Faith of the Heart

Part 3: Chapter 28
NOTHING CAN BE DONE

Written by DisneyFan-01
HTML Coding by Shadow20X6

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After bringing her far back up the very direction the gang came from, Genie went under the water with Marina after giving her back her mermaid form.  As she descended deeper and deeper under the waves, Genie asked, "So, you're telling me that if Ariel doesn't get Eric to kiss her, she'll belong to this Ursula?"

"Yes," Marina nodded.  "And it has to be a kiss of true love.  She has until the sun sets two days from now."

"Well,"  Genie frowned.  "We'll just see about that.  You and I will show this Ursula person a thing or two!  I still can't understand why we didn't bring the boys along with us.  I'm sure they'll want a piece of this fight."

"We're not here to just fight."

"Then what are we doing?" he asked.  When Marina didn't answer, he just kept swimming deeper into the ocean by her side.

Darker and darker the water was getting and more desolate just like before.  Once the temperature was starting to get hotter, Marina knew that they were getting closer.  Genie just kept asking questions about what was going on.  When they found the volcanic region, they swam around until Marina started to recognize the area.  It was only a short time when they came across the large Serpentine skeleton.

When it was spotted, Marina picked up speed.  But Genie hesitated at first, "Eep!!  Giant dead monster!  Do we really have to go in that thing?  Marina?  Hey!  Wait up!"

Marina had already entered the mouth of the Serpentine when Genie started after her.  Through the throat and over the garden of polyps without making eye contact with them, Marina zipped through yelling, "Ursula!!"

The second she came into the lair, Ursula slinked her way out of her large conchshell bed with her two eels Flotsam and Jetsam.

"Well," the sea witch huffed.  "What do we have here?  A human pretending to be a mermaid."

Flotsam hissed, "She has a lot of nerve to come barging in our home without knocking first."

"Very very rude of her," Jetsam nodded.

With the eels rubbing against her like cats, Ursula smirked, "So, Miss Phoney-Mermaid, what can I do for you?"

"I'm here to discuss something with you," Marina tightened her fists briefly, but sighed and calmed herself down.  "And I'm going to make it a civilized conversation."

Ursula busted out laughing, "Oh, did you hear this, my little cuties.  This human wants to have a civilized conversation with Ursula the Sea Witch."

"EWW!  GET 'EM OFF!  GET 'EM OFF!!!"

Marina looked over her shoulder to find Genie getting grabbed by some of the polyps.  He pulled and yanked himself out of their grip and tried to shake off the slime.

"Well, well, well," Ursula smirked.  "Look what the catfish dragged in.  A genie."

Genie panted from his near panic attack and then cleared his throat, "Ahem!  Yes.  That's me!"  He lowered his brow and rolled up his imaginary sleeves, "Okay.  Where is this Ursula, the Sea Witch?!  You there with the fifth chin!  Be a good man and bring us to her!"

"Genie!" Marina gasped.

He held up his hand, "No, no, Marina.  Leave this to me.  I can handle this big ape man. . .  who has octopus legs."  He pounded his fist into his palm, "Okay, buddy.  Bring us to Ursula the Sea Witch or I'll pound your chunky face in so hard it'll end up in the back of your head."

"Genie!"

He went into a boxing stance, "Oh, so you're not gonna bring us to her?  Okay then.  I'll fight my way in.  C'mon!  Fight like a man, ya son of a sea slug!"

"Genie!!"

"You don't have to interfere, Marina.  I can fight this guy without magic.  He's a cinch to beat up and fight our way to see Ursula!"

"GENIE!!"

"What?!  I'm 'bout to start a bout here!  What is it?!"

Marina grabbed his shoulder to pull him down and whispered into his ear.  Once she finished, Genie's eyes popped open as he slowly turned his head back at Ursula.  He stared at her a few seconds more and then looked back at Marina with a thumb jerking at the witch.

"That's a woman?"

Marina slapped a hand over her eyes as she refused to look at him.

Ursula stood there with a gleam in her eyes, her arms crossed, and one of her tentacles tapping on the floor.  

"Oops," Genie tried to smile innocently.  He went up to Ursula and put a friendly arm over her shoulder, "Look, uh. . . Ma'am. . . I hope I wasn't outta line about that whole thinking you were a man thing.  I was just joking around.  It's what I do.  And may I say that I just LOVE that hairdo.  And that's a lovely shade of. . . . blood. . . . on your lips.  Oh, you've got a little something on your face.  Allow me."  He licked his thumb and started rubbing it on Ursula's mole.  When he realized it wasn't coming off, he blinked, "Oh. . . that's a part of your face."

