I was worried about Mother. The adults dismissed us and told us to go to bed. I didn't want to go to bed, but Father, Aunt Piper, and Uncle Jason made us. I looked at the window mournfully, hoping to escape. Giselle glanced at me. Gabriel was fast asleep.

"I wish we could get out of here."
"Me too." Rose replied.

Then Giselle gave an evil smile.

"Why don't we escape?"
"I-I-I don't know Elle."
"Come on Rose," she pleaded, "it will be fun!"

I sat there, staring at the window. I didn't want to leave. If we got captured, they would have more to worry about. And Father was extremely stressed about Mother.

But, what the heck. You once live once right? It's couldn't hurt. I looked back at my friend.

"Fine."

And with that, we leaped out of Giselle's window. As soon as we touched the ground, I felt a rush of excitement. I was really doing this. I was sneaking out. I glanced at Giselle.

"So, where are we going?"
"The gardens."

We laughed and headed back to the gardens. I picked up a little red rose. Only budding. It reminded me of me when I was little. When my parents would hug me and give me a cookie when I was sad. Sometimes, they would kiss and would squeal 'eww!'. Then they would laugh. I picked it in one of the vases.

Giselle was looking at the fish. She looked up and smiled at me.

"I love being here at night. It's so peaceful."
"I agree."

Then I looked back at the fish in the pond. The looked up and blew bubbles in a greeting.

For some reason, I could understand them. They spoke in my mind. Earlier, Jack had told me a joke. Now he was back.

He had told me all about the little cites of fish. This one was Atlantis. The royal family was kind of like mine. They were happy, peaceful rulers. Jack came up and blew a few bubbles.

Why hello princess! What are you doing so late?

"I came out. Got bored in the castle."

I looked back at Giselle. She was singing softly and gathering flowers. A few doves flew around her as she laughed. Then I turned back to the goldfish.

"Hey Jack. Why can I talk to fish?"

I think I know princess. But, let's test something.

"I'm up for anything."

Think of yourself becoming smaller. Becoming a fish or a small mermaid. Then we can test if my theory's right.

I did as he asked. I imagined myself becoming a small mermaid. A few of this live near the shores of Oceania. Whenever one of the mermen talked to my mother, father would always get angry and tell him off. That thought brought a smile to my lips.

Suddenly I opened my eyes. I was... in the water. I looked at my hands. I still had hands. But I felt different for reason. I twirled in the water. A silvery blue tail swished behind me.

I. Had. A. Tail. I'm a mermaid! Then Jack swam up to me, the same size I was. Maybe I could adjust my size? Hmm. I should try it when we're at the beach.

"It worked? It worked!" Jack shouted.
"What? Oh it worked."

Jack grinned. Or however a fish smiled. I could tell he was happy.

"This is amazing princess! Let's go meet the other fish."
"Alright."

I followed him. Swimming with this tail felt so much easier. I could float and blow bubbles. Wait. I could breathe too! This was so exciting! I followed him to the castle.

We stepped inside the beautiful gardens and gates of gold. Jack must have had entrance here because the merman guards did not look friendly.

On the throne was a beautiful mermaid. She had pearls in her hair and a gold tail with shimmering gold shells. Her golden blond her floated around her as her blue eyes gazed kindly at me. She smiled.

"Welcome Princess Rosalie Evelyn Calista. I am Queen Galatea. Daughter of Nereus, ruler of the mermaid kingdom."
"I-I-I....um..." I stuttered as Jack bowed.

I looked around the beautiful palace. Then I heard Giselle calling me.

"Rose! Rose! Where are you! I swear if you're tricking me, I'm going to kill you!"

I looked at the queen and bowed. Thank you Princess 101. Never thought I'd say that.

"Your highness. Forgive me, but I must go now, my family is looking for me."

She nodded and swam to the surface as fast as I could. Then I leaped out of the water. My tail became the nightgown I was wearing. My best friend looked at me in shock.

"Rose?.... what the...." Giselle said, her face emotionless, "Oh no."
"I'm alright. Let's just head back inside. Come on Elle."

Then I realized she wasn't looking at me. She was looking....... behind me. I turned around.

Standing there was a man with white blond hair and mad blue eyes. Not mad, angry. Mad, crazy. He was holding a sharp looking dagger in his pale hand. He smiled at us.

"Well, if it isn't the two little princesses. Rosalie and Giselle. Shouldn't you be inside? Sleeping? Your parents will be furious."
"You know our parents?" I asked.
"We.... we were good friends, eh? Now don't make me tell them."

The man smiled evilly. Giselle hid behind me. True friendship, like 'here take her.' I sighed. Then turned back to the man.

"I don't trust you."
"Of course you don't."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. Except you. And Jason and Piper's daughter would be helpful too."

I was angry. No one was going to take us hostage. We are not items.

"Whoever you work for can shove his plan up his butt. We refuse."
"Very well then. I'll just have to kill you."

He lunged, but never made it. I covered my face with my hands and felt a tug in my gut. Then I slowly uncovered my eyes. A wall of water formed into front of us. I was confused. Why did I have this power? Whatever it is, it's keeping us alive.

I moved my hands. The water blasted the man away, far into the forest. I was shocked. Then I heard a voice from behind Giselle and I.

"Rose?"

Hey I'm back. Sorry for the slow updates. I'm kinda losing inspiration here and your votes and comments are going to help me find something to write about. Also I'm thinking of publishing this new story. "The Princess of Rome" it takes place back in Ancient Rome. Here's the summary.

Aurelia always wanted something special to do. She was only the youngest daughter of seven of the emperor Gaius, better known as Caligula. Her sisters, Cecilia, Drusilla, Flavia, Livia, Priscilla, Valentina were destined in the Sibylline Books to do something great. But Aurelia was never mentioned.

One day, she stumbles upon the Roman gods. They send her to retrieve an important item, Libra, the scales of Astraea, after it has been stolen from the goddess. Along the way, she meets a handsome man she quickly falls in love with. I'll she complete her mission and save her true love?

So yeah. You guys tell me whether not I should publish it. See ya next chapter. I swear if I don't get any comments, I'm putting this story off until Christmas.
-Abby