There was no greater pain, Ariel was sure. It felt as if knives were prodding her entire body, and she felt only the faintest flashes of regret. She used the trident on herself as soon as she could, in her three prior years of experience, the pain would subside after about three days. And, just as soon as it was starting to ebb, here she was again. Here to see Eric, to have her shot at love, and at humanity.

The sun was beginning to set after dinner, and she excused herself nervously, knowing the potion would wane off within the hour. Both Eric and Cora had inquired after her, asking if she felt well, and if there was anything they could do. She insisted that no, no, she was fine! It's just that today had been an exciting day, and it's never easy to talk about all the stuff that had happened to her, and she'd just like to lie down and be left alone, and she'd see them in the morning. Ariel was afraid that she may have scurried off too fast, or been unconvincing, but they both trusted her lies completely, which made her feel very, very guilty.

And now she was pacing, wearing out the feet she had only borrowed. She couldn't keep using the trident on herself, she knew that. Not only did it hurt so much, but she couldn't disappear for three day breaks and then come back, especially when she had already made it so indisputably clear that she had neither home nor family to return to. And, boy, was it clear she needed that time to heal.

Her father had the ability to make it permanent, she knew that. Almost as well as she knew that he'd never do it. No matter what she said, or how she pleaded, he hated humans, he hated the human world, and he'd probably hate her for running away. Daddy would never do it.

This third, fateful option had wavered in and out of her head ever since she met Eric, and had stuck with an irritating permanence after she had been invited to stay as his guest. She had been warned against this option, just as every merchild had been. Still, she considered the Sea Witch.

Lessons had been pounded into her head, seasoned with what she could only assume were wildly exaggerated tales of wailing mermaids and pained children, swirling about in their own wretchedness as they bound themselves to the Sea Witch in her musky lair. Stories of how she fulfilled their hopes and promises for but a short stint of time, only to cruelly enjoy their pain as she yanked it away just as easily. Oh, Ariel had been warned.

But she also had no other options.

Luckily, she was rooming on the first floor, so sneaking out was as easy as sliding open the window. She ducked out and ran to the sea, her legs feeling like they were burning, and she relished in her final use of them as she collapsed in the water, and turned back into a mermaid.

…

Cora couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned, she laid quietly as her husband snored peacefully, and she eventually rose and wrapped herself in robes, headed to the balcony.

Did she have a right to be nervous? Of course this was innocent, all Eric ever did was the Right Thing. Lost animals were given shelter and a meal. Foreign squabbles were squashed with kindness and diplomacy. Washed up girls were given their own room.

She didn't seem to have any sort of an agenda. She was comfortable through the meal, well, until she rushed off. She spoke politely and kindly, and didn't even flirt with Eric. She was merely kind to him.

But did he have to be so kind back?

Cora knew she was being ridiculous. She was in a tizzy, all over nothing! The girl would find a new home soon, somewhere, right? And then Eric and she could return to their normal lives.

Still, she couldn't shake the uneasiness that came with seeing how excited Eric was around Ariel. Cora had never seen him so lively, so childlike. He was absolutely endeared to her. He was never that engaged in conversation, never that animated during dinner, this simply wasn't him!

She must be overreacting, she was taking this as a snub when it of course wasn't.

She was happy to see him so happy, of course, but she just wished he was that happy with her.

…

Ariel was unsettled by how easily she was able to reach the Sea Witch's lair. For such a forbidden and foreboding place, it was rather accessible. She had never been before, but there were rumors as to where she laid, and Ariel was able to piece it together easily. She assumed that was part of the Sea Witch's lure. Thought such a tough decision to make, it was so easy as well.

She peaked in the doorway, pursing her lips.

"Come in, come in!" a raspy voice hummed.

Ariel took a deep, shuttering breath. This was worth it.

"Now, my darling, let me guess why you're here."

"How could you know?" Ariel asked quickly, pushing her brow together.

"You don't think they'd let me be the sea witch if I didn't know anything, did you?" she laughed at her own semi-joke and sat down next to Ariel.

"Um, I guess. Okay." Ariel sat bravely down, and looked before her at a swirling basin. It bubbled up and glowed green, and she reminded herself to keep her hands in her lap, lest she accidently touch it.

"Look," the Sea Witch flicked up her hand and a bubble appeared above the basin. It glowed a soft yellow, and Eric appeared on the screen, sleeping. "This is your prince, is it not?"

Ariel sighed. "Yes."

"And you want to be with him? As a human? On land?"

Ariel nodded again, vigorously. "Yes, oh yes."

The Sea Witch continued to flick her wrist, and different images appeared; fantasies. Ariel with legs, running down the beach. Ariel dancing about with Eric. Ariel and Eric on their wedding day. Ariel and Eric with children. With animals. Together on boats, at tables, at balls. A human life, and one with love.

"All this can be yours." The Sea Witch cooed. "I can help you."

"In exchange for what?" Ariel asked, still a little in disbelief.

"I will make you a potion." The Sea Witch began. "It will turn you into a human, temporarily. Seven days. You must win his love, by which I mean, he must ask for your hand in marriage. Whoever Eric rejects as his partner, will be reduced to sea foam, and doomed to float inconsequentially through the seas."

Ariel shook her head. "What does that mean?"

"It means, if he decides he does not want to marry you, you will no longer be a human, not a mermaid, you will simply dissolve."

Ariel stammered a little at this.

"Oh, and one more thing. This is, sadly, unavoidable. The potion is very difficult to make, and in order to keep you human for so long, it will not be easy. Your feet will hurt, like walking on knives, but you will be human, and with your prince."

Ariel paused, then spoke. "Will that go away when I break the spell?"

"Oh ho! Confident young merchild, aren't you?"

"I am not a child!"

Ursula spun around, glaring at Ariel. "This is a young being's pursuit, do not deceive yourself. If you can manage to sway his eternal love, manage to have him choose you, then, yes, all will be as you desire."

Ariel beamed at this, but Ursula continued. "But should you fail, your body will be seafoam, and your soul will be mine."

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