Ariel and the Adorable Snowbeast

Chapter 2: The Rulers of the Land and Sea

In the grand foyer of his castle, surrounded by arched windows to let in the white sunlight after the blizzard, Eric rubs his bare chin. Feeling stubble on his cheeks, he rubs at his tired eyes with an exhausted sigh.

His closest companion joins his side, hands folded dutifully on his back. "You are as tired as your parents would be in a moment like this."

Eric smirks. "You think so, Grim?"

"I know so, sir," Grimsby nods. "Who knows what danger lurks the kingdom after such a disastrous blizzard? Prince Phillip has yet to return our letter to send help."

Eric bitterly gazes out the window at the snow. "We can't wait for help. We can no longer live in fear, Grim." He leans on his elbow against the window. "I'm going to find out."

Knowing he is unable to stop him, Grimsby gives a grin. "As you say, sir."

Another cloak in hand, Carlotta hums and marches into the foyer. Stepping in her blue heels beside Carlotta with a matching bow in her red hair, the Princess has a big smile on her face.

"Ariel!" Eric opens his arms wide.

Giggling gleefully, the mermaid runs to jump into her prince's arms, then plants the biggest kiss on his lips. They stare into each other's eyes, in love since the moment the sun came through the clouds on that beach. 

Their kiss lasts long enough for Grimsby to cough lightly, reminding the royalty of company.

Carlotta opens the Prince's black cloak. "Here you are, Eric."

A guard alerts the carriage is ready.

"Be safe, Your Highness," Grimsby alerts. "We will wait for Prince Phillip's response."

"Yes, be safe!" Carlotta echoes.

Ariel blows them both a kiss, as if bubbles would float to them. "Goodbye!"

Outside the palace walls, no snow falls from the sky. Gray clouds roll in from the northwest over the blue. Ariel loops her arm around Eric's, leaning her head of red on his shoulder as the carriage rumbles onward.

Eric holds the reins steady, the horses trotting along the path to town square, clear of snow.

"What is out there, Eric?"

The Prince looks to his Princess, kisses her forehead. "Our people. Nothing to fear. They adore you!"

Ariel shakes her head and curls a strand of red hair behind her ear. She looks up to the gray sky. "Carlotta told me that the snow is dangerous. What is dangerous about it?"

Eric purses his lips. "We don't know, Ariel. For now, it's only a myth of what could be out there."

"A myth...." She taps her finger on her chin, remembering such a word. "Like what your people believed about mermaids?"

"There are many myths about your father, Ariel—stories to keep humans out of the sea. We never knew them to be true until you came along." He distracts himself from the road to smack her cold nose with a kiss.

Ariel giggles, blushing pink in her blue dress and cloak. "What is this myth?"

"A snow beast," Eric answers, the horse-driven carriage crossing over the bridge into the village.

 Snow covers all roofs; the blizzard turned the beachy city into a winter wonderland. "One that is only awakened by the chill of snow, as the myth goes. My mother told me such stories before she passed, and my father before her. They warned me of monsters coming from Prince Philip's woods one day, and I've always prepared for it. So has he, as my cousin. Both of us thought Ursula was the monster to defeat. Seems we have another one to face." He guides the horses to take the carriage before the meeting hall of town. The Prince hops off first, then gives his black-gloved hand to his Princess.

Together, hand-in-hand, the rulers of the land and sea enter the warm, crowded space of their townsfolk. Already, the air within is tense with worry. Murmurs spark about the blizzard. What sort of beast did the powerful snowstorm awaken?