A Mermaid’s Mistletoe Mishap

By J. M. Allison

My ability to shift from mermaid to human ended at midnight. Unless you believed the stories about true love’s kiss under the mistletoe granting the ability of transformation. Which I didn’t. So I only had a few hours to observe the real effects of the mysterious plant and secure a sample.

I surfaced in the forbidden underground caverns beneath the land-dweller’s palace, wrinkling my nose against the stale air. I headed to the far end where smooth stairs led out of the water. The darkness appeared bright as day to eyes used to the sea’s dark depths.

I pulled myself up to sit on the top step and focused to heat my skin. The water on my tail evaporated, and the familiar itch spread down my body. I balled my fists to keep from scratching. I hated this part.

As the itch faded, I brushed my hands over the shed scales, chanting words to convert them to a shimmering green skirt—a perfect complement to my sealskin bodice, and the strand of pearls draped in multiple loops around my neck.

I rose from the pool and sprinted up winding stairs into the elegant fortress. This time, I’d stay until I found it. No turning back. The land-dwellers believed us to be nothing but fairytales. As long as I found my prize quickly, it’d stay that way. Nothing to fear. I paused at the top of the stairs, slid aside the secret door, and peeked around a heavy tapestry.

The smell of gingerbread and pine hung in the air.

I slipped from my hiding place and followed the music to the ballroom. Couples danced and spun across the floor, a sea of bright, voluminous gowns amid the glistening red and gold decorations.

All my reading suggested the mistletoe would be proudly displayed—a lure and trap guests both sought out and avoided. And according to the pictures, it would be small.

A nervous giggle caught my attention. I turned to see a couple locked in an intimate embrace. Discretion demanded I look away, but the way they looked at each other held me captive. Merfolk rarely displayed emotion. Such tenderness and affection… Now I had solid evidence of the effects of the mistletoe! It must be nearby.

As the couple moved away, I hurried to inspect the spot. Loud sniffing and a light tug at my skirt drew my attention. A small, fluffy white creature perched against my leg and peered up at me. Its delicate head tilted to one side, and its tiny tail curled into a puff over its back. I bent and scooped the animal into my arms. It yipped like a baby seal when left ashore, then opened its mouth and licked my nose and cheek. Apparently, mistletoe even influenced animals.

I giggled, lifting the creature over my head and spinning around. My eyes caught on the small bundle of green and white hanging above us. Mistletoe! I set the animal back down and reached toward the treasure, a red ribbon suspending it just out of reach.

A loud chime echoed across the ballroom.

The first strokes of midnight! My time was up.

I needed that plant to bring love to my people; they saw nothing but the worst in each other. I needed to return to the water before I transformed in front of the land-dwellers and revealed the existence of my people.

I once again reached for the plant.

“Hey! You can’t do that!” A man in a high-collared uniform rushed toward me. I snatched up my skirt and raced for my secret passage.

The small, fluffy creature bounded after me, yipping and jumping at my heels the whole way. I ducked behind the tapestry, but the tiny animal continued to bark. I scooped it into my arms and secured the hidden door behind us. Clock chimes reverberated through the stone, and I hurried back to the caverns below. The creature wriggled happily against me.

The itch of the transformation spiked just as I reached the last few steps. My legs melted together into a tail, sending me sprawling to the floor.

Too slow. I’d failed to retrieve the plant. I snarled and slammed one fist against the stone. Another year trapped amid loneliness and harsh words.

The little animal whined and licked my fist.

I hung my head and gently ran a hand down the creature’s back, hoping it could sense my apology. It was trapped. Once I swam away, he’d perish down here, alone and scared.

I ripped the skirt from around my tail and dragged myself to the pool’s edge. With a final pat goodbye, I slid into the clear water.

The animal yapped as if calling me back to the surface. It leaned back in a playful bow, its tiny fluffball tail wagging frantically back and forth. Before I could protest, the small creature jumped toward me, splashing into the watery depths.

I sped forward, snatching it close and lifting the flailing beast out of the water. I ran a hand down its back to calm it.

Wet clumps of hair fell away to reveal shimmering green and white scales. Where spindly little legs had been, the creature now possessed two seal-like front fins and a miniature mermaid’s tail.

It wriggled, attempting to lick at my face. A giggle bubbled out of me.

What to do? I placed him back on land as I thought. He shook, sending water and shimmering scales in all directions, transforming back into the fluffy creature I’d met upstairs.

I grinned. He could change! I beckoned him to follow me. I dove then twisted in the water to find him swimming happily beside me. My heart swelled with giddy pleasure. Perhaps all the stories were true. Mistletoe bestowed love, joy, and the power to transform.

I scratched behind his ears, and we dove for the underwater entrance. Mistletoe barked and swam beside me. I would still save my people. Mistletoe would be the key.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

J. M. Allison, more commonly addressed as Lisa, or Mommommommom, grew up captivated by the magic and wonder of fairy tales. She finds daily adventure in raising four rambunctious younglings, teaching musical theatre and dance, sewing, drawing, cosplaying, writing, and reading. Stories can communicate so many things, and she hopes her stories will bring a smile and inspire others to courageously live their own adventures.

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