Ursula
"Five drops Ursula! I said five!" her Grams shrilled at her.
Poof* Ursula looked down into the pot that she had been concocting a potion in.
Completely ruined. Now her Grams would have to search high and low for the rare
ingredient needed for this, and so many of their workings.
"I...I'm so sorry, Grams…" Ursula managed to squeak out. The look of utter
disappointment on her Grams' face quickly melted away. She had a soft spot for her
Granddaughter. They had been through a lot together. What with her parents
tragedy…all they had was each other. She sighed, "It's ok Ursy, we'll manage."
The potion was meant for the new Queen, who was having horrible nightmares.
The reward would be a generous one if her Gram produced it. Ursula bowed her
head and swam through their dark cave, her tentacles weaving behind her.
"I'm going to go find you some of that thorny flower, Grams. It's my fault the potion
is ruined. I can at least do that without messing up."
Two baby eels swam quickly after Ursula.
Ursula had found the eels two weeks ago, trapped in an old shipwreck beyond the
border. She was not permitted beyond the Kingdom limits, but Ursula was too
adventurous. She could not ignore her curiosity. The babies – who she named
Flotsam and Jetsam, followed her home after she set them free; they seemed to think
she was their mother. They swam, searching for the thorny flower. Where…? she
thought. Then something caught Ursula's eye from above the watery depths. Again,
curiosity got the better of her. Forgetting for the moment, her mission, she swam
upwards. A ship. Hmm.
Maybe just a quick look…Ursula thought. Flotsam and Jetsam in tow, she floated up
to the side of the ship. She could hear voices, but not loudly enough to know what
they were saying. Humans interested Ursula, their world was so very different
from her own. There was a whole other world out there for her to explore!
While Ursula was daydreaming of humans in their world, she did not notice the
young man leaning over the side.
William Trotson II could not believe his eyes!
Out there, in the middle of the ocean, was a woman. A beautiful woman, at that!
She had long flowing golden locks and bright green innocent eyes. Her beauty was
such that it made him catch his breath. The sun was setting, so the water was
darker than it was earlier, making it hard to see through the murky depths. But he
was sure he could see the shadow of tentacles! Ahh. Brushing the absurd thought
aside, he blinked hard. This must be an illusion. Like being stranded in the desert
too long. Mirage. Yes! A mirage is exactly what she is! He chortled to himself.
The mirage moved suddenly at the sound, and was now staring up at him. She
gasped and froze. A human had seen her! Ursula's mind raced as she stared up at
the dangerously handsome man above. She could feel her eels gently flicking her
tentacles, sensing the danger. As she started to turn away, the man shouted, "Wait!"
She slowly turned, peeking up at him through the locks that had fallen slightly
across her eyes. "Who are you?" was all he could manage… Not, how did you get
here? Or, where is your ship?
"Ursula" and then she descended slowly, so he wouldn't see her flowing tentacles.
Humans did not know that Mer-people, and the like, existed. "That would be a
tragedy in itself" her Grams always said. Why, Grams never explained, and now that
Ursula had seen one up close…she wondered why, exactly? What a site it was too!
Her heart still fluttered from the encounter. Ursula was still deep in thought when
she reached the bottom. Reality hit her-Grams! The thorny flower she was
supposed to be searching for would be harder to find, as now, the sun was dimming.
Oh, no! She franticly looked around. Then she remembered her friend Clammy had
recently found a cluster and had farmed them for herself. She used them for her
prickly bed. Surely I can strike a deal for a few! Ursula quickly headed towards
Clammy's coral reef. She was resting, as always. Clammy was a bit of a lazy bone,
but a good friend to Ursula. "Clammy?" she whispered, and Clammy rustled in her
bed, "I'm so sorry to bother you, but I need to ask a favor of you. Would you care to
make a trade with me?" Ursula asked hopefully.
"Oooh, a trade! I do so love a good trade!" Clammy yawned lazily as her shell
glittered in the fading light.
"Well, you see, I would be in need of some thorny flowers for Grams potions. I have
that lovely pearl you've been admiring." Ursula finished in a singsong voice.
"Oh, it took me so long to find this cluster, and it is such a lovely bed…but your
pearl is so beautiful." Clammy was distraught, clearly wanting both.
