Athena

Athena wiggled her toes as she sat on the rock. She placed her hand on top of Attina's, meeting her eyes. "Are you ok? That was quite a show," Her orange finned daughter sighed shakily. "Yeah, I'll be fine... where is she?" Athena tutted, tucking back a piece of Attina's auburn hair. "Being dealt with appropriately..."

There was no need for Attina to know her father was landing every curse on the witch known to mer-kind until she could go to trial in two weeks. Attina sighed. "Shame she's not being burnt alive really... after everything she's done," Athena nodded slowly. "Yeah, I agree. But, alas, even the worst people have trials. No doubt she will be executed. There's no chance your father will let her leave. He already exiled her when she murdered his father,"

Attina nodded. Athena smiled softly when her head fell on her shoulder. She wrapped an arm around her. "Despite being twenty-two, you're still my baby," She kissed her head. Attina chuckled then sighed softly. "What's dad gonna do to her?" Athena hesitated. She truly didn't know what Triton was going to do to Ariel... it was entirely likely that he would force her back as punishment.

Athena decided to not answer for now. She rubbed her shoulder instead, hoping that would suffice until she had one. She turned to watch Ariel, who was sobbing quietly on her knees, her arms wrapped tightly around her prince, who was whispering into her hair.

It reminded her of when she and Triton first began courting, how in love they both were.

She sighed bitterly. "Honestly, Attina," She finally said. Attina turned to her. "I don't know... I don't know what he's going to do,"

Triton

Triton swam through the water quickly. His anger was infectious. Ursula had been given every curse he could think of, incapacitating her until her trial. His next problem was Ariel and her involvement... or direct cause of. That stupid human had bewitched her, he was sure of it. There was no other reasonable way for Ariel to do this... betray him and Alisa's memory like this.

He broke the surface in an explosion of sea water. He scanned the beach, a relatively small one in comparison to what he'd seen. He first saw his wife, a sad expression marring her beautiful face. Next to her was his oldest, Attina, still as a mermaid. They were both watching something just out of his view. He swam closer, fury widening his eyes at the sight of his daughter embracing the human.

"Ariel," He boomed. She jumped, flinching backwards. "Triton, honey..." He ignored his wife's plea. He could hold his temper long enough to hear his daughter out, despite already knowing what he was going to do. "Daddy," She whispered. He looked her up and down. Her green dress, which he could only assume was her wedding gown, was ripped and torn beyond repair. Her leg held a large gash, bleeding sluggishly through some white fabric.

He turned his sneer to the prince, who met his glare with a face of calm. Triton was slightly surprised. At least he knew to hold his expression, a sign of a good ruler. He scanned over him as well. Aside from the bruises and cuts adorning his skin, a part of his white shirt was missing, clearly having been torn off to slow Ariel's bleeding leg.

"On kindness for my wife, your mother, I will hear you out." He snapped. Ariel exhaled shakily as she stood. Triton went to reach forwards as she stumbled, but the human was quicker, wrapping an arm around her waist, keeping her upright. He moved closer to the shore as she sat on a large rock, with the prince standing near his wife, giving them privacy. He nodded, purely by force of habit. Ariel sighed.

Ariel

She really... really wished Eric was with her. But damn him and his mannerisms. To give her and her father more privacy, he went over by her mom and sister. She wrung her hands nervously. "Well?" He snapped. "What is your explanation for this... mess?" Ariel looked away. "Ariel Rose. Answer me," He snapped. Ariel sighed loudly.

She told him.

Everything from how she met Eric after Alisa died, to how his father rescued caught and trapped merfolk, to his birthday, her birthday, and when she got her legs. Her fathers face turned stony at her first outing with legs and feet, so she shut her eyes tightly and tried to continue her story as steadily as she could. She said how he and his staff cared for her as though she was his wife, and how he was patient with her about the human world.

She turned over her shoulder to her mom. "Can... can I ask mom something... to do with this... please?" She stuttered. Triton nodded stiffly. "Mom... can you come over here?" She called. Athena nodded and walked over, leaving Attina to chat with Ariel's beloved. When she arrived, Ariel smiled briefly. "Can you... can you tell dad about Ursula in the town... and what Eric did for us?" She sighed shakily.

"Yes... Ursula came to us a few days ago. She turned the girls back into mermaids, but left them on land to die. I distracted her while the prince took them to the lagoon, to water. He tried to protect me from her as well, but she used her magic to stop him." Ariel tried to read her dads face, but couldn't... she hung her head. He'd clearly already made up his mind about taking her back to the sea.

