Eric knew something wasn't right when he didn't wake up.

Yeah, ok, normally not waking up does seem a bit odd. But no, usually Ariel woke him up when she would wake to watch the sunrise.

But not today. No, he woke up long after the sun was in the sky. Ariel was still fast asleep next to him as if she was dead. He could vaguely hear the kitchen staff bustling about, obviously preparing a late breakfast. He rose into a sitting position, letting the blanket fall into his lap. Eric frowned as he stared at his wife of 2 years. It was odd... but then a quiet gurgle sounded from the bassinet near Ariel, bringing a wide smile to Eric's face. He got out of bed and walked over to his 2-month-old daughter. She gurgled and blew sounds with her lips as he lifted her out. Thinking about it, Melody had begun cluster feeding, Carlotta and the midwife said. It wasn't abnormal and wasn't anything to worry about it. Maybe Melody had a night of constant feeding, and perhaps that's why Ariel was still sleeping.

Usually, by now, Melody would cry for milk, but she wasn't, so Eric presumed it was that. That, and the fact, Ariel only gave birth to her a little over 8 weeks ago, so some residue tiredness was bound to be lingering. He walked over to their balcony that overlooked the sea and inhaled the salty air. Melody, at only 8 weeks, had taken an instant liking to the sea and anything water-related. In fact, when she was (rather surprisingly) born a little over 8 weeks ago, Ariel was taking a gentle swim in the sea, with her sisters, Attina and Adella. (She wasn't a mermaid)

They'd decided to relax on the shore but ended up drifting to a cove nearby. Ariel had gone into surprise labour while in the water, leaving nobody else but her 2 eldest sisters to try and deliver a human baby. So it was safe to say Eric was very shocked when Ariel was glided in on a wave by her father holding a newborn baby in her arms.

But anyway: even after the immediate birth of their daughter, Ariel still didn't sleep as much as this. The only other explanation he could think it to be was the exhaustion of the birth finally hitting her.

Melody cooed at the fresh salty air, her blue eyes widening on the familiar smell. Eric smiled and knew she was going to be just like his mother. Before she passed away, his mother, Lilian, was obsessed with the sea. She was born on a ship and raised for the first 10 years of her life on the sea. Then she moved to Denmark to become a lady in waiting for his father's mother, then later marrying his father.

Eric was so lost in his daydream, he didn't realize Melody begin to suck on his shirt, nor his wife sneaking up behind them both. Melody clearly caught sight of her mother and began to whine for her. Eric turned around and grinned. "Hello, my love, did you sleep well?" He asked, passing the 2-month-old over to her mother. Ariel grimaced, "Kind of. Could have been better. But it's fine, I'm fine." She reassured, smoothing back some of Melody's hair from her face. "Come on little one, let's get you fed and ready for the day." She spoke in her baby voice. Eric lingered on the balcony for a small while longer. Something was eating at him: something wasn't right.

~

This cycle of Ariel sleeping in continued for weeks on end. Each day, she would sleep 10-15 minutes more than she did the day before. Melody kept whinging for milk at the same time every morning, and they eventually had to resort to Ariel pumping some milk into a few bottles for her.

During the nights, when Melody would wake up for her midnight feed, her 3 am feed, and then her 8 am feed, Eric would use the 3, sometimes 4, bottles Ariel had done the day before. He hoped it would allow Ariel to rest more.

Except she continued to sleep longer and longer each day.

It wasn't until she vomited and passed out on a royal excursion he finally called a nurse in. That sounds worse than it is. Every time Eric would bring a nurse/doctor in, Ariel would dismiss them without so much as a second thought. The public had panicked seeing their Queen in such a state, but after calmly telling the public that Ariel was going to be fine, she was just overworked having just had their baby: they seemed to settle.

Eric didn't know if she'd be ok: he presumed she would be. It must just be a bad bout of the flu that knocked her seven ways to Sunday. They rushed home on the carