tried so hard, but it's just feels so … empty. And I don't know what to do about it." Nuala was still young and had been told several times that someday she would find someone else; but who could replace a love so strong? Chin resting on her up drawn tail, she listened to the gentle pitter-patter and the hushing of waves.

So lost in thought was she that she jumped as though bitten by a shark when something brushed up against her fins. Instinctively she recoiled away and sat with heart pounding, but when nothing else happened she cautiously peaked into the water. She let out an embarrassed laugh when she saw it was only a scrap of cloth floating on the water's surface.

"How silly," she chided herself as she leaned down to scoop it out. "So jumpy at something so–" The words were left suspended and the smiled vanished. As she picked up the scrap of cloth, it left a sticky red residue on the soft hand. Nuala caught her breath at the sight. Blood. And by the way it rubbed off meant it was fresh too.

Concern skyrocketing, she quickly looked around, but found nothing in immediate sight. Leaving her basket on the rock, Nuala quickly slipped off and glided along the water's surface, eyes searching both the beach ahead and the clear water below. She rounded a few rocks and gasped.

A prone figure lay on the beach, the deep blue tail half in the water, large fins limply flipping about with every wave that lapped up on the shore. A merman! Nuala quickly rushed over, pulling herself onto the wet sand; she could already see the large splotch of red staining the sand beneath him.

"Sir?! Can you hear me?" Nuala put a hand on the muscular shoulder and found it cold to the touch; the open eyes staring with an unsettling unseeing gaze.

The poor man, Nuala thought sadly. I wonder what happened, and where did he come from? I've never seen him before in the city.

That's when she noticed the bundle loosely tucked protectively between his chest and arm and the shreds of cape securing it there. It was sunk in on itself – empty, but obviously having previously been wrapped around something. Then she saw them; tracks in the wet sand. The light rain had filled them in slightly, but the marks were still visible, as though something had dragged itself away from the man across the beach. Following them with her gaze, they led to a cluster of rocks at the edge of the cove. Nuala hesitated but a second before she slipped back into the shallow water far enough to propel herself and cautiously moved forward. As she approached, a faint splashing mixed among the patter of rain met her ears. Silently, she glided up and peered around a rock. She stared, mouth agape, stunned beyond words at what her eyes fell upon.

In the shallow water sat a baby mermaid, no more than one year of age. She flapped little arms, causing the water to splash up and around her as she softly gurgled in delight. Nuala's felt her heart squeeze within; partly from pity, partly from memories it brought to mind. Such a beautiful little girl, fair skinned with a pretty face framed by hair the color of red chestnut that already reached past her shoulders. What could be seen of the top of her tail was a lovely shade of light teal-green that shimmered in even the few rays of sun. Again she splashed, perfectly enjoying herself, innocently unaware of the figure that lay on the beach only a few yards away that had given his life for her.

Quietly Nuala glided out from her rock, going slow so as not to scare her. "Hello there," she called gently.

Two emerald green eyes turned in a wide curious gaze. Pudgy rose lips opened with a soft questioning baby coo that seemed to say "oh hello. Who are you?" to the snow-haired stranger.

Nuala smiled warmly as she approached. "I'm Nuala. And who are you, pretty girl?"

The baby mermaid stared a moment longer, than joyfully erupted into adorable giggles, beaming her own smile in return as little hands flapped at the water again. Nuala nearly melted as her heart went out to the foundling.

"You poor thing. Out here all by yourself." She came up. The child didn't seem at all afraid so she held her arms out invitingly. "Do you want to come here?"

Another giggle along with a happy bounce and, to Nuala's delight, the little arms reached out in eager acceptance.

"That's it, sweetheart. Aren't you just so brave," Nuala laughed lightly as her fingers slipped under the baby's arms. "And so smart too. You know there's nothing to be afra– w-what?"

As Nuala pulled her out of the water, the little mermaid's tail was completely exposed for the first time. Where the usual two fins should have graced the tail's end, several long fins hung down instead, glittering with the finest sparkle Nuala had ever seen.

"I – I don't understand," Nuala stammered. A cute little smile and garble was her only answer. Nuala pulled the child in against her side, feeling the soft skin against hers. For a wisp of a second she thought of her own lost daughter. "Well, that doesn't matter right now. Let's try to figure out where you belong and why you're here. But what's this?"

She hadn't noticed until now, the small pendent that hung on a fine strand of gold from the child's neck. Made of marbled stone, it was beautifully designed with delicate raised filigree around its edges. In its middle was the figure of a mermaid; the lovely face serene in appearance with long hair flowing around her face and shoulders well down to the middle of her back. Her arms were raised at her sides, palms upward as what seemed to be a mist rose from each hand, swirling up to the pendant's edges. But what caught Nuala's attention was the tail; many long fins fanning out from its end – just like the child's. What it meant, Nuala didn't know. She had never seen anything like it before.

But one question at a time. With the baby mermaid in her arm, Nuala swam back to the fallen merman. Trying her hardest to be respectful, she worked at the knots holding the bundle in place.

"Maybe there's a note inside that was supposed to be delivered to someone at the place he was taking you."

The little girl watched from where the stranger had set her in the shallow water of the beach, green eyes taking in every movement. Nuala succeeded in untying the remains of the cape and began unraveling the cloth. They were of fine quality, but other than that…

"Nothing," Nuala mused. "Well, it was a try. Why be way out here with a baby?" Then a sad thought hit her. "I just hope we wasn't your father."

