Welcome back as we head into the palace, and all of the political drama—ah, drama! Dastardly and Dangerous, and other great adjectives that start with D!
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Without further ado, (and by that I mean, in preface to all possible ado) here's the next chapter!
Chapter 3 Ariel"Adriatta!" Ariel darted out from between Adin and Sebastian, and threw her arms around Adriatta's neck at full swim once they'd entered the palace gates. Although, she did it with more ado than Princess Adriatta, eldest of Triton's daughters, thought necessary, judging from her expression. In the excitement of seeing her sister returned a day early, it escaped Ariel how unusual it was for Adriatta to wait for her alone beyond the entry guard.
"Oh! Earl! Brawn!" Ariel curtseyed at the two swordfish guards posted at the palace doors.
The guards kept their blades high in the water at attention, but Ariel knew they secretly enjoyed the acknowledgement. So many visitors passed by during the work day as though they were just more of the statues that so meticulously decorated the palace gardens. It seemed that Adriatta hadn't noticed them either. She jumped back from Ariel when Brawn twitched his blade ever so slightly in acceptance of her greeting.
"Ariel!" Adriatta coughed sternly, though not unfriendly when she'd slipped back into her usual composure. "Ariel, you—" for the briefest moment, her diamond-brown eyes flashed a dull black, but just as quickly, the darkness was replaced with her usual bright gaze. Flipping her tail with more poise than Ariel ever could have managed, Adriatta crushed her in a hug, a single pearly tear floating away from her cheek. "You're late!"
"I missed you!" Ariel cried into her neck. "The palace isn't the same without you."
"And I you," Adriatta was regal enough not to laugh, but Ariel could tell that if the blowfish announcers weren't eyeing them over their trumpeted mouths, she might. "Look at you! Your blue is almost gone! And your tail! I always thought you'd go red like me."
Self-consciously, Ariel hid the last of the blue on the end of her fins by curling her tail ever so slightly away from Adriatta, now overtly aware that though he was quiet behind her, and looking straight ahead like a good guard, Adin was still there and watching. Even if he was like a sibling to her, it was still embarrassing. The blue was the last of what was left of her hatchling coloring, and while her sisters had all already changed fully into their adult scales, for some reason the vestiges of Ariel's childhood just wouldn't leave her. Her sisters rarely said anything directly to her like this, particularly since she'd become of age, and Kai and Krill never said a word—though changing scales wasn't something they'd ever have to worry about for themselves. Even the palace physicians were baffled as to why the hatchling stain had lasted so long, and Ariel was beginning to wonder if it would ever go away.
"Ahem," Sebastian cleared his throat behind them. "Please, princesses, I know you need to be doing this eventually, but Triton will have my shell for a serving spoon if Ariel is any later for the summons."
"Right, you're late! And I hear father has something exciting for everyone!" Adriatta exclaimed, and grabbed Ariel's hands to tug her through the palace main doors and toward the throne room.
Usually, Ariel would have made her way back into the palace through the servants' corridors to avoid unnecessary attention, but today entering in full aire of her royal title, it was as though those corridors had emptied themselves into the main hallway. Something was certainly going on.
As they moved through the doors and up the sloping hallway they encountered a bustling scene of tropical marine life moving purposefully about their duties. Colorful schools of tropical fish darted through the water, carrying messages or tiny parcels between various rooms. Graceful manta rays kept their traffic high overhead to move the heavier parcels, which seemed to be primarily being moved to the kitchens.
The sea-glass spires and windows up above had been freshly cleaned, and the light the shimmering ceiling let in made the intricate coral pillars along each wall seem taller, and the details sharper. Rare pearls and shells that decorated the pillars in swirling patterns that weren't usually visible reflected cheerily in the light, and Ariel could see cleaner shrimp polishing the fine details near the floor.
Pink-tipped anemones that both guarded and hid the hallways that branched off the main corridor had evidently been fed well that day, as they were all in full bloom, and were even letting more than just their designated species through. Ariel's eyes widened when several triggerfish a particularly grumpy anemone had tried to eat not days before let them pass without so much as a sting. So many fish were passing through in preparation for something, that it might have taken them all day just to pass through if Adin hadn't been in front to clear the way.
Approaching the closed doors of the throne room, two stoic blowfish watched their approach impatiently, as though itching to announce their arrival. Not a good sign. Ariel felt a sudden wave of nervousness shoot through her gills. If even the announcers had been pressured over her arrival, she hated to think what was really waiting for her on the other side of those doors. Adriatta had said there was exciting news, and the unusual traffic in the hallway indicated that, but something didn't sit right with her. If the news was so exciting, then why hadn't Triton summoned her the day before? His agenda was usually so well scheduled, and this sort of summons, particularly to her alone, was more than strange.
