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 6

Ariel did not know what was worse: the dread of seeing a ship capsized in the bay, drowning all aboard, or the anxiety that overwhelmed her just before her first festival.

"Hold still Ariel! I'm almost done." Jenny continued to try and bring order to Ariel's long, flowing hair with the wooden comb.

Ariel kept wringing her hands. Tonight she was going to go to her first ever social gathering of humans, and she could not be more nervous. It was called a Harvest Festival and Eric had explained to her it was a time when the village gathered to celebrate the end of the season of picking. It sounded dubious to her, if not a bit silly. But humans liked reasons to party, however ridiculous they may be, and Ariel had no doubt the celebration would be grand.

That was what made her nervous. It seemed that every time she went out to interact with other humans she ended up doing something that caused her and Eric some embarrassment. Two weeks ago it had been her hanging over the back of a wagon to watch the horse's hooves, the week before that it was the queen showing up at market…

"Ariel stop worrying, you're going to have a great time." Jenny stroked the back of Ariel's head reassuredly.

The mermaid shrugged and continued to tug nervously at the sleeves of her blouse. Jenny had insisted she borrow another dress for the festival, one with shorter sleeves and different material. It was much nicer than her everyday blue attire with a soft camise top and patterned skirts. Her soft leather boots crunched on the straw-lain floor and Ariel even found the low noise agitating.

There came a knock at the bedroom door and Eric ducked in. At least Ariel thought it was Eric, he looked so…different. Hair slicked back, loose button-downed white shirt, and clean leather pants. Not any hint of fish scales on his hands, hair not messy, not even any grime on his arms. Eric was likewise surprised at Ariel's appearance. She looked so…beautiful. No dirt smudges or muddy legs, hair combed and pulled back in an elegant tie, and in a pretty new dress.

Jenny smirked softly to herself at the two young ones gawking at each other. Honestly, one would think that young folks did not know how to be in love nowadays.

"Well don't just stand there you two…the festival is beginning!" Jenny gave Ariel a small push towards the doorway and Eric.

Even after weeks of walking, Ariel was still unused to sudden changes in movement from her feet. She stumbled on weak knees (why was she so clumsy now of all times?) towards Eric. He was still standing at the threshold, staring at her amazed eyes. Her stance still slightly awkward with her feet turned inward, she gave a self-conscious smile and cocked her head.

Something wrong? she asked him with her narrowed eyes.

"Right!" Eric stumbled as he turned towards the front door, trying to get ahead of Ariel to pull it open like a gentleman should.

"Just a moment Eric," Jenny called out.

Ariel stepped outside, while Eric turned around. Waiting for the door to close behind him, he heaved a heavy sigh of fear, "Ugh! I'm going to blow it Mother! I don't even know what to do."

Jenny smirked again as she straightened her son's shirt and brushed his hair back a little. "You'll be fine Eric. Just be yourself. Now get going!"

She gave her son a little push, same as Ariel, and sent him through the door. The two teenagers nodded awkwardly to each other, moving down the familiar moonlit path towards Venn. While inhaling the crisp fall air and admiring the beautiful yellow harvest moon, Ariel became aware of an unpleasant vibration within her inner ears. It grew a little more as she turned her head east, towards the ocean. She shook her head and rubbed her ears hard.

"Ariel are you ok?" Eric asked. She nodded as best she could, still aware of her sensor problem.

Ariel opened her mouth wide, angling her jaw at the buzz in her ears. It was a tingling sensation she had not felt since she was a mermaid. The proprioception of a mermaid was far more advanced than human, even highly perceptive ones. Ariel knew what the buzzing meant, a storm was brewing, and far off shore but it was there. Just as birds and mammals were aware of pending storms, mermaids were too. Odd that she was regaining even more of her mermaid senses, tonight of all nights. Shaking her head a little more to clear it, Ariel resumed her focus on their destination.

The village of Venn was alight with the cheeriness of a party. Having had no festival experiences herself, Ariel was incredibly impressed by the merry crowds, the strung paper lanterns, and the symphony of sounds melding together. Crowds of humans were gathered talking, laughing, singing, and enjoying free refreshments set out on a long buffet table. People were dressed in their best attire with bright, vibrant colors and funny celebratory hats. It was all so magical.

