Chapter 3

Otoerel had brought in the maps and some other very interesting artifacts while Jenna lay sleeping.  Gilly saw no need to waken her until he had a chance to look everything over.  Some of it was quite puzzling. In fact, most of it was Gilly decided.  He did think though that he now knew why both, Jennas’ and his own, gifts would be necessary to free the Lost City.  For freeing it was what was needed.  Gilly laid all the information to one side on the table and then went to sleep himself.

The morning broke in a Golden haze and the waters of the Lagoon sparkled like a treasure chest.  Jenna , awakened by the dancing light on the water, stretched her arms and twisted to a sitting position within the shell.  “O my” she said aloud, looking around the chamber a bit confused at first.  Then she remembered the events from yesterday. ”O my” she said again softly.  She rubbed her eyes and glanced at the table.

Now that she was awake she noticed several items on the table that weren’t there when she had fallen asleep.   Uncurling, and swimming over to the table she couldn’t resist touching the wondrous items.   A map, which she recognized as something her mother had studied in their home; a beautifully carved black wand, inlaid with lustrous mother of pearl, a scroll and a crystal orb.   As she picked up the crystal orb it seemed to come to life, glowing from within.  “Oh” Jenna said again, following it with “my.”

Within the glowing orb a story was unfolding.  Jenna held it before her eyes and watched the lost city of Atlantis as it was being torn from their ocean.   Light streaked in jagged patterns surrounding the city while an inky darkness engulfed it, then nothing and  the orb cleared.

Gilly had awakened while Jenna stared at the orb.  When the orb was clear he gently removed it from Jennas hands.  Tears, like pearls were rolling off her cheeks and she was shivering.

“Oh Gilly, what happened to them?” Jenna  turned to him with searching eyes. 

Gilly held her by the shoulders, gently, and asked her to sit on the ledge.  He began to tell her of a tear in their world, caused somehow, by a few of the Atlanteans themselves.  How they had become engulfed in a greed for power and mastery and used their great learning for what at last became evil ends that darkened them as the inky cloud had darkened the orb.

“Jenna, while you were asleep I read the scroll that Otoerel had brought back with the map, wand and orb.” Gilly said. “ It tells part of the tale I just told you, but more important…it tells of a cave beneath the Isle of Grosha, that holds the key to their return.” He turned away from Jenna “But Jenna, I don’t know if we would be doing right to return the lost city…It had grown so evil!  I don’t want that in our world!”

Jenna swam to him and hugged him to her and that was when Otoerel came for them.

“Ah, I see you two have not wasted your time in studying the trinkets.  But Come Gilly!  Jenna!  All is not as bleak as these baubles would have you believe.  Not by half of the Bluest of whales!  Come now, shake off the gloom and talk with the Elders.” He said. “There are many things you still need to know and preparations to make. ” 

Otoerel was placing the items in a gill sack.  “There is much more to this, you will see.  Come along now.” and he swam away.  They followed him to the elders Grotto once more.

Timotha welcomed them in and offered some breakfast.  Janna, and the other Elders were all talking and munching quietly on their ledge when Gilly and Jenna came in.  All smiled at the two youngsters but seemed intent on their conversations.  Jenna and Gilly gathered a bit of food and sat on the ledge in front of the Elders.

To Jenna it seemed bizarre and as if all were moving in slow motion.  Gilly seemed to be listening to the different conversations that were going on but she could only look at the orb that was being set on the table with various other objects.  Her mind kept replaying the jagged light streams and Inky cloud…

Finally Timotha signaled for their attention and all was stilled. 

“ Gilly and Jenna have looked over a few of the artifacts gathered from our searching the area of the Isle Grosha…So all may feel free to speak out on anything in their hearts they think will aid the searchers.  Indeed, that is why we are all here this morn.

Jenna, your gifts will enable the opening of the crack that will could return the city to our oceans.”

“Mine Timotha?” Jenna asked.

“Yes, your ability with the Siren notes—the clearest in many shifts—can trigger an opening to other places ”Timotha said.” We are not able to fully understand why this is Jenna…but the scroll we recovered from beneath the Isle asserts this.”

Jenna glanced at Gilly, who was nodding his head as if this confirmed something for him. 

“Also,” Timotha continued, “your gift of whale song--which can bring together these mighty creatures-- will enable Gilly to harness their power as an aid to holding the city here when the crack between the worlds is reclosed.” He paused and turned to Gilly.

