~Chapter 11~

Noella

The two eels swayed around us and they each had a sinister grin on their faces. I didn't like it at all. My gut was telling me to avoid contact with these creatures.

"Our mistress has undeniable powers that can solve all your problems." The eels said.

"Who's your mistress?" I asked.

"Ursula." They hissed.

Ariel inhaled sharply apparently recognizing the name.

"She's a sea witch." Ariel explained slumping her shoulders.

"Then clearly we're not going." I added.

The eels slithered around Ariel and I sliding their bodies around us very snug. I moved not wanting these creatures to touch me.

"Stay back.' I warned.

"Let Ursula help…" They said again, "Can you imagine you and your prince together forever?" The one eel told Ariel.

The other swayed around my arm leering at me.

"Ursula can help you find your mother." He said.

"H-How did you know about that?"

"Ursula knows all and sees all." He replied.

My heart jumped at hearing this, but I was still very distrustful of these two.

"Ariel?" I glanced at her and she looked more receptive to the idea.

"We could at least see her…" Ariel shrugged.

I pursed my lips still hearing my gut tell me to stay away, but in the end we agreed.

"Take us to her." I said.

The two eels nodded and led the way out of the grotto and toward a different direction of the ocean out of Atlantica territory.

The eels brought us to some deeper depths. There were fewer creatures around the area and it seemed like we had swam to a completely different world though it was still the same ocean. Eventually, we passed by some tall, narrow rock formations that reminded me of stalagmites though these were underwater and there was steam rising from them causing a swirl of air bubbles to escape from the top of the point. Eventually, in the distance ahead of us there was the bony remains of a large, ferocious looking sea creature. The eels swam us up toward the menacing looking jaws though it was just bones, but I still stopped.

"Uh, uh. No way I'm going in there." I said crossing my arms.

Ariel put her hand on my shoulder smiling looking nervous herself.

"We can do this Noella." She replied.

"If mermaids want help, they must go to the one who will give them help." The eels bellowed gesturing us forward. Ariel took my hand and I gave it gentle squeeze as we slowly and cautiously proceeded into the mouth of the creature. The mouth dumped into a windy bend of a tight hallway and I immediately noticed a collection of creatures that covered the ground below us. They almost looked like worms, but these had eyes and mouths. Ariel and I looked on curiously trying to avoid them. These creatures weren't too expressive, but there were hundreds of them and every pair of eyes I saw looked at Ariel and I fearfully. In our distraction, Ariel and I both got snatched by one and frantically we pulled them off.

"That's not normal." I commented.

The eels led us further and then the hallway spilled into a larger room. Immediately the eels disappeared swimming into the shadows and crannies of the room. There was a large dark hole in one wall, a vanity and a mirror on the opposite wall, and the big eye catcher of the room was the large cauldron in the middle.

"Come in, come in my children." A deep voice beckoned from the hole in the wall. A large woman appeared from the dark shadows. Half of her looked human and her bottom half wasn't a tail like a mermaid, but in fact tentacles that of an octopus. She had bright makeup around her eyes and lips trying to hide her age.

"Ursula, we've come for your help." I said trying to sound firm.

"Yes, darlings. I know why you've come." She smirked laughing lightly as she moved her way toward us.

"You do?" Ariel replied.

"Yes, I have eyes across the ocean and I see two human men… Eric and what was the other's name…" She paused tapping her forehead with her finger, "Oh yes, Joel, was it?"

How did Ursula already know so much though I had to correct her assumption.

"Yes, Ursula…" Ariel replied, "I want to see Eric again and Joel is…"

"Is not the reason I am here." I continued for her.

"Intriguing, okay sweet cheeks. How can I help?" Ursula shrugged.

"I'm in search of a magic mirror." I replied.

"My, my well you're welcome to use mine." She said gesturing to her mirror at the vanity. I gave her a dubious look curving my brow curiously. Was it that easy? I swam over toward the vanity, but before I sat down in front of it. Ursula stopped me crossing her arms.

"Ah, ah, ah. Nothing in life is free my dear. What will you give me in return for using my mirror?"

