| For a Moment by Christy Chapter 3 Eric paced around the dining hall, wondering how long Melody would take before she got to lunch. "What is she doing?" he said aloud, "How long does it take to gather a few seashells?" Ariel entered the room. "Eric, I've called her ten times," she said, "I'm sure she's heard me." "Well, maybe she turned into a mermaid and swam away!" grinned Eric, "It's been known to happen!" Ariel laughed. "Don't worry. I'm sure she'll be around....eventually." Melody led Esther to the front of the palace. Esther moaned when she saw the stone steps that stood in front of the door. "I was afraid you'd have steps," she said. "Oh brother," said Melody. "Um....listen, I have an idea! You stay here: I'll be right back!" She ran up the steps two at a time and into the palace. Melody rushed into her bedroom, where she placed her bag of shells on her bed, threw on a dress, and then ran into the dining room, where Ariel and Eric were waiting for her. "So THERE you are!!!!" said Ariel. "Yes," said Melody. "WHERE have you been??" asked Eric. "It's a long story," said Melody, "But I have two questions I want to ask you." "All right, what are they?" said Ariel. "First off, can I have someone over for lunch?" "Of course you can!" said Ariel. "She can?" said Eric. Ariel faced her husband. "Yes, of course she can!" she grinned. Eric shrugged. "Okay, of course she can." Ariel turned back to Melody. "And what's your next question?" "Could you help her get into the palace?" "What do you mean?" asked Eric. How could Melody explain this? "Well....come outside and I'll show you!" "Okay," said Ariel, "we're coming." "We are?" said Eric. Ariel faced her husband again. "Yes, we're coming!" she grinned. Eric shrugged again. "All right, we're coming." "Okay," said Melody, "Follow me!" Ariel and Eric followed Melody out to the front steps, where Esther was drumming her fingers on the side of her chair. "Hey Esther," said Melody, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. Anyway, these are my parents. Mom, Dad, this is Esther. I met her while I was gathering shells." Esther bowed her head. "I'm pleased to meet you, Your Highnesses." Ariel smiled at her. "Pleased to meet you as well, Esther." "Say no more," said Eric, "Would you like me to escort you to the palace?" Esther grinned and nodded. "Okay!" said Eric. He leaned over. "Here, put your arms around my neck." Esther did as she was told and Eric gently lifted her out of her chair and carefully started carrying her up the stairs. Melody and Ariel followed close behind, carrying her wheelchair. Esther wheeled herself up to the dining table next to Melody. The two sat facing the window overlooking the beautiful view of the ocean. "You have a lovely dining room," said Esther. "Thank you," said Melody. "I especially love the view of the ocean," continued Esther. "Really?" said Melody. "A year ago you couldn't see the ocean from here. You could only see a big old ugly stone wall." "Oh yes," Esther said in a slightly disgusted voice, "I remember that wall. Say, how did your parents come around to taking it down?" Should Melody tell her that story? It would mean revealing her mother's mermaid heritage to someone she barely knew. Would Ariel approve of that? She didn't have time to decide, for at that very moment Ariel and Eric entered the dining hall. "Louie should have lunch ready in a few minutes," said Ariel. "A few minutes meaning: hopefully before suppertime!" grinned Eric. Ariel grinned back and took a seat next to Esther. "So," she said, " would our dinner guest care to tell us a little about herself?" "Wait for everyone to show up first," said Eric. "Who else is there?" asked Esther. "Well, there's also..." began Eric. "Eric!" "Grimsby!" finished Eric. He walked up to the elegent white-haired man who had just entered the room. "Eric," said Grimsby, "what's this I hear about us having a guest for lunch?" Eric extended his arm to Esther. "Here she is, Grim. This is Esther." Grimsby bent over to her level. "Pleased to meet you, my dear." "Pleased to meet you, too," said Esther. "Are you His Highness's father?" "Eh, no," said Eric, "and never mind the His Highness stuff. Please, just call me Eric." "Okay," said Esther. "Grimsby's my manservant and tutor," explained Eric. "My parents died when I was real little, so he's also raised me and kind of been my father figure." "And believe me: rasing him was no easy task!" quipped Grimsby. "That reminds me," Melody said after the laughter from Grimsby's remark died down, "Who are you parents, Esther?" "My parents are David (but my mother calls him Dave) and Jodi Millers," answered Esther. "Ah, I know them," said Ariel. "They sometimes throw parties down by the lake." She eyed Esther curiously. "But I didn't know they had a daughter." Esther sighed. "I don't usually go to their parties. People make fun of me. I usually stay at home or visit the ocean." No one knew what to say after that. Fortunatly, no one needed to say anything, for at that very moment they were interrupted by the sound of pots crashing to the floor and a shrill voice screaming "LOUIE!!!!!" from the kitchen. Ariel and Eric exchanged knowing glances. "Carlotta," Eric said in a monotonous voice. "Sebastain," Ariel said in an equally monotonous voice. "Louie," they both said together. Ariel and Eric rushed into the kitchen, and sure enough, it was Louie, madly chasing Sebastian yet again. "Louie, stop that!!" Ariel yelled. "That's what I've been trying to tell him!!!" shouted Carlotta. Sebastian scampered up to Ariel. "Ariel!!!!" he sputtered, "I thought you said dat seafood was banned here!!!!!" He ran out the door. Go to Chapter 4 Back to Non-HoND Fanfic Back to Index |