Marina still had her hand over her eyes as she was starting to get a migraine, but when she heard Genie shriek before the sound of him being choked, she looked up to find Ursula handing him back over with one of her tentacles around his throat.  When she release him, Genie had indents around his stretched throat as though he was made of clay.  With his eyes bugged out, he looked at Marina with a forced smile and squeaked, "Take over."

As he fell to the floor to get his shape back, Marina sighed and came forward, "Ursula, I come to you completely unarmed to speak to you about Ariel."

Ursula smirked and waved her finger, "Ah, ah, ah!  If you're here to beg me to undo it all, you can forget it.  A deal's a deal.  She came to me for help and it was a fair trade.  Her voice for the life of a human.  That's fair enough to me."

"Then I hope you realize that my friends and I were not a part of the deal," Marina lowered her brow.  "We will do everything it take to make sure she will never belong to you."

Ursula chuckled and spoke to Flotsam and Jetsam, "Did you hear that, boys?  This woman and her friends have no confidence in our dear little princess.  She thinks that Triton's little girl cannot win the heart of her dear ol' princey.  And here I thought she and her friends called themselves heroes."

"Don't turn this around, Ursula!" Marina tensed up.  "I don't trust you whatsoever on this deal.  I know you are up to something.  I'm just here to tell you not to hold your breath when you expect Ariel to belong to you.  She will get Eric to kiss her.  Voice or no voice, I know she can do it.  And if she doesn't, then you can expect us back here completely armed and ready to take you out to save her."

"I'm afraid you didn't think this through, my dear," Ursula spoke smugly.  "Even if you and your friends come back here in a few minutes with your weapons, you could feel free to fight me all you want.  You can even destroy me if that's what you intend.  Doing so will void the whole deal and Triton's daughter will get her voice back."  She fiddled with her fingernails as she continued, "However, with the deal voided out, she will also turn back into a mermaid and have all of her dreams taken away from her once again.  Let's just see if she'll ever speak to you again for stabbing her in the back."

Marina gasped quietly.

"The only real way to get her out of this is for someone to take her place."

"Then I'm determined to do that," Marina tightened her fists with a lump in her throat.  "Ursula, if it were ever possible that Ariel and Eric don't kiss by the third day. . ." She painfully swallowed the lump and started to feel a cold chill all over her body, ". . . Then I'll offer myself in her place."

"What?!" Genie blinked as he was still trying to get his shape and breath back.

"Oooh!" Ursula raised her brow in interest.  "You really are determined, my dear.  How very brave of you."

"I'll give you anything," Marina shuttered.  "Anything you want I'll give it.  Name it and I'll give it to you."

"Anything?" Ursula grinned greedily.

Flotsam and Jetsam swam up to Marina slowly and started circling her.  With both of them keeping their lifeless white eyes on her they hissed and chuckled through their fangs.

Jetsam smiled, "She doesn't look like she has anything of value to give you, Ursula."

"Nothing at all," said Flotsam as the two of them swam back to their master.  "Too bad she's not a blood relative of the poor child.  That really would have made a difference in changing the contract."

Ursula sighed sarcastically, "Oh, you're right my little poopsies.  Maybe if she was one of the other daughters of Triton willing to give away something that they value to me, it might make a difference.  Or maybe if she was King Triton himself, all will be just fine.  They can offer themselves or something of great value to me and dear little Ariel will be nulled out of the contract for good.  Oh, dear, but that means that the whole deal will be undone, she turns back into a mermaid and regain her voice.  There go all of her wonderful dreams of being with her prince again."  She chuckled deeply, "Sorry, my brave young one, but you are not helping your little princess with your deeds."

Marina backed away a few inches with disappointment and wanted to get rid of the thoughts of putting Ariel's sisters in danger or taking away Ariel's dreams.  All she had to do for now was continue to think positive that Ariel was going to win Eric's heart and have him kiss her.

"Wait!" Genie lifted a finger when he realized something.  He was still on the floor and finished getting his shape back, but he started to stand by climbing up Marina with the melodrama.  He took in a loud breath and said, "Marina. . . you didn't tell me that Ariel signed a contract in this matter.  If she did, then there really is nothing that can be done.  Contracts are legal and unbreakable.  Not even Ariel's old man can undo this one.  Unless. . . . unless he or one of his other daughters takes her place."

