AN: chapter 37/38/39

Chapter 37

The Start of the Ball

Ariel played with her hands as the ball room came to a silence. "Are you alright dear?" Her father asked beside her. Ariel sighed softly.

"Yes father. Just a little nervous is all." Triton smiled at his daughter.

"Here," he said as he snapped his fingers and a maid appeared with a box. The maid handed it to Ariel.

"What's this?" Ariel asked looking at the box.

"Well I can see your mother has already given you her gift," Triton said pointing at the silver tiara placed in Ariels hair. "So it is only fair if I give you mine, go on open it." Ariel smiled and tugged on the kelp ribbon. She lifted the lid off and gasped.

"Oh father its beautiful," she said teary eyed. Triton chuckled as he pulled the green wired mask from the box and tied it to Ariel's face.

"I'm glad you think so."

Ariel smiled and touched her mask. "Thank you daddy," she said to her farther as she swam up and placed a kiss on his cheek. Triton smiled and pattered Ariel's hands.

"Happy birthday dear, now let's get to your party shall we?" Ariel smiled and latched arms with her farther.

"And now, introducing, King Triton and his daughter Princess Arielena!" The guard called as Ariel and Triton swam out into the ballroom. The trumpets roared. An explosion of colourful kelp filed the water along with the cheers of every merman and mermaid in the room. Ariel smiled kindly at each of the strangers as she passed through with her father towards the thrown seated at the far end of the ballroom. Triton thanked Ariel as they reach his thrown. Ariel bowed and made her way to her chair next to Adella on her father's right side. The cheers of mer-people quieten as they waited to hear what their king had to say.

"Thankyou friends near and far for coming here to celebrate my youngest daughter's birthday," Triton said loud and clear, "but, mermen, be out tonight as she will be picking her husband tonight, but beside that everyone please enjoy the party!" With that mermen and mermaids started dancing to the wonderful music that filled the water. Lots of mermen went to Ariel to ask for her hand for a dance but Ariel declined them politely. Not far watching her were Cindy and Eric.

"When will it happen brother?" Cindy asked Eric as she watched the merpeople dance.

"Not quite yet Cindy, after all we do have his brother. But you can start on your side of the plan," Eric said as he gave Cindy an understanding look.

Cindy smiled, "good, I have had my eye on him for a while now. I'll see you soon?"

"I will call for you, now go" Eric said with a nod. With that Cindy swam off in the direction Jim was in.

Chapter 38

Finding Out the Sad Truth

"Jim, I am getting worried," Belle confessed as she searched for Dimitri in the crowd of dancing merpeople.

"I know Belle, keep looking," Jim said as he looked around too. Belle sighed and looked behind Jim, her eyes widen.

"Uh Jim we have company," she said pointing past him. Jim turned to see Cindy was swimming there way.

"Ugh great," Jim groaned. He looked around and found a free spot to dance. He took a hold of Belles hand.

"Jim what-"

"Come on Belle dance with me," Jim said as he swam off with Belle to the place he spotted leaving a very cross Cindy.

"What is this trying to archive?" Belle asked as Jim twirled her around.

"To archive Cindy from dancing with me," Jim said as his eyes searched the room.

"What are you looking for?" Belle asked as she looked in the direction Jim was looking.

"Sea monkey," he simply replied back.

Belle giggled behind her hand, "is that Ariel's nick name?"

Jim rolled his eyes playfully as he dipped Belle, she faced the ceiling. "So what?" Jim asked as he looked her in the eyes.

"Nothing," Belle said avoiding eye contact as she shrugged. Jim picked her up again. "It's just cute."

"Right, well when you see a red headed mermaid, tell me," Jim chuckled as he pulled Belle close looking over her shoulder.

"Alright, alright I'll help. You better keep an eye out for Dimitri though," Belle said over his shoulder.

"Of course I will. He's my brother," Jim said as they spun around. Belle pulled him at shoulders length to look him in the eye.

"I thought you only said that to get past Eric?"

Jim looked at her, "what? We are really brothers."

