Town Fair
It was mid July and Ariel awoke with the sun on her face, and saw Eric stroking her long hair.
"Morning angel."
"Morning, today looks lovely" Ariel replied getting up.
"It does, perfect weather for the fair" replied Eric wrapping his arms around her.
"I am looking forward to it. I promised Astor I would spent some time with him, he wants to show me around."
"As long as he doesn't cause any mischief you should have a good time, Grims still not forgiven him for at accident with the paint" Eric laughed as the pair walked down stairs.
"Morning all" said King William walking in and sitting down next to Eric.
"Morning Father" replied Eric as his Mother Sofia and sister Moina (Celtic meaning gentle and soft) joined them.
Moina was a year younger then Ariel, like Eric she had their Father's blue eyes, but unlike him, she had inherited their Mother's dark brown verging on black hair. Queen Sofia's was famed as beauty throughout the kingdom and beyond. With her shining hazel eyes and dark hair, she was an intelligent and caring women, and ruled the kingdom alongside her husband. Eric's hair was black like his Father Williams, and many said he looked a lot like William did when he was younger. King William V still retained some his black hair, though it was getting greyer by the day, and unlike his son he had a small moustache.
"It looks like a lovely day for the town fair" said Sofia as she ate.
"It should be, the entire town is looking forward to it" Eric replied as Max come bounding in.
"Hi mutt, where you bin, you're all wet boy?"
"That dog gets everywhere, and it's the third time this week he has walked into breakfast wet" replied William shaking his head.
"I saw him out on the beach with a pretty looking collie this morning" said Moina as she spread jam onto a slice of toast.
"Oh so it's like that is it, so then you've got a girl then, nice going boy" Eric said patting Max.
"I hope things go ok for you Max, you deserve a girl" Ariel said smiling.
"Good morning" said Grimsby sitting down. Given the length of time Grimsby had served the family, he was allowed to be informal with them in private.
"Morning Grim" replied Eric.
"Is that a new dress you have on Moina?" he asked
"It is yes, I made especially for today" Moina replied looking down at her rose patterned white dress.
"It suits you, you are a very talented dress maker" replied Grimsby.
An hour later Ariel, Eric and Moina stood on a raised platform in Willow Way Park outside the town walls. Above them was a banner say WELCOME TO THE FAIR, on the platform two children were holding a long green ribbon.
"We now declare the town fair open" Ariel, Moina and Eric cutting the ribbon as the town's people clapped.
There had always been a very good relationship between the town's people and the royal family. The town's people knew they were welcome at the palace if they need help. Many had family and friends who worked as servants in the palace, and all were well treated and respected.
"Princess Ariel will you come around with us later on?" asked a boy of ten with very dark brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes.
"Of course I will Astor, I did promise and I always keep my promises. We can meet after lunch, that way I can spend the morning with Prince Eric and the afternoon with you" Ariel replied as Carlotte and Louie walked up to them.
"Be good Astor and stay out of mischief. I know you want to have fun but we don't want any accidents" said Carlotte looking at her son.
"I'll be good Mum, I promise, see you later" Astor replied running off to join his friends.
"He will be fine Carlotte" said Louie watching his son walk off.
"I know" she replied smiling at her husband.
Carlotte and Louie had been married for eleven years, and had been in love for longer. Ariel had found this strange at first, but over time had realised that they were perfect together. Both had started work at the castle on the same day and had met when Carlotte was sent to do the washing up that night. A year after that first meeting they began courting, four years later they were married. As Housekeeper, Carlotte was in charge of all the castle staff, including Louie. In their own home things were much more equal, with Carlotte doing the cooking.
"Are you ready Ariel?" asked Eric walking up to her.
"I am, is Moina coming with us?"
"No, she is going around with my Mother and Father" Eric replied as they set off
The pair walked round the fair with Eric explaining the odd piece of information to Ariel, letting the stall holder do it most of the time if needed. Carpenters shows off their skills, carving toy animals for the children and furniture for the adults. The local gold and silversmiths showed of their wares, simple silver earrings in the shapes of dolphins and butterflies sat next to ornate gold necklaces inlaid with rubies. Girls and women flocked around the stall, with teenagers spending their money on silver pieces, some set with semi precious stones like amethyst and rose quartz. At both ends of the stall stood two very large Alsatians, their eyes watching out for thieves.
Both town pubs had their own stalls, with the landlord and his wife manning them. Stopping at the stall for The Mermaid and Dolphin, Eric asked how business was going.
"Very well in fact, booming since we added that extension, we can now sleep fifty, though the sign could use a paint" said the landlord Mitch Maltman, his red hair tied back and beard blowing in the breeze.
"Ever since you married Princess Ariel things have been busy, many sailors want to hear that story" said Mitche's wife Millie.
"I am glad to hear business is going well, I always enjoy an evening with you" replied Eric.
