A Mermaid's Tail
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I do not own Once Upon a Time or any of its fabulous characters. All recognizable players, dialogue, and/or magic spells belong to ABC and Disney.
Chapter 5
Ariel felt her fear slowly ebb as she ran further and further away from the busy market place. Her wobbly knees shook to a high degree, forcing her to slow down, least she topple over onto the hard stones. Her exasperated breathing calmed to a slower rhythm as her awkward stride slackened. She was feeling a lot less scared now that she had put some distance between the queen of the land and her.
Winded, Ariel slumped against a large tree at the side of the village path, absentmindedly plucking green leaves off while she watched groups of humans walking to market. Maybe she should try and tell Eric what happened, explain to him why she had been so afraid and upset? She knew that Eric would understand, even if she really did not.
She was not angry at him, she was angry at herself. No… she was furious. Seeing the queen with the eyes of a shark had ignited such fear, such distress in her because it reminded her of her own vulnerability. As a mermaid her sisters had always nagged her for being so small, weak, pathetic. After she had grown, she could shrug off her sister's constant criticisms, though she still had to endure their looks of disapproval. Until now, she had never thought to believe them. Until now.
Ariel shredded the green leaf in her hand and in frustration threw it hard on the ground. She had never found it hard to dismiss Queen Marina's reprimands. After all, she had been responsible for everything and everyone in the pod. Surely, she was wrong…but maybe she had been right all along. Ariel had never helped bring any ships down or killed any enemies; that life had seemed so cruel and evil. But when it came down to her own battles, when she saw the danger of the queen of the land, she had turned and fled like a coward. She had even taken her fury out on the one person she truly trusted in this strange human world.
Thinking of Eric's expression of worry as she had fled from the market made her feel even worse. He had been trying to understand her, even when she was acting like a complete fool, she knew that now. He had tried to be there for her and she had brushed him off as callously as she had her sisters when she was a mermaid. He deserved better than that. She wanted to be better than that.
Face flushed with determination, she dropped the remnants of the leaf she had been fingering and rounded onto the path back towards the village. She wanted to apologize. She had never felt the need to do it more in her entire life. Even if she could not say "I'm sorry" with her voice, she wanted so much to do it.
As Ariel retraced her steps back towards the market, there came a rustle of leaves above her head. Well lookie there! Could catch a school of tuna with that face!
Startled, she jerked her head up to catch the source of the voice. She knew that humans could climb trees but had never imagined one being so high up. Of all the strangest things… it was a disheveled-looking seagull balancing on a tree limb.
Ariel did not bother to stifle her groan. Seagulls were known by mermaids to be notorious gabbers, with no sense of hygiene, and a very crude sense of humor. That she could understand the sea creature's croaks was no surprise; if anything it was a calamity. Apparently, not all of her mermaid senses had been lost when her voice had been taken.
Where you going toots? Off to a hot date? the bird squawked in the signature shriek of a gull.
Ariel deliberately kept her eyes on the road, doing her best to ignore the annoying bird. Apparently, this was a stubborn one. Instead of being discouraged, the creature hopped along another tree branch to follow her along the path, gabbing continuously.
Here I am, lost as a pigeon with no head and what do I find miles from any shore? A fair sea-maid in distress and in dire need of my assistance! the messy bird squealed. Well, have no fear missy! I am the best of the best in any sticky situation-be it wind or hail, heat or cold, fish or garbage…I am reaaadddy!
While spewing his enthusiastic speech, the gull flapped down to land on the road in front of Ariel so that she was forced to acknowledge his endearing presence. Bowing his white and grey head, the bird stiffened and gave a salute of his wing that Ariel found amusing.
I can't think of any situation where a gull would be helpful, she thought to herself with a smirk. She cocked her hip and folded her arms, leveling the bird with an annoyed look.
Now don't give me that look missy! I know you mer-chicks do not usually appreciate the resolve of us honorable birds but the scuttlebutt is that you need some guidance up here, the gull chirped.
Ariel frowned, Scuttle-what?
