Hello, viewers! As you all got to read the first chapter of this story already, there's quite some interesting things awaiting around the corner. As you have noticed, Eric and Ariel is getting to know each other sooner than they had in the movie. Now, I am discarding the episodes of the show where Ariel was a child/younger than 15. They never made sense to me, especially the one that Ariel claimed to meet Flounder as kids. I am keeping the 3rd movie: Ariel's Beginning as the start of the Little Mermaid franchise, so yes, Flounder is Ariel's best friend for a year or so since they met at the barnacle arches; the ones that Ariel was working upon, thanks to her father's orders.
Now, you are supposedly thinking of what Ursula are planning differently now, and I am glad to say that it's bound to be very good for Ursula, but bad for Ariel and Eric, depending on the epicenter of the new plan, really. No spoilers. You just have to be patient and find out soon. And one more thing, Eric's parents passed away, thanks to a epidemic illness that spread through Denmark when Eric was 8 years old. The epidemic faded away in months, but let's say it was deadly to several people as it wasn't just the King and Queen.
And since humans are 97* degrees in body temperature, merpeople are cooler, about 10 degrees cooler, so at 87* degrees of body temperature. Just letting you know so Ariel somehow didn't freeze to death during the rescue scene from the movie, or sunburned by the sun afterwards. Enough chatter! Don't want to keep you longer, so you all enjoy the story. Cheers! -Traveler.
-A hour later-
Deep in the lagoon's grounds, upon a shore of soft, pristine sand sat two people near a dug pit of wood, with the first person sparking up light into the pit, and the second person staring in curiosity. Eric laughed in triumph as the sparks became into a growing fire, and Ariel gasped in awe as she scooted a bit closer, dragging her tail behind her.
"Wow, I had never been so close to a fire before. It always has been a mystery for me. Why does fire burn?". Ariel spoke, and Eric sat back, chuckling at the awed and admittedly beautiful look of his mermaid savior, "To be honest, I actually don't know why, but I do know how it happens. There can be smoke from the fire if the wood is wet, or in the daytime when it's more visible to see. Fire's not just good, but it's also bad.".
Ariel turned to look at him, "It destroyed your ship, yet it gives us warmth from the cold. What else is there?". Eric sighed, "Homes, fields of food, forests can be destroyed by fire, yet it protects us from wild animals who'd have a thought to attack or eat, being used as lights in the dark when walking home or looking for lost children, and cooks several food to the point where we won't be sick of the raw flesh.".
Ariel blinked in surprise, "Oh, my Poseidon, that explains so much I have been seeing upon my expeditions at night.". Eric chuckled warmly, and asked, "How is your tail now, Ariel?".
"Still hurts. I'd need medicine from the sea. We'd use a seaweed paste into our wounds and it heals them faster than a human shirt could stop the bleeding, no offense, Eric!". Ariel spoke bitter-sweetly. Eric smiled gently at her, "It's alright, Ariel. I just wish it was daytime so I can find the seaweed easier. Us humans couldn't see in the dark like you could.".
Ariel sighed heavily as she flopped her fins back and forward, "I wish too, to help you right now, but with the wound, I don't want to have sharks here in the lagoon!". Eric nodded softly, and smiled brightly, "I never got to thank you for saving my life.". Ariel giggled softly, "You certainly are welcome, and thank you for saving me from being shark bait.". Eric laughed softly, "You are really brave, Ariel. We may have known each other for a bit now, but you are incredible.".
Ariel smiled, "Thanks, Eric. So, tonight was your birthday party, huh?". Eric sheepishly nodded, "It was nice of the crew to do that, through Grimsby was a bit concerned about having it out on sea, but I could never regret it either as meeting you was the greatest birthday gift ever.".
Ariel grinned brightly, "So, how old are you now?". Eric smiled, "18.". Ariel nodded, "I am 16 years old.". Eric's eyes widened a bit at that with a smirk, "Huh, I took you as 17.". Ariel giggled, "You should see my sisters! They're older than me, but they look close to 17 or 18.".
"Sisters? So you're not a only child, huh?". asked Eric curiously. Ariel grinned, "I got six sisters. It's not easy with them sometimes, but they're fun, and they're great to rely on when I get into trouble.". Eric blinked in surprise, "Wow, what about your parents?". Ariel's eyes lowered in sadness as she looked away, drew her thigh-side tail up to her chin, sighing sadly. Eric grimaced softly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be like that..I was-".
"No, Eric. It's okay. It's just..I couldn't remember her so well like a few of my sisters does, but I remember that day well enough as it had scared me. Some merpeople and all of my family just had went up to the surface for some music and fun. Mother was there, watching us as we played with Daddy. It got dark soon, with a storm coming up on the horizon, when around the corner, I saw it first... A pirate ship. I was pulled into underwater by one of my sisters. I couldn't remember anything else, except one thing. Daddy came back so late. I was sleeping, but my oldest sister told me in the morning. Mother was dead, killed and crushed by the ship and the pirates.",
"I found out not barely a year ago when Sebastian told the full story. Mother had this music box that Daddy gifted her on that day, and she was trying to retrieve it. Daddy tried to save her, but he was too far away, and it was too late. I found the music box and Daddy rebuffed the ban on music soon enough. You should have seen the city. The sounds of music coming back, it was glorious. Mother used to sing, ever so beautiful, and there was this lullaby she did every night before we went to bed.". She spoke ever so heartbreakingly yet soft as Eric crepted closer to hear her, and was silent as he listened.
"Daddy and others used to say that she looked like me, except for her hair being a darker red, like a auburn color, and sea foam green eyes and a sea blue tail. Her name was Queen Athena.". Ariel finished. Eric grabbed her hand softly, causing Ariel to look at Eric, who smiled weakly. "Do you think she'd like me?". Ariel chuckled weakly. "She'd really like you. You're not bad like those pirates. You're really nice, Eric.".
Eric smiled a bit stronger, and chuckled, "Nice to hear that. Wait, your mother was a queen, so that makes you a princess?". Ariel rolled her eyes softly, "Yes, I am, but I never bother with the formal stuff as I am practically the baby sister and get away with everything.". Eric laughed softly, "Oh, you must have kept your father and sisters on their feet, er, fins!". Ariel giggled deeply, "Especially with Daddy ruling Atlantica.".
"Your father's the king of the merpeople? Wait, is it King Triton?". Eric's eyes were wide of shock as he asked. Ariel nodded, "Yes. He is King Triton.". Eric chuckled weakly, "Is he, er, looking for you by now? I mean, you have been gone for hours, if I guess by the time of the night.".
Ariel sighed, "He's too busy to not bother, and besides, if I am gone beyond a day or two, then he gets really worried. I will be back before then.". Eric nodded, "When are you leaving?".
Ariel shook her head, "I am not going anywhere until I get my wound nursed up. I don't want anyone asking questions.". Eric blinked, "Then let's head to sleep. We both had a long night.". Ariel gasped softly, "No way! I am still up. (yawns) I want to know more, I got so many questions..(yawn)..". She blinked sleepily, laid her head near Eric's thigh, and Eric softly smiled, chuckling under his breath, "Good night, Ariel.". He then laid upon his side, blinking as he headed to sleep, drawing a strand of Ariel's hair back over her ear, then went into dreamland with his hand now resting upon the sand.
