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Post by philip on Mar 25, 2005 14:51:06 GMT -5
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Post by powerdroid on Mar 25, 2005 15:35:26 GMT -5
Think about the episode "A Little Evil".
Ariel could have allowed Evil Manta to be destroyed, but did not.
That is a level of dedication I do not possess in such a situation.
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Post by powerdroid on Mar 28, 2005 0:30:28 GMT -5
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Inside the throne room were Arista, Aquata and Attina. They were coordinating the efforts of who had come in. Ariel and Oubliette burst into the room, much to the surprise of everyone. Rarely did anyone make an appearance riding on dolphins. Ariel bolted towards her sisters.
“I found someone who can help!” she sputtered out.
“Quick, where is Adella?” asked Oubliette.
“In her room,” said Attina.
“Follow me!” said Aquata.
They all scurried up to Adella room. The guards stopped their way in.
“I am an herbalist. I am here to tend to the patient,” pushed Oubliette.
“None may pass without orders from the king. I have my responsibilities.” The guards brandished their spears. Oubliette was unfazed.
“And when she dies, will you take that responsibility?” Oubliette said haughtily, crossing her arms.
The guard pondered for a moment, then let them in.
When they entered, they only saw a figure in the bed. “Where’s the doctor?” asked Oubliette.
Flounder made an appearance. “The doctor, yeah, that is...I mean...he...he went out for a breather, yeah. But he gave strict orders that Aaaaaa,…is not to be disturbed!”
“Flounder, move to one side,” said Ariel.
“No, you can’t! I mean….”
Aquata grabbed Flounder and moved him away.
“Here’s your patient,” said Arista.
“NO! You can’t!” hollered Flounder. Arista flung back the covers to show…
“Alana! What are you doing here? Where’s Adella?”
“She’s in the aquarium room. Dr. Finlayson has been circulating the water over her to keep her as cool as he can.”
Oubliette bent down to Alana. “How long has he been doing this?”
“Since about dusk.”
“Take me to the Aquarium Room!”
They all fled from the room, nearly crashing into Triton. “What is going on?” he bellowed.
“Follow and find out!” was Oubliette’s terse answer.
The Aquarium Room was a large space, designed to help move the water about. It was most enjoyable on those warm days when the water lay still and it was too hot to do much of anything. The cooling currents made this one of the more popular rooms.
They arrived to see Dr. Finlayson directing two swordfish in great circles about the room. Between them was slung a net, which carried the unconscious body of Adella.
“What is the meaning of this insubordination? I said not to move her!” roared Triton, slamming his trident down hard.
“You better be happy that he did, or she’d be dead by now! Bring the patient to me!” barked Oubliette.
Dr. Finlayson motioned for the swordfish to come down. They dropped the net and Oubliette moved to flatten out Adella. She laid a hand on her forehead. “She’s hotter than an erupting volcano,” Oubliette began to look over every inch of Adella’s body.
“What are you looking for?” asked the doctor.
“Dark green spots, about the size of a whelk. I need to know if she has any.”
“Like at her tail?” noticed Ariel.
They all looked to see a single green spot. Oubliette looked at the spot, then at the doctor. “I need a syringe and your longest, thinnest needle. We’ve got no time to waste!”
The doctor grabbed his bag. Oubliette called out. “Ariel, the bottle!”
Ariel gave it to her. The doctor gave her the syringe with a scary long needle. Oubliette stuck it into the bottle and filled the syringe full, tapping out the bubbles. She turned to everyone. “I’m sorry for this, but I have no choice.” She jabbed the needle directly into Adella’s heart. Adella jerked in response to the force of the blow.
Everyone gasped and recoiled. Triton flared up. “You’re killing my daughter!” and he raised his trident. The doctor stepped between them.
“She’s saving her! The heart is a much tougher organ that you realize! This is the best way to get the antidote pumping through her body!”
Oubliette bundled Adella in the net and motioned for the swordfish to pick up the net and start swimming again. “All we can do is wait and hope we got here in time.”
“What’s the deal with the green spots?” asked Alana.
“The green spots are an indication of the tertiary stage of the illness,” said Oubliette. Dr. Finlayson grimaced.
“That’s not good?” ventured Ariel as she looked back and forth between the two of them. She had never seen anyone look so grim.
