The two of them were cuddled in each other's arms the next morning, the sun shining down on them almost perfectly, giving them some pleasant warmth. "Did you sleep well?", Eric chuckled as Ariel kissed his cheek, "You know that answer, Eric."
Eric smiled softly, "Couldn't resist, my little mermaid...", and Ariel giggled warmly as she sighed, content in his arms, "I can't wait to be your wife, my sailor prince. I'll finally be in your bed, waking up to your face every morning.".
"And I can't wait to be your husband, Ariel...I'll be there every morning to wake you up with a kiss. Of course, we'll have to wait patiently for that big day, and even then, for the big night...If I know Grimsby, he will want everything to be absolutely perfect, and with preparations and such, I think it will be a week...Can you wait that long?", Eric asked tenderly and warmly.
"Eric... I can wait for weeks, months, even a year. It'll be perfect no matter what, as long as you're there.", Ariel told him. "I can say the same for you... but if I know Grimsby, he'll probably have an ulcer trying to put everything together.", Eric laughed.
Ariel snickered softly before smiling warmly, "Well, we will have to help him. After all, we're the bride and groom, we deserve to have a say in most of everything, if not all.", and Eric grinned, "You're absolutely right.", kissing her nose, "I love you so much.".
"I love you very much.", Ariel whispered softly before kissing him on the lips tenderly and passionately, and Eric closed his eyes as he wrangled his hands in her hair, kissing her back just as in the same intensity.
They unfortunately had to leave their cuddling spot on the balcony to help the palace out in planning for the wedding, especially with Grimsby. Each day brought peace yet chaos, rolling with the changes, big and small, and like Eric said, the planning lasted a week to the day, and finally, with anticipation and joy, the couple is going to be married, on a perfect day with the sun shining warmly, with few clouds, a pristine sky, and calm seas, and of course, on the royal barge.
"Good weather today, sire.", Grimsby said as he and Eric were on the balcony; Carlotta was keeping Ariel hidden away since last night as the last thing she wanted was for the wedding to be cursed with the groom seeing the bride before the weather.
"Might have to give that to Triton.", Eric chuckled. "Doubt he'd want to ruin his daughter's best day.". Grimsby nodded, "I'll recede to that.", with a smile, and sighed deeply, "You realize that you will have your coronation as king soon after this?".
Eric sighed lightly, "Yes, I know. And I appreciate that you're giving us two weeks for our honeymoon, Grim.", and Grimsby chuckled warmly, "It's the least I could do after pushing you to find a bride and all, and I'd never been happier or prouder than now that you have found a wonderful woman in Lady Ariel to be your eventual queen.", having been calling Ariel by that name since the title of Miss doesn't fit her anymore.
"You're probably also a bit happy that this marriage may have secured a fairly strong ally, too.", Eric gave him a look as Grimsby rolled his eyes.
"Well, a certain upside for sure. And in this case, doubtful we'll be truly dragged into any conflicts as opposed to say that offer from the Bourbons.", Grimsby commented.
"Hopefully they'll take it well... just like that Glowharhen princess.", Eric said though he still never fully heard back from that girl.
Grimsby replied, "I have sent an explicit letter to the Bourbons without revealing Atlantica or the truth of merpeople, only that you have found a noble lady of sorts from a lower social class. I know they'd be bothered to come if they knew that Ariel is a princess, but they would be bored, and wouldn't want to come to Italy if they knew that a royal prince went with a noble lady, not a princess, like in tradition. And as for the Glowharhen kingdom, their princess, I have heard that she has been considering in going for Spain.".
"After that last war for the Spanish throne; I would think that's a bad decision for at least a generation.", Eric said. "Good Catholics, unless you think the Glowharhens would rather marry their princess of to a Protestant kingdom?", Grimsby raised an eyebrow as Eric smirked.
"Right. Blessings of the Pope.", Eric shook his head at the confusing mess he knew he would have to deal with for sure once he was fully king. Trying to keep Tirulia safe and do what's good for the kingdom while navigating the political puzzle of Europe.
Grimsby saw the look on Eric's face, "You won't be alone, Eric. After all, I have lived longer than you have. I shall be at your side, and of course, I know Lady Ariel will try her best to assist you.", with a reassuring smile.
Eric smiled gratefully, "Thanks, Grim. You're a good friend.", and Grimsby gave a warm smile, "Thank you.", before hearing a bell ring out on the royal barge, which is currently the wedding barge, and nodded, "That's the signal to board. Are you ready, your highness?".
Taking a deep breath, "More than ever, Grimsby.", Eric nodded with a excited smile, and Grimsby chuckled, and so, the men went to board the barge a few minutes later, greeting every single citizen of the town and the palace as everyone was invited, and Eric was glad to see that all of Atlantica has come out to the surface, with King Triton and his other six daughters boosted up by the trident from the water, to sit on the side of the barge.
