Thanks so much for the reviews everyone! I'm so glad you like my story so far!

Also I'm really sorry this chapter is bad, I'm at a loss for words at the moment…

Chapter 3

Ariel's POV

Well, what was he supposed to say? 'Hey Grim! It turns out Ariel's the girl I've been looking for! She got her voice back when we kissed on the boat ride and now we're madly in love!' That's not exactly the best choice at the moment.

Grimsby's eyes were wide open in bewilderment. We were both frozen. Eric was stuttering a bit to get something going, I was depending on him to do something but all he could get out was, "Uh…"

I turned around and looked at him with a face that said, "That's all you've got?" He shrugged nervously and continued, "Uh, hey! Well-, you see-, um…" He put his hand on the back of his neck, thinking of ways to make this all sound sane. This is a disaster.

My hand went up to my face then back down to my side, I could tell he was waiting for someone to say something so I sucked it up, "Hi Mr. Grimsby," I said awkwardly. He blinked, still not processing the fact that I could talk, but his face remained unchanged. I didn't think that this would be so difficult. In fact, I didn't think of it at all.

Then Grimsby smiled widely. He must be hysterical, I knew it. I looked up at Eric and he shrugged again, "Grim, why are you smiling?"

"I'm so happy for the two of you! And Ariel, your voice is like a bell!" Grim seemed really excited. Later on I know he will be questioning his sanity though.

I ducked my head and lifted it, flattered, "Thank you, but isn't this news to you?" It should be. Still, I was relieved that he was happy for us, I was worried he wouldn't have liked it, but he's a very reasonable man to be accepting this.

"My dear, the whole castle heard you last night, except for me of course, but everyone has been talking about it," he chuckled and my head tipped down in embarrassment because I know people are probably whispering about my outburst at this very second.

Eric lifted his arms to hold my shoulders comfortingly which made me feel better.

"May I ask how you got your voice?" Grim asked, intrigued by whatever possibilities could have happened to me.

Eric and I looked at each other and then we looked around us, both knowing what the other was thinking. There were people everywhere, cleaning, preparing, organizing, and doing random jobs. We couldn't just tell the kingdom my secret right now in public, so we asked Grimsby to speak with us in private.

Eric led us into the nearest vacant room and we all sat down.

The room was fairly small but it still felt spacious, it had marble flooring, pink coral walls and two large bookshelves filled with books I have obviously never seen before. Eric and I were seated hand in hand on a velvety loveseat and Grim sat on the matching chair in front of it.

We tried to explain the events that happened the best we could, leaving out a few minor details from last night of course, and the whole time Grim wore an unreadable mask of emotion.

It took a bit of time but, being polite, Grimsby never interrupted once.

Me and Eric looked up at each other and hoped he would understand how much I want this life. I hope he won't be disgusted with me or worse, tell the people my secret. I didn't want people to know my secret just yet. If they knew, would they see me as someone special or only think of me as a monster? They couldn't be that bad, though, so I shook the thought from my head. Still, I only want the people I trust to know right now, Eric, Grimsby and Carlotta.

Eric looked at me and I turned my gaze to him, "I really do love her," he said smiling.

I looked straight in his eyes and whispered, "I love you too," I started tearing up but I didn't care.

I think Grimsby sighed to himself in the background and I looked up from our loving gaze at Grim who was trying to give us a bit of privacy in the moment we were having. I flushed and hid my face in my long bangs. Eric looked up at Grimsby as well then back to me and said, "Hey Ariel?"

I looked back to him, "How about you go get dressed?" he asked.

"Okay," I replied and he put his hand under my chin to pull me up into a kiss. It didn't last long at all to keep Grim from getting uncomfortable, but he probably already was.

I stood up and nodded to Grim and smiled at Eric, "Goodbye," I said and Eric replied with, "I'll see you at breakfast," I nodded again and left the room, closing the door quietly behind me.

Eric's POV

As soon as Ariel closed the door I turned to Grim and I said, "Okay well, I've been thinking a lot about this lately but I'm very sure of this girl"

It's true, she is the most inspirational person in my life, finding the smallest things wonderful and new. It gave me a whole new perspective. I'd go to the ends of the Earth to make her happy, to show her things and places she has never seen before. I want to be there with her every step of the way, "I'm going to ask her to marry me," I said with confidence.

"Eric, I know you are in love and I'm very proud of you but why don't you wait, just a little while. I mean, she hadn't even spoken to you until last night and now you want to make her your bride?"