“What happens next?” asked the doctor.
“First, the spots will cover her body so she looked speckled. Then the color will drain from her. Her temperature will suddenly spike and breathing becomes extremely forced. Then, the convulsions.”
Oubliette fell silent. The whole room was still except for the swishing of the water through the net.
“Then what, Oubliette?” inquired Ariel.
“Nothing. The convulsions are the body organs stopping. It’s over.”
“Oubliette!” gasped Triton. “You ARE Oubliette! I thought I recognized you!”
“Yes, I am!” she said defiantly. “Anything you want to do to me can wait, until we have concluded our work with Adella!”
Attina looked as though she was trying to remember something, and then quickly left.
“How long until we know something?” asked the doctor.
“About an hour, either way.”
Triton motioned for a couple of guards to come up. “I want you to watch her. She is staying here!” The guards nodded.
Aquata came up to Ariel. “Where did you find her?”
“Beyond the Great Rift Valley.”
“That is some distance away. You’re lucky to have returned when you did.”
“You don’t know the half of it.”
Attina came back with her book, flipping through the pages. “Oubliette…Oubliette…ah, here it is.” She began to read to those just around her. “‘A strange malady befell the Atlantican army just prior to the first assault. It was generally assumed that the Court Herbalist, Oubliette, had infected the troops in order to help the Sharkanians defeat Triton.’” Attina slammed the book shut and charged at Ariel.
“You have put the life of our sister in the hands of a traitor?”
“What would you have me do? Ask Ursula instead? That’s really too much!” snapped Ariel.
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Post by powerdroid on Mar 31, 2005 22:33:09 GMT -5
CHAPTER TWELVE
Oubliette motioned for the swordfish to come down. She gave a rapid glance over Adella and felt her forehead, then sent her back up. “Well, she not getting any hotter, but she’s not getting any cooler. We just have to actively monitor the situation. That green spot is most disturbing.” She turned to the doctor. “How did you know to move her about?”
“Just because I went to Medical School does not mean I abandoned the ways of our ancestors. Sometimes, the simple remedies are the best, instead of all these modern techniques.”
Attina motioned for her sisters to take positions about the room. Oubliette knew she was being eyed, but did nothing. Ariel came up to her. “This may mean the end of you,” she whispered.
“I know, I know. But you awakened in me a long-buried memory, of doing no harm to patients. Years of bitterness made me forsake everything I hold dear. This may be my last act, but it will be a selfless act.” Oubliette looked about to see the merfolk stationed about the room.
“Triton is making sure that I couldn’t escape, even if I wanted to.”
“But you came to help. I know I can change Daddy’s mind.”
Oubliette put a hand on Ariel’s shoulder. “It didn’t work years ago; I don’t honestly expect it to work now.” She motioned for the swordfish to come down again.
She laid Adella out and felt her. She looked concerned. Ariel was perplexed. “Is there a problem?”
“No change is just as bad as a negative change. She doesn’t appear to be getting better.”
“Could you give her more?” asked the doctor.
Oubliette sighed. “Adella is in a weakened condition and the antidote is pretty strong. I feel I have given her all that I can without going too far. The cure could be the final blow in her state and I don’t want that to occur.” She motioned for the swordfish to go around again.
“I am hoping by continuing the circulation, it could give us just enough time for the antidote to fully work.”
“Merfolk have come back from the tertiary stage, right? Right?” asked Ariel.
“I’ve heard tales, but nothing for certain. Her color is good, so that is a cause for hope, but a lot depends upon the stamina of the individual, too.” Oubliette handed the bottle to the doctor. “Whatever happens, you’ll still need this. All of the daughters could have this allergy to Green Eel Fever and you don’t want to find out the hard way.”
The doctor took the bottle and placed it in his bag.
“Triton isn’t the same as you recall,” offered the doctor. They all looked over to see him scowling and glowering.
“That is a matter open to debate,” concluded Oubliette. She sagged.
“Would you like to sit?” asked Ariel.
Oubliette shook her off. “If I sit, that may be some kind of sign that I am giving up. I would rather collapse than have it appear that I’m not fully appreciating the situation. At least here I know what’s going on. I still do not, to this day, know what was going wrong with the soldiers. None of the standard antidotes worked. It was as if I couldn’t cure them.”