Searching for a way to abate her nervousness, Ariel turned to Adriatta, whose silky dark hair pooled elegantly around her silver dress and dark crimson tail, as she swam. Though their coloring was similar, Ariel felt that they couldn't look more different. Adriatta held herself with usual perfect posture—there could be a hurricane raging outside, and that posture would never falter. Adin's efforts were focused on keeping Ariel and Sebastian clear of tangling fins and moving packages, but Adriatta hardly needed his efforts. She swam calmly and confidently through the mass of fish and runners, her presence alone seeming to clear a path for her. Ariel was envious, to be sure, but something else panged in her chest. Adriatta had never left her behind when she was living at the palace. If she were closer, perhaps she would spend some time teaching Ariel to look like royalty—and then perhaps someday she would feel like one.
"You've been gone so long, Adriatta. Are you happy? Do you like your marriage to—to Ezra?" Ariel questioned, carefully inspecting Adriatta's face for any dissatisfaction.
"King Ezra," Adriatta corrected gently, and suddenly the black rings around her brown irises were back.
Ariel pulled back and nearly tripped over a lemon shark toting a pile of rolled vellums in her shock. "He is? Over what?"
Adriatta fixed her with an achingly familiar annoyance. "Ariel, if you don't pay attention to the currents, you're going to miss things!" With that fine piece of news, she pulled Ariel quickly the rest of the way to the doors.
Ariel opened her mouth to question her sister again, but only bubbles came out when Sebastian cut her off.
"Ahem," Sebastian cleared his throat behind them. "Princess, the summons!"
"The summons!" one of the impatient blowfish announced loudly as soon as they were in range. The other flung open the door, obviously put out that the first one had beaten him to the yelling portion of proceedings. "Entering Princess Ariel of Atlantis!"
Inside the throne room, the walls had been polished and cleaned beyond their usual upkeep, and not for the first time, Ariel was impressed at the detail that their mosaiced designs displayed. A history of the wars undersea, from the time of Poseidon to present, were depicted in glittering jewels and shells behind the towering pillars that led to the throne. A plain stone floor was decorated with an impossibly long rug woven from kelp and creepvine fibers. The colors and life they brought to the room was in stark contrast with the grave expression on her father's face.
I really am late. How did this happen? she berated herself.
Adriatta squeezed her hand and let go as she entered, as though unable to follow. Adin, too, refused to move beyond the doors, showing a level of understanding of the courtly etiquette that Ariel herself knew, but would have overlooked in her nervousness. Adriatta gave Ariel the tiniest of shrugs in response to her questioning look, and mouthed "wait for you," before the doors closed behind her. Ariel couldn't resist a sly smile, understanding a bit more of why her sister had been waiting so far away from her entourage. Waiting for her would place her next to the throne room doors where no one could rightly accuse her of eavesdropping, as she approached the throne, Ariel knew better.
Under the inspection of her father and his usual contingent of royal guards, Ariel tried to keep her posture as perfect as Adriatta's as she approached the throne. Wishing she'd at least brushed her hair that day, she held her chin high all the same, even biting back the scowl that tried to twist her lips when she noticed that 'King' Ezra was in the room—and in Sebastian's seat, no less. Ezra's black and brown tentacles spilled over Sebastian's usual perch, and though it seemed a bit too small for him, he didn't seem to mind the comfort as long as it gave him proximity to the king.
Though she tried not to look at him, it was difficult not to notice how much Ezra had changed since the last time she'd seen him. Just a few years previous, Ezra hadn't had the most intimidating of figures, despite his powerful tentacles that were typical of cecaelia. For the life of her, Ariel hadn't been able to understand how he'd come into power over the remaining cecaelia. Considering his dwindling population, he certainly hadn't been doing a very good job. Ariel could only assume it had been Adriatta's influence that had bolstered his kingdom since their marriage—but then again, it might have only been the war reparations that she begged their father for after seeing the state of Ezra's kingdom when they were married.
Now, Ariel could hardly recognize him. The old scars on his back, shoulders, and wrists—coward's scars left over from his turning in the war of long past, had faded considerably, and were all but hidden by garish chains holding various amulets and pendants over a chest that had filled out considerably. His face was paler than usual, even for a cecaelia, and Ariel had no doubt he spent most of his time in the dark caves of his castle in the western region. Despite the evident lack of sunlight, the skin by his eyes had developed deep creases, and his forehead, even worse ones over his arched, silver brows. Though he looked more regal, there was also an air of slimy desperation about him that made her scales shiver. Clearly, marriage to her sister had been good for him, and she felt a curling feeling of annoyance as she wondered if the same could be said for her.