As she looked out over the crowds, Ariel couldn't help but be amazed at how far her journey into the human world had taken her. Stumbling onto the shore, having come from nothing, surely this was far more than she had ever expected. It all felt so surreal, almost like it could not be happening. Then again, having fallen for a human was even more extraordinary. That was something her own queen would never believe, not even if the dreaded sea witch herself had prophesized it in her visions.

Thinking of Eric, she turned her eyes from the amazing scenes of the festival and glanced over at him. Her blue eyes studied his grey ones as he gazed at her, a warm breeze carrying some tendrils of hair across her face. She smiled her special smile. The one that matched the spark of wonder in her eyes and made her even more beautiful; it almost took his breath away.

"You look amazing Ariel." He had never said anything he meant more in his entire life.

To her intense displeasure, Ariel felt her face flush. She ducked her head with a bashful grin and felt rather foolish for her earlier nervousness. Eric looked towards the central bonfire, brushing his hair back, and pretended not to notice her blushing. From the raised platform at the center of the village square came the beginning of a quartet of strings, sounding a cheery tune into the fall night. Eric saw couples begin to assemble, and took a deep breath. Now he got to ask Ariel something he had wanted to all night.

"Would you…I mean…Do you want to…," it sounded as if he wanted to say something else before thinking about it. He gestured towards the circle. "Would you like to dance Ariel?"

She felt her spirits soar and her heart flutter at the question. Dancing was something she had always wanted to try as a mermaid. Couples had come to dance in each other's arms all the time along the shoreline and she had always watched with amazement.

Beaming, she nodded excitedly before a thought occurred to her, I don't know how to dance. Her smile shrunk as she felt her nerves kicking in.

Eric noticed. "Don't worry Ariel. If you don't know how, I'll show you. It's fun!"

Eric cupped both of his hands over hers and she found herself being led towards the other dancers, twirling and spinning in the town circle. After all of those years, looking out at the surface world and longing for this…it was finally happening!

Eric came up to an empty spot at the impromptu dance floor, which was simply a section of the town circle that the local couples had decided to invade. He turned towards her and was once more over-taken by the sheer gorgeousness of Ariel. The bonfire lit up her auburn hair so that it almost glowed and her lovely round face and soft, cerulean eyes seemed even more divine. Eric swallowed hard, becoming slightly nervous, but he remembered to bow. Ariel started to mimic but then saw out of the corner of her eye, women did a kind of dip when facing their dancing partners. She straightened up mid-bow, and unsteadily lowered herself into a clumsy curtsy. Eric smiled and held up his right hand, placing his left behind his back. At his affirmative nod, Ariel did the same. They walked in a circle, hand to hand, stepping in time with the melody.

"This is an easy one, even the royals can do it. Try not to touch too much," Eric said as they switched to the left and Ariel folded her fingers over his. "This dance is about circles and steps more so than the hands."

They spun again, back to the right hand, then stepped back and rotated in a circle. Ariel felt her body respond to the music by becoming more fluid, almost as if she was swimming, taking her with the movement of the dance. She twirled in step with the country musicians, losing sight of Eric as they rounded other partners before returning as a pair. The strumming of the band's strings and rhythm of the drums echoed into the night, just over the light-hearted laughter of the dancers. Ariel smiled knowingly at Eric as she added her own graceful arch to the last twirl in an attempt to show off her smooth mermaid moves. He smirked at her.

After a few moments, the strings and drums folded into a softer melody, one that abruptly caused the dancing to change pace. Ariel paused mid-twirl, raising her eyebrows to Eric so he would explain the next move.

"So we change things," Eric said as he stepped towards her. Slowly, he placed one of his hands on her waist and took her right hand with his other. "Like this."

There was still a space between them, and Ariel frowned at that. It did not seem right. She stepped closer to Eric until their bodies were touching and she was underneath his chin. Looking up at his surprised face, she wondered if she had done something wrong. But then, it felt so right? Their bodies seemed to fold together very nicely.

Eric was surprised but very happy. This was even more than he had hoped for, "Now we kind of let the music swing us...back and forth...back and forth."