"Ariel, look at me," She blinked in shock, having apparently missed the rest of the conversation. She met her fathers eyes, surprised at the lack of anger. "Make no confusion here, I am very unhappy with you and what you've done. You put everyone in danger by going to the witch, human and merfolk alike." He scolded. Ariel looked down in shame.

Eric

Eric narrowed his eyes at Ariels downcast form. "Hey, is she ok?" He asked her sister, Attina. She sighed. "Yeah... she's just being told off... he's a lot calmer than I thought he'd be." Eric turned with a frown. "How do you mean?" Attina sighed. "Well... has she told you how he reacted a few weeks ago, when she first came back on land?" Eric paused. Had she? "I mean... sort of. She told me he cursed her," He spat. Attina cleared her throat. "Yeah... after screaming at her... for nearly thirty minutes first,"

Eric turned his glare to her father, who's face had softened somewhat. "I wouldn't worry about her though. She's his favourite, so he won't be too harsh... especially not with mom there," Eric raised his eyebrows with a hum. He saw Ariel's head drop in shame. "Don't-" Her mermaid sister said, grabbing his arm. He shook it off and walked over. He hesitated slightly at the glowing fork... trident... but pushed forwards at Ariel's quiet cry. "Hey, you ok?" He whispered. "Young man, this doesn't concern you," The sea-king growled.

"Yeah, I'm fine, but you really need to go..." Ariel sniffed. He tilted her chin, making her meet his eyes. "Not on my watch." She sighed softly. "Eric, my dad, he'll hurt you," He shook his head. "No he won't. You're hurt, and you're upset. I'm not leaving you," He faced the sea king, desperately trying not to shrink back under his stormy glare. "With all due respect sir, it does concern me. I'm the reason she left the sea, and I'm the reason she made the deal with the witch." He said. "Eric, what are you doing?" Ariel hissed from behind.

"I knew it. I told you he bewitched her, Athena," The sea king snapped. "I'm not willing to lose her again, sir. I've already lost her once. I'm not going to lose her again," He said determinedly. "Eric, stop he'll hurt you!" Ariel hissed, grabbing his arm. He shook her off. "No, Ariel. If he's going to come to a final verdict on us, then he needs to know everything," He met the sea king's gaze. "So... I'm sorry, if thats what you want to hear. I'm sorry for the problems caused, but I'm not sorry that I got to know your daughter." He turned to face her. "Your beautiful, kind, sweet, innocent daughter."

He wiped away a tear that fell from Ariel's eye. "I love you," She whispered. He smiled. "I love you too," He stared into her eyes, making sure to memorise every colour within. Flecks of ocean green amidst blue sky with a dash of white sparkle. "Young man... we have a decision."

He turned to face her mother, who'd spoken. He clutched her hand tightly. "Ariel. You have endangered many people... humans and merfolk alike. You betrayed your father, and you ignored my wishes. You risked, not only your life, but your sisters and even Eric's as well.... but despite all of that, even we can see how much you love each other," Athena smiled. "You can stay on land with him."

Ariel squealed in joy. Eric wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in tightly. "Thank you!"

~2 months later~

Ariel/Eric pov... you'll see what I mean.

Ariel grinned as she brushed her dress down. "Are you ready, wife?" Her husband asked from the doorway, grinning. She giggled. "I am, husband,​​​​​​​" She laughed. She walked over, wiggling her toes in her white high heeled shoes. He linked her arm with his. "Let's go then," He opened the door of the cabin, smiling at her. She squinted at the sunlight as the boat erupted into cheers. "Please put your hands together for Prince Eric, and his wife, Princess Ariel!" Grimsby announced. She laughed behind a well placed hand as the boat clapped and cheered for the newlywed couple.

They filtered through, shaking hands with Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, Lords and Ladies, Dukes and Duchesses, and the such like. She curtsied to their neighbouring kingdom's rulers, Katia and Derek of Glowerhaven. Just as Eric was shaking their hands, a flash of platinum blonde hair caught her eye. She gasped in excitement. "Excuse me," She bowed politely. Eric frowned at her retreating form, but smiled widely when she ran into her sisters embraces.

"Merfolk as well?" Eric turned to Derek. "Yes. Her sisters," The King nodded disdainfully. "Royalty as well?" He asked. "Yes, the auburn one is the heir to the throne," He pointed, grinning as she embraces his wife tightly. "A woman? Tis no place for a woman on the throne," The King sneered. Eric bristled slightly. "Well, respectfully, we don't agree with that. First born is the heir, regardless of sex."

