When I woke up I was on something hard. My vision was very blurry but I could make out multiple men standing over me. Wait…standing!? All these men were HUMAN! And I was on a human ship! I gasped and sat up suddenly feeling very cold on my chest. I looked down and noticed my sea shell top was gone. I covered myself trembling.

"My god she's alive!"

"Someone get a blanket to cover her!"

I felt someone wrap something warm and soft around me. I rubbed my eyes and could now see all the men around me. They were all in blue and white striped shirts with dark blue pants on. I tightened the blanket around me and pulled my legs to my chest. WAIT A MINUTE! Legs? I looked down and saw two pale skin covered legs instead of fins. I gasped and opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out. That witch took my voice! I rested my head on my knees and silently cried. I heard footsteps and a soft hand on my shoulder.

"Get out of here men! Let me handle this!" Chimed a woman's voice.

I looked up and saw a plump woman with black hair and brown eyes looking at me softly. She smiled and gently guided a piece of hair behind my cheek.

"Let's get you inside the captains' quarters and clean you up." She said as she took my hand. I flinched and she smiled. "I promise I won't hurt you. I just want to fix you up."

I thought for a moment and figured she was telling the truth. So I took her hand and she pulled me up. I instantly fell to the floor and crumpled in front of her.

"Oh dear. You must be very shaken from being out at sea for so long. Hold on a moment. Prince Eric! I could use your help here!" She yelled in the direction of the quarters.

A man slid down one of the wooden poles and landed with grace in front of us. He had short thick black hair and bright blue eyes. He wore a long-sleeved white shirt with a grey pants and a red sash to go around his waist. He was magnificent. Ariel! Snap out of it! He is a human! The same creature that killed mother! I shook my head clear and he was in front of me.

"What is it Carlotta?" He asked smiling at me. "Oh hello. I see you have woken up. How are you feeling?" He asked squatting down to be eye level with me. I remained silent. "Hmm, maybe she doesn't speak English. Carlotta?" He asked looking toward her.

Carlotta cleared her throat. "Parlez-vous francais?"

I looked at her puzzled. I did know the language she was speaking, I was my duty as a princess but I still couldn't speak. I brought my hands to my throat and shook my head.

"You can't speak?" Eric said sadly. "Oh. I'm sorry. Well do you understand me?" He asked pulling me up again.

I nodded and fell forward again but this time I was caught. I "Whoa, whoa! Careful easy, careful!" I looked up to find myself melting in Eric's blue eyes whether I wanted to or not. I was helpless. "Gee you must have really been through something then. Don't worry we'll help you, come on." He pulled me off his chest and he led me into the captain's quarters his arm around my waist.

"I'll take it from here dearie." Said Carlotta from behind us.

Eric let go of me and smiled. "Got it. I'm leaving." He said and walked out the door.

Thirty minutes later I was cleaned and wrapped in what Carlotta said was a towel. As she was drying me off when one of the men yelled out; Land ho!

"Fantastic! Let's get you dressed and then we can fix you up for dinner at the castle if Eric doesn't mind!" She went to the closet and came out with what looked like a long shirt. It was Blue with half sleeves and a white top. It was very pretty.

"This dress will be beautiful on you! It was intended for the captains' daughter but she didn't come on this trip! I'm sure she won't mind!" Carlotta told me to put my arms over my head and she slid the clothing over me. It felt like the soft ocean waves against my skin. I felt a pinch of sadness. Then she placed two shoes on my feet. They were light blue and made me slightly taller. I smiled and looked at myself in the long mirror. I twirled and stumbled. Carlotta chuckled. "Come on dearie lets get going."

We both walked out of the room and Carlotta disappeared over the edge of the ship. I peered over al looked down at her she was climbing down the side of the ship.

"Come on honey! It's just a ladder I promise you won't fall!" She called up to me as she jumped onto the ground.

My stomach dropped as I climbed over the edge and hooked my foot over the first step and started to descend down the long ladder. As I neared the end I noticed I was still quite high off the ground. I froze. Jump Ariel! Carlotta said someone will catch you! I shook my head and closed my eyes.

"It's okay I got you!" I looked down and saw Eric standing below me. I was shaking a lot. I shut my eyes again and shook my head. "I promise I will catch you! Please let go!"

I opened my eyes and took a deep breath and let go. I let out a silent scream and he swiftly caught me. I closed my and he gently let me down.

As boxes of all sorts were being unloaded I was led to what looked like a big white shell with gold and red paint. In front of it was a slightly brown furry big thing. It had four legs and a long hairy tail. That is one furry human. I looked and saw Eric sitting in the white shell. He held out his hand and I took it as he pulled me up into it. There were seats in the shell and they were red and very soft. I sat down and started at Eric not knowing what to do.

"Grimsby must have gotten a new carriage for us, huh Carlotta?" He said pulling her up and seating her next to me.

She nodded and looked at the brown four legged human. "Yes. And a new horse too!"

We turned back to Eric and they started talking about a castle and a kingdom but I was lost in thought. So this was called a carriage and that was a horse! Hmmmm, though it looks nothing like a sea horse! The carriage suddenly lurched forward and I noticed we had been moving! Was I lost in thought that long? I looked a head and noticed we were in front of a red and sand colored castle! My jaw dropped. He was a prince! Wow…

"Well this is your new home until we can figure out where you came from. Is this okay?" Asked Eric smiling warmly at me. I nodded in response and he smiled brighter. "Well lets get you inside shall we? I'm sure chef Loui has something fantastic planned!" He said as he took my hand and we all walked in the castle. This might be okay after all. But what about father…?

Back at King Triton's Castle

"We can't find her anywhere sire." Said the orange haired guard.

King Triton sighed sadly tears forming in his eyes. "Well no one rests until she is found!"

The guard bowed. "Yes sire."

The king bowed his head in sadness tears beginning to stream down his cheeks. "What have I done? What have I done?"