Attina was worried as she saw her sister and Lena's faces. It had been a worrisome night for the princesses; news spread like wildfire of them not returning after the late hours of the night. Father had gone furious, and even King Poseidon felt fear as the silent king could be seen pacing around the throne room, desperately in need of his daughter. They had sent the twelve daughters out into the kingdom to find the young girl's, as a last ditch effort in keeping the family together.
Ariel and Lena gazed upon the sisters, their faces a mixture of fear, worrisomeness, and comfort, knowing that they were safe after that dark and stormy night. They were fully aware that they had spent the night up above, away from their father's rule. But all that did was fuel the fire that had been lit in Triton's eyes. The longer, the elder merman sat on his throne, the punishment and conflict transpired, as Ariel and Lena would know of the results of what their adventures would bring to the kingdom.
"Ariel, Lena! There are some important things that we must discuss, and I won't take no for an answer!" Attina declared, placing a hand on her sister's shoulder, as the red-haired mermaid looked up at her sister, feeling something inside of her heart, something that wasn't the love for that human above, it was different. It was almost like her father's grasp on her conscience, it was commanding, overbearing and carrying enough weight to make her feel like the tides were crushing her down to the sea floor. However, it had a difference compared to her "Father" It was also comforting, full of respect and love, the same feeling that her mother had given her before that fateful day.
"Ariel, Lena! Trish and I have decided that going forward, we are going to try and take the throne from Father and King Poseidon. I know that your heart, and mind are normally elsewhere, and that as sisters, at least on our side of this ocean, is quite opinionated, and has created a mess given how father has treated you, treated us in the grand scheme of things. I just wanted you to know that what we do today isn't just for the good of the ocean, but for you as well. No longer should you have to suffer at that man's hands again!" Attina declared, taking her hand off of Ariel's shoulder, and shifting to gently rubbing Ariel's hair, offering a small grin, as the youngest princess felt tears rolling from her eyes, as the sounds of cheering rose from all the daughters of the sea.
Lena could only look in amazement as she watched the daughters, their voices high, spirits strong. Even though it wasn't as big of an issue, with thoughts of romance on her mind, it was a nice feeling to know that they were cared for, and that the ocean would be in good hands once the King's were overthrown. Sure, her father didn't do anything wrong with the same cruelty as Triton, but even she knew that he wasn't to rule for much longer. Not with how his health had taken a backseat over the happiness of his kingdom, he needed to be replaced sooner rather than later when their home was in chaos. The blond princess has hoped that a trip to another kingdom would invigorate her father enough to see that he needed to think about his family, and how his timid, yet stubbornness would be of great turmoil not just to the daughters, but how it would affect each person, each fish that lived in the kingdom.
"Girls, I think we should go someplace more quiet, Lena, and I have something important to say as well." Ariel whispered, pointing in the direction of her grotto, as the sisters, nodded, knowing that the community support of Ariel's hobbies was about to be put to the test, as the newest secret, and impact on the daughters' collection were about to change everyone's life forever. Quickly the group of mermaids swam towards the grotto, following Ariel, unaware of a looming figure in the distance watching them, with eyes of interest as well as anger towards whatever secret was being hidden from him.
—--
Aquata was nervous, as the fifth daughter could see her sister's grotto in the distance, she could feel her hands tighten. If it had been a year, almost two since any of the princesses were involved in their little sisters' activities, sure that was harmless fun, and definitely exciting to go on adventures, but that lingering fear of their father was still weighing on their minds. As the last time they got involved, Father nearly threw them back in a cell, and attempted to cut them off from the palace, from their legacy's and birthright, all for silly beliefs and desires of family. Would this time be different, had the cruel king changed at all, or was this event going to end in downfall? As everyone could see the look in Ariel's eyes, she wasn't just excited to be around her priceless memories, it was the feeling of love. Something had overtaken her, as little details had escaped the red-haired mermaid.
She was smiling a lot more, humming blissfully, and placing a flower in her hair. However, the sisters knew that the love their sister had wasn't a normal love, it was a love that had happened overnight, so it wasn't a merman that she had kept secret unless it was of a friend from her adventures. No, it was more than that. As Aquata could see it in Ariel's eyes, she had fallen for a human, that was the only reason why she'd rush to her sanctity and tell them where no one would judge her, tell her that it was foolish, or a mistake. The one place where they could reasonably talk about what was the biggest moment in the kingdom, maybe even the ocean.
