Chapter Text
Holly looked over the railing into the clear waters of the harbor. She could count numerous fish swimming around and couldn't wait to examine more sea life when they got to the island the summer palace was on. That is if they ever casted off. They were supposed to have an hour ago but it was slow going with the triplets (Dameon, Sarai, and Harrow). They were too busy exploring the docks to get on the ship. The twins (Lian and Tiadrin) in contrast were busy exploring the ship under the watchful eye of Elmor.
"How much longer?" Holly said.
"Not long," squawked Berdo.
Holly turned to see her parents bring the triplets on board. Finally, they could get going. It never took this long to get to the island before. Though, in the past, Zubeia would fly them there. This year, however, she had business with the other archdragons. She would join them on the island later and Zym was with them (though he was too little to fly them that far). The young dragon was at the bow of the ship. He loved the way humans and elves traveled and had been on a ship many times before.
"Alright," Rayla said once she did a head count of her children, "I think we're ready."
"Then let's shove off," Valdes said and began giving orders to his crew.
Holly joined Zym at the bow of the ship and the two watched as the ship began moving through the water.
"I can't wait to get to the island," Zym said looking at the young princess. "I've never been there but Ez says it's beautiful."
“It is,” Holly said. “There’s a cove there I want to show you. I think it’s big enough for even you to swim in. And deep enough as well.”
The young dragon laughed happily. He loved to swim and, despite not being an ocean dragon, swam like one.
“Sounds like fun,” he said. “I can’t wait. First thing when we get to the island.”
But Holly shook her head looking up at the sky.
“Better make it first thing tomorrow,” she said. “We won’t get to the island until dinner time.”
Holly’s prediction tuned out to be true. By the time the ship had docked at the island, the sun was setting. The staff, who had gone on ahead to get the island palace ready for the family, greeted them along with the caretaker.
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Holly stood on one of the balconies and looked out over the ocean. Her dad was making arrangements with Captain Vades for a retune trip and her mom was putting her sibling to bed so she was left to her own devices. Looking out over the water, she watched the moon dance on the waves. Maybe it was her moonshadow half but she loved to watch the moonlight. It was always so peaceful and calming. Zym landed on the balcony next to her.
“There’s a lot of lagoons here,” he said.
"Some of them are big enough and deep enough for you to swim in," Holly said.
"Okay. Tomorrow we are definitely going swimming."
"We'll have to tell Mom and Dad. They need to know where we're going even on an island.'
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"Do you have plans for tomorrow?" Rayla asked as she tucked Holly into bed.
"Zym and I were thinking of going swimming at one of the lagoons," Holly said. "If that's okay."
"It is. This is a vacation. You should have fun."