It was early morning in Atlantica, and Ariel had just finished supper with her family, when Flounder rushed up to the girl. "Ariel!", he called; then, seeing the King was still close-by, the little fish whispered in her ear,"I saw Humans! In a little boat!"
Ariel's eyes lit up. "Where Flounder?!"
"Not far from Scuttle's nest", answered her friend. "I've never seen a little boat this far out before! You think they're lost?"
Ariel's expression turned from excitement to worry. "I hope not! It won't be long before dark! Can you take me to them?"
Flounder hesitated. "Well,...yeah. I guess so. I just don't want you gettin' into trouble with your father."
Ariel glanced by at Triton, who was still finishing up his seaweed tea. "If I get in trouble; it'll still be worth it: Those Humans might need help."
The girl swam out of the dining room, and Flounder followed, reluctantly, behind her.
As they surfaced near the boat, the sun was just starting to turn red, as it lowered on the horizon. Ariel looked in wonder at the little white boat; it was just big enough for one sail right in the middle. Then she saw the Humans! There were three of them: a man and a woman and a little girl. The girl looked to be only four or five. Ariel could see that the man was worried about something; the way he turned this way and that, as if unsure of what to do. The woman held her little girl tightly in her arms.
"Don't get too close!", urged Flounder, "They're gonna see you!"
"They're,...they're lost", whispered Ariel, almost to herself. "The man doesn't know which way to go. And the,...woman is holding the little girl,..."
"What can we do?", asked Flounder, anxiously.
"Which,..which way is land? It's that way; isn't it?" The girl pointed toward's Eric's kingdom.
"Uhh,..I think so", agreed Flounder.
The girl looked down at the little fish. "You stay here, Flounder." She dived under the water, then surfaced right next to the little boat!
As the family stared, open-mouthed, at the girl, Ariel pointed towards land. "Go that way! Your home is that way!" Without another word, the girl vanished under the waves.
Flounder was shaking with fright, as she returned. "How could you do that?! They saw you!"
Ariel smiled, slyly. "Aww,..Humans don't believe Merfolk are real! What harm will it do?" The girl peeked towards the boat. "Let's see if it did any good!" Ariel could see the man and woman talking urgently. Finally, the man turned the boat towards the direction Ariel had pointed, and the little boat sailed off.
Ariel grinned. "See! It did help! Now; let's get home before Daddy finds out I'm missing!"
The young mermaid was heading for her bedroom, when Arista came swimming up to her. "Father wants to see you, right away! And boy; does he look hot!"
Ariel tried to control the queasiness in her stomach, as she turned to her sister. "You don't know what,...it's about, do you?"
Arista smirked. "Knowing you; it could be anything."
Ariel rushed to the throne room. Her father was talking with Turbot; his captain. When the King saw her, he motioned, sternly, for her to approach.
"Repeat to the Princess what you just told me", he commanded the merman.
Turbot cleared his throat, "I saw Princess Ariel and Flounder swim up to the surface and approach a Human vessel."
Triton's angry eyes turned on the girl. "Ariel; Is this true?!"
"They,...they were lost, Daddy! I,...I had to help them!", stammered the girl.
Triton's face turned red, as he dismissed the captain and glared down at his daughter. "Where have I failed in teaching you about Humans?! How many times must I warn you to stay away from them!"
"But they needed help!" insisted the girl. "They had a little girl with them,... Her,...mother was holding her."
"The Human's foohardiness is no concern of ours!", thundered the King. "This constant disobediance must be stopped. As punishment, you will not be allowed to attend Pearl's party, next week. Perhaps that will encourage you to take my rules seriously!"
Ariel shuddered with pain and rushed out of the room, in tears. The King put his face in his hands and sighed.
Ariel lay on her bed and wept. How could Daddy be so cold? To let those Humans,...die out there! A mother and father with their little girl! Ariel could still see the woman holding her child. Her hand was on the little girl's hair; stroking it gently. Her mother was speaking to her; soothing her fears,... The child had looked up at her, and the fear had left that little face. Ariel had felt the emotion between them; had wanted to reach out and share that emotion,...
The girl stayed on her bed, until darkness fell over the ocean. When Ariel finally fell to sleep, that night, her dreams were laced with something she couldn't quite remember.
The next morning, Ariel didn't go to breakfast with her sisters. Instead; she wandered over to Flounder's home, which was closeby to the palace. The little fish was still eating breakfast with his family. Ariel waited, shyly, outside as they finished-up. She could hear Mrs. Guppy talking to her children: "Molly; finish your milk. That's a good girl! Wipe that seaweed cream off your mouth, Halibut. That's right,..."
Ariel smiled, as the mother guppy talked to her big family. She was so quiet and gentle and understanding! Why couldn't Daddy act like that?, thought the girl. The more she listened, the sadder she became. She felt her belly churning again,...like it had done the other night. Why did it do that? Ariel didn't understand what she was feeling. The girl swam off before Flounder had even finished; she suddenly wanted to be alone.
When Ariel returned to the palace, Arista was there with a big smile on her face. "Father wants to see you! And he's not happy,..."
"What else is new", snapped Ariel, as she turned her back on her sister.
Arista looked at the girl, with surprise. Ariel sounded,... so cold.
The mermaid swam into her father's study room, and he looked up at her with his bushy eyebrows. "Why weren't you at breakfast", he asked.
"I wasn't hungry", said Ariel, with a lifeless voice.
Triton could hear the change. "Are you sick, Dear?"
Ariel sighed. "No,...I'm not sick".
"Then you need to eat. I'll have Otto fix you some breakfast."
"I'm not hungry, Father", answered the girl.
Triton leaned back in his chair. "Oh. I see. You're pouting about yesterday. Do you know why I punished you?"
Ariel didn't answer.
"Do you know why I punished you?", repeated the King.
"Because I helped some Humans", answered the girl.
"No. I punished you because you disobeyed a very important rule."
The girl's eyes didn't look at him.
"If I made a rule", continued Triton, "that you must not stick your hand in a shark's mouth, would you think it was foolish?"
Ariel hesitated,...then nodded weakly.
"You'd think it was foolish because you already knew better. Well; I know that Humans are much more dangerous than sharks,...and if you knew as much as me, you wouldn't need my rules to stay away from them."
"Can I go now, Father?", sighed the girl.
Triton nodded, "But think about what I've said."
The girl fled her father's room.
Flounder caught up to her, as she was wandering aimlessly outside the palace. She was holding her belly. "Ariel! I've been looking all over for you! Why didn't you wait for me?"
"I,...I don't know", answered the girl.
"My mom wants you to come over for supper tonight! Think you can come?"
Ariel looked at the little fish, with a strange expression. "I,...I want to be alone, Flounder. Please."
"Are you okay?", asked the fish, as he touched her shoulder.
"Something,...is bothering me. I've got to find out what it is,..."
Flounder looked at her; puzzled. Uhh,...okay. So I guess I'll tell my mother that you're not coming, huh?"
"Your mother,...Tell her I'm not coming,..." The girl wandered away.
Flounder swam back to the palace to find the King. Something was wrong with Ariel!
As Triton was studying some papers, his daughter's face kept returning to his mind. Something was wrong! He laid the papers down on his clam-shell desk, and stroked his beard. There was something more to this,... The King was about to have Flounder summoned to him, when the little fish came darting into the room, in a cloud of bubbles.
He blushed immediately, and hung his head, "Sorry, Your Majesty, for disturbing you, Sir!", he blurted, "But it's about Ariel."
"What about Ariel?", asked Triton sharply; full of concern.
"Well,...she's been acting,...strange all morning. I'm worried about her."
Triton nodded. "That makes two of us. This all started after her little "adventure" with those Humans."
Flounder blushed even harder.
"I want you to tell me everything that happened, Flounder. All that you can remember."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ariel wandered, absent-mindedly, through the swimways of Atlantica; watching the Merfolk going about their business, with vacant eyes. There was a merwoman kissing her child goodbye, as he swam off to school. Ariel watched the little merboy swim off hurriedly; trailing his lunch-sack behind him. The merwoman watched him go, with a gentle light in her eyes. She loved him; Ariel could tell.
The girl's mind went back to Flounder. What had he said? His mother had wanted her to come to supper that night. Ariel remembered when she first met her dearest friend. He thought she was a big fish out to eat him! The first word she heard him say was "Mommie!!", as he bolted for a hiding-place. He must depend a lot on his mother. But he was still very young. Guppy #35! Ariel smiled, as she remembered her friend. Then she looked up, and saw that the merwoman had gone back inside. Ariel felt her belly knot-up. Why was it doing that?!
After Flounder had told everything he remembered of their encounter with the boat, he saw Triton's face grow pale. "What is it, Your Majesty?", he asked fearfully. "What's wrong with Ariel?"
The merman lowered his eyes. "Something that I've always feared might happen." The King shook his head,...then rose up. "We must find my little girl. She,...needs me now more than she ever has."
Ariel never noticed it when she swam past the last house in Atlantica. The girl just wandered among the corals and seaweed; as if she didn't even see them. She felt,...lonely. She felt empty inside. Something was,...gone.
The girl came upon a colony of oysters; they were all chatting noisely with each other, but stopped when they saw the girl. With frightened snaps, they all shut their shells tight; blowing a wave of bubbles over the girl. The little bubbles looked like pearls; like the oysters were blowing their pearls at her.
"Don't be frightened!", urged the girl, but the oysters stayed closed-up tight. "Don't be afraid", whispered the girl, as she wandered past them.
Pearls,...Pearl. "We were so worried about you, Pearl!" It was a woman's voice in Ariel's thoughts. Then she remembered: Pearl's mother had said that. When they had gone off to Eel-ectric City. And Pearl had said "You were?" She'd never known. Her mother had really loved her all that time. Ariel felt her belly cramp with pressure. This time it didn't stop. Tears welled-up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. The girl shook with weeping that ran through her whole body. She knelt down, alone and helpless, and cried.
Triton went through his city; asking everyone if they had seen his youngest daughter. That was how he learned that she had wandered away. The King stopped on the outskirts of Atlantica, then looked down at Flounder. "I'm sorry, Flounder. But you can't come, this time. We need to be,...alone."
Flounder gulped, and nodded. He didn't know what was wrong, but he could hear the seriousness in the King's voice.
Triton wandered, as Ariel had wandered. His heart held a pain that he knew he wouldn't be able to contain, when he saw his daughter again.
He found Ariel. She was sitting in front of a wall of coral; alone. She was looking at the sand. Triton's heart ached. She looked so small. "Ariel,...Dear?", he whispered.
The girl looked up at him; with an expression that almost broke his heart. "I,... I don't have a mother!" Her lip quivered and tears ran down her cheeks. "Daddy,..I don't have a mother!"
Triton took her in his arms and held her. "I know", he whispered.
The girl sobbed, helplessly; then she felt her father shudder. She looked up and saw that he was,...crying!
"I'm,...sorry,.." he sobbed. "I've tried the best I could,...but I know I can never replace your mother."
Ariel heard the pain in his voice,...and with it, came understanding. He had known! He had known what she was going through! He had tried so hard to be a good father to her; and make up for the mother who had been taken away from her. Overwelming love and understanding flooded into her heart. She hugged her father with all her might.
"I love you! I love you Daddy!"
Sebastian looked over the piece that the Princesses were going to sing; marking down which part each girl was best at. The high notes went to Ariel, of course, but he wasn't as sure about the others. The crab looked up at the Princesses, as they jabbered girl-talk. Where was Ariel? There she was: looking inside a nautilus-shell tuba!
"Child; just what are you doing?", asked the puzzled crab.
"What did you say, Sebastian?", answered the young mermaid; her voice echoing in the shell.
"Why do you have your head stuck in dat tuba?!" Her sisters giggled.
"I wanted to see the key-holes from the inside", answered the girl.
Sebastian shook his head. "I'm sorry I asked. Okay; get your head out of dere; it's time to practice."
The girl wiggled her beautiful red head out of the shell and swam back to her sisters.
The crab rustled his papers and looked at the girls. "You're gonna love dis piece: Lot's of variations! A big challenge!"
The girls groaned.
"Okay; Now where's my stick,..." The crab looked all over his music stand, but didn't see his baton. The girls giggled, as he crawled under the stand. "Now where is dat ting?!" He looked back up at the Princesses and frowned. "Okay. Which one of you is in serious trouble?"
All of the smiles disappeared, and the Princesses shook their heads. Ariel swam up to the little crab and helped him look around. "Are you sure you had it with you?", asked the girl.
"Of course I had it with me! I was practicing with it just dis morning!"
"How do you practice with a stick?", asked the mermaid.
Sebastian frowned. "You wave it around! All conductors got to learn to wave their sticks properly! The music sounds better dat way."
Ariel suppressed a grin, "I see,..."
The little crab looked in a fretful state, "Dat was my best baton! And now it's gone! Stolen!"
"Stolen?", asked the girl. "Why do you think it's stolen?"
"What else could have happened to it?!", demanded Sebastian. "A stick like dat just don't swim off!'
Ariel crossed her arms. "I don't know, Sebastian. Why would someone take just a stick? There's lot's of musical stuff in here; why didn't they take any of that?"
Sebastian paddled over to the music room's door. "Cause dat was a special stick; dat's why! Very valuable! Came off a yellow-bellied urchin. You know how many yellow-bellied urchins live around here?"
Ariel shrugged.
"If we aren't going to sing today, can we go home?", blurted Arista.
Sebastian pointed to her chair. "No! Sit back down, young Lady! You're disturbing the scene of the crime!" The crab examined the door. "Hmm. I had my stick, this morning,... Laid it on the stand,...Went to get a cup of hot chocolate,..."
"Maybe it's still on the stand", offered Ariel.
"Shush! I'm tinking! No one swam by me,... AH HAH!"
Ariel jumped in surprise. Sebastian raced to the music room's open window. "Dat's how they got out! Through the window!"
Ariel grinned, "A stick-snatcher on the loose!"
Sebastian frowned at her. "I remember now,... A young merboy swims by here every morning on his way to school. He sees my baton every day! Every day he stares at it,...wanting it,... He gets desperate,..."
"He sees you leave for your hot chocolate", continued Ariel, "swims through the window and snatches your stick! Sebastian; that's silly!"
The crab shook his claws. "No! It makes perfect sense! Desperate criminals tink like dat!"
Ariel smirked at the crab. "Okay, Mr. detective; what happened next?"
Sebastian looked out the window. "He can't do anything til he gets back home. He'll pass by the window again, and then we'll tail him!"
Ariel's eyes lit up. This was like an adventure! But she knew, in her heart, that it wouldn't be right to follow an innocent merboy home. "Well; you can follow him. I'm going home, after the singing lesson."
"But I need you to over-power his mob!", insisted the crab.
"Sebastian! He's just a little merboy! He doesn't have a mob!", laughed the girl.
"I guess I'll have to go alone, den,...", whispered the crab, "Into a pack of desperate criminals,..." The crab looked up at the girl with big, sad eyes. "I,... may not come back,.."
Ariel smiled and sighed, "All right, Sebastian. I'll come with you."
That afternoon, Sebastian and Ariel waited near the window for the "criminal." The crab's eyes narrowed, as the merboy passed by the window. "Dis is it! Time to bring dis desperado to justice!", he whispered.
Ariel giggled. "I just hope this isn't too embarressing for you."
Sebastian and the girl followed the boy through the city; the crab grabbed the girl and pulled her behind cover whenever the "criminal" looked their way.
Ariel blushed with embarressment. "This is so silly, Sebastian! He doesn't have your stick!"
"Is dat so?", demanded the crab. "Just look in his school-bag! What's dat stick sticking in dere?!"
"That's his pencil", smirked the girl.
"Oh,... Well; he's got it hid good; dat's all", answered the crab.
They followed the merboy to a little house nestled on a peaceful swimway. "Dis must be the criminal's hideout!", announced Sebastian. "De place must be full of stolen loot!"
The girl noticed a shell chariot parked next to the house; her eyes widened as she stared at it. "No! That couldn't be,..."
Sebastian noticed the chariot, too. "Look at dat! The whole mob must be inside! We can catch de whole gang!"
Ariel looked, worriedly, at the little crab. "I don't think you ought to do that, Sebastian,..."
But the crab went right up to the door and banged on it. "Open up in the name of de law!", he shouted.
The merboy opened the door and Sebastian barged inside. "Okay! Dis is a raid! Don't nobody,..."
King Triton was staring at him. "Sebastian! Just what is the meaning of this?!" The King was sitting in a chair; right in the living room!
Sebastian's mouth dropped, and he turned as white as a ghost crab. "Your,..Your Majesty!!"
Ariel came right in behind Sebastian and saw her father sitting with the Finley's. "Uh oh,.."
The King stood up and glared at the crab. "For your sake; I hope you have an explaination for barging in on us like this!'
Ariel swam forward and blushed. "Oh, Daddy! I,..forgot to kiss you goodbye this morning!" The girl hugged her father's neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Triton's anger dissolved; Ariel grabbed Sebastian by the claw and hustled him to the door. "Time to leave, Sebastian!", announced the girl, and she hot-finned it out.
The Finley's looked at the King, with puzzlement. Triton smiled weakly. "My advisor. He does,...strange things, sometimes,..."
When Ariel and Sebastian got back to the music room, the girl looked at him and smiled. "I hope that teaches you not to jump to conclusions."
Sebastian nodded, sadly. "I guess I did let my imagination swim away with me. But what happened to my stick?"
Ariel swam over to the music stand and looked through his papers. There it was; stuck between the pages!
Sebastian grinned, "My stick! Well,..What do you know about dat!"
Ariel sighed with relief.
Sebastian looked up at the girl and scratched his head. "You tink maybe you could follow me home? I lost my dental floss the other day and I've looked everywhere for it,..."
