It was a beautiful morning in the ocean, and Ariel wanted to start out early on her exploring. Right after breakfast, she went to get Flounder, then dropped by her father's throne room to ask permission to leave. Ariel's happy grin disappeared upon seeing the King; his face was drawn with worry.
"Daddy! What's wrong?", she asked, as she swam up and put her hand on his shoulder.
Triton came out of his deep thoughts and put on a smile for his daughter. "Oh,...nothing for you to be concerned with, dear. Why don't you and Flounder go along and play."
The girl looked at her father, then reluctantly nodded. She turned to her little fish friend. "Come on, Flounder. Daddy wants to be alone."
As soon as they were out of the throne room, Ariel swam behind a coral column.
"But,...I thought we were going exploring,...", started the fish.
Ariel motioned for him to shush. "Something's wrong", whispered the worried girl. "I'm gonna find out what it is; maybe I can help."
Quietly, the two friends swam closer to the throne. Ariel saw that one of Triton's soldiers was now talking with the King.
"This is the second ship that I've seen, your Majesty. The first had only two masts on it; this one had three."
"But it was the same message?", asked Triton.
"Yes, your Majeasty. Repeated every half hour."
Triton nodded. "Thank you Turbot. Tell the watch to continue tracking the ships. Advise me of any new messages."
"Yes, Sire", returned the soldier.
"One more thing, Captain. Tell Sebastian that I wish to speak with him."
Turbot bowed and swam off.
Ariel looked at Flounder, with puzzlement. "They were talking about ships,...Humans," she whispered .
"That's trouble!", groaned the little fish. Ariel edged closer to her father.
After a short while, Sebastian swam into the room, and bowed before the King.
Triton stroked his beard, nervously, as he looked at the crab. "Sebastian; what do you know about,...the United States of America?"
The crab shrugged. "It's just a kingdom of Humans, your Majesty. A big island north-west of here. Dey haven't been around a long time; about twenty years ago, they fought a war with their mother country."
"A war, huh? Another bunch of savages", growled the King.
"They're Humans. Dat should be expected, your Majesty", agreed the crab.
Triton sighed. "We've got a big problem on our hands, Sebastian."
"From dese Humans?"
Triton nodded. "Two of their ships have been circling above Atlantica all morning."
Ariel gasped, from her hiding place. What did the Humans want?
"They know about our kingdom", continued the King. "They've been calling for my surrender."
Sebastian bristled. "Surrender?! But we aren't at war with dem! What sort of nonsense is dat?!"
"I don't know how they could have found out about us. Merfolk don't visit the surface when Humans are around. Atlanticans have always been careful", sighed the King.
Ariel blushed and hung her head. Could she have been the cause of all of this?
"What are we going to do, you Majesty?", asked the worried crab.
"I have no choice. They say that they'll drop,...destructive devices onto the kingdom if I don't surrender myself. I will go."
"But you can fight them, your Majesty!", urged Sebastian. "Use your trident to blast their ships!"
The King shook his head. "They are Humans, Sebastian. A violent race which excels in destruction. If I should start a war, every Atlantican would be in danger. Perhaps, I will be enough for the savages. The trident and the crown will go to Aquata."
Ariel listened, with horror. "Oh, Flounder! What are we going to do?!"
The little fish shook his head, hopelessly.
"It's,..it's all my fault", whispered the girl. "Humans must have seen me when I visited the surface. They found out about us because of me." Ariel hid her face in her hands. "Daddy always warned me, but I didn't listen." The girl darted out of the throne room, in tears.
Flounder tried to follow, but she was too fast. "Ariel! Ariel, wait!" The little fish trembled, nervously. In this state, the girl might do anything! "Oh; what am I gonna do?", moaned Flounder. "Tell the King. Yeah! That's it!" Frantically, the fish swam back towards the palace. When he got there, Sebastian and the King were gone. "Oh, no! Where could they be?!", cried Flounder. Off he swam; looking for Triton.
He caught Dudley; waddling through the palace, and stopped him. "Have you seen the King?! It's very important!"
"Why,...yes,...I,...saw him,...just,...this,....morning", drawled the turtle.
"Where was he?!", urged the fish.
"He,...was,....going,...to,...eat,...breakfast."
Flounder moaned. That was hours ago! "Thanks, Dudley!", shouted the fish; he was already swimming frantically away.
"Any,...time,...Floun,...der,..."
Flounder raced to the palace's front entrance. He turned to the guard at the door. "Did you see the King pass by just a little while ago?!"
The guard pointed towards some towers. "Yeah. He went that way."
Flounder shuddered, with apprehension. Every second was important and the King might be anywhere. The little fish was just about to dart out of the palace, when he heard Sebastian call behind him.
"Flounder! You haven't seen Ariel, have you? Her father wants to speak to her and the other Princesses."
Flounder shuddered tensely, and swam up to the crab. Sebastian immediately saw that something was wrong.
"Ariel overheard everything!", gasped the fish.
Sebastian started. "What?! You don't mean,..."
"Yes! And she kept saying it was her fault! I'm afraid she's gonna do something terrible!", moaned Flounder. Sebastian took a deep breath. "Okay. First place we go is her bedroom!" The crab grabbed onto Flounder's tail, as he turned to the guard. "When de King returns, tell him dat Ariel knows everyting. Got dat?"
The guard shrugged and nodded.
Flounder dashed through the palace, until they reached the girl's bedroom. She wasn't there. Pictures of her father and sisters were laying on her bed.
"Dis don't look good, Mon", groaned the crab.
Flounder looked at him, with horror.
Sebastian nodded. "The surface."
Ariel swallowed, nervously, as she watched the approaching ship. It looked so huge! The girl knew that this encounter would be different from all of the others. They were looking for her. Ariel heard a shout, and saw a big metal hook fall into the water; attached by a chain. Humans were leaning over the side; staring at her with wide eyes, and shouting. Ariel was so scared, but she had no choice. It was her fault. she had to save her father and her people.
A bearded Human looked down at her and shouted, "You ain't the King!"
Ariel tried to swallow. "I'm,...I'm the King's daughter. Take me."
The man hesitated and talked with another Human, right next to him. Then he turned back to the mermaid. "You won't do! We want the King!"
Ariel felt fear for her father. "It's me or no one!", answered the girl.
The man stared down at her for a moment; as if at a loss. Then he shouted something to another sailor. Ariel saw a heavy net being lowered over the side. It hit the water, next to her. Ariel took a deep breath and looked down at her home.
"Goodbye Aquata. Goodbye Andrina. Goodbye Arista. Goodbye Attina. Goodbye Adella. Goodbye Alana. Goodbye,...Daddy." She blinked tears.
Ariel swam into the net and grabbed on. She heard a shout from above, and the net began to rise out of the water.
"Ariel! No!", cried a voice. The girl looked down; Sebastian had jumped out of the water and had grabbed onto the net! "What are you doing, girl?!" cried the crab.
Ariel leaned over to take Sebastian into her hands. "It's my fault, Sebastian. I can't let them hurt Daddy, or my sisters, or anyone."
Sebastian held his head in his claws. "Let's just tink about dis, child! Jump out of the net!"
Ariel smiled and kissed the crab. She looked down and saw Flounder looking up at them, with fear on his face. "Goodbye, Flounder." The girl gently tossed Sebastian back into the water.
"Ariel!! Ariel; No!!", cried the crab. But it was too late. They watched, as the Humans pulled the net into the ship.
Flounder gasped in horror; petrified with fear. Sebastian looked frantically around the ship. He saw the anchor chain being brought up, and he grimaced. "Flounder. Tell the King what's happened." Sebastian swam to the chain, as the little fish stared, wide-eyed, at him.
"You're gonna,...?", started Flounder.
The crab grabbed onto the chain, then looked at the fish. "You can't go on dis adventure."
When Ariel was brought on-board, a crowd of sailors immediately surrounded her; staring and laughing with each other. The girl shivered and drew her tail up to her chest in fear. The Captain, the bearded man whom she had seen from the water, shouted at them.
"To work with ya, 'fore I knock some heads together!", growled the man. The sailors rushed off to their duties; leaving only the Captain and his first-mate. The Captain looked down at the girl and sighed.
"You're an amazing sight, Miss. I never believed those tales of mermaids, but there you are; staring me in the face."
Ariel turned her eyes away and looked down at the deck.
"You understand me?", asked the man. Ariel nodded.
"Good. I want you to know that this wasn't my idea, you understand. I'm under orders. I didn't want to take anyone against their will."
Ariel looked back at the man, and saw kindness in his eyes.
"You're about the age of my own daughter. She'll be turn'in thirteen, next month. I wish I could be with her, but tha' sea-faring life is hard on a family." The man coughed. "Yeah. Well,...we've got a tub o' water in my quarters for ya. It's the best I can do." The man approached her, awkwardly, and Ariel instinctively shrank away.
"I'm not gonna hurt ya", stuttered the man. He looked at his first-mate. "Help me, Bob. Be gentle." The Captain took Ariel under the arms, while the other man lifted her tail and flukes.
"She don't weigh nothin' ", commented the first-mate. "Don't look like the monster they painted her out ta be."
The Captain sighed. "Course she don't! You believe everything they tell us? Go easy now! She's a delicate lady."
They carried Ariel inside the back of the ship, where a huge wooden tub of water was waiting. Gently, they placed her into it. Nearby was a bed and dresser.
"It's not too cold for ya; is it?", asked the Captain. He coughed again; then smiled, awkwardly. "I expected to be entertaining a male of your kind; that's the reason I put ya in my quarters. I'll find someplace else ta sleep, I guess."
Ariel said nothing. She was still frightened by this whole experiance. Why did they want her? Where was she going? Would she ever see her father and sisters again?
"I guess I'll be leavin' ya to yourself, for a bit. Don't be scared; you're safe here. I don't advise you leave that tub, though; the floor would be mighty harsh on that delicate tail. I'll be back in a little while to see how you're doin'." The man backed out and shut the door.
Once outside, the Captain turned to his first-mate. "You keep first watch, Bob. I don't want nothin' to pass this door;...not even a mouse! She's scared out of her wits, as it is. I don't want no sailors gawking at her, makin' it worse."
"Aye, aye, Captain!"
When Sebastian climbed on-board, he was on the opposite end of the ship from Ariel.
"Ayeee!!", hollered the crab, as he scuttled out of the way of the coiling anchor chain. A sailor spied him and licked his chops. "Will ya look at that! No stew for me, tonight!" With a leap, the scrawny man grabbed for Sebastian,..but the crab pinched his finger and scrambled behind some crates.
"I'll get ya! Ya little sneak!", growled the sailor. His ship-mates laughed at him, as he moved crates around in a frenzy. "Most work he's done the whole voyage!", laughed the men.
"Oh, Mon!", whispered Sebastian, as he darted among the crates. "I had to board right before lunch-time!" The little crab crawled away from the noise of the sailors, and breathed a sigh of relief. "Now; if I can just find dat poor child! Why did she have to land smack in the middle of Humans?!"
At lunch-time, the Captain knocked loudly on his cabin door before entering; he carried Ariel a plate full of fish and kelp.
Ariel looked, with horror, at the cooked fish, and shrank away.
The Captain looked down at the plate. "Somthin' wrong, Miss? You like your fish raw?"
Ariel felt her belly churning; she closed her eyes and fought against getting sick.
The man put down the plate and scratched his head. "This sure is a puzzler. You don't,...eat fish?
Ariel swallowed and looked up at the man; while trying not to get sick. "Why would I,...eat my friends?"
The Captain nodded. "I see,... Mermaids look at fish different than Humans do. I'll get rid of tha' fish." The man hussled out. He soon returned with a plate heaped with kelp.
Ariel took the plate and began to eat.
The man hesitated; then coughed awkwardly. "Well,...you just eat all ya want. I'll bring ya a flaggard of milk. We got a goat on board, ya see. Ya do know what milk is?"
The girl nodded. "Yes." She smiled up at the man. "Thank you."
The Captain smiled. "You're welcome,... What may I be callin' you, Miss?"
"My name's Ariel", answered the girl.
"You're welcome, Ariel. My name's Melville. Melville Hawkins. I'll go get ya that milk, now."
"Melville? Why are you doing this?" Ariel looked up at him, with saddness in her blue eyes.
"It ain't me, child. I'm under orders. I was supposed to get your Daddy."
"But why? He's never hurt any Humans!", insisted the girl.
"Ariel; I don't understand it, either. I was told that your Daddy is planning to attack America. A lot of folks, high up in government, are mighty scared, right now, of your Daddy."
"But he's not going to attack you! He's never hurt Humans! Oh; he might stir up a storm every now and then,..." Ariel saw the fear and awe in the Captain's face: "But he would never hurt anyone!"
Melville nodded. "I believe you. I know your Daddy don't exactly like Humans,...but I've never heard a tale where he attacked 'em. But it's not up to me, Ariel. I've helped your Daddy, by takin' you. There's more ships out there; warships, mind-you! If I couldn't get a surrender; they were gonna sail in and do terrible things. I still don't know if the high-ups will accept you, and not your Daddy."
The girl shuddered. "What are they going to,..do to me?"
The Captain lowered his eyes. "I don't know, child."
Ariel felt suddenly cold.
"I'll,..I'll go get your milk now," stuttered Melville. The man left the girl alone, to the ominous groaning of the ship.
Ariel looked down at the kelp. Suddenly, she couldn't eat any more. Her stomach knotted with fear. She looked back at the big stern window; the ocean split into white foam, where the ship cut through the water. Every long, painful moment, Ariel was being taken further from her home. She might never see the ocean again. Tears welled in her eyes, as she stared out over the waves. At least, her family and her people were safe. The Humans had her now, but they didn't get them.
Ariel tried to find comfort in this thought, but it only made her more frightened. She got mad at herself for being so selfish, but the fear wouldn't leave. Suddenly, she heard a scratching noise on the window, and heard a faint voice.
"Oh, Mon! Dis don't look good!"
Hope swelled in the girl's heart, as she leaned over the tub and strained to see every inch of the huge window. There, in one corner, was a little red something holding on for dear life!
"Sebastian,..?", she almost choked out. "Sebastian! Is that you?!"
The little crab stopped moving. "Ariel? Child? Are you in dere?"
"Yes!! Yes! It's me!!", shouted the joyful girl.
The first-mate opened the door and looked down at her. "You all right, Miss?"
Ariel shrank back into the tub and eyed the man, fearfully. Then she thought of Melville. "Would,...would you please get Melville for me?"
Bob nodded. "Sure, Miss. I'll get him right away. Just don't try to leave; okay?"
Ariel nodded. "Please hurry."
It wasn't long before Melville rushed into the cabin; his face was red from the exertion.
Ariel even smiled; he really cared about her. "I'm sorry for worrying you, Melville. But it's my friend. Could you help him inside?"
Melville stood, puzzled. "Your friend, Ariel?"
The girl pointed to the big window. Melville saw the little crab, and stuttered' "That's,..that's your friend?"
Ariel grinned and nodded.
The Captain scratched his head and ambled to the window. Tilting a pane open, he watched as Sebastian jumped inside and landed on the floor.
The crab immediately scrambled to the tub and Ariel picked him up and hugged him. "Oh, Sebastian! I'm so happy to see you!", cried the girl, joyfully.
"There, there, child", soothed the crab. "Ol' Sebastian's here now." The crustacean turned a glare onto the Captain. "What have dese Humans been doing to you?"
Melville's jaw dropped, when he heard Sebastian speaking. He could only stare, and scratch his head.
"Oh; don't blame Melville", answered the girl. "He's been very kind to me; it's not his fault. He's just under orders."
"A,...talking crab?", stuttered Melville.
"This is Sebastian. He's one of my dearest friends, and he's Daddy's chief advisor", explained the girl.
The Captain shook his head, in disbelief. Then he nodded. "Well; I've seen a lot of amazing things, today. I'll go get that milk now. Your pardon." With that, the Captain left them alone.
Ariel looked at the crab, with a smirk. "Sebastian! I didn't want you in danger! I bet Flounder's somewhere around here, too; isn't he?"
The crab laughed. "He would be, if he could! He didn't have anything to hold onto the anchor-chain with!"
"What am I gonna do with you?", sighed the girl.
"Somebody's gotta get you out of dis mess", answered Sebastian.
"I bet, if I asked Melville, he'd drop you over the side", mused the girl.
"You are my responsibilty now, young lady!", fussed the crab, "and I am not leaving your side, til I get you off dis boat!"
Ariel smiled. "All right, Sebastian. I guess we'll find out, together, what's gonna happen."
The crab shook his head. "It ain't gonna be fun; I can tell you dat!"
ARIEL GOES TO AMERICA, PART TWO
When Flounder explained what had happened, the King's face turned pale. "Ariel? No,...", he whispered.
Flounder could barely keep from crying, as he looked fearfully at Triton. "You're gonna save her; you've got to save her,..."
Triton heard the little fish's voice breaking, and it brought him out of his shock. He smiled down at Flounder, with compassion. "Of course. I'll save her."
Triton's trident glared with a fierce flame, as the Sea King looked up, angrily. "I'll sink every boat in the ocean, if they don't bring back my Ariel!"
Dudley overheard the conversation, and swam up to the King. "Your,...Majesty,..."
Triton seemed not to hear the turtle, as he started to leave.
"Your,...Majesty,..."
"Hmmm? What?", answered Triton; finally noticing his friend.
"It,...might,...be wiser,... to wait,..."
"Wait? Wait for wait?! My little girl is in danger!", interupted the impatient King.