Of course it wasn't that simple. I should have known better.

"I don't have anything of value…" I shrugged.

"What about that pretty gold circlet atop your head?" Ursula asked eyeing it greedily.

"This?" I said taking it off holding it in my hand, "I'm afraid it's of no use to you."

"Nonsense!" She snapped snatching the circlet away from me placing it on her head. "Oh, very nice. I can sense the magic energy…" She paused stepping away from the vanity letting me sit down. I nervously sat down and glanced at Ariel who nodded encouragingly.

"Come forth." I commanded and soon my reflection vanished and a crimson entity within the mirror revealed itself.

"Tell me the location of your brethren the one that I have not yet met. I seek the location of its whereabouts." I told the mirror.

"Wretched woman, waking me from my slumber… that's very inhuman." The mirror snapped. It's grumpy attitude surprised me. I felt like Grumpy the dwarf should befriend this rude mirror.

"Sorry." I replied.

"My brother you seek next is a bit out of place, nearby beyond the waters there is a castle with a beast inside who holds your ace. A woman as beautiful as her name, might have the ability to tame." The mirror answered and slowly faded away.

Well, another mirror with vague details, but at least got me something. I turned toward Ursula who looked angry because I realized that the circlet had appeared around my head.

"Give that back." Ursula insisted holding out her hand, "We had a bargain." She warned.

"I'm sorry, I tried to tell you." I shrugged.

Ursula forcefully yanked the circlet off my head again looking at it intensely.

"How is this accomplished?" She muttered as she examined it. The circlet rose from her hands and began to float over to me yet again. Before it returned to me, Ursula grabbed it and began rubbing the entirety of it with her fingers.

"If I can't have it, perhaps, I can make it shine for you."

She began scrubbing so hard I was afraid she'd scratch it up or even snap it in half.

"That's enough. It doesn't need to shine." I insisted.

I held out my hands for Ursula to give it back, but instead she placed it back on my head herself and she pushed it down as tight as it would go.

"What about our deal?" I asked.

"Don't worry, we're square." She cackled moving her shoulders up and down.

I swam over to Ariel and Ursula was behind me and I moved aside as Ariel stepped forward and I watched nervously.

"So my dear, you've fallen head over fin for this prince fellow, eh?" Ursula asked.

"I just really want to see him again."

"Of course you do." Ursula said patting her shoulder, "And the answer is simple...you must become human."

"Are you capable of doing this?" Ariel questioned.

Ursula smirked with a devilish grin.

"My sweet child, helping merfolk like yourself is what I live for…" She replied. "Now, let's discuss the details. I will turn you human for three days. Got that?" She said holding up three fingers, "In that time, you must get princy to kiss you."

"I think I can do that." Ariel shrugged.

"And your payment is simple. All I need is your voice." Ursula bellowed emphasizing every word.

"My voice?" Ariel said touching her neck.

"Hey, you've got your pretty looks and might I suggest use of body language." Ursula cackled moving her hips back and forth dramatically.

Ariel glanced over at me looking a bit nervous and I mirrored her expression. I wasn't liking this.

"What happens if he doesn't kiss me?" Ariel asked.

"Then you turn back into a mermaid…" Ursula paused with a sinister grin, "And you'll belong to me. Have we got ourselves a deal?" She finished conjuring a paper and a quill. It was amazing to me that merfolk even had paper contracts, but I swam forward between Ariel and the contract.

"Ariel no! You can't do this. This doesn't feel right. You may come from two different worlds, but that doesn't mean you can't meet Eric just being yourself…" I reasoned.

Ariel was thinking looking between me and the glowing contract.

"Being yourself is so overrated." Ursula scoffed, "A human fall in love with a mermaid? It's ludacris. You need human legs to win over his heart sweet cheeks make no mistake."

Ariel looked back at me biting her lower lip.

"I'm sorry Noella. I do appreciate your concern, but I got to try this my way." Ariel said and turned to sign her name on the bright, glowing contract.

