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Ariana was saying goodbye to the ocean. She was sitting by the rocks near the ocean, watching the waves. She was looking at it one last time before she drank the potion and became human forever.
Ariana didn’t know if it was the right decision, but felt that time was not on her side. She wished that her mother Helena was there to guide her. What would she tell her to do? Ariana wouldn’t know because her mother was long gone. Ariana never felt so alone in her life.
Ariana didn’t tell anyone, of course, not even her father. She thought her father would stop her. Ariana thought he would never understand how she felt about Prince Ivan.
“Are you going to go through with it?” Victor asked, appearing out of nowhere. He was relieved to see that Ariana was still a mermaid. Perhaps he could still change her mind?
“Yes,” Ariana replied. She looked pale and her hands were trembling. It was not a simple decision for her. She could lose everything in a few moments and there will be no turning back from it.
“Think of all that you will lose, Ariana,” Victor said. “Please don’t do it.”
“But I will have my love,” Ariana replied. “I can be with Ivan.”
Victor cursed the day Ariana met the mortal prince. Victor wasn’t sure if Ivan was even worthy of Ariana.
“What do you know about him, anyway? You don’t even know if he loves you!” Victor said, losing control of his temper.
“I know that Prince Ivan loves me. He told me he does,” Ariana said.
It shocked Victor that Ivan did what he couldn’t, that he told her how he felt about her. Victor never found the moment to tell Ariana he loved her, and now it seemed too late. He was still determined to change Ariana’s mind. He couldn't let her take the potion.
"Do you even know how his lips feel on yours?" Victor asked, more to himself than to Ariana.
Ariana heated. She tried not to think about when she had kissed Victor, or that she dreamed about it many times after that. She had been under a love spell.
"I will find out soon enough," Ariana said. "And my kiss with Ivan won't be because I was influenced by magic."
Victor looked at Ariana as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He hasn't even kissed you?"
"Ivan said that he was being watched, so he couldn't risk us being found out," Ariana said.
"He is a miserable coward then," Victor said.
"He is honorable, but you wouldn't understand that," Ariana said, angrily.
She remembered how Victor had laughed, mocked her in front of the siren sisters.
"He doesn't love you, Ariana. No matter what he said to you," Victor said.
"I believe him. That is all that matters," Ariana said,
“What has he done to prove it? You are risking everything for him while he has done nothing! You are making a big mistake!” Victor said.
“I will not argue with you, Victor,” Ariana said. “I know he is true.”
“Have you told your father?” Victor asked, already knowing her reply.
“He will never approve of a human,” Ariana said.
“We can find another way, Ariana,” Victor pleaded. “Please reconsider...”
“There is no other way, Victor,” Ariana replied. “Perhaps, one day you will understand.. when you truly love someone, you want to give up everything for them.”
“You will give up your kingdom? You will give up your people, Ariana?” Victor asked.
“The merfolk already have a ruler... my father,” Ariana replied.
Victor felt he would go crazy. He couldn’t let this happen. Every passing moment he felt like he was losing Ariana.
“Since you are not seeing reason, I will tell the king myself,” Victor said, but as soon as he said it he knew he made a mistake.
Ariana knew that if her father found out, he would lock her in the castle forever. She would suffocate and die, just like her mother.
“You have lost my trust forever, Victor. Do what you want, and I will do what I must for my love!” Ariana said, trembling with anger.
Ariana took out the potion the sea witch had given her, the one that would transform her into a human, and drank it.
“Ariana.. no!” Victor yelled, but it was too late.
He watched helplessly as Ariana transformed into a human.
Ariana tried standing on her human legs, but couldn’t stand up. It was not like her other transformations with Victor. This time it was permanent, as she went from an immortal being to a mortal one.
It was taking a toll on her body. She tried standing one more time before fainting.
Victor caught her before she fell on the ground.
Victor had never seen Ariana so weak. He knew that in her state she would never make it to the castle. He lifted her in his arms, and gathered all his magic, as he took them both inside the castle.
He had never been so far away from the ocean. He felt as if his body would break into pieces.