"If,...you,...start,...sinking,...ships,...the Humans,..."
"The Humans will run, with their tails between their legs!", roared Triton.
"Might,...hurt,...your daughter."
Triton stopped cold. "Hurt Ariel? They might hurt Ariel?" The King's face darkened, with dread.
Dudley nodded. "They,...tend,..to,..favor,...violent,... responses."
Triton sat on his throne; unsure of what to do.
Flounder hung, closeby; trembling with worry.
"I must save my girl! But how can I do it?", agonized the King.
"I might,...sugguest,...that,...your Majesty,...offer yourself,...in place of,..Princess Ariel".
Triton's face lit up. "Of course! That's it!" He sprang out of his throne and tossed the trident to Dudley. "Give this to Aquata", he shouted, as he left the room.
"Be,...careful,...your,..Majesty." Dudley looked over at Flounder. "Don't,...worry,... The,...King,...will save,...them both."
That evening, Ariel and Sebastian watched, as the hidden sun colored the ocean with a peaceful, orange light. Melville had open the windows so they could get some fresh air.The Captain had treated them with as much kindness as he could provide: He allowed Ariel to be lowered into the sea, from time to time, to take care of personal matters; he had seen to it that both she and her crab friend were well-fed, and had even brought pillows and blankets for them, for the night.
Ariel watched, as the golden light began to fade, and the waxing moon began to rise in the darkening sky. It felt peaceful now; her worries would not change matters, so she had ceased to think about them. She looked over at Sebastian; resting on the Captain's bed, and saw him yawn. She smiled; gently.
"I'm glad you're here. I'm not afraid, anymore."
Sebastian waved a claw. "Tink nothing of it, child. I'm just keeping an eye on you til your Daddy shows-up."
"Do you think he will?", asked the girl, hopefully.
"Of course. His girls are more important to him than any ol' kingdom."
Ariel looked back at the sea, and her hope faded. "But we're so far away from home now. He might not be able to find us."
Sebastian nestled into the covers. "Don't worry about it. Get some sleep." The crab yawned again.
Ariel watched the moon grow in brilliance, and the stars begin to shine. Her eyelids drooped, and it wasn't long before she was sleeping, peacefully, to the gentle rocking of the ship.
Ariel and Sebastian were on the ship for almost a week; the girl's hopes for rescue faded with each passing day. The sights and sounds that now greeted her, however, kept the girl curious and even excited about this "adventure". They had entered Boston Harbor, and Ariel was amazed at the sheer number and variety of boats which surrounded her. Melville and Bob carried her out onto the deck to see the shoreline: Ariel couldn't believe her eyes! The Humans' houses were so big! And they were everywhere! Some were red, and made of some sort of coral (she thought), and others were white, and all of them were beautiful to the girl. She totally forgot about the Humans gaping at her, as they docked. Humans! Humans were everywhere! They had hundreds of pretty coverings for their bodies. Ariel noticed that the styles between the men and the women were different; but all of them were beautiful!
She saw one Human walking up the gangplank towards them, and she suddenly shrank into Melville's arms. This man didn't look nice. He had cold blue eyes, and a cruel smile on his lips. The man looked angrily at her; then at Melville.
"This isn't going to please Adams", sneered the stranger.
"Adams wanted the poor child; so he's getting her!", snapped Melville.
The man looked back at Ariel, and she shuddered at his eyes. "Interesting creature; isn't it? Almost Human. Kept her in your cabin, I hear."
Melville gritted his teeth, "She's a Princess in her world and due proper respect!"
The stranger laughed. "A Princess?! It's a freak. A creature. Your duty is finished now, Captain. My men will take it, from here." The man turned and snapped his fingers; two burly strangers hurried up to join him.
Melville looked almost like he would cry; Ariel's heart went out to him: here was a man weathered hard by the sea, but his heart was as tender as her father's. She smiled up at him. "Thank you for all of your kindness, Melville."
The Captain looked at her and choked, "Don't worry, child. Adams is a good man. He won't hurt you." Melville looked back up at the stranger. "You go gentle with her, or Adams will hear of it!"
The stranger pointed to the girl, and his men took Ariel from the Captain and first-mate. The little mermaid was carried down the gangplank, as people gasped and shouted with amazement. She was dropped into a barrel, filled with water, which was sitting in a horse-drawn wagon. The evil-eyed man climbed into the wagon, as his men urged the horse to a walk.
Ariel forgot her fear, as she caught the amazing sights along the street. She felt Sebastian shaking in her hair. "Come on out, Sebastian!", she laughed. "Look at all the neat stuff!"
"I'm stayin' right here!", answered the crab, who was hidden from view.
Ariel sighed. "Scaredy-crab. You're missing it."
"Dat's all right by me!"
The girl grinned, as she watched the bustling Humans all around her. The beautiful buildings sprang up on either side; dotted with wonderful green seaweed-like plants upheld on thick brown stalks. Activity was everywhere; the poor girl was dazed by this overwhelming new world. Her eyes glanced forward and she shrank down, as she saw the evil-eyed Human staring at her. A cruel smile played across his face.
"Interesting creature. Perhaps Melville had the right idea,... Adams can wait a while,..."
Ariel swallowed and tried to find a strong voice. "If Adams finds out you hurt me, you're gonna be in big trouble."
The smile on the man's face soured into a frown. He turned back towards the front; as if abandoning any evil plans of his own.
Ariel breathed a sigh of relief, as she heard Sebastian squeek, "Humans! Dey are nothing but trouble!"
"You're forgetting Melville", returned the girl.
"Most of dem are trouble", corrected the crab.
The wagon eventually halted outside the gates of a large red-bricked home; surrounded by large trees. The gates were open by two men, wearing powered wigs. The wagon came to a stop, behind the home, and the evil-eyed man jumped out. He looked up at the girl and smiled. "Adams will probably have the lower half of you for supper tonight."
Ariel felt Sebastian trembling in her hair, but she wouldn't allow this man to scare her. "You're just trying to frighten me", she answered; trying to keep her voice from shaking.
The man snorted and walked towards the back door. After a few minutes, the man returned; followed by an older Human in very fancy clothes. This man looked stern, but not bad, like the first one. The older man looked up at her with astonishment.
"Don't let it's appearance decieve you, Sir. It's a monsterous creature", assured the evil man.
"That's not true! ", cried Ariel. "I'm the one taken from my family and home!
Adams turned to the evil man. "I thought Melville was bringing the King. Who is this girl?"
"It tricked Melville into taking it, Sir", answered the evil man. "No doubt; it's intentions are to get you alone and cast an evil spell over you. Let me take it away and kill it, before it puts you under it's power!"
"Don't listen to him! I'm not a witch! I'm just,..a girl!" Ariel suddenly broke down and sobbed. "I'm,..scared!"
Adams went to her and put her head on his shoulder. "There, there, child. Don't be frightened. I'm not going to hurt you." Ariel felt compassion and understanding at the man's touch; her despair slowly drained away as he comforted her.
Adams looked back at the evil man. "That will be all, Sloan." The evil man got back into the wagon. Adams motioned for the two servants in the wagon to help Ariel out of the barrel. She was carried through the door, and placed into a large tub of warm saltwater.
Adams sat down in a chair, next to the tub, and sighed. "Melville was supposed to bring the Sea-King."
"The Sea-King is my father", answered Ariel.
Adams stared with amazement. "You mean that your father sent you in his place?"
"No. I surrendered to keep Daddy from being taken. It was my fault that you found Atlantica to start with."
Adams rubbed his chin. "How so?"
Ariel hung her head. "Merfolk aren't supposed to visit the surface. But I disobeyed my father. Humans must have seen me."
"Why did you want to visit the surface?", asked Adams.
"Well,...I was,..curious."
Adams smiled. "If it is any comfort to you, child; it was not your visit to the surface which gave your people away." Adams sat back in his chair and paused; as if reconsidering matters. "A woman came to see me, not long ago. She told me of your kingdom, and of your father's plan to make war with America."
"That's ridiculous! My father doesn't want war! He hates violence," returned the girl.
"I don't listen to just anyone off the street; of course," continued Adams. "But this woman was a witch; she could show me things in a magical globe: Atlantica making preparations for war."
"If Humans would visit Atlantica, they would see that this isn't true!", insisted Ariel.
"Why would this woman speak a falsehood at the risk of her own life?", asked Adams.
Ariel shook her head, in confusion. "I,...I don't know. But it isn't true! Daddy wants to live in peace with Humans. We only want to be left alone."
Adams nodded. "I believe you. But it is my job to protect my people, too. I am the,...King here." Adams smiled. "Although King is not really the proper word! We spent five years breaking away from a monarchy. I was elected by my people; not born to the role."
"Elected?", asked the curious girl.
"It was the popular consent of the people", explained Adams.
"So you rebelled against your King? Was he a bad ruler?"
Adams nodded. "He ruled well-enough in his own land; but we are an ocean apart from our mother-country. We had no voice in government; our property was seized; taxes imposed; solders kept in our homes; all without our consent."
"I understand. You did what you had to do," answered Ariel.
"Yes. To be free, we had to break the bonds to our mother-country."
"Daddy listens to all of his people. He shops in the marketplace and talks to all the shopkeepers. He goes to the octopus arm-wrestling matches and turtle races every month. I've seen him worn-out after a day of going round and visiting everyone. Everyone loves Daddy,..."
Adams sighed. "I see only sweetness and innocence in you. But I must think of my country as well. I'll have the woman brought here to be questioned once more. Then we shall get to the heart of the matter."
Ariel shank back into her tub of water. Sebastian felt her shudder with anxiety, and tried to comfort her.
It was not long before a servant brought the woman into the parlor. To Ariel's eyes, she looked to be a kindly, grey-haired old woman who walked with a halting, crippled gait. The girl's heart immediately melted for the old woman, and she found it hard to think ill of her; despite the trouble that she had gotten Atlantica into.
"You requested my presence, Sire?", asked the woman, humbly.
Adams nodded and motioned to the little mermaid in the tub.
The old woman took one look at Ariel and cringed in terror. "How horrible! You've got one of them here?! Don't get too close, your Highness! It will attack you!"
Adams smiled. "Surely, you can see no harm in this sweet child,..."
The woman shook her hands, frantically. "No! No! Don't let it fool you, Sire! I can see it's true form! A horrible slimy monster with slavering mouth and clawed tenticles! I praise God that it hasn't already devoured you!" The old woman spoke with such an honest fear and concern; her voice cracking from decrepit age.
Ariel shook her head, urgently. "I am not a monster!", she pleaded. "How can you say that?!"
Adams rubbed his chin. "You see a monster before you?', he asked the woman.
"As God is my witness!"
Ariel was close to tears, as Sebastian popped out of her hair. "What a bunch of nonsense! Dis Human's as silly as a goosefish!"
The old woman crossed herself. "Another demon, your Greatness! They should be put to death at once! Call Sloan to help remove these creatures!"
Adams looked between the two. "One of you is lying. I'm just not the one to judge such unearthly matters: I'm just a lawyer! I'll get Dr. Franklin." Adams motioned the servant to take the old woman into another room. Adams turned back to Ariel. "You have my heart, child; but I can't let that sway me. The only guides that I've ever used have been facts and evidence. My feelings cannot enter into the matter, and this decision is too important to trust in them."
Adams paused. "If you are the monster that the woman described, it would be better to have you guarded. I wish that it could be otherwise." The man stepped into another room, and returned with two solders; who stood at attention, closeby.
"Are you hungry or thirsty, Princess?", asked the President.
Ariel shook her head.
"Very well. I will return shortly." Adams left Ariel to the two guards; who stared at her with amazement.
The girl sighed. "I can't understand why that Human lady was afraid of me!"
Sebastian frowned. "She's Human! What more do you need to know?"
Ariel rested her cheek in her hand. "There has to be a reason for this. Mr. Adams said that she was a witch."
"Or nutty as a coconut", offered Sebastian.
"She knew about Atlantica", continued the girl, "so if she isn't crazy, then she must be lying. What would be the reason to make up a story like that?"
Sebastian scratched his head. "Hmmm. To get dese Humans fighting Atlantica."
Ariel nodded. "That's right! She wants a big war between Daddy and Mr. Adams."
"Either she don't like Adams, or else she has someting to gain from de ruckus," added Sebastian.
"No. We wouldn't stand a chance with Humans; we're just too small, and Daddy's not into war. She wants us to lose."
"Den she don't like us, or has someting to gain from Atlantica gettin' defeated."
Ariel paused. "I,...wonder,... I wonder how Human this woman really is."
Sebastian looked at her with puzzlement.
Adams returned with an eldery gentleman with long white hair, a balding head, round spectacles, and a chubby frame. The stranger looked at Ariel and his mouth dropped.
"John! This,...this is incredible!" The old man approached the girl, with a broad grin.
"Be careful, Ben," warned Adams. "She may not be what she seems."
Franklin brushed it off. "Nonsense, John. I know a charming young lady when I see one." The old man took Ariel's hand and kissed it. The girl blushed to the ears.
"What a delightfully charming child!", declared Franklin. "Oh, John! How long have you been keeping her secret? She is every bit the Princess you described!" The aged man bowed to the girl. "Haven't told Abbie about her, have you? She'll have your hide if she finds out!"
Adams shook his head and strode up to them. "Ben! Don't you listen to a word,.. Oh well; if she was going to grab you, I suppose she would have done it by now." He turned to Ariel "Princess Ariel; this is Dr. Benjamin Franklin. He's an old friend of mine."
Ariel smiled and looked at his hair. Ben chuckled. "Yes! It's natural. I've never been one for fashion. Besides; the women love it."
Ariel looked at Adam's hair, with curiousity. Franklin broke out laughing again. "No! His isn't real! You've been caught, John."
Adams tried to remain dignified. "It is the fashion to wear wigs, Princess."
Ariel laughed. "Oh! I thought all the men here had white hair!"
Even Adams chuckled at this. Franklin nudged him. "What a treasure, John! How long is she staying?" Franklin didn't wait for a reply, but looked back at the girl. "Dear; would you mind showing me your flukes? Scientific curiousity, you understand."
This Human was so charming and easy-going that Ariel didn't hesitate about exposing her flukes.
"Amazing!", exclaimed Franklin. "Notice, John, how they are turned horizontal to the body; like whales and dolphins; and not vertical, like the fishes."
Adams smirked. "If she grabs you, I'm not lifting a finger."
"Obviously, the mermaid is a mammal, or a close kin. Warm-blooded, and,..umm,..shell-bodiced." Franklin studied her so closely that Ariel blushed again. "She's totally Human from the waist up. Incredible! Dear; does your People have a written history?"
"I brought you here to discover the truth; not have a tea party," growled Adams.
Franklin nodded. "Very well, John. Bring in the woman so we can get this settled."
The old woman returned; still trembling with fear and crossing herself.
Franklin turned a keen eye on her. "So Madam. Describe the aquatic visitor in the tub, once more."
"Do I have to describe such a horrid beast again?", groaned the woman. "Aye, noble Sir. It's slavering, even now. Sharp white teeth. Three glaring eyes. Oh,..it's watching me! I can't look!" The woman hid her face.
Franklin looked at Adams. "I see your dilemma, John. You know this woman; I suppose?"
"No. I assume that she's a local resident," answered Adams.
"I've lived here all my life, noble Sirs. A loyal citizen", offered the woman.
Franklin and Adams paused; as if considering a question.
Ariel hesitatly spoke up. "Sirs;...may,...may I ask her a question?"
Franklin smiled and nodded, "Certainly, child!"
"Ma'am. Why are you saying such untrue things about me?"
"I don't speak to monsters!", answered the woman.
"Could,..could it be that you want to see my kingdom hurt?", asked the girl.
"Nonsense!", blurted the woman, but they all saw her start at the question.
"You say that you've lived here all your life. Can you prove it?", asked Ariel. Sebastian grinned.
The woman was speechless. "What,...what utter nonsense is this?!"
Franklin and Adams crossed their arms and looked at her. "Well?", asked Franklin. "Which provence do you live in?"
The woman straightened her dress. "That evil creature is decieving you! don't listen to it!"
"If you've lived here all of your life, then you must know about the revolution", continued Adams. "What was the stamp act?"
The woman stuttered, "Well,...how am I supposed to keep up with every act to come along,..."
"You've lived in Boston all of your life", noted Franklin, "What did the Sons-of-Liberty dump into Boston Harbor?"
"How should I know what Humans dump in the water!", demanded the woman. "You will die if you allow this monster it trick you! Kill it now!"
Franklin smiled. "You crossed yourself, when you entered. What is the Pope's name?"
The woman stood, frozen.
Sebastian grinned. "Got her!"
Suddenly, the woman laughed with such cruelty that the two men stepped back.
"You've beaten me this time, Princess! But there'll be another day! I'll rule the ocean yet!"
Ariel gasped. "Ursula!" It was the voice of the sea-witch!
Before anyone could move, Ursula transformed into a vulture and flew out a window.
Franklin stumbled to a chair; in shock. When he came to his senses, he looked up at Adams. "Well, John; need anything else solved?"
Although Franklin wanted the girl to stay a while, Adams knew that it would be a great evil to keep her away from her home any longer. While they were calling for a special coach, a messenger rushed in and told something to Adams. The President answered the man and looked over at the Princess. "Your father surrendered himself some time ago, and is on a ship to Boston, at this very moment. He wants only your release in return."
"Daddy?", asked Ariel.
Adams nodded. "I've sent a message to the ship, ordering them to release your father and to inform him that you are safe and will be joining him soon."
