* Date : January 13th, 1903
*Location: Vellona*
Queen Ariel glided through the grand hallways of her castle, the soft sounds of her steps echoing against the walls adorned with seashells and coral designs. The murmur of the ocean outside added a comforting backdrop to her movements, a reminder of the world she had left behind so many years ago. Despite her absence from the ocean for fifteen long years, a deep longing still tugged at her heart. She yearned for the waters that had once been her home, the waves that had sung her to sleep and the creatures that had been her companions. In an effort to fill the void left by her departure from the sea, she had adorned her kingdom with reminders of her underwater past, hoping to find solace in the echoes of her beloved ocean. Yet, beneath her regal exterior, a shadow lingered - a lingering pain from an incident that had shattered her world fifteen years ago.
The memory weighed heavy on her heart, casting a somber hue over her once vibrant spirit. Despite her efforts to bring joy to her kingdom, Queen Ariel wondered if she would ever truly find happiness again, if her smile would ever grace her lips as it once had. With her flowing sea- green gown swirling around her like the waves she'd had once been so costumed to, a regal crown of pearls rested atop her head, bringing attention to her bright red hair. With a grace that mirrored the gentle movements of seaweed swaying in the ocean currents, Queen Ariel exuded a calm elegance that drew the gaze of all who crossed her path. However, the curious glances she received were not solely due to her beauty or regal presence but also because she was known as the widowed wife of the late Prince Eric.
The weight of loss and grief colored her every step, a silent reminder of the love she had once shared with Prince Eric. Despite the admiration and respect she commanded as queen, a shadow of loneliness lingered in her eyes, a silent ache for the life and love she had lost. Queen Ariel moved through the corridors of her castle with a regal air, her graceful steps belying the weight of sorrow that clung to her heart. The echoes of the past followed her like ghostly whispers, haunting every corner of her once joyous kingdom. However, her story did not end there.
Every time Queen Ariel caught sight of her reflection, a pang of longing gripped her soul. Her thoughts turned to her beloved daughter, Melody, who had been cruelly taken from her on her very first birthday. It was a day marred by tragedy when Morgana, the sinister sister of Ursula, along with their father, the sorcerer Morgan, had orchestrated the abduction.
The memory of such a horrible day, cut deep at Ariel, casting a wound that refused to heal upon her, leaving Ariel with a sense of loss that shadowed her every move. Despite her royal stature as princess, because of Eric's passing, she had been forced to move up in her royal status and taken over the kingdom, as it seemed Eric's late father had passed from a unfamiliar sickness, meaning she was not only forced to take care of herself, but a whole kingdom as well. As she made her way through the busy hallways, nodding at the staff she saw walk by, she found her way to the royal chambers, where inside she found Carlotta, the kind - hearted maid known for her unwavering loyalty, as she'd apparently been taking care of Eric since he was a little boy, sharing her kindness with anyone she came across, how Ariel found her cheeks warming as as her mind replayed memories she had of her own experiences with Carlotta, when instead of judging her, she had tried to befriend the late mermaid princess, during her first time on land.
As Ariel entered, Carlotta looked up to see who had entered, once realizing it was her, she stared at Ariel with a bright warmness Ariel always admired. ''Good day, your Majesty,'' Carlotta greeted respectfully, curtsying before the queen. ''Good day, Carlotta,'' Ariel replied, try as she may to return the smile, her eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and warmth as her voice rang out off the echoey walls. ''How are we doing today?''
Carlotta observed Ariel's expression, sensing the hidden emotions beneath the queen's regal facade. With a kind and understanding gaze, she replied, "We are well, Your Majesty. And how might you be faring today?" Ariel's eyes met Carlotta's with a mixture of gratitude and longing, appreciating the maid's perceptive nature. "Thank you, Carlotta. Your presence brings a sense of comfort amidst the echoes of the past," Ariel expressed, a flicker of vulnerability shining through her regal demeanor. Carlotta nodded in understanding, her warm demeanor offering solace in the silent exchange between them. "It is my privilege to serve you, Your Majesty. Remember, even in moments of shadows, there is always a glimmer of light to guide us through," Carlotta reassured, her words carrying a sense of reassurance and wisdom.
