Reimagining Fiction: The Little Mermaid, Part 2

 This is the second part of the series Reimagining Fiction, The Little Mermaid. To read the first part, click here.

Floundrel gathers his contacts and spreads the word of this around the kingdom. As one would expect, they come up empty-handed.

He had almost given up hope, but was scared to return to the princess empty-handed. He would’ve run away; had he not been intrigued by a poster that hung on the side alley. He looked over the poster; it was an advertisement for Ursula’s clinic. Apparently, this Ursula was a master of the arcane arts and she could make everyone’s wishes come true, for a price. He decided that desperate times called for desperate measures.

Floundrel grabbed the poster and headed to the address on it. As he approached the clinic, he was greeted by the receptionists, Flotsam and Jetsam. They took down his details and took him through the back door into a dark room on in the back of the clinic. There, he was greeted by a middle-aged witch whose best years were behind her.

“Approach boy, what seek ye?” said Ursula.

“Umm. Hello there, I was told I would find the problem solver Ursula here. Do you happen to know where?” asked Floundrel.

“You enrage me, boy. I am who ye seek. Now speak!” Ursula exclaimed.

“Oh, terribly sorry. Alright.” Floundrel clears his throat, “On behalf of her illustrious princess Ariel, I summon you, for our princess wishes for your aid in a matter most precious. Will you grace us with your aid?”

“Pff. This is insolence. I am the great Ursula, a sorceress revered even among the elders. I once sat beside the king himself. And you have the gall to ask for my help without an offering?” said Ursula.

“Help us, and you will be compensated. Our princess is known for her generosity.” Whispered Floundrel.

The old eyes of Ursula lit up with greed. “Fine,” she said, “I will meet the princess, I shall decide if she is worthy of my help.”

“But don’t you want to know the details of the job first?” asked Floundrel.

“No. The one seeking help must ask for it themselves.”

“Umm. Alright. I shall send for a ride to the castle post haste.” Said Floundrel.

“No, the princess must come here if she wants my aid. I will not leave my sanctuary.” Exclaimed Ursula, as her eyes peered through her broken spectacles; as if looking straight at Floundrel’s soul.

“But-

“No excuses, messenger. Now scuttle before I set my piranhas on you.”

Floundrel looked down, and walked towards the door, relieved, but worried for how the princess might respond.

He called for a ride and rushed back to the palace. He hurried down from the ride and sprinted up the stairs to the princess’s room. She sat at her desk, reading a book.

Floundrel slammed the door open and screamed, “My princess, I have found a solution to your dilemma.”

“Really? Oh Floundrel, I knew you would never let me down.” Said the princess, brimming with joy, “So, where is my prince?”

“Well, princess, you have to meet this lady downtown. She is an enabler. She helps people get what they want, and I was assured she would help you get what you desire, for a modest fee.” Said Floundrel.

“I see,” said Ariel, “So all you did was pawn your work off on someone else? Very well, at least you did not come empty-handed. So where is this lady of yours?”

“The place is called Ursula’s clinic. I shall take you there at night. It would be unwise to leave the palace at this hour, with everyone watching.” Said Floundrel.

“Guess I have no choice but to wait. But love’s not love unless it’s tested. Very well Floundrel, we will go there at night.” Sighed Ariel.

Night fell. Ariel dressed up as a commoner and snuck out of the palace through the garden with Floundrel. They made their way through the rough streets of the kingdom, all the way to the clinic. Flotsam and Jetsam stood at the door.

“Welcome, princess, our mistress has been awaiting your arrival.” Said Floundrel.

“Please rest the greetings. Take me to the witch now.” Exclaimed Ariel.

“Yes-yes right this way, your highness.”

Floundrel and Ariel followed them to the back of the clinic, to Ursula’s chamber.

As they entered the room, they were greeted by Ursula, who sat at her desk, looking at some cards that she laid down with the utmost care.

“This is who’s supposed to help me?” asked Ariel, looking at Floundrel.

“Come closer, child. I see a short temper runs in the family. Sit down, and tell me what you desire.” Said Ursula.

“Very well.” Said Ariel, as she made her way to the desk, and sat down on the other end.

“I met a prince from the kingdom of the lands not long ago. His name is Eric. He is the most beautiful thing I have laid my eyes on, and the only soul I have ever felt a real connection with. Therefore, I wish to spend the rest of my life with him. I am all for long-distance relationships, but as you can see, the logistics and geography are a little undesirable for such a relationship.” Monologued Ariel, “I want you to arrange for a way to make it happen.”

“You want to spend your life with one of the surface dwellers? Huh.” Ursula laughed. “Well, ask you know, it is impossible for surface dwellers to survive underwater. How do you see it working?”

“How do I know? You are supposed to figure that out, aren’t you?” exclaimed Ariel.

“Well, there is a way, but that involves a very long and complicated procedure. It involves changing your biology. And the solution comes at a great price.” Said Ursula.

“Whatever the price may be, I want to do it.”

“Very well. Sign this contract, waiving any rights for you or your family of holding me responsible for any consequences. Then we will discuss the solution.” Said Ursula.

“Okay. Do you have a pen?”

Ariel signed the contract, dreaming of how close she was to meet her prince.

“Good. Now, I will explain the solution to you in simple terms. I shall make you a human. You will lose your tail and gain the ability to survive on the surface, just like the surface dwellers.” Said Ursula.

“perfect. That’s great news, isn’t it Floundrel?” said Ariel.

“But princess, this is ridiculous. You? Becoming a human? It would be blasphemous. Not to mention the king would have my head for this.” Exclaimed Floundrel.

“And who’s going to tell him exactly? I believe you are no snitch. Come on, you are clever enough to handle things here.” Said Ariel.

“Not so fast, princess.” Said Ursula, “Since merfolk are higher creatures, going down the ladder is possible, but once you are a human, there is no way for you to turn back into a mermaid and get your life back here. Once you have made this decision, you will have to accept the consequences, whether good or bad.”

“Not a problem. I hate it here. When do we start?” exclaimed Ariel.

[artwork by rohini shrivastava, Artstation]