Hey Everyone!

Thank you for all the support that you have given me. As promised we have moved on from the unbelievable sad chapters! It's time to have some fun...

Happy Reading!

J


Leaving it all Behind

Ben sat combing his hair. The merman usually didn't put so much effort into his appearance, but tonight was different. You see, tonight was the night of the Neptune ball.

He had dreamed for many hours of what tonight would hold. Ben had dreamed of the dance with Ariel. He spent countless hours trying to gain confidence. This was his one opportunity to impress her, to make Ariel his. Sure he thought that maybe it was too soon to be courting her, but what was a merman to do when love called?

Hello, your highness, May I have this dance?

Your Majesty, do you think Ariel will dance with me?

Your Majesty, if you allow me one dance with her, we'll be married next week!

No that can't happen, although he wanted to wrap his arms around Ariel and rush into marriage, somehow he knew Ariel wouldn't be ready for that.

Ben sighed deeply as he tried once more to keep one strand hair in line. Everything needed to be perfect.

Meanwhile, Ariel struggled against Attina's firm grasp.

"Ariel, had you taken care of your hair, we wouldn't be struggling with it right now."

"You don't have to deal with it now Attina, after all, I don't even want to go to this stupid ball!" Attina tried hard not to laugh. Ariel was an adult but still had the same child like puff she did as a kid.

"Ariel, if we go, so do you! And beside that, the Neptune ball is the finest night of the year! Good food, good music, and good company. Can't you at least try to have fun?" Attina stopped before continuing; maybe she shouldn't bring them up.

"Your right Attina, and I know that he would want me to have fun, but its hard when my every thought is what I've been through." Attina hugged her sister, and took out a string of pearls.

"Well tonight, your every thought is going to be on having fun, and being the beautiful woman you are."

Ariel saw that it was no use. Maybe she could try to be happy tonight, sitting on her bed crying really wasn't helping.

So with a sigh of determination, Ariel combed through her now tangle free hair one more time. Looking down at her chest, Ariel decided that a green bra would be better. Taking off her usual purple bra, the green bra matched the green pearls.

For the first time in weeks, Ariel felt as if she was more than a grieving widow. She felt like a person who could be free.

I'm ready. I can do this. Have fun. That's all I have to do is have fun. It won't be that hard. Just have fun.

Ten minutes later, Ariel hung to her father's arm nervously. Ugh why couldn't I have entered last like always?

"Introducing His Majesty, King Triton, and his youngest daughter, Queen Ariel!"

Ariel took a deep breath, it didn't feel right. She wasn't a queen. Really now she was just one mermaid. Before she could finish her thought, she saw a merman heading straight for her.

"May I have this dance?"

It was the merman from the other day. Ariel's heart skipped a beat trying to remember the handsome merman's name.

"Ariel, what are you waiting for! Go have fun." Attina whispered in her ear.

"My names Ben… I don't think we've met before."

Thank god he doesn't remember me.

Ben floated there, hoping that Ariel would somehow remember that day they spent together and dance with him.

"My names Ariel. I'd love to dance. " Ariel gently grabbed his hand. It was firm, but at the same time it was soft.

Moments passed without either saying anything. This was exactly the opposite of what Ben had hoped for. She didn't even recognize him. Or so he thought.

"Ben, I think you're the one who helped me the other day…"

"I was… I just thought maybe it was too soon to bring that up."

Ariel found her self smiling at him. He was being so kind to her.

"I don't know how I would have done it without you."

"Well, I couldn't let a beautiful woman like you break your nails, doing hard work."

Ariel felt the need to change the subject.

"Have you lived in Atlantica your whole life?"

"Yes just beyond the crow." Ben watched as Ariel's face brightened up in the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

Ariel got excited. She remembered the crow. It was the place where all the kids played games and could have fun, with or without their family with them.

"I love the crow! Oh it used to be so fun! Just playing sponge ball, or racing around with my friends."

"They've added sea horse races and rides now!" Ben felt like he hit the jackpot.

"That sounds amazing. Maybe I should check it out some time."

"Maybe you could come with me?" Ben hoped this wasn't the wrong move.

"Sure! I'd just love an adventure!"

Triton watched from afar as Ariel and a merman laughed and giggled. It warmed his heart to finally see her smile. Oh how Ariel reminded him of Athena. She looked just like her tonight; long hair flowing everywhere a string of pearls around her neck.

Not too far away was Attina. She was dancing with Taylor. Triton wished with all his might that she would dump him. That wasn't the right guy for his baby girl. If he knew the situation at all, Attina would come crying to him the next morning about something stupid the young merman had said.

Alana was eating kelp pasta with Jerome. Triton loved Jerome with his gentleness and affection.

It took all of Triton's might not to get worried when he couldn't find the other five of his daughters. They were probably off talking to young men. Ugh, where had the time gone? They weren't five anymore, that was for sure.

Meanwhile, Ariel was about to say goodnight to Ben. The ball was almost over, yet she didn't want to leave him quite yet.

Ben sighed, the night was almost over and most of the public had left already. Tonight he had come with a plan to hook Ariel in. The night hadn't gone as planned, but Ben knew this much: Ariel was all he had imagined she would be, and more.

"Thanks Ben! For everything. I had a great time."

"Your welcome. Ariel… would you… go to the crow with me tomorrow? I mean… your probably busy but…"

"Of course I'll come! I have nothing planned and the more fun I have, the less pain I'll be in."

Ben took her in his arms. He really wanted to kiss her right now, but instead he just hugged her. If he had any say in it, he'd make sure Ariel would never be in pain again.

Ariel was taken aback by the sudden hug. A part of her felt as if she was betraying Eric. She still felt married after all. The other part of her said to hug him back… maybe just a little kiss on the forehead. No. it was too soon for that….

Ben pulled away, but before he could get too far, Ariel kissed his cheek.

Maybe his dreams could come true.