A Mermaid Queen and the Mad Tea Party

 

My adventure began while I was walking through the forest in search of some herbs for tea. You see I was invited by Vanessa Valencia at A Fanciful Twist to attend a Mad Tea Party with all sorts of others in attendance in blogland.  I had no idea what was in store as I wandered among the redwoods. Suddenly, through a clearing, I came upon a breathtaking scene - the beautiful Pacific Ocean!

  

It was such a glorious site! But I began to feel a little light headed and had to lay down. My  how my legs felt strange. It was as if they were becoming rubber and I couldn't put any weight on them. I wasn't sure what was happening.

Maybe it was the sweet treat I ate from the old woman who lived in the forest.

She told me one day soon my heart's desire would become reality.  From the look of my legs, it dawned on me what was happening. Could it be that when I saw the ocean my dream of swimming with mermaids would come true? With shades of blue and green creeping up my legs, I needed to get to the water and fast!

Oh how my legs became uncomfortable. It was as if they were fusing together!

And then it happened! I had turned into a mermaid with fins and all! I flopped, ungraciously I might add, to the water and splashed in! Thankfully no one was around to watch!

As soon as I hit the azure sea, it was as if I were free. My heart sang with the delight of speeding through the cool ocean among the fish and dolphins. And then I heard them calling to me with their magic song. It was the mer people.

With a bow, a merman swam up to me and asked me to follow him to the mermaid Queen's castle. She was in charge of the sea off California's coast, and I was to be her guest for the day.  He told me to hold onto the royal seahorses, and they would take us where the Queen awaited our arrival. They were very fast you see, since I was still relatively new to the deep.

He explained that she would officially welcome me to her land and tell me about life among the mer people. So not long after, we arrived,  and my heart skipped a beat! It was magnificent, with seashells and pearls and sparkling sand everywhere! 

We approached the door and I was speechless.

We stepped inside a grand hallway decorated with coral and pearls and gilded columns. The Queen waited far down the corridor.

We passed brightly colored starfish and pink and pearly clam shells on our way to see her. It was a sight to behold. And so much treasure! There she stood holding a magical mirror and a golden comb.

She welcomed me and introduced me to some of her subjects, including her lovely sister who had just had a baby.

We talked for a while and she told me that I had gotten a very rare chance to live a dream. Not many people were able to do what makes them happy. She said that I should be glad I was chosen, no matter how short the time spent may have seemed.  And then she said my special time was almost over and that I should enjoy it while I could. First she gave me a necklace and then asked that I look into her mirror. It would be the catalyst that would send me home. I was escorted to the door and down the steps and took one last look back. 

There she was waving goodbye. By the time I left, night had fallen on the land and I decided I wanted to see the full moon.

 

I sat enjoying the ocean at night for a long time and thought about the gift she had given me. It was the freedom to be happy and enjoy the journey we are given. I must have fallen asleep in the warm sand  for I awoke to the sound of a young lad calling to me and asking if I needed help. 

I thanked him but declined. I then gathered myself and headed for home. Was it all a dream? I was exhausted and yet thrilled. I had been to a fairy land, and I now carry that magic with me always. I hope you find your magic too! Don't forget to visit the other journeys of those participating in the Mad Tea Party!

~ Iva

PS - All art in this post was created by me with love and remembrance of our dearest Brianna.

Comments

[Della]

A very creative seaborne tea! I love the beautiful transformation of legs to tail. Thanks Iva, have a wonderful day, and heartfelt thoughts to your lovely Brianna.

[Blanche]

Outstanding! What an enchanting tale - so beautifully told - love the graphics & illustrations!

Thanks so much for having us - please drop by for a visit when you can!
♥♥♥
-Blanche

[Maggi]

~*~*~*Hip hip hurray it's Tea Party Day!*~*~*~

Wow, a seaside tea party and such gorgeous artwork!

Thanks for having me at your tea party! if you haven't been already, you're cordially invited to my mad tea party! Have yourself a mad sort of day! :)

[Becca]

Very Enchanting tale and beautiful artwork! And a wonderful tribute to Brianna!

