Prologue

There was once an old sailor, he lived by the sea with only loneliness for company.

One treacherous night when the wind was howling and torrents of rain where pounding mercilessly on his roof he heard the cry of a child.

He rose from his chair and put down his pipe, upon opening his door he saw a boy the child's face was dirtied with sand and his clothes were soaked through, the nest of black hair that clung to face from the rain gave him the look akin to that of a drowned cat.

The boy rushed forward and clung to leg of the old man, his sobs and wails ringing throughout the night.

"dear me," exclaimed the old man.

"please mister, don't hurt me," cried the child, "I promise you I'll stop crying."

The boy sniffed and soon began to sob harder.

The old man pitied the poor boy and lead him inside. Warmth from the fire seemed to calm the little boy and his crying died down to mere sniffles.

"what happened to ye lad?" asked the ex-sailor.

"m-my mummy said I-I should wait b-by the sea for her a-at noon and d-didn't return," the boy stuttered while tears rolled down his cheeks.

"ah, I see," the old man sighed, he knew it was the classic case of a parent abandoning an unwanted child. He took it upon himself to raise the child as his own so the poor thing would grow up with a roof over his head and food to eat.

"sir?" the young lad murmurs.

"yes?" the man responds.

"am I an orphan now?"

"no, no you're not lad. "

The young boy gives the man a heart warming smile and hugs him. The man stiffens for a mere second before returning the hug and patting the little boys back.

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This tale is one of romance and adventure, a boy working as a pirate falls deeply in love with a creature of myth and legend.

Will his love be recognised and a happy ending provided?

Or will this be a tale of tragedy and sorrow?

Can the live of a human and a mermaid trump the expectations and rules of society?

Will our starstruck lovers prevail, against the odds?

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"Father I'm going to head out to help Dan with the bar, is that alright?" I called from the hallway.

"that's quite alright son," rasped my sickly father from his perch on the rickety old rocking chair outside.

I slipped on my shoes and dashed outside, I waved to my father before running in the direction of the port.

Our house sat snugly near the beach, I only had to run across the beach, up the termite ridden stairs of the Dock and take a sharp left to reach 'the port inn' where my good friend Dan works.

"daaaaaaaaaaniel!" I shout as I burst through the inn's door and rush up to the counter.

"eager to work as always Rod," chuckles Dan.

"you bet!" I reply flashing him a smile.

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