With the wall down, there was nothing to stop Melody from going out to sea as much as she wanted. She could float with her fish friends or dance the night away with the land lubbers; seeing as Queen Ariel and King Eric insisted on having a ball every week due to the immense wealth the nation had been experiencing since the removal of the wall and most of their evil sea creature problems.
Nothing relaxed the young princess more than floating through the calm swell as she daydreamed of her finned adventures. She understood why she couldn't keep the fins, but that didn't mean that she had to like it. She hadn't seen Tip or Dash since the removal of the wall; even though that was 4 years ago. She thought of them sometimes, and silently mused to herself that once she was Queen she would create a mail delivery system that would function on both land and sea.
She thought of many things that she would change in the Kingdom, as her 16th birthday loomed closer. There wasn't much help for it seeing as her princess lessons have nearly doubled in the last four years. Ariel insisted that she learn as much as she can so that she may become a fair and just ruler. As far as Melody was concerned the most daunting thing that was heading her way, was not the impending Queen hood but how many royal bachelors her parents would force her to dance with at the ball to celebrate her coming of age.
Melody had long since come to terms with having to deal with suitors. Having been born with her mothers' classic face, and her fathers' thick black hair; she couldn't help but be called a princess of true beauty. Her awkward adolescent phase or tomboyish innocence had blossomed into a young woman. Her average height and slender build was the talk of the princes of all kingdoms, many said that she and her mother alike had faces of inhuman quality. There was definitely extra her merblood gave her. Whether it was a more fluid grace or simply an impish look that would send sailors to Davey Jones' locker; no one could quite put their finger on it.
With her golden complexion and dark hair matched with blue eyes, many would pick out a sunshiny yellow for her to wear on this extra special occasion; but Melody had other plans. In secret, she had worked with the castle seamstress to create a gown that would stun and amaze. As she glided down the corridor she had no doubt she would do just that. The seamstress had simply out-done any expectation that Melody had hoped for. The dress brought out curves that Melody had assumed were just the remainder of her childish roundness. Her dress started as a marine blue fading into darkness that resembles the ocean so accurately you can hear the waves ebb and flow as she walked towards her double door entrance. Her hair that is usually pulled back into her signature ponytail has been let loose and flows down her back like the very waves she loves to float in. The trumpets blare as the doors are opened and announcements made.
"Presenting her Royal Highness Melody, Princess of both Land and Sea." A collective cheer crashes around the elegantly decorated ballroom. As Melody looks around the room familiar faces spring out in their best finery. Although, no one shines brighter than that of the young princess. She was not mistaken when, as she walked down the grand staircase lined with a garland of seaweed and lilies, she heard a collective gasp. All eyes were on her.
As she reached the last step and the soft click of her heel signaled an end to her descent, the band struck a cord and the hall was filled with music once again. Melody glided over to her parents, whose faces were a mixture of shock and pride.
"I didn't realize my little girl had changed so much in so little a time," Eric boomed. Boomed being the only word that could describe the sound he made. As time wore on his dark black hair had taken on a speckling of grey and his fit physique had given way to a man who is wholly content in life.
Ariel smiled at her husband; she, unlike Eric, has held on to her youthful appearance. The only sign of aging are the faint lines of laughter that outline her mouth, and even those are only apparent when one looks very closely. "This" she started, "is what young adulthood does, dear." Ariel then sends a knowing look over her daughters' shoulder, and proceeds to usher her husband towards the dance floor; his overly expressive eyebrows bunched in confusion.
Melody turned slowly, watching as her parents danced. She could tell that once they were locked in one another's embrace that the ballroom had fallen away, and for the first time in her life Melody felt that longing that had always eluded her. She stood and wondered what a love like that would feel like. Shaking out of it, she glanced to her left where a long line of suitors, in colors ranging from reds to yellows to greens, were eyeing her expectantly and she knew that now was the time to start allowing the gentlemen to fill her dance card.
From the foxtrot to the quickstep, the young men flashed by in a sequence of smiles and stubbed toes. The ball was winding down and the number of dance partners dwindled. At last, a young man who stood just under a foot taller than Melody's 5'4" height. When he stepped in front of her, she took his arm as was expected not paying much attention to the man who held her. She was tired and unhopeful of this prospect being her forever. Although forced to look up at him due to his impressive height, she noticed with a start that there was something particularly familiar about him.
His shaggy blonde hair sat in a disarray on top of his head, and as she looked into his sea foam green eyes she realized that she had to have seen him before. Almost like a distant memory. The song has ended for several moments before Melody realized that they are still swaying. When she meets his eyes again she realizes that he is looking at her with a bemused smile. She feels her face flame and quickly steps back from the young man.
As he bows deeply he keeps his eyes trained on the young princess. "Princess Melody," he starts in a slight accent that suggests a British lineage. "The honor is of course mine. My name is Alex, and I couldn't help but request a dance from you."
Melody curtsies as is custom, although finding herself at a loss for words. As she glances back up she notices an embarrassed smile has crossed over Alex's face. "I hope that we can dance again." She finally stammers out.
"I have no doubt of that," Alex replies with a confident look in his eyes. He then turns and walks away; leaving young Melody stunned into silence.
She was certain that she had met him before, but where.