"You and your friends. Princess Ariel I could tell you no end o stories about your husband and his friends, lord the mischief they caused" said Mitch.
"Please do" replied Ariel with a grin as Eric squirmed.
"Let's see where to begin? On his seventeenth birthday him and his friends came in and they got plastered. Eric and two of his friends were dancing and singing on the tables by one that morning, the other patrons were cheering."
"And they weren't half of key, one of em couldn't carry a tune to save his life. Your husband then fell of said table and hit his head, it's a wonder he wasn't unconscious. By the time they all left they were more than plastered, how on earth they got home that night I'll know" said Millie as Eric blushed.
"We did have a lot that night, I can't remember anything after midnight. What I do remember is the hangover the next morning, never felt so ill" replied Eric.
"Yes, I heard about that from Carlotte later that evening when she passed by her way home, well boys will be boys" Mille replied.
"I never thought Eric would do anything like that. My sister Aquata is an amazing artist, I could ask her to repaint your sign" Ariel said.
"That would be lovely Princess, would she be able to pose for us? It would be an honour to have her image on our pub" replied Millie.
"I am sure she would be delight, I will ask her about it next time I see her" replied Ariel as she and Eric walked away.
Soon they saw the Master of Castle birds of prey, Ariel gazed at them with wonder looking sat their sharp talons.
"Morning Osman I see your charges are healthy" said Eric shaking the keeper's hand.
"They are Prince Eric, all ready for when you and the King next go hunting. Would you care to hold one Princess Ariel?"
"I would Osman, Eric has told me about hunting with them, the owl and Peregrine Falcon are beautiful".
"The owl is called a barn owl, a very common type around here, this one was found by young Astor. Poor creature had come of badly in that storm we had a month ago, Astor brought him with a broken wing. Here you go" Osman replied said as the owl stepped onto Ariel's arm.
Looking at her the owl hooted softly as she stroked his soft feathers, looking at her with his large eyes.
"He likes you Princess."
"And I him, he is such a beautiful, I feel privileged to be holding him" Ariel replied as the owl flapped it's wings with pleasure.
Handing the bird back the pair left Osman and the birds, soon reaching the livestock section of the fair. Walking around the pens the pair stroked the animals, friendly sheep with shorn coats, pigs and piglets, bulls with large horns, and a goat that tried to eat Ariel's dress. The pair chatted to the farmers, inquiring about their animals and their chances in the fair competitions. Coming to the horse section the pair saw girls crowding around them. In a large ring five horses and three ponies gave rides to children and adults, with a long queue snaking around its edge.
"Alright there Roger?" called Eric to a man stood next to a pen of Shire horses.
"Fine thank you Prince Eric" Roger replied as the pair walked over.
"I see your charges are in good condition" Eric replied stroking a black stallion.
"They are indeed, this nice summer is doing them good" replied Roger with a smile.
"I am amazed at how large they are compared to other horses" said Ariel.
"Well they are breed for heavy farm work, they need to be big, but they are gentle giants."
"I can tell, they are so relaxed" Ariel replied as she stroked a foal.
"They are used to people."
"It has been good to see them, I will see you later" said Eric shaking Roger's hand.
"Been nice to see both as well" Roger replied as the pair moved on.
The rest of the morning flew, and soon it was time for lunch. Sitting on a rug under a large apple tree, Eric, Ariel, William, Sofia and Moina chatted happily. A picnic of sandwiches, salad, sausage rolls, quiche and apple juice lay before them.
"I am having such a good time, the fair is very similar to the one held in Atlantica" Ariel said as she ate.
"So you have fairs as well, today is beautiful" replied Moina
"It is good to see everyone having a good time, nice that were are all equal for a change" said William.
"It is Father, we can talk to anyone and just have fun, upper class and commoners" replied Eric taking a sausage roll.
"It does people good, it also allows them to see the Royal Family are people like them. By being here our subjects can see us for who we are, and not just as their rulers" replied William.
"I think it is better that way, we may rule them but we are still people" replied Ariel.
"We are, and we must respect and care for each other" said William.
Lunch was soon over, with the food wrappings being put back into the basket they came from. As they were getting up to go their separate ways, Astor came walking up to them.
"Good afternoon, will you still come with me this afternoon Princess Ariel?" he asked bowing.
"Of course I will Astor, I did promise. I will see you later Eric" Ariel replied kissing her husband on the cheek.
"Until later, take good care of her for me Astor" Eric replied grinning at boy.
"I will Prince Eric" Astor replied as he and Ariel left the group.
"Ariel is very good with children, she will make a wonderful Mother one day" said Sofia.
"MOTHER! Please give us a break, we've not even been married a year! I'm only eighteen and Ariel is only seventeen, we are both way too young to think about that" Eric replied glaring at his mother, before walking off with Moina.
