~The Next Day~

GRIM: Well... Sire that's splendid news!

RAOUL: Yes, we intend to be married as soon as possible. Tomorrow perhaps?

GRIM: I'll get the preparations ready. Oh what a glorious day this is!

ARIEL: *has heard this and knows it's hopeless so she runs to the shore of the beach and cries silently*

ERIK: *swims towards her* Having a bad day? *smirks*

ARIEL: *looks at him in despair and holds her hands in a pleading manner*

ERIK: *smirks* You still have today and tomorrow until sunset as a mute. Then, you come home with me. *swims away*

ARIEL: *cries even more, knowing it's completely hopeless and she walks back into the castle as the sun sets*

ERIK: *smirks knowing he is winning*

~The Next Day~

ARIEL: *is sneaking away from the beach just as sunset is about to hit*

ERIK: *swims to the shore and calls to her* Ariel....I believe we had a deal...

ARIEL: *shakes her head and is terrified to go with him*

ERIK: you signed your name. You're mine. *glances at the sun*

ARIEL: *tears brim and she starts to run until sunset hits*

ERIK: *smiles wickedly as a golden light surrounds her and pulls her back to him*

ARIEL: *voice returns to her and she screams^

ERIK: *changed her back into a mermaid and drags her beneath the water* you belong to me now! *laughs evilly*

ARIEL: No! I don't want to be stuck like those people forever!

ERIK: you won't. *drags her into his cave*

ARIEL: I-I won't..? *struggles against him*

ERIK: no, you'll sing for me. *overpowers her and pulls her further into the cave.

ARIEL: *cries* Never

ERIK: oh, but, yes, you will unless you want to become one of those... *gestures towards the garden*

ARIEL: *looks down and thinks all is lost*

*a booming voice echoes through the cave* ERIK!!!!

ERIK: *rolls eyes* we have a visitor. Hello, Triton

TRITON: Where is my daughter, Erik? *holds his triton in his hand firmly, enraged*

ARIEL: Daddy!

ERIK: she's right here. *gestures to the girl*

TRITON: Ariel... *swims toward them* Don't worry I'll get you out of this place

ERIK: that will be a bit difficult I fear...

TRITON:*points his weapon at him* I spared you once by banishment but I can do much worse than that if you don't surrender my daughter!

ERIK: try and take her. *moves away a little and smirks* you'll have a hard time of it since she now belongs to me...

TRITON: *grabs her wrist and tries to get her out of the cave and he gets out but she can't go past a magical force field that is made through their contract* No... No...

ERIK: see what I mean? *swims towards them* she belongs to me and, if I don't get my kingdom, she will become one of them... *points at the garden*

TRITON: Would you be willing to let her go in exchange for my crown..?

ERIK: yes. *smiles falsely*

TRITON: *takes off his crown and hands it to him, dropping his triton*

ARIEL: Daddy, no!!

ERIK: *snatches them up and places the crown on his head*

TRITON: *sighs but is surprised as he's turned into one of the garden plants*

ARIEL: NO! *tries to swim away but the snakes wrap around her tightly*

ERIK: alright, now I have the kingdom. And, I reclaim you, Ariel.

ARIEL: You can't do this!

ARIEL: Not on my watch! *squirms out of the snakes grip and swims furiously out of the cave*

ERIK: *sighs and swims after her*

ARIEL: *goes to Atlantis and swims into the castle*

*merpeople all gasp and scream as they see him*

ERIK: *catches her* *holds her wrist tightly* everyone, I have an announcement.

*they all tremble and Ariel's sisters are extremely worried*

ERIK: I'm your new king.

*they all look at Ariel*

ArianAriel: Don't hurt sissy please....

ERIK: I have no reason to hurt your sister. As long as she sings for me, she'll be fine.

ARIEL: *looks at him in fear*

*people start to flee*

ERIK: *begins swimming towards the throne*

ARIEL: *looks down and feels helpless* Damn you...

ERIK: of course. *drags her with him*

ARIEL: *cries as he sits in the throne and pulls her onto his lap*

ERIK: hush now. You really think I'm going to hurt you?

