Right! I was just about to say the same thing
The mermaids were mentioned in the early chapters and have been a recurring problem because they interfere with the boats.
I fr forgot about them
So did I
There are other fantasy creatures as well. I think they mentioned fairies though it could have been simething else, so you have that to look forward to as well. They wouldn't mention it if it wasn't going to be part of the story eventually.
I've always thought that this story would have fairies and elves in it, but for some reason I completely forgot about mermaids
That's understandable, mermaids aren't as commonly used in these kinds of stories as fairies and elves. Easier to forget.
THERE ARE MERMAIDS!?!?!?