As she dropped the mess of blankets back to the sand, a pale pink cloth that had been deepest inside (most likely wrapping the child) landed on top. In what could be seen of one corner were the letters: A-y-a-. Instantly intrigued, Nuala separated it from the rest, smoothing it out on her lap. In the corner, sewed with an expert hand, was stitched the name: Ayanna.

She looked up. "Ayanna. Is that your name, sweetie? Ayanna?"

In response the baby giggled at hearing her name, splashing her hands on the water as a small rippling wave washed over her tail. Then little arms reached out, asking for more cuddles; to which Nuala readily obliged.

"Well, I can't just leave you here. So how about you come back with me and I'll tell the others about … him." Her eyes rested somberly on the merman for a moment. "And together we'll find where you belong. Would you like that?" She beeped a finger on the stubby nose.

The baby, Ayanna, clapped her hands with a smile, showing tiny baby teeth. Then, apparently deciding she had found a friend, she suddenly hugged the snow-haired mermaid's shoulder, chestnut head snuggled against her neck. Such a trusting child. Nuala hugged her with all the tenderness of motherly love, a warmth filling her heart. As they headed out of the cove, the last of the rain fell to the ocean and the clouds began to roll away, leaving behind a bright blue sky and warm morning sunshine.

"And there was nothing to tell where they came from?" Sereia asked, though never taking her honey brown eyes off the child sitting in the Anabela's old highchair, eating some flounder mash.

Nuala shook her head. "Nothing. I only know her name because it was sewn into the blanket." She gestured to the pale pink blanket that lay on the table.

As soon as she returned, the small city had been abuzz with the news of the mysterious dead merman and unknown baby. Some of the men had gone out to at least give the stranger a decent burial while Nuala took the baby home as she didn't know what else to do with her. In a city this small it wasn't long before her best friend Sereia had come knocking.

"I want to hear the whole story, and don't leave a single thing out!" had been her first words upon the door opening. Since then, Nuala had explained everything; though there wasn't a whole lot to tell.

Sereia made a funny smile, causing little Ayanna to giggle and flap her arms and tail. The many teal green fins waved like a feathered fan, their fine sparkle glittering in every angle of light.

"Have you ever seen anything like it?" Nuala asked in wonder.

"No. I don't think anyone here has. They're longer than most children's at her age. They'll be quite large when she grows up. I imagine I'll be harder for her to learn how to swim with them too."

"And what about the pendant?"

Again, Sereia's amber curls waved as she shook her head. "I'm afraid not. But it does suggest that her tail isn't simply a deformity." She leaned close, taking up the pendant that still hung from Ayanna's neck in her slim fingers. "This mermaid has a tail nearly the same. I guess she was supposed to be born that way. I'll ask around and see if anyone's heard anything about it. Even if our city it secluded, there might be rumors at least. Oh you little stinker!"

Sereia laughed as a little hand smashed a palm of mash on her cheek. Ayanna gurgled in delight at the way the mermaid made funny disgusted faces as she whipped it off.

"Such a sweet little dear!" Sereia cooed. "So have you decided what you're going to do with her? If you want I can ask some of the other girls if they'd be interested in taking her in." But her heart wasn't in her words, looking at her friend with hopeful eyes.

Nuala paused cleaning off the mush from little hands to gaze at the child. That warmth filling her inside again – that warmth that had been absent for nearly a three years. "No. That won't be necessary. I … I want to keep her here. And I'll care for her, at least until we find who she belongs to."

Sereia clutched both hands against her happy heart. She hadn't seen her friend smile like that since losing Anabela. In her spontaneous way, she suddenly swam up and hugged Nuala tight. "I'm so glad." The girls shared a heartfelt moment before parting, eyes glistening along with the smiles. "I think maybe this little one is just what you've been needing."

Nuala nodded thoughtfully. "Maybe."

"I'll be going now. I've got to tell my mother about this! And I'll start asking around about the pendant." She gave one last look over her shoulder at the multi-finned tail. "So strange. Goodbye!" And she whisked out.

Nuala took Ayanna from the highchair to her bedroom where she put the little girl, along with the pink blanket, in the crib bed she and Sereia had gotten out. Inwardly, it was nice to see it being used again. Sitting on the edge of her bed made of a large oyster shell, Nuala began going through a pile of old baby supplies that had been buried away until now. Ayanna gripped chubby fists tightly around the crib rail so she could watch, not yet able to control her tail enough to keep herself upright. The many long light teal-green fins flapped somewhat awkwardly from the tail's end and Nuala found herself paused in her work to gaze at them in curious wonder as they glittered in the light. They were different, yes; but held a unique beauty all their own.

"I may not understand," Nuala leaned close to the crib, stroking her slim fingers on the back of the soft red chestnut head with an adoring smile, "but I don't care. You're beautiful no matter how you look."

A soft coo replied and Ayanna proceeded to give a long yawn. It had been a busy day for the little mermaid and the emerald eyes drooped sleepily. Nuala took her from the crib and cradled the small body against hers, sharing her warmth and protection – and love. In tender arms she lightly rocked back and forth while softly humming a merfolk lullaby. It wasn't long before the tired eyes closed and sweet sleep followed.

Nuala watched for a long while. "Ayanna," she whispered to the sleeping child. Gently, she kissed the top of the chestnut head. "My little Ayanna."