“Timotha?” Gilly started,” Why do we need to bring them back?  I have read of what they did to themselves and,” Gilly looked around the grotto as he continued” They brought this upon themselves…these are not the wondrous folk we have been taught of.  These merpeople had twisted their minds and brought down their own doom!  Tell me why we need bring them back at all!”

Timotha said, “It is a fair question Gilly, we all have been trying to answer it since we first recovered the artifacts.  The whole truth then.  Not all of those in the lost city brought this about; indeed, it was only a few of them who misused their knowledge and abused their powerful positions.  Most of the Merfolk were like our community –free minded and gentle.  It was the wand, which I don’t believe you have had time to listen to, that told the rest of the story. Janna have you the device ready?”

“Yes Timotha” said Janna.  “Please show it to them “Timotha said.

Janna swam to the table and placed the wand in what looked like a lava rock.   She turned it and they heard a click.  Suddenly there were pictures in the air before them.  And an old wizened merman was speaking to the side of it. 

“Here then is the tale of the city Atlantis. Its wonders will unfold before you.  Its people free and happy.”  The pictures that went by brought to life the magical realm they had been taught about, a happy people, busy, and a city filled with wondrous sights.  He spoke of the accomplishments of his people and their hopes for the world.

Then, as in the orb, the ink cloud started to appear.  The merman’s face became sad as he explained how a few of the powerful had tapped into the very depths of the sea floor, for the power it could provide.  Allowing them to run ever more and more and more of their technology.  Bigger, faster, more, more, more! The merman was angry, and fairly shouted his disgust. 

“WE tried to stop them, as it became apparent through the black clouds growing stench, that they had not stopped themselves.  But, we were too trusting for too long and they did not stop.  They only hid what they were doing and lied to the counsels until it was too late.  Too late my people gathered these sandslugs and imprisoned them.  Too late to stop the Black cloud from choking and killing us.   Still, we had hopes of repairing the damage in time.   We knew not of the crack of the worlds they had tapped into.  When we learned of it, our people endeavored to find a solution but that too came too late.

This record is our last hope of returning to our Ocean.  Written on the scroll is the needed method for our return and we can only hope…”

Then the jagged light and the Inky cloud fought to cover the whole viewing area of the merman’s story.  Crrrrrrrrrrrack…Flash and there was just the grotto.

Gilly looked thoughtful as Janna turned to the two searchers.  “ These objects upon the table are each but apiece of the puzzle. “She said.  “Over the last few sea shifts we have gathered much information and now can tell you almost everything there is to help you in returning the lost city…yet” and she paused, “there is one piece missing.  That piece Gilly must locate with his gifts --as it is far beneath the isle Grosha, in the dark crack of the sea floor.  Gilly it is only you who has the dark-seeing ability…”

Gilly only nodded his head.   Jenna asked ”But what is it he must get mother?”

She looked around at the faces of the elders then back to her mother.  “That is what we don’t know Jenna.  The scroll gave us the location and description for everything else you will need.  But the writing ceased at the location of the last piece.  WE know only where it is --not what it is-- or does.”  She watched the young mers to see the effect all these wonders had upon them.  There was still time to cancel the search, and wait for another proper seashift.  The two were holding up just fine and Janna allowed herself to calm.

 “By the time you leave tomorrow all preparations will be ready. “ She said.” You need only study your route and the Atlantean objects.  We hope you come upon some clue, or information, we missed.  We fear that time is against us here and that if you are unable to bring the city back it will be gone forever.” Janna stopped and looked around at all in the grotto.   “ Ask for anything you think may assist you and it will be brought here.  Searchers you must use everything that is unique to yourselves and your people.  May Poseidon swim with you.”  Janna went back to her ledge and Timotha returned to the front.

“Jenna your song shall free them, Gilly your sight will discover the way.  Remember that we have many friends in the waters call upon them at need. “ Timotha said.

“We leave you now to finish the preparations for your search.” and, with that Timotha swam out of the Grotto, the rest of the Elders followed him.

Gilly was already reading the scroll, when Jenna tugged at his tail.  “You could read it aloud you great fish.” she said attempting to smile  while touching some of the other items.

