Hello everyone! Here is another chapter and enjoy!

Chapter 8: The Frog Prince and the Mermaid Princess

In the sunken Kingdom of Prasino, she who was once human, cursed into a creature of the sea as a result of her father angering the Sea Goddess. After since that day, Princess Naida continued to care for her beloved sisters. Unfortunately, the Chancellor drowned on that day. They were too late to save him and had lived on as mermaids for nearly three hundred years. No time has passed for them and they have remained young.

The eldest Princess didn't understand one thing though...

Calliope has a long beautiful sapphire blue tail with hints of purple. She wears a sea shell bra that is similar to the style of the dress she wore as a human, being blue and purple with many pearls decorating the material. Her arms faded from her light tanned skin to dark blue.

Theresa has more of a ruby-red tail, which is understandable, seeing red is her favorite color. She wore a fiery red sea shell bra with off the shoulder translucent cloth of yellow and amber. Her arms were like Calliope's, however, her skin faded into a yellow color, not blue.

Althea's upper body is clothed in pale green seaweed and net. Her arms fade from pale to dark purple to black near the hands. She has a long fish-like tail with four long purple, blue wing-like fins along the sides and ends in a large dark pink tail fin outlined in black. Her diadem was transformed into a crown made out of coral. Her red hair was more flowy and less curly.

Daphne has a light pink top with a little puff sleeves at her shoulders. Her tail is a lovely shade of purple like lavender. Some of the flowers on her hair were replace with sea flowers.

Lastly, Naida wore an emerald green sea shell bra and has a lovely sea green tail much like the hint of green in the sea from a distance. Her shell tiara that she worn as a human was changed into a different tiara- one made out of white and aquamarine pearls, a few starfish, and a light blue scallop shell at the center. As a mermaid, she now has a golden armlet on her left arm with a green bracelet. She did, however, retained the pearl necklace she wore as a human.

All her sisters have frilly fins along their biceps in their respective colors. However, only Naida didn't. She was the only one who have normal human arms... Why was that? Why was she the only one? Was it because she was the oldest? Just why?

However, the Prasino Princesses didn't have bizarre appearance. The King has it worse. As the King Crab, Alexandros' upper half is human while his lower half has crab legs. His long white beard turned into seaweed green and he seemed to wear a medieval helmet piece under his crown. His arms and hands resembles crab claws. Ever since he was cursed, he has been acting crabby... No pun intended.

That day... After the Prasino King realized too late that he was deceived from the late Chancellor, he went to the Worship Room in the temple that would summon the Sea Goddess. For nine years after his curse, she has refused to answer his summoning. It was on the tenth year that she appeared to him.

"Please, Thalassa. Forgive me, I'd made a terrible mistake. I was a fool for poisoning our friendship to gain the advantage in the war." the King admits his wrong inside her temple, practically asking for the Sea Goddess' mercy.

The statue of the Sea Goddess came to life as her spirit came out to confront her... Friend. The King remembered the Goddess well. Long blonde hair, wearing a beautiful long blue dress that shimmers like the sea with gold detailing like the rays of the sun. She was still chained because of the Blood Binding Ritual he performed a decade ago. And, oh yes... Her fierce stare.

"A fool you are!" Thalassa glared at Alexandros with those piercing angry blue eyes of hers. "How do I know if I can trust you?! That you won't betray me the second time?!"

"All I want is to end this. It's been too long that my life is bounded to the sea." the King replied.

"And what of your daughters?" the Sea Goddess asked, still angry at him.

"I want them to be free from the curse as well." Alexandros added.

"Hm," she thought for a moment before making her decision. "Very well, I shall give you a second chance since your daughters were innocent... Unlike you."

"Thank you." the King answered.

"I don't need your gratitude!" she snapped. "Listen well, Alexandros. For you and your family to regain your humanity, you must undo what you've done to me."

"What must I do?"

"You do nothing. Your daughters, however, must find five elemental orbs. Once in contact with these orbs, your daughters' curse shall be lifted. You'll need to construct a machine. Then and only then will you, yourself, regain human form." with that final instruction, the spirit of the Sea Goddess faded away, leaving the King alone in the temple.

