Gone Forever.

Those two words were all Eric could think about as he sat next to Ariel's bed, gripping her hand. She had been out for a while now. Every moment he waited for her to wake felt like days.

What did he have to do in three days? What if someone tried to take her from him again? That last thought made his blood boil. He had been tricked into letting her leave before. Someone help the fool who stood in the way next time. She rolled over in her sleep, bangs falling in front of her eyes and whispered one name.

"Eric…"

He felt his heart melt right then. From that moment on no one would ever harm her if he had anything to say about it. He rested his forehead onto her hand and breathed, "Wake up Ariel. Please… Stay with me."

After a while he climbed in next to her, arm draped across her protectively, and he fell asleep.

Ariel woke with Eric holding her close. It was early in the afternoon. Gently she moved out from under the Price's arm to try and stand. When her foot hit the ground, true to the sea witches word, it felt like a knife was stabbed into her foot. She let out a cry and collapsed. Eric jetted out of bed and ran to her, "What happened?"

She was on the ground, holding her bleeding foot. "It's part of the spell."

"What is?" He growled angrily.

"Every step -" She mumbled, looking down at the blood on her hands.

His eyes widened as he kneeled down next to her. Softly he cupped her face, "Why would you do this to yourself?"

She looked at him with a wealth of emotion behind her eyes. "For you," Was her simple reply.

Eric laid his forehead onto hers, "What happens now?"

"If we don't break the spell in three days…"

He narrowed his eyes, "then?"

She wouldn't look at him, "I'll be her slave forever."

His mouth dropped, "What do I have to do?"

With a bitter laugh she said, "That's part of the fun. We have to figure that out."

His mind raced with all the possibilities. He'd kissed her before but, just in case, he tried again, melting her to the floor as he crushed his lips to hers. Still, when she tried to walk fresh blood appeared and she fell to the ground.

Ariel had had enough of this. With a deep breath she pulled herself up and, with great determination, put one foot in front of the other, leaving blood footsteps in her wake.

"Don't!" The Prince begged, "I'll carry you!"

She stopped him from lifting her by holding up a hand, "No! This is part of it. Somehow I know if I want this… I have to suffer for it."

His brow creased in worry, "I don't want this for you."

She locked eyes with him and said sternly, "The choice was not yours to make."

Eric looked away, knowing she was right. It was her life and hers to decide if she wanted to risk it. But he knew he would do whatever it took to keep it safe. Still, what could a spell require to be broken? He followed her cautiously, reaching out to catch her when she stumbled.

Ariel was bathed and dressed in human clothing for the first time. Her feet were bandaged to keep the blood from constantly going everywhere and she refused to stop walking even though others insisted. Despite the pain she was incredibly graceful. As Eric led her through town she seemed to flow over the cobble stones of the town square.

She did her best not to cringe or make any sign that her feet hurt. Whenever she did Eric scooped her up and it led to an argument until he finally relented and set her back down. With every stab and every pinch she became more determined.

Eric didn't know it was possible to worry this much. He did his best to enjoy his time with her in town, but every time she flinched or made a small noise his heart broke knowing it was his fault. His people adored her. Every child she hugged and shop keeper she spoke to felt like she genuinely cared about what they did and who they were. She was curious about everything and half pulled his arm out of its socket when she saw something exciting.

"Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?" She breathed, staring at a horse and carriage. He smiled at her.

"Do you want to pet it?"

Eyes wide she smiled adventurously and followed him over. The creature looked at her with intelligent eyes. As she walked its head dipped, staring at her feet. Its eyes flickered between them and her face, seeming to tell her it knew her pain. Carefully she reached out a hand and stroked its head.

"Oh my gosh…"

There was a wonder in her tone that Eric had never experienced. The stable boy came to unhook the horse, but when he tried to put it was it didn't budge. Instead it lowered to the ground and looked back at Ariel expectantly.

In her heart she knew that it wanted to help her. Tears stung her eyes as she gave Eric a questioning look. He was so shocked by the animal's action it took him a moment to respond. Blinking he turned to her again, "Do you want to ride it?"

An adventurous smile flooded her face and he laughed. "Okay, hold on."

He left to find the owner and was pleased that he'd been willing to sell it. It was the first gift he ever gave Ariel. When he returned she was still stroking its mane.

"Here, I'll help you." The Prince showed her how to sit on its back, pulling himself up behind her. Arm hooked securely around her waist they took off, pleased that they could do something that didn't cause her pain.