Bittersweet Symphony: Revised!

[WickedElphie]

Aquisha stated I always get her but into gear: She did the same for me! (Also I sae the musical, which was amazing) I FINALLY finished editing and re-writing the first eight chapters of my only long fic and am ready to post the new version, and work on future chapters. My rewritten chapters will be out once a week and I hope to have new chapters out at least monthly.

Since it's been so long, I'll be posting the prologue and chapter one at the same time:







Prologue:

*A collector's piece indeed . . .
Every detail exactly as she said . . .
She often spoke of you, my friend . . .
Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead...
Will you still play, when all the rest of us are dead?*- “Prologue”-The Phantom of the Opera.



“And then what happened?” Eric asked Ariel as they sat together on the beach.

“Well, I realized that if we could just get everyone else in Atlantica to remember *their* friendships, then we could stop the Manta ...” Ariel trailed off biting her bottom lip and playing with her hair absentmindedly as she tried to find the right words to finish the story.

Of course she was very grateful that she had words to find again. It had only been a month or so since her ill-fated bargain with the now-deceased sea witch and she still remembered what it was like to be without her voice. Remembered what it was like not to be able to talk, or sing, or laugh, or scream, or cry. It had been like losing part of herself, and she hated remembering the helplessness of it. Unconsciously, she shuddered and briefly touched her throat.

Eric noticed but didn’t remark on it . He knew that she hadn’t fully gotten over her pain at Ursula’s hand, and truthfully neither had he.

Eric had always considered himself a strong person, but with one siren song from the witch’s stolen voice he had become an obedient doll in the hands of a master puppeteer. The worst part was that though his memories of his time under the spell remained hazy and indistinct even now, that didn’t stop the lingering shadows from haunting him in his nightmares. He reminded himself that what was past was past and that he and Ariel had a future that couldn’t be anything but bright.

“Are you alright, sweetheart?” he asked gently, though he still startled her.

“Sorry, Eric.” Ariel apologized with a blush, “I was just thinking. It‘s nothing.”

He smiled reassuringly, “That’s ok. Now, you were just telling me how you came up with a plan to stop the Evil Manta.”

She furrowed her brow in concentration, “Right. Well at first Flounder and I tried talking to everyone, but we weren‘t getting through to them at all. So I…”

“You sang to them.” Eric finished.

Ariel looked at him searchingly, a bit unnerved at his accuracy, “How did you know that?”.

He just smiled and shrugged his shoulders, “Lucky guess.”

Ariel shook off her unease and laughed. Of course he would realize what she had done. He knew better than anyone how she used music as a way to reach out to others. The sound of her giggles was music to Eric’s ears and he couldn’t help chuckling too.

He put his arm around her and tenderly kissed her forehead while Ariel leaned to place her head on his shoulder. Every day he was falling a little more in love with her.



"Oh man, not dat again," Sebastian muttered as he scurried out from behind the small rock near the two lovers and headed into the ocean. He swam as fast as his claws could carry him to the palace of the Sea King to give his report.

He loved that girl, and Eric was all right as far as humans went, but the pair of them didn’t go two minutes without making ‘da eyes’, or saying sweet nothings, or all the rest of it. It was almost more than a confirmed bachelor-crab could take. Not to mention that crazy chef was always lurking around.

At least he was only ordered to “watch over” Ariel until the wedding. Then Eric was on his own. The small crab couldn’t deny a certain malicious glee in imagining the prince trying to keep up with Ariel’s thirst for adventure. The image never failed to bring a smile to his face.

Again, he liked the boy well enough, but after the grief he’d been put through trying to get the him to pucker up-well, a little anxiety and heart pounding terror mixed with the idea of trying to explain what happened to King Triton with just a dash of incredulity at how Ariel got herself into these situations in the first place wouldn’t kill him. Probably. Of course in truth, he wished them both bliss. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t tease Eric or enjoy the imagery.

But what Sebastian didn't know was that there were others watching Ariel and Eric, and not all with innocent intensions…



In an old castle on a small Island, a figure lurked in the darkness of the tower room. He watched the happy pair in an image reflected in an ornate mirror.

The dim light of the dying fire revealed that he was tall and wore his dark hair in a ponytail, but his face remained hidden in shadow. In a corner a small figurine sat on a table, a music box with the forms of a boy and girl in the midst of a dance.

He moved his hand as if to touch the image of the princess, but pulled back, waving away the likeness of the couple, distorting it into a violet haze. The man finally spoke, "It has to be tonight.”

There was an answering chorus from the mirror, “Are you certain?”

“Yes. If we do not have her before midnight, all our planning will have been for nothing."

"Tonight then. Just make sure you handle your end. I‘ll take care of the rest."

Though the room was still dark, it was easy to imagine the figure‘s predatory smile, "And soon her power will finally be undone, and I will finally have everything I’ve wanted from the beginning."

The haze formed together again, seemingly of its own accord, into an image of Ariel, but only Ariel.

"Everything."

And once more he moved to touch her face.

Chapter I: Goodbye To You

I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems that I can't live a day without you
Closing my eyes and you chase my thoughts away
To a place where I am blinded by the light
But it's not right

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything that I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to-“Goodbye To You”-Michelle Branch.

Ariel sighed in Eric's arms as they watched the sun set together.

"It really is lovely, isn't it?", his voice interrupted her reverie.

"Yes, lovely." She pulled out of his embrace and stood up. She couldn't expect him to understand how the glory of a sunset was tainted for her now. That the beauty was lost to a memory of watching a ship grow smaller in the distance. Soon she would forget and be able to watch the everyday miracle without feeling a twinge of pain. Soon.

Eric quirked his eyebrow, confused. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Of course not. I just got hot all of a sudden, that's all." It wasn't a complete lie. She'd been feeling uncomfortable for days; smothered by itchy barely-familiar fabric and something she couldn’t quite name.

He smiled gently before getting up to join her, even as he saw her look to the sea and breathe in the lingering spray, "Grim wanted to go over a few things before dinner. Do you want to go in now?"

She shook her head, her red mane blowing in the breeze, "I'll stay out a few more minutes."

"You sure?"

"Yes, "Ariel replied almost teasingly. "Go", she laughed, spinning to kiss him, "I'll be fine."

Eric chuckled to himself as he touched his lip, mock bowing, "As my lady wishes." And then he was gone.

Ariel watched him leave and then sighed again. She loved being with Eric, she really did, but it was nice to have a moment to herself. She stared back at the ocean; it looked dark in the dimming twilight and seemed to stretch on forever. 'Forever lost', a treacherous piece of her heart seemed to whisper

Most of the time the rest of her heart could sing back 'Eric, Eric, Love' and that would be that, but sometimes when she was alone and a salt wind blew from the sea...

She missed them. She missed timid Flounder and animated Sebastian. Playful Spot and graceful Gabrielle. Her father and her sisters. Urchin. Sweet earnest funny Urchin who'd left months ago to seek his fortune. Her friend and surrogate brother who was always up for any adventure no matter how strange or scary.

Ariel let herself grieve for a moment for every what-might-have-been, before sighing one last time. She had made her choice and she didn't regret it, not really. Eric was her match. He understood her in ways she couldn't explain in a thousand years and in turn she almost knew him better than she did herself. From the moment they had met there had been a spark, a connection that was almost eerie. They were simply meant to be.

The former mermaid looked up. It was dark now, but the sky glittered with stars. She was ready to meet Eric. She started making her way across the sand but stopped abruptly. She heard something in the distance and began to turn around, unknowingly echoing her fiancé's movements some weeks ago.

"I'm sorry, I hope I didn't startle you."

Ariel jumped. Not two feet away was a man who had not been in sight a minute ago.

Smiling kindly she replied, “Just a little. Don’t worry about it.”

The stranger was dressed completely in black, from the cloak that covered his dark military-style uniform to his boots; even his hair was raven in its ponytail. Gloves covered his hands but his face and neck were pale. His other features were obscured in the moonlight, but was something *familiar* about him. Like she had met him before. But how could that be?

“Oh, but for troubling such a beautiful lady I deserve far worse.” He had a strangely melodic voice. It had an almost hypnotic quality about it.

“Oh, no. Please, it wasn’t your fault.” She blushed, not used to this kind of attention and a little nervous.

The man chuckled, “Perhaps, but I’d still like to make it up to you. Over dinner perhaps?”

Ariel blinked, dizzy all of a sudden. “Thank you, but I was just on my way to meet my-my.” Then without further warning her knees buckled and she began to fall, but she never hit the ground.

Someone was holding her. A voice crooned, “Careful, easy.” She tried to focus on the speaker but everything was fuzzy and her head tilted towards the sky, “So familiar. Why- do I know you?” And then the stars went out.


Eric tapped his fingers, anxious for Grim to wrap up the conversation. His trusted advisor was brilliant, but had an unfortunate ‘talent’ for delivering information in the most tedious way possible. When Grimsby finally finished, the young prince practically ran to the dining room. He blinked when he realized Carlotta was the only one waiting for him.

“Ariel didn’t come in yet?”

The kindly housekeeper shook her head, “I’m afraid not, dear.” Sensing Eric’s concern, she added, “Oh now, she probably got distracted by something. Perhaps that young friend of hers has come back. Why don’t you head outside and check on her, hmm?”

“I’m sure that’s it.” Eric’s voice sounded hollow even to him. There was no reason to worry, but he had a bad feeling, deep down. Just as he had sensed something had been off when he had first seen Ariel (while he was fully awake that is) and she had been unable to speak, he felt that something was wrong now. He left for the beach as fast as he could, but a cold dread had settled inside him.

