Date : January 13th, 1903
Location: The Kingdom of Vellona.
The young queen gilded through the grand hallways of her castle, the soft sounds of her four inch heels echoing against the large, and thick walls of ancient stone. The intricate tapestries that adorned the walls danced gently in the draft, their vibrant colors catching the faint glow of the chandeliers overhead. Each step she took was posted with deliberate, reflecting the weight of her crowns and the expectations resting upon her fair shoulders. As she passed through the arched doorways, whispers trailed behind her like shadows. Courtiers exchanged glances, their eyes flooded with a mixture of admiration and envy, but mostly sadness - for everyone knew the heartbreaking tale behind their queen. The young queen carried the sorrow of the people as if it were a shroud, woven from the grief still latched onto her from all those years ago. Since the incident that left her fatherless and without her family. The hallways eventually opened to the expansive throne room, its ceiling soaring high above, adorned with golden filigree and murals that narrated a history of valor and sacrifice. The queen paused for a moment before stepping inside, allowing the weight of her lineage to settle up on her as she contemplated the expectations of the throne. No longer merely a daughter of the kingdom, she was no its heartbeat. Two heartbeats, as Fifteen years ago now, she had been forced to not only take the throne on land, but take the throne in the sea, as her father was no longer around to do it, and the strange disappearance of all of her sisters since the disaster at her daughter's first birthday party.
Despite the turmoil reverberating within her, the queen squared her shoulders and drew in a steadying breath, steeling herself for the moment. The dueling Kingdoms of Atlantica and Vellona were her life's blood, each needing her strength as both sovereign and symbol. She had weathered storms that had sunk many rulers long before her, the heartbreaking losses of her father and sisters weighed heavily, but in these harrowing times, she was determined not to falter. As she stepped into the throne room, the grand space seemed to swell within her - a blend of opulence and sorrow. The air felt thick with the histories and expectations of her people. The blue and gold banners of Atlantica and Vellona hung proudly from the walls, shimmering in the flickering light of countless candles, acting as a unyielding reminder that both kingdoms were now one. The queen took her place on the raised dais, the cool stone of the throne grounding her as she steadied her heartbeat, a reminder that she was still here, still fighting, still queen. She could see the faces of her advisors, a mixture of loyalty and apprehension written across their features. They expected her to lead, yet there was an unspoken challenge in the air : how could she lead when she felt so wholly unprepared?
Well, she was lucky, for as she was now the queen of two kingdoms, of land, and sea, that meant she controlled the power of the all powerful artifact that was her father's trident. With it's power, she was not only able to give herself a mermaid tail when ever she liked to visit her first home, but she was also able to give her people down below legs if they chose, and surprisingly, most wished to walk on land. Including her two closest friends, Sebastian, and Flounder. As the echoes of her heartbeat began to steady, she turned her thoughts to her father's trusted trident, the way he wielded it, commanding the seas with brilliance and grace. It was said that the trident held the essence of the kingdom, now it was holding onto the essence of both kingdoms, Atlantica's azure depths, and Vellona's vibrant shores - and now, it was her responsibility to harness that power, to mold it according to her vision for their futures. ''You're highness, I think we should begin.'' The little mermaid, or has she had been known once, slowly moved her eyes from the grand mural of her family to the expectant faces in the throne room. Her pulse was quickening, as she caught the gaze of human Sebastian, his large, expressive eyes filled with born concern and encouragement. ''Right,'' she murmured, steeling herself for the inevitable demands of her role. ''Let us begin, then. What news from the borders?'' Sebastian cleared his throat, glancing at the assembled advisors, their eyes widening as the weight of the moment settled over them like a fog cloud. ''Your Majesty, we've received troubling reports from the eastern shores. The fishermen speck of strange sightings, shadows lurking beneath the shadows. They've described figures of darkness with eight limbs, moving with unsettling grace. Some believe it to be merely an illusion born from sunken vessels, but the fishermen are terrified. They refuse to set foot back in the ocean, and without the sales the kingdom earns from those fish sales, the villagers are going to have problems saving up for the winter months.''
