~Chapter 13~
Noella
Ursula had the answers, I know she did. All I could focus on was swimming my tail hard and fast to reach her eerie lair. After only been here once, I was surprised I found it again, but it surprisingly wasn't too far from where I left Joel and it was hard to miss a large bony carcass of a sea creature. I went inside swimming quickly into the depths of Ursula's lair passing by those worm creatures again lying across the floor like they were before. I ventured into the lair and it looked to be vacant. Ursula wasn't around apparently, it must have been my luck, so I would use the next best thing, the mirror. I swam to the vanity and sat down summoning it forth once again.
"You again, young miss…" The mirror grumbled, "Are you sure about this?"
"How do I get rid of my tail?" I pressed not wanting to waste time.
"The help you seek comes in the form of a king, but be warned sometimes he can't tame his tongue and his words can sting." The mirror replied, "The circlet on top of your head, is the only reason you are not dead." The mirror added.
Soon, a cackling laugh echoed all around and I saw a long black tentacle slide down into the light from the dark hole in the nearby wall.
"You know my dear most merfolk don't visit me twice." Ursula smirked floating her way out of the hole. "And they don't usually leave. You have some nerve using my mirror without a form of payment."
"This is for last time. You did something…"I mumbled.
"What did I do?" Ursula grinned almost as if she was mocking me.
"You know." I grumbled putting a hand to my head feeling frustrated.
"Flotsam, Jetsam...let's make her more comfortable." Ursula bellowed.
Immediately the eels swarmed me wrapping their slimy bodies around me so I couldn't move. They wrapped me so tight I could hardly breathe. I was pulled down to the floor of the cave and I looked up at Ursula who blew a green powder in my face. I coughed and sneezed a few times, but the powder whatever it was made my eyes sting and my vision blurred.
"Now, dear tell me why you're here." Ursula said patting my head.
"I want my legs back." I mumbled barely audible.
It was so strange I felt like I was drugged.
"You don't have legs…" Ursula replied and her voice seemed to echo in my ears. I began struggling, which made the eels squeeze tighter.
"No, you're a mermaid." Ursula said emphasizing every word slowly. It echoed in my head.
"I-I-I'm human!" I yelled.
Ursula looked angry and clasped her hand over my mouth. I began wriggling again and Ursula kept filling my head with lies. Telling me I was a mermaid over and over. This continued for several more minutes. When I still fought against her persuasion, she blew more green powder in my face. I coughed again and that was it. I heard only her voice and I couldn't fight against her power of suggestion.
"You're a mermaid…" She said.
"I'm a mermaid." I replied in a monotone.
"You belong to me." She said.
"I belong to you." I murmured.
Ursula drew up a glowing contract and all that was left was for me to sign it. I didn't want to. Somewhere deep in my subconscious my will was trapped and Ursula had some sort of control over me like I was her puppet. Ursula asked one of the eels to slightly loosen its grip on me so she could access my hand. She plucked a sea urchin off the wall of her cave and pricked my finger.
"Touch the contract, seal it in blood, and we'll be square for all of eternity." She said cackling maniacally.
Seconds later, a fish and a crab entered the room. I didn't acknowledge them because I was still heavily influenced under Ursula's spell.
"Noella!" The crab said my name.
He swam over pinching the eels hard making them release me. The yellow fish swam over to a shelf on the wall holding Ursula's various potions and elixirs. He knocked them all down causing a major distraction for Ursula and I felt her hold on me really weaken. As the various bottles fell to the ground, some caused a nice covering of a smoke.
"Hurry, Noella!" The fish said.
"F-Flounder?" I said in a daze as his face moved from a blur to being more concrete.
"No time to waste, mon." The crab said, "Let's go."
I felt like I got partial control back and I swam out of there as quickly as I could.
"This isn't over!" Ursula yelled out as we made our escape.