The girl smiled. "Thank you for your kindness."
Adams smiled at Dr. Franklin. "We will keep all of this a secret; you understand?"
Franklin's face dropped. "John! No! Just think of the scientific revelations! The exchange of cultures! Why; the gain of knowledge about the oceans, alone, would be astronomical!"
John shook his head. "These people want to be left alone, and I will abide by their wish." The man turned to Ariel; smiled, and kissed her hand. "And, if I'm right, there may come a time when we will meet again."
Ariel and her sisters were getting ready for the day, in their dressing room, when Flounder swam in. Aquata bristled. "Ariel! This is supposed to be a Lady's dressing room!"
Ariel blushed and swam to Flounder. "You're not supposed to come in here, silly!", she whispered to her little fish friend.
"I'm sorry", apologized Flounder; "I was just wondering if we can go out exploring after breakfast and I couldn't wait to ask you."
Ariel smiled and brushed her long red hair. "I don't know if I can; Daddy mentioned something about a guest arriving, last night, and we were supposed to do something with them. I'll find out at breakfast and then I'll let you know. Now, scoot!"
Flounder nodded, happily, and swam off.
Ariel soon found out who the "guest" was, at breakfast. Triton smiled at his girls, as he explained. "As I told you last evening; a dignitary from Sea-city will be arriving at noon today, and I want all of you to make her feel welcome."
The Princesses looked at each other, with curiousity.
"She is a niece of the Duke, and about Attina's age, I believe. Her name is Doris; she's a very well-mannered young lady, so I want you to be on your best behavior."
"Yes Father", they answered.
"Try to make her feel at home; I'm sure that she'll be a little uncomfortable at first, but I know that you will become friends in no time. She'll be staying the week; Aquata; I want you to show her to the guest-room in our wing."
"Yes, Father", answered the oldest girl.
Arista whispered to Andrina, "Doris? Isn't that a sea-slug?", she snickered.
The family's guest arrived on time, and the Princesses got their first look at her when she stepped out of the conch-shell carriage. Doris was a little taller than any of them; with a thin, "vogueish" figure. She had jet-black hair, cut as short as a man's; small dark eyes; a long elegant nose, and small thin lips.
Arista instantly felt like the new guest was looking down on them, with a superior sneer. "Well; aren't we someone special", she whispered.
The Princesses came forward to greet her, and Doris gave a restrained smile. "Thank you! I'm sure that I'll have a wonderful time while I'm here!", she answered with a crisp, clear voice.
Blenny, one of the royal guards, started to take her clam-shell suitcases, when Doris frowned at him. "I can take them myself; I can assure you."
Blenny bowed and backed away, as Triton coughed into his fist. "Yes;...Aquata will see you to your room. After you become settled, perhaps you would like my daughters to show you around the palace?"
"That would be most gracious!", returned Doris.
Aquata led their guest into the palace; with the other girls straggling behind. Adella gave Ariel a questioning look; Ariel shrugged.
Doris gazed around her, with a penetrating stare. "This is good work; how much did it cost?"
Aquata looked confused, "I beg your pardon?"
"The palace. What did it cost to build?", clarified their guest.
Aquata stuttered, "Well,...I don't know, to tell the truth. I've never really thought about it. Maybe you can ask Father."
"I guess that I will; seeing that you don't know", answered Doris.
They soon arrived at the guest room. Doris inspected here, as well. "Nice furnishings. Tasteful and not gaudy. I like it."
Aquata tried not to smile. "We're glad it pleases you. Just make yourself at home." The girls started to leave.
"Oh; I will need a messenger mackerel, as soon as possible", stated Doris.
She sighed at their blank stares. "I must keep up with the clam market; there's a lot of buying going on, right now."
Aquata nodded. "Oh. Okay. I'll tell Father about it."
"You do that", answered Doris.
The girls left, and Arista started laughing. "Oh boy! Is she a strange one! So sophisticated!"
Aquata shrugged. "I guess she's just well-educated. There's nothing wrong with that."
Ariel looked at her sisters. "You know,...seeing that Doris is gonna need a little time to get settled, ...I was wondering if I could,..."
",...sneak off for a while", finished Arista.
"It won't be for long!", promised Ariel, "Me and Flounder found this really neat cave!, and it's got lot's of pretty stones in the wall!"
"I don't see why she can take off whenever she pleases, while we've got to stay and look after Miss Sophisticated!", answered Arista, hotly.
Aquata sighed. "Okay, little sister. You can go exploring. But I want you back an hour before dinner." Arista started to speak, but Aquata broke her off, "You can all take a break. I'll look after Doris."
"Thanks Aquata!", squealed Ariel; and off she swam to find Flounder.
Ariel returned on time; much to Aquata's surprise. She was excitedly telling of her "adventure", even as they entered Doris's bedroom, to take her to dinner. "The colors were as beautiful as the sky above!", gushed the girl.; "pale blues and reds!"
Doris approached them, with an eyebrow raised. "You let the young one run off and do whatever she pleases?"
Ariel smirked. "I'm just three years younger than you!"
Doris smiled back. "I'm simply attributing your impractical lifestyle to your immaturity. Frankly; I would have expected you to have dropped these childhood endeavers, by now."
Ariel laughed. "Maybe I like my childhood endeavors!"
Aquata floated between them, with a forced smile. "It's time for dinner! Come along now, Ariel! This way, Doris." Aquata gave her youngest sister a "Be nice, this is a guest!" glare. Ariel smiled and puffed at her curl, as she joined her sisters leading Doris to the dinner table.
Doris sat on the opposite end of the table from the King; with his daughters on either side. The dinner was superb, and Doris chatted with Triton like she had known him all of her life. The King was quite impressed by her maturity.
"I've taught my girls social manners, of course, but it still takes them a while to become comfortable with strangers."
Doris chuckled. "I've noticed. Being involved in my own business; I've quickly learned how to deal with people."
Triton smiled. "That's quite an accomplishment for one so young."
",...And a girl?", continued Doris. "I've noticed that none of your daughters has a job, yet. Getting involved in a business is a wonderful introduction to adult responsibilties."
"Well;...my girls have kept the palace neat. They've all baby-sitted, and Aquata is learning about governing."
Doris sniffed through her nose. "Baby-sitting is hardly a career field. I was trading in clams, by six. Could it be that you're stifling their business education because they happen to be women?"
Triton forced down a chuckle and sipped on his sea-tea. "No;....they aren't interested in business, right now."
Doris smiled through thin lips. "Perhaps that is because you never taught them otherwise. Raising them to be nice houswives and mothers; without a brain of their own. Obediant to their husbands."
Ariel feared her father would explode with rage; he laughed instead. "I don't think Arista or Ariel can be forced to do anything! Business is good and well, Doris; but it's not for everyone. Being a wife and a mother is one of the most rewarding jobs that I can imagine."
"That's easy for you to say; being a man", laughed Doris.
"Like it or not, Doris; men and women are different. I think a female is naturally inclined to motherhood, and caring for her family."
"I'm not surprised at that statement", returned Doris. "You have the typical attitudes of the domineering male sex."
Ariel's mouth dropped. How could Daddy stand such talk?
"I think you have a lot to learn, Doris", answered the King, gently. "You will find that living happily involves more than dealing in the clam market."
"It involves picking up after your husband, and raising seven children and being a good wife", continued Doris.
"Perhaps", said the King. "But remember; the husband has duties to his wife and children, too. He can neglect his responsiblities no more than his wife can."
Doris had no quick answer for this, so she smiled through thin lips and sipped her tea.
After a moment of silence, Ariel ventured to speak. "Flounder and I found a wonderful cave today, Daddy. would you like to hear about it?"
The King smiled, lovingly, at his daughter. "Of course I would, dear."
Ariel grinned at her rememberance, "It's near the starfish colony; out by that big coral bed. Flounder told me about how beautiful it was, and when I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes! All these see-through rocks of different colors! They were sparkling in the sunlight and shaped with sharp bends that broke the light up into rainbows!"
"Faceted", corrected Doris, dryly.
Ariel ignored the remark. "There were pinks and blues and purples, all mixed together and clustered; poking out of the cave wall. I wanted to take one home, but they were stuck tight and wouldn't come out."
"They were probably quartz or topaz; hardly worth the effort to extract", added Doris.
Ariel looked angrily at the girl, "I don't care what they were worth! They were beautiful and that's what's important!
"Now Ariel; be polite to our guest", urged her father.
"Yes, Daddy", sighed Ariel.
"Actually, I've dabbled a bit in the gem market, myself", confirmed Doris.
"That's interesting", said Triton, as he poked a sea-fruit with his clam-fork; "please tell us about it."
Doris sipped her tea, "I'm sure that your daughters wouldn't be interested in it; it involves capitalism and profit-taking for self-realization of finianicial goals."
Triton nodded, as he ate his fruit; then he chuckled. "I dealt a little in the gem market, myself, when I was a lad. I used to collect seashells! I had quite a collection, too. Still do, as a matter-of-fact."
Doris rolled her eyes up.
"The pride of my collection is a blue nautilus shell; you've seen it; haven't you girls?"
Ariel grinned, joyfully, "Yes, Daddy! It's beautiful! And it's really blue too!"
"Blue nautilus shells are very rare", agreed Aquata.
"Will wonders never cease,..." sniped Doris, dryly.
Ariel blushed with anger. "May I be excused, Daddy? This dinner has made me ill!"
Triton nodded. "Certainly, dear. Go lie down for a while, and I'll have Otto fix you a drink to sooth your stomach."
"Thank you, Daddy", answered Ariel, and swam to her room.
Triton came to see her, after dinner. The girl was watching the young fish playing, from her balcony.
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better", said her father, as he cupped her head, lovingly.
Ariel put her hand on his. "Thank you, Daddy. I felt better as soon as I got away from that,...Doris."
"It's not like you to keep ill-feelings for someone."
Ariel looked at the young fish. "I'm sorry; but I can't help it. Doris makes me so angry; treating you with such rudeness!"
"Remember, dear; manners and respect for others must be taught; no one is born with them. Doris was either never taught, or else she has chose to ignore what was taught to her."
"You want me to be nice to her, don't you?"
Triton smiled. Ariel smiled up at him. "Okay. I'll try."
The next day, the Princesses were to show Doris the palace gardens. Although Ariel wanted to shy away from her, the young woman sought her out and manuvered her away from her sisters, and into the hall.
"Ariel; I know that you dislike me."
"How could you tell that?", answered the girl, dryly.
Doris put a firm hand on Ariel's shoulder. "I don't want you to feel that way. My point of view is simply,...different from your's. I wasn't raised with a silver clam-spoon in my mouth, like you. I had to learn how to be a success."
"You did wonderfully", said Ariel and started back to her sisters. Doris swam in front of her.
"My parents had a motto in raising me: Success-by-six. I was planning for my career when other children were playing hide-and-seek."
"Did you ever play hide-and-seek?", asked Ariel.
"I did not participate in games which yeilded nothing in return", laughed Doris.
"But games are,...fun! Games make you happy!", answered Ariel.
"Making money makes me happy. Being a success is fun to me. You see, Ariel; I have studied the practices of a land called America. It is governed by Humans."
Ariel's curiousity awoke. "Humans?"
"Yes. These Humans have taught me very valuable lessons. There are many losers, Ariel; but only one winner. Looking out for yourself; being better than everyone else, is the greatest goal in life, and nothing, and no one, can stand in your way of achieving it."
"That sounds so cold", whispered Ariel.
"It's life; my child. Only the strong survive. You must do everything in your power to win. No one likes a loser. Losers will never gain anything. Losers are worthless. You must learn to be a winner."
"I prefer being who I am", answered Ariel. She tried to swim around Doris. "May I get by?"
"I've tried to help you. You can't remain a child forever", said Doris, with a smile.
"I'm sorry for you, Doris. You never had a chance to be a child." Ariel swam back to her sisters, as Doris followed; smiling and shaking her head.
Aquata grinned, diplomatically, as Doris swam in. "Well,...Doris! Shall we escort you to the royal gardens? They're really lovely right now; the sea-fans are in full bloom!"
"I would prefer to see your father's accounting office", answered their guest.
"Accounting,...office?", mumbled a dazed Aquata.
Doris smiled. "You know. Where your Daddy keeps paper with numbers on them. And squid pens. Scribble, scribble?"
"Uh,...business. Yes!,...sure!", answered Aquata. "This way!"
Aquata led the group to Triton's study room. Doris quickly found the King's book-keeping for the royal finances and began reading through them.
Ariel looked, questioningly, at her big sister, "Do you think we should be letting her look at those books? Those are Daddy's personal books."
Aquata shrugged. "Father said to show her anything she wanted. If she wants to see books with rows of numbers, I guess she can."
Doris seemed to be pleased by what she read. She shut Triton's book, with a smile, and put it back on the shelf. "Perhaps I was wrong to look at your father's private books", stuttered Doris, "Please don't tell him; I would be very embarressed."
"Oh; we won't!", agreed Aquata, cheerfully. "Would you like to see the royal gardens, now?"
"Sure. Why not", laughed Doris.
The next evening, at supper, Doris seemed beside herself with good humor. Ariel noticed that she didn't challenge her father once on anything he said. Her messenger mackerel swam in, during the main course, and whispered in their guest's ear. Doris chuckled with satisfaction. Soon afterwards, a merman counselor of the King swam into the room, bowed to Triton, and told him something in his ear. Ariel saw that her father seemed upset. She swam up to him, in concern.
"Is something wrong, Daddy?", she asked, anxiously.
Her father turned his head so only she could see his face. "I'm afraid I've gotten some bad news", he said; but he was smiling, and he winked at his daughter. Ariel swam back to her chair; a little confused.
Doris was bubbling over with mirth. "I'm afraid I'll have to cut my visit short. It's been lovely, but I've got businesses to attend to."
Triton rose. "I'm sorry to hear that you must leave us so soon. I'll arrange a carriage to take you home."
"Oh; there's no need for that, your Majesty. I've already got a carriage waiting." Doris swam up to the King, with a smile. "Our attitudes about life are certainly different. Perhaps your method of helping everyone before yourself; being content with coming in second (or sixteenth) is the most successful one. How would I know? I'm just a girl." Doris bowed and swam over to Ariel.
The tall girl looked down at her, with a grin, "I think you'd better learn how to be an adult now,...or else starve." She turned and waved at the group. "Goodbye everyone!" She swam out the door and disappeared.
Aquata stared after her, with her mouth open, "She sure was in a hurry to leave!"
"Good riddance", added Arista; then hung her head, "Sorry, Father!"
Ariel looked at her father, with puzzlement, "What's going on, Daddy?"
Triton sat back down and chuckled. "When did Doris read my accounting books?"
Aquata gasped, "Yesterday! How did you know?"
"She asked me if she could see them on the first day, but I put her off", explained Triton. "That's why she was here."
"I don't understand. Why would Doris want to see your accounting books?", asked Ariel.
"You saw what kind of person she is. Her family is always looking for ways to improve their finiancial situation. Doris was sent to read my books, in order to find any tips, or knowledge that would help them."
"That's terrible!", gasped Aquata.
"Yes. Isn't it? I decided to change my records a little bit. I put a note on the last page about the royal treasury being almost gone and about how desperate I was. I wrote that I had put all of what remained of our money into the pink-clam market, in hopes that it would go up and save us.'
"What did Doris do?", asked Ariel.
"She sold off all of her pink clam holdings. That would make the price drop."
"She was trying to ruin us!", growled Arista.
Triton nodded, "If we were hurt; her family would gain."
"If you knew how she was, Daddy, why did you invite her here?", asked Ariel.
Triton smiled and hugged his little girl. "You are a bright one. All of you are. I invited her here; not to teach her about Atlantica, but to teach you about people like her."
Ariel smiled with understanding. "You knew how she was all the time, and wanted us to see!"
Triton nodded. "Pearl was very undisiplined, before she realized her mistakes; Doris is too disiplined. There's nothing wrong with wanting to succeed, and strive to be the best; but it shouldn't rule your life until you have no joy in living. Remember: There is always time for play, and being a child."
(NOTICE: This story has some scenes that may be too frightening for preschoolers. Use your own discretion.)
It was Ariel's ninth birthday, and King Triton went all-out for his youngest daughter's party. Her other sisters attended, of course, as well as many of the birthday girl's friends. Flounder swam excitedly from game to game; he even won "Pin the tail on the seahorse". Sebastian was there too; providing the music for "Musical chairs" and sneaking nibbles of plankton pate' from the party table. Ariel's eyes glowed with happiness, as the party peaked with the bringing out of the cake: a beautiful, nine-tiered blue and white masterpiece from Otto, the royal chef. As everyone enjoyed a slice, Triton went to his youngest daughter and presented her with a small coral jewelry box. Ariel opened it and gasped with happiness: inside was a beautiful blue pearl neacklace.
"Thank you Daddy!", she cried, as she hugged his neck. Now, she had a blue pearl necklace, just like her sisters! Ariel held it up to show everyone; then proudly put it on. This was her best birthday ever!
Far from the joy of the palace, a solitary woman growled with frustration. She had been banished from Atlantica, but still schemed to take over, in Triton's place. From the depths of her magic globe, Ursula stared at the gleaming towers of the palace. If only she could see what was going on inside! Then she might invent an evil plan to overthrow the King! The Sea-witch heard a sound at the entrance to her lair, and turned around to see her newest victim. It was a young mergirl. Merfolk would visit her, from time-to-time; aware of her magical powers and hoping that she would fix their problems. Few escaped from being Ursula's slaves forever. The woman managed a forced smile. "Come in, child. You certainly are a young one."
