By J. M. Allison
“And so the rumors of kelpies remain to this day. Now please, enjoy the concert, and remember, swimming in the loch is strictly forbidden.” The guide smiled as she finished her tour, and the group dispersed.
Harmony meandered after the tourists, taking in the heather-covered hills beside the loch. Rumors of kelpies and their ever-shrinking habitats had brought her halfway around the world, and she was determined to help them. The promise of a Phishez performance had only sealed the deal.
She stared out over the calm, crystal blue water.
“Beautiful, wouldn’t you say?”
Harmony turned toward a dashing gentleman with a crisp accent. The picture of British respectability, complete with polo shirt and sweater. She shrugged. “I prefer rapturous, glorious, or exceptional myself.” She spun, enjoying how her teal dress and long macrame vest twirled around her.
He grinned. “Here for the music or the scenery?”
“I love music!” She rushed toward him. “Have you ever heard of the band, Phishez? They’re wonderful. I can’t wait to hear them perform.”
He nodded. “I heard this is the last stop on their tour. I’m Nigel.”
“Harmony Starrrr.” She sang her name, then twirled again and ended in a curtsy.
“Have you ever seen them live?”
“Who?”
“Phishez.”
“Oh, I love fishes! It’s such a shame their habitats are shrinking.”
His smile faltered.
“Well, I’m really hoping to see the kelpies,” she confided. “Do you know how many animals depend on a loch like this?” Harmony grabbed his arm and led him through the crowd, up to the far end of the dock, and peered into the clear blue depths. “Can you imagine what would happen if it all just disappeared? All that loveliness, just gone.” She hummed a soft melody, the notes pulled from deep within, an echo of the longing in her heart to preserve the beauty she knew lurked below the surface. If she stared hard enough, she imagined the water might be staring back.
Too bad the tour guide had forbidden her from bringing her ukulele on the tour. Kelpies loved music. Well, most animals did really.
“Perhaps we should get seats before all the good ones are taken?” Nigel inched toward the crowd gathering in front of the stage.
“Oh! I wonder if they’re going to do all their greatest hits?” Harmony voiced her thoughts and twirled her hair.
“Most likely.” Nigel continued inching away. “I’ll go find some drinks.” Then he scurried into the crowd.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers, “please welcome Phishez!”
Cheers and applause erupted as four willowy musicians took the stage. After only a few chords, the entire audience swayed and danced to the music. Harmony closed her eyes as she spun and moved with the crowd, lost in the melody.
“This is the greatest showww!” Harmony sang, dancing in place.
As Phishez started their second song, a haunting whistle blended with the melody. People twisted, searching for the added sound.
There! Emerging from the loch’s still waters, four equestrian creatures strode toward the stage. Their scaled bodies shimmered in the evening light, reflecting the colors of the sunset. Their manes and tails reminded Harmony of the fins on a betta fish, rippling in the air as if underwater.
“Kelpies!” Harmony had always hoped to see such creatures but never dreamed she’d ever encounter one. “Do you think they eat fishes?”
“They wouldn’t eat the band, would they?” The stranger beside her paled. “Are we in danger?”
What a silly notion. Kelpies were harmless music lovers, just like her. She gave him a reassuring smile. “It’s just the bad press kelpies get. A couple people die in swimming accidents, and the kelpies get blamed. How could such a beautiful creature be dangerous?”
The kelpies pranced past Harmony right onto the stage. The musicians continued to play despite being mesmerized by the creatures. As the song ended, the kelpies bowed to the musicians and tossed their heads in invitation.
“Well, ladies and gents,” the lead singer clung to his mic, his voice dazed and unfocused, “we’re going for a swim. Hope you’ll all join us!” The singer pulled himself onto the kelpie’s back, then the creature galloped for the water’s edge. The other musicians followed suit.
“A swim party! We don’t want to miss this!” Harmony raced for the loch.
“But swimming is strictly prohibited,” someone called after her.
Harmony skidded to a stop at the edge of the dock and gazed out at the musicians thrashing about in the water, shouting for help. The kelpies swam around them.
“Look! The kelpies are trying to rescue the band. We’ve got to help them!” Harmony yelled.
“Are you crazy?” Nigel emerged from the crowd. “Help the kelpies? You don’t know what they’re capable of!”
“Exciting, isn’t it?”
Nigel stared slack-jawed at her.
“Into the unknown!” Harmony sang out as she leapt off the dock. The cool water welcomed her. Swimming was a glorious pastime.
“No need to worry,” Harmony called to the crowd, “The water’s great.”
People gasped and yelled for her to return to the shore.
Harmony spun in the water to find herself inches from the elegant muzzle of a kelpie. It shone silver in the glow of twilight, its mane fading from silver to orange to teal.
“Aren’t you beautiful?” Harmony reached for the creature. The beast snorted and shied back, its dark eyes watching her movements.
“You’ve got a friend in me,” Harmony sang softly, swimming a little closer. “Yes, you’ve got a friend in me.”
The kelpie pressed his muzzle into her outstretched hand.
“How ‘bout you show me what needs protecting?” Her fingers brushed against the kelpie’s slick neck. She continued to hum, and the kelpie tossed his head. She grinned as she slid onto his back. With one swift jump, he leapt into the air, then dove into the watery depths. Harmony clung to his back. At last, she would see the beauty missed from shore and swim with the fishes.
Rate this story:
(10 votes, average: 2.90 out of 3)
You need to be a registered member to rate this.
Loading...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I always imagined Kelpies as harmless, loveable sea creatures as well! I’m glad someone finally gets ride one. It’s so great to read how you fully imagine the character you created. Thanks for making Harmony available to us all this month, J.M.!
Thank you. Harmony definitely holds a special place in my heart. I feel so honored seeing all the different versions of her this month, and yet in every story she is completely recognizable as the character I imagined.
This story was quite the subtle thriller. Making Harmony an unreliable narrator was a wise choice. And what went unsaid/unwritten makes the payoff even better. I echo other comments here thanking you for Harmony’s character. She has been fun to read, and was fun to write about.
I am so glad you enjoyed the story, and so pleased Harmony has been able to bring a smile to so many readers and writers.
Wait wait wait, you’re telling me Phishez can’t SWIM??! What other bands have lied about their skills? Can The Eagles not fly? Can the Monkees not swing from trees? Can the Pixies not sprinkle dust on people to make them levitate??
🤣 Guess they spent too much time focusing on their music! Thanks for reading.
I love this! Harmony’s giving me “Anne with an E” vibes with her love for the beauty of nature!
So glad you enjoyed it. I love the beauty in uninhibited characters!
Great job! Harmony is the perfect “unreliable narrator.”
Thank you. She was fun to explore!
Cute use of song titles!
So glad you enjoyed it. It was hard to narrow down the choices.