Ariel was already fully dressed, and was waiting patiently for her sleeping husband to finally wake. If the news she was about to drop on Eric's poor ear drums didn't raise his interest in Hali, than nothing would. Finally, the antique mahogany grandfather clock, chimed, it's loud gongs filling the room. It was seven o'clock, time for the king and queen to begin their royal day.

Eric, rolled over, with a sleepy smile stretched across his face, and was surprised to find that his wife was already clothed, and sitting in a large arm chair near their balcony door.

"Ariel?" Eric teased, "You're up already? No bargaining, and pleading needed? But, it's a ritual!"

"Good morning, Eric," Ariel greeted dryly.

Her tone caused Eric to sit up in the king sized bed he shared his wife.

"Okay," he sighed, "what did I do now?"

"Nothing," Ariel shrugged, "Do you know where Hali is right now?"

"Not this again, Ariel," whined the king, "she's in Atlantica. We both know that."

"Hmm," Ariel went on, "how about Xavier? Where did he run of to?"

"I don't know," Snorted Eric, "and I don't care either. Not after, her broke poor Hali's heart, causing her to take off, get nearly killed by a pirate, and speed off to Atlantica with only a note. He can stay wherever he is, for all I care."

By this time, Eric had risen from bed, and began washing from a nearby water basin, in their chambers.

"Yes," Ariel pressed him, "but where would he most likely have gone? That's the question."

"I don't know," Eric shrugged, as he dried himself off as he spoke, "Xavier didn't even tell his own father he was leaving. I had to hire a temporary stable hand to help Marshall. Let me tell you that Marshall is none to happy with his son. If Xavier ever comes back, he is in for a world of trouble, that's for sure."

"He went after her, Eric!" Ariel finally blurted out.

Eric frowned, "after who?"

"Hali, Eric," she threw her arms up in the air, "he went after Hali."

"But how?" Eric was grasping his clean shirt by the sleeve, apparently forgetting he even held it."

"That's the part I don't understand," Ariel admitted, "But if he went to the wrong people, then that could mean trouble."

Eric shook his head, and finally threw his shirt over his back, and began buttoning it up, "How can you possibly know we went after her, Ariel? He probably just went back to France."

"Attina told me," Ariel declared in triumph.

"Attina told you that Xavier went down to Atlantica?" he clarified.

"Yes," Ariel smirked, for the good part was coming up next, "and that's not all she said, either."

"Okay, I'll bite," grinned Eric, "what else did Attina say?"

"Well..." Ariel gave an exaggerated sigh.

"Well, what?" asked the king, "we haven't got all day. I need to get to the study and look over some last minute paperwork that has to be sent out today."

"Attina said that Hali snuck out of the castle a few nights ago, and spent the night with Xavier."

Eric suddenly found himself from starting in a standing position, to ending seated on the edge of the bed. The king had no clue as to how this happened, but he suspected that his knees must have given out.

"What?" he whispered.

"Oh come on Eric, it isn't that serious, is it?"

"How can you say that?" Eric protested, "she's our baby. We can't allow her to behave so... unladylike."

"Really, Eric," Ariel was having a little too much fun, "they're going to get married anyway..."

Eric stood up forcefully, and Ariel noted that his face was looking slightly green.

"Are you suggesting that something," Eric paused as if the next few words, actually caused him physical pain, "that something inappropriate happened between them?"

"Oh no, Eric," Ariel comforted, "I don't think so, mainly because I don't think Xavier would even know how to use his new merman anatomy. I'm only saying, that if, on the off chance, something did happen, it wouldn't really matter, because they are going to get married eventually. And..."

"And what?" demanded her husband.

"And if Hali were to get pregnant, then they could always speed up the wedding."

At this last remark, Eric flopped backwards onto his bed, as if lying in his grave. Ariel forced herself to suppress a giggle.

"I'm going to kill him," Eric said in a dead calm, "really, I'm going to kill him. There's nothing you can do to stop me."

"You can't kill our daughter's fiancee, Eric," Ariel chided, "it isn't justified."

"Not justified!" Eric shrieked, "Ariel, I want to to go down to Atlantic immediately, and retrieve Hali this instant."

That's when Ariel's smile faded. She had been using Eric for her own sadistic games, only waiting for him to reveal some sort of reaction to the news of his youngest daughter's activities. What Ariel should have done, was skip that part of the story, as it wasn't important at all. Hali was once again, looking danger in its face, and ere she was playing senseless games. Ariel felt guilty. As guilty as a horrible mother and wife could feel. Suddenly, Ariel burst into unbridled tears, and Eric was left completely baffled.

"Ariel?" Eric asked concerned, "what's wrong. I'm sorry. Just please stop crying. You know, that I can't stand to see you cry."

Eric stopped to wipe a tear from his wife's cheek, "What's wrong, love? You can tell me."

"Eric, I'm s-sorry," sobbed Ariel, "I have to t-tell you something."

"Tell me what, love?"

"H-Hali i-is..."

"Hali is what?" Eric questioned, putting a protective arm around his wife.

"Adelaide was k-kidnapped, and..."

"Ariel?" Eric said sternly, "what are you talking about?"

"Adelaide was kidnapped by, M-Murkens, and Hali left to go rescue her. She could be in d-danger, and Attina says daddy isn't f-feeling well again. And there's nothing I can do."

Just then, there was a loud knock on the door, which infuriated Eric.

"Your majesties," a male servant asked, "have you risen yet?"

"Go away!" Eric bellowed towards the doors.

"But," the servant hesitantly began, "the postmaster general is waiting for the paper work, you still have yet ot overlook."

"Well," snapped, Eric, "the paper work is going to have to wait. Now, go away!"

Eric heard the servant's footsteps retreat, and he returned his attention to his wife, who was still crying freely.

"Ariel," his voice was gentle, as he brushed Ariel's thick red hair aside, "maybe you should go down to Atlantic, and see your family."

"I can't leave, M-Melody and..."

Eric grabbed the face of his wife, and kissed her softly, "You're right, Ariel. Stay here, and help look after Melody. I'm going to attend to that paperwork quickly, and then see about sending a message to Atlantica."

Ariel nodded, and sniffled, but she didn't say a word. Eric offered her his pocket handkerchief.

"In the mean time, why don't you get some rest," began the king, "I'll send Nina to look after Melody and..."

"Okay, Eric," sniffed Ariel, as she climbed back into bed, still fully dressed.

Eric left the room, and gently closed the door behind him. Once outside the bedchambers, the kind shook his head, in dismay. This was going to be a miserable couple of days, for everyone.

Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah

I was going to continue this chapter, switching to a scene with Hali and the others, but who knows how long the chapter would have ended up being? So, I suppose it is going to have to wait until next time.

Oh, what Ariel did to Eric about Hali and Xavier really was sadistic, wasn't it? But it was still funny! No wonder Eric wanted to kill Xavier? Any father would, right?

Hmm... twice in this chapter, the sentence, "Melody and...", was cut off. Once by Ariel, the other time, by Eric. Why is that, do you think? Huh, it's a mystery to me!

Have a happy thanksgiving!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me,

xJadeRainx