Alas, we have reached the end of our Little Mermaid adventure. Just to let you know, the very end is a bit different from Andersen’s… But it’s similar.. if that makes any sense. :) Did you expect this ending?? Enjoy! :)
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Ariel woke up in darkness. She had no idea what time it was, but saw that the moon was high in the sky. She was still in her green dress, and it shimmered in the moonlight. She slowly pulled the knife out of her under-dress and tested the weight in her hand.
She felt beside herself, like she wasn’t in her body. She slowly walked over to the prince’s bedroom. Ariel opened the door silently and walked in. The knife was gripped in her hand as she looked at the bed. Eric and Christina were in the bed, he was holding her in the arms that used to hold Ariel.
Ariel felt a bitter taste in her mouth and raised the knife above her head. She stared at him. His features were even more beautiful in the soft moonlight. Tears started to fill her eyes and her vision was blurred. She thought of what she was about to do, what was going to happen. She was going to slay the prince and turn back into a mermaid. She would return to the sea and live for over three hundred years, while the prince had merely a few minutes left to live.
Ariel dropped her arms to her sides. She couldn’t do it. He looked so happy with his new wife; how could Ariel ruin that for him? She sat down on the floor with her back pressed against the bed and noticed that the moon was low in the sky now. She sighed and stood up.
She stole one last look of the prince, and kissed his cheek lightly. Ariel left the room silently and walked out to the beach. She watched the sun start to rise in the horizon. She first threw the knife far out into the sea and watched it splash in the water.
Ariel walked out to the edge of a pier. She tried to speak, but nothing came out. She wanted to say, “I love you more than anything,” but just settled with mouthing the words. She stretched her arms out and slowly fell forward into the ocean. She felt the water surround her and she squeezed her eyes shut, waiting to be turned into sea-foam. Then everything went black and she left the world peacefully.
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Ariel’s eyes fluttered open. She was surprised to see that she was floating in the air. She sat upright, but found that she was sitting on a cloud. “What the…” she grabbed her throat. “I’m able to talk? Where am I?” She looked around but only saw clouds. When she turned completely around she saw large golden gates.
Ariel stood up and was relieved to find that her feet no longer hurt. She took one careful step, wondering if she was going to fall through the clouds, but she found that it was firm and safe. She walked over to the large gates and tried to peer in but only saw rolling hills of white clouds. “Hello?” Ariel looked around but saw no one. “Is anyone here?”
She began to wonder if she was going to live here in isolation for ever. She couldn’t figure out why she didn’t just turn into sea-foam. “Ariel,” the loud booming voice caused Ariel to scream and fall to her knees. She covered her ears and trembled on the floor. “Stand up, there is no reason to be afraid.” Ariel barely opened one eye and saw a pair of sandaled feet standing in front of her. She looked up and saw that the person was wearing a brown robe, as she continued to look up she saw a large brown beard. “Please, stand up.”
Ariel did as she was told and was face to face with a man who seemed to hold a lot of power. “Hello…” was Ariel could think to say.
The man chuckled. “Do you know who I am?” Ariel was ashamed that she did not. “That’s okay, my child. I’m the Lord Jesus. I watch over the humans of the Earth. I have watched you too, and I must say, you are a very interesting girl.”
“Thank you, sir. May I ask why I am here? I thought that I was supposed to turn into sea-foam.”
The man nodded thoughtfully. “You were, but I saved you. Your selfless act showed me that you deserve a second chance. You now have an eternal life here in my palace. Unless you would rather be sea-foam?” He smiled and it caused Ariel to smile as well.
“I would be honored to live here, but I would feel out-of-place. I know that some people have worshiped you for their entire life, and I have just met you. I don’t think I have earned this.”
“My child, walk with me.” They stepped through the opened gates in a beautiful garden. Ariel wondered how this had gotten here, but decided to not question it. “You are wiser beyond your years. If I grant you permission to live here, then you may live here. The people who live here all respect me and my decision, anyone who would question that does belong here. This is a holy place and should only contain holy thoughts. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. I understand. And I would be honored to live here.” He smiled and Ariel was confronted by a bright light. “What’s going on?”
“Welcome to my kingdom, Ariel.”