Elmpam and Malnar enjoyed a nice day with Elmpam\u2019s parents and siblings. Despite living in the Under-realm for a long time, Elmpam still knew how to ice-fish. Roolpam, Elmpam\u2019s mother, led Elmpam, Malnar, and the remaining daughters, Turpam and Yuspam, out onto the lake. Elmpam helped Turpam cut holes into the ice while Malnar helped Roolpam and Yuspam ready the fishing lines. Malnar was eager to catch some fish. \u201cMaybe I\u2019ll catch an Ice Marlin!\u201d she giggled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m afraid they\u2019re not in season right now,\u201d sighed Yuspam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAw,\u201d whined Malnar comedically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNow, the Snow Bass, on the other hand\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSnow Bass?! I haven\u2019t had it in years!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, this is the season for it!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCome on, you two!\u201d called Roolpam. \u201cElmpam and Turpam should have the holes ready by now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cComing, Mom!\u201d replied Yuspam. She and Malnar gathered up the lines as Roolpam got the bait. Soon, everyone picked a hole and took up their lines. After baiting the hooks, they dropped them into the holes and sat on their chairs, waiting for a nibble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou know, Mama,\u201d mused Malnar as they all waited, \u201cit just occurred to me that you and your sisters\u2019 names have the same last syllable as Grandma, but all your brothers\u2019 end in \u2018tor\u2019. Why is that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You know, I never asked,\u201d remarked Elmpam. \u201cMom, why ARE we named the way we are?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a bit of vanity on your father\u2019s part,\u201d explained Roolpam. \u201cHis name means \u2018soft brain\u2019 in the old tongue and he was teased because of it. He didn\u2019t want any of his children to suffer like that, so he insisted on names that would denote some tough characteristic. \u2018Pam\u2019 is a feminine word that means \u2018dedicated\u2019, so he insisted that our daughters have \u2018pam\u2019 in their names. \u2018Tor\u2019 is the masculine version of \u2018Pam\u2019, so he wanted ours sons to have that syllable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, the syllables suit y\u2019all,\u201d remarked Malnar. \u201cSo, what\u2019s the meaning of your names?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cElmpam, you never told her?\u201d asked Turpam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe never asked until today,\u201d replied Elmpam. \u201cTo answer your question, Malnar, my name means \u2018dedicated speaker\u2019, Mom\u2019s name is \u2018dedicated beauty\u2019, Turpam means \u2018dedicated entertainer\u2019, Yuspam\u2019s meaning is \u2018dedicated fisher\u2019, then Rentor is \u2018dedicated enforcer\u2019, and Tuntor means \u2018dedicated priest\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026What about Oltor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026 \u2018Dedicated soldier\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe seems to have forgotten that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has.\u201d Elmpam\u2019s line then bounced! \u201cOh?\u201d The line bounced some more! \u201cI got a bite! I got a bite!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHaul him out!\u201d called Roolpam. Elmpam had two sets of her hands on the line and tugged as hard as she could! The last tug revealed what she caught! It\u2026wasn\u2019t a fish she expected. If anything, it was a pair of starfish strung together by a strap. \u201c\u2026That shouldn\u2019t be in the lake,\u201d muttered Roolpam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo kidding, this is fashionable for Over-realm Mermaids,\u201d remarked Turpam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEr, excuse me?\u201d called a voice. Everyone turned to see a woman\u2019s head poking out of the water, not even exposing her shoulders. The woman was Halfam in her usual Mer-form. \u201cThat\u2019s mine,\u201d explained Halfam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026You got a fish tail below the waist?\u201d asked Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Yeah, why?\u201d asked Halfam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMadam, this is a non-Sentina fish-only lake,\u201d growled Roolpam. \u201cNo Sentina fish or Merfolk allowed! Come on out of there!\u201d She and Yuspam hauled Halfam out as she covered her breasts with her arms. \u201cI\u2019ll have you put away for this!\u201d snapped Roolpam. \u201cThis is a high offense, you know! Swimming in a main source of food for us!\u201d As Halfam was handed her bra, she was taken over to the sled. \u201cYuspam, help me get her back home. Turpam, Elmpam, Malnar, you girls go ahead and continue fishing.\u201d Yuspam helped her mother carry Halfam to the sled, laid her down and covered her in blankets, then they boarded the sled and urged their dogs homewards. Once they disappeared, Malnar, Elmpam, and Turpam resumed fishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe nerve of some people!\u201d grumbled Malnar. \u201cCan\u2019t believe someone would\u2026\u201d she then noticed her line bouncing. \u201cThis better be a fish!\u201d She tugged on the line hard and pulled a large, cyan colored Bass out of the water. \u201cLook at the size of that thing!\u201d cheered Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a whopper, all right!\u201d praised Turpam. \u201cA few more of those, and we\u2019ll eat well tonight!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m gonna try again!\u201d declared Malnar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m surprised you wanted to fish instead of be part of Calandra and Elmar\u2019s wedding today,\u201d remarked Elmpam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never ice-fished before. Besides, I\u2019ve seen weddings before, and they promised to record it, so I\u2019m not missing out on much.