When Eric stepped onto the shore he was the sole human being on the sand. “No, please, no.” He gazed around frantically, hoping for some sign of the redhead, but there was none.

“Ariel!” he called in desperation, “Ariel!”

“Ari-el!”

[WickedElphie]

Here's the next chapter. Also: comments make me happy


Chapter 2: I Will Not Forget You

*So I ran like the wind to the water
Please don’t leave me again I cried
And I threw bitter tears at the ocean
But all that came back was the tide...*-“I Will Not Forget You”-Sarah McLachlan

Eric did not immediately succumb to despair. Upon realizing Ariel was gone he desperately combed the beach, hoping against hope for some small clue, but there was none. Ariel’s footprints stopped abruptly, and there were no others save his own from the day before.

Next he asked every member of his staff if they had seen her, or anything at all unusual. They hadn’t. He didn’t sleep that night, following every lead he could think of. He had even had Max try to sniff out some kind of trail, but with no luck. Morning had come and he was no closer to finding Ariel than he had been when he started. Now he began to lose hope.

Absently scratching behind his dog‘s ears, Eric leaned against a rock as he desperately tried to think of something he had missed. It was no use. He was far from stupid, but detective work just wasn't his forte.

*If I had any kind of intuition at all, I wouldn't have come so close to losing her last time*, he thought sarcastically. "Wonderful, and wait until her father finds out. The Sea King trusts you with his youngest daughter and you let God-Knows-What happen to her."

In times of stress Eric had a habit of voicing his thoughts out loud. (Carlotta swore he had inherited it from his mother.) Well, he certainly had reason for stress. The only woman he had ever loved had vanished without a trace, again, and this time he had a feeling she wouldn't be miraculously be washed back on the beach into his waiting arms. And if that wasn't enough, her father was an insanely powerful monarch who could blast him with magical lightning at whim.

Eric wasn't an idiot. He knew he was quite possibly a dead man walking. The elderly merman had seemed nice enough the few times they had met, but from Ariel's stories when he was angry he had a fury to shame a hurricane.

Almost idly, Eric wondered if being fried by the trident was as painful as it looked. Then he remembered the eels. He grimaced. At least it would probably be quick.

Sebastian gasped from his position in a nearby tide pool. He had made it back a few minutes ago, planning on catching a little shut-eye before the lovers woke up, but any thoughts of sleep vanished as he heard Eric‘s voiced self-flagellation. He was about to engage in a nice quiet panic attack, but his presence did not remain unnoticed.

Max immediately bounded over to the origin of the sound and began barking happily at the return of his tiny playmate. Eric quickly rushed after him, intending to spare whatever poor animal was there from Max’s over-exuberant affections, and was shocked to see one of the few sea-creatures he knew by sight, "Sebastian?"

The aforementioned crustacean squeaked then attempted to regain his composure, "Yes, Eric. Did I just hear you say Ariel is MISSING!?"

He shooed Max away from the already anxious crab then nodded grimly, "I'm afraid so. She’s been gone since last night and I'm at a loss, there doesn't seem to be any clue.” He breathed deeply, gathering his courage and finally said, “I think you’d better tell King Triton what’s happened."

Sebastian looked at him as if he'd grown a second head, “Are you sure about dis?”

Eric nodded again, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood.

“All right den…” Sebastian finally assented, and began swimming out to sea. From Atlantica, to Eric’s kingdom, and back. His claws were gonna be feeling this one for a while.

Once again it was just the prince and his dog, the way it had been for a long time. *Maybe the way it will be again. * Eric gave himself a mental shake. Now wasn't the time for self-pity. He needed to be ready for whatever was coming, assuming he survived his meeting with the Sea King. With that cheery thought, he settled in to wait.

Back inside the castle, things were running as smoothly as possible given the circumstances. Grimsby had immediately taken charge of seeing to the kingdom at large while Carlotta attended to the castle and its staff, which included carefully squashing every rumor that things were not well:

Why of course the Princess wasn’t gone. She and His Highness had just missed each other coming in last night, that’s all. Yes, they had slept in their beds, they just set out early. Where were they now? None of your business, but you’d best stay away from the beach if you knew what was good for you. Why?- because their majesties were not going to have their time together spoiled by nosy young layabouts who’d best get back to work or else!

If she felt any guilt about her task she squelched it firmly. Better not to have anyone else worrying until they knew for sure there was something to worry about.

Sometime later Eric still stood on the beach, now completely alone. Even faithful Max had wondered back to the castle in search of food and more lively companionship. When a massive wave finally rose up near the beach he swallowed his fear and strode forward as steadily as he was able, mentally preparing for the coming storm.

His worries had not been unfounded. Upon finding out that Ariel had disappeared King Triton *had* flown into a rage, one that had sent everyone fleeing not just the throne room but the palace. Everyone except for poor Sebastian, who was unfortunately required to repeat his story to the king’s satisfaction.

After Sebastian had made himself scarce, Triton continued to fume. Eric had earned his good will, not just for destroying Ursula, but more importantly for taking care of Ariel when she had been alone and helpless, even without knowing that she had been his savior. Over the course of the few meetings they‘d had, he’d even begun to grow *fond* of him.

And now this.

Blasting to the surface and summoning a wave to carry him to shore, he had every intention of verbally tearing into Er-no, the *human* who had failed his daughter. He turned his furious gaze on him and…stopped.

The boy’s clothing was wrinkled and covered in sand, and his hair was more than a little disheveled. By the circles under his eyes, he had not rested once after finding Ariel gone. And though he stood tall with his face carefully blank, his hands were shaking. In that moment Triton was struck by how *young* the human prince looked.

‘Well I suppose he is. How old is he? Seventeen? Eighteen? Yes, I remember now. Most of my girls are older. All except Alana and Ariel. Oh Ariel…’

She would not want him to condemn the boy without hearing first what he had to say. Triton could almost hear her chastising him, as she had the day of the failed concert, “But if you would just listen!”

‘All right Ariel, I will. This time.’

Eric had been expecting a myriad of different reactions, all of them unpleasant, but he was shocked when the king’s deadly expression softened and he finally asked in a tired voice, “What happened, lad?.”

He took a breath before beginning his explanation; somehow this acceptance was almost worse than the rage he had been sure was coming, "Ariel and I were watching the sun set on the beach. I remembered Grimsby, my advisor, had some things he wanted to go over before dinner. I asked her if she wanted to come. She said she wanted to stay outside for a few more minutes. I kissed her goodbye and went in."

He paused briefly then resumed his story, self-loathing evident in every word, "I was with Grim for fifteen, twenty minutes at the most. I went in the dining room when I was finished but Ariel wasn't there yet. Carlotta thought maybe Urchin had come back and she'd forgotten the time while she was catching up.”

Eric smiled faintly, he found Ariel's captivation for the people and world around her absolutely endearing. Seeing her eyes brighten with focus and wonder made him want to stay with her forever, to make sure that light never went out.

Forcefully brining his mind back to the present he continued, "But I was worried, I had this feeling… I went to the beach to find her and there was nothing. Ariel's footprints just stopped, and there weren't any others. I spent the rest of the night asking anybody if they'd seen anything and trying to find some kind of trail. I couldn‘t find anything." He slumped against the rock behind him.

After listening, King Triton was truly glad that for once he had not given in to his anger. It was obvious to him now that Eric was not at fault. Further more, despite knowing of the Sea King’s famous temper, he had called him as soon as he had the means to do so. The young prince had put Ariel’s needs above his own in every way. The Sea King was impressed, and had faith that together they would find his youngest daughter.

But he had no way of knowing just how far away Ariel was, or how close by. In the castle tower on the island that had no name, she slept and she dreamed…

(fight)

“What do mean there‘s no hope?…I won‘t abandon her. Not again.”

(shadows and light…)

“Love‘s first kiss…There must be a way. And I‘ll find it, for all of us.”

(find it…)

“Get out of here you demon! Leave us alone!”

(my last gift)

“No. Demon or not you need me. And I need you.”

(my love)…

Lost in her dreams, Ariel had no idea that she wasn't alone. In the room where she lay a man sat at the foot of her bed. Someone she knew, but did not know. A keeper of many secrets. One that he himself was unaware of. One that meant the salvation or ruin of everything he held dear.

He watched her with the fixation of a man obsessed and held his hand to touch her face, as he had longed to for so long...

"What do you think you're doing?" Startled, he jumped up off the bed , then scowled. The woman who, as of late, was the bane of his existence stood in the doorway to the bedroom, looking for all the world like a bemused parent.

Fate was cruel to force him to work with *her*, a mockery of everything he had lost. No, that wasn't quite true. Looking at the woman before him now made his heart ache, but looking at the *other* shook him to the very core of his being.

"Nothing. I'm following the plan."

"Of course you are, with just a few *small* alterations. “

"Sarcasm doesn’t become you, *Madam Sorceress.*”, he spat out. “Besides, it’ not really any of your business."

She gave him her best Cheshire Cat grin, "Isn’t it? After all..." She let the sentence trail off; certain he'd catch her meaning.

After enjoying his flustered look for a moment she decided to reassure him, "Relax I’m not going to spoil your fun-yet. Just remember, she doesn’t know you. She *can’t* know you."

"I know. It’s just hard, lying to her.”

"Well, it’ll have to stay that way.", she scoffed, "The truth is not an option. She’d never believe it anyway. "

He sighed, exasperated, " I know. I know. Don’t you have somewhere to be?"

