Chapter 6

Regina pushed open the heavy wooden door, the bell chimed as she made her way into the dimly lit room that housed almost all of Storybrooke's most famous magical items. The magic had been removed as soon as the curse had hit, she never understood how Gold had gotten his hand on all of the items.

"Well good morning Mayor," Mr. Gold walked through the curtained off area. "What brings you to my fine establishment?"

Regina walked forward and pulled the shell necklace out of her pocket, gently laying it on the glass between them. "It still has magic." She stated simply. "Tell me how it still has magic."

Mr. Gold laughed and picked up the shell, pressing it to his ear. "Her voice was one of the most powerful pieces of magic, even in our world Mayor. I tried to pull all of the magical odds and ends to me when we transferred over, but this I could never get my hands on."

"But her voice is still in there," Regina leaned forward. "If she gets it back…"

"Are you planning on giving it back to her?" Gold cut in, his eyes sparkling.

"Never!" Regina yelled. "That Little Mermaid got what she deserved! So did that stupid Prince of hers! I had him in my GRASP! I ALMOST had…"

"I know what you had Mayor," Gold sighed, "But just as with Snow White, love seems to conquer all. Has she found her Prince in Storybrooke?"

Regina nodded. "Of course she has, you know she has. She just saved him from drowning, my own son was there to help make sure he got to the hospital alright." She sounded disgusted. "I know you don't want her to get her voice either. She could have magic if she gets it back."

Gold nodded. "Then we must keep it from her!" He picked it up and walked to the safe behind the register. Turning the knob and inserting a key that hung around his neck he opened the safe and placed the glowing shell necklace inside. Beside it sat a chipped cup.

"Are you sure you can keep it safe?" Regina asked, arching an eyebrow. "If not I'm more then happy to take it somewhere….else."

Gold turned to stare at her. "It will be fine here Mayor. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to work. I assume you can see yourself out."

Chapter 7

Ariel stopped signing just as suddenly as she had started, a glowing was coming from beneath the darkening waves. She sighed and dove under the water. Her teacher and watcher Sebastian waited for her, a frown on his old face.

"Where have you been Ariel?" He demanded. "Your father will have a FIT when he finds out he put your guards to sleep again. You KNOW he's worried about that blasted King that just had himself killed by that woman. He fears for your safety."

"I know," was all she said, diving deeper under water. Sebastian followed after, he was older and couldn't swim as fast as she could. But he kept up as best he could. Suddenly she stopped and turned to him. "Did you see those ships that were being readied? Where do you think they were going?"

"They are going to give their regards to Princess Snow White, just as your father has sent your sister to do in his own honor," Sebastian explained. "You know that though, why are you asking?"

She shrugged, looking up towards the boats that hung heavy in the water. "Didn't father bring up that storm so that Prince Eric couldn't go in his fathers place."

"He did child," Sebastian nodded. "He doesn't want them to go, as they are the last resort before they come after us. If indeed there is something going on with that woman the old King had married." He began swimming, "Now come on, before your father finds out you were above water."

Ariel and Sebastian swam to her part of the palace, her guards were floating in front of her door. The one of the right, a handsome younger man with blonde hair that fell into his dark brown eyes shook his head. "Its not use," he sighed, "Your father knows. He wants to see you in the Palace hall."

Ariel closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she was so tired of playing this game with her father. She never understood why he wouldn't just allow her guards to go with her onto land. She only wanted to go once, to see what it felt like. She nodded and began swimming down the hall.

Sebastian began following her, when the second guard grabbed his tail. "Only the Princess." He said softly. Sebastian watched as she swam away. His heart breaking slightly for the girl. She had no idea that he was actually her mothers brother, and he agreed that the King of the Sea should allow her to visit his family if only once.

The King of the Sea waited on his throne of shells and coral. He hated to have to punish his daughter but it was for her own good. He had heard many stories about the new so called Queen. He also knew that the poor Princess Snow White must be feeling so alone and lost with her father. He had been a good man, a kind man and had always worked so well with all of the kingdoms. It pushed heavy on his heart to think of a world without him.

He had sent his eldest sister and her husband to extend an offer of friendship to the new Queen and comfort to Snow White. But he hadn't heard back from them. It was not like his daughter at all to not contact her father, he feared for her life, which made him fear even more for Ariel's life. If someone evil could get ahold of her voice he knew he had to keep her safe.

At that moment Ariel swam in, still to this day it brought tears to his eyes as he watched his youngest daughter. She looked so much like her mother. Though he had loved his Queen he could never give up his daughter. "Ariel, sing for me."

She stopped and sat on the pedestal that was there for those who wished to speak to her father the King. And she began a tale in song as sad as the foam that washed against the shore, the souls and lives of those mermaids lost.

When the light begins to fade,

And shadows fall across the sea,

One bright star in the evening sky,

Your love's light leads me on my way.

There's a dream that will not sleep,

A burning hope that will not die.

So I must go now with the wind,

And leave you waiting on the tide.

Time to fly, time to touch the sky.

One voice alone – A haunting cry.

One song, one star burning bright,

Let it carry me through darkest night.

Rain comes over the grey hills,

And on the air, a soft goodbye.

Here the song that I sing for you,

When the time has come to fly.

When I leave and take the wing,

And find the land that fate will bring,

The brightest star in the evening sky,

Is your love waiting far for me.

Ariel stopped singing and swam to her father side, she laid her cheek against her father's hand, tears trickling down her cheeks. "I don't mean to disobey you father. I just dream of walking on land. I don't want to leave you. I just want to see what else is out there."

Hi All! I just wanted to let you know that this is a song by Celtic Women, its called The Soft Goodbye. Its a beautiful song and I thought it fit into this story. You should go find it on youtube and listen to it! Thank you so much for reading my story! More chapters to come!