Hello, my dear readers! I hope each and every one of you is doing well! I know it has been some time since I last uploaded, however, I think this version of chapter 13 is the best I have written. It is certainly one of the longer chapters in this story (nearly 2,000 words without this note and the one at the bottom). I took a somewhat different approach to this chapter, and I hope you all like it. As always I do not own any of the TLM characters, lines, or lyrics, but I do own my creative license with them, as well as original characters.
Now, as I left you on a cliffhanger last chapter, I proudly present chapter 13! It is very Eric-centered, which I think we all deserve. I also took inspiration from the Broadway play score and the movie's version of Fathoms Below. I hope you all enjoy it. I also pulled some inspiration from the most recent live stream that Jodi and CDB did as they answered my question (what is one of your hobbies that you'd like to teach your character, and which of theirs would you want them to teach you?). Finally, as you all know, I love including Max in my stories as much as possible (because dogs are better than people, am I right? hahah), so I used some of the traits that my family dog does later in the chapter.
So please enjoy Chapter 13!
Chapter 13: Hoist The Main Sail!
This morning's weather reflected Eric's mood almost perfectly; glum but still able to go sailing. He was looking forward to spending this time on the open seas and hoped he would have a solution to quell his churning feelings and inner turmoil. A gust of wind caused him to pull the collar of his jacket closer to his neck, and shutter in an effort to keep warm, and to keep the anxiety at bay. While it was still fairly warm in the region, there were days like today that started with a bone-chilling wind. He left the castle before Ariel woke up, knowing that she and her sisters would be having a late breakfast, and then traveling into town for the start of the apple festival. The lingering feeling of guilt continued to plague him, but luckily he was pulled out of it by a familiar voice calling his name.
"Damn man, you sure have a way of picking our sailing days, but luckily I checked the weather and it's supposed to clear up in about an hour." Eric turned away from the water and finally noticed Chris making his way down the dock with a cooler in tow. Eric gave his friend a weak smile, and then Chris embraced his friend patting him on the back. "Glad you're here man, you're the only one I can talk to about this," Eric said, causing Chris' demeanor to shift. "Let me ask you this: Are you dying?" Eric shook his head, "Is Ariel dying?" again he shook his head, fervently this time, "Well then we can fix this, whatever it is, if it needs fixing that is" Chris said, and then nudged his friend toward the ship. Eric saw Chris as the older brother he never had. A pillar of wisdom and knowledge, not to mention a great writer. Eric always kept his latest book on the nightstand for nights that he could not sleep.
"I am glad we're doing a guy's day, Jodi hasn't been sleeping well the last few days, and last night was the first night that she actually stayed asleep through the night. Acid reflux and Delaney moving constantly are really sending her for a loop," Eric sympathized with his friend's plight and helped him untie the tethering ropes from the dock.
After about forty-five minutes of sailing, the anchor was dropped, and the sun made its first appearance of the day. Eric had every confidence in Chris' ability to lend a hand while sailing, after all, Eric taught him everything he knew. "Alright man, lay it on me, what's going on?" Chris began as the friends leaned against the starboard bow. Eric cast his gaze to the horizon took in a long breath, and then wrung his hands. "We are going to war, and there's nothing I can do to stop it," Eric said in one breath, there, we ripped off one band-aid, he thought to himself. His head then dropped as if it was a deflated balloon. Chris didn't know what to say, and his heart fell for his dear friend. "Man, I…I…is there any way to avoid it? What does Grimsby say?" Chris began, and his latest question made Eric cough up a sarcastic chuckle and grandiose head shake, "Please…all he said was 'you've always known this was a possibility, Eric' and he thinks I should not have such turmoil around this decision…the old beanpole…" Eric said while taking a seat on a nearby cargo crate and putting his head in his hands. Chris approached his friend and put his hand on Eric's shoulder. This simple gesture told Eric that he was not being judged at the moment, in fact, he had a friend there listening to every word he was saying, while also not seeing him as "the king," but instead Eric, his tormented friend.
Reflecting on what was just shared; Chris inquired "What decision are you talking about, Eric?" as he handed his friend a hard cider. And here's the other, Eric thought to himself. After a slug of his cider, he spoke, "The neighboring kingdoms kinda, sorta want me to be on the flagship with them…" his voice trailed off, and it was now Chris' turn to drop his jaw in shock. "You can't be serious, man. Really?" All Eric could do was nod in response. "Oh shit! You weren't kidding when you said that this was serious. What did Ariel say when you told her?" Eric didn't say a word, instead, he gazed up at his friend, expressionless. Chris had his answer in his friend's reaction. "Eric, you know you are my best friend, and Jodi and I care about both of you like family right?" Eric nodded, "Well then I think I can speak for both my wife and myself when I say, she deserves to know. And not the night before you have to leave either, we both know that she will be devastated if you do that" Chris said. Deep down, Eric knew his friend was right about everything, but he still didn't know how to tell Ariel that their lives were about to change, possibly forever.