In the Prasino Palace, Princess Theresa was making a flower crown for her sister, Daphne. Linking pink and purple flowers together, the Princess added a touch of red in the crown. She knew Daphne will love it. After adding the finishing touches, Theresa sighed as she reflect on her life. It's been ten years since they were cursed. She missed running around the forest and exploring the mountains. However, the Princess knew it was no use to argue. After all, she and her sisters have been like this... Without a way to break their curse. They could remain this way... Possibly forever.

"No," she shook her head, trying to get rid of the thought, "I mustn't think that way. There must be a way to break this curse."

Seeing that she was finished with the crown, the Prasino Princess left her room to swim to Daphne's bedroom. She knocked on the door. There wasn't an answer.

'She must be in the greenhouse.' Theresa thought as she swim to the room filled with plants.

However, she was wrong. Daphne was no where to be seen. The Princess did notice a piece of coral near Daphne's Chamber. It looked purple and... Poisonous? Theresa was careful not to touch it when she went to knock.

"Come in." the young mermaid's voice replied. Theresa came in to see Daphne tending to some of her flowers. When she notice her, the young mermaid stopped what she was doing. "Theresa!"

She swam over to hug her sister.

"Hi Daphne." the Princess giggled. In a playful tone, Theresa added, "I have a little surprise for you."

"Really? What is it?!" Daphne became elated. Theresa showed the young mermaid the flower crown as Daphne's eyes widen. "Oh, it's beautiful. Thank you, Theresa!" she gave her another hug.

Theresa laugh as she put the flower crown on Daphne's head, "Here you go."

"I look pretty, don't I?" the young mermaid asked playfully.

"Very pretty," the fifteen year old agreed. "And when you grow up, you'll become a beautiful young woman just like all of us."

Daphne eyes twinkle at the thought of the idea. To be as beautiful as her sisters... Oh, how she wished she could grow up!

"Theresa, Daphne!" Calliope entered the room.

"What is it, Calliope?" Theresa asked, concern. Judging from her sister's worried eyes, the two waited nervously for the answer.

"It's Father. He wants to see all of us in the throne room." Calliope explained she she leave to get Althea.

Daphne and Theresa looked at each other in worry before leaving the chamber to meet with their father in the throne room.

They entered the room to see Naida and Alexandros waiting for them. The girls noticed that Naida had a very worried expression while their father looked... Hopeful? What was going on?

After Calliope entered the throne room along with Althea, the King started his announcement.

"Ah, Daughters. I am glad that you're all here. Listen, there is a way to break this curse." he began.

Four of the Mermaid Princess perked their heads in unison, awed at the very good news. However, Theresa notice Naida was looking down.

"Naida, what's wrong?" she questioned, giving comfort to her eldest sister.

Naida looked at King before he gave her a little nod to explain the rest.

She sighed, "In order to break our curse, we have to find the five elemental orbs..."

"That's great news!" Daphne exclaimed.

"However," she stopped her sisters from rejoicing, "The orbs are scattered and once we find them, our curse will completely be gone. After that, we have to go our separate ways."

"What?" Althea asked in worry. She don't want her family to be broken up, she wanted them to be together.

"What about you, Father?" Calliope turned to the King.

He also sighed sadly, "Unfortunately, you all may be free upon contact with the orbs. For me, I need all five to break mine. And I'm afraid, if you start searching, you all will have to part ways for now..."

With that sad news, the King retired to his room, leaving his daughters in worry. They all decided to go to Naida's room to discuss on the matter.

"What are we going to do?" Daphne asked.

"We should find those elemental orbs. It's the only way we can gain our humanity and Father's." Naida spoke rather quietly.

"But who will find which orb?" Althea asked.

"Father told me that the five elemental orbs are Fire, Metal, Water, Earth, and Wood." Naida answered.

"Five orbs for five of us..." Calliope trailed off. "I guess you'll find the Metal Orb, Naida. Theresa will search for the Fire orb, Daphne will find Earth, Althea will get Wood, and I will search for Water."

"What about the land walkers?" Althea questioned.

Over these ten years of living life as a mermaid, Althea and the King were used to calling humans "land walkers", which Naida found it strange considering that they were once humans.

