"Grandfather!" Melody exclaimed and swam right into Triton's open arms.
"Melody! Oh it's so good to see you," He pulled away from her so he could look her in the eyes, "I see you still got your locket." Melody nodded and opened the shell around her neck.
"Daddy!" Ariel cried and swam fast into his arms. They hugged for what seemed like hours but was really only minutes.
"I've missed you so much! And you've brought Eric!" Triton exclaimed. Eric bowed.
"It's a pleasure to finally visit your kingdom," He said in awe. The undersea castle was truly amazing.
"It's a pleasure having you Eric. And I'm sure the girls will show you around," He glanced at Ariel.
"Oh of course! We'll meet you back here for dinner!" Ariel called over her shoulder as she dragged Eric away. Melody waved and swam off to find her friends.
"I'm so glad I'm here Ariel," Eric caressed her cheek. She blushed.
"Me too. Now come with me. I want to show you something."
"Where are we going?" he asked as he was pulled along through the curves of the castle and back out to the open ocean.
"Someplace that used to belong to me," she said over her shoulder and soon they were at a cave with a boulder blocking the entrance.
"Um Ariel?" he asked in puzzlement.
"Just wait," she said with a smile and pushed the boulder away. They swam through the opening and she giggled when Eric gasped.
"This is incredible!" he spun around the cavern, taking in every single sight. Her collection of human possessions seemed silly now that she was surrounded by them every day. But down here, they seemed to call a magical quality to the sea life that she had forgotten about.
Eric picked up a fork and watched as it glimmered in the light from above.
"I can see why you would be so fascinated with humans. If this was the only world you've ever known, it must have been exciting to discover a new one," Eric placed the fork back and went to examine a pile of large rocks.
"Now I know how you must be feeling down here. This is a new world for you too," Ariel said and swam up beside him. Looking more closely, she blushed at the realization of what the rocks were. "We don't have to look at those." She tried pulling him away but amused, Eric looked closer.
"What-Is that my face?" he laughed and then noticed part of the broken E. "This was part of the birthday present Grims got me the day I met you," he said in awe. Ariel nodded and hid behind her long hair.
"Flounder brought it to me after your ship sunk. Daddy destroyed it when he discovered I was in love with you." Eric couldn't help but laugh. Good thing his father in law didn't want to kill him anymore!
"We should go," Ariel started towards the door, "Dinner will be ready soon and I still haven't seen Flounder!" Eric took her hand and followed her out. Together they swam back to the palace and ran into Melody and her friends on the way.
"Melody have you seen Flounder?" Ariel asked her daughter. Melody shook her head.
"No. Grandfather said that he was visiting family in another kingdom and that he should be back later tonight," Melody said. Ariel put her arm around her daughter and the other arm around Eric as they swam towards their awaiting family.