Chapter 8
"Queen Ariel's Ball"
As the day passed, Eric and Admiral Nelson continued to draw up their plans to confront the French and Spanish fleets and rescue the people kidnapped from the wedding ship. Even Vanessa was still planning to have her husband rescued and kept asking God for his help. When she prepared for the ball in honor of Admiral Nelson and the Royal Navy, Vanessa had a small crucifix on her neck that showed that she was connected to her husband.
"It's almost time for the ball," said Ariel as she entered Vanessa's chambers that night. "I guess my pink dress really suits you, Vanessa."
Vanessa had been given Ariel's pink dress that she wore at her first dinner at Eric's castle. Seeing her wear it brought back memories of that memorable night many years ago and caused Ariel to have a bought of nostalgia.
"Thank you, your highness," replied Vanessa, who finished putting her face on. "I have to look my best for the men who will try and rescue my fiancé."
Vanessa then got up and slid her stockinged feet into a pair of white high heels, completing her dressing.
"Just enjoy yourself tonight, Vanessa," chuckled Ariel. "Even as I speak, Eric and Admiral Nelson have been coming up with a strategy all afternoon that I assure you will bring your fiancé back."
"I hope so," replied Vanessa. "As I live and die, I hope so."
Just then, the trumpets sounded and Ariel and Vanessa made their way down to the ballroom where all of the Danish court were gathered to honor the English visitors. Melody was also there with John as her escort. At the insistence of his father, John was assigned to be Melody's escort for this occasion.
"You know, Princess," he said. "My father thinks that I am in love with you and he wanted me to…"
"Don't worry about it," chuckled Melody, quietly. "You aren't the only one who has had their eyes set on me. When I was a mermaid, I had someone who had their eyes on me."
John was enamored by this and began to understand just why he had to do what he had to do and that was to be Melody's escort. However, he couldn't help but wonder if he did indeed have a future with her.
"I see," he said, trying to not imagine Melody being a mermaid. "Care to dance with me tonight, your highness?"
Melody blushed slightly and curtsied at John, a sign that she had accepted his invitation. At that moment, the sounds of bagpipes were heard and the guests and nobles of the court were treated to the sight of young Scottish soldiers dancing in a traditional swords dance to the music of Loudon's Bonnie Woods and Braes.
"Uncle Gordon paraded his whole regiment for my…inspection this morning," said the Duchess of Richmond, who was a guest of honor along with Admiral Nelson. "So, I just rode up and down and in and out and picked my fantasy."
"Mama, you chose such big ones," remarked her daughter, who was silenced when her chin was touched by the duchess.
The young soldiers of Scotland continued their dance and after a brief reel of High Road to Linton, the dance ended and with the sounds of applause breaking out, the bagpipes began to play The Cock o' the North. Everyone watched as the Scottish soldiers marched out of the ballroom with the sounds of applause continuing to be heard.
Once the soldiers left, the sounds of trumpets were heard again and everyone turned their attention to Admiral Nelson, dressed in his best uniform, standing at the top of the ballroom before walking downstairs to meet the duchess. Meanwhile, John and Melody continued to attempt getting to know one another as the guests made their way to the dance floor.
"So, I've been with Royal Navy for several years now," said John as he and Melody started dancing. "I've had a dream that if I joined the navy, I could get the attention of the women of London. I guess that maybe I am starring at the woman of my dreams right now."
"Who? Me?" giggled Melody. "I'm only 12 years old."
"That doesn't matter," replied John, trying to talk warmly as he twirled Melody around. "You are a woman to me, no matter your age."
Melody couldn't believe what she was hearing and tried to keep the thought of being in love out of her head. However, John was more than willing to make a pass at the Danish Princess.
"Besides, if you want to be in love me, you're crazy," cried Melody as John dipped her. "You'll have to approve of my mom and dad."
"The king and queen?" asked John, trying to keep making his moves. "Don't worry, they will like me."
Melody felt more and more uncomfortable in front of John, not believing what she was hearing coming from the mouth of this young man from the British Empire. Yes, Melody was a beautiful young girl, but she wasn't yet a woman. She had her whole life ahead of her after all.
Meanwhile, Ariel was standing in the far corner of the ballroom with Vanessa, who wanted to get up close and personal with Admiral Nelson.
"He will have a time for you to meet him," whispered Ariel, nudging Vanessa slightly. "You just have to wait."
"I can't wait," huffed Vanessa. "He needs to know of my situation, your majesty."
"He does know of your husband," replied Ariel. "Eric gave him a list of names of those who were missing."
This wasn't very comforting to Vanessa, who wanted to approach Admiral Nelson and beg him to help her find the man she was supposed to marry. Just then, Sir Percy, one of Admiral Nelson's senior officers walked over and approached the young woman.
"Excuse me," he said, extending his hand out to Vanessa. "All the women of the court have a dance partner. May I have the honor of asking you for a dance?"
"Go ahead," whispered Ariel, encouraging Vanessa to go. "It will take you mind off of things."
Although it was against her better judgment, Vanessa walked out onto the dance floor with Sir Percy. As she watched Vanessa walk onto the dance floor, Ariel felt that it was a perfect time for her to get some air while her daughter danced with Admiral Nelson's son and Eric was conversing with several high ranking members of the court.
Ariel stepped out once again into the cool night air as she walked along the waterways towards the ocean, once again looking out on the Royal Navy fleet.
"If you were only here with us again, daddy," she sighed and looked to make sure that no one was around. "I miss you so much."
Once it was clear, Ariel lifted the skirt of her purple gown and lifted her bare feet out of her purple high heels, walking to the edge of the water and feeling the warmth of the water touching her feet. The feeling made her feel free and young again, just she was when she was a mermaid.
However, Ariel's serenity was interrupted at that moment when a deafening explosion was heard coming from one of the areas of the castle. The blast caused Ariel to fall into the water, undoing her hair, soaking her purple gown and knocking off her tiara. Looking up, Ariel saw smoke rise out of the site of the explosion.
"Impossible," she cried, awestruck at what she was seeing before her eyes. "What is happening?"