"Princess Ariel," King Triton addressed her when she'd reached eye level with the throne. "I'm afraid you've just missed the announcement I've made to your two elder sisters."
Ariel curtsied politely to her father, and then to Ezra, forcing herself to smile diplomatically at the latter. Though a whole shoal of excuses flitted their way through her head, she knew none of them would endear her to her father in front of so many.
"Apologies, father. Thank you for sending advisor Sebastian. He delivered me quickly."
"No matter." King Triton was stern, though his face softened considerably as he regarded Ariel. A quick glance at Ezra told her that he certainly didn't think this was 'no matter,' and hid a smile from him behind her hair. "As we've been waiting for your arrival the better part of an hour, we'll make this brief—"
Ariel rose from her curtsy, daring a curious glance at Sebastian, who had taken a spot by her father's silver tail, although his expression gave away nothing.
"You and your sisters are expecting suitors for the lunar ball. Your suitor Ariel, is the Eel Prince Ellian of the Aegean. I am told he will arrive in Atlantis tomorrow. At that time, formal introductions, and a chaperoned meeting will be supervised by Sebastian."
Ariel felt the blood in her tail run cooler than a coldwater loach, and the remnant blue in the edge of her fins edged all the way up her scales. Under the gaze of so many Mer-people, she wanted nothing more than to have the camouflage of her hatchling days back so she could flee and hide.
"Ah…a suitor, Father?" Ariel could hardly breathe past her shock. "For me?"
"Is that a problem for a princess? For one of my daughters?" King Triton said evenly, but from years of experience, Ariel caught the warning in his voice.
"Not at all, father," she gulped. "I'm only surprised, as you see," she gestured toward the blue tips of her tail, "I would hate to disappoint a prince when he finds out his intended hasn't fully come of age."
She was grasping at bubbles, and she knew it, but it was the only reason that came to mind. She'd expected suspicion from her father about her surface-visiting habits at night when she made most of her astronomical charts, or even outright scolding as to her many near-misses with the forbidden territories at the Atlantis borders. In fact, she'd thought that somehow her father already knew about her near-miss with the squid, and she was facing some kind of house-arrest for her carelessness. A suitor at a ball—no, she knew without having been told that her father had promised an alliance with the Ageans. It simply hadn't ever entered her head that she would become the leverage for that alliance. A pre-arranged marriage was the last 'exciting' thing she'd been expecting.
Unbidden, an image of Joe flashed through her mind. What she'd really thought was that she'd had more time before her royal birth caught up with her.
"Where were you today, Ariel?" Triton asked bluntly, pulling her from her own swimming thoughts.
Ariel wondered at the suddenness of his question, and fought to keep her voice steady as she answered. "I was visiting the citizens in the far reef-district near the borders. I bring them food and castaway materials from the palace once a week. I suspect that was how Sebastian knew where to find me."
It wasn't exactly a lie. Her morning had been spent among the citizens in the slums. It just hadn't taken all day. Then Adin, who had offered to be her escort. had proposed a swim, and then a game through shipwreck valley. She'd been hesitant to accept, but when they ran into Krill and Joe, time had just…gotten away from her. Again.
"In the third ring?" King Ezra said quietly. Though his voice was also even, Ariel avoided his piercing black gaze.
"I try to be familiar with all of the rings of my kingdom. There's only so much one can learn from inside the palace," Ariel met.
And only so much one can do, she didn't say.
"It's a wonder then, that you did make it back so fast," Ezra allowed. He moved a sly hand to one of the pendants on his chest, and tilted it so that the light caught it just so. Though it flashed Triton's way, his gaze darkened over Ariel.
"Your methods will have to be more refined when you ascend in title, Ariel," Triton scolded gently, "but your interest in the citizens is more organized than I'd thought. I'm proud."
That shocked Ariel as much as the marriage arrangement. It wasn't like her father at all.
"Considering that your interests are already in line with running the kingdom at all of its rungs, it seems any other concerns are unfounded. You are more ready than I'd thought."
"B-but my scales…" Ariel tried again, weakly.
"Of course the events won't be rushed, little one," Triton said in what was probably supposed to be an understanding voice. "Although the subject may be too delicate for the throne room, you have changed later than your sisters. You've nearly reached nineteen, and are already eligible…"
But, Ariel didn't hear the rest of what he said. It felt like she had waves crashing in her ears and her head had been filled with sand. If someone had told her her tail had been sewn to anchors, she would have believed them.
She distantly heard herself agreeing to whatever scheduling propositions Sebastian made, and when she was dismissed, found Adin and her sister 'not' listening at the door wearing matching shell-shocked expressions.
