The Little Mermaid Chapter IV
Back at the castle, Ariel and Eric were very worried. Melody had been gone for a few hours and they knew that she was typically in before dark.
"We need to go look for her," Ariel said softly.
"I will get the staff to start looking in town," Eric replied. They both walked outside and were about to start into town when they saw Tip and Dash quickly swimming towards the shore.
"Tip? Dash? Are you both alright?" Eric asked. The penguin and walrus looked exhausted from swimming that far distance. Ariel and Eric gently pulled them up on shore for a rest. Once they caught their breath, they could see the concern in their faces.
"We came to warn you; Melody may be in trouble!" Dash began.
"Trouble? What kind of trouble?" Ariel said, trying not to panic.
"Octavius is not a legend! He's real and he has earned Melody's trust!"
"Never! Melody would never believe someone evil like him!" Ariel scoffed.
"Please believe us!" Dash pleaded. "He's real and he has told Melody that he wants to bond with her!"
"He said that either it was the bond or the Triton! She made a deal with him!" Tip added. Ariel's face turned pale and she sank down to the sand. Eric had never seen her so discouraged.
"Bond? What does this mean, Ariel?" Eric asked as he rubbed her back.
"A bond is a sacred union that most mer-people don't do because it is so powerful. A bond causes you to connect with your partner, hear their thoughts, feel their heartbeat; it's almost as if you both become one. It is so strong that you almost feel empty when you are separated from them for extended periods of time," Ariel explained. Everyone was very quiet after hearing those words. After a few moments, Eric was the first to speak.
"We need to get to your father. He is the only one who can help us!"
"We can take you all back to Atlantica!" said Tip. Ariel and Eric agreed. They had a vile of liquid that would transform them into merpeople in case of emergencies. Once they changed their form, they swam as quickly as they could back to the underwater palace. They told King Triton what happened and he too was very concerned.
"I think that Melody was brave for making that decision, but she is in danger. His type of species cannot be trusted," King Triton responded.
"But he hasn't harmed her yet; he almost acts like he…wants to be with her," Dash said quietly, but he cowered in front of the king.
"He doesn't mean anyone any good, Dash! I have seen enough of his kind and nothing good will come from this bond. But unfortunately, there is nothing we can do."
"We have to do something! We can't let her go through with this!" Ariel pleaded.
"I will do everything I can, but if we don't find them by sundown, I fear that we will be too late," King Triton responded. He then grabbed his Triton and then turned to them. "Follow me; I will have the Triton lead the way. Let's just hope we are not too late," he said softly. They all then swam out of the palace as quickly as they could.
Meanwhile, Melody was swimming with Octavius. He could see that she was having trouble swimming because her legs were getting tired.
"Do you wish to rest?"
"I am getting a little tired…," she responded with a slight yawn. He chuckled and then gently led her to a soft bed of seaweed. She was trying to stay awake, but she couldn't. She finally let sleep overtake her and she was out like a light. Octavius then gently pulled her to his chest and when she began to stir, he began to sing to her. His voice was deep and melodic; it had a haunting and yet beautiful, silvery sound to it.
"Your voice is beautiful…," she said sleepily.
"Is it helping you sleep?" He asked.
"Yes; I love your voice…," Melody responded. His ocean lullaby now began to swirl around her and she began to fall into a deeper sleep. As she slept, she felt a slight discomfort.
"M-my stomach hurts…," she mumbled.
"Shhh…just rest…," he cooed in her ear. He then began to sing with a stronger intensity and she felt a bit more discomfort and it was no wonder…his singing was changing her legs into a mermaid tail! She then let out a slight yelp because the changing process was hurting a bit.
"Shhh…slow and easy breaths…," he cooed; he then gently began to nip her neck and his bites were gently releasing a pain reducing venom from his fangs. Melody slowly began to calm down and she felt the pain go away. Octavius gave a small smile of approval but then growled when a shark almost ran into him.
"Shhhh! You almost woke her up!"
"Lord Octavius! My apologies, but King Triton is coming; he is bringing people with him! I overheard them and they are looking for Melody."
"Let them come…," Octavius smiled.
"What?! WHY?!"
"They will be able to witness the change; the moon is almost full. Let's move towards the surface; it's time," he smiled confidently. The shark nodded, but everyone feared King Triton when he was angry.
"Melody…my dear…wake up…," he called. She slowly woke up and then she saw that she had a beautiful pink tail!
"Octavius! L-Look!"
"Don't panic, Melody; I simply gave you a tail so that you would no longer need that tiresome air bubble; now come my dear. Time is short."
"Where are we going?"
"Moonfall rock. I need you by my side when the change begins," he smiled a fanged smile.
"The change?"
"Yes, Melody…," he said softly. At that moment, he slithered out of the water and he carried Melody in his arms towards the top of a large rock. He laid her down gently and began to speak in a powerful voice. A voice that made the waves roar and it gave Melody a chill down her spine.
"The time is nigh and the oceans roar…"
"You belong with them no more…"
"Your vision now will set you free…"
"Sweet Melody…you belong to me…"
"Your blood will unite with mine…"
"As our fates now intertwine…"
"I call upon the law of the sea…"
"A bond with you is what I seek…"
"YOUR HEART AND SOUL BELONG TO ME!"
He roared the words with such intensity that all the sea creatures nearby swam for safety. At that moment, King Triton burst into view with the others behind him.
"NO!" King Triton commanded and he swam quickly towards Octavius and shot him in the chest with his Triton. Octavius stumbled back and he grabbed his chest in pain. Melody's eyes widened at the scuffle as King Triton began to fight him. She suddenly felt herself being lifted into the sky by a blue light and Octavius was lifted too. They were then placed together physically, heart to heart. It felt like lightning was coursing through her chest!
"This hurts!" She squealed as she tried to push back.
"This is not pleasant for me either; it's almost done, hang on!" Octavius grunted through his fangs.
"We have to stop him!" Ariel screamed. She swam forwards, but King Triton stopped her.
"STOP! If we stop it now it could kill both of them; that energy surging through him is as if lightning itself was coursing through them," King Triton said firmly. He could only watch in fear and anger as the bond formed. He had done all he could do to protect his granddaughter and now there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. Suddenly, the blue light was gone and both of them were set back on the ground. Both of them had a visible blue light on their chest. Ariel's eyes welled up in tears.
"No…no…,"
"You monster…this was your plan all along," King Triton growled as he swam forward with his Triton in hand. Octavius gave a gentle bow and slithered towards the king.
"There is no need for hostility. I have no plan. I made a deal with Melody and she accepted it. She and I are now one. This bond cannot be broken," he responded matter of factly.
"I promise I will hunt you down if you harm my daughter," Eric hissed.
"Prince Eric. I know you all have had a bad experience with my kind; rest assured I have no intention of seeking any revenge; I simply wanted a bond with Melody. I value her friendship. Especially after learning that she was willing to sacrifice herself to save you all; she is indeed a cunning human," Octavius grinned.
"Why does it have to be my Melody?" Ariel asked, angry and frustrated.
"Why not Melody? I see no harm in forming a strong friendship with your daughter. I have already proven I am not here to harm anyone. And now, Melody and I must go. We will discuss living arrangements soon."
"Living arrangements?" Melody asked, a bit scared.
"Yes, Melody. I have a kingdom of my own; we may have to alternate between your home and mine." Octavius smiled as he placed an arm around her waist.
All the while this was happening, Tip and Dash were watching from a distance.
"I don't know what's going to happen, Dash, but I can tell that this situation is far from over," Tip whispered as the two swam away.
guestsurprise's words: Interesting huh? I hope you all enjoyed it!
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