250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Nine)

Before long the new order was fully established, the former captain becoming Council leader.  All Merlions suffering from the sickness had been cured by the open sea, shedding their long coats never to return.

Quickly, too, came time for other changes.  Several Merlions, including the Merlion of Singapore and his soon-to-be wife, returned to Singapore to relieve those left on guard and to see how the wounded were. 

And there they stayed, a permanent presence to keep pirates away and to begin a new period of interaction between human and Merlion.  About this the boy was overjoyed, happy he would spend many more of his days with his Merlion friends.  Later he would live by the water and become a fisherman, and the Merlions swam alongside his vessel, always lending a hand.

The Merlion himself began a much happier existence in the waters around Singapore, roaring and splashing with his girlfriend, those who’d opted to stay and, later, their children.  

Before long Merlions began to travel between their island and Singapore, the Merlion getting to know his parents and siblings very well.

And so, from then on, the Merlion population began to grow once more and they spread out from the two islands, eventually helping keep ports far and wide safe from intruders. 

Even as far away as Portsea Island off the southern coast of Britain a colony of Merlions would one day live and work- and in conjunction with Merunicorns too.  But that is a story for another time.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Eight)

Just as the gathered Merlions thought all was lost, just as they were on the point of absolute despair, they heard a commotion come from where the tunnel exited into the lagoon.  They looked up and saw a growing pack of Merlions.  All cheering and whooping and happy as could be.  Partly because they had been in the open sea but also because one had seen the returning heroes and passed word around. 

Soon the island’s entire population had appeared and begun to swim across the lagoon.  Once he had reached the beach, the young Merlion greeted his kin.  “You’ll never guess what’s happened,” he challenged them and begun to tell his tale.

After talking to the Merlion’s father, the councillor had had a long think then gone out and actually spoken to many a Merlion, discovering their reactions and feelings to recent events.  

He had tried to speak to his fellow council members but had gotten nowhere.  He tried his soldiers instead and found they had become disheartened  by the desertion of so many, including their own colleagues; who they did not fancy fighting again.  

And so the council was overthrown by the remnants of its own army (who had been forced out to sea as prisoners but soon re-found their youth and became willing volunteers).

This the young Merlion related and the returning Merlions told their tale in return.  An impromptu party quickly got underway, every Merlion on the island pleased that everything was going to be okay.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Seven)

When the renegade Merlions returned they were cautious, knowing there could be a fight waiting for them.  On finding the seas around the island clear, their fears turned to the tunnel and the fact it could well hold a trap waiting for them to enter.

The former captain of the Council’s Army had volunteered to go first and reconnoitre the tunnel but most had refused to let him, knowing his importance in any potential battle.  Instead they drew straws and a Merlion was selected to go ahead and assess the situation.

The rest waited in collective silence, and with baited breath, scared for what might happen to their scout, what he might find within the tunnel or at the far end.  Finally, after an interminably long time, bubbles appeared on the surface of the sea, followed soon after by their scout. 

“It’s all clear,” he announced, “Let’s go!”

The Merlions followed him through the tunnel, exiting into an empty lagoon.  This was as far as the scout had been and together they swam slowly across the water, looking out, around and below, for signs of a trap or an ambush.

Neither came and they reached the far side where the beach was empty of souls.  They split into small groups and searched for Merlions around the lagoon and in the jungle but found none, only deserted homes.  Together they began to fear the worst once more and their hair began to grow ever so slightly.

Until they heard a noise…

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Six)

The young Merlion continued, “Then listen to this old ‘lion.  The population is against you, virtually every one.  Soon members of your council will start to die and we will replace them because the Merlions next in line are with us.  Even some army trainees are.  The council will eventually be formed of renegades, what you are doing now will not last.  It will be better if you give in now, welcome back your son and start to return us to our former glory.  Because it’s going to happen anyway. 

“And you know how many of us are ill, sir.  To go on as we are will kill us all.  If they return they will return to a graveyard.  Don‘t kill us off.  Let us live.”