Ursula thought for a moment. "What if I give you the pearl for the flowers now, and
then farm more of them for you. I will search first thing tomorrow, but I need them
tonight." Clammy lit up, "Now that's a trade! Oh, all right, I suppose I can do without
for one night!" Ursula gleamed "Thank you! Oh, thank you Clammy!" She quickly
gathered what she needed, then, waving behind her, "Thank you, my friend!"
Clammy chuckled after her, "Silly girl" she said fondly. Then she fell back into a
somewhat less comfortable sleep, dreaming of the shiny pearl she was promised.
Ursula scurried back home as fast as she could. "Grams! I have it! I have the thorny
flower!" Her excitement did not last, as Grams was not looking in the least pleased.
In fact, she looked troubled as she studied Ursula from behind the wooden work
bench they used for potion making.
"You've been to the top…and seen by a human, at that!" Grams voice trembled in
fear. "Why, Ursula, after all of my warnings would you do such a thing?"
"How…?" Ursula stuttered. But then she remembered seeing Morton, the mer-horse
lurking around their cave when she left in search of the flowers. "Morton. Hmmph."
She muttered. "I was only curious Grams, and they don't seem as dangerous as
you've said…"
Grams floated up to her Granddaughter. "Ursula, man and their world may be
tempting, but theirs' is a world far different than our own. They hunt fish and the
like. Whatever they can find, and they eat them! What do you imagine they would
do to you if they caught you?" Tears sprung up in her eyes, and she turned away.
"You can't go back up there Ursy, I can't lose you too…" she whispered.
Flooded with remorse, Ursula turned her Grams back to face her and wrapped her
arms around her. "Oh Grams! I'm so sorry. You're right, of course. I promise never to
stray to the top again!"
Grams relaxed slightly in her arms. She sniffed and pulled away slowly. "Well, let's
see about this potion then." They set to work and Grams added the ingredients this
time. Before long, they had the Peaceful Nights potion ready for the new Queen.
They did indeed receive a handsome reward, and their fame grew throughout the
Kingdom. Any malady or sickness, even lovesickness, the sea folk had, they came to
Grams.
Ursula was a quick study, drowning herself in the study of the craft. She could not
dismiss the face that she longed to see once more.
Two years passed as Ursula and Grams lived comfortably. Then winter struck
something fierce, and Grams died, leaving Ursula alone, except for Flotsam and
Jetsam.
One day, not long after, Ursula and Clammy were near the border, searching for
more of the rare flower.
"Ursula! Clammy screamed, "Look out!" A big metal thing, called an an-core, she
remembered, slammed into the ground where Ursula had only a moment ago been.
Her eels shook in fright. She looked up but could see nothing but the endless line of
chain. "Are you ok?! Ursula?" Clammy squeaked.
"Hmm? …Oh, yes…yes, I'm ok," she shook her head slightly and smiled at
Clammy, "close call, it was."
Clammy grumbled on the way home about humans and their dangerous things. She
was secretly sorer about not finding any thorny flowers, Ursula knew. "We'll
look again tomorrow; on the North Face, Clammy. I'm sure we'll find some there."
Ursula consoled.
After Ursula, Flotsam, and Jetsam left her friend, they started back home. She was
now having a fight with her conscious. You promised! Said the voice that sounded
eerily like Grams. She shoved away the thought as she peered upwards. The eels
moved excitedly; they knew what she was thinking. She often talked to them about
the humans. One in particular. Hesitatingly, she started upwards. Flotsam, as quick
as lightening, swam directly in front of her as if to stop her. Jetsam tugged gently but
insistently. Don't go! They pleaded with their eyes. She brushed them aside lovingly,
"Oh stop, just having a look. I won't be seen again." She swam faster, with more
determination now.
It was a different boat…disappointment flooded through her. Then she heard him.
He was laughing, and her head shot back up. "Say what you will! I will find the girl
I've been dreaming about! She's out here somewhere, I can feel it…" And then he
leaned over the side, looking across the ocean. "If my coordinates are correct…" he
caught the quick movement as Ursula made to hide in front of the boat. Her heart
pounded. He's been dreaming of me! She thought wistfully. I can't let him see me
like this! "…I'll be back." She whispered, and swan as fast as she could back home.
At last! It took no time at all to find what she was looking for. The potion she
was planning was a shape-shifting one. It would only last until she set foot back into
the water. Once she did, she would return to her true form. If she did not return,
after a period, the next blue moon, to be exact, she would remain human forever.
Ah, but she was in love! It was a risk she was willing to take. Was it not worth it?
