The Little Mermaid (Faerie Tale Collection) Read Online Free PDF Page B

as it stretched over his legs and chest. How could humans wear such confining clothing? He could barely get these leg coverings on!
    Truth be told, they could be extra difficult to get into because they were wet, but he did not remember it being quite this difficult before.
    Pearl giggled.
    Heaven knew how funny he must look, but eventually he was able to succeed.
    “You rascal. You will not be giggling once you attempt the same thing!”
    “I am sure I will not.” She laughed. “But you do look so funny and quite odd in landfolk clothing.”
    He gasped as he stood up on the reef and twisted from side to side. “Are you saying I do not look completely dashing in this getup?”
    Her jaw dropped as she looked up at him.
    “What is it?”
    “How are you doing that so well?”
    He glanced down at his legs. “Do you mean standing like this?”
    “Yes. Precisely. That is incredible.”
    Stepping down from his perch, he ignored the first stabs of pain in his feet. He climbed back into the water, knowing he would have to get wet again anyway to reach the shore. Moving toward her, he gently cupped her jaw with his hand, his eyes capturing her beautiful purple gaze. “Do you know what? Very soon, this shall be you standing, too.”
    She smiled.
    “Should I go now and return so you can share this adventure with me?”
    Her eyes lit up and sparkled so charmingly at him. “Yes, please. Hurry.”
    He needed no more encouragement than that. Picking up the small bag of gold and the boots he had brought with them, he tucked the vial of antidote farther into the crevice of the rock, made sure she still held on to the liquid to transform her tail, and then he kissed her once more and said, “I will be back promptly. Do not leave this spot.”
    “I would not dream of it!”

    PEARL WAS LEANING AGAINST the reef, staring up at the glorious sun above her, her fins hidden beneath the low tide water, when she heard a voice shouting in a strange tongue.
    Panic pierced her heart as she turned in the direction of the sound. Goodness! When had the sand become as close as this? Not a hundred yards from her perch stood a human male. His dark hair waved in the breeze. He shouted again and seemed to be looking directly at her.
    Ack! She instinctively dove the rest of the way into the water. Where was Keel? What should she do? The tide had become so low, she could not hide as deeply in the water as she wished. Feeling the water shift, she glanced toward the land and was shocked to see the man’s boots stepping into the water and wading toward her.

NO. NO. NO. NO!
    Pearl darted back, but got caught up in a large mass of seaweed. It was about the size of Keel! Urgh. Her arms flailed as she attempted to take the stuff off so she could swim away, but she was still clutching the vial of liquid that would help her turn into a human, so she could not grasp the plant properly. Just then, a large wave crashed down, and the weed became an even greater mess.
    The man was shouting more and more. When she glanced up just above the surface of the water, she was amazed to see him nearly upon her.
    All at once, his arms were around her. She screamed and attempted to beat him off, but he was too strong. His crisp, clicking words took on a more soothing sound as he whispered near her ear.
    Once she realized he was attempting to remove the plant and help her, her panic subsided a bit. Just a bit. Her heart was beating frantically, and she was desperate to hide the fact that she had fins.
    It took about two full minutes to completely remove her from the weed, but once he did, she zoomed back to the other side of the rock and peeked up at him.
    He remained where he was, still speaking. This time, his hands were out, as if in a peaceful gesture. When he smiled slightly, it was so beautiful, she could not help herself. She smiled back.
    The man took a step toward her. He must have liked the exchange. She quickly swam away from the safety of the rock and out to sea,