~ERIC~

Ariel didn't get any better. In fact, some would say she continued to get worse. She slept a little less each night, heading back to a normal routine at one point. But then she would bounce back from hot to cold, too hot, too cold.

On the bright side, Melody started to get back to her routine again when Ariel could feed her each night. Eric would have regular meetings with Sebastian and Ariel's symptoms matched those of her sisters. "They are gettin' nervous lad. They want to see her," The crab said one cold evening. Ariel was humming quietly as she fed Melody, a nice normal for a change. Eric rubbed his eyes, "And she does them. But I don't think it's safe for her in the sea at the moment. I mean, it's clearly to do with her aquatic self, otherwise, myself and the other castle staff would be affected, and we're not." Sebastian rubbed a claw across his chin (a very human-like gesture, Eric thought to himself)

"Perhaps, they can meet on the beach? Or in the cove, Ariel had Melody in? Tis both land and sea, meaning her sisters would be comfortable as well," He continued. Eric paused and thought about it. In his mind, so long as Ariel didn't have prolonged contact with the sea, she shouldn't get any worse. "Ok, we'll do that. She seems to be more lively at night, so after the sun has set, tomorrow evening, in the cove." Eric compromised. Sebastian nodded, "I shall tell her sisters and father now," He began to scuttle off, but paused. "Do you think you could possibly bring Melody? Her sisters have missed her," He asked. Eric frowned, "Maybe. I'll see how she is tomorrow. She's going through a weird feeding thing at the minute. Don't say anything to them, just in case." Sebastian nodded with a grin, "See ya tomorrow Princey,"

~

The next morning rolled around, and, surprisingly, he was woken by a gentle cooing on his chest and a grinning Ariel. Eric couldn't help the smile that bloomed on his face as he sat up, mindful of the (now) 4-month-old. "You seem brighter today. Feeling any better?" He asked. Ariel nodded, "Yeah!" Eric chuckled as she spun her dress in the spot. "What's changed overnight?" He asked. Melody fussed a little, so he picked her up and bounced her gently on his lap. "I couldn't sleep last night, so I went for a swim in the sea," Eric frowned but quickly forced it away. "And that's made you feel better?" Ariel nodded and gasped playfully as she grabbed Melody out of his lap and spun her around. Eric shook his head lightly. "Well, you'll be pleased to know, Sebastian came to me last night," Ariel smiled, confused. "Why? What did he have to say?" She grabbed the cotton blanket from Melody's cradle and draped it over her shoulder, feeding their daughter. "He said that your sisters and dad have missed you. They want you to meet them in the cove you had little miss in after sunset," He said.

Ariel grinned and nodded enthusiastically. The banket began to slip a little, so Eric pulled it back up, hiding Ariel's modesty. (Just because they had a daughter together, didn't mean she was comfortable feeding without cover)

"I'd actually love that. I haven't seen them in a while, it'd be nice." Eric smiled. The two stayed in a small silence for a moment while Melody finished feeding. She announced she was done with a very loud belch from under the cover, making the young parents laugh. "She's definitely yours," Ariel snickered, wiping Melody's mouth with the cloth, and burping her over her shoulder.

~

They'd made their way down to breakfast, with Eric holding Melody as Ariel eased herself down the grand staircase for the first time in weeks. The maids swamped her, claiming how happy they were to see her healthy and helped guide her to her seat. There, she was given some food by Carlotta, while Grimsby briefed them on the day's tasks.

"Your highness, you have no duties today. The town wants to wait until you have been given the all-clear before they ask for you again, as I have been told." Grim said, talking to Ariel. She frowned as she sipped her fruit juice. "But I'm ok," She argued. Grim stared at her, deadpan. "With all due respect, you are not. Just because you feel ok today, doesn't mean you are. Anyway, it's mostly Kingly duties today. Take the time to recover," Ariel continued to frown, Eric noticed. "It's ok sweetheart, I can take Melody with me. The bakers haven't met her yet, and I promised them I'd take her." He tried. Ariel looked up and nodded, "Ok. Maybe I can do a bit of swimming today... or answer some letters," She resigned. "Very good, your highness."

~

~Ariel~

Ariel made sure to feed, change and cuddle Melody before she left for the day with Eric. She fussed a little at being made to look nicer, but then again, she fussed when she wasn't wrapped up in her seashell blanket. Ariel handed Melody to Carlotta while Eric said goodbye. Carlotta bumbled down the staircase, chatting away to the 4-month-old as she prepared to hand her over to Eric in the carriage.

She pressed her face into her husband's neck, breathing deeply. Eric hugged her tightly. "Oh, I do hope whatever is plaguing you goes away soon," Eric mumbled from her hair. Ariel nodded, despondent. "So do I... I'm so sick of feeling sick and tired and miserable and hot and cold and... ugh, human diseases suck." She ranted. Eric pulled away from her and kissed her forehead. "You don't seem to have too much of a fever, which is better than before. Get some rest, or just take it easy while I'm out ok? Tell Lottie if you go swimming, just so I know when I get back, ok?" He asked, before holding her hands. Ariel nodded.

In the nicest way possible, she needed him to leave, her energy was fading fast.

"I will, I will. I won't do anything exerting, and I'll tell Lottie if I swim, I promise. Now, go! Enjoy flaunting our beautiful daughter to her future kingdom!" She playfully shoved his shoulder, causing him to laugh a little. "Ok, ok! I'll see you when I get back. If that bakery is open, I'll see if they've got any of those buns you like?"

Shortly after Eric had (finally) left Ariel to her devices, she dropped onto the bed, exhausted and drained. A gentle throat clearing from her doorway alerted her that she wasn't alone. "Hey Lottie," She groaned, rubbing her eyes harshly. "I knew something wasn't right, your majesty. You were ever so quiet at breakfast," Carlotta waddled in, and shut the door. "I don't know what's wrong with me... I'm scared," Ariel whispered. Carlotta placed a hand on her shoulder, "Oh deary, there are far worse out there than tiredness! My, the plague for one! You will be fine in due time," She replied. "Would you like me to draw you a warm bubbly bath, just the way you like?" Carlotta asked. "Maybe I can even sway Louis into giving me a strawberry jam sandwich?" She suggestively asked.

Ariel giggled and sighed deeply. "That would be amazing, Lottie. Thank you," She paused, "But if you don't mind, I might swim for a bit first..." Carlotta waved her hand, "It's never a problem for someone like you! I shall prepare your bathing suit and get your personal maid to wait on the beach for you," Ariel scrunched her nose, "I don't need Maya to wait for me, Lottie. I'm ok in the sea," Ariel argued. Carlotta snorted, then blushed. "I beg my pardon! Maya would most likely be thankful that you are going for a swim, she loves the beach." She bumbled off before anything else could be said on the matter.

Ariel decided, while she still had enough energy left, to dress down to her undergarments. She was still covered enough for Carlotta to walk in, but it helped her breathe a little easier. Ariel kicked off her high heels (which she still sometimes struggled with) and padded, barefoot, to her balcony. She inhaled the familiar salty smell and listened to the waves hitting the rocks. In the very far distance, she could hear the excited mumble of the town at seeing Melody and Eric after 4 months.

"ARIEL!" Something shouted from somewhere. She frowned and leant over the balcony. "Hello?" She called. "ARIEL!" A very familiar Mediterranean voice rang out. "Sebastian!?" Ariel called back, confused. The crab in question scuttled onto her balcony, grinning widely. "Ah, dear chile... it is good to see you again!"