“Hmmmm, what?  Oh, sure Jenna,” he said thoughtfully” I could …but what’s the point? Everything is just like they told us.  I thought maybe they missed something, but if they did I sure don’t see it.  Maybe we should go over our route” he said putting down the scroll and picking up the map.  He spread it open and they both followed the route that was marked on the map.    “We may not know what we are looking for but it will be good to know where it is to be looked for!”  Gilly laughed…”fine kettle of fish isn’t it Jenna” 

Otoerel swam in with some gill bags and tossed them on the ledge.  “He’s a funny one “Jenny thought.  “Always seems to splash up when you have questions.”

“Otoerel!” exclaimed Gilly. “Just the person I wanted to see…can you tell me how often the isle changes?  And… if there is a list or something about where others have searched for the crack in the seafloor?  I can’t seem to find any of that here.”

As a matter of fact” Otoerel was saying” I can” and he grinned.  “Not surprised you would want those”--he continued…”Exactly what I wondered before I went on the last search.”  Jenna swam up and joined them  “ Oh that’s right!  I remember now you were the Searcher before the last one…” said Jenna. ”Oh Otoerel I bet you can give us all sorts of help!”

He tousseled her hair, “some, indeed, pretty Jenna but not much I’m afraid. You see most of what is here is all that is known.  I can help a great deal with getting you safely there and set up though.  Once there your guesses would be as good as mine.  From what the Elders say they ought to be Better than mine.  Seems they think Poseidon adds extra knowledge to our searchers when they are in his ocean.”  “Do you think so?” Jenna asked

“Well,” he tugged at his beard, “Yes, Yes I do.  It was hunches that helped us to gather most of these objects--and then there is the tail of Poseidon.  Since we have been using him each search has turned up something.  Funny I hadn’t thought of that till now.”

Gilly was back to reading the scroll…” Otoerel?”  He asked. “Has anyone searched in the depths when the isle was in phase?”

Otoerel turned to face Gilly “I’m not sure Gilly.  You are right though; it is something that would be good to know.  HAHAHA by Poseidon’s Tail, see?  He is looking after you already!”  They all laughed.

“Very good then!  Ill bring in some more of the supplies and try to get the information you need Gilly.  Oh, someone will be bringing some lunch soon too.”    At that Jennas stomach growled rather loudly.  Both Gilly and Otoerel laughed out loud.  “Its not that funny!” Jenna grumped.  Then she too started laughing.

In the next few hours both Jenna and Gilly read and reread the scroll…studied the old Atlantean projection, and went over the map.

True to his word, Otoerel returned with some extra information about the searches during the phase of the Isle and what was known about when the phases occurred.  He also sat and ate with them.  Jenna had asked about the funny decorations on the wand and Otoerel told her that it was actually Atlantean word symbols.  Deciphering them had taken many shifts.  “Actually,” he said, “ your mother Janna was the one to finally understand it as directions, Jenna.”  Jenna smiled, and looked very pleased. ”Really?” she asked.  “Really!” he said.

Jenna was discovering just how important to her people her mother was.  You never thought of the people you knew as being ‘Important’ to others but she was learning so very much.  “Shells!” she thought, “I haven’t even left the lagoon yet and I’m aging!”  She giggled.

Gilly and Jenna went over the items Otoerel had been carting in for their trip.  Gilly’s eyes lit up like a little one when he saw the tridents.  One for each of them but Jenna just didn’t se the necessity for most of the stuff Otoerel had brought in.

“Otoerel?” Jenna asked “How are we supposed to carry all these things with us?  Gilly, at least, is used to carrying a trident, but all this other stuff?  I just don’t see us needing a lot of extra stuff.”

“Stuff?!?!” Gilly asked un disbelief “Stuff?!” he said again, looking from Jenna to Otoerel (who was chuckling) with a—Is she crazy—look on his face.  “Jenna!” he said in an exacerbated tone.  “These items are some of the newest, most useful tools, our people have ever created.  There are light globes, timed-disintegrating netting, eel perimeter shells, coral shark-sticks, and ray collector pods, even exploding starfish!  This is amazing ‘stuff’ Jenna!”

Jenna was smiling and so was Otoerel at Gilly’s outburst. He said, as he turned to Jenna, “See?  Now you’ll just have to pack it all with you!” and he laughed out loud at the look on Jennas face.  “Really Jenna “he continued, “most of this ‘stuff’ (chuckle) is going to really be a help on your search.  You will have to set up a base camp and all that that encompasses…Gilly will have to teach you that though. You will also need tools that aid in the capture of the lost city to anchor it, if and when it appears.  Which means you’ll most likely need to set everything in place before you call to the Atlanteans.  Then, also, you will have to be alert to the natural dangers in the open oceans.  We are very protected in the Lagoon and surrounding areas, but the Oceans are filled with dangers.” Otoerel smiled at Jennas look of sudden understanding.

