Ariel's dress was incredibly simple. Someone had offered her an awful thing that looked like a creampuff, but she politely declined. Her movements had been restricted under water her whole life with the weight of the sea. She didn't enjoy the feeling of heavy clothing. Air was so light and she could move so well through it.

When Eric saw her at the other end of the isle the world faded away. Her red hair flowed down her back in beach waves. It was braided and a single thin section fell in front of her eyes. All the silly decisions they'd made about colors and flavors were all for not. Neither of them noticed anything accept each other that day.

When the celebrations had quieted, and the ship was still, Ariel slipped out of Eric's sleeping hold. As she passed her gown on the hanger she gently ran her hand over it. Silk reminded her of jelly fish. If you were careful to touch the tops of them they felt soft and delicate.

The wood of the ship was rough under her feet as she walked up the stairs to the deck. She could feel her father waiting for her as she continued. A ship had been a poor decision. She knew it, but it was hard getting humans to understand. She thought about all the lives sleeping peacefully below. Would she be able to save them?

Something wasn't right. Eric felt around for Ariel, and sat up straight when he found he was alone. He glanced around the cabin, but didn't find her anywhere. He quickly threw on a shirt and sprinted to search the ship.

As Ariel walked the deck she watched her feet moving, one in front of the other. They seemed so appropriate. Humans were propelled forward. Most spent their lives waiting for the next day and preparing for the future. Mermaids were propelled by their tails behind them. They lived for their pasts and their traditions.

"I know you're there," She said. She didn't need to raise her voice much.

She felt the wind pick up. She'd learned to smell the rain in the air. Closing her eyes, she steeled herself.

"You're wrong about them, Daddy. You don't understand."

There was a gentle rumble of thunder in the distance. Ariel didn't flinch. Instead she turned to find her father staring right at her from the side of the ship. Anger burned in his eyes. His long beard fluttered in the wind. His hand was firmly clutching his trident.

"You know the rules, Ariel." He said darkly.

She shook her head, "You've never listened."

"It's you who never listen! This is my ocean. I make the laws here. Contact between the human world and the merworld is forbidden. You know that. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT!"

"I didn't do anything wrong." She held her head high and refused to flinch.

"You shouldn't have been up at the surface to begin with! You should have let the human die!"

She narrowed her eyes, "Did you sink his ship?"

"Of course! You think I didn't see the way you were looking at that barbarian!"

"You don't even know him." She replied.

"I don't have to know him! They're all the same! They killed your mother!"

"Your own sister killed hundreds of merfolk before you finally killed her. You don't blame every mermaid for her actions."

His trident glowed dangerously as his temper flared. Ariel swallowed nervously and tried not to tremble. She'd be a fool if she wasn't afraid.

"I loved you the most." He growled.

Ariel nodded, "I know. I also know it won't stop you from killing me."

He scoffed, "You think I'd let you walk around like this a moment longer? Think I'd let that thing have MY daughter?"

"He's a good man." She insisted. A tear ran down her cheek silently.

Eric listened as he crouched down behind a section of the deck. His mind raced as he thought of what to do. Ariel has told him time and time again he wouldn't be able to fight her father. If he couldn't take him head on he wondered if there was another way.

"NOT ANOTHER WORD!" Triton howled.

"Just take me. Leave Eric alone. Leave the other humans on this ship alone. They haven't done anything."

"They litter our oceans and hunt on sacred ground. Harpooning fish eaters!"

"They are MY people now and I am BEGGING you." She stepped forward with pleading eyes. "Let them go."

He laughed, "In another life I'd be proud to hear you defending your kind so. I never imagined it would fill me with disgust."

Grudgingly he threw a knife at her. It landed at her feet and she looked at it in surprise.

"What-"

"Kill the boy. If his blood touches your feet you'll turn back. Do this, and promise never to return to the surface. Then I'll let your people live."

Ariel stepped back in horror, "What? I can't kill-"

"He dies one way or another. This is how you can save the others."

She shook her head. "How can you ask me to do this?"

A light wrapped around her and Ariel was tugged forward. When she was close enough, Triton grabbed her behind the neck and forced her to look at him.

"You want to be a queen? Want to do what's best for your kingdom? This is the price. Now take a deep breath, and kill your precious human."

"Let her go!" Eric demanded as he stepped forward. Triton glanced up with hatred in his eyes as Ariel tried to turn towards him. His grip tightened on her neck and he yanked her back toward him.

"Who are you to tell me what to do, boy?"

"Her husband." He snapped.

He chuckled darkly, "If I don't take demands from my own daughter what good do you think yours are?"

Ariel clawed at her father's hand but he didn't even notice.

"Here's your chance, Ariel." He threw her back onto the deck and she sliced her arm on the blade. She gripped the metal hilt it in her hand and looked up at Triton. Eric dove down next to her and pulled her away.

Eric looked at the blade and back at Ariel. "Do it."

"What?" she demanded.

"Do it. If it will save you then do it."

She looked back up at the king of the sea. She stood, pushing Eric back as she did. He tried to grab her arm gently but she didn't let him.

"I'll even kill myself! Just let them all go!"

"No!" Eric jerked forward, but stopped when she raised the knife to her throat. For the first time, Triton had a flicker of fear in his eyes. He didn't want her to die if she didn't have to.