Chapter Text
Aziraphale turns the page.
“The apocryphal Mermaid has been an attractive and enduring topic of human folklore since humanity first began contemplating dark waters and the creatures that may dwell within.
Legends of the existence of Mermaids and other fish creatures predate even the birth of written language, prevailing into the modern era as a source of scientific bewilderment and fantastical wonder.
For instance, the first discovered record of merfolk legend dates back to the biblical era - to the alleged Great Flood nearly five thousand years ago.
On a stone tablet unearthed in Uruk, the city of Sumer in ancient Mesopotamia, it is written by renowned Babylonian scribe Berossus that once the waters of the Great Flood receded, a god-like creature named Oannes with the body of a man and the tail of a serpent emerged one day from the Erythian Sea.
Enlightened with superior wisdom, Oannes was able to pass along to the humans his knowledge of the arts, sciences, and written language.
It is said that his patience and compassion enabled humankind to recover and thrive after the apocalyptic flood had decimated their people.
Unfortunately for history, only fragments of these writings have survived their journey through time.
However, Berossus’s remaining work has been passed down, studied, and corroborated by generations of Greek philosophers and historians.
Hundreds of years later, another ancient Mermaid folktale appeared in Syria around one thousand B.C..
It was previously thought to be the oldest in written record until the discovery of the legend of Oannes.
The Syrian legend follows the chief fertility goddess of northern Syria, Atargatis, whose image is closely associated with the the healing power of the moon and the life-giving power of the sea.
It is written that she became enamoured with a mortal shepherd, Hadad, whom she took as her beloved consort. Ultimately, she was responsible for the accidental death of her lover, and in her grief threw herself into a lake to drown.
The water, however, bound to its goddess, was unable to destroy her power and beauty, and thus transformed her into a creature with the head of a woman and the body of a fish.
It is whispered amongst believers that despite her misfortune she remains in this form, protecting all poor unfortunate creatures and providing refuge for those lost at sea.
The spirit of Atargatis is now regarded as a symbol of the healing properties of nature, beauty that cannot be extinguished, and divine feminine energy and its connection with the moon, waves, and emotions.
The very existence of these Mermaid tales begs the question: Just how long have humans believed in mer-creatures? And how many different versions are there?
The truth is that variations of Mermaid tales and folklore span colorfully across the globe.
As human technology progressed and sea travel and trading became more accessible, stories from many different cultures converged, circulating with local folklore and religion, creating a global mythos of mystical beings.
Depending on the region, creatures commonly referred to as Mermaids are called by many different monikers.
However, the majority of these tales will agree that Mermaids are meant to be cunning, swift, beautiful, and potentially deadly; often having the malicious or benign ability to influence and manipulate the behaviors of mankind. The rhetoric classifying these creatures also varies from describing Mermaids as benevolent fish deities, to describing them as vicious predators.
For example, in the Greek epic of Odysseus, the Sirens utilized the hypnotic tones of their voices and disarming beauty to seduce men into the water to their deaths. Some say that with their songs, they promised safety and personal favors. Others say that the most seductive temptation is the promise of knowledge of the past, present, and future. It is written that while Odysseus’s crew covered their ears, Odysseus ordered that he be tied to the mast so that he could hear the Siren song without the compulsion to throw himself overboard.
Similarly, across the sea in the Philippines, the Sirena lure fishermen and warriors into the sea with their beauty and enchanting voices. They distract the sailors, causing them to wreck their ships or walk overboard where the Mermaids will wrap them in their tails and suffocate them, or drag them into the deep to be sacrificed to their deities. Inversely, the legend also promises that if a Sirena falls in love with a human, they will become tame and pledge their obedience to them forever.
In Germanic and Scandinavian mythology, the Nøkken, also known as Nixies, are shape-shifting fae commonly portrayed in either human form, snake form, or fish form. While they too have the power to manipulate and drown their victims by trance, the Nøkken will also sometimes teach humans to play their enchanting songs and perform in exchange for gifts. However, predatory Nøkken are most dangerous to women and small children and are the most active during Midsummer’s Night, Winter Solstice, and - for some reason - Thursdays. The Nøkken are also believed to be an omen for drowning accidents, as they will release a scream akin to that of a Banshee in a certain spot in an ocean or a river, preceding fatal accidents that would later occur there.