He said this with great conviction because he knew it to be true.  So many Merlions had been going down with the sorrow disease since the renegades had departed and this was why so many Merlions were keen to overthrow the current Council and create a new one.  

The older Merlions could remember how things had once been and the younger ones could see it would be better.  And so this young Merlion had come before the Merlion of Singapore’s father to make his appeal.

After making his speech the young Merlion left immediately, leaving his words ringing in the ears of his audience, whose face had looked shocked the last he saw of it. 

All the young Merlion could do now was hope.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Five)

The young Merlion’s task would be easier said than done.  Although he had mass support, the Merlions left on the island were all either too young or too old to successfully take on the remnants of the Council’s Army.  

He therefore decided on a different strategy.  That is, he would try and turn the Merlion’s father around- for he thought that he was the key to the plot: not only was this Merlion widely believed to be the weakest of the council members but he was in charge of its army.  Indeed he had formed it. 

The Merlion’s mother had been trying since the meeting with her son but he was obstinate and it would take the audacity of the young Merlion to make him see.

The young Merlion snuck into the home of the Merlion’s father and caught him unawares.  Understandably the young Merlion’s target was angry but he managed to calm the Merlion’s father and stop him from summoning help, begging to be heard out, that the council (or at least one of its members) should listen to the masses as represented by him.

“Fine,” the Merlion’s father said testily, “Spit it out if you must.”

The young Merlion began by appealing to the council member’s heart, reminding him of The Dream, that he could get to know his son, who was otherwise lost to him and needn’t be forever.  “My wife has tried this.  Clearly if it didn’t work for her, then it won’t for you, boy.”

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Four)

A few days later most of the Merlions returned home, some staying behind in case there were further piratical problems- and to help those who had to stay because of injury in battle.  Those intervening days were spent preparing for the journey and their arrival.  And also in discussion with the humans over the future of both groups of animals.

The boy was left to worry about his friend, the Merlion, and initially took his mind off this by spending time clearing up the remains of the pirate ships that were washed ashore and helping care for the Merlions still recovering from the fight, learning more about their kind.

After a week or so, however, these activities stopped having the desired effect and he began to spend whole days on the southern side of Singapore watching the sea for the returning Merlions.

The renegade Merlions had much to fear on their return to the Isle of the Merlions.  The remains of the Council’s Army had blocked the exit of the tunnel and were waiting for them in the lagoon with vicious intent in case they did manage to force their way through.  An event deemed rather unlikely.

Parallel to this was a growing discontent among the Merlions, being helped along by the young Merlion who had helped the Merlion and the boy.  A race against time had begun, the young Merlion knowing he had to overthrow the council before his comrades returned and drowned in the darkness of the tunnel.  

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty-Three)

In the morning, once all the ships had been sunk or captured, all the pirates had been jailed and the all-clear had been given, the boy’s aunt finally allowed him out (he’d been champing at the bit since the battle had died down).

The boy made for the port, soon found his father and gave him a huge hug, asking what had happened.  The reunion was brief, though, and the boy quickly carried on to the water to look for his Merlion. 

But he was nowhere to be found (and neither was his lady Merlion friend).  The boy spoke to many Merlions, journeying on the back of one around the island.

Eventually, in the early evening, as the boy sat on the beach where they had first met, the Merlion approached looking a little shame-faced.

“Sorry, young friend, I was otherwise engaged for a while,” hastily adding, “Ensuring all the pirates had been dealt with.”

“That’s ok- I thought you might have gone back.  Forever.”

“Oh no, Singapore will always be my home.  I must soon return to the island to help complete the struggle there,” adding sternly, “You must stay this time.  I’m planning to remain living here, but not as the only Merlion.  And anyway, we don’t know what will happen when we get to the island.  I might not return.”

The pair were quiet for a moment.  And then they swapped stories of the battle into the evening until the boy’s father appeared and took him home.