Oubliette went silent as she watched the swordfish make their large circles about the room. “The waiting is always the hardest part. Especially since I am really being scrutinized.”
She motioned for the swordfish to come down again. Laying Adella out, she did her examination. The green spot was still as prominent, but just the one. She checked her fever. Oubliette looked uncertain, so she placed a hand on Ariel’s forehead as well.
“What are you doing?” asked Ariel.
“I think…I think the fever has broken.” Oubliette looked down at the tail and saw the green spot begin to fade. She listened to Adella breathe. “She is breathing easy and not forced.” Looking at the bite on the hand, the swelling was going down as well. “She’s going to make it, but it would be best if she stays in this room. Doctor, some assistance, please?”
Oubliette and Finlayson picked up Adella and placed her on one of the couches, letting her lie still. “I think you can watch her with fewer concerns, doctor.”
As Oubliette turned about, two guards confronted her, spears at the ready. Oubliette closed her eyes in finality.
“Guards! Bring her into the Throne Room!” barked Triton.
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Post by powerdroid on Apr 4, 2005 8:13:18 GMT -5
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Oubliette grimaced, but complied as the guards trooped her out. Ariel swam ahead to Triton.
“Daddy! She didn’t have to come back, but she did. She saved Adella! Doesn’t that count for something? Anything?” Ariel tried to impede his progress, but Triton was determined and pushed on through.
“This is something that needs to be done. It has gone on for far too long and will be finished today!”
“But, Daddy…!”
“Not another word from you!”
Ariel pulled up as the guards came by. Oubliette gave a slight smile. “Thanks, anyway.”
In the throne room, Oubliette was presented to Triton. He sat in his throne, trident at the ready. Some of the other sisters came down to watch the proceedings.
“Many years ago, you were found guilty of crimes against the Crown. The punishment was eternal banishment. To return would mean your death! Do you understand this?”
“Yes, I fully understand these charges.”
“There is one last thing that must be done before sentence is carried out.”
“I wish to speak on behalf of the accused,” spoke Ariel.
“This case is closed! I will hear no new arguments.”
“But if you would just listen…”
“Not another word!” Triton searched around in a basket next to his throne and pulled out a very old, tattered scroll. He undid the kelp ribbon around it and began to read.
“It is the decision of the King of Atlantica, on this day, that the accused, Royal Court Herbalist Oubliette, be given a full and unconditional pardon for any and all crimes for which she has been falsely accused. This decree reinstates full citizenship, with all the rights and privileges which that includes.”
Triton came off the throne and gave the scroll to Oubliette, who looked on with incredulity. She read the document, and then read it again. “I…I don’t understand.”
“The person who replaced you, Hedonia, was able to identify the malady as Shark Pox. It is extremely contagious and since merfolk do not have a resistance to it, the means of transmission was from a Sharkanian.
“It was later determined that a patrol had encountered some Sharkanian scouts and one of our own became infected. He brought it back to the camp and the disease spread. Once we...I learned of the grave error I had made, I issued the pardon, but you were nowhere to be found. I have kept this at the ready, if and when the day should arise when I could amend an old mistake.
“You are welcome to come back to Atlantica, if you choose to do so.”
“I…I don’t know what to say.” Oubliette looked at the scroll again. There was no mistake in it. “It even has your seal and signature.”
“I would consider it an honor if you would spend the night to consider your decision. We no longer have a Court Herbalist and the city is in need of someone of your talents.”
“What happened to Hedonia?”
“She passed away four years ago. Dr. Finlayson is useful, but, as you see, just not enough.” Triton pointed to the guards. “The crisis is over. You may return to your stations.” The guards left. Triton looked to Oubliette. “My daughter must have had to do a lot of convincing for you to return.”
“Our conversations were…pointed, but she reminded me of something I had long forgotten.”
Triton looked over to Ariel. “Ariel, please advise the cook to set an extra place. We’re having an old friend for dinner.”
Attina came up to Triton. “But the book! ‘A Brief History of the Sharkanian Incursion’ states it was generally assumed she was to blame.”
“Have you gotten to Chapter 38, ‘Fall Out’?”
“Not yet, it is a dense book.”
