The Struggling Love of Ariel and Eric
Chapter 4
"This is so weird", Ariel said, while she and Namor laid next to each other on the ocean's floor, looking up at the clear water above them.
"Being here with me is weird for you?" Namor asked, his voice holding a hint of sadness from the thought that Ariel did not like being near to him.
"No, not that", Ariel almost laughed at him. "Sebastian hasn't come to yell at me yet. Father always gets mad at him if I wonder away from the palace for too long; so he always comes after me. But he hasn't yet."
"Maybe he can't find us", Namor said as he rolled over onto his side and looked at the princess next to him.
"No", Ariel rolled onto her stomach. "Sebastian finds me here a lot. The water is always so clear and the sand here is just soooo soft."
"Yeah, it is nice here. I have a spot like this back home; there is an empty section in the seaweed field a little ways away from my palace. It made a nice hiding place for my when I was growing up", Namor looked but up at the clear water as he spoke.
"Yeah, for some reason, being able to escape from it all makes it easier…" Ariel said.
"Easier to be royal and makes you feel like you're just you", Namor finished for her.
"Exactly! I have a cave, hidden behind that large rock over there", Ariel lifted her finger and pointed to her left. "I go in there when I want to get away from everything. It's where I hid all my secrets… where I hid myself."
Ariel smiled at the prince. Namor started to gravitate toward Ariel, his eyes darting between her eyes and her lips.
"I should get back", Ariel moved away from the prince, realizing what his mind was thinking to do.
"Of course princess, let's getting going", Namor got up off the sand.
"No!" Ariel almost shrieked at him. "Um, no, I… I can get back on my own."
"I know you can get there on your own. But since you want to be away from me or at least want some time on your own; I will simply say 'good day'", Namor genuinely smiled and bowed to Ariel. "And next time, you can just tell me the truth."
"Thank you, Prince Namor", Ariel bowed back to him and then swam off.
"You're welcome… Ariel", Namor whispered as she faded from view.
THAT NIGHT
Prince Eric and his dog sat on the beach together; the moon above them and the stars shinning.
"It's alright Max; go to sleep", Eric patted Max, as he noticed the dog's eyelids starting to close. "I'll wait up for both of us."
"Eric", Ariel whispered; her body resting in the shallow water nearest to the dry sand.
"Ariel!" Eric smiled and ran toward her; leaving Max sleeping in the sand.
The couple reached out their arms to one another and folded themselves into a warm embrace. Eric pulled back slightly; just enough to move his lips to Ariel's.
"Wait", Ariel spoke against his lips.
"Why?" Eric whispered back, grazing his lips across Ariel's.
"Something happened today", she pulled away from his mouth.
"Are you okay?" Eric sounded concerned.
"Yes… no… I'm… my father introduced me to a prince today", Ariel struggled to say.
"A prince… someone like you", Eric stated his question.
"Yes, he's a merman; Prince Namor", Ariel answered his statement.
"What are your thoughts?" Eric loosened his grip from around her waist.
"He's good and kind. I've only just met him and I already think of him as a friend", Ariel's voice was slow and lingering.
"Just as friend…" Eric almost teased her.
"My father had him be my escort for the day", Ariel's voice became very serious and almost fearful. "It makes me worry that my father has intentions for Namor and me."
"Hey", Eric gently hushed Ariel, "my family, my court, has pushed princesses and duchesses at me for a while now… and nothing has ever come of it."
"It's just that…" Ariel couldn't find the words.
"I know. We just found each other", Eric pulled her close once again. "And I am not going to lose you. Ariel, no one else has power over me. There is only you. I love you."
The couple kissed again. Holding each other like only lovers can; clinging to the short time they had together before they both had to return to their own worlds.