Chapter 13
The girl leaned up against Eric's bare chest, she had fallen asleep almost as soon as they had pulled her off of that rock. He had no idea who she was about her beauty took his breath away. He looked up at his 2nd in command who was just staring at her as well.
"What will you tell you father?" Roger asked. "You know he wants you to go see Snow."
"I'll tell him we went fishing, and we found a young maiden," Eric sighed. "And Snow will be fine, you know that we can't sail in that storm. She will understand."
"But you two have been friends since childhood," Roger shook his head. "I'm sure she will need her friend in this sad time for her."
Their boat pulled onto shore where a group of his man stood waiting. One leaned over and picked Ariel up. In a second she was awake and panicking. She had no idea where she was, she searched for the man who had pulled her off the rock.
Eric jumped up and took her from the other man. "Its alright," he said soothingly, as he carried her in his arms towards the castle that sat not to far away. "I've got you."
"Your Majesty!," Roger followed after the Prince, and his friend. "Your father isn't going to be happy that you're bringing a naked girl into his household."
"She wont be naked when he meets her!" Eric looked behind him at his friend with a sheepish grin. "Go get your mother. We need to make her presentable."
Ariel looked around the ornate room that Eric had found for her. She had wanted him to stay with her, but he just smiled a silly smile at her and said he'd come back after she was fully dressed. The door opened and an older woman came in, she had long greying hair that was put into an ornate bun and a sea weathered face.
"Child!" She gasped. "What has that Prince brought us now?" She opened the door and yelled into the hall. "Send for a hot bath and some clothes from the younger ladies in waiting." There was a murmur and then the woman came back in. "What's your name Child?"
"Ariel," she said softly, clutching the Prince's shirt. Her voice was still soft and sweet as ever.
"Well dearie, the Prince wants you to sparkle and shine so you can meet the King, his father," The woman nodded as two burley men came in lugging a steaming bucket of water between them. They went into another small room and you could hear the distinct splash for water. "My name is Annabell, I'm one of the Queen's Lady in Waiting."
Ariel didn't understand what she was telling her, she had only ever heard of ladies in waiting from her sisters. When they had come on land they were forever talking about these women and the clothing that they wore.
"Come now my dear, we must get you cleaned up," Annabell sighed. "The Prince wishes to have lunch with you."
Eric paced the dining room, Roger stood near the window looking out towards the water. He saw a young woman with dark brown hair come walking past on the sand below. She looked up at him and winked. He turned and looked at Eric.
"I have never seen you like this," Roger stated. "What has this girl done to you? Laid a spell on you?"
Eric stopped pacing and looked at his friend. "I think she may have been the mermaid I heard singing."
"And so you're suddenly in love with her?" Roger asked. "What about Snow?"
"Snow and I were never meant to be!" Eric shouted. "We knew that from the beginning. We are friends Roger, and that is all. She knows it as I know it. Neither of us have ever expected love or marriage out of our friendship."
"I'm sure your father and mother did," Roger shook his head. "And how do you know that when you get to know this girl she will be what you are looking for?"
"I don't know," Eric sighed, he turned and looked out the window as well. The woman was no longer walking on the beach.
"Your Highness," Annabell came walking in. "Your lady is ready for lunch."
Eric turned as Ariel walked in. She was a stunning site for any man's eyes. Her beautiful red hair was up in an ornate bun, with small tendrils curled here and there. She was dressed in a deep green satin dress, and at her neck was a beautiful necklace made from a pearl colored shell.