She smirked, "As a matter of fact I do. But don’t get too upset. I’ll be back soon enough.”

Now it was his turn to scoff, "Somehow I’ll manage until your return". He bowed mockingly in her general direction.

She smirked again, "I bet you will." Then she turned and left without another word.

He glared at her retreating back for a moment, then sat back down on the bed and tenderly brushed Ariel's hair out of her eyes as she slept on, "Soon, Love. Soon."

[Aquisha]

Gah! I am so excited to read the rest of this! Ok, I love the additions that you've made; they fill out the story and have really got me wondering what's going to happen! It's really well-written and I am so intrigued to see how this man is connected to Ariel.

I can't wait to read more!

P.S. I love Eric (of course)! He talks to himself; adorable!

[WickedElphie]

Here's Chapter Three. Aquisha: I'm glad you like my edit's and that you think my Eric is adorable. That's a high compliment indeed. Hope you like this chapter too!


Chapter Three: One Step Closer


*I find the answers aren't so clear
Wish I could find a way to disappear
All these thoughts they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Nothing seems to go away
Over and over again

Just like before...*-“One Step Closer”-Linkin Park


Eric sighed as he showed King Triton the area where Ariel's footprints trailed off. As before, there was nothing remarkable. "This is it. Nothing's changed since last night."

Triton frowned, trying to find the missing piece of the puzzle. ‘Nothing’s changed’. He looked at the smooth area of sand...Come to think of it, it was little too smooth. Much more so than the rest of the beach. “Of course!"

Eric backed away alarmed as anger flickered on the Sea King's face before he gripped his trident and fired. Finally, he opened his eyes, which he had closed in preparation for a bolt that never came. He grinned sheepishly at the bemused merman, whose target had been the patch of sand where Ariel's last footprints had been, not him.

"I'm not in the habit of using this on those who don't deserve it. See that you never do and you have nothing to worry about." Triton struggled not to laugh at the embarrassed young man before him.

Eric flushed, "I'm sorry. It's just..."

The older monarch interrupted, "You don‘t need to explain. Tell me, did you have any way of knowing Ariel was in danger when you left her last night? "

Eric shook his head. His people were generally content and held no malice toward the royal family. There hadn't been any pirate ships sighted in ages. The idea of danger would have been almost laughable. At least it should have been.

"All right then.” Triton nodded, figuring as much, “Now let’s see what we've uncovered."

Eric stared. Past where Ariel's footprints had seemed to have ended were several more healed shoe imprints leading towards the waves. From the right there were prints from a man's boots that headed towards Ariel's. Where they met was a patch of sand that looked as if the wearer of the healed shoes had slipped or been dragged...

If the man had had a boat he could have waded in the surf, but why wouldn't Ariel have called out to any of the sea creatures in the area? Unless she couldn't. He grimaced and clenched his fist so hard his nails left imprints in his palm. If someone had hurt her...He looked at King Triton and saw the same promise of retribution in his eyes. Whoever took her would be sorry.



On the mysterious island, Ariel stirred and finally awoke. She did a double take, noting the strange bedchamber and that she was still in her dress from last night. Last night...

She had been alone on the beach when a strange man came out of nowhere and spoke to her. The last thing she could remember was growing dizzy and falling, only to be caught by a pair of strong arms. And a voice that seemed familiar, but strange at the same time. It was all so confusing. Had this been what Eric felt like when she had rescued him? ‘Eric. He must be so worried.’

"Ahh, so Sleeping Beauty can be woken without a kiss." Ariel practically jumped out of the unfamiliar bed, turning to stare at the man who lurked in the doorway.

He chuckled as he entered the room, "I'm sorry. It seems I have a habit of startling you. I assure you, I'll do my best to break it.

She remembered the pale skin, dark hair and clothes, but in the light she could see that he was about Eric’s height, and had blue eyes that reminded her of ice or crystal. Brilliant and almost cold, there was something about them that drew her in. Even a mermaid could drown in those eyes.

Stranger still, she felt like there was some detail dancing at the corner of her vision. Something tugging at her, as if somehow she wasn’t seeing all of him. But that was silly, wasn’t it?

She forced a fragile smile to her face, and curtsied prettily like Carlotta had shown her how, “How do you do, I’m Princess Ariel. May I ask who you are, where I am, and how I came to be here?” The formality felt stiff and unnatural, but it gave her a moment to collect herself.

The dark man frowned, “I’m Daemon. You are in my home and I brought you here after you fainted. I’d be happy to explain why, but please don’t be so formal. Court manners set my teeth on edge like you wouldn’t believe.”

Ariel smiled, for real this time. “I understand completely. I’m sorry if I was rude. “

He shook his head and offered a half-smile, “No, I’m the one that was rude. Please forgive me. It’s been quite a while since I’ve had to entertain. Now if you’ll come with me, I‘ll explain everything the best I can.”

He took her by the hand and led her out of the bedroom into a small sitting area with two chairs by a fire. Once there he gentlemanly waited for her to sit before taking the other chair himself.

“Now, how to begin...”



"So someone used magic to cover their tracks, but can we use that to find Ariel?" Eric was practically buzzing with nervous energy now that there was something to go on. His despair and exhaustion had vanished with the spell.

"I'm afraid not. I don't know of anyone who could have constructed this kind of illusion outside of the ocean without the aid of the trident. Ursula could have..." Triton trailed off as if still forming a thought.

"But she's dead! Isn‘t she?" Eric wasn't quite sure what the limits of magic were. Until recently, he'd thought of it as something confined to imagination and nervous murmurs accompanying the occasional odd twist of fate.

"No. Ursula is gone. I was thinking of her sister, but Morgana has never shown half of her sister’s talent-in magic or cruelty. Though she has tried once or twice.”

If Atlantica’s sovereign ruler was at a loss, his would-be son-in-law wasn‘t fairing much better. “I wish I could help, but I’m not even sure if humans practice magic.”

“Some do, but most don’t care to advertise. For some reason they don’t find idea of being burned at the stake particularly appealing. Can’t imagine why.”

Both man and merman turned to where the voice had suddenly come from. Its owner was a woman of average height. Her purple gown was floor length but not voluminous, and had bell sleeves. A wrap covered her hair and hid most of her face. She was fair skinned and from her manner seemed to be at least a few years older than Eric. Her eyes were a deep blue, but there was something dark reflected in those twin pools.

Eric glared at her suspiciously, “Who are you? What do you want?”

Even the way she raised her eyebrows dripped with condescension, “And here I thought nobles were supposed to be courteous. You may call me Selene. And as for what I want, well it just so happens that what I want coincides with what you need.”
Eric opened his mouth to say something else, but she gestured at him with her left hand, and he found himself suddenly very dizzy and began to stagger wildly as his vision swam. He didn’t even notice as Selene appeared at his side just in time to catch his shoulders as he fell backward. She laid him gently on the sand, not letting go until he finally drifted into unconsciousness.

Triton was furious, “What have you done?”

Selene shrugged her shoulders, “Forgive me, but I needed to speak to you alone for a moment. If, when I’m finished you still feel I have done wrong, I’ll accept any punishment you see fit.”

The king nodded, still glaring “All right then, explain.”

And she did.

Ariel sat on the rock, her tail curved slightly, almost like a human kneeling. Eric stood beside her, one foot on the same stone and the other in the water. Where they were was peaceful, but angry purple clouds were moving towards them, promising a storm. She smiled at him. He smiled back.

“Do you know the story of the goddess who dared love a mortal?”

“That’s not a question I expected at a time like this.” he chastised.

“I know.” Her smile turned sad, “But one has to know these things to get by in polite society.”

He shook his head franticly, “We get by just fine!”

She gently touched her hand to his chest, just where his heart lay, and in that spot his shirt and the flesh underneath began to burn. When she let go, there were three evenly spaced diagonal lines of scaring. He looked at her in wordless question, and in lieu of an answer, she kissed him. It was a frantic, desperate kiss. A last hope kiss. Or was it a lost hope kiss?

When it ended, Ariel’s eyes were welled up with tears. Eric pulled her into his arms, and she held him tight as she shuddered in pain. He though she might be trying to scream, but there was no sound. When she pulled away and he saw her again, she was human and wrapped in a sail-cloth, as she had been the first time he had really seen her. She was crying.

He wiped the tears away and whispered, “What are you trying to tell me?”

She couldn’t speak, but she mouthed the words and for once he understood.

‘Find me. Save me.’

And as the darkness closed in around them, she drew him in for one final kiss…

Eric opened his eyes, groaned in pain, then shut them again. He felt groggy, and his head ached. He tried to pull himself together, but he could hear a male and female voice in heated discussion, and the noise made the pounding worse.

“And you can change back and forth at will?”

“Yes. It‘s really not that hard.”

“But how…?”

“No details, remember.”

“I understand, but…”

“He’s waking up.”

‘He, who?’ No sooner had Eric’s disoriented mind framed the question than he felt one pleasantly cool hand lifting his head up, and another putting some kind of flask to his lips. The liquid poured in his mouth and he swallowed. In what seemed like an instant later, the pain and fatigue were gone, and he was able to sit up. “What happened?”

“What normally happens after a person tries to get by without eating, drinking, or sleeping for an extended period of time. You collapsed.”

He looked at the mysterious woman. Selene, she had said her name was. What she said made sense but hadn‘t she…

Triton nodded, “It took us by surprise. One minute you fine, the next you were on the ground.”

Eric nodded, feeling embarrassed at having passed out yet again, changed the subject. “So what were you two talking about when I woke up?”

