In one of the highest towers in Vellona Palace, saw Queen Ursula sitting before her ornate mirror, her fingers working tirelessly as she tried to rid her long flowing, brown, hair of , as she swept the brush through her locks, she felt an unsettling cold tingle slithering down her a third, then fourth, stroke of the brush, she noticed something shift before her eyes.A transformation. The brown hue of her hair was dancing, as if possessed, turning from the usual shade of chestnut brown she was used too, to a vibrant scarlet, red, flickering in the light like dying knew right away what was happening to her.''Good evening, Ariel.'' she sighed, as she closed her eyes for a moment, as she rubbed her fingers against them, trying as she might to rid herself of invisible tiredness.
''I know what you did, sea witch,'' Ariel replied, a voice full of hatred, as Ursula tried to ignore the young princess.''I know what you and Morgana have been doing.'' Ursula turned slightly, pretending to be engrossed in arranging her myriad of hairpins and needles, but inside, she felt the tight grip of anxiety.''I don't think I know what you mean, dear,'' she quipped dismissively, feigning innocence.''Making my daughter work as a slave tending to you and your sister!'' Ariel's voice flared with righteous anger, cutting through the silence of the tower like a sharpened accusation lingered in the air, almost palpable, as Ursula faced the reflection staring back at her - both alluring and menacing as she no longer saw her own reflection, but Ariel's.
''Slave? Such a strong word for a mere apprentice,'' Ursula retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she placed emphasis over the word ''apprentice.'' ''Isn't it noble for her to learn the ways of the sea?She will be a maid worthy of the dust under the stove!'' she was laughing and smiling now, clearly enjoying mocking the 's expression twisted in disgust in response, a mixture of anger and indignation flashing across her features.''You're robbing my daughter of her freedom and her very identity!'' Ursula's smirk faded as she regarded Ariel with mirror's reflection drew her in, and she glimpsed the fire of determination flickering to life within the youngprincess.''Oh, don't feign the martyr act, 've sheltered your daughter in a bubble ever since she was a merechild!Someone has to teach her the harsh realities of our world, if she even hopes to surviveit.''
''Harsh realities?'' Ariel hissed, the heat of anger fueling her next fewwords.''Her life shouldn't be filled with servitude to you and your think this is aboutstrength?This is about stripping away everything good andpure!''
"Good and pure?" Ursula chuckled darkly, turning her back on themirror."Have you ever considered that your view of the world is a fool'sdream?Power lies in knowing how to manipulate it-not in playing the your daughter is destined for more than just being tucked away in somefairytale."
"Destined for more, or destined to become your puppet?" Ariel pressed, her voice trembling withemotion."You don't care for her future-you're using her to fulfill your own insatiablegreed!" Ursula's patience wore thin, and the deceptive calm she had cultivated began tosplinter."I care for survival, Ariel. In this realm, the weak are consumed, while the and I understand that, and one way or another, your daughter willlearn."
"No," Ariel ground out, her resolvefirm."Not if I have anything to say aboutit.I won't let her fall prey to yourschemes." Ursula met her gaze, an amused smirk curling her lips as she scrutinized the defiance burning within the youngprincess."Do you truly believe you can protect her fromme?Fromus?"
"I believe you'll regret underestimating my determination," Ariel shot back, steeling a brief moment, the air between them crackled with an electric tension, the entire tower vibrating with their animosity-like a tide about to crash upon theshore.''Well good luck with that, right now the only plans I have for your daughter, come in the form of for the threats, I suggest you watch yourself, wouldn't want to step out of line, and cost your husband whatever life he hasleft,''
''You may dive in if you wish, but don't cry when the currents pull youunder.''
''Eric wouldn't want Melody to be under your control, anymore than I would. Mark my words, Ursula - I will not rest until I've freed my daughter from your grasp, and taken back my body. ''Ariel declared over her shoulder, her voice resolute. Ursula chuckled as she watched Ariel's reflection fade from the mirror, her own return, as she saw her beautiful, lavender, eyes. ''Let the games begin, my dear,'' she whispered to the empty mirror, a wide grin spreading across her lips. The stage was set, and the dark tide was starting to rise.