The early wind through her black hair, the first rays of sunshine. It always made her feel more awake, more alive. There were no words for it, not that she would be able to say them out loud. Even if she had them.

It was so strange to have her once sweet little sister in her house, the little girl that followed her everywhere. The one that believed that everything in the world was wonderful and that justice always won.

Oline shook her head.

No, that little girl died the same day as their mother. That little girl was killed by the same man that banished her and took away her voice.

The woman in her house maybe looks like that little girl, but there was nothing of that innocents left. The woman in her house had enslaved a human, and is planning to use him for her own benefit. This was something the old Elna would never do.

Oline knew that a lot has changed, and she guessed that her sister didn't had much Sirens in her corner. But it had shocked her how much her sister has changed.

She bowed down the pick up a small shell, and placed that one in her pouch. She hadn't picked up any new shells yesterday, or hadn't worked on any jewelry. She picked up another shell. Not that she blamed herself, she was a bit busy to get her sister dressed and walking. Also she had used her magic for the first time in years.

She quickly rose up and looked towards the rushing waves. The sound that always called her to go back home, or at least touch it with her feet. Something she hasn't even considered doing until yesterday.

Maybe it would call her father towards Elna and her, and that would put a stop on Elna's plan to see the human world. Could she live with the reality of that happening. She already knew that answer, no, no she wouldn't be able to live with herself if that was the case.

Still her heart screamed out, it longed for the sea.

She tore her gaze away, and it landed on the castle. Which was build on top of a cliff, its many balconies over looking the ocean. The white stone shimmered softly in the early morning light. The rest of the village was build around it, all the way towards the beach.

She hasn't ventured all that far into town, she didn't need to. All the shops, the bakery, dress maker, where near the market square. And once every week without fail there was a giant market where she was able to purchase everything else; vegetables, milk, eggs. All stuff she wasn't used to. But she needed to adapt, and now it was Elna's turn to do so.

She need to learn, for at least three days, to survive on a diet with much fish and seaweed.

"Shellgirl!"

Someone shouted.

She quickly turned around to see that it was one of the younger fishermen. He had bought a bracelet for his mother, just a couple of days ago.

He rushed towards her, while he grabbed something out of his basket.

She wasn't able to see what it was, until he was right in front of her.

"What a pleasant surprise. My mother loved the bracelet, and has given me an ear full after she learned how much I paid for it. Although she knows that you don't ask much, but she has ordered me that I pay you more, when ever I see you next. Which is now, only out of habit I don't bring my wallet with me when I go out to sea."

Which was not a silly habit, the sea was a dangerous place. Even for a simple fisherman that stays near the coast. Although Sirens do not come here, there are other creatures out there that will.

"So please accept a part of todays catch."

Wait, was he serious? Fish was normally a luxury that she was only able to afford once a month. So him handing her his catch of day, would be to much.

She slowly shook her head, she couldn't except that. It was simply to much.

"Please accept, it will such a relief to know that my mother can back of now."

His mother was indeed a force of nature.

Oline often suspected that the woman tries to push the son more towards her. And although it would have being saver for her to accept it. She was afraid that her father would do something if she gave her hand in marriage. She didn't fear for herself, no she feared for the poor soul in question.

But then again the priest of the New Religion have started to show up more often, and all of them have set their hatred on unmarried women, like her own.

And although the King himself has degreed that they aren't allowed to do anything. There was still a war not that long ago.

A war North Favuldfield won, but still the scars where still there.

And she knows how men in power react when they are loosing it. Or being mocked. Those men are going to lash out and was she really sure that the King and The Queen are willing to protect those in the crossfire.

The young fisherman brought her back to the here and now, when he pushed the fish in her hands.

She really should give them back.

But he was already walking away from her.

Well at least Elna and her would eat well tonight.

**********

Oline didn't know how to react after she had listened to Elna's story. How in the Underworld was it even possible that her father could threat her this badly.

Elna was his pride and joy, the only one who could talk him down. And now Elna told her that he isn't letting her sleep. Not only that but he is working her to the bone.

She now wondered if she was able to eat at least, or is that too restricted. Now that she taught about it, Elna looked rather thin. And her skin was a bit white washed. All signs that she feared that it was the latter.

How in the Underworld, could her father do this. How far did this man sink to become such a tyrant. He was torturing his own daughter, his own flesh and blood.