The murmurs of anxiety ripped through the throne room, as the atmosphere thickened as each advisor leaned closer, eager to grasp the full ramifications of Sebastian's report. Ariel could feel their trepidation like a weight upon her chest, pressing down with an urgency that mirrored the tides of the sea. ''Dark figures? Dark figures with eight limbs? You mean octopus's?'' she echoed, her voice steadier than she felt inside.
''You're Majesty, I know that look, you don't think it could be...''
''I don't know, Sebastian. But if she's still out there, somewhere, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I allowed her to go free after all these years.''
''Morgana and her father, Morgan.'' Ariel's breath hitched at the mention of Morgana's name, a specter of the past rising up from the depths of her memory. ''We must act swiftly,'' she said, her voice etched with resolve, echoing off the grand stone walls of the throne room. ''If it really is Morgana, we cannot wait for her to unleash whatever dark forces she's conjured up to attack us. As it would appear by the report you read, Sebastian, she's already tried taking over corners of the ocean.'' Sebastian nodded, his brow furrowed with concern, as she ran a hand through his short bright red hair. ''I agree with you, but we need to consider the implications. If Morgana had allied with creatures of the deep, she could disrupt the fragile peace, she's already started by messing with the fishermen, I'm worried with our limited resources, we might not be able to reach her in time.'' Ariel's determination didn't waver at Sebastian clear concern, as she took a deep breath into her lungs before she let out another few words. ''If I have to go and hunt her down myself, I will.'' She said with a cold, calculating stare, that made Sebastian's very bones freeze. Never in all of his years watching over the former little mermaid, did he ever see a stare so cold, he could feel the temperature right inside of him.
''Then what do you propose we do?'' Sebastian asked, try as he might to ground the conversation. ''Clearly, this is no simple matter, and your feeling that we should act is understandable, but-''
''I already told you, Sebastian. If I must, I will act alone.'' Ariel repeated with that same fierce cold glare. ''I cannot stand by while the threat of unlimited darkness looms over my people, not when I possess the power to stop it. I will face her. I owe it to them. I cannot let the ghosts of the past dictate the future of both kingdoms. Eric wouldn't expect that of me, to just give up.''
''Ariel...'' Sebastian pleaded, using her name, which caused a small group of butterflies to fly up from her stomach, as she watched him with still green eyes, as he stepped towards where she was seated. ''Your safety is our top priority. I promised your father I'd watch out for you, even if it meant leaving the ocean to walk on land. I strongly believe we are stronger united. Let us arm ourselves-gather a stronger army, surely one of our friends in the kingdom over the sea, could help us?''
''You have always been a loyal friend to me, Sebastian.'' she replied, eyes softening momentarily. ''But I am the queen, and this what I've decided.'' Around her, the advisors whispered amongst themselves, casting furtive glances at one another. The weight of her resolve pressed against them, as a storm of emotions swirled into the large white room. Suddenly, a voice broke through the hesitation silence. ''It would be my honor to accompany you.'' a striking figure emerged from the shadows - Nerissa, the once-outcast siren, her voice drawing attention to her like a siren's call. She strode forward, confidence radiating off of her as she bore her eyes up at Ariel. ''I have lived long in the shadows, among those dangerous currents. I know of the history of Morgana, and her dark dealings. So, I believe together we can be quite valuable to one another.''
''Nerissa Archeron, the only reason you know the history of Morgana and my past, is because you have lived on fringes, harboring the secrets other would rather forget,'' Ariel replied, her voice steady yet laced with caution.
''With all due respect, your highness, that's not the only reason. Have you forgotten, I used to know your daughter.'' Nerissa's gaze remained unwavering as she let that last bit of information loose, her expression a blend of determination. The throne room fell into a stunned silence, every advisor's breath catching in their throat as their eyes remained glued on the two powerful women. Ariel's breath quickened as she processed the siren's words, the mention of her daughter, Melody, struck into her like a sharp wave, forcing memories of that day to all come flooding back. ''You couldn't have known about her, she was only a baby when she was taken from me.''