"Ah, but Grim! Even before that, she was… I don't know, bubbly and wonderful! Her personality was like- like sunshine!" I was struggling to find the right words to describe the love of my life, "I only realized that last night but she still is that ray of sunshine, just with a voice. A beautiful, silky voice…"

I trailed off thinking about the song she sang when she saved me that night in the storm. The Grimsby interrupted me and said, "Well Eric, if you really do love her, take her out again, show her new places. I'm sure she will really enjoy that. Even if you're ready, you have to make sure she is too."

He has a point. I don't want to put this all on her at once. She should have a chance to get to know the world before I go ahead and ask for her hand, "Okay Grim, I'll wait a while"

We went off to breakfast for pancakes and fruit which Ariel eagerly piled her plate with, she really was hungry.

Every day I take Ariel some place new, a waterfall one day, a museum the next. Each destination brings a new joy in her heart that makes me happy. Happier than I even knew was possible for a man like me. After that one night I promised myself I'd only sleep with Ariel if she ever had troubles again, she, of course, made a face but laid off. It's hard for me too but I just have to be patient.

Today I'm on my way to town, Ariel is back at the palace playing in the kitchen with Carlotta, when she saw the room she had a particular liking to it. Though I'm not so sure what could be so interesting about some cups and pans, that's what made her special and different from the other princesses I've met. Actually everything about her was different from them, and I wouldn't have her any other way.

I'm going to town to get a ring fashioned for her. It's going to be perfect. A unique ring, something that represented her in the best way.

When I walk into the jewelry store I notice the elder-looking owner looking at me with knowing eyes. I avoid his eye contact, but I can't help but smile when I realize that he has probably been expecting me to come sooner or later.

"I'm here to have a ring cr-"

"I know why you're here Prince Eric and I know who it's for," he interrupted, "Why the whole town knows who it's for!" he gave a small warming chuckle, I looked at him puzzled but not exactly surprised, "I know exactly the ring you want"

He seemed very sure of what I needed so I followed him to a set of rings in a glass case on the side of the room. He pointed to a thin, delicately crafted silver ring with a larger diamond in the middle and two miniscule diamonds spaced out and aligned on either side. There was a small carving in the silver on both sides that I could barely see from this far away but it looked like a braid.

The whole thing was very precise and symmetrical, it was gorgeous. This man has extremely good taste.

After examining the magnificent ring I say, "Yes, it's absolutely perfect! Thank you very much!" and pay for it. I leave the jewellery store feeling accomplished, the people who saw me leave could see my expression and turned to gossip to each other and my smile grew even bigger.

Usually when I go to town I like to visit the bakery. They have some of the finest bread I've ever tasted, better than the castle in my opinion so I buy their bread sometimes. As I walk in, the baker welcomes me kindly like always and I go for my favorite, the cheese rolls.

The baker never sells stale breads; they're always fresh and baked that very day so the rolls are still warm.

I grab one and start eating as I hand some coins to the owner, "I'll take some of these please," and he packaged up about a dozen of the delicious rolls for me, "Thanks!"

"What are you here in town for today Prince Eric?" he asked curiously.

I've known this man for many years, he's a fairly good friend of mine now so I invited him to sit down and pulled out the small black box containing Ariel's engagement ring.

His face beamed in excitement at the obvious explanation and congratulated me. We sat there talking for a while and I asked him where I should propose.

He replied with, "Her favorite place to be"

I thought about what place was Ariel's favorite. She loved everything I took her to, the garden, the ballroom, even just walking through the forest gave her delight. I couldn't decide on her most special spot to be in, I guess I'll figure it out on the way home.

I get up to leave and we say goodbye and he wishes me good luck. I'll need it if I'm going to do this without messing it up. But what if she says no? I'm starting to panic inside but then I push the thought away, I have to be confident, strong. She loves me too.

When I get back to the palace I walk into the kitchen to meet Ariel and invite her to go out with me again today, maybe we'll go have lunch by the water fountain or something.

When I get there both Carlotta and Ariel are gone, only Louis is there and he's cooking something. Maybe she went up to her room to freshen up. But when I knock on the door there's no answer. I carefully open the door and peer inside, there's no one here.

This castle was so big, she could be anywhere, I didn't know where to look first so I walked aimlessly down the halls checking doorways and asking people if they'd seen her but they don't know.

Then I come across Carlotta carrying a tray of tea cups, I was so happy to find her, she would know of Ariel's whereabouts, "Carlotta, have you seen Ariel? I've been looking for her everywhere," I asked and I have to admit, I sounded a bit desperate.

She giggled and said, "Oh yes, she wanted to go down to the beach"

I sighed in relief, Ariel is at the beach, "Thank you so much Carlotta!" and I rushed down the hallway to go outside.

Again, I'm sorry this chapter is kinda really boring, I hope the next one makes up for it