Chapter 12

The Search for a Missing Princess Begins

All three of us look at each other, though i was nervous about returning to Altantica, maybe now was the right time to return "Hang on i hear another name being called!" says Ollie. He and i stopped to listen and i managed to indentify the other name "Its, its Sebastian! We've got to get back to Atlantica right now!" i cry "But what about your meeting with the King?" asked Ollie "An't you still worried about what he is going to do to you?".

"I am nervous but i have to man up at some point hey? King Triton might even let me go softly if we volunteer to look for Ariel and Sebastian!" i say to them, Gabriella seemed look proud and was clapping her hands. We all set out to head back towards Atlantica and headed for the palace but before we do that i asked if we can make a pit stop on the way to Ariel's Grotto. Gabriella and Ollie had never been to Ariel's Grotto before, so i had to explain it while telling them its Ariel's secret place.

Ollie and Gabriella got the idea and promised not to say word even through the King knows about it now. We get there and i call out Ariel's and Sebastian's names as we entered. The Grotto was deserted and to my horror the whole Grotto looked like a giant whirlpool had been here. All of Ariel's precious human objects had been destroyed. "What happened in here?" asked Ollie "Who or what could have done this?" asks Gabriella in sign.

"I fled the scene when King Triton had caught me and Ariel in here hours before, everything was still in one piece and actually now that i think of it...i do remember hearing some crash bangs when i swam away! Oh my i hope this isn't the work of the King! He had his Trident with him!" i say to Gabriella and Ollie as i picked up a broken mirror. I look into the broken shards at my reflection and imagining Ariel beside me smiling into to it "Oh Ariel, where could you be?" i whisper to myself.

I feel a touch on my shoulder and i jump not realising this it was Gabriella "Let's continue our search!" she says in sign. I look into the shards and now all i see is myself having come out of my fantasy. I nodded as i placed the shards of mirror on one of the ledges "Your still very much in love with her an't you Urchin?" asks Gabriella in sign. "I will not stop looking for Ariel until i know she is safe and well! Whatever it takes!" i stated to her and Ollie who both seemed to understand.

"How romantic! Your love for Ariel is strong and powerful!" Gabriella states in sign with the sound of Ollie's voice, "Yeah and sounds like you are not going to give up!" Ollie says. I smile at them acknowledging them for their kind support and understanding "Whatever it takes! Oh and as soon as we find her, i'll help her clean up this Grotto!" i tell them as i look around for one last time "and we will be there to help too!" says Gabriella and Ollie both smiling.

We agreed to all make a move and continue to head to the palace while keeping a look out for any signs of Ariel or Sebastian. As we got closer, more and more sea creatures and merpeople were looking for them, screaming out their names. The more and more i think about it, i start to get a weird feeling that she is not in the ocean anymore...would that be possble? If so how?.

We got to the palace and instead of being holted by a palace guard, we were free to enter. The palace was deserted, even Ariel's sisters were no where to be seen "Maybe they had joined in the search for Ariel and Sebastian too" i say to Ollie and Gabriella. We soon reach the throne room and we see King Triton sitting misabley in his throne while saying the words "Oh what have i done! What have i done!" in a worried and sad sounding tone.

My nerves were overtaking me again, Gabriella gave me a push and some words of wisdom "Go on Urchin, your going to have to face him sooner or later! We will be here for you what ever the result!" she says while Ollie assisted her. I take a deep breath in and make my way into the throne room and King Triton immediately spots me.

"URCHIN!" King Triton cries. I slowly swim up closer to him while retaining a good distance between if i need to make a quick get away. I bow with my head down "Your Highness I wanted to apologize for...", "Urchin thank you but no time for that now, my daughter has gone missing and Sebastian too!" he says worriedly.I could see the worry-ness in his eyes "Have you seen her? Have you seen my daughter?" he asks quite abruptedly.

I was feeling quite relieved that i was not about to receive a punishment for lying and secret keeping but i could feel his pain. "I have the whole ocean search, no one is to sleep until she is safe at home!" he says to me, "I understand sir" i say. I then inform him that i had began the search already along with Gabriella and Ollie who were peering out of the door way.

The King's spirits seem to left at the knowledge that myself, Gabriella and Ollie are willing to join in the search for Ariel. King Triton, although unable to crack a smile thanked me "Thank you Urchin you really are a fine young merman". I answer back to him while slipping in an apology "Ahh Thank you your Highess and i am deelpy sorry for what i did". The King nods "Apology accepted young merman! Off you go!" he says to me, i smile and swim off to join Gabriella and Ollie in the search for Ariel and Sebastian.