Back in her room the only thought on Ariel's mind was Eric. She put on a simple light green dress with white sleeves and a dark green bodice.
"Ariel!" Carlotta barged into the door, startling her. "Your food is on the table, dear. Come now." She walked away in a hurry. Carlotta always seemed to be running around the palace frantically. Ariel brushed her hair quickly and ran down the steps, she knew Eric would be there waiting for her- he always was.
As she slowly walked into the dining room she noticed two plates covered by silver chargers. She smiled to herself, thankful Eric had not yet had his lunch. She ate her salad quietly, wondering when Eric would arrive. Everyone at the palace knew she would never eat fish or seafood, so she ate vegetables and breads. She adored the cheeses and sweet desserts. Carlotta walked over with a pitcher of water.
"Carlotta, where is Eric?" Ariel asked as Carlotta poured water in her cup.
"He is out, dear. You know men. They're always off doing some thing or another. His many adventures," Carlotta watched Ariel's expression frown. "Besides, you have many things to do today. You must be measured with the seamstress."
"Again?" Ariel exclaimed.
"Yes, again! You can't be wearing those same ol' dresses you've been wearing the last few days," Carlotta insisted. "Also, there is a festival in town today. A royal box is reserved for the Prince and his court, you are expected to go and look your best."
"A festival? Eric told me about those." Ariel's eyes lit up, "Will he be there?"
"I- really can't say, child," Carlotta placed her hand on Ariel's shoulder. "Sometimes Eric wanders off for days without a word, then comes back unannounced."
Ariel felt her heart sink, did he no longer want to see her? As soon as Carlotta exited the room, she lost her appetite and moved her fork around her plate. Hearing a different set of footsteps that were not Carlotta's, she straightened herself up in her chair and ran fingers through her waves of red hair by her shoulders. As the person made his way out of the darkened area of the dining room and into the light, Ariel realized it was not Eric at all.
"Oh, hello, Grimsby," she said with a light smile.
Grimsby did not say a word, he pulled out his long chair and took a seat across from her. He neatly placed his napkin on his lap and uncovered his meal.
"Grimsby, have you seen Eric?" she asked the aged, pale man. She watched as Grimsby took a bite of his food, chewed it slowly and swallowed. He made no effort to speak as he took a sip of wine and placed his cup back on the table. Ariel was unsure of what to do, she wondered why he was behaving so coldly. "Is there something going on?" she demanded, with a slight quiver in her voice.
"You're still here?" Grimsby replied cooly. He lifted his napkin, dabbed the corners of his mouth and placed it back onto his lap. "You're not the first, you know. The prince gets carried away a bit at first but then soon loses his fancy." Grimsby paused a moment and fixed his posture in his chair. "Did you think you were special?"
Ariel felt a lump forming in her throat as her heart beat rapidly. She felt her face become warm and felt tears fill up her eyes. With shaky hands she set down her fork and abruptly rose from her chair- making a loud screeching sound against the marble floor. She walked away quickly down the hall to the main foyer and up the stairs to her bedroom.
The nerve of Grimsby treating her that way! But worse of all, what if it's true. What if Eric didn't love her? What if he never did? She looked out at the sun shining on the sea from her window. She had given up so much for him, now it could be days before she saw him again. And why was no one telling her what was going on?
Ariel felt warm tears rolling down her eyes. She curled up by the large window buried her head in her knees and sobbed.
It was mid afternoon before Carlotta barged into her room again.
"There you are! You were supposed to be meeting with the seamstress. You have no idea what the woman puts me through. She claimed you were not in the dining room, then instead of letting me know, she simply goes off to do other things. This entire time I-" Carlotta stopped speaking, realizing Ariel was facing away in bed and had not reacted. "Are you ok, dear?" She sat by Ariel on the side of the bed. Ariel sat up, weary eyed and heartsick.
"I am just worried," Ariel murmured. "What if Eric doesn't want me anymore?"
"Oh, no, child," Carlotta reached for Ariel and placed her head on her own shoulder. "He cares about you. He really does."
"Is it true? Have there been other women?"
"Who told you that?" Carlotta questioned. Ariel didn't say a word. Carlotta stroked the back of Ariel's head . "There have been others, yes. Wonderful girls, polite girls with great class and great etiquette- many princesses. Yet, I've never seen him look at any of them the way he looks at you."
"Really?" Ariel raised her head, she wanted to tear up again but held back.