“It seems that Miss Selene is not actually a human, but is able to transform into one. I was surprised, as that talent is, err somewhat rare, among oceanic magic users.” Triton neglected to add that the reason for that was because most of the sea still feared humans and would never dream of entering their world, even in disguise.

“And that my reason for helping is an old debt of honor between the King’s family and mine.” Selene added, “I happened upon information regarding the plot against the princess, and felt it was my duty offer any possible aid.”

Eric, although he felt in over his head, found his voice. “What exactly do you know?”

“Not much. There have been whispers, about someone called the Dark Siren. I have heard her compared to the Sea Witch.”

“Her? But the footprints we saw were a man’s.”

“An accomplice, maybe? I’m afraid there’s nothing more I can tell, except that I do know where the princess was taken.”




“So some evil magic was making me faint last night?” Ariel could hardly believe the incredible story her host had told.

“Yes. As I said before I had come to your lovely country in order to purchase some...necessities, and was planning on returning home when I chanced upon you on the beach.” Off her look he added, “I’d already sent my supplies to my vessel.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to seem so suspicious. It just didn’t make sense to me.”

He smiled kindly, “No need to apologize. Anyone in your position would be cautious. Now, I believe I mentioned that I occasionally dabble in some minor spell casting. I’m no Merlin by any means, but I can at least tell when someone’s casting dark magic nearby. You don’t survive long in my trade if you can’t. I was concerned for your safety after you passed out, and having no way of knowing where you lived, I chose to bring you here. Of course I was in for a shock when I checked on you this morning.”

“I don’t understand.” Ariel said, perplexed, “What do you mean?”

“Your ring. It bears the Prince’s crest.”

She looked down at the ring on her left hand and gently moved her thumb over the small stylized ‘E’. Eric had explained that it had been passed down in his family for years and in that time every first-born child had been given an ‘E’ name. She closed her eyes, remembering the day he had put it on her finger and they had talked about their families...

*“It’s sort of silly actually...”

“Remember how I told you I have six sisters?”

“Yes.”

“What if I told you all their names started with an ‘A’ too.”

“No! You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“Yep. All of us.”

“Wow, maybe we’d be better off coming up with our own tradition.”

“Our own tradition...I like the sound of that.”

“Me too.” *

“Yes. We‘re getting married in two months.” Ariel opened her eyes and looked up at Daemon, almost expecting him to be angry. Instead, he looked at her with a sort of bittersweet smile.

“So congratulations are in order. I’m sorry, if I had seen your ring last night I would have taken you home.”

“It’s alright. But I’m sure Eric’s getting worried by now.” ‘And Daddy too’, she added silently. “I’d really like to go home.”

Daemon looked grim, “I’m sorry, but I‘m afraid that‘s not possible.”

“What?”




“Princess Ariel is being held in a hidden magical place. It’s tricky to get to, but I believe I can do it.” Selene turned to King Triton, “You should return home, Your Highness.”

“What do you mean ‘return home’!?”

Eric was finally witnessing the famed rage of the Sea King. He wished Ariel had been exaggerating. “She means you can’t go, sir.”

“Why not!” The Sea King’s eyes contained a fire as red as his daughter’s hair.

“Because you are a liability we can‘t afford right now.” Selene shouted.

The beach was silent as she continued. “You cannot be trusted to hold your ground when your daughters’ safety is involved. You’ve already given up the trident to save her once. If that happens this time we’re all dead, and I’m sorry, but I will not allow you to doom us all for the sake of your guilt!”

Triton said nothing but gave Selene a piercing look as she continued. “Eric and the three others I sent for will be enough. Please go. ”

“Who are the others?”

Selene raised her eyebrow at the prince, hoping he wasn’t really THAT dense.

“Oh, lets see… Sebastian and Flounder, right?”

“Present and accounted for, mon.” The crab and fish had arrived as if on cue.

Eric genuinely smiled for the first time that day, “Great, but who‘s the third?”

“I guess that would be me.”

Eric stared at the young merman who had just arrived and nodded, “Nice to meet you, Urchin.”

[WickedElphie]

It's that time again-New Chapter! Yay! If you're reading I'd appreciate any comment, even if it's just something like "nice job" or "It was okay, but x bothered me".

Chapter 4: Next To Nothing

Beneath this wave
I just can't take your breath away
You cut me down
And I know you'll always be around
so now I wait
I know you'll live another day
Come and take my breath away
Look me straight in the face

Cause I know it's over
Growin' colder
I need something
Leave me next to nothing
All we ever wanted
I need something
Leave me next to nothing
Next to nothing- “Next To Nothing”-Breaking Benjamin.


Daemon held his hands up defensively, “Wait just a moment. I need you to hear me out.”

"Why should I?" Ariel asked, glaring at her would-be captor.

"The reason why I can't bring you home is because it wouldn't be safe, for either of us.”

"Why not?" She was tired of being left in the dark, and cynical enough from previous experience not to take anything at face value.

“Using my powers to return you would be the equivalent of shooting off a flare gun for whatever tried to harm you.”

“Huh?” Obviously that hadn't been the answer she was expecting.

'Patience,' he reminded himself. 'She's still so young, she has no idea...'

“They’d be able to find us. We were extremely lucky in outrunning them last night. The odds of us fairing so well a second time are...less than promising.”

“Why would you need to use your magic?”

Daemon smiled kindly as he led his guest to the window. “Look. All that you see is protected by ancient magics. This island is a strange place, not dangerous exactly, but it has its own rules. The only way to enter or leave is through activating one of the two gates. The Surface Gate is too easily found and the Deep Sea gate is…not something I can use."

“But I can’t stay here.” Ariel felt a swarm of butterfly fish swimming in her stomach. Was there any way to get home?

“You’re right, you can’t.”

“I don’t understand.” For a moment Ariel just wished everything could be simple. She had the distinct feeling that someone was feeding her a line, but for some reason a small part of her did not want to believe that the man in front of her was the one at the other end of the hook. She stared into those cold blue eyes trying to get a sense of...she wasn't quite sure what.

There it was! Just for a moment, a flash of *something*. It was familiar, but not. Like the echo of a familiar melody, or a blurry memory from long, long ago.*“Careful, easy.”* Daemon had said that to her when she had fainted last night and in that moment his voice had sounded different. Younger? Softer, maybe? She tried to look harder, but he turned away from her.

Daemon was so mysterious, so strange. But there had been more than one chance for him to hurt her; she had been unconscious for hours and now she was in his home, at his mercy. Instead, he had been courteous to a fault. When he had moved away from her it wasn't because of annoyance or anger; in fact he had seemed almost sad. Her heart began to go out to him.

Hadn’t Eric told her that most humans didn’t believe in magic anymore? There couldn’t be many people he could share his gift with. Maybe he was just lonely. She could understand that. Oh, she really, really could.

“I can’t make use of the Deep Sea gate, but I know someone who can. She will be bringing your lover here to take you home.” He spoke softly, with his face still turned to the wall, but Ariel heard him loud and clear. She put her hand on his shoulder. An eternity passed between them, and he finally faced her.

“But why send her to get Eric, why not just have her take me?” She tried to keep her tone free of suspicion.

“I meant it as a sign of good faith. If it were her alone, would you be able to trust her to get you there? "

“Oh.” That made sense. At least she thought it did. ‘Please don‘t be lying to me.’ She wanted so much for her companion to be a friend and not a foe.

“I will make things right, I promise.” Daemon filled his voice with all the conviction he had.

“I believe you.” Ariel reconciled herself to betting her future on the inexplicable connection she felt to this stranger. She just hoped she wasn’t making a terrible mistake.



Back at the beach in front of Eric’s castle, Selene’s enigmatic smile had returned as she addressed Urchin, “Thank you for coming so quickly. How is Gabriella?”

Urchin had grown since the last time he had seen Ariel. He was taller, but still shorter head-to-fin than Eric was head-to-toe. He had also filled out, and while still lean, was no longer hopelessly skinny. His face had also matured. Though not what one would call classically handsome, his mischievous and good natured appearance was very appealing. To his credit, Eric wasn’t the least bit jealous. He knew Urchin was important to Ariel, but he also had faith in her, and in their feelings for each other.

The young merman shrugged nonchalantly “She’s good. She wanted to come too but she was invited to lecture at the fish school for the deaf. So why don’t you explain to human-boy and the rest of us what’s going on?”

"You two know each other?" Eric had the distinct feeling that things were off somehow. Had he known about it, he would have agreed with Ariel’s assessment that it was as if someone was reeling them all in.

Urchin shook his head, "Not exactly. I heard a voice in my head telling me Ariel was in trouble and that if I wanted to help I should go to the surface.”

Eric glanced at Selene incredulously. She just gave him with what he was quickly learning was her look of bemused superiority. “What can I say. I’m a creature of many talents. Be glad I’m on your side.”

Eric wasn’t entirely sure about the last, but kept his thoughts to himself.

At that moment KIng Triton decided to make his presence felt, “Well now that that’s settled, why don’t you explain how exactly you plan to get my daughter back.”

As Selene faced the king she visibly hardened and when she spoke her words could have frozen the very water, “Gladly. I have almost no information I can share about Ariel’s captors, beyond what you already know. However, I do know where she was taken; an island protected by ancient magics. I can act as a guide, but I make no promises about facing who or whatever is responsible.”

She moved to address the entire company at the border between the land and sea, “Consider your options carefully. A very dangerous force has set these events in motion and if we don’t make our move now we lose not only your friend, but the only chance of fixing this mess. As it stands, we may already be too late.”