In Ireland, the people believe in sea fairies called Merrows. The females are able to shift into human form, but can always be spotted by the wet sand in the hems of their dresses. In some parts of the country, they are believed to be omens of horrible disasters. The females will sing to ensnare the sailors while the males will then crush and devour them. However, when in a charitable mood, it is believed that they have the power to grant wishes. For a price, of course.
In summation, We’ve no concrete proof as to whether we should think of Mermaids as good omens or as harbingers of great tragedy. Perhaps the duality of Mermaids is similar to mankind, in that they are neither inherently good nor bad, but are all capable of both goodness and cruelty. However, any tangible proof as to the real nature of merfolk is scarce, as very few live to tell the tale of an encounter with them.
Some sailors speak of finding abandoned vessels drifting on the current without a soul left on board. There are no signs of a struggle, no damage to the ship; the only evidence that anyone had been there in the first place were leftover rations, clothing, and forgotten weapons. Some ships are never recovered at all, mysteriously lost to the depths with their crews.
In–”
“Aziraphale, you're supposed to be in bed.” Nanny Ashteroth’s soft, lilting voice carried to where Aziraphale sat by the fire with a large canvas-bound book in his small hands.
Aziraphale’s head snapped up, eyes wide. He flushed and closed the book, making sure to save his place with his favorite red ribbon.
“Sorry, Nanny. Lost track of time, I suppose."
Aziraphale had already devoured nearly a quarter of the royal library at ten years old, squirreling away his favorites to read at night by firelight.
Her mouth quirked up on one side. “Of course you did. And what brilliant story has stolen your attention this time?” She asked, making her way over to turn down the covers for Aziraphale.
Instead of answering, Aziraphale asked, “Nanny, do you believe in mermaids?”
She paused, her spectacles glinting in the firelight. “I suppose I must. There are many things in this world that we do not yet understand. But don’t you go giving yourself nightmares about it, you know how cross your mother gets when you don’t get your sleep.”
“Yes, Nanny.” Aziraphale let her fuss over him as she tucked him into bed, blowing out his candle.
She crossed the suite to the door, stern features Illuminated only by the light from the fire and the sconces in the hallway.
“Goodnight, dear.” She whispered.
“Goodnight, Nanny.” Aziraphale echoed.
Once the door had shut, he counted to fifty while her footsteps disappeared down the hall. Once he was sure that she was gone, he threw the covers off of himself, grabbed his book, and huddled next to the fading light of the fire. He found his ribbon where he left it and continued to read:
“In appearance, Merfolk are almost always portrayed as fish from the waist down and human from the waist up. Additionally, they may have fish-like attributes on their heads, arms, and torsos, such as gills, fins, and scales.
Physical features that could potentially enhance their lethality are sharp claws, as well as pointed teeth that they can use to incapacitate and kill their prey quickly.
Mermaids are supposed to be incredibly beautiful, captivating in the same way as a poisonous flower, or a bolt of lightning. This may, however, be one of the hallucinogenic effects of the trance induced by their song.
Unable to be replicated in any human tone or language, the voice of a mermaid will intoxicate the listener, poisoning their minds and cutting off all higher thought processes.
It could possibly be considered a small mercy granted to the sailors before they fling themselves willingly into the arms of their executioners.
Perhaps humanity’s subconscious mythical connection to the water is the reason that there are so many legends spanning all of human history.
Perhaps it’s a connection to the divine feminine, the moon and the tides connecting us all, and the water as the womb of creation.
Perhaps it’s the longing to be released from the limitations of the human body, and the desire to weave through space and time as gracefully as a dolphin, free and unimpeded.
Perhaps Mermaids were created simply as a warning of the dangers lurking in dark waters, a reminder of our own mortality in the face of the vast ocean.
Or perhaps these fascinating creatures are in fact thriving somewhere under the waves, keeping their secrets and their claws where humans cannot find them unless summoned.
Despite their long history in humanity’s folklore, and even longer still, perhaps, before the written record, the legendary Mermaid remains as mysterious as the ocean herself.
However, it is prudent that one take away the knowledge that Mermaids could possibly be one of the ocean’s deadliest predators, and should be avoided if and when at all possible.”
Aziraphale shivered.
He gently put the book down, quietly padded over to his bed, and tucked himself under the covers.
He quickly drifted off to the sound of the ocean outside his window, his dreams filled with dark water.