Aurora had decided not to tell anyone about her experience in the dream world. She figured it was best not to get Mulan's hopes up until Aurora was sure she could really control the dreamworld. Aurora got up from her blankets and began to pack them up." Why such the rush to wake me up?" She asked.
"Because we have a meeting with a powerful woman, we want to make sure we are there on time," Zelena said, and for once, Aurora saw that Zelena looked nervous." Not to worry, we aren't far." Zelena said and led them to look across the horizon. Near the beach was an extraordinary palace, with dark storm clouds swirling over it.
"What is this place?" Aurora asked in fear as she looked at the ominous destination before them.
"This was once the center of a powerful maritime kingdom. When the curse hit, a long asleep ocean goddess woke up and took the castle as her own. She's used it as her base of operations in her quest to control the seas," Zelena said as she began to walk towards the palace." Stay beside me and do not speak. She's very particular when it comes to deals."
Mulan and Aurora followed behind Zelena, curious as to what they were walking in to. Neither of them had a good feeling about this, but they knew what they had to do. Soon, they made their way into the palace. It was dark and very humid. There was a fountain that appeared to be broken. It flooded the room with water, almost the entire floor was flooded a few inches. However, when they walked in, the water parted, offering them a place to walk.
Three women followed the trail of dry floor until they reached a throne, and on that throne sat a dark figure." Zelena, it's good to see you," said the figure in a voice that seemed as old as time itself.
"The same to you," Zelena said and smiled," Lady Ursula."
Aurora's eyes widened as she head that name. She had heard stories from sailors, speaking of this goddess Ursula. Very rarely did they ever have anything nice to say about her. Aurora grabbed on to Mulan's arm.
"Enough small talk, do you have what I want?" The figure said and finally the three women could see the creature before them. It looked, half human, half octopus. She had light lavender skin with a black dress and tentacles.
Zelena smiled and nodded," You know I do. May I?" She asked and Ursula nodded. Zelena waved her hand and in a swirl of green smoke, a golden lyre appeared in her hand." The Lyre of Apollo, just like I promised, but do you have what I want?"
Ursula gave an evil smile at the sight of the lyre in Zelena's hands. Ursula waved her hand and the water began to start swirling around. When the water vanished a cage with a red headed mermaid appeared." One mermaid, as promised." The sea goddess waved her hand again and the cage disappeared, causing the mermaid to fall to the groud.
"She's not much use to me flopping around and unable to speak, I need a little more than just the girl." Zelena said keeling direct eye contact with the goddess.
Ursula rolled her eye and wave her hand again. A seashell bracelet appeared on th mermaid's wrist and soon her tail became legs." It's only temporary. Since I did not steal her voice, I cannot permanently restore it. With this bracelet you can control when she has legs and when she has a voice."
"Come here darling," Zelena said and the red headed mermaid stood up and walked to stand next to Zelena. Then Zelena tossed the lyre into the water and Ursula hastily picked it up and grabbed it."Pleasure doing business with you." Zelena said and smiled.
Ursula clutched into the lyre and then her happy expression turned sour," You treacherous witch! This is not the real Lyre or Apollo! You betrayed me!" Ursula said and the building began to rumble and the water began to surround them.
"Funny thing. Apollo, not the nicest fellow, and he wasn't keen on my taking his lyre, I had to get creative," Zelena said and she gave a slightly worried expression." But I will let you deal with him, I have to run. By dear." Zelena waved her hand and the four women vanished.
They reappeared a few miles away from the palace and they could see the lighting and storm clouds being formed from Ursula's anger." How dare you!" Mulan said to Zelena," Tricking a goddess and putting our lives in danger!"
"I am doing this for you, do not forget that!" Zelena said and rolled her eyes at Mulan.
"This is not for us! This is for you. You are doing this so Aurora will be in debt to you, this is all a part of some greater plan!" Mulan snapped back but Aurora calmed her down.
Their was a small moment of silence before the mermaid finally decided to speak." Hello, I am Ariel. I would just like to thank you for sav-"
With the wave of her hand Zelena silenced the mermaid." That's enough of that for right now. I did save you, but it comes at a price, you have to help us. If you refuse I will give you back to Ursula. After all, she'd be more than willing to undo our trade." Zelena waves her hand again," Respond."
Ariel gripped her throat, the stealing and returning of her voice could be a bit uncomfortable. She nodded," Yes, of course, whatever you need I will help you with. Who are you?"
Zelena did not respond, obviously calculating their next move. Aurora decided to step in," I am Aurora, this is Mulan, and that is Zelena. We have made a deal with her. My prince's soul was taken by a wraith, she's helping us get it back."
Ariel smiled," Pleasure to meet you all!" She said and listened happily to their story," A noble quest indeed. It would be my honor to help unite you with your true love, whatever it takes!"
"Do I need to take your voice again or will you stop talking for five minutes?" Zelena snapped at the mermaid. They'd gotten the mermaid but there was still much to do and Zelena needed to make sure she could get it all planned." We will camp here, tomorrow we have much to do."
In honesty, ever since Aurora had woken up that morning she was anxious to go to sleep again. She wanted to try and find Philip again. This time she hoped it wouldn't take to long because she knew what to do. Once in the burning red room she found the stairs and went up. She was in the familiar black hallway and made her way to the room of mirrors.
There was just one problem, the vision of the place where she'd seen Philip was not appearing on the mirrors. However she did see something that confused her, a scene of two people she didn't know. A blonde woman, a queen even, waving off of a balcony, and a man looking at her longingly. They make eye contact, but th queen looks away, ashamed.
Then Aurora woke up, she'd slept all night. She sighed, she was still no closer to finding Philip, but for some reason she saw a vision of two people she'd never met, she figured they may be important later.