Chapter 19: Another Chance

Back in the ocean King Triton was sending search parties to look for his daughter he had been worried about her before but not like this because he knew deep down he was the reason for her to runaway he kept thinking "What have done, If I had only listened, this is all my fault, where is my beloved Ariel" and then it hit him there was only fish in the world who knew his daughter better than anyone else he summoned Flounder to his throne room. "You summoned me your majesty", "Yes Flounder I'm incredibly worried about Ariel you know her better than anyone else I know I need your please will you help me find her?" Flounder could see in his eyes that he was desperate "Of course your majesty", "Oh thank you Flounder thank you I'll also be sending Sebastian to help you with your search you'll be starting tonight the sooner I find her the better I will be." Triton dismissed Flounder Sebastian was waiting for him outside the throne room as tired as they were they swam off into the night and started searching.

The next morning when Ariel woke up at first she had forgotten where she was until she looked down at her legs and remembered that she was human Nakoma came to help her change and do her hair then went outside to meet john for breakfast by the fire pit. "Good morning Ariel" he said "I hope you slept well" she nodded "I'm glad that bed isn't the most comfortable" she pointed to him "Me" she nodded "I slept just fine I'm use to sleeping the ground thank you for asking", "That's good" Ariel thought she was so worried about him sleeping on the cold hard ground.
The others came and joined them for breakfast again it wasn't much but she didn't mind "So what would you like to do? I know there isn't much I'm going exploring for a few an hour or two unless of course you'd like to come with me" Ariel nodded excitedly she always dreamed of exploring new places and the fact that John had that same love made it even better "Well I've never seen anyone so excited it'll be nice to have someone tag along with me for a change" he smiled "I'll just go grab a few things from my tent be right back."
John went and packed a few things in his satchel for the two of them food and canteens mostly then went back to Ariel "Well shall we go" he asked she nodded "All right we're off Thomas you hold down the fort while I'm gone come find us if anything happens", "Alright John" they both waved good-bye than started heading into the forest John decided to take her to the Indian village to show her how they lived he could help but notice how fascinated she was about every little thing and how it sparked her curiosity it was joy to watch especially her with the children she was so tender and gentle with them it made him smile thinking of what it would be like to be a father seeing his wife with their child playing with them and reading to them with that same tender and gentleness he was seeing before his eyes.

The children hugged Ariel before they left because their parents were calling them she waved good-bye to them "Your so good with children" John said "Thank you" she mouthed shall we continue the tour he asked she nodded they came across fields of corn John explained to her how a tiny seed was planted in the soil and that with time, water, and a little bit of sunshine it would grow into fields that would go on for miles. As they were walking they came across Nakoma who was harvesting the corn she smiled at them she was so surprised to see them "John Ariel what are you two doing here?", "We are going to go explore the forest and thought that Ariel would like to see your beautiful village learn how your people live and prosper through what is all around you and what comes from the earth", "Wow that's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard most white people that have ever come across the sea were considered dangerous no one was ever allowed to go near them but you your different", "I was taught well", "Taught?", "Yes by ... by someone who was very special to me", "Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to trigger any unpleasant memories" she said "No" John replied placing his hand on hers "They weren't unpleasant in fact I want to thank you for bringing them back into my mind it reminds me of how much I learned and can share with the world so we can make it a better place for all of us no matter what color of skin we are" Nakoma smiled "Your teacher would be proud seeing all the wisdom you've gained from their teachings", she picked up the basket "Please would you join us for a meal before you continue on your journey" John looked over at Ariel she nodded "We would be delighted", "Follow me."

