[piosenniel]

As landbound elves go, Khelek wasn't a bad swimmer. Unfortunately he wasn't a good enough swimmer, either, for what hit him next.

Two delicate pairs of hands grasped each of his arms in viselike grips and hauled him a hundred yards from the main body of the swimming party.

'Oh look!' said Bird to Pio, and pointing with her flipper. 'Khelek has made some new friends!'

Two creatures circled him, their eyes twinkling, and playful. Long, green hair drifted in the water like sea weed. Their faces and torsos those of trim young women, bodies narrowing down into long muscular scaled appendages ending in large fish-like tails, Oarni, mer-Maids.

'How did they get here?', asked Pio. 'We'd better go get him before they drown him!!' She started to swim in the direction of the Elf when her own leg was grabbed by something and she was pulled under.

She kicked hard to move herself upward and felt the pull on her leg loosen. Resurfacing, she spluttered and wiped the saltwater from her eyes.

'You're not going anywhere! He doesn't need rescuing!' came a familiar voice.

'Levanto?' she asked; the form in front of her still a blurry green image.'What do you think you're doing?'

'Bird told me about her *diversion*, and now I'm creating one for you!'

Her sight had cleared, and she could see him clearly. He had placed himself between her and Khelek, arms folded across his chest.

'Oh, by the One! Someone's been filling your little green brain with stories haven't they?' she demanded.

He looked at her, perplexed.

Before he could answer, she heard the muffled sound of a dolphin laughing, and saw Bird slapping her flippers on the water with glee.

'I'll get you for this, my fine fishy friend!'

'It's m-a-m-m-a-l to you, half-Elf! and I'd like to see you try!!'

Pio was about to go after Bird, when she heard a tiny, frightened voice ask: 'What is that?'

[ July 18, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]