The scuttlebutt! You know…the buzz, the gossip, the rumor, the chinwag…you name it!
Ariel could not help the smile that tugged at her lips. She was starting to like the antics of this strange bird. Mermaids did not associate with such lower creatures but as a human, she found this one to be funny.
The beak of the seagull spread as he did his own bird-version of a smile, That's the spirit toots! The bird flapped a filthy wing, gesturing excitedly up towards Ariel.
Perhaps you are a wanting a hot date for the coming festival! Well I can tell you for a fact that there are some fine-looking sailor boys just waiting to be snagged by a beautiful siren such as yourself!
Ariel shook her head hard, Sorry not interested. And I really must be going.
She side-stepped to avoid the gull and started again on the path back towards the village.
Hey wait up toots! We were just getting started…, the gull called out as he spread his wings in a clumsy flap. He comically hopped along the path behind Ariel, not having enough power for lift. Ariel sniggered a little and slowed so that he could catch up as he bounced along.
Scuttlebutt yourself! Ariel thought. Silly bird.
As Ariel retraced her steps back towards the market, she passed a large gated walkway bordering an elegant estate. Fancy marbled statuettes, pillared stuccos, and a very well-designed garden indicated a family of great wealth and power. Had she not heard loud voices raised in anger speaking harsh, cruel words Ariel might have simply stomped past without a thought towards the humans. As it was, the shouted words rung oddly familiar.
"You stupid stupid girl!"
Ariel's legs abruptly halted and she swayed a little, adjusting to her shock. Humans rarely raised their voice but when they did all reason seemed lost. She turned towards the gate to peer through the bars at the scene unfolding in the cobblestoned courtyard of the estate. The scuttlebutt seagull slide next to her, brushing lightly against her boot.
A young woman in a very tattered dress was standing solidly in the middle of the yard, her arms full of a large basket of laundry. Her filthy blonde hair was tucked underneath a well-worn kerchief with a few wispy ends dangling over gentle blue eyes. The object of rage that Ariel had heard yell the cruel words seemed to be coming from a tall, elegantly dressed woman looming over the girl in rags. The raving mistress had her hair up in a tight, refined bun and was impeccably dressed in a sophisticated gown of red and white. Her classy appearance did little to hide the ugly, wrath-like expression on her pinched face.
"I told you to have this riding habit cleaned and pressed by the time we got back! Are you trying to ruin me?!" the evil woman screeched as she flung a scarlet jacket at the face of the girl.
The girl on the receiving end of the abuse simply turned her head, allowing the article of clothing to bounce off her face, and fall into her arms. Ariel noticed from her vantage point that she held herself with her back straight and her head set resolutely up, meeting the eyes of the taller woman without expression.
The older woman leveled a pointing finger into the face of the girl as her voice dropped an octave into a sinister hiss, "This is intolerable Ella…I will not have such laziness in my staff."
Her finger shoved hard onto the girl's shoulder, as if to knock her down. The effect was minute; the girl held her ground and merely allowed her torso to shift. Done with her ranting and raving, the mistress turned towards the estate in a flurry, huffing and puffing with fury the whole way until the door slammed behind her.
Whoa! What's eating her clam shell? the Scuttlebutt bird croaked at Ariel's feet.
Ariel shrugged for an answer; she thought that the show was over but as she turned away another equally shrilly voice rang out.
"Ugh, what a drama queen!"
Ariel hadn't notice two younger women leaning against the corner of the outer station of the courtyard. They were practically miniature versions of the older mistress with equally pinched faces and narrowed slits for eyes. As they rounded towards the laundry basket girl, Ariel was reminded of her own sisters when they spotted weakened prey in the water. Both bore down upon the girl, eyeing her as Ariel's mermaid sisters would a tender piece of human flesh.
"You know Cinderella you're liable to get thrown out. I mean seriously, what a stupid thing to do," said the shorter, plumper one waving her hands in sharp gestures.
Airhead, thought Ariel.
The taller, skinnier one in an ugly yellow dress nodded with exaggeration, "I'll say. Good hired hands are sooo hard to find these days."