"Of course. You and him share the same passion and he sees that in you," Carlotta said, cupping Ariel's chin. "Where did you get an idea like that anyway?" she asked.
"Grimsby sai-" Ariel started before Carlotta cut her off.
"Oh! Ignore him! That old fart." Carlotta's expression made Ariel giggle quietly. "The festival has already started and you really must look your best if you're sitting in the royal box." Carlotta rose up and pulled Ariel onto her feet.
"Will you be there?" Ariel asked.
"Yes, of course! I would never miss it. There is a dress waiting for you with the seamstress. I am going to send her in. A carriage leaves in a half hour. Please try to have lifted spirits. Do not concern yourself with sour-grapes Grimsby," Carlotta huffed halfway out the door.
As Carlotta turned the corner toward the steps, a tall lanky figure appeared out of the shadows of the castle, frightening her.
"You really need to stop doing that," Carlotta exhaled in relief, clutching her chest.
"What is it you're doing, is the question," Grimsby hissed.
"Oh, calm down. Eric loves her. You see the way he is around her." Carlotta started walking down a long corridor, Grimsby walked beside her.
"She is not from royal blood."
"But she is! She-" Carlotta started in a tiff.
"Nonsense. Do you really believe this princess mermaid story?"
"I- I don't know what I believe. But I don't care. She is a sweet girl and she makes Eric happy. She saved him, you know!"
"Allegedly," Grimsby retorted.
"Uhf! You make me so angry," Carlotta stopped dead in her tracks and took a hold of Grimsby's wrist, "You mess this up for Eric and I will never forgive you! You old beanstalk!"
The small, stout woman had a stern look in her eyes and her pointer finger inches from his face. She released him, "Now hurry off and get ready. I don't want to talk about this again. First Louie is going crazy, then Eric disappears now you're acting nuts- I just can't deal with all you men." Carlotta went off muttering down the hallway. Of course, Grimsby had other plans in mind.
It was not long before the tiny old seamstress appeared at her door, muttering something. She carried with her a beautiful sparkling light blue gown with long sleeves and puffy shoulders.
"Oh, thank you!" she gleamed with excitement once the dress was on a few moments later. She began to waltz around her room, gliding from corner to corner pretending it was her prince.
"Try not to move around in it too much, you'll soil it!" the old woman warned harshly and walked away. Once she was alone Ariel leaned against the window frame as she faced the sea and and sighed.
"Eric, where are you?"
Man, I thought Grimsby was a nice guy?!
The festival was better than anything Ariel had imagined. There were people of all shapes, sizes and colors; music, dancing, food, performers and so many new things she had never seen before. She stared at everything in amazement, wanting to take it all in at once. The carriage ride with Carlotta and Grimsby was an uncomfortable one and she felt glad to finally arrive.
As soon as she was helped down from the carriage, Ariel disappeared into the sea of colorful excitement, leaving them both of her chaperones behind her. Parisian acrobats were in town and putting on a show. A long red carpet lead the way from the royal box down a brick path and up the wide stairs of the stage. There were a few contortionists bending about backward, forward and in pretzel shapes. There were food vendors selling all kinds of pastries and cheeses. One man handed Ariel a danish and bowed.
"Oh, thank you!" She thanked him cheerfully, "I have no money."
"It's my pleasure," he smiled with a wink. His gesture made others around stop and stare. Everyone else was dressed in plain clothing while she wore a sparkling, layered ball gown- she knew she stuck out like a sore thumb. She ate her small danish timidly, looking at everything there was to do and anxious to start.
Two clumsy men had an act going where one would slap the other and get very upset. The two men would fight and bicker while a very little person would hit them both in the face with pies. People, mostly children, roared in laughter. It made Ariel giggle a bit.
"That's the mermaid princess!" Ariel overhead a few ladies whisper and giggle to each other. She looked around at everyone's curious reactions. She didn't seem to mind them, they knew nothing about her. Of course they would be naturally curious.
Suddenly from behind the stage's curtain a light shined and what looked like the shadow of a giant crab appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen there is now going to be a change in music." a deep caribbean-like voice spoke. Ariel knew that voice anywhere.
"Sebastian!" she shrieked as an upbeat calypso tempo began to play. The entire crowd stopped and stared at the stage, they had never heard music like that before. Ariel was the first to start moving. She moved her feet and shook her hips to the music, dancing her way to the center of the crowd. People watched in amusement, she looked like she was having so much fun.
