Ursula's Corruption

Summary: After the death of Ariel's mother, the king was beside himself with grief, so Ursula took over for a period of time. However, when the time came to return that power, she refused to relinquish it, so the King forcefully took it and threw her out of the palace. [This story does not follow Ariel's Beginning (2008) or the series.]

Rating: K+, for unexplicit death

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my ideas.

Chapter 1

All of Atlantica mourned the loss of the queen. But none were more devastated than the royal family. King Triton and his seven daughters wept for their lost love, and would not be comforted. The King refused to leave his room, not even for his kingly duties. When a servant had tried to coax him out, he had thrown his crown and demanded to left alone. The servant had then tried to convince the princesses to help their father, but none could be pulled out of their misery but the eldest, Attina, but even she could not bring the king out.

So the court advisers of Atlantica all gathered together in the palace to discuss what to do. None really wanted to make a decision without their powerful king, and his seat at the head of the coral table was left empty and cold. His crown, a symbol of power and hope, lay at his spot, but now a sense of foreboding hung over it.

"One of us," said one adviser slowly, "will have to take over for a time. Just until the king can bear his grief."

"Yes," another agreed. "We cannot leave Atlantica with no rule. That would lead to chaos and disorder."

"But who will rule?" asked another. "Who is fit for this?"

No one answered, but lowered their gaze. Only Triton was king and rightful ruler, and all were hesitant to pick up the crown.

Finally one adviser stood from her seat. "I will do it, if you deem me worthy. I may not be a mermaid, I may not be fit to rule, but I am just. I will listen and do what is best for the people of Atlantica until King Triton finds his heart again."

"Ursula," said the eldest adviser. "You are, as you said, a cecaelia, not one of us. However, you are fair, and strong. Your magic will likely be a good attribute."

Ursula nodded seriously. Her long, flowing white hair was rolled neatly into a conical bun behind her head, and was adorned with gold-crusted pearls. Her red lips pulled up into a small, responsible smile. "If you all agree, then I will take on the responsibility of the kingdom," she said.

The advisers all shared a look, and when no one spoke against the magician, the lead adviser nodded. "Then take the crown and set to your new duties," he said. He swam over to the crown, then around the table to Ursula and placed it atop her hair.

She nodded to him deferringly, and then raised her chin proudly. "I will do my best."

The advisers bowed to her respectfully.

By her word, Ursula did right by the Atlantican citizens. She made sure the laws were upheld, and that the people were safe and happy as they could be, considering the circumstances. Ursula was fair in her decisions as judge, and saw anyone who requested her presence. She listened to all advice given to her, and then chose a course of action after long, careful hours of thinking.

In the palace, Ursula made sure that everyone and everything was kept up to Triton and Athena's standards. The servants continued to do their jobs and were paid for it. The palace was kept clean and open. The princesses were given every comfort they could offer, though they were still quite upset by their mother's death. They didn't want to see anyone, and this Ursula respected by having another room close to them converted into a private dining room. There the girls were fed every day by "invisible" cooks. The king had his meals delivered to his chambers, though he rarely ate much. Ursula also kept up the tradition of the palace feasts, where everyone in the kingdom was invited to come eat their fill. She was a kind ruler, and was praised.

Ursula, as was her wont as court magician, still concocted potions for the sick and weak. Her magic was her best attribute, according to many, and was the reason she was accepted into the palace in the first place. Athena had convinced Triton of her use when she had proved helpful, and Athena was the one who had welcomed the sea witch. Ursula was eternally grateful for the queen's kindness. Soon enough, Triton had come to see that Ursula was good, as Athena had claimed, and had warmed up. Once the king had done so, the rest of the kingdom followed suit. Ursula had never known such love, not even from her own mother and sister. She wanted to repay the Atlantican's kindness.

It was quite a few months before the king came forth from his chambers. He was welcomed back by the servants and advisers. Triton, however, had changed in his time in isolation. He didn't smile at any of them, and went to the throne room, where Ursula was dealing with a dispute between neighbors.

"What is going on here?" he boomed.

Ursula and the two mermen looked at him. They all seemed to forget the argument and seemed relieved and happy that Triton had finally come out.

But before they could voice this, Triton rudely dismissed the mermen with a wave of his hand. Looking a bit confused, they scurried off. The king had never behaved that way, and they didn't want to be around if it escalated.

Ursula's smile had faded, giving way to concern. "My king," she said, "are you all right?"

"I'm fine," he said with a scowl. "Return my crown."

"Of course," she said, removing it. Her brow furrowed as she looked at him. "My king, you looked exhausted...Are you quite sure you are ready to reclaim your duties? If you need more time, I am more than willing-"

"Silence."

Ursula blinked in surprise. His voice was quiet, but it was the dangerous kind. He was angry. Triton roughly grabbed his crown from her hands and perched it on his own head. Ursula noted that a few strands of his auburn hair had turned white in his absence. She bowed to him and moved aside so he could sit in his throne. But she was still worried.

"King Triton," she tried again, but he would not hear of it.

"Why have you taken over my kingdom?" he asked, settling into his throne.

"You were grieving, my king," she replied, bowing her head. "The kingdom was without rule, so I and the advisers met and had to make the decision of what to do. We decided it would be best of one of us took over temporarily, until you felt well enough to rule again, and it was unanimously voted that I would bear the responsibility."

"You?" he repeated in a hard tone. It was almost mocking, and Ursula was glad he could not see the offended, horrified look on her face. "A cecaelian? Ha! Your kind are not worthy of any crown, let alone mine."

Her head dipped lower. "My apologies, my king," she said huskily.

Triton looked at her with a cold gaze. "I knew you were not to be trusted," he uttered.

Ursula finally raised her eyes to him. "Your majesty," she said briskly, "I have done nothing but what is best for your kingdom. I had hoped that you would see this, and when you returned everything would return to what it was."

The king only looked angrier at her words. "What it was? What it was? My queen is gone, and this kingdom will never return to what it was. Don't you see, witch?" Ursula flinched at the passion with which he spoke. "There can be no returning to that time. So I must rid this place of everything that resembles the past. We must move forward."

"What do you mean, my king?" Ursula asked, now more concerned than ever. Triton was obviously in no state to rule.

"Music is banished from this kingdom," Triton said loudly.

"Your majesty!" she exclaimed in horror. "But think of what Queen Athena-"

"You will not speak of her!" Triton roared, eyes flashing dangerously. He grabbed his trident and the three prongs glowed with power as he pointed it toward her. Ursula could only shiver with fear and look up at him pleadingly. "You are nothing to this kingdom. You are a cecaelian, a lowly creature undeserving of kindness! You are banished from my kingdom, forever!"

Ursula's face drained of color. Her heart seemed to stop, and she felt cold and sick. "Your majesty," she uttered, hardly over a whisper. Tears burned her eyes. "You cannot, I have no-"

"Banished!" Triton reiterated. "Leave my kingdom immediately, and never dare to set one tentacle in my boundaries, lest I have you killed!"

The trident glowed more fiercely, and Ursula turned and fled for her life. She knew that there was no hope for her as long as the king was like this. Her only hope was that he would realize his mistakes in the banishment of Athena's loves and ask her return. She worried for the citizens of Atlantica, but mostly she worried for her disappeared king.

A/N: I have always loved Ursula. I think her backstory (the one I imagine and am writing) is really cool. Disney villains are always awesome.

So that's why I'm writing this. :)

Thanks for reading, and I hope it wasn't too horrible! Next chapter will be up as soon as I write it. If you have any questions, I will gladly answer (no spoilers, though). If you catch an error, please don't hesitate to tell me so I can fix it! ^-^b