The next thing I knew, I was on the sandy shores with my tail submerged and Joel was sitting next to me. It was pretty late because the moon was high in the sky with its beams reflecting beautifully off the water. I must have passed out again because I didn't remember swimming back here. Sebastian explained that during our escape I started to sing a song and a pod of dolphins came to help us. I didn't remember that part at all. Joel thanked them for their help as did I. As I tried to recall the details with what happened with Ursula, it was all fuzzy almost like a bad dream, but the sharp prick of my finger and the haze I was in proved that it did in fact happen.
"I'm just glad you got out of there when you did." Joel commented.
"I thought I had it under control."
"She's a sea witch and quite cunning Noella, you're one of the lucky ones." Sebastian commented.
"Why did you go back?" Joel pressed.
Thinking back on it, I didn't remember the reason and that fact scared me as to why I would risk so much for something I couldn't remember.
"I wanted to confront her…" I muttered trying to access my memory.
"What about?" Joel asked.
"A tail...no my tail… ugh no, my legs."
"I don't understand." Joel said.
"I think Ursula tainted my gift from the fairies and something bad happens instead."
"That explains a lot." Joel commented.
"It does?"
"Yeah, with your memories. I mean starting with your sister…"
"Who?" I said.
"Riley." Joel answered.
This would be a whole lot easier if I had my legs back. With tears in my eyes, I touched the top of the circlet on my head.
"Make me human." I chanted and repeated this a few times.
"Noella, don't!" Joel yelled.
It was too late, the power was expelled and again nothing happened and my tail remained, but soon after I quickly fell over passing out once again.
My eyes were met with the blaring morning sun and I put my hand over my eyes trying to shade my eyes. Joel was sitting in one of the nearby docked lifeboats and I sat up curiously assessing the situation. I looked at him curiously scratching my head.
"How long was I out?" I asked.
"All night." Joel answered.
I began wiggling my tail around in the water that I was partially submerged in. Being a mermaid was fun and all, but I wanted to have control back.
"Please don't tell me you've been out here all night?" I groaned.
"Alright, then I won't tell you." Joel smirked trying to be funny.
"This is serious Joel. You should be inside among those with legs." I grumbled swishing my tail around some more in the water.
"Believe me when I tell you that I much prefer being outside rather than in a large palace. I don't belong in that world."
"Okay, but you at least deserve a bed." I shrugged.
"I managed." He replied.
"Eric didn't see me did he?" I suddenly asked.
"No, but Ariel came down curious about how you were doing. She's worried about you."
"Well, I'm fine or at least I will be once I get my legs back."
"You're awfully fixated on your legs lately…" He commented.
"You would be too if you lost the ability to walk on land." I replied with a sudden attitude.
"Who says we can't at least look for the next mirror?" Joel pressed.
"What mirror? I just want my legs back." I replied.
"See, that is exactly why Ariel is concerned." He said pointing a finger.
"If she's so concerned, why doesn't she tell me that herself?" I challenged.
"You know why, Noella." Joel replied.
"Yeah, right." I said timidly. "Where are those two anyway?" I asked changing the subject.
"Eric is giving Ariel a tour of his kingdom for the afternoon. He invited me along, but I figured it was better if I stay behind. They should be back this evening."
"I hope Ariel is enjoying her legs." I commented.
"I'm sure she is." Joel shrugged.
Later that evening, Joel threw down the backpack in front of me crossing his arms looking stern.
"You need to talk to her…" He pressed.
"Talk to who? It's just us here." I said glancing around.
"I made a promise to your sister Riley and I intend to keep it. You wouldn't dare make me a dishonest man would you?"
"Well, if the shoe fits…" I grumbled.
"Noella, this isn't you." Joel pressed desperately grabbing my shoulders.
He began shaking me and I pushed him away.
"Lay off, you're hurting me."