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of Calandra and Elmar\u2019s wedding, it had just begun on the Endeavor<\/em>. It took place in the chapel with Arsha officiating it and flanked by the Pink and White Divine Ones. Lord Benthe and Lady Sentriam were accompanied by Lady Lamsar, Lady Olpen, and Lord Galmik and stood to Arsha\u2019s right, all in pink outfits. On Arsha\u2019s left, in their white outfits, were Lord Clompofenta, Lady Seemeertii, Lady Reemiltee, Lord Galtrak, and Lady Bolmola. Arsha awaited the bride and groom as the organ played. At a certain musical cue, Elmar approached the altar and stood to Arsha\u2019s right. The music then changed once he took his place and, walking down the aisle, in a large, white dress, with a veil covering only the eyes, held by a white rose crown, much of the veil bunched at the back of her head, and the remainder draping behind her, was Calandra. She slowly walked to the altar, then took her place at Arsha\u2019s left. The music then ended and Arsha began her speech. \u201cBeloved friends, we are all privileged to witness the union of Princess Calandra Narven and Lieutenant Elmar Rotem. Both come from totally different worlds in more ways than one, but, as the Divine Ones can attest, especially the ones in attendance,\u201d the Divine Ones chuckled, \u201cdifferent worlds often come together. Such unions bring about changes for good or ill, today is one of the good changes. Elmar and Calandra, have you decided what your family name will be?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have,\u201d answered Calandra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe shall be the Narvens,\u201d continued Elmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSplendid,\u201d praised Arsha. \u201cSince the first wooden sea-faring vessels, the Captain has enjoyed the privilege of uniting two people in holy matrimony. I am honored to exercise that privilege today with you two. I know your future together will be long and happy. Princess Calandra Narven, do you take this man to be your husband and future King through disaster and prosperity until the Black Divine Ones must separate you on the mortal plains?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLieutenant Elmar Rotem, do you take this woman to be your wife and future queen through disaster and prosperity until the Black Divine Ones must separate you on the mortal plains?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDivine Lords and Ladies, have you any words to say?\u201d The Pink Divine Ones began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lord Benthe, and I bless this couple with eternal love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lady Sentriam, and I bless this couple with eternal love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lady Lamsar, and I bless this couple with eternal love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lady Olpen, and I bless this couple with eternal love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lord Galmik, and I bless this couple with eternal love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay you always feel peace and happiness throughout your days as you do on this day,\u201d bid all the Pink Divine Ones. The White Divine Ones then took over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lord Clompofenta, and I bless this couple with a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lady Seemeertii, and I bless this couple with a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lady Reemiltee, and I bless this couple with a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lord Galtrak, and I bless this couple with a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Lady Bolmola, and I bless this couple with a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMay your new beginnings in your new joined life be pleasant and happy as today,\u201d blessed all the White Divine Ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha, you may unite them,\u201d bid Lamsar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy the power vested in me by the Divine Ones of Love and Beginnings,\u201d declared Arsha, \u201cI hereby pronounce this couple married by law, love, and beginning! Elmar and Calandra Narven, you may kiss!\u201d Calandra leapt to Elmar\u2019s face and planted her lips on his. He returned the kiss with equal passion as the audience applauded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Far away from the ship, Oltor was trying to contact Halfam. \u201cHalfam! Halfam, come in! Where are you?!\u201d He gave up soon afterwards. \u201cStupid fish! Spent too long in the Under-realm, that\u2019s what\u2019s wrong!\u201d He then heard barking. \u201cDammit!\u201d He ducked behind an ice formation, then climbed it high enough for dogs to be unable to reach him. A search party then arrived with their dogs sniffing the whole area. Leading the whole thing was the Sheriff of the Coliamdii Kingdom, Rentir Ental. The party searched the area as Oltor stayed on his icy perch, not daring to make a noise. This lasted for a good hour until one of the officers approached Rentir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSir, we\u2019re not turning up anything,\u201d she reported, \u201cand it\u2019s getting dark.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery well,\u201d decided Rentir. \u201cCall off the search for now. We\u2019ll sweep this area again in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes, Sir,\u201d replied the officer. She then turned to her squad mates. \u201cPack it up and pack it in, boys and girls. We\u2019re gonna continue in the morning.\u201d The search party then left the area and Oltor got an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell,\u201d he mused once he was alone and down from his perch, \u201cI DID post a bounty on that traitor about a year ago and it WOULD be a shame if a candidate for Prime Minister were to meet an\u2026accident.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Elmpam and Malnar enjoyed a nice day with Elmpam\u2019s parents and siblings. Despite living in the Under-realm for a long time, Elmpam still knew how to ice-fish. Roolpam, Elmpam\u2019s mother, led Elmpam, Malnar, and the remaining daughters, Turpam and Yuspam, out onto the lake. Elmpam helped Turpam cut holes into the ice while Malnar helped […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1646,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,236],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-3087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-3-the-first-strike","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3087"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3088,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3087\/revisions\/3088"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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