It pained her to see Elna like this, and she blamed herself for not being there to protect her.

Why in the seven sea's was she so stubborn?

Her father had killed their mother, because she didn't want to sing.

And what did she do, she told the man who was still drenched in mother's blood that she wouldn't sing for him either.

It was somewhat of a kindness that he only did what he did, but still this also meant that she wasn't there to protect Elna.

She wasn't there, and she didn't know if she ever would be able to forgive herself for that.

Elna almost inhaled her portion of the breakfast, which confirmed her theory even more.

"Please take my portion as well, I am not that hungry."

She signed.

Oline could see in Elna reluctance that she doubted Oline's lack of an appetite.

Or maybe had used it to bait her into something, Oline couldn't be sure. However it wouldn't surprise her.

"I mean it."

She stood up, picked up Elna's plate and started to do the dishes. While she heard the ticking sound of the spoon hitting the bowl. She didn't knew that she was holding her breath up to then.

Their father had become a monster, there wasn't another word for him.

Even though she wasn't trying that hard to find something else. She used a cotton cloth and freezing cold water, that she got from the well, to whip the bowl clean. It was the only form of water she was not afraid to touch. It never felt like home.

A knock landed on the door, so she placed the bowl on the countertop and walked over to the door. Wondering who it might be, and she was shocked when it was none other then the Prince.

She quickly bowed her head, but he pushed it upwards with his fingers.

"Please, you saved my life yesterday. So there is no need for all of that."

Her heart fluttered, when he touched her. And she secretly wished he wouldn't let go of her chin.

"I never knew that you where this pretty, of course I haven't paid much attention to you before now. I only have seen you in passing."
Was he really saying all of that?

Or was this all because of Elna's spell, they looked similar only their hair had a different color.

"Oline, who is it?"

Elna's voice rung behind her, which broke the moment between the Prince and her.

The Prince was now looking at Elna.

"My men all died because of you. And all I can do is listen to your voice inside my head. I hear it when I am awake, when I sleep, bath, even when I try to think of something else. Well, there you are and I kindly ask you to put a stop to it."

Oline stepped aside, so that he could enter her home. Which was for the second time.

Elna slowly shook her head, while lowering it.

"I am sorry about your men, if you care to believe it. I didn't want them to die, only I didn't have much choice."

Elna's eyes quickly switched from the Prince to her.

"I know only one way to break the curse, but I need three day to gather some ingredients. Until then I want you to show me your world."

The cure for the curse didn't need three days, Elna was lying to the Prince.

"Why are you lying to him?"

Oline signed.

"Because, would he show me his world if I break the curse now? No, I don't think so."

Elna signed back.

The Prince raised both his hands.

"What are the two of you doing?"

Oline chuckled slightly, and she raised up her hand. And let her top fingers rise and fall upon her thumb.

"Talking, you mean to tell me that those motions with your hands is a way of communicating?"

Oline nodded with a smile.

He then turned towards Elna, his eyes wide of wonder.

"I will show you all that I can, but do you be also willing to teach me this language. I want to be able to understand Shellgirl better."

"Oline, her name is Oline. And sure, it is a way to repay my sister for room and board."

Oline wasn't able to believe her ears, he wanted to learn sign language for her.

He was willing to learn something new, in three days only for her.

Not only that, but Elna was willing to teach him as well, all for her. Her little sister wasn't that far gone it seems. There was still some good inside her.

The Prince turned to her.

"Oline, it is so good to finally learn your name. It was a bit silly to keep calling you Shellgirl. So please call me by my name, all is it with that strange language of yours."

She directly started to spell out his name with her hands.

"Eigil."

And the Elna did the same thing, but she said every letter as well. Then she did the same for Oline's name and then her own.

"Elna."

Eigil looked at the both of them with a genuine smile on his face.

"It is nice to meet the both of you, Elna and Oline. Well, Elna if you want to see as much of the human world as possible, let us then be on our way. There is a farmers market and I know for a fact that Oline is doing her weekly shopping there. So let us be off."

It was not that much of a stretch for him to know when she did her shopping. Because the whole city did that around that time. But he was going to take her and Elna with him. That was so sweet.

"Oh and my mother is throwing me a ball. And I want to invite the both of you. It is on the last day, so you can give me the cure there."

Oline looked shocked, a ball? And the both of them where invited? She quickly glanced towards Elna who looked pretty pleased with herself.