As their lips parted Ariel was engulfed in a bright yellow light and lifted into the air, Eric did nothing only stared wide eyed at what was happening.

Ariel was now floating in the middle of the now bright ballroom still surrounded by the light. This is it she thought, I've broken the spell. But then all of a sudden her legs began to tingle and the unfamiliar feeling of two legs was replaced with the familiar feeling of a tail. As soon as she felt that her hope vanished and was replaced with fear and confusion. What is happening!? Ariel thought suddenly panicked by the feeling of her tail, why is my tail back? We broke the spell didn't we? I should have legs! No sooner had the thought entered her mind she was gripped with pain as her tail ripped into two, the pain shot through her body causing her to squirm in the hold the light had on her. After what felt like an eternity but was really only seconds the pain began to slowly subside and she began to float back down towards the floor. As she was descending a small golden orb of light fly towards her and warmth filled her throat, her voice was returned. Her feet finally touched the floor and the light vanished, but as soon as it released its hold on her she began to fall, unable to support her weight on her now permanent tiny legs. Before she could hit the floor two strong arms gripped her waist allowing her to fall against his body. For the first time since arriving on land she felt truly safe.

He nevemouldedr took his eyes off her as she was pulled from his grasp and into the air by the light which now surrounded her, he watched captivated as her legs slowly into one. He couldn't help but gasp as he saw her legs become a tail, his eyes widening in wonder. However that look of wonder soon turned into fear as he saw her tail rip in half and her eyes widen in fear and pain, her body thrashing in the light as the pain took hold. He just watched in horror as he saw the girl he loved suffer, his heart breaking as he could do nothing to help or comfort her. Then almost as suddenly as it began she stopped and her body relaxed, along with Eric as he realised she was no longer in pain. His eyes still on her he watched as she began to float gracefully to the floor completely in awe and wonder of what had just happened. But as the light finally released its hold on her and she began to fall he moved, faster than he'd ever moved before, his arms gripping her waist before she could hit the floor. He slowly brought her down to the floor with him and he held her, held her tight, her head resting on his chest he finally realised he never wanted to let her go.

"NO!" cried Ursula with despair as she watched the scene unfold through the eyes of Flotsam and Jetsam. She had broken the spell! Ursula cursed herself for taking her eye of the red head, though she was quite impressed, after all she was the first to ever meet the terms of her contract and not end up as another addition to her ever growing garden.
"But oh what a lovely addition she would have made" sighed the purple cecaelian
Getting the Trident off the little brats father was going to be much harder now she had nothing to bargain with. That's when she had an idea and as that idea began to refine in her mind she began to laugh.
"Oh my the little brat won't know what hit her" she cackles
"I'll take the Trident, her father and her man, Oh this will be so very very sweet, and you my dear will know nothing until it's much too late" crooned the sea witch staring into her cauldron at the little red head curled up in her lovers arms.

Relishing in the warmth and comfort Eric's arms were giving her Ariel slowly lifted her head off his chest to meet his eyes and waited, waited for the questions to come. Yet none came, he only looked deep into her eyes with a look of confusion and yet understanding.

Seeing as Eric wasn't going to start the conversation Ariel decided she would. She took a deep breath before whispering his name.
"Eric" she breathed
Oh how long she had waited to say that name to him. At her word Eric's eyes widened with surprise
"Y-you can talk" he stuttered
Ariel couldn't help the small giggle which escaped her lips. At the sound of her laugh Eric's heart melted, how he had longed to hear her laugh and now he had it was sweater than he ever imagined.
"Ariel, what just happened?" he asked tilting his head ever so slightly to the left.
"Ermmm, I'm not really sure" she replied biting her lip
"It's okay" he said soothingly seeing the confusion and slight hint of fear in her eyes.
"Now you can talk" he said softly "why don't you tell me your story"
He waited for a reply for several long seconds but never repeated his question, he didn't want to push her.
"Ermm, yes, okay" she finally replied nervously, her eyes suddenly flitting around the room like she was searching for something yet what not even she knew. "But not her" she stated slowly standing up and taking his hand in hers.
"Sure, we can go wherever you want" he replied, his voice full of encouragement as he somehow knew whatever she was about to tell him wasn't going to be easy for her. He stood up and allowed her to lead him out of the ballroom and into the hallway. It was once they were through the ballroom door and in the dark hallway that she turned to look at him, but quickly looked down again not being able to hold his gaze. He raised his eyebrow, confused by her sudden shyness and was even more surprised to see her blushing when he looked down.
"Eric?" she asked shyly
"yes"
"Ermm do you think you could possibly, ermm take me to my room, I sort of, well I kind of got a bit lost" she finally admitted. Now it was Eric's turn to try and fail to suppress the giggle which escaped his lips.
"of course, this way" he said smiling as he pulled at her hand and led her down the several long hallways and up the staircases which eventually lead to her room.