The mergirl swam up; unafraid of the Sea-witch. "I'm eleven years old; although that's no business of your's."
Ursula lowered an eyebrow. "Cocky, aren't we? Don't waste my time, child; you have nothing I would want."
The girl raised her head, proudly. "I'm Beau. I ran away from home. I want to be a Princess."
Ursula laughed through grinning teeth. "Is that all?" She rose before the girl, but Beau didn't shrink back. "I have half a mind to feed you to my Morays."
Beau made fists and yelled, "I demand to be made a Princess!"
Ursula smiled; amused. "You are so haughty! Where is your home?"
"None of your business", replied Beau.
"If you want to be a Princess,..."
Beau shrugged. "Okay. It's Sargassum City."
"That's a long way. Travel all by yourself?"
Beau laughed. "Yeah. So what? I can take care of myself."
Ursula turned and sat back down. "Aren't you afraid to be so far from your Mommie and Daddy?"
"It's nice not to get beat every day. Look; are you gonna make me a Princess or are you gonna talk all day?"
Ursula put a hand to her chin with a sudden thought. Yes! This was the answer! She turned a sly smile onto the mergirl. "Yes. I'll make you a Princess. For a price."
"What price?", demanded Beau.
Ariel waited until the time was right, then snuck out of the palace to join Flounder. They were exploring a beautiful coral bed. It wasn't far from the palace, but it was further than her father would allow her to go; so she had to do it secretly. They gazed in wonder at the pretty pink animals which glowed in the sunlight; waving their tiny fans in the current to catch bits of food.
"Just think, Flounder: every little fan is an animal! There's zillons and zillons of them!"
Flounder looked over the coral, to see the countless little fans. "Wow!", he exclaimed.
While Ariel went around the huge rocks to see the other side, Flounder looked into a crevice and discovered tiny yellow and black fish. "Ariel! Come look at these little guys!"
Flounder didn't hear a response. He swam around the rock, but Ariel wasn't there! "Ariel? Ariel, where are you?!" Flounder swam; terrified; all over the coral bed, but his friend had disappeared! "Ariel!!"
When Ursula returned to her cave, she was carrying a young mermaid in her arms: Ariel slept peacefully under the Sea-witch's spell. Beau laughed when she saw the girl.
"That's a Princess? She looks like a baby!"
"And you act like a baby", growled Ursula. The Sea-witch lay Ariel on a bed of seaweed; then turned to her cauldron.
"This spell will get us both what we desire; you will become a Princess and I'll have my inside source of information in the palace."
"If that's what you want, why don't you just change yourself?", scoffed Beau.
Ursula glared at the child. "The last thing I want is to be one of Triton's brats! When I return to Atlantica, it will be as it's Queen."
"That's a good story! I bet you ain't even got magic! How you gonna make me a Princess, huh?
The Sea-witch took some bottles out of her cabinet and threw them into her caudron. A green mist billowed out from the broken bottles.
"If you'll shut your mouth for a moment, I'll tell you. This spell doesn't change your shape, but it affects how others see you. To all but yourself, you'll appear to be the Princess there. Of course, she'll appear to others to look like you."
"That's not bad!", chuckled the girl. "So; will it last forever?"
"It will last as long as those around you think you are who you seem to be. If they begin to doubt, then the spell will be broken. And that's why you need to curb that tongue of your's. This Princess would never act like you; so you've got to act nice to others if you want to stay a Princess."
Beau rolled her eyes up. "Why couldn't you find a nasty Princess!"
"Take it or leave it", answered Ursula, dryly.
Beau shrugged. "It's better than going home. Do it."
Ursula turned back to her caudron. Raising her arms, she spoke in a cold voice," By the powers of deceit, let these two be the other to those who they meet!" The geeen mist flowed over Beau and the sleeping Ariel; when it cleared, Beau appeared to be Ariel and Ariel (still sleeping) appeared to be Beau.
"Beau looked at herself. "I still look like me." She looked over at Ariel and gasped. "She looks like me too!"
Ursula sighed. "You're the only one who sees you as you really are; you look like the Princess to everyone else. Now; take this necklace." The Sea-witch handed her a twined-seaweed necklace with one large black pearl strung on it.
"I'd rather have her's", scoffed Beau, as she looked down at Ariel's blue-pearl birthday present; still around her neck.
"This is my link with you", explained Ursula. "I'll talk to you once a week at low tide. Keep me well-informed and I won't break the spell."
"I know the deal", huffed Beau.
Ursula smiled, coldly. "Time you got back to the palace. Your little fish friend will be worried about you."
"What about her?", asked Beau; shrugging at Ariel.
Ursula gave an evil chuckle. "She's going home to Sargassum City."
Flounder wasted no time in rushing back to the palace to inform Triton of Ariel's strange disappearence. The King started to admonish the little fish, but saw how terrified and worried he was, and decided to postpone it for a better time.
"Take me to the last place you saw her," demanded Triton. Flounder nodded and darted back to the coral rock. The King looked around the rock carefully.
"How long was it before you noticed she was missing?", asked the King, after his fruitless search.
"It was less than a minute! She just disappeared!", cried Flounder with dispair.
Triton looked around at the ocean floor. "Well,...there's plenty of corals and plants to hide behind. Perhaps Ariel is playing a prank on you."
"No, your Majesty! I called and called! Ariel wouldn't do a mean thing like that!", declared Flounder.
The King stroked his beard. "I think you're right, Flounder. Ariel wouldn't hurt you on purpose. I'll organize a search immediately!"
"No need to do that. Here I am."
Triton and Flounder turned to see Beau swim out from behind a large rock. Triton's face beamed with joy. "Ariel! You're safe!" He swam up to hug his daughter, but Beau didn't seem to like she wanted to be hugged. She swam back a pace, and patted Triton on the arm.
"I'm okay, Dad. A rock hit me on the head and I was knocked out."
Triton looked at her, with concern. "We'll go see the royal Doctor at once!"
Beau laughed and shook her head. "No need for that! I'm fine now. Just a little dizzy."
Flounder swam up and hugged her; Beau pushed him off. "Hey, fish! I'm not your mom!"
Triton and Flounder gasped with shock. Beau paused; as if she thought she had made a mistake. "Do I know you?", she offered.
"I'm Flounder! Don't you know me?!", asked the fish, with worry in his young voice.
Beau laughed again. "Sorry! I guess that bump must have done something to my memory. Let's go home, Dad."
Triton took her arm; gently, and led her towards the palace. "I'll send for Doctor Cuttlefish at once."
"Don't bother; I'm fine", insisted Beau.
Triton looked down at her, with worry in his eyes. "I don't think you are, and you're going to see Dr. Cuttlefish."
Beau shook her arm free. "I am NOT."
Triton's face turned stern, "I know what's best for you, young Lady! You will do as I say!"
Beau huffed, angrily, and said no more. They swam in silence back to the palace.
Ariel came out of her deep sleep from something pulling at her neck. She opened her eyes to see a young merboy over her; his hands gripped her pearl necklace. When he saw that she was awake, he fled in terror. The girl shook her head, to shake off the sleep, and looked around. She stared; confused. Where was she? Ariel lay in what appeared to be a dark alley-way between brown coral buildings. Trash surrounded the girl, and rat-fish crawled through it. Ariel rose up in alarm when she saw nasty hagfish slithering under the garbage. Their eyeless faces turned towards her, with slavering mouths full of rasping teeth.
Ariel swam out of their reach and called, "Flounder!! Flounder!! Are you here?!" Dodging the hagfishes' sucking mouths, the girl searched the length of the alley-way; looking for her friend. After an exhaustive search, Ariel swam out of the darkness and stared around her at a strange and lothesome city. Dirty buildings; shoddily-made, hung-out over the garbage-filled streets. Sargassum weed grew everywhere; giving the place a depressing brown hue. Merfolk swam by; with unkempt hair and bodies. Many were arguing with each other, and one pair of men were actually fighting. Children swam, unsupervised, through the streets; throwing rocks at the phosper streetlights, or rummaging through the trash. One youngster, about Ariel's age, swam up to her and gaped at Ariel's pearls.
"Wow! Beau! Where'd ya find the necklace? That outta fetch some clams!"
Ariel shuddered, and instinctively clutched her birthday present. "I,...beg your pardon?"
The young boy laughed; showing a set of rotten teeth. "Ha! Ha! Pardon! That's a riot, Beau! Mind my own business, huh?"
Ariel felt like she was in a dream. "I,...I don't know where I am."
The boy's face grew puzzled. "You all right or what? Old Man must've walloped you good, this time."
"Do you know where my father is?", asked the girl; hoping for something she knew.
The boy shrugged. "Guess he's where he always is, this time of day; at tha' pub." The youth brought his dirty face closer to her's and Ariel shrank back.
"Got some zebra-fish spines, today", he whispered slyly. "Just two clams each!"
Ariel backed away from this nauseating child. "Uh,...not,...now,...Thank you,..."
The boy yelled at her as she retreated, "See if I offer you anything again! High and mighty with dem pearls; ain't ya!! Hey!! Everybody!! Beau's got Pearls!!"
Ariel swam away in a panic, but hardly anyone turned to see what the boy was shouting about.
"You sea-flea bitten, ratfish eating sea-slug!!", screamed the boy. Ariel swam blindly; trying to get away, and bumped into strangers, who angrily pushed her. The girl finally found a dark place to catch her breath and slow her pounding heart. Tears welled in her eyes, and soon she was weeping with frightened confusion. No one noticed her, or cared, as they swam past. After a while, Ariel felt the cool pearls on her skin. Sniffing her runny nose, she took her birthday necklace and hid them in her shells.
Dr. Cuttlefish examined Beau's head with the skill of many years as Ariel's doctor, but he could find no trace of a bump. Beau squrmed impatiently in her chair. "No; you moron! It's over here!" She rubbed her hand on a vague spot on her head.
Dr. Cuttlefish seemed at a loss with confusion. "I've looked everywhere, dear! I just don't see a bump!"
"Are you callin' me a liar?!", raged Beau.
Triton put a hand on Beau's shoulder. "Now, dear! He didn't say you were lying."
Beau glared up at him. "Being a Princess, I'd think my subjects would believe me!"
Triton turned to Dr. Cuttlefish. "I'll take care of her now, Doctor. Thank you for your help."
"Yeah. Thanks for nothin'," added Beau.
Triton looked at his daughter, with a face drawn with concern. "Ariel; maybe you should go to bed now and get a little rest."
Beau jumped out of the chair. "I don't want to go to bed! I want to see my royal jewels!"
The King looked at her and his puzzlement grew. "Royal jewels? Do you mean your jewelry, Ariel?"
Beau waved her arms, "Yeah! Jewels, jewelry, whatever!"
"Your jewelry is in your bedroom", answered the King, gently.
"And where is my bedroom, may I ask?"
Triton suppressed his growing worry in order not to alarm his daughter. "I'll take you there."
Ariel didn't know how long she lay curled-up against the slimy wall, but a loud drunken voice brought her back to the miserable place. She looked up with red eyes; then cowered down as a filthy merman reached for her.
"Here you are; you little worm! Been gone a week, you have! Maybe two! I'll give you a treat for that!"
Ariel cried out, as his rough hand tightened around her arm and he yanked her up. His grizzly face stank of seaweed whiskey, as he held her up to get a good look. "Red eyes, huh? Been sticking zebra-spines, haven't you? Where'd ya get tha' clams?!" He shook the girl, but Ariel was too senseless to speak.
"Little monster!", he growled. Then he belched. "Probably stealing off of me. Gonna tan your hide!" The horrible merman dragged her down the street; Ariel could only whimper, as she tried to keep up without getting close to him.
At last, she found the courage to speak. "Please Sir,..."
The man jerked to a halt and looked down. "Huh? You givin' me lip?!"
Ariel stammered, "I'm,...Princess Ariel,...of Atlantica,..."
The man ground his rotted, crooked teeth. "WHAT'S THAT?!", he asked, as if he didn't hear her.
Ariel swallowed. "I'm Princess Ariel,...from Atlantica."
The merman let out a barrel-laugh from his fat belly, and began to drag her again. "PRINCESS! Oh, Beau! That's a good one! You're really swimmin' high!" He gritted his teeth and turned a glare on Ariel, as he shook her. "Got any left?! I want em!"
Ariel shook her head urgently, and the man snarled in disgust. "Little monster!" He dragged her along, as children watched and laughed.
Beau nodded her head, when Triton ushered her into the bedroom. "Not bad!", she admitted. "It's big enough. Nice bed. Where's my jewels?"
Triton took her to Ariel's vanity, and opened a jewelry box. The King hoped that this familiar place would bring Ariel's memory back.
Beau looked in the box and slapped here flukes with rage. "This is it?! A little box?! I'm a Princess! I should have jewels stacked to the ceiling!"
Triton's heart ached. His daughter seemed like a totally diffferent girl. "Dear; you know how I feel about spoiling you girls. Didn't you get a beautiful necklace today?"
Beau shrugged her shoulders. "Yeah. Well,..I lost it. I want another one."
The King looked at Beau with shock. "You lost your birthday present?" He took her to him "My poor little girl! What a terrible day you've had!"
Beau slid her arms under the King, and pushed to free herself. Triton was surprised to see how strong his daughter was now. "That's right, Dad. I've had a terrible day and I want to be alone now. Just get me another necklace and I'll feel better. And send in a slave, too; while you're at it."
"We don't have slaves, dear", corrected the King.
Beau rolled her eyes. "What kind of palace is this,... Okay! Okay. Just send in something that will run my errands. Is that too much to ask?"
Triton almost felt like a total stranger was talking to him: so great was the contrast with her old personality. "I'll summon Coral to help you", he promised.
"Thank you, Dad", said Beau, as she lay down on Ariel's bed.
Sebastian was swimming through the palace; delivering a message to the King, when he suddenly heard music. His jaw dropped with amazement when he entered Ariel's bedroom. Beau was in bed; wearing every bit of jewelry that Ariel had. Two mermen held sea-fans over the girl; fanning her; while a merwoman filed her nails. A group of sea-creatures was playing music nearby. Coral, the Princesses' housekeeper, was kneeling at Ariel's bed; awaiting further orders. A fish was feeding her sea-grapes.
Sebastian swam up to the ridiculous group. What is going on here?!"
Beau turned a glare on the crab that made Sebastian cold. "I did not give you permission to speak", she answered, with menace in her voice.
Sebastian couldn't believe those words came out of Ariel's mouth. "Child? Are you all right?"
Beau rose up with a red face. "I am NOT a child!", she screamed. She snapped up her arm and pointed at the crab. "Guards! Seize that intruder!" From out of nowhere, two merguards swam up and grabbed Sebastian.
"Ariel! Dis is crazy! What's wrong with you?!"
Beau turned her face away and looked at the ceiling. "I want this creature beheaded immediately", sighed the girl.
Her merguards gasped in shock, "But Princess! Only the King has that authority!"
"Everywhere I go, I get insolence!", screamed Beau. "I'll have both of your heads too, if my order is not carried out immediately!"
The elder of the two merguards bowed to the girl and looked at the other guard. "I'll take care of this, myself. You will remain here to guard the Princess." The man looked at Beau,"if that is all right with your Highness."
Beau motioned him away by flicking her hand.
"Ariel! Don't do dis! You're not yourself!", cried Sebastian, as the guard took him away.
After they had left, beau smiled. "I'll teach all of you how to treat a Princess!"
Ariel sat, curled in the corner of a dark dirty room. The place stank; with garbage littered on the dirt floor. At a nearby table sat the merman who had brought her there; as well as a merwoman with long, nasty, stringy-black hair. The two of them were chewing on some sort of meat, and drinking seaweed whiskey. Closeby was a mangey-looking dogfish, which continually growled at Ariel.
"Shut your trap!", shouted the merman and kicked his tail at the dogfish. The animal would cower-down for a moment, then start it's growling again. Ariel cried in misery, but the couple hardly noticed her in the dim phosphor-light.
"Been stealing clams from me again", slurred the man, as he guzzled whiskey. "She's been buyin' zebra-spines with my clams!"
"She never was any good", mumbled the woman. "I never shoulda' birthed her,...never shoulda'."
My kid wouldn't act like that,... Little monster. I don't know why I stay wit' you; with that brat around", growled the man.
The woman tore off a piece of greasy meat and chewed noisily. "She's a good thief,...that's why. Ain't ya, Beau?" The woman turned around, when Ariel didn't reply. "Hey! Ya mamma's talkin' to ya!" Ariel was too frightened to look up out of her curl.
The woman turned back to the table. "Ahh,..she's still swimmin'. Good for nothin'."
The merman wiped his mouth with a dirty hand. "Ain't forgot yer beatin', girl. It's comin'. I'll give ya a good un!"
The woman grabbed a hunk of meat and shook it at the girl. "Ya hungry? Hey! I'm talkin' to ya!" Ariel curled up tighter. "Little brat. I won't ask twice." The woman turned back to the whiskey bottle.
Ariel heard the man's chair move, and her heart began to pound. She felt his movement, as he swam to her. His terribly-strong hand grabbed the girl's tiny arm and shook her out of her curl.
"Now I'm gonna give ya a beatin'. Do ya good!" The man raised his hand, then paused. Something shiny glimmered at the girl's chest. "What's this?", he growled, and pulled out her pearl necklace.
Ariel tried to get them back, but the man shoved her , without effort, into the floor. She whimpered, "No! That's Daddy's present!"
