Once upon a time there lived a pirate princess who sailed the seven seas. Her name was Ariella and her crew was made of orphans, both girls and boys, who looked to her as their mother. She sailed night and day and was forbidden from taking a single step onto land. If she did, she would be captured by the palace guards and sentenced to life in prison. The kingdom looked at her as if she were a thief, which technically she was. She would steal food and drinking water from the ships that passed by, but it was to feed the children in her crew. She never hurt anyone.
But Ariella had a secret wish. She wished to go ashore and dance at a ball, just once. It was what she had dreamed about her whole life, since she too had been orphaned as a little girl. Growing up on the streets, she had never had the opportunity to go to a ball.
Tonight was a special night in the kingdom. The prince had come of age, and there would be a party held in his honor. Poor Ariella knew there was no way she could attend, yet she still wished she could.
As the sun sank low in the sky, she searched for the brightest star. "Oh Star, how I wish I could go to the ball." She sighed sadly. Next thing she knew, a small fish hopped aboard her ship, instantly transforming into a fairy!
"Hello," it said. "I am Star. I heard your wish and would like to help you. Tonight I will cast a spell making everyone forget you are a pirate and then you can sail ashore and go to the ball!"
Ariella gasped in surprise. "Thank you! Thank you!" she cried. "But I have never been to a ball. What do I wear?"
Star whispered, "Close your eyes and wish with all your might, and what you wish will come true."
Ariella did as she was told, closing her eyes and wishing for the perfect ball gown. When she opened her eyes she was wearing a gown that was fitted around her top and flared out at her knees, resembling a mermaid's tail. It shimmered in the light with blue, green, and purple diamonds that looked like scales.
"It's beautiful," Ariella gasped. She touched her hair which was piled on her head in elegant curls. "Thank you, Star!" She looked up but, Star was gone.
Ariella smiled and told her crew she was going. Then she took the small row boat and rowed to shore. When she arrived she found a horse and carriage waiting for her. She took it to the palace where she once again found Star.
"At sunrise all the magic will wear off. Be back at your ship by then if you don't want to risk being captured." Star told her.
Ariella entered the ball and found that it was all she had ever hoped it would be! She danced the night away and ended up meeting a boy, who she assumed was a prince; the place was crawling with royals.
"I've never seen you before." He said.
"That's because I'm not from here."
"Well, where are you from?"
"I'm a captain. I live at sea with my crew."
"How will I ever find you?"
"At first light you will remember me. If you still want to find me, you'll know where to go." With that, Ariella left to return to her ship before sunrise.
    When the sun came up, Ariella and her crew returned to their piratey duties. She wished she had thought to grab supplies while she was on land; they were running low on almost everything. Regretfully, she watched and waited for an opportunity to strike. Soon she got her chance. A merchant ship came into sight, sailing on a course that would lead it right by Ariella's hiding spot.
    As soon as they came into range, Ariella's crew struck. They worked quickly and efficiently, but one thing they weren't expecting was to be deceived.
    The crew on board wasn't merchants and sailors. It was imperial guards. Ariella's heart fell. She supposed the prince did remember her and came to find her. Just not in the way she had hoped.
    "Captain," a voice spoke behind Ariella. "I knew I would find you."
    Ariella spun around, expecting the prince to be brandishing a sword or some other weapon. Instead he was down on one knee.
    "Ari, please, last night was the best night of my life. It was love at first sight. I want to marry you and adopt every one of the children in your crew. Please, make me the happiest man on land and sea."
    Her eyes welled up. "Yes, yes! Of course I'll marry you!"
    And they lived happily ever after.
    The End.