The rocks were sharp and biting on his feet as Gabriel gingerly made his way to the cove.  The cold wind stung his face like tiny bees.  The sky was darkening and soon the bewitching hour of twilight would possess this part of the world. 

He finally reached sandy ground and found a shady area to rest his feet while earnestly watching the sea all the while.  The water was calm and the breeze was warm.  The place was eerily quiet.  There was no bird chirping nor insect buzzing.  It was as if the place was holding its breath, waiting silently for something.

Soon soft splashes of water could be heard echoing in the air like the sound from a seashell.  Ripples and ripples of water rolled and glistened nearer and nearer to the shore. 

Gabriel got up excitedly and ran to the sea.  He waded through a shallow path and climbed up a rock to have a better view.  He could see tails bopping up and down as they swam towards the eastern coast.  As they swam further east, he lost sight of them.  The sea was calm again.  He held one hand over his eyes and squinted to see if he could still spot any one of them.

He pouted his lips, disappointed that they have all left so soon.  As he turned to go, he heard a giggle behind him.  He spun round quickly like a child playing hide-and-seek.  A splash of sea water hit his face and more giggles were heard.  A tail disappeared into the water. 

“Princess, I know it’s you.” Gabriel shouted.  “Show yourself!”  He stretched his 12 year old body fully to have a better view of the water surrounding the rock.

A head emerged from the water and a face as sweet as a plum beamed up at Gabriel.  She propped herself further up a small rock and brushed her golden hair with her hands, ignoring him.

Gabriel smiled at her.  ”I know you won’t leave without saying hi to me.”  He sat down beside her.

Princess made a face at him.  “Don’t be so sure.”

“But do sing me a song,” she added with a sigh.  Gabriel noticed the melancholy tone in her voice.

He sang and she hummed along for a couple of minutes before she told him, she had to go.

“How’s Gramps?”

“She’s better.” Gabriel answered, his eyes looking towards the village where he stayed with Gramps.  “She’s not crying too much.  I wish they could find Victor soon.”

“I miss you,” he added softly.

Princess looked up at his dark brown eyes, so unlike the green ones she was used to.  Now, his hair was darker, almost black. 

“Your father and mother miss you too.  You must know that.  Should we tell them?”

“No!” Gabriel remarked.  “Please don’t say anything yet.  I know it’s bad of me to keep this from them but you know I’ve to do this.”

Princess let out another sigh.  “I’ll get Eller and Elsie to get their people to work faster.  They’re already flying their wings off to reach more areas.  Then, we can soon be united again.” 

They smiled at each other. 

“You better go before they suspect something.” Gabriel got up and waved her off.  “Goodbye and see you again next week.”

“Goodbye,” Princess whispered as she dived into the water quickly so that he would not see the tears in her eyes.  A flap of her tail pushed her far to the sea.

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