Snow crunched underfoot as Pano made his way across the fjord. He stared at the ground, concentrating on moving forward to pass the time. It had been six weeks since he had begun his quest. Six weeks since he'd told his village good-bye. Six weeks since he'd seen any form of civilization. All he could see was the pure white snow stretched for miles in front of him. If he was lucky, he would catch sight of a small mammal that he could eat to sustain himself. Other than that, he was alone, with only his thoughts to keep him company.

The howling wind nipped at his ears, and little flurries fell from the heavens, catching in his eyelashes. But it didn't phase Pano. He'd become numb to the cold within the first week of the journey. The storm picked up, but Pano pressed onward. He could not stop until he had found her. It didn't matter how far he'd have to travel. All he cared about was finding the one from the sea.

His trek had grown monotonous ages ago, yet Pano suppressed his yearnings to turn around and go home. He would become the most prized person in his village once he found the one from the sea. He would be respected, he may even be appointed as the new leader of his village. All he had to do was find the maiden of the sea.

I will make it to the sea, Pano repeated to himself. I'm so close! As much as Pano encouraged himself, however, doubt had wriggled its way into his mind. What if the elder in the village had given him the wrong directions? The elder had said that the journey would take a long time, but it was getting ridiculous. How much longer did he need to go?

Then, the path in front of him seemed to change. Bright, blue water appeared in the distance, gently lapping the icy shore. Excited, Pano broke into a run. Finally, he'd reached his destination. The directions that the village elder had given had been right after all!

Pano crouched low behind a pile of snow a few yards from the sea. He removed an arrow from his quiver and mounted his bow. His head poked out from behind the snow pile, searching for his prize. The water was tranquil, refusing to reveal what lay below.

Surely she's here, Pano thought. She's got to be! This is where the last few sightings of her were!

Pano was good at being patient. As a hunter, he'd mastered the art of waiting for prey. But now, when he was so close to his goal, he found it hard to sit still. Come up now! Come up now!

Pano sat there for what felt like an eternity, willing the creature to surface. But there was no sign of her. All hope was lost. Finally, Pano relaxed his bow. She clearly wasn't coming anytime soon. He'd come all this way, yet it had been a waste.

Suddenly, bubbles began to break the glassy surface of the sea. Pano perked up, training his bow in the direction of the disturbance. A giant, sea creature emerged from the water. It was Sedna: the Queen of the Sea. Clothed with seagrass and kelp, the woman gracefully lifted herself onto the icy bank. She pulled a piece of coral out from below the water, and began combing her shiny, black hair. Pano froze and gazed at Sedna, as the coral slipped easily through her long hair. He'd heard all of the stories about her: that she could charm anyone, that she was the most beautiful woman anyone has ever seen. The tales were the reason he'd set out looking for her, but he'd never imagined her to look so stunning. Though she did not seem very young (she was 900 years old, after all), her beauty seemed to have aged and matured.

Pano approached stealthily from his hiding place, careful to not to startle the maiden from the sea. She continued to run the comb through her hair, apparently oblivious to the movement behind her. Step by step, Pano inched his way toward her, until he finally stood a few feet away.

What do I say to her? How does one address the Queen of the Sea?

"H-hello," Pano stammered. Sedna didn't so much as twitch in response.

"M-my name is Pano," he continued. "I've been searching for you for a long time." 

Slowly, Sedna's head turned around. Pano drew in a sharp breath as he viewed her face for the first time. She was the epitome of perfection: smooth skin and harmoniously proportioned. The wind swayed strands of her hair to and fro. Her big, brown eyes met Pano's gaze, and he grew weak in his knees.

"You've been looking for me?" she spoke. Her voice was soft and melodic, like she was rocking a baby to sleep.

"Yes," Pano said, trying to regain his composure. He didn't want to look like a fool in front of the Sea Queen.

"Why do you seek me?" Sedna sang.

Pano straightened up. "I wanted to ask you a question."

Sedna leaned down until the two were eye level. She smelled clear and sweet, only vaguely reminiscent of the salty water she'd just been in. "Yes?"  

"I am a very fine warrior, the finest in my tribe," Pano began. "I have caught many wild animals for my village to keep them alive. I have also protected them from attacks from other villages and predators." Pano paused, hoping to see a spark of admiration or awe in her. Her expression remained placid.

"Go on," she prompted.

"I have heard stories that you can be freed from being a sea creature and become a human again if you marry a mortal. I come before you today to ask for your hand in marriage," Pano declared, trying to seem confident.

Sedna pondered his proposition for a moment. The sound of her giant heart formed a faint but steady beat, filling in the tense silence as Pano waited for her answer. Finally, Sedna rose back up to her full height.

"You are a great warrior, make no mistake. Your actions are noble, and your heart is compassionate. But I can not marry you. I am a Queen, you see," Sedna told him. "I wish you well on your journey home."

Pano's face fell. He traveled so far, been gone for so long, endured so much. And she just.... rejected him. His face burned with embarrassment. Of course she was too good to marry him. She was the Queen of the Sea, after all.

A new thought entered Pano's head. I've come all this way, left my village for six weeks, and been through the harshest of weather conditions. Is that not enough proof of my love for her? What is she looking for, anyway?

"I have come all this way," Pano said through gritted teeth. "I am not leaving without my prize." He whipped around, pointing his bow and arrow at Sedna. Sedna's eyes widened. With lightning reflexes, he released the arrow, piercing her chest. Sedna rocked, falling backwards into the sea with a resounding splash.

Water soaked Pano, snapping him out of his sudden outburst. Fear struck him as he realized what had just happened. Oh, no! What have I done! He rushed to the side of the shore, peering into the water below. Bubbles floated on the ocean's surface, but there was no sign of Sedna.