I love you. Ariel was unsure why she would even say it to Eric when she didn't mean it. She wanted him to feel loved. It was just a simple I love you, simply three words. Did it really hurt? Ariel hasn't said it once since they came back from visiting his father before his death, a few weeks ago, but she is sure Eric is curious on why she hasn't. When he says it to her, Ariel just smiles and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"Do you feel her?" Ariel asked.
"It's an amazing feeling." Eric smiled. "How much longer until she's here?"
"About four more months or so."
"Well I think it's about time we start thinking names."
"I like Melody."
"That's a lovely name." Eric replied.
"I wasn't finished. I like Melody Alexandra Elizabeth."
"Does the A stand for Ariel and E for Eric?" He asked.
She shook her head. "Just a coincident. I've always liked that name if I was to have a daughter."
"I'll admit, it's a lovely name. But may I suggest I get to suggest a couple of names?"
"I want Melody to be her first name. Do you have a problem with that?"
Eric didn't quickly reply. "I think it'll be a lovely first name for our daughter; Princess Melody of Denmark. I actually do like Elizabeth for one of the middle names, but I'm not quite faun of Alexandra. Could we possibly think of another name?" Ariel nodded. "How about Isabella?" Eric suggested. "Melody Elizabeth Isabella?"
Ariel smiled. "I like it."
"Good, so do I. Should we come up with a boy name just in case?"
Ariel shook her head. "No need to. I'm positive it's a girl."
"I hope you're right. I doubt our son would want to wear pink dresses or sleep in a girly room or be named Melody."
Ariel laughed. "I wonder what she'll look like, who she'll look like."
"I think she'll look like her beautiful mother." Eric said. He leaned forward and pushed a strand of hair behind Ariel's ear. "There's that beautiful face I love looking at."
"I'm not that beautiful." Ariel smiled.
"I think I'll have to argue. You're the most beautiful girl I've laid my eyes on."
"You're very sweet, you know that? You make it very difficult for someone not to love you."
"And why would I not want anyone to love me? I'm king. I want everyone to like me, if not love."
"I think everyone needs at least one person who doesn't like or love them just so they don't get too self-absorbent."
"And are you that one person with me?" Eric asked.
"No, because I like you." Ariel got up from where she was sitting and stood in front of her vanity, beginning to brush her long red hair.
Eric followed her and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "But you don't love me."
"Being pregnant, I can feel a various of emotions about you. From loving to hating you in just a snap of a finger. Ask me again a couple of months after she's born."
"Yeah, okay." Eric looked at his watch on his wrist. "I must got now."
"Go? Where are you going?"
"To a meeting with King Aaron of Jamesdale about some important business." Eric said.
"Are you going to Jamesdale?"
"Of course not."
"I wasn't aware he was in town."
"He just arrived today."
"Oh... Well enjoy your meeting then."
"Probably not." Eric gave his wife a kiss on her cheek and then left the room. "I may or may not see you at dinner."
Ariel nodded and continued to brush her hair.
"How's that wife of yours?" King Aaron asked.
"She's well, thanks for asking."
"I heard she's expecting."
"She is. Five months along. Now to business."
"Right, the war."
"I will not put my troops in any danger by joining the war in Arendal. It's unfortunate what the country is facing but I want to keep Denmark out of it."
"Denmark has a strong army and my troops in Jamesdale are just as strong. If we join together with Arendal, we could beat those Latvians."
"I'm sure our troops could. But like I said previously, it's unfortunate that it came to what it did in Arendal, but I can't get my troops involved. I will not have Denmark get into a war with the Latvians. I'm sure my wife would not appreciate a war erupting while she's having our future heir."
"Eric, what about all those people, all those innocent lives being taken? It needs to end."
"I agree it does. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll put money aside to help provide some weapons. But I will not bring my troops into this war. I just won't."
"Very well, Eric."
Ariel took a night time stroll on the beach after she had dinner. She was admiring how beautiful the night was, with the big bright moon and the bright stars. The sea breeze was blowing her red hair wildly. As she was walking, she saw Eric playing a tune with his flute. Ariel walked over to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. Eric stopped playing and looked behind him and smiled when he saw it was Ariel.
"Isn't it such a nice night?" Ariel asked.
"It is." Eric replied. "I apologize I didn't attend dinner with you. I didn't have much of an appetite."
"Don't worry about it. How was your meeting with King Aaron?"
"I'll be putting money a side to help provide his and Arendal's troops with some weapons to fight in the war in Arendal. He wanted our troops to join but I told him no. I wasn't going to have Denmark get into another war when it's not needed."
"This is your first big kingly decision."
"It is." Eric stared up at the sky. "I'm just thinking if I'm making the right decision on not having our troops join in. I kept thinking, what would my father do? Would he approve of my decisions?"
"I'm sure he's looking down at you proud."
"Yeah... Come on, let's go to bed." Eric said.