250 Words x2: The Merlion (Parts Twenty-One and Twenty-Two)

Shortly before midnight the Merlions left Singapore, swimming out in all directions, in pairs, each pair heading for a ship.  Upon arrival at their allotted vessel each pair quickly set to work underwater, gripping and prising away the boards that held the hull together.

Onshore, on Singapore and the nations surrounding her, the people waited for the first signs of trouble on the water.  This would be their signal to attack and capture the ships in port to deal with the pirates enjoying port life- for, as the pirates had had an easy time of it in terms of opposition to their rule, many of them spent their evenings in establishments selling alcohol- and this night was no exception!

The first sign came in Singapore and Johor Baru when shouts were heard from a ship stationed between the two.  It’s rear was starting to sink and pirates onboard were starting to panic, some abandoning ship only to find themselves face to face with Merlions. 

In both cities the people made their move- some blockading the bars, trapping pirate reinforcements inside, while others made their way to the docks.  Gaining entrance was easy- some guards were half-drunk on rum while others were distracted in another way.  

So onward they ran to the ships, only half-manned, their distress calls not being answered by comrades-in-arms but angry folk trying to keep their feelings from boiling over as they didn’t want to sink or burn these ships and clog up their own docks.  Boarding and overtaking would be enough.

And that they did, easily.  The pirates could see there was no point in struggling- the look in the eyes of their attackers told them that much.  Their time was over, they were marched to jail.

For his part the Merlion ventured out with the female Merlion the boy had seen him chat with during the journey home.  Together they swam in silence to that ship between Singapore and Johor Baru and, near its stern each ripped boards away until they could feel themselves being sucked into the ship.

The Merlion pulled away easily but the female couldn’t and needed him to release her from the forces trying to drag her inside the already sinking ship.  They quickly surfaced and after a quick kiss in thanks the two Merlions began to disarm and drag pirates to the shore to be arrested by waiting civilians.

Meanwhile the boy watched what proceedings he could see from his home.  His father was storming the docks but he had not been allowed to join in.  “You’ve played your part,” his aunt had said, “This is too dangerous for you.” 

Instead he watched and wondered what would happen next.  Would the Merlion leave, once the pirates were finally defeated?  He would have a mate soon, perhaps they would prefer to live on their island. 

Of such issues the boy thought as the battle continued, the pirates having been caught off guard and where they fought, they fought a losing battle. 

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twenty)

Singapore had changed in many ways since the boy and the Merlion had left, but it had not altered entirely.  The morale of the people, now ruled over by the pirates (their livelihoods and ports controlled rigorously) had dipped much like the Merlion’s had, their turnout becoming shabby, just as his hair had grown long and horribly tangled, blinding and binding him.  

However, the pirates being seafaring folk, mostly stayed aboard their boats- only coming inland to ensure goods went where they wanted.

This gave the boy the freedom needed to rally the people into action, just as the young Merlion and the Merlion’s uncle had done to spread hope, and not just in Singapore. 

Though that’s where he began: announcing his arrival by bursting into the government’s buildings (following a journey under cover of darkness via his family home) and telling them all he had already told his father: in short, his story from beginning to end, ending it by taking officials to meet with the Merlion force he had brought back with him.

Together, the people of Singapore and the Merlions formed an alliance and plotted their attack on the pirates surrounding the island.  One point agreed upon by all was that more help was needed.  And so word was spread to all the other places the pirates had gone- to Johor Baru, Tanjungpinang and elsewhere, so that, on a selected date, all would revolt in an attempt to defeat the pirates both on land and at sea.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Nineteen)

The situation in Singapore had got much worse.  The waters around the island, as well as all her ports (and all others sharing this sea), were in the pirates‘ control.  There were too many for the Merlions and the boy to tackle alone.  They knew they had to get past the pirates and get onto the island in order to gain more help.

However there were so many ships that it would be too far for them to hold their collective breath and swim underwater to the shore.  And they feared that continued resurfacing would make too much noise to do it in stages.  

Their journey would therefore have to take place above water.  Slowly and quietly, keeping as much as possible away from any light created by the pirates or the moon.

