The Little Mermaid – Stronger than Love
Chapter 1: Life was perfect
AUTHOR'S DISCLAIMER – I do not own any of the original Disney characters in this story. Characters mentioned that are not found in The Little Mermaid are of my own creation. I am doing this after the first Little Mermaid and taking off from there with my own ideas. This does not go into The Little Mermaid 2. There might be times where Ariel or other related characters may go OC (Out of Character) just to give you a heads up.
The waves crashed along the shoreline as the sun high above shone great on the clear day. All around the scenery was perfect. Birds in the sky, the ocean was bright blue and sparking, but there was something that stood out. Far out into the horizon were patches of dark clouds that didn't seem to cause any harm as it was pretty far away. Those clouds though looked threatening enough to make anyone take a second look. This was not the case for our newlywed: Ariel and Eric.
Not too long ago, Ariel and Eric got married right after the great defeat of the evil Ursula. Ariel who had given up her mermaid form to be with the love of her life Eric was content and happy being human. She had finally gotten used to being mobile with her pair of legs and quickly adjusted to the ways of being human. Most of the other things didn't matter as long she could be with Eric. There Ariel and Eric stood on the beach looking out into the horizon holding each other close. Ariel could not be any happier. Everything was perfect. Life was perfect for Ariel.
"This is great Ariel, I'm really happy that we can spend all this time together. I hope nothing separates us again." Eric said to Ariel while gazing into her eyes. "Oh Eric, you're right and I hope everything stays right." Ariel gave Eric a big hug and rested her head on his chest. Life was indeed perfect for these two.
Eric then cupped Ariel's chin and gave her a soft kiss on her delicate lips. The sensation made Ariel close her eyes instantly as she felt swooned by the prince's kiss. "Hey looking good there Ariel!" Scuttle shout far on a rock. He then gave a fox whistle to Ariel thus breaking her attention to Eric. Ariel turned to the voice and saw Scuttle standing on a rock near the waters as he waved with his wing.
"Oh hey, isn't that your friend?" Eric asked Ariel. "Yes, Scuttle sure came at the right time. I'll be back" Ariel replied with a smile on her face. Ariel went over to Scuttle as she raised her dress up so it wouldn't get drenched in the water.
"Scuttle what is it?" Ariel said with a little impatience as she quickly turned to Eric to see if he was still there. "Hey, I just thought I see how you were doing. I haven't seen you ever since Ursula took the boot." Ariel looked back at Scuttle and replied, "Oh sorry, I'm ok. I've been with Eric so much that I haven't thought about anything else lately." "Hrmm is that so? Well I brought some buddies who also want to say hi as well." Scuttle said as he flew near Ariel to land on her shoulder.
Near the rock that Scuttle was on, out came Flounder, Sebastian and of course King Triton. All three came to see how Ariel was doing with her being human and also about Eric. "Daddy!" Ariel shouted as she rushed in the water toward him not caring about her dress getting wet. The two lock in a strong embrace as Ariel puts on a big smile for she hasn't seen him for about a week since the defeat of Ursula.
"How is my newlywed little girl? Is everything all right up here on the surface?" King Triton asked Ariel. Flounder, Sebastian, and Scuttle all looked at Ariel as she began to tell about the adventures she's had on the surface. Ariel told about the many places to see and how many of the people were so friendly in the kingdom.
"Oh daddy it really is amazing here and I perfectly adjusted to my legs as well. I wish you could come up here to see everything that I have seen!" Ariel said with excitement. "I wish I could too Ariel but you know that I can't" King Triton replied with chuckle. "Besides, someone needs to watch over the ocean and it has to be me."
"I know daddy, I really am happy though." Ariel said while looking at the others. "Is that uh…one chef still around? You know, that chef that almost put me on a plate to be eaten?" Sebastian asked nervously to Ariel. "Oh you mean Chef Louis? He retired days after that whole incident you caused. He said he wouldn't want to look at another crab ever again." Ariel replied with a laugh.
