Arlen hesitantly swam into the throne room. What did the king want this time? He wasn’t sure if being summoned twice in one week was a good thing or a bad thing. 

“Arlen, just the man I wanted to see.” King Evan greeted him with a broad smile.

He wasn’t in trouble then… but why was he summoned?

“You called for me, your majesty?”

King Evan grabbed a blue pearl bracelet from a side table and leaned towards Arlen. “You’re coming close to your 20th year, are you not?”

“Yes, sire.”

“And have you chosen an occupation?”

This type of question wasn’t new. Everyone had been asking him about his future plans, but having the king ask him made him feel self-conscious. 

“Well… My mother wants me to continue music composition, but… I like my job as a whale keeper. I was wondering about doing that full-time and maybe being Mother’s assistant in the off season.” 

“And what about courtship? Will you be seeking a bride?”

Glowing starfish.

Arlen cleared his throat. “Uh, yes. I suppose I’ll be doing that as well.” What did this have to do with anything? Was the king upset that he didn’t have a girlfriend yet or something?

King Evan turned the blue pearls over in his fingers while studying Aren intently. “Hmmm. Those are fine goals, young man.”

Arlen gave a sigh of relief.

“However…” 

However, what?

“It has come to my attention that we need a representative for our land-dweller communications.” King Evan held out the bracelet to Arlen. “And I want you to consider the position.”

“Me?” Arlen took the bracelet, but was confused as to why it was significant. 

“Yes, you. As a friend to the royal family, you understand our needs as well as the needs of other sea-dwellers. Whale keeping has brought you close to land-dweller docks and boats so you’d know how to navigate those waters in the case of an in-person meeting.”

Arlen’s head was spinning. “Wait. An in-person meeting? With a land-dweller?”

“I’m not saying we’ll need that. At least not yet…” The king sighed and gazed off in the distance. “There must be a peaceful option in place in case we need it. I’m not preparing armies.” He looked back at Arlen. “I’m preparing you.” 

Arlen looked down at the pearls in his hand. This was serious. The king wasn’t asking a small favor. This would impact his whole life. Was he ready to dedicate his life to peaceful relations with land-dwellers? Arlen thought of Aliyah’s excitement to go on land…Aliyah was now a land-dweller. Could he dedicate his life to protect her? To keep war from hurting her or her family?

Arlen looked back at the king. “What must I do?”

---

“I’d like to give that land-dweller a piece of my mind.” Daniel clenched his fists. “How dare he kiss my daughter.” 

Arlen winced at the declaration. He didn’t like the idea of Derek kissing Aliyah either…

Sarah linked arms with her husband. Her eyes bore evidence of a sleepless night. “Our little girl is lost,” she whispered over and over again. Connie swayed next to her mother, her head down.

Arlen took a deep breath. This would be harder than he thought. “We’re all upset with what happened…” He had better choose his next words carefully. “…And we need to remember that this was Aliyah’s choice. Derek didn’t make her do anything.”

Daniel snorted. “He didn’t help the situation either.”

Oh, may the Creator help me, Arlen thought. He was floundering. The king wanted him to keep relations peaceful between his family and the land-dwellers. Aliyah didn’t really make things easy for him… Aliyah’s father needed to tone down a little. What could Arlen possibly say to help? He tried to think of every and any Sunday sermon on being kind. He sighed. Perhaps he should just change the topic to the Creator himself.  

“We don’t know exactly what happened. But we do know that the Creator is aware of Aliyah and He’s aware of us,” Arlen addressed the group.

Sarah sniffled and Connie looked up at him. That was something at least. He decided to continue with that train of thought.

“Today is His holy day. Let us remember when we speak with Aliyah in a few moments that the Creator would want us to show His love.”

Daniel clenched his jaw but nodded. 

Arlen gave an inner sigh of relief. Hopefully his first land-dweller communication would go well. He brought the pearl bracelet to his mouth and blew a bubble through it. Magic swirled inside the bubble, stretching it until it was as big as he was. In it he could see his upside-down reflection. He put the now white bracelet on his wrist.

How long would they need to wait until Aliyah arrived? A knot formed in his stomach. Why was he so nervous? Yes, Aliyah was a land-dweller, but she was also his childhood friend–one of his best friends–and he missed her dearly.

He missed greeting her at his mother’s choir rehearsals. He missed helping her find trinkets in shipwrecks. He missed her laugh. He missed her voice. Not just her singing voice that sent chills down his spine, but her speaking voice as well. And her telepawaves… Life was so different without Aliyah in it.

Arlen’s reflection in the bubble was replaced by a right-side-up image of Aliyah. The morning light glowed around her curls. Surely Arlen had seen her hair dry before, but…it never looked like that.

“Aliyah.” It came out raspy. He cleared his throat.