Together the Merlion and the boy plotted a route that would keep them away from the larger ships they recognised as being the most dangerous, and that would land them a long way from all ports and jetties but close enough to somewhere safe the boy could go to and make contact.

They were fortunate in their timing and travelled on a moonless night.  This meant the pirates were burning many torches to light their activities and so the Merlions swam beyond the reach of this light and found a path shrouded in darkness along which they could swim. 

Slowly, carefully, quietly. 

Until they reached an unwatched beach and a cave for the Merlions to rest in.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Eighteen)

The breakaway group that hoped to save two islands travelled during the night and rested during the day, hoping this routine would ensure avoiding any search parties that might have been dispatched to find them.  

Fortunately the Council of the Merlions didn’t think that the boy or the Merlion were clever enough to find their way without the map.  Rather, they expected the whole group to wash up dead on some island somewhere, or to starve to death on its beach.

But the boy and the Merlion had remembered each step carefully, so keen were they to return and help- even if it were to have been alone.  Both were overjoyed, therefore, to have such a large group of helpers.  As they swam closer to their destination they felt unstoppable.

The boy spent most of his return journey to Singapore on the back of his Merlion’s uncle, and on that of the captain from the Council’s Army who’d helped them escape.  He told them all about the island itself and the situation with the pirates as it had been when he and his Merlion had left (the latter telling them about the waters surrounding Singapore).  And together they talked plans and tactics.

After discussing how to get past the pirates to the island fortress, the boy noticed the Merlion in deep conversation (for the third time) with the same female Merlion. 

And he smiled a big smile.  The main objective looked to be on course.   Now for the trickier one.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Seventeen)

The Merlions of the Council’s Army allowed the splinter group to pass.  The leader said quickly to the Merlion‘s uncle, “We’ll try and have them join us.  Or else we’ll stop them following you.  Go now.  And keep going.  I’ve seen the boy’s map, we can catch you up.”

They wished each other luck and those bound for Singapore moved toward the tunnel.  The boy held his breath once more and his Merlion led the group through the tunnel.  They collected on the far side and the boy, from memory for his map had been confiscated by the Council, led the group away in the dark, seeking shelter where they could await the Council’s Army.

They waited through the night, each gaining some sleep while others spent time examining the sea for signs of their fellow Merlions. 

Eventually it came and a brave Merlion swam out to meet those who’d come, whether friend or foe.  He found only six of those who had protected their passage, all battered and bruised.

Among them was their captain who told them as his wounds were seen to, in between winces, “They didn’t even stop to listen.  Attacked on arrival.  And viciously.  Obviously knew what we’d done.  Once I took out my opposite number it got easier- most of them fled, so we did too.  Might not be long before a search party follows.  If they aren’t too scared.  We should move on soon.”

And so began the journey of the Merlions to Singapore.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Sixteen)

“We all dream the same dream.  Some of us, myself included, remember what it was like.  You lot, I know for a fact, never experienced it.  Yet we all have this same dream.  Maybe not every night; but most. 

“It’s that thing that few talk about.  We all go through it; and the yearning afterwards.  And we keep it quiet.  Keep it inside as that.  Just a dream.

“And it’s beautiful, isn’t it?  The scenery and the feeling it brings.  All that clear blue water and the myriad of fish; different fish.  And the sea’s bottom, the wonderful seabed: sand further than the eye can see, so unlike this lagoon and its dark, thick forest of weeds. 

“And that feeling of freedom, of being able to swim through those waters forever.

“And it’s so close.  We all know just how close it is.  If you let us through we can have the chance to gain that dream for future generations.  And soon enough for us to live it.

“But if you stop us… then it’ll surely never happen.  And we’ll carry on dreaming forever.”

A quiet came over the assembled Merlions as the Council’s Army bobbed in the water thinking.  They could hear the other half approaching, agitated, and could sense a fight would start on their arrival. 

They looked at one another, nodding in agreement, a scared yet hopeful look in their eyes and their commander said to the Merlion’s Uncle, “Okay, then, let’s do it.  You lot first.”