The sisters (it was clear they were related) circled Ella, saying other cruel comments about how she "couldn't do anything right" and was "good for nothing". If they were expected their prey to burst into tears, they must have been sadly disappointed. Ella put on her street face with eyes focused firmly forward, chin set defiantly upward, not allowing anyone to see her hurt. Ariel could not have been more impressed. Bored with their cruel game, the two meanies finally slinked away. As the two stepped towards the estate house, the skinny one deliberately adjusted her stride to bump into this "Cinderella" and caused the basket to go tumbling onto the ground, its contents spilling all over the dirt path.
"Oops! Now look what you've done," the mean one feigned shock with widened eyes and a hand over the mouth. "You're sooo clumsy sometimes Cinderella."
Ariel felt a white flash of fury thrust through her. The girl in rags, "Cinderella", was bearing the brunt of such harsh bullying.
But to her immense surprise, the girl did not even bat an eye. Her only response to the shove was to shrug good-naturedly, "I guess I am".
The two airheads gave Cinderella a confused look, exchanged a few "humphs", and then marched towards the house. As she trudged away, the shorter one giggled nastily and gave a few kicks to spread out the fallen items of clothing further along the ground.
Ariel was enraged. She recognized all too well the anger in her heart, and decided she could not stand there. Pushing open the wrought iron gate, she stood in the threshold of the archway, fully intending to shout some insults at the two retreating puffer-fish. Instead, her mouth flew open and nothing came out, yet again.
Bullshark! I cannot even yell! Ariel grimaced silently and clenched her fists hard.
"Are you alright?"
The voice was smooth, unlike the two screeching gulls Ariel had just seen. Glancing to her left, Ariel saw the girl Cinderella kneeling on the ground and gathering up the strewn clothing. Even though she felt as if she could have taken off the heads of the two other human girls a split second ago, Ariel suddenly felt very foolish for her actions. The girl who had been tormented was calm and collected, like it never happened. Even crouching on the ground, she gave off an air of serenity that Ariel almost envied.
She quickly nodded to show that she was fine. The girl in rags smiled nicely up at her and resumed her focus onto picking up the clothes. Ariel felt a pull and walked over to knell down as well. The fury in her eyes faltered, changing into concern. She touched the thin shoulders of the girl gently and raised her eyebrows, trying to get a name. Ariel found it odd that two names had been thrown at the stranger in the last few minutes.
"Uh… sorry what?" the girl asked tentatively.
Ariel frowned. Expressing herself to humans she had just met was always harder than she thought. Eric was good at knowing what she wanted to say; she had assumed that it would be just as easy with this girl. Obviously not.
She tried a different approach. She pointed to the stranger and moved her mouth slowly, Your name?
She raised her eyebrows, trying to convey confusion. She lightly tapped on the girl's shoulder and mouthed, Cinderella?
"Oh no…Ella. Just Ella." The blonde straightened her shoulders a tad, as if bracing herself. "Cinderella is not my name. Just a nickname my stepsisters have used for years now".
Ella fixed onto Ariel's face, ready to study her response. Not all in the village believed her when she said that her name was not "Cinderella". After the death of her father when she was ten, her stepfamily had started introducing her as the new servant using that name so that everyone assumed it was alright to call her that. It certainly was not. But the other girl seemed to believe her.
Ariel folded her arms, half turning away from Ella as she bristled towards the estate where the two mincing humans had retreated. She understood stupid nicknames, born out of the need to inflict humiliation. And from Ella's sisters too! Anger flashed in the mermaid's eyes. Ariel had endured enough taunts and teases from her own family to know that the harshest words often came from the ones closest to you.
"It's fine really" the girl said quickly as if she knew Ariel's thoughts.
As she spoke, Ella was picking up and re-folding various laundry items. Ariel helped gather a few shirts and rolled them up, uncertain how the folding technique worked. She noticed the defiant glint that had overwhelmed Ella's features as she faced her tormentors was slowly fading. In its place came exhaustion and weariness, almost like a shield coming down.