Victor took Ariana to the King and Queen’s bedchamber. They were alarmed to see them appear out of nowhere.
“How did you get inside? Guards! Guards!” King Stephen cried.
“Do not call for the guards,” Victor said, barely a whisper. “Save her.. please, I beg you.”
He placed Ariana on the bed, and the queen rushed to see her. “Who is this girl? She looks like an angel.”
Victor gave them the locket, the same locket their son Prince Ivan had given Ariana.
“Ask your son,” Victor said, before vanishing. “Ask Ivan what he promised her.”
Both the king and queen were shocked as Victor disappeared.
The king and queen saw the familiar locket with the royal insignia. It was the heirloom they had given their son. The locket only meant one thing... this girl was their son’s beloved. Their son, Ivan, must have promised to marry her.
———
Already Victor felt his magic stretching thin this far away from the ocean, but he had one last thing to do.
“Where are you? Show yourself!” Victor roared. He was in Prince Ivan’s room.
“How did you get inside my..” Prince Ivan started, but Victor had grabbed him up by his collar, and lifted him in the air.
“Tell me.. tell me what spell did you cast over Ariana?” Victor roared.
Prince Ivan was choking, but he managed to say, “I am not the one who uses magic.”
Victor knew he was right. He didn’t sense any magic around the prince.
He felt his heart sinking.
“Ariana is giving everything up for you, and yet you toy with her heart!” Victor screamed.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. I love her, and she loves me. I want to marry her!” Prince Ivan screamed back at Victor.
Victor let go of the prince, and Prince Ivan gasped, finally able to breathe again.
“My intentions are honorable, you know that. Ariana loves me... you would see it too, if your own desires didn’t blind you,” Prince Ivan said.
Every word uttered by the prince was like a sharp knife in Victor’s heart, but he was right.
Ariana loved Prince Ivan and wanted to be with him. Perhaps he couldn’t see the truth because he didn’t want to believe it.
“If you are true, then save Ariana before it is too late,” Victor said, finally defeated.
He felt he was giving his heart away on a silver platter.
“What do you mean? What has happened to Ariana?” Prince Ivan asked.
“She has struck a deal with the sea witch, Ursula.. my mother. She has three days to marry, otherwise she will turn to stone,” Victor said.
“Where is she? Where is Ariana now? I must see her!” Prince Ivan exclaimed.
“She is in the castle. She is with the king and queen,” Victor replied.
“She is with my parents? Do they know about her?” Prince Ivan asked, surprised.
“Yes,” Victor replied. He couldn’t stay another second on the surface, his magic had depleted.
“Save Ariana.. please.”
That was the last thing he said to the prince before returning to the ocean.
Victor slumped on the floor. He returned to his bedroom in Ursula’s castle. He felt his heart was breaking, but he had done all he could for Ariana.
He cried in agony, unable to stand the pain in his heart.
———
Prince Ivan rushed to his parents. Ariana was with them, he had to know that she was ok. He ran all the way to his parents’ bedchamber.
“Ariana! Where are you?” Prince Ivan said, frantic with worry.
“She is sleeping in the guest chamber. It must have been quite traumatic for her. I suggest you let her rest until the morning,” her mother, queen Martha replied.
“Oh, thank heavens!” Prince Ivan said in relief.
“Who are they, son? The angelic boy, and with him this beautiful girl. The two of them appeared out of nowhere. All he told us was to ask you.. and he gave us this,” his father, king Stephen said, showing Prince Ivan the necklace.
“Is she your beloved?” his mother asked. “She must be, for you gave the locket to her. But why is she in such a weak state?”
“Son, I will ask you again.. who is she?” King Stephen asked.
“She is Ariana, the sea king’s daughter,” Prince Ivan replied.
“The sea king’s daughter?! Does the sea king know?” his mother asked.
“He doesn’t,” Prince Ivan replied. “Ariana wants to marry me, but her father does not like our kind.”
“This is grievous news, indeed!” his mother said. “How could you marry her without her father’s approval?”
“The sea king.. do you realize what this means?” King Stephen said, shaking his head. “You are declaring war with the master of the oceans. He will drown all of our ships. He will flood all of our land and people near any body of water. So many will die.. think of the devastation! My son, what have you done?”