Adin escorted her past an ecstatic Adriatta to her rooms. As he left her at her door, Adin looked worried. Ariel didn't hear his questions as she let the door close behind her, and let the currents pull her to her sponge-bed. As she laid there, fighting to keep her gills working, she couldn't say how many deep breaths she'd forced herself to take, or how much time had passed when she heard a knock at her door.
"Princess Ariel?" It was Sebastian. "Ariel?"
Her limbs felt like they were filled with sinkers as she swam to open her door to the old crab.
"Good after—evening, Sebastian," she said limply. "Good evening."
"Might I come in, princess?" Sebastian asked gently. "Don't think I don't know when you're upset, and this one…well today was a big one for any princess. If I remember how your sister Adrea took things when she went to her first suitors' ball…"
Sebastian swam into her room, chattering about old memories, and did a lap around her head. Ariel sighed, knowing that Sebastian did indeed know her the best of her father's court. There were times that he felt more like a father to her than Triton.
"Yes, this one is a particularly bad one, and I don't have to guess why," he diagnosed. "You're thinking you're too young for these new duties, yes?"
Ariel opened and closed her mouth uselessly, but couldn't do much more than sigh.
"No? Not that then…." Sebastian blew a stream of bubbles into her face, and she managed a small smile. "I would wager then, young princess, that you worry over getting washed away and never seeing your friends."
She ducked her head, not wanting to admit exactly how strong her attachments had become outside of the palace. Sebastian only chuckled.
"I might be old, Ariel, but I can see heartache when it swims in front of my shell, and your cecaelian friends there, well, I might not like it, but they certainly treat you better than some of the suitors I've seen come for your sisters."
"You haven't told my father about them, have you?" Ariel found herself blurting.
A chuckle rumbled through Sebastian's shell. "Poseidon's beard, no, child! Just like I didn't mention your little trip to the shipwrecks today to save both our heads! But you shouldn't assume that he doesn't know. All I've told him is who keeps escorting you home when you run off. He might not like it either, but even he won't turn down responsible work."
Somehow, Ariel doubted that about her father, but despite his flighty past, Sebastian was never untruthful with her.
"You'll speak with father, then? About canceling the suit? Or delaying it?" Ariel's fins flapped excitedly, and her tail flicked hopefully.
Sebastian gave a strangled snort. "No, child! Once your father's made up his mind…well, let's just say I still like this life enough not to want to be boiled for soup!" He blew more bubbles when Ariel wilted back into herself. "But what I can do, princess, is give you an extra set of invitations for the lunar ball."
"How will that help? Ariel said miserably.
"Engagement balls are open to the eligibles of the kingdom. Surely you can think of a few mer from the outer rings who would want to come."
Ariel shook her head sadly, thinking aloud. "The last time Joe went to a ball, he was escorting the merchants, and he was grumbling about the stuffiness for a week, and Krill…I don't know if Krill would even like it. Something makes me doubt Joe ever taught him how to dance."
"And does mister Joe know how to...er, navigate a ball?"
Ariel blushed deeply. She knew the trade errands he'd run for Ursula to neighboring kingdoms had put him at castle events, which included balls. She just didn't know if he'd attended any or had just made the deliveries for them. Once when he'd gotten back from a trip to the Ligurian, she'd caught him humming a waltz while he worked, but when she'd peppered him with questions about it, he'd had to leave for another of Ursula's errands. Eventually, when she'd notice he'd disappear whenever she asked too much, she'd stopped asking altogether.
Sebastian smiled knowingly, as though she'd given something away—but even she was confused. "They would like it for a chance to dance with their princess one last time—and for a bit of fun before any engagement details are announced. Think of this as a night of freedom of your own. Something to look forward to before everything else sets in."
Ariel nodded. It wasn't much, but Sebastian was certainly sticking his neck out of his shell for her, and she appreciated the gesture. Even her own sister hadn't noticed how she felt about it all.
Sebastian produced two shining pearly invitations, and held them out to Ariel. "Now, there are, of course, two conditions…" he said.
Ariel half groaned, half laughed. "Of course," she chuckled grimly. "What can I do for you, Sebastian?"
Sebastian folded his claws across his shell. "None of that, young princess. I want you to show up to all of this suitor's scheduled events, and to behave as a princess of Atlantis while you do it. Don't be giving me or your father any reasons to put restrictions on your little fins while he's here."
For the second time that day, Ariel found herself agreeing without argument for the sake of time. There weren't many battles she could fight, and she had to save her energy for the ones that were possible. She wouldn't give her father a single excuse to fault her behavior if she could help it. She'd paint the last of her blue scales red if she had to—if only to get out of the palace to find Joe faster.