The Return Of ijele - Episode 7

 

Ijele stopped at the bank of Umuojiji River. Dawn was just starting to break. A cool breeze blew and he inhaled deeply

“Olammrri”,

He whispered,

“I am home”.

The water swelled and a single wave rushed to the bank. Olammrri surfaced from the bottom of the wave. Her hips swayed and her breast giggled as she walked to her husband . She was fair and her long hair was braided in cornrows extending to her naked buttocks. She smiled as she approached her husband who was standing on the bank. He embraced her and laughed. They shared a passionate kiss.

“Welcome home my love”

She cooed

“Tommrri and I were starting to think our warrior would never return. Did you get them all?”

She asked

“Yes”.

He answered, she giggled

“They should have come up with a better plan to kill you. Drowning?”

She laughed out loud,

“That’s like throwing you into your home and wishing you dead”.

“They were foolish”.

He replied.

‘Let’s go home. I want to see my little baby girl”.

They walked hand-in-hand into the river until they were buried in the water. A few minutes later, in the distance, fishtails appeared briefly as Ijele and Olammrri made their way home.

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Deep in the river, where the water is as beautiful cornflower and as clear as crystal, it is very very deep; so deep, indeed that no cable could fathom it would not reach the ground.

There dwell the sea people otherwise being known as the Mer-folk……

The most singular flowers and plants grow there; the leaves and stem of which are so plant, that was the slightest agitation of the water, causes them to stir, as they had life

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/the-return-of-ijele

. Fishes, both large and small, glide between the branches, as birds fly among the trees here upon land.

The Mer-folk were doing their daily work known best to them……..

In the deepest spot of all, stands the castle of the sea king(Ijele).

Read " The Retelling Story of Igodo " by the same author ( Ifeoma Isabella Okeke )

. It’s walls are built of coral, and the long gothic windows are of the clearest amber. The roof is formed of shells, that open and close as the water flows over them. Their appearance is very beautiful, for in each lies a glittering pearl.

Outside the castle there was a beautiful garden, in which grew bright pink and dark blue flowers and blossoms like flames of fire; the fruit glittered like gold and the leaves and stems waved to and fro continually. In the calm weather the sun could be seen, looking like a purple flower, with the light streaming from the calyx.

Truly this is a really different world

In the garden sat Tommrri, who had been waiting for her parents; first her father and now her mother. She was a beautiful princess; her skin just like her mother’s was fair; as clear and delicate as rose- leaf, her face was round like the sun and contained flowers as red as his rays at sunset, and her eyes as crystal just like the river. Her long hair braided in cornrows flowing around her, she has no feet and her body ended in a fish’s tail. She is an epitome of beauty.

All alone in the great wall of the castle, with servants running about in the castle palace. Tommrri who had been waiting for her mother that went to fetch her father; who had gone to seek his revenge on those that had drowned him, was feeling lonely, then some of her fishes friends drew closer to her and she feed them and they allowed themselves to be stroked.

She was so engrossed in the stroking of the fishes that she didn’t notice two silent figure standing in her front, until one of them cleared it’s throat.

Immediately Tommirri looked up. When she saw that it was her parents, she quickly swim to them and hug them.

“How is my baby girl doing?”

Ijele asked his daughter.

“Am fine father. How was it? Did it go well?”

Tommirri asked anxiously.

“Yes, it went well my precious daughter. Your father is a strong man”

Ijele replied her.

“Come on let’s go and eat”

Olammirri said leading the way to the palace………..

Tommirri and Ijele followed quietly

“Father, when I grow up, I want to be a strong warrior like you!”

Tommirri told Ijele who smiled down at her.

“And when that day comes, I will be right behind you”

Ijele said……

Their laughter filled the sea……..

As Olammirri smiled secretly.

THE END…..