Writing Camp - Celia Octon

Week 1 Chapter 3

Summary: Ursula is on land now. Poseidon is hot on her tail about finding Ariel. Ursula gets a "call" from Poseidon and now she can't sleep. How will she get into the castle?

Ursula can't go into the castle. It's Ariel who sneaks out and meets her coincidentally. Ariel argues with Poseidon, refusing to go back into the ocean until Eric marries her. Not able to do much, Poseidon gives in to her demand and orders Ursula to continue staying on land to serve Ariel. Ariel brings her into the castle as her maid.

Ariel can't speak so how will she argue? By having Ursula translate her body language.

Scene 1: at backdoor of the royal kitchen.

Ursula tries to slip in with the ingredients, but she is caught and thrown back out. While Ursula is drawing another plan, Ariel  comes and stands in front of her. The mute princess rejoices loudly, jumping up and down while hugging Ursula. Then her stomach growls. Ursula takes her to a nearby tavern to eat. While eating, Poseidon appears in Ursula's mug. She lets him meet Ariel. At first, they are happy to see each other, but when Poseidon tells her to go back home, Ariel throws a fit. However, she is unable to communicate her thoughts to him, so she looks at Ursula and has her interpreting in their conversation.

Ursula: her highness is not willing to return.

Poseidon: what? why?

Ursula: She has found comfort on land.

Poseidon: what about me and your sisters? What about your family?

Ariel clasps her hands together.

Ursula: She wants to hold hands with someone?

Ursula looks curiously at Ariel. Ariel nods her head excitedly and then hugs herself.

Ursula: She has hugged someone?

Ariel nods her head even more enthusiastically. Then Ursula realises that Ariel is acting out the sign of marriage in mermaid culture.

Ursula: Her highness wishes to be wed to a surfacer?

Ariel nods again, her cheeks turning an adorable rosy pink hue.

Poseidon: preposterous! How can I let my daughter be disgraced like that? Ariel, you are to return to the ocean right this instant!

Ariel's frowns and folds her arms. She shakes her head in disagreement.

Poseidon: you will come home whether you like it or not. Ursula, escort my daughter back.

Just as Ursula is about to reply, Ariel rushes out of the tavern. Ursula places coins on their table and follows after her. Because Ariel is not used to walking yet, Ursula is able to catch up with her. With the mug still in hand, Ursula speaks to Poseidon.

Ursula: your majesty, if I may suggest another course of action.

Poseidon: speak.

Ursula: I can remain near her highness on the surface and keep watch over her while she experiences life on land. She can make her decision later on, if she truly wishes to remain here forever.

Poseidon is still not satisfied, but the other princesses convince him that this is the safest option for Ariel, so he gives in.

Poseidon: very well then. I will come to you through reflections in water every full moon, Ariel. And if you ever change your mind, just say a word and papa will go get you.

Ariel nods her head and kisses her father's reflection in the water goodbye. Ursula then convinces Ariel to bring her into the palace too. Ariel manages to sneak Ursula back into the palace through the same backdoor that she had snuck out of. Once they are inside, Ursula sees Ariel's shared room and realises that Ariel had been kept in the palace as a servant. She tries to seek an audience with the king of the palace while still being cautious.

For weeks, she is not able to do so. Instead, she collects bits and pieces of the king's schedule from the other servants and learns about the king's whereabouts. After figuring out where the king would be, Ursula asks the head maid to work in that particular part of the castle. Then, she approaches the king and requests an audience as the ambassador from the ocean. After grasping the situation, the king calls her to his study.

Ursula brings up the mermaid-human treaty and asks for Ariel to be received as a royal from the ocean. And thus, she would become Ariel's lady-in-waiting. The king agrees. So from that day onwards, the two live as royal guests in the palace.