Her babies, as she fondly called them, looked at her sadly. "Don't worry, I'll visit you
both often!" she said soothingly, "Clammy will look after you…I'll always be near,
Poopsies!" She gave them each a peck. "But you must understand that I cannot
touch the ocean again until have sealed my human form…" They could feel the truth
in her voice, but were still not happy.
"Well," she said, as she finished up with the last ingredient, "it's now or never!" she
poured the contents in the vial of the seashell necklace she always wore. Ursula
swam back to the ship. Without another thought, she drank of the potion and
winced at the bitter taste. At first, nothing happened. Then – she started to sink!
"Ahh! Oh my! Please! Help!" She managed as she flailed around with her arms. She
was sure she had forgotten to swim! She felt as if her tentacles stopped working,
or…she looked down. Legs! She didn't know how to use them yet! So stupid! She
thought. Then a hand clasped onto her. A warm, human hand! He was hanging down
from a rope ladder he had thrown over the side when he'd heard her scream. It was
the man she had been dreaming of, here to rescue her. "Hold on!" He pulled her up
swiftly, and climbed to the top. His crew stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed as he
set her gently onto the ship's deck. He ordered a blanket as he kneeled in front of
her. When the dumbfounded men didn't respond, he barked, "Now!" They all
scrambled, and one of the men tossed one over. As he offered her modesty, she
blushed, oh my! She had forgotten clothing!
Shivering, she whispered, "Thank you…" At that moment, they were lost in each
others' eyes, and both knew it was eternal.
Three months passed, their story told over a thousand times across the land,
by then. The townspeople spoke of the beauty their prince had miraculously found.
The King was not so pleased. His son was supposed to marry Trinity, the Princess of
Northington. He had struck a deal with her father. Sure, she was not the beauty
Ursula was, but she was royalty! Not only that, but now that his son would
stubbornly marry only Ursula, he would lose the land and gold promised him by
King Farland. He scowled once more, deepening the already thick lines that creased
his forehead. I cannot allow this to happen! He thought to himself. There was
something funny about her. Where was her ship? How did she wind up in the middle
of the ocean? And even if she did impossibly swim there, she had lost that ability
completely, once she reached the ship. William said she was simply too tired to
swim any longer. Bah! Absurd! How did she appear there a second time? Also, the
girl was absolutely terrified to go back into the water, or anywhere near it, for that
matter.
The King paced in the courtyard, sending a bird frantically flying out of the
way. "I will find out…" he muttered.
He needed to find out. Now.
Ursula was happier than she'd ever been, and so in love! William had asked her to
marry him as soon as they'd set shore. She hesitated only a second, for this would
mean remaining human forever. She sat down and took the small hand mirror
out of the vanity, in her room.
The potion had managed to work, but in her haste, she had forgotten one simple
ingredient. The mirror masking powder. If anyone were to gaze upon her reflection
in a mirror, they would see her in her true form! She could not let that happen.
When the blue moon passed, she wouldn't have to worry. She would be fully human
then. It was only twelve nights away, but she couldn't wait for it to transform her
completely. Ursula asked the William to have all of the mirrors removed. She only
wanted to gaze upon him, and no mirrors for her to waste time on herself. He
laughed and told her she was being modest, but he did so anyway. He wanted to
please his bride-to be.
All but one room. The King allowed his son's silly order's, but refused his own to be
taken away.
That was okay, she thought then, I have no reason to be in the King's
room anyway.
Ursula pinned her hair up and put the small mirror back into the vanity. She left the
room to find her prince.
No mirrors, indeed. The King's plan was a curious one. He still didn't know what
would come of it, but he didn't believe Ursula was that modest.
"Ursula, darling?" William walked up to her in the garden, where she spent her time
most mornings.
"Hmm?" she turned to gaze upon her love. He shifted nervously. "Father wants to
see us in his chambers. He says he...uh…has a wedding gift he wants to give us now."
Ursula thought that sounded odd. Wedding gifts were presented at the wedding,
that was more than two weeks from now. She certainly didn't want to anger her
soon-be Father-in-law. She sighed. "All right, dear." She took his hand and he led her
into the castle.