“I love Ariana, father. She has given up her immortal life for me. What else could I do?” Prince Ivan asked.
“Then you should give up your royal life for her. Take her and go as far away as you can. Go where no one can find you, not even us. Live your life as a normal man with the one you love, and never think of returning back,” King Stephen replied.
“Am I to be exiled? Is there no other option?” Prince Ivan asked.
“I am afraid not, my son,” King Stephen replied. “You should have consulted with us before. Now, I am afraid this is the only course that you can take.”
The queen cried at the thought of losing her son forever. King Stephen looked grave.
“I have some time before the sea king finds out. Surely, we can find a way until then?” Prince Ivan said.
“I suggest you make preparations for your exile. You must find a safe place to go to,” King Stephen said.
“I will do as you say, father,” Prince Ivan replied, but already his mind was working out a plan. “I will start as soon as dawn.”
“Do that, my son. I pray the Heavens protect you, my child,” King Stephen said sadly.
———
Prince Richard heard what had happened from his parents in the morning. He quickly went looking for his younger brother.
“Ivan!” Prince Richard exclaimed and embraced him in a hug. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I could have helped you!”
“What could you do, big brother? This is not the affair of mortal men, but immortal beings,” Prince Ivan replied.
“Have you tried speaking to the sea king? He would listen to reason..” Prince Richard said.
“Ever the diplomat, Richard. I am afraid that won’t work here,” Prince Ivan replied.
“Don’t knock it until you have tried it, Ivan. The sea king must love his daughter.. he wouldn’t want her to suffer,” Prince Richard said.
“She is already suffering. She is human now.. there is nothing the sea king could do for her. If Ariana couldn’t talk to her father, what hope do I have? He will surely despise me.. for I am the person she is leaving her world for,” Prince Ivan said.
“I am sorry, brother. I wish I could do something. Is there anything I can help you with?” Prince Richard asked with concern.
“I have secured us a place, far away from here. I am just waiting for her to wake, and then we can leave,” Prince Ivan said.
“Is she not awake yet?” Richard asked. “Mother said that she came to them in a weak state.”
“Yes, the transformation into a mortal made her weak. Mother is in the bedchamber with her now,” Prince Ivan said. “Richard, it is likely I won’t ever see you again. I hope you will remember me..”
“My brother! You have to bear so much!” Prince Richard exclaimed. “If there is a way to meet you again, I will find it. Before you go, I wanted to give you this.”
Prince Richard gave him the heirloom ring. “Consider this your wedding present. I couldn’t find anything in the time that I had.”
Prince Ivan smiled. “I am sure that Ariana will love this. Thank you, big brother.”
————
Ariana woke up in the castle’s guest room. She wondered how she got there.
The last she remembered was being by the beach when she took Ursula's potion.
Ivan! She had to find Ivan, she thought. She called out his name, but there was someone else there with her in the room.
“My dear child, you are finally awake!” Queen Martha said. “I am Ivan’s mother, Martha.. and you are Ariana?”
Ariana nodded her head. “How did I get here?”
“You don’t remember? It was that beautiful boy from the ocean who carried you here,” Martha replied.
Victor? How did Victor carry her this far?
“I had fainted. Where is Ivan? I must see him. I must tell him we have little time,” Ariana said.
“He already knows, and you are much too weak right now. You need to rest for the long journey ahead,” Queen Martha said, kindly.
Ariana tried standing up, but again she was too weak to do it.
“Where is Ivan? I want to see him,” Ariana said.
“He has gone to make preparations for his exile,” Queen Martha said sadly.
“Exile?” Ariana asked. “We will leave from here?”
Queen Martha cried. “It is unlikely that I will ever see my son again. Promise me, Ariana, that you will protect him from your father.”
“I will protect him with my life,” Ariana promised. “I won’t let anyone harm him.”
Queen Martha embraced Ariana and kissed her forehead. She left Ariana to rest in the bedchamber and went looking to see if her youngest son had returned.