“Since we know where you’ll be there is also a beacon which, when turned on, will bring a dozen Merfolk or so to your aid.  This could take some time so don’t turn it on too late!  We cannot set up a camp for you, as it is believed the searchers intuitive responses are the best for deciding where things should be.  There are several likely campsites marked on the map.  In this, Gilly’s gift is the one to use.  He knows the rightness of a thing or place.  So Jenna--be guided.” He stopped and started looking through the equipment.  “I know it’s here,” he said.  “This, Gilly is something the likes of which you have never seen…its amazing.  Just the thing for this search too! Ah, here it is.”  He pulled out what looked to be a large nautilus shell set upon a Crystal Base.  The base had designs similar to those on the projection unit Janna had operated.

“Otoerel,” Jenna said, ”Is that the device that we set up to anchor the city?” she asked.  “Those designs look much the same as the ones you said my mother  had decoded.”

“Yes Jenna” Otoerel answered. “This device and its companion pieces are to be placed around the perimeter of the Isle Grosha. When a certain sequence is pressed on this one it should help pull the city into our world.”

“I was reading on that” Gilly said.  “It seems pretty straight forward Jenna, as long as we don’t need to know how or why it works.  According to Santori—the Old Mer in the projection, we place the units and then when ready press the symbols.”

“Right” said Otoerel.  He was smiling at Gilly.  “Should have known you’d already read about it Gilly!”

“Well, you two, you have two hours or so to decide what all you are going to take with you.” Otoerel continued. “There will be two of the Seahorses of the Elders to carry what you choose from these” and he indicated the pile of items on the ledge. “just pack what you want in these gill sacks , then let Jarles know you are ready—he will call the elders together, and they will send you on your way.”

Gilly and Jenna looked at each other and then swam over to embrace Otoerel.  “Oh Otoerel thank you--for all your help!” Jenna said.  Gilly was shaking his head yes.

He hugged them back and said, “Just you make sure the two of you make it back safe!  I surely don’t want to face Janna if you don’t.“ he was smiling when he said it though. “Go with Poseidon’s heart to guide you.”  Then Otoerel swam out.

“Well,” Gilly said as he was going through the mess of items they needed to choose from.  “This shouldn’t take too long Jenna.  We both know most of these items and what they can do.  So lets do it.”  Jenna thwapped her tail hard and said ”Let’s!”

It took much less time then Otoerel had given them.  They didn’t see any point in waiting around so they notified Jarles and after talking their leave of the elders were on their way.

 Sheree and Jossa were waiting for Gilly and Jenna at Poseidon’s Tail. "Hurry up!" Sheree yelled to the others.  “Here they come!”      Splash!  Splash! Splash!  Tobias, Torga, Belios, Rayule and Circet were all there to see them off.

“HAH!” said Torga, ”thought you’d just toodle off on an adventure before seeing us  didn’t you.  I’ll bet you two forgot our twilight oath too!”  There we’re   six ascending voices…cries of Yah, Shells and the like amidst much laughter and splashing of mock indignation.

“But…but ‘splorf’,” Gilly almost said.

“None of your sass silly Gilly” said Sheree.  “We know you forgot all about us in the last few days!   And let me tell you its not very...” at the word very Sheree went strait up in the air twisted in mid-flight and dove into the water right before thwapping her tail hard on the water smack in front of him.  There were gales of laughter as Gilly tried to leap away in time, but didn’t quite make it.  Sheree jumped up onto Poseidon’s mid—tail, settled in looking very prim—looked straight at Gilly and finished “nice.”

And they all broke into laughter again as they surrounded the two with best wishes and hugs and smiles.  Gilly and Jenna were speechless.

Tobias calmed the group down, and said  “Gilly and Jenna…we just want to you to know that we tried to get the Elders to let us go with you, they wouldn’t of course, but…” he paused, “We did manage to get them to let us be on Beacon duty!” and he grinned like a hungry shark!  He smiled first at Jenna then at Gilly; looking for all the sea like the dolphin that stole a prime catch from its pod member.

