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"I'm still not entirely convinced about this, Ariel," said the ruler, casting a worried glance toward the reef ahead.
Ariel, behind her, seemed to be utterly carefree. Her vibrant red hair swaying in the wind, she was smiling and almost jumping with every step she took.
"Stop it, there's nothing to worry about," she reassured her. "You told me the spell worked."
"Yes, in theory ," she grumbled.
The two young women had been discussing this project for several weeks, but now that the time had come, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.
It all began during their casual conversations, as Ariel had recently got back her legs and gained the ability to alternate between her mermaid and human forms. The ruler found herself daydreaming, saying to her she wished she possessed the same power to explore the valley's seabed. When she added that she'd like to do it with her if it was really possible, Ariel was so enthusiastic about the idea t hat she pondered on it for quite some time.
Some time had passed, and it was the mermaid herself who came up with the idea: couldn't the ruler use her powerful magical abilities to create a spell that would let her swim temporarily with Ariel without worrying about running out of oxygen? The concept was wild, but its audacity was enough to captivate them both.
So the ruler delved into Merlin's extensive library for days,, searching for a spell or potion that would not only allow her to breathe underwater but also let her match Ariel's swimming speed. After numerous attempts, some more successful than others, she finally achieved the desired result. And now, on the brink of the grand adventure, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"Have faith in yourself," said Ariel reassuringly. "You've tested it, and everything went well."
"Testing in my bathtub and diving straight into the ocean without being sure if I’ll be able to breathe after a few hours are different things," she saud, her voice betraying her nerves.
"But your magic is powerful, just like you are. Everything will be fine."
She couldn't help but smile. Ariel had a way with words that eased her doubts. Though she constantly questioned her magical abilities, wondering if she was good enough, she knew she could rely on her friend's support. She genuinely wanted to believe that everything would turn out alright. So she took a deep breath and tried not to feel nauseous in front of the waves.
"Are you both ready to go?" called Eric from a few meters behind them.
"Almost," replied Ariel. "She just needs to take her potion."
The ruler nodded silently, remembering the small bottle filled with a special concoction she had prepared for this occasion. She took it out of her bag and held it firmly in her hand. It was kinda like her lifebuoy. Combined with her spell, it would ensure she had oxygen for several hours and could swim as fast as a mermaid. Well, that was the plan.
As she stared at the shimmering liquid in the bottle, Ariel stepped away and wrapped her arms around her lover for a moment. He reciprocated the embrace.
"I wish I could come with you," he admitted.
"Next time," said Ariel cheerfully. "Today is girls' day. We're going to have a blast."
The ruler, on the reef, chimed in, "Yes, although I do hope you'll come to my rescue if the spell doesn't work."
"It will work, I tell you!" insisted Ariel.
"Absolutely," agreed Eric. "Stop worrying and enjoy the moment."
"Everything always looks so easy when you two speak," sighed the ruler.
The couple shared a laugh, and she couldn't help but join in with a slight chuckle. Their laughter eased her anxiety, carried away by the sea breeze and the light-heartedness of their discussions. After taking another deep breath, she murmured the incantation and swallowed the potion. It wasn't too bad, though a little strong, almost iodized.
Once she'd swallowed the potion, she waited a few moments, closing her eyes to concentrate on the sensations that invaded her. A pleasant warmth spread through her body, followed by a gentle tingling. She could feel the magical energy flowing within her, connecting her to the vast expanse of water before her. Her heartbeat quickened, signaling that the spell was taking effect.
Ariel and Eric moved closer, watching her intently for any reaction. But she felt fine. She opened her eyes, which were now almost glowing.
"I think it's working!" she exclaimed with excitement.
"Of course, it works!" Ariel beamed, rushing forward to take her in her arms.
She hugged her back, a mix of surprise and amusement dancing on her lips.
"So, you're off?" asked Eric with a warm smile.
“ Yes, we’ll see you later!" replied Ariel, leaning in to place a tender kiss on his cheek.
In return, he gently kissed her forehead before waving good-bye and moving a few meters away towards the sandy shore. Ariel turned her gaze back to her friend, finding her looking at her mischievously.