Ariana was still weak from her transformation to a mortal, she soon drifted off to sleep again. The next time she woke, Queen Martha wasn’t there. There was another person in the bedroom, one she hadn’t met before. She was younger, around Ariana’s age. She is beautiful, Ariana thought, whoever she was.
“Where is Queen Martha?” Ariana asked, her voice still sounding hoarse.
“She was here just moments ago. She was reluctant to leave your side, but I told her I would take care of you, and told her to get some rest,” the stranger said.
“Thank you,” Ariana said. “Queen Martha is gentle and caring.. I am sorry for the trouble I am putting her through.”
“My dear, I apologize, that is not what I meant. You are going through a great deal yourself,” the stranger said kindly. “I am Sarah, Prince Richard’s wife.”
And Isabelle’s older sister, Ariana thought. She was admiring Sarah’s beauty before, but now it was tinged with envy. It was Isabelle that Prince Ivan’s father wanted him to marry. Ariana thought it was because of Isabelle the set of events unfolded as quickly as they did.
“Has Ivan returned? I wish to speak to him,” Ariana asked.
“Not yet, I am afraid,” Sarah replied. “Is there anything you need?”
“No, I don’t want to burden you. I am sure that I have taken enough of your time,” Ariana replied, coldly.
She wished Sarah would leave her alone in the bedroom by herself. She didn’t want any help or favors from Sarah. Right now, Ariana did not want to be reminded about Isabelle.
Ariana was relieved when she saw Sarah got her hint and headed towards the door. She stopped there though and looked back at Ariana. It seemed she wanted to say something, but was hesitating.
“Do you have a question?” Ariana asked.
“Yes, but I don’t know how to approach the subject. I am only a stranger... and it is a private question,” Sarah replied, blushing.
Ariana felt sorry for being cold towards Sarah earlier. It wasn’t her fault who her sister was. They were going to be family soon, Ariana thought.
“We shouldn’t be strangers, Sarah. You can ask me anything,” Ariana said, more warmly this time.
Sarah came closer to Ariana and sat at the corner of her bed. She held Ariana’s hand before speaking.
“Queen Martha told me you are the sea king’s daughter.. and that you gave up your immortality to be with Ivan?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, that is true,” Ariana replied.
“Queen Martha also told me that your father is against the union?” Sarah asked.
“My father doesn’t like mortals,” Ariana replied.
“Queen Martha said she is afraid for her son’s life, but I don’t understand how that could be. Are you marrying Prince Ivan against your father’s wishes? Has your father said that he will harm Prince Ivan?” Sarah asked.
“I don’t know what my father will do. He does not know about Prince Ivan, nor does he know I am a mortal now,” Ariana replied.
“He doesn’t know?” Sarah asked, shocked.
“No... I made a deal with the sea witch in order to transform.. but my father remains unaware,” Ariana said.
“How could Ivan let this happen?” Sarah asked, more to herself than to Ariana. “Did he not consider the danger he put you and himself in?”
“I make my own choices, Ivan had nothing to do with it,” Ariana said annoyed.
“Has Ivan spoken to your father? He should at least try to speak to him...” Sarah said. “Maybe all this misunderstanding will get cleared up. Perhaps then you wouldn’t need to go into exile... we could work towards a more peaceful resolution for everyone.”
Ariana was silent. She didn’t like how Sarah was talking about Ivan. She didn’t like her implication that Ivan was irresponsible.
“Ivan cares about me, and he wouldn’t want any harm to come to either me or his family. I trust his decision,” Ariana said. “I am still feeling ill, and would like to rest now.”
“I understand, dear. I only wanted to share my thoughts... I still think that Ivan should talk with your father,” Sarah said. “I am sorry you are not feeling well, I will leave you to rest. It is my hope that things get better for everyone, especially for you, Ariana.”
Perhaps Sarah meant what she said, Ariana thought, but she still didn’t trust her.
She wasn’t sure if Sarah was trying to stop her because of Isabelle, or if she really was concerned about what Queen Martha had told her. Ariana sighed in relief when Sarah left the bedroom and closed the door behind her.
Ariana didn’t want to be around anyone who spoke against Ivan.
———