Chapter 3: Ten Long Years (Pearl POV)

Although it didn't seem that way, time flew by, and before I knew it, I was no longer a child. I had reached womanhood, and Father was now trying to find me a suitable husband, and although I was not very keen on the idea to say the least, I knew it would be my duty as a Princess. Ariel had already been married to a merman named Peter-- one of the first suitors that had attempted to woo her; but, I, unlike my somewhat scatterbrained sister simply refused all the princes Father brought to the palace-- no matter what their status or station in society. After all, I was already in love with the boy named Erik, and I would do anything-- anything to receive his affection in return.

For ten long years, I had watched my secret love from afar; from a distance where I could see, but not be seen. I visited the surface at least three times a week just to catch a glimpse of him, for he always seemed to be out at the same time, walking with a large furry animal, or some of his companions. Whilst I was out doing the forbidden, my father, sisters, and citizens of our Kingdom thought that I was simply wandering through the sea, seeking refuge in abandoned ships or small underwater caves. No one had yet caught on that I had been imagining myself in Erik's arms; feeling his warm bare chest against me, and if anyone did find out, all hell would break loose, and to cover up the utter scandal, I would be forced into a marriage with someone that I did not love in a hurry.

And those ten long years had somehow gone by in a flash, and sometimes, I found it difficult to get from day to day; knowing that my Erik and I could not live and love together. Sometimes, I felt like lashing out, and simply killing myself in order to escape the intense feelings I felt whenever I saw him. After all, what was the point in living without love? Was there a life to live?

I stared at the mirror in front of me, and immediately frowned at the sight of my sad reflection. No one knew of my hidden pain, and no one knew that I was pining for something that simply could never be mine. No one knew that I had cried over him, as I watched him wander the beach with the girl I believed to be his sister. No one knew. No one knew, and no one could ever know these deep dark secrets of mine. No one could know that at this very moment, I had begun to seek help from all the magic-makers of the sea. No one knew that I sought a pair of legs and the ability to live without water protecting me at all times. No one knew that everyone I had asked had refused to help me, and had labeled me as mad-- no matter how much gold I offered them. I was crazy with longing. It was unhealthy, and yet it continued…

Dawn was steadily approaching, and this was the time when Erik usually ventured out to begin his long walks… I swam out of my bedroom, and after I had made completely sure that no one else was awake in the palace, stole out of the castle, and began swimming up towards the surface.
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My head broke free of the water, and I glanced around me; Erik was just coming out of his house with his sister. I smiled; I had arrived just in time. The water was choppy today, so he did not come as near to the water as he usually did, but watching him was just as thrilling and wonderful as it always was.

I stared at Erik, and sighed mournfully. Loving him was the most painful thing a creature could ever had experienced… He was growing handsomer and handsomer each time I saw him. Today he wore no shirt, and his tanned chest was exposed. I smiled at the sight of him… Each day I saw him, my heart was broken again. It was not meant to be, and it was unnatural to yearn for such a love to bloom.

I wanted him more than anything in the world. How could life be so utterly cruel? How could life have denied me the only thing I had ever wanted? What was the barrier between us, really? Could it not be crossed? Wasn't there a way…?I suddenly thought to myself, watching Erik and his sister walking. Morgana… I had heard the name whispered in secret many a time before, as had everyone else in the Kingdom. Supposedly, she was the most powerful witch in the entire ocean. If she could not perform the magic to help me, then no one could. I stole one final glance at Erik, and then dove back into the sea, determined to receive my wish.