Chapter 11

"Setting up a Barricade"

The sudden news that the Russians were on their way to the Crimea immediately had sent the three allied fleets of Denmark, Britain and Free France into a moment of obscene chaos. But, it was a good chaos knowing that a blockade of the Russians route to Crimea would certainly cripple or even destroy the most evil fleet in Europe next to the French Fleet that was loyal to Napoleon.

Arriving at the docks, the Danish royal family along with Adam, Belle and John boarded the HMS Victory while the rest of the sailors got into rowboats and rowed over to their respective ships. Once they all aboard, the combined fleets would gather together to form a barricade, preventing the Russians from advancing any further to the Crimea.

"I'm sorry we had to do this," said Eric to Ariel as they boarded the ship. "But, we had to take this opportunity."

Ariel didn't mind it at all, however she could tell that Eric really didn't want to fight the Russians now, given that they were in the middle of a celebration. However, she had to understand that Eric did have a choice: either continue with the celebration welcoming Adam and Belle and let the Russians near the Crimea where an invasion would most certainly happen or set up a blockade and stop a potential invasion.

"You did what have to be done," said Ariel. "If daddy knew that invaders were coming to Atlantica, he would have had done the same thing. The lives of people are more important than such a silly celebration."

"I wouldn't exactly call it silly," remarked Adam as he loaded his pistols for the impending battle. "We are just trying to prevent an invasion and we know Eric, how protective I am of my property and those who are close to me."

This gave Eric a thought that he didn't know something that was important of his friend, something that Adam never even told him nor Ariel.

"Actually Adam," asked Eric. "Are you planning to assume the throne of France or something?"

"You are a good guesser," chuckled Adam. "I am trying to get the crown back after our country's revolution. It is important to maintain tradition in our country, but these ruffians want to bring France into a dark age and I can't have that."

"So, why come to my aide instead of facing Napoleon?" wondered Eric. "Isn't he much more important than our situation?"

"Actually, this is much more important, Eric," remarked Adam as several of the British and French admirals walked in. "If the Russians ally with Napoleon, then Europe is doomed. We are trying to contain a cancer that is destined to weaken and ultimately destroy a whole assortment of kingdoms including our own."

The admirals that had walked into the room took these matters to heart much to Adam and Eric's surprise. They were going to do whatever it took to prevent a partnership between Russia and Napoleon's France whatever it took.

Meanwhile, Ariel had made her way down to the HMS Victory's chapel and several of the soldiers stationed on the Victory had already started praying for their survival in the impending conflict. Much like Trafalgar and Ortega, Ariel and Melody were going to be leading soldiers both wounded and not wounded in prayer. Only this time, Belle was going to be with them.

"You seem to really take this seriously, Ariel," remarked Belle. "My mother was just like you when I lived in that small provincial town."

"It helps me get through difficult times ever since I became human and married Eric," replied Ariel, sighing heavily. "Most importantly, we have support from God to protect us from harm. I've been taught that if you believe and pray hard enough, then God will listen to you."

"Do you think he will listen?" asked Belle. "I mean, God hears all my prayers sometimes, but not all of them. When I was trapped in Adam's castle, I turned to God for help in making me see my purpose of why I was there to begin with."

The memories of Adam as the beast were still fresh in Belle's mind, even though it had been several years since Adam's curse was broken. She could still remember when she saw Adam as a beast, a creature that looked like he came from hell to take her from this Earth. Then, as time went on, Belle could remember God coming to her aide when Adam was at death's door telling her that if she told him that she loved him, then Adam wouldn't die and the curse would be lifted.

"I can see what you mean," said Belle. "God knows me ever since I was a little girl and even though I love to read, the Bible is my favorite out of all the books I have ever read."

Belle then walked down the aisle and up to the altar, placing her hand on the bible, before looking up at the cross bearing Jesus. It seemed that Belle was talking to God in that moment, asking for him to protect them all in the ensuing battle.

"I hope that God is listening to her," thought Ariel as she walked down and sat in a chair, watching Belle pray. "We need to have strength against the enemy."

Ariel then looked over to see Melody standing in the doorway talking with John, who was just about to join Eric, Adam and the other admirals on the deck. Seeing her only daughter with the man that she was in love with, made Ariel once again think about her mortality and whether or not she nor Eric would survive the impending battle that was about to take place.

"I hope that this battle is quick and decisive," said Melody to her lover.

"You are not the only one who thinks that," replied John. "Before I forget, there is something that I need to tell you and it is something that had been on my mind for so long."

John reached into his pocket and was just about ready to pull out the ring that he would use to ask Melody's hand in marriage. However, before he could even do so, John stopped and pulled his hand out. In his mind, this wasn't neither the time nor the place to ask such a question, especially with the enemy about to cross paths with them.

"Actually, this is probably not the best time to do so," he finally said, taking his hand out of the pocket, much to Melody's dismay. "All I can ask you to do is pray for victory."

"John, wait!" cried Melody, as John kissed her on the cheek and took off running. "What did you want to ask me? Wait!"

But, before Melody could say another word, John was already out of sight and she was left to pray with her mother and the Princess of Free France. The move left her bewildered and shocked adding an already heavy workload on her mind.

"There was something he must have wanted to ask me," thought Melody. "I just wish he could tell me what it was."

However, Melody couldn't think for very long as she knew that the Russians were getting more and more closer to them and the battle that would change the history of the Danish empire would so begin…