"Not exactly keeping your existence a secret, your majesty.", Eric chuckled as Triton rolled his eyes. "Well, do you think anyone will believe what happens here today unless they're here to see it?", Triton gave a hearty laugh as Eric nodded.
"That's true. I... um... I'm very glad to see that you made it. And of course, I'm pleased to meet Ariel's sisters. Forgive me, girls, Ariel and I spent a lot of talking about our respective worlds to each other, so I haven't gotten to hear a real lot of details from Ariel about you six.", Eric politely replied.
The six sisters smiled, tittered, and giggled as Attina chuckled, "It's alright, Prince Eric. We are sat in order. I am Attina, the eldest.", with each sister introducing themselves. "I am Alana, the second eldest, and you look quite good for an 18-year-old prince! Name's Adella, third eldest, and Ariel is lucky to have you since you're so handsome! You can call me Aquata, fourth eldest. I can't wait to see you two dance! I'm Arista, fifth oldest, and I hear that you play the flute. I hope I get to hear a bit of that today! Name's Andrina, the sixth sister, and looks like I'm the baby sister now since Ariel is going first in getting married and all.".
"Surprised you aren't already taken then, Attina.", Eric joked as she rolled her eyes. "How's Ariel been?", Triton asked as Eric smiled.
"Wonderful, sire. She's just been wonderful. Certainly feeling much better now that everything is alright between the two of you, those few days before Ursula... she certainly was hurting, I could tell.", Eric told him.
"Well, it's all in the past now, but I trust you to continue to treat my daughter right. To continue to prove yourself that she made the right choice with you.", Triton said as Eric nodded, "Of course. I wouldn't dream of hurting her in any way.".
Triton nodded with a warm smile, "Good to know. I hope you don't mind me taking some time to get used to the fact that you will be my son-in-law.", and Eric smiled at him, "I do not blame you, your majesty, and I am glad to have another father figure in a way. After all, if it wasn't for you indirectly, I would never have met Ariel, and I would have been strangely lonely, always feeling like something's missing.".
"Indeed. A soulmate bond is ever more precious than anything else. I am glad Ariel has found her happiness in you.", Triton smiled warmly as Eric beamed happily when another bell rang out, and Eric exhaled excitedly, "It's time! Excuse me, sir, and girls.", smiling as he politely left them, walking around the side of the barge, taking a position on the carpet just before the crowd.
He heard the wedding hymn music coming on, and he exhaled deeply, watching the doors of the cabin, and two stewards opened the doors, to reveal Ariel, smiling widely as she saw Eric, wearing a gorgeous, sparkling gown with slightly puffy sleeves, in sea-green foam tones with white into the rest of the gown, with a gold crown signifying her princess status.
Eric was honestly stunned by the amazing work Carlotta and the other maids and stewardess were able to accomplish as Ariel was indeed a sight to behold. Ariel looked right at him and had a wide smile while Eric was trying to keep it together. He honestly was much more nervous than her about all this.
She stepped forward with a beautiful bouquet of yellow lilies, red roses, and purple peonies as she kept smiling at Eric, walking gracefully, with Max behind her, surprisingly behaving as he wore a temporary collar that held the wedding rings securely.
Eric smiled tenderly and lovingly as he received her, whispering, "You look so beautiful, Ariel.", as he escorted her down the aisle, and Ariel smiled radiantly, whispering back to him, "You look so handsome, Eric.", as the audience bowed their heads in respect and tradition, with Ariel beaming at her family sitting at the edge of the barge.
"Perfect enough for you?", Eric joked under his breath as Ariel nodded. "More than perfect.", she said as the priest came forward.
The man certainly needed a bit of arm twisting when he was asked to officiate; mostly in the case of having to report back to his higher ups in the region and from there to the Vatican. He felt that he had to inform about who Ariel exactly was, but Eric quickly reminded him that it was very unlikely he would be believed. Eric mentioned that 'God knows' and that would be enough as he eventually accepted that.
Eric and Ariel took their places, smiling at each other, and the priest started as the music ended, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are all here to witness the marriage of two people who are very much in love: Prince Eric of Tirulia and Princess Ariel of Atlantica.".
"On this beautiful day, do anyone subject to this wedding?", the priest asked, and to the couple's relief, no objection came as they only heard the crests of the waves, the faint twittering of seagulls, and the breeze in the sails.
The priest then continued, "Before God, Poseidon, and the heavens, please recite your vows. Prince Eric, if you please.", nodding with a warm smile.
"Ariel... I'll just say this right here and now... if it wasn't for you, I would be dead. That's it. You saved my life that night when that storm tore our ship apart; I would've drowned and been lost to the sea... or at least until one of your merfolk found what remained of me.". There was a small awkward chuckle. "And I'm always going to be grateful for that, but... there was so much more to it. If not for you, I'd probably never would have found my soulmate. The time we spent stranded on Othonoi were some of the best days of my life up until that point. And now, after everything we've been through, reunited and now truly free to be together... I hope we can make many more days that were even better than those.".