And Ella was exhausted. Years of intense labor and emotional abuse were starting to take its toll on the young woman, who was allowed few joys in life. It had been this way ever since her father died…ever since she had lost the only family she had ever known. Bearing such a burden alone was the hardest part, sometimes Ella felt as she could endure twice as much from her stepfamily if she only had someone to talk to. But she never had time to be with others, she was always working hard and trying to be strong.
The young mermaid looked hard at the maid and oddly felt as if she could understand the same sense of frustration stealing into Ella. Wanting to somehow share this Ariel jerked her thumb in the direction of the cruel women, gestured towards herself, and then raised her eyes to the sky.
I get that all of the time from my own sisters, she thought in place of speaking the words out loud.
Ella wrinkled her brow, trying to understand, and then grinned weakly, "You too huh? I don't suppose you have any advice for shutting their mouths time to time?"
Ariel gave an exaggerated shrug of the shoulders and a helpless expression, You don't know how many times I wanted the same thing!
Ella found herself giggling at the countenance on Ariel's face, "Well nothing to it really. All in the attitude I say."
Both girls eased up off of the ground, the mermaid helped the other girl pick up the heavy basket and balance it precariously on her hip. Ariel noticed the skin on the maid's hands was dried and cracked, the knuckles almost bleeding. She guessed it was from a hard day of laundry scrubbing. Why did no other humans help her? With sweat running down her neck and dark smudges on her cheeks, the poor girl looked almost worked to death.
But Ella hardly noticed, having had years of hard work to toughen herself to. It was never the back-breaking work that bothered her, just the immense loneliness that formed her life. But right now, she was glad to meet someone new her own age . Having someone to talk to, even if the conversation was decidedly one-sided, was a joy that she had not had in such a long time.
"I know there is nothing I can do about them. But at least I have my father's house," she continued, the words leaving her as if she wanted to open her entire self to the mermaid, "I don't think I could leave…it would be like abandoning him. Abandoning my home."
Ariel was a little confused but decided to feign agreement with a firm nod of her head.
Ella's smile grew a little wider and she seemed to really focus on the strange, red-headed girl, "I'm sorry…I didn't get your name?"
The mermaid tried to mouth her name so that Ella could read her lips, but gave up after a few unsuccessful tries. She figured that trying to mime would also get nowhere. Contemplating how to tell her new friend her name, a familiar voice interrupted.
"Ariel! Where are you?"
Ariel spun quickly towards the gate. She had completely forgotten about Eric! In all of the excitement of meeting a companion she had neglected to contact Eric to tell him she was okay. Eric soon came into view as he trotted just past the opened gates of the estate. Turning his head in the direction of the fancy irons, he spotted Ariel then immediately stepped past the threshold.
"Ariel! There you are. I was getting worried" he said calmly, lest he betray his earlier fears that she had run off completely.
Ariel gave an apologetic half-smile and touched his forearm assuredly, I'm here Eric.
Ella knew of Eric, the fisherman's son, from her weekly excursions to the markets of Venn. She had even made purchases from his family occasionally when her stepfamily demanded seafood for their evening feasts. He was one of the few in the village who graced her with her real name; he knew it was important to her.
After Ella and Eric exchanged a few familiar "hellos", formal introductions were made between Ariel and Ella. The mermaid and the maid shook hands, nodding with a fondness to each other. Ella was surprised at herself for making a friend in a stranger so quickly. But the red-haired girl just seemed too charismatic and pleasant; it was hard not to think of her as a friend. Just as the trio was settling into a comfortable gab about the upcoming Harvest Festival, another voice rang out over the courtyard. This one was as shrieky and unkind as Eric's call had been soft and concerned.
"Cinderella! Get your lazy self in her NOW! The fireplace is filthy…," it was the call of the evil-looking mistress in red earlier.
Ella clenched her eyes hard in an embarrassed grimace. It was bad enough that her stepfamily called on her all day and all night, but in front of new friends? Just as she was starting to feel like a normal girl, talking with people her age who did not order her around, she was yanked back to the reality of her wretched, lonely life. She glanced at Ariel, then Eric with an apology in her soft blue eyes.