(NOTICE: This story has some scenes that may be too frightening for preschoolers. Use your own discretion.)
Everyone in Atlantica was shocked and worried, when the news spread of Triton's illness. Thousands of Merfolk waited outside the palace for any word from the family, of the King's health. Inside, the Princesses were all gathered around their father's bed, as the family's doctor examined the pale merman. No one looked more striken than Ariel. She stared, tensely, from her father to Doctor Cuttlefish; all-the-while holding onto her father's hand, tightly.
The doctor took off his tube-worm stethoscope and shook his head. "There's nothing more I can do", he said solomenly. "The sickness will just have to work itself out. Your father's going to have to fight it."
Ariel squeezed her father's finger. "Please fight it Daddy!", she whispered desperately.
The King smiled, weakly, up at his little girl. "I'm not going to leave you,.." he whispered.
Doctor Cuttlefish puts some arms around the girls, "Come on now. Let him get some rest." He looked at Ariel; tears glistened in her eyes. "Come on, Child. Let your Daddy get some sleep." He gently urged her away; she didn't want to let go of Triton's finger.
Outside the King's door, the doctor tried to calm the Princesses, "It will take time. He will be weak for several more days; he won't want to, but you must get him to eat. Give him seaweed soup and make him eat it."
The girls nodded. Aquata, the eldest, took the squid's arm. "Thank you, Doctor Cuttlefish. You've been so much help to us these past few days."
"I'll be by tomorrow, to see how he's doing", added the doctor. Aquata showed him out.
Ariel swam out to meet Flounder and Sebastian. She wiped her eyes and sniffed. "Daddy's still sick", she answered, despondently.
"But he's not worse?", asked the crab.
"No. He's still fighting it", answered the girl.
Sebastian smiled and patted the girl's shoulder. "Den he'll pull through! Nothing has ever beaten de King! Don't you worry now, Child."
Ariel smiled, with wet eyes. "Daddy's strong."
From outside, they could hear the crowd murmering; then the strong voice of Aquata rising over them all, "It's all right. The King is resting now. He'll be in bed a few more days, but there's no reason to fear. You can go home now."
From out of the crowd, a voice answered: old and shrill and mocking, "No reason to fear?! Heh! Heh! You don't know what you're talking about, little girl!"
The crowd was suddenly silent; Ariel wiped her eyes and looked outside. In the midst of the Merpeople was an old shriveled stranger. His head was bald; his nose was long and hooked, and his eyes were black, under bushy white eyebrows. It was he who had spoken. The merman raised a boney hand and pointed to the east. "There is the reason to fear! It knows, little girl! It knows!"
The crowd began to whisper, fearfully. Aquata raised her hands to calm them. "There's nothing to fear!", she cried, but Ariel heard something in her voice that chilled the little mermaid: Aquata was afraid!
"Go home and rest easy! The King will be back on his flukes by the week's end!"
"That will be too late", whispered the old man; then he disappeared into the crowd.
Ariel looked down at Sebastian. "What did the old man mean, Sebastian?" What's he talking about?"
Sebastian's eyes shifted away; uneasily. "It's nothing, Child. He's trying to scare us with ghosts."
Ariel's eyes darted from Sebastian, to across the court to Aquata. "You,...know something. Something you don't want to tell me."
Flounder gulped. "I don't want to know."
Sebastian shook his claws. "Dere's nothing to worry about. Just forget about it, Child."
Ariel swam back to her room, and sat down on her bed. She felt dizzy with confusion and worry. Her father was very sick; Aquata and Sebastian were afraid of something, and Ariel felt totally powerless to do anything to help. In her thoughts, she could see only her father; pale and weak; while the shrill voice of the stranger cried out "That will be too late!" What did he mean? What knew? And what did it know? Ariel rubbed her head, and let her worries drain from her. Nothing else mattered, right now, except getting her father better! The confusion left in a flood; Ariel knew where she belonged. She swam to her father's hallway, took a clamshell chair, and sat down outside his bedroom. She could hear his quiet breathing from inside; the slow steady sound calmed the girl as nothing else could.
Triton slept several hours. Ariel could hear him starting to stir, as Aquata came swimming up. "How's he doing?", she asked, quietly.
Ariel stood up and stretched. "He got some sleep. I'm going to fix him some soup."
Aquata nodded. "I'll watch him."
Ariel brought back some seaweed soup, and took it to the King. Triton looked up at it and grimaced. "Oh no. I can't eat a thing," he whispered.
"Oh yes, you can eat a thing," answered Ariel, "You're gonna eat this soup!"
Triton groaned. "Really, Dear. I can't keep anything down. Thank you, anyway."
Ariel sat down next to him. "Daddy,.. Do you remember when I had the chickenfish-pox? I felt really horrible and I didn't want to eat, and you know what you did?"
The King didn't seem to hear her.
Ariel propped her father's head up with a pillow. She took a spoonful of soup and put it against his lips. "Here's the little fishie, come home to his nest. Let me in! Let me in!" Ariel gently wiggled the spoon against his lips.
Triton's eyes went to his daughter's grinning face. He smiled and opened his mouth, as she gave him a spoonful. "Now; that wasn't so bad,...Was it? Now here comes another fishie,..."
When Triton had finished his soup, Ariel kissed his cheek and let him doze off again. She went back outside into the hallway, to Aquata. "He ate his soup."
Aquata smiled. "That's good news. Why don't you go get something to eat, too. You look tired."
Ariel nodded. "I feel better, now. I'm going to the kitchen; I'll be back in a little while." As Ariel was leaving, she looked back at her sister. "Aquata; What's coming from the east?"
Aquata turned pale. "You shouldn't think about such things," answered her sister.
"Why won't you tell me? Not knowing just makes it worse!"
"I'm the ruler until Father gets better", answered Aquata. "You let me do the worrying."
Ariel ate a little bit; then she swam off to find Sebastian,...and get some answers. Flounder joined her, as she swam to the crab's shell house. The little fish looked as worried as the girl, "Whatever it is; it's gonna be scary! I'll tell you that!", he moaned.
Sebastian sighed, when the girl asked him about the stranger. "I,...don't really know the truth. Just rumors."
Ariel bit her lip and rose up; resolutely. "Then, I'm gonna find that man, and ask him!"
Ariel swam off; with Flounder trailing, fearfully, behind her.
"Dat girl!", grumbled Sebastian, and he paddled to catch up to them.
After asking for directions, the three friends swam out to the outer-most edge of the city. One small dwelling stood at the deadend of a coral swimway; beyond it was only ocean.
Ariel went up to the door and knocked. It was a long time before the old man answered the door. His eyes were cast downward, and darted about; as if trying to avoid her eyes. His contenance now looked broken, as he mumbled, "Well,...I guess you're here to arrest me. Proud kingdom it is: knocking down an old man. I'm coming,..."
"We're not here to arrest you", soothed the girl. "I just,...wanted to talk to you. "
The old merman hesitated; as if puzzled. "Yeah. Sure. Come on in."
Ariel swam inside; with Flounder and Sebastian following. The merman offered them a seat, and then he sat down across from them; rather hopelessly; as if he didn't expect to feel joy again.
"My name's Ariel", offered the girl, "and this is Flounder and Sebastian."
The old man's eyes still would not look at anything but the floor. "Wrasse. The name's Wrasse", he offered at last.
"Do you live here all by yourself?", asked the concerned girl. She noticed that the room was sparsely furnished, and very untidy; as if nothing had been moved for years. A solitary window looked out past the city.
"Yeah. Just me. Look; What is it you want?" The man's eyes looked up at them now, and Ariel could see that they were not evil or hateful, afterall. Under those menacing bushy eyebrows, they looked tired and sad.
"I,...heard what you said today at the palace", stammered the girl.
Wrasse seemed not to hear the girl. His eyes wandered to the floor.
Sebastian cleared his throat. "There have been rumors in de city. A terrible danger coming to Atlantica."
Wrasse seemed to wince, but didn't say anything. His eyes darted briefly to the window; then he turned back to the crab. "So? Why ask me?"
"Well,...from what you said today", offered the girl.
Wrasse smiled. "You want to know what I know." The old man chuckled. "Okay. It won't do you any good, but I'll tell." The way that he said this made Ariel shiver. Wrasse got up and swam to the window. He stood there, silently looking out into the blue emptiness. He seemed lost in thought. Flounder nudged the crab in order to get him to say something. Then Wrasse spoke again.
"I've lived here all my life. I grew up here. I was a boy here." The man turned away from the window and swam back to them. "I was five years old when it came. Triton was a teenager." Wrasse suddenly took the girl by the arm and brought her to the window. Ariel stared, fearfully, at him.
The old merman smiled slyly, as he looked at the mermaid. "Look out there! You know what's out there?"
Ariel shook her head. Sebastian paddled to the window and looked out. "A bunch of nothing, it looks like to me", answered the crab.
"Many things. Things we've never seen before; thing that come only once in a lifetime. Some things we wish did not exist." Wrasse's voice was cold now, and Ariel felt fear as she looked out into the empty sea.
"It will come from that direction. It will come, as it came when I was a boy."
"What will come?", whispered the girl.
Wrasse left the window; with Sebastian following behind. Ariel seemed frozen in place, as she stared out into the hypnotizing blue. A blue that got darker and darker, as the ocean fell into the cold depths.
"Have you ever heard of the Kraken?", asked the merman, quietly.
"De Kraken? It's a story we tell de kids to make dem mind", answered the crab.
Flounder shivered. "The,...Kraken?"
Ariel came out of her trance and looked over at Wrasse. "The Kraken,...isn't real,...is it?"
"You have heard of it", said the merman, with a cold smile. "It's a story to keep the young ones in the nest, at night. Don't go out, or the Kraken will get you!" Wrasse chuckled.
"So you're telling us dat this Kraken is a real thing? Dis is what is coming? Come on, Mon! We aren't children here!"
"I,...am!", stuttered Flounder, fearfully.
"Ask Triton. He will tell you otherwise," said Wrasse, in a quiet voice. "It was his father who stopped it last time. Who will stop it now?"
Ariel hugged herself, with anxiety, "Daddy's sick."
At first, Sebastian was at a loss for words. Flounder looked nervously from his friends to Wrasse.
"Well, I suppose,...if dis ting is real,..."started Sebastian, "I guess Aquata will have to stop it."
Ariel looked, with shock, at the crab.
The old merman's smile disappeared. "That is my point. Aquata will have to stop it. I remember Triton's father. He was built like Triton. Strong. A sea-mountain of a merman. He barely had the strength to fight off the Kraken." Wrasse turned away from them, and returned to the window to look out. "It will be coming soon. There are legends. Ancient legends about when it could not be fought off. It took the women and the children. Enough to satisfy it's hunger. The kingdom survived."
The room fell silent. Ariel shuddered, tensely. Flounder seemed frozen with fear.
"I only wish that I had not lived to see it." Wrasse turned back to them, and Ariel saw the pain in his face. "Go tell Aquata. She might try to abandon Atlantica. The Kraken will find us anyway; however far we run."
Flounder looked terrified, but Ariel raised her head. "I,..I won't give up hope. This,..thing can be fought. It's not gonna hurt Atlantica; I won't let it!"
When Ariel returned to the palace, she swam straight to her father's bedroom. Andrina was watching over him now; giving Aquata a chance to rest. Ariel looked at her older sister, with concern on her face. "Has Daddy woke up yet?"
Andrina shook her head.
The little mermaid swam into the room, and sat down next to her father. Some of his color was back; Ariel took this with restrained joy. He was going to get better! She would stay right here, by his side, until he was well again!
That evening, Aquata returned to her father's room, and told Andrina that she would stay with him that night. Andrina nodded, "I think Ariel wants to stay too."
Aquata found her little sister sitting in a shell-chair, near to the bed. Triton was asleep. "You can go now, Ariel. I'll watch him tonight."
"I'm staying too", answered the girl. From the way she said this, Aquata knew that there was no room for argument. She sighed, and took some covers over to the girl. "You'll need these, then."
Ariel snuggled up in the covers. She looked up at her sister. "Do you think it will come? The Kraken; I mean?"
Aquata turned pale. "Who told you that?"
Ariel looked to the bedroom's open window. "I found out for myself. What are you going to do?"
Aquata sat down heavily. "You let me worry about that."
Ariel drew the covers around herself, and yawned. Before sleep took her, her last sight was of her sleeping father, and her sister; sitting next to him with her head bowed.
When Ariel woke, the next morning, she didn't know where she was. She was in,...a shell carriage! How did she get there? All of her sisters, except Aquata, were beside her; they were already awake. "What's,...what's going on?", she asked with sleepy eyes.
"We're leaving Atlantica!", blurted Arista. "It's Aquata's orders! Why in the sea would she do such a nutty thing?!"
"It's the Kraken," answered Alana, quietly.
Arista snorted, "The Kraken! The Kraken! What a bunch of nonsense! Leaving home cause of a nursery tale!"
Ariel quickly woke up, with shock. "Leaving Atlantica!? We can't do that! Where's Daddy?!"
"Aquata's staying with him", answered Adella. "Everyone's leaving except her, and Father. Do you think the Kraken is really coming? It's scary to think about!"
Ariel turned suddenly, and looked out of the carriage window; Captain Turbot was driving, and she could see lot's of merfolk all around them; carrying some of their belongs and all swimming together. Ariel swam out of the carriage, and two merguards immediately stopped her. "I've got to get back to Daddy!", she cried.
Turbot sighed. "Sorry Princess. But I'm under orders from Aquata. You've got to come with us."
"But Daddy needs me!", cried Ariel, desperately.
The guards gently took her arms and forced her back into the carriage. "Let me go!", cried the girl, but it was useless. The girl sat back down in the carriage, with a desperate look on her face. She wouldn't leave her father and her sister to face that thing by themselves! An idea suddenly came to her, and she turned to her sisters. "We've got to help Daddy!"
Arista shrugged. "Turbot won't let us."
"I have an idea", answered Ariel. "But it means you won't be able to come with us, Adella."
Adella nodded, "I'm,...kinda scared of going, anyway."
Ariel smiled. "Okay; this is what we'll do: Adella; you swim out the left door. Swim as fast and hard as you can! While the guards are chasing you, we'll sneak out the other door!"
Arista grinned. "Sounds good, Ariel! Let's do it!"
That morning, Sebastian heard the shocking news: Atlantica was being evacuated immediately. Wrasse's words came back to haunt him" "The Kraken will find us, anyway; however far we run." He paddeled urgently towards the palace.
Aquata barely glanced at the crab, as he entered the throne room. She looked as if she hadn't slept all night.
"Aquata!,..." Sebastian stopped. What could he say? He had no answer to their peril; nothing to offer. "Aquata,...Is there anything I can do?"
The young woman smiled warmly at the crab. "No, Sebastian. Thank you. Go tell Flounder and his family, if they haven't already heard. You're free to go anywhere you wish. The Merfolk are going north, under Turbot's command. Just don't go east."
"What about you?"
"I'm staying here, of course."
Sebastian wrung his claws with agitation; then fled the room.
Sebastian found Flounder's family already gone. Flounder floated outside his home, as if waiting for the crab.
"You heard too, huh?", asked Sebastian.
Flounder nodded, "Yeah. I guess we both thought the same thing. They took Ariel away, this morning. I just don't know what we can do to help Aquata and the King."
Sebastian rubbed his chin. "I know one ting we can do. We can go see what we're facing. We can go east."
When they reached the eastern section of the city, they found it was empty of any life. Not even a snail was left to face the unknown which was said to be coming. As Sebastian and Flounder passed the last house, they heard a chuckle.
"Going the wrong way, aren't you?", asked Wrasse, with an empty look in his eyes.
The crab swam up to him. "You should go. At least there's hope then", urged Sebastian.
Wrasse shook his head. "No hope is left. We can run or we can stay, but the result will be the same. At least, it's quieter here; I won't have to listen to the screaming."
Flounder shuddered. Wrasse was joined at his door by a solitary dolphin. The merman smiled down at it and petted his head. "A friend who turned-up today. I think he lost his family to,..it. He won't leave me now."
Sebastian turned away, and Flounder reluctantly followed. Wrasse watched them as they faced the deep. "Don't go that way. You don't want to see it", spoke the man, gently.
"I thought you didn't care", returned the crab, and he turned his back on the man. They left him there on his porch.
Flounder noticed the water was getting colder, as they swam down the dropping slope. It was deathly still and quiet; they saw no living thing other than sea-plants. Even the bright corals abandoned the silt-covered floor, as the sunlight lost it's power at this depth. Sebastian shivered. "I've been to nicer places", he grumbled.
The slope of the floor increased, until the friends felt like they were crawling down a hole in the sea. The water became twilight-blue, and so cold that Flounder felt himself growing sluggish and sleepy. Finally, they came to the end of light; as a drop as black as ink opened before them. Sebastian looked down into it. "Dis has to be the awfullest place in de ocean."
Flounder felt his tongue was frozen. He tried to swallow, and heard a low dull thump which had to be his heart.
"What's dat?", whispered the crab.
"What?", spoke the fish, at last.
"Don't you hear it? It's like a beating."
Flounder heard it now; the sound didn't come from him, but from the darkness ahead of them. It was a heart-beat.
Without saying a word, the two friends inched backwards, as the weird thumping grew louder. Into the darkness grew a pale white-green luminousness, which seemed to move back and forth. They watched it with terrified fascination; it was long, and seemed to be groping along with purpose.
Sebastian spoke, "Back." Flounder pulled his eyes away from the moving thing and looked at the crab. Sebastian grabbed his tail, and the fish knew what to do then. He swam back towards the light, as the dull thumping filled his ears. Sebastian was looking back, and saw more of the moving things in the darkness.
"Tenticles,..." he whispered.
Flounder started to look back, "What?"
"No. Don't look back", urged the crab. "You just swim!"