The beach was silent for a moment before the first voice rang out, “Ariel’s my best friend. No way am I leaving her.”

A second followed, “You’re right Flounder. We’ve followed Ariel into every kind of danger no matter what. I’m not guppying out now.”

The third sounded resigned to its fate, “Well, someone’s got to see dat you two don’t do anything foolish.”

The last was Eric’s, “I swore I wouldn’t lose her again and I meant it.” That was all there was to say.

The four smiled sadly at each other, and in that moment of quiet bonding, they missed the short conversation between the sorceress and the ruler of all the ocean.

"Like I said, you should go. You can‘t do anything more to help here. I'll send word when she’s safe."

"But-"

"You‘d be of far more use to your kingdom than to us. Not to mention your six other daughters."

“I-”

"Go. Remember that, Ariel's fate and that of her friends, are…important to me as well."

There was a pause as King Triton stared into Selene’s eyes. He found what he was looking for and relented.

“I want your word that all of you will come back safe.

"I can’t guarantee that. But I promise to do everything I can."

Upon hearing that declaration, Atlantica’s ruler departed for home.

The crash of the waves broke the spell over the others and once again they looked to the stranger who had appeared so suddenly.

“King Triton has gone to see to his kingdom. We should be leaving too.”

Urchin for one wasn‘t planning on going anywhere without a little more assurance, “Wait a second. I have a couple things I want cleared up before I go anywhere.”

Selene sighed, “Fine. Just make it quick." She was getting so bored with this farce. If they only knew...but that was neither here or there.

"What's your part in all of this? Why help us?"

"Lets just say helping you helps me. Believe me, If that weren't the case I wouldn't be here."

"And we're supposed to just take you at your word?" Urchin added skeptically.

"Yes. You really have no choice, and your king seems to trust me at any rate. Anything else?" Selene felt a headache coming on.

"Yes actually.” Eric added, “How are we all going to travel together when well-" His point was made as he gestured to his companions in the ocean, while standing on dry land not far from the sorceress herself.

"It'll be taken care of." She was more than ready to get going on this ‘rescue mission’. Why did Eric have to over-think everything? why couldn’t he just accept the situation as it was?

"How will it be taken care of?"

"Lets just say I hope you don't mind spending sometime being a part of Ariel's world."

Eric considered her words, then nodded, “ All right. So what do I have to do?"

“Take off your boots and wade in gradually until you’re next to that rock past where you can’t reach the bottom.”

Flounder, Sebastian and Urchin were surprised when they became the focus of the mystery woman‘s attention, “You, make sure he has plenty of space.”

The prince had reached the rock and seemed to be ready, if there was such a thing.

“Now this will hurt. Do you still want to go through with it?”

“Yes.” It was strange how fate worked. Eric had wanted a better idea of what Ariel’s life had been like and now he would have it in spades.

“Grip the rock tight. Close your eyes. Now take a deep breath:

Terra filius fieri mare parvulus.
Ingredi non solum, at nare in profundum.
Vixi et infra caelum ac supter procella.
Non solum piscis sed etiam vir.
Per meus vox, ego mos is sic.”

The chanting was almost musical, in fact Eric could have sworn he knew the tune, but he didn’t have long to reflect. His legs were suddenly on fire and it wasn’t long before his whole body began convulsing in maddening pain.

He let go of the rock and dove under the water, continuing to spasm manically while his legs fused together, forming into a tail. He tried to scream, but found his lungs filled with water. Smothering in the pain and pressure, he was sure he wouldn’t be able stand anymore. Then with one last agonizing arch of his body it was over.

“Are you all right?”

Lying prone on the sea floor, Eric gasped for breath, feeling the strangeness of allowing water to travel through his nose and mouth. Attempting to sit up, he stared at his new surroundings, absently noting that the salt no longer bothered his eyes.

Selene was kneeling in front of him, eyes seemingly full of concern, but she was no longer a human woman. What had been the bodice of her royal purple dress acted as seashells did for most mermaids, while her tail was a dark blue-green. The wrap around her face and hair seemed even tighter, leaving her other features a mystery. She gently pulled him up by the shoulders until he was floating, then let go.

Eric blinked, still a little stunned, and gingerly traced the contours of his own tail, which was a deep blue. He also noted that both his shirt and pants had disappeared sometime during the transformation. “I think so. It feels a little different, but I’ll be fine. We should get going as soon as possible.”

The others concurred and the three experienced underwater travelers began swimming, but realizing they were one party member short, turned around just in time to witness the new merman accidentally tumble into an impromptu summersault and flail around desperately trying to gain control of his new appendage.

Urchin snickered, not unkindly, “Umm, no offense Your Highness, but you might wanna get a little practice before we head into deeper waters.

In a darker place, a very dangerous entity watched and took in this latest happening.

“Missstresss.”

“You know, I think they actually believe they’ve outsmarted me. How very precious.”

“What are your ordersss?”

“Follow them, but do not allow yourselves to be seen. Let them indulge in their fantasy for a while longer. After all, It will all be over soon.”

“Asss you command.”

“Oh my innocent little adversaries...What will you do, I wonder, when you realize just how badly you’ve lost? What, indeed?” As she gazed into the darkness, her long hair shone like snaking fire.



Translation of Selene’s spell from [electronic translator based] Latin:

“Earth's son become the sea’s child.
Walk not on land, but float in the sea.
Live both under the sky and below the wave.
Not only fish, but also man.
By my power, I will it so.”

There are probably inaccuracies and I have no clue about grammar, so apologies.

[WickedElphie]

Here's where things start getting weird(er.) If all the psychological/philosophical/magical babble gets too intense, let me know. Likewise if you actually like it.

Chapter 5: Shooting Star

Kimi ha itsumo kagayai te ta
egao hitotsu chiisana hoshi
taisetsu ni shite ta yo (eien no starlight)
ano hiboku ha mamore nakute
kuyashi namida kora e ta dake
ita mi ga noku ru yo (wasurenai sweetheart)

[You have always been shining so brightly
Your smiling face is just like a tiny star
I have been treasuring it (Eternal starlight)
On that day I could not come and protect you
I just held my tears of regret inside
I am still feeling the pain (I won't forget you, sweetheart)]

Search for your love, sora no suishou
Search for your love, nakanai de kure
Search for your love, hontou ha,
dakishimetai no sa

[Search for your love, the crystals of the heavens
Search for your love, please don't start to cry
Search for your love, I really
Want to hold you close to me now]- “Nagareboshi He” [Shooting Star]-Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon Sailor Stars.



Eric had finally gained control over his new form. Mostly. So now they were off, swimming through the vastness of the open sea. He couldn’t deny that part of him was in heaven. Gliding freely, finally able to truly appreciate the beauty of the ocean without any of the complications of human frailty; it was indescribable. But the rest of him was trying not to fear the worst, and not just for Ariel.

All except for one tiny part that was preoccupied with the awkwardness that came from spending a considerable amount of time without a shirt. He had asked Selene what had happened to his clothes, and she explained that most mermen were bare-chested, and that they didn’t need any unwanted attention. She reassured him that they would return when she changed him back, and that was that.

This reminded Eric of how smooth Selene’s transition had been compared to his own. At his question, she thought for a moment before answering.

"Well, magic reacts differently with everyone. There are a lot of factors involved. In your case, it was your body's first time channeling that kind of power, which can make things more difficult to begin with. Also, the type of magic I use doesn't like to play nice with anyone who hasn't taken the time to make friends with it. Also, transformations are more than a little tricky."

"On the other hand, I've done this once or twice before, my body's used to channeling powerful energy, and I'm very familiar with the magic that did the transforming. You see the difference?"

"I think so." Eric replied as they continued swimming, "But are you saying that with practice anyone can use magic?"

Selene shook her head, “ Some have an affinity for it, some don’t. I mean, there are variations in ability too, like anything else”

Urchin jumped in curious, “Well do I? have an affinity, or whatever you called it?”

This time Selene's answer was almost immediate “Possibly. If I had to guess, I‘d say you probably have at least a little potential.”

“What about me?”

“And me?”

Selene was torn between amusement and pity. “Sorry Flounder, Sebastian, but you two don‘t have that particular gift. I wouldn‘t let it get you down though.”

Eric whipped around as Flounder and Sebastian sighed in disappointment. For a second Selene had sounded different; younger, less jaded. Almost like...but that was ridiculous.



Daemon hated using the mirror. It made him feel like some cackling mustache-twirling villain from a fairy story. Unfortunately the tool had proven necessary, especially since maintaining his disguise was sapping more energy than he‘d anticipated.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, show me the one that she would call.” He held out his palm, revealing a single red strand of hair. It levitated, glowing briefly, along with the mirror. A moment later the light was gone and a scene played within the glass.

‘Hmm. They’re further along than I thought. Good. Selene will get them here. She has just as much at stake as I do. More even.’

A sudden noise on the stair broke his concentration. The picture in the mirror faded away, leaving only his reflection.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt." It was Ariel. She was standing on the landing and in her nervousness, positioned under the shadows of the torches, was the very picture of the little girl lost.

As Daemon stared like a fool at the sight of such fragile beauty, he felt a familiar pulsing ache in his chest. "Don't apologize. It's just been a while since I've had company."

She fiddled with her hands before stepping into the light, tilting her head slightly, as if to gain a new perspective, "I was wondering if you were having any luck."

Her sapphire-blue eyes pleaded to him silently and he felt the familiar pain once more. Those eyes...they would be the end of him, one way or another.

"As it happens, yes. He's on his way back to you."

