The cold, swirling waters of the river carried Arthur away, the pain in his head now dull compared to the icy grip of the current.
Unconsciousness had claimed him, leaving him at the mercy of the relentless flow. His fate hung in the balance, a journey into the unknown.
Days turned into nights, and Arthur's unconscious body continued its tumultuous journey down the river. With each passing moment, he drifted farther from the life he had known and closer to an uncertain destiny, the river's embrace both a threat and a lifeline.
As Arthur awoke in the dimly lit cave, he found himself in the presence of a mysterious figure. The man or better 'The merman', with emerald eyes and hair that seemed to hold the wisdom of the ages, introduced himself with a warm and welcoming smile.
"Greetings, friend. My name is Finn. You must be wondering how you ended up here."
Arthur, still feeling disoriented and unsure of the circumstances that had led him to the river's end, decided to keep his true situation hidden. He looked at Finn with a hint of confusion.
"I can't remember much. It's all a blur. I woke up here, and I can't even recall how I got here."
Finn examined Arthur with understanding eyes and an empathetic nod.
"That happens sometimes, you know. Memory can be as fickle as the tides. But, hey, what's that you're hugging? It seems pretty important to you."
Arthur, glancing down at the item clutched tightly in his hand, replied with a sense of longing.
"I... I honestly can't remember what it is, but it feels like it's something important. It's all I've got."
Finn's eyes twinkled with mirth, and he couldn't resist the opportunity to offer a corny joke.
"Ah, the mysterious item of sentimental value, eh? Well, you know what they say, 'What do you call a fish with no eyes?'"
Arthur, despite his confusion, couldn't help but smile at Finn's goofy sense of humor.
"I have no idea, what do you call it?"
Finn, grinning from ear to ear, replied, "Fsh!"
"That's not even related to the item" Arthur replied to Finn joke.
"Come on I'm just trying to cheer you up, No need to be so grumpy." Finn replied, Arthur confusion instantly turn into smile and start laughing which made Finn crack even more cringy jokes.
As the evening continued, Finn decided to prepare a meal for both of them. He rustled up an array of colorful, aquatic ingredients that were distinctly merman fare, creating a dish that looked both intriguing and alien to Arthur.
Arthur examined the dish with a quizzical expression. "I have to admit, this is... different from what I'm used to."
Finn expression change for a second before he chuckled, understanding the human's hesitation. "Yeah, we merfolk have some unique tastes. We live off what the sea provides."
Arthur couldn't help but wonder aloud, "But why not just eat fish? Seems like a simpler option."
Finn's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Ah, my dear friend, that would be considered cannibalism in our world! We wouldn't want that, now, would we?"
Arthur, having seen other merfolk in the nearby town enjoying a diet of fish, felt a twinge of suspicion but decided to play along. "Of course, wouldn't want to upset the delicate balance of the ocean."
Finn, noticing Arthur's doubt, grinned and continued in a playful tone, "Oh, but we do have some secrets, you know. Like this dish, it's a mer-medicine! It helps with bandages and all sorts of other things. Just don't tell anyone; it's a well-kept merman secret."
Their laughter filled the cave as they shared their strange, memorable meal. Arthur couldn't deny that the world of the merfolk was as mysterious as it was captivating, and he was beginning to unravel the layers of this newfound connection with Finn, one joke and one meal at a time.
…
As a few days passed in the company of Finn, Arthur's initial sense of safety began to wane. An unease gnawed at him as he considered the possibility that Lord Cedric might have uncovered his true identity. The thought of Cedric seeking vengeance, especially against his friends and family, filled Arthur with dread.
Restlessness crept into his every thought, and he knew he couldn't remain in the cave much longer. The tension became palpable, and he started to voice his concerns.
"Listen, Finn," Arthur said, his voice edged with anxiety, "I appreciate your help, but I need to leave. I can't stay here much longer. I have to face whatever is waiting for me."
Finn, usually jovial and carefree, looked at Arthur with a newfound seriousness. His voice carried a sense of urgency.
"Arthur, you've lost too much blood," he said. "I can see it. You're not in any condition to confront whatever's out there. You need time to heal."
But Arthur's mind was made up, and he began to gather his meager belongings.
"I can't wait any longer, Finn. My family may be in danger because of me. I have to go back."
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them both, and Arthur's determination to leave and protect his loved ones had the cave shrouded in a tense silence.