They were huge ropes of leathery rubber; covered with coarse hair and lined with rows of suckers. They were tenticles, but unlike anything the crab had ever seen before. The living ropes moved like sea-snakes; each sucker contracted as they touched the floor; a needle-sharp spine inside each sucker piercing the silt. Sebastian saw three, then five of the crawling things: they were huge; large enough to wrap around a whale or a sailing ship. Most terrifying to Sebastian was the lack of a body; he couldn't see anything in the darkness that they were attached to. Suddenly, he froze. He saw a shadow behind the crawling tenticles and knew that this was the horror that was after the merfolk. He didn't want to look, but he forced himself. The shadow was crawling into the twilight now. They could hear the thumping of it's giant heart and the slimy squishing of the groping tenticles; now terribly clear.
Sebastian looked up and up. There was a vague shape to the monster; tenticles radiated from either end of a vaguely longish body. Three enourmous appendages; segmented like a worm and ending in blunt, worn hooks, helped drag the ponderous bulk of the creature. Then Sebastian saw it's head, and he turned away, in horror.
"Swim faster, Flounder", he breathed. Flounder glanced back, and gasped with fright. It was as big as a mountain; tenticles were everywhere. Some were stalk-like; jointed, and ending in sharp hooks. Flounder could only look at the head: Out of the trunk of the body rose a segmented, worm-like neck. The head was long and crooked; the hooked mouth opened and closed sideways; with razor-sharp teeth lining each jaw. A single round eye looked out of the head; turning this way and that, as it searched for prey. Water pulsed out of a blow-hole at the top of it's head.
"It's gaining on us, Flounder. You've got to swim", urged Sebastian.
The little fish finally pulled his eyes away from the crawling horror, and looked at his friend. Memories of their friendship replaced the cloud od horror, and Flounder swam with renewed haste.
The mountain grew, and Sebastian turned pale when he saw the huge eye look down and see them. Immediately, the Kraken's jaws opened and shut with excitement; rattling like bones knocking together.
"What's that sound?", asked Flounder; trembling.
"You don't want to know! Just swim!", answered the crab.
The whole bulk of the thing quivered, as the jaws frothed with anticipation. It's prey could not escape now; they were too slow. The hairy tenticles wormed towards them; moving with horrible speed and purpose.
Flounder began to gasp. "I can't swim no more,..."
The crab let go of his fin. "Go on", urged Sebastian.
Flounder shuddered, "Not without you", and grabbed Sebastian's claw in his mouth. Closing his eyes, he started swimming again; waiting for the horrible suckers to reach them. Sebastian looked back and up. The grisly creature seemed right over them now; the jaws were clattering and the eye was looking down at them with ravenous delight.
"How did I let you get me into dis,.." Suddenly, Sebastian felt a jerk, and found himself moving very fast; a grey shadow was touching him. Looking up, he saw that Flounder's fin was held in the mouth of a dolphin. Flounder was still holding him, and all three were moving swiftly away from the darkness.
Flounder opened his eyes in amazement, and barely remembered not to open his mouth to gasp, as he saw their rescuer. It was the dolphin which Wrasse had taken in. The swift animal was swimming for all it was worth, as the towering Kraken tried to comprehend this turn of events.
Sebastian's sigh of relief shook his whole body. "Oh, Mon! Am I glad to see you, fella!"
A terrible shreek boomed out of the monster, as it saw it's helpless meal eluding it. Slavering with fury, they could hear the slimy scraping of it's body as it followed them.
"It ain't gonna stop at Atlantica, but maybe that'll slow it down a bit", gasped Sebastian. They were pulling away, but not by enough to suit the crab. The water turned warmer and brighter; the two friends knew that they had been rescued from death itself. The ghostly barreness was finally replaced with colorful plants and corals, as a familar structure rose up ahead.
The dolphin took them to Wrasse's house; the old man was still there.
"You sent him after us?", asked Sebastian, as they swam up.
Wrasse nodded. "I figured, if you two were that brave to face the thing, you didn't deserve to die down there."
"Tank you for the help, but let's not celebrate yet! Dat ting is right on our fins!"
Wrasse crossed his arms and looked across the street. "I'm not leaving if she's not."
They turned to see Aquata; all alone. She held the trident in both hands, as it glowed softly. Her face was turned towards the deep; from which a faint beating could now be heard.
Sebastian shook his head in his claw. "Dat silly girl is gonna get us all killed." He turned to Flounder. "I don't suppose you want to leave, either?"
"Not without you and Aquata", answered the fish. His voice was trembling, but resolute.
The crab smiled. "Okay, Flounder."
The first place Ariel went, when she got back, was to her father's room. Triton was sitting up in the bed; his face had more color than the girl had seen, in days. Ariel swam up to him and kissed him on the cheek. "And how's my favorite Daddy doing?", she asked.
Triton smiled. "I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks to you and Aquata."
Ariel felt of his forehead. "Have you eaten yet?"
"Aquata brought me some kelp soup, just a little while ago. She told me that she'd get you in here, if I didn't eat it, so,..."
Ariel grinned.
Triton's face turned puzzled. "By-the-way, Dear. I haven't seen Sebastian or any of my advisors lately; you wouldn't happen to know where they've gotten off to, would you?"
Ariel stammered, "Well,...I think Aquata sent them off,...on an errand." The girl suddenly heard a horrible roar in the distant. She started at the sound, but because of it's faintness, Triton hadn't heard it. Ariel's thoughts quickly jumped to her sister. She bent over and kissed her father's cheek. "I'll be back in a little while to check on you again."
The girl swam out into the hallway, where her other sisters were waiting. Arista shivered, "What was that horrible noise?" Ariel drew herself up and tried to find courage, "It's time to help Aquata."
Aquata felt the currents of water flowing through her hair. She wasn't tired or worried now; just alert. The pounding in the depths grew in intensity, and a deathly-white bulk began to take shape ahead. Slowly, it rose in height; arms twisting and snaking as it advanced upon the city of it's prey. Aquata felt suddenly helpless. This monstrosity was older than her; older than her father and grandfather and back into the very beginning of her people. How could she stop such age-old horror?
She could hear the sliding of it's body, now; the pressure-waves, as it's bulk jerked forward. A tall stalk rose out of the quivering bulk, and the young merwoman shuddered to see the head, as it twisted back and forth; searching. The enourmous round eye saw the city now, and the jaws began to clatter. Onward it came, and Aquata swallowed her fear at the size of it.
"Daddy. You've got to give me strength." The trident suddenly burst with light. Aquata studied the eager, towering horror, as it approached; trying to judge where to strike it first. One more spasm forward, and the head rose over the city; now was the time!
Golden fire burst from the trident and hit the Kraken full-on in the head. The beast didn't scream, but recoiled and stared down at the glowing shape, with angrily-snapping jaws. Aquata stiffened and let go another blast; raking across the Kraken's body. The jaws hissed, and four suckered tenticles rose up, menacingly, to crush the lightening. Aquata breathed heavily and blazed away at the twisting head with all her strength. The monster loomed up, and she saw, to her horror, that she could not stop it. The jaws were snapping down to her.
Hands suddenly grabbed onto the trident, and a fresh blast ripped out; forcing the head back again. Aquata turned to see Ariel holding on. Before she could speak, Arista and Andrina swam up and grabbed hold; then Alana and Attina.
Ariel grinned at her oldest sister, "We couldn't let you have all the fun!" They looked up and let go a terrific blast which sent the creature back a step. The trident glowed like a sun, and the next blast was answered with a bellow of pain from the monster. It's jaws clattered and frothed with fury, as the Kraken trembled in confusion. White-hot bolts scortched into the quivering bulk; the head tossed back and forth as it screamed.
Slowly, it backed away. Sebastian and Flounder were shouting with joy, but they were drowned-out by the searing cracks from the trident, and the monster's bellows. The Kraken moved as fast as it could, away from the pain; heaving it's huge bulk down, back into the black depths from which it had come.
The girls gave it a last bolt of fire, then dropped the trident and hugged each other with joy. Aquata's eyes were full of grateful tears, as her sisters shouted with triumph. Sebastian, Flounder, and Wrasse swam over to join the celebration.
Sebastian laughed, joyfully, "I knew it! You'd better not mess with Triton's daughters!Oh Mon! Dat sorry ting won't stop running til next week!"
Aquata smiled, joyfully. "Thank you! Thank all of you!"
Before the week was gone, King Triton was indeed up on his fins again. The first official act, after regaining his strength, was to visit a certain merman on the edge of the city. While Ariel, Sebastian, and Flounder looked on, the King presented Wrasse with a "Starfish of Honor award," for saving the lives of Sebastian and Flounder.
Ariel tried to keep from crying, when she saw the old man smile; with tears of happiness in his eyes. The dolphin, who had now become his companion, seemed to understand what was going on: he squeaked excitedly and rubbed against his friend. The old man turned to the girl; his voice trembling with emotion, "I'm,...glad I lived."
(NOTICE: This story has some scenes that may be too frightening for preschoolers. Use your own discretion.)
Morgan knocked gently on the chamber door; the Princess wasn't in a good mood that day. Typical for her, when she didn't get what she wanted.
"Yes!?", yelled an irritated voice.
"You called for me, Princess", answered the man.
"Come in, Morgan", answered the Princess. The man entered the young woman's study room; she was sitting in an armchair, with a book opened in her lap. Her dark eyes looked up at him with sullenness.
Morgan studied her features: she was a lovely woman; in her early twenties. She had a roundish face, dark hair, and a pert nose. If he hadn't known how cold-blooded she was, he would have taken a more personal interest in her.
"What are you staring at?", growled the Princess.
Morgan's eyes shot to the floor. "Sorry, Princess Helena."
Helena smiled, sarcastically, "If I didn't know you better, I would think you were flirting with me." The smile disappeared in a flash. "But I do know you. All you are after is power. That's why you stay around me: I know how to get it."
It was Morgan's turn to smile. "That you do; Princess."
Helena ran her finger along the book. "Do you know how long I've been widowed, Morgan?"
"I would say over a year, Princess. That fellow from Jaimaca."
Helena sucked her teeth. "Yes. Desmond. What a bore he was. But he owned half of that island.
"Which now belongs to you; thanks to his most unfortunate demise", noted Morgan, with a smile.
Helena frowned up at the man. Morgan was about thirty-five; a tall lithe man who reminded the Princess of an undertaker. He had a merciless heart and a keen mind. Sometimes, she felt he was too smart. "That's how rumors get started, Morgan. I loved that man. At least, for a couple of months."
"Like your first husband? In Europe?", asked the black-haired man.
Helena smirked. "Now he was a bore! Such the gentleman. Well; that's none of your business. My mind is on another Prince, at the moment."
"You don't mean Prince Eric? He got married last week. To a lovely little thing, from the accounts of it."
Helena glared up at Morgan. "You think I'm going to let his marriage to that tramp stop me? Accidents,...can happen, Morgan."
The man smiled coldly. "If I was Eric, I'd be ordering the casket right now."
Prince Eric thought that Ariel was more excited about his friends coming to visit than he was! The girl was busy; scampering about; helping Carlotta get the dinner ready for their guests. When she saw him smiling at her, the girl ran up and grinned up at him.
"What are you smiling at; you silly boy?" She tip-toed up and planted a big kiss on his lips.
Eric took her in his arms and looked down at her. "Acually; I'm kind of worried. The way you're running about makes me think you might be interested in one of my friends."
Ariel giggled and pulled away. "I think one man is more than enough to handle already!"
Eric laughed, and watched his wife run off to get the silverware.
That evening, Eric's guests arrived, in a carriage, to the palace's front gate. The Prince went out to welcome them.
The first one to bound out was David; a young baron from the old country who had come over in the ship with Eric. They had known each other since they were kids.
"Eric!", shouted the young man; and pounded him on the back. "Good to see you again! Where's that wife of your's? I can't wait to see her! Actually; I'd rather see a mug of brew, first. Long trip, you know."
Eric laughed. "That can be arranged."
Alfred stepped out next, and stretched. He was the oldest of the group: a rather quiet, dignifed man, and a true friend of not only Eric; but of his father before him. Alfred was only a Duke, but he actually owned a larger estate, back in Germany, than Eric's whole kingdom.
Eric shook the man's hand, warmly. "Alfred! Glad you could make it!"
"Long trip it was; but I wanted to see your bride", said the man with a smile. "Married for appearance or for personality?"
Eric laughed. "Both! Ariel is one-of-a-kind."
Daniel and Shawn stepped out, right behind the Duke. They were both military men, and had served with Eric during a skirmish with pirates, a few years before. Shawn was the younger of the two; eager for battle and almost reckless when the fighting was thickest. It was he who had saved the Prince's life, during a particulary fierce encounter aboard a pirate ship. Daniel had a much cooler head; and a keen intellect. Eric had seen this at once, and had put him in charge of directing the attacks.
Shawn came up and hugged Eric like a brother. "Where's Ariel?! I want to see her!"
Eric chuckled. "Hands off, Shawn. She's mine!"
Daniel shook Eric's hand, and smiled. "It's good to see you again, Eric. It was a pleasure serving under such a qualified commander.
Eric grinned; showing his dimples, "Heck; Dan: I was just sixteen years old! You did most of the commanding!"
David called from the palace's steps, "Hey! All that back-slapping is good and fine, but this bloke is thirsty!"
The group went into the palace; Eric led them to the dining room. Ariel was there to greet them, in a beautiful ballroom dress of white lace.
Daniel took off his hat; Alfred bowed, and Shawn blushed to the ears, as Eric introduced them to his bride. Ariel smiled, warmly, and led them to the dinner table.
Eric helped his young wife with her chair, and then sat down across from her; with his friends on either side.
"I must say that not in all Germany have we a charming girl like this", said Alfred.
"She's beautiful, Eric!", stuttered Shawn; then blushed at his boldness.
Ariel blushed too: She didn't know what to do, with all of these compliments.
Carlotta brought out the dinner plates, and the hungry men started in. David looked around for the meat, but didn't see any. "Hey,...Eric. Has it been a bad year for the livestock or something?"
Ariel's face paled, and her husband jumped in, "I've found that not eating meat keeps me in a better temper."
David laughed. "Then, by-all-means; let's keep it away from you!"
Daniel nodded to the girl. "Don't let David fool you. Eric has one of the noblest personalities I have ever come across. I've never known him to lose his temper at anything other than threat to his loved ones, treachery, or cowardice."
Alfred sipped his tea and spoke up, "Vegetarian I have been for a long time. It is healthier."
Ariel smiled. "I'm glad you are; Alfred. Eric has been really sweet and understanding about it too. He does everything he can to make me happy."
"So would I, Princess!", answered Shawn. "I've seen a lot of battles with your husband; and recovered a lot of treasure from pirates, but I think Eric has won the greatest treasure."
David smiled. "I think he's talking about you, Princess."
Ariel smiled, devilishly, at Shawn, "I think Eric might want to keep an eye on you; Shawn. You might steal me away!"
Eric chuckled. "Oh; I've got my eye on him, all right."
Daniel looked over at the Prince. "By-the-way; I was given a message from the Princess of Glowerhaven to give to you. She would be honored if you and your wife would come to visit her. She says she is anxious to meet the Princess."
Eric groaned. "Oh; I bet she is."
Ariel looked at her husband; in confusion. "What's wrong, Darling?"
Eric sighed. "Oh,...nothing. It's just that,...well; you'd have to meet Helena to know what I'm talking about. She isn't the most,...pleasent of people."
Ariel smirked at him. "That's not very nice. I'd like to meet her!"
David laughed. "I don't think Helena wants to see you, Princess, as much as she wants to see Eric."
Ariel's smile faded. "Ohhh. Then, maybe we should'nt go to see her."
"That would be a wise decision; I think", added Alfred.
Shawn laughed, "You know; the villagers in Glowerhaven say there's a monster living down in the depths of the castle. Helena is supposed to be keeping it as a pet!"
"Maybe they're talking about Morgan", sugguested David; then broke out in a grin. "I know, I know. That was cruel!"
Eric shrugged. "You might be right."
Ariel shot Eric a mean look, "Eric! Be nice now!"
The boy grinned. "Sorry! Sorry!"
Alfred nodded. "The King of the castle; we see who really is!" After dinner, the friends talked for a while, and then it was time to say goodbye. Eric and Ariel waved to them, as their carriage pulled away.
"You have some nice friends", said Ariel, with a smile.
Eric raised his eyebrows. "Oh really? Any one in particular?"
The girl giggled and slapped him playfully. "Silly!" She put her arms around the boy and squeezed against him. "I guess I'm gonna just have to show you who I love!"
Eric smiled; devilishly. "Goodie!"
It wasn't fifteen minutes after recieving Eric's decline at her invatation, when Helena's scribe had the misfortune to present his latest work to her. The Princess was a voracious reader, and kept the poor man constantly challenged to provide her with something original. The blondish, bearded man bowed before her and offered his papers.
Helena glared up at him. "Well? What is it, this time? An ogre? Or maybe a leprechaun?"
Jay could see that his life might, very well, be in jeopardy this time. The woman was as unpredictable as a weasel and as callous as an executioner. "You jest; your Highness", smiled the man. "I would never present you with such an unsophisticated story."
Helena rapped her fingers on the wood of her chair. "Yes. I know. You have me constantly searching through the dictionary for the words you've dragged out." Helena snapped out her arm and took the pages. She read a few lines and threw them back in his face. "This is garbage! I support you for doing this?! It's about time I introduced you to Beast."
Jay trembled at the name. "I beg your forgiveness, your Highness! Perhaps; if you point out the flawed sentences, I could correct them for you!"
"The whole work is flawed!", hissed the woman.
A man stepped from out of nowhere, and Helena started. It was Morgan. How that cursed man could move like a cat! "What do you want?!", growled Helena.