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Fifteen)

The preparations for the breakout began early with plans drawn for freeing the Merlion and the boy, gathering food for the boy and deciding who would make the trip.

Meanwhile the Council of the Merlions attempted to indoctrinate the Merlion but the hope that the boy and the young Merlion had instilled meant that nothing ever went in as he merely inwardly counted down to the breakout.

It started in the dead of night.  The young Merlion and some friends silently swam to the cages of first the Merlion, then the boy (separated since the Merlion met his mother).  One of these comrades, a larger Merlion, had always been taken to stealing extra food until his parents (and then other families) began to lock up their food, meaning he had become adept at picking locks- a skill now finally used for the benefit of others.  Once freed, the boy once again took to his Merlion’s back and together they joined the army of Merlions bound for Singapore in the centre of the lagoon.

Here their mission faced its first opposition.  The emergency tunnel was guarded by half of the Council’s army, the rest having been alerted as the breakaway army approached.  The Merlion’s uncle, though, could see in the eyes of this army that they did not truly want this fight but that they would have it if necessary.

In the absence of any Council members he decided to take advantage of his voice and remind them of The Dream.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Fourteen)

Upon hearing of her son’s return, the Merlion’s mother had forced her husband to talk to the Council about allowing her access to their son, fuming that she did not already know of his return.  This they eventually allowed, agreeing it as the first part of his “rehabilitation and resettlement with his kind”.

The Merlion’s mother approached her son’s cage carefully, unsure of quite what she would find, of how alien her son might seem, of what the intervening years might have done. 

Within the cage, the Merlion and the boy saw a Merlion who was new to them approach and came across to meet her. 

Upon seeing her son’s eyes look out at her everything changed, all caution left as the Merlion’s mother saw the eyes she had looked into as a baby, the eyes that she had seen every time she closed her own since they had been taken away from her as she slept.

And she broke down and wept for some time before revealing her identity. 

Then they boy retreated, allowing the Merlion and his mother to speak at length of their individual lives- he of his time on Singapore and his reason for returning (his mother quickly thinking of a suitable mate) and she of their family and her life on the island before and after his kidnapping.

By the end of the afternoon she had agreed to help his cause and try to convert the Merlion’s father.  Before she could, however, the breakout began.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Thirteen)

The boy and the young Merlion quickly put their plans into action.

The boy pleaded with the Council to help his people.  “Without you we are doomed to live under the pirates’ control, we will fade without you.”  And he told them of the benefits, how they would be able to break out once more from their island and would be able to agree terms for their own safety.

But the Council were proud and claimed to be happy as they were and would not risk lives to help those who had robbed them in the past.  Then they told him that he would be separated from the Merlion, who would be shown the ways of his people and be staying on the island where he was born.  And finally they told the boy that he would be returned to the cage to await his fate, as yet undecided.

The Merlion’s uncle was a lot more receptive to the pair’s idea.  Together, he and the young Merlion, spread their plans of descent, soon building a group of volunteers to travel to Singapore and battle the pirates and try to gain their freedom rather than rip the pack apart, probably to the detriment of both halves. 

Through whisperings going from ear to ear around the lagoon they were able to reignite hope among the Merlions for their future, even if it meant rebelling against the Council and a fight with the official army.

Meanwhile, the Merlion was reunited with his mother.

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Twelve)

While the Merlion sat before the Council, the boy spoke further with the young Merlion they had followed and told him about the events that had led them to journey to the Island of the Merlions. 

As the boy told of the Merlion’s hair growth, the young Merlion nodded and said, “Yes, we suffer from that condition here.  The sufferers are kept out of sight to help stop the depression’s spread, but it’s already taken its toll and reduced our numbers greatly.  There’s been a movement, although small, to escape for some time.  But the council are too strong and most Merlions fear their army of enforcers.”