As Ariel finished signing, Ursula made the contract disappear and looked over at her grinning maliciously. She waved her hands over her cauldron speaking an eerie incantation that seemed to echo off the walls. Blasts of winds came up from the cauldron blowing this way and that. The air turned cloudy with hues of green and I looked on as Ursula ordered Ariel to sing. She did so and I watched helplessly as Ursula seized a glowing orb that came from Ariel's mouth and it went inside of the shell necklace that Ursula was wearing. As soon as it was secured in the shell, Ursula began laughing maniacally and a large bubble encompassed Ariel. She began fidgeting inside nervously as I watched her tail split in two revealing human legs. As quick as the legs were formed, the bubble popped and Ariel looked frantic. She couldn't breathe! I took off grabbing her by the arm rushing her to the surface for air. Finally we made it splashing our way breaching the water's surface to get Ariel to breathe the salty ocean air for the first time as a human.

The sun was just coming up over the horizon blending in shades of orange and red. Ariel gasped as we broke through the surface. She seemed alarmed at getting used to breathing above the surface rather than below. Her arms flapped frantically about while her feet kicked me a couple times. This was really going to be a crash course to being a human for her. We sat in the water side by side submerged at our waists. She still had shells covering her top half, but underneath the water was nothing more than Ariel's birthday suit. I had to find something to cover her with. The lifeboats were all still docked against the sandy bar of the beach. I told Ariel to sit and wait while I went to look. Several of the boats had nothing in them aside from several wooden oars, but the fourth boat had a white linen sheet. I assumed it was from a table though I don't know why it was found in this lifeboat, but I took it. Something was better than nothing. Using all the strength I could muster from my arms, I chucked it over to Ariel landing in the sand trying to avoid it getting wet by my being in the water. When I rejoined Ariel, she was trying to stand up. She was very wobbly and unbalanced, but I didn't expect her to be perfect on her first try. She splashed back into the water time after time. I had to hold back a chuckle trying to be supportive, but I did find it a little funny. Ariel was bringing a whole new meaning to the term, "a fish out of water".

After several failed attempts, Ariel finally seemed more confident in her stance. She fell less often and she was constantly glancing down at her feet and toes digging them into the sand. Once I knew she was more confident on her legs, I tried to dress her. Though, it was a task considering I had to remain submerged in the water. My circlet would be handy to use right now, but then I would have to find something for me to dress in. So I waited for now, Ariel was my priority and I was going to make this white cloth work. I crawled my way out of the water completely beaching myself though only temporarily. This would have to be quick because I could feel my tail drying already and my lungs began to ache. I grabbed the white linen and asked Ariel to bend down closer to me and I began draping the material. After about twenty minutes fiddling with the material, I finally got Ariel covered as well as I could. A single shoulder strap dress and I secured it with a rope belt around her waist. Now she didn't look like she'd be on a magazine cover, but with my limited materials I think I did a good job all things considered. After all I was a nursing student in Seattle, not a fashion designer. Ariel smiled putting her hands on her hips making random poses. Her facial expressions were priceless as she was clearly satisfied with her new legs, but since we had surfaced, I found that I missed talking to her. I wish I knew what she was thinking. The next few minutes, she practiced walking some more, but soon a few loud barks were heard. The dog from the ship was prancing straight for Ariel and I and she turned to me looking panicked. I grabbed her hand.

"Don't worry...that's only a dog. He won't hurt you. Pet him with your hand...his fur is soft." I whispered.

Ariel nodded and turned to face the dog who hopped around excitedly licking Ariel and stepping into the water licking my face as well and I patted him gently.

"Max!" A voice called out.

It was Eric and I watched him as he descended the palace steps in search of his dog. Ariel turned toward me nervously grabbing my hand as I slowly submerged myself back in the water.

"Don't worry…" I told her, "You'll be fine."

She started yanking my arm trying to take me with her. I shook my head.

"Ariel, you know I can't at the moment. I'll transform in a bit, but first you should officially introduce yourself to him." I said encouragingly. "You can do this."

She shook her head and patted her throat. Eric was getting closer and in the semi-wet sand near Ariel's feet, I spelled out her name quickly with my finger.

"Good luck!" I whispered to Ariel and quickly dove underwater.

