Under the Sea

Disclaimer: I do not and will not ever own the characters of and the show itself, "Once Upon A Time." Much as I would love to. I also do not own any of the characters I have stolen from Disney's "The Little Mermaid." They own all those rights. I also also don't own any of the songs I use for this story. Please, enjoy my new fic and note that it won't interfere with my keeping up with "Hands On Me" fic (nor will it interfere with this). Now onwards with the show!

Chapter 1

She looked down at the sand as her toes sunk into it. She wriggled them, a grin lighting up her face. There they were –moving toes. It was all she had wanted for years and now there they were. She lifted her whole leg and stared down at it, bending her knee with a giggle that she could do that. Finally, finally she had legs that could move. Finally, finally she was free! She laughed loudly now and began to run, her feet kicking up sand. But she didn't care about the sharp sting as the sand whipped back against her legs; she didn't care about the shells that occasionally pricked the bottoms of her feet. All she cared was that she could do this. She could just–

"AAAAARIEEEEEEEEL!" a voice yelled, breaking through the wonderful daydream she was having. Startling from her reverie, she yelped and slipped from the rock she had been resting against. She frantically looked down, letting out a huff of indignation at the fins that were still attached to her body. There were no feet, no legs, and no flesh beneath her waist. Just her tail and fins.

"Ariel!" the voice snapped at her again and she looked up, glaring at the crab that had interrupted the perfectly wonderful dream she was having.

"What do you want, Sebastian?" she sighed in irritation, knowing her father had sent him and so she couldn't actually show just how upset she was. Not that she could be terribly upset –she couldn't keep up the notion that she would have any chance at all of obtaining these silly dreams.

"Your father thinks you're spending too much time daydreaming and not enough time–" the crab began, shaking his claw at her, but she cut him off.

"Acting like a proper princess? So I've heard," Ariel said with a sigh, slinking down to the ocean floor and allowing her long red hair to cover her face. She felt her curtain of hair be pushed aside and opened the eyes she had closed to stare into the face of her father's trusted advisor.

"It's time you start listening," he said simply and reached out for her hand, trying to tug her along. She relented and followed, swimming back to the castle from whence she came.

She cast a look upwards as light shone through and smiled sadly. She paused at the entrance, crossing her fingers and hoping against hope that maybe…she shook her head and floated through the doors. She was just being silly.

OOO

Ariel watched the raven haired beauty row away in the little boat that had carried her there. Her blue eyes wide, she swam silently around the posts of the dock until she could look up. But the green-gold man she had seen just a few moments earlier had disappeared. She shrugged it off to the mist he had created, but even as it finally cleared he was nowhere to be seen.

She lingered beneath the dock, peering up cautiously from one side, trying so hard to find him. She was so sure she had found her one chance to –she looked down at her tail and bit her lip before looking up once more– change all this. But the one man she had finally found, the one man she had heard rumors about, the one man who could give her everything in her wildest dreams was gone. She sunk down a little in the water, letting out a slight huff of frustration.

"Looking for something, dearie?" a voice quipped from behind her and she jumped, spinning around to see the very man she was looking for –leaning over the other side of the dock. She opened her mouth and then closed it again, unsure of how to address him or just what to say. "You look like a fish when you do that. Oh, wait…" He giggled at his own joke, but she just frowned. It was lost on her.

"You help people, right?" she asked tentatively. He raised an eyebrow at her, biting back a smirk, but he didn't respond. "You're the one that can help a person in need, grant them their wishes, anything!"

"I do indeed help people, dearie," he said slowly, emphasizing the word in the hopes that she would pick it up. She grinned and he rolled his eyes as he realized it was lost on her. She was just a silly little mermaid and it wasn't hard to miss.

"So you can help me then?" she asked eagerly and he finally smirked.

"I'm sorry, but do you look like a person…?" he drawled. She opened her mouth to respond but closed it again, much like she had before. She frowned and looked down at herself before she finally understood what he was saying. She shook her head.

"Well, no, but–"

"But nothing," he scoffed, sitting back up on the dock. She swam to the other side and looked up at him as he towered above her with his hands on his hips.

