A/N: I have good news and bad news for you. The good news, I'm posting another chapter for you. The bad news, it's the last in this tale.
I want to thank all you wonderful readers for sticking by me during this story. Your reviews have encouraged me and given me the inspiration I needed to finish On Troubled Waters. I'm sad to be ending this, but it was a fun adventure that took us on many twists and turns. Perhaps I'll be able to continue this series if I can find the inspiration for it.
Until then, please enjoy the conclusion of this story.
Disclaimer: I don't own The Little Mermaid
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It took most of the men's effort to row back to the ship. The storm seemed to be getting worse each moment. It caused the ocean to be unpredictable, and the waves pushed the boat to and fro.
When they reached the ship, Eric was forced to climb up first. When he arrived on deck, Ariel threw herself in his arms.
"I'm alright, love," he soothed, holding her close.
"Eric, the storm is getting violent," Ariel cried. "It's just like the one we encountered on the eve I met you."
Eric understood the direness of the situation, but there wasn't much he could do. He could, however, tell Ariel what he had been keeping from her.
"Ariel, they have something that belongs to you."
"They do?" Ariel looked unnerved.
"Yes, the—"
"Seize the prince!"
Captain Blanch shouted those orders as he hopped on deck.
Ariel cried out in alarm as two men lunged for Eric and yanked him forcefully away from her. She tried to go after them, but Luddy took hold of her arms and held her firmly.
"Don't hurt him!" Ariel cried. "Please."
In that moment, she noticed the crown. Her eyes widened and she stopped struggling to gain freedom. As recognition appeared in her eyes, something else did, too.
Pain. Anger. A memory that would always be etched in her mind, never to fade as time went by, forever to haunt her.
Ariel pulled her arm from Luddy's grasp and took several steps in Captain Blanch's direction.
"Ariel, no!" Eric cried, struggling at the hands of his captors.
She didn't seem to hear him. She continued to go forward, unafraid by the malevolent look of lust in Captain Blanch's eyes as he gazed lovingly upon the crown.
"That crown doesn't belong to you," Ariel shouted.
Captain Blanch let out a roar of chilling laughter. "It does now, girl."
He raised the crown above his head, and a flash of lightening lit up the sky above him. The sea rumbled, sounding angry. The waves crashed more fiercely against the ship until it rocked violently on the water.
"I now summon th' Sea King, ruler of all th' ocean, to make his presence known!" the captain roared. "Let it be known that I intend to rule th' sea in his place, and that I shall destroy all his heirs until they be no more!"
"No!" Ariel screamed. Her voice was drowned out by the roar of the wind.
The crown suddenly illuminated in a bright light. It hummed its haunting melody, growing brighter with each moment as if gathering strength to unleash the power that surely lay within the gleaming gold.
Suddenly, King Triton rose up upon a wave, looking formidable in all his glory. Eric would have been vastly relieved to see the Sea King if it weren't for the mere fact that Captain Blanch meant to kill him. He tried to shout a warning, but his words were drowned out by the powerful wind that tore at the sails and whipped his hair about his face.
The look on King Triton's face should have been enough to frighten any man. The Sea King was seething with furry, and not just because his wife's crown was in the hands of a vile human. The very sight of his daughter and son-in-law at the mercy of the vile race that had murdered his wife caused a deep anger to well up inside him until it consumed his very being.
His trident glowed threateningly in his hand, humming with power and the rage that fueled the Sea King.
At the sight of the Sea King, fear caused Captain Blanch's men to back up. They clutched their swords in white fingers. Their eyes were wide, some with disbelief, others with pure terror.
All but Captain Blanch. He took several bold steps forward and drew his sword from its sheath.
"I've waited a long time fer this moment," he growled. "And so we meet, King Triton."
The Sea King glowered down at the human who had dared to confront him.
"Your stupidity will cost you your life, human," he stated in a booming voice that carried easily over the wind. "Let my daughter and her husband go free. If you don't do as I ask, I will not hesitate to sink this damned vessel to the bottom of the ocean."
Captain Blanch suddenly laughed. The sound was chilling. "So th' girl be yer own. I should have suspected when she wanted back what so obviously belongs to her."
"Let them go!" King Triton roared. He aimed the tip of his trident at Captain Blanch's heart. "I am not a monster. I don't want to kill you, but you will leave me no choice if you seek to toil with powers not even you can fathom. Give me the crown."
"No!" Captain Blanch screamed. He raised the crown above his head. "I will rule over the seas!"
Ariel lunged at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, but her strength couldn't match his own. He easily shook her off and thrust her to the ground.