"SHUT YER TRAP!", screamed the man. He looked at the necklace and his eyes went wide. "Will ya look at this? It's a bloody fortune!"
The woman quickly swam up. "It's pearls! Real pearls!" She tried to take them, but the man jerked them away. "Hey These are mine, see?", he growled.
The woman laid a greasy hand on his arm. "We're rich now, honey! We're gonna have everything now!"
The man smiled through rotten teeth. "Yeah, baby! We're gonna be high-classed now!" The two swam over to the seaweed couch; all thought of Ariel was forgotten, as they gawked at the necklace.
Ariel crawled into a far corner; shivering with fear at the horrible couple and their growling dogfish.
THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER, PART TWO
Triton could only sigh, as his guard explained what had happened. Sebastian still looked pale from the experiance. "I could see that only Sebastian's execution would please the Princess, so I told Ariel that I would carry it out, myself. We came here, to tell your Majesty, as soon as we could."
"I couldn't believe my ears!", exclaimed Sebastian. "Dat sweet little girl saying those tings! I just don't understand it!"
Triton shook his head, sadly. "My poor little Ariel. she bumped her head today, and has been acting like that, ever since. I don't know what we can do to help her." He sat down, lifelessly, on his throne. "I've sent her sisters to see her; perhaps they will spark some rememberance in her."
"What I don't understand, your Majesty", said the crab, as he put a claw to his chin, "is how Ariel got dese notions to start with! Dere's never been an execution in Atlantica! How would she even know of such a ting?"
"It is all so terribly puzzling", agreed the King.
Just then, the other Princesses came rushing into the throne room. All of them were upset, and Arista had plankton pate' all over her.
"Ariel is just impossible, Father!", she cried. "She's like a shark! Some haughty, bloodthirsty shark!"
Aquata nodded her head in agreement with her sister. "She doesn't act like the Ariel I knew."
"She called me a fat slug!", cried Adella.
Alana spoke quietly, "There's something about her now. It's not like she's altered her behavior; it's like she's got a whole new behavior. And something's,...missing."
Triton looked down at his daughter. "Alana; I think you're closest to what's wrong. I've noticed that missing "something" all day. Her spirit is gone. Let's only hope that it will return, and our Ariel will get back to normal."
The terrible evening turned into a lonely night. Ariel listened, in fright, as the couple sat on the couch; cursing her for hiding the pearls and promising to beat her to death. They never seemed to have the will to get up, however; but continued to laugh over their new-found treasure, as they guzzled whiskey. The laughing and belching grew softer, until they were replaced by the sound of snoring. The lamp on the table was perilously dim. The girl didn't want to be in the dark, with that terrible dogfish so near. Her heart pounded; as she inched towards the table. The snarling got louder and more menacing, until Ariel was shaking with fright; knowing that it was going to attack her at any second. Her trembling hand reached the cold, greasy meat, and she tried to speak with a dry mouth.
"Here,...here you go, doggie." She threw the meat to the dark, snarling shape. Immediately, the growling became slavoring and chewing. Ariel swallowed; she knew she didn't have much time. Soundlessly, she crept up to the horrible couple. They were sprawled on the couch; an empty coral whiskey bottle nearby. Ariel could hear the pounding of her heart, in her ears, as she drew near the unshaven merman. With every sudden snort or snore, the girl's heart leaped; she knew he would awaken and get her. Her hand shook so badly; she took her other hand to steady her arm, and reached for the necklace. Her fingers touched it, as it lay in the man's half-opened hand.
"Little monster,...", he said in his sleep.; Ariel shuddered in fear; her eyes were wide. She hooked her fingers around the necklace and pulled it away. The man didn't move. Ariel started to breathe again. Then the lamp went out. She tried to control it, but she couldn't help but whimper in fear. The snoring continued. The dogfish was still gnawing on his bone. Ariel crawled towards the door; feeling her way through the dark. Every bottle or broken coral that she hit made a horribly-loud sound to the girl. She would freeze, until the voice in her head, screaming "Get out of there!!" would force her to move again. The room seemed to go on forever; she thought she heard the terrible growling again. She could hear the dogfish moving in the room. It was coming to get her! Suddenly, Ariel felt cool water on her face. She was near the door! Her heart ached, as she pushed at the door. It wouldn't open! In a panic, she ran her fingers over the door; she could sense something behind her. She found a latch and worked with desperation to undo it. Her arms lost all their strength, from her fear. The door moved and Ariel almost fell outside.
She was free! She was free! It was night, but the city held more than enough light for the girl to see. Ariel tried to swim, but she felt so weak. She wanted just to get away; get away from those horrible people. She felt herself crying. She cried until she ached, but she kept on swimming. Faster and faster and faster. She had never swam this fast before. She longed to leave this horrible city far far behind her. She didn't stop, until she was gasping from exhaustion. The city was now only a faint glow. Ariel cried; aching with joy to be free, and sank down into a bed of seaweed. She cried until sleep took her.
Beau sat on her bed, as the merwoman manicurist began to polish the girl's scales. She was only half-finished, when Beau's black pearl necklace began to glow. With a groan of irritation, Beau pushed the merwoman away.
"Okay. Enough! Enough, I said!" The music ground to a sudden stop. "Everybody out! Stay in the hall; I'll want you back in a minute." The group quickly fled the room. Beau looked down at the pearl; like an unwelcome visitor that had just arrived. "You bothering me already?"
The pearl glowed with malevolence, as a voice filled the room. "You've got to pay the price, child," growled Ursula. "What have you found out?"
Beau sighed and played with her jewelry. "I'm the youngest of seven wimpy Princesses. Triton sits on the royal treasure like a fish on an egg; he won't let me have anything!"
"What else?", asked Ursula, coldly.
"Well,...I think I am Triton's favorite; he's alway's lovey-dovey to me. Poor little Ariel! My poor little child!" Beau snickered with amusement.
"That could be of use, later on", admitted the Sea-witch. "How many guards around the palace?"
"I haven't counted", growled Beau. "I've got two, but they're lazy. I had to force them to behead a stupid crab making himself a nusiance."
"You're not doing a good job of being nice", warned Ursula; "they'll see through you, if you keep beheading everyone!"
Beau twirled her diamond necklace. "Okay,...okay. I'll try to be nicer."
"See that you do", warned Ursula. The pearl's light went out.
Beau yelled at the door, "Okay, slaves! Everybody back!"
When Flounder showed up, it was Beau's chance to be "nicer". The girl forced a smile. "Well! Halibut!"
"Flounder", offered the fish, meekly.
Beau's smile seemed stuck on. "Flounder. How's it going?"
The little fish swam awkwardly up. "I've been worried about you. Are you feeling any better?"
"Well,...except for creatures continually barging in; I'm doing pretty good."
Flounder blushed and started to leave, "I'm sorry! I'll go right now!'
Beau sighed and waved him back, with resignation. "It's okay, fish. I'm always happy to see my,...buddy."
Flounder swam back, but he didn't know what to say. Beau wasted no time, however. "Tell me,...Flounder. Where do I go around here to get some zebra-spines?"
Flounder looked at his friend, dumbly.
The girl put her hand to her head and sighed. "Never mind; wanna play hide-and-seek?"
Flounder grinned. "Sure, Ariel! That'll be fun!"
Beau's eyes went wide. "I was just joking, idiot! Oh boy! I see a lot's gonna hafta change around here!"
When morning came, Ariel felt tearful joy from the sun's light. The dreadful room was a dim memory, and she turned now to what was important: feeding her hungry body. Wild sea-fruits tasted delicious, after going so long without eating. After getting her fill, she began to ask around, as to where Atlantica was. Few fish even knew the name, and those who did were uncertain of it's location. Finally, an old sea turtle nodded his head.
"Yep. I know where Atlanteeca is. Right that way, young Lady." He pointed a flipper.
"You're sure?", asked the confused girl.
"Yup", answered the turtle.
Ariel began to swim, and her heart felt light as a bubble. With every swish of her flipper, she was closer to her home and her family. She imagined how happy her father would be to see she was safe! The only problem would be that, now he'd watch her twice as close; she'd really have to be sneaky to go exploring! A dark shape rose up, and Ariel stared at it for a long time before she accepted what it was. It was Sargassum City! A flood of fear swept over her and she backed away; trembling. Instantly, she took flight; swimming with desperation, away from the horrible brown slums. She suddenly felt like she would never escape it! A small dwelling appeared, off to the right of her. She decided to stop and ask these folks where Atlantica was. Ariel's knocking was answered by an elderly merwoman, who looked down at her with spectacles on her nose.
"Yes, child; how can I help you?"
"Please Ma'am; could you tell me how to get to Atlantica? It's my home, you see, and I've lost my way", said Ariel.
The woman smiled and opened the door wide. "Come in, child."
Ariel felt uncertain about entering another stranger's home, but the woman looked kind. She swam inside and looked around. The living room was warm and cozy; with well-worn seaweed chairs and a couch. A coral table displayed a centerpiece of red sea-flowers. A sleepy catfish lay curled-up in one of the chairs; purring softly. The merwoman smiled at the girl. "Please sit down and rest a while. I'll be right back." The elderly lady went swimming towards the kitchen.
"I really can't stay long," insisted Ariel, "Please tell me the way to Atlantica!" The girl looked towards the kitchen door and a merman came out; carrying a cup of sea-bean coffee. He had a grizzly face and a fat belly. Ariel's eyes suddenly grew fuzzy, as she almost fainted. The stringy-haired woman came out too; ushered by the smiling elderly lady.
The man dropped his cup with amazement, and a wide, rotten-toothed grin spread across his face."MY BABY! YOU'RE SAFE!"
Ariel felt as if she was falling into a black pit; she didn't even know that she was backing-up, or that the elderly woman was speaking to her.
"I knew this would be a surprise! Your folks arrived just a little while ago; asking about Atlantica too! Said that their poor little girl had run away from home."
The man's bloodshot eyes shone with lust; as he stared at Ariel's necklace. His hands clenched and unclenched with barely-controlled rage. Slowly, he came towards the girl. "You had your folks worried, Beau", he rasped. "You've been a naughty girl."
The elderly lady smiled", Don't be too hard on the child,... I think we've all thought about running away from home, haven't we?"
"Oh We won't be HARD", rasped the man. Ariel was making little noises; she couldn't speak.Her eyes saw the couch and she put it between herself and the man. The black-haired woman was swimming around to cut the girl off from the door. Ariel's heart pounded as she looked around; she saw an open window and dashed for it. She heard the elderly woman gasp.
The man yelled,"COME BACK HERE, YOU LITTLE BRAT!!" His grasping hands just missed Ariel's flipper, as she escaped!
"Swim!! Swim!! Swim!!", she cried to herself; She heard the door slam and the man screaming "I'M GONNA GET YOU! I'M GONNA GET YOU, MONSTER!"
Ariel's heart pounded and her tail beat furiously. She looked back and saw that the couple couldn't catch her! They were in no condition to swim as fast as she could. She closed her eyes and grinned; as tears welled-up. She looked ahead and let her lead grow and grow until the horrible people were lost in the distance.
After a while, Beau was yawning with boredom. This was her second day as a Princess. Since it was Sunday, she had no obligation to go anywhere, so she just sat on her bed; surrounded by her "slaves".
Triton came in and smiled as he gave her another blue-pearl necklace. "I had the royal jewelers work all night to make it. Happy birthday, Dear."
"It's about time", snapped Beau, as she grabbed it from the King's hands.
"I wish that you were feeling better today", sighed Triton.
Beau lay back and groaned. "I'm so bored! Is this all a Princess does all day? Lounge around the palace?"
"No", answered the King. "You also attend school, take singing lessons, and spend your free time bending my rules."
Beau chuckled. "That's nothin' special. Even a slave can do that."
Triton grew stern. "Dear; there is no such thing as a slave. Everyone is equal."
Beau waved her hands and laughed, "This don't look equal to me! Ever lived in a slum?"
Triton crossed his arms. "Would you prefer we move out of the palace and into the street? Ariel; you had the good fortune to be born a Princess. It is your lot in life: for good or bad. You must accept it, and the responsibilty that comes with it."
Beau turned away. "Yeah, yeah. More lectures."
Triton looked at Beau's "slaves". "This nonsense has gone on long enough. You are all dismissed."
Beau rose up, angrily. "I don't want them to leave!"
Triton looked sternly at her. "That's too bad. You'll have to live with it"
"You can't talk to me like that!", yelled Beau. Triton sat down on the bed and took Beau over his knee.
"Let me go! I'm a Princess!", screamed the girl.
"And a bad one at that", answered the King, as he spanked her.
After the spanking, Beau laughed. "That felt like a jellyfish hitting me!", she scoffed.
Triton sighed. "Do you know how many times I've spanked you, Ariel?"
"Probably lost count, haven't ya?", quipped the girl. "Get a kick out of beatin' on a kid; don't ya?"
"This is the second time", answered the King, sadly. "The first time, you broke a vase by accident and told me that you didn't do it. I've always been proud of your honesty, Ariel. If that spanking helped to turn you away from lying, then I don't regret doing it. All-the-same, I hate to hit you." With that, Triton left her alone.
Beau sat on the bed. She looked down at the pearls and touched them. She felt a strange feeling in her stomach, but didn't know what it was. Then her eyes got watery. They hadn't done that in a long, long time.
Ariel didn't know how far she had traveled, but she just had to rest. This time, she took no chances; The girl found a tall patch of kelp and hid inside. She would peek out and ask surprised fish the way to her home. After several had pointed in the same direction, Ariel finally knew the path to her father and sisters. The kelp tasted bitter, but it was better than nothing, so she munched on it as a lunch. She was thirsty too, but sea-fruits were nowhere to be found, and freshwater was out-of-the-question. She swallowed with a dry mouth and started off towards Atlantica; always looking back to assure herself that those horrible people weren't creeping up on her. As the day wore on, Ariel's thirst grew. She was traveling through wilderness; where the animals didn't speak, and the fauna was sparse and unkind. She would see a shadow, and dart for a hideawy until it was safe to come out. It was sharks which cast the shadows: they cruised these waters, looking for fish to eat; but a little mermaid would make a welcome change. Ariel had always heard that it was the one that you didn't see, that would get you, so she swam in fear the whole day.
By evening, Ariel was so parched that she was getting desperate. She even thought about taking a swallow of seawater, but she knew that it would only make her sick. She would ask the fish who swam by about sea-fruits; they would stare at her with big eyes, and go swimming away in fright. The girl tried to eat some seaweed, but she could hardly chew it, so she went hungry. When darkness fell over the ocean, Ariel swam down to sleep, among a sponge bed. Her stomach growled and she felt weak. The girl knew that she wouldn't get much further without water, but the wilderness seemed to go on forever. The darkness brought no rest to the miserable girl; her sickness wouldn't let her sleep. Ariel could only curl-up and stare towards the surface at the dim stars. At least, they were still beautiful; even in this terrible place.
Late that night, the girl's exhaustion finally overcame her and she fell asleep. Her dreams were only nightmares; however. She was swimming, and saw Atlantica. Her father and sisters were there; holding open their arms with loving welcome. A cool fountain of fresh, pure water cascaded down one side of the palace's towers. Ariel could hear it's beautiful rushing; as clear as if she could touch it. She started to swim towards her home, but something was holding her. Soft, clinging hands pulled her back; she smelled seaweed whiskey and heard harsh laughter in her ear. The hands pulled her down into a slimy hole of mud; she couldn't escape! The man was over her; laughing, "GONNA BEAT YA! GONNA BEAT YA! HA! HA! HA!" Ariel clawed out of her dream; screaming. She looked around with wide eyes, into the darkness, but nothing was there except tiny luminous animals, which swam lazily by.
Ariel listened to the wild beating of her heart as it started to slow. When it had quieted, Ariel heard something else. Was she still asleep? She held her breath and listened. She could still hear water falling! Without thinking, the girl swam out of the sponges and started towards the sound. It came off to her right; she listened to it like nothing else mattered. Sharks might be prowling nearby, but all Ariel knew was her body's cry for water. The sound drew her higher and higher; a darkness rose up before her. The water around her began to feel cooler. With a splash, Ariel broke the surface and looked into a dark, starry night. Right in front of her was an island; with a star-glistened waterfall spilling into a lagoon. The girl rushed forward and flopped onto the sand; she crossed a narrow strip of beach, and fell into the lagoon. Instantly, she was under the cool, falling spray; drinking in big swallows of fresh, pure water. She drank and drank; smiling up at her sparkling friend with joy. When she had drank her fill, Ariel hopped back onto the warm sand and fell into a peaceful sleep; listening to the sound of the splashing water.
THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER, PART THREE
When Ariel awoke the next day, the cool night was still with her. As she watched, the horizon blushed with a pink light; Ariel could not believe the beauty of it. With breathtaking splendor, the light turned pinkish-red to orange and yellow; as the sun broke over the water. The sky turned violet and blue;as light raced across the waters; putting the night to flight. Ariel's heart ached with the beauty of this sunrise; it unfolded before her like the petals of a sea-flower. Finally, she turned to look back at the island. The waterfall splashed between a narrow span of bare rock; everywhere else was covered with lush tropical plants which grew all the way down to the sand. Ariel visited the lagoon one more time to drink her fill; then she said a silent goodbye to the waterfall. She knew that she had to get home; she didn't know if those terrible merfolk were still after her, but she didn't want to take any chances. Ariel hopped across the warm sand and splashed back into the waters of her birth. The girl's hungry belly forced her to stop at the first seaweed that she came to; it didn't taste very good, but she ate her fill and felt much better afterwards. With no more delays, she began to swim for home.