Walking through the park Ariel and Astor passed people playing various games, Hook-a-Duck, a coconut shy. On several men threw balls at cans and bottles, trying to knock as many down as they could to win a prize. The local bank had a stall where people had to guess how many pennies were inside a barrel, with the takings going towards the local orphanage. Reaching Willow Lake the pair saw circus performers waking around, clowns telling jokes, and making balloons. On the lake people were out in boats, all laughing and joking. As she watched them, Ariel remembered the night she had spent on the lake with Eric.
"It is hard to believe so much has happened since then, I could not even speak" she thought.
"Hi yay sweetie, well this is some fair ay" looking up Ariel and Astor saw Scuttle land on a nearby rock.
"Hi Scuttle this is Astor, Louie and Carlotte's son, Astor this is Scuttle".
"It's nice to meet you Scuttle" Astor said.
"Nice to meet you to kiddo" Scuttle replied even thought Astor couldn't understand.
"Scuttle says it is nice to meet you" Ariel said to Astor.
"So then Kiddo what's this called then, some kind of party".
"It's called a summer fair; Eric told me it's a celebration where people can get together. They show animals, there are crafts people have made, there are games, it is really fun."
"It sure sounds fun kiddo, be great to see it."
"You can sit on my shoulder if you like."
"I'll do that" replied Scuttle hopping Ariel's shoulder.
As the afternoon wore on Ariel, Astor and Scuttle looked at the craft stalls, marvelling at the skill of the towns inhabitants. Glassblowers gave demonstrations to the aw of the crowds, blacksmiths made miniature horseshoes for good luck and a potter let people have a go at making their own bowl. Scuttle looked at the human things with curiosity; only this time it was Ariel telling him what they were and not the other way round. As he listened Scuttle realised how wrong he had been about so many human things, and how happy Ariel was as a human.
As evening approached the stall holders packed up, the fires were lit, tables put out and the food began to cook. Sitting on a table the Royal Family were joined by Grimsby, his wife Celinda and their daughter Rosaline, with Scuttle perched in a tree nearby. Celinda was tall and slim like her husband with silvery hair tied up in a neat bun. Like both her parents Rosaline was tall an slim, having inherited her Mothers dark blond hair and her father's eyes. Rosaline was older then Eric, having been born three years before him.
Soon the food was ready, roasted beef with salad, chicken with lettuce and tomatoes on a bun, with apple pie and vanilla ice cream for dessert, all washed down with cool cider and sparkling wine for the adults and orange for children and those under sixteen. To enter any inn in the kingdom a person had to be sixteen or over, as any younger was considered to irresponsible to be able to handle drink. While the people ate, the girls from Margaret O'Conner's School of Dance performed on stage to great applause.
As darkness fell the stars came out, fireworks lit up the sky, with sparklers being handed out to the children. The band from the Mermaid and Dolphin pub struck up a tune, followed by the band from The Sailor and Seal, and people began to dance.
"May have I have the honour?" Eric asked offering Ariel his hand.
"You may" she replied, letting him lead her to the dance floor.
"My Queen will you dance with me?" William asked looking at Sofia.
"It would be my pleasure my King" Sofia replied.
"Mademoiselle would you do me the honour of a dance?" Grimsby asked his wife.
"I will" Celinda replied, and soon they were dancing.
Rosaline and Moina looked at each other, wondering if any men would ask them to dance. Then a gingered haired young man walked over to the pair.
"Would you like to dance Rosaline?" he asked.
"I would like to Richard" Rosaline replied taking his hand.
Moina watched as her friend danced with Richard, the son of William's physician, who himself was in the same profession. Then a young man walked up, one with blond hair and shining green eyes.
"So Moina are you having a good time?" he asked.
"I am, I wish I could dance though" she replied.
"Well wish no more, would you do me the honour of a dance?" he asked.
"Me Fiontan, but I am just Eric's little sister?"
"You Moina, you may be my best friend's sister but I would still like to dance with you" Fiontan replied.
"I accept" Moina replied taking Fiontan replied.
As he danced with Ariel, Eric saw the pair begin to dance, and his eyebrows went up a fraction. Seeing his Father was also watching the pair, Eric exchanged a look with him, both slightly surprised at the sight. The dance floor was now filled with couples, all having a good time, all glad to be together.
By the time the fair ended it was the small hours of Sunday morning and many of the men were staggering along singing loud sea shanties and songs.
"There'll be several sore heads tomorrow, some of those men are in for a thorough roasting when they get in" Celinda commented as they walked back to the palace.
"That I don't doubt, I know some of them and their wives" Grimsby chuckled.
Reaching the castle all went to their beds tired after the day's events, getting into bed that night Eric looked at Ariel and smiled as the pair fell asleep. As she fell asleep Moina thought about her dance with Fiontan, amazed at he had asked her.