It was almost eleven and Melody was upset. During dinner her mother and father talked to her about her relationship with Jeremy and how it's probably not going anywhere. It just upset Melody so much, especially when her mother and father were basically in the same situation as her at the moment.
"Melody, we're not saying you can't be friends with him." Eric began.
"But maybe you should start looking for potential husbands." Ariel said.
"A husband?" Melody repeated. "I'm not interested in finding a husband. I'm only 14! I should be having fun like other teenagers, not looking for a husband."
"Well maybe not a husband, Ariel." Eric said.
"Okay, not a husband yet." Ariel said. "But we think you should start meeting, what's the word... Meeting and getting to know other boys your age and hopefully, when you're older, one of them could be your husband."
"I like Jeremy." Melody said. "And I thought you guys did too."
"We do but..." Ariel was cut off.
"But what? It doesn't seem like you do! You just told me to break up with him!"
"You two come from two different worlds."
"So did you and dad, mother. Did that stop you? No. You became human, so stop being a hypocrite."
"Melody it's different." Eric spoke up. "You're going to be the future Queen of Denmark and you can't just deny it and become a mermaid to be with Jeremy."
"I'm aware of that, father, but who said I was going to be turned into a mermaid to be with him? I know I didn't. Maybe he'll become human or maybe we just won't last because we come from "two different worlds"." Melody rolled her eyes.
"Melody, honey, how would he even become human then?" Ariel asked. "And don't say my father. I was only a special case and so are you. He won't turn just anyone into human or anyone into a mermaid. Just take is from your father. Has he been turned into one? As much as I begged my father, no."
Melody slouched down into her chair and crossed her arms. "I'm done talking about this."
Melody waited until both her parents were in their room with their door shut until she snuck out. She wondered down the beach to the ship ports. She saw nobody down there. She quietly walked onto the ship, still being very cautious about not being caught. Yes, she had a plan figured out if she was to be seen, but in the back of her mind she remembers Jeremy telling her how they don't even know how dangerous these men are. Maybe they are rebels who don't give a crap about the royal family and will hurt her like with the mermaid. Melody was uncertain if any of those men are on the ship, so she just had to watch out.
Melody wondered through the ship. She went inside and went down the steps when she didn't see anything up above. It was very dark and she wished she had brought with her some type of light source. But on the other hand, maybe it's better not to have a light because she won't be seen.
Melody saw the door crept opened, with a little light. In the corner of the room she couldn't believe what she found; who she found. The mermaid... She was weeping quietly into her hands, obviously afraid of what would happen to her. Melody walked over to her and bent down in front of the cage.
"Hi." Melody whispered, quickly looking behind her to be sure nobody was coming. "I'm Melody." The woman looked up but didn't say a word, obviously afraid of Melody. "I won't hurt you. I want to save you. What is your name?"
"Athena." She muttered. Melody couldn't believe that this woman is her grandmother; that she is still alive, especially when everyone thought she was dead. "My name is Athena." She said again, a bit louder.
Melody couldn't help but stare at her. She was amazed at how similar her mother looked to her, but of course Athena looked older than Ariel. She was uncertain if she should tell her about Ariel, King Triton, she being her granddaughter. I mean, she didn't want to overwhelm her.
"Are you okay?" Melody asked. "Did they hurt you; do they hurt you?"
"Yes." Athena muttered again. "I'm assuming you've never seen a mermaid before." She said, noticing Melody staring at her.
"Sorry, you just look like my mother, like a lot. Major similarities. I'm going to get u out of here.""
"What is your mother's name?" Athena asked.
"Ariel..." Melody said reluctantly.
"I had a daughter name Ariel... Seven daughters actually."
"Oh..." Melody examined the cage to see if she could some how open it. "Actually, I know. You see, my mother is your daughter." She quickly stood up. "You know what, I'm going to be right back. I'm going to get someone to help me get you out."
"Wait. You're my Ariel's daughter?" Queen Athena stammered. Melody nodded. "But how? You're human."
"Her father turned her human when she fell in love with my father." She said. "I'll be right back, I promise and you'll be right out."
"Hurry back, please."
Melody ran as fast as she could back to the palace. She ran up to her parents room, in hope her father was still awake, and barged in. Luckily for her, her father and mother were both still awake.
"Dad, I need you're help."
"Melody, it's late. You should be in bed." Ariel said. "What ever it is, it can wait until morning."
"But it can't wait! Dad, please. Someone's in trouble."
Eric sighed and started to put his boots back on. "Alright Melody."
Melody was telling her father everything; how she found a mermaid locked in a cage a few days earlier to her sneaking out, which she hoped she wouldn't get in trouble for doing since it was for a good cause. She told him how the mermaid is Ariel's mother and how the ship never hit her and she never died.
"She's just down here, dad." Melody said.
"This was very dangerous for you to do by yourself, Melody." Eric said. "Is anyone on this ship."
"I don't think so. I saw men earlier when Jeremy and I were stalking this ship. But it doesn't seem as if anyone is on it tonight." She entered the room, finding the mermaid still locked in her cage and in the same position from when she left. "Dad over here." Eric quickly went over to the cage and crouched down in front of it. "Athena, this is my father, also the king. He's going to help me help you escape."
"Thank you." She smiled. "Not all humans are evil as I thought then."
Eric examined the cage she was in. He was uncertain how he would get her out since he didn't have a key to the lock, nor equipment that would break the cage. "Melody, how strong are you?"
"Why?"
Eric had Melody help him carry the cage off the ship. It wasn't that heavy, maybe because Queen Athena wasn't that heavy herself. Eric and Melody carried the cage to his ship where she would be much safer. When they reached his ship, Eric went to find something that would break open the cage. After ten minutes of looking, he found a hammer that could break the lock if he hit it hard enough. After hitting it a couple of times, the lock finally broke and the door opened.
"Thank you." Queen Athena smiled. "Thank you for finding and saving me."
"You should be thanking Melody." Eric said, standing back up after picking her up out of the cage. "If it wasn't for her good eye, than she wouldn't have spotted you."
"No, if you and mother didn't keep the baby a secret from me, than I wouldn't have spotted her."
"Changing the subject, do you need help back into the water?" Eric asked placing her down on the ship's deck.
"It's a bit late and I'm sure nobody is awake." Athena said. "Could I stay on this ship tonight?"
The following morning Melody and her father made Ariel follow them to his ship for a surprise; a surprise that will change her life forever.
"Mom, keep your eyes shut!" Melody exclaimed.
"Alright, darling, just a few more steps." Eric said, guiding his wife.
"Between you two, I don't know if I should be scared or what of the surprise." Ariel said. Eric removed his hands over Ariel's eyes and she saw her mother sitting on the ship's floor. She couldn't believe her eyes and thought this had to be a dream. "Mom?"
"Ariel, my sweet child." Queen Athena smiled.
I'm really surprised I have this chapter finished this soon. I guess I was just excited to write it. Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter and how the story is going. And thanks for reading!