Gilly was recovered by now and did a  backward water dance while wailing,

 “OoooooNnnnnnoooooooooo!” and they all dived at him and took turns pushing him under the sea.  Jenna had smartly moved herself and the seahorses around to the front of Poseidon’s tail but was doubled over in laughter. 

Tobias surprised her by coming up from beneath the sea to startle her…which he did  “eeek’ she said, but managed to keep hold of the reins.  Tobias laughed but then surprised her with a kiss, a hug, and a whispered  “Be careful sweet Jenna” before he dived back under to join the others harassing Gilly.   “O My” she thought.

“Journey Well!”  The friends called back to them as they all swam away.  “We’ll be there when you need us!”  And then they were gone as fast as they had appeared.  If it weren’t for the disheveled look of Gilly (and let me tell you its not easy for a merman to look that way) you would never know they had been there.

“Shells!” exclaimed Gilly, “I am going to miss them.”  He was looking at where they had been as he said it and when he turned and saw the bemused look on Jennas face he was puzzled.  “Hmmmm “ he said “now what little pearls got you all sea-foamy?” he asked her.

“What?  Oh.  Nothing, I am going to miss them too.”  Gilly would have asked more but Jenna had turned to check the packs and he thought he had better help.

“Ok then?” Jenna asked Gilly “Are we all set?”  “Looks like it to me.” Gilly smiled as they headed out together, guided by Poseidon’s’ tail, to save the lost city.

“Gilly,” Jenna asked, “just how long will it take us to reach Isle Grosha?  I know Otoerel told us but I can’t remember.”

“We should reach the Islands right before it by nightfall, I think.” Gilly answered.  The Isle itself is the big crescent shape on our map, do you remember it?”  Jenna frowned in thought “Oh yes now I do!”  she said. 

“I was thinking we’d stop at the first islet and rest up,” he said, “maybe study the map again to decide where to pitch a permanent camp, rest, eat and stuff.  Does that sound good to you?”  “Yes it does.” Jenna agreed. 

“What’s that?”   Jenna, looking over his shoulder, asked.  Gilly was looking at a small starfish in his hand.  “Oh this is one of those tools Otoerel was going on about.  It has a piece of Poseidon’s tail in it.”   “Really? Why?” Jenna asked.  Gilly was watching the little thing intently.  “Well, if the scrolls were right our statue of Poseidon was created using a materials from the Isle of Grosha, which was once part of the whole lost city.  Somehow when it’s embedded in a sea spiders bubble it always points to the Isle of Grosha.” 

He looked at Jenna  ”The Atlanteans placed the piece in the bubble, then the bubble was fixed to something easy to carry it on like this starfish shell.  It makes it easier to use.” Jenna? Do you realize that when we bring the city back I’ll be able to see how this works?”

“Amazing!” Jenna said. “Yup,” Gilly agreed, “looks like we need to veer to the west a little he finished.”

 So they did.  Gilly went on to tell Jenna about some of the things in the scrolls.  They were lost in their studies for a long time when Jenna saw the seabird.  “OH Look” and she pointed to it. Then they heard a flock of gulls.

“We must be here,” said Gilly   Jenna didn’t hear him as she and her seahorse had taken off to a likely looking little bay.  “Jenna!!!“ Gilly called.  But she didn’t hear him.  He had no choice but to follow.  He went in though, scouting all the surrounding area however.  Luckily it did look like a safe little harbor for the night.  Just like the one on the map.

“Jenna,” Gilly started with a firm tone of voice.  “You have got to understand that this isn’t like at home and we need to check places out before we just plop ourselves down!”

Jenna wrinkled her nose at him, and then smiled.  “But,” she sighed, “Its such a lovely spot!  You can check it out if you have to Gilly, I’m exhausted!  And they are too!” she pointed at the seahorses.  “So come on!  Just sit up here with me for a few moments and rest.  Then we’ll get busy, I promise.  Gilly we have hours before it’s dark.”

Gilly sighed, she was right; they could all do with a short rest.  He glanced around the cove once more and decided it was safe enough looking.  He looked at Jenna again, her eyes closed, basking on the rock, and sighed.  “OH! Alright!” He said!  Then he unpacked the seahorses, stowing the gear safely and with a swwwwish--splat was on the rocks next to Jenna.    The warmth from the rocks and the sun did feel good he thought and presently he too was lightly dozing. 