"Don't say that, Genie," Marina grunted.  "We mustn't let that happen."

Ursula nodded with that sinister smile on her face, "Then I suggest the two of you be on your way if you have nothing to do in this matter.  You have a few Nightmares to look around for in Prince Eric's kingdom even though they're not even a threat up there."

"Very well," Marina sighed.  She turned to leave but stopped half way when she frowned and pointed at the witch, "However, I'm warning you, Ursula.  If you do anything. . . ANYTHING. . . to interfere with Ariel winning Eric's heart. . . then. . ."

"Uh, Marina. . ." Genie grabbed her by the shoulders and started pulling her back.  ". . . Let's not make things worse."



It was almost sunset when Marina stood up in the crow's nest of the Argentum which was now docked at the kingdom's harbor.  With Eric's castle on the other side of the bay, she stared through her spyglass into the large dining room on the eastern side of the castle.  When she saw that all was well, she smiled and lowered the glass.

Genie flew up to the crow's nest.  He peeked his head over and asked, "Well?"

She kept staring at the castle as she answered, "They're having dinner.  Ariel looks so beautiful in that dress they gave her."

"Oh, can I see?" Genie climbed into the nest and took the glass.  After zooming in a bit and focusing the lens, he only smiled briefly.  "Ohh.  Well, she does look beautiful with the hair clips and the bit of make-up.  The dress. . . eh. . . well the fashion is really beautiful, but, eesh. . . what is with the pink color?"  He flicked his wrist in the form of a fashion consultant, "Oh, that red hair with the hot pink dress.  Talk about clash.  That style is SOOOO late nineteen-eighties."

Marina nudged against him, "Oh, Genie.  Really.  I think she looks adorable.  And that smile on her face really lifts my heart.  She's so happy."  She paused to giggle, "You should've seen her a while ago.  She still thinks humans use forks to brush their hair.  Silly child.  Then after that, she took Grimsby's pipe thinking that it was a musical instrument and. . . well. . ."  She just couldn't continue as she kept giggling at the thought of old Grismby with his soot covered face.

Genie looked back through the glass, "Well, she's got Eric smiling.  I'm sure he's starting to take a liking to her."

Marina cleared her throat and said, "Well, as of now he just thinks of Ariel as a poor girl who was washed up from a shipwreck and he's taken her into his care.  It's good to know that he has such a kind heart."  She paused to sigh lovingly, "He truly is a Prince Charming."

"Yeah," Genie nodded.  "If Ariel wins his heart, she'll be a lucky girl.  Maybe she won't need much of our help after all."

"I hope so," Marina leaned her back against the rail.  "Maybe Sebastian can lend a claw to help her out a little."

"And Jiminy, too," Genie pointed out.  "He's in the castle right now keeping an eye on her.  After all, he's the master of hiding out."

Marina cringed, "I just hope Sebastian's okay.  I seem to notice that they're eating crab for dinner."

Genie breathed in through his teeth, "Oooh.  That's gonna haunt him for life."  He continued looking through the glass when he noticed something else.  He tried to look closer, "Hey!  That couple looks familiar."

"Hmm?"

"That couple in that huge painting on the wall over the fireplace."

"Oh, yeah," Marina explained.  "That's a portrait of Aurora and Philip.  Prince Eric is one of their descendants."

Genie lowered the glass, "Wait a tick!  Isn't that the princess in your fairy tale book?  The one that fell asleep from a spell by--"

"By. . . Maleficent," Marina gasped.  She slapped herself in the forehead, "D'oh, I forgot about that.  Yes, Philip was the one who slayed Maleficent when she turned into a dragon."  She snatched the glass and looked through it at Prince Eric.  Her heart jumped up to her throat for second as she slowly lowered the glass, "Genie. . . you don't suppose this will mean anything with the Nightmares, do you?"

Genie scratched the back of his neck, "I really don't know.  Maybe.  Think we should tell the boys about this?"

"I think we should," she nodded.  "However, I don't think we should just jump to conclusions right away.  It could be just a coincidence.  At least, I just hope it is.  But let's not go too easy on it."

"Right."

"Ahoy up there!" Goofy's voice came up on the voice pipe.  "Goofy to the bird's nest!  We're ready when you are!"

Genie spoke into the pipe, "Ahoy down there, Goof.  We're on our way!"  He stood up straight, "Well, that's our cue for the night shift."