I swam several yards out before I barely popped my head out to watch. I ducked behind some rocks so I could get closer to hear, but still remain hidden. Max got so excited he barked as he jumped up on Ariel bringing her unsteady self down into the water with a splash. Eric ran up grabbing Max by his collar with one hand and helping Ariel up with the other.

"I'm sorry about that miss. He's a big dog, but I promise you he is a gentle giant." Eric said.

Ariel smiled shrugging.

"How did you get here?" Eric asked, "What's your name?"

Ariel pointed toward the sand and Eric looked.

"Ariel?" He asked.

She nodded clapping her hands excitedly.

"That's a beautiful name." Eric smiled and paused briefly, "What's with all the hand gestures?" He asked curiously.

Ariel looked downcast and pat her throat again like she did for me before.

"What? You can't speak?" Eric questioned.

Ariel shook her head and the both of them looked bummed.

"Are you sick? Laryngitis or something?" Eric asked curiously.

Ariel shrugged in response obviously not knowing what Laryngitis was.

"Here…" He said offering his arm, "Let's get you into some dry clothes and maybe we can get you some paper and a quill so I can learn more about you."

Ariel took his arm, but peered back at me and I gave her a thumbs up smiling broadly. Soon, Joel came running down the steps of the palace and joined Eric with Ariel.

"You find Max, Eric?" Joel asked. "And apparently that's not all." He said eyeing Ariel.

As Joel and Eric talked, Max was sniffing around the water and my tail flicked nervously producing a loud splash. Max perked his ears and began jumping and barking in my direction.

"Would you mind getting Max, Joel?" Eric asked, "I'm gonna get her inside and have Carlotta tend to her."

"Yeah, I got the dog." Joel answered.

"Thanks." Eric answered and continued on toward the palace escorting Ariel inside. Joel walked toward Max calling him and clapping his hands.

"Come on, boy." He whistled.

Max glanced at him, but then immediately back in my direction.

"What's wrong? Do you spot a catfish?" Joel smirked.

I held back a laugh and slowly descended back into the water. Joel had to know I was here and got the information from the mirror, so I could return to my human form and move on. I moved as shallow as I could manage and slowly emerged my head out of the water. Max trudged into the water licking my face excitedly and I patted his head again.

"I figured you were here." Joel nodded.

"Surprised to see me?" I questioned.

"It took longer than you said…"

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, Joel."

"Nothing for you to apologize for. Did you find the mirror?" He asked.

"Sure did."

"And you still have a tail?"

"For now." I said flipping my fin above the water playfully splashing Joel.

He complained about my getting him wet, but he kicked his boot in the water splashing me in payback. We both laughed.

"Can you help pull me out? I want to change back now, but without getting my clothes wet." I explained.

"Nobody likes damp clothes." Joel smirked as he grabbed my hand carefully sliding me out from the murky water. He sat and stared now getting a good solid look at my mermaid form.

"It's incredible. Bet you swam well with that thing." He commented.

"Yeah it was fun while it lasted, but I miss my legs." I replied.

I touched the circlet around my head making sure again that it was still there. Immediately closing my eyes to focus on what I wanted.

"I want to be human." I whispered.

I waited to feel a sensation of magical energy, a bright light, or something, but nothing happened. When I reopened my eyes, I still had a red mermaid tail with the blue seashells. I looked at Joel confused.

"Wasn't something supposed to happen?" Joel questioned.

"Obviously…" I snapped, "I don't understand. Why aren't I human?"

My voice was filled with panic.

"Maybe you can only transform at a certain time of day?" Joel asked.

"The fairies never mentioned that...No, something isn't right."

I removed the circlet from my head and examined it. There was nothing wrong with it. I returned it to my head and repeated my same request. Again, nothing happened. I spoke the request five more times in quick succession and each time when nothing happened I grew more and more panicked. By this point, I was starting to feel dizzy and lightheaded. I brought my hand to my head blinking several times trying to see clearly.

"What's wrong?" Joel asked.

"I just feel tired all the sudden." I shrugged.