King Triton roared his furry. A blast shot from the trident and knocked the crown from Captain Blanch's hand. The captain howled in agony and gripped his injured hand to his chest. It took him a moment to realize he no longer had the crown in his possession. He searched around wildly, a manic look in his eyes.
Ariel scrambled across the deck and grabbed the crown before he could once more get his hands on it.
"It's mine!" Captain Blanch roared. He lunged for Ariel with his sword drawn. "Kill then all, men! Don't be bloody cowards!"
The men holding Eric hostage drew their swords. Eric, fast sensing their intent, ducked out of their grasp and rolled out of harm's way. He leapt to his feet and spun around to prepare himself to fight, although he wasn't armed.
"Prince Eric!"
Luddy withdrew his sword and tossed it the prince's way. Eric caught it easily in time to swing around and block the blade of a pirate intent on killing him. They battled, sword clashing with sword as the wind lashed and rain began to fall in heavy drops from the dark sky.
Ariel backed away from Captain Blanch with her mother's crown clutched tightly in her hand. She was aware of her father, who wanted desperately to take another blast at the pirate—whose lust for power was driving him—but couldn't in fear he'd hurt his daughter.
"Give it here, girl," Captain Blanch growled. He brandished his sword at her threateningly, missing her throat by inches. "I will not hesitate to slit yer throat. Give me th' crown!"
Ariel fervently shook her head. "No. This doesn't belong to you."
"If dyin' be yer wish, then so be it!"
Captain Blanch lifted his sword high, his intentions to kill Ariel in his eyes. Ariel prepared to feel the sharp pain of death. She squeezed her eyes shut.
The blow never came.
Captain Blanch felt a blade enter his body and glanced down to find it protruding from his chest. He turned in wide-eyed disbelief to find Luddy standing behind him.
"Ye were me captain," Luddy said. "But I refuse to give me loyalty to a man as evil as ye be, Blanch."
Captain Blanch spat blood from his mouth. In his finale moments before death took him, he committed his finale act. He withdrew his dagger and plunged it in Luddy's heart.
"Traitor," he sputtered. Then he fell forward and took his last breath before his body hit the ground with a heavy thud.
"No!" Ariel screamed. She rushed to Luddy's side as he fell, and dropped to her knees besides him.
"Don't be sad fer me, princess," Luddy whispered hoarsely. "I died with honor protectin' you."
He smiled before falling limp, his chest no longer rising and falling.
Ariel didn't have time to mourn him. Another powerful wave crashed onto the ship, violently rocking it and washing several pirates into the angry sea. Ariel was thrown forward. She suddenly cursed her clumsy human legs and knew that if she'd been in the water as a mermaid, she would be safe from the storm that raged around them.
Ariel had only one priority now, and that was to save her husband. She searched around wildly for him, and spot him clashing swords with one of Captain Blanch's men.
Ariel saw another wave rising up. She stumbled to get to Eric, but she couldn't reach him in time. The wave crashed over the ship, throwing her overboard; she was swallowed by water.
For a moment, Ariel thought she was going to drown. She couldn't breath or swim. The water was pulling her under, down into the cold darkness where many ships had sunk to their graves. It would be her grave too if she didn't breath vital air into her lungs.
Ariel clawed for the surface. Her rising panic had her heart racing, and she could barely think a coherent thought. All she knew was that if she didn't get air in the next moment she was going to die.
An golden object that glowed resplendently hit the water and slowly sank before Ariel. It whispered a familiar melody she had heard many times as a child. An image of her mother appeared in her mind, bright and beautiful. It was warm, calling to her, reminding her of her true heritage.
Ariel stopped struggling. She closed her eyes. She allowed her mind to clear, until she was able to summon the blood that flowed deep inside her. Suddenly, there was a tingling sensation in her feet. Her legs began to morph together and transform. The trousers holding her legs captive ripped as her tail tore through, completing her transformation as a mermaid.
Ariel could finally breath again. Her strength started to return, and she put on a burst of speed to reach the surface. When her head broke through the stormy water, she looked wildly around. The storm had attacked the ship, and now it began to sink within the waves.
Eric was nowhere to be seen.
"Eric!" Ariel screamed.
She continued her search, but the waves kept washing over her, trying to drag her under the water. She dove back into the ocean and swam through the debris sinking to the bottom of the sea.
Then she saw him. Eric was sinking fast, unconscious. Ariel raced for him. When she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his chest and heaved him to the surface, until both of them broke free. With her last vestige of strength, she held tight to the man she loved while the waves swept them to shore.
