OMG! I'm so excited for this part!!!
Gif is of the sea witch.
Summary: Rose goes to the sea witch for help.

     Over the next couple of days, Rose was entirely different. The mermaid who was usually sneaking off to collect things from the surface but was otherwise quiet, was now singing to herself in the mornings, dolling herself up, and just genuinely happy all over.
     Poseidon was surprised but also happy, correctly guessing that his daughter had found love yet incorrectly guessing it was with a merman.
     A few days later, he learned the truth. He was adamant that he learn who his daughter had fallen in love with. He sent spies to keep an eye on her. What they relayed to him alarmed the king.
     He burst into his daughter's secret grotto and, amongst his yells of how his daughter would not ever be allowed to fall in love with a human, he destroyed all her treasures.
     Rose reprimanded her father and then left. There was only one person who could give her an escape from her watery prison: Regina, the Sea Witch.
                           * * * * *
     Regina's grotto was very messy, littered with empty shells, mollusks, and barnacles. Regina had white hair and black tentacles as the lower half of her body.
     "Come in! Come in, my child!" She called. Rose and Arthur swam into her grotto, the latter albeit reluctantly. "We mustn't lurk in doorways. It's rude. One might question your upbringing."
     "I'm so sorry, Regina. I just...really need your help."
     Regina beckoned Rose over beside her. "Do tell."
     Rose told Regina everything. All the while, Arthur nervously wrung his hands. He didn't feel right here.
     "Ah! I see!" Regina said at last. "So you want my help because you have a thing for this prince fellow. Not that I blame you! He does seem quite the catch!" She paused. "Well, angelfish, I have your solution. I can turn you into a human, make you a part of his world." (Picture at top.) "Would you be willing to make a deal?"
     Arthur raced to Rose's side. "I don't like this. We should go."
     "Go? But we haven't made our deal!" Regina said. "Trust me, dear, I'm the only way to your happy ending."
     "And you can help me?"
     Regina smirked. "My dear, sweet child, that's what I do! It's what I live for. To help unfortunate merfolk. Like yourself! Poor souls with no one else to turn to."

I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
They weren't kidding when they called me
Well a witch
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light, and made a switch
True? Yes
And I fortunately know a little magic
It's a talent that I always had possessed
And dear lady
Please don't laugh
I use it on behalf
Of the miserable, lonely, and depressed
Pathetic!
Poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
This one longing to be thinner
That one wants to get the girl
And do I help them?
Yes indeed
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying, "Spells! Regina, please!"
And I help them
Yes I do
Now it's happened once or twice
Someone couldn't pay the price
And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em cross the coals
Yes I've had the odd complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint
To those poor unfortunate souls!
   
     Regina paused her song to beckon Rose forward. "Now, here's the deal. I will make you a potion that will turn you into a human for three days. Understand? Now, listen. This is important! Before the sun sets on the third day, you need to get your prince to fall in love with you. In other words, he has to give you true love's kiss.
     "If he does kiss you, you'll remain human permanently and get to live happily ever after with your prince. However, if he doesn't, you will return to mermaid form and...you belong...to me."
     Arthur raced forward. "Don't do it, Rose! This is a trick! I just know it!"
     "Oh quiet down!" Regina shouted.
     "Will I ever get to see my family again?" Rose asked, meekly.
     Regina smirked once more before making a sad face. "Sadly not. But that is the price you pay for love. Which reminds me, we haven't discussed the subject of payment. You can't get something for nothing, y'know."
     "But I don't-"
     "I'm not asking much. Just for one... small... insignificant thing. Your voice."
     "But I don't understand. Without my voice, how can I-?"
     Regina cut her off. "You have your looks, your pretty face, and don't underestimate the importance of body language! Ha!"

The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Yes on land it's more preferred
For ladies not to say a word
And after all, dear, what's idle prattle for?
C'mon! They're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they do and swoon and fawn
On the lady that's withdrawn
And it's she that holds her tongue who gets a man
C'mon you poor unfortunate soul!
Go ahead! Make your choice!
I'm a very busy woman
And I haven't got all day
It won't cost much
Just your voice!
You poor unfortunate soul
It's sad, but true
If you want to cross a bridge, my sweet
You've got to pay the toll
Take a gulp and take a breath
And go ahead and sign the scroll!
Bad-a Bing bad-a boom
I've got her boys
The boss is on a roll
This poor unfortunate soul!!

     Regina leaned over her cauldron and used the spell and potion she'd made to fulfill the deal. She took Rose's voice, capturing it in a magic amulet. Rose and Arthur suddenly changed forms, their tails turning into legs.
     The pair were shot out the sea and onto land. There, they collapsed, exhausted, onto the shore.
To be continued...

So sorry about the wait.