"Gene," Marina placed a hand on his shoulder.  "Could you make me a small promise?"

"Eh, sure," he shrugged with a big smile of confidence.  "I'm an expert at promises."

"Then. . . don't tell the boys what happened back at Ursula's place.  I just know I won't hear the end of it."

"Oh, that," he lost his smile.  "Right. . . Sure. . . I won't tell them."  He made a lift appear next to the nest.  The two of them stepped in, he pushed an invisible button, and music started playing as they were slowly descending.  On the way down he asked, "Were you really willing to take Ariel's place?"

"I'll do anything for that child," she answered calmly.  "In my heart. . . she's become the daughter I never had."



After the sun had set and the stars were starting to shine bright, Genie brought Marina and the boys into the palace.  They met up with the head maid named Carlotta, who brought them through the halls and outside to the back gardens that overlooked the beach.  There they found Prince Eric playing with Max out on the grassy roof near the gazebo.  

"Thank you very much, Miss Carlotta," Marina nodded.

Genie stepped forward, "Heeeeeey!  Prince Eric!  How ya doin'?!"

Eric turned around, "Oh, hello there, Genie.  Good to see you again."  As Max was barking and prancing around the gang, Eric shook hands with Genie and spotted the others.  He offered them all a friendly smile, "Ah, you must be the other mercenaries Genie told me about.  How do you do?"

Marina and the boys bowed their heads, "Your Highness."

"Ah, no need to be formal," Eric shook hands with them.  "As different as you may seem, I'm always glad to meet people from far away.  I just hope everything was okay as you were out at sea searching for Nightmares."

The gang introduced themselves one by one to him.  As Marina was shaking hands with him, she told him, "As you can see, Prince Eric, the ocean is calm for now.  Our ship is still in one piece, so now we arrive here to check up on things."

Eric nodded, "Things seem quiet tonight so far.  I've sent some of my guards out on lookout around the kingdom.  If you want to go with them, you're more than welcome to."

Genie shrugged, "Well, if we're lucky, things will remain quiet around here.  You've got a great kingdom of peace.  I'm sure it'll stay that way."

"Well, if that's the case, then all of you are welcome to come back around here to rest if you're planning on taking shifts," said Eric.  "I've got another guest room that's vacant.  It's yours during your stay."

Genie gave him a friendly slap on the back, "What'd I tell ya?  Is this prince one heck of a guy or what?"

"Perhaps the most friendly prince I've ever met," said José.

Panchito removed his sombrero and bowed, "In return for your kindness, Su Alteza, we won't be a disappointment to you."

"But as long as you guys are going around the kingdom, do you think you can do me a favor?" Eric asked.  "I'm sure you know, a few days ago, my ship crashed and I was lucky enough to survive.  But. . . somewhere out there is a girl who rescued me.  She has the most beautiful voice you could ever imagine.  If you could find her for me--"

"Hey," Genie patted him on the back.  "I'll tell them all about it, m' boy.  Keep a stiff upper chin.  Maybe she could be right under your nose when you least expect it."

Eric smiled, "I almost expected that at first."  He paused when he looked up at a window that still had the lights on.  Standing out on the balcony with a lovely smile on her face was Ariel as she was staring at Eric.  He smiled back and offered her a good-night wave.  Ariel slightly jumped out of her daydreams and shyly waved back.  As she turned to go back into her room, Eric just kept smiling.

"Who is she?" Marina asked.  "House guest?"

"I have no idea who she is," Eric answered.  "She can't speak.  Poor girl's a mute.  I just found her on the beach this afternoon.  She must've been in a shipwreck or something."

Marina acted out, "Oh, poor thing.  That's very nice of you to take her into your hospitality."

"Yeah," Eric nodded.  "But I feel real bad about not knowing her name.  She seems like a sweet girl."

"Well, you know what they say," said Genie.  "Actions can speak louder than words.  I think you'll learn her name really soon, Your Highness.  Your maid told us you'll be out and about around the kingdom tomorrow, right?"

Eric nodded again, "I'll be taking the girl out on a tour of the kingdom.  She seems really excited about it."

Marina and the boys grew a smile as they all spotted the light in Ariel's room go out.  All of them really wished that they could just tell Eric right then and there the truth about everything, but they all could see that he had taken a liking to the beautiful redheaded mute in his guest room.  Maybe some good will come of this after all.