Belle averted eye contact, "he never really spoke about you," she said quietly.

"What?" Jim asked confused.

"It's true, I wonder why he never told me," Belle asked as she twirled out of Jim's arms again.

"Wait. When did you guys get together?" Jim asked her when she was close to him again.

"Hmm a year ago, why?" Jim stopped dancing and let Belle go. "Jim, what's wrong?"

"A year ago I was dead," Jim said woefully. "That's why he never told you." He then swam off leaving Belle. She was soon swept up by another merman to dance with.

Chapter 39

Believe Me Sea Monkey

Ariel looked out at the crowed. She couldn't identify anyone because of their masks. Ariel gave up with a heavy sigh as she slumped further down in her seat. More mermen arrived to ask her to dance but she simply said no and they moved on. "Ariel you're being so selfish!" Adella cried next to her as she watched the mermen swim away like it was her pray. Ariel rolled her eyes. It was like Adella to say that. She never liked it when any other of her sisters got more attention from mermen then her. Ariel smiled as a merman with huge looking glasses and buck teeth swam up to her and asked her to dance. Ariel smiled kindly at the merman then pointed to her sister.

"No thank you, but my sister would love a dance." The mermen smiled as he took Adella's hand. Before Adella left she gave Ariel a deathful stare. Ariel only waved her sister off and giggled behind her hand. Triton chuckled to himself as he watched his devilish daughter hand off a merman to her sister.

"She's very much like you Triton," Athena said to her husband.

Triton turned to his wife, "what do you mean?" Athena only smiled at her confused King.

"She's waiting for the one she loves. Now why don't you go dance with her, I'm sure she will get her head cleared by then." Before Triton could deny Athena pushed him off his throne. Triton fixed up his crown before he swam to Ariel. Ariel didn't seem to notice him as he stood beside her.

"May I have this dance?" Ariel jumped at her father's voice. She turned to meet Tritons held out hand, she smiled.

"Of course Daddy," she said as she took his hand. Triton smiled and twirled his daughter into his arms. The dancing mermen and mermaids made way for the King and princess. Triton and Ariel reached the middle of the dance floor. The lights in the room dimed as a spot light shined on them. Then the music started to play. Ariel followed her father as he led her into a dance. Jim sighed as he watched his sea monkey dance with her father.

"My isn't she beautiful?" Finn asked next to him.

Jim smiled, "yeah she is."

"You know Jim, you could go ask if you could take over," Finn said as he raised his hand to his chin.

Jim spun around to look at him, "what?"

"Well it's the most royal way and if you seems worthy to Triton, he will hand her over if she seems fits it or not." Finn said with a smile, he then pointed over to the other side, "can't you see Eric is waiting for his chance?" Jim looked off where he was pointing. He was right Eric was waiting his cue. "And there are others waiting to make the first move too," Finn said retrieving his hand, "but the first is going to be you."

"How?" Jim asked desperately. Finn smiled.

"Like this," he then pushed Jim out in front. Jim was in front of the crowed. He watched as mermen's faces went dark with envy. He then spotted Finn who was giving him thumbs up. Jim looked over to the dancing princess and king. Jim nodded his head slightly and made his way over. Triton waited for Eric to pat him on the shoulder but when somebody did it wasn't Eric. Triton watched the merman who had pat him under his silver mask he turned to his daughter.

"Do you deem him worthy?" He asked her. Ariel swam past him still holding his hand and studied the merman, her eyes light up. She turned to her father.

"I do." Triton smiled and nodded.

"Very well," He grabbed the merman's hand and placed it on Ariels. "My daughter has chosen!" Triton announced as he raised the couples hand over his head. Roars of cheers filled the ball room. Triton pushed the two together and announced they should dance. Triton exited the dance floor with a smile as the music begun once more.

"You are pleased?" Athena asked as he took his seat.

"Very," he replied.

"Good, because you had ripped her from her original lover to marry a merman down here, but things will mend themselves in good time," Athena said as she rose form her throne.

