Well, I liked the two versions where Eric and Ariel reunite at the end of the movie, the animation one is more romantic and the live action one is more sentimental, but both are cute.
Anyway, I decided to write a new version of the scene, a little sad, but with a cliche happy ending.
So, here it is, the scene starts after the battle with Ursula in the live action version, but feel free to imagine the characters from the animation if you wish.
HOW TO MEND A BROKEN HEART
Once her father returned her human legs, Ariel found herself in a state of stasis. It had been more than a week since she had reverted back to being a mermaid, more than a week since their encounter with the sea witch. During this time, she would spend hours upon hours perched on a rock, gazing longingly at the castle, her heart yearning to reunite with her beloved prince and finally live out their happily ever after.
Initially, the king of the seas contemplated forcibly removing Ariel from that rock and whisking her back to their underwater realm. Using his magical powers, he could have easily dissuaded her from pursuing her dream of becoming human. However, contrary to expectations, he decided to grant her another chance, recognizing the depth of her love for the human world. Thus, he restored her legs and presented her with an opportunity she had longed for.
As soon as Ariel realized that her tail had transformed into legs, she wasted no time. With a loving gesture to her father and a swift grasp of a tattered dress found on the beach, she hurried towards the castle, propelled by a surge of excitement that exceeded the limitations of her newfound human limbs.
Walking along the barefoot path towards the palace, Ariel paid no heed to the pain inflicted by the jagged stones and boulders beneath her feet. Her mind was consumed by her plan, envisioning each detail unfolding before her eyes. She could already imagine reaching the palace, Eric eagerly awaiting her arrival with a radiant smile adorning his face. In her vision, she would leap into his arms, their embrace brimming with longing, and their lips would lock in a passionate kiss that would linger until their breaths became scarce. From that moment on, they would embark on a joyous journey of eternal happiness. Moreover, Ariel was determined to offer him a heartfelt explanation, revealing her profound fascination with the human world.
However, reality did not align with her fantasies.
_/_
The palace's atmosphere felt eerily quiet as Ariel stepped into the courtyard. Passing through the grand gates, she observed a somber scene unfolding with people shuffling about, their heads bowed and faces filled with sorrow. A deep sense of apprehension gripped her as she wondered what could have transpired within these walls. What had happened here?
Filled with distress, the former mermaid ventured further into the palace in search of answers. Suddenly, a voice from behind startled her, causing her to jump in surprise. "My goodness, you're alive!" It was Lashiana, the maid who had cared for her during her previous visit to the palace.
Ariel, filled with worry, urgently inquired, "Lashiana, what is happening here? Where is the prince?"
Lashiana, visibly relieved to see Ariel, exclaimed, "The prince... Oh, thank goodness you're here! I must fetch the queen. Stay here, Ariel, do not leave!"
The maid embraced Ariel briefly before hurrying off to the other side of the castle, determined to find the queen and relay Ariel's presence.
Ariel endured excruciating minutes of anticipation as she waited in the palace, her heart heavy with the expectation of reuniting with her beloved Eric. But where was he? The thought that he might have perished during the battle with Ursula tormented her mind. No, she had seen him alive before, but why hadn't he come to meet her? It remained a perplexing mystery.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor, and a minute later, the Queen emerged, accompanied by Grimbsy, their expressions grave and somber. Relief washed over Ariel as she saw them approaching, yet their solemn countenances sent a shiver down her spine.
"Child, you are here, alive... but how?" the Queen inquired, embracing Ariel tightly.
With a mix of anxiety and hope, Ariel responded, "My father... he restored my legs so that I could return." She hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to ask, "Your Majesty, where is Eric?"
The Queen's throat tightened, her voice laced with sorrow as she uttered her next words.
"My dear child..." the Queen began, her voice heavy with grief. "Eric is dying..."
Ariel's world twisted into a maelstrom of pain at those words. It felt as if her heart had been violently ripped from her chest. "No!" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "It's my fault..."
Tenderly, the Queen reached out and took Ariel's trembling hands in hers. "No, Ariel," she explained, her voice filled with compassion. "It is not your fault. Eric's heart is broken. When he discovered the dress discarded in the sea, he... we all feared the worst. And since then, he has lost all will to live."
Grimbsy, standing beside the Queen, interjected with a heavy sigh. "The doctor has informed us that he may not survive beyond today."
A torrent of tears streamed down Ariel's cheeks as the weight of despair settled upon her. If only Eric had known she had returned, perhaps his spirit would have been uplifted.
Gathering her courage, Ariel pleaded, her voice trembling, "Can I be with him? At least until... until the end?" She looked to the Queen, her eyes filled with a mixture of anguish and determination.
The Queen nodded with understanding and compassion. "Of course, my dear. You may be by his side during these trying moments. Come, let us go to him."
_/_
In hushed silence, the group of ladies, accompanied by Grimbsy, made their way to Eric's bedroom. Their somber expressions mirrored the weight of the situation, and Ariel's mind was consumed by a single question: "Will he still be alive when I arrive?"
