Once upon a time, in the palace of the Sea King, a party was in full swing. It was the eighteenth birthday of the king's youngest daughter, Ariana, and every merperson in the area had come to celebrate.
But Ariana wasn't enjoying her party. She preferred peace and quiet to the loud celebrations that often occurred in the palace, and usually managed to slip away after an obligatory few minutes of attendance. Unfortunately, leaving her own birthday festivities wasn't an option. Too many people wanted to speak to her, to congratulate her on becoming an adult, or to dance with her. If she left, everyone would look for her, and her father would be furious.
Instead, she stayed in the palace ballroom, chafing in the decorative shells and anemones her grandmother had adorned her with. How much longer would this torture go on?
In addition to her discomfort, Ariana had another reason for wanting the party to end. On this, her eighteenth birthday, she finally had the option of rising to the human world to see the wonders her sisters and friends had told her about. Granted, she would have to remain in the water, and would therefore be unable to see everything she was so curious about, but at least she could get a glimpse of the life humans lived. If she could ever get out of the ballroom.
Her father came over to her, followed by a merman Ariana hadn't seen before. "Daughter, I wish you to meet Lord Havian," the Sea King said. "He has traveled quite a distance to attend your birthday ball."
"It's a pleasure," Ariana lied. She didn't want to meet yet another potential dance partner.
"The pleasure is mine, Lady Ariana." Havian took her hand and brought it to his lips. "I have heard of the beauty of the king's youngest daughter, and wanted to view it for myself."
Ariana rolled her eyes. She'd heard many compliments and propositions that night, but none as corny as this. "I hope I meet your expectations," she said.
"You surpass them," Havian replied.
"Daughter, Lord Havian has requested the pleasure of your company tomorrow," the king said. "He wishes to court you, and I have agreed. Your maid will accompany you tomorrow, and you and Havian may spend the day becoming acquainted."
Court her? Ariana was just eighteen! True, three of her sisters had married at her age, but she had no intention of marrying so young. There were too many things she wished to do, too much to see. "Father, Lord Havian, I appreciate the attention and the compliment, but I do not wish to be courted."
"Daughter, you will follow my wishes," the king replied. "Lord Havian made a respectful request, and you will grant it with your company tomorrow. And if all goes well, a wedding will be planned."
Over her dead body. Ariana didn't even like the looks of Havian. She could hardly imagine spending her life with him, let alone sharing her body as she knew a wife would be expected to do. Ariana didn't intend to marry at all, and certainly wouldn't marry someone her father had chosen. He might have her best interests at heart, but he, like the rest of her family, did not understand her in the least. "Father, I don't feel that one day's acquaintance would be sufficient basis for a marriage," she said.
"And as your father, I overrule that decision," he replied. "This is a discussion best held in private, daughter. You do not wish to argue in front of Lord Havian, surely."
Ariana didn't actually care who they were arguing in front of, but she knew that to her father, appearances were everything. "My apologies," she said through gritted teeth. "Father, I wish to take advantage of my option to visit the surface. When might I do so?"
Havian chuckled. "I have heard that you are quite fascinated by the tailless beasts who live outside the sea, my dear. Perhaps we could visit the surface together tomorrow."
"Perhaps. But for my first visit, I would prefer to go alone." Ariana turned back to her father. "Father, when, please? When might I go on my own?"
The Sea King paused. Ariana was his favorite child, the last his wife had given him before her death, and she greatly resembled her mother. Ariana knew that he might not wish her to go to the surface unaccompanied, but she was certain he would allow it, if for no other reason than he might see its importance to her. Finally he said, "Remain here for a short time longer, and then you may go."
Ariana flung her arms around him. "Thank you, Father! I promise, I'll be careful not to be seen by the humans."
"I trust that will be the case."
"I would be pleased to accompany you tonight," Havian said.
"That would be unwise," the Sea King said. "Ariana's maid has been dismissed for the evening, and there would be no one to chaperone. I am not willing to permit you to be alone with my daughter until the engagement is definite. It would not seem right."
Havian inclined his head. "As you wish, Sire. Ariana, perhaps I could trouble you for a dance before you go?"
