Lana and the Seas

Once upon a time, there was a girl called Lana who lived in a town called Oakenbay near the sea. Her mother died when Lana was very young, and her father used to work as a sailor until he got gravely injured on one of his voyages. This left him bedridden and afraid of the seas. To keep them going, Lana worked as a fisherman, bringing in as much fish as she could every day and selling it to the local market for a bit of money. She never feared the seas and loved sitting on the docks, dipping her legs in the cold water, breathing in the salty air.

One day, the king called all the citizens of the kingdom and made an important announcement.“The prince went on a sea voyage last week and has not yet returned,” he announced, “This leaves me worried that possibly he’s lost. So I declare that all the sailors of the kingdom are forced to go on a search for my son. People who disobey or try to hide will be found and punished.”

Worrying, Lana walked home and told her father the news. He knew he was in no condition to go because the horrors at sea still haunt him, and he will be punished if he doesn’t go. Sensing her father’s distress, Lana came up with a solution. Instead of her father, she will go on the voyage and rescue the prince.

Her father was reluctant at first, but he eventually agreed. “I am letting you go because only you can stand a chance against the terrors at sea. You are special, Lana, the ocean resides in your blood.” Confused, Lana asked him to explain further. “Yes Lana, you have inherited the powers of the sea from your mother. Your ancestors on your mother’s side could control the sea, and so do you.”

Lana was bewildered, but she nodded, signalling she understood. She embraced her father, hoping this would not be the last time she sees him, and set off towards the docks. As she steered out of the port, she recalled what her father said, You are special, Lana, the ocean resides in your blood. Having no idea how to use her powers, she did the only thing that came to mind. “Take me to the prince,” she told the waves. Immediately, the ocean obeyed, and Lana’s boat started to speed along the crystalline waters in a particular direction.

After a day, she came to a stop on a small island. On its shore was a broken boat, and lying next to it was a boy about the same age as Lana. When Lana went closer to see who it was, she gasped. Lying there, unconscious, was the prince! She splattered some water on his face and his eyes fluttered open. Lana helped the prince up and gave him some water. As he laid his eyes upon Lana, he instantly fell in love. Her long dark hair and brown eyes glinted in the sunlight making her glow.

The next few days, Lana nursed the prince back to his original state, and couldn’t help admiring the prince as well. She had never seen the prince before, but couldn’t help staring into his ocean blue eyes. Once the prince was well, they set off for their home and once again Lana commanded the sea to show her the way back.

After a few hours, they hit a huge sea storm. Even though Lana was trying her hardest to calm the sea, it was as though someone else was controlling it, someone powerful. Before she knew it, a huge column of water shot up, right in front of their boat, and the evil sea witch emerged from it, floating in mid-air. This witch has been patrolling the seas for years, and never lets any sailor pass. “Ahahaha,” the witch cackled, “Get ready to be my dinner!”

Before the witch could attack, Lana held out her hands to the sea and felt the power rushing through her veins. She felt the wildness, rebelliousness, the turbulent waves, but also a bit of calmness to keep it stable. She took a deep breath in, mustering all her strength and flung her hands towards the witch. The sea obeyed and sprang to where Lana pointed. This caught the witch off guard and she tried in vain to stop the funnel of water coming her way. The sea had gotten tired of obeying the witch all these years and had sensed a new burst of energy from Lana. The witch dissolved into vapour, erasing her very essence.

With a new sense of vitality, the sea rushed them to their home, and both Lana and the prince embraced their parents. The king was overjoyed by seeing his son back and offered Lana gold and jewels for her bravery. Lana humbly refused and as she was leaving the prince proposed to her. Lana decided to listen to her heart after which they both lived together, happily ever after!