Morgan smiled; coldly. "I told your Majesty that Eric would refuse the invitation. However. I had already planned for that."
Helena's flushed face calmed. A smile crossed her lips. "That will be all; Jay. I'll read your story later,...it looks like a good one."
Jay suppressed a sigh of relief; bowed, and hurried out of the room.
"What do you have in mind; Morgan?", asked the Princess, with anticipation.
Carlotta entered the dining room, with a puzzled expression on her face. Ariel and Eric were still eating breakfast; the girl swallowed her little bite of toast and looked up at her friend. "What is it, Carlotta?"
"You can't find your sewing kit", guessed Eric.
"No; it's not that", answered the housekeeper. "There's a,...well,...he's on the front steps,..."
Eric and Ariel glanced at each other; in puzzlement.
"You just have to come and see", offered Carlotta.
They followed the woman to the palace's front door. Right outside; tied to a column, was a little grey pony. Ariel's eyes widened and she squealed with delight. In a flash, she was down the steps and hugging thr animal. "He's so cute!" , she squealed.
Carlotta looked at the boy. "Now; where do you suppose he came from?"
Eric shrugged. "Never seen it before. Doesn't look like any pony I've seen in the village."
Carlotta smiled, as she watched the girl stroking the pony. "I see one girl who's smitten by him!"
"Can we keep him, Eric?", asked Ariel. "Please?! Pretty please?!"
Eric nodded. "I'll even teach you to ride him!"
Ariel gasped with surprised delight. "All by myself?!" She patted the pony's head. "I'm calling him Stormy!"
Eric laughed. "He may not be able to live up to that name!" He looked over at Carlotta. "At least; I hope not!"
Ariel talked to the pony, "Don't listen to him,.. I know you can outrun that old mare he's got! I bet you're the fastest pony in the whole kingdom!"
Grimbsy went to the stables, to search out a saddle small enough to fit the pony, while Carlotta and Ariel made a trip to the village to pick out a pretty riding skirt. It wasn't long before everything was ready. Ariel came out, wearing a baby-blue and white oufit that accented her lovely figure; and a big happy grin.
Eric smiled, as he helped her up on the pony. "Now; I know you might be a little scared at first, but there's really nothing,..."
"GO!", hollered Ariel, and the pony took off under the girl's skillful handling. There wasn't much difference in a pony or a seahorse!
Eric's last view of the girl was of her sweet, grinning face; her beautiful red hair flowing in the wind, as she looked back at him.
Grim cracked a smile. "I think you should commence the pursuit immediately, if you ever expect to overtake the Princess."
Eric grinned at his elderly companion, and ran to his horse. "She doesn't know who she's dealing with! I've won the West Indie's Riding Contest two years running!" Eric jumped on his horse and brought it around.
"That is correct", answered Grimbsy. "But you never competed against her."
Ariel followed the trail that she and Eric always liked to take: it was a beautiful path through the country-side; with lot's of soft grass, tall trees, and clear little brooks. She looked back and saw that Eric was far behind her. She slowed the pony to let him rest a little, and let her love catch up.
She was just passing through a little grove of trees, when something caught her eye on either side of the trail. She never had a chance to cry out, before two men grabbed her and put a cloth around her mouth and eyes.
When Eric reached the grove, he found the pony; but his wife was nowhere to be seen. Thinking she was teasing him, the boy dismounted and began to search for her hiding-place. It was all too soon before Eric realized that Ariel wasn't there, and that something was terribly wrong.
Morgan's usually immaculate hair was considerably mussed-up, as he brought the captive before Princess Helena. Helena looked at the man, with amuzement. "Let a little girl like that get the better of you; Morgan?"
Ariel looked, sullenly, at the Princess, "He's hurting my arms!"
"I don't want the little vixen kicking me again", growled Morgan.
"Let her go, Morgan. She can't escape."
The man pushed Ariel away; the girl staggered and rubbed her arms where Morgan had gripped her.
"Why have you done this to me?", asked Ariel, in an angry, confused voice.
Helena smiled through her attractive lips. "I am Princess Helena. Recognize the name?"
Ariel's eyes widened. "Yes! I've heard of you! You invited Eric and me to your palace!"
"It would have saved me considerable trouble if you had accepted", returned Helena, in an irritated voice. "I've already spent more time on this than a tramp like you is worth. But; now that you are here, my plan can go forward."
"I,...don't understand", whispered Ariel. She was realizing now what a terrible place she was in.
"I wouldn't expect gutter-trash to understand", laughed Helena. "I'm surprised that you display any intelligence at all." The Princess smiled, jokingly at Morgan. "But those trained monkeys can act quite intelligent too; can they not, Morgan?"
The man nodded; nonchalantly.
"So,...you brought me here just to insult me?", asked Ariel, with a smirk.
Helena's smile changed to a heartless frown. "You little tramp. In a few days, I'll have you crawling on the floor like a dog. You are nothing. I wouldn't have even bothered with you, if not for the necessary deception of using you to get Eric."
"Eric? You stay away from him!", shouted Ariel.
Princess Helena leaned forward in her chair. "Let me make this clear, so that little mind of your's can understand: I'm going to marry Eric, within the week. All of his property will become mine. I will be the largest landholder in the West Indies."
Ariel's big beautiful eyes looked darkly at the Princess. Even with her hair in disarray, the girl shone with young loveliness. "You don't care about Eric. You just want his land."
Helena gave a short laugh. "See, Morgan! The monkey can learn! That's right, little girl. I want his money and power. And you're going to help me get it!"
Ariel raised her head; proudly. You'll never get to Eric from me."
Helena leaned back in her chair. She looked over at Morgan, to see if he realized how well she was playing the girl. The cursed man hadn't moved an inch, since she had started talking. He gave her the chills; sometimes!
Helena looked back at the girl. "Let me clue you in on your immediate future. In a few more days, you are going to die. I'm not going to describe to you just how this is going to be accomplished, except to say that it will be very slow and very painful."
Ariel shuddered. She could feel the death in this horrible woman's voice. "As,...long as Eric lives,...and knows that I love him", whispered the girl.
Helena scratched the back of her neck, "Yes,...well; That's the problem; you see. If you don't want Eric to wind up in a coffin beside you, you're going to have to convince him that you don't love him."
"You want me to,...say that?", whispered Ariel. Tears welled in her eyes.
Helena puckered her lips; heartlessly. "Eric has to want to marry me. Understand; pea-brain? You've got to convince your darling Eric that you've moved on to greener pastures. Or else,...", Helena drew her finger across her neck: "Kkkkeeek!! to darling Eric."
Ariel nodded to the woman. "I'll,...I'll do it", she whispered.
In the next passing days, Prince Eric walked the floor, with worry and frustration. He had hardly slept at all, during that time, despite the urgings of Carlotta and Grim. He paced the floor of the entrance hall; waiting for any word from his messangers about the search. Everyone capable, in the kingdom, were out looking for the girl. Now, another day had come, and still there was no trace of her.
Grimbsy laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. "They're doing all that they can do. You will be in no condition to help Ariel if you don't get some sleep! Come on now, my boy. I'll wake you if we hear anything."
Eric ran his hands through his hair. "I just don't understand it! It's like she just,...vanished! She can't swim very good yet,... What if she fell into,..." Eric swallowed in pain.
Grim took the boy and led him towards the bedroom door. "She'll be found safe. I can feel it. Now, get some sleep."
About mid-day, a strange messenger arrived at the front gate; requesting and audience with the Prince. Eric almost broke his neck getting his boots on, while racing down the stairs. "Yes?! Yes?! What is it?! Have you found her?!"
The messenger brought out a scroll and began to read: "Princess Helena has the pleasure of informing you that Princess Ariel is safe, and is currently residing at her castle in Glowerhaven. Due to unusual circumstances, the Princess is unwilling to leave at this time, and only a visit from you, in person, will suffice to resolve the matter."
Eric buckled his boots, as he shouted, "Grim! Get my horse ready! I'm leaving at once!"
When Eric arrived at Helena's palace, he was urshered into an exquisitly-decorated sitting room. Princess Helena entered, wearing a low-cut gown of red lace. "Eric! I'm so glad to see you again!" She spoke in a silky voice. "You don't know how much I've missed you."
Eric looked around; distracted. "Where's Ariel? Is she here?"
Helena's smile faded. "Eric,...I'm sorry to have to break this to you. But Ariel,...hasn't been truthful to you."
Eric's brow wrinkled. "What do you mean?"
Helena took Eric's hand and led him to a chair. She sat down across from him; still holding his hand. The boy was too worried to even notice.
"Eric,... Girls like this,... Ariel. They aren't what they seem. You shouldn't expect commoners to remain faithful."
"What are you talking about? Is Ariel here? I want to see her!"
Helena squeezed his hand and leaned closer; giving Eric a good view of her exposed skin, and the scent of her perfume. "I'm trying to tell you that,...this Ariel doesn't want to see you again."
Eric stood up quickly. "That's nonsense!"
"That's what she told me", defended Helena. "She said that she has grown tired of you; she has realized that she can't get what she wanted out of you, and so she is looking for some other rich man to marry."
Eric laughed. "You're mad! Ariel would never say such things!"
Helena stood up and looked him in the eye. "I would never lie to you, Eric. But if you won't believe me; then, perhaps you will accept it from her."
Helena walked over to a door and opened it. Ariel stumbled into the room; looking very weak and pale. Eric rushed forward to embrace the girl, but Helena blocked his way. "Hear her first", warned Helena.
"Ariel! Darling!", whispered the boy.
Ariel looked up at him, with red eyes. "I,...", she whispered. She could barely speak. "I,...don't,...love,...you." Her voice sounded lifeless.
Eric's smile froze on his face; his eyes filled with wildness. "Ariel!"
"I,...never,...loved,...you. I just,...used,...you,...to become,...human."
Eric held out his hand. "Ariel! I love you!"
Ariel bit her lower lip. "Please go away. I don't want to,...see you,...again."
From out of nowhere, Morgan was there to take Ariel's shoulders and lead her away.
Helena stepped in front Eric; blocking his sight of the girl with her face. "I'm sorry for hurting you, Eric,...Dear. But it was the only way. Forget her. She's not worth it."
Eric fell back into the chair, in a daze; running his hands through his hair. Helena was there; stroking his brow and trying to sooth him.
"I,...I can't believe it", whispered the boy.
"Forget that little monster", urged Helena, "I'm here, now."
Ariel staggered, lifelessly, through the corridor, as Morgan led her down into the castle's catacombs. Her heart felt like it had been torn out; shudders of pain ran through her body.
The tall man smiled. "You did a good job, Princess. Eric will live now; thanks to you."
Ariel looked up at the man guiding her; her big blue eyes weren't quite focused. "Eric is safe? Yes,... That's all that matters,... Eric is safe."
No sleep; added to the numbing revelation, was too much for the boy. Eric collapsed into the chair; with exhaustion. Helena thought it the perfect time to finish off the Princess; while her future husband rested. Everything was going wonderfully! Just like a book!
Morgan took the girl into an empty, torch-lit chamber of grey cobblestone. At the end of the room was a very deep gully, running along the far wall. It was about five feet wide and six feet deep ; with cold black water reaching about halfway up it's sides. There was a single chair placed near the gully; as well as a whip on a hook and some rusty levers on the wall. Ariel was too weak to notice that the gully ran through an enourmous hole in one wall, and that the hole was covered with iron bars.
Morgan released the girl; letting her collapse onto the floor, and sat down in the chair.
Eric was safe. Ariel's heart felt itself slowly healing. Eric wouldn't be fooled by that wicked woman. He would get away. If only,..if only he knew that she still,...loved him. That's what kept the tears in her eyes and the lump in her throat. That confused look that he had given her: that had almost killed her! She wanted him to know that she still loved him. That she would always love him.
"I love you, Eric," whispered the girl.
"Quiet", warned Morgan.
It wasn't long before Helena came prancing into the chamber: all smiles. "Well! Are we ready to meet Beast? He's really gonna love you, Ariel!" Helena looked at the man. "Pick her up", she commanded; her smile gone in a flash.
Morgan lifted the girl, like a feather. Helena studied her for a moment. "You know,...I like that hair. It's dyed; isn't it?"
Ariel looked, coldly, up at the woman. "Nooo,.." she slurred; with exhaustion.
"Really? Then, after you're dead, I'm going to make a wig out of it. You don't mind; do you?' Helena giggled.
Helena walked to the edge of the gully. "You know; there are rumors that you were once a mermaid! Isn't that silly? She looked back at the girl.
Ariel didn't reply. Morgan had to hold her to keep her from collapsing.
Helena returned her attention to the gully. "Anyway,...if it was true; then Beast might even know you! Wouldn't that be a nice reunion?" Helena giggled. "But, most likely; he'll be too busy eating you, to notice."
Helena's smile disappeared, and she pointed to the gully. Morgan dumped the girl into it; Ariel came up, sputtering. The dark, cold water covered her to the waist.
Morgan started towards the door; Helena laughed at him. "Why,..Morgan! Getting cold feet?"
"I don't want to watch", answered the man, and he left the room.
Helena sat down in the chair, and grinned down at Ariel. "But I do!", she giggled.
Ariel looked up at her; the girl's long red hair hung down; dripping wet. "Why,..do you,..hate me so much. I never hurt you."
Helena frowned death. "But you did hurt me. I wanted Eric and you took him away from me. I always get what I want."
Ariel swayed with weakness, "Please don't,...hurt Eric. Let,..him go."
The woman smile flashed back on. "Oh; Don't worry about Eric. I'll take good care of him."
Helena walked over to the wall and raised one of the levers. With a groan, the bars began to raise over the dark hole. Something slithered in it's darkness.
Prince Eric was awakened by a hand shaking his shoulder. He looked into the face of a stranger.
"I'm sorry that I woke you,...but the way you were laid out like that,... I thought you were deathly ill or something something." Jay watched, as the young man buried his face in his hands.
"Ariel!! It's madness! It's a nightmare!""
Jay raised up and nodded. "Madness. Yes. I can believe it, around here. I you had any sense, you'd be heading for the door right now."
Eric stared, dumbly, up at the man. "Who,..are you?"
"The name's Jay. I'm Helena's royal scribe. Though; I don't know for how much longer. She keeps threatening to feed me to Beast."
Eric's eyes sank back to the floor; in despair.
Jay looked down at the boy. "You didn't know she kept a monster in the catacombs; did you? I've never seen it, but I've heard about it. Wonderful woman. They can't even get servants to stay here; they dragged in a new girl, just a few days ago. Had the prettiest red hair,.."
Eric's wild eyes shot up to the man. "What?!"
Jay stared at him, in confusion. "Uhh. I said she had red hair. Long red hair. She sure was a pretty little thing,..."
Eric jumped up; shocking the scribe with it's suddeness, and grabbed the man's shoulders "Where are these catacombs?! Can you show me the way?!"
Jay nodded, "Sure,...sure! Take it easy! I'll show you."
Eric flew down the steps, and saw a shadow at the bottom. It was Morgan.
"You are not allowed down here", commanded Morgan. "Go back upstairs."
Eric gnashed his teeth and drew his sword. "Get out of my way."
Morgan smiled; coldly. "It appears that I'll be ordering two coffins." The man drew his own sword. "Insolent child! I'm the finest swordsman in Glowerhaven."
Eric advanced on the man. "That's because I don't live here."
Helena grabbed the whip and cracked it in the air. "Come on out, Beast! It's Din-Din!"
Ariel looked from the woman, to the shadowy hole. She shivered with cold and exhaustion. From out of the darkness slithered a huge blob of pale flesh; tenticles groped out, and Ariel gasped in horror.
It was a giant squid. Not as large as many the girl had seen as a mermaid, but quite large enough to overpower the poor girl. But Ariel had not cried out from fear,...but from compassion and pity. The creature looked terribly abused and mistreated. Half-starved. One of it's eyes had been put out. Whip scars covered it's shriveled body.
"What have you,...done to him?!", cried Ariel. Tears welled in her eyes.
Helena smiled, coldly, and whipped the squid across it's head.
Ariel turned her tired, angry eyes on the Princess. "The,...villagers say,...there's a monster in the castle,..and they're right! But it's not this poor creature,....it's you!"
Helena cracked her whip. "Eat her."
The squid's eye turned on Ariel and it's tenticles began to wrap around her body. Slowly; it drew her in. Ariel didn't struggle: she didn't feel terror or panic; just over-whelming pity for the tortured animal.
Helena smiled. "Let's see how compassionate you are for the poor creature while it's sucking out your entrails."
The squid's beak began to snap, and Helena leaned forward, with eyes wide with eagerness. "It usually goes for the belly first,..."
Ariel was almost to it's mouth. She reached out and touched the animal. Gently, she stroked it. "Poor thing", she whispered. The girl seemed as if she was totally unaware that she was about to be eaten.
The squid's eye looked down at her, and felt the girl stroking it. It paused; confused. It's food had never done this before. Always, they would pound on it's body, or scratch at it. This felt,...soothing. The girl's sweet voice reached deep into the creature's memory. To a time when it knew,..kindness.
Helena frowned, as her "monster" failed to tear into the girl. "What are you waiting for, idiot?!" She lashed the creature across the head.
Ariel glared up at her, "Stop it!! You monster!"
The squid felt the love that Ariel was giving to it, through her caresses. It's tenticles unwrapped from her body.
Helena flayed at the creature with her whip; her face was red with anger. "Moron!! Eat her!! Eat her!!"
A tenticle shot out and grabbed Helena's ankle. The woman shreeked and pulled free. She beat the squid in a frenzy; driving it back into it's hole, as an exhausted Ariel shrank away from the sight. The Princess lowered the bars again, and dropped her whip.
Stooping down, she grabbed Ariel's arms and dragged her out of the gully. In a flash, she turned the girl on her back and straddled her. Helena was a foot taller than the exhausted girl, and much stronger. Ariel was too weak to struggle; her arms just lay at her sides, as Helena began to strangle her.