His soft boots started working a rhythm of sway that was easy for Ariel to follow. For a fisherman's son, he sure knew he stuff. The two folded into a simple waltz, stepping back and forth with a gentle rocking. Eric gently led Ariel into another turn, but he wasn't thinking about the dance moves. He was thinking about how wonderful Ariel is, how her long auburn hair moved with her turns, how she was always smiling and looking at the world with wonder and amazement...

Ariel's thought were likewise anywhere but her two feet. She was thinking about how marvelous Eric was for showing her how to dance, how to do so many human things really. He was so handsome and kind, he had the most unbelievable clear, grey eyes that saw everything, the strongest arms, the gentlest touch...

The band played on, folding into a smooth tune that Ariel and Eric slowly swayed to. One musician in a brown overcoat stepped forward, his dark skin gleaming with the firelight, and began vocalizing to the song…

There you see her

Sitting there across the way

She don't got a lot to say,

but there something about her

Ariel snuggled closer to Eric, resting her check against his chest. Her feet kept moving with the rhythm of the waltz but the steps were automatic by now. Almost like flicking her tail through a gentle current, allowing the power of the waves to carry her. The motion felt so natural to her, as if she had been dancing her whole life.

And you don't know why,

but you're dying to try

You wanna...

kiss the girl

Eric was half-listening to the tune himself but the last lyric did catch his ears. This girl in his arms, enveloped into him like he was her knight in shining armor, was the one he really wanted to kiss. He wanted to share with her his feelings so badly, but he did not know how. His limited experience in matters of the heart made Eric uncertain how to proceed. Should he ask her? Just lean in and do it? Would she get offended? All of these thoughts tumbled into Eric's head, faster than he could process them. He was getting more and more nervous, trying hard to think of what to do.

Sha la la la la, my oh my!

Look like the boy too shy,

Ain't gonna kiss the girl

He was not shy…just hesitant. Eric had never been forward with girls; it wasn't like he had them knocking down his door all the time!

Sha la la la la, ain't that sad?

Ain't it a shame, too bad?

He gonna miss the girl.

Ariel leaned forward a little more, tilting her head up. She had felt this peculiar urge to look at Eric's face. He was looking at her too, looking with a pleasant expression. Odd how they were so close together but Ariel was very comfortable. Now, she felt the need to get nearer. Inclining her head a little more, she came closer to Eric's face. He really was so handsome. She felt his warm breath caressing her upper lips and nose, felt a pull to come a little closer…

The music had ended and the other dancers had turned to face the band bringing their hands together rapidly. Ariel was so startled by the sudden noise-making; the special moment in Eric's was lost. She stepped out of his arms for a moment, looking at him with confusion. What had almost happened?

He still held her hands in his, enveloping them with an affectionate squeeze, "That was great dancing Ariel. You're a natural!"

Her eyes shone with the compliment. Somehow…compliments from Eric were the best ones in the entire world. The band picked up another tune. This one was faster and sounded like a lot more fun than the last one. Ariel was eager for another twirl so she squeezed Eric's hands in hers, and started to gesture again towards the dance floor when…

"Yoo-hoo Eric! I thought I told you not to be late"

Ariel was startled at the high-pitched voice that came from behind Eric. A girl about his age stepped into the light with a flurry of bright purple silks, a golden butterfly necklace dangling from a refined, thin neck. With his back to the newcomer, Ariel saw Eric grimaced as hard as Ella had when her evil stepmother had called for her. Thinking that something was terribly wrong, Ariel watched hard as Eric slowly turned with a fake, plastered smile to greet the new girl.

"Hi Vanessa" he said in a voice that Ariel thought sounded strange. It was unlike Eric to add a false note of gladness in his voice, and it was clear the effort was a strain for him.

The new girl did not even favor Ariel with a glance, but brushed carelessly past her to grab Eric's hands with her soft, white ones, "Eric you really amaze me! You do not even reek the least of fish tonight."

I don't like you Ariel immediately thought. She crossed her arms and lifted her eyes to Eric's with a bemused expression.

