Chapter 2 engaged
''With great pride I congratulate my youngest daughter princess Ariel, with het fifteenth birthday.''
On those words Ariel swam with a raised head into the ballroom and towards her father.
''Congratulations my child,'' said the king softly and he kissed her forehead. ''and now it's time for your present!'' he said in a louder voice. And he beckoned a servant holding a box, her father took the box and opened it. Inside laid a beautiful necklace. ''this necklace belonged to your mother, she would be happy that it's yours now.'' Ariel knew that her father still had it difficult with her mother's death eight years ago. Everybody was always saying Ariel looked just like her mother. Her father put the necklace on her. ''it looks great on you.''
After that Ariel got the most wonderful presents from her six older sisters.
''And now according to tradition,'' said the court master of ceremony, ''shall the princess meet her, by her father chosen, fiancé, with whom she, as the tradition dictates, shall marry in seven years. And with him she shall dance to open the ball in her honor. I present you King Ferdinand.''
On that king Ferdinand swam forward. King Ferdinand was the king of a neighboring undersea kingdom. He was a handsome rich man in his forties who had lost his previous wife. He was a good party for the youngest of seven princesses. Better than some of her sisters got. But to a fifteen year old girl who dreams of true love he was mostly old, very old, He was practically elderly. But she did what was expected of her en bowed politely to him to dance with him following.
''It will be seven long years of waiting before we can marry. But I'm sure that those years will only make you more beautiful.''
''I thank you for your kind words. I am also very honored to marry with you.''
Later Ariel danced with her father. ''Daddy about King Ferdinand.''
''I know he seem a little old for you child. But I think that an older more peaceful man will be good for you. And he's rich he can give you everything that you want. And if you marry him you will be queen of his kingdom. I just want to see you happy.'
''I know daddy.'' Ariel was afraid to tell her father how unhappy this choice made her, he was so happy for her.
The next day Ariel was sitting in the gardens with her sisters.
''I can't believe that daddy lets you marry him,'' said Aquata.
''Yes he's way too old for her,'' said Arista.
''But he is rich,'' said Andrina.
''And a king don't forget that,'' said Adella.
''Oh Ariel, just imagine, you're gonna be a queen,'' Allana said delighted.
''And you will wear the prettiest dresses and have hundreds of servants,'' said Atina.
''Eh hello, she's already a princess, so she already wears the prettiest dresses and has a lot of servants,'' said Adella.
''You're just jealous,'' said Atina.
''Jealous of what?'' Adella answered.
''That Ariel is going to marry such a good man and is daddy favorite,'' said Atina.
''I don't understand why she's daddy's favorite, she always gets herself into trouble,'' said Adella.
''Duh because she looks just like mom,'' said Atina.
''He just wants what's best for her,'' said Andrina.
''By letting her marry to someone who is much older than she? Now great,'' said Adella.
''Doesn't father know what happened to his last wife?'' Aquata said.
''What happened to his last wife?'' Andrina asked.
''Yes tell,'' said Arista.
''Duh who doesn't know that, she was always covered in bruises and died under mysterious circumstances,'' said Atina.
''What was going on then?'' Adella asked.
''Are you really that stupid or does it only seem so?'' said Atina.
''Atina!'' yelled Aquata angry.
''He hit her and then killed her,'' said Atina.
''That's a lot of nonsense, nobody knows for sure and there is no proof.'' said Andrina.
''What if he does it to Ariel?'' said Arista.
''Oh no, then he can't marry Ariel,'' Allana called affrighted, ''if we tell daddy he will find somebody else for Ariel.''
''Yeah you're right. We should tell father,'' said Aquata getting an idea.
''Jeeee! I got a good idea,'' Allana said exited.
Ariel listened silently and also a little anxious to her sisters.
''Don't worry Ariel, were going to talk with father,'' said Aquata.
A couple of hours later Ariel's sisters came back to her looking very sad.
''Ariel were so sorry,'' said Aquata while she swam towards Ariel.
''What is it?'' Ariel asked.
''Father wouldn't listen to us,'' Andrina answered.
''He though we were jealous of you,'' Arista said.
''So I must marry King Ferdinand,'' Ariel said.
''No we can't let that happen,'' Allana called frightened.
''We won't let that happen. I swear it,'' Aquata said.
'' Me too, '' said Andrina enthusiastic.
''And me,'' said Arista.
''You can count on me,'' Atina said.
''On me to!'' said Adella determined.
''We will help you Ariel,'' said Allana.
''Don't worry, I promise you that we will find a way to get you out of that marriage,'' said Aquata while hugging Ariel.