Nakoma led them to a large tent where the people were gathered around the fire dancing and celebrating for the good harvest they'd had this year thanking Mother Earth the chief welcomed them and hugged Nakoma "Daughter thank you for bringing these two fine people to our celebration please enjoy" Ariel and John couldn't believe it why hadn't she told them that she was the chief's daughter? but that didn't matter she had her reasons either way she was considered their friend.
John and Ariel enjoyed the fine of food of corn and meat it was far better than what they had back at camp but more than anything they loved the dancing John hadn't had this much fun in years because he was always going on expeditions but being with Ariel made him want to change that for some reason he didn't know why or couldn't explain.
John decided they should leave early while the sun was still high in the sky to head out into the forest John thanked the chief and Nakoma for their hospitality for the both of them and also for the extra food they had packed for everyone back at camp in John's satchel and that Nakoma would be back in the morning to help Ariel.
They walked for miles John showed her all the beauties of nature how everything had a spirit, a life, and a name all the riches that nature gave them that didn't cost anything but most importantly how everything and everyone was connected just like Pocahontas had once taught him to be able to paint with the colors of the wind but he realized the greatest gift of all was sharing that knowledge as he and Ariel stood on top of a cliff watching the sunset he smiled it was as if she was smiling back at him even though they were miles apart in his mind he thanked her for all she had taught him and forgave her even though his heart would never belong to her it could belong to someone else but no matter what they would always be friends for time and eternity.

John looked at Ariel and couldn't help but smile he held her close thank you he saw her mouth "What for?" for teaching me these things "Your welcome its getting late we should get back before it gets dark" Ariel nodded. They made it back just as darkness came across the campsite they feasted on the goods they had brought back from the village when Ariel felt this urge like she needed to go to the beach she quietly sneaked off while everyone else was finishing their meal she searched the beach not knowing what she for when suddenly she heard tiny voices calling her name she quickly ran toward it as fast as she could it was Flounder and Sebastian what were they doing here? "Oh Ariel Sebastian its Ariel", "Ariel over here", "Oh Ariel I've missed you so much" she hugged and little fish and mouthed I missed you to " Ariel we've been searching all day for you your Ahh Ariel what happened to your voice?" I traded it she mouthed "to who? asked Flounder "I thought you killed Ursula? I did Ariel mouth she was about to tell him who did it when suddenly Sebastian started screaming "Ahh Ursula's crazy sister!" "What?!", "Morgana she's Ursula's younger sister no has been able to find her secret lair for years there are rumors saying that she lives somewhere in the deepest, darkest, and iciest part of the ocean King Triton banished those two years ago for witch craft and now with Ursula out of the way HUAH AH SHE MIGHT TRY TO STEAL THE TRIDENT AND TAKE OVER THE KINGDOM! I'm going to march myself home right now and ... " Ariel quickly picked him up "And don't you shake your head at me young lady perhaps there's still time if we could get that witch to give you back your voice you could go home with the other merfish and just be.." Ariel looked at him sadly "Just be miserable for the rest of your life alright alright I won't go your father."

Ariel went over to Flounder and mouthed to him that she was getting tired to wait here and she would see him in the morning "Ok Ariel goodnight" she gave him a kiss and placed Sebastian in her pocket when she heard John's voice screaming her name "Ariel Ariel Ariel" he quickly raced toward her and placed his arms around her in relief "Oh Ariel thank goodness your safe come on let's get you back to the cabin its getting late. After saying goodnight to John Ariel took Sebastian out of her pocket and got into her nightgown "Young lady just what do you think your doing trading your voice again to be with another human didn't you learn anything from the last time this happened he's just going to break your heart like Eric did" No he's not she mouthed angrily he's different "Different how?" he been through the same thing I have been Sebastian a broken heart he feels alone, like no one understands but I do she mouthed "So you just did all this because you felt sorry for the boy?" No I don't know there's just something about him she smiled happily oh please Sebastian you have to help me I only have two days left she mouthed her eyes begging his head was telling him this was a bad idea but his heart was saying there's something there. "Alright Ariel I'll help that boy fall in love with you but this is the last time" Ariel kissed him and climbed into bed Sebastian blew out the candle brushing her hair with his claw "You are hopeless child you know that completely hopeless" he said tiredly as she crawled to the corner of her pillow and feel asleep.