Long ago, on a distant beach bordering the mediterranean sea.  A violent storm raged on. Lightning flashed, thunder crashed and there was not a soul for miles and miles.  On the shore, A beautiful young mermaid lay on the sand next to the body of a young boy who seemed to have been hurt. 

What you may not know,  is that their story became legend. A beautiful story of love, Adventure, and sacrifice. Gather round my friends, and let me tell you a tale about The legend of the sea.

Our story begins as most fairy tales do, in a small fishing port off the shores of Italy. A young girl named solea lived happily with her mother and father in a small cottage by the sea. Her parents were artists, and would often go to the  market festival to sell their creations.

One particular festival year, Solea met a handsome young man in the village square. He was tall with hair the color of golden wheat, and eyes as green as the deep sea. He was as kind as he was handsome. But she never knew, the young man was actually a prince named Thor.  

That night, a powerful storm raged across the beach. Lightning struck the sea, and the villagers remained indoors as the heavy rain fell. As Solea walked across the beach, she noticed a few villagers looking toward the sea in terror. A large Viking ship loomed on the horizon.  

The ship was being pushed by the stormy waves toward a column of jagged rocks, With a loud crash! The ship was in pieces. Solea grew worried. Could Thor have been on that ship? Without thinking twice, she ran toward the rocks to search for him.

Solea found the prince floating on a lonely piece of driftwood. She tried her best to get him to shore, but the waves were too strong. As the storm swirled around her, a mysterious creature helped them return to shore. Solea couldn't believe her eyes! 

It looked like a horse, but with a long, flowing fish tail trailing behind. Solea looked down at the unconscious prince with tears in her eyes. It appeared she was too late.

But then. Someone appeared before her.

Out of the mist, appeared the regal face of the Sea god oceanus. He had appeared because he sensed the sea had chosen its protector. Solea asked Oceanus if he could do anything to help the prince, but Alas...he couldn't. 

"My power has weakened." Oceanus said, " But maybe...you can save him." 

Oceanus summoned a small ball of water and a sparkling necklace appeared in solea's hand , glimmering like a star in the night sky.. 

"The power within this pendant holds the healing force of the sea itself. But know this," He warned her, "There is a heavy price to pay."

Solea knew in her heart that it was the right thing to do. Using the power from within the necklace, she began to sing. The sea around the cove began to glow a deep turquoise as the storm stood still,

 Thor had been revived but Solea floated into the air as the magical light swirled around her. Her body felt strange. her human legs began to bind together.  After a final burst of light, a beautiful fish tail, the color of the sea appeared in their place. 

Solea had transformed into a mermaid! 

Before bidding Thor goodbye, Solea made a vow that one day the sea would bring them together once again.  It may have taken many years for her wish to finally come true. But Solea was happy to know that the young prince lived to see another day. 

 Gifted with a new name, "Nymphia"  and a new form, Nymphia's destiny was just beginning to unfold.  the young mermaid slipped beneath the waves before the prince could see her. Bound to the sea, She feared that she would never see him again. 

But destiny had other plans.

Years passed, and the lovers lived very different lives.

Nymphia had come of age, preparing for her new title as the protector of the Mediterranean Sea. While Thor became a mighty warrior, and was soon to be next in line to be king of Valhalla: land of the Vikings. They lived in two very different worlds, but Nymphia's vow held true.

She had never forgotten about thor and wondered as to where he was now. Mustering her courage, she swam beyond the mediterranean's border into the treacherous northern seas with only a clue from an ancient oracle to guide her. "Follow the lights that dance across the heavens, they will lead you to the young man you seek."

Nymphia's journey took her far across the open sea. Facing sea monsters of all sorts, and testing her courage every step of the way.

When she finally arrived in the frigid northern seas, she noticed an array of colorful lights moving through the fjord.  The scenery was different than that of her home in the Mediterranean. The sea was green and cold, with large glaciers floating on the surface,  the surrounding shores were white with a thick blanket of snow. large trees bordered the shoreline. it was a fascinating sight. 

Though she marveled at the sights, she had grown exhausted. It wasn't long before she perched on an ice floe and fell asleep.