"Come on. It's easy!" Ariel shouted pulling a young girl out to the center, getting her to move from side to side. She then lead an older man who was tapping his foot. "See? You can do it!" she cheered. She gathered more and more people to join in on her calypso moves. She shimmied her shoulders from side to side and moved her feet to the beat while Sebastian's voice bellowed over the entire town. Soon the contortionists, performers and townspeople were all dancing and singing along to the catchy chorus.
Ariel had lost track of how much time had gone by, she was too busy singing and dancing. She started to wind down and make her way out of the crowd. She felt winded and sweaty and could use a small break. She walked from shop to shop, looking in the windows at the many things they had on display. Things she was yet to know the name of, some she recognized and others she had never seen before. She wondered what each would be used for.
Out of the corner of her eye Ariel noticed a person looking in her direction. She turned her neck and locked eyes from across the crowd with the almond shaped gray eyes from her bath that morning. It was Greta, out of her uniform and black hair no longer up in a bun, but down her back to her waist. Greta smiled at Ariel and lifted a hand to greet her. Ariel, expressionless, spun around quickly away from Greta- walking right into an arrangement of flowers, knocking them all to the ground
"Oh, no! I am so sorry," Ariel said to the flower vendor, a young brown skinned woman with short brown hair cut shoulder length.
"It's ok," the woman said as she bent over to pick up the flowers. Ariel helped her collect them all and placed them back in the basket.
"You look very familiar," Ariel fixed her eyes on the woman and wondered. "What is your name? Gabri-"
"Camellia," the young woman responded shyly.
"I'm Ariel," Ariel extended her hand the way Eric showed her. Camellia looked down at the ground with a bashful grin. "I'll really pay for these, I promise."
"It's ok, mermaid princess," Camellia said softly. Ariel looked disappointed.
"Oh- Do you also think it's not true?"
"No, no!" the woman reassured her. "I do believe!" she enthused with sincere eyes. She leaned in closely to Ariel and whispered "I've seen them before. You know, merpeople."
"Have you?!" Ariel took a hold of Camellia's hands. "That's wonderful!"
Camellia started to speak again but stopped and looked behind Ariel, then at the ground again. Ariel turned to see Greta standing patiently behind her. The two only looked at each other with no words to say.
"Ariel! Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!" Carlotta appeared from out of the crowd and huffed over. She took a hold of Ariel's wrist and lead her through the crowd to the royal box where she belonged.
The box contained two wooden seats with long detailed backs carved from old mahogany wood. Ariel sat in the smaller of the two, looked over at the empty chair and sighed. She had forgotten about all her worries for a brief moment out there in the crowd. She wished desperately Eric could be there with her. The sun was no longer visible and the sky turned a deep orange color.
The music stopped abruptly and there was a loud commotion on the stage where Sebastian sang. A large, pompous man in a white chef hat fell forward, pulling the curtain along with him and causing a few acrobats to dash out of the way.
"Louis!" was all that was heard Carlotta shout followed by laughter from the crowd.
"Alright, alright!" A loud booming voice came from behind the stage. A very tall, thin man appeared in a Jester costume, but wearing a purple top hat. "I would like everyone to please clear the red carpet. The carpet is now part of the stage," he announced. People moved about quickly following the man's orders. Children gathered near the edges of the carpet and some were raised on their father's shoulders for a better view.
"Lights, please!" All the lights in the festival went off and everything went dark a moment. After a loud explosion bright white lights lined the red carpet and the edges of the stage. Everyone watched and clapped in awe. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, coming to you from the far east, we have have the Mao the Incredible!"
A tiny oriental man walked onto the stage and waved. A group of men quickly arranged several large items for him. The small man at first tried to carry the items but then just balanced them on one hand. Stacking object after object one on top of the other. He finished his act by removing his hand and catching the stacked items of furniture on one finger with his other hand. Everyone clapped and cheered him on. Ariel also clapped wildly. Suddenly he slipped on a banana peel and the objects all came tumbling down upon him.
"How unfortunate! Mao the Incredible, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer clapped, "Good thing we're insured!"
The act was followed by a few more tricks, a group of mines performed a humorous skit, followed by acrobatic tricks. Some performers would walk down the red carpet, showing off their grand finale in front of Ariel and walk back. Some acts were absolutely breathtaking, making Ariel gasp in fear or laugh until her sides hurt.