The King mumbled as he excused himself, clearly not happy with the conversation. Eric shook his head, sighing. He walked over to Ariel, grinning at her sisters. "Hello ladies, it's nice to see you again. And in the ballgowns from last time!" Arista giggled as she spun in the dress. "Well, it's not Atlantican fabric, but it'll do," Adella teased, winking.

He playfully rolled his eyes back. He linked his arm with Ariel, grinning at her flushed face. "Are they here?" She asked, excitedly. Eric caught Attina shake her head slightly. "Well... mom's here..." Alana winced. Ariel sighed softly. "I didn't expect anything different."

"Sorry to disappoint you then," A new voice spoke from the ships railing. Eric turned in surprise. "Daddy!" A blur of red hair rushed by his face as his wife threw herself at her father. The rumbling deep laughter of the sea king rung. "I couldn't miss my daughters wedding day, now could I?" Eric approached the railing, smiling at Ariel's parents. "I cannot stay long, as only Sebastian is guarding the throne, and if I'm not careful, he'll turn into into a musical chair,"

Eric smiled at the joyful laughter that erupted out of his wife's mouth. "Oh... I'm going to miss him," Eric linked her arm with his. He frowned at Athena's wink. "Well... we have a gift for you," Eric was surprised to see the sea king talking to him as well. "Both of you."

A wave of the trident displayed two golden bracelets, one with emerald green gems, and one with sapphire gems. "Hold out your wrists,"

Ariel displayed her wrist, gently pulling her husbands out. Her dad placed the emerald green one on hers, while her mom placed the blue one on Eric's. The bands shrunk to fit their wrists, electing a noise of shock from her husband. Ariel giggled at his reaction. "These are magic bands. They will fit only your wrists, and cannot be removed unless we do it." Ariel frowned. "But what are they for, daddy? Not that they aren't beautiful," She added. "Be patient child, I was getting to that," He playfully scolded. Ariel flushed. "These will allow you to adorn fins and a tail... just in case you ever want to visit." Ariel's eyes widened. "Oh... daddy... they're amazing... thank you,"

Eric frowned in thought. "Don't worry young man. They only work in salt water, so you won't grow fins while bathing," Athena chuckled. He couldn't help the blush. "They- I can't even put into words how much we love them, your majesties,"

"Then don't. Just make us a promise," The sea king met his eyes. "Take care of our daughter," He grabbed Ariel's hand and rubbed it with his thumb. "Non-negotiable," He smiled.

"Ariel, before we... shall we say, continue, with tradition," He began. Ariel blushed brightly. "Yes... I know what to do and expect... Carlotta told me," She said, sat on the bed of their honeymoon room. Eric blushed brightly as well. "No... no, not about that. Well, yes, but not right now," He stumbled. Ariel giggled. "We won't do that until you're ready... ever. I won't ever force you into anything like that," He said seriously.

"Why is your dad called the sea king? And who was his father?" He asked. Ariel blinked. "What?" She asked. "Well your mom mentioned that he was furious when Ursula killed his father... who was he?" Ariel laughed loudly. "I don't think you're ready for that one, my love,"

"No, really, I am. We're married now, so I want to know everything and anything about you," He nodded, grabbing her hands. Ariel smiled knowingly. "Ok then. Well, you know how I've mentioned that my sisters and I have some form of aquatic manipulation?" He nodded slightly. "So, Attina can control the waves and currents under the surface, Alana can manipulate the coral reeves, Adella had power over sea-mist and can play with the terrain a little bit and Aquata's are like Attina's, but she can control above and above the surface," She paused. Eric nodded. "What about you? What can you do?"

She smiled. "Well, first is Arista, who can control the waves and gales, Andrina can summon earthquakes, and I have the power to summon a storm as powerful as the trident," She rubbed her neck. "Thats why the one on the ship was so bad... sorry about that by the way," Eric chuckled. "It's nothing,"

"As well as, obviously, they're tied to our emotions as well... as proven earlier. Oh, we can also understand horses, and Attina can even talk to them," She smiled, taking off her wedding dress corset. She sighed in relief.

"So did you get your powers from the trident... or?" Eric prompted. Ariel smiled. "Do you know Ancient Greek Lore?" She asked, taking off her stockings. Eric nodded. "Yeah, like Zeus, Poseidon, Hades... the Olympians," He nodded. Ariel winced slightly, smiling. Eric's face dropped. "Poseidon is your GRANDFATHER?!"

Ariel laughed loudly.