"Please. I'm not a person, but I want to be," she said. "And you, you can make that happen, can't you?"

"Oh, theoretically I could," he began, steepling his fingers together, "but technically I can't." She stared at him, suddenly flustered.

"Well, why not?" she snapped and his smirk just grew. "Is it the price? I can give you anything. For just a chance to…to have legs!"

"It's not the price, dearie. That's never a problem with me," he said silkily. She just grew even more flustered and turned a slight glare towards him.

"Then what is it?" she demanded. He let out a malicious giggle and bent down so that he could better look at her.

"You're a fish," he said simply, as if that explained everything. He stood up then and began to walk away. She swam along the dock, keeping up with him.

"Wait! Wait! Please!" she cried, but he ignored her. Grinding her teeth together, she noticed the end of the dock was nearing and she needed his attention. Now. With that in mind, she brought her tail up, bringing a large splash of water with it that smacked right into him. He froze.

Ariel stared up at him, unsure if she should be happy that she stopped him or afraid of him as his fists curled into the only sign of outward fury. He spun on his heel and glared down at her, his lips twisted into an angry malicious sort of sneer. Then he suddenly relaxed and his features calmed. His arms hung limply at his sides and his lips twisted into a smirk instead. He took a few skips forward and crouched down again, giggling at the cruel words he knew were about to come.

"I can't give you what you want," he said softly, and Ariel shrunk a bit. There was something menacing about his voice –it seemed so friendly and yet somehow so cold. She wasn't a cold-blooded creature, but in that moment she felt it. She bit her lower lip in shame, looking down as he continued. "You're nothing to me. You're a fish, a useless fish. And a fat oaf has rain over the ocean. We made a deal. I'm sure you know her. Ursula, I believe her name is? So go and talk to her. And oh, she will make you pay a price far far worse than anything I could ask." He giggled at the idea of it. "Now leave me be before I have to break my deal and turn you into a crab."

With that, he stood up and stalked off the dock. The mist arose again, hiding his fading figure. Ariel sunk down beneath the surface of the water, a frown marring her face. She didn't understand any of this. She was being sent on a wild goose chase. And for what? She looked down at her tail and her frown only deepened. To get rid of…that. To be part of the world of those she wished to belong with. To see what it was like to walk on land and learn to use their items and speak their slang.

She was going to go find this Ursula. The man had told her that was where to go. Now she had to rely on this…oaf, whatever that was, to help her. She just hoped that whatever the price was, it wasn't too much.

"I rather like crabs," she belatedly thought.


He stood on the sidewalk, peering through the window as he leaned with both hands on his cane. He watched silently at the woman on stage in the bar, swaying with the music as it began. His eyes travelled the length of her body, taking in the beauty that he saw. Her long red hair cascaded in waves over her bare shoulders, her emerald green dress hugging her curves as they should. The sleeves hung off the shoulders and the top of it was a more snug fit, the rest of it flowing from her hips down to just below her knees. Her backup singers wore similar style dresses in silver and swayed to the music with her. And when they sang, to him she had the most beautiful voice he had ever heard. He closed his eyes as he listened, allowing a soft smile to grace his face in the dark of night. It had been so long since he had heard this voice.

"If there's a prize for rotten judgment, I guess I've already won that," her voice came out strong and he could hear the smile in it. She loved being on that stage, belting out the words to whatever song she knew best. "No man is worth the aggravation. That's ancient history –been there, done that!"

"Who d'ya think you're kidding? He's the earth and heaven to you," the backup singers came in almost just as strong. Almost. "Try to keep it hidden. Honey, we can see right through you. Girl, ya can't conceal it. We know how ya feel and who you're thinking of."

"No chance, no way. I won't say it, no no."

"You swoon, you sigh, why deny it? Uh-oh."

"It's too cliché! I won't say I'm in love!"

He opened his eyes again as they continued to sing, letting his gaze settle on her face. Her full lips were turned as upwards as they could be while they moved, her teeth glinting in the stage light. From inside, the place looked shady. It was seedy and most of the patrons weren't the purest of people. Many of the singers there were known for other talents, but not her. He watched her face light up as they reached the familiar chorus again and he remembered that expression of glee all too well. He closed his eyes again.

