Author's Note:

I'll be releasing these mini-chapters so that you guys have something to follow in the upcoming year and so that I can easily add new material without feeling like I have to write over 10,000 words. The story started out with smaller chapters that I later condensed into longer ones.

In this story, let's assume that everything that happened in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea is cannon. If you haven't seen it, I recommend you do- it's really cute. Melody was twelve in it and now she's a bit older.

In this continuation of the story we will be exploring the new generation while revisiting the past and filling in the gaps of time that has passed. We will also be tying up some loose ends and mysteries that were unresolved from previous chapters. Can you think of any?

I hope you enjoy.

"Princess Melody, are you listening to me?"

"Huh?" Melody responded, coming out of her trance.

"What did I just ask?" the short, pudgy instructor asked impatiently.

"I'm sorry, Professor," Melody apologized, "What was that?" She jumped back in her chair at the thud of the instructor's book slamming closed. He began to pack his things.

"Good day, I hope you listened well enough for your exam on Friday," he said before exiting the room in a huff. Melody groaned to herself, a little embarrassed and also relieved that the day of lessons was over. She gazed out the window at the afternoon sun in the sky. She wanted to be in the calm ocean so badly, she'd dream about it.

"Melody! What did you do?" Ariel shouted from the door moments later. Melody rolled her eyes and exhaled deeply.

"Mother, please," she said with an attitude, pursing her lips.

"What do you mean, 'please'? Please what? Do you know that your father and I went out of our way so that you could get the best professors and tutors in all of the land?"

"Yes! You remind me almost daily!" Melody rose from her chair and began making her way out of the room.

"Melody!" Ariel grabbed a tight hold of Melody's arm, "You have to start behaving like the young woman you are and less like a child!"

"Then stop treating me like a child!" Melody yanked her arm away sharply. "You'd think I am turning twelve next week and not sixteen," she muttered to herself before leaving the room and making her way down the hall to her bedroom.

"What's going on?" Eric appeared in the doorway a few moments later. The door to Melody's room suddenly slammed closed.

"It's your daughter. Professor Alastair just left- he's had it with her. I've had it with her and her attitude!"

"Ariel, just give her some space," Eric said, pulling her in closely to him. Ariel pulled away.

"It's easy for you to say. You don't have to deal with her like this. I make sure she attends her lessons and eats her dinners and learns to dance and paint and play violin. All you do is take her riding and enable her bad behavior and she loves you for it."

"Oh, come on. I do more than that! I take her swimming, too!" Eric joked. Ariel wasn't amused. "I'll go talk to her."

"I don't know, Eric, I just- give up. When does Adam arrive?"

"Within the hour. They had some business at a neighboring town and they're headed our way now."

"I'm not too thrilled with this. You know how that Elizabeth can be."

"Ariel," Eric warned with a nagging tone.

"What? I'm serious- John is delightful but Elizabeth is just bad news."

"Maybe Melody can go to Atlantica while they're here," Eric suggested, half-heartedly.

"Oh, yes, I'm sure she'd love that. Exploring the entire ocean on her own without any rules and neither one of us."

"Are you hungry? Let's go see what they're preparing for supper."

Melody gazed out at the sun shining above the sparkling ocean. If only she could get away to Atlantica for the afternoon. On days that she didn't have lessons, it was easy for her to sneak out into the waters right before lunch and supper. Especially on days where her mother was too preoccupied with her own things in town and she knew she could be gone for at least a few hours. They did visit Atlantica as a family- Ariel, Eric and Melody. Sometimes once a week other times they'd spend several days there over a weekend or event. But Melody felt like they were always watching her, constantly monitoring her every move. She couldn't just go and explore the ocean with her cousins.

She was curled up at the seat near her window when she saw him. He was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. Even his name was beautiful to her- Andrew, Andrew the guard. She didn't know his last name, or the last name of any of the help. She never wondered if they even had a last name. He was walking in his red guard jacket alongside another guard. She wondered if he was off his shift for the day or just taking a break for supper. She watched as he stopped near the back servant's entrance and laughed with another guard. His straight posture and serious demeanor completely changed when he saw the other young guard. They laughed and poked fun at each other- jabbing each other in the arm. It was getting hard for her to see as he moved out of view of her window.