They stood at the entrance to his father's chambers'. "Father? We're here." William
said, matter-of factly. The two had a feud recently over the King's ruined plans for
his son to marry the Princess of Northington. The King was outraged that William
had lost him the land and gold, and spoke of Ursula with disdain. "She's not even
royalty!" he had scoffed. William had then retorted, "I am not yours to use as
bartering chips, Father! And Ursula is royalty to me. More precious than any I've
ever known" That was two nights ago and Father and Son had not spoken much
since. William was still understandably sore with his father.
"Please, do come in." The King said, friendlier than he'd ever sounded.
Suspicious, Ursula walked in and stood next to William.
The King cleared his throat. "Well, as it has become clear my son fully intends to
marry you…I have come to the conclusion that I will have to accept it. I am sorry,
my dear, for seeming so frightening towards you these past few months."
Ursula could only bow slightly, accepting his apology gracefully.
The King cleared his throat once more…"Ahh, well, yes, with that said. I have a
wedding present made especially for the both of you. It is somewhat of a two-sided
gift." He walked to the middle of his chambers where there stood a tall frame,
covered. "Please, if you would do the honors, Ursula?" the King asked. "The first part
is yours." He was fidgeting and sweating more than usual, Ursula noted. She linked
her arm through Williams and together they strode towards the covered thing.
Ursula gently pulled the cover off. She gasped. Before her was the most beautiful
painting. It was of her and William in his ship, gazing off into the sunset behind the
Painter. The ocean went on for miles beyond the pair, and you could see the
reflection of the setting sun upon it.
Tears sprang up in her eyes. "Oh your majesty, I cannot thank you enough! It's so
beautiful! I shall treasure it forever."
The King hesitated…"Ah, but I may regret the second, which is my present to my
Dear son, William. I offer you truth! Do with it what you will" As fast as he could, he
walked up and flipped the painting right over…To reveal a full-length mirror!
Ursula's reflection showed her tentacles, poking out from beneath her beautiful
gown. The Prince and the King sucked in a deep breath at the sight.
"I knew it!" his Father screeched and stumbled backwards. William looked at the
mirror again, and then back to Ursula. Why…why have you never told me?" he
whispered. Ursula looked down. "Because I couldn't stand to lose you…I knew you
could never love me in my true form. I will leave tonight my love…for I will always
love you…" Ursula's eyes welled up once more with tears, this time not with joy, and
turned away.
"No." William said forcibly. She swung around, hopefully. "I love you Ursula. I love
you for all that you are, whatever you are!"
Ursula half-smiled, half-whimpered with joy. So many emotions were coursing
through her. "Oh, William!"
That was when the King came barreling towards her, sword in hand, "Monster!" he
shrieked. William shoved her aside and mistakenly took her place instead of shifting
the other way. The blade tore through him.
"Noooo!" Ursula wailed in agony. She quickly moved to him and fell to her knees by
his side. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she laid her head on his chest.
Behind her, the King trembled, "Dear God, what have I done?!" The King dropped the
sword with a Clang! And screamed out "Nurse! Get my nurse now!"
Ursula's tears formed a shallow puddle on her fallen Prince's chest as his labored
breathing slowed…
"I'll…always…. love…" a deep breath escaped his lips and his eyes fluttered in
finality.
"No, no, no! You can't leave me! William!" she cried.
The King sat upon his knees, rocking back and forth, as if he'd gone mad.
Ursula looked upon him. "You took him away from me. My only love, you took him
away, you…you selfish, old man! I shall have my revenge…" Ursula growled, pointing
a finger at him, trembling in rage. "I shall!"
She turned and ran. Ran from the Castle, and from the promise of a beautiful life that
was now crushed. Ran from her dead Prince, and his selfish father, the King.
She ran until she found the ocean. She ran through the crashing waves and dove in.
She swam as hard and as fast as she could with just her arms, until she could feel her
tentacles form properly and then swam even faster. As it should be. She thought
bitterly. Ursula swam back home. Back to her babies…back to her cave where she
would plot revenge on the old King. He would suffer as she had suffered.
Flotsam, Jetsam and Clammy were thrilled to see Ursula again, but something had
changed about her. No longer did she have the innocent sweetness about her.
Something evil seemed to have formed deep in her soul.
About a week later, Ursula received news from the traveling fish that the King went
mad. He died of heartsickness and guilt only two days after Prince William. Ursula
should have been happy, but this only angered her more. She wanted her revenge!
"And that, dear Ariel, is why we don't go to the top." King Triton finished,
gazing at his ever-curious daughter, more than a little worried. But that is a story for
another day.