With a steady hand, the queen pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit room. The only source of light was a solitary candle flickering on the bedside table. Eric lay motionless, wrapped in blankets, his complexion pallid, and his eyes closed, as if awaiting the inevitable passage of time.
Seated in a chair beside the bed was a woman, perhaps a maid or a nurse, who had been diligently watching over him as instructed by the queen. As the visitors entered, she rose to her feet, acknowledging their presence.
"Your Majesty, he lost consciousness just a few minutes ago," she informed, her voice laced with concern.
"I am aware," the queen replied, her voice filled with a mixture of resignation and hope. "Now, let us give them privacy. Who knows...'' With a gentle nod, the queen motioned for Ariel to enter the room, closing the door behind her, leaving them alone in this pivotal moment.
The room fell into an intimate stillness as Ariel approached the bed, her heart heavy with love and desperation.
She took a seat beside Eric, her eyes fixated on his pale face. Tenderly, she reached out and clasped his hand, her touch filled with warmth and an unspoken promise. Tears welled up in her eyes.
She remembered the day she saved him, using her enchanting mermaid song to revive him from the brink of death. In that moment, she had felt a surge of power and an overwhelming desire to possess the ability to bring her beloved back. But now, as she stood by his side, it was too late. He was slipping away, and she felt helpless, unable to do anything to change the outcome.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she leaned in close, her face inches from his, and clasped his hand tightly. Gently, she ran her fingers through his hair, her touch a mixture of tenderness and desperation. "Eric, please..." she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Please don't leave me. I love you."
Her words hung in the air, carrying a weight of regret and sorrow. She wished she could turn back time, return to that pivotal moment when she had the chance to save him once more. The guilt gnawed at her heart as she apologized, her voice choked with remorse. "I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner," she pleaded, her voice filled with a longing for forgiveness.
Suddenly, after what felt like an eternity, a faint grip tightened around her hand, and to her astonishment, the prince's eyes slowly fluttered open.
"Ariel..." he stammered weakly, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and hope.
"Eric... oh, my beloved Eric, I'm back! I'm here, and I'm not leaving," Ariel exclaimed, her voice trembling with overwhelming joy. She explained how her deep love for him had moved the King of the Seas, who had granted her the gift of human legs once more, enabling her to return to her beloved.
Tears welled up in Eric's eyes as he took in the miraculous sight before him. "You came back... I thought I had lost you," he whispered, his voice filled with a blend of relief and unspoken pain. "I asked for some divine intervention, begged whatever higher power would listen to take me instead... I love you. Please, don't leave me again."
A radiant smile graced Ariel's face as she cupped his cheek gently, her eyes brimming with adoration. "Never," she declared, her voice filled with unwavering determination. With that, she leaned in, pressing her lips against his in a tender and passionate kiss, symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
As the door swung open, revealing the queen and Grimbsy standing there, their faces etched with concern, a collective sigh of relief escaped their lips. They had heard the hushed voices emanating from within the room, filled with a mix of despair and hope. Now, witnessing the Miraculous reunion and witnessing the renewed spark in Eric's eyes, they felt a surge of gratitude.
The queen stepped forward, her voice choked with emotion. "We heard your voices, and we prayed for his recovery," she said, her eyes filled with tears. "To see him alive and well, to witness the strength of your love... it's nothing short of a miracle." Grimbsy nodded in agreement.
_/_
And with each passing day, Eric's strength and vitality were restored, returning him to the vibrant young prince Ariel had fallen in love with. The entire kingdom rejoiced at his miraculous recovery, their joy echoing through the halls.
As the celebrations continued, Ariel couldn't contain her excitement. Her heart danced with pure happiness, for she knew that her long-awaited happily ever after was about to begin. The love between the man and the mermaid had blossomed into a bond that was unbreakable, and they were ready to seal their commitment to each other.
The day of their wedding arrived, and the entire kingdom gathered to witness the union of their beloved prince and the enchanting mermaid who had captured his heart. The atmosphere was filled with joy, anticipation, and a sense of magic. Ariel, adorned in a flowing white gown that accentuated her natural beauty, stood at the altar, her heart pounding with love and excitement.
Eric, looking dashing in his royal attire, approached his bride-to-be. Their eyes locked, filled with a shared longing and a deep connection. The moment they had both dreamed of had finally arrived.
As they stood before the gathered crowd, the air thick with anticipation, Ariel and Eric leaned in, their lips meeting in a long and passionate kiss. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Their love enveloped them, their souls intertwining, as if the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them, their hearts beating as one.
Their kiss was filled with a blend of tenderness, desire, and the promise of a lifetime together. It was a celebration of their love, a testament to the challenges they had overcome and the deep connection that bound them. They kissed until they were almost breathless, their love radiating through every fiber of their beings.
The cheers and applause of the gathered crowd washed over them as they finally pulled apart, their eyes sparkling with sheer happiness. Hand in hand, they turned to face their kingdom, ready to embark on the journey of their happily ever after.
END.