Reimagining Fiction: The Little Mermaid, Part 1

Here's an honest, real-life version of the beloved children's tale, The Little Mermaid:

In the darkest depths of the high seas, hidden away, was the beautiful kingdom of Atlantis. A kingdom full of riches, gaudy castles, and happy aristocrats. A kingdom where all kinds of sea-dwelling creatures lived in harmony. Some of them were forced into labor, as they were used as transport, transporting their own kind on their backs, and pulling carts through the seas. In the kingdom lived a beautiful little mermaid. Her name was Ariel.

Ariel was the daughter of the mighty king Triton that ruled over the kingdom and all things that called the ocean their home.

“It’s another beautiful day in the kingdom of Atlantis” said the little mermaid.

“Yes, princess.” Said her servant, Flounder.

“We will depart soon to the surface in search of human artifacts.” Said Ariel.

“As you wish, princess.” Said Flounder.

For Ariel was fascinated by those who lived on the surface. She was a dumb, 15-year-old mermaid who wore nothing but seashells, her hair as red as the sunset. Time and time again, she had been warned by her father, “My daughter, you must not make contact with the surface dwellers, for they are evil, and would take advantage of your kindness.” Said the wise king.

But Ariel’s heart was that of a child. She did not know the evils that haunted the lands. She embarked on her quest to satiate her curiosity of what was beyond the oceans.

Little did the little mermaid know that her fantasy would take her down a path that would lead to her oblivion.

The crashing waves on the surface were cut down by a majestic ship. It sailed the ocean with grace, carrying the prince of the kingdom of land. “The roar of the ocean is majestic, isn’t it, bully?” asked the prince, with one foot over the barrel, his eyes gazing into the abyss.

“yes, master.” Said the servant.

“Fetch me the equipment. I want to hunt the biggest trout today. And do so with haste, I want to do it before the storm arrives.” Said the prince.

“Right away, sir.” Said the servant thinking to himself, “This man will get us all killed, the storm is neigh, why go fishing today.”

The servants handed the mighty prince the spear. The prince took off his shirt and jumped into the roaring ocean with the spear in hand.

As he dove underwater, he felt as if he had entered a whole new world. He swam through the plants, feeling the cold water gliding past his body. Through the corner of his eye, he saw a massive trout. The prince chased after it, but alas, the water was not his element. The trout escaped. Determined to catch the game, the prince took a huge breath and swam to even greater depths in search of the prey that had escaped him. He looked around, but couldn’t find the elusive fish. He as almost out of breath, but the surface was far away. He felt his body being crushed by the ocean. The lack of oxygen had started to take a toll on his body. The prince blacked out. His limp body sinking to the ocean floor.

The prince would have died if it wasn’t for the little mermaid, who happened to be passing by. She saw the drowning prince. His beautiful face was lifeless. She rushed to his aid.

“Princess, you mustn’t” said Floundrel.

“Are you insane? This man will die. I will deal with my father. Come on, help me save him.” Exclaimed Ariel.

They dragged the prince to the shore. The little mermaid, with her kind heart, took care of the unconscious prince, sang songs to him, and helped him regain consciousness.

As the prince was coming to his senses, the little mermaid leaped back into the ocean and went away, remembering what her father had said about humans.

“This is the prince of my dreams. Surely, he isn’t evil. Father must be wrong.” Said the little mermaid.

The prince woke up and found himself safe on the shore. He was in shock. What must have saved him? The prince’s servants soon followed, worried to death about the missing prince.

“Thank the lords, master. We found you.” Said the servant.

“Ah. Yes. Who saved me? I thought I had drowned.” Said the prince, his head still heavy.

“The waves must have brought you back safely, my prince.” Said the servant.

“Huh? Maybe so.” Said the prince.

Back in Atlantis, Ariel was fantasizing about the prince she had just met. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.

“Maid, send word for Floundrel.” Said Ariel.

“At once, princess.” Said the maid.

Within no time, Floundrel arrived at Ariel’s door. “You called for me, princess?”

“Yes, come in. We have much to discuss.” Said Ariel.

Floundrel swam in and stood beside Ariel.

“Floundrel, we must find the prince we rescued. I am in love with him. His beautiful eyes, his strong yet supple body, and that meat.” Said Ariel, expressing her lust to the little servant.

“But princess, it is forbidden for merfolk to make contact with the surface dwellers.” Said Floundrel.

“I am aware of that, Floundrel. But as the princess of the kingdom, I command you to obey me.” Said Ariel.

“Yes, ma’am” said Floundrel, with disappointment in his voice.

Floundrel rummaged through the whole kingdom in search of information. He asked the citizens of Atlantis, the shopkeepers, the guards, and his search finally yielded results. He found the identity of the prince they had saved. He rushed back to Ariel with the information.

“Princess, I know the identity of the man we saved.” Said Floundrel, entering Ariel’s room.

“Good work. Now tell me.” Said the little mermaid.

“The man is a prince. His name is Eric. He is the prince of the kingdom of the land. He was out hunting with his troupe when he lost consciousness.” Said Floundrel.

“Hunting? That must be a mistake, my prince can’t do that.” Said the little mermaid.

“Very good Floundrel. Now, I want you to arrange for a way to meet with him.” said Ariel.

“Princess, you ask too much of me. There is no way for humans to meet with merfolk. They will drown.” Said Floundrel.

“Very well, then arrange for a way for me to go to the surface.” Said Ariel.

“But Princess-

“Floundrel, I will not tolerate insubordination.” Said Ariel, in her strictest voice.

Floundrel remained silent.

“I expect it to be done with haste.” Said Ariel.

Floundrel nodded and walked away. “Bitch is crazy.” He said to himself. “Goddammit these spoiled brats, they ask too much of me. I am not an elf, woman!”

Part 2 coming soon.