Eric's POV

I felt guilty leaveing Ariel by herself for so long. Mother had wanted to talk. She hadn't said about what but I knew it was nothing good. Whenever Mother felt the need to come find me personally, it was a matter of the kingdom. And this time was no defferent then any other.

"Eric, I must encourage you to choose a new bride," she looked me in the eye with disappointment. "Elisa was a perfect match. I don't understand what went wrong."

"It just didn't feel right," I said firmly, sitting down in one of the over sized chairs.

"It doesn't have to feel right," she snapped. "It just has to keep the kigdom alive."

"Keep it alive till when mother," I nearly jumped from my seat. "If I don't love her, I wont have a child with her."

"You would if it meant keeping the balance." Her glare was intensfied. I looked back at her in pure rage. I bit my tongue, keeping my harsh words to myself. Images of Ariel floated through my mind. Turning my back on my mother I walked to the office door.

"I will choose someone," I said. "But I will choose her myself. There will be no more get togethers or balls. Not until I say it is time. Agreed?"

"Agreed," she had a sour tone.

I nodded and left the room without hesitation. All I could think about was getting back to my room and my sweet Ariel. Her red hair and aqu blue eyes filled my thoughts. Her wonderful smile and her beautiful voice. I quickened my pace, practically running to my room.

"Prince Eric," a gravelly voice called. "I have something I must talk to you about."

"Well, then you best keep up," I shouted back to Grimsby. I couldn't slow my pace. I needed to see her. I was kept from her for too long.

"But Eric," Grimsby said as he finally met my pace. "It's about your bathroom, Sir."

"What about it," I said, throwing open the doors that led to my chambers.

"We should talk, Sir. That is before-"

"Ariel," I called. There was no answer. I called again walking to the bathroom. The tub had been emptied and the room was empty. I turned back to see Grimdby's eyes on me. "Where is she?"

"Sir please-"

"What happened," I could feel the fear seeping into my already harsh tone.

"She asked to leave. I tried to stop her, but she claimed to know what was wrong," he swallowed before finishing his story. "She went to see someone, back in the ocean. She begged me to take her while you were talking with the Highness."

"So you took her, without informing me," I ran out the door before he could tell me more. I ran all the way to the shoreline. The small row boats had all been pulled into the sand. I looked all around for her. She was no where in sight, forcing me to pull one of the boats down to the waters edge. A hand landed on my shoulder.

"She'll come back. She promised," Grimsby's voice was low and soft.

"I must find her."

"She'll be back."

"You don't understand. If her father finds her, she will never be allowed to come back. He will keep her out of sight and off of land," I felt my knees buckle at the thought of losing her again. "I will not lose her."

Grimsby remained silent, his hand still resting on my shoulder. I looked over at him, feeling my knees growing weaker. He grabbed my elbow helping me sit safely on the sand. I fought as hard as I could not to break my concentration. I would need to go after her. I want to make sure she gets back here safe.