"I'm sorry…I really have to go now" she said as she shifted her heavy basket up higher on her hip. Both Ariel and Eric moved forward as if to help, but were halted by another screech.
"Move it Cinderpants!" this one was from the skinny, taller stepsister from earlier.
"Just coming!" Ella called over her shoulder. Her sense of urgency tripled at the thought of facing her stepmother's wrath once again. The Lady Tremaine did not tolerate tardiness and would likely resort to beating Ella again if she lingered further.
Rounding back towards the estate, Ella glanced back at Ariel and Eric, "Good bye you guys." She gave a small wave while balancing the basket expertly with one hand, then turned to trot hurriedly towards her father's estate.
Ariel raised her hand in a farewell salute. She had never had cause to admire a human before (except maybe Eric) but this girl tugged at her respect. Thinking of the familiar woes of foul families and cruel teasing she shared with Ella, Ariel gave a small sad sigh.
Eric must have heard her because he commented "I've known Ella since she was ten. Her father died that winter, and her life has never been the same since."
Never been the same huh? Ariel thought with a sad smile. It must be hard to lose the ones we love. Mermaids do not love…I'm starting to wonder why.
"Come on. We better be heading back"
Ariel nodded slowly and followed Eric past the wrought iron gates and onto the familiar dirt road leading back to the village. Maneuvering herself a little closer to Eric, Ariel accidently bumped into him. She grimaced and started to mouth "sorry" when Eric waved it off dismissively.
But he did start to study her a little more closely with those piercing grey eyes of his, "So…are you going to tell me what happened back there?"
The question came so suddenly, Ariel was at first confused as to what Eric meant. Then she remembered…the queen of the land. To her immense displeasure, she felt her cheeks flush with shame at her behavior earlier. Somehow, seeing how the girl Ella had fought her own battles with her stepfamily made Ariel's flight seem all the more dishonorable. She turned her head sharply and made her posture very stiff, trying to make it clear that she did not want to talk about it. She also did not want Eric to see the tears of embarrassment in her eyes. She could not tell him her secret, even if she wanted to. Telling Eric that she was a mermaid who had caught the eyes of the queen would be putting him in danger, the last thing that Ariel wanted to do.
Eric saw her shift in posture and knew what it meant. Trying to be reassuring he said softly, "Ariel, I'm your friend and being a friend means that you don't have to tell me anything that you don't want to. You don't have to tell me what happened and I will still be your friend."
Ariel nodded but still could not bring herself to look at him. This was hard enough as it is and she was certain seeing his eyes would make her wilt. Just like she had always done when her queen looked at her with disapproval and disappointment.
They continued along in an awkward silence that Ariel found unbearable. If she had her voice, she would have tried to broach the subject. Instead, she gently bumped his shoulder with hers to let him know she was there. The contact was meant to be a way to bridge the gap between them, a way to cross the abyss of silence without her voice. After a pause, Eric gave a similar nudge. Message received.
Ariel finally managed to tilt her head up to look at Eric in the face. He did not look disappointed in her; he looked…like he always did. Sharp grey eyes, disheveled spikey hair, and a smile that spread to his entire face. She felt her own lips slowly lift into a smile of their own when…
Well look at you! Look at you! Found yourself a prince have you?
The gull! Somehow, Ariel had managed to forget all about the scuttlebutt bird but now its screeches were a painful reminder.
"Whoa! Look at that" Eric was gazing up at a tree branch. "A seagull! And so far from the shore too."
Ariel grimaced and turned to look too. Sure enough, it was the same moth-eaten, filthy bird as before. Except now it had an even more crazed-look and a mischievous grin plastered on its beak.
Hey there sweetie! Looks like you're going to need some help to hook this fish in. The gull flapped excitedly. I know! Romantic stimulation!
Opening its orange beak wide, the bird started squawking some semblance of a tune, horribly off-key and out of sequence.
Ariel clamped her hands over her ears quickly, Shut up Scuttle!