Upon arriving at the door to her room Eric hesitated, he knew it wasn't right for him to be entering her room alone at this time of night, if anyone were to see him rumours would spread and they would both obtain a reputation no one would want. However right now he needed answers so he allowed himself to be led into her room.

As she opened the door a Caribbean voice was heard calling out
"young lady where do you think you have been, you were bad enough disobeying your father and swimming off to Neptune knows were with Flounder at all times of day and night. But I thought now on land with no voice you would be, well be less rebellious and stressful!" Lectured the voice. "We have less than a day left to break this spell or your father is gonna kill himself a crab!"
Eric's eyes scanned the room searching for the source of the voice, whoever could be in her room. He was just about to step forward to search her room when her hand stopped him; she put a single finger to his lips, silencing him. She signaled to him to hide in the shadows by the door. Once she was sure he was out of sight she walked over to her vanity, sat down took the black bow from her hair, picked up her dinglehopper and began to brush through her hair. The little voice which she had long since stopped listening to continued its lecture. The voice stopped, suddenly realising that Ariel was no longer listening made its way towards her and began another lecture about how a young princess should show him a bit more respect as he was her father's most trusted adviser.

Eric stood in the shadows and watched as Ariel sat in front of her mirror and began to brush through her hair with a fork. Smiling as he watched. It was then that he saw a flash of red scuttle up and settle itself in front of her. Trying to figure out what the figure was he squinted hoping to get a better look, it was then just as the image came into focus that he discovered that the source of the voice was a little red crab! He was about to step out of the shadows when Ariel suddenly put sown the fork, picked up the crab and planted a kiss on his head which caused him to stop his lecture almost immediately.
"What was that for" questioned the crab. Ariel said nothing only shook her head and then all of a sudden got up and began to twirl and spin around the room the smile on her face telling both the crab and Eric that in that moment she was truly happy.
"Ariel, please put me down man I'm getting dizzy" cried the crab turning slightly green. Seeing this Ariel stopped her twirling and set him down on the bed before throwing herself next to him, sinking into the sheets.
"Ariel, child, what in all the seven seas are you so happy about, do I have to remind you that you have less than 24 hours to get that Prince to kiss you, get your voice back and not get turned into a slimy grey slug!" the little red crab chided. Ariel just shook her head in reply, the smile never falling from her lips.
"And will you please stop smiling it's making me uncomfortable, you need to be taking this situation more seriously child cause your father is gonna kill me when he discover you got human legs, you know what he'll say, cause I'll tell you what he'll say, he'll say" but before he finished his sentence Ariel cut him off
"He gonna kill himself a crab!" finished Ariel imitating the small crabs accent.
"You know I really hate it when you do that you know" replied the crab
"Wait, y-y-y-y-you" he never finished his sentence as his jaw dropped to the bed and his eyes widened in shock. It took him a few long seconds to control himself all the while Ariel rolled around on the bed clutching her stomach in fits of laughter at her friends reaction.
"But how?" was all the crab could say. Ariel's laughter stopped as she suddenly remembered Eric standing in the corner of her room, she leapt of the bed and ran over to where Eric was standing, grabbing his hand and dragging him into the light. Once aging the little crabs jaw hit the bed as he stared at the Prince standing there hand in hand with Ariel.
"Girl you got a lot of explaining to do" was all the crab managed to say after several long seconds of silence.
"I know Sebastian, I know, Eric's got a lot of questions too, and, well I was kind of hoping you would help me answer them" she asked pouting ever so slightly.
"You know I hate it when you pull that face, can never say a"muttered Sebastian"fine, fine where shall we start."

Not a lot has happened in this chapter it's more of a transition chapter, the next chapter will be Ariel and Sebastian telling Eric her story. I know this chapter was up pretty quickly but don't expect all of them to be up so soon. I love hearing your ideas. Please review and if you see any mistakes or think I should makes changes to certain parts please don't hesitate to tell me. Thinking of changing the title of the story, any ideas? Thanks to those who have given me feedback and suggestions already it's much appreciated.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, all belong to Disney