They did return, with no meade. He had a right mind to kick them out. But he didn't have the strength anymore.

"So get on with the story," Jonathon demanded, rather rudely. "What happened the next day?"

"Next day? Try that same night. Ariana went up to her room so deep n thought, that she barley noticed the stranger waiting for her.

A persons natural instinct when in danger is to defend themselves but with this woman, Ariana knew she would never stand a chance. She was wearing black leather but didn't have a weapon hidden anywhere. She didn't appear to need one.

"A sorceress," Ariana muttered as she realised exactly who her foe was.

The woman smiled but there was no happiness present in it. If there was, it wasn't the type of happiness that was going to work out well for Ariana.

"A mermaid" she commented "Aren't you a little far from home?"

Ariana quickly came to her senses and looked for a weapon.

"Really?" she asked. "You do realise that the second you grab anything half decent I can remove it in a the blink of an eye. Try and touch me and I will remove your hands."

Reluctantly Ariana put her hands behind her back to show that she would be no trouble. Her best tactic was to play along until she knew why the sorceress was here.

"I've been watching you," she announced. "The name is Valida and I am rather intrigued in your problem."

"Problem?"

"The fact that you're in love with a human. Don't bother to deny it"

Ariana didn't bother. "How much do you know?"

"Absolutely everything. From you saving him from drowning to you washing up on shore to right now. And I want to help you."

It took all the strength Ariana had to not break out into laughter. "The only beings that merfolk hate slightly as much as humans are sorcerers. Sorcerers hate us even more. Your kind never helps anyone unless there is something in it for them. So what is it?"

Finally Valida leveled with her. "Lets face it. You're in a lot of trouble. You can't get the key because you know that the other merfolk will kill the Prince and any other human they can get their hands on. You can't jut stay here because you'll just end up killing him. You can't leave because he will look for you and if you know there is a chance you will come back."

"So what should I do?"

"Leave and don't come back."

Ariana had never wanted to hit some one more in her whole life. Well maybe Castilar. "Didn't you just tell me why I couldn't do that?"

Valida gave her a demeaning look. "Be patient," she said slowly, as if speaking to a child. "I have a plan that can work out for both of us. I will take him off your hands."

Ariana wasn't sure she had heard that right. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I'm a sorceress, it's what I do. You know how easy it would be to perform a simple charm so that he forgets all about you and would it be so bad if he turned to me. Would you really wish him a life of misery as he misses you?"

Not appreciating the guilt trip, Ariana just glared at her. "I am in no way saying I approve of this but why would you need my permission?"

"Well that's the catch. Love spells are tricky. It's easy enough to do a spell but they're easily broken and bring up more problems then they solve. For instance I could easily give him a love spell and then another to make him forget about you but there is no knowing how long it would last and what could trigger a lapse. Love spells are unreliable. What we need is a proper spell. One where I transfer any feelings he has for you to me. He will remember you and everything that has happened but he'll wonder why on earth he wanted you."

Ariana couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"You know I'm right" Valida said, growing bored.

No excuses could come to her mind. Still, Ariana searched desperately through her mind, trying to find anything to get her out of this.

"What is in it for you?" Ariana asked suspiciously.

There was no point lying. "You know that sorcerers can see into the future? Well we know that Eric will be the best King that this kingdom has seen for over a thousand years. With him on the throne we'll never take over the kingdom. So you really think that your kind are the only ones who want this land? And let's face it, there are far worse people to be married too."

Valida was getting very bored and complained, "will you hurry up."

"I'm sorry" Ariana said, while she was wondering why she was apologising "but can I just have a second."

Unfortunately most of what Valida was saying made sense. Ariana knew that there was no other way out.

The look on her face showed Valida that they were in business. That evil smile returned and it was just as bad as before. "Let's do this."

To be honest, Ariana didn't pay much attention to the ceremony. Her thoughts were in other places, namely the future and what would happen after Eric no longer wanted her. She heard Valida chant in some other language and knew that it was happening. An eerie mist crept into the room and Ariana felt like the floor must be shaking. Suddenly Ariana felt something pass out of her, almost like a cold shoot of water. Only it wasn't water, it just looked like a strong shard of light. This light hovered for a few seconds before shooting to Valida, almost knocking her clear off her feet.

Then everything was normal. Ariana expected people to come running to investigate the noise but everything remained silent.

Valida took a few seconds recover and was once again cool and collected. "Nice doing business with you" she said as she headed for the door.

"Wait" Ariana called, not knowing what to say. "How will it happen exactly?"

Valida just smirked at her. "You'll see."