When Gilly awoke it was much cooler, and the sun had gone down considerably.  Jenna was not next to him and he was feeling a little disoriented.  Rubbing his eyes certainly didn’t seem to help much, so he dove in the water Splash, and there he was able to see the lines of the displacement.  They were now within the area of the rift.

Jenna came swimming up behind him.  “Gilly!  We just made it!”  She said.  “Wow, I didn’t think it would happen this quickly.”  “ Me either” Gilly said as he roamed along the rift line. 

“Really strange isn’t it? Even though we knew basically what it would look like, and it just keeps on all around the set of Isles…amazing.  How far around the perimeter did you get Jenna?” he asked.

Hmmm,” Jenna thought for a moment “not far, halfway around the isle I think.  Then I called to Porcyo.”

Gilly swam back to the gear, Jenna right on his tail.  “Jenna, was the scroll in your pack or mine? Do you remember?” Gilly asked.  “Sure, I remember you great fish” Jenna said,  “ It was in yours.” Gilly put down Jennas pack and grabbed his.

“Gilly, I called to some of the Whales that might be around and Porcyo answered that he would try to gather, and place, them around the perimeter of the rift line by morning..  So they will be ready for us when we set the devices.” Jenna said, looking towards the gear bags, and then laughed because Gilly’s tail was the only thing she could see.  “You look like a giant tuna stuck in the gear sack that way…wait! Let me get my Fork!”

“Will you be serious!?’ Gilly asked, backing out of the sack.  Which only made Jenna laugh harder. “We have a lot to do!” He said sternly and started pulling things out of the bag. “That must be the Imperial ‘WE’, for I have done my first part, or didn’t you hear me with your great head stuck in the sack?” and she stuck her tongue out. “Shells! Gilly, will you lighten up?  We can do this.” Jenna said. “In fact we can do it better if we act like ourselves,” Jenna swam over to him and kissed him. (Effectively shutting him up and wiping the stern look off his face.) I have perfect faith that you know what to do with all the gadgets, you know.”  As she was swimming away she added, “There’s a great spot just around the rock ledge for setting everything on too.  I’ll take Griff and Tyree there and secure them for the night, you bring the sacks.”  As she rounded the sea ledge her voice got smaller, and--just for a moment—Gilly thought he had lost her somehow.  He panicked and thrust after her…just in time to see her and the sea horses tails.  He stopped short, treading and then reversing his course back to the bags.  Gilly was muttering something incoherent all the way around the rock ledge.

They spent the night getting all the gear in order for the morning.  Gilly, was still fussing off and on but Jenna decided that she'd just let him, after all--his gift was the planning and strategy that he had been trained for.  That and his wonderful intuition, and she smiled to herself.  She liked that most of all his attributes; even if they made him spikier than an old, grumpy lobster.

Jenna yawned.  Gilly was still talking about this rock and that line and muttering softly about anchorings.

She curled up in a sponge that was next to the ledge and promptly fell asleep.

“Jenna” Gilly said. “Jenna?” he said a little louder and turned around in time to see her yawn and settle into the sponge.  Gilly sighed, ” Oh Jenna.” and turned back to his gadgets and gear only stealing a glimpse at her every once in a while.  Finally even he was satisfied that all was ready.   He swam over to where Jenna was sleeping and kissed her softly.   “Ummm” she said in her sleep.  Smiling, he found his own sponge, and watching her he fell to sleep.

When Gilly awoke the next morning Jenna was not on the sponge…but a nice array of breakfast stuffs were.  He Stretched and unfurled his tail then swam over to the buffet.  On the tray Jenna had left a note that told him she had gone to check on the Porcyo, and would be back soon.

Taking the tray with him Gilly swam around to the ledge of gear.  Carefully noting the lengths of the various twines, checking a knot here or a fitting there.   Then he swished up on the ledge and once more went over the instructions of the Atlantean.

Gilly was not used to being alone and it sort of put him in a mood.  “Where is she?” he muttered grumpily.  Being sensible though he answered his own question, realizing that both of them had things to-do and Jenna was out doing hers.  Well, he thought to himself, I don’t have to wait around for her to come back.  Humph!  I’ll leave her a note!  He was thinking to himself in a tone of voice that (if it were said aloud), would sound like a pouty little boy.)  Gilly didn’t know that though.

