The Mer-Couple BY JENN WEBSTER

In the heart of the vast ocean, where sunlight struggles to penetrate the depths, there lies an enchanted undersea kingdom hidden from the eyes of surface-dwellers. Here, amidst swirling currents and shimmering coral reefs, a vibrant community of merpeople thrives, their lives intertwined with the magic of the deep.
The kingdom is called MerLand, which is a place of natural beauty. Its architecture is a harmonious blend of coral and pearl, with palaces, temples, and homes carved from the very rocks of the ocean floor. Lush gardens of seagrass and kelp sway gently in the currents while schools of colorful fish dart through the kelp forests, their scales reflecting the iridescent light that filters down from above.
The merpeople of MerLand are a diverse and fascinating race, their bodies seamlessly blending human and fish features. Their skin ranges from shimmering blues and greens to iridescent purples and pinks, reflecting the colors of the ocean depths. Their hair flows like seaweed in the currents, its hues mirroring the underwater flora. Their powerful and graceful tails propel them through the water with effortless ease.

Life in MerLand is a harmonious dance between merpeople and the ocean. They cultivate their own food, harvesting kelp and other sea vegetables while hunting for fish and other sea creatures. They use their magical abilities to control the currents and tides, ensuring a bountiful harvest and a safe passage for their ships.
The merpeople’s magic is deeply intertwined with the ocean’s energy. They can manipulate water to create illusions, heal wounds, and control the weather. Their magic is not merely a source of power but also a means of communication and connection with the ocean’s spirit.
The merpeople of MerLand are peaceful and compassionate, living in harmony with their environment. They welcome visitors with open arms, sharing their culture and knowledge with those who come in peace.

Elsewhere in MerLand, there was a mermaid with an aqua tail and strawberry blonde hair complete with bangs who went by the name of Shal; however, Shal had been very lonely. She had been looking for love for some time but had no success. So with that, Shal had been thinking about giving up on love and then retiring to a much better lonely life and living in a grotto.
But one day, Shal was sitting alone in her undersea grotto when a very handsome merman was peeking into her window; this was no ordinary merman. This merman had blond hair and the most beautiful good looks of any merman. Shal took one look at the merman, and at first, she did not know what to think; what she did not know, however, was that Cupid was keeping his eye on Shal and waiting for just the right opportunity to aim his arrow!
Shal then invited the merman into her grotto; the merman introduced himself, saying, “Hello, my name is Kay…I am a magic merman…” He waved his hand, and magic sparks flew from his hand! Then, Kay asked Shal, “Now, what is your name?” “My name is Shal,” Shal replied, “and I am lonely at this point…” Kay shook his head and said, “Oh, nonsense, Shal! You cannot be lonely forever! All people in this life need love, and I myself think that you need that love in your life!”

Kay then flexed his eyebrows while Shal looked at him silently; then she asked Kay, “Do you think that you can do magic?” Then Kay replied, “Oh, you have not lived! With my magic powers, I can take you to any place, anywhere! There is a sea cave in MerLand where we can go, leading us to an enchanted ocean! Come along with me!”
Shal reluctantly agreed with Kay; then Kay took her hand, and they went to the sea cave he had mentioned. As they enter the cave, they enter a magic portal leading them to that enchanted ocean. So, Shal and Kay were transported to a magical ocean, where fish of all kinds began talking like humans! The two fish then swim up and speak to Shal, and she had never been so surprised in her life, let alone delighted! That was when Shal finally realized that Kay was the man she had been looking for all her life!
Then a big sea turtle invited Shal and Kay for a ride, and then he put them on the shell, and then the mer-couple began on their ride, seeing all of the fish swimming right by them and talking all at once!

And then, the sea turtle dropped Shal and Kay off at a restaurant, and they had a light lunch and tea. Following their lunch, Kay and Shal explored more of the enchanted undersea world, and then they went to a dance hall, where they danced with the other talking fish!
When it was all over, Shal and Kay went to another fantasy world, this time to an island where fruit lives; yes, there were fruit residing on the island, but these were humanoid fruit with human arms and heads attached to them! Kay and Shal looked at each other over this, and were enchanted in their lives! That was at that moment when Shal began to have romantic feelings for Kay, and that was when Cupid started his work by aiming his arrow at the mermaid’s heart! The lonely mermaid was lonely no more.
The mayor of the enchanted island, a female strawberry, invited the mer-couple to stay with them for the night; they even offered them a lake with an undersea room for them to stay in!

And so with that, Shal and Kay stayed on that enchanted island, in that undersea room in the lake; later that night, the mer-couple sat on the sand on the beach, looking up at the full moon. Then, at that moment, Kay and Shal looked at each other with their romantic eyes; Shal said to Kay, “You know, I had thought that I had given up on love…but now, I finally know what real true love is because you have shown me some of the wonderful things that I otherwise might have missed.”
Kay replied, “I only want you to be happy, but suddenly, you turned out to be the one who made me happy.” “And do you want to know something else, Kay?” Shal asked, “You turned out to be the one who has made me happy, too…I love you so very much.” Kay then replied, “And do you want to know something else? I love you, too.” Suddenly, as if by magic, Shal and Kay looked at each other with loving eyes…and then they kissed.
The very next morning, the humanoid fruit people bid goodbye to Shal and Kay, but just as they left, Kay used his magic powers to create an engagement ring; then, Kay confessed his love for Shal and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. Shal had never been so thrilled in all her life, not only that she had finally found love after years of loneliness, but that she was finally going to be a bride for Kay! So Shal accepted Kay’s marriage proposal while Kay placed the ring on her finger. Afterward, they kissed.

Then Shal and Kay returned to MerLand, and Kay introduced his now-fiancee and his parents to all the people in this enchanted undersea place. One month later, Shal and Kay were wed in a grand wedding ceremony, and they were married with a bright hope and a bright future.