She darted out her bedroom door and down the hall to the large window at the end of the hallway. The young men dawdled around the castle's servant entrance and laughed and hooted at each other when young servant girls and maids would walk by. Andrew flipped over a large wooden barrel and sat on its flat end against the castle wall. He placed his arms up and rested his hands behind his head, leaning back as he looked up at the sky and smiled.

"He's so beautiful," Melody whispered to herself. She wasn't sure how long she was standing there, staring at him. Suddenly, it seemed like someone from inside the castle had called them for supper and all three young guards made their way inside.

Melody ran down the hall and raced down the long flared steps, around the bend of the corridor and down some more stairs in direction to the servant's quarters. She passed the kitchen and passed the servant's common area. She was suddenly face to chest with a red guard jacket, bumping into it before even realizing it was there.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she exclaimed, embarrassed.

"Princess Melody," the men said in unison. Melody looked past the shoulders of the first two guards to find the face of her Andrew looking back at her.

"Are you alright, princess?" one of the guards asked. Melody couldn't find the words to speak, they all waited for her to respond.

"Uh, yes," she said hesitantly.

"Well, alright princess," the other guard who was not Andrew said, "We're going to our supper before our evening shift. Let us know if you need anything."

"Right," she responded.

"Right," he echoed with a chuckle. Melody felt her face instantly warm, she wished Andrew were the one talking to her and not these other meddling guards. The guards walked past her and toward the servant's common room. She watched as they walked by and continued to laugh and whisper to each other down the hall. But before they turned the corner, she saw Andrew stop and look back at her, suddenly cracking a smile. His brown hair and green eyes and that chiseled jawline that made her melt was enough to leave her paralyzed. Melody could only muster a half smirk before he turned and left.

"Ugh," she groaned, tossing her body back against the concrete wall, frustrated at herself.

"The King has arrived!" someone shouted from outside.

"Father, how long do we have to be here?" Elizabeth asked as the coach made its way toward the gates to the castle.

"You'll be here for the next week and a half," Adam responded, "I set sail tomorrow, but I'll be back in time for Melody's birthday."

Elizabeth looked out the window of the coach at the town's people who were crowded around the gates, blowing kisses and waving at them.

"Ugh, kill me now," she groaned.

"It wouldn't kill you to act happy to see your cousin, Elizabeth," Belle said as she turned the page of her book.

"I am happy to see my sweet, little, innocent cousin Melody," she said sarcastically, "At least I'll have someone to talk to." Elizabeth kicked a handsome young man who sat across from her.

"Ow!" John exclaimed, "Stop that!"

"Lizzy!"

"Father!" she mocked him and then laughed, leaning against his big strong arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"John, Elizabeth, I need you both to behave this trip," Belle closed her book, "No fighting, no hunting, no sword fights, no swearing, no mocking them for not eating fish or meat, no debating, no arguing, no rudeness."

Elizabeth pretended to snore loudly with her eyes closed.

"Elizabeth!" Adam roared and the carriage suddenly stopped and the door opened. Elizabeth was the first to get up to her feet.

"Elizabeth and John, stay behind, please. I'd like a word with the two of you," Belle said calmly. Adam found his teens to be quite humorous, but he didn't want to oppose Belle. He got off the carriage.

"Adam!" Eric welcomed him with open arms for a heavy, long hug. Ariel stood beside him and watched how happy the men looked when they were together. Adam released his brother and gave Ariel a big smile.

"Adam!" Ariel jumped up to hug the large man, "I'm so glad you're here." She placed a kiss on his cheek and Adam always felt good to know that Ariel genuinely cared about him deeply. "Where are the twins?" she asked as Adam set her back down on the ground.

"Her majesty," a footman announced from the carriage.

"Belle!" Ariel walked over and gave Belle a big, warm hug.

"Oh, Ariel. It's so great to see you," Belle said, hugging back firmly. Ariel gave Belle a kiss on the cheek and Belle happily returned the kiss back.

"Where are the twins? Elizabeth? John?" Ariel asked again.

"I'm right here, Aunt Ariel," Elizabeth waved and jumped off the carriage. She had long, dark auburn hair braided in a long, thick strand that draped over her right shoulder and down the front of her chest. She wore a dark green blouse with black riding trousers and tall brown riding boots. She was tall and beautiful with a fair complexion and hazel eyes. It was hard to see such delicate facial features on such a coarse personality.

