The Little Mermaid: A Different Tail

8) Talks and Ursula

"I have barely managed to get her back Triton, do not blow this," Athena warned her husband. "Blow it? She violated the laws of the land! Not to mention disobeyed us!" He snapped back. Athena glared. "I mean it. She will go back up there if you blow it, and then we will lose her for good," She snapped. Triton grumbled upon his throne. "We shall see." Athena rolled her eyes. If he was going to be stubborn, then let him. Athena wasn't going to risk her relationship with her daughter.

"The princesses are waiting outside your majesties," The herald announced. "All... the princesses?" Triton asked. The herald nodded. "All seven," Triton beckoned. "Send them in,"

Attina led the group, followed by Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, Andrina then finally, Ariel slumped at the back. Athena frowned at her youngest daughter. She used to be so full of life and so joyful... but now she was a shell. And it was all Athena's fault. "Girls," Triton greeted. "Father," They echoed. "Mother,"

Athena smiled at them. "Good evening," Triton cleared his throat. "I wish to speak with Ariel... alone, if you may. You can head to the gardens or the study before dinner," He dismissed their eldest six, who swum away, sparing worried glances at the sixteen-year-old. "Ariel," Triton began. "Father," She answered. Athena saw Triton wince. She knew that cut deep. Ariel only ever called him dad or daddy, she had never been so formal in her life. "I am glad you have seen sense in your actions and returned home," He began. Ariel mumbled something beneath her breath. "For that, I shall lift your punishment," The trident glowed yellow as it lifted the dreaded curse.

"But, for your actions, you shall be confined to the palace until further notice," He continued. Athena sighed quietly. "May I request one thing before I am kept, prisoner?" Ariel asked testily. "Ariel," Athena warned. Triton didn't seem bothered. "You may ask," He replied. Ariel swam a few paces closer. "I wish to bid Eric farewell,"

"Absolutely not," Triton boomed, launching up from his throne. Athena placed a hand on his arm. She leant in close to his ear. "Perhaps you should let her, my husband. He is, after all, the reason she returned." Triton frowned. "She was willing to stay up there with him in agony, and I watched, but he convinced her to return. He wanted her to live pain-free." She tried convincing. Triton was unmoved. Athena frowned. "Look, you can either let her willingly, or she goes up on her own," Triton scoffed. "Then I shall smite him where he stands,"

"And we'll lose her for good," Athena snapped. "Think with reason," She pleaded. Triton sniffed and fingered his trident. "Fine. She can go tomorrow night, after sunset. With you,"

Ariel swam to the edge of Atlantica, long after everyone else was in slumber. She had to find a way to grow her legs back again... but as she was in the library earlier that day, she came across a black book. In there, was the answer to all of her problems.

Ursula the Sea Witch.

So, Ariel swam to her cave long after sundown. "Ah, the youngest daughter of Triton," The witch crooned. Ariel put a brave face on and swam in. "I need your help," She announced. Her skin crawled with anxiety and fear. "Oh?" The tentacled witch swam down to eye level. "And what might that be?" She feigned interest. "I want to be human," Ariel spoke. Ursula turned with a sinister grin. "Oh... that is interesting,"

"Can you do it or not? I'm on a tight schedule," Ariel snapped, the anxiety working its way into her heart, screaming BAD IDEA! BAD IDEA!

"Hmm... yes, I can do it," She grinned. "But it'll cost ya," Ariel squinted. "What exactly?" Ursula applied some more thick red lipstick. "A few things, mostly for my interest." Ariel shuddered. "Why do you want to be a human?" She asked. Ariel hesitated. "There are some things up there I want to see,"

Ursula cackled.

"So, a boy?" She cackled again. "Hoo! What does dear ol daddy think about that?" Ariel didn't answer. Ursula hummed. "Well... I can tell you what it'll cost." Ariel nodded. "You have to get true love's kiss within three days, or else you belong to me, capiche?"

Ariel almost scoffed. That'll be easy. They already loved each other! Ursula suddenly chuckled deeply. "Child, you think I don't know you two already love each other? Puh-lease! I'll erase his memory, otherwise, it won't be fair, will it?" Ariel blinked. "Fair? How is that fair?" Ursula ignored her. "I'll also need your voice,"

Ariel backed away. "How long do I have to come to a decision?" She asked, her voice shaking. "I'm a reasonable woman... so before sunrise tomorrow. You have all day to think... and don't be late, otherwise, the deal is done,"

Ariel swam away as fast as her fins could take her.

"No, you can't do that, Ariel," Eric spoke. Ariel rolled her eyes. "It's the only way we'll be together! My dad is refusing to see reason," Eric kicked his feet back and forth, while Ariel played with her hair. Athena sat by on a rock, far enough away to not hear them, but close enough to see.

"Wipe my memory? Take your voice? I dunno... seems suspicious," Eric mused. "Oh, Eric, please!" Ariel begged. "But how would I remember you! I don't want to lose everything we've been through!" He grabbed her hands. "Eric, we have ten years' worth of friendship behind us. Nobody can truly erase a memory, they just block it. We'll figure out a way to unblock them!" She tried reasoning. Eric hesitated. "But how?" Ariel thought.

"Ha! Write down my name and the best memories we have of each other! I'll be able to help bring it all back!" She smiled. Eric nodded slowly. "That could work... but what about the castle staff? Will they forget you as well?"

Ariel frowned. "I suppose so... it'd be a bit strange if they knew me, but you didn't... Ursula's not that stupid," She pulled herself up onto the dock. Tears formed in her eyes when her legs didn't come back. "Look, he's taken away my legs... this is the only way we'll be together, Eric. Please!" She begged. He side-hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "Ok... ok, we'll do it." Ariel sniffled. "Thank you."

"What are your best memories of us, just out of curiosity?" She asked with a small smile. "Well... I would say my top three are when I first met you, back when we were kids and we shared birthday cake... then, I'd say when I took you into the town..." He hummed. "And probably when we watched the sunset by the balcony when I asked you to be my partner," He kissed her head.

Ariel blushed. "I'll write those down, alongside your beautiful name tonight. I'll probably be around the docks or the lagoon when you come back," He hugged her tightly. "Promise me you'll be safe," He implored, gazing into her eyes. She nodded. "I promise,"