[Jennifer]

What a magical post! Thanks for taking me along on yoru adventure:)

[Andrea]

You definitly need a spot of tea after that journey! Beautiful artwork!

[Sylvia Anderson]

Fabulous art Iva...and loved the journey too! :)

[Sylvia Smiser]

Hello Iva,
What a wonderful adventure you have taken us on! I was thoroughly entertained! Thank you for a wonderful party!

[Lenora Moore]

Beautiful - love that you have created a new wonderland adventure! Thanks for tea! Won't you join us for tea at our
Mad Tea Party - Fairy Tale

http://lenorita-lenoramoore.blogspot.com/2010/06/mad-tea-party-2010.html

[waterrose]

Such a lovely tea party...thank you for sharing tea with me! ...oh and to be able to swim in the sea like a mermaid!

[Fiddlestix Studios]

Breathtaking!Your tea party was absolutely wonderful!So unique&creative~beautiful artwork!
~Mandy

[Shari Replogle]

Truly magical Iva! I love the transformation part , clever girl. All of your art is so lovely to see as always. This was a wonderful story. You are invited to my Mad Hatter's Tea Party as well.
~Shari

[Maria-Thérèse]

Lovely party!

♥ Alice Maria-Thérèse Afiori in a Swedish wonderland blog.afiori.com ♥

[Theresa]

Oh this was SPLENDID! I do love mermaids! I thank you for sharing such a beautiful tea party. It was a beautiful tribute to your Brianna. If you have not yet done so, I'd be honored to have you sit a spell with me ~ for tea...http://faeriemooncreations.blogspot.com/2010/06/its-mad-tea-party.html
Sincerely, Theresa (aka The White Queen)

[Danielle Suplicki]

This was so enchanting, a story beautifully woven and a seaside tea is always wonderful to me.

I hope you'll stop by and grab a cuppa with me.

[~Que Bella~]

What a magical party! I love mermaids and all things from the sea. Love the story and the artwork too! Thanks for inviting me and for stopping by my party! Cheers!

[Celina Matthews]

Thank you for letting me join you at your Mad Tea Party! You artwork is quite lovely!

[Fair Rosamund]

What a lovely party, I love the mermaid theme :) Thank you so much for having me over :) ~Lauren

[Tina Gates]

Oh, such a beautiful tale/tail...I do so love mermaids, and your art is just magical - thankyou for having me x

[Sheila]

Iva, what a wonderful party! I love the sea, so I particularly enjoyed your tea there along with your illustrations! And that little mermaid castle... SO neat! Thank you for your hospitality, and I hope you will allow me to return it by inviting you to join me for tea and cake...

Happy Tea Partying...

XO,

Sheila :-)

[junie]

What a wonderful dream and your art is gorgeous. So sorry you lost your Brianna.
xo-jj

[melissa]

Oh Iva, what a beautiful story! Sorry to be so late to the party but so happy I had the chance to stop by to see your dazzling creations. Yes please let's get together some time soon. I've got a bad case of vintage wanderlust. I could use a good treasure hunt. {{hugs}}

[Lynette Killam]

What a charming story, so whimsical and well written! I was enchanted from the beginning...definitely one of the most enjoyable tea parties I've ever attended.
Thank you so much for having me...

I was very moved by the article you wrote in Somerset Studio about Brianna. Such a wonderful girl..I would say you were both lucky to have each other...

Lynette

[Juliet]

Wonderful post, I love your watercolours
So many parties I am working my way through the list when I have time to browse :-) You are invited to tea and to join my giveaway,every day is an unbirthday, there is still time :-) Thank you for the Tea.

[Lisa Lectura]

Hi Iva! What a treat it was to read your special post! Simply adorable! Beautiful work! I didn't get a chance to join in the blog hop fun this time around. Hopefully the next one. Have a lovely week! :)

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

I've just found your blog and I've been looking at your artwork. Fab-YOU-lous stuff you have here. So much eye candy! I love all the layers and atmosphere you give each of your pieces. I'm adding a link to you on my blog. Thanks for an inspiring place to visit! Have a great week!