"I think it be best if they don't find out about us." Naida comments.

"Why not?" Daphne questioned in confusion.

"If they see us the way we are, they might try to catch us... Especially those who aren't knowledgeable about magic and curses." Calliope answered.

"Calliope's right. Time still goes on for them, but not for us. Who knows how much the world above us has changed as well as its inhabitants." Naida added.

The others didn't disagree, but all looked down in sadness. Neither of them spoke until Theresa did.

"I guess this is goodbye."

"It'll only be for awhile, we'll see each other again." Althea tried to remain hopeful.

"Right." Calliope agreed, trying to smile.

"Let's meet up at the front of the palace tonight." Naida suggested.

All four nod their heads before going to their rooms, leaving the eldest Princess by herself. The thought of leaving her sisters for a while really broke her heart.

Later, the five Prasino Princesses met up in front of the doors just like they planned. There wasn't much to bring, but Naida did notice Theresa carrying a small dagger in it's sheath around her waist. The eldest Princess couldn't help, but smile. That is so Theresa, always ready for any adventure.

They all hold hands together.

"Good luck in finding your elemental orbs." Althea replied.

"Safe trip for all of you." Calliope added.

"Goodbye." Theresa was the first to leave.

"Farewell, my beloved sisters." Naida addressed to her remaining family before she left.

Soon, one by one, the sisters parted to go their own way to find the orbs.

In 1300, after many years have passed, Princess Naida has grew restless at this fruitless search. She has been searching for a very long time, two hundred and ninety years as a matter of fact. Just why? Argh! Tasked to find the Metal Orb, it was the only way for her to become human. It wasn't because she has a reason to become human. Calliope missed the human world and Theresa longed for the forest and mountains. She wasn't sure if Althea or Daphne have any reasons or desires to become human again. However, what the Princess want is to see her family again. She'd missed them. Without the orb, she can't return home.

Unfortunately, just like Naida's wish to return home to see her family again, she also grew careless from her frustration. And that carelessness got the Princess in big trouble.

"Oh, where is it?" the Princess stressed over her inability to find the treasure.

While searching for the orb, Naida didn't notice a large net was approaching her way. It was when a group of fish swam away at fast speed that the Princess saw the net. By the time she attempts to swim away, it was too late. She and some of the fish were unlucky enough to get caught. Soon, the Princess felt herself being lifted as the net started to rise, pulling her away from the depths of the sea. Naida started to panic as she struggled against the rope surrounding her.

'What should I do? I'm trapped!' she thought frantically.

Fearful for what is to become of her, Naida tried one last attempt to break free. It was brave act, yet it was also useless. Finally, the net was raised from the waters and onto the deck. Still tangled by the ropes, Naida found herself being stared at by three fishermen.

Her eyes widen in uncertainty and fear. It's been years since Naida have seen another human being before. Yet, these were not the eyes of the human she have encounter before. There was nothing, but greed in them. Just looking at them make her feel uneasy. They looked so menacing and intimidating that the Princess dared not to speak in front of these men.

"Do my eyes deceive me?" one man asked with blonde hair, dressed in red.

The man also had a curly mustache and beard. The color red made Naida felt uneasy, reminding her of the Kokkino King who kidnapped her sisters many years ago. She also assumed that he is the leader of the group since he dressed much finer than the other two.

"No, they're not, Damian. It's a mermaid!" another with wheat in his mouth.

"What? Serious? Mermaids aren't real! They're only in stories like the one about mermaids granting immortality with their tears." the last man with a small beard replied.

Naida knew that tale too and it wasn't a made up story. It was about a mermaid who had her heart broken when a human prince choose an eloquent Princess over she. She would cry by the shore and her tears will transform a bare land into a lush farmland. Ever since then, everyone would want to chase after a mermaid. The Princess then trembled as a thought entered her mind.

'Are these men going to use me for my tears?'

"Hey, whenever if this is a real mermaid or not, this girl can make us rich!" the man named Damian explained in excitement.

"Yes, people will pay to see a living mermaid!" the third guy added.

"Let us pay thanks to the Sea Goddess for this great fortune!" the second suggested. Naida's body went numbed at that remark.

