Ariel's hand shook, but she was determined.

"There's no need for you to die." Triton said low.

Eric took a step, but stopped when she moved the blade slightly and felt the sting of the cut.

"Don't!" Eric insisted, just as Triton shouted, "Enough!"

Ariel's hand stopped and she felt the blood run down onto her night gown.

"All you want is to keep me away from humans. This is the best I can do."

His trident glowed again and she stepped in front of Eric just in case. He sighed.

"I hoped to bring you home. I hoped you'd see what you'd done." When he looked down he seemed so sad, Ariel felt a pang of guilt. When his hand closed firmly around the grip of the trident again and he looked back up at her, "But if you are so determined to die for your humans, so be it."

When a bolt was aimed at her, Eric slipped an arm around her waist and yanked her out of the way. The edged of her nightgown didn't escape the blast and she yelped as she tried to smother the flame that was left behind. It puffed out just as Triton threw another blast and Eric rolled them both aside.

He stood, trying to get Ariel to run with him to a hiding stop, but she refused. Instead she shoved him back and pushed herself the other direction when another shot almost hit them. Finally, she stood, staring at her father.

"Stop!" she demanded.

He laughed. "You really think that's going to work?"

His grip tightened and the glow of the trident became brighter.

"Why can't you just let me be happy? I didn't DO anything! Neither did Eric! It just- happened!"

"Lies!" He howled, "That's impossible! Nothing but an old fish tale!"

He threw another shot and she jumped. Eric shouted as she felt a burn across her arm when she moved out of the way. Sucking in a breath she clapped a hand over the injury. As if it were slow motion, she watched Eric try to walk towards her. She watched her father raise his trident and aim it at her husband.

"No!" She insisted, running with her hand up as if she could stop the blast. She closed her eyes when the bright light almost blinded her. She waited for the pain, but was shocked when it didn't come. She opened her eyes to find a dome around them both. When the trident's power left she lowered her hand and the dome with it.

When she glanced back up at Triton, his eyes were wide with surprise. He looked at the power in his hands as if it could tell him why she'd been able to protect herself from it. Eric stood and grabbed her hands, palms up. He looked at them both trying to see anything abnormal.

"What was that?" Eric asked.

All she did was shake her head. Her blue eyes were serious when he locked gazes with her. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw Triton fire again and she threw her hand up as before. Once more, it was blocked.

"How?!" Her father demanded.

Ariel's voice was soft and far away. "I think even the powers of the sea know you've become too cruel."

"Ridiculous!" He insisted as he continued to throw bolts at her over and over. With each that she blocked, Ariel became more confident and the dome became brighter. It all grew taller, and soon she was protecting the entire ship.

It was an odd sensation. Though the sea's rocked with her father's anger there was only a gentle breeze on the other side of her palm.

When Triton had finally accepted her could do no more with his powers, he slammed his fists into the shield as if he could shatter it. With a wave of her hand, Ariel sent the trident flying through the air and she caught it with ease.

"This isn't possible!" He insisted, "I'm the king!"

Ariel shook her head, "I think it's time for your daughters to repair the years of hatred."

It was the last time she would see her father's face for many years as she gently used the trident to pull him back under the waves.