Savior Of The Seven Kingdoms Chapter 2
13 Years Old:
Ever since Ariel's mother left for Atlantis it basically was just her and her dad. Well all except for one person.
Queen Atlanna's most trusted advisor Vulko came to surface regularly both to train and teach her for the future roll she will play for the kingdom. He's become as much a part of her life as Thomas, like a surrogate uncle in a way next to his roll as a mentor.
After her thirteenth birthday it was decided that Vulko would take Ariel for her very first swimming lesson. Well she already knows how to swim, but this would be at a whole other level.
After picking her up from the lighthouse Vulko took her to a high outcropping off the coast of Maine.
Staring out at the ocean, Vulko said "You have to forget all the teachings and go deeper to uncover your Atlantean instincts."
Confused, Ariel said "But I already know how to swim. What more is there to learn?"
Leaning in close to her, shaking his head and smiling, Vulko said "Not even close."
Vulko then dives headfirst off of the cliff with Ariel following his lead. She's never been afraid of heights so the plunge isn't hard for her to do.
Immediately after hitting the seawater Vulko began to lead her to deeper water. Eventually they stop, floating in the current in a forest of kelp.
Coming up beside Ariel, surprising her, Vulko said "The ocean is more than our life source, Ariel. It is who we are."
"Wait, you can talk underwater," exclaims Ariel, elated, voice echoing around them. "I can talk underwater, too! This is awesome!"
Ariel never knew she could do this. All along Ariel thought that she could only talk to fish telepathically while away from the surface.
"Oh, we can do more than just talk," said Vulko, a broad grin widening on his face.
Suddenly Vulko turns going turbo as he sped away. Copying his body language, mirroring his movements, Ariel follows suit. Vulko slows down enough for Ariel to catch up and so the lesson continues.
"Being Atlantean means more than just being able to breathe underwater. Your body is equipped to survive the extreme cold and pressure and your eyes adjust to see in the dark."
Vulko is guiding Ariel to places that she's never gone before, swimming further and further away from sunlight into the dark depths. As Vulko is telling her all of this Ariel's eyes instantly adjust to seeing in the dark and she can barely feel the colder temperatures. The moment Ariel's vision clears she bears witness to something absolutely incredible.
Everything from vegetation, rock formations, and even some of the sea life is glowing with radiant life and light to them. Ariel can only gaze at all of it in awe at this incredible beauty and splendor.
Vulko isn't done there not by a long shot. He escorts Ariel back to the sun. She explodes from the surface releasing a shout of exhilaration as she shoots high into the air.
Having no other way to express her joy Ariel begins to sing.
A pod of dolphins is nearby. They hear her voice reverberating in range and converge on her, lured by her beautiful voice. She joins them in their play and Ariel is soon jumping and twirling in the water with them.
"This is awesome," shrieks Ariel, constantly breaking the surface with them.
A whole new world has opened up to Ariel more than she has ever imagined. Never has she felt more at home than she is in the water.
At some point Vulko had separated from Ariel. She finds him sitting on the edge of a drop off watching the manta ray migration as they cross overhead. Ariel's lets go of the dorsal fin of the dolphin that brought her there settling down beside him. Knees to her chest Ariel watches in wonderment and fascination as the manta rays glide above.
Cheerfully, beaming at Vulko, Ariel said "So, Vulko, when can I meet my mother?"
Squeezing her shoulder, Vulko said "Soon, my young princess. When you're ready, I'll take you to Atlantis to meet the Queen."
"And Orm? Will I meet see him with her," asked Ariel, inquisitive as ever.
Not that long ago Vulko informed Ariel that she had a little brother. One only a couple of years her junior. Since then Ariel's been very eager to meet her extended family. There's so much she wants to do with them, so much she needs to say.
If Ariel were older then she probably would've caught the brief anguish and discomfort on his face in the grimace it bears.
Quickly displacing it, Vulko said "All in good time, my princess. All in good time."
Ariel's mood is so bright right now that nothing can possibly ruin it for her.
Just having to get the vast array of emotions she's feeling out and about Ariel began to sing and just like with the dolphin's some of the manta rays broke off from the group to encircle the duo in all their glory. As he's sitting there observing Vulko can't help but think of Queen Atlanna as he looks at her.
It makes him sad.
Finally putting a stop to it, Vulko said "That's enough."
Ariel breaks off and just like that the manta rays return to the migration.
"Your voice is a gift, Ariel, but you must be careful with how you use it. You must never sing in public on the surface," said Vulko.
Tilting her head to the side, Ariel asked "Why?"
"Your voice hold great power. It can prove dangerous to you if used correctly in the wrong setting. So you mustn't sing when you are above water," cautioned Vulko.
Perplexed on it, Ariel said "I don't understand, but I will do as you say."
Vulko claps Ariel in the back and the two proceed to watch the manta ray migration travel by them.
A good thing then that Vulko knows how to hold his tongue.
Unfortunately Vulko's promise holds a secret.
A couple of years later Ariel will discover the truth and how her wish to see her mother will never come to be along with Queen Atlanna's fate.
Authors Note:
Hope you guys all like this one! ;D
Sorry it's been a while since there's been an update on this one. There's been a bit of writers block for it and as you can tell by my profile a lot of others have kept me very busy, too. It's been a lot of fun, but compared to the prologue chapter this isn't nearly as long as it took me in the span of time similar to the official first chapter came out.
So as you can see here I have made Ariel have an enchanting singing voice, but it's not even close to what Audrina had in my Heart of Atlantis story. Some of you said it would be overpowering for this character so here is a compromise. Instead of that it'll be more like Ariel's in the Little Mermaid. Not a siren song, but sea creatures will still be drawn to her lovely melody. I think this part fits in just fine.
Trust me, it'll come in useful to Ariel later on in the story as it progresses. ;D