The next week went by far too slowly for Eric's liking. The days ticked by and nothing Eric did would make time go any faster. Carlotta and Catherine tried to preoccupy him with endless activities but nothing could take the young Prince's mind off of what the next week would bring. When finally the day did come, Carlotta made sure that Eric had a substantial amount of breakfast and plenty to drink; for she didn't want a repeat of what had happened before. Everyone apart from Lady Victoria was sat in the carriage on the way down to the docks of Glowerhaven where they would split into gender based groups. Catherine and Carlotta would be escorted into town by two of the King's guards whilst the men and Eric would board a ship and sail the short distance to one of the neighbouring kingdoms before returning to the docks just before sundown.
Inside the carriage was cosy, especially with the Earl's portly frame taking up almost half of one of the two benches. Catherine and Eric were sat beside him with Edward, Grimsby and Carlotta sat on the bench opposite. The adults spoke constantly, but Eric didn't say a word. Instead, the four year old faced the window, his face full of excitement and apprehension as the rolling hills made way for the houses and shops of the village. There were people buying and selling at every turn, each with a smile on their face as they went about their daily lives. Carlotta and Catherine shared a smile upon seeing Eric's face and the way he was leant forward in his seat to try and see everything at once.
One thing Eric couldn't help but notice was the differences between this kingdom and his own. Here almost every shop sold only wood. Wooden furniture, carvings, ornaments, instruments; in fact it reminded him very much of Helen's shop. With a puzzled look he turned around in is seat.
"Why is everything wood" he asked? Being Eric's tutor, Grimsby took it upon himself to give the four year old an answer.
"Well," he began, not entirely sure how to phrase this so that Eric would understand. "It's a bit like our kingdom. We specialise in fishing and Glowerhaven in carpentry; which basically means making thinks out of wood."
"Then why do they have boats?"
"For trade," said Edward, "we give your kingdom fish and, in return, your kingdom gives us wood. It's a way for both kingdoms to make money." Eric nodded his head slowly, unsure as to whether he fully understood, but knowing enough now so that he didn't need to ask any more questions. No doubt he would learn all about it one day.
About five minutes later the carriage pulled to a stop, just beyond the harbour.
"Well then, we've about half an hour until the ship's due to sail," announced Tony, "I suppose we'd better be on our way." Catherine wrapped her arms around Edward and began saying goodbye whilst Carlotta knelt down in front of Eric.
"Now you be good," she said, pulling the Prince's coat a little tighter around his body. "Do as you're told and make sure you listen to what people tell you. Don't go to close to the edge and tell somebody if you don't feel well, they'll help you. Make sure to keep warm and-"
"Carlotta dear he'll never make it to the boat at this rate" interrupted Grimsby, his voice portraying slight humour at the maid's constant fussing. Carlotta looked up at Grimsby for a moment before turning her attention back to Eric. She sighed pulling him into her arms and hugging him tightly. Eris was more than happy to return the embrace, and rested his head on Carlotta's shoulder in the first moment of peace he'd felt since being told about this trip by Edward. Somehow Carlotta possessed the power to calm him to an almost tranquil state with just the simplest touch. For this Eric was grateful, for he seemed to spend an awful lot of his time panicking at the moment. Carlotta held Eric for as long as she could get away with. Although she knew that everybody aboard the ship would be looking out for Eric, her heart still slammed against her chest with fear. This would be the longest amount of time she'd ever been away from Eric and she knew exactly how dangerous these voyages could become should they run in to a rough patch of weather. After everything that had happened recently she wasn't sure she could take the stress of not knowing whether Eric was alright or not. But she knew that she needed to let him do this; it was something he'd desperately wanted to do for a long time now and she would hate to be the one to ruin it for him. So, reluctantly, she pulled back and looked into the sky blue eyes of the boy in front of her.
"Promise me you'll be careful darling" she said. Eric nodded.
"I promise" he said, holding out his little finger. Carlotta smiled and took it in her own, securing their promise as Grimsby stepped up behind the four year old and put a hand on his shoulder as Carlotta got to her feet.
"Look after him" she said, and Eric ran ahead to where Edward and Tony were standing.
"I will," replied Grimsby. "Nothing's going to happen Carlotta, he's safe. You need to stop worrying."
"I know," replied the maid, "it's just… after everything that's happened I… I," she sighed. "I just don't know if I could cope if anything else happened to him." Grimsby nodded in agreement.
"I'll make sure nothing does, see you later." And with that Grimsby turned and left Carlotta standing with Catherine.
"He'll be fine," said the duchess, "Edward's a fine sailor, he won't let anything happen to Eric." Carlotta merely nodded, watching as Eric disappeared behind the mass of sailors that swarmed the docks. Noticing the worried look set on Carlotta face Catherine decided that it would be better for the two of them to get going.