"This scene won't play. I won't say I'm in love."

"You're doing flips; read our lips: you're in love!"

"You're way off base, I won't say it. Get off my case, I won't say it!"

"Girl, don't be proud. It's okay, you're in love…"

"Ohhhh…At least out loud, I won't say I'm in love…"

The song drew to a close and he heard the light applause from the few people that were actually paying attention. She could be so much more than this, he knew, if only she'd let herself get that far. He opened his eyes again. She was still on stage, but she was talking with the other girls. He saw her laugh, saw her eyes light up. He shook his head and turned to go. He wasn't quite sure why he had decided to stop tonight. He was usually so good at just walking past. Somehow, tonight was different.

He looked up then and he stopped moving. His sight was met with the devilish smirk he had grown to loathe over the many years he had dealt with it. The woman who bore it was looking at him with a look of contempt and smugness. Her arms were crossed as she blocked his path in a position of triumph. He merely raised an eyebrow at her.

"Beautiful girl, isn't she?" the woman said smoothly, with a slight nod in the direction of the window. He didn't look where she was motioning, merely shrugged and smoothed his face over with a stoic look.

"I suppose," he agreed nonchalantly. She continued to smirk at him, taking a few steps closer.

"You've helped her before, haven't you?" she asked slyly. Her smile faltered as he quirked his own lips upwards, matching her smirk perfectly.

"I've helped quite a few people in this town," he said softly. "You'll have to be more specific."

"I think we both know what I'm talking about, Mr. Gold," she purred. He just put on an innocent face.

"No, I don't believe we do," he said with another slight shrug. He took a step forwards. "Now excuse me, Madam Mayor." She didn't move at first, so he just smirked. "Please." She stepped aside and he slowly stalked past as much as he could with the help of his cane.


The impish man giggled in sheer delight as he towered over the redhead washed up on the beach, in nothing but an old sail draped around her. She peered up at him, shivering and afraid. This clearly wasn't the experience she was expecting and he couldn't help but feel some form of joy at that. He grinned wide, bending down to better look at her.

"My, my, you look ravishing, dearie," he got out between giggles. Her eyes widened as she peered up at him. She opened her mouth in an attempt to say something, but nothing came out. He didn't even notice, too wrapped up in the plans that were forming from this. He held a finger to her lips, smiling menacingly. "No, no, don't talk. Your prince is on his way, I ensure you. He'll find you and 'save you' from this…ship wreck, I suppose. And we…will meet again, I'm sure."

He heard voices and looked behind him as figures moved closer along the beach. He spared one more glance to the girl and reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear. Her eyes widened in surprise and he smirked at her.

"Got to make sure the prince finds you appealing, don't we?" he purred and then he slipped away behind a rock.

He watched the scene unfold. He watched the prince and his men help her up. He watched her stumble as she attempted to take a few steps on her new feet. She blushed as her sail slipped and had to fumble with it. The prince looked abashed at her lack of proper clothing. She clearly had no idea what to say, as she didn't speak. He found the scene humorous.

Finally, she was led away and he was left to his own devices once again. He remained on the beach for a little longer. It was peaceful and allowed him to finish the plans he had begun to formulate just hours before. When it was all pieced together, he straightened up, brushed the sand off his clothes, and disappeared with a soft Pop!

OOO

Ariel stood in front of the mirror, passing the brush through her hair over and over and over again. She smiled stupidly at it. She had only just discovered what the brush was supposed to be used for. Granted, it had come after embarrassing herself over her improper use of a fork, as it was called. She smiled at the thought. She'd have to be more careful of these things if she was to fit in. She looked down and lifted her dress slightly to peer at her legs. They definitely helped her to fit in, she thought with a smile. At first, they were hard to get used to, but she thought she was doing rather well considering her circumstances.

"Something wrong with your legs, dearie?" a voice broke through her thoughts. She jumped and spun around, this scene almost familiar. She didn't realize he was in here; she didn't even know how he had gotten in here. "Did my dearest Ursula mess them up?" He sneered the name, dropping the word 'dearest' in distaste.

