Hello my lovely readers! It has been quite some time, but I am happy to announce this new chapter. Things have been busy, with both my job and summer adventures. I have been working tons of hours at an over time gig, and I saw Johnny Depp in concert (which was totally awesome!). Anywho! here is chapter 12! I really took my time with this chapter, and I hope you enjoy it. I included a dedication/reference to the TLM broadway show, the movie, and I refer to two movie cast icons as well, see if you can pick them up. This is also the first chapter of this work that has page breaks and timeline separations. I feel that this works well in this chapter, and I would love to hear what you think of this chapter. As always, all of the TLM characters, references, and quotes belong to Disney. I would also like to dedicate this chapter to two of my best friends. They keep encouraging me to write, and even though they will never read this, they keep me motivated. I also appreciate all of you who read and leave reviews. I hope you are enjoying the story as much as I am.

Chapter 12: How The Waves'll Buck, Rock To And Fro!

The weeks seemed to fly by, and soon enough Adella, Alana, and Andrina were making themselves at home in the palace. As Ariel helped them settle in, Eric was whisked away into meetings with rulers of the neighboring lands, and discussion of policy modifications. While she knew this was something he had to do, Ariel couldn't help but miss him especially when her sisters came up to spend time with both of them. Granted, they had their evenings and dinners but still, she wanted her husband back and enjoying family time.

The four sisters just finished brunch when Adella ambitiously suggested that she wanted to try her hand at horseback riding. Alana and Andrina quickly agreed, and Ariel brought them to the stables after scribbling a quick note for Eric. "Alright guys, watch where you're going around the barn, you can get hurt if you're not careful." Adella rolled her eyes at her sister, and confidently navigated toward the horses, only to eventually trip over a saddle, and land flat on her rear end. "See?" Ariel said amused by her most stubborn sister's tenacity, as she helped her back to her feet. "Yeah, yeah, yeah..." Adella said in a huff, "Ok, can I ride this one?" she said pointing to a white and gray Appaloosa who was grazing on some hay. "Oh sure! That's Buddy, he's Eric's horse and super tame. I am sure you'll love riding him, I know I do," Ariel said petting the horse's muzzle. "I bet that's not the only thing of Eric's, she loves riding!" Andrina said to Alana, causing her to double over laughing. Ariel quickly walked around the horse and over to her sisters, inquisitive about what was causing Alana to laugh so hard. "What'd you say Andrina?, I didn't hear you," Ariel asked as she helped Adella with securing a saddle from the rack.

"Come on Ariel, dish! How has married life been?, especially when you guys are alone" Alana inquired, while the smirk grew more wicked on her face. Ariel shook her head at her sisters' questioning, I knew this was coming she thought to herself. "Is Atlantica really so boring that you need to pry into the lives of us land dwellers?" Ariel said, eying all three of her sisters. "Yes!" the sisters exclaimed in unison, causing Ariel to roll her eyes and contemplate her choices before walking over to greet her Clydesdale, Pattibelle with an apple and a pat to her mane. "Well," she began, her sisters hanging on her every word, "it's been a dream, we have so much fun together, we have friends come over all the time, and Eric is really adjusting to being a king." At this, her heart swelled with pride for her husband who she loves dearly. "Ok, that's the tame stuff, now how is stuff between you two? Give us all the deets!" Andrina pestered. This caused Ariel to blush almost as deep red as her hair, she knew that her sisters wouldn't say anything, but she didn't know where to start. "It is beyond my wildest dreams, and every time is so special. He makes me feel so loved, so protected, and it just gives me the warm and fuzzies" she says as warmth radiates throughout her chest while her sisters awe at her. "Well I am happy he is taking care of all of your needs, even those that you are just discovering with your new legs and lady bits" Adella said, raising a smug eyebrow. If only they knew how good he was with his hands, his mouth, and other parts of himself she thought to herself.

Meanwhile, in Eric's office

He had no words, they had all been said in the great hall, and Grimsby got an earful in the connecting hallway. His kingdom was going to war, well in a support role, much as he tried to protest it. While it was not his kingdom and livelihood at stake, he needed to lend his troops and ships to his allies to ensure they were victorious.

"You've always known this was a possibility Eric." Grimsby said plainly, earning him an icy stare from the young ruler. "That doesn't mean that I like it! I could accept that this was happening, but they want ME to be with them, on the flag ship! ME! They want my expertise, but I have other responsibilities now!" Eric said, staring out the window at the sea. His mind immediately went to Ariel and the life they were just starting to build together. He wanted to show her the world, go on adventures, and experience everything destiny had in store for them.