Ariel gave a tearful sob, smiling brightly, and Eric smiled softly, wiping the few tears away lovingly and gently, and the priest himself was trying to hold back tears as Eric's vow was beautiful, and tried to clear his throat.
"Princess Ariel, if you please.", the priest spoke, and Ariel nodded, smiling as she then took a deep breath, and spoke.
"Eric, for years, I have never experienced true peace until you came...You saved my life even before Ursula and all that followed; I would have gotten sick or worse.". There was a quiet chuckle. "And I'll always remember that in a way, my mother led the journey for me to find you, and I'll be grateful for it, yet there was more, so much more. If not for you, I'd probably never have experienced the incredible world of humans, with so wonderful people to share their gifts, their amazing skills, and their answers to all my questions. Spending that wonderful month with you on Othonoi was the best time of my life. And now, after everything I've lived through with you at my side, I hope we will have the best times that are even better than before.".
Max quickly made his presence known once more when he gave a loud bark of approval with Eric and Ariel smiling at him fondly.
The priest cleared his throat to take back control of the ceremony, "Well then, if there's nothing else, then I think it's time for me to say this then. Prince Eric, do you take Princess Ariel, as your wife, forever more in the eyes of God?".
Eric smiled brightly, looking at Ariel with happy eyes, "I do.", and the priest then continued on, "Princess Ariel, do you take Prince Eric, as your husband, forever more in the eyes of Poseidon?".
The priest was shocked to hear about Poseidon, but after Ariel somehow convinced him, that Poseidon would just as well be God's brother in a way for everyone is created with equality, feelings, and dreams, the priest accepted it.
Ariel smiled brilliantly, looking at Eric with tearful eyes, "I do!", and the priest smiled, "If the couple would take the rings, please.", and the couple smiled, leaning down to free the temporary collar with the wedding rings from Max who gave a yip with his tail wagging, with them ruffling Max's ears, and getting back up, with each one gently and reverently slipping their rings into each other's fingers, with eyes glittering in love as they looked at each other.
The priest continued with a beaming smile, "Vested in the country of Italy, and the Mediterranean Sea, vested in God and Poseidon, and vested by me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.".
Eric wrapped his arms around Ariel and leaned forward before kissing her on the lips in a gentle embrace. Ariel wrapped one arm around his back while the other one caressed his cheek as the cheers erupted from the guests.
Ariel's father and sisters cheered as well on their seats on the edge of the barge, with Carlotta sobbing in joy as she grabbed into Grimsby's ascot, startling him before smiling as he reassured her.
Ariel and Eric knew true peace at last, their hearts filled with true love as their kiss was perfectly wonderful, and soon, with laughter, Max leaped up, licking their cheeks happily, barking approvingly, and the newlyweds smiled brightly, petting Max.
As the sun was getting into noon, Ariel's father and sisters had to return back to the sea, resurfacing with smiles and waves, Ariel and Eric smiled at each other as they thanked everyone, with Ariel soon reaching the edge of the barge, smiling down with a laugh as Scuttle was lifting up Flounder from the sea.
"Better hurry it up, Ariel, this guppy is heavy!", Scuttle shouted as Flounder tried to smack him with one of his fins. "See, what did I tell you, Flounder?", Ariel laughed some more as Flounder huffed before Ariel hugged him, kissing him on the nose.
"Just try to stay out of trouble, you two. I think we've all had enough of adventures for a few years at least.", Sebastian said as he was on the railing next to them before Ariel nodded.
"Of course, I'd much rather take a quiet life with Eric for a while.", Ariel smiled as she patted his head before the crab jumped into the water with Flounder following after.
Ariel ruffled Scuttle's head, "Take care of yourself, Scuttle.", and Scuttle chuckled, "No worries, darlin', I'll be fine!", before hopping off the railing and flew around before crashing into one of the ship's wooden sail masts, "I'm fine!", recovering, and Ariel giggling as she shook her head in amusement.
Eric joined her, "Your friends sure are funny at times.", and Ariel chuckled at him, "Never fails to give me a laugh when I need one.", before glancing down at Triton with a smile, as Triton gave the trident to Attina, and used it to help lift Triton up to hug Ariel who hugged him happily with tearful eyes, "I love you, Daddy.".
Triton whispered softly, "I love you too, Ariel.", with a tearful smile, kissing her forehead, and glanced at Eric with a smile, "Thank you, son, for making my daughter the happiest woman today.".
"You're welcome, and I'll certainly try to keep that up.", Eric said as Ariel shook her head. "You don't need to tire and exhaust yourself trying to do that, Eric. Just being with you is happiness enough.", Ariel told him.
"She says that now!", one of Ariel's sisters teased as Ariel quickly glanced back to the six on the water for a moment before taking her attention back to her father.