A/N -

It's important to know that this song came from the soundtrack to The Last Unicorn.


3. In the Sea – America


Ariel turns onto her back as she swims, tickling the bellies of the seahorse foals and giggling as they whinny in delight. One swipe with her tail takes her out of the paddock where the royal steeds are kept, away from the mares and their young, though she waves as she leaves.

The gentle sound of music signals she's nearing her target. He's in his usual spot beneath the overhanging coral, bright pink in colour and chosen because he says it's beautiful and beautiful things inspire him. He was always saying stuff like that – one of the many reasons the other Atlantean boys tease him and drove him into hiding like this. Ariel isn't complaining – they never would've met otherwise, since he's just a commoner and she's a princess. She befriended him after he rescued her and sheltered her in one of his many hiding places when sharks got into the paddocks and caused a stampede. Afterwards the royal guards came looking for her, and she gripped his hands and begged him to meet her again so she could say thank you properly. She gave him a Snorlack Pipe from her Surface World collection, which he told her is meant to play music, contradicting Scuttle's story that humans use it to scratch their lower backs.

Sure enough, there he is, strumming something stringed and strange-shaped from his extensive assortment of self-made instruments. He smiles when he spots her and she sinks down beside him, touching tailtips in a way she'd never dare with any of the stuffy boys at court.

"You okay?"

"Better now you're here. I was having trouble with the third verse, but I get inspired when you're around."

"Writing songs again?"

"Yup."

"What about this time?"

"Ever hear of unicorns?"

"They're supposed to be what happens when seahorses and narwhals have babies right?" She frowns. "But they're only a fairytale meant for little kids, Myde."

He smiles and plucks a few seaweed strings. "Not the way I tell it."