Author Note: This will have mature themes in later chapters. You've been warned. Enjoy Ariel and Eric spending time together before their wedding and Ariel coming to terms with everything she has chosen to give up.

Chapter 1

Ariel gazed over to the beach and sighed. Eric was well, he had survived. Grimsby was helping him stand and limp back to the stairs leading up to the mainland. Her heart sank as she noticed he glanced back but couldn't see her behind the rock. He appeared to ask Grimsby something, but he simply shrugged and had to tug at Eric's arm to continue to the stairs.

"Don't cry, child." Sebastian floated next to her watching the tears roll down her cheeks.

Ariel sobbed. "I did such a foolish thing, and look at what it got me." She brought her tail to the surface of the water and watched the scales glimmer in the setting sun.

Sebastian did not respond, but instead nodded and looked behind him. "It will all work out, don't fret."

Ariel continued to silently cry as her fins began to tingle. She stopped and wiped her eyes and stared down as her tail began to glow. She had only felt this once before, and that was when Ursula took her fins and gifted her with legs. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. She looked up and her eyes locked with her Father's. He was not far, next to a series of jagged rocks. He smiled sadly as held his trident in the water as magic currents rippled from the prongs and encircled her tail. Suddenly her tail split into two and her fins formed toes, then ankles, and then her calves appeared. Her thighs came next and suddenly she was naked from the waist down and treading water.

"Daddy," she whispered to no one. Sebastian had swam to float next to King Triton.

Ariel lifted her one arm to her Father and he smiled and waved back. With another spin of his trident she was suddenly covered in a silk dress that sparkled like the sea. The smile that spread across her face was more beautiful than anything he had ever seen.

"Go now, Ariel," he said from across the water.

She looked up. "Thank you," she said so quiet she wasn't even sure he heard.

Without looking back, she swam with all of her might to the shore. As her feet found the bottom of the shallows her heart began to rise to her throat. She didn't dare look back, for if she did she would run back. Her legs were wobbly and unsure as she began to rise from the shallows. She walked until her ankles were covered and her calves were tickled by the incoming waves. She looked up into the sky, the setting sun warming her skin. Her knees threatened to buckle, but she stood with her arms wide and her hair flowing in the wind behind her. One more step, she thought to herself as she prepared to feel land again.

One breath in and out and she was on the shore, the sand burning beneath her feet from the heat of the day. It tickled and clung to her skin. Her legs felt a little like jelly, but she ran her hands over the fine silk and down to her exposed knees and calves. Don't quit on me now, she thought to her legs. And she ran.

It was difficult to run in the sand, but she had never felt so alive. She breathed hard, she panted by the time she reached the stone steps leading up to the village and castle. Without a second thought she climbed them, holding the edges of the rocks while her legs wobbled. At the top she saw Eric and Grimsby on a bench near the main cobblestone road. Eric was bent in half, his hands on his knees. Grimsby looked unimpressed and sat looking up at the castle with longing.

Using the voice she so willingly gave away, Ariel cried out, "Eric!"

His head snapped up so quickly it looked painful. His eyes were unreadable as she charged over to him. He stood just as her legs gave out and she crumbled into his arms. He held her tightly. One hand rested on her lower back, the other steadied her by her forearm. He looked deeply into her eyes.

"How…" he began but stopped looking her up and down.

Ariel reached up and cupped his cheek. "My Father." Grimsby raised an eyebrow behind them, still seated on the bench. "I belong here, if you'll have me."

Eric shook his head. "If I'll have you?" he asked. "I'll have no one else."

And then his lips took hers and her knees felt weak for another reason. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he gripped the fine silk and bunched it in his hands. Her waist was small and firm, her hair blowing into their faces as they kissed. She smelt like seawater and tasted like a salted cocktail. He couldn't help himself from pulling her flush against him. He had wanted to kiss her this way from the moment he happened across her on the beach.

Grimsby cleared his throat and the couple jumped apart. Ariel blushed crimson, matching her hair. While Eric looked slightly annoyed.

"We should be getting back," Grimsby said dully. "Welcome back, Ariel." A ghost of a smile crossed his lips.

Hand in hand, with Eric firmly guiding Ariel's unsure footing, they made their way up the cobblestone street to castle steps. Once they reached the entrance Ariel collapsed in Eric's arms for the second time since coming back to land. This time a small squeak escaped her mouth and she went down. Eric wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her up.

"I won't let you fall," he murmured in her ear as he scooped her up.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled into his neck as she let herself relax in his strong arms. He carried her bridle style into the sitting room where he placed her gently on one of the many couches. The corner had a grand piano with seashell details along the edges. Bookshelves hugged the corners of the room. The main attraction was the windows. Floor to ceiling, and the ceiling was at least 20 feet, and looked across the open water. Ariel sat on the couch and watched the water lapping at the rocks at the shore. Her heart fluttered as she saw dolphins leap into the air, almost swimming in the setting sun.

"Are you hungry?" Eric asked as Ariel snapped back into reality.

She nodded. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "But, no crab please."

Eric laughed. "Don't worry," he answered, "we figured that out from last time. Tonight is a vegetarian dish. And perhaps from now on…" He trailed off as he watched her eyes glimmer in the sunset.

Her hair looked like it was a ruby on fire. Her skin was pale as milk and her dress was like the most precious sapphire. She shifted in her seat and stretched her long legs out in front of her. Eric watched as she wiggled her toes and ran her hands from her thighs down to her ankles.

"Ariel," he started. She glanced up and watched his face. She was smiling from ear to ear. "Can I kiss you again?"

Ariel blushed. Her face felt feverish. "Of course," she answered as Eric placed his hand on her cheek and pulled her to his waiting lips.

This kiss was different from the others. They were alone and time was theirs. She leaned into him and placed a hand on his thigh. He seemed to flinch a bit but then relaxed to her touch as her finger moved in circles over the top of his thigh. While one hand pressed into the couch cushion, his other hand traveled from her cheek to her neck, then down her arm, her waist, and then rested on her hip. He pulled her closer to him. Their knees touched and Ariel gripped Eric's thigh as he moved his hand around to the small of her back. He opened his mouth and licked her lower lip. She seemed uncertain, but opened her mouth to let his tongue explore.

Ariel gripped his thigh tighter, digging her nails into his flesh. He didn't seem to mind as he made a noise in his throat. He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. His eyes looked sleepy. "Ariel," he started. But he didn't finish. Instead he pulled her in again and took over her mouth.

Ariel mimicked his behaviour with his tongue. Her insides were twisting into knots, but she continued and gripped his shoulders to steady herself. Her head was feeling light and fuzzy.

"Oh my!" They pulled apart as if they had been electrocuted.

Ariel put her hand to her mouth, feeling her lips swelling from the pressure. Eric winked at her and turned his head to face who interrupted them.

"Hi Carlotta," he said pleasantly to the house maid.

Carlotta blushed noticeably but smiled all the same. "Good evening Eric," she rushed over and grabbed Ariel's hands, clearly over her initial embarrassment. "And welcome back to you, dear." She squeezed Ariel's hands.

Ariel squeezed back. "It feels good to be back."

"Well, it's time for dinner. Vegetable stew with homemade biscuits." She smiled as relief washed over Ariel's face. "No crab, Ariel."

Short and sets the scene. Would you like this to continue? Let me know. Reviews are a delightful thing.