"Can I have a kiss too?" she teased.
"Later, and only if you’re nice," Ariel retorted, matching her playful tone and rolling her eyes.
Their attention returned to the vast ocean ahead. The horizon seemed to cut the afternoon sky in two, the blue of the sky and the ocean touching but never quite blending. The sun's reflection danced on the surface, creating an iridescent panorama of mesmerizing beauty.
"Ready?" Ariel whispered.
She simply nodded in response.
"Come on, let's go!" Ariel exclaimed, taking her hand in her.
They both jumped into the water together. At first, panic washed over the ruler as she submerged herself in the ocean. Her eyes instinctively shut tight, her breath quickening dangerously. Butthen she felt someone squeeze her hand, and shefinally opened her eyelids. Ariel's face was smiling at her.
"Look at your legs," Ariel said.
She slowly lowered her head, and her eyes widened. Her legs, all the way down to her feet, were surrounded by a thin thread of light, almost akin to scales. She waved them through the water and found that they moved with exceptional fluidity.
Amazed that the magic was working, she then focused on her breathing, remembering the spell she had cast, and felt with relief that she could breathe normally underwater. With a burst of excitement, she couldn't help but exclaim, "That's awesome!"
Ariel's smile widened, her hands clapping in delight as her friend swam in a graceful circle. Upon her return, she wobbled a bit, and Ariel had to take her hand again.
"I told you everything would be all right," Ariel affirmed.
The ruler nodded and looked around. The underwater world unfolding before her eyes was breathtaking. All around them, the crystal-clear blue waters shimmered with life. Stretching as far as the eye could see, vibrant coral formations housed a myriad of dazzling sea creatures, some curiously peeking at the two newcomers. Meanwhile, multicolored fish gracefully darted between the coral, painting a living canvas of enchanting beauty.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
"I knew you'd like it," Ariel said, winking at her.
Ariel smiled as she swam to her side. She had regained her mermaid tail and was undulating gracefully in the water. She dashed forward and gestured for her friend to follow. Her first movements were a little clumsy, but she soon managed to adapt to Ariel's speed.
The sensations were incredible. She felt weightless and agile, moving alongside Ariel with an elegance she had never imagined possible. They delved deeper, exploring the vibrant reefs and admiring the sea creatures. She felt as if she'd plunged into a dream come true.
With a joyful glimmer in her eyes, Ariel looked at her newfound companion, thrilled to share this extraordinary experience with her. They swam side by side, exchanging smiles and bursts of laughter underwater, letting out little bubbles that rose to the surface as they passed.Time seemed to slow, and the ruler felt alive, free of all her worries.
Minutes melted into hours, as they explored the depths of the ocean until finally, exhausted, they swam se to the surface. The rays of sunset dazzled their eyes. The sky was painted in hues of soft orange. After looking around, they found a small islet of rocks and sand where they settled on the reef. They sat there for a few while, watching the sun slowly descend below the horizon.
“Thank you," the ruler said softly after a few peaceful minutes of silence. "Experiencing this with you was absolutely incredible."
"No need to thank me," she said, placing her hand gently on her’s. "You've already done so much for the valley, and we all want to repay your kindness."
A blush tinged the ruler’s cheeks. Having left the valley for so long after everyone forgot about everything, she now wondered how she had managed to live without such unwavering support at her side. A great weight had fallen on her shoulders on her return when she'd realized the importance of her role, but here, cradled by the calm embrace of the ocean, she now felt a deep sense of assurance that everything would be alright.
Lost in her thoughts, she was surprised when soft, wet lips gently brushed quickly against her cheek. Turning to her friend, she met Ariel's amused gaze, with the same expression as a mother who’d just indulged her child's whims.
"There's your kiss," Ariel said playfully. "But don't get too boastful, okay?"
Too late.
"Eric might see me as a rival now," she said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Stop it!" Ariel laughed.
Their laughter floated like feathers in the evening air. In this enchanting landscape, in such good company, and with so many wonderful memories in her head, the ruler repeated to herself the few words she had decided to hold on to.
Everything was going to be all right.