Immediately, I scooted myself off the sand bar and went for a swim. Joel called for me, but I ignored him. I wanted to get away just for a bit just me alone in my thoughts. Joel's accusations echoed in my head and I was desperate to make it stop. All I wanted was to have my legs back was that such a crime? What would I do or where would I go once I did? Joel and I were on a journey together he was helping me. Putting time and effort in helping me all without being asked. My family suddenly filled my head like a distant memory that I thought was gone forever. Riley...Mom...the mirrors were leading me closer and closer. Sebastian and Flounder saved me from her lair, but not her influence. I had stumbled upon a deep trench deep within these depths. There was no seeing the bottom and that was perfect for what I was about to do. With no more hesitation or questioning, I took off the gold circlet on my head and threw it down into the trench. Eventually it floated down and out of sight. Good riddance to that cursed thing. If I ever saw Flora again after this, I would thank her for the gift, but I think she would understand why I had to dispose of it. Getting rid of the circlet was so liberating. I felt like I had been under a fog and it finally lifted. There were still some pieces missing, but at least this was a start. Excitedly, I turned my tail around and swiftly rose to the surface lifting myself out of the water breaching with a big splash as I swam my way back to Eric's beach outside his palace. Joel called out to me once I was in view and I waved. I swam fast scooting myself back onto the beach reaching for the backpack. I turned on the device and clicked the talk button.
"Riley? Are you there?" I said.
Joel was watching me this whole time smirking and I nodded curling my lips smiling at him.
Riley and I had a very long overdue conversation ending too soon with our uncle interrupting the talk, but at least she heard my voice and it helped to hear hers. I turned off the walkie and returned it to the backpack and Joel just stood there smiling.
"What?" I asked curiously.
"Thanks for keeping me honest." He replied.
"I was going to talk to her...it just didn't suit before." I shrugged.
"Yeah, sure." He paused for a moment before pointing toward me, "Where's the circlet?" He asked.
"Oh I got rid of it."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that." I echoed.
"We'll find another way to get your legs back." He nodded reassuringly.
"I know." I agreed smiling slightly.
About a half-hour later, I ducked below the surface quickly since Eric and Ariel returned. Eric talked to Joel just briefly helping him scoot a boat out onto the water and then Eric extended his hand to help Ariel in and then Eric rowed the two of them offshore. Once far enough away, I swam back over to Joel.
"They seem to be getting on well." I laughed lightly.
"I guess so." Joel agreed.
"You're telling me you don't think they're falling for eachother?"
"I don't get you Noella." Joel commented looking confused, "They aren't falling."
"Ugh, nevermind." I laughed rolling my eyes.
Before Ariel gave up her voice and we talked, I knew how smitten she was, but after getting to know her, I could only hope that Eric would feel the same. Tomorrow was Ursula's deadline by sunset. However, seeing those two in the distance showed there was nothing to worry about. Eric rowed him and Ariel off to a nearby bay surrounded in a few weeping willows that hid them once they went through the vines. Curiosity raged within me and I wanted to check on them, but I let it be. Joel noticed my fingers drumming in the sand.
"Something wrong? He asked.
"No." I said simply.
"Clearly, there's…"
As Joel kept talking, I tuned my ears listening to music and singing of some kind nearby. It was faint, but it was there.
"Shh, Joel do you hear that?" I whispered.
Joel looked at me like I was crazy.
"I don't hear anything."
"Seriously?" I said incredulously. "I wanna check it out."
"Fine, but I'm coming with you." He said standing starting to take off his boots and shirt.
"W-What are you doing?" I asked trying not to be distracted by his muscular form.
"I don't want all wet clothes." He replied simply, "Just cause I don't have a tail doesn't mean I can't swim with you."
"I guess that's true, but I doubt you can keep up." I said laughing splashing my way forward swimming to lead the way toward the bay. As we got nearer, Joel finally admitted to hearing something. I guess being a mermaid gave me keen hearing abilities or something. Eric and Ariel were sitting in the boat in the middle of this bay looking rather cozy. I stared in awe because around them tons of sea creatures, birds, and Flounder and Sebastian were all singing a catchy music number. I'd been in this world long enough to remember that music was a big part of things here, but still sometimes it caught me off guard. My heart began to race as I playfully slapped Joel against the shoulder.
