Silence followed them closely, existing like a physical presence between the two young lovers as they swam. Neither could find words befitting the situation, caught instead inside their own troubled minds. It was a long swim, and a slow one on account of Eric's easily tired muscles. Both had much to think about.

A heavy dread had settled in Ariel's stomach since Eric had mentioned her father with such hopeful optimism in his eyes, and she couldn't shake it, couldn't rid herself of the feeling that this was a bad idea. She wanted to plead with him to reconsider, to think about how much he was risking, but he seemed decided. Her advice had already caused him so much pain, she wouldn't be able to live with herself if this lead to further sorrow. Her only hope at seeing him again was to send him in alone, she could take him as far as the throne room, but he would have to enter by himself, lest her father discover that she had been beyond the boundaries of the city. Even so, it may be too late. Her sisters would at this moment be waking to find her gone. Would Aquata reveal her, or would she be able to fabricate some excuse at having risen early to meander about the city? It was a long shot, but she would have to try.

Beside her Eric was shaking, terrified. She took his hand, held it tight within her own. She had to believe this would work.

Eric was thankful for the contact, for something real to hold on to as his thoughts spiralled around him uncontrollably. For the first time in his life he was taking the reins, and never had he experienced such frightening uncertainty. His heart hammered against his chest with such force that he felt certain Ariel would feel its reverberations through the water. More than once did he have to remind himself to breathe, to keep moving.

As the shimmering city came in to view Eric had the sudden urge to flee, to return home and apologise to his mother for his interfering. Would she be beginning to worry at his absence, or was the rift between them now so extensive that she failed to care? He continued towards his destination, determined; he had made his decision and he wouldn't turn back now. This was not the time for cowardice.

Atlantica was bigger, busier, and more beautiful than Eric could have imagined. His view from the edge of the kelp forest had not done it justice, and he couldn't help but marvel at his surroundings as Ariel lead him towards the palace. The tall, rigid structures were so different from the living, breathing environment he had grown up in. It was so bright here, the palace casting light like the sun itself.

Merpeople stared, dipping their heads to the passing Princess, and Eric felt strangely exposed; never had he been in the presence of so many, and with nothing here to conceal him. He kept his eyes low, lest he not be welcome here.

When they came to the palace, with it's towering arches and columns of gold, Ariel changed tactic, dragging Eric out of sight and into the shadows and making directly for a more secluded entrance. If she was to fool her father it would help to have been seen in the city, but she intended to get Eric inside without detection.

He obeyed her silent commands unquestioningly, his rising panic signalling to him the imminence of what he was about to do. He forced a series of deep breaths.

They bypassed guards and servants unseen, and once inside the palace walls Ariel pulled him into a dark and secluded alcove.

'Are you sure about this?' Her voice was low and breathless, and her eyes held a seriousness most unlike her. 'It's not too late, Eric, you can change your mind.'

She held both his trembling hands tight within her own.

There came no immediate answer. Eric realised that this may well be his last chance to go back. If he proceeded now, his life would, one way or another, change forever. The words to reverse his decision were on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them down, drew close what courage he had. He raised Ariel's clasped hands to his lips.

'I can't go back now,' he murmured. He hoped she understood.

Ariel hesitated. Then she nodded, realising that Eric's terror was second only to his determination. She did understand; he had pondered the possibility of appealing to the King for so long that being within such close proximity secured the decision in his mind. She sent a silent prayer that her father would listen before he made his judgement, that he would treat Eric fairly.

They journeyed to the throne room together, for the King's routine was unvaried. His first duty of the day was to receive his subjects, those who wished to raise an issue with him directly, to ask his aid, or to confess. Only one day of the week did he breakfast with his daughters, and Ariel was glad that it was not today.

The guard tasked with admittance startled at the approach of the Princess and bowed respectfully to her before straightening to observe Eric coolly.

'You wish to speak with the King?' he guessed.

Eric nodded, saving his voice.

'Wait here.'

'Please'—Ariel halted his progress—'you won't mention my name.' The guard regarded her with uncertainty. It had not been a question though. He nodded once, hesitantly, and then disappeared through the arch to announce Eric's arrival.

Finding themselves suddenly alone, Ariel and Eric turned to one another with matching intentions. Their lips connected in tender passion. Both felt the suggestion of farewell amidst the contact, but neither mentioned it, instead opting to push such an unwelcome thought aside. All would be well, they had to believe it.

'I can't come with you if there's any chance of us meeting again,' murmured Ariel. She wanted to. She wanted to stay by his side, to support him in what was possibly the toughest decision he had ever had to make; but her father would know that she had disobeyed him. He would put an end to her ventures for good.

'I don't expect you to,' replied Eric, fighting to keep his voice steady. 'This is for me to face, not you.' He kissed her again. 'I hope you know how much you mean to me, Ariel.'

'Enter.'

They broke apart at the blunt command, the guard having returned from within. It was time. Ariel squeezed Eric's hand and offered what she sincerely hoped was a reassuring smile, then watched with a knot of dread in her stomach as he disappeared to meet his fate.

