The Sea's Dark Secret [A Little Mermaid Fanfic]

Chapter 5

Ariel sang softly to herself as she stood atop the deck of Eric's ship.

They had set out in the early morning after resting up for the night and gathering what they would need. It would only be the seven sisters, Ariel's family, and Ulysses on the ship, which made Grimsby quite worried. He had even stumbled out after them with his walking stick, hoping to try and encourage them to take along some guards for safety, but they all refused, saying that a smaller party would be better.

Because of this, Eric had taken to teaching the sisters how to properly handle the weaponry that he had brought. Attina, to no one's surprise, was quite good with a spear, as it was similar to the trident that she had trained with in the ocean, and Aquata was also quite good with a spear, though Adella and Adrina preferred the swords that they were given.

Having already learned the art of the sword and spear, Ariel stood at the back of the ship, watching the water as it passed. "And the song someone sings, once upon a December. Someone holds me safe and warm. Horses prance through a silver storm. Figures dancing gracefully. Across my memory." It was a song that Airlia used to sing to Ariel. When her memories had returned, so had the memories of the songs that Airlia had sung. "Someone holds me safe and warm. Horses prance through a silver storm. Figures dancing gracefully. Across my memory! Far away, long ago, glowing dim as an ember. Things my heart used to know, things it years to remember."

"I remember that song."

To Ariel's surprise, it was Ulysses who approached her. He was dressed in an outfit similar to Eric, with a loose white tunic tucked into black pants and boots. His skin was no longer tinted purple, and his hair had turned brown, though it was still easy to recognize the man who had tormented Ariel all those years ago with the thought of gaining true love.

"How do you know it," Ariel asked, leaning forward on the railing and crossing her arms over each other. She should have felt uncomfortable in this man's presence, but for some reason, she didn't. It was something like talking to an old friend.

Ulysses chuckled as he joined her on the railing. "You and your sisters weren't the only ones who had nightmares, guppy." He inhaled sharply, throwing his head back and allowing the wind to pick up his hair. "I am ashamed to say that I sought your sister out while she still lived at the palace."

"Nightmares?"

"Now you're getting nosy," Ulysses threatened, but he was still grinning. It wasn't entirely malicious. There was something hidden behind the upturned corners.

"You and Airlia were friends, right?"

Ulysses nodded.

"How did your memory survive?"

"I wasn't actually in Atlantica when Triton cast the spell. I was out gathering herbs for potions and when I came back, everyone had forgotten except Triton."

Ariel nodded and turned her gaze back to the sea. Had it been a ship like this that had taken her sister? She couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. Would they have been able to find her if their father hadn't hidden her from memory? Would she have been able to see her younger sisters grow up happy, and learn to be happy herself?

"I would appreciate it if you would get away from my wife."

Eric had come up to the back of the ship, hoping to speak to his wife in private, and at the sight of the warlock, he froze. His hand was itching for his rapier, but he held off.

"She's all yours," Ulysses smirked, walking off to think by himself.

"I still don't trust him," Eric commented.