'Was Thalassa that angry at Father that she wanted me to get caught?'

She was so absorbed in the thought, she didn't notice two of the men had grabbed her out of the net until they dump her inside a tank filled with water. She examined the space of her confinement. It was fairly large for her to swim around, however, there wasn't not enough space for her to move. It was too enclosed and restricting...

Naida tried to search for a way out despite she knew it was hopeless. She had filled herself with too much hope that eventually, she sink to the bottom of the tank in despair.

"Don't try thinking to escape." Damian warned.

The Princess simply looked at him before looking away, not wanting to see the faces of her captors. When her captors moved her under the deck and left her be, Naida let out a slow, sad sigh. She leaned her back against the glass and wrapped her arms around her tail. She then rest her head on the side as she sadly look at her reflection from the glass.

A million "what if" played in her mind as well as the same thoughts disturbed her.

"Why?"

Eventually, the fishermen moved Naida from the boat to a traveling carriage. She was given a larger tank, which she could care less. Nothing could make her happy other than finding the orb and being reunited with her beloved sisters and father. The world around her has changed as well as the people.

When hungry, people do monstrous things... When filled with envy, many destroyed themselves... Greed would bring utter sadness... Being prideful will cause suffering... When full of wraith, mistakes cannot be taken back... Uncontrollable desire will only bring destruction... When poor, humans sacrifice whatever to satisfy their needs.

Her days as a mermaid has brought nothing, but misery for the Princess. Like what she feared, those greedy fishermen had put her in display and charged admission to see the "Miraculous Mermaid". Naida's heart aches, she longed to become human and to be free again. To them, she was a lesser being even though she was once their kind.

'How utterly dreadful...' she thought to herself as tears welled up in her eyes. 'If this is how humans have become, then I want nothing to do with this reality at all!'

She cried every night while her human captors slept, wishing to either have her legs back or set free from her captivity. Everyday, she was forced to "entertain" the crowd as their showered the fishermen with gold coins and applauded. They would travel, taking Naida further and further from the ocean where she can't escape. The Mermaid Princess despaired. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months... Even Naida gave up counting, so she had no idea how long she was held captive.

"Boys, we are sure rich!" the third man laughed as he bought rum.

"And it's all thanks to Little Miss Mermaid!" Damian remarked, giving her an evil sneer.

Naida simply glared at the man, angered for that little insult. She was, however, tired and irritated by those smirk of triumph that those men would give her. Why were these men so prideful at capturing a single mermaid? Let alone a woman who is actually a Princess? She doesn't know. The Mermaid Princess just let out a weary sigh as she simply look in the other direction.

What's going to happen to her now? Is she going to remain here forever? Never to see her family again? How was her family? Are they okay? Will she be free? Is she going to stay trapped as a mermaid forever?

These never ending questions just made her head hurts even more.

The men finally stopped their carriage near the edge of the forest for the night.

"This is it, boys!" the second man exclaimed. "Once we finished here, we'll travel the world!"

Naida dreaded the news. This is going to be the last time she'll be in Crete? Where will they take her after that?

"Yeah, but it's getting late. Let sleep here and tomorrow, we'll show the crowd our mermaid!" the third guy replied.

The Princess hated her human captors. Always calling her "mermaid" and claiming her "theirs" and "ours". Although she never spoke to them, she does have a name! And she doesn't belong to anyone! She isn't some decorative doll meant to be on display nor a fish caught in a net!

After her captors left to sleep, the mermaid reflect more on her past.

"Oh well," Naida spoke to herself as her captors fell asleep. "I guess it was my fault for getting myself caught in this mess."

The Princess then sunk at the bottom of the tank as she lets the overwhelming yet familiar feeling of doubt lulled her to sleep. Before she did drift off to sleep, however, she offered a small prayer to the Sea Goddess.

'Goddess of the Sea, Thalassa, please forgive my father for his betrayal. Please, help me from being taken away. I asked for your help not as the daughter of the man who imprisoned you, but as a woman who wished to be set free.'

The next day, cheers loudly echos throughout the forest that it caught the attention of a certain little green creature. James was at his little pond until he heard festive cheers and laughs.

