The Kingdom Beneath the Sea

The Kingdom Beneath the Sea

By Amna Maham

Deep within the endless blue, where sunlight turned into silver threads and coral towers gleamed like gemstones, there existed a kingdom unlike any on land — the realm of the Sea Fairies. Here, strange wonders were ordinary, and the impossible was just another part of daily life.

In this enchanted domain, even the fish were no ordinary creatures. Some could breathe out dazzling flames that glowed underwater like ribbons of gold. These fiery fish were tied in pairs to the mighty sea bulls, pulling the royal carriages — just as horses draw coaches on land.

The palace itself was a marvel of living architecture. Its household affairs were entrusted to wise, old crabs. They were the most diligent servants imaginable — endlessly cleaning, repairing, and decorating. Their claws never rested. Even hundreds of maids could not match their tireless devotion. For the first time in their long lives, these crabs were happy. Beautiful seaweed grew on their shells in green and pink hues, giving them a noble uniform. Gone were their days of mischief and pinching sailors — the fairies’ gentle guidance had made them civilized and proud.

When at last the great sea palace was completed, shimmering brighter than pearls, it was ready for the new King and his beloved Queen. The royal couple descended in a chariot made of crystal shells, surrounded by mermaids singing in delicate, silvery tones. Every creature of the sea — from tiny shrimp to massive whales — celebrated with joy.

The waves danced, dolphins leapt, and even the solemn old turtles smiled. Only the crabs refused to rest. Work was their happiness now, and idleness their greatest punishment.

The royal banquet that followed was a sight to behold. Tables made of coral held dishes of glowing sea-fruit and fragrant bubble nectar. No one had ever seen such a splendid feast, nor tasted such strange, delicious food. The festivities continued until the moon’s reflection shone faintly on the surface above, marking the end of a night full of magic.

The next morning, the true work of ruling began. The King organized his underwater empire with wisdom and fairness. Among the fairies, one was chosen as the royal minister — the most intelligent and thoughtful of them all. The youngest, most graceful fairies became the Queen’s attendants.

In Fairyland, beauty and goodness always went hand in hand. The more beautiful a fairy was, the kinder and more skillful she tended to be. So one can imagine how lovely the Queen’s attendants were — shining like moonlight in deep waters.

The King and Queen spent their days visiting every part of their realm. They ensured peace among all sea creatures. They kept an eye on the cruel sharks and the powerful swordfish, making sure they did not harm the weak. They checked the giant sea serpents too, who were fond of coiling their massive bodies across the ocean paths, blocking others just for fun.

Their duties also included judging disputes among creatures and disciplining any fairy who disobeyed royal orders or neglected her work. But the punishments in this underwater world were quite peculiar.

A mischievous fairy, for example, would be forbidden to visit the golden beaches at night. She could no longer play upon the shining sand, sit on sun-warmed rocks, comb her long hair, or sing under the starlit waves. She had to remain deep underwater, longing for the surface until her heart learned obedience again.

As for disobedient sea creatures, their punishment was to work alongside the crabs — cleaning, carrying, and tidying the palace. Under the crabs’ strict supervision, they soon learned discipline and humility. After such training, none dared to be troublesome again.

Yet just as there were punishments, there were also rich rewards. Any creature who showed bravery, kindness, or loyalty was honored by the King himself. The greatest reward was to become a member of the royal court — to travel with the King and Queen on their grand ocean tours, visiting coral gardens and exploring sunken ships from human lands.

But the life of the sea fairies was not all joy. When fierce storms raged across the waters above and the roaring waves threatened their kingdom, the fairies would rise to the highest crests. There, with glowing hands and songs as soft as the wind, they tried to calm the raging seas. They guided lost ships away from rocks and warned sailors of danger.

Sometimes, despite all their efforts, the storm would win. Great ships would break apart, sinking slowly into the dark depths. Then the fairies would sing their mournful songs — gentle melodies that carried prayers for the drowned sailors. They would bury them in the golden sand, wrapping them in seaweed shrouds, whispering blessings as the tides rose and fell.

Often, human sailors caught glimpses of these fairies during storms — their silver hair floating like moonlight, their faces glowing faintly beneath the waves. The sailors called them Mermaids, or sometimes Sea Spirits, but they never harmed them. Instead, they watched in awe, whispering prayers and gratitude before sailing on.

And that, dear reader, is how the sea fairies came to dwell beneath the waves — working, singing, and guarding their mysterious kingdom. Just as fairies dance in the forests of the earth, these gentle beings keep the magic of the ocean alive — forever hidden, forever watching, in the silent blue depths of the sea.