"That's wonderful!" Her face lit up with hope and he felt sick inside. He could hardly stand to look at her.

"It is. To see someone you love, after being separated. What could be more wonderful than that?" He didn't mean to let his regret or bitterness slip out, but they did just the same.

"You must have loved her very much."

Daemon had forgotten how intuitive Ariel could be. He'd have to watch himself, or she would see right through him. "More than anything."

"Where is she now?" He could tell she knew the answer wasn't pleasant from the pity in her voice.

"I lost her. Once to chance, once through my own stupidity, and finally to absolute darkness."

"I'm sorry."

Why did she keep doing that? Why?

His head was spinning and he stroked his forehead, desperately wanting to make everything stop, "Please, don't apologize to me. I just can't. I can't..."

The reality of the situation had finally come to rest on Daemon's shoulders and he pitched forward with the weight of it and sank to his knees. It was all over. The plan had been doomed to failure from the beginning, he could see that now. There was no way to save the girl before him from the monster that awaited both her and her young lover.

"Are you all right?" In his delirium Ariel no longer resembled a lost child, but rather something sent from heaven.

"I'll be fine. I just need to rest." He managed to stand, but not to stay up. Fortunately Ariel was ready to offer her support, sparing him a second fall.

Daemon turned his head to gaze into those beautiful eyes that would forever condemn him to grief, and smiled, "I never understood how a mermaid could look so much like an angel." With that, he collapsed.




"Is this it?" The gold gate that seemed intricately woven rather than built certainly looked promising, but Urchin was not known for his patience.

Selene, knowing this, didn't mince words. "Yes. This is the gate."

“So how do we get in?" Flounder wanted Ariel back. It was bad enough that they couldn’t hang out the way they used to, but at least he knew she was happy.

Whenever they did see each other she would give him an extra-tight hug to let him know she missed him too. He bet when they found her it would be even tighter than usual and she‘d be sure to tell him how brave he had been, helping everyone rescue her. Thinking about what she’d say made him feel al little better, but before that, they had to find her.

"We just knock. But I should warn you, I've never traveled through with someone else before. I’m not sure what might happen. If we’re separated, keep going as best you can and have faith that we'll all meet up with each other in the end."

Urchin flicked his tail in resolution "All right. Let's do this. For Ariel.”

“For Ariel.” Sebastian snapped his claws, Flounder’s fins were all in motion, and Eric bobbed up and down as he nodded.

Selene rolled her eyes before knocking at the huge gate. There was a creaking sound as it opened, suddenly filling the water with a blinding light.



Eric opened his eyes. He was standing. That in itself was strange, since a few minutes ago he hadn‘t had legs. He had his clothes again too, except for his boots, which was nice, but still odd given the circumstances. Looking around, he found himself in the grove by the lagoon where he and Ariel had taken a boat ride on her second day as a human.

“Not to seem rude, but do you really have time to be admiring the scenery?”

Turning Eric, found himself face-to-face with a stranger. The man before him was tan and fairly tall, with dark hair that wasn‘t quite long enough to be tied back, and a well-groomed beard and mustache. His blue eyes twinkled merrily, but he wore a sardonic smile and his left eyebrow was raised in wordless question. He seemed to be about thirty years old and was dressed in a dark blue military uniform with no insignia, and black boots. Most strikingly, the man was translucent, like a living stained-glass window.

“Are you a ghost?”

The man laughed. “No. Not ghost, nor spirit, nor creature of legend.”

What are you then?”

“Cursed.”

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Eric asked.

“Lately I’ve been referred to as the Sleeping King, but that’s a little pretentious. Just call me Endymion.”

Eric recalled what Ariel had said in his strange dream. *Do you know the story of the goddess who dared love a mortal?* “Selene and Endymion. That’s quite a coincidence. Are you part of this ‘debt’ she feel she has to pay?”

“Yes and no. And don’t pry, it’s not part of your story.” His expression didn’t change as he answered each question.

“Then whose?”

“Can’t say. The timing’s not right yet.”

“ So why come to me?”

Endymion sighed, “To try and point you in the right direction. Why? Because that time I was talking about won’t come unless you make it through.”

“Just to be clear this place isn’t really...” Eric waved his hands in direction of the placid lagoon behind him.

“No. It’s not really, but it’s a pretty good replica, don‘t you think?”

“I guess so. Listen, I just want to know where I am and how to get where I’m going.”

“You’re where you’re supposed to be for the moment. But listen, I know you though you‘d already faced your big battle, but sad to say there‘s another one coming.” Endymion stared directly into the younger man’s eyes, “Now this is important, ‘Your greatest strength is in your greatest weakness, and vice-versa.’”

Eric growled in frustration. “I don‘t understand any of this!”

“You will.”

[Aquisha]

Woohoo! Greek mythology! I'm taking an Ancient Greek class so I had to get my text book out when I heard Endymion. Ooo, I'm so excited!

I really want to know how all these people are connected to each other and to Ariel and Eric. I have ideas, but they are probably really off! Bottom line: I can't wait to read more!

[WickedElphie]

Yes, it's that time again. And with a pretty big plot-twist to boot! Remember, comments=love!

Chapter 6: Elaborate Lives

We all live in extravagant times
Playing games we can't all win
Unintended emotional crimes
take some out take others in

Too many choices tear us apart
I don't want to live like that
Too many choices tear us apart
I don't want to love like that ...

I know you'll give me courage
to face what I must face
with all these complications
in another time and place

We all lead such elaborate lives
We don't know whose words are true
An affair of the heart survives
All the pain the world can do

I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to live like that

I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to love like that
I just want to be with you
Now and forever peaceful, true -“Elaborate Lives (reprise)”-Aida.

Endymion watched Eric dispassionately, “Do you really think you’re ready to face what’s to come?”

“Do I have a choice?”

The specter‘s features hardened. “There’s always a choice. It‘s not always easy but it‘s there.”

Eric matched his glare. “I’m going after Ariel.”

“Because you love her?”

“Because it’s right.”

Endymion’s sardonic smirk returned. “Because you love her.”

He paused for a moment, then pointed at a rowboat in the lagoon that had not been there before, “There’s something you’ll need in there. A weapon.”

Eric reached in the boat, and pulled out the item inside.

“But this is…”

*He considered Grimsby’s words a he gazed up at Ariel through the window. He smiled faintly as he watched her brush her hair with a fork, but then remembered that he had yet to choose. But Grim was right. Ariel was here. Now. He had come to know her, even…care for her.

He would always feel something for the girl who had saved him, but who was he to say it was love? He had no idea what she was even like, who she really was.

But Ariel…He could see her. He had even begun to hear her, even though she couldn’t utter a sound. She was everything he had hoped and dreamed was behind that golden voice and, he suddenly realized, if she were with him ,the only music he would ever need would be the fall of her footsteps, the sparkle in her eyes and in her smile, the feel of her hand on his…He loved her. He looked hard at the flute in his hands, and with sudden resolution, flung it far out to sea.*

“I threw it away. It was gone.”

Endymion shook his head, “The only time something is truly lost is when we give up searching.”

"No more riddles. Just tell me how to get out of here."

“Well first you follow the path.”

"Oh, do you mean the path to enlightenment, or something? Cause I'm in just a little bit of a hurry. ” You couldn't live with both Grimsby and Carlotta without picking up at least a little sarcasm.

Endymion just smirked. Again. “No. I meant the path over there, past the trees.”

For a moment there was silence; tumbleweeds blew and crickets chirped.

"There's no path there." Eric had been to this lagoon more times than he could count and the only path was the one behind him, that, if this were real, would lead back to the village.

"Look again". Though he wasn't hypnotized the younger of the two men did as he was told almost without thinking.

Impossibly, there *was* a path. It was hard to see unless you were looking for it, protected by a leafy canopy. He shivered in spite of himself. “How?...”

“You’re wasting time.” The Sleeping King sounded almost melancholy. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's to make the most of what little you have."

Eric nodded as he sheathed the flute in the red band around his waist. Then he stared the shade in the eye so he would be sure to understand and said, “I don’t like this.”

Endymion gazed back in kind. “You don’t have to like it. But if you ever want your love and your life back the way it was, you’ll do it.”

Eric turned without further comment and as he disappeared through the trees. He missed the translucent man raise his hand in an imaginary toast and smile sardonically one last time, "Here's hoping your luck's better than mine, kid. Here's hoping." And with that he was gone.



“Where’d everybody go?"

Flounder didn‘t like to be alone. Especially not in someplace he’d never been. And especially especially not when his friends could be in trouble. He looked around, but there was nothing but the same ocean over and over; even the plants looked identical. He was lost.

“Don’t worry.”

“Wh-Who said that?”

“I did.” The voice sounded young and playful.

“Where are you?”

The voice giggled, “Over here.”

Flounder looked up. He saw a young mermaid with a red-orange tail wearing a cloth top with strands of lace and a tiny bow instead of sea-shells. At first glance, if not for her dark hair and lighter colored eyes, she could have been Ariel’s twin at the age when he had first met her.

“Who are you?”

“Umm. I kinda can’t tell you.” She even mimicked Ariel’s facial expression when she knew she was saying something you didn’t want to hear. It should have been eerie, but instead it was almost comforting. He reassessed her age though. She was younger, probably about six or seven.

“How come?” He still wanted to know who she was.

The little girl looked guilty, “I'm not supposed to be here yet.

Her answer didn’t make sense, but somehow he expected that. “Oh. When are you supposed to be here?”

“Not for a looooooong time”, she singsonged. “Well at least I think it’s a long time.”