“Arlen?” Aliyah’s confused face turned into a brilliant smile. “It’s been forever! Tell me what you’ve been up to. Did you treasure hunt without me? Have you seen Fred pass by yet? Has your mother…”

Arlen held up a hand. “Woah, Aliyah. Slow down.”

She put a hand to her lips and giggled. Oh how he missed that sound… but he could feel the heat of Daniel’s stare. He’d better turn the time over to her family soon.

“I know you probably didn’t expect to see me today, um…” He ran his fingers through his brown hair. How should he explain his new position? “King Evan asked me to oversee land-dweller communications and conferences.”

“Oh.” Aliyah’s face fell. 

Did he say something wrong? “Um…” Arlen heard Daniel clear his throat. He’d better be quick. “So, I’d like to formally call this conference to order.” He motioned for her family to come closer. “Today I present to you: your mother, father, and youngest sister Connie.” Should he have used their formal titles? It was a little too late for that now. He bowed before swimming to the edge of the cave to give the family some space. 

So far so good. He could do better at presenting visitors next time, but… no one was blowing up with rage. There were tears, but her family seemed grateful for the chance to speak with Aliyah. He counted this conference as a success. 

Aliyah’s giggle flooded his senses once more. He sighed. He would have loved to talk with her and answer all her questions. How he missed spending time with her and sending her telepawaves… 

From the other side of the cave, Arlen overheard Aliyah say Derek’s name. His heart sank and he blamed Derek for his change in mood. What did that land-dweller have that he didn’t? Arlen had been pushing away a thought these past few days, but seeing Aliyah again brought it front and center. He had feelings for Aliyah Sandstrum. 

---

Auntie Rita and Uncle Marvin talked amongst themselves while Aliyah looked around the chapel. She couldn’t help but wonder if Derek would walk in the door. If he did attend this church, would he sit by her? Aliyah noticed a young couple holding hands and remembered how good it felt to have Derek’s hand around hers yesterday. She was caught in her daydream when a girl slid down the pew and sat next to her.

“They’re nice organ pipes, huh?”

Aliyah’s mind came back to the present. Her gaze was indeed upon the rows of vertical silver cylinders just above the speaker’s podium. She hadn’t realized she was staring, but at least she wasn’t staring at someone’s face. What had that girl called them? Pipes? They were pretty magnificent…

The girl spoke again, “Have anything like that under the sea?”

Under the sea? This girl must know her. Aliyah turned towards the speaker and was greeted by twinkling, big, brown eyes.

“Rhona? You go here?” Aliyah asked.

“Every Sunday.” Rhona leaned over to look past Aliyah. “Hi Rita.”

Rita turned their direction. “Rhona darling! We were just talking about you.” She nudged  Marvin and he smiled in greeting. “I wanted to introduce you to my niece, Aliyah.”

Rhona smiled, “I actually met her yesterday…”

“Oh, you did? Well, that’s wonderful,” Rita interjected. “Actually dear, we were hoping you and your father would join us for dinner again tonight.” The two thoughts ran together. Aliyah guessed Auntie Rita was trying to set plans before the service started.

Rhona chuckled, “I’ll be there, for sure, but my dad is out on a fishing trip. Won’t be back for another couple of days.”

“Well, he’ll surely be missed.” Rita and Rhona gave each other knowing looks. Before Aliyah could inquire why, everyone was welcomed to church by a man up at the podium wearing a business suit.

An opening hymn was announced and organ music filled the room. Aliyah’s heart skipped a beat as the music filled her to the center. She looked up at the pipes and smiled. Carl would love this! 

Then people started singing and Aliyah’s spirit sank. High and low voices surrounded her… and she couldn’t join them. 

Aliyah tuned in on Rhona’s voice. It was soft and a little raspy. Aliyah would give anything for a singing voice–even a raspy one–at that moment. The music filled her soul, but there was no way to let it out. She felt like she might burst.

A pain pricked at her legs and toes. Aliyah recognized the sensation from the day before. Not this again, she thought as a phantom tail emerged. She bent over her knees and took deep breaths. 

Rita tapped her on the shoulder. “You don’t look so good, sweetie. Why don’t you go visit that drinking fountain in the foyer?”

That wasn’t a bad idea. Aliyah made her way around her aunt and uncle and out the chapel doors. She hurried past groups of people around the foyer, her phantom tail fading with each step.

She took a long drink at the fountain, resisting the urge to splash some water on her face. She’d have to get used to the hymns here. If the service was anything like what she experienced at home, there would be a lot of singing. She knew she couldn’t escape to the foyer every time the organ music started.

Determined to try again, Aliyah turned towards the chapel doors and stopped short. There in the foyer stood Derek. 

