Chapter 14: Regina's Warning
The TARDIS started to materialize on a long beach on a beautiful sunny day. Eric stepped out and was amazed. The Doctor did it. He transported him from Torchwood back to his kingdom. He quickly looked across the beach to make sure that this was his land. He saw a grand castle in the distance. Eric joyfully recognized this castle as his own. He truly was home. The Doctor and Clara, then stepped out of the TARDIS.
"Thank you so much Doctor." Eric said happily and then hugged the old Time Lord.
"No problem." The Doctor said.
"Is that your castle?" Clara asked as she spotted a big castle in the distance.
"Indeed. I'm home." Eric said.
"It's very beautiful." Clara remarked.
"Thank you." Eric said. His tone had dropped from one of happiness to one of sadness.
"What's wrong?" Clara asked the Prince.
"It's my men. Regina killed them all. I'll have to tell all their families." Eric said.
"Don't worry my friend. I'm sure things will get better soon." The Doctor said with a reassuring smile.
Eric smiled back. "Thank you again Doctor. Although I am still curious about one thing. How do you intend it get Mickey's heart back from Regina?"
"It's a surprise." The Doctor responded.
The Doctor and Clara then said their last goodbyes and entered the TARDIS. Eric turned away from his castle to watch the TARDIS fade away one last time. Once, the big blue box had completely disappeared from the beach, Eric turned around to walk to his castle, but was surprised to see The Evil Queen standing in his path.
"What are you doing here?" Eric asked sternly.
"That whole mission to Torchwood was a huge waste of my precious time." Regina said.
"You've got no one to blame but yourself Regina." He said to her.
"Well that's not true. I'm going to blame someone and seeming as your entire crew is dead.."
"By your hands!" Eric yelled interrupting the Evil Queen's speech.
Regina did not tolerate such behavior. She finally had her magic back. It was time to use it. She thrusted her arm forward and magically sent Eric flying backwards and landing hard on his back. She then walked over to him and continued her speech.
"Seeming as your entire crew is dead, I'll blame you." Regina said.
Regina then lifted her hand up. Eric started levitated above the ground. Regina then pulled her fingers in, as if to crush something small like an apple or a heart. Simultaneously, Eric felt the sensation of being choked. He couldn't fight it. Regina was magically strangling him to death.
"Regina. Wait. I saved you." Eric said. He just barely managed to get the words out.
Regina considered this and then released her grip on Eric. She was drowning after the boat exploded and she landed deep in the water. Eric had rescued her and brought her body safely to shore.
"Yes I suppose you did." Regina said to Eric who was now on the ground trying to catch his breath. "As a reward for saving my life, I won't kill you now. However, I'm still blaming you for the failure at Torchwood. Don't go out into the sea ever again. If you do, then you will die."
"Is that a threat?" Eric said getting back on his feet.
"No. It's a promise." She said.
"What about Ariel? You promised that if I helped you, you would not kill her." Eric stated.
"Yes and the mission failed. So I don't think I'll keep my end of the bargain." Regina said viciously.
"No. Regina please don't." Eric pleaded.
"Why do you care so much? You won't be able to talk to her ever again." Regina said.
"Even so, please you mustn't kill her for my actions." Eric said.
"No I mean you literally won't be able to talk to her again." Regina said.
"What do you mean?" Eric asked.
"Let's just say, you won't be hearing from her anytime soon."
"What about Torchwood? You said you were coming back to that land." Eric said.
"Oh I will be going back to that land. That land without magic. And I'm taking this whole land with me." Regina said and then disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.
Eric was left on the beach alone and confused. Suddenly, the puff of purple smoke appeared yet again. Regina was back.
"Oh and one more thing. I'm serious about the ocean. If you ever dare set sail again, I'll kill you." Regina said before once again disappearing in her signature puff of purple smoke.
Eric was confused, scared, lonely, and hungry. He needed to get back to his castle and sort out what had just happened over a nice meal. So, he started walking towards his beautiful castle. Little did he know, that someone was watching him.
In the ocean a head rose up from the waters. It was the head of a mermaid with hair red as blood. Her name was Ariel. She watched painfully as Eric walked to his castle, knowing that they could never be together. The Evil Queen took her voice. She could never talk to him. As the tears rushed down her face, the silent mermaid submerged herself under the water and swam away.