Flounder nodded, “So why are you here now?”

The young mermaid bit her lower lip in thought before answering “Well everything’s so fuzzy and everybody’s so upset and confused I thought I’d come to come see you to make sure you didn’t give up. ‘Cause if you do then I won’t ever get to be here for real.”

Flounder took a long look at the child in front of him. A little girl who reminded him so much of his friend, but wasn’t her...Suddenly in the distance he heard the happy gurgling of an infant and a voice he knew well humming a lullaby. And he understood.

“Okay, I promise. I won’t give up. Not ever.”

“Good. You’ll remember that, no matter what?" The mermaid was anxious, "And remember tell the others?”

“No matter what.” Flounder repeated, meaning it more than he'd ever met anything in his life.

The girl beamed and kissed him on the cheek before pointing to the right, “Okay. Then just swim that way to find your friends. They’re gonna need your help. Be careful!”

"Thank you."



Sebastian skittered anxiously across the field, trying to figure out how there was no water in sight when just before he had been in the middle of the ocean. He decided he didn’t like magic. Not one bit.

Up ahead he saw a figure looming. A human! But from the looks of it a young one, with short dark hair. He recalled one of his earlier adventures with Ariel where he had met a sweet, if slightly creepy, human child. It couldn’t be... Could it?

“Daniel?” he called out.

The boy turned to find the voice and reached for the crab and picked him up. Sebastian panicked as he saw the boy’s face, “You-you’re not Daniel.”

He had the same dark mop of hair, but up close, it was a bit longer, and more wavy. He also had blue eyes surrounded by long, almost feminine lashes, whereas Daniel‘s had been deep-set and dark. This child was about the same height and age though, so the mistake was easy enough to make at a distance.

The youngster blinked, “I’m sorry. I thought you said ‘Denny’ at first. That’s my name.”

“I see. Could you let me down now please?” Sebastian squeaked nerviously.

Denny raised a quizzical eyebrow, “Why? I haven’t hurt you, have I? Besides it’s easier to talk to you if I don’t have to crane my neck. But if it bothers you that much, I guess I could put you down.”

It took a moment for the little crab to decide, but he agreed to stay where he was while they talked. “So, umm, Denny, where are we?”

“Well, on the island of course.”

Denny seemed friendly enough, but Sebastian was still nervous. “And which island what that be?”

“You, know *the* island.” The boy’s eyes suddenly filled with understanding, “Oh. You’re one of the ones Selene was bringing. What’s your name?”

“Sebastian.”

“Well, Sebastian, are you looking for your friends?”

“How did you know?”

Denny‘s eyes had a far away look that made him seem old beyond his years, “The island’s magic. It’s easy to get lost or separated.” Noticing the crab’s distress at this, he added, “But don‘t worry. It’s easy to get found again. Just think of your friends and walk in any direction.”

Sebastian nodded as he was put down, and began to walk off, but felt guilty at leaving such a young child alone,“ T’ank you for helping me, but are you all right by yourself?”

The boy’s expression darkened, “I‘m not really by myself. Just waiting. I‘ll be fine.”

“Oh. T’ank you again. Goodbye." Sebastian *was* grateful, but as he disappeared over the hill, he wondered if all human children were so strange.

“You’re welcome.” Denny's shy smile was surprisingly warm. “Goodbye. And good luck."

After a moment he added, seemingly to himself “I think they’re gonna need it. Right Mel?”, but the voice on the wind reassured him that it was not so.



Ariel’s thought’s raced. Damien knew. He knew. Heknewheknewheknew. He knew she was a mermaid. He had lied to her. She couldn’t trust him. At least she shouldn’t. But she still did.

His actions didn’t make any sense. Why had he bothered lying to her once she was in his castle? Unless she still had something he wanted.

No, Ariel didn’t think that was it. Something had felt off about Daemon from the beginning, but she didn't believe he was evil. She had always been a good judge of character, though sometimes she had let emotion overpower her better judgment, like when she had freed the Evil Manta or signed Ursula's contract. But even then, her gut feeling had been right, she had just refused to listen to it.

A cry of pain broke into her thoughts. Ariel raced to the sofa in the alcove across from the mirror, which she had barely managed to pull the unconscious sorcerer onto after his collapse.

“No! No! Don‘t go! Ariel...” Daemon thrashed violently in his sleep, but calmed almost instantly as Ariel gripped his shoulder to steady him. His ponytail had come loose and his hair framed his face in a dark halo.

His shirt buttons had come undone too and Ariel noticed a strange scar on the left side of his chest. Three even diagonal lines. Curious, she hesitantly reached out to touch it, but when their skin connected, there was a sudden crackle of electricity, forcing her to pull her hand away.

Looking back at Daemon’s face, however, proved to be by far the greater shock. It wasn’t that his features had changed, but rather, while her eyes had seen the pieces before, only now could they comprehend the whole. She knew that face.

His hair was longer and his clothes were not the kind she was used to seeing him wear, but it was unmistakable. It was Eric. And despite the changes, in Ariel’s eyes, he was just as beautiful asleep now as he had been the night she'd saved him from the storm.

[miklc]

Wow WickedElphie I have just read everything so far, and I'm really intrigued by it all. I can't wait to read more. I love your writing style very much. Keep up the excellent work

[WickedElphie]

Sorry for the delay, guys. Glad you like it so far miklc!


Chapter 7: Can You See Me Now?

See me here in the air
Not holding on to anywhere
But holding on so beware
I have secrets I won’t share

See me here pushing you
If I then deny I do
Contemplate or wish away
If I ask you not to stay

Clowns that only let you know
Where you let your senses go
Clowns all around you
It’s a cross I need to bear

All this black and cruel despair
This is an emergency
Don’t you hide your eyes from me?
Open them and see me now

Can you see me now?

"Clowns (Can You See Me now?)"-T.A.T.U.



Daemon, no stranger to the nasty after-effects of an ‘enforced nap’, pushed aside the haziness and aching pain as he sat up and eyed his surroundings.

His gaze immediately fell on Ariel, who sat in the armchair nearby, with her hands clenched, lips pursed, and eyes smoldering. He wondered what had upset her so, then remembered the slip-up he’d made just before he fai-collapsed in in an entirely dignified and manly fashion. ‘This is not how I wanted things to go.’

He looked at her, saw her raise her eyebrow, and knew he had a only a moment to explain before he was a dead man. Metaphorically speaking. He hoped.

“I know you must be wondering how I know about you being a-”

“I was. But that’s not exactly at the top of the list. Not now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you noticed anything different, about your voice? Or your face?”

“My face?” He felt a pit in his stomach.

“Look in the mirror.”

“Mirror?” that could only mean one thing...

‘Oh no. Oh no!’

Daemon looked, and sure enough, the glamour had faded, leaving his true self staring back it him. Only one word came to mind to define the situation, but he bit his tongue before uttering it.

He sighed as he faced the mirror. The reflection that mocked him was virtually identical to the prince who had followed Selene to find his love, save for a few minor differences. His hair was longer, and his skin lighter, but the most striking dissimilarities were the most subtle.

One or two fine lines tugged around his mouth and eyes, adding a certain maturity to his features. There were the scars. His eyes remained as Ariel had first seen them upon waking: ice blue and fathomless. He turned back to her.

“You’re Eric.” The former mermaid stated, “My Eric.”

“I am Eric“ he said almost guiltily , but I’m not your Eric.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I‘m trying to explain as best I can.”

“Try harder.” Ariel said firmly, but not unkindly.

As Daemon spoke, he paced the floor and wrung his hands. It was almost comforting to see those familiar gestures on this older version of her fiancé, and he was older, he admitted. By more than ten years. Initially his history had been identical to theirs, from his eighteenth birthday party to the fearsome battle against Ursula.

The first deviations came after that. While Daemon and his Ariel were ecstatic at finally being able to be together, it was not long before she began having terrible nightmares. She would wake up crying and terrified, unsure of where she was or who was with her. It took a terrible toll on them both, Ariel desperately wanting to be happy, Daemon wracked with guilt for not stopping Ursula sooner, and neither of them able to stop the dreams from coming.

“We were still trying to find the answers when she appeared.” Daemon explained.

“Who?”

“The Siren.”



Urchin surfaced near an unfamiliar beach and looked around for his friends. He saw a dark-haired boy and a redheaded girl sitting idly by the shore. Going as fast as his fins could carry him, he approached the shore.

As he came closer he felt an irrational sense of dread. He shook it off. It was only Ariel and her human boyfriend. Nothing to be afraid of. Had he noticed one of Eric’s eyes flash a sickly yellow-green he might have reconsidered.

"Hey there, Urchin. What took you so long?” Ariel asked in an upbeat tone.

Eric chided, “Ariel, you do realize it‘s not his fault.”

Ariel shrugged nonchalantly “Well, I was getting bored waiting for the fun to start.”

Urchin was a little offended, “Fun! This was supposed to be a rescue mission! We thought you were in real trouble!”

Ariel tried to smooth things over as she smiled and walked towards her friend kneeling to place her hand on his cheek, “I know you were. And I‘m sorry you went to so much trouble. But don‘t worry. Soon, you‘ll understand everything.”

Then they struck.



Back at the castle, Daemon continued his story. The Siren, as he described her, had been an admirer of Ursula’s who intended to make those she felt responsible for the Sea Witch’s grisly demise suffer for it. She had caused the nightmares, using them as a way to get to Ariel and weaken her with constant fatigue and uncertainty. It had worked. Barely a month after finding her, he lost her again, this time for good.