Eric saw but before he could say anything out loud, Vanessa unfortunately beat him to it, "Well aren't you going to ask me to dance silly?"

At her suggestion, Eric stiffened, "Actually…Ariel and I were going to…"

"Oh she doesn't mind. Right Ariel?" Vanessa turned and threw a minimal glance in Ariel's general direction. Before she could even nod or shake her head, Vanessa twirled again to give Eric an inflated, puppy-dog pout.

Poor Eric was at a lost. Two girls contending for his attention was throwing him off completely. He kept glancing between Vanessa's shallow pouty face, and Ariel's genuine confusion at the scene unfolding in front of her. But his mother had always told him to him to be polite to girls, even when the situation was inconvenient.

Feeling as if he would rather tackle a shark, indeed a whole school of sharks, he straightened and said weakly, "Sure Vanessa. One dance."

The girl let out a high-pitched squeak that startled Ariel so. Vanessa aggressively tugged Eric's arm towards the throng of dancers, leaving Ariel standing alone. Eric managed to throw his head over his shoulder, give a helpless and apologetic expression before being yanked away. Ariel waved a pathetic good-bye but could not wipe the confused expression of her face. What had just happened? Had she really just allowed the human girl to walk off with Eric?

"Looks like you got the short stick sweetie."

Scuttle the seagull swooped down and landed on an empty hay cart just next to Ariel. Ariel glared at the birds condescending tone and waved him off.

"Now really! Only one dance in and that boy did not even asked you to mamba," Scuttle squawked.

I really don't appreciate you spying on me Ariel thought, crossing her arms in frustration.

She turned to watch Eric and Vanessa amongst the other dancers. Something sharp pounded in her forehead and she stubbornly acknowledged her surge of jealousy. If she only had her mermaid powers now…she would show that mincing female! But then Ariel remembered her friend Ella and the calm composure she radiated when facing her own enemies. She grudgingly admitted to herself that the burst of anger was not appropriate, it would not help any.

Feeling a bit out of place, Ariel pulled herself up into the cart next to Scuttle to watch the dancing from afar. She crossed her legs, and settled herself comfortably in a position that mirrored her perch from when she still possessed her tail.

"Quite a show eh?" Scuttle nodded towards the band and the dancers.

Ariel shrugged It was more fun while I was doing it.

"Nothing doing sweetie! All you's got to do is find your prince again," Scuttle ruffled his greasy head and nodded enthusiastically.

I really don't need advice from a seagull in these matters Ariel leveled Scuttle with her most annoyed expression.

"Really! Get in there and fight for you man!"

Ariel was about to grace the gull with another look when a thought occurred to her I'm arguing with a bird about these things. What would my sisters say to that?

After what seemed an eternity (with Scuttle squawking the entire time) the song ended, and the dancers finally stopped twirling. Ariel eagerly hopped off the cart, scanning the crowd for Eric's dark head. Amongst the many human faces talking, laughing, and making more noises she could not find him. Nudging her way slowly through the dancers, she came out near the bonfire where the musicians had set up the stage alongside the village board. Because she was still scanning the crowd for Eric, she did not register the sight of the four black knights crowding around the platform.

Curses! Where has that blowfish taken Eric? Ariel thought bitterly.

The queen's special guard had come to the village on the night of the festival as they had always done. An easy time to get the news out of the latest offenders to the queen was now, when the square was filled with its citizens and spirits were raised in revelry. None would think to resist any arrest because often times the parties were too drunk or too merry to realize the danger of the black knights. At the moment, the four men were showing some new wanted posters to the head musician and asked again if he had seen a red-haired young maiden amongst the dancers tonight.

The man shrugged and suggested asking the villagers on the floor, not really caring either way.

When the guard stomped towards the dance floor, their imposing silhouettes blocked the light for Ariel and she noticed them for the first time. Those black demons that had threated to beat her for falling in front of the queen's carriage! What in the name of the seas were they doing here? Ariel backed away quickly, instinctively trying to blend into the crowds for cover. She felt herself sicken with terror and her heart sped up in an adrenaline rush.

A strong hand closed over her own and Ariel jerked herself away with panic, hissing in fear.

"Ariel stop! It's me," Eric looked confused and just as upset as Ariel did.

