"Stand back," King Damon ordered softly. "I have to try this, at least."
Quickly, he touched the captain's body with his trident and cast a spell to change him into a merman.
Nothing happened.
Heart sinking, he cast a detection spell, but he already knew the answer. The human's life was gone. "I was afraid of that. Then instead allow me to do this for you."
Raising his trident again, King Damon cast another spell which surrounded the captain's body. Brightly coloured coral enveloped the man's form, consuming him completely and turning his flesh and bone into a living monument to his bravery. The formation then settled into the reef below, standing proudly as he once stood aboard his ship.
After a few more minutes of respectful silence as Eleanor said her private goodbyes, King Damon turned to his family. "Come. Our people will no doubt be waiting for us. We must join them."
Together, the group headed off into the open ocean.
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The monument stood alone for a while as fish slowly emerged to investigate this new addition to their environment. Suddenly, a shadow rose up from a nearby crevice, revealing itself to be an attractive woman with dark red hair and the tentacles of an octopus instead of a mermaid tail. Touching the coral monument, she grimaced. "Well, that certainly complicates things."
From beneath her tentacles, she produced a glowing ball of light that shifted and flickered like an open flame. Caressing it with a manicured finger, she sighed. "Apologies, my friend. It appears that your previous vessel is no longer inhabitable. His Majesty is a good king but far too sentimental sometimes. You're in luck, though. As it happens, I do have another vessel available, but it will definitely be...well, an adjustment for you.
Ah well, that's life, I guess."
Tucking the light away, she made her own exit, gliding into the abyss towards her own solitary home.
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When the royal family rejoined the crowd of mermaids and their new mates, Eleanor felt glad to see so many familiar faces. One handsome merman with a powerful orange striped tail, came forward accompanied by the beaming red-scaled mermaid who claimed him. "Eleanor, it's good to see you alive and well. Your father would be so proud."
In shock, Eleanor recognized him as the first mate! The scar that had once twisted his face into a permanent sneer was gone without a trace along with any sign of sun damage. He also looked a bit younger, free from the ravages of a hard life on the sea. With a cry, she hugged him before informing him of what had transpired with her father's body.
"I tried to bring him back, but it was too late," King Damon explained.
"It's alright," the first mate reassured him. "I thank you for trying, but he was prepared for this. For him, it would've been enough to see his daughter happy and cared for." Clapping a hand on Colton's shoulder, he added, "On his behalf, I'm entrusting her to you. I wish you two the best."
"Thank you," Colton replied, amazed that one of the men who had trapped him in a net was now treating him like a friend. Still, if Eleanor's clear affection for the former pirate was any indication, perhaps he had misjudged him. "I hope that you will also find happiness in your new life."
Queen Charlotte smiled. "I think it's time for a celebration. Our prince has found a bride, and we have gained quite a few new subjects. A much better end to an otherwise bad day, wouldn't you say, Damon?"
King Damon chuckled. "You can say that again, dear. Come along, everyone. There's much to prepare for. And welcome to my kingdom!"