"LIttle tramp!", hissed Helena, "I'll kill you myself!"
Suddenly, strong hands grabbed Helena's arms and threw her off the girl. Ariel's blurry eyes opened, to see Eric bending over her.
"Eric", she whispered.
The boy looked down at her, with tenderness. "You're safe now."
Ariel's arms reached out and she clung to him. "Eric,..Eric,..", she sobbed.
Eric helped the girl to her feet; she still clung to him; her arms reaching up his back, in a passionate embrace. "I love you,..I love you,..", cried the girl; her body shuddering with emotion. She closed her eyes and nestled her head against his chest.
"I never doubted it", answered the boy; gently.
Helena snickered in a corner, "What a touching scene."
Ariel slurred her words, from her weakness, "I didn't,..mean what,..I said."
"I know", answered the boy.
Ariel raised her head and puckered her lips; Eric bent down to recieve her anxious kiss. She kissed him for as long as her exhaustion would allow. Then she fell back into his arms. "No matter,...what happens", she whispered, "remember that I'll always,..love you." The girl hugged him again, then looked at the gully.
"I've,...got to help that,..poor thing." Ariel stumbled to the levers; Eric quickly followed, to support her. The girl threw a lever, and the iron bars raised. She threw another; and they heard a rusty clanking. Bright light poured out of the hole; as the outer door to freedom was finally opened.
Instead of fleeing, the squid crawled into the gully, once more. With it's eye on Ariel, it reached out a tenticle and gently touched her. The girl stroked the animal, with tenderness.
"I,..I know that you've done,..bad things,..in the past," started the girl, "but that's behind you. You be good now."
At last, the squid reluctantly withdrew it's arm, and swam through the whole to freedom.
Eric lifted the girl into his arms; Ariel wrapped her arms around his neck and lay her head against him.
Helena chuckled, as they walked to the door. "You haven't beaten me! ", she snickered. "I'll squash your kingdom like a bug!"
Eric looked down at her. "No you won't. After I tell the other rulers what you've been doing here; you won't even have a kingdom."
Eric turned his back on the woman, and carried Ariel back into the sunshine.
THE LITTLE MERMAID (FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE)
That evening, Ariel and Flounder snuck out of the palace to explore a just-discovered shipwreck. The little mermaid didn't mention it to her father because, as-of-late, he had been more disapproving of her explorations. Any mention of Humans would send Triton into a rage, so Ariel felt that the less he knew, the better. It was getting harder to stop the girl, too; she had just turned sixteen and was increasingly curious about the Human world. Her obsession had even reached the point where she actually wanted to join the Human world; and that news definitely needed to be kept from her father. In her haste to visit the new spot and search out Human knick-knacks, Ariel entirely forgot that she was to give her singing debut in front of all of Atlantica that evening. It was an over-sight which would change her life forever.
Flounder gazed about him with increasing worry; they had never been out searching this far before. To make matters worse, they were nearing land occupied by Humans! "Uh,...Ariel. We're getting really far from Atlantica,...", stammered the fish.
Ariel smiled. "Don't worry; we're almost there!"
"But you said that five minutes ago", protested Flounder.
"Well; we're really almost there, this time!", assured the mermaid.
"I wish Humans would drop stuff closer to the palace", sighed the fish.
Everything had gone flawlessly. Sebastian had conducted wonderfully; his daughters had sang with skill and grace, and the stage was set for Ariel's beautiful voice. Then the shell opened and,...no Ariel!
"Ariel!!", roared the King. Sebastian threw his claws up with shock and the whole orchestra ground to a halt. For a second, no one spoke. Then a furious din echoed through the concert hall, as every citizen in Atlantica started talking at once.
The crab knew he had to do something, so he started up the orchestra again. With scattered confusion, the various notes eventually became music. The six Princesses looked at him with gaping mouths: unsure of what to do. Sebastian pointed to Aquata, "You got Ariel's part!", he spoke firmly. Aquata floated, dumbly, for a second, then caught up the melody and began to sing. The turmoil in the audience subsided, as the other girls took up the chorus to Aquata's strengthening voice. After a few lines, things returned, more-or-less, to normal.
Only Triton sat fuming; still furious over Ariel's absence. She had had three months to rehearse! Sebastian had said she was doing wonderfully,... What had gone wrong? Why wasn't she here?! Was she afraid? Triton shook his head. No; she wasn't afraid of anything! Then he knew: she had forgotten about it! Three months of work and she had forgotten about it! That child would have turned his hair white,..if she hadn't already done it!
Triton argued to himself whether he should leave now and punish her, or wait until the concert was over. No. It wouldn't be fair to his other daughters to leave now. And Aquata was doing a marvelous job in Ariel's place. Triton tried to listen to her singing and forget, for a moment, his wayward youngest daughter.
Prince Eric loved the sea; so it was no surprise that he celebrated his eighteenth birthday aboard the largest vessel in his fleet, or that the gusets at his party were all sailors he had known many years. The only non-sailor present was his guardian, Sir Grimbsy. No young ladies joined in the festivities, and this did not go unnoticed by Grimbsy; who felt that it was high-time that the young man paid less attention to the ocean and more to the fairer sex.
Grim kept his worries to himself, for now. The celebration had just begun, and he didn't want to spoil the boy's boisterous mood. Eric walked over to him, with a tankard of rum. "Here Grim!", offered the lad, "This'll drive your sea-sickness away!"
Grim shook his head. "On the contrary, Eric. My temporary respite would end immediately upon one sip of that odious substance."
The boy laughed. "But this is what sailors drink! You can't be a sailor without joining in!"
Grim shook his hand at the rum. "I will refrain from the ceremony and remain a mere gentleman."
Max came bounding up, and Eric offered the rum to him, too. "How about you, Max? Wanna be a sailor?"
The dog took a sniff and backed away; much to the boy's amusement. "Ahh; the sailing life is a lonely one!", laughed Eric.
"My thoughts exactly", declared the older man.
Eric laughed off the statement and patted Grimbsy on the back. "Well; if you won't drink, at least come join in the music!"
Grimbsy followed the young man onto the deck, where the sailors had started up a tune. "I will participate by listening", offered the man.
Eric nodded. "Good enough! Now; where's my fife?" The boy reached over into his duffel-bag and pulled out the instrument; then joined in the old sailing tune.
Grim had to smile. Eric got so much enjoyment out of the seafaring world; if only he would take as much interest in a woman! Just the previous evening, Grimbsy had invited the Princess of Glowerhaven to dinner at the palace; along with Sir Morgan; her counsellor. Princess Helena would make a perfect Queen; she had been raised and educated in England, where she had aquired a sterling mind and a cunning wit. The Princess had learned Latin by seven, and could quote Plato from memory. As to physical charms; Helena was the envy of the Carribbean; with long black locks and a buxom figure which effected some much-deserved vanity on her part. Her personality matched her other characteristics perfectly: she kept a noble, distinguished pride; never speaking without careful determination of validity, and always impressing anyone with whom she felt was intelligent enough to carry on a conversation. She was, it must be stated, a little,...cool. She certainly did not wear her emotions on her sleeve, but that was only in keeping with her status as a Princess. A Princess simply did not go around behaving like a village washing-girl. Helena would make a stout, perfectly conventional Queen; and yet, all during the evening, Eric had hardly spoken three words to her! All of his attention had focused on Morgan, and their West Indies shipping interests! Grimbsy knew what the problem was: Eric had been around Princesses, and their formal ways, all of his life and he was bored with them. The boy was looking for a "dream girl" now; a Princess who acted unconventionally. Eric failed to understand that the two were incompatible, and that his search for such a girl was hopeless. Grim had even resigned himself to the possiblity that Eric might select a bride outside royal blood, in his quest for someone "different". If Eric's happiness hinged on this, then Grimbsy was willing to accept it. He loved the boy like his own son, and only wanted what was best for him. Whatever the Prince decided, however, he needed to decide soon.
That evening, King Triton waited, in vain, for his youngest daughter to join her sisters at the dinner table. The girls exchanged knowing glances; Ariel was in hot water again. The King took a bite of kelp picadillo, then looked at his eldest daughter. "You did a wonderful job, tonight, Aquata."
The young merwoman smiled with satisfaction. "Thank you, Father. I wouldn't be too angry with Ariel; she's had a lot on her mind, lately."
Triton growled, "That is obvious from the fact that she totally forgot about the concert!"
"She's turned sixteen, Father. She's growing up", offered Aquata.
"She was occupied in a more childish pursuit", continued Triton; "Exploring shipwrecks and visiting the surface, against my wishes."
Arista snickered; then went instantly silent after catching her father's attention.
"You have something to say, Arista?"
The girl wiped her hands with her napkin and smiled. "Well; Father. That's just typical Ariel: she's always disobeying you when it comes to her "adventuring"".
Triton nodded. "That's certainly true. I was hoping that the child would have dropped her curious nature by now; now that she is becoming a young lady."
Aquata shook her head. "I'm sorry to disagree, Father; but I think that Ariel has changed. She's more serious now. There's something on her mind that's been growing for a long time."
Triton raised an eyebrow. "And what do you think it is?"
"I,...I don't know. But to affect Ariel like that; it must be,... Well; it must be serious. Ariel is a deep thinker."
Triton sighed. "Yes. Too deep. If she would only get out of that daydream world, and turn to more practical matters!"
"You know her nature, Father", added Aquata. "That spirit of her's."
Triton nodded. "Yes. That stubborn, unreasonable spirit." The King smiled. "Just like mine."
After supper, the King swam to his bedroom. Should he talk to Ariel now? No. Let them both sleep on it. They would be more civil with each other, in the morning. Triton heard a crash of thunder; far above Atlantica. A storm was coming for those who lived above the waves. A hurricane, by the sound of it. A concern for Humans,...but not for his world.
Ariel dragged Eric onto the beach, with failing strength. The storm had worn the poor girl out, and she could only lay there; gasping for a time, on the sand. Rain and wind stung the mermaid, but she shielded the boy as best she could from the weather's wraith. Where were Flounder and Sebastian? As tired as she was, the girl looked, with anguish, all around for her beloved friends, but could see nothing in the terrible blackness. They must havre stayed below, where it was safe, she reassured herself.
The wind and the rain died down to an eerie calm, and the girl took her first, calming breath. She looked to the vague form next to her, and a strange feeling ran through the girl. The touch of this unknown creature; hard and unmoving; brought sensations Ariel had never known. There; in the quiet darkness of the beach; alone, except for the moon and this Human, Ariel felt love awaken in her heart. It made the girl light-headed. Her stomach grew queezy with her confusion. But overpowering all was a wave of excitement and joy. Such a feeling, Ariel had never know before, and it intoxicated the girl. To lay beside this Human, on this beach, on this night, gave her more pleasure than she had ever known. Just to be close to him made her heart race; the feelings coursing through her body scared the girl, but she never wanted it to end. Was this,...love? Was this what she had been told about for so long? Not the love for parent or sisters; but love for,..a man. And this was a Human! Did she love,..a Human? Ariel shook her head, in confusion. It didn't matter what it was. All she knew was that she would stay beside this Human; she would not leave him.
During this harrowing night, Sebastian and Flounder fought off exhaustion to search for the girl. Although the two friends surfaced many times, fighting the storm-tossed waves, they never knew that Ariel had rescued a Human, or that she had brought him back to land. After hours of searching in vain, the little fish and crab were forced to take some needed rest in the safety of a seaweed bed. In the twilight before morning, they began their search anew. They were exhausted, once more, before the tide washed them upon the beach; just as Ariel was singing her feelings of love for Eric.
Triton decided not to wait for breakfast to speak with his youngest daughter; he would go to the Princesses' dressing room. He had argued with Ariel many times before, but Aquata's words the other day had given him a troubled mind. If Ariel did have some serious problem that she was thinking about, then he would do his best to help her with it.
After planting a sea-flower in her father's hair, Ariel swam out of the dressing room in a daze. Everything around her glowed with a radiance she had never known before. Everyone; from the noblest kingfish to the homeliest sea-slug, got a dreamy "Good morning!" form the girl. No one got to speak with her, however, before Ariel was wandering on in her bliss. She needed some connection with her love; something to bring back the rapture she had felt lying beside him on the beach. Flounder! That was it! He was there with them! Ariel rushed off to find her little friend. The mermaid found the yellow and blue fish talking to an octopus. The octopus seemed excited about something that he had discovered, but all that Ariel was interested in did not live in her world.
Flounder grinned, as his best friend came swimming up. "Ariel! Guess what Otto found!"
The girl didn't seem to hear him. "Come on, Flounder!", she spoke in a dreamy voice. "You've got to come! Please?!"
Flounder said goodbye to Otto and nodded, happily, to the mermaid.
Ariel took the fish by the fin and swirled along; twirling with the ectasy that filled her senses.
"Tell me about Eric", she begged.
Flounder puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Tell me about him,... What did he look like? How did he sound?", urged the girl.
Flounder scratched his head. "Well,...I guess he looked like any other human,.."
"Oh no! He was so,...handsome! What color was his hair?"
"Black; I think", answered the little fish.
Ariel smiled and sighed. "It was the most beautiful hair; soft and thick. Cute waves. Tell me about his eyes,.."
"I don't remember", admitted Flounder.
"They were blue. Pale blue; like the shimmering light of the sun through the water on a clear summer day. He looked at me with those eyes and my heart just pounded!"
"He had big feet", remembered Flounder.
"His arms were so strong and firm", sighed the girl, "but kept a tender gentleness at the same time."
"Maybe Humans need big feet to keep from falling over," mused the fish.
"Did you see his chest? It was so broad,...so strong,..." The girl wrapped her arms around herself. "To be held by him,... It would be like a dream come true!"
"He was still wobbly; even with big feet", noted Flounder.
"His voice was deep; full of strength. But he spoke gently; with kindness. I,...I couldn't catch his words, but,...I think he was talking about me! Do,..do you think he wants to see me again, too?"
Flounder shrugged. "Well,...maybe. He was, kind-of looking towards the water."
"Yeah! He was; wasn't he?! He wants to see me again! I just know it! Oh, Flounder! He wants to be with me too! Do you think,...he feels like I do? All trembling inside?"
"Maybe that's why he was wobbly", agreed Flounder. "But he's a Human, Ariel! What difference does it make if he likes you? He can't live in the sea."
Ariel seemed not to hear. "He likes me! I,..I can't think! I feel goosefish-bumpy all over!"
Flounder shook his head. He couldn't talk to her now; she was in love."
"Eric. Eric", whispered the girl; dreamily. Without another word; she wandered away; in a daze.
Her fish friend shook his head. Girls could be so silly! Then he remembered Otto's news about finding that statue, and got a neat idea. With a little help, he'd move it to Ariel's grotto! What a surprise it would be!"
Eric had lost his finest ship, but he had totally forgotten it by mid-morning. All he could think about was the mysterious girl who had saved him from drowning. Her beautiful singing filled his head; never had the Prince heard a voice so sweet and alluring. Why had she run away? Had Max frightened her? Did she live in the village? Where was she now? He had to find out! This girl had saved his life,.. And that singing,... If only the sun hadn't been in his eyes; he would have recognized her! He would search the village immediately! He had to find that girl!
Ariel swam around with a dreamy shine in her eyes. She watched, in wonderment, a school of iridescent fish pass overhead; breaking the sun's rays into a thousand sparks of color. She had seen this countless times before, but it had never touched her emotions as it did now. The sun was the source of all beauty, thought the girl. It might be shining down on Eric, at that very moment! If only she could be the sun, and look down upon her love again! She longed just to see him again; to touch his hair. He was out there, somewhere, but she didn't know where to start looking. How could she find him again? There had to be a way!
The girl wandered back to the palace and found herself in her bedroom. As she lay on her bed, Ariel thought about all her life, and how it had so suddenly changed forever. She had always looked beyond her home; longing for something. To explore; to find a new adventure, had occupied her dreams for many years. And then came the day when she was told about Humans; how her curiousity had blossomed towards them! They lived in a different world, and they shaped and molded it into endless variations. Their minds were as eager as her's; always busy creating some new thing that helped them in their life. Ariel had collected these "thingamabobs" with a joy that no one else could understand. Here was a link to that new world, and the girl spent countless hours trying to unravel it's mysteries. Her Human treasure lead her, always, to Humans, themselves. What were they like? Did they live and think and dream as she did? Did they have families: brothers, sisters, mother and father? Did they love their mates as merfolk did? Every new day brought a new question. Her father warned her that Humans were evil; a scourge to all that lived in the sea. Some, she had found, were bad. But some were just as kind, compassionate, and brave as her father had ever been. They looked different from Merfolk, but Humans and Merfolk were akin. They weren't monsters,...they were just people like her.
And then, she had seen Eric. Now she knew what she had been searching for, all those years. Now she knew why she had been so curious and dreaming, and why Humans had filled her life for so long. It was for Eric! It was for the man that she loved. With tears in her eyes and joy in her heart, Ariel knew that she was meant to be with this Human. They were meant to be man and wife.
After Triton's breakfast, he went back to his bedroom and took up the picture of his wife. He smiled; a warm gentle smile, at the only woman that he had ever loved.
"Aria; Dear. Little Ariel has become a woman. She's in love with someone in the kingdom. I haven't found out who it is yet, but I'm going to ask Sebastian about it; he's been keeping an eye on her. Our little girl has grown up! No more wandering off; no more Human nonsense. She's finally becoming a responsible young lady."
The King put down his wife's picture, and smiled, wistfully. "Of course; I think I'll miss her mischief and daydreaming,...but I'm sure she'll be happy with some stabilty in her life, at last. She reminds me, more and more, of you: your sweet, loving nature. She's going to make a lucky merman very happy."