Ariel gave Elizabeth a hug, but couldn't help but look puzzled by her attire for a princess.

"Where is Melody?" Elizabeth asked.

"Oh, up in her room- doing some studying," Ariel smiled, "How you've grown this past year!"

"I guess it has been a full year," Belle thought to herself.

"We did see you over the new year," Eric said.

"But the kids weren't with us, remember?" Adam nudged him with a smirk.

"Ah, that's right," Eric smiled to himself, remembering how fun that new year celebration was. "Belle!" Eric cheered, taking his sister in his arms and squeezing her tightly.

"Eric, I've missed you," Belle told him.

"Hello Aunt Ariel, Uncle Eric," John bowed his head formally from the carriage, with one hand resting at the base of his back.

"John!" Eric laughed, "You look more and more like your father each day!" He walked over to his nephew and pulled him in for a quick hug and a pat on the back. "You're getting strong," Eric said, "You've passed me by an inch!"

"Maybe two or three inches," Adam corrected him and gave John a hard slap on the back. "My boy! And he's one of the best marksmen I've ever seen!"

John was tall and strong like his father, but still leaner and more agile. He was brilliant at war strategy and politics and an incredible marksman. Like Belle, he was quiet and an avid reader. Because of his lack of participation in conversation he seemed mild-mannered, but it was really because his mind wasn't always fully present. He had a knack for seeming alert while simultaneously being preoccupied with other things. He was a mystery to everyone, especially his father. He'd hate to admit it but, no one knew him better than Elizabeth did. As different as they were, they were both very sharp and surprisingly loyal to one another.

"Uncle Eric!" Elizabeth shouted. She drew her sword and smiled at him, preparing for combat. Eric feigned being caught unaware and swiftly pulled his sword from his scabbard and took his stance, waiting for Elizabeth to make a move.

"Eric!" Ariel shouted, "I thought I said no swordfights!"

"Elizabeth!" Belle's voice pierced through the air. The two groaned disappointedly, putting their swords away.

"I'll get you next time, old man. There won't be any witnesses to save you," Elizabeth teased Eric.

"I won't go easy on you, princess," Eric mocked her.

John and Elizabeth noticed three young guards making their way from the castle to the carriage to collect their luggage and a smiling Melody behind them.

"Mel!" Elizabeth shouted and ran toward her cousin.

"Lizzy!" Melody embraced her tightly. Melody noticed Elizabeth looked older that year, taller and more like a woman than a girl. Her breasts and hips were larger too, not very large at all, since she was a slender young woman, but larger than they had been. Melody greeted her Aunt and Uncle, the king and queen and then waved to her cousin John- not ever feeling comfortable enough with him to hug him.

"Come on, Mel, I have to show you something in my trunk," Elizabeth giggled and pulled her by the arm toward the castle, following behind one of the guards who had her trunk in his arms.

Ariel looked at Eric and grimaced. Belle noticed.

"They'll be fine," Belle told Ariel reassuringly, "Let's go inside and get ready for supper."

"You got away easy," Adam said to Eric as the women walked ahead of them, "You wouldn't have won that swordfight." Eric chuckled because he thought that Adam was joking, but soon he realized that he wasn't.

"Mel, you have got to stop being so uptight."

"I'm not uptight."

"Yes. You are," Elizabeth told her, "Now look, watch this." Elizabeth got onto both of her knees and crawled across the bed toward Melody. Melody just waited and watched as her cousin placed her face uncomfortably close to hers.

"What are yo-" Melody started but was cut off by Elizabeth's lips touching hers firmly and with a loud smacking sound.

"See? It's no big deal," Elizabeth said nonchalantly to her innocent and naive little cousin. "Now, open your mouth this time. I'm going to kiss you a few times with my lips and then slowly open my mouth and use my tongue. Just match what I do."

"Lizzy, we shouldn't-"

"Oh, shut up," Elizabeth cut Melody off and kissed her lips a few times, before tilting her head and slowly opening her mouth. Melody couldn't believe what was happening as she felt Elizabeth's forceful, slippery tongue touch hers. She tried to slowly move her tongue like Elizabeth did in rhythmic laps as their noses touched. "Mhh," Elizabeth moaned softly and she pressed her face even harder against Melody's.

