Chapter 2
Ariel sat on the edge of a her favorite rock, it looked out towards the shore line and towards the towns that she was always dreaming about. Her vibrant red hair curled wistfully down her bare shoulder, and towards her tail. Her father would kill her if he knew she was half way out of the sea. A mermaid was a popular commodity towards those who were magically inclined.
She didn't care though, all she dreamed of was acquiring her legs and getting out of the blasted sea. Of course she loved it, just as she loved her father and her sisters. But her mother had been a human who had given up the gift of walking for the love of the King of the Sea. But she had died giving birth to Ariel, the youngest of the Kings daughters. Of course no one had blamed Ariel, instead they held her closer.
She like her mother was the only one of the Princesses to have the gift of a Magical Voice. It was said that one would be born to that of a mermaid and a human. And born she had been, as her dying mother held Ariel in her arms as a baby she sang they lonely song of the sea, Ariel began to croon along with her. This magical gift that had been bestowed upon Ariel was supposed to bring back those she had lost and loved. This one time it had not worked though, and her mother still had died. Her body turning to foam and mixing with the salty ocean.
As Ariel grew she realized how very protected she was, she was never allowed to go anywhere without her guards, though as she grew older she was able to escape the guards by singing them softly to sleep. Her father would always find her though, and she would be banished to her room and not allowed to leave until he thought she had learned her lesson.
Of course she never would. Though she loved her life as a Princess of the Sea, she wanted so much more then an every day life. She wanted adventure and danger, she wanted to see the world, to save someone, the experience true loves kiss. She wanted what her father had had with her mother. She wanted to meet her mothers family, to know why she was chosen to have this special gift that kept her hidden away. Her sisters were allowed to walk on land and experience life outside of the sea. She was never given that option.
Her teacher told her it was because of the magic she had that her father kept her close. He told her that many a magical creature could trap her and steal her voice for their use. They could use her songs to do evil while she would be powerless to stop them.
In the Palace far above the ocean, Regina the Evil Queen sat in front of her magic mirror. She watched as the mermaid stared out towards the village from her rock perch. A small smile crept onto the beautiful Queen's face.
"What are you going to do to her?" The Mirror asked.
Regina's eyes shifted to the face in front of her. "I plan on becoming her new best friend." Her voice as soft and smooth as velvet.
The Mirror looked taken aback. "What do you mean, you'll be her best friend?"
"That's the best way to gain someone's confidence," She laughed quietly. "And then steal their voice."