Ariel spent a while in her bedroom; looking around at her old familiar home. She seemed to sense that her life was going to change dramatically, and this might be the last chance for her to look upon the palace through a child's eyes. Each knick-knack; each piece of furniture or treasured pillow seemed different now. They belonged to a past that didn't seem as important as she had once imagined. Ariel's thoughts leaped from childhood memories; with her treasured toys, to her secret grotto and it's mesmerizing pull on her curiousity. Human things brought Eric's beautiful face back into her mind, and all those old memories melted away. Eric was all she could think of now. The girl, once more, felt that intense, almost frightening trembling in her heart. Her love swallowed all other emotions; filling her soul completely. Eric! To see him again! She had to see him again! At once! She felt incomplete without him beside her. All at once; it came to her: Scuttle would know where Eric lived! Nothing could keep her from seeing him, now!
Arile swirled out of her bedroom and wandered, dreamily. She came upon a rock bench, and lay down; thinking of her love.
It was here that Sebastian found her. The little crab had been searching for the mermaid all over Atlantica. His tension over that morning's "adventure" had Sebastian's nerves on edge; the child seemed in another world! He had to talk some sense into her: she was swimming right into disaster!
Eric began his search as soon as his strength was back. With Grimbsy shaking his head, he accompanied the Prince through the village. Every maiden's voice would cause Eric to stop and strain his ears in anxious hope; only to be disappointed. Grimbsy patted the Prince on the shoulder, "Eric. Who are you looking for? Surely, not that mystery girl?"
Eric sighed. "She wasn't a dream, Grim! She was real! And she's here,...somewhere,.."
Being Ursula's eyes and ears wasn't easy; but Flotsam and Jetsam endured it partly out of fear of the Sea Witch, and partly from the lavish tidbits that she spoiled them with. The greedy eels knew that their reward would be great, after snaring that mermaid for the witch, so they never let the girl totally out of their sight. She was away from the palace now, but that little yellow and blue fish was with her. It looked like the mermaid was swimming to the cave where she kept all that Human junk; if only that stupid fish would leave her a minute and give them a chance! Cautiously, the eels followed at a distance; biding their time until the girl was alone.
Eric almost laughed at the situation. He had been searching all morning for his "dream girl", and come-up empty. Then, while wandering, despondently, on the beach, a strange girl had practically fallen into his arms! She wasn't the girl: this girl was a mute; but he couldn't leave her out here alone. For one thing; she was so weak that she could hardly walk. She was constantly leaning on him for support; Eric couldn't help but notice how warm and soft she felt. And she was so small and feminine, as she clung to him. Her big blue eyes kept watching him with a dreamy haze that the boy had never seen before. Somehow, she was,...different from the other girls that he had met. There was an honesty about how she held onto him,...as if,...this was where she was content,... Eric laughed to himself. What nonsense! She only needed his help; she didn't know him from John Adams!
Once at the palace, Eric gave the girl over to Carlotta, and returned to daydreaming about the mystery girl who had saved his life. He found it odd that the girl didn't seem to want to let go of his arm,... It must have been due to the trauma that she had been through that day.
Carlotta took Ariel to the powder room to "freshen-up". The girl looked around at the furnishings with puzzlement, at first. Curiousity led her to turn every knob and faucet, to find out their uses, and a wave of understanding washed over her. Ariel was still coming to grips with her new body, and this place answered many questions. She came out of the room with a beamish smile of discovery and triumph with her new life. Carlotta waited, patiently, outside the door for her; now she led the girl to the bathing room.
After Ariel's bath, the kindly housekeeper called in three more ladies, who gathered round the girl. Quickly, they put flat, seaweed-like strands around the curious girl, in different places on her body. Ariel had no idea what they could be doing, as they stretched the "seaweed" from her shoulders to her ankles.
"Green?", asked one lady.
"Pink", answered another.
"Think so?"
"Definitely."
"Or blue", added Carlotta, "Blue and white."
"Pink for a dinner dress", specified one lady.
Carlotta nodded. "Oh, yes. For a dinner dress."
Ariel grinned. Now she understood! A "dress" was what Human girls covered their bodies with! They were measuring her for a dress!
Carlotta leaned over to the ladies, "And don't be afraid of lowering the bust line. She's got a pretty figure and we don't want it to go un-noticed by a certain young gentleman,.." The other ladies winked and nodded.
It was a thrilling adventure for the girl, when, about two hours later, she tried on her new dress. Ariel gazed, breathlessly, in the mirror: it was so pretty! She hoped that Eric would think she was pretty too!
Carlotta gave a knowing smile, "You are just a doll! When that boy sees you, he won't know what hit him!"
Ariel didn't quite understand what the kindly woman was saying, but she found promise in her tone of voice. She would be seeing Eric again, soon, and the "butterfly fish" began darting around in her belly, as they always did when she thought of the boy. Her heart trembled with love and her legs began to shake.
Carlotta took her arm. "Poor thing! You're still weak from that shipwreck. We'll have dinner for you in just a little while; let's go down to the dining room."
Ariel's heart skipped a beat. It was time!
Triton sat on the throne; with a glaze in his eyes. He was King of the sea; ruler over most of the world and respected by millions of his subjects. Why couldn't he control his own daughter! She had not only rescued a Human; she'd gotten the ridiculous notion that she loved a Human! Where had he gone wrong?! Hadn't he tried; tried to put some sense into that girl? His other daughters didn't act like that; they didn't go wandering off into the wild blue ocean, saving those barbarians! Why was Ariel so frustrating?!
The King sank down and sighed. It would do no good to blame himself. Ariel was the way she was, and everything he had done had not quelled that spirit in her. If only it hadn't been a Human. Humans were the most evil, cowardly creatures on Earth. They were never at peace with themselves, and never satisfied with what they had. After subjugating every other living thing on the land, they had turned their greedy eyes on the sea. Triton's world was in a constant fear of attack from above. The ships would sail; hundreds of ships, and down would come the nets to trap the defenseless creatures of the sea. Struggling; desperate; his subjects would be hauled aboard those ships to fill greedy men's larders. More ships would come; more and more every year, to take away a family member, or a close friend. And then would come the whalers; with their harpoons and factory ships. Like sharks, they would descend upon a herd of unsuspecting whales and slaughter them without mercy! "Kill them all!", they would shout, and the harpoons would fly. Nothing was safe while the Humans were in their killing frenzy. When it was finally over; when the last whale was boiled; they would sing a victory song over the slaughter. The whales had no chance; what mighty hunters these cravens were! After they were finished, they would throw all their trash over the side, to pollute the waters which had surrendered them their ill-gotten treasure.
Every Human was like this! Every Human that walked the land was greedy, selfish, cowardly, and bloodthirsty. No Human could be kind! No Human could be honorable! No Human could be generous or respectful or courageous! How, under-the-sea, could Ariel have fallen in love with such a monster?! Every Human was bad. They weren't like Atlanticans. Even the Sharkadians had some good qualities. But the Humans had none. Every Human was bad.
During the dinner, Prince Eric found out something new about his lovely young guest: she wouldn't eat crab. She seemed horrified that it was to be the main course, and refused to even lift the cover off her platter. A sugguestion of fish instead, produced the same curious revulsion; with Eric finally coming to the conclusion that the girl ate no meat whatsoever. Guessing that this was due to some religious diet, the Prince respected his guest's wishes and had the crab taken away. Rising; the young man helped Ariel out of her chair, "Let me take you to our kitchen; you'll be able to pick out what you like", offered Eric.
Ariel smiled; gratiously. He was so polite and understanding! She knew that Humans saw animals differently than did the Merfolk: for Humans, using animals for food was acceptable. Ariel saw all animals as her friends, and any thought of eating them was horrifying. She didn't blame Eric for his eating them, however, because he had only been taught this way.
She tried to stay as close as possible to the boy, as he led her to the kitchen. His jaw dropped when he saw the condition it was in. Louie was sitting in a chair; looking like he'd been in a battle with pirates,...and had lost.
"Et is a long story,...", sighed the chef, after noticing Eric's expression.
Eric tried to blunt this embarressing scene for Ariel, "The kitchen isn't,...usually this messy. Uh,...well,...have a look around. Maybe there's something here that'll appeal to you."
Ariel stepped over the broken bowls and crocks, and stared in wonderment: this place looked very much like the kitchen in the palace, at home. There was, certainly, implements that were wholly new to the girl, but she recognized the cups and bowls and spoons as old friends. Eric was talking to the other man, and Ariel overheard something about a crab; when she spotted a big plate full of fresh vegetables. The girl grinned, and ran to the boy. Taking his hand, she brought Eric to her discovery.
Eric smiled and nodded. "You're a vegetarian! Okay; I'll get Louie to make us all a salad."
Triton had not seen his youngest daughter for hours. She had not come to dinner,..but this hadn't been surprising; given her emotional state. But the Sea King still felt pain for hurting her as he did. He decided to speak to her before she went to bed; try to explain why he had destroyed her "collection." It had only been because he loved her; surely, she could see that. He only wanted the best for her. Triton's heart ached, as he swam to her bedroom. Only that morning, he had been so delighted by the news that Ariel was in love. How that delight had sank to the darkest despair! Why a Human?! Why? What did she see in a Human? Ariel was a smart girl; he knew that. Why had she totally lost her senses? How could a Human have done this to her?
Triton shook his head. He just couldn't understand. Humans were evil. Humans were evil. He came to the entrance to his daughter's room and swam inside.
"Ariel? Ariel; Dear? I'm,...I'm sorry for hurting you. You know that I didn't mean to,... It's just my temper, you see,.. Ariel?"
She was gone.
After dinner, Eric showed his guest around the palace. The girl must have never seen such luxury before: everything she came across brought a stare of delighted wonder. She had to open the helmet visor on the suit of armor and look inside, as if expecting someone to be in there. Like a curious child, the girl stooped down to her hands and knees, to feel the thick rug in the library. As for the books; she was delighted with the ones with pictures in them. Eric tried to find some foreign writing that she could understand, but without success. When offered the ink pen and some blank paper, the girl drew lot's of fish and imaginary mermaids, but no clue as to where her home was. Eric smiled, as she pointed from the mermaid to herself. She acted like she wanted to be a mermaid! As Eric helped the girl put the books back, he noticed that she was always right next to him; even pressing against him as she watched him put them back on the shelves. She couldn't be interested in him, but her feminine qualities were distracting Eric from his "dream girl."
He took her into the spinning room; where several ladies were busy making a dress for the girl to wear the next day. Ariel watched, with awed fascination, as the ladies sewed the cloth together with quick, skilled hands. The girl ran to a big pile of different fabrics; they were so pretty! From cotton to wool, to satin and silk; she had to touch them all. The silk was so soft! Ariel had never felt anything this dry and soft. She wanted to know where it came from; where it grew and what clothes they made out of it, but she couldn't speak her questions.
When the Prince took Ariel into the hearth-lit sitting room; her eyes went wide at the crackling fireplace. It was, probably, a grand one by her standards, but the girl almost acted as if she'd never seen a fire before! She stood before it, in awe; watching the tongues of flame rising from the logs, as if they were magical, and pointing at the flickering colors with the delighted expression of a child. Ariel was seeing, at last, one of the wonders she had dreamed of, and her heart was light with the joy of new fulfillment. The heat was almost intoxicating, in that cozy darkened room; lit only by the dancing flames. The girl looked up at the boy and wished that she was in his arms. Just one kiss and her heart would be his! Her hand gently reached out for his.
Carlotta suddenly came in and separated the two, "Now Eric! The poor child must be exhausted! Let her get some sleep before you go off showing her around!"
Eric smiled and nodded, as the kindly woman took Ariel to her bedroom. The girl looked back at her love; framed against the beautiful light, and sighed, wistfully.
The boy smiled. She was a sweet girl,... Then the smile faded. But she wasn't the girl. He owed that girl, on the beach, his life. He had to find her.
Triton spent the next hours in a tense, guilt-ridden search for his little girl. Everyone, who was able, helped the King in his search, but Ariel could not be found. Every negative report would sink the merman deeper into despair; his other daughters tried to comfort him, without success.
"You know Ariel, Father", laughed Arista. "She's probably keeping some lost squid or something company for the night."
Triton shook his head. "No. No,...not this time. I went too far, this time."
Aquata rubbed his shoulders. "Daddy. Get some sleep. We'll find her."
"I went to see Ursula. I went to the Manta and to the Sharkadians. They didn't have her. Where could she be?", moaned the King.
Aquata looked the man in the eyes. "Father. You won't help Ariel in the state you're in. You must rest."
The King slowly smiled. "All right. I'll rest. May Ariel forgive me."
Triton stumbled to his bedroom and sank down onto the bed. The last thing he saw, before sleep took him, was the portrait of his wife on the wall.
Triton dreamed of his wife. It was sixteen years in the past, but it was as clear as yesterday. The King was at the surface; he often visited the surface, in those days. He was watching the sailors aboard a fishing vessel; which had anchored not far from the palace. Triton's folk were always wise enough to avoid the fishing nets thrown by the Humans, so the King tolerated the ship's presence for the sake of his curiousity abbout these people. Why did they travel so far from safety, to harvest so little from the ocean? What kind of creatures were these? Brave? Foolish? The King puzzled over these questions, as he watched them at their work.
Suddenly, he saw movement below him: it was his wife. He smiled when he saw the mingled determination and anxiety on her face. Aria was as afraid of Humans as Triton was curious about them, but that didn't stop her from dragging him, by the ear, back to Atlantica.
"Red! What in the ocean are you doing up here? Please come back to the palace!"
Triton looked upon her kindly, gentle face. Although she had blond hair, instead of red, her lovely face was so like Ariel's. Ariel's gentle, sweet side came directly from her mother, too. Aria would have been almost as small as her daughter; if not for the fact that she was "with child". She was carrying Ariel; and the birth was not far away.
Triton shrugged. "You shouldn't worry about me, Dear. You're the one who should be back in the palace."
Aria grabbed his arm and looked up at the ship's hull, as if it was filled with devilfish. "Please come home."
Triton nodded and turned to go,..when a splash hit the water. His demeaner was so relaxed and confident that he didn't even notice the net, at first, and both he and his wife were being dragged upward before he could react.
He caught sight of the horror and fear on his wife's face; then a brief glimpse of the Humans hauling up the net, before he blazed open a hole with his trident.
Aria was still shaking, as the King brought her back to their bedroom. "You'll feel better after you've rested", assured Triton.
Aria lay on the bed: pale and trembling. She looked up at him and whispered, "I think it's time."
The dreaming Triton tossed in his sleep: he didn't want to see any more, but it came anyway. Aria was in the bed; with a doctor and nurse by her side. She had delivered their last child, and was holding her close to her heart. Triton's heart almost broke with love; seeing his wife's tired, happy face looking up at him. The doctor had told him: this last birth had been too much for her. She wouldn't live through the night. Triton leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Darling,..." she whispered weakly. "promise me something,.."
"Anything", answered Triton.
"Promise me,...that you'll raise the girls properly. I know you,...You'll spoil them if you're not careful,.."
Triton nodded. "I promise." He took his wife's hand and fought back tears. Then he looked up and glared. "It was those Humans who did this!"
Aria shook her head. "No, Darling. Don't blame them. I've always been,...weak."
Triton kissed his wife's hand as he held it. She felt so cold.
"Dearest,...", she asked, "What shall be her name?"
Triton looked down at the precious infant, and smiled. Her blue eyes seemed to be watching her mother's face. "Whatever you want her name to be", answered the man.
Aria smiled, and looked lovingly at the child in her arms. "Her name shall be Ariel. For her spirit will rise above the water, to live in the sky."
Triton nodded. "Ariel, it shall be."
The dream faded, but the anger rose in Triton's heart. The Humans,..the Humans had done this! The Humans had taken Aria away! Then,..he heard her voice repeating, "Don't blame them." Triton looked to see his wife sitting beside him on his bed. Her lovely face was smiling.
"But,..they took you away from me!", sobbed the man.
"No, Dearest. It wasn't their fault. They didn't know."
"Yes they did. They are evil! All of them!"
Aria took his hand. "Do you remember what you saw on their faces? The Humans bringing up the net?"
Triton shook his head. "No,...no, I don't."
"Yes, you do", chided the woman.
Triton thought back. Yes. He knew. When he had glimpsed the Humans, he had not seen evil. He had seen shock and fear,...and pity. He had seen pity in their eyes.
"Have I been,...so wrong?", whispered the man.
"There is good in all things, Dearest. Humans are no more evil than ourselves. There is good and bad in all of us."
Triton nodded and wept. "Aria. Please forgive me."
The woman embraced him. "I've never faulted you. I've never had a reason. No one could have raised the girls better. I'm proud of all of them. And little Ariel is in love!"
"With a Human", sighed Triton.
"Is that so terrible? Give the boy a chance. Ariel is a smart girl; have a little more faith in her judgement."
"She's run away. I've searched everywhere! I can't find her", moaned the King.
Aria smiled. "You've searched everywhere? Are you sure?"
Early the next morning, Ariel and Sebastian were awakened by a loud flapping through the window. It was Scuttle; who landed, clumsily, onto her bed.
"Here you are!", exclaimed the bird. "I knew you was in this place somewhere, but I kept landing in tha' wrong room!"
Sebastian opened a bleery eye to the bird.
First, I landed on some funny french guy's head: he didn't like that too much and started chasing me around with a knife and shouting something about "chicken noodle soup"". I got out of there with most of my feathers and flew across the court into some lady's room and she started chasing me with a broom; and then,..."
"We're trying to sleep here!", interrupted the crab.
Scuttle scratched his head. "Ah. I guess that's why you're still in bed, huh? Well; I just dropped in 'cause Flounder and me wanted ta' know where ta' find ya today."
Ariel smiled; with delighted expectation.
"The Prince is taking her to see his kingdom", yawned Sebastian.