Beau griped and complained about going to school, but she knew that Triton wouldn't take no for an answer. She also had to admit to herself that she was curious about it, too; she had never been to school before. She, and Triton's daughters, all sat at rock desks, waiting for the teacher. None of the other girls seemed to want to speak to her, which was just fine with Beau; she sat by herself at the back of the room.
Sebastian swam into the room, and Beau started. " I thought I beheaded you!", gasped the angry girl.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "You can't behead your teacher,...child."
"I am NOT a child!", screamed Beau. Aquata looked back at her; angrily, "Will you please put a lid on it?"
Beau glared back, "What are ya gonna do? Scratch my eyes out?"
"Maybe", answered Aquata, coldly.
Beau stood up and laughed. "Okay! Come on! I eat wimps like you for breakfast."
Immediately, the other girls all got up and faced Beau. Sebastian banged his stick. "Enough! I want every fanny in a seat right now!"
Reluctanty, the girls obeyed. Beau was the last to sit; she huffed angrily.
"Now,...", said Sebastian, angrily, "If we can put off de riot until later; I've got a lesson to teach!"
Ariel made good speed; even though nothing looked familiar yet. The seascape was becoming more hospitable, and the fish that she met did not flee from her. Atlantica was "some distance ahead"; no one that she asked knew exactly how far.
Around noon, the girl stopped and picked some juicy-looking sea-peaches. As she ate the delicious fruits, Ariel suddenly heard a cry. Looking around, the girl spotted a little worm hiding among the sea-peaches. She bent down to look closer, and saw that the little worm was crying it's little heart out.
"What's wrong, little worm?", she asked gently. The little animal looked up at Ariel with two bulgy eyes. "I'm lost!", it cried. "A big fish took me away from home, but I got away. Now I can't find my way back!"
Ariel's heart immediately melted for the poor lost worm. She smiled at it and whispered, "I'll help you find your way home; don't cry." Gently, she took the little animal in her hands. "I'll swim around, and you tell me when you see your home."
The worm rubbed the tears out of it's eyes. "Okay", it squeaked.
Ariel began to circle around the sea-peaches; going further out with each pass. The worm looked out over her fingers, with it's bulgy eyes, but it didn't see it's home. It began to sob again.
Ariel gently stroked it with her finger. "Don't cry now; we'll find your home. Do you live in a coral bed?"
The worm shook it's head.
"How about sponges? No? Seaweed?"
The little worm nodded. Ariel smiled. "Okay! all we have to do is look for seaweed!"
Ariel began to search again; she swam for what seemed like hours. Even she was beginning to despair, when she finally spotted a big forest of seaweed. As they approached the thick tangle, the worm squealed out: "That's my home!" It wiggled out of her hands and joined it's little friends among the blades. Ariel grinned and continued on her way. She heard a tiny "Thank you!" and she waved goodbye to her new friend.
Ariel looked for someone to ask directions from, and spotted a likely creature: right in a broad sea-path sat an enourmous old squid. She swam up to him and he nodded a greeting.
"Pardon me, Sir; Would you please tell me if this is the way to Atlantica?"
The squid nodded. "It is."
"Thank you, Sir!", she replied, and started on her way.
"That's very odd", added the squid.
Ariel stopped and looked back at him. "I beg your pardon?"
The squid just sighed. "The sea always surprises me. I've lived a long, long time. But it still surprises me."
Ariel looked at him; she didn't know what to say and he said no more. At last, she bowed. "Thank you, again", she said politely, and swam along the path which the squid had advised. Ariel began to feel uneasy, as she went along. Something about what the squid had said made her keep looking over her shoulder, and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck starting to get goose-fish bumps. She saw nothing more ominious than a pack of small barracuda, however, and they didn't even look her way.
After a while, Ariel's fears left, and she began to explore these new surroundings with her ever-eager curiousity. There wasn't many tropical animals here, because the water was so deep: she saw tuna and mackeral; jellyfish and lot's of dolphins. The dolphins would appear in groups of hundreds; playing and splashing their way across the surface, or swimming at the bottom; looking for anything tasty to eat. The tunas preferred to feed on the surface, and any small fish was in danger, if it strayed into their roaming packs. Even the sharks here were different. Ariel had never seen these sleek pelagic hunters in her home waters; they were after fish too; and paid little attention to the little mermaid. Along the bottom, Ariel found, among the rocks, seaweeds and kelps, crabs and shrimps, starfish, sea-cucumbers and little fish. Most of them looked at her with wonder; Merfolk rarely bothered to visit this place. Ariel answered questions for those who could talk, and she tried not to frighten those who could not. One old lobster had even lived in Atlantica for a while, but decided that it was too crowded in the "big city" and moved here. The girl told him of her father being ruler, and he laughed. "That little whippersnapper is King? Why; when I knew him, he wasn't knee-high to an oyster!"
The girl wanted to stay and talk, but the day was wearing away, and she knew that her father would be worrying over her. As the sun's rays began to dim, Ariel started off again; swimming along the path, which she knew, must lead to Atlantica's gates. Swimming near the surface, the girl spent her time watching the great mantas cruise by, or admiring, with delight, the shimmering beauty of jellyfish. The golden rays of the sun turned them into living jewels of light. Some even had lights of their own; with glowing dots arrayed in rings around their see-through bodies.
When the glow above began to turn orange, Ariel knew that she had to rise, once more, and watch the beauty of the sun. She surfaced with a splash, and looked out over the ocean. Every crest, of the countless waves, reflected the orange of the sinking sun; causing Ariel to gasp with this glorious sight. She heard the cries of sea-birds, and looked up to see them bidding goodbye to the day. The puffy clouds, motionless in the warm sky, mimicked the sun's orange and red glow. It all looked so peaceful and majestic to the young girl; here was splendor that she had missed all of her life. She knew that it was dangerous on the surface: her father had told her many times about the terrible creatures called Humans, but she almost felt that it was worth the risk. Like a fairwell kiss, the beautiful light flashed in glory, one last time; then twilight fell over the waters.
Ariel reluctantly sank below the gentle waves and let her eyes adjust to the darkness. Before long, she could see the jellies again; with their green or red rows of lights. Little animals, as small as the girl's pinkie, turned the surface aglow with yellow-green luminousity. As she swam down, Ariel saw glowing red squids, too; and the eyes of strange fish, as they swam through this night-world. The time for day-fish was over, and now a new group of animals came out.
The water was very deep here, so Ariel couldn't sleep on the bottom. The girl looked around until she saw a pod of dolphins resting for the night. She had never done this before, but her sisters had; and they had told the little mermaid about it. She approached them slowly and deliberately; until they all knew where she was. Then she got close to some adult animals; avoiding getting near any babies or oldsters. After they had gotten used to her, Ariel gently stroked them, to show her intentions. Several minutes of this had the dolphins calm and relaxed. Slowly and gently, the girl laid herself over the backs of the animals; she was so tiny and light, that the dolphins hardly noticed her. At first, Ariel was elated and wide-awake from her success. Wait until Daddy and her sisters heard about this! Sleeping with dolphins was rather like camping-out was to Humans; it took skill and knowledge. The warmth of the animals, and their gentle swaying with the currents rocked the girl to sleep. She slept peacefully, the whole night; only waking when the dolphins rose to catch a fresh breath of air. They would sink back down, and she would fall back to sleep again. This was how Ariel passed the night away; as a child of the open ocean.
Triton gazed at his daughters, as the family ate dinner that evening. They didn't look as frantic as the previous day, so he hoped for the best and spoke up. "Well girls; how was school today?"
Arista took a danty bite of her seaweed spaghetti and patted her mouth with her napkin. "Ariel threatened to punch me in the nose."
"She deserved it", growled Beau.
Triton slammed down his fork. "Enough!" The group ate in silence for a moment.
"I learned,..." started Beau. Triton looked at her; expecting something sarcastic. ",...about geography today." Beau looked at Triton, and smiled. The King's face turned from anger to great joy. Beau's smile was friendly! Could some spark of Ariel be coming back?
"Tell me about it, Dear!", he asked, encouragingly.
That night, Triton went around to tell his daughters good-night. When he came up to Beau, the girl looked up at him and sighed.
"I'd like to say,...well; I'm sor,...sorry for,..how I've been behaving."
Triton smiled. "That's okay."
Beau hesitated; then continued, "You see,...My life hasn't been a bed of roses. I've had to be tough, ya see. I didn't know that folks could,...care about each other til I met you and your daughters."
"You are one of my daughters, too", added the King, gently.
Beau squrmed in her bed, "Yeah,...well, that's what I gotta talk to you about;....It's not like it looks,..." Beau looked up at the King. For the first time in her life, she was happy! She had a Dad who,...loved her. How could she tell him the truth? She'd have to go back to the slums, and to the beatings. Then she thought of the little Princess. The poor thing must really be hurting,... Beau didn't know what to do! Telling him the truth would save the Princess and condemn her!
"I'm,.....I'm,....", Beau stammered. Triton bent down and kissed her forehead. "You can tell me in the morning. Go to bed and get a good night's rest." The King lowered the phosphor lamp and left the bedroom.
Beau groaned, "Ahhh; What a mess I've gotten myself into!"
After bidding good-night to Beau, Triton swam out and looked out over his city. Darkness had fallen early; due to a storm that was raging above the sea. The King could see forks of lightening dart across the sky, and felt the ominous booms which echoed through the water. He should have felt better: with Ariel trying to reach him again. Instead, the King felt something in the pit of his stomach. Something was wrong. Ariel just wasn't the same anymore. Her kindness; her gentleness; her innocence was gone. Where was that spunky charm; the vitality; that eager driving spirit? His troubled heart feared that his daughter had lost those qualities which had made her "Ariel". He still loved her, of course; but she was a different Ariel now. He had lost his little girl forever. Why had this terrible thing happened? He looked up and shook his fist at cruel nature; only to be answered by the heartless roars of thunder. He floated there; quiet and full of sorrow; watching storm rage above.
When Ariel woke the next morning, she lovingly stroked her dolphin friends and bid them goodbye. When she surfaced, she was surprised to see the sun was blocked by thick clouds on the horizon. The sky was a dim grey, and tiny streaks of red were the only light that escaped across the ocean waves. Ariel submerged and began her homeward journey once more. She was a little hungry, but she knew that she would find no sea-fruits here; and if she came upon any floating seaweed, she would consider herself lucky.
Ariel swam at different levels, until she found a current going in the right direction; then she let herself be pulled along. This was the "lazy" way of swimming, but the girl was starting to feel tired from all the swimming that she had done. Around noon, her belly started growling, but the ocean floor was still deep and cold and beyond her reach. To get her mind off food, Ariel surfaced and watched the flying-fish gliding above the waves. The air felt oddly stuffy; the girl noticed that the clouds were starting to build in the west; foretelling of a storm coming. She hoped that she reached Atlantica before it hit. Although such a storm on the surface didn't disturb the ocean depths, Ariel always felt more secure in the palace; as the thunder roared by, outside. The grey sky was depressing, after the bright blue of the day past, so Ariel dropped back down under the waves.
During the afternoon, Ariel was really getting hungry and thirsty again, and her tiredness was growing; but the ocean-bottom had not yet surrendered it's acessability. To make matters worse, the darkening clouds above made it into twilight where Ariel was swimming, so the mermaid had to struggle to stay on the right course. Again and again, she had to ask directions; double-check the faint light from the sun, and find a suitable current.
The ocean suddenly got darker; and with it, came a boom of thunder which echoed through the water. Ariel felt a creeping sensation, and looked behind her; expecting a shark. Instead, she saw two seahorses in the shadowy distance. They seemed to be swimming towards her. Whether due to her hunger, her nerves, or the approaching storm; Ariel grew frightened and began to beat her tail harder. A crack of lightening forked overhead; illuminating Ariel's world with a strange white flash. Immediately, the boom followed; stunning the girl with it's sound. She looked back in confusion and saw that the seahorses had riders. A merman and woman. The girl floated there a second; her tired mind wouldn't accept what she saw. They were after her again. She couldn't outswim them, this time. She had nowhere to go.
Despite her despair, Ariel turned and started to swim. Adrenaline surged through her little body, and her flukes began to foam the water. She would not give up her life without trying! The thundered boomed and the surface began to chop. Ariel looked back to see the seahorses gaining on her; she could almost imagine seeing the man's grizzly face: frozen with mingled lust, delight and cruelty. The girl began to breathe in gasps. A darker shape rose up below her; the ocean bottom had finally relented and returned, but it was too late for her. The seahorses would be able to cut her off if she tried to reach safety there. It would be easy to give up and let the horrible man take her life, but Ariel's spirit wouldn't give up! She wanted to live!
She looked back again and saw that the time was near. A peal of thunder boomed in her ears and she saw the seahorses start. Ariel swam closer to the surface and watched her pursuers: the seahorses were afraid of the storm! Hope leaped into the girl's heart, and she swam even higher. The couple were still gaining on her, but their seahorses refused to get near the choppy surface. Ariel felt herself beaten by the waves; she tried to find a level near the surface where she could still swim. The lightening flashed terribly, and the girl looked back. They were only a dozen yards from her now.
The man grinned at her through rotten teeth. "GONNA GET YA! GONNA GET YA!", he yelled with sadistic glee. The merwoman's eyes shown with lust for Ariel's pearls; Ariel had a fleeting surge of pity for the woman's real daughter. To have a mother like this was worse than having none at all.
Ariel felt almost worn-out. She could hear the man laughing; then cursing his steed to get closer. "BEEN A BAD GIRL, BEAU! GONNA HAFTA BEAT YA!", he snarled. They were just a few yards away. The man cursed and cursed his seahorse, but the animal refused to enter the choppy, lightening-scored water. Finally he commanded, "LEAVE EM! LEAVE EM, I SAID!" The two jumped off the seahorses; who immediately bolted toward deeper water.
"YOU STAY LOW SO THE BRAT DON'T SWIM BY ME!", snarled the man. Ariel's heart pounded with terror. The man sprang forward and grabbed at her flipper. Ariel screamed and swam as hard as she could. A flash of lightening seared closeby and blinded them for a second. Ariel's eyes recovered enough to see a dark shape, off to her left; she swam towards it with all her failing strength. The blackness turned to rocks; Ariel pulled herself out of the water and onto a tiny outcrop of island. The sky was black; the rocks were black; she had barely enough space to crawl a few feet out of the crashing, frenzied water. Lightening cracked and boomed; displaying the rocks and water under blinding white light for a second, before it went black again.
Ariel lay on her back; propped up with her arms; her chest heaving with exhausted panting, as she looked at the water. Maybe he had lost her,... Maybe he was going away,... A black hand rose out of the pounding waves, and a head popped up. The man's crazed eyes shone in the flashes of lightening; his grin was hideous. He screamed over the howling of the wind, "GOT YA NOW, BEAU! LITTLE MONSTER!"
Ariel wriggled her tail; trying to get away, but there was nowhere to go. She might avoid him for a moment, but sooner or later he would get her. Another head popped up, closeby. The woman was grinning too.
I THINK I'M GONNA STRANGLE YA, BEAU!", he yelled over the storm.
The woman screamed out, "Skin her!"
The man reached down into the darkness and pulled out a knife. "SKIN YA!", he snarled. Ariel's eyes stared with horror at the blade, as it flashed cold and sharp. Ariel's hands went to her throat; she couldn't breathe. She felt the pearls around her neck. Instantly, she pulled them off. The man lost his grin. Ariel leaned back and threw the necklace as far as she could.
The woman screamed, "The pearls!!", and dived under the water. The man snarled in fury and stabbed downward at Ariel's tail, but hit rock instead. The girl's tail was pulled against her chest. The man glared at her for a second, then screamed with fury and sank under the waves.
Ariel lay there; breathing in gasps. She had to leave! Now, or it would be too late! She flopped back into the choppy water and began to swim. She was so tired and the water was black. She heard a distant shout, "BEAU! YA CAN'T GET AWAY!" She beat her tail until she was panting. What was that up ahead? Lightening? No. It was a glow. Towers,... It was home. It was home. It was home!!
Ariel gasped with exhaustion. They were chasing her again; they knew that they couldn't let her reach the city. She felt a hand try to grab her flipper; she could hear them gasping now. The light grew and grew; the palace shone out like every beautiful thing that Ariel had ever seen! She felt like her tail couldn't beat another stroke. The palace rose huge before her and she left the gasping breaths behind her. Her father. There he was, and she swam to him; her tired , panting little body squeezed against him. She was crying; crying so hard that it hurt. Triton's hand reached down and stroked the strange child's head. Ariel looked up at him with tears pouring down her cheeks. "Daddy!", she sobbed.
The spell melted away and Triton looked down at his own daughter. "Ariel", he cried, and hugged her to him.
Ariel could only weep for a while; then she looked up at her father. "Oh, Daddy! It,..was,..horrible! She gasped through sobs, which shook her whole body. "Those horrible,...people chased me for days and days! And I tried,..to get home! And they wanted to kill me!! And,..I as so scared!,..And I,..." Ariel's words slurred, as her crying swept over her again. Triton gently held his daughter, as his eyes rose to the two strangers.
"Ah,...your Lordship. It ain't like it looks,..."
"Silence", spoke Triton quietly, but with death in his voice. The man shut up.
