Chapter Nine
Six hours earlier…
"So, you see, it was my sister who offered Ariel the chance to experience how awful life on the land is," Morgana fibbed to Saleen as they swam. "My uglier, less talented sister, mind you. She thought by doing so the foolish princess would learn how wrong her land fantasy was. But the poor thing fell in love and decided to turn her back on her home. Ursula took the legs away after seeing what was going on, only for Triton to give her a permanent set."
"Hmmm."
Saleen wasn't the most talkative swim mate. She didn't seem to be impressed with Morgana's successes or other magical accomplishments. The Elemental was only interested in hearing about how Ariel had traded her fin for a set of feet. And then had the nerve to have a wall built to keep out the ocean.
"Atlantica is this way." Morgana protested as Saleen swerved to the left.
"Perhaps. But Triton is this way." Saleen continued to swim ahead.
"You can feel his presence?"
"Not him; the trident. And since the barracuda always has it with him, it's one and the same thing."
The distance between Saleen and Morgana was growing. The sea witch was becoming winded and a little tired. As stiff as her tentacles were from being encased in ice for so long, staying still seemed like a good idea. Morgana gave herself a small break to catch her breath and rest. She was in familiar enough water for Morgana to guess that Saleen was heading toward the land kingdom.
Morgana only rested for a few minutes. She didn't want to miss out on the fun.
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Morgana arrived at the beach just in time to witness Saleen forcing the trident from Triton's hands.
The gathered crowd was too stunned and distracted by Saleen to notice Morgana emerging from the sea off to the side. She slithered forward as quietly as she could and snatched up her prize. A quick look at the crowd revealed that Melody wasn't near her mother or father.
"Guide me to Melody," Morgana whispered. The tip of the trident glowed. She moved it back and forth, the tip glowing brighter when it was pointed in the direction of the castle.
Morgana quietly moved forward following the tridents glow. She was led through the castle to a bedroom where she could hear faint sobs coming from inside. Relishing her revenge was so close, Morgana slithered inside the room.
"Not now, mom."
"Mumsy isn't here."
Melody turned around, gasping in horror. The minnow had grown since their last encounter.
"How…"
"How did I get out of that ice block of a prison? The one you and your awful family put me in?" The trident could feel the sea witch's anger and began to glow. "Well, now it's my chance to return the favor."
Morgana raised the trident high above her head. "Send Melody to the worst place she can imagine."
The trident came down, pointed at the young princess. A burst of light shot out from the tip straight into Melody. As the flash of light ended, Melody vanished along with it.
Morgana laughed. She had done it! Morgana had gotten revenge on the first of her wrongdoers. Where Melody had ended up, Morgana had no idea. But it was the worst place Melody could think of, which was sure to be a terrible thing.
The next to suffer would be the parents. But just as Morgana was getting ready to head outside and join the party, the trident jumped out of her hands and flew out the window.
"No!" Morgana shouted and raced after it, desperate to not lose the trident again.
It flew straight ahead to the ocean and shot down beneath the waves. Morgana turned to observe the gathering on the land nearby. Saleen seemed unbothered with the trident. Triton was still there, but Ariel and Eric were gone.
It doesn't matter, Morgana thought to herself as she returned to the water. I'll get that trident back again and make all of them pay.