"Dat'll be neat!", agreed the bird. "We'll see ya there!" With a wink, the zany seagull hopped off the bed and flew out the window.
Sebastian sighed, and looked up at the girl. "You might wanna leave dat window closed from now on."
Ariel smirked at the crab.
While in the village, Ariel's heart raced with joy. Sights and sounds surrounded her with an ocean of excitement and life! Humans! Humans everwhere! A thousand happenings, all at once, to delight the girl's curiousity. A thousand voices: talking and singing and calling and laughing! Strange new animals; wonderous new thingamabobs! And Eric was beside her the whole time; Ariel couldn't be happier!
To dance! She felt like she was floating on bubbles! Eric held her, and her heart melted with love and joy. The air was filled with music and the sweet aroma of flowers; the girl swirled; light-headed and blissfully-content, in Eric's arms.
She had to visit every shop. One Human hummed a hearty tune, as he made thingamajiggers to cover Humans' feet. With skillful fingers, he laced the boots into works of art. Another man: large, burly and sweating, hammered iron loops onto the hooves of a horse. Behind him glowed the hot coals of his forge. Beside him was a younger man; making a saddle to sell.
Everywhere was the smell of food: freshly baked bread and rolls; pastries and cakes.
The girl ate lunch with Eric outside a quaint little tavern; wooden tables and chairs were set out to take advantage of the beautiful weather. She had hot bread, spread with golden honey; a delicious ripe bananna, and a cup of cool milk.
After their meal, Eric and Ariel continued their visit to the shops: Ariel saw the tailor; busy at mending a customer's torn shirt. It made the girl look at Eric's own shirt again, and admire his broad shoulders. Another building housed the village carpenters. They welcomed the Prince inside, with a bow. Ariel looked around, in wonder, at all of the beautiful creations in wood. Most beautiful to the girl was the carving for the masthead of a ship; in for repair. The girl recognized the proud figure of a horse; not unlike the one who had nibbled the sugar cubes offered by the girl that morning, and was now pulling Eric's coach.
Their next stop was the most beautiful place of all: the village church. The tall white steeple was simple, yet very beautiful to Ariel. The stained-glass windows drew her breath away with their lovely glow. She didn't quite understand the meaning behind it all, but she felt the respect that the boy gave to the solemn room through which they walked. Some of the pictures and figures were frightening: a young Human hurt and in pain. Ariel looked at these and drew close to the boy; shuddering. Eric looked down at the girl, and smiled, "There's nothing to be afraid of here. This is a holy place."
The boy's gentle voice and smile melted away Ariel's fear, and she smiled back; gratefully.
They came out of the church and heard the sound of violins; to Ariel, they sounded as sweet as Sebastian's orchestra, at home. Eric and the girl walked up to the group, and they stopped and bowed to the Prince. "Sounds like Mozart", offered Eric.
"Yes; Sire!", answered the conductor; a short elderly man with a white goatee. "It's his latest from the continent! We're practicing for Your Majesty's audience, next week."
Eric smiled. "It sounds like an excellent piece. Grim will love it!"
Ariel grinned and touched the boy's shoulder as she looked up at him. She imitated a bow moving across violin strings, and nodded her head.
"My guest enjoyed it too!", added Eric.
The man bowed to the girl, "We are honored to have such a lovely patron."
Ariel grinned and blushed.
Eric looked down at the girl. "You have orchestras where you come from?"
Ariel nodded. If only she could tell him about Atlantica! About why she had left her home and had come here. Because she loved him!
After walking through the rest of the village, the couple returned to Eric's carriage and headed for the country. They stopped in a meadow, overlooking the water, and ate a picnic supper. With the sweet smell of grass and flowers, the clear songs of the birds, the beautiful sunset, and Eric beside her; Ariel was blissfully happy. If only Eric would see the love in her eyes! He had been polite to her; all along, but he had always hesitated about getting too close. She had to win his love! Somehow!
When Ursula looked into her magic globe, she saw a terrified fish; trembling among the nooks of some rocks. The Sea Witch thundered, "What are you two idiots up to?!"
Flotsam and Jetsam started. "But, Your Hideousness! We're,...hungry!" The two eels had trapped a fish, while spying on Ariel from the canal.
Ursula wasn't moved. "Your job is to watch that love-sick Princess,..not fill your bellies! Where is she now?"
"She's in the village, somewhere", hissed Flotsam.
"Somewhere?!", growled Ursula.
"We're watching that little fish friend of her's", pleaded Jetsam. "He's following her!"
This seemed to satisfy the witch. "Just don't let that Prince kiss her,...or I'll be making eel-skin purses out of the both of you!"
"Yesss, Your Hideousness!"
When Ariel was helped out of the water, she shivered in her wet dress. The girl had never known cold water; even when visiting the Polar Seas, she had been magically protected or had worn special clothing against the freezing water. Now, she felt such a chill that her whole body trembled. Eric saw her discomfort and put his arm around her to give her warmth. Ariel snuggled up against him; suddenly forgetful of the cold; now that she was close to the boy. Eric hurried the carriage to a nearby farmhouse. The elderly couple living there were happy to help the Prince and his lovely guest into some dry clothes.
As they entered the palace's gates, Grimbsy came out to meet them. He looked at their new garments with puzzlement. Eric had on a pair of baggy breeches and an old tunic; while the girl wore a thick, linen sack dress.
"We had a little accident with the boat", answered Eric; sheepishly; as he helped the girl out of the carriage.
"I hope that this alters your opinion on the safety of water travel", chided the elderly man.
Eric nodded, as he led Ariel into the palace. "It sure does. The bigger the boat, the better!"
Carlotta rushed up to them and grabbed the girl away. "Oh! You poor little thing! What has this boy been doing to you? It's to the bath with you this instant!" Once more, Ariel was dragged away from her love, before the chance for a kiss.
No one heard the sarcastic voice of Sebastian; inside one of Ariel's pockets, "Just drop me off by de kitchen."
Triton had searched every corner of the surrounding sea, but his daughter could not be found. Sebastian and Flounder were also missing; suggesting that Ariel had taken them with her on whatever she had decided to do. Worrying would do no good, the King decided: he had to trust now in Ariel and Sebastian's judgement to get them out of whatever trouble they might be in. All he could do was to post sentrys in various areas of the ocean, and hope that they would recieve news of his daughter. This,...love which she felt had affected her more than Triton ever thought possible. She had always loved her family and friends dearly, but the man had never considered how love for a mate would affect his daughter. He was finally starting to understand. His daughter was no longer,...a child.
After washing off, Eric went down to the stables and checked on his horse. He thought of that day, and smiled. That little girl had more gentleness, more joy and spirit than any ten other girls he had ever met. Ariel was so receptive to the world; so eager to live life to it's fullest. She hadn't said a word, but Eric had learned enough about her, on this one day, to see how special she was. How bold she had been! How meek and quiet! One minute she was pulling him into the dance, and the next, she was bashful in his arms. He wanted to know this girl better; even if she wasn't a Princess,... But it was not to be. His life belonged to another. The girl who had saved him. The girl who had sang to him in the morning light, and then disappeared without a trace. Her song still echoed in his memory; a song from the angels. It had shone upon him with such deep emotion! If only he could remember more words! "Part of your world." That was all he had heard. Part of your world.
The next morning, Ariel heard the news that, at first, lifted her into the clouds, and then sank her to the lowest abyss. After hearing of Eric's wedding plans with the black-haired girl, Ariel stumbled through the hallways; senseless. She didn't feel the pain, when she stumbled and fell to the floor: the pain in her heart overwhelmed everything else.
"Ariel! Child!", called Sebastian; desperately, but the girl heard nothing. Somehow, she found her room again, and sank down onto the bed. Outside, the bright sun was rising into a beautiful sky, but all was dark in her eyes. It was all over. Her love had been taken away from her, and her heart felt like it would tear apart any second. Black despair flooded over the girl and she wept until she had no more tears to shed.
Sebastian stayed close-by, but did not speak. What could he say? The girl who he had known since an infant; the girl who he had loved as his own, was to live the rest of her life in misery. She had taken a chance; as she had so often done in the past. But this time,...she had lost. Ariel didn't deserve this! She had always been so kind and good; so generous. She deserved happiness! But cruel fate had destroyed her dreams. The crab covered his face, and shared in the girl's sorrow.
Carlotta found the girl there, when she came up to make the bed. She lifted Ariel's chin and saw the misery on her little face. "What's wrong, Dear?!"
Ariel shook her head and stumbled up. She staggered to the door and Carlotta ran after her.
"Please Child! You're sick! Come back to bed and I'll call the doctor."
Ariel looked at the woman, with red wet eyes, and managed a smile. She hugged Carlotta; lovingly; trying not to cry, and then shook her head. The girl continued down the hall; leaving the housekeeper standing there; full of anxiety and confusion.
The girl wandered out of the palace, but no one noticed her as they went about with their hasty wedding preparations. Eric was nowhere to be seen, but Ariel knew that her heart could not take another glimpse of him and that girl together, again. Her bare feet sank into the warm, soft grass of summer, but it no longer gave pleasure to her. Birds sang, cheerfully, in the nearby trees; the sweet fragrance of summer rose up to greet her, but Ariel felt only misery; knowing that all of this beauty would soon leave her life forever. She would live in a cave: a pitiful, worm-like creature, with no past and no future. She would never know happiness again; now that Eric was gone.
The girl finally noticed Max. He was beside her; barking joyfully up at her. She patted his head; although she had no will left to smile.
Carlotta came rushing up; Alerted to the dog's commotion. "Poor thing! You're still in your gown! Come inside and I'll help you get dressed. " The woman took Ariel's hand and led her back to her bedroom; where she helped Ariel into her village dress.
"What's come over you, Child?" Carlotta felt of her forehead. "You don't have a fever,...or I would have thought you'd caught a chill from that fall in the water, last night."
Ariel shook her head; sadly. Her lower lip started trembling and she mouthed, "Eric", before hiding her face in her hands and crying.
Carlotta held the girl and patted her back. "There,..there. Don't cry now! What's Eric done? Has he upset you somehow?"
Ariel sobbed and shook her head. The girl looked at Carlotta and whispered voicelessly, "I,...I love him."
Later that day, Scuttle came flapping into Ariel's bedroom to see how things were going. He found Sebastian on the bed; deep in thought. The girl wasn't there. The crab looked up, without emotion. "Scuttle. You must tell Flounder dat,..."
"Woah!", interupted the seagull, "I forgot to tell Urchin Ariel is tying tha' knot! I'll see ya later!"
"Scuttle! Ariel isn't,..." But it was too late: the seagull was already out the window and flapping away. Sebastian sighed. He jumped off the bed, and went looking for Ariel. He couldn't make her feel any better, but at least he could be with her until,...it was over."
Carlotta stood there; speechless for a second. "Oh,...dear. I understand, now,..." She sighed and then took Ariel in her arms; trying to comfort her. "Poor Dear! You've loved him all this time, and I didn't see. All this time,...you've tried to tell him as best you could and he didn't see either."
Ariel nodded and sobbed.
The woman's mouth tightened, sternly. "I'm going to tell him. Right this minute!"
The girl cried and shook her head. Eric loved another. She didn't want to take their happiness away, too!
But the woman strode firmly down the hall; leaving Ariel trembling and helpless.
Carlotta found Eric sitting, strangly, alone in the entrance hall. His eyes stared towards the front doorway. For a young man about to get married, he seemed unearthly calm.
"Eric. I've got to tell you something! Eric?,.." The woman looked him in the face, and saw an emotionless expression that never changed. "Eric?,..Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," droned the Prince.
"It's about Ariel. Eric,..I don't know why I never saw it before,... Eric,... Ariel loves you."
The boy seemed not to hear.
"She just told me. She loves you. She's loved you all along, and she's tried to tell you... in her own,... shy way."
"So?", answered the boy.
Carlotta bristled. "That Child is the sweetest, gentlest, most loving girl you're ever gonna find! Are you going to leave such a treasure for some,..pretty little fluff?"
"Perhaps he wants a change from you", smirked a silky voice. Carlotta looked up to see Vanessa coming through the front door. "I've seen to the wedding preparations,...Darling. This scullery maid seems to be annoying you. Send her away."
"You are dismissed, Carlotta", droned the Prince.
The woman's face turned beet-red. "Dismissed, am I?! I practically raised you from the cradle, and now I'm dismissed!" Carlotta huffed loudly and stomped off.
"We'll have to make some staff changes after the wedding; I see", observed Vanessa; loud enough for Carlotta to hear.
Carlotta stopped at her quarters; with a red face full of anger and frustration. Poor little Ariel! Why was Eric acting like that?! It was as if he was in a trance! Had that hussy mesmerized Eric into such a state?
The woman sat down in a chair and put her head in her hands. She couldn't see Ariel now; it would only break her little heart more.
Ariel lay on her bed and stared up at the ceiling. Everything seemed black around her, and her head ached.
Sebastian scuttled up to her pillow and drew back her curl. "Take a nap, Child. You'll feel better for it."
Ariel's eyes shut, and tears welled out and ran down her cheeks. Her chest heaved in emotional pain and then she lay quiet. Sebastian was relieved, when sleep took the girl's anguish away, for a time.
Grimbsy met Carlotta in the main entrance-way and stared at her. "Aren't you going to wear something a little more formal, my Dear?", he commented; noticing that she was still wearing her housekeeping dress.
"I'm not going to the wedding", announced the woman.
"Not going to the wedding?! For goodness sake! Why, not?!", gasped Grimbsy.
Carlotta wagged a finger at him. "There's something mighty strange going on here; Eric's not acting the way he should! It's that "mystery girl" who's behind all this! Mark my words.
Grim nodded. "That Eric has not acted normal, I will heartily agree. The boy's senses have been lost at sea ever since the shipwreck."
"If that little black-haired hussy rescued Eric from drowning, then I'm the Queen of England!", growled Carlotta. "How on Earth could he fall for such a viper,..when sweet little Ariel is constantly underfoot?"
"I told the boy that very thing (except for the colorful adjectives) last night, but it apparently left no impression", noted Grimbsy.
"Well; I'm not going to the wedding. Eric's making a terrible mistake and I'll not be a party to it!", huffed the woman.
Grimbsy sighed. "Have it your way, Madam. But I am going; at least to control Max, who would, otherwise, be salivating all over the guests."
Sebastian left Ariel's bedroom and went down to the pier, to tell Flounder the tragic news. He would have to know, sooner or later, and, perhaps, all of their strength together might be able to comfort the girl.
The little fish was waiting, anxiously, for any news. He could see the wedding ship being made ready, so he knew something important was about to happen. Maybe Eric had proposed to Ariel! When Flounder heard Sebastian call to him, he could tell in the crab's voice that something was terribly wrong.
Later that evening, Ariel awoke, and saw that the day was drawing to an end. Eric would be aboard the wedding ship with his love, and soon he would be taken away from her forever. As if obeying some other will, Ariel got up and walked to the dock. Sebastian and Flounder were already there; their time together was also almost over. The girl heard the sounds of merry-making and turned to see Eric's ship pass by them; almost close enough to touch. No one saw this small girl; alone and forgotten, as she watched the boy who she loved leave her.
Ariel had hoped for some miracle to happen: Eric would come back and declare his love for her. She had always been happy about life; always optimistic and cheerful, and sure that everything would turn out for the good. Now, at the bitter end, the weight of her loss settled onto the girl with weakening despair. She no longer felt pain; just a great emptiness and a desire for the end to come soon. Sebastian and Flounder said nothing; among these friends, no words were needed. "Goodbye" would be their last words to one another, when the light failed; "Goodbye" and "I love you."
Ariel was staring at nothing, when she heard the frantic calls from Scuttle; flying towards them.
Ariel sat, despondently, on the rock, and stared at Eric, lying on the beach. He had saved her from Ursula; she wanted to be with him forever. But she was a mermaid. The girl looked at him with longing; they were so close, but in different worlds.
Then, a shimmer enveiloped her and her dream came true! Her father! Her father had changed her back into a Human! He understood! At last, he understood her heart! The girl rose out of the water and she embraced her Prince. She kissed him,,,for the first time.
Eric looked down at her, with happiness and amazement. "Tell me! Tell me,...Who are you? Tell me the whole story!"
Ariel smiled; tenderly, up at him. "Yes,...my love!"
They sank onto the sand, and, with Ariel's hand in his, she told him of her life, and of her quest to win his love.
When she had finished, Eric took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. Then he helped Ariel to her feet and walked with her, back to the palace.
LINK TO SECTIONS
Eric was on the front lawn of the palace; showing Ariel how to play badminton. The girl was giggling like a child, as she watched Eric's valiant attempts at intercepting her volleys over the net. Max was watching from the sidelines; barking excitedly.
Grimbsy came walking up and handed Eric (who was leaning over; gasping for breath) a large letter. "It is from the White House. President of the United States.", Grim said, nonchalantly.
Eric coughed. "What?" He took the letter and looked at it.
Ariel came around the net to join them: she hugged her husband around the waist. "What is it, Sweetheart?"
Eric showed her the letter. "It's from President John Adams!"
Grim produced a letter opener. "This might provide some enlightenment."
Eric smiled at the elderly man and opened the letter. "Says he's heard about my recent marriage to Ariel and wants to meet us! Says he's met Ariel before,.." Eric looked in amazement at the girl. "You've met John Adams?"
Ariel smiled, mischieviously. "Well,...being daughter to the Sea-King; I get to meet lot's of Kings and Queens and stuff. Mr. Adams is a sweet man."
Eric raised an eyebrow. "A mermaid living in the ocean, and she's got more contacts than me!" The Prince continued to read. "Listen to this! He's coming down here next week! Would be honored if we would recieve him at the palace!" Eric grinned. "The President's coming here!"