'A crowd? Why would they come here, in the edge of the forest?' James thought in curiosity.

Wanting to know what was going on, the Frog Prince jumped out of his pond to find out. As he got closer to the clearing, he heard a sad song singing. James tried squeezing between the many feet of the people who have their eyes set on something. However, he almost got squished when he attempted to get closer. There were many shoving and pushing in the front of the crowd.

'Okay, not this way. Too dangerous.' he thought until he notice a rock. 'Perfect!'

The Frog Prince struggled out of the crowd to the rock that leads to a small ledge of a cliff. He hopped to each stone until he got a higher view. When he look down, his eyes widen as if he couldn't believe what he saw. To his astonishment, it was a mermaid!

'She's very beautiful... Beautiful as a Princess.' James thought until he shook his head to notice something was wrong.

She was very sad as she sat on a ledge with her tail in the water of the tank. He noticed it in her eyes, that feeling of despair and hopelessness. It was the eyes that he once had, the same one he have right now. And her songs were so... Melancholy. However, only James notice the mellow tune. The people didn't because their cheers drowned out the sorrow in her voice.

The Frog Prince was no longer in awe at the sight of the mermaid for his attention was angrily shifted to the cheering crowd. How dare they treat the poor girl like a trapped bird? How dare they used her for entertainment? Didn't these people see the pain they're causing her? What is wrong with humanity these days? So much greed, evil, and much more to come.

James then looked at the people in charged of the show in animosity.

The man with a feather in his hat, dressed in red was obviously the ringleader in all of this!

"That's right, folks. Step right up to see the Miraculous Mermaid as she sings with her lovely voice!" Damian exclaimed as coins are being thrown at him.

His friends were excitedly catching the falling money that is coming towards them. The crowd stopped cheering when Naida stopped her singing. She was already tired and her voice was starting to strain a bit. However, Damian won't let the Princess rest. He gesture his friend to bring out a whip. He urged her to continue by whipping the dirt, forcing the mermaid to sing even though her voice was already strained. Naida couldn't do anything about it, but continue singing as her captors gain more money and wealth from the crowd.

James couldn't take it anymore. He was going to free the mermaid tonight.

Later at night, Damian and his friends were celebrating.

"Boys, we did it! The people love us!" Damian declared, partially drunk.

"Yeah and it's all thanks to you, Little Miss Mermaid." Nate, the one with the wheat, replied.

Naida just dully stared at the man's eyes, not caring what happens to her anymore. She has given up hope. By tomorrow at dawn, she'll be taken away from home... Forever.

"What's wrong with her? She don't look very happy." Calvin asked.

'Well what do you think? You kept me captive here for so long, of course I am unhappy!' Naida thought as she put a hand on her throat.

She had badly strained her voice that she couldn't sing for the moment. The only thing she could do was whisper.

"Who cares if she's unhappy. The only thing that matters is her usefulness in making us rich!" Damian spoke with greed in his tone.

"You're right!" Calvin agrees.

"I'm tired, I guess I'll go to bed." Nate replied with a yawn.

"Yeah, me too. Come on, boys. Let leave our mermaid for tomorrow." Damian suggested. He then joked, "It's not like she'll escape from the carriage anyway."

His friends laughed as Naida was left to cry to herself. Was she going to spend the rest of her immortal life like this? She doesn't know anymore. Everything was unclear to her. Looking at the moonlight that shined on her, Naida sing softly so her voice wouldn't get strained any further. It was a lullaby that her mother used to sing to her and her sisters when they were younger. After Queen Artemisia died, Naida would sing the lullaby to her sisters to comfort them, but now... She was the one who needed comfort.

Meanwhile...

James had returned to the edge of the forest, after regaining his strength to hop all the way back here. Unfortunately, the darkness of the night had cover the carriage from his sight. He couldn't find it until he heard someone singing. He recognize that voice. It was the mermaid! Her song was so sweet that it moved his heart. Though, he did heard bitterness in some parts of the lullaby and then crying. It broke his heart to hear the mermaid suffer.

Wasting no more time, James sneaked into the carriage when the rich fishermen were asleep. When he got inside, he followed the voice to find Naida crying under the moonlight.

