Ariel had heard the stories, like every other child in Atlantica, about a mermaid's ability to grow legs. She had never tried. It was forbidden, but she couldn't help wondering if it was true. The grip on her arm was harsh as James jerked her along after him. She was half dragged in the attempt to keep up.

"Let go!" Ariel tried to pull her wrist out of his iron grip but it didn't matter.

He stopped, turning suddenly and yanking her to him, "Why would you save a human? You could have been seen by that barbarian!"

"He's not a barbarian!" She defended. James stiffened at her protective tone.

"You are never to go to the surface again." His voice was low and chilling.

Ariel glared at him, but didn't say anything. He finally let her loose and she raced home toward the castle. Safely in her quarters she fell onto her bed with a sigh. As she drifted off to sleep his face kept appearing behind her eyes.

She knew without a doubt it wouldn't be the end. I gotta see him again.

Eric paced on the shore, playing the tune he had heard on his flute. The image of her looking up and being ripped away he haunted him. Grim hadn't believed his story about the phantom rescuer who had vanished without a trace. Now he leaned against the side of his castle, looking out at the ocean.

"Her voice. I can't get it out of my head. I've looked everywhere! Where could she be?"

More importantly what took her from him that day? The desire to find out if she was okay burned in his chest.

Ariel remained close to the castle the next few days. She knew James would stop following her so closely if he thought she would stay in the kingdom. By the third day she was dying to return to the shore and find the Prince. Finally she slipped out of Atlantica and swam hard for the beach she had left Eric on.

When her head broke the water she could hear her song being played nearby. Her heart swelled when she realized it was the Prince's instrument. He was sitting on a bolder and playing sadly as he watched the sea.

Ducking behind a rock she watched him quietly. He was painfully handsome. He carried himself like royalty, but there was something warm and inviting about him. Even when he raked his fingers through his hair, clearly distraught, he looked kind.

She had dreamed about this moment since she left him, but now that it was here she didn't know what to do. Did she just call out to him? Should she sing? What if he freaked when he found out she was a mermaid?

Feeling significantly less confident she had resolved not to say anything when her fingers tapped a loose piece of the rock she was hiding behind. The sound was loud when it fell into the water and she stiffened. Eric jerked his head up and looked around.

"Hello?"

She closed her eyes and scolded herself silently. Eric walked into the water a ways as his eyes scanned the beach. Finally Ariel took a deep breath and waded into view. When the Prince saw her his eyes widened for a moment before a shy grin broke across his face. She couldn't help but smile back nervously.

"Oh… Oh I see." He breathed, "Are you okay miss?"

"I should be asking you that." No turning back now.

He furrowed his brow, "You seem very familiar to me… have we met?"

She chuckled, "I'm glad you remember."

Excited he ran father into the water. "We have met. I knew it! You're the one, the one that I've been looking for!"

Laughing again Ariel held up a hand, "Whoa, slow down. I'm happy to see you again too."

"What's your name?" Her voice was the most beautiful sound in the world. When he tried to close the distance between them she backed away. He stopped, confused. Hadn't she said she was happy to see him? Why was she pulling away? "What's wrong?"

Biting her lip nervously she wrung her hands, "Well…"

"What is it?" He asked, a little too loudly. He was too afraid she would disappear again to care.

"I-"How did you tell someone you were a mermaid? Did you just blurt it out? "There is something you should know."

"What?" He almost begged.

Taking another deep breath and returned to the rock she had hid behind and placed both hands on either side. With a small jump she hauled herself onto a flatter part of it, tail exposed, and turned to look back at the Prince.

For a moment he just stared. He wasn't processing what he saw. It was too impossible. As his mind began to slowly understand he walked forward, cautiously. She tensed as though she was afraid of him. The water was up to his chest when he reached her. Carefully he reached out to touch her. He watched her face to be sure she didn't mind until he felt the smooth texture of her scales. They were an iridescent green color.

"Beautiful." He breathed.

As if she had been holding her breath she deflated and leaned back. "You're not- It doesn't bother you?"

She had hoped for that outcome but thought it was foolish to expect it. He looked up at her in wonder. "Bother me? It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. You're beautiful." She blushed smiling down at her hands shyly. She lifted her head again when he cupped her face. "It all makes sense now."

"Oh Eric, I- I wanted to tell you."

Hearing his name he realized she still hadn't mentioned hers.

"You know I feel really bad about not knowing your name." They were only a breath a part now. Eric was confident, pressing closer to her without hesitation.

Her stomach fluttered as he leaned in, "Ariel."

He smiled, though she could only see part of it. He was almost touching foreheads with her now. "That's kind of pretty."

Feeling bolder she rested her hands on his chest. In her mind she knew she needed to leave. He closed the distance and kissed her gently, but passionately. His skin was warm and dry, a stark contrast to the world she knew. Her fingers wove into his hair and he pulled her forward, deepening the kiss. He began kissing her neck and whispered lightly, "Ariel…"

If she thought she could just see him one last time she had been a fool. Many things were forgotten when he kissed her, but she knew for sure that she was in trouble. There was no way on earth she could keep away now.