"Lizzy!" Melody pulled away abruptly and giggled nervously, covering her mouth with her hand and wiping some moisture off her lips.

"It's nice, right?" Elizabeth said with wide eyes.

"I didn't want to have my first kiss with you!" Melody shrieked.

"It doesn't count," Elizabeth scoffed, "I'm a girl. I'm just showing you how."

"Oh," Melody said, puzzled. "I wish I could kiss Andrew."

"Okay, Mel, close your eyes," Elizabeth told her and Melody did almost immediately.

"Okay."

"Now, picture Andrew's gorgeous face, smiling at you and coming closer. He's getting nearer and tells you how much he wants you. He places a hand on your cheek," Elizabeth said, reaching forward to touch Melody's warm face, "He pulls you in and-" Elizabeth's voice trailed off as she planted a soft kiss on Melody's lips. Melody opened her lips first, picturing Andrew's warm eyes and strong jawline while Elizabeth used the opportunity to fully explore Melody's mouth with her tongue. They kissed tenderly at first, touching each other's tongues more deeply with each gentle thrust. Their breathing became heavy and Elizabeth leaned her body in toward Melody's.

"Wow, you're so good at this," Elizabeth whispered when pulling her lips apart for a moment and then kissed her even harder. Elizabeth brought a hand up to Melody's covered breast and squeezed it tightly, making Melody squeal into Elizabeth's mouth.

"Stop that!" she yelled a little bashfully as she pushed Elizabeth away from her, face bright red. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and sat in front of the mirror of her vanity table. Elizabeth could only laugh.

"Stop acting like such a little girl, Mel," Elizabeth said from the bed, "You're having another birthday soon."

"I'm not! I just don't want to kiss girls, it's weird. Especially you."

"I'm a great kisser!" Elizabeth protested half-heartedly. Melody untied the pretty pink ribbon that held together her thick, long, jet-black hair. "You should wear your hair down, Mel. It looks much better that way. Lose the silly bows." Elizabeth got up and walked over to Melody, she grabbed a brush off her vanity and began brushing Melody's hair.

"You think so?"

"You have to get rid of those little girl dresses, too. Oh!" she stopped suddenly and looked at Melody in the mirror, "I know exactly what you need to wear for tonight!"

"Tonight?"

"Yes. Tonight! Don't you want to see Andrew? We'll go down to that pub around here that the guards are always going on about."

"I- I don't think my mom would be ok with that," Melody said, a little hesitant.

"Oh, please, we're not asking permission. Well, I don't ask permission," Elizabeth said proudly.

"Aunt Belle and Uncle Adam would let you go?"

"Ha! No. But I'm not asking either," Elizabeth smirked as she continued brushing Melody's hair. "You know what? I'll go get it right now and have you try it on." Elizabeth hurried out the room quickly and closed the door behind her. Something about Elizabeth made Melody feel bold, daring, and more confident.

"Melody?" called a voice, followed by a knock at the door. The door soon opened and in walked Ariel.

"Hi, mom," Melody said, fixated on herself in the mirror.

"Hi, dear. Were you able to get through your lessons today?"

"Yes," Melody groaned, a little irritated.

"How about Latin? Violin?"

"Yes, mom! I just said 'yes'!" Melody snapped. Ariel gave Melody a piercing glare through the mirror. "Sorry," she lamented and looked down at her lap.

"Here, let me help you with that," Ariel said, picking up the brush and running it through Melody's long hair.

"Mom, could I go to Atlantica this weekend- alone?"

"Hmm, but your cousins are here."

"Please? You and dad don't have to go with me every time. I can get there on my own. I know the entire ocean by heart."

"Yes, I know you do. But, it still isn't the safest place."

"I've already explored it alone, remember? I went under the wall before we took it down."

"Yes, I'd like to forget you did any of that but-"

"Mom, it was almost 5 years ago!"

"Melody! We'll discuss this when our guests leave. We need to entertain our company now," Ariel scolded. "There, you look beautiful." Melody looked up to find the pink ribbon back in her hair, tied in a bow at the base of her head. She couldn't help but to roll her eyes at how stupid she felt.

"Mel, check this out," Elizabeth came barging through the door, "Oh, hi, Aunt Ariel. Nice bow." Melody knew Elizabeth was being condescending.

"What's that Lizzy?" Ariel walked over and took the garment from Elizabeth's hands. "A corset? You weren't planning on wearing this, were you?"

