The Beginning

The first day was a blur. Getting situated in human clothes and tutored in 'the ways of the world' as Emily liked to say.

Understanding their different backgrounds, the princess was more than accepting to Aaron's presence while endlessly asking questions as if he could answer. It was finally discovered that the two could semi-communicate through a poor use of charades, but it was better than Emily's attempts to read the boy's mind.

Aaron was ecstatic about their quick bond. He didn't mind her chattering seeing as she was nervous and excited about their plans. There wasn't much to go on, but the idea was explained in full when the young prince joined their hands together; pointing to his legs- which she knew was once a tail –and hers. They could ally their species. Communicating the specifics of the deal was more complicated and took a few tries as well as multiple props for her to get the basis, but she understood enough.

Emily began at once. Talking to as many advisors as she could, she tried to explain the situation though anyone she spoke to claimed that she was simply seeing things. No human believed in anything living under the waves aside from the fish they catch. Grimsby went as far as to claim she was ill from the emotionally trying shipwreck.

By day two, Aaron understood most of the humans' traditions and activities, though there was still much more to learn. The pair continued efforts to gain followers to their cause, but no one would believe anything they couldn't see with their own eyes. It was looking a bit hopeless and by the end of the day, Emily deflated to bouncing options off of her silent companion.

"Could you get your father to come up here?" she asked. Aaron had shown her his status by taking her crown, placing it on his head, and kneeling to a portrait of Emily's father, the late human king. She had understood easily.

The prince shook his head with a look of horror in his deep blue eyes.

"Hmm," her hand found her chin in thought, "I can't swim there, can I?"

Another shake accompanied with Aaron holding his breath, acting as if he had run out of air.

Emily laughed, "Right, can't get far enough," she paused, "Is there anyone else who wouldn't be afraid to come up?"

About to deny again, he paused.

Noticing this, the princess lightened up and stood from her bed to rush over to Aaron who was sitting on the balcony before her window; he was always so taken with the sky. "Who? There has to be someone," she gushed.

The prince sighed slightly. Holding up a finger as if asking her to wait, he searched the horizon. He found what- who –he was looking for almost instantly and smiled brightly at her before jumping up, grabbing her hand, and running out of the room. They made it to the shore where they had first met in record time.

The boy raised his free hand towards the open sea and waited patiently. Just before Emily was going to ask what he was doing, two shapes emerged from the water approaching them. Aaron's face broke into a smile as he waved silently at the merman eyeing the princess carefully. The little yellow-blue fish gave what looked to be a grin and wiggled a fin in response.

Gesturing quickly, Aaron did his best to introduce them, though it was all her could do.

Picking up on his prince's attempts, the guard nodded once to the boy and looked to the human, "Hello, Emily," he said calmly, waiting for the girl to explode in surprise.

It was he, however, who was taken aback by the girl, "Hi! I'm guessing Aaron told you about me? What's your name?"

The merman blinked but ended up smiling a bit, "You are correct. My name is Sebastian, a guard to his majesty King Triton- Aaron's father. This is Flounder, our prince's friend," he made a polite wave to the fish who nodded eagerly, "Now, as much as I would like to think this is a friendly visit, I assume you are here for assistance of some sort."

Aaron nodded and looked to Emily to explain. "Ya," she began, "We are trying to get humans to see the benefits of relations with you, but no one believes you exist."

"How much of the situation do you understand?" the guard asked.

"I know that Aaron made a deal to be human for three days and that something bad will happen if he doesn't unite our people before the time is up, but that's about it."

Sebastian nodded, "The party he made the deal with offered him three days to walk as a human so he could create a bond between our worlds. Should he fail, he will be returned to his rightful form and taken prisoner as payment."

Emily blinked at her friend. "Why…I'm so sorry Aaron! If I had known I would have stayed awake every night trying to hurry this along!"

The prince shook his head, smiling calmly. Taking her hand, he looked into her eyes and mouthed his words slowly though she knew what he was going to say, 'We can do this'.

The human nodded firmly. "Of course we can," she smirked playfully, "but…" she turned back to the ocean-dwellers, "we need some form of proof. Humans don't believe what they can't see so we need to show them something- anything."

"What is it you are looking for?" Sebastian asked skeptically, "You know your father has forbidden even the slightest hint of the human world after your disappearance. The only reason I am here is due to my assurance to him that I am restlessly searching for you."

Aaron stifled a scoff, should he return home he would be just as much a prisoner to his father's anger than he would be to the traitor's deal.

"I understand your hostility, young prince, but I feel you should know that your father, nor your sisters, have slept, eaten, or smiled for the days of your absence. They have all taken to the search, though the king will not permit another of his children past his walls out of fear. Despite what you may believe, you are missed."

The prince couldn't meet his eyes. He knew this, though he didn't want to worry for them; this was his passion. Once everything was settled, they could reunite under the wonders of their unity.

Emily spoke as if reading his mind, "All the more reason to hurry the process. I have no idea what we can do aside from shoving the proof in their faces, but would you happen to have any safer ideas? I don't want someone getting hurt in any of this and humans tend to attack what they don't understand."

Sebastian thought for a moment, "Perhaps there is a way," he mused, "Your father is the king correct?"

"Well yes, but my father is dead."

"My apologies, princess, I didn't know."

The human waved her hand, "It's alright it was years ago, but for now I am monarch saddled with 'advisors' until I marry."

"Would any of these 'advisors' be willing to help your cause if we could sway them?"

Emily shook her head, "None of them would find it worth their time to listen to me long enough to get close to the water to see anything," her voice was pompous and spoiled through her words, mocking the old men she was always at odds with.

Aaron snorted a bit of laughter until he schooled his face in time for Sebastian's glance at him; he then shook his head emotionlessly. Those old crones wouldn't leave their chairs for a fire.

Looking closely at the teens, Sebastian could all but feel the desperation he was feeling in himself. There had to be a way to get through to them, but if no one would go out of their way to believe..."We shall all consider this," he said finally gaining the attention of both heirs, "There is more than likely many options to consider, but the sun has decided the day is out. Come to this place early tomorrow and I will meet you as soon as I am able. We will figure this out."