Sapphire Blue

“Dillie, why do you keep coming to my school?” asked Larissa.

As Dillie finally caught his breath, he replied.  “I had to come to your school, Larissa.  I had to warn you.”

“Warn me of what?” Larissa exclaimed.

“Yes, of what?” Mama questioned worriedly.

“It’s Marnie,” Dillie answered.  “Merissa and the Starphins are not sure, but they think Marnie is in grave danger.  Have you figured out the limerick yet?”

“What has happened to Marnie?  What does the limerick have to do with it?” both Larissa and her Mother inquired.

“One of the sea sprites said she saw the big black door open and Marnie slipped in, but she never came out before the door shut again,” cried Dillie.  “It’s been about three weeks now that Marnie has been missing.”

“Dillie, did you see the face in the whirlpool yesterday at my school?” Larissa asked.

“Yes.  I did and it frightened me,” he replied.

“Whose face was it,” asked Mama.

“I couldn’t tell if it was Seraphina’s or Meredith’s,” replied Dillie.  “But whomever it was, she was reaching for you Larissa.  I had to get your attention and get you away from the whirlpool.  I don’t know why she was reaching for you, but I didn’t want you to end up like Marnie.”

* * *

Next Meredith turned away from the chest and faced Marnie.  She held up her hand and the colored lights from the ring shone upon Marnie and Meredith began her magic.

“Take this Starmaid far away,
Another time, another day.

Take away her Starmaid tail,
Give her legs to walk the trail.

May she walk the distant land,
And far away from Maritza sand.

Take away her memory yet,
Take away this day forget,

But leave with her those precious eyes
The truth be known and not the lies.

Away with you Miss Marnie, go!
On your way…they’ll never know…”

And then the water started to churn around Marnie, faster and faster until it became a whirlpool, a twister of water.  The bluish-green funnel set in motion stirred up bubbles of white water.  Then shortly after the whirlpool began, it ended…and Marnie was gone!