“You’ve got some reading ahead of you. And merfolk can assume whatever they want. It’s not necessarily the truth.”
A couple of servants entered the throne room.
“Ahh! Good. Please prepare the Nobility Suite for tonight. We have company.”
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Post by littlemermaid on Apr 5, 2005 20:23:59 GMT -5
It really is a wonderful story.
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Post by powerdroid on Apr 6, 2005 0:43:54 GMT -5
Thank you for your comment, I appreciate you taking the time to read my story.
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Post by philip on Apr 6, 2005 12:25:55 GMT -5
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Post by powerdroid on Apr 6, 2005 12:46:06 GMT -5
*sigh* If only Disney Press felt that way...........
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Post by powerdroid on Apr 8, 2005 10:52:29 GMT -5
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Ariel was getting ready for bed when she ran into Oubliette.
“How is Adella?”
“She is going to have a really nasty scar on her hand, but, aside from that, she is expected to make a full recovery.”
“That’s great to hear.”
“Ariel, I wish to apologize for my behavior. I was reprehensible in both action and thought. I should have gone with my first instinct and just come to render aid. Can you every forgive me?”
“I can do that.” Ariel smiled.
“I have decided to return to Atlantica and accept the offer to be Court Herbalist, so you’ll be seeing a lot more of me.”
“We could use you.”
“I am also going to teach classes in becoming an herbalist. There is no reason to let an art like this fade away. I was wondering if you would consent to letting me educate you in this.”
“I would like that, yes.”
Oubliette gave Ariel a big hug. “It’s so nice to be given a second chance. And you helped me in that. I won’t let any of you down.”
Oubliette released Ariel. “Well, it’s time for bed. It has been a most busy day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Can I see Adella?”
“Sure. I think she’d like some company. She is back in her room.”
Ariel quickly headed down the hall. Peering inside the room, Adella was propped up on some pillows, her right arm swathed in bandages and elevated. She was trying to eat with her left hand, but it was tough.
“Adella? Are you up for company?” asked Ariel.
“Anyone but the doctor. Come on in.”
Ariel entered and sat next to the bed. Adella looked over at her arm. “I understand you found the herbalist. I need to thank you for that.”
“You’re my sister. I know you’d do the same for me. How are you feeling?”
“I’m still rather weak and achy, but a lot better than I was two nights ago. It just gets so boring staying in bed. The doctor thinks I need another two days, and I’m not in a position to argue.”
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“I can’t lift any book to read it, and I don’t think I could focus on it well enough anyway. Could you read to me?”
Ariel smiled. “What would you like to hear?”
“How about ‘A Brief History of the Sharkanian Incursion’?”
They both began to laugh.
THE END
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Post by littlemermaid on Apr 9, 2005 9:08:39 GMT -5
Wonderful!
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Post by powerdroid on Apr 9, 2005 14:54:52 GMT -5
Thanks to you and to all who have read this and continue to read this.
I am humbled.
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Post by WickedElphie on Apr 30, 2005 18:05:35 GMT -5
A wonderful ending! You wrapped up all the loose ends beautifully and I LOVE that Triton didn't immediately assume the worst after all. You have a real talent for storytelling!
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Post by powerdroid on Apr 30, 2005 19:33:53 GMT -5
*Blush*
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Post by stephie on May 8, 2005 14:56:11 GMT -5
Just finished reading your story, i really liked it good job  |
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Post by swemer on May 8, 2005 15:18:07 GMT -5
How should I put it: Jag tycker din berättelse rockar fett!
And now in english: I think your story is great!
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Post by powerdroid on May 8, 2005 23:24:15 GMT -5
Ahhhh, me public.
As to Disney
"Disney Press does not accept unsolicited submissions. We recommnded that your works come through an established literary or writing agency."
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Post by jennifer on May 19, 2005 0:41:10 GMT -5
Your story is beautiful!!! 
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Post by powerdroid on May 22, 2005 0:52:08 GMT -5
Thank you, one and all.
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Post by Prince Mike on Jul 10, 2005 14:25:17 GMT -5
That was really amazing. I had a feeling, the moment we met the herbalist *can't spell her name* was going to be trouble. And giving Ariel that drink made me realize... Uh oh!!
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