After hearing of the piratical takeover of Singapore the young Merlion had a further thought.  “The Council are proud- if you stroke can their egos… in short, beg and tell them their help is essential and that in offering it they’ll be able to call the shots and ensure the future safety of this island and the Merlions...  

“In the meantime, I’ll talk to your Merlion’s uncle.  He leads those who want out.  Through him we might be able to get the whole family on our side and, well, your Merlion’s father is on the Council.  And this plan sounds better than an escape to me.”

The pair were all smiles and plans when the dismayed Merlion returned from the Council, his mane already looking a little longer and slightly dishevelled. Soon he began to smile too as they told him their ideas. 

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Eleven)

The Merlion sat before the Council of the Merlions (among whom was his father, who’d pioneered the idea to keep the Merlions within the lagoon) and told them about his life.  

He told of his upbringing in the zoo and of his job guarding the island and protecting ships from all dangers.  In particular he spoke of his freedom of movement around Singapore’s waters in the hope of rekindling memories of the ocean.  

Distant looks of longing began to appear in the councillors’ eyes until the Merlion was asked why he had returned and he told them of the sadness that had come upon him and the hair growth and how the zookeeper had given them the map home.  However, the Merlion took hold of his moment and said he sensed a similar sadness in the lagoon and suggested they might enjoy a better life in Singapore.

This made the councillors angry and they asked how, as an outsider, he could dare to question what he knew nothing about and reminded the Merlion that remaining alone on Singapore had led him into deep depression.  “There is no such affliction here,” they told him, “Clearly it is better you stay here.”

They sent the Merlion back to his cage vowing to teach him the ways of the Merlions and to never let him leave.  On the way back the Merlion finally took in his surroundings and had to admit that his kind would be mad to leave such a beautiful place.  

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Ten)

The Merlion and the boy sat in their cage worrying about their future; a future that was being discussed by the Council of the Merlions as they sat dead-eyed with concern, unable to take in their beautiful surroundings.  For four days they sat contemplating the worst and quietly discussing possible ways out.

Their meals were brought by the young Merlion they had followed as part of his punishment.  At first he hadn’t spoken a word to the prisoners and had simply dumped the food unceremoniously before quickly turning his tail.  Before long, however, his curiosity got the better of him and he began to talk.

He told them about the Merlions’ self-imposed confinement in the lagoon and how their numbers had dwindled and the pack had become more depressed over time.  They were creatures, he said, that needed to spend most of their lives in the vastness of the sea and that, although the lagoon was deep and large, it was not enough.  Before the kidnapping it had been a place for resting at night and from storms.  Now, thanks to the council, they could never leave it.

This got the boy thinking and, when the time came for the Merlion to go before the council the boy said,  “You need to save your kind, Merlion.  You have to convince them to move to Singapore.”

“But.  How?” asked the Merlion.

“I don’t know, Merlion, this is something only you can do, I’m afraid.  And I am certain that you must.”

250 Words: The Merlion (Part Nine)

The first thing that happened when they surfaced was the boy’s noisy recovery from having to hold his breath for such a long time.  Fortunately the tunnel had not been too long, though it hadn’t been far off, and, upon surfacing, the boy coughed, spluttered and took long deep draughts of air into his lungs.  This had the unfortunate effect of attracting the attention of a group of Merlions on the far shore. 

They also spotted the Merlion they had followed and so the second thing that happened was that the Merlion they’d followed (who had returned quietly and unseen, just as he had left, as he did so everyday) received the scalding of a life from his father and the Head Merlion simultaneously. 

Ever since the zookeeper’s visit, the Merlions had restricted themselves completely to the large and deep lagoon where he had found them, blocking the only above ground entrance.  

The tunnel to the open sea was for emergency use only- indeed that whole end of the lagoon, from two large boulders on either side right up to the cliffs was out of bounds.  (It also had the added bonus of letting in fish from the sea).  The young Merlion had been caught out and would pay the consequences.

As this went on, the third thing that happened was that the boy and the Merlion were quickly surrounded by the largest of the island’s Merlions, captured as intruders and taken to a cage built for any returning men.