Summary: Eric and Ariel teach Melody that being royal and rich doesn't mean you get everything you want.

"The Value of a Smile"

The golden sunlight seeped through the curtains of five-year-old Princess Melody's bed room on a gorgeous Saturday morning.

"Melody, dear wake up," Carlotta gently shook the snoozing princess.

"Ohhhhhh, five more minutes Aunty Carlotta," Melody groaned.

"But your parents want you take you to town today!"

"To town?" Melody sat up. "Really?"

"Yes, now what colour would you like to wear today?" Melody always picked the colours of her outfits.

"Um, peach!"

"Okay, go wash up and I'll get your clothes in a minute." Carlotta said the enthusiastic princess. After Melody brushed and washed her face Carlotta dressed her in a lacy loose but relaxing dress with a satin peach sash. She did her hair in cute pig-tails and tied them with matching peach ribbons. And at last Melody (by herself like a big girl) adjusted the straps of her matching ballet flats. "Now go on, your parents are downstairs eating breakfast."

"Thank-you," Melody smiled.

"As always dear," Carlotta replied.

"If it isn't Princess Peach," Eric smiled at his daughter.

"Good morning daddy." Melody climbed onto her dads lap.

"Good morning. Ready to go to town today?" Eric asked.

"Super ready!" She replied. "Where is mommy?"

"She's getting your breakfast. Oh there she is."

"Hi mommy!" Melody reached over and gave her mother a tight hug after Ariel put down her breakfast.

"Good morning sweetie! Hey we match!" Ariel said to her daughter.

"You both are perfectly peachy!" Eric joked.

"Now eat your breakfast, we've got a long day ahead of us." Ariel pushed the plate in front of Melody and then left to check the carriage. Melody stayed on Eric's knee while he read his paper. "Oh and Melody, eat your fruity fruit bar!" Ariel called.

"Yes mom," Melody said. She winced at the bar of dried fruit. It tasted yucky and raw to Melody. Eric knew she hated it and preferred fresh fruit so he grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and called Max to eat the fruity fruit bar, which he enjoys.

"Don't tell mommy." Eric whispered.

"Oh, I won't!" Melody reassured him.

After breakfast the royal clan was off. Melody walked between her parents. She loved it when they swung he up and down. She also felt a bit special when the citizens nodded their heads at them. After Eric sent a few letters at the post she rushed to the next door toy-store window. She looked a beautiful ballerina doll with admiration. She wore a detailed and designed fuchsia pink tutu and corset and matching detailed slippers. She wore her golden hair in a pretty updo and secured with a gold and pink-diamond tiara. Her hands were up and her leg stuck-out in a classic ballerina pose.

"Mommy, mommy can I please have her!" Melody begged.

"Have who?" Ariel asked.

"Juliette, the ballerina princess!"

"But you got several dolls for your birthday last month." Eric said.

"And she looks really expensive." Ariel said.

"But you have a lot of money!" Melody said.

"But Melly, that money is for the people." Eric said.

"Huh?" Melody questioned.

"You see we use that money to run the kingdom." Eric said. "Hey, why don't you see what that money gets them?"

"Okay." Melody sulked.

First Eric took them to the Garland Gardens. Melody excitedly played with the butterflies and smelled the beautiful roses and lilies.

"The garden is beautiful daddy, but I thought the garden comes naturally." She said as she rolled through the lush green grass.

"Well the flowers bloom on their own but it costs us to maintain the park." Eric explained.

"Manny-tain?" Melody asked.

"Maintain, sweetie. It means to keep the park clean and under control. The groundskeepers and gardeners regularly water the gardens and grass so they won't dry up as well as trim the bushes and grassy so it looks neat." Ariel explained.

"Oh, I see. But I still like that doll…"

"Come' on Melly there is another place I want to show you." Eric said.

They arrived at the Mother Marina Hospital for Children. It was a grand colourful building that had paintings of flowers and rainbows. Outside was a compound with toys kids could play with.

"It's like kid-wonderland!" Melody exclaimed.

"We fund this hospital for sick kids to get better." Eric said.

"Oh Eric, can we go see the children?" Ariel asked.

"Yes can we daddy?" Melody pleaded.

"Sure." Eric said. They entered a large but quiet waiting room and information desk. Behind the counter a petit brown-haired nurse asked them:

"Hello your highnesses, what may I do for you today." She asked.

"Um, if it's okay we would like to see some of the children." Ariel asked.

"Oh, of course! They are having their story time right now but would love to see you guys. My name is Caroline by the way."

"Thank you, Caroline." Ariel replied. Caroline led them down several silent hallways and Melody clutched her father's hand.

"Here we are." Caroline stood on the side to the let the family in. The head nurse and the children's entertainer smiled at them. The kids loved to play games with Ariel and Eric and Melody befriended a lot of kids. They played with endless toys. When it was time to go Melody was reluctant but was dragged away but promised to return.

"See, those toys we donated really puts a smile on their faces." Ariel said.

"So Melody would you rather buy that one expensive doll for your self or buy a lot of toys a lot of kids can play with and share?" Eric asked.

"A lot of toys 'cause it makes them really happy!" Melody said.

"Eric, I want to show Melody a place." Ariel said.

"Where?" Eric asked.

"After lunch, I'm hungry!" Melody said.

"So where do you want to eat?" Eric laughed.

"Sarah's Cinnamon Sweethouse!" Melody announced.

"Oh no. You need a proper lunch. How Uncle Danny's Sandwiches?" Ariel suggested.

"Okay." Eric and Melody agreed.

After lunch Ariel led them to a happy pavilion.

"Ariel, this is where we first danced!" Eric said.

"I know." Ariel smiled.

"What is so expensive here?" Melody asked.

"The band is one of the best!" Eric said. He, Ariel and Melody twirled in a circle with a few others joyfully to the bouncy rhythm.

"I think that's enough adventure for one day!" Ariel said.

"Yeah, I'm tired." Melody agreed. They headed to their carriage. On the ride home Melody said: "Mommy, tomorrow can I give the toys I don't play with anymore to the hospital. They are really nice."

"That's a great idea Mel, and very thoughtful." Ariel smiled.

The End

~I hope you guys liked this one. There are a few more I'm gonna add soon. We have less than two weeks of classes left and I can't wait for summer. (And sports day this Thursday too). Anyways thanks as always for reading and please review.~