Fire and Water

Long ago when the world was young there lived a maiden of the sea. Her long golden locks hung loose down her back and her eyes were as grey as the sea during a storm. Although she looked young her eyes told tales of the many sorrows and hardships of her long life. Her voice wove webs that ensnared sailors, and if she caught a man she would swiftly yet gently lure him beneath the ocean’s frothy waves and to her dark realm that lay far beneath the surface. The maiden would enjoy the company of the ill-fated sailor for a short while then dispose of him and allow him to rot for eternity in her shadowy prison. The Sea Maiden’s name was Liana.

As the years went by tales of the sea serpent that transformed into an enchanting maiden were popular topics among both the noblemen and the peasants. Various heroes ventured to her domain in attempt to slay her- and not a single sole returned. Routes for ships were changed and a boat seldom ever passed by the fair maiden’s lair.

There was one man that was not of noble descent but possessed a noble heart. He believed that there was more to the story than the people knew. He was a blacksmith by trade and a true and honest man. His hair was a brown as rich earth and his eyes were bluer then the clearest sky. He had no living family for they had been slaughtered during their flight to their new home. He worked with fire at his forge and played with fire in the marketplace. Each Sunday he would entertain the children with his tricks with coloured balls, fire and his tales of heroes that rose from the ranks of ordinary people, evil witches that concocted their potions in slimy swamps, fair maidens who awaited their saviour and monsters that could destroy a large village in the blink of an eye. Even though he had no blood relatives he still had his family from his village. This blacksmith decided to venture into the unknown and discover the truth about the enchantress of the ocean. The blacksmith’s name was Aiden but the townsfolk often called him firebird of flamedancer.

While Aiden prepared for his voyage trouble was brewing in the ocean’s depths.

Liana, the sea maiden’s anger grew each day, for each fewer ships passed her by. One day she was so livid that she went to visit the evil and malicious sea serpent. The sea serpent’s cave was constructed of a cloudy purple stone. From the centre of the cave a strange green light pulsed. As the Liana drew closer she realized that the glow was emitted from a large green stone that was embedded in the serpent’s scaly hide. “Oh great and mighty serpent of the sea,” cried the maiden, “I have come to ask for aide and counsel from you.” The maiden bowed her head and waited breathlessly for an answer,

“Fair Liana, maiden of the sea. I will aide you as you ask, but with one condition,” rasped the cunning serpent, “you must wear this gem that I have until you die. If you do not agree with my terms, then I cannot help you.” Liana needed not a minute to consider the serpent’s offer, “I agree.” said the maiden eagerly. The sea serpent smiled maliciously and began chanting. Through the haze Liana saw the glowing gem rise from its owner’s hide, join to a slender golden chain and settle gracefully on her neck. Mere seconds after the gem had made contact with her skin, the gem began to glow even brighter and melt into her flesh and even though Liana was experiencing excruciating pain she could not utter a single cry. For the gem had stolen her voice. The serpent cackled and using her newly claimed voice, banished Liana from the cave and into the soft currents of the ocean’s depths.

Liana wandered from place to place. Her heart was breaking on the inside but could not be shown to the world. When it was late, she finally returned to her home and lapsed into a furious rage. She flung her beautiful treasures and trinkets against her cave wall. Her body shook with anger and woe untold.

Three weeks passed by and more ships passed her way, just as the serpent had promised. Those ships were no use now, for her beautiful voice had been stolen for eternity. Slowly the maiden fell deeper into darkness and despair. So deep that not the smallest glimmer of light, could break through her terrible curse.

On the day of the Sea Maidens encounter with the serpent Aiden, the blacksmith set sail towards the maiden’s lair and at exactly three weeks after he had left the port, Aiden arrived at the maiden’s lair. Aiden stripped down to his underclothes and dived beneath the churning waves.

As he entered the darker regions of the ocean, he was running short of breath. Black spots dotted his vision. Liana saw the blacksmith drifting gracefully to the seabed, she charged after the blacksmith and hauled him to her subterranean lair. There she examined captive more closely. With no time to lose she forced a small blue bottle between his lips and poured the bitter contents down his throat. Aiden woke spluttering and took deep shuddering breaths as he examined his captor and his prison.

Something surprised Liana, instead of seeming afraid and repulsed the blacksmith seem at ease and content. Aiden smiled warmly at her, and at that moment a ray of light struck her heart. Liana smiled back and gazed at his strong and kindly face. Another ray of light struck her heart, this time it was stronger than the last. She then looked deep into his stunning blue eyes and he gazed lovingly into her stormy grey eyes. This time the flash in her heart was visible and so powerful that is dislodged the green stone and disintegrated it with the sound of grinding glass, Liana’s voice was restored to her. For the serpent’s stone lived of sorrow and wickedness, only true love was powerful enough to overcome it. The man of fire and the woman of water embraced each other so tightly that it seemed as though they would never let go.

After the destruction of the enchanted stone the sea serpent sensed that something was amiss and conjured up an image of the sea maiden. The sight that lay before her angered her beyond belief. There sat Liana and a man of the land, having a friendly conservation and any fool could see that they were love sick, just by the way that they gazed in each other’s eyes. Fire and water were not meant to be! She thought furiously, she stormed towards Liana’s lair, her wicked red eyes pulsing with power and malice.

Aiden and Liana were torn between two worlds, for both wished to be together but loved their homes so dearly. So they decided to alternate between their homes. Just as the two were about to leave for their new life, the serpent appeared and blocked the exit from the cave. Liana and Aiden held each other and stared at the hideous face of the serpent. Aiden hadn’t given up hope yet, with a click of his fingers an unquenchable flame rose in the palm of his hand. With a shout he flung it at the tender underside of the serpent. The flame burst into a series of sparks once it collided with the hide of the serpent, “You fight well, man of fire.” Hissed the serpent, and with that she commanded the earth to swallow up Aiden and for the sea maiden to become one with the sea. The sea that had once been Liana’s home was named by the sailors the Sea of Sorrow, many sailors claimed to have heard Liana weeping, mourning her lost love.