In the wee hours of dawn, when the sun was just beginning to stretch out its rays into the sky, the storm ended and the ocean quelled until it was calm and peaceful. The fierce wind ebbed until it was a gentle breeze as quiet as a whispered lullaby.
Ariel and Eric lay on the beach. When the warmth of the sun touched her skin, Ariel's lashes fluttered and opened. Despite that she had been unconscious, she still felt exhausted. But she willed up enough energy to prop herself up in the sand by her elbows.
"Eric?"
Ariel leaned over her unconscious husband and rested a palm on his face. His jaw was rough with stubble, his skin cool to the touch. She pushed back tendrils of hair from his eyes. His chest rose in a steady motion, which greatly relieved her. She had feared he'd swallowed too much sea water or had been harmed by one of the pirates with their clashing of swords.
Eric suddenly stirred, moaning softly. "Ariel?" He opened his eyes and gazed dazedly at her. "Are you alright, love?"
Ariel smiled. "I am now. Are you alright?"
Eric fell back against the sand and groaned. "I will be once I recover my strength."
A shadow fell over the couple, and they looked up in unison. King Triton had come before them with Sebastian perched on his shoulder. The Sea King looked weary and worried, adding years to his appearance.
"Daddy!" Ariel cried. "Are you alright?"
"Fine, child. But we have a lot to discuss." King Triton frowned at both his daughter and Eric. "Sebastian has informed me of the events of late. Why in the name of Poseidon didn't you send for me? I would have come straight away."
"We didn't want to put you in danger," Ariel answered softly. "Those men were out to do you harm."
"I consider it a blessing that those fish-eaters have found their end at the bottom of the ocean. They could have harmed the both of you."
"What about the crown, sir?" Eric asked. "Is it safe from falling into the wrong hands?"
King Triton bowed his head. "I had it taken to a safe place within Atlantica."
"Did you know it had been lost?" Ariel asked in a mutter.
At this, pain flashed in the king's eyes. "I knew only that it was gone, just like your mother. I never thought I would see it again." He glanced away to the horizon, his gaze drawn to the brilliant rays of the rising sun. "The crown holds an everlasting power within it, and that is your mother's undying love. I just never thought it would be used for evil."
Ariel swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. "But all is well now. That's all that matters, isn't it?"
Eric rested a hand on her shoulder. She turned and smiled at him.
"Yes," King Triton agreed. "That is all that matters."
Sebastian harrumphed. "I think dat trouble follows your daughter like a plague, sir," he put in grumpily. "You should keep a closer eye on her."
King Triton raised an bushy white eyebrow. "You do?"
"Indeed I do, your majesty."
"That isn't necessary, sir," Eric interjected. "I believe it's my duty to watch over Ariel now, and I promise you—there will be no more trouble."
King Triton smiled. "Well said, son. I believe that you are absolutely right." He swept a hand over the sea. "But first, I will help you return home."
Eric and Ariel shared a smile and touched hands.
"Home sounds wonderful," Ariel said.
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A week later . . .
Ariel touched her bare foot to the gentle waves lapping at the shore. An evening breeze played with her hair, which hung freely down her back. She felt relaxed and content.
Since returning home, Eric had been busy taking care of important matters concerning the kingdom. But he had made it a point to see her as much as he could when he managed to slip away from his advisors and Grimsby. Those were special moments. Ariel and Eric made love, spoke of fond memories, or took short but peaceful walks on the beach. It was all very wonderful to Ariel.
Today had been like usual. But now that evening was coming upon them, Ariel anticipated a night with just her and Eric. She looked forward to it so much that her heart fluttered with her giddiness. Although she was still shy when Eric made love to her, she found the experience between them so magical and breath-taking that she didn't mind feeling a little bit awkward afterwards. In time, she knew that would fade.
Ariel heard Eric coming and turned to greet him. Eric rushed up to her and swung her around before kissing her fervently on the mouth.
"I missed you," he murmured into her ear, his breath ticking her skin.
Ariel giggled. "It was but two hours ago that we saw one another," she pointed out.
Eric nuzzled her neck. "It felt like an eternity, love."
"But we're together now."
"Aye. And I want to kiss the stars in your eyes, my little mermaid."
Ariel felt her cheeks flush and wondered if they were now as red as her hair. "You can kiss me, but on one condition," she said.
Eric raised an eyebrow. "And what is this condition, pray tell?"
Ariel leaned forward until their lips were inches apart. "It's one well both enjoy. Make love to me, Eric."
They sealed the condition with a passion-filled kiss.
The End