"Honestly, if it were me," Chris began sipping his beer, "I would explain everything to Jodi, and have her be as involved in the process as possible. Not saying that I want her on the boat with me, but I would tell her I love her and I would do anything to get back to her as quickly as possible." Eric couldn't argue with that thought process, and he knew that Ariel would be upset, but he knew she was generally level-headed, especially when talking about the needs and safety of their kingdom. Eric also revered Chris' perspective and opinion, having the kingdom's leading yogi as a best friend came in handy. They soon broke out the fishing poles and cast their bait into the deep blue sea below.
-About three hours later—
"This is one of the most difficult conversations she and I have ever had. She is gonna freak out" Eric said while beginning to hoist the anchor, as Chris was securing the riggings. Chris paused a moment before speaking, "I mean she is part of a royal family, so wouldn't she understand that this is something that is going to happen?" Eric was taken aback at this, he hadn't even considered it. Maybe he should talk to his father-in-law for even more guidance. "Duh!" Eric said "Of course! Triton and Athena had to have told all of the girls about the potential for war in the kingdom, so she must have an idea" Eric said with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Chris nodded at his friend's realization and went on to hoist the mainsail to head back to shore.
As they arrived back at the dock, Max greeted Chris and Eric with cheerful yips and his tail going a mile a minute! "Well hello, buddy! I was just here a couple of weeks ago but okay lemme give you some scratches" Chris said as he bent down and gave Max his undivided attention. Max then trotted over to his best friend and adorably demanded a treat. "Wassup buddy? Oh, I know what you want" Max's ears perked up at this, while Eric reached into his bag and tossed him a treat. Eric then turned back to Chris and thanked him for the great day and advice. "Honesty is the best policy man, just don't say anything in front of her sisters, you know what blabbermouths they are," Chris said with a chuckle, earning a hearty laugh from Eric in response. Eric, Chris, and Max headed to Chris' Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chris easily loaded the now empty cooler into the trunk. Max thought it was the perfect opportunity to try to hop into the back to go for a ride. "What the heck, come on man," he said gesturing to Eric, "I'll give you guys a ride up to the front door." He said closing up the trunk and patting Eric on the shoulder. Eric hopped into the passenger's seat, and the trio was off, down the sandy path, and up the hill to the palace steps.
—Meanwhile in the palace—
The girls were just finishing up their late lunch and chatting in the living room when Andrina noticed something in the corner of her eye. "Uhh Ariel, there is some random machine thing coming up the path toward the front door," she said with some concern in her voice. Ariel chuckled at this and looked out the window before shaking her head at her sister. "Andi, that's called a car, think of it like the land version of a seahorse carriage…wait a second, I know that car." Ariel was struck with the realization that she was watching Chris' SUV come toward them, park and Eric hop out of the passenger seat. He's been with Chris most of the day, well thank Neptune for that Ariel thought to herself, noticing that her husband was visibly more relaxed than he was during their conversation yesterday. "You guys stay here, I'll be right back," she said to her sisters while slipping on her shoes. Not waiting for a response, she left them.
"Well, this is a surprise! How are you, Chris?" She said as she went to the driver's side, and pulled her friend into a hug. "Oh you know, just peachy especially after spending the day with this one," he said gesturing to Eric, who made his way around the car to his wife's side before heading to the back of the car. She then turned to her husband, who took her in for a tight hug and kissed the top of her head. "Hi," he said gently while peering into her eyes. "Hi," she replied with arms still wrapped around his torso. "I missed you today, did you and Chris have fun?" With a sigh he spoke again, "I guess you could say that. But I missed you terribly" he said suavely. Without another word, he leaned down and kissed her for the first time all day. Never getting her fill of him, she reached up into his hair and held him to her, while he cradled her scarlet waves. The pair broke apart upon hearing the trunk close, brief barks, and then a familiar furry face maneuvered its way between them. "This is giving me flashbacks to your wedding, I think Max has ulterior motives," Chris said causing the group to break into a laughing fit. "I'm tellin' ya dude, my favorite dog and my favorite girl are now best friends," Eric said, and without missing a beat Ariel chimed in "Forever and ever right boy?" glancing at Max. He then let out a cheerful bark of agreement, then went in the front door. "Well I need to be heading back, Jodi and I have a parenting class tonight, so I have to prepare for that" Chris noted, Ariel then gave him a hug goodbye, and Eric offered him his hand. "Thanks for everything today man, really," he said looking at Chris directly. Chris understood that in these few words, Eric had devised a plan on how to tell Ariel the news. He nodded then got into his car and started the engine. As they watched him pull away, Ariel yelled "Tell Jodi, we say hello! And have fun at class tonight!" she and Eric then waved as Chris became smaller and smaller in the distance, beeping his horn and waving to his friends.
Well there ya have it, Chapter 13! What do you think, did you guess that's who Eric texted?
Please, Please, Please! leave me a review with your thoughts!
And I have news for you, Chapter 14 is already in the works!
This chapter is dedicated to CDB in particular since his short stories (on YouTube) were the soundtrack to my brainstorming sessions for this chapter.
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love, and Happy Reading
~XOXO DisneySoul4996