The note read; I Have gone to set lines, anchors, and beacons and to scout total area.  If you return before me we will meet at the west side of the big Isle at Midday, Gilly.

He packed the gear he was going to need on Griff and set off. 

As soon as he left the little bay he felt the tingle from the field.  Swimming up to it he tested it with one finger.  He pulled it back quick enough as he got a jolt of minor current, like that from the eels he thought. 

Breaking the surface he saw that the field had really grown since they saw it last night.  Then he saw the spouts out in the deeper water.  Good ol Porcyo had come through.  There was a herd of whales!  Gentle giants --surging up from the sea the diving back--slapping the ocean with their tails in joy.  Their dolphin cousins were playing all around them.  They were doing the tail dance and leaping over one another and making a racket.  Dolphin pods always reminded him of the younger mermaids who would giggle at the strangest things.  He didn’t see Jenna though. 

Through out the morning Gilly set lines secured anchors, it seemed to never end.  It was almost midday when he looked up to see Porcyo coming toward him.  “Porcyo!” Gilly greeted him.  The Dolphin swam around him in quick upward circles in a return greeting and then was still so that Gilly would remove the note he carried.  It was from Jenna of course.

Gilly, hundreds of Grays and Blues are surrounding the area.  I got your note and will meet you at Midday.  Jenna

“Thanks Porcyo” Gilly said petting the dolphin. “I guess I’d better get to the Isle before she does this without me…Eh?” and he laughed as Porcyo‘s high-pitched burst of sound let him know he was understood.  Porcyo did the tail dance, dropped and then Spplaash! He burst out of the water in a high arc.  “Tell her I’m on my way!” Gilly yelled. Porcyo warbled back at him and was gone.  Sure wish I could talk dolphin Gilly sighed.  He set the last four anchors on this side and then was off to the West end of the Isle.

Gilly saw Jenna waiting for him  on one of the rocks jutting out of the beach.

She was looking at the bright, brilliant blue hue of the force lines above the sea.  Below, the effect was muted by the depth of the water.  “Gilly!” she waved to him. 

He Swam to her side and turned to look at it from her perspective.

“It is getting taller every hour. “  Gilly said.  “ I know.” said Jenna  “It is so beautiful. But the dolphins say it annoys them if they stay in it too long.  Course the big ones laugh and say it tickles.  Which is good, as they have to work within it.  Which reminds me; how much more line do we need to lay Gilly?” She asked.

“ Well, I hadn’t realized it while I was working but seems like I have gotten most of it done.” Gilly smiled up at her.  “Oh YAY!  Gilly you are amazing.” she said smiling down at him. “ I think the great ones understand pretty well what they are to do, course working with the dolphins is like trying to keep the merkids occupied.  They want to help too.  They say they miss the Atlanteans.” Jenna laughed and so did Gilly.

“How long till I can start placing the great ones at the anchor points, and do you think we can do this by tonight?”  She asked Gilly.

“Yes, I think we can do this tonight, if you aren’t too tired Jenna.  You know it is going to depend on the song you sing as much as all the rest of this.” He said.  Jenna sighed.  “I know.”

Gilly pulled a small sack up from the floor.  “I don’t suppose you are hungry?”  He asked with a mischievous smile, waving a bag full of oysters, sea candies and greens in front of her. 

“Ooooooo! Yum!” she said and slid into the water next to him.  “How did you know?”  She asked, pulling him toward the little beach.  “ I had forgotten all about food while trying to get the great ones set up.  I’m famished.  Lets just rest and munch on the beach ok Gilly?”  Gilly allowed himself to be pulled toward the beach.  Actually having her hand in his, even if it was just tugging him somewhere was wonderful he thought.

Jenna was still talking, but he hadn’t heard exactly what she was saying, as his mind was thinking of her touch.  “Gilly?  Gilly!  You haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”  She pronounced as they curled up on the cool wet sand. With a weird look on his face Gilly just said “What?  Oh, sorry Jenna.  I guess I am just thinking that all of ‘this’ …is  sort of…well…” he let the words trail off.  Jenna though was nodding her head, as if she knew what he was trying to say.    Between slurping down the oysters and sea grasses she was talking about talking to the dolphins and the great ones.