The announcer appeared on stage yet again, this time wearing a pirate's costume. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, for the last number in our act we will need to bring back my lovely assistant, Lola!"
The men cheered and whistled as the beautiful Lola reappeared in a red bodied corset, stockings and a large red feather in her headband. The crowd gasped as he threw swords at her curvy figure against a wooden board.
"It is now time for the Lovely Lola to say goodbye," he cried. He lead Lola inside a standing box, closed the door and recited a weird chant. A blast of red smoke hit the stage, when the smoke was gone so was Lola. The crowd cheered, hooting and whistling as loudly as possible.
"Before I go, great people of- wherever this is! I forgot to do one more thing. But this time I will need a member from the audience!" People's hands shot straight up. Children were jumping up and down on the pavement. A spot light appeared over the crowd and zig zagged over their heads in search for someone. Ariel followed the light intensely, she was anxious to see who the light would pick. She realized the light was no longer moving when her torso seemed the shine. The light had stopped brightly on her face, blinding her a moment. She shielded her eyes with her tiny wrist.
"Ah ha!" the announcer boomed, "Come! Come!"
"Go!... Get up there mermaid princess!" A few voices from the crowd cheered Ariel on. The guard standing at the door of the box stepped aside to let Ariel pass. She walked down the red carpet slowly and with a big smile on her face as people tried to catch a look at the mermaid princess. She stepped up on stage with the help of the announcer.
"And what is your name, Ginger?"
"Ginger?" Ariel asked.
"Red," the announcer retorted.
"Ariel."
"Ah ha! Ariel!" he shouted. The crowd clapped. "Now, Ariel," he said with a devilish grin. "Did I mention to you that I am an IMPOSTOR! And you will be my booty!" He quickly grabbed a hold of her wrists and tied her hands behind her back. "Play along," he whispered in her ear when he noticed her become frightened. She tried to run away.
"You're not going anywhere!" he screamed. He lead her over to a platform and hooked her wrists to metal knob. As he continued to panic the crowd, Ariel felt a metal crank behind the curtain being turned as she rose in the air by her feet. To the audience it looked as if she were floating.
"Who dare saves the mermaid princess, Ariel?" the announcer roared.
"I do!" a voice shouted firmly from behind the crowd. Ariel squinted her eyes to make out the person, but it was no use. The stage lights were too bright.
"Help! Help me!" she played along. The sounds of a horse galloping grew louder down the red carpet. The crowd gasped and cheered in support of the stranger. Ariel saw only but the figure of a tall man dismount a horse and walk up the stairs.
"Ariel!" Although she could not see the man, the voice was much too familiar to her.
"Eric!" Ariel couldn't contain her excitement, she beamed from ear to ear.
Eric drew his sword and went on to have a mock sword fight with the pirate. Once Eric stabbed the pirate, a red ribbon of blood shot out of his chest and he dropped to the ground. The crowd cheered some more while Eric egged them on. He slid his sword back at his waist and looked up at her.
"Jump, princess," he shouted, holding his arms out at her.
"Jump! Jump!" The crowd joined in. Ariel jumped eagerly, dropping into his arms. He gently placed her on the ground and untied her wrists.
"Eric!" she cried and embraced him. He held her tightly to him. He had missed having her in his arms. Eric took her hand and lifted it up in the air with his, the crowd cheered some more. Ariel noticed the prince was wearing his formal white royal suit and blue pants. He lifted a hand up to the audience palm forward as he waited for silence.
"Now that I have rescued the fair maiden, there is one thing left to do." Eric bent down on one knee and the crowd went wild. Ariel was not sure what was happening or why Eric was crouching. "Princess Ariel, I love you more than I could ever imagine loving another soul. You make me feel things I have never felt with anyone. I was so lost before I met you and you make me feel alive. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Ariel, Princess of Atlantica, will you marry me?" Eric pulled out a small box and opened it. Ariel's heart stopped at his words and was speechless to see a beautiful diamond ring in shape of a seashell.
She nodded, forgetting she knew how to speak.
"Is that a yes?" he asked, the crowd chuckled a bit.
"Yes!" she cried, with tears of joy in her eyes. Eric slid the ring on her finger and kissed her hand. Fireworks shot into the air and lit up the sky. He rose swiftly, still putting on a show for the audience, and pulled her into a tender kiss.