"It'll be sixteen years in six months since his passing, and Melody's-" Ariel began, her voice tinged with sorrow, before Carlotta gently interrupted. "Your Majesty, you don't need to say her name. I know how it pains you," Carlotta said softly, her compassionate gaze meeting Ariel's before the queen could utter the words that held such tender memories and deep heartache. Ariel nodded gratefully, touched by Carlotta's understanding and sensitivity. In that brief pause, an unspoken bond of empathy and support enveloped them, transcending words and offering solace in the shared silence. ''I had the royal painter commission another work of art, one I think you will be pleased with, your highness.'' In a moment spent in silence, Carlotta carefully moved to the other side of the large room, where she removed thick, black, lace from over-top something, something if Ariel hadn't been so good at hiding her emotions up to now, would have sent her to her knees in seconds. A beautifully painted portrait of her husband, Prince Eric. The artwork depicted Eric in his prime, his features captured in remarkable detail and emotion.
The artist had skillfully rendered every aspect of Eric's likeness - from his expressive blue eyes that seemed to gaze out with warmth and strength, to his chiseled jawline that spoke of determination and strength. To his dark, raven, hair, cascading down his face in gentle waves, framing his noble face with a touch of youthful vitality. The background of the painting was a soft blend of ocean hues, reminiscent of the sea that Eric had loved so dearly, the sea where she and him had first met, where she'd saved him when his ship had sunk. Each brushstroke seemed to capture a moment frozen in time, a memory preserved for eternity. As Ariel laid her eyes upon the painting of her beloved, a rush of emotions flooded her heart. Grief mingled with love as she traced the familiar features of Eric's face with trembling fingers, feeling the weight of his absence keenly. The painting had been capable of breaking through to her thin heart, as a wave of memories - a flood of laughter, stolen memories, and the love that had bound them together came swarming back. It wasn't long till tears were welling up behind her blue eyes as her soul gazed into the portrait The sight of Eric, immortalized in art, stirred a mixture of longing and gratitude within him. Despite the pain she felt from his loss, seeing him in such a lifelike detail brought a sense of solace and a reminder of the enduring love they had shared.
"Is that one for Melody?" Ariel inquired softly, her gaze shifting to the corner where a second frame sat, veiled in the same black lace covering. Carlotta nodded gently, her eyes reflecting understanding and empathy. "Yes, Your Majesty. It is a portrait of what the princess would look like today," Carlotta explained softly, her eyes filled with compassion. "The artist insisted that you be brought the painting. I tried to tell him not to paint it because I know how this time makes you feel, but he wouldn't take no for an answer, he said your soul needs to see it.''
With a trembling hand, Ariel reached out towards the veiled painting intended to depict Melody as she would be today. The anticipation mingled with trepidation as she prepared herself to confront the image of the daughter she would never know. The artist's insistence on creating the portrait spoke volumes of the enduring connection between mother and child, a bond that transcended time and distance. Perhaps the artist had lost a child as well, and could understand where she was coming from, perhaps this was her way of offering Ariel some of those unanswered questions. As the black lace was gently removed, revealing the painting beneath, Queen Ariel's breath caught in her throat at the sight before her. The portrait depicted a sixteen-year-old version of Melody, her beloved daughter, captured in striking detail by the skilled hand of the artist. Melody's vibrant red hair cascaded around her shoulders like a fiery waterfall, framing her youthful face with a touch of wild elegance. Her warm blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief and kindness, mirroring the depths of her spirit and the untamed spirit that Ariel had always cherished. A wide, infectious smile graced Melody's lips, radiating joy and vitality that seemed to leap off the canvas. The artist had captured the essence of youth and innocence, portraying Melody in a moment of pure happiness that spoke of carefree days and endless possibilities.