Grimbsy sighed. "Carlotta will rub all the silver off the silverware after she's done polishing them."
Ariel smirked at the man. "Silly! This is going to be fun! Maybe we can have a big dinner for him! Maybe a party!"
Grimbsy nodded. "Perhaps a ball."
Eric smiled, "Good idea, Grim! Says here: he's bringing some guests along with him."
The girl grinned. "We can invite all of our friends too!
Eric continued to read: "His only regret is that he won't be able to meet your father. He says that he would love to discuss policy involving the sea with him."
Ariel put her hand to her chin. "Hmm. I wonder if I could get a message to Daddy,..."
Eric laughed. "I don't think that would go over too well with Triton! Him meet the ruler of the Humans? Adams would be dodging trident blasts the whole time!"
Ariel smirked at him. "Daddy wouldn't do that! I think he would like to meet Mr. Adams! I'm gonna invite Daddy, and my sisters and Flounder and Sebastian too!"
Sebastian was sitting on the King's shoulder, as he played chess with Dudley. The King looked at the pieces with growing frustration. Slowly, his hand reached for the rook.
"Yes,..yes! Dat's the one, your Majesty!,.." whispered the crab in his ear. "Keep going,.."
Triton looked at him. "Sebastian; do you mind?".
Sebastian grinned. "Sorry; your Majesty!"
Triton moved the piece.
Dudley slowly slid his Queen down the board. "Check,....mate,.....your,....Majesty,..."
Triton glared at the crab. "Thank you, Sebastian."
A messenger entered the room; bowed to the King, and gave him a letter.
"It's from Ariel!", said Triton, with a smile. "She's inviting us to a ball at their palace."
Sebastian grinned. "A ball! Sounds good, your Majesty! Wonder if I should take my orchestra,.."
"Hmmm. Says the King of the Humans will be there." Triton looked darkly at the crab. "The fish-eating Humans."
Sebastian shrugged. "But,..it's Ariel; your Majesty!"
Triton looked back at the letter: "I know you might not want to come because of Mr. Adams, but please come! Please, Daddy!"
The King smiled. "Okay; my little Ariel. I'll do it for you."
The King and his daughters were the first to arrive at the palace. Ariel ran up and hugged her father with all her might. "Thank you for coming, Daddy!"
Triton smiled down at his youngest child. "Well; I guess I can tolerate walking on two legs for one evening." The King was dressed in a long grey gown; looking more like a vision of Saint Nicholas than the Sea-King.
Eric came up and bowed to the King. "We are honored to have the King of the seven seas in our household."
Ariel beamed, proudly, at her husband and squeezed his hand.
The Prince ushered Triton into the ball room and offered him a chair. Aquata followed behind her father; carrying a big bowl of water with Flounder inside. "Where can I sit him down; Ariel? He's getting heavy!"
"Oh! Here! Let me help!", said Ariel, as she hurried up to her oldest sister. Together; they carried Flounder to a table next to the wall.
"Don't drop me!", urged Flounder, as he looked fearfully up at them. Aquata and Ariel set him down, next to the punch bowl.
Ariel hugged Aquata, then went to welcome her other sisters. Arista was stumbling around and staring down at her legs. "Ariel! How can you supposed to use these things?!"
Ariel grinned at her. "You'll get used to them! I was wobbly, at first, too; but I had Eric to lean on!"
Arista puckered her face. "Ugh! Those Human boys better stay away from me!"
Adella was sweating and fanning herself. "Ariel! How can you stand being inside all this,...seaweed stuff?!"
Ariel smiled. "That's a dress; Adella, and it looks very pretty on you!"
Adella blushed and looked down at it. "You think so?"
Ariel nodded.
"Okay! Where's de band?! I need to start practicing!" Sebastian came skittering into the room, looking for the orchestra.
Ariel bent down and picked him up. "Sorry, Sebastian; but you can't conduct, this time."
Sebastian frowned up at her, as she carried him over to Flounder. "And why not; young Lady?", he grumbled.
Ariel put him down on the table. "Cause there's gonna be a lot of Humans here tonight, and I don't want them getting frightened when you start talking! Remember; animals don't talk in the Human world! You and Flounder can't say a peep to any of them!"
Sebastian frowned over at Flounder. "Now how about dat! I was gonna really impress these Humans with my music, and now I can't even talk to dem!"
Ariel leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "Well,...You can still smile at them! Let's see a big smile!"
Sebastian frowned up at her.
"That's not a very big smile", commented Ariel. "Look at Flounder,...he's smiling!"
Flounder smiled from ear-to-ear at the crab. Sebastian smirked at him, "Your cheerfulness is not rubbing off."
Ariel stepped back and showed them her dress. "How do you like my dress? Isn't it pretty?"
Flounder nodded. "It sure is! Pink looks good around you!"
Sebastian smiled. "Of course it does, Child. It's got you under it!"
Ariel grinned. "Why; thank you Sebastian!" She kissed Flounder on the head and started walking, "Flounder; you keep Sebastian smiling now! I'll be back in a little while!"
Sebatian looked over at the fish. "Wipe dat silly grin off your face."
Ariel rejoined Eric; who was talking with her father. "Yes; I've never met this President before, but I've certainly met enough of his fishing ships!", growled Triton.
Eric looked over at Ariel with an expression of anticipated doom. Ariel took her father's arm. "Now; Daddy! You haven't even met him yet. Give him a chance! Like you gave Eric!"
"Eric proved his love and courage", countered Triton. "This Adams has shown me nothing but harpoons and fishing nets."
Ariel patted his arm. "I've met the man, and he's very sweet. And he wants to talk to you about all that stuff. The least you can do is be civil with him."
Triton smiled up at her; slyly, "I won't use my trident on him; if that's what you mean!"
Ariel grinned. "No trident blasts in the ball room!"
Arista came wobbling over to a seat, next to her father. "I'm coming over here with you! I don't want any Humans close to me!"
"You'll see", answered Ariel. "They're just like you and me."
Carlotta came running through the room, "Oh dear! We're missing the stirring spoons! Where on Earth are those things! Grim! Where have you hidden those spoons?!" She disappeared into the kitchen.
Arista looked over at Ariel. "You're right! She reminds me of you, looking for your treasure sack before going off on an "adventure.""
Ariel smirked at her sister.
Grim came walking up to the Prince and tapped him on the shoulder. "The President has arrived."
Eric gulped and stood up. Ariel joined him; giving her husband a reassuring squeeze on his hand. Eric smiled back at her, with love.
Adams came in, with a big smile, and headed right for Ariel. "I'm so happy to see you again, Dear!" He kissed her hand; then turned to the Prince. "So this is the fellow you married?"
Eric bowed to the President and Adams laughed. "No! No bowing here! I'm just a President!" Adams shook his hand, warmly. "I'd like you to meet my wife; Abigail,.." The woman smiled and nodded.
Ariel grinned and nodded back. "It's nice to meet you, Abigail!"
Adams reached back and took Ben's shoulder; who was busy talking behind him. "And this is my close friend, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and his companion,..?"
Franklin paused for a second, then turned to the young lady beside him, "What did you say your name was, Dear?" Franklin looked back to Ariel and Eric. "Picked her up in the village; I didn't want to be a wall-flower tonight."
"Caprice", offered the girl. Ariel took her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Caprice!"
A tall gentleman with reddish-brown hair stepped up. He looked to be in his late thirties. Adams introduced him: "Mr. Thomas Jefferson; my Vice-President." The man bent down to kiss Ariel's hand. "I am honored to meet such a lovely host", he spoke quietly.
Ariel blushed and Adams winked at her. "He said that his wife couldn't make this trip, but I'm starting to have my doubts about that story."
Franklin spoke up. "The introductions are over,..now where's the food?"
Ariel took his hand and led him to the dinner table. Franklin was marveling at her physical transformation as they walked away, "That magic of your's is just incredible! And I must say that I much prefer you entirely Human; no offense, Caprice, Dear."
Eric looked back to the President. "Well, Sir; If you will follow me, I'll introduce you to King Triton of Atlantica.
"Wonderful!", answered Adams.
Eric and the President came up to where Triton was sitting. The Sea King stood up and towered over Adams; looking down at him with a frown.
"Mr. President, may I introduce King Triton," offered the young man. Adams bowed low to the King.
Triton growled. "Ruler of the Humans,.."
Adams laughed. "Oh no, Your Majesty! Only some of them! I am honored to meet you, Sir."
Triton coughed. "Yes,...well,.."
Eric offered the President a seat next to Triton. The little man sat down without hesistation and began talking to the King, "I'm so glad we had a chance to meet! There's so much I want to ask you about your Kingdom. Your people must have suffered greatly from the long years of fishing in your waters."
Triton nodded. "Indeed we have! Thanks to the Human's boundless greed and violence!"
"I agree", returned Adams. "That's why I wanted so much to discuss this with you,..."
Ariel looked over at the two; her face filled with anxiety. Daddy hadn't hit him yet,...That was promising,..."
Arista was staring around, with boredom, when she caught sight of Thomas Jefferson. Her mouth dropped. "Who is that?", she whispered.
Ariel looked over at her sister. "Who? Him? That's Mr. Jefferson. The Vice-President."
A broad grin spread on Arista's face. "He's a hunk!" The girl shot over to Triton: "Father; I think I'd rather sit over there,.."
Ariel looked at her sister, with amused puzzlement, then returned to her husband; who was still recieving their guests.
It wasn't long before the dining room was filled with people: Franklin was sitting with Ariel on one side of him and Caprice on the other. Arista was staring, dreamily at Jefferson, and Adams and Triton were having a serious discussion between bites of roast kelp.
On the table, Sebastian whispered to Flounder: "Watch out,..here they come,..." Two young ladies walked up to get a glass of punch. They gasped with delight when they saw Flounder in the nearby bowl. "Oh! Look at this, Debra! What a cute little fish!" The woman leaned down to look at him, "Oh! Sweet little fishie!" Flounder grinned back.
"He acts like he almost understands you!", commented Debra. She looked over at Sebastian. "Ugh! Look at that thing!"
The other woman looked over at Sebastian, and her face soured. "A crab! Don't get too close, Debra! He might pinch you!" Sebastian frowned. The two women got their punch and waved goodbye to Flounder. "Bye little fishie!"
Flounder grinned over at Sebastian. The crab frowned. "Bye little fishie!", he mimicked. "I don't like dis party."
Arista was edging close to Jefferson. "Hi there!", she sighed. Jefferson looked at her, with politeness. "Hello, young Lady."
"I'd love to dance with you,...Thomas!"
Jefferson stared back at her, with puzzlement. "I beg your pardon?"
Arista put her hand on his arm. "I've,... been staring at you all evening long,.. I think you're,..very handsome,.."
Jefferson coughed. "Well,..Thank you,.." The Vice-President took a gulp of wine.
Triton was trying to argue with Adams, "Don't deny that it has been your fleets that have been ravaging my kingdom for so long!"
Adams nodded. "I am terribly sorry about it, Your Majesty. We never knew that your people even existed, until recently. I've had to think about my people and how to feed them. I'm sure that you have had similar concerns for your people too."
Triton hesitated, "Well,...yes,.. But I don't allow them to harvest on the land, as you do in the sea!"
Adams took a bite of roast kelp. "That's true, Your Majesty. But I don't have either the power or the love of my people, as you do, to stop that harvesting. By-the-way; this stuff is delicious!"
Triton smiled. "Thank you! That's Arista's recipe. She's a very talented cook."
Adams nodded. "She certainly is!"
"Here", offered Triton, "let me refill your seaweed tea: you're getting low."
Sebastrian frowned, as another pair of Humans came walking over. "Look at the fish, Dear!", commented the man. The woman grinned. "Why! What an adorable little fish!"
Flounder grinned and did a twirl. "Did you see that!?", gasped the woman. "He's so talented too! Cute little fishie!" Sebastian stared; sarcastically, as Flounder did another twirl.
The man pointed at the crab. "Look at this, Dear. Wonder if he's alive,..." Sebastian glared up at him.
"Ugh,..A nasty crawly thing,..", observed the woman. They got their punch and returned to the table.
Flounder looked at the crab. "I don't think Humans like you."
"How could you tell dat?", growled Sebastian. "Dis party stinks."
Dr. Franklin was smiling from ear-to-ear, as he talked with Ariel. "So you say that you can talk to all the aquatic denizens around Atlantica? Even the lower life-forms?"
Ariel hesitated. "Well,...I wouldn't say that anyone is lower; just different from me."
Franklin patted her hand. "Of course! I beg your pardon! So you can speak with the crabs and shrimps and sea-slugs,...what about sponges?"
"Oh yes! They're quite sweet! They like to play games a lot: We play sponge-ball with them. They enjoy that cause they don't get a chance to move around very much!"
Franklin nodded. "I can imagine."
"I knew one sponge who was quite artistic", noted Ariel. "He would jump into the paint and then bounce against the canvas. Daddy has one of his paintings hanging in the hallway."
Franklin grinned. "Amazing!"
"All the animals could talk in Atlantica. It was only when you swam into the wilderness that they couldn't."
"So you find the animals quite different on land", noted Franklin.
Ariel smiled. "Well,...sort-of. They may not be able to talk here, but they can still let you know how they feel! You've just got to learn to understand them."
"Dis is really getting annoying", grumbled Sebastian, as he spied two more ladies heading for the punch bowl. Flounder put on his most adorable smile.
"Oh!", exclaimed a pretty young woman, "Look at that sweet little crab!" Before Sebastian knew what was happening, he was picked up and cuddled against the lady's neck.
The other woman stared at her. "Be careful! It might pinch you!"
"No he won't,... You won't pinch me, will you sweetie?"
Sebastian grinned and shook his head.
Before long, the orchestra began to play, and couples got up to dance.. Eric walked over to his wife, but Dr. Franklin took her hand. "You don't mind if I go one round with her? It's not every day that I get the opportunity to dance with a mermaid. And a very lovely mermaid at that! You don't mind; do you Caprice?" Before anyone could answer, Ben ushered Ariel to the dance floor: Ariel grinned back at Eric.
Arista grabbed Jefferson's hand, "Come on, sweetie! Let's dance!" She pulled him up and dragged him onto the floor.
Jefferson looked down at her, with a sigh. "Young Lady; I'm old enough to be your father!
Arista pressed close to him. "That's okay, cutie; I'll make an exception!"
Adams gave his Vice-President a hearty chuckle, as he saw the man being led around by the girl. Abigail smiled at her husband, "Look over there at Dr. Franklin. I think he's in love!"
Adams smiled. "Again?"
Eric relieved the elderly Franklin; giving him a chance to sit down and rest, and he took his wife in his arms. Ariel grinned up at Eric, with love, and pressed close.
Sebastian glanced over at the orchestra. "Hmm. Not bad. Ariel must have picked them out. Dey sound a little like me. Not a bad party."
Flounder nodded and grinned.
Eric felt a tap on his shoulder. It was King Triton. "May I have the next dance with her?", he asked with a smile.
Eric smiled and bowed, as he offered the girl. Triton took Ariel hand and began to dance.
"Why,... Daddy! You dance really good as a Human!", exclaimed Ariel.
"It's all in the timing", answered the King, with a smile.
Arista gazed up; dreamily at the Vice-President. "You have the cutest eyes,.."
Jefferson was getting desperate with this young Lady. "I'm married!", he exclaimed.
Arista brushed it off. "Aw; you can dump her! You want to be with me,...mermaids can sense these things,.."
Jefferson suddenly got an idea. "Well,...okay,... As long as you don't mind eating,...fish."
Arista looked up at him. "Huh?"
Jefferson nodded his head. "Yes,..fish. As long as you don't mind eating fish. I love eating fish. Broiled,..fried,.."
Arista pushed him away. "Ugh! You don't mean that!"
"Oh yes! And crab-legs and scallops,..and Boston chowder. Mmm Mmm!"
Arista backed away in disgust. "I think I've had enough dancing,...bye!"
After the dancing, everyone sat back down and talked a while. Ariel went looking for her father, and found him sitting next to Mr. Adams. Ariel's mouth opened with astonishment: they were laughing with each other!
"Oh yes!", Triton was saying, " they wanted to build a new swimway right through the palace! I went out to talk to them and the chief octopus said the palace would have to come down!" Triton laughed until he cried.
Adams chuckled and nodded. "Sounds like my place in Philadelphia! Wanted to paint the shingles red, and foreman said they could only be white because they didn't have any red paint!
Triton slapped the man on the back, as he giggled like a child. Ariel came over with an expression of amazement. "Daddy? Are you all right?"
The King laughed and nodded. "Just fine, Dear! Me and John are just gabbing."
The girl smiled, with joy. "Okay Daddy! You two gab all you want!"
At last, it was time for everyone to leave. Ariel had to hug everybody; with Dr. Franklin doing a good job of hugging back. He smiled; sadly, at her. "I don't think we'll be meeting again."
Ariel took his hand. "I understand. You are a sweet man. I won't forget you." Franklin kissed her cheek.
Adams also kissed Ariel's hand. "You take good care of her, young man. She's a very special Lady."
Eric nodded. "I will, Sir."
Ariel kissed Flounder on the head, and kissed Sebastian's cheek. She looked at the crab, with surprise. "Why; Sebastian! Is that perfume I smell on you?"
Sebastian smiled, slyly. "Well,...you know. Women just got a ting for me,..."
Triton looked sternly down at Eric. "The next time I visit, I'll expect to see some grandchildren around here."
Eric smiled. "We're working on it, Your Majesty!"
Ariel giggled and blushed.
The King smiled and hugged his daughter. "Goodbye, my little Ariel."
"Goodbye, Daddy."
Ariel and Eric watched, as their coach pulled away. Hand-in-hand; the young couple waved goodbye.
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(c) Doug Webb
(c) Disney for The Little Mermaid
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We are simply trying to spread the word.