Ariel raised a brow at him. She opened her mouth to respond, before remembering that she couldn't speak. In return for all of this, she had given her voice. She didn't have much time in order to get to keep this, either. She had three weeks. That was it. She had to get her true love's first kiss in those weeks or else it would be gone forever and she would be a mermaid again, she thought. She didn't quite remember what the deal was exactly, just that she didn't have her voice for the time being. So she closed her mouth.

"I thought you didn't want to be a fish?" he commented with a laugh, but his remarks still went over her head. He rolled his eyes and took a few steps closer to examine her better when she continued to remain silent. "Cat got your tongue?" And then realization dawned at him. "Or should I say…Ursula?"

She looked away from him and back at the mirror, sitting in the seat before it. She picked up the brush and continued to brush her hair with it, enjoying the feel as it pulled through her hair. She thought that maybe if she ignored him, he would go away. She didn't know why he was there. He didn't need to be. She didn't need him. He couldn't help her before and now that she had what she wanted, she didn't want anything from him now. He cackled gleefully at her reaction and moved over to stand behind her.

"She took your voice, didn't she?" he asked. She continued to stare into the mirror, but turned her gaze upwards so that she could view him. He grinned wide, leaning against the back of her chair. She furrowed her brow at him, trying to communicate that she wasn't comfortable with it. She still just wanted him to leave. This was becoming inappropriate. And what the people would think if they saw him in here! She paled slightly. He noticed. "Oh, this is too precious! And what do you have to do? Wait, wait, don't tell me–" Here he laughed at his own joke. "–you need true love's first kiss. Am I right?"

Ariel nodded. He took a few steps back and laughed gleefully, clapping his hands together. He was almost proud of Ursula. Almost. If he didn't hate her and her domain over the sea more than the evil queen herself, he might have admitted this out loud. He looked at the redhead and smiled. This was too perfect.

"And how long as she given you? Days? Weeks?" Ariel nodded as he asked this second one. He thought about it. "Hold up your fingers for how many. Three? That's it? Well, you're going to need some help, aren't you?" She looked at him in surprise. "You want to stay this way, don't you?" She nodded. "Well. Then shall we start right away?"

Ariel bit her lower lip and turned away. She was unsure and he could tell. He took her chair and pulled it back. She jumped in surprise, her mouth opening as she attempted to scream, but no sound came out. He smirked as he turned the chair around to face him. She glared at him and crossed her arms, refusing to get up. That worked just fine for him. He simply reached out and settled his forefinger on her temple. She swatted at his hand, glaring at him even more. He rolled his eyes.

"Just trust me," he growled in irritation, putting his hand on her temple again.

"And why should I trust you?" her voice came into his head. It was…soft. He grinned at his success.

"Why shouldn't you trust me?" he questioned and her eyes widened.

"How did you do that? Are you reading my mind?" her voice questioned. She tried to look at his hand, still on her temple, and he let out a triumphant laugh.

"I am reading your mind. It's magic, dearie," he said casually, shrugging and pulling his hand away. "I am Rumpelstiltskin, after all. As long as I'm touching your temple, I can…read your mind. I'm the only one who can hear the thoughts. It's an effective way to communicate when you can't talk, don't you think?" She blinked at him before finally nodding. He reached out to touch her temple again. "Do you want my help or not? I won't make this offer again."

"And why do you want to help me?" Ariel questioned, suspicious of his motives. She'd heard plenty enough about Rumpelstiltskin to know not to just go into a deal blindly. "What do you want from it?"

"Let's just say…you'll owe me a favor," he said, grinning maliciously. "Which I can enact at any time at any date." Ariel thought it over. A favor couldn't be that bad…could it?

"Deal."

"Good."


He sat at his usual corner booth, sipping on his mug of hot coffee and munching on a warm croissant as he read the newspaper. There wasn't much news in this small town in Storybrooke, but apparently there was enough for a newspaper. He rolled his eyes, just glad that he had this time in the morning to himself. People didn't bother him at this time, his shop wasn't open, and hardly anyone was in the diner this early. It was perfect.

The bell rang, signaling another customer. He didn't bother to turn around, assuming it was probably the school teacher coming in for coffee before she had to shuffle off to work. Mary Margaret, that's what they called her here. He scoffed at the choice of names. Some of them were fitting; others, not so much.

So focused on this train of thought was he, that he didn't even realize the customer wasn't Mary Margaret at all. He heard Ruby's voice brighten, but most importantly he heard the surprise.

"Good morning!" Ruby said as cheerfully as she could muster at this ungodly hour. He raised a brow.

"If you could call it that," the customer laughed. His shoulders tensed. He'd recognize that voice anywhere. He'd had it in his head for weeks after they first met. Slowly, he spared a glance behind him. He caught a shock of red hair out of the corner of his eyes. His suspicions confirmed, he turned back to his coffee and pretended to be engrossed in his paper as he listened in.

"What are you doing up so early? I thought you worked nights at the bar," Ruby said with a smile. The woman shrugged.

"I need another job so I thought I'd get an early head start," she said casually, sitting down at the bar.

"Ruby!" her grandmother snapped from the kitchen. "You're working. This is not socializing time!"

"I'm serving her, Granny! I'm not just socializing!" Ruby shouted back, slight irritation evident in her voice. The woman stifled a laugh. "Besides, there's hardly anyone else here to keep me busy! It's not like it matters!"

"Well, make sure you keep up with the customers! I will not take any more complaints of you falling behind," Granny snapped, glaring slightly at the pair. Ruby rolled her eyes and turned back to the woman.

"She's not exactly a fan of you," Ruby admitted. The woman shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"I sing late nights in a bar. Not many people really are. Except maybe the regulars," the woman commented. Ruby leaned in, lowering her voice.

"They think you're a whore," she said just above the whisper. The woman laughed.

"I don't wear nearly enough make-up for that," she said with a shake of her head. "I just sing. That's all. I promise. May I have a cup of coffee? I'm in desperate need here. It's very early for me."

"Yeah, about that. Why are you looking for another job?" Ruby asked as she poured the glass. The woman smiled sheepishly, shrugging slightly in embarrassment.

"The wedding's going to cost a bit more than we expected," she admitted. "We're both trying to get extra jobs so we can have a bit more money around. Especially since we're looking to buy a house too."

"That must be stressful," Ruby said with a frown. The woman shrugged.

"Yeah, a bit. But we'll be alright. That's what love is for, right?" she tried and Ruby managed a smile.

"You're just lucky you have it," Ruby said dreamily. She longed for the kind of relationship she thought this woman to have. She wanted someone who would be with her through the rough spots, to hold her and love her no matter what. She wanted what this woman had, the kind of man this woman was marrying. Prince-like. The woman laughed.

"Yeah, I guess," she said with a shrug. She stood up, draining the last of her coffee. "But I must be going. There are a lot of places to apply to before the day is out. Wish me luck!"

"Good luck!" Ruby said. "I really hope you get your job, Maris."

"Thanks, Ruby," Maris said with a grin and then she made her way out of the diner.


And finish chapter one! I think it's off to a great start, don't you? Next chapter will involve Rumpelstiltskin helping Ariel figure out how to be a proper princess on land as well as him telling her just what he wants. There will be more with the prince as Ariel tries to make him love her. Maris is also applying for jobs and Regina is having talks with Mr. Gold! It's going to get pretty good, I think.

In the beginning, at least, most of this story will be scenes from the Enchanted Forest era. There will certainly be dabbles in Storybrooke, but the beginning at least needs to take place in the Enchanted Forest in order to better set up the rest of the novel. However, I didn't want to do JUST that era and then jump into Storybrooke with no "flashbacks," if you will. I love flashbacks! So of course we have to have them!

Now, if you'll please, review and let me know what you think of this story so far. Is it good? Is it terrible? Should I continue or should I not? Is it worth it? Is it silly? Is my representation of Rumpelstiltskin off? Let me know!

Review! Review! Review! That is all. :)