DisneyFreaks

Ariel was awakened the next morning by the sound of many feet hurrying up and down the hall outside. Throwing on fresh clothes, he stepped out into the hall to find it busy with more servants than he’d yet seen in the castle bustling about, carrying things, and walking quickly about on various errands. They all appeared to be very excited about something, and were speaking rapidly to each other in low voices. Leaning out over the edge of the grand staircase, he listened to hear what they were saying. “It’s happening at last,” one servant girl was whispering to another. “I’m glad of it—I do so love grand occasions.” “I feel it’s been rather hasty,” the other said. “He only just arrived, and with how particular she’s been about it—” “I’m not a bit surprised,” retorted the first. “After all the suitors the king’s called on, she was bound to fall in love with one of them sooner or later. I hear he’s a most lordly and noble person, and very wealthy. They’re leaving just after the

The next morning after breakfast, the Duke Ferdinand and his escort took leave of the castle. For some unknown reason, he cast many a furtive glance at the moat, crossing over the bridge with unusual haste. Once he had gone, preparations were made for Eva and Ariel to be accompanied by Carlotta and Greta for a day in the town. The “buggy” that was given to them for the ride was exhilarating for Ariel, who had never seen land horses before—or “wheels,” which were so enthralling that he hung out of the cart to get a better view of them in action. To prevent him from any untimely accidents, Eva decided to let him take a turn with the reins, showing him how to properly hold them and steer with them. This proved rather more of an adventure than they had bargained for, for as soon as he understood the instructions, Ariel set the horses off at such a pace that Greta and Lotta clung to their seats for dear life as they bounced and rattled down the road. While somewhat shaken about, all four of

The castle moat running along the inner wall was where the castle’s main drainage was collected; all the fountains and drinking pumps fed into it, thus allowing it to run back into the main river. The largest of the fountains was situated in a pleasant garden courtyard just beside this moat, where lilies and watercress grew in a dense patch. Eva and Duke Ferdinand were sitting together on a marble bench beside the fountain. Eva had made some effort to keep a few inches of distance between them, but the duke did not seem to feel it necessary, slowly inching nearer to her in what he evidently thought was an unobtrusive way. “I hope your journey was pleasant,” Eva remarked, her posture rather rigid. “Indeed, I’ve never been in a more enjoyable country,” said the duke, disregarding her coldness. “Your kingdom boasts one of the most excellent trade ports of the land.” “We make quite a decent market in this region,” Eva agreed, moving just a hair away from him. “Our fleet helps ensure

On the rocky shores just beside the wooden structure—the same place Ariel had left the fine comb for Eva—three figures could be seen sprawled on the rocks. One was Goby, panting and winded; the second was Mira, shaky-armed with a cramp in her side; and the third was Ariel, half-drowned and gasping raggedly. Mira was thumping him hard on the back to help him cough up the seawater he’d swallowed. “Ariel! Are you okay?” Ariel made no answer, still getting his breath back. Once he could breathe without coughing, he pushed himself upright, leaning against the rock. Only then did he observe the strange, crooked objects poking up out of the water in front of him. He couldn’t tell what they were until he tried to sit up higher, and one of them moved. With a thrill, he suddenly understood: they were legs—his legs, to be precise. Lifting one of them, he stared in awe at it. The lower half of his body was still burning painfully, and his new legs were tingling with pins and needles, but the mere

Outside the cave, Mira had dissolved into tears. “This is all my fault.” “Hey, hey, hey.” Goby pulled her into a hug, scrambling a little for encouragement. “That’s not true—she overreacted. Don’t worry about it—it’ll be okay. We’ll figure this out. Just wait till everybody cools off—” He broke off at the sight of three shadows moving over the ground. The two looked up to see Ariel exiting the cave, accompanied by two dark, lithe shapes. “Eels,” Goby observed with rising apprehension. “I do not like eels.” Mira hurried to swim beside Ariel. “Ariel, what are you doing?” Ariel kept his gaze straight ahead. “I’m going to talk to our aunt.” Mira froze in shock. “You don’t mean… Not the sea witch?” Ariel never slackened his pace. “Who did you think I meant?” Mira had to put on a burst of speed to catch up to him. “Wait!” she cried, taking hold of his hand. “Listen, I know you’re mad, but this is crazy! You can’t do this!” “If it bothers you that much, why don’t you just go home?”

Within the next couple of days, Queen Amathea had gotten the impression that something odd was going on. Ariel had of late become distracted, often staring off into the distance, humming to himself, and wandering into unusual places. On this particular morning, she’d run into him in the palace library, where the older records were kept. He seemed to be looking for something, but whipped around at her approach, holding both hands behind his back. “Looking for anything specific?” asked Amathea, raising an eyebrow. “Nope,” Ariel replied swiftly. “Just browsing.” “I see.” Amathea turned away to hide the twitching corners of her mouth. Ariel drifted out of her path, angling for the door. Before he reached it, a thought struck him. “Hey, Mother, what was Father like?” Amathea turned in surprise. “What makes you ask that?” Ariel shrugged innocently. “Just wondering.” Amathea’s eyes grew distant as she thought back. “He was adventurous,” she said, smiling a little. “Bold, charismatic