And now, for the first time in three and a half years, he was utterly terrified. Terrified for his people, his kingdom, Max, but most of all for Ariel. She has been so strong in all of the time I've known her, he thought to himself. After a long, drawn out pause he spoke again, "How long do we have? I mean when is the absolute last day I would need to leave?" he asked sullenly, while raking his hands through his hair and staring down at the floor. Max went over to him, putting his head on Eric's lap. Grimsby might as well have been talking to the wall, because everything was a blur. And his heart sank lower and lower with each wave that came ashore. A glimmer of red and multiple giggles caught his attention, causing him to gaze down at the shoreline, and see his wife and her sisters trotting through the sand on the horses. It was probably the brightest point in his day.

After a while, he rose out of his chair, and made his way to the living room. Luckily the palace was big enough to afford him a somewhat lengthy walk to regain his composure. He looked at the portraits on the wall of each of his ancestors adorned with military regalia. Just as he was about to round the corner, a painting of his mother and father caught his gaze, more specifically the inscription below the portrait. "Corona Nostra, Regnum Nostrum, Legatum Nostrum" (Our Crown, Our Kingdom, Our Legacy). Almost subconsciously Eric's posture straightened, and he took a deep breath. "It has to be done, to protect all of us" he said in a barely audible tone. "This is one thing that people won't volunteer to do for me. It is the job of the king to defend his people, whether he's petrified or not" he said as if trying to convince someone, or himself.

Before Eric could register the sight before him, he felt a ringing in his ears. "HELLO SWEET BABY! WHATCHA DOING BUBBA?! Did you miss your Auntie Andi?" Andrina met Max at the door and Max gleefully trotted over to Andrina and soaked up all of the attention she was offering, all while the others took in the sight before them and chuckled. "Well hello ladies, long time no see," Eric said as he greeted each of his sister in-laws with a smile and hug, ending with pressing a kiss to Ariel's forehead, lingering for the slightest moment that a casual observer would attribute to a loving husband doting on his wife. Only Eric knew it was a promise of protection. Ariel noticed that as he greeted each of them, his smile did not reach his eyes, something is wrong, she thought to herself. She put this thought aside and went on to join her sisters, husband, and dog in an afternoon of frivolity.

Later in the early evening, while her sisters were out on the veranda taking selfies with the ocean as their background, Ariel went to find Eric in the parlor. After a knowing glance and nod from Carlotta, she found him putting the games away, and Ariel stood in the doorway watching him meticulously inventory each of them, ensuring that every piece was accounted for. As he put them in the cabinet, Ariel saw him take a drawn out breath and let his shoulders fall for the first time all day. "Eric," she said quietly as to not startle him "hello sweetheart, why aren't you with your sisters?" he replied with a sense of relief. She took a few steps into the room straightening some of the chairs, while he grabbed the lazy Susan and returned it to the cupboard. "They're out on the veranda trying to get the "perfect" angle for their selfies. It's the first time they've been on land during sunset" she remarked, causing him to shake his head and lightheartedly chuckle. "But I came in here hoping that we could talk, alone. I can tell something is going on, ever since you came out of your meeting with Grimsby this afternoon. Care to share?" In an instant, Eric's demeanor changed as he began to walk away, as he did she walked up to him, and cupped his face, effectively stopping him in his tracks.

"I promise you, we will talk about it, but right now, let's not ruin the mood, and instead spend a lovely night with your sisters" he offered, taking her hands in his, and placing a kiss to the tops of each of them. While it wasn't the response she was hoping for, Ariel acquiesced and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. "You promise?" she asked, her eyes expressive and full of hope. "You bet your fins, sirenita mia," he suavely replied, causing her cheeks to flush, and her worry to subside long enough to enjoy the time with her sisters.

After a bit of catching up they ate dinner, and of course, did some singing at the piano, Eric got up excusing himself to use the restroom. While there he took out his cell phone and sent a text to one person he knew would give him impartial advice. He texted,

"I think I need your advice on something really important,"

and within two minutes, he received a response:

"Of course! How about we all take Max sailing?"

The pit in his stomach grew exponentially, before he typed:

"This is something I think we need to talk about alone."

"Oh…ok man, if you say so. It must be big."

"You have no idea. I'll see ya bright and early tomorrow at 9."

"An' it's hey to the starboard, heave ho!"

At last, Eric finally felt the calmest he had all day.

So, who do we think he texted? What is going to happen now? I had to add a little drama to ramp this story up a bit.

I already have the outline of chapter 13 rolling! We will find out who he texted, and what the next steps are. We will also rehash something that was alluded to chapters ago! Stay tuned.

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love, and Happy Reading!

~DisneySoul4996