Melody's attire in the portrait was a larger rendition of the dress she had worn on her first birthday, a white gown with delicate salmon stripes running down the middle. The dress exuded a simple elegance, a reflection of Melody's own grace and charm that shone through in every brushstroke. The background of the painting was a soft blend of pastel colors, creating a gentle contrast that highlighted Melody's vibrant presence. The play of light and shadow danced across the canvas, adding depth and dimension to the portrait, as if capturing a fleeting moment frozen in time. As Ariel took in the image of her daughter, a rush of emotions washed over her - love, longing, and a profound sense of loss mingled with hope. The sight of Melody, depicted as a radiant - sixteen - year old with her bright red hair and warm blue eyes, filled Ariel's heart with a mix of joy and sorrow, a reminder of the daughter she had been forced to part with on that fateful day.
As Ariel's gaze lingered on the portrait of her daughter, a wave of memories crashed over her, pulling her back to that fateful day etched in her mind like a scar. The image of the celebration ship engulfed in flames danced before her eyes, the vivid recollection of chaos and despair flooding her senses. In her mind's eye, Ariel saw the glittering ship ablaze, flames licking at the sky like hungry tongues of fire. The echoes of screams and cries mingled with the crackling of burning wood, a symphony of terror and tragedy that still haunted her dreams. The once joyful atmosphere of Melody's birthday celebration had turned into a nightmare of smoke and ash, shattering their world in an instant. Eric's valiant efforts to go back to try and save their quests, as he yelled at her to flee with their daughter, only for her to get grabbed by Morgana and Morgan, remembering what it felt like to be chocked by tentacles, as Melody's ear-pericing cries pounds against Ariel's skull.
As the flames consumed the ship and everything she had held dear, Ariel's heart clenched with a raw, primal anguish that tore through her soul. Though she hadn't been there to see the ship completely sink, as she had been pulled from the waters, as she found herself awakening on shore the next morning, to some of the servants absolute shock, seeing her all alone. The memory of that tragic day, when she'd lost both her husband and daughter in one cruel twist of fate, was unlike any wound she had faced before. The pain inflicted upon her by Ursula was unlike anything like this.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Carlotta's gentle voice cut through the nightmarish scenes playing out in Ariel's mind, pulling her back from the haunting memories of flames and sea. Ariel blinked, her eyes refocusing on the present, the echoes of the past slowly fading into the background as she took in Carlotta's concerned expression. With a shaky breath, she nodded, grateful for the maid's timely intervention.
"I... I am fine, Carlotta," Ariel replied, her voice a mere whisper, her heart still heavy with the weight of the past. "It was just... a moment of overwhelming memories."
Carlotta's eyes softened with understanding, her presence a comforting anchor in the storm of Ariel's emotions. "I am here for you, Your Highness. Always," she assured, her words a soothing balm to Ariel's troubled soul.
With a grateful smile, Ariel reached out and clasped Carlotta's hand, drawing strength from the unspoken bond between them. In that fleeting touch, a silent reassurance passed between queen and maid, a reminder that they were not alone in their shared journey through loss and longing. "Please send a thank you letter to the artist, inform them that I love them both, so dearly..." Ariel's voice wavered, her heart heavy with emotion as she spoke, her words a tender plea tinged with sorrow. With a quivering breath, she turned away from Carlotta, unable to bear the weight of her gaze upon the tears that now streamed down her cheeks. ''Right away.'' Carlotta replied. ''I've gone ahead and rescheduled all of your duties for the day, please take care of yourself.''
With a deep breath, Ariel composed herself, wiping away the tears that strained her cheeks, a silent tribute to the love she held for her lost family. In the quiet chambers, she found a moment of respite, a sanctuary of solace amidst the storm of emotions that raged within her. ''I'll be off now,''' she said, as she took off walking out of the room, as a thought of adrenaline came over her, she wanted to talk to her father...