King Triton sat high and mighty above him, and even from such a distance Eric could appreciate his strength, and ultimate power of the trident he held. He ascended unsteadily, forcing himself forward, though uncertain as to the appropriate distance he should keep. His voice would not carry so far up, though, so he edged a little closer. The King's face came into focus, his eyes white, and his features twisting into such a fierce scowl that Eric wondered whether he recognised him as his mother's son.

He felt sick with apprehension.

Making the decision to proceed, Eric bent low, clenched his fists to conceal their trembling, and straightened to begin what he had rehearsed in his mind obsessively over the course of the morning. I've done nothing wrong, he reminded himself.

'Your Majesty, my name's Eric—'

'HOW DARE YOU COME HERE!' The King's voice was thunderous, the trident glowing bright within his clenched fist. His face darkened, burning rage coursing through his veins. He had thought it an apparition, some cruel trick of his own minds making, but there could be no doubt now. Nastasya had failed him. There would be no second chances for the boy, he did not deserve kindness for having the audacity to show his face here. In his rage, Triton failed to recall any true fact, only what he believed to be true; this boy was the reason for Athena's death. He would not let his daughters share her fate.

Eric, startled at the outburst, backed away. He didn't understand, had barely begun. Did his mere name warrant such a reaction? The words to explain himself, to beg pardon, evaporated on his tongue as the King advanced, his gaze murderous. The young merman was frozen in fear, and hardly registered the flurry of red in his periphery, coming to his senses only when Ariel appeared beside him, her hand reassuring upon his arm.

'Daddy, listen to him!' she pleaded.

The ferocity of her father's voice had horrified her, and she had allowed no time for consideration before hurrying to Eric's side. Her only thought was that she must defend him. She knew her father to be unreasonable, but she hadn't expected him to turn on Eric so soon. How could he be so quick to judge?

The King paused as her appearance, then roared as though possessed. A crack like lighting erupted from the trident, so deafening that those in attendance instinctively sought to shield their ears. The reverberations splintered the dome of the throne room, shards of gold raining upon those below. With the contact between his daughter and the boy broken, Triton sent a bolt of energy towards the latter, slamming him against the far wall with a force that seemed to shake the very room.

'Seize him!' he boomed.

The two guards stationed beside the throne wasted no time in following his command, gripping a bruised and winded Eric tightly between them, pinning his arms to his side.

'Daddy, stop it!' screamed Ariel, recovering herself from the shock of such unprovoked brutality.

'Silence! Lock him up!'

The guards did not hesitate, dragging Eric between them with an ease that terrified Ariel, for she thought that he might be truly hurt. She should never have allowed this. She should have made him understand the extent of her father's hatred and prevented him from ever coming here. Instead, she had lead him. This was her fault.

'No.' Her voice came as a broken whisper. She made to swim to her beloved, but her fin would not move, no matter her will, and was forced to watch as, below her, Eric disappeared, his imprisonment unchallenged.

The trident pulsed within the King's grasp. It had been his one promise, to never use its power on his daughters, and since he had lulled Aquata all those years ago he had strictly adhered to that promise; but such a situation warranted drastic measures. He loomed over his youngest now, muscles taught with barely suppressed fury, unmoved by her tearful pleas.

'He only wanted your help!' cried Ariel, her words full of hatred. 'He didn't do anything wrong, why wouldn't you help him?'

'Enough!' Triton's voice was low, threatening. 'My rules are clear, and I will not permit such disobedience as yours.' He gripped Ariel's trembling chin, forcing her eyes to his. His resentment, he reminded himself, was with the boy, not her. Clearly the human had contaminated her mind with lies, convinced her of his innocence when she knew no better. He would remove his toxic influence permanently. 'You will join your sisters, and if there is anyattempt to seek him out I will ensure you never leave this palace again, and destroy that boy with all the power of the seven seas.'

The finality his words, and the menace with which they were spoken, terrified Ariel. She grit her teeth, determined that she would not show weakness in front of him. The second she felt the trident release it's hold, she fled, her despair wrapped like hands about her throat.

It hurt to move. It hurt to breathe. He hadn't the strength to fight, hardly registered the gravity of the King's words as he was hauled through the deepest and darkest pathways of the palace. Only when a hard grating jarred through his consciousness did Eric look up. A cell greeted him, small and dank, but he lacked the presence of mind to react until the door clanked shut behind him.

'No...' He was left with his fin crumpled beneath him, and turned at the sound of the lock. 'Please...' He dragged himself to the gate, clutched at the frigid bars of coral. 'Please, you don't understand!' he begged. But the guards had already turned their backs.

'You can't leave me here!' he cried desperately as they disappeared from sight.

Eric was left with only his own harsh breaths and palpitating heart for company. He shrank back to the far wall, hugged his fin against his chest, tried and failed to hold something within his lungs, but each breath was expelled more rapidly than he could snatch them. It was a cruel taste of what awaited him come sunset, his own body taunting him; but he could not stop it, could not calm himself.

'Help...' he gasped. But there was nobody to hear him, only darkness and silence, and the heartbeat of the ocean that would soon claim him.