A whale of a time
Two weeks had passed since the summer fair and Ariel ran down the steps onto the beach. Reaching the bottom she let out a cry of happiness as she saw a killer whale surface.
"Spot" she cried running into the water.
Diving underneath she was met by both Flounder and Spot, both swimming up to her, their faces full of joy at seeing her.
Surfacing with the pair Ariel looked at them as Spot pushed his nose against her hand.
"I am so pleased to see you both, I have so much to tell you."
"It's great to see you Ariel, Spot was amazed when I told him you lived on land" Flounder replied.
"It is a little to strange to think that this time last year I was still a mermaid" Ariel replied as she climbed onto Spot's back.
Lying on his back Ariel told Spot and Flounder what she had been doing, all about the summer fair and her royal duties. In return Flounder updated her on the goings on in Atlantica, Urchin's success in the seahorse races, the Catfish Club's summer ball, and Aquata's recent art exhibition.
"ARIEL" came a call and all looked around to see Eric standing on the beach.
Seeing him Spot swam towards to beach, stopping to let Ariel get off his back.
"Eric this is the whale I told you about, his name's Spot".
"Wow he's huge hello Spot wow" Eric replied looking at the whale.
"You can join us if you like, he won't harm you".
"I can't, my Father and I have got a meeting with Port Master Martin Cliff, just a regular monthly thing. I came down to tell that I will back late night, these things tend to take a long time. I can give Astor a call on my way he's with Louie he'd love to meet Spot".
"I understand, the meeting is important for the smooth running of the port. Astor would have fun with us, I know he has always wanted to see a Killer Whale close up" Ariel replied kissing Eric on the cheek.
Eric left and several minutes later Astor ran down to stairs, stopping in his tracks when he saw Spot.
"Wow! A killer whale I've never seen one so close."
"This is my friend Spot. Come and swim with us, he won't harm you. He might even give you a ride on his back".
"Can I? This is going to be great" cried Astor jumping into the water reappearing seconds later grinning.
Seeing him Spot swam over looking at Astor curiously before touching the boy's outstretched hand.
"Wow this is amazing, I've always wanted to meet one of your kind" Astor said shaking Spot's outstretched flipper.
"He likes you, you will be his friend from now on" Ariel said as she watched the pair.
"I've never had a whale as a friend before" Astor replied as the group dived underwater.
Swimming under the sea Ariel, Flounder, Spot and Astor played hide and seek around the rock, with Spot taking the role of seeker. The time passed and a few hours later Ariel and Astor were sat on Spot's back when Carlotte and Queen Sophia appeared on the beach.
"So this where you've gotten to Astor, I was beginning to wonder if you were coming in for dinner. Come on young man out of that water, dinner will be ready soon" Carlotte said looking at her wet son.
"I was having such a good time with Princess Ariel and her friends I lost track of time. Bye Spot it has been nice to meet you, we can play together another day" Astor said as he swam ashore.
"Ariel this must be Spot, I remember you telling me about him, well he is larger then I imagined" Sofia said as Ariel swam to shore.
"He was only a baby when I first met him, he is harmless to us, I have to go now Spot. Flounder I'll see you again soon, bye."
"Bye Ariel" Flounder called before diving underwater with Spot.
Walking back to the castle Ariel got changed then joined Sofia and Moina at the table, all chatting about their day. As predicted both Eric and William were later home that night, the clock had just struck ten when they walked in.
Three days later Ariel sat on Mermaid Rock, watching as Moina played with Spot and Flounder. Ariel dived in, swimming next to them as they relaxed in the water together. Diving underwater Ariel, Flounder and Moina hunted for seashells, with Moina giggling when a shoal of fish swirled around her. As Flounder watched Moina and Ariel, he thought how strange it was to have Eric's sister swimming with them. Surfacing the three swam next to Spot, with Ariel and Flounder telling Moina how they first met the whale.
"Your world sounds amazing Ariel, I never knew so much happened in the sea" Moina said as they swam.
"I could say the same about the land, even now there are many things I do not understand" Ariel replied.
"I can understand that, you grew up underwater. Spending the morning with you all has given me so many ideas for stories. I've got an idea, why don't I write your adventures down as stories, if you told me what you did."
"That's a great idea Moina" Ariel replied as they swam to shore.
Saying goodbye to Spot and Flounder, the pair walked into the castle for lunch, the summer heat drying their clothes. As they entered the castle they met Sofia.
"I was just about the come down to the beach and look for you both. I am off into town for lunch, would you like to join me?"
"I would like to Mother" Moina replied.
"It would be a pleasure Sofia" said Ariel.
"Excellent, we can leave as soon as you both have gotten dry" Sofia replied with a smile.
An hour later the three were sat outside Nutshell1 and Squirrel tea shop enjoying a cream tea. The scones in question were huge, the cream soft and the strawberry jam, the latter having been made five shops away at Marie's Fruit.
"There's nothing nicer then a cream tea here, I have not been here in months" Sofia said.
"This place is popular I see, there are the nicest cream tea's" replied Moina.
"Well it is not surprising, seeing as Louie's sister that runs it" said Ariel taking a bit of her scone.
Leaving some time later the group walked along the sea front, where they saw Spot, Urchin and Gabriel playing with some children on the beach.
"Hi Ariel, Spot introduced us to Astor and he invited us the meet some of his friends" called Urchin.
"It's nice that you can play with them, many have wanted to meet merpeople" replied Ariel as Astor waved.
"It is good that relations can be forged between both worlds" said Sofia as she watched them.
"It is Mother, Spot is such a gentle creature" said Moina as they left.
Nearing the town centre they saw Max walking next to a female border collie, with both dogs barking when they saw the three. The dogs looked at the three before disappearing down a side ally between a florist and butchers shop.
"That was strange, I've never seen Max not come over to be stroked before" said Moina.
"I think he might have a girlfriend, that collie was a female and beautiful" said Ariel with a grin.
"Possibly, but if they have pups, imagine the trouble they would cause" laughed Sofia as they headed home.
1 Please note the Nutshell acutely exists and its cream teas are as described. The Nutshell can be found in New Rose, County Wexford, the Republic of Island.