Triton's other daughters came out to join him, but Beau wasn't with them. Aquata spoke up, "Father! It's Ariel! She's turned into another,..." Aquata stopped when she saw Ariel in Triton's arms.
Triton looked at his oldest daughter. "Take Ariel inside. I'll explain everything in a moment. Ariel; you go with Aquata now. I'll be in there, shortly." Aquata took her exhausted sister in her arms and the girls went back into the palace.
The King's eyes returned to the couple.
"It was all a big mistake, your Kingship", explained the man. "We thought your daughter was ours! Ha! Ha! Big mistake!"
Triton said nothing, but looked at Ariel's necklace; still clutched in the man's hand.
The grizzly-bearded man immediately looked at it and laughed, "Ha! Yeah. I guess this is your's; huh?" He threw it at Triton's flukes. "Here ya go! No harm done!"
"You were going to kill my daughter", said Triton coldly.
The woman broke down and pointed a finger at the man," He was! He was! I didn't want any part of it, your Majesty!"
The man snarled back at her, "You little slime! Who told me ta skin her?!" He looked back at the King; snarling, "SHE wanted me to skin her!"
Triton's trident began to glow. "Do you have any other children?", he whispered.
"Just our little Beau; Dear naughty little child!", answered the man with a forced laugh. "Ran away from home, you see. We thought your daughter was her! Just a mistake! Guess we'll go now,..."
Triton brought up his trident and a bolt ran down the spikes. Then he turned and swam back into the palace, as two hagfish slithered away into the shadows.
When the King found Ariel again, she and his other daughters were in the lounge room with Beau. Ariel had stopped crying, but was still huddled close to her sisters. Beau looked terribly sad; she was whispering, "I'm so sorry,...I'm so sorry,..."
Triton came up and smiled gently down at Ariel. "Dear; I'm sorry I wasn't there to help. You know I would've given everything, for this not to have happened."
Ariel smiled back, and tried not to start crying again. "I know, Daddy. I feel better now that I'm home. Safe."
He hugged his daughter. "I sent those people away; they'll never bother you again. I promise." Ariel smiled; gratefully.
Triton turned to Beau. "I'm sorry, your Majesty", whispered the girl, "I'm just a misery to everyone I'm around. I wish I'd never been born,..."
Triton stuck out his beard. "Nonsense! You're not really a bad person; you've just been around bad influences."
"Guess you're sending me back now, huh?"
The King stroked his beard. "Only if you want to go back. You can stay in Atlantica, if you like."
Beau looked up, and hope rushed back into her. "I would,...like that very much!"
After Beau, and the other Princesses retired, the King took Ariel into his bedroom. "For tonight, you can sleep with me", said the King, gently.
"Thank you, Daddy." Ariel snuggled up against her father, and fell instantly into a peaceful sleep. Triton stroked her head with love; then kissed her forehead. "I'm so happy that you're back; my little Ariel."
The next morning Ariel ate the first real breakfast she had had for days. Triton felt that the best thing for his daughter would be to talk about her experiance immediately, and get out all of the hurt, so he asked her to tell him about it.
Ariel started hesitantly, at first; explaining her confusion and fear at the strange city; her terrible night with the couple, and her escape. She cried at the recollection, and her sisters gasped in horror, but Triton was full of praise for her courage.
Ariel's face glowed with his words, and continued her story. Her father was more and more amazed at his daughter's bravery, wits, and stamina; and the other girls were dumbstruck by her adventures Ariel smiled, as she told of the old lobster and the little lost worm. She smiled, dreamily, with her remembrance of the waterfall, the sunrise, and the following sunset. Her sisters nodded at her night with the dolphins: they had taught her that. Finally, everyone was frozen with suspense, as she told of her final terrible encounter with the couple, and her idea of throwing away her pearls. "I didn't want to do it, but I just had to, Daddy." Triton smiled; lovingly. "It was a brave and intelligent act, Ariel. You did right." Her sisters joined in; praising her for her courage, until Ariel was grinning; just like she used to. Flounder and Sebastian came in and rushed up to the girl; giving her a "welcome back" hug. Flounder laughed, "Sneaking out of the palace sure got us in trouble, this time!"
Ariel nodded, "It sure did!"
Sebastian smiled. "You picked a good time to come home; young Lady. Today is your music lesson day!'
Ariel groaned and shook her head. She couldn't help but smile.
Triton pulled out her blue-pearl necklace and offered it to her. "I'm not sure if you still want your birthday present after all you've been through,..."
Ariel smiled lovingly and took the necklace. "Of course I want my birthday present!" She put it around her neck and grinned.
"Happy birthday, Dear!", said Triton, joyfully. Everyone joined him: "Happy birthday!"
Sebastian looked sternly at the little scroll that he held in his claw, as he read off every item on the list: "Compass!"
Flounder put the compass into the sack. "Compass!", he answered.
"Phosphor matches!", snapped the crab.
"Phosphor matches!", answered Flounder.
"Ink-spot remover!"
Ariel; who was sitting closeby, giggled. "Ink-spot remover? Why would we need that?"
Sebastian frowned at the mermaid. "When one braves de wilderness, one must be prepared! Crab-scout handbook rule # 243!"
"We're just going outside the palace!", insisted the girl.
Sebastian shook his head. "Dat don't matter none! One must be prepared for any situation! What if a squid squirted ink on you? What would you do then; hmm?"
Ariel smirked, "I guess I'd swim into the palace and wash it off."
Founder looked, uncertainly, between the two of them.
The crab motioned to the sack. "In!"
Flounder added the ink-spot remover.
"Who's gotta carry all that stuff into de wilderness?", asked the girl.
Sebastian shrugged. "Well,... You are the biggest,..."
Ariel smirked at the crab, then rose up; her beautiful red hair flowing out with the ocean current. "I'll be right back. I gotta tell Daddy goodbye."
The girl swam into the palace and found the King talking with one of his messengers. After he left, Ariel came up and kissed her father on the cheek. "We're leaving now, Daddy. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
Triton looked down at his daughter, with concern on his face. "Dear; I'm not too sure about this camp-out. I've just heard reports of a wild wolf-fish being spotted close to the city; maybe you and Sebastian should put this off for a few days."
Ariel's face wrinkled with anguish. "Oh; please Daddy! Me and Flounder have been looking forward to this for weeks! And you know how hard it is to talk Sebastian into doing something fun!"
Triton smiled. "Let alone, me! Well;...okay. As long as you stay within sight of the palace."
Ariel grinned. "Thanks Daddy! Bye!" She kissed him again and darted back outside.
Sebastian had just finished with his list. Ariel gasped at the bulging sack. "Are you sure we need all of that?", she asked.
The crab nodded. "Be prepared!"
"Rule #243", sighed the girl. She took the sack and dragged it along. "At least, we don't have to go very far."
The three campers stopped at a spot that Ariel picked out: a sheltered cove with pretty yellow elkhorn coral growing in it. Sebastian examined the area very carefully; turning over rocks and looking under them. "Scorpion-fish", he warned.
Flounder turned pale. "Scor,..Scorpion-fish?"
Ariel grinned. "Don't worry, Flounder. Just don't turn over any rocks!" She set down the sack and looked around. "This is a pretty spot! Let's camp here!"
"What do we do first?", asked Flounder.
"We must secure de area and then construct a temporary shelter", advised the crab.
"That means turn over rocks and put up the tent", explained the girl.
Flounder nodded, and stuck his head in the sack. "I hope we remembered to pack the tent,..."
Ariel giggled and joined her friend in rummaging through the sack. She pulled out a big seaweed tarp and set it on the sand. Flounder found some stakes.
"I don't see any poles in here,...", advised the girl.
Sebastian nodded. "In de wild, one must learn to improvise." The crab looked around for something to prop the tent up with. "Now; Let me see,... Rocks,...no; we can't use rocks,... There's some kelp growing over dere,....hmm. No. Too flimsy,..."
Ariel and Flounder took the seaweed tarp and draped it over one of the elkhorn corals. Ariel took a stake and put it through the tarp. "Flounder; Hand me a rock so I can knock this stake in the sand", asked the girl.
"No way! I ain't turning over no rock!", said the fish.
Sebastian was still searching, "Shells,...no,...Not long enough,..."
Ariel got the tarp down tight over the stick-like corals; there was plenty of room inside for the three to sleep in.
"A-Ha! I got it! We can use de coral!"
After putting their sack of "essentials" into the tent, Ariel swam out to join her friends. She rubbed her belly, "I don't know about you two, but I'm getting hungry."
"Me too!", chimed Flounder, "Let's break out the marshmallows!"
The crab frowned. "Here in de wilderness, one does not live on marshmallows. We must forage for our food!"
Flounder grimaced. "You mean we gotta work? I thought camping was gonna be fun!"
Ariel giggled. "Come on Flounder! Let's go exploring! Maybe we can find some stuff to eat."
"Just a minute, young Lady. Do you have your compass?", asked the crab
"Don't worry, Sebastian. Me and Flounder will stay in sight of the coral. How's that?"
"Dat's not in de crab-scout manual, but I guess it'll do. Just so we don't go hungry, I wil do some searching for wild foods too: as a crab-scout leader; I've had extensive training in recognizing such tings." The crab rummaged around in the sack and brought out the compass.
Ariel thought about the conversation with her father about the wolf-fish. "Uh,...Sebastian. You might oughta know,..." The girl hesitated. That wolf-fish was probably long-gone, and mentioning it would only spoil their fun. "Oh; Never-mind. It's not important."
Sebastian shook a claw at them, as he started off. "Don't get lost, now! I don't wanna have to come lookin' for you!"
"We won't, Sebastian! See you in a couple a' hours!", called Ariel.
The girl, with Flounder beside her, swam out of the grove. It wasn't long before the mermaid had found some ripe "sea-dews" and "water-melons". Flounder found some "sea-nuts", growing in a patch, next to some pink coral. Ariel sat down on the coral, as Flounder picked the nuts, and watched the squirrel-fish playing nearby. Sea-robins darted among the coral branches and called sweetly to each other. Wild sea-flowers grew abundently all around; Ariel breathed deeply their delightful fragrance.
Flounder brought the sea-nuts over to the mermaid. "Think this'll be enough?"
Ariel nodded. "Yep." The girl looked around and sighed. "It's sure pretty here, but I guess we oughta get back to camp; Sebastian'll be worried about us."
When they got back to the tent, the crab wasn't there. "Do you think he's still finding stuff to eat?", asked Flounder.
Ariel's face looked worried. "I don't know,..." She called out, "Sebastian! Sebastian; Can you hear me?!"
They strained to listen, but the little crab didn't answer. "I,...I have a bad feeling about this, Flounder", worried the girl. "I think I better go looking for him."
"Then you might get lost too!", moaned the fish.
Ariel looked towards the tent. "I know! We'll make a fire! We'll make a lot of smoke so he can see it!" The girl searched in the sack and brought out some "fire-rocks"; which were made from sodium, so they could burn in the water. She lit them with the phosphor matches and put some browned seaweed on top. Soon, the seaweed was putting out a good thick smoke.
"You keep putting seaweed on the fire", directed the girl. "I'm gonna go looking for Sebastian."
"Be careful!", urged Flounder. "Watch out for scorpion-fish!" With a swish of her tail, the girl was gone.
The more Ariel searched, the more worried she became. What if the wild wolf-fish had gotten Sebastian? Just the thought of it made the girl's heart ache. Poor Sebastian! It was all her fault!
"Sebastian!", she cried out desperately. "Can you hear me?!" The girl caught movement out of the corner of her eye. It was Sebastian! He was all right!
The little crab paddled up to her as fast as he could go; with a happy grin on his face. "Oh, Mon! Am I glad to see you!, he shouted. Then he hesitated. "I,..I mean; So,..Child; still looking for wild edibles,..hmm?"
"Actually; I was looking for you. We thought you were lost!", answered the girl.
The crab looked shocked. "Me?! Oh, no Mon. I was just,..scouting out de place."
Ariel smirked. "I see,..."
"Yeah Mon. A crab-scout must scout around de camp. It's required." The crab looked anxiously at the girl. "You two haven't found anyting to,...eat yet; have you?"
The girl grinned. "You should see all the stuff! Come on! Let's get back to camp!"
The crab looked around. "Yeah,...De camp,..."
Ariel pointed to the smoke in the distance, "See? We made a fire!"
Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief. "Dat was smart thinking! It's in the crab-scout manual, you know. I must have taught you dat."
They started swimming back, and Ariel stammered, "Err,..Sebastian. You might ought to know this,... Daddy told me this morning,..."
"What, Child?"
Ariel fidgeted. "Oh,...nothing. Nothing important." It would only spoil their fun; thought the girl.
As soon as they got back to the over-joyed Flounder, the three of them sat down on the sand and divided up the food they had found. The sea-nuts were fresh and crunchy and the sea-dews were ripe and delicious. The juicy water-melons washed it all down with their sweet flavor.
Flounder looked over at the crab. "Didn't you find anything to eat, Sebastian?"
The crab shook a claw. "Well,...I found some rock moss,..."
"Yuck!", exclaimed the little fish.
Sebastian frowned. "It so happens that rock moss is very nutritious; thirty-two essential vitamins and minerals and all dat."
"Why didn't you bring some back, then?", asked Flounder.
"Well,...I couldn't get it off de rock. And I didn't feel like carrying it. It was a big rock."
Ariel giggled.
That evening, the three campers sat around the glowing fire, and roasted marshmallows; which they stuck on urchin quills. "Mmmm! The fire feels good!", said the girl, with a smile.
"And it keeps the mosquito-fish away", noted Flounder.
"Listen to the frog-fish!", laughed Ariel, "They sound funny!"
"Dey are a very valuable guard in de wilderness", answered Sebastian, as he munched on a marshmallow. "As long as dey are croaking, nothing is sneaking up on you."
Flounder looked nervous. "Does that mean, if they stop, something is sneaking up on you?"
Sebastian nodded.
"I,..hope they don't stop", stammered the fish.
Ariel's face brightened. "Let's tell scary stories!"
"Do we have to?", asked Flounder.
Sebastian lay back; full of marshmallows, and nodded, "Yeah, Mon. It's in de crab scout manual."
Ariel leaned forward, and her face reflected the red glow of the fire. "There's a legend among the Merfolk of a creature that lives deep down at the bottom of the ocean,... This,...thing is supposed to be so horrible to look upon that Merfolk's hair turns white,..and shellfish jump out of their shells with fright!"
Sebastian smirked, incredulously.
"What,...what does it look like?", stuttered Flounder.
Ariel tried not to grin. "Welllll,..It's huge! And it's got one big eye! And a huge mouth full of sharp teeth!"
Flounder shuddered.
"And it looks around with that big eye for something to eat,... It slithers along the ocean floor,....searching,....searching,..."
The little fish swallowed and looked around into the darkness. "The frog-fish! They've,...stopped!
Suddenly, they heard a growl, and saw a dark shape creeping up on them. "It's the monster!", cried Flounder.
"It's the wolf-fish!", cried Ariel.
The wolf-fish sprang out of the darkness and snapped at the girl. Ariel was frozen with horror, but Flounder grabbed her arm and pulled her away. The snarling beast gaped it's hungry mouth wide to take a bite out of the girl; Sebastian reached into the sack and threw the first thing he found into the wolf-fish's mouth.
The wolf-fish bit down on the ink-spot remover, and it sprayed all over the animal's face. The wolf-fish roared with rage; then started,...sneezing. It sneezed and sneezed; it couldn't stop!
As Ariel watched in amazement, the confused animal fled into the darkness; the sneezing fading into silence.
Sebastian looked out into the dark; then rushed over to Ariel. "Are you all right Child?"
Ariel gave a shudder of relief. "Yes. Thanks to you and Flounder." She hugged her friends. "What was that you threw in his mouth?"
"Ummm,...Ink-spot remover."
"Ink-spot remover?!", exclaimed the girl.
Sebastian nodded; knowingly. "Yeah,...sure, Mon. Didn't you know ink-spot remover makes wolf-fish sneeze? You learn dat stuff in de wilderness."
"I'd like to see that in the crab-scout manual!", laughed the girl.
Sebastian frowned. "By-de-way; What was it dat your daddy told you this morning?"
Ariel blushed. "Uh,..Just something about some wolf-fish being spotted around here. I'm sorry, Sebastian! I just didn't want to spoil our fun!"
The crab smiled. "Well; We've certainly had enough of dat tonight! Let's hit the seaweed."
Sebastian swam into the tent, and Ariel and Flounder followed him. The little fish smiled up at the girl. "One good thing about all this; I'm not scared of scorpion-fish anymore!"
Ariel opened the window and smiled as she breathed in the fresh spring air. She heard Eric turn in his sleep, and tip-toed up to the bed to give him a kiss on the cheek. She was usually the first one up in the morning, but it wouldn't be long before Eric followed her. The girl went to the dining room, where Carlotta was already setting the table.
"Good morning, Carlotta!", said the perky girl, as she helped with the plates.
"Good morning, Dear!", returned the plump housekeeper. The older woman bustled here and there; putting down the silverware and napkins, then headed for the door. "Breakfast should be ready, unless Louie's burnt the toast again."
Ariel grinned at her. "Oh, Carlotta! Louie's a good cook!" The girl could hear her reply, as the woman went towards the kitchen. "Yeah,...after we finally got him off seafood dishes! I thought we'd never make a vegetarian out of him,.."
Ariel sighed with amusement and sat down at the table. Eric came in and gave her a kiss, "Good morning, Honey."
The girl smiled up at him lovingly, "Good morning, Darling! Didn't that air smell sweet?"