“Gilly, they have such a vast knowledge of our world it’s just incredible.  They told me of watching whole islands beings built from fire.  Of places that are so huge even they need many moon passings to navigate around them.  They spoke of passages under the sea to the middle of these places, and the caves themselves are wondrous beyond belief.”  Jenna had a faraway look in her eyes as she told him.  “Oh, Gilly!  When we finish here I have got to see some of these wonders.”   Gilly just agreed.

Shaking himself Gilly managed to bring the conversation back to the now.  They discussed the placement of the great ones as anchors and then they took off to decide on the best spot for Jenna to use her song to activate the Atlanteans return.

Gilly pulled out a map that one of the Merfolk had made of the area and, much to Jennas delight, they both agreed that she should begin the song on the small islet in the South Eastern end of the crescent bay.  From there the song would be amplified naturally by the surrounding cliffs all that was left to be done was for Gilly to use his dark sight.

Neither of them had spoken of the cave beneath the small islet Palea that was almost in the center of Grosha’s bay.  It might seem less forbidding, they had thought, if all the other preparations were finished.  Nor had they discussed Gilly’s going into the cave.  Now they needed to but neither wanted to. 

Finally Gilly couldn’t stand the silence.  “Alright then,” he stated calmly.  “Now I need to go see if I can find this last piece of the puzzle.  So Jenna, you must wait up here with Porcyo and the others.  If I am not back by nightfall you must use your own intuition.   But, if you would be guided by me, use the beacon to call our people here to help hold the great ones in place before you begin the song.  The field should be almost at its height by then.  According to the scrolls once it reaches its full height it disappears.”  Jenna threw herself at Gilly and just held on for what seemed to him to be the sweetest moment he had ever known.  “Oh Gilly!  Please return soon.  I shall miss you so.” she said and kissed him.   Jenna, with tears in her eyes,  then let Gilly go and backed away.  “Jenna.”  Gilly whispered and swam away quickly before he was unable to.

Jenna watched him enter the cave…waited there until she couldn’t even imagine the sea rippling with his movement then swam and broke the surface so she could continue her monitoring of the field and her seafriends.

Gilly swam into the mouth of the cave; it plunged immediately to unknown depths and wandered and twisted so that he lost all sense of time.  Time was indeed the main ingredient in his adventures.  Though, for this tale, those will have to be left for another telling.  

His dark-sight ability, and his sense of purpose, enabled him to find the key of which the Elders had told.  With it, to his delight were the directions for its use.  Although he thought, when he first came upon them, that too much time had passed to do him or his people any good.   Once he read the scroll tied to the key he realized that he might just be ‘in-time’ to help Jenna and his people rescue the Lost city.  He had so much to share now.  He and Jenna could go adventuring together always.  He headed back to his world.

The dark-sight also allowed him to find his way back through the tunnel of a cave.  He had never appreciated fully his gift, how could he?   And his people, oh they would be so surprised at what he found in the cave of time.   Jenna,  he thought.  So much to tell!  Gilly’s thoughts were all running together as he swam ever up and around and through.  Then he saw the light.  With a burst of speed he shot out of the cave and burst through the surface of the water  just as Jenna had set the beacon for her people to come and help.

Jenna heard the breaking of the surface water and turned in time to see Gilly rising from the water like Poseidon himself. “GILLY!” She yelled and dove into the water to catch him before he could swim away. “Oh Gilly you are safe” and she was crying and laughing and he knew then that she loved him too.    He held her so close as they swam in a Mer-like dance trying to say everything all at once through their touch.

Then both were talking at once.  Touching each other while they tried to tell one another of what had happened during their parting. 

“Gilly,” Jenna said. “I had to call the others…its almost time and “   “ Yes, you did just right. Yes! “ Gilly said. “I know Jenna and that’s exactly what needed to be done.  Look, its here in the scroll, and I got the key and Oh Jenna, I have so much to tell you!  But come with me now and Ill put the key in place.  You can’t start the song till the others get here anyway, OH wonderful world!” he exclaimed as he pulled her along.

In the short hour they had before the others arrived Gilly told her of many of the things he had seen.  He explained how the Atlanteans had managed to put the key and scroll into the vortex beneath their sea and how it was to be used.  Jenna was resting her head on him just being glad they were here now.

Then they heard the thrumming and felt the waters quiver. “Its time Jenna” Gilly said. “You go get in place and I'll tell the others what must be done by the rest of us. 

“Yes it is time.” Jenna was humming as she swam to Palea to take up the key and sing a world back to its home.