I specifically was trying to recall how I felt when I first used the transformation gift from Flora. The main thing I remembered was the fatigue, but nothing like now. It's like the magic energy was being used for the spell casting, but nothing came of the result, but I still felt the side effects.

"Noella?" Joel said.

Immediately I passed out.

When I came to, I was groggy and as I looked up the sun was higher in the sky proving I wasn't out for hours at least. Last I knew I was fully on the beach, but now my tail was submerged in the water while my upper half remained dry on the sandy beach.

"What happened?"

"I didn't know what to do, but I figured the scaly part of you needed the water, so I adjusted you moving you closer to the water."

"Thanks Joel."

I scooted myself deeper into the water trying to soak my arms in the moisture of the water. It felt so nice.

"Take it easy." Joel pressed.

"I'm fine." I grumbled.

Joel looked surprised by my snippy attitude and I didn't mean to sound so harsh. I just had too many questions floating around in my mind and nowhere to release them. How was I going to return to my human self if the circlet wasn't working? I can't be out of the water for long at all. I felt my heartbeat begin to race. Panic mode was setting in, but like on the ship I just had to try my best to deal with the circumstances dealt to me. Moments later out of the corner of my eyes, I saw someone come down the steps of the palace. It was Eric and he was calling out to Joel.

"Don't let him see me Joel." I insisted as I swiped my tail around frantically.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I'll be right here though under the surface out deeper. Just splash the top of the surface once he leaves, okay?"

Joel nodded and I submerged myself below. It was a couple of minutes before Joel splashed on the top of the water and I resurfaced again.

"Was that necessary?" Joel said raising a curious brow.

"Uh yeah, last he knew I was human and then I would have to explain everything to him. It's just easier if I hide." I paused momentarily pulling myself on the beach still keeping my tail submerged.

"What did he want anyway?" I suddenly asked tracing my fingers in the sand gently.

"He said he was going to have dinner with Ariel and invited me to join, but I refused. After all I figure we'd be leaving soon." He shrugged.

My face fell into a frown crossing my arms staring out among the waves.

"You should join them…" I paused growing more tense the more I thought about it, "If you haven't noticed I'm still a mermaid. Until I get my legs back, I don't think I should leave."

"I'm sure it'll work itself out, Noella. You're smart and resourceful." Joel commented splashing me suddenly. I wiped myself off glaring at him.

"What was that for?" I snapped, "This is hardly the time."

Joel looked surprised by my outburst.

"Sorry, I was just trying to make you smile like before…"

"Like before what?" I questioned.

"Are you feeling okay still Noella?" He asked bringing his hand to my forehead and I pushed it away.

"Yes, I'm fine Joe." I snapped.

"Uh, Joel." He corrected.

"Yes, right. You know what I meant." I replied putting a hand to my head, "It's the sun. I'm fine."

Joel didn't look convinced, but quickly put a small pack next to me on the sand.

"What's that?" I questioned looking at him curiously.

"It's yours...I'm returning it to you." Joel replied looking confused.

"Thanks, but I don't need it."

"What?" Joel asked looking shocked. "What about your sister?" He pressed.

I cocked my head looking at him confused and he immediately opened up the big zipper pouch on the pack. He pulled out several items from food to clothing items, but finally a black rectangular device. I stared at it curiously and began pressing the buttons on it.

"I hope it still works. It did get some water exposure." Joel said.

"It's waterproof." I mumbled.

"How do you know?"

"It said so on the back."

"Well turn it on and talk to your sister." Joel pressed.

I began pushing an array of buttons until a green light flickered on the screen. Nervously, I gave it back to Joel.

"You take it…" I said suddenly and began scooting myself off the beach and going deeper.

"Wait, Noella. Where are you going?" Joel called out to me.

"I have to go see her about my legs…" I muttered.

"Her? Her who?" Joel replied standing up on his feet.

"Go have dinner Joel. I'll be fine." I insisted.

"It'll be dark soon Noella. Once you've done what you gotta do, meet me back here. Got it?"

"Yeah, sure thing." I answered waving back at him and quickly dove beneath the surface. There was only one person who possibly knew why I wasn't returning to my human self and I had to see her right away.