"No Aunt Ariel, it's my mother's- I was just showing it to Melody."

"Oh, well, these undergarments are for adult women," Ariel lectured, "I'm going to put this back in the Queen's room. I'll see you girls at dinner." Ariel took the corset and left.

"Wow, Aunt Ariel sure is annoying," Elizabeth said with a face.

"You're telling me," Melody pursed her lips before untying the bow from her hair. "What will you do about the corset?"

"I have about ten of them," Elizabeth laughed. "We're still going out tonight. I'm going to squeeze your little body into a corset if it's the last thing I do."

"I'm so glad you suggested this massage while the men are out," Belle said while sitting on a flat high massage table in the royal bathroom.

"It is quite nice," Ariel said as she slid her silk robe off of her shoulders and laid flat on her stomach. Belle hesitated a moment and did the same thing. The pair of masseuses both covered the women's backsides as they began to gently knead into the flash of their backs. Ariel and Belle faced each other and Belle smiled.

"How are things back at the kingdom?" Ariel asked.

"Mhh, this is heavenly," Belle said in a trance, "Oh, things are fine. We just recovered from a drought in the south part of the land. The rain affected the crops and the crops not growing meant that the farmers couldn't earn any money. It created a temporary tax hike for everyone else, which wasn't met favorably. But, we just finished the last of the reimbursements last week-. Oh, I'm sorry, Ariel. That was probably too much too share."

"Oh, no- it's fine. It sounds fascinating and real. To be able to make decisions that will affect others either positively or negatively- all for the great good, of course," Ariel responded, imagining herself as queen. The two masseuses looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

"I'll trade with you any day," Belle joked.

"The people really do love you, Belle. You have done so many wonderful things for the kingdom."

"I just try my best to do what is fair," Belle said humbly, blushing a little.

"Sorry to interject, your majesty," the masseuse who was working on Belle's neck spoke softly, "But we all really do adore you. My parents say things have been much better now than they were- well, before you. We are much appreciative."

"Oh, thank you dear," Belle said warmly, "Thank you so much." Ariel smiled, glad that Belle got the reassurance.

"How have things been with Adam since the new year?" Ariel asked. Belle smiled to herself.

"They've never been better," Belle said, "I mean, we do have our moments- our hiccups. Adam is who he is and I am also a bit stubborn so we can easily have friction, but we can just as easily get over most quarrels."

"That's good to hear. Things did get a bit wild that night," Ariel smiled and closed her eyes, deep in remembrance. The two women talked about life and sex and how difficult it was to raise teenagers who were possibly having sex.

"Do you think Melody has yet?" Belle asked curiously.

"Melody?!" Ariel almost choked, "No, no- I doubt it."

"You can never tell with things like that," Belle added, turning over to her front when the masseuse signaled her to.

"Would you like me to-" the masseuse started to ask Belle but Ariel cut her off.

"Yes, yes- just go ahead," Ariel said, turning over onto her back herself.

Both of their breasts were now exposed on their backs, Belle's breasts were always full, but even fuller still since she had never nursed the twins herself. She did, however, let Adam nurse and drink from them as often as he had liked when she was expecting and shortly after. Belle looked confused as the masseuses began to work on both women's shoulders, rubbing down their arms and massaging their hands.

Their palms caressed both women's shoulder blades and pressed gently over the tops of their breasts. Ariel watched as Belle's breasts had oil drizzled over them.

"Wait, are you going to-" Belle started to say as she sat up a bit, but the touch of the woman's hands covering both of her breasts made her gasp in pleasure.

"Just relax and enjoy it," Ariel told her. Belle looked over at Ariel and realized she was having her breasts massaged as well. Ariel's small pink nipples were darker than they had been, but only slightly. They had grown over the years as her body matured and then again during pregnancy. They were one of Eric's favorite things on her body.

Ariel watched Belle's facial expressions intensify as they moved from her breasts, down her stomach and between her legs. It turned Ariel on to watch others being pleasured, she had discovered she had enjoyed it within her first year of being married to Eric. Echoes of Belle's moans filled the air, which made Ariel bring herself to orgasm more quickly. She watched Belle some more as she caught her breath, writhing her body out of control and heaving her chest up and down. Ariel signaled her masseuse to help Belle finish.