"Come on," she said, "I know something that'll take your mind off things." With one final glance down the dock Carlotta turned a walked into the village with Catherine.
"Edward" called King Vernon! The young duke smiled warmly and shook the King firmly by the hand, stepping back only to allow his soon to be father-in-law to do the same thing.
"Your majesty I'd like to introduce Prince Eric" announced Edward, gesturing to the boy who stood next to him.
"Hello, um… I mean… nice to meet you your majesty" said Eric, bowing his head as he struggled to remember what he'd been taught through the mass of thoughts that rushed around his head. The King chuckled slight and nodded in approval before shaking hands with Grimsby. Eric wasn't even looking anymore; his eyes were fixated on the ship before him, a wooden mermaid at the front just as it had been on his ship.
"Are you ready" asked Edward, catching Eric by surprise and making him jump. Regardless, Eric nodded, having reached an almost dream-like state now, and followed Edward onto the ship. Several of the sailors dipped their heads at the Prince and uttered short a short 'hello' when they passed him, before returning to their duty of getting the ship ready to sail.
"Eric, I'd like you to meet Captain Seyers" said Edward, stopping in front of the man Eric presumed he was talking about. The Captain bore a friendly smile, but his posture stated that he wasn't somebody to be reckoned with. His authority aboard the ship was obvious, and not even the King could overwrite any decisions he made. This was his territory and he knew it, but still, he seemed nice enough.
"Ah so this is Eric," he said, meeting the four year olds eye but making no attempt to come down to his level. "You know, you're the youngest person who's ever been on this boat, consider yourself lucky that Edward's got such a kind heart."
Over the next half hour, Eric followed Edward round the ship, and was told of every safety measure there was, and what he should expect from the voyage.
"You might find it a little bit difficult to say on your feet at first," explained Edward as he, Eric and Grimsby made their way back up to the maid deck. "But don't worry, you'll get used to it and the sailors know this is your first time sailing so they'll be looking out for you." Eric nodded but immediately felt embarrassed, like he was going to act more as a hindrance to this trip than anything else. He wanted to prove that he could do things by himself, without the help of the sailors. When the three of them reached the deck, Edward left Eric with Grimsby whilst he went about preparing the ship. Eric was suddenly overcome by nervousness and could feel himself trembling and tears stung his eyes. This was something he'd been waiting for his entire life, what if it wasn't everything he thought it would be? What if he didn't like it or he wasn't very good at it? His throat began to feel tight with lack of saliva, and he swallowed hard before turning to face Grimsby.
"What of I don't like it" he asked tearfully?
"Eric it's not too late to get off," replied the older gentleman, "we can go and find Carlotta and Catherine instead if you want to." Eric wasn't sure, but something in Grimsby's voice held an element of hope.
"Do you like sailing Grimsby" he asked, cocking his head to the side slightly?
"Not particularly," he replied truthfully. "In fact it makes me feel quite ill, but I have to make sure nothing happens to you." The young Prince suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over him and he lowered his head in shame.
"Sorry" he muttered. Grimsby gave an easy smile.
"It's not your fault," he said, "and I've no doubt that you'll enjoy this." Eric's spirits immediately lifted and he smiled brightly before the Captain's voice rang out, full of confidence and strength.
"Hoist anchor" he yelled, taking his position beside the helmsman. Eric ran to the edge of the ship, standing on his toes so as to see over the wooden railing. Almost immediately he felt two hands on his shoulders and looked back to see Edward steadying him.
"Careful," he warned, "we don't want you falling over." Eric nodded and turned back to watch as they sailing along the dock. Being the friendly boy he was Eric took one hand off the side of the boat and waved down to the villagers who were watching them. Many of them smiled and waved back, before a conversation struck up about who the young boy aboard the ship was. Edward knew that many of them would presume Eric to be his and Catherine's son, and then wonder why he'd filed to mention it before. But he didn't mind, it would be simple enough to explain should anyone ask him about it.
It wasn't long before the ship had left the harbour and hit the open sea. Edward looked down, expecting Eric to look slightly bored with the endless view of water. But, to his surprise, Eric's gaze was completely fixed on the churning waters below them. He remembered the stories that Carlotta and Helen had told him, of mermaids swimming alongside ships and fully indented to see one for himself.
"What are you looking at Eric" asked Edward kneeling down and trying to follow the four year olds eye line?
"I want to see a mermaid" replied Eric in full seriousness. Edward chuckled to himself, Eric's behaviour reminding him of his when he was a young boy.
"Well don't be disappointed if you don't see one, they're very shy" he said. Eric nodded, but kept his eyes fixed on the ocean.
"Have you ever seen one" he asked?
"I haven't, no, but we can dream can't we." Eric knew that, for it was a dream he often had, a dream that one day he would meet a mermaid and they'd be best friends forever. She would provide him with a happiness that no one else could. That was his dream, and he was never letting go of it.