ARIEL: *nods and tries to stop crying but the tears are uncontrollable*

ERIK: *wipes them away*

ARIEL: B-But you threatened to turn me into one of your garden p-plants. *shakes*

ERIK: all you have to do to avoid that fate is to sing. Very simple.

ARIEL: Just sing..? That's all you want?

ERIK: yes. Just sing.

ARIEL: And then you'll go away?

ERIK: no, you will sing for me until you're dead or I am no longer king. Whichever comes first.

ARIEL: *lowers her head* My life will be wretched...

ERIK: you love to sing though?

ARIEL: I-I do but... I'll be a slave to you... *a tear falls*

ERIK: just for singing. Otherwise you'll be free to roam my kingdom. If you wish to leave the area I'll escort you.

ARIEL: That won't be necessary

ERIK: why not?

ARIEL: I'm a princess... I'm technically part of a ruler of the sea

ERIK: you're not a princess any more. I'm the king and you sure aren't my daughter.

ARIEL: Yeah... I'm just your servant. *sighs*

ERIK: a very important servant.

ARIEL: Yeah right... *rolls her eyes*

ERIK: believe what you want.

ARIEL: *tries to get up from his lap*

ERIK: *holds her there*

ARIEL: I want to get up...

ERIK: why?

ARIEL: Why do you want me in your lap? *counters*

ERIK: I don't feel like chasing you down.

ARIEL: I'm uncomfortable

ERIK: fine, but if you run you're coming right back to my lap.

ARIEL: *gets up*

ERIK: *watches her warily*

ARIEL: why me?

ERIK: why you what?

ARIEL: why do you want me to sing for you?

ERIK: you have the voice of an Angel. I've been listening.

ARIEL: L-Listening?

ERIK: yes, listening.

ARIEL: For how long?

ERIK: *thinks* About five years or so.

ARIEL: Five years!!! *starts to back up

ERIK: *swims off the throne* yes.

ARIEL: Y-you're mad!

ERIK: Did I ever say I wasn't?

ARIEL: *backs up more* I can't stay

ERIK: Why not?

ARIEL: I-I'm late for something... *is scared of him*

ERIK: you're lying but go on.

ARIEL: *swims down and away from the palace and into the city*

ERIK: *calls for the snakes*

ARIEL: *swims through the marketplace*

*the snakes come*

NADIR: Yesssss, master?

ERIK: I want you to follow Ariel. If she tries to leave the city one of you let me know while the other watches her, understood?

*both* Undersssstood

*they slither away to follow her*

ARIEL: *swims to the city limits and sits on a rock there*

NADIR: *follows behind her but stays hidden*

ARIEL: *looks around and then starts to sing a beautiful melody*

NADIR: *watches and listens*

ARIEL: *voice echoes across the city and back to Erik in a soft whisper*

ERIK: *perks up as he hears it and swims to where she is*

ARIEL: *her back is turned to him and continues to sing out her feelings*

ERIK: *quickly hides and listens*

ARIEL: *finishes* I-I miss my life.:.

ERIK: *listens then swims towards her*

ARIEL: *sees him and swims back from him*

ERIK: that was very beautiful.

ARIEL: Thank you... *mumbles sadly*

ERIK: Why do you look so glum?

ARIEL: You took everything that I loved from me... And you expect me to be happy?

ERIK: Well, you still have your home, your sisters. Nothing has changed except your father's presence isn't here any more. *swims around her*

ARIEL: *watches him* What's your game, Warlock?

ERIK: what are you talking about?

ARIEL: There's something you're not telling me... Isn't there?

ERIK: *looks at her* if there is, give me one reason to tell you...

ARIEL: I'll be with you for eternity anyway...

ERIK: I love you. *looks her straight in the eye then swims around her in a circle*

ARIEL: *is so shocked and is stiff*

ERIK: *smirks slight* crab got your tongue, Love?

ARIEL: L-Love? *cant step back because he's circling her*

ERIK: *slowly closes in the circle* yes, love.

ARIEL: *gulps as she's surrounded*

ERIK: *whispers in her ear* why do you think I keep you? I can't stand to have you away from me.

ARIEL: G-Get away from me...

ERIK: *swims away* why did I tell her that? It's not like she will ever return it. *mumbles to himself as he leaves*