''Again with no disrespect, you seem to have forgotten a few details, your highness. I know about your daughter, because I was there, on the day of her very first birthday - because we were supposed to be celebrating our birthdays together, mine, and the princesses. My mother was there, as was my father, Carlotta and Lois Mcclurg.'' Ariel's heart twisted in her chest at the Nerissa's words, each name resonating with buried memories that threatened to claw themselves straight out of her skull. The recollection of joyful laughter mingling with the cracking sound of fire as the boat they had been celebrating on, began to sink, accompanied by the crash of dark waters as they came slamming into the side. ''You were there?'' Ariel's voice quaked, a mixture of shock and longing. ''How-how-do I not remember you?'' Stepping closer, her eyes filled with understanding that transcended the bounds of their current circumstances, Nerissa found Ariel's soft, tear-filled, green eyes. ''We were born just a few months apart, you thought it would be fun to have our birthdays on the same day, my mom was over the moon when she heard the idea. It was supposed to be a pact of friendship between our families.'' Ariel shook her head, trying to reconcile the memories that juggled around inside her, like pieces from a puzzle. ''That day has haunted me every night since it happened, I would have remembered that..''
''My parents were killed when the boat went down,
"Not everyone," Nerissa replied softly, sadness threading through her voice. "I witnessed that joy, but I also felt the ripples of Morgana's dark tide even then. We shared those moments together, and when she struck, I was just as helpless as you were. But I have carried the knowledge of your daughter with me, and the hope that one day we might find her again."
Ariel's breath caught in her throat as she held Nerissa's gaze. "You must understand, my world shattered that day. Melody was ripped from my arms, and every moment since has been a fight against the darkness that consumes my heart. How do I know you're not just using these memories to disguise your true intentions?"
Nerissa's expression remained firm. "You don't have to trust me entirely at this moment, but know that I am here to help. My own past is filled with loss, and I know too well the scars that come with it. I carry the burden of the choices made against us—all against our will. I want a chance to atone, to help you reclaim that which was taken." The advisors present murmured among themselves, uncertainty rippling through the air, as Sebastian leaned into the tension himself. ''While emotion guides you now, Ariel, remember that we are in a perilous position. Trust must be earned, and we must weigh in our options carefully.'' Ariel nodded,her heart battling between the desperation for her daughter and the instinct of self-preservation. ''I understand what I'm risking, Sebastian. But if there is even a small chance that Nerissa here can lead me to the whereabouts of my daughter, or to someone who may know more, I have to take it...and who knows...'' Ariel's body language shifted noticeably as the last sentence escaped her bright red lips. ''Maybe Eric can be found in the process.'' Nerissa Mcclurg's eyes glinted with a mix of determination and hope as she pressed a fist against her body. ''I swear to you, your highness, I will try my very best to aid you in your search for your daughter, and husband. I will gather allies, devise the strategies, and fortify our defenses in the mean time. The only thing I ask is that you allow me the power I need to access my tail.''
At this Ariel's eyes widened - she had no idea Nerissa was not entirely human. ''Your tail? Am I to understand your half human-half mermaid?' Ariel asked, disbelief mingling with curiosity as she stared at the young girl, eyes never moving away from her. ''You see, your highness's. As much as I loved her, Carlotta wasn't my birth mother. She took me in when my birth mother passed away. It was a difficult time for me, filled with grief and uncertainty. I didn't know what to do with myself. I remember feeling so lost and alone, wondering what would become of me in a world that suddenly felt so cold and empty. Then one day, while walking with her husband, Lois, Carlotta found me, washed ashore, wailing my little head off. Most importantly, I was alone. She came into my life like a beacon of hope, both of them, offering me a place to stay, warmth, and kindness when I needed it the most. They welcomed me into their home and treated me as if I were her own child, filling the void that my mother's absence left behind. They worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed, from food, and shelter, to love and guidance. Over time, they became not just a guardian, but a true mother and father to me. Together, I was taught life lessons, shared stories from the past, and instilled in me values that I carry with me day to day. Our bond grew deeper as I navigated through my grief for the mother I didn't get to know. So, while I may not be her biological child, I feel just as much her own as if I had been born from her very arms. The love and loyalty I feel for Carlotta and Lois run deep, and I am forever grateful for the sacrifices they made to ensure my well-being, more so once they realized they hadn't taken home a entirely human baby.'' As Ariel listened intently, she found herself riveted by the depth of Nerissa's story. The young girl's eyes glimmered with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow as she recounted her upbringing, diving deeper into what it was like when she realized both her parents weren't coming back after that horrible day, when that ship had sunk, and it was all because of Ursula's family! Even from the dead, that sea witch is still finding a way to ruin her life!