As the blue-tailed mermaid, felt the sense of someone touching her, turning to see the third princess of Lena's family, Princess Mala, silently the older princess pointed to Princess Lena. As Aquata and even the others looked over to the youngest princess, she had the same look as Ariel. Something that was impossible happened twice that fateful night, they had fallen for not one, but two humans that night. It was a sight to behold, as even when they arrived at the grotto, the feeling that this conversation was going to be both ruff and exciting entered everyone's minds. How were they going to deal with Ariel and Lena's love lives and overthrow the kingdom's? How far were they willing to support Ariel, and Lena, even though they meant the world to them? Aquata and a few others shook their heads; they couldn't back down from this; no one was suffering by outdated beliefs and rulers ever again. If Ariel, and Lena wanted to be with the humans, they wouldn't stop them!
—--
The tension was growing, as the sisters entered the grotto ahead of Ariel. The tightening feeling of the grotto was noticeable—a small hole under the sea that was useful for four men—maybe six, but not the fourteen—were engulfed in the walls, each princess was almost pressed together, as the sun above shined down into the grotto. Ariel and Lena are looking up at the sun, imagining its warmth against their skin, thoughts of walking on sandy beaches with their princes ever present in their minds.
"Ariel, Lena! You're in love with humans, correct?" Aquata whispered, knowing the answer, but needing to hear it from their lips. She could only fear the worst if Father learned of this romance, even though she thought it was kind of sweet from a different culture and ecosystem point of view. The thought of Ariel impacting human culture could be a benefit to the sea, less fish would be taken, her sister would find happiness, and a bigger reason for her desires of the unknown world above.
"We are, my dearest sisters! I know it sounds crazy, but we truly believe it was love at first sight. Now we can't stop thinking about them—the happiness in their smiles, the dancing of those feet, the sea against our hair, as if the world were spinning just for us. It was magical, even after we saved them from drowning, it was as if fate didn't want us to be apart despite having to be hidden. We just can't stop, and yet don't know what to do about King Triton and his father, telling us it's foolish, and to stop this madness." Lena declared, holding her hands tightly, as a small blush arose on her face. The princess could feel her heart flutter in delight as she tried to remember the face of the blond prince she had saved.
"Oh my goodness, so many mermaids in one place, truly a blessing in disguise, tell me, children, what seems to be hurting you dearly!" A voice called out, as everyone looked at the entrance of the grotto, only for nobody to be around, as Ariel and Lena looked up at the small opening above, spotting a shadowy figure looming over them. The two princesses swam up to see the figure, the closer they got to the top, the more they could see the person. She had long white hair, a blue fin that was more akin to an ell, a purple cape and blue dress, and blue seashell earrings.
"Hey, who are you?" Lena declared, looking at the unknown stranger, as the sounds of her and Ariel's sisters could be heard leaving the grotto to find them above.
"Who me, honey? I'm simply a gal in need of a little happiness, same as yourselves. The drama of this kingdom and the horrific ruler that contributed to the pain of your prince's last night. It's something else, my name is Cassandra, magic is the game, and helping people is the payment. You'll find me, in the darkest part of the sea, and believe me, you'll come swimming, asking for help. After all, Daddy is right behind you, and he doesn't look too happy to see all of this!" Cassandra said, as everyone turned around in horror, at the sight of the king, the trident glowing brightly as his rage grew.
"Cassandra! How dare you show your face in this kingdom once again! I thought Poseidon had you locked up in the darkest dungeon in the ocean. Tell me what you are doing here, and maybe I won't destroy you, monster!" Triton declared, pointing his trident at the sea witch, waiting for the cruel woman to beg for her life like Morgana did, but that didn't happen, instead she smiled, raising her hands up into the air, and with a flicker of her wrist, she dropped a potion full of unknown liquid down into the grotto, as Ariel's eyes widen in horror at what would happen, as she watched the bottle fall into her grotto.
In an instance, a flash of purple light engulfed the area, as the last thing everyone saw was the smile of the sea witch, as the area started to shake, and crumble around them, as the grotto had been blown up, causing human treasures, and items to rain down upon the sea, as the look on Trident's face grew darker, as he fired a shot at the sea which only for her to be gone, but her voice could tell me heard on the back of his mind.
"I don't plan on going anywhere, Triton! After all, if it weren't for your friend Poseidon for freeing me, you wouldn't have known that your youngest daughter, and Poseidon's, was craving the forbidden desires of the human world, even to the point of falling for a human prince, or how the eldest daughters have plotted to overthrow you to take the throne and the ocean, from your cold, cruel hands that have hurt them far too often! So don't get too comfortable on that throne, because whether it's me, or one of those girls, your time is going to be up real soon!" Cassandra let out, laughing as she sucked back down into the darkness, as the King let out a massive roar that was felt across the sea, and the surface above, with only one thought that could escape his mouth. As he fired, a beam of energy into the sky.
"Ariel, Lena!" Trident shouted, pointing his Trident at the girl, all of them, as his eyes grew red with anger. As everyone in the sea knew at that moment, the happy little fairy tale that they had wanted was not going to be as easy as they had planned.