For appearances sake Ariel pounded on the door for a while, demanding to be let out. Honestly, with all the trouble she used to get into as a child, did James really think she hadn't learned to sneak out of her room? He could drop dead as far as she was concerned.

She waited till nightfall before sliding a loose piece of wall aside and slipping away. She spent the hours in her room trying to remember the myths about becoming human. Was she just supposed to get out of the water? No… she had been dry that day she saved Eric. It had something to do with the dawn.

There were no stories that she could remember, but she could… feel that she needed to be completely dry when the sun came up in order to transform. She reached the steps of the Prince's castle and hauled herself out, hoping that night would be enough to hide her. She breathed heavily, waiting for dawn. Eventually sleep found her, even on the uncomfortable marble steps.

When first light arrived she was jolted awake by a pain in her tail. Her body was split in half, and feeling every bit, Ariel did her best not to scream. The Prince's advisor was alerted by the muffled cries outside his window. Running down to the sea he found a naked female unconscious on the steps. He immediately went to alert the Prince.

When the pounding on his door started, Eric sat straight up in bed, startled. "Yes?" His voice was thick with sleep, but Grim opened the door anyways.

"I'm sorry your highness, but we need you." He jumped up, throwing on pants while he explained, "There is a young woman outside."

His hands were still fumbling with his clothing when he asked, "What about her?"

"She's unconscious and… well naked." Eric's head snapped up.

"Naked?"

He nodded, "Yes sir. On the steps that reach the sea. It's strange, almost like she came out of the water."

The Prince stiffened, "What did she look like?"

A blush crept over the old man's face, "She's quite beautiful. Small little thing with bright red hair."

Eric took off running with his shirt in his hands, not bothering to put it on. His bare feet smacked on the marble floor. Grim was shouting questions behind him. Servants stuck their heads out of rooms as he sprinted by, curious about the noise. He threw open the door to the courtyard and ran to the side, leaning so far over it's a miracle he didn't topple into the water below. Ariel was there, just like Grim said, sprawled out on the steps. Pushing off of the wall he ran down to her.

"Ariel!" Leaning down he gently lifted the front of her body into his lap. He looked at her legs in amazement. How did she-?

Her eyes fluttered open, "Eric?"

Brushing her hair away from her face he looked her over for any sign that she was hurt. She had a light bruise on her jaw but, other than that, appeared to be fine. "Are you okay? What happened?"

Sitting up she looked down at her feet. "Oh my gosh… it worked!"

"What did you do?" His voice was strained.

She shook her head in amazement and looked at him, "There were stories that we had the ability to turn into humans. It's forbidden but… I think I'm the first to try in a very long time."

He cradled her to his chest, tucking her head under his chin and sighing in relief, "Don't do that to me again."

Closing her eyes she leaned into him, "I'm sorry."

Grim ran up behind them, shouting, "Eric! What on earth?"

The Prince tried to shield her from sight as best he could, "Grim, get out of here!" The fact that he had seen her earlier made him furious, though he knew it wasn't his fault.

"But, what's-"

"Go!" His tone was harsh and Grim knew better than to argue any longer. When he was gone Eric took the shirt he had intended to wear and pulled it over Ariel's head. He watched her use her hands to free her hair from the collar and cupped her face. Running his thumb lightly over the bruise he asked, "What happened?"

She shied away a little, covering it with her hand, "James."

A muscle in his jaw feathered when his face hardened, "He hit you?"

"Wouldn't be the first time," She said flippantly. Eric glared out at the water. "There's nothing you can do."

Without a word he lifted her into his arms and walked up the steps. Grim opened the door to the courtyard for him and hovered obnoxiously. "What's happening? Your highness? Where are you going?"

Rolling his eyes he walked up the main stairs. The servants were openly staring now, whispering to one another as he passed, wearing nothing but pants and carrying an almost naked girl. When he turned towards his room his advisor tried to stop him, "Please! Eric you can't take her there! Let me-"

When he reached out for Ariel Eric jerked her away so quickly she yelped. He pressed her to him and looked at Grim with challenge. The old man jumped, startled by the violent reaction. Whoever this girl was, there would be no arguing with the Prince when it came to her. Silently he turned back toward his room and walked away.

"Eric," She whispered, "Was that necessary?"

He gave a small laugh, "When it comes to you everything is necessary." Ariel opened the door for him and he carried her over to his enormous bed, laying her down gently. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, "A little shaken, but I'm fine." He pressed his forehead to hers, cupping the back of her neck. "Now that I'm with you everything's perfect."

"Do you have any idea what I would have done if you'd been hurt?"

She blushed, "I didn't mean to scare you." She looked around at his lavish room, "Should I be in here? Won't people talk?"

"I don't care what anyone says. I'm not letting you out of my sight." He smiled and playfully tackled her. Giggling she kicked her feet and pretended to try and escape. He rolled her on top of him and she folded her arms on his chest, resting her chin on her hands.

Leaning forward he kissed her warmly. He could feel her smile against his mouth as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you." He breathed.

Her heart soared, "I love you too."