Eric sat down across from her and nodded. "Yeah! The flowers are really blooming. We'll have to open all the windows today."
Carlotta came bustling back; carrying their breakfast trays and humming cheerfully. She smiled down at the girl. "Now, you let me know the date for Aquata's wedding!"
"I will", promised the girl, as she picked up her glass of fresh orange juice. About once a month, Sebastian and Flounder would visit the girl; bringing news, gossip, or just sharing their company. Occasionally, her sisters would come too; and, of course, Triton, when he wasn't too busy. There was a small stream, running into the ocean, near Eric's palace. The Prince had a rounded pool carved at one place in the stream, and placed seaweed-cushioned rock chairs into it. This pool was surrounded by a green lawn under slender trees and beautiful shrubs. Another set of beautifully carved garden chairs were placed on the lawn near the pool. It was a quiet, relaxing, peaceful place where the families could talk.
The first animal to the pool, that day, was Max. He came loping down: barking happily at Flounder and Sebastian. Sebastian didn't mind; he was used to the floppy dog now, but Flounder still hid behind one of the rock chairs. The crab chuckled down at him. "Oh Mon! Don't tell me you're still scared of dat silly ting?" He's just all hair and bark."
Flounder peeked out nervously. "Yeah! If he's got a bark, he's got a mouth, doesn't he?"
Sebastian laughed and shook his head. "Well; here comes Ariel and Eric. Dey'll keep dat monster away from you."
Max went bounding up to lick Ariel's hand. The girl patted himlovingly, then walked down to the pool. She kissed Flounder on the nose and picked Sebastian up and kissed him on the cheek. Eric sat down beside them on the grass, and Max plopped down, too.
"So tell me: What's the word with Aquata?", asked an eager Ariel.
Sebastian laughed. "Dat girl's as nervous as a crab out of his shell! And you should see your father! Oh Mon; he's been saying all his girls are gonna follow your example and he won't have none left!"
"Oh; Daddy's being silly!", giggled the girl.
"Everybody's running around, getting stuff ready for the wedding", put in Flounder. "Aquata couldn't decide whether to have the cermony at Adrian's house or the palace, but the King talked her into the palace. Now there's a zillion Merfolk putting up decorations and stuff."
"Yeah. I haven't had one hour of peace to write de wedding music", grumbled the crab. "I finish one sheet and somebody grabs it and tacks it on the wall!"
Ariel laughed and patted Sebastian's claw. "Aw! You'll get it finished! So! When's the big day?"
"Six more days and Aquata ties the knot", answered Sebastian. "Your father says his only regret is that you can't be there, but he says he understands: You've got to stay here and keep Eric straight."
Eric laughed. "Well; she certainly keeps me on my toes! I have a hard time keeping up with her!"
Ariel grinned and kissed his cheek.
Sebastian nodded. "You ain't tellin' us anyting! Better get used to it!"
Eric took Ariel's hand in his. "Oh,...I rather like it, myself."
Flounder giggled, "Sebastian's got a girl now, too!"
Ariel's eyes went wide. "Sebastian! You?!"
The crab cleared his throat, importantly. "Well,..You know I'm prone to turn the Ladies' eyes, anyway. Me and one cute little crab have been seeing each other a lot, lately. Actually, I can't get away from de girl."
Flounder laughed, "Yeah! Your father says he's impossible to work with now; always singing and acting silly!"
Ariel shrugged. "My! My! If Sebastian gets married, I will think I've started a trend!"
Sebastian smiled, slyly. "Well,...She is a cute little ting. And I've been thinking about settling down; now dat I don't have to run after you anymore, keeping you out of trouble."
Ariel gave him a smirk. "Aw!, What trouble did I get into?"
Sebastian turned to Eric. "Did I tell you about the time Ariel kept a killer whale in her room?"
Ariel blushed. "He was just a,,..baby!'
"Oh really?", smiled the crab and looked back at the Prince, "Do you know how big a baby killer whale gets?"
Eric shook his head and grinned, while Ariel stammered, "I,..don't think Eric wants to hear that story just now,..."
"That sounds a lot like what she did last week. I found three dozen chickens in the palace courtyard that she had saved from the village butcher!", laughed the boy.
"The poor little things were going to be killed!", whispered Ariel.
Eric patted her tiny hand. "One of the things I love about her is her kindness. I come to find, more and more, how very special she is." Ariel smiled at him, lovingly.
"What happened to the chickens?", asked Flounder.
"We took them to a farmer who raises them", answered the girl. "He said he would use them to lay unfer,..unfer,.."
"Unfertilized eggs", finished Eric for the girl.
"They'll have a happy home now", said the girl, with a smile.
Just then, a loud squawking turned all eyes upward to see an awkward seagull approaching. Scuttle landed on the grass with a loud thump, as Max barked happily at him. "Woah! Somebody's gotta move some of dem trees outta the way! A fella can hardly make a landing!"
Ariel laughed and rubbed his head, as he waddled up. "Hiya Sweetie!" He tried to bow to Eric, "Your Princeness!"
Scuttle would sometimes show-up to these gatherings (After being told by Ariel about them). Everyone was glad to see the zany bird. Scuttle leaned back and took a deep breath; almost falling over backwards, "Ah! Spring's in the air! I guess your sister's got tha' wobble-legs about now."
"Six more days!", said Ariel with a grin.
"Woah! That ain't long! Now let me see,...What was I gonna say?,... Oh yeah! Advice! I got some advice for her, next time you see her! Always fly with the wind, and look before yah land."
Ariel giggled, and Eric smiled, "That sounds like some good advice to me. We'll be sure to tell her."
"Oh,...That reminds me!", started the girl, "Grim showed me the most wonderful thing yesterday! He took some paper and pieces of,...sticks and string, and made a sailamajigger he called a kite! We took it outside and it floated in the air; just like you, Scuttle! it was so beautiful! Darling; I want you to try it with me; it's so much fun!" Eric smiled and nodded.
Scuttle brightened. "Oh yeah! I know them! Those are wobble-eyed weathersnoops. Can't fly em at night, though; they can't see where they're going."
Sebastian shook his head; then looked at the girl. "Well; your daddy wanted me to check you, to see if you're still eating right." The crab eyed the girl up and down, as she grinned at him. "I guess you look about right. Put on a few pounds; as a matter-of-fact. At least dat crazy chef is keeping you fed."
Ariel patted her hips. "I know what you mean! Not swimming all the time is making me fat! It's a lot different on land; you can feel how heavy you are: if you jump up, you come right back down!"
"Unless you're a gull, of course", noted Scuttle.
"You can lay in the grass, and the flowers are over your head, and you feel so restful there. The sun warms you and you can watch the clouds float across the sky and listen to the birds singing in the trees,..."
Eric laughed. "She wanted to climb into one the other day!"
The girl grinned and her eyes shone. "It was so much fun! Eric helped me, of course. I sat on a branch, with the leaves all around me and my legs dangling down; I felt just like a bird up there! I could look out and see the ocean stretched out forever. Eric had to help me down; I was a little scared to jump."
"Plus; A dress isn't easy to climb down in", added the Prince.
Sebastian chuckled and smiled at the couple. "I knew Ariel would catch de best man around, but I never expected him to be a Human!"
"Yeah!", added Flounder. "I never thought a Human could be nice til we met you!"
Eric looked down at the little fish and sighed. "And I never knew that there were animals who could talk, until I met all of you. I'm still amazed at Ariel's stories of Atlantica; there's so much that Humans don't know about."
"Yeah, Mon. And if Ariel's daddy has his way, Humans never will know about it. He trusts you, and dat is a lot coming from him, but I don't tink he'll ever trust the rest of your Kind."
Eric nodded. "Well; I can understand his reasoning: If my kingdom got invaded by strangers wanting to eat my subjects, I'd get a little upset too! I'm even more amazed that a little mermaid would risk her whole world for a terrible human!'
Ariel giggled. "Oh; You aren't a terrible human! You are the sweetest thing!", Ariel said; kissing his cheek.
"Well; I consider myself the lucky one; you are the sweetest girl above or below the sea."
Flounder frowned, "Aww; enough of that mushy stuff!" He dived under the water, brought up an object in his mouth, and gave it to the girl. Ariel gave it to Eric, with an eager, questioning look. Every now-and-then, Flounder would bring a Human thing, from Ariel's collection, for Eric to identify.The girl was delighted to finally learn what her treasures were really used for.
"This is a corkscrew. You take a bottle with a cork in it, see,.." Eric imitated holding a bottle, "and you stick this in the cork and turn it. Then you can pull the cork out."
Ariel grinned with delight. "A corkscrew!"
Scuttle looked at it, with a puzzled expression. "Well, I'll be! And I thought it was for scratching behind your ear!"
"Oooh,..no!", said Ariel, "it's too sharp for that!" I thought it was for picking up sea-grapes."
"I thought it was for catching little fish", laughed Flounder.
"You never can tell with Humans", noted the crab; "They have a gadget for everthing."
"I'd like to see that trident again", said Eric. "It sure had a lot of power."
"Daddy never really uses it unless he has to", commented the girl. "He's tough when he has to be, but most of the time he's really gentle and sweet."
Eric shook his head. "It must've really been something to be a daughter of the Sea-King! Your father rules most of the world; don't you feel like you married below your station?"
Ariel giggled with amusement. "That "station" stuff isn't important! I married who I love!"
Sebastian nodded. "Dat's right, Mon. Ariel never did go for dat "Princess" title, anyway. She was just another mergirl. Oh; she's got de social manners and everyting: I never seen a more polite child; but she never did care for all de pomp and such."
"Daddy taught me how to act with people. He loves me, and my sisters, but he never spoiled us. When we misbehaved, he wasn't afraid of giving us a spanking."
"I remember one time the carnival came around", noted Flounder, "and Ariel and Arista were fighting and the King beached them and they couldn't go."
"Beached?", asked Eric.
"Oh; We couldn't leave the palace", explained Ariel.
Sebastian laughed,"Then these gators showed-up and tried to steal the royal treasure! Oh Mon!; Did those girls have fun trapping those gators!"
Eric scratched his head. "You certainly had a lot of excitement in Atlantica! I've never had any trouble with gators stealing my treasure!"
"Oh,..De King's treasure was a favorite target for thieves, but de King showed dem the business-end of his trident and they went on their way", laughed the crab.
"I could have used that trident a couple of times when pirates came around here", sighed the Prince. "My folk are brave, of course, but we're really just farmers; not solders. We had a hard time fighting them off."
Sebastian smiled slyly. "I don't tink you have to worry about pirates no more. When word gets around dat you married the Sea-King's daughter; every pirate in dis hemisphere will steer clear! Dey got to use the sea, and dey don't want the sea mad at dem!"
Eric laughed. "I guess you're right! But, you know; It's funny; My folk know Ariel used to be a mermaid, but the other islands; not to mention the old world, don't believe she ever was! They say there's no such thing as mermaids!"
"Well;....the sailors know", added Sebastian.
"There was one fellow from Denmark, I think, who had heard of our marriage and wanted to know the whole story. He seemed like he knew you, Darling; he asked if you had red hair!"
Ariel shrugged with confusion. "I don't think so,... I never talked to a Human before you."
"What about that guy in the metal fish?", asked Flounder.
Ariel brightened. "Oh, yes! There was one Human who I saw! He was in a strange boat that sailed under the water, but it broke and Daddy helped him get back to the surface."
"He must have known of your courage", said Eric, with a smile. "After I told him our story, he nodded and said "That was her." He was full of praise for you: Said you saved his life."
Ariel blushed. "Well,..I guess I helped a little. But Sebastian, Flounder and Daddy helped too. And the Crab-scouts!"
Eric laughed, "Yeah; he said he was going straight home to write it down! I don't know if he meant the village inn or Denmark!"
Flounder splashed excitedly, "Wow! Do you mean we might be in a story? Wouldn't that be neat!"
"I hope he spells Sebastian right", said the crustacean.
"Well; actually, he was more interested in Ariel", continued the Prince. "He acted like he was quite taken with you."
Ariel smiled gently. "That's sweet,..."
The group fell silent for a moment; listening to the birds and breathing the sweet scent of the flowers carried on the light breeze. Ariel looked up at the gently-tossed young leaves on the trees; they were in full flower and beautiful to the girl.
Flounder laughed, "Ariel's got out of her old adventures right into a bunch of new ones! Have you seen everything yet?"
Ariel looked at her little fish friend with excitement. "Oh, no! There's so much! I haven't even begun to explore this beautiful world! I'm just starting off slow; there's so much to learn! Eric's palace is so pretty, and ful of interesting things. I've gotten to know Carlotta and Grim; They're so sweet! And Louie and Max, and Frances and Gertrude. and the village is so big and has so much to see and to do!"
"I guess de Prince hasn't seen much of you, since you've been exploring!", laughed Sebastian.
Eric smiled. "It's just the opposite! She doesn't want to go anywhere without me! She's always close to me; I don't know how I could have found such a devoted wife."
Ariel blushed and smiled, but Sebastian nodded, "Dat's de girl! She sticks by the ones she loves. You hooked de best girl in de sea."
Ariel shrugged, "Come on Sebastian,...You're embarressing me!"
The crab laughed. Flounder scratched his head; then smiled, "Oh yeah! Urchin told me to tell you, "Hey!". He's in a big blowfish ball-game this afternoon, so he couldn't come. His team has a good chance of winning the tournament this year."
"Dat boy is growing like seaweed", commented the crab. "He must be half a fin taller than you already. Your father is looking to find him a good job around de palace, but you know Urchin! He's still too busy being a kid!"
Ariel nodded. "He'll grow out of it. It won't be long before he's chasing after the girls! And you, too, Flounder!"
"Girls? Yuck!", answered the little fish.
Ariel smirked. "I'm a girl, aren't I?"
"Yeah,...but you're different. You like to do fun stuff", insisted Flounder.
"Well; You'll feel different when the right fish comes along", answered the girl, with a smile.
Scuttle nodded his head. "The wobble-legs,...I guess that oughta be the wobble-fins for Flounder!"
Sebastian smiled; then sighed. "Yeah; De King has been talking to me about Aquata's wedding. He says he'll give up the throne to her now; says it's about time dat she took over for the family.
Ariel nodded her head, "Daddy's doing the right thing; he needs to relax and take it slower from now on. Maybe, he'll do some things he's always wanted to do."
"He mentioned that he wants to visit his brother in the Mediterranean", affirmed Sebastian. "Adrian will make a strong King in his place."
"And Aquata's always been real smart", added Ariel.
"They'll make a good pair", agreed the crab.
Max jumped up happily and looked to see Grimsby and Carlotta walking down to the stream. Carlotta was carrying a tray of refreshments for them and they sat down to join the group. Everyone enjoyed the pineapple punch; Ariel helped Flounder with his cup. Carlotta gave a knowing smile to the little crab; he had given her the recipe for "Carribbean punch", and he knew it at the first sip.
Scuttle eyed his cup, doubtfully. "This stuff ain't spiked, is it? I gotta fly home, you know."
Carlotta laughed, "Of course not! Don't be silly!"
Scuttle gulped it down and grinned. "That's good stuff!",he said, as he wiped his beak.
"Of course it's good!" asserted Sebastian, "it's my recipe."
Grimbsy smiled. "I never would have imagined that seaweed and plankton could taste as good as it does, until the Princess and Sebastian proved it with their recipes."
"I think even Louie was surprised", added Carlotta.
Grim nodded, "Yes. He especially liked the plankton soup. He said it would be perfect with a little crab in it."
Sebastian grimaced in agitation. "Crazy chef! He should've gotten enough crab after I knocked him out on dat boat!"
"He still wants to meet you again," comment Grimbsy. "He says no hard feelings."
Sebastian smiled; knowingly. "Yeah Mon! I know what he wants me to meet: a pot of boiling water!"
Ariel smirked at him. "Oh, Sebastian! Maybe he really does want to be friends with you."
"He can write me", answered the crab.
Eric laughed. "I think Sebastian's right. Every time Louie mentions him, he has a funny look in his eyes and a smile that looks a little devilish."
"Oh; That's just his wooden teeth", noted Carlotta.
"Well; I think Louie wouldn't hurt you now", insisted Ariel. He knows how I feel about you."
"I tink I'll keep the palace between me and him; just the same", grumbled Sebastian. Eric and Grim laughed.
After a long, happy talk, it was finally time for the friends to say goodbye. Sebastian and Flounder promised to bring back every detail of the wedding, for Ariel.
The girl smiled down at Flounder, "Now; You let me know if Sebastian catches the garter!", she said with a wink. She gave them both a kiss, then they turned and swam for home. The girl rubbed Scuttle's head, affectionately, as he flapped his wings.
"I'll see ya soon, sweetie!", he called, as he flapped into the sky.
Since Grim and Carlotta had already left; to prepare supper, the couple were alone now; except for Max, who stood quietly by their side.
Eric looked down at his wife and saw tears in her eyes. "What's wrong, Darling?"
Ariel smiled gently. "Oh,...I was just thinking of Aquata. I remember when I was a little girl; she was like a mother to me. I'm so happy for her!"
Eric hugged the girl and she smiled lovingly at him and took his hand. Together, they returned to their new home, and lived happily ever after.
LINK TO MERKINGs HOME PAGE
The AlftheMerking Page
(c) Doug Webb
(c) Disney for The Little Mermaid
Both me and Doug are not associated with the Walt Disney company.
Our work does not necessarily reflect their views on Little Mermaid.
We are simply trying to spread the word.