He was dressed in the same white shirt and sky blue tie as last night. He smiled at an older lady in a wheelchair who was talking to him. Aliyah felt seahorses dance in her stomach. 

She wanted to catch his eye, but he was oblivious that she was even there. He held a side door open for the old woman to wheel through and then stepped outside himself. Why did he leave? She would have loved for him to stay…

Aliyah snapped back into reality and returned to her spot next to Auntie Rita in the chapel. A speaker was talking about how God created earth in six days and rested on the seventh. Aliyah remembered Rita’s recommendation to find similarities between sea-dweller teachings about the Creator and land-dweller teachings about God. Aliyah wanted to pay attention, but her mind kept wandering back to Derek’s smile in the foyer… And his smile when they danced together… And his smile when he hugged her goodnight… Needless to say, she didn’t hear much of the church service or the Sunday school lesson afterwards.

---

Arlen swam around the crow’s nest waiting for Carlson. It was about time his friend came back. He needed someone to talk to about Aliyah, and telepawave communication just wasn’t going to cut it. 

His mind went back to the church service that morning. It was no coincidence that the king decided to give a lesson on loving those who’ve gone astray. Aliyah’s decision cut deep. Her aunt’s permanent predicament on land was an accident, but Aliyah’s was on purpose. Arlen figured others would consider it a betrayal. He was having a hard time not taking it personally himself.

He should have stopped her from leaving…But would she have found happiness under the sea? Would she ever have been happy–dare he say it–with him? 

Arlen heard his friend approach. 

“Love is a sea anemone,” Arlen said.

“Well, hello to you too,” Carlson chuckled.

Arlen folded his arms. “It taunts you with its tentacles and sticks to ya when you touch it. It stings, but clownfish call it home.”

Carlson gave him a taunting smile, “You calling yourself a clownfish?”

“Yes! I’ve been nothing but a silly clownfish, swimming around missing home.”

“Okay then.” Carlson leaned against the crows nest. “Who’s the girl?”

Arlen paused. He’d just barely admitted to himself his feelings for Aliyah. Admitting it to someone else was unknown territory. Still, he was tired of suffering alone. It would be nice for someone else to know.

He ran his hand through his hair. “Aliyah.” 

“Aliyah. Like… my cousin, Allie? The girl you’ve been hanging out with for years? The one who became a land-dweller for another boy? That Aliyah?”

Arlen nodded.

Carlson chuckled. “Maybe you and Allie are onto something. I’d better start looking for love on land.”

“It’s not funny, Carlson. I’m in real pain here.”

“Sorry.” Carlson cleared his throat. “But what can you do? Derek has a huge advantage, seeing as Aliyah is now a land-dweller.”

Arlen threw up his hands. “Like I said, I’m a silly clownfish. I shouldn’t have let her go.”

“Hmm. Sooo… now what?”

Arlen sighed. “Let her beautiful, stormy eyes sting my heart until the poison sinks me like a ship.” He gestured to the shipwreck.

Carlson laughed. “At least Allie appreciates broken boats. That oughta give you some points in her book.” 

Arlen glared at him.

“Sorry, I can’t help it! You’re so dramatic.” Carlson snapped his fingers. “Hey! Aren’t you our new land-dweller representative?—Congratulations by the way. —You should probably learn all you can about them. Why don’t you talk with Allie about land-dwellers. You know, kill two gulls with one harpoon?” Carlson gave him a wink. 

Arlen had to admit, he wouldn’t mind spending more time with Aliyah. Maybe he could even arrange an in-person meeting… or a date? The thought surprised him, but the more he thought about it, the more it felt right. Yes, a date would be nice… But would that be appropriate with his job? Or their friendship even?

Maybe it didn’t matter. Aliyah wouldn’t want to spend time with him. She’s got Derek now. She wouldn’t have time for sea-dweller friends or for maybe-wanna-be-more-than-sea-dweller friends. Especially the latter type. 

“I don’t know if she’ll even want to see me,” Arlen admitted. 

“She has a crush, Arlen. She’s not engaged or anything. You oughta take a chance.”

Arlen chewed on his bottom lip. Taking a chance was easier said than done. What if Aliyah flat out rejected him? What would that do to their friendship…?

Carlson punched Arlen in the arm. “Just start by talking with Miss Allie-anemone. See where that leads.”

Allie-anemone? Arlen smiled at Carlson’s joke. He had a good point, though, and talking shouldn’t be too hard. He and Aliyah were good friends after all. 

“I suppose you’re right, Carlson. I’ll see what I can learn about land-dwellers from Aliyah.”

“Good. Now can we talk about Sage’s experience in Westtrench?” Carlson gave him a mischievous smile.

Arlen knew that look. “What did you do?”

“I may or may not have given her a mustache when she fell asleep in the common room.”