~Chapter 15~

Noella

For the first time since coming to this place, I dreamt of my mom. It started out as a nice dream. We were having a picnic back in Seattle somewhere in Puget Sound. Mom threw down a blanket and I passed out food and soon Riley joined us and even dad. Suddenly, dad dropped to the ground clutching his chest not breathing. Riley was crying and mom screamed. I woke up upon hearing that scream. When my eyes opened, I stretched my arms and flipped my fin around waking all the muscles up. I splashed some water in my face before returning to the beach. As I got closer, I saw Ariel up on a high balcony from her room. She tossed something over the side. It was a rope ladder made of some linens. She carefully climbed down, but she stopped suddenly realizing she didn't use enough linens. It was a bit of a drop to the water, but at least she was over water. I could see the fear in her face as I got closer and called out to her.

"Ariel, just let go. I know it looks like a big drop, but the water is a lot closer than you think… c'mon jump." I insisted.

Ariel shook her head nervously.

"Let go on the count of three. One. Two…"

Ariel closed her eyes hitting the water with a splash. I got to her pulling her up above the surface. Once I got her to the shore, she began wringing out her hair and her dress, but she looked so unusually solemn and sad.

"What's wrong?" I quickly asked.

She immediately put her face in her hands crying. I patted her head unsure of how I could help my mute friend. After all, she couldn't tell me the problem even if she wanted to. I couldn't wait for Ariel to get her voice back.

"Noella!" A familiar voice called to me.

I looked up and Joel was running right toward us. When he caught up to us, he stopped trying to catch his breath. I'd never seen Joel in such a state before.

"What's wrong?" I asked curiously.

"Eric is getting married…" Joel said still panting heavily.

"Whoa, that's a little sudden…" I said nudging Ariel in the shoulder, "All you had to do was kiss, I know you're excited Ariel, but maybe slow things down at least a little…"

Ariel just looked at me and shook her head continuing to cry. I watched her curiously wondering what got her so upset.

"No Noella…" Joel corrected me finally steadying his breath, "Eric is marrying a woman named Vanessa."

"What?" I said glancing at Joel and Ariel confused.

"She's a fake...I think Vanessa is that old sea witch." Joel explained.

"But how do you know?" I asked him curiously.

"Because her reflection told me so...that woman is a fraud."

My heart was racing at this point. Not only was a lot riding on this for Ariel, but the fact that Ursula stooped to such measures was so wrong. Was Ariel such a threat that she wanted to destroy her happiness? I looked over toward the docks all the way on the other side of the palace on the opposite side that we were. Groups of people were loading up on the ship for the ceremony.

"Joel, you have to be on the boat find anyway you can to stop the wedding…" I instructed him.

"What are you going to do?" He quickly asked.

"I'll do what I can from the water…" I shrugged.

Joel nodded and quickly took off toward the wedding ship docks. Ariel looked up at me wiping her cheeks sniffing weakly. I quickly hugged her and pulled away looking at her in the eyes firmly.

"Don't worry. We'll fix this together. Ursula won't steal your joy." I said smiling encouragingly. Ariel smiled weakly nodding her head.

"Let's get you on board for your kiss…" I said determinedly. "Just follow after Joel over there to that dock and…"

Soon a loud burst of trumpets echoed in our ears and my heart sank as I saw the gangplank for the ship be pulled back from the dock and the wedding ship began to move out to sea.

"Boy, tough break." A voice above us said.

It was a large seagull hovering and circling above our heads. Ariel smiled broadly and clapped excitedly.

"Do you know this bird?" I asked curiously.

Ariel nodded as the bird swooped down landing in the sand between us. He glanced at both of us several times.

"Ya know, something is screwy here. Last time, Ariel had the tail and you had the human feet. What gives?" The bird said scratching his head with his feathery wing.

"It's a long story, but who are you?" I asked.

"Don't you recognize me sweetie?" The bird replied, "You saved my life that day at Starfish Rock. The name is Scuttle." He said.

"Oh…" I said timidly not realizing how weird it was to be associated to a seagull before.

I quickly glanced back at the ship and it was already several yards out on the water.

"Look Scuttle, can you do me a huge favor?" I asked curiously

"Sure thing, sweetie. Just ask." He replied.

"I need to recruit any and all animal allies quickly. Once they're gathered, I need you to stop the woman in the white dress on the deck on that ship by any means necessary. Can you do that?"

"No problem." Scuttle replied and quickly flew off squawking away as he flew off.

"Hurry!" I yelled.

In moments, Scuttle was gone and out of sight. I quickly scooted myself into the water and stopped at my waist looking at Ariel.

"C'mon grab my shoulders. I'm getting you to that ship." I pressed.

Ariel stepped toward me, but then pulled away shaking her head.

"Ariel I know you're hurt, but we're going to fix this." I said quickly, "I won't let Ursula win!" I said emphasizing every word. Ariel looked at me and then knelt down latching herself to my shoulders and I quickly took off toward the ship kicking my fin in high gear like never before.