"It's happening…" I said grinning eagerly.
"What?" Joel said naively obviously not catching onto the theme of the tune and frankly it was obvious just by watching Eric and Ariel. Eric began to lean in slowly and Ariel closed her eyes. They almost made it until suddenly the boat tipped over sending the two of them into the water.
"Aw c'mon! Seriously!" I said slapping the top of the water.
"That's a mood killer." Joel shrugged, "The water must have been too choppy."
I scanned my eyes over to the boat inspecting the area for rogue waves or anything. My eyes widened in fear and surprise by the two familiar eels that I saw. Immediately I felt that all too familiar sense of entrapment like when I was back in Ursula's lair and they had tied me down. Shaking myself from recalling those memories further, I watched them surface for a few moments and then disappeared beneath the depths. I didn't see it happen proving it was them, but my gut told me that obviously Ursula sent them to stop Eric and Ariel from kissing.
"Ugh, the nerve of that octo-freak!" I grumbled.
"C'mon the show is over." Joel pressed taking my arm, "Let's get back."
"Sure and hey can I ask a favor?" I said as we left the bay.
"What?" Joel asked curiously.
"Separate Eric from Ariel and get him to his palace. I wanna talk to Ariel alone. I know you don't like the palace, but just this once...I know it's a lot to ask, but…"
Joel held up his hand stopping my rambling request.
"I'll do it, Noella." He nodded.
I thanked him as we made our way back. Not far behind us, Eric rowed back with Ariel and it was dark, so I didn't have to hide as far out as usual. Joel got his dry clothes back on before greeting Eric and taking him up the stairs to the doors leading to the palace. Ariel sat on the beach for a few wringing out her hair and the hem of her blue dress. I swam up quickly to talk to her before she headed up for the night.
"Pst, Ariel." I said swimming up to her.
Ariel looked up smiling broadly at me waving excitedly.
"It's good to see you!"
She nodded crouching down to hug me and I pulled back quickly.
"Don't you'll get wet." I said.
Ariel shrugged throwing her hands at her sides obviously pointing out she was already soaked from the dip just now.
"Right...tonight didn't go as expected, huh?"
She shook her head looking sad.
"He was going to kiss you Ariel...don't give up." I reassured her. "Why don't you turn the tables on him before breakfast tomorrow...you should take the initiative and you should kiss him." I suggested winking at her.
Ariel looked at me shocked as if I said something completely outrageous.
"No seriously...You both feel it. Sometimes men are slow." I shrugged.
Ariel began playing with her hair nervously as she held back a yawn.
"Well, why don't you sleep on it. I won't keep you. Goodnight." I smiled.
Ariel nodded blowing me a kiss as she ran up the beach and up the palace steps. Those legs of hers had gotten strong so quickly and she would have them permanently with how well things were going. I didn't tell her about Flotsam and Jetsam's presence because that would just freak her out. Tomorrow Ursula would probably start making waves to stop the kiss from happening and Joel and I would have to be on high alert.
I turned to leave for the night returning in the morning hoping Eric and Ariel would seal the deal with a kiss. The water was calm and still compared to the choppy nature earlier today. It was a cool night with a light mist moving from the water toward land. I swam out toward some rocks where I usually slept, but I stopped swimming and turned my gaze upon hearing an all too familiar sound. It was Ariel singing. I spun around looking around for my redheaded friend, but she was nowhere. Maybe I was mistaken, I hadn't heard her voice in a few days. I swam closer peeking out from behind a lifeboat partially in the sand. The woman definitely wasn't Ariel. Her long dark brown hair stretched down the length of her back blowing in the light evening breeze. She walked up the beach and right up to the palace doors. Eric opened the door for her and she went in. Who was that woman?