The kiss left Ariel intoxicated and wanting more, but she knew there were thousands of eyes on them. Eric walked her down the stage to the white decorated circus stallion he rode on. The horse kneeled both front legs and bowed to allow Ariel to mount him, Eric gave her a slight boost and followed behind her. Eric wrapped his hand around her waist and secured Ariel's body tightly against his. She pressed her back against his chest and sat straight up so her posture matched his. They rode down the red carpet on the proudly trotting horse. Eric charismatically waved at the people below and Ariel joined in waving and blowing kisses- her ball gown draped over the sides of the jeweled horse.
As they passed the royal box Ariel noticed Carlotta waving in tears and Grimsby standing as serious as ever. They rode through the town and down the wooded path toward the castle. As soon as they were out of sight, Eric wrapped both his hands around her and pressed his face into her neck- taking in her scent.
"Mhhh," she sighed deeply.
"I missed you so much today," he huffed, squeezing his fingers into her bodice. He pushed his nose behind her ear and kissed the top of her neck softly, "You make me so happy." Ariel felt blissfully happy being there alone with Eric. She felt silly for ever doubting him, he had just proposed to her. Eric wanted her, of all the women he could have, to be his wife! The thoughts and negative feelings she had all day faded away.
"What'd you do all day," Eric asked. "They kept you busy like they said they would?"
"It was uh- very eventful," she remarked, not wanting to ruin the moment. His hands explored the fabric of her dress over her legs. He ran them down her covered thighs and up again. Ariel turned her head and met his lips for a deep, long kiss.
They took a different route along the beach in the moonlight. It was soothing to smell the fresh ocean breeze and hear the waves gently crashing against the rocks. Ariel listened as Eric told her of his hectic day. He had travelled a couple hours that morning to locate a jeweler who could put together such a beautiful seashell diamond ring. Once the ring was ready, he met with the ringleader of the circus to practice his sword fight scene in the show.
"I saw you dancing," he said to her, as they looked out to the ocean. "You looked beautiful. I wanted to join you so badly. Was that Sebastian singing?" Ariel nodded. "He has a great voice! I think he's spoken to me before," Eric added a little puzzled. Ariel looked out to the dark blue sea water solemnly.
"Ariel, is there something wrong?" Eric asked, "You've been quiet."
"I've just missed you today. I'm so happy you're back," she said softly. Eric touched her cheek and turned her chin over her shoulder gently while the moonlight reflected vibrantly off her sparkling blue eyes. He brushed his lips against hers softly. The continued to ride along the seashore, quietly, taking in the night.
Later on, Eric led the white circus horse to a small stable by the castle and tied it to a post.
"Claude- the ringmaster should be by for him tomorrow," Eric said placing a bucket of apples and a pail of water by the large animal.
"He's beautiful," Ariel pet his jeweled mane.
"Like you," Eric grinned. Ariel felt her face blush. He walked over to her slowly, standing almost a full foot above her, and pulled her to him by her sides.
"Ariel," Eric huffed between kisses at her bedroom door, "We have to wait."
"Just a few minutes," she said reaching behind her to open the door. They stumbled into the room joined at the lips. Ariel ran her hands from his jawline down to his neck and unfastened the buttons of his white formal jacket. She stopped at the feel of a few wavy hairs on his chest and something within her made her put her mouth to his slightly exposed chest and suck on it. It drove Eric wild how much she wanted him.
She tugged on his collar harder while Eric, walked her backward toward the bed. He pushed her back roughly onto the soft sheets, making her giggle with excitement. She thought he'd jump in with her but instead he reached down to his waist and lifted the white shirt he wore under his jacket straight over his head, exposing his tan chest and defined pecs.
Ariel was excited to see Eric's strong muscles. She had felt them but didn't know he would look that good under his shirt. Ariel sat up with her knees on the bed, sitting on her ankles and bent forward to plant kisses down his contoured stomach. He rubbed his hands on her neck and across her smooth, fair shoulders. He bent down to taste her lips, hard- but instead bit down on her bottom lip. The intensity and roughness of the kiss heightened Ariel's arousal on levels it had never been before. With his hands still at her shoulders, forcefully, he tore apart the collar exposing more of her shoulders and chest.