''I'm truly sorry for the sadness you must be going through after the lose of both Carlotta and Lois. I didn't know them long, but Carlotta helped me when I first arrived at Eric's castle, and for that I will always be greatful towards her. As for Lois, I didn't know if very well, but I could see how happy he made your mother. But I must ask you, Nerissa. Why do you feel so strongly to help aid me in reuniting with my family?'' Nerissa took a moment to gather her thoughts, the flicker of memories dancing behind her soft eyes. She had shared so much of her past, but the question posed by Ariel went deeper, reminding her of the bond they were forging amid the chaos of their lives. ''You see, your highness,'' Nerissa began.
''Ariel is fine.''
''Um, alright. When I lost my parents, I lost not just my parents but my hope for another family. They showed me unconditional love and kindness in the wake my of despair. It was through their guidance and support that I learned to embrace the beauty of life-even in its imperfections.'' She paused, letting the weight of her thoughts linger in the heavy air. ''Then when you came to the castle, I felt an immediate connection towards you. Even though I hadn't spoken to you till now, I could see you were carrying a light that seemed to beckon the ocean itself. When you first spoke of your family, I saw the fierce determination in your eyes. It reminded me of the love I once knew. In you, I see a chance to honor the memory of my parents, to help another person find their way back to their loved ones-to help you reclaim what was taken from you. And even though I can't have that chance, I can help you...because I truly believe its not too late.'' Ariel felt a wave of powerful respect towards this young girl as she straightened in her seat. ''Thank you for sharing all of this with me, Nerissa. I hold great respect towards you for sharing as much as you did with me. I realize now that this journey is as much about healing ourselves as it is about finding our families. We will honor Carlotta and Lois through our actions and our determination. And once this is finished, and the castle is brought peace, I promise you we will honor Carlotta and Lois in a ceremony.'' Nerissa smiled, a glimmer of hope brightening her eyes like the first rays of dawn breaking through a dark night.
''Yes! Together, we can reclaim those parts of ourselves that Ursula tried to steal away, those pieces that once felt lost in the shadows of her sickness. We are not merely victims of our past; we are determined warriors, each of us carrying the echoes of our strength from our shared experiences, transforming our pain into power! I mean, come on, I get the extraordinary opportunity to work alongside ''The Little Mermaid'' What a fantastical and empowering experience this is! It's like stepping into a magical tale where we get to reclaim our voices, our courage, and our sense of self. In this journey, we not only uplift one another, but also embrace the beauty of our shared stories, weaving them into a tapestry of resilience. When I was just a small toddler, my mom would tell me your story every night before I went to sleep, so I've kind of been dreaming of those moment for like ever!''
At this, Ariel let out a soft, melodious laugh that seemed to dance in the air like tiny air bubbles rising to the surface of the ocean. The sound was light and airy, filed with the joy and wonder of a once young mermaid who cherished the moments of magic in her underwater home. As her laughter echoed gently around her, she turned her gaze to the brilliant golden light emanating from her father's trident, a magnificent artificial of power and authority connected to their underwater home, however when she moved to rule on land as well as sea, she began to notice the trident's power shift, as if it was transforming to accommodate both worlds - land and sea. In that moment, Ariel felt her connection to her family deepen, as did her bond with the ocean, and the adventures that awaited her in the world both above and below the water's surface, as she realized she was about to break the vow she made never to return to the sea until she had answers..and now, she was confident enough in herself to finally break that vow.