The iridescent shimmer of the bubbles floating out of her bath caused Ariel to stare in wonder at the perfectly round object. She'd seen bubbled under water, but they never reflected the colors and light that the ones on land did.

"Wow…" As her fingers just barely touched one it burst and faded. Warm water rushed over her face as the house keeper poured a pitcher full over her head.

"Washed up from a ship wreck! Oh you poor thing, and alone, without clothing, in front of a man!"

Tugging on the ends of her hair nervously Ariel said, "Nothing… happened."

It was the only excuse she and Eric had managed to scramble up in time to explain her appearance. It was a bit farfetched that they'd both ended up in the same place on two separate ships, but stranger things had happened.

Once she was clean and dressed the lady lead her down to dinner. Just outside the dining room Ariel paused to listen to the conversation inside.

"Eric, be reasonable. Nice young ladies don't go swimming around rescuing people in the middle of the ocean!" Grimm scolded.

The Prince's voice was determined when he replied, "I'm telling you Grimm she's the one! I finally found her!"

"Perhaps you just haven't looked hard enough. There has to be someone better than this dream girl! One of flesh and blood!"

The warning in Eric's voice came out as a growl when he snapped, "Grimm-"

With a nervous laugh the house keeper- Carlotta- pulled Ariel forward and said loud enough for both men to hear, "Come on Honey!"

Slowly she walked into the room and Eric's eyes snapped to her. His smile grew brighter than the moon as he told her, "You look wonderful."

Blushing she said, "Thank you."

Smiling at Grimm she noticed him stiffen and walked out of the room with a sharp nod. Once he was gone Ariel wrung her hands.

Walking forward, Eric wrapped his arm around her and tilted her chin to look at him, "Ariel?"

Her brow creased, "I shouldn't be here."

Groaning Eric spat, "You heard him?"

"Nothing he said was untrue." The words were like a dagger in her chest. Eric's arms tightened around her waist.

"Please," He kissed her forehead before finishing, "Please believe that I don't care what he thinks."

His insistence melted her worries and she closed her eyes with a sigh. He whispered her name softly and held her close. Before long he was dancing with her across the empty dining room floor with no one else around. The only music was the sound of Ariel's humming.

"You have the most beautiful voice."

Smiling up at him Ariel opened her mouth to respond when she noticed something on the table.

"Oh my gosh!" Sprinting forward she grabbed the strange looking item and thrust it toward The Prince. "What is it?!"

For a moment he looked at her in surprise before chuckling and explaining, "It's called a fork. We use them to eat."

"Wow…" She smiled. Suddenly something else caught her attention and she yanked on Eric's arm. Dragging him with her she looked at a tea pot on the counter. Excitedly she sprinted with him around the castle and listened in wonder as he explained everything to her. Each question she asked he did his best to explain and she attempted to explain what she could about her own world below.

Before long it was night time, and they were sitting on the steps of the palace that lead to the sea. Ariel watched the sun set and Eric watched her.

"Do you have any family?" She asked.

Sadly The Prince shook his head, "My parents died when I was young." The pain on his face crushed her heart and Ariel squeezed his hand.

"What about you?" He asked, "Do you have anyone?"

"Hmm," She nodded, "Yes."

He paused, not having considered that she could be missed at home. "Will they look for you?"

For a long while Ariel simply stared off, seemingly deep in thought. Finally she responded, "If I remain human… I'll never see my father or sisters again."

Warring emotions played though Eric's chest. He couldn't let her go. Not when he had just found her. He drew her to him and tried to reassure her, "Ariel… I don't know if it makes up for it… but when I saw you I knew… You're the one." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes, "You're the one I've been looking for. I've traveled all over… but it was you all the time."

Smiling she teased, "Even though I ask so many questions?"

Pretending to be confused he asked, "You can talk? I hadn't noticed."

Playfully she swatted at him and laughed. Just like that the tense moment was broken and he pulled her with him inside.