"Eric!" she exclaimed with a rush in her voice. Eric lifted her by her hips and tossed her toward the pillows. He then eased his way toward her, placing his hand at her ankle and slowly running his hand up her skirt. Ariel let out a small moan as she felt his hands go pass her knees and between her thighs. He positioned his body over her small frame and placed his hips on hers as he kissed her. His hand continued to stroke up and around her thigh, making her hips squirm from side to side.
He pulled his head back a moment from her mouth and looked into her eyes. His fingers lightly brushed the, now damp, cloth of her underwear. Ariel stared back with anticipation- feeling the touch of his palm pressing firmly against her womanhood gave her a feeling she couldn't bare. Subconsciously she began pressing back rhythmically allowing herself to relax and be pleasured by the man of her dreams.
The fabric from the dress bunching up against Eric's arm made a rustling noise as his hands explored the warmth between her hips. In a swift, bold move he moved the thin fabric against her skin out of the way and lightly placed a finger on her wet entrance.
"Ohhh," Ariel's mouth parted, she was nervous. She had never been touched there before. Not even earlier by Greta. Eric smiled and kissed her softly, and in one quick motion drove his middle finger inside her. Ariel gasped loudly against his lips, her body tensed up making her clench her insides and pressed the tips of her finger into his shoulders.
"Relax," he whispered, "It will feel better."
Ariel tried to do as she was told and set her shoulders back against the pillows. Eric had never had anyone who felt so tightly to one finger. He watched in amazement at the expression on her face as he moved his finger in and out of her. He kissed down her chin and buried his face in her neck, kissing her roughly. The more aroused he became the faster he moved his finger. He moved his tongue from her neck to her collarbone then to the upper part of her chest. Ariel's breasts had still remained covered by the, now torn, dress. Part of her wanted to remove it and undress completely, but she knew revealing her breasts would be something sacred.
"Oh, Eric," she moaned, "Something is happening." Eric could feel her hot flesh clenching around his finger. He waited a moment then slowly retracted his finger from inside her. "No, don't stop," Ariel begged breathlessly. Unfortunately, for Ariel, he did stop. Eric raised his hand from between her and showed her his glistening middle finger and palm.
"Why did you stop? Is that your fluid?" she asked wide-eyed.
"No. It's yours" he smiled.
"Why does it do that?" Ariel asked, touching a finger to the wetness.
"It wants me inside you."
"No," she said, "I. I want you inside me." Ariel leaned her head forward and placed his entire wet finger deep inside her mouth and began sucking on it. It was the most arousing thing Eric had ever seen. He readjusted himself in his pants. "What is that?" she asked curiously. Eric grinned nervously, unsure what to say.
"Oh," was her reaction, "Is that your-". Ariel didn't know what to call it. Eric nodded. "Can I-" she started reaching for it.
"No!" he exclaimed, taking her hand in his, "We can't just yet, Ariel. I don't want to get carried away." He leaned in and kissed her again. She nestled herself closer to him, pressing her face against his warm chest.
"Stay here with me tonight? I hate not seeing you when I wake up," she whispered into his chest with her small body in his arms.
"I will. But only until you fall asleep," Eric planted a kiss on her forehead. "Soon I'll be with you every morning and night when you are my wife."
The sun rose out above the ocean, shining in through the large arched window of Ariel's bedroom. Eric had fallen asleep on Ariel's bed the night before. His shirtless, tanned upper body fully exposed to the early golden rays. She slept comfortably, curled up and still in her gown, on his his extended right arm. His eyes opened slowly, facing Ariel's red hair flared over the pillows. He could feel her small body breathing, her head beneath his chin. He kissed the top of her head slowly, not wanting to wake her. She inhaled quickly and let out a soft sigh. He didn't want to move from there, her body was so warm.
Suddenly Ariel's heavy, wooden bedroom door flew up in an instant, slamming up against the back wall and startling them both- making them sit up in bed.
"Of course," a tall distinguished woman said tersely. "It's a little late for you to be sleeping in with your- mistress. Now, get up before your betrothed sees you in this inappropriate behavior." The woman had brown hair with gray streaks done up in a tight do. She stood with perfect posture in a rich silk purple gown with golden accents. Eric scrambled to get his jacket while Ariel stared at the woman in shock. "I will be waiting in the dining room."
"Yes, mother." Eric replied exasperatedly. She gave Ariel a piercing look and walked sharply down the hall.
"Mother?" Ariel looked at Eric in a panic while jumping to her feet.
"The Queen," he emphasized before grabbing his boots and sword and running down the hall.