I have changed the world. I only have one chapter. I have become…the norm…but here is a chapter nonetheless. Chapter 29 everyone!

Guest: …You have made a very good point…one I did not think of before. Well, I can't really say I didn't think about it. I just kind of saw a Stockholder's Syndrome play into it. Though, they never really bonded per say, but no one could really go 8 years without latching onto any sort of attention; especially for a kid. I probably should have explained that, but I guess I can find a way throw it in at the end somewhere. Thank you for mentioning that! I have a nasty habit of ignoring the facts that I can see in my mind forgetting that everyone else might not see it the same.

Thank you all for hanging on this long and I hope you continue to like my little tale!

Read. Review. Enjoy!


Picking up the Pieces

He could hear something of a struggle, but was too far away to really understand what was happening. Try as he might, he couldn't gather enough hope to convince himself that this could be his freedom; that it was even real. His emotions had faded until they did little more than ghost across his mind as opposed to a time when they dictated his movements and thoughts.

Silence fell in the distance bringing his clouded mind to a hint of curiosity, though he would do nothing to satiate the slight feeling. It wasn't until he saw bits of stone fall from the ceiling around his 'door' that his brain finally caught up to the fact that something strange was happening. He wasn't due for another visit for two more days. Still, he found he couldn't locate even the slightest sliver of care within him.

The stone was moved away to reveal a figure who was certainly not his master. The merman hesitated a moment, more than likely to adjust his eyes to the darkness, before entering slowly.

Aaron didn't bother reacting.

"Your majesty?" a voice called as if from far away and yet directly in front of him at the same time. It continued when he didn't answer, "Aaron, can you hear me?"

The boy found his head nodding before he recalled telling it to.

The newcomer's face changed a bit, but Aaron could not focus enough to interpret the expression before he was speaking again. "I am here to get you out. Your deal with Uriah has been destroyed; you are free."

There was hope in his voice; that the prince picked up on instantly. Raising his head slightly to look into the merman's eyes, the boy searched for any truth to his words, but any discovery was hampered by the ever-present collar he could feel weighing on his throat as the chain fastening him to the wall chinked a bit at the disturbed waters.

As if reading the prince's mind, the merman slowly brought his hand towards the chan. When Aaron didn't react, he began to fiddle with it until the magic Uriah had placed on the hook shifted just enough for him to disconnect it from the wall. From there, it was the simple matter of unlocking the collar from the boy's throat which only took a moment.

It was as if a door had been unlocked inside of the boy's mind. The moment the collar was laid into his lap, separated from his neck, he felt freedom rushing into him. Sebastian waited patiently as emotions flashed through his prince's eyes, but neither said a word until the initial shock had worn off.

Aaron looked at the slightly wrinkled guard as if he had not noticed his presence before now. A smile broke out on his face; far brighter than any Sebastian had seen since the boy was young. The expression was unthinkingly mirrored by the room's other occupant as he held out a calloused hand to the boy.

"Come," he said gently, "it is time we leave this place behind."

Wasting no more time, the prince carefully took the guard's hand and was slowly led out of the small cover. Twenty-two days he had been locked into that small space. Though he was unaware, his subconscious had been keeping a close track on the comings and goings of the creature who imprisoned him. Being out would have been overwhelming if not for the hand he held acting as a focus point for his scattering thoughts.

They moved slowly despite their desires to rush out of this horrible place, but nonetheless, they soon reached the large cavern where the entourage of guards, Atlantian monarchs, eels, and Uriah lay waiting, though it was fairly obvious that they did not wait in silence if the expressions marring the brothers' faces were anything to go by.

Reactions ranged from relieved to bitterly defeated by his presence, but he was too busy being trapped in the scalding eyes of his master to notice. His hand was tugged slightly, breaking off the stare-down and calling those wide, blue eyes away from the traitor to settle, instead, on the guard at his side. His presence was calming, though it did little to help him escape that glare.

"Arron…" one of his sisters called hesitantly, breaking him out of his emotional tidal-wave.

It was with the reminder of his name that he was able to break away from his fear. Casting an encouraging smile to the large group of girls, Aaron made a quick decision. It took more effort that he thought to break away from Sebastian's grounding hold, but the guard did not fight him on it. With the chain and collar still held tightly in his trembling grip, the lost prince bravely drifted closer to the creature who had taken him away all those years ago.

Time ticked by as the two stared at each other only a few feet apart, but eventually the intensity of the situation was destroyed with one move. Aaron held out the metal symbols with an empty expression, though his eyes shone with the defiance and strength Uriah had tried so long to break. Glancing at his king for permission, the guard entrapping one of the creature's hands let it go.

Uriah's eyes were nothing short of enraged as he met the prince's blue gaze. When he made no move to accept the offering, Aaron scowled a bit; his hand darting out to force him to take the chains before the traitor could even process the movement. Once he was relieved of the metal restraints, the boy gave the creature one last, hard look before turning his back.

Everyone had expected a shouting match or some form of argument between the traitor and their tempered prince, but- as fate would have it –the heavy silence Aaron's actions carried were all the more finalizing. Uriah was seething in anger as he lashed out as the prince's back, but he didn't get anywhere near the boy before several guards joined their comrades to restrain the beast.

Throughout the movement, Aaron didn't react until he had reached his family and personal guard who waited proudly across the cavern. It only took one glance toward Triton for both father and son to realize that, yes; it would take time to mend what was broken between them, but it could- and eventually would –be fixed. When truly by their side, he turned back and held the creature still with the same intense expression. Moments passed before the price's face broke into a smirk, though similar to the creature's, it was far more innocent than anything the beast could create.

With a simple turn of his lips, the prince had spoken more than words would express. For all the years he had been prisoner, he had not changed. He had adapted and learned through experience, but it did not tamper with the fire within him. By returning the chains, he proved- not only that he no longer feared the creature nor recognized him as an authority –but also that he knew the traitor would never have him again. No amount of deals or tricks would be enough to drag the prince back into these caves; it was only now that they both understood this.

Triton then used his trident to temporarily blind Uriah while they quickly left the cavern. As soon as everyone was cleared, the king created a barrier of thick, impenetrable ice to prevent the traitor and his pets from ever leaving his lair again. It was just as the barrier was completed that the creature threw himself against it in anger, screaming profanities and curses at them like knives. All of this, however, was ignored by their intended target as Aaron turned his back and swam away from the darkness.