A/N: I've loved The Little Mermaid for as long as I can remember. It is a thing of my childhood, and even now in adulthood I enjoy listening to the music and singing along. I hope you enjoy this little book I've written. It's not long, but I can promise that it's worth the read.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Little Mermaid. This fanfiction is purely for enjoyment purposes.
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Ariel thought the feeling of home-sickness would elude her. She had been blissful and elated on her wedding day to Prince Eric, the love of her life. The stars had been in her eyes. She was blinded by the passion that was love. It seemed as if nothing could shatter the wonderful feeling that had filled her very heart on the most special day of her life.
But now, as Ariel lay in bed, tender between her thighs, trying desperately not to move too much because of the discomfort, but failing, she felt tears sting the backs of her eyes. She wanted her mother. The yearning was so strong it overwhelmed her in a swell of mingled emotions. It was like the sea was churning inside her stomach; a storm that could not be quelled.
The wedding night, as Ariel remembered while lying there in the silence, had been beautiful at first. Eric's fervent kisses and tender caresses had ignited a fire within her that brought new sensations coursing through her. Ariel thought it was going to be the most magical night of her life. She was young and innocent, and Eric was showing her a whole new experience that went on between a man and a woman. In the heat of the moment, she wasn't prepared for the pain.
Eric had warned her in a soft whisper that it would hurt only for a moment. Ariel had thought any pain was worth the ecstasy she was experiencing. She wasn't prepared, though, for the rest of their love-making to be full of discomfort. But she bore it well in fear that she would spoil the moment by shedding tears and allowing a cry to escape her lips.
She would be the dutiful wife.
As soon as dawn broke the horizon, Eric left to attend to his duties. Ariel was left alone with feelings of uncertainty and painful pangs of longing for home.
She had wanted to be a human for for long. The wish for legs to walk on the human shores had been her daily yearnings. But now that she had what she had so fervently desired, she thought that perhaps being a human wasn't all as magical as it seemed.
For one, this pain and tenderness between her legs was a discomfort that seemed like it would never ease. She probably wouldn't be able to bear Eric touching her again in her current state.
Ariel moaned and drew up the bedcovers over her shoulders. She wanted to bury her head in the fluffy pillows, embarrassed by her pain and remembering the bold way she had acted last night. What must Eric think of her now? The thought made her cheeks flame as red as her hair.
Ariel decided she just wouldn't leave the bedchambers today. As much as she wished to see her husband, she knew he was more than likely busy in his duties for his kingdom. He didn't have time for her. She was only his wife, after all.
Feeling sorry for herself, Ariel curled up in a fetal position and squeezed her eyes shut. If she lay very still, the throbbing became inconsistent and dull. She felt much better when she wasn't in pain. Then, the feelings of homesickness would ebb away, and she could focus her mind on rest. She was feeling tired from the little sleep she received the night before.
Ariel's time to herself wasn't to be. There was a soft knock on the door, and a moment later, Carlotta breezed in looking cheerful, as usual.
"Good morning, dearie," she sang, whisking over with a tray carrying a covered dish. The older woman set it on the settee at the foot of the bed. Then, she came over to assist Ariel in sitting up. Ariel couldn't hide her wince.
"Oh, dear, I'm sorry," Carlotta sighed. "You must be terribly sore." When Ariel blushed, she smiled a motherly smile of understanding. "Don't you worry your pretty little head, dear. It's perfectly normal. No need to be shy. I know you must be missing home terribly."
Ariel nodded. "Yes," she whispered. "I want my mother. But I can't have her, can I? She died when I was very young." At this, tears burned her eyes and she thought she was going to cry.
Carlotta took pity on the poor child. "There there, child." She patted Ariel's arm in an affectionate manner. "I know you must feel terribly lonely in these times of uncertainty, but I want you to know that I am here for you. I cannot possibly fill in the place of your mother, but I consider you the daughter I never got to have."
Ariel wiped away a stray tear and smiled up at the older woman. "Thank you, Carlotta. I believe I'm feeling much better now."
"Better enough to eat, I hope. Louis cooked you up a fine breakfast. He would be quite upset if I brought the food back to him uneaten. He gets cranky, that man."
Ariel laughed. "I'm famished. Of course I'll eat Louis's fine breakfast."
Carlotta uncovered a plate of steaming food and set it in Ariel's lap. The breakfast smelled wonderful. Ariel had worked up quite the appetite for the delicious food found up here on land. It was a great change from the dull fare she had eaten down below the surface.
After Ariel finished off every last bite of food, Carlotta insisted that she assist Ariel in dressing. The woman fussed over her like a mother dolphin and her young calf.
Ariel had decided she didn't like the corset the women above shore insisted upon wearing because it was what society deemed proper. She disliked how confined she felt in the strange garment. It was like she couldn't take a proper breath into her lungs. So when Carlotta tried to pull the strings tight, Ariel put up an argument and refused to wear the accursed article of clothing.
"But, milady, it's what is proper," Carlotta insisted when Ariel tore off the corset and handed it back to the older woman.
"I refuse to wear it. It makes me feel like I can't breath."
Carlotta lost the argument and finished dressing Ariel without the corset. After lacing up a satin blue dress under a white chemise, she made Ariel sit down in front of the vanity so she could brush her russet curls until no tangles remained and the brush ran smoothly through.
"You have beautiful hair, child," Carlotta sighed. "Why, most ladies would envy such fine curls."
Ariel blushed. "Do you think so, Carlotta?"
The older woman smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "I know so." She set the brush aside and began the task of sweeping her mistresses hair up in a tidy upsweep. Though Ariel preferred to leave her hair down, she decided to let Carlotta have her way this time.