“The Siren killed her?”

“She was the one who ended her life, but as far as I was concerned it was my fault.”



Eric sighed, the path he had followed had only led to a rather non-descript beach where...a beautiful woman with red hair sat idly in the sand. His heart pounded. He didn’t dare hope. “Ariel?”

She turned around and smiled, “Eric, sweetheart. I've been waiting for you.”

[Aquisha]

Well, I've already conveyed my love of this story and how intrigued I am by it but I guess I can say it again. I'm so interested to see where this story goes and how everything fits together! Gah, I wish I could write a great drama like this one!

I feel so compelled to help Daemon but at the same time I'm not quite sure I trust him yet and I am really worried about Eric, Flounder, Sebastian, and Urchin. I just hope Eric's not walking into a trap...

[WickedElphie]

Please, feel free to continue to boost my ego.

The funny thing is, I'd love to have your talent for writing inter-character relationships and emotional drama. Maybe we should team up sometime.

I'll tell you right now that Daemon may have skipped over one or two important points in his little tale, so your instincts regarding him are right on the money. As for the rest of our intrepid crew, you'll have to wait and see what happens.

[fridamoonbeam]

I LURVE this! I'm dying to know what happens next! Daemon and Ariel remind me a tad of Phantom Erik and Christine, but not in that *insert Ariel and Daemon in place* way (I don't care much for that). Just a tinge, but stay true to the characters- which I really like. Oh, and ::sighs:: How I do love Eric. <3

Please continue!

[WickedElphie]

Okay, It's been a long while since I've updated, and since I really want to get this fic done I'm going to try something new.

Instead of posting complete chapters I'm going to post one "scene" at a time. You're going to be able to see where each chapter begins and ends, but hopefully this way I'll be able to update more frequently.

Enough explinations: On with the story!

Chapter 8: Clocks

Confusion never stops
Closing walls and ticking clocks
Gonna come back and take you home
I could not stop but you now know, singing

Come out upon my seas,
Cursed missed opportunities
Am I a part of the cure
Or am I part of the disease, singing

You are-"Clocks" -Coldplay


Denny sat in a deserted meadow, humming to himself as he made a chain of clovers, seemingly unaware of what was going on on other parts of the island. He didn’t so much as twitch when the shadow of another person passed over him.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

His eyes didn't move from the plants in his hands, “I know. You didn’t want me to come, but I had to.”

“For who?”

“Sebastian. At first he called me Daniel. I didn‘t know he’d ever met a human child.”

“It only happened once, and for us it was a long time ago. He wouldn’t have thought to tell you.”

The boy listened but remained fixated on what he was doing, “Will I get to meet him, I mean really meet him, if everything turns out like we hoped?”

“Who? Daniel?”

“No. I mean...my father.”

“Maybe.” She knelt at the his side and stared straight into his eyes, “But you’ve played your part now. I want you to go. I won't let her have you.”

At these words Denny finally looked back at Selene and nodded. She offered him a rare genuine smile in return.

[fridamoonbeam]

I love it! Please update soon.

[WickedElphie]

The lights go out and I can’t be saved

Ariel’s head was spinning with new information. "But how can you do magic? I You never, I mean he never ," she amended, meaning her Eric.

Daemon smiled, “Of course he hasn’t.”

Her eyes widened…

Tides that I tried to swim against

Standing stock-still on the beach, Eric quirked an eyebrow in disbelief at the sight in front of him. “Ariel…you’re here. How?”

Her eyes were wet with unshed tears as she gracefully rose and came to him but her face was set in determination as she explained, “Eric! This strange man brought me here. At first he tried to tell me this unbelievable story, but he made a mistake and I got suspicious. He has powerful magic. He said something about Daddy’s trident! I managed to escape, but we have to find a way to stop him!”

She reached out to touch his face but Eric took a step back. The line of his jaw hardened. “All right, who are you?”

Have brought me down upon my knees

[Aquisha]

I am so ecstatic that you are adding to this story again and at the same time I am so sad that the sections are so short! *sigh* I'll live, I guess

I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again; I really love reading this and just seeing where it all goes! It's like staring at one small piece of a large picture and being on the verge of figuring out what you're actually looking at! Well, I can't wait; just keep those sections coming!

[WickedElphie]

I'd prefer putting out my long-ish chapters too, but I figure a regular section every week is better than a chapter every few months. Once I'm done I'll probably do one final re-edit and submit to Daring to Dream, with each chapter a complete entity.

[WickedElphie]

I'm a little late, but this is a nice long chunk, with some neat revalations, so hopefully you'll forgive me.

Oh I beg, I beg and plead singing

“All right, who are you?”

Come out if things aren’t said

Denny gulped at the question. As per Selene’s orders, he had not only left the island, but land completely, taking the familiar form of a young merman. Then he had made his way to what had been Ariel’s grotto. From the stories he had heard, he figured that it would be deserted now, and a safe place for him to lie low with his precious treasure. At first, he had thought it was strange that instead of a mess of broken pieces, there was a pristine collection of human objects, but had chalked it up to a difference in the timelines. Apparently, that was not the case.

Shoot an apple off my head

*When Ariel left the ocean for a life with Eric, King Triton had missed his daughter terribly. Knowing she was happy had soothed the ache a little but he found himself going to places she had been, searching for reminders of his youngest child. He had almost forgotten about her grotto until an offhand comment from Sebastian had brought it to mind almost a month after she‘d been gone.

The first time he’d revisited the place the shattered remains of Ariel’s treasures had been there to greet him. It had been a shock to see the results of his destruction. Those memories and the anger he had felt then were like something from another lifetime. Idly he picked up the stone replica of Eric’s face. The likeness, he had to admit, was very good but the expression was completely wrong.

Triton now doubted the regal arrogance and casual disdain written there had ever graced the living model. He had witnessed a mix of anger fear and resolution when the boy had followed Ariel to rescue her from Ursula; as well as pure joy at their reunion after the battle, and even, he admitted, respect and admiration directed at himself during their few conversations. There had never been anything like self-conceit.

He put the broken stone back. What had been done could not be undone, but maybe at least some of what was broken could be mended. Ursula had gotten it wrong. The trident was a formidable weapon of destruction, but its true power lied in its ability to heal and protect.

Raising the weapon high, there was a crackle of electricity and a glow of golden light. Pieces of glass, metal, and burnt paper and fabric reformed into whole objects that neatly placed themselves where they belonged. Those items that were too damaged to fix (including the statue of his soon-to-be son-in-law) he gathered into one pile and disposed of as neatly as possible. The cavern was now as almost as it had been when Ariel was there. The King surveyed his work, fingered the lines of small music box, and sighed…

At least once a week, sometimes more, he would come and sit for an hour or two, waiting for something he could not name.*

And a, trouble that can’t be named

“Who are you?” King Triton started to repeat the question to the unfamiliar child, but the question died in his throat.

Next to the boy was a glass rectangular prism the length and width the size of a moderately large dining table. Inside was a human man. A closer look revealed that though his skin was deathly pale his shoulder-length hair and neatly trimmed mustache and beard were quite dark. His clothing was both clean and expensive. The serene expression on his face gave no indication as to whether or not he still lived. Almost in shock, Triton returned his gaze to the child.

The little boy’s expression tightened and he took a breath. Then suddenly he began to blurt out an explanation, “He‘s not dead, if that’s what your thinking. He‘s under a spell…well a few spells. The first one that put him to sleep, and the other ones that Mama did later to keep him from dying or getting sick since he can‘t eat move or anything. Oh, and the one to keep him from running out of air. I was supposed to hide, and take him with me and keep him and me safe. I’m usually very good at hiding, but I didn‘t know you‘d be here. Nobody was supposed to be here. That‘s why I picked it.” He lifted his eyes to meet the older merman’s for the first time, “You won’t let anything happen to us will you, Grandfather?”

A tiger's waitin’ to be tamed singing

You are

You are

[WickedElphie]

Hey guys. New section! Sorry for running late again but midterms ate my brain. Hopefully you'll forgive me.

Plus, don't forget: Comments=Happiness=Faster updates.

Enjoy!


Confusion never stops

Daemon’s smile turned to a dark self-deprecating chuckle as he explained himself, “No. I never learned anything that was worth knowing until after…after I lost you.”

A moment or two passed in silence, then Daemon continued to tell his story. As he spoke, Ariel compared him to her Eric. His speech was colder and more formal, but his body betrayed him. Every movement and gesture was achingly familiar. Even with his magic clouding her eyes, how could she have missed it before? She shook herself out of her reverie to listen more closely.

Closing walls and ticking clocks

He had been unable to let her counterpart go, believed there was a way to fix what had happened by defeating the monster that had taken her away from him. Over her father’s and Grimsby’s objections he had abandoned his throne and signed onto the crew of a foreign ship under a false name. Eventually he was able to find a healer, a *curandera*, who was willing to teach him some things.

“She warned me that I had very little raw power of my own, but passed on what she could and helped me find another who could continue where she left off.”

Gonna come back and take you home

He had spent the next five years going from master to master, learning whatever he could. Anything he thought might be of use to defeat the thing that had cost him his love.

“Did you?” Ariel asked.

Daemon laughed humorlessly “I failed completely. But later I learned that *it* wanted to change the history of alternate worlds to suit its own purposes. I managed to follow it and along the way found someone who could help me. She‘s the one bringing your Eric to the island.”

“The creature. It came here.”

“Yes. It needed you out of the way.”

“So you saved me.” Ariel concluded.

“For now.”

I could not stop that you now know singing