Chapter Ten
Queen Ariel was having a wonderful day. Not only had she seen her old friend Archimedes, but her father and sisters (well, most of her sisters anyway) were here with her. Ever since the wall had come down, they occasionally had lunches by the seaside or had taken a boat out a little way from shore. Her family was able to visit her then.
But a distance, a space, was always present during these meetings. Ariel was keenly aware of the sides of the boat that barred her from rushing forward and giving her father a hug. She never minded getting her clothes damp with sea water, but after overhearing some of the servants mutter how hard it was to get them clean, she tried to be more conscious of not getting dirty.
Today, though, those barriers had disappeared. Her father was right there, standing beside her. And she could reach out and hold his hand and hug him just like she had been able to when she had lived under the sea.
Archimedes had been enchanted with the world above, as the queen had expected. He seemed to marvel over every detail and was very eager to finally learn the significance of the piggy bank. The rest of the merfolk had mixed reactions. Some just quietly observed the land they walked about. Some marveled at the wonders around, while some were horrified or disgusted by the way things worked here. Alex gagging from the horse smell did not go unnoticed.
As much fun as it was showing Archimedes around, Ariel could not ignore how two of her loved ones seemed a bit on edge.
Her father was clearly unsettled by having legs. But Ariel caught him smiling watching his daughters dance in the square. Triton might not approve, but he was doing this for his granddaughter.
Melody had been the one to suggest to Triton that the merfolk all be given legs for the festival. The idea had occurred to Ariel plenty of times before, but she knew the rocky relationship he had with the land.
The land folk had taken away their mother. The wound this caused Triton was deep. He had been so distraught over losing his love, he had banished all singing and dancing from Atlantica. Sebastian, of all crustaceans, had organized a secret club where the fish could dance and sing all night long. Flounder had unintentionally led Ariel there where for the first time in ages she heard music.
And then she had sang.
Singing had brought back all the memories she had of her mother.
Eventually Ariel's sisters were brought in on the secret. Shortly after, Triton discovered the truth and after his anger subsided, he allowed music to be free in Atlantica once again.
But still Triton's wound was not healed. All things related to the land reminded him of his lost love. And eventually, his daughter.
Ariel never intended to hurt her father. She had just been fascinated with the world above. And she had fallen in love with Eric. As painful as it was when she missed her family, Ariel could never trade away the years she had shared with her prince.
As well as her daughter.
Melody was the other person Ariel had to worry about today. Ariel could hardly believe Melody wouldn't be enjoying herself today of all days. Her daughter had been looking forward to this festival for months. Ariel couldn't deny that Melody had become quieter and quieter throughout the celebration, but she thought maybe her early morning had exhausted her.
It wasn't until after Mr. Andersen read the story when her daughter had run off Ariel realized she should have taken her daughter aside and insisted on knowing what was wrong.
By then it was too late as an unexpected guest arrived on a tidal wave. Triton seemed to recognize her and seemed a little scared.
"Daddy, who is that?"
"I am Saleen," the stranger introduced herself.
With a flick of her wrist, Saleen was able to pull the trident from Triton's hands.
"First I hear about you giving your own daughter a set of legs only to arrive and see you've given yourself feet."
Ariel wanted to point out how Saleen must have feet herself if she was this far inland. A quick look down showed Saleen's tail had split so they resembled legs but had stayed fins.
That's funny. I had wished for my tail to be like that once.
"Welcome to Tirulia," Eric stepped forward. "I am the King here. Perhaps you will permit us to bring you some refreshment."
"I don't care who you are. I am not concerned with land matters." Saleen's eyes never left Triton. "My only concern is why King Triton, ruler of the Seven Seas, holder of the trident has legs."
King Triton gave a small bow. "It is an honor to meet you in person, Saleen. You rarely show yourself to anyone."
"True." The flattery seemed to provide a distraction. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it was something.
"What you are observing here is unconventional, I confess. Today is a celebration of the union between land and sea. I thought my people could benefit from experiencing life on the land for just one day. As king I alone accept all responsibility."
"Union? There's no need for that. We're the far superior race; we prove that by breathing on both sides. I have made up my mind. You, Triton, are unworthy of the trident. You are unworthy of your crown. Perhaps the only thing you are worthy of is that pair of legs."
The earth trembled beneath them at Saleen's last words. Ariel's instincts of a mother took over and she ran inside the castle, where her daughter had fled. She needed to know Melody was safe from harm.
Arriving in her daughter's bedroom, seeing the stunned look on Alex's face, Ariel knew the awful truth was she had been too late.
The reference of two fins from Ariel is from the episode "Wish upon a Starfish". Also, in Saleen's second and final appearance in "Shark Treatment", in the final fight she is shown running through the water with a split tail. Were the bottom fins and not actual feet? The quality was a little poor, so it was hard to tell, but that's what I'm going with.