Carlotta finished with a sigh. "There. Now why don't you go explore your new home, milady? You haven't seen the library, and Eric has the finest collection on the coast of Denmark."
Ariel perked up. She had always wanted to see a real library. Perhaps she would finally find out what books felt like, what their scent was to her senses. Excited for the possibility, she thanked Carlotta and hurried off to locate the library.
The palace was bigger than Ariel had ever imagined it to be. There seemed to be so many rooms, so much hallways and corridors that she soon gave up on the hope of finding the library. She thought it had been foolish of her not to ask Carlotta for directions. Because she couldn't find anyone else to ask for the location of the library, she decided to go outside and soak her feet in the cool ocean water.
Ariel had no trouble finding a door that lead outside. She slipped off her slippers at the top of a stone staircase that descended downward to the sandy beach. Then, she hurried down, anticipating the coolness of the tide lapping against her ankles.
The breeze was cool against her face. It smelled of the sea, easing her homesickness just a bit. Ariel lifted up her skirts and stuck her foot into the retreating waves. The water tickled her toes. Giggling, she went out a bit further. A wave crashed to the shore, sending cool droplets of water on her skin.
Ariel sighed wistfully, wishing she could go for a swim. The last time she attempted to she nearly drowned. It puzzled her that she had lived in the sea all her life, yet now that she had legs, it was very difficult to swim. Eric had promised her he would teach her to swim. Ariel wondered if he'd have any time. He seemed too busy anyhow.
Ariel took the pins out of her hair. Once freed, her red waves fell about her shoulders. She felt just a bit more free now. It was nice to feel the wind blowing softly through her hair, cooling her from the humid rays of sun.
She picked up her skirts and waded further in. The water was up to her knees now, cool and soothing. It dampened her chemise. The bottom of her dress was now soaked, but she didn't care.
Ariel was having a wonderful time when the air seemed to change drastically. Gone was the pleasant music of the wind and waves. Several dark clouds had arrived, obscuring the sun and hiding its friendly warmth. The air grew chilly. Even the ocean no longer looked calm, but ready to rage should the wind decide to pick up. Unnerved by the sudden change in the atmosphere, Ariel looked up. She saw a dark ship bobbing on the horizon. A dark flag flapped ominously in the wind, and though it was far away, the crossbones were unmistakable. Her heart began to race painfully.
Pirates.
Ariel thought she should warn someone. She knew that pirates had been plaguing the seas for centuries, pillaging, and thrusting the blades of their swords in innocent flesh.
It was pirates that had killed her mother.
Panicking, Ariel hiked her skirts up higher and raced for the shore. In her haste, she tripped and fell to the wet sand, scraping her palms. The fall didn't deter her, nor the pain throbbing in her hands. She scrambled up and continued running.
To her relief, Eric was coming down the steps at a fast clip. Ariel threw herself into his arms and buried her head in his broad chest.
"Ariel, I've been looking all over for you," Eric said in lieu of greeting. He started stroking her hair. "My God, you're trembling. Are you alright?"
Ariel shook her head faintly. She looked up at him, eyes wide with trepidation, but when she saw the tender look of concern on her husband's face, all her fears vanished.
She was now fearful for him.
"Eric, pirates," she breathed. "On the horizon."
Eric's gaze snapped up. His eyes widened when he saw the ship approaching fast. He reacted quickly.
"I need to alert the guards. Ariel, come with me."
They hurried up the steps. As they were entering the palace, Grimsby came rushing up, tailcoats flapping behind him. The advisor was out of breath and clutching his chest.
"Milord," he gasped, stuttering. "Pirates were spotted on the horizon. What shall we do?"
Eric took charge.
"Grimsby, send a messenger to alert the navy and Captain Charles. I want them to be prepared for an attack immediately."
Grimsby bowed. "Yes, of course." He turned and hurried off to do as ordered.
Eric turned to face Ariel and took both her small hands in his large ones. His brow was creased with worry, but his gaze was tender. "Ariel, it's alright, love. There is no need to be afraid. I'm going to take care of the pirates myself if I have to to see that they are apprehended and stopped from wrecking havoc on our kingdom.
Ariel didn't realize she was trembling until she saw her hands shaking. She swallowed and glanced back up at her husband, suddenly afraid for him. "Pirates killed my mother," she whispered. "Oh, Eric, don't do anything foolish. I know you want to protect the kingdom, but don't put your life in danger. I can't loose you . . . "
Eric smiled softly as he ran his knuckles over her cheek. "You're not going to loose me, Ariel. I promise." He sealed that promise by stooping down to press a tender kiss on her forehead.
"Now I won't be gone long. I want you to stay in the castle."
Ariel held tighter to him. "Where are you going?" she asked in a tremulous voice.
"I must commandeer my fleet. If there is an attack, my men need me to lead them," Eric explained patiently. "I must go now. Will you promise me you won't do anything to put yourself at risk?"
Ariel hesitated to make that promise. She didn't know if she could keep it, staying here at the palace and sitting quietly while waiting for her husband to return. But the look in Eric's eyes became imploring, and so she gave in and discarded the foolish idea to find a way to help her husband against the pirates.
"I promise," she agreed solemnly.
Eric nodded in approval, looking vastly relieved. He kissed her again, then turned on is heel and rushed down the hallway at a fast clip. Ariel was left standing there alone and wondering if promises were ever good to make to begin with. Eric had given her his word that he would return safe and sound. But Ariel knew by experience that promises like that were a contradiction against fate.
She prayed she was wrong.