There was no time to try and mime her way to an understanding. She tugged desperately at Eric arms, trying to pull him away from the throngs of the villagers and the knights. He did not seem to protest or even resist, but just as Ariel was starting to feel like they might make a clean get away…

"Eric you silly! Where are you going? The festival is not over yet"

Of all things! That stupid Vanessa girl had grabbed a hold of Eric's other hand and was yanking him back towards the town center, and those knights. Ariel shook her head urgently, squeezed Eric's hand, trying to convey her desperation. They must not find her! She had to get out of there-now!

Eric saw clearly that something was making Ariel upset, "Ariel, what's going on? What's wrong?"

Please! I'll try and explain later! Ariel mouthed anxiously, temporarily forgetting her muteness.

"Whoa! What's your problem? You've had him long enough," Vanessa finally glanced at Ariel, keeping her claws into Eric's other hand. Eric grimaced as Ariel's small hand gripped even harder. Gods she was strong!

The two girls engaged in a brief tug-of-war contest before Ariel dropped her end and lunged at Vanessa, I have to get out of here. Let go of him you carp!

Shoving the girl back, Ariel knocked her down onto the ground with a strength that surprised even her. Vanessa landed hard on her bottom with a loud "Umph!" Momentarily shocked and afraid that she had hurt the girl, Ariel quickly stooped down to help her up.

"You oaf!" Vanessa screeched at Ariel as soon as she was on her feet again. The mermaid humbly tried to mouth an apology before Vanessa shrieked again, "What is wrong with you mute girl!"

The insult stung Ariel in a way that she did not know was possible. Briefly stunned, she stood there dumbfounded until Eric squeezed her shoulder gently. Shaking her head hard, trying to clear her panic, she finally noticed some rather large, imposing black masses moving through the crowds towards her. They had found her! She had to leave now. Ariel spun and desperately started shoving her way through the crowds.

"Ariel wait!" Eric called out.

"This way sweetie!"

Scuttle! Ariel saw the bird gliding in a circle just ahead. Not fully thinking on it, Ariel shifted directions and followed Scuttle. She finally got out of the obstructing crowds of humans. But Eric was still back there. She could not wait; the knights were right behind, closing in. Ariel paused, for one agonizing moment, taking in the sight of Eric and made a decision.

Home she signed the word quickly, praying that Eric would understand. Then she turned and ran away, followed by the seagull.

Eric was at a lost. The girl whom he was falling for had just squeezed his hands with the strength of ten men, attacked another girl, and then ran off. Standing there, gawking after Ariel, Eric was unaware of the presence of the knights until he was pulled around by an armored gauntlet.

"You there! Have you seen this maiden?" the knight shoved a parchment flyer up to Eric's face. The rendering was nothing more than a rough charcoal sketch but Eric knew; it was Ariel.

His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Exactly what business of yours is she?" he demanded.

The knight smirked, "That is none of your concern boy. Now tell me…where is she?"

Eric did not answer. He knew now that if he did, Ariel would be in grave danger. It was more than just a gut feeling. He leveled his eyes to the knight's, boldly allowing his suspicion to show, letting the man know he was not going to tell him anything.

Seeing that they were getting nowhere, another knight stepped forward to address the crowd. "The girl is wanted for questioning by the queen. No harm will come to her," the man said abruptly, hoping to stir some cooperation.

"Questioning? She can't even talk!" Vanessa's shrilly voice interrupted Eric and the black knight's battle of wits.

Eric rounded on Vanessa but stopped short of stomping on her feet to keep her quiet.

"So you do know this girl? Where is she?" the knight leaned a little towards Vanessa, attempting an intimidation tactic that had served him well over his years as one of the queen's elite.

He needn't have bothered. "She's staying with the fisherman's family. Just down the ways," Vanessa flung her hand in the direction of the village outskirts.

"The queen appreciates your cooperation." The men gathered and moved swiftly towards the indicated direction.

But Eric was sprinting far ahead of the men, clunking around in their heavy armor. He was frantic to beat them to the house and warn Ariel. What did the queen of Leopold's kingdom want with Ariel? She was just a girl. Right?