Now that she was getting her way, Ariana felt more gracious toward the lord. "Of course. It would be my pleasure."
"Again, lady, the pleasure is mine."
He took her hand and they swam into the center of the dancing crowd. Ariana loved to dance, and was generally very graceful. But Havian was clumsy and clunky, and Ariana found herself unable to move the way she wished. Havian seemed to notice no problem; he smiled and chattered as though they were the most graceful couple in the room. Ariana was thankful when the music stopped. "Thank you for the dance," she said.
"Thank you," Havian replied. "You're a wonderful dancer."
Ariana couldn't bring herself to return the compliment; that would be too untruthful. "Thank you," she said instead.
"Havian!" A large merman swam to them. "You old dogfish! It's marvelous to see you." He realized who Havian was with. "Princess Ariana. I apologize for my rudeness, lady."
"It's fine," Ariana said. "I can see you know Lord Havian. I'll leave the two of you to talk."
"I'll find you afterward," Havian promised.
Not if Ariana could help it. Havian's friend was giving her the opportunity to escape for her visit to the surface. "Until later," she said.
As she swam away, she heard Havian say, "I can't wait until her father approves our engagement. She's a gorgeous little piece of tail, isn't she?" His friend rapidly hushed him; one didn't say such things about a princess. Havian's comment made Ariana more determined than before to avoid spending any time with him.
Without bothering to tell anyone where she was going, she left the ballroom. After overhearing Havian, she had no desire at all to remain. Her father would figure out where she had gone, and she would make her apologies to him and to any remaining guests when she returned. But now she needed to be away from the noise and the crowd. She needed to see the surface world.
Once out of the palace, Ariana swam swiftly upward. Her older sisters, who had already made this journey, had pointed her in the direction that would bring her to what they claimed was one of the most interesting parts of the surface world. "Buildings higher than the palace!" they'd claimed. "And so many humans! You'd never believe it if we told you."
Maybe not, but Ariana had always wished they would tell her more. Now, at last, she would have the chance to find out for herself.
She broke the surface of the water and looked around. Above her hung a large, white globe, surrounded by many points of light. "Moon and stars," she reminded herself from what she had learned about the human world. "They're beautiful!"
Ahead of her, she saw the city her sisters had told her about. She swam closer, drinking in the sight of the glowing lights and huge structures. How had humans built such enormous things?
A roar sounded from above her. Frightened, Ariana looked up and saw blinking lights passing over her. What was it? It appeared not to notice her, so Ariana relaxed and continued her swim.
As she neared the city, she saw some familiar things. Boats. She'd only seen them from below, of course, but they were immediately recognizable. Humans walked about on the decks of the boats, and in the still night air Ariana could hear their voices, though she couldn't make out the words they said. They were fascinating creatures, even more than she'd imagined they would be: the way they moved about on what she knew were called legs, the strange items that covered their bodies. Perhaps these items were needed in the air; it seemed colder than the ocean to her.
Cautious not to allow herself to be seen, Ariana swam still closer. Nearer the land, the boats were smaller, each occupied by only a few humans. Music played from some of the boats, some soft and beautiful, some loud and painful to Ariana's ears. But all of it was fascinating. Despite the stories from her sisters, she'd never expected anything like this.
Suddenly she heard a scream from one of the boats. She turned in time to see a human body hit the water. Rapidly, Ariana dove beneath the waves and swam to the site. She knew humans couldn't live below the ocean; this one might need her help.
When she reached the place, she saw a beautiful young man. His eyes were closed, and bubbles came from his nose. His long legs dangled beneath him. He seemed unable to swim to the surface. Ariana knew she wasn't supposed to interact with humans, but she couldn't allow this one to die. She grasped him beneath his arms and pulled him toward the land.
As she got closer to the land, the water became shallower. Long posts sank from above the water down into the sand below her, holding up flat structures to which some boats were tied. Looking up through the water, Ariana saw humans on the flat structures. Perhaps they would be able to help the young man. She pushed him ahead of her to the surface and held him, hoping that none of the humans would see her.