"Hey, are you okay?" James asked in a low voice.

The Princess stops crying to take notice of the Frog Prince.

"No," she whispered sadly. "I'm not. These people have taken me away from my home... And now, they are going to take me away from my family. I've grown lonely, I've missed them already."

"Don't worry, I'm here to help you." James assured the mermaid.

"Who are you?" Naida asked in curiosity, a bit joyful to make a new friend and grateful to have someone to talk to.

She quietly lifted herself from the tank, but could only poke her head out while her fingers cling at the edge of the tank to support herself. She and the Frog Prince panic a bit when they turned their attention at the sound of a loud snore from one of the men.

They both let out a sigh of relief until James spoke quietly.

"I'll explain later. Do you know what will open the tank?" the Frog Prince asked, noticing the back pane of the tank wasn't connected to the front or the two sides.

"That lever over there." Naida quietly pointed to the rigid bar of the mechanism that will open the back.

The Frog Prince hopped all the way to a ledge that was near the lever. However, when James pulled down the lever the first time, it made a very loud sound that startled both him and Naida. He quickly pushed it back up, alarmed that it might wake up Naida's captors. Even the Princess dived back down in the water and waited anxiously. Luckily, the men didn't stir from their rest. One just rolled over and mumbled in his sleep.

"Phew." James gave another sigh of relief as he tried again.

However, this time, he pulled the lever quietly and slowly. Naida watched as all the water were poured out of the tank behind her as the back pane slowly opened. By the time the pane completely opened, only puddles of water were in the tank. The Frog Prince then jumped in front of her.

"Thank you so much." Naida replied. "But I can't escape from here. Without the water, I wouldn't get far with my tail and..." she looked at the sky to see that dawn was approaching. "Even if I do try, my captors will find me."

"Well, maybe you can..." the Frog Prince trailed off.

"How?" Naida questioned.

"If... If you're willing to give me a kiss, I can help you escape." James awkwardly suggested.

Naida was taken aback by the suggestion at first, but then agreed to do it, since she felt the need to express her gratitude for the brave creature. She lend a hand for James to hop on. Lifting him close to her face, she gently pressed her lips to James'. The Mermaid Princess' eyes widen in shock as the frog in her hands started to glow a green aura. She place him on the ground as she saw him transform into a Prince!

"You're..." Naida wanted to speak, but her voice was still strained.

"I promise I'll explain everything, but for now, lets get out of here before they awake. It's almost dawn." James replied as he carried Naida in his arms.

He quietly left the carriage, his footsteps against the evening dew on the grass were light. It was when they were a fair distance away from the carriage, that they could hear a loud angry roar when the sun rise up.

"WHERE IS SHE!"

The two shared a smile as James took Naida to an secret underwater cavern. They sat together, hand in hand, as they shared their story and trust to one another. James explained that his curse was to lose his love ones and Naida told him of her own curse that kept her bound to the sea. The Mermaid Princess and the Frog Prince soon fell in love.

"Is there a way to break your curse, Naida?" James asked.

"I have to find the Metal Orb," Naida explained sadly, remembering her failed attempts to find it. "It's the only way for me to become human again."

"Then I'll find the orb for you." James declared.

"James..." Naida whispered. "Are you sure?"

"You helped me break my curse, I'd be honored to help you break yours." James replied.

"Thank you, James." Naida felt herself smiling for the first time.

"I promise I'll find it in your stead. Until I return, go back home. I'm sure your family missed you." James suggested.

"Yes." Naida agreed. Looking at her rescuer, she ran her fingers through his brown hair before giving him a kiss. "Until then, I'll wait for your return."

James smiled as he felt his heart skipped a beat. He has fallen in love again. Even though they were both aware of what will happen later in the future, Naida was still willing to live her life with him. He mustn't failed her and he won't. After he return Naida to the sea, he gave her a goodbye kiss before venturing the world to find the Metal Orb.

I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. The Little Mermaid has always been my favorite. Unfortunately, Eipix version of the game... I didn't feel strongly about it. But I was very happy to write this chapter and very much enjoyed it. Super hyped because The Thief and the Tinderbox will come out very soon! Remember to review and I'll see you next time.