"Athena?" Triton asked as he begun to sit up.

"Good night Triton. I cannot watch and more of this. Things will get ugly," and with that she left the ball room.

Ariel smiled up at the merman she was dancing with, "it has taken you this long to ask for my hand for a dance, why?"

Jim smiled, "I had to make sure you would pick me," he said as he dipped her.

"Why wouldn't I pick you prince Taran?" Ariel asked with a smile.

"Well princess Arielena, you are full of surprises."

Ariel smiled gleefully "that I am." They both laughed as they dance but little did they know their laughter would be soon uprooted. Someone ripped Jim from Ariel, it was Belle.

"Belle?" Jim asked as he stared at her. Her hair was a complete mess. Her mask was gone and she had blood tricking down her mouth. The cloth tied around her waist was ripped. Ariel gasped as she looked at Belle's state.

"What happened?" She asked as she hugged Jim's arm tightly. Belle took a hold of Jim's free hand desperately.

"Jim, they have Dimitri," she cried. Jim felt Ariel let go of his arm.

Ignoring Ariel Jim turned to Belle, "whose got him Belle, who?" But before she could reply she passed out. "Belle? Belle!" Jim cried as he tried to shake her awake. He then heard a chuckle from behind him. Jim turned with Belle in is arms and saw Eric holding Ariel's shoulder. The look on her face made his heart clench. It was a face of complete betrayal.

"Well, well Jim at last we met eh?" Eric chuckled. Jim clenched his teeth as Eric snapped his fingers and four guards appeared. Two of them took Belle from his arms while the other two struggled to keep Jim at bay. Jim fought back with all his might but he couldn't get free, the guards were too strong. He heard Eric chuckle again. When he looked up Eric snatched the mask from Jim's face. Jim roared in pain as Eric's nail cut him on the cheek below his left eye.

"Eric!" King Triton boomed from his throne. Eric rolled his eyes as he turned to face his king.

"Yes sire?"

"What is the meaning of this!?" Triton boomed as he stood up not moving from his throne. Eric sighed heavily as he pointed to Jim.

"It is the human that killed Attina! Sire! It is Jim!" The crowed gasped as they heard the truth. Triton took a moment to think.

"What makes you think this?" He asked. Jim watched as Eric thought, but out of his own stupidity he replied himself.

"I am your majesty," Jim simply said as he did the guards swam backwards away from him as did most of the mer-people. The only ones left so close in front of him were Ariel and Eric. "But I didn't kill your sister," Jim desperately said teary eyed as he watched Ariels face turn to horror. He swam towards Ariel, but Eric stood in is way. "And I didn't kill Flounder or Finn Ariel," Jim continued pretending Eric was not there. "They are in this very room," Jim said as he spun around, "but they probably aren't due to Eric." Ariel watched Jim. Her tears were caught in the waves.

"Who are you?" She asked. Jim sighed heavily.

"I am spaceman, and if you can't remember that, then you don't remember our love. I was gone Ariel, I know, but you weren't meant to think I was dead. I was on missions with your family saving princesses, damsels in distress. And when I had you back they took you away from me."

"Away from where?" Ariel asked as she swam closer.

Jim smiled woefully to her, "away from the human world. I took you there, you loved it and you loved me."

"Why should she believe you? You killed her family!" Eric said in his ear but Jim only ignored him.

"Believe me, sea monkey," was all he said. Ariel gasped, she had heard those words before.

"Guards! Take him away!" The king called as he did Jim was taken by the same guards as before and taken away. "Eric!" Triton called. Eric bowed facing his king.

"Yes sire?"

"You will marry Ariel."

"No!" Ariel cried after her father. "I will not be married off!"

"You will and that's final!" Triton yelled back.

"No!" Ariel cried as she flung the tiara and mask from her body. "I give up my place in the Kingdom!" Triton watched in disbelief as Ariel swam through on of the ballrooms windows ripping out her hair as she left. Her tiara and mask floated slowly to the sand floor leaving the ball to a standstill.