Everyone chuckled at the situation and found it funny. "Well that's a relief" Sebastian said while rubbing his forehead with his claw. "Well it sounds like you are having a fun time on the surface. Furthermore, Eric seems to be making you happy as well. I just hope that you come to visit me someday. Don't forget about your own daddy you know." King Triton said with a smile while resting his hand on Ariel's shoulder.
"I'd never forget you daddy, but it would be hard for me to swim under the sea if I am human." Ariel replied. "Oh I can fix that. Whenever you want to be able to breathe water and return back to your normal self as a mermaid then let me know. I did turn you human after all, so I'm able to reverse it."
Ariel hugged Triton again and said "Thanks daddy!" While Ariel was still hugging Triton, she looked behind her and saw Eric talking to Grimsby, who is Eric's personal advisor. "Well I have to go; don't want my dress to get anymore wet." Ariel said as she began to walk on shore. "Take care Ariel and continue being happy." King Triton said as he dove back into the water.
Ariel waved goodbye as Flounder followed Triton. Sebastian and Scuttle stayed with Ariel. Ariel's attention was toward Eric and Grimsby and she walked toward them.
"Hey Ariel, glad you came back." Eric said while looking at Ariel. Ariel smiled and got close to Eric. "Now, they predict it to be a terrible storm so it is best that we brace for impact right away while there is still time." Grimsby suggested. "Brace for impact?" Ariel repeated.
"Yea and it sounds pretty bad just by the looks of it. See over there?" Eric said as he pointed out towards the horizon where the darkness lurked. Ariel turned to see the blackness of the storm clouds that was insignificant moments ago is now…something that really stands out.
Now that horizon no longer looked perfect and just by looking at the storm gave Ariel a strange feeling in her stomach.
"Ok then, tighten the city up so this hurricane force won't wipe out the whole city. Make sure the boats are secured and latched tight." Eric said to Grimsby sternly. Ariel overheard what Eric said but her focus was still toward the dark storm cloud. It seemed every time she looked at it, it grew bigger and got closer. Ariel even felt a chill from the winds blowing from the ocean.
The cold blow made her shiver as she held onto Eric for warmth. Grimsby had already left to command the others to increase the defense of the city. "Eric, that storm looks pretty bad. Will we be ok?" Ariel asked with a look of concern in her eyes. Eric did not answer right away but instead responded to Ariel's eyes. Eric hugged Ariel and said "We will be ok. Not even a hurricane will blow us apart."
Ariel smiled and hugged Eric tighter as she began to ease herself into thinking that everything will be right. In her mind, as long she was with Eric, everything was going to be ok.
While the two hugged, sounds of machines and doors were heard in the background. Voices of commands shout from various people were also heard. Phrases like "batten down the hatches" and "secure the boats" were heard near the dock.
Ariel looked up and saw many people moving fast to do something. While looking, Ariel took another look at the storm and now the storm grew a bit in size. The horizon underneath the storm was like 80 grey and that beautiful horizon from before…was practically gone. Something was changing and the events were happening fast. Ariel had a bad feeling about all of this. She hugged Eric tighter while still looking at the pending hurricane far out in the ocean.
"Come on, let's head back so we can get ready." Eric said as he took Ariel's hand and went back to their place. As the two passed through the streets, many people of the villages were taking items from their houses into wagons to move out. Everyone was preparing for the hurricane and most of the people seemed to be in a panic.
Ariel and Eric went up the stairs to their palace and here too they saw people packing items into boxes to carry onto a large wagon. "This must be a pretty bad storm if it is getting the whole city running around like this." Eric said as he was looking outside seeing the people on the ground.
Ariel sat on their bed and began to look around the room. "Are we going to go somewhere too?" Ariel asked. "I'm afraid so, we are going to have pack light. I will get us on our royal ship so don't worry."
While Eric grabbed a big bag and stuffed items into it, Ariel got up from the bed and looked out the window and looked at the people on the ground walking to and from buildings. Ariel could not help but feel sad for what is going on. It felt like the time they spent at the beach was so short and that something terrible was happening too fast.
Ariel looked at Eric whom had finished packing. "Got everything we need. There is nothing else we can do until we actually evacuate the city." Eric said. Ariel went over to Eric and held him for comfort. As the two held each other, Grimsby entered the room.
"The weathermen say that it might hit here tomorrow. We might have to leave early in the morning if this is the case. I recommend you two get some rest now while you still can." Grimsby said. "Ok, let us know right away if the storm gets too close!" Eric demanded. "Will do sir!" Grimsby replied while giving a soft bow.
"Well we better get some rest then. Come on Ariel" Eric said while holding Ariel's hands. "Eric…I'm scared. This is all happening so fast! Why is this happening?" Ariel asked with fear. She was more upset that everything was changing so fast that it could mean that she won't be able to spend time with Eric.
"I don't know Ariel. I do know that hurricanes do happen and that if one should come, then you have to do the best you can to prepare for it." Eric tried to ease Ariel's stress by holding her tightly. "Don't worry Ariel; I'll be here with you in the morning ok? I promise I won't let anything or anyone separate us. I promise you." Eric said while resting his forehead on Ariel's.
Ariel smiled and began to get comfortable in the sheets so she could get some rest. Eric did the same and the two held each other closely and tried to sleep. Sounds of wind howling could be heard banging against the window as the night progressed. Ariel and Eric were sound asleep holding each other as the storm grew closer.
The next morning arrives and Ariel woke up to the sounds of the wind blowing through the open window. Loose items were on the ground and vases that weren't broken were rolling around from the wind. Ariel looked around and did not see any sign of Eric. She quickly looked under the sheets and looked all around the room again.
Ariel quickly got up from the bed and rushed to the window looking from Eric. All she saw were people boarding ships and carrying boxes to them. The sky…oh the sky was awful. Horridly grey and black, not a sign of tranquility to be found anywhere. Ariel began to shed a tear as she turned around to still see that Eric wasn't in the room with her.
"Did he…abandon me?" Ariel thought to herself. She lowered her head as she felt herself about to cry hard. "Ariel!!" out came a voice from the entrance of the room. There came Eric with his bag of items with Grimsby beside him.
"I'm very sorry Ariel, but I had to get everything ready on our ship. I'm here and we're ready to board." Eric said as he saw Ariel almost in tears. Ariel ran up to Eric and hugged him so hard for she almost thought Eric left her. For that moment, Ariel felt strong fear inside her. "Aww Ariel, I'm sorry. Hey, I said I wouldn't let anything or anyone separate us." Eric said as he looked into Ariel's eyes.
Almost instantly, her tears went away and she began to smile again. "You two, we must hurry if we are to make it on time!" Grimsby said with haste. Ariel and Eric ran with Grimsby down the stairs and out of the palace to the docks.
There were a lot of people there preparing their ships for sail. Ariel noticed that she didn't even get the chance to change into her usual blue and black dress that she always wore. "Over here is the royal ship. Everything is all packed and ready to go." Grimsby added as they went up the ramp toward the ship.
"You are not forgetting anything back at the palace are you Ariel?" Eric asked before he gave the command to set sail. Ariel took a moment to think then quickly answered no. Eric put his bag down and then gave the command to set sail.
The ship began rocking from the wind and from the engines kicking in. Ariel kept looking out to the city as the ship was drawing away from it. "It's happening so fast. Just yesterday…Eric and I were together in peace. Now what has happened?" Ariel said to herself.
While Ariel kept looking at the city, she heard voices underneath her. "Ariel down here!" the voice called out. Ariel looked down and saw King Triton above the waters waving. "Daddy?! What is going on?! This storm is making everyone panic!" Ariel shouts to Triton as she was high above the waters on the ship.
"Yes Ariel, it's about this storm. I'm afraid that it is not just the surface in peril. The ocean, many sea life are missing. I haven't seen Flounder or Sebastian either." Ariel's eyes widened as she heard this. Her best friends from forever were now missing. "We are doing the best we can to find them but I want to make sure you are all right." Triton said.
Ariel then looked at the horizon and it was all grey and the surf was high. She then looked at Eric and in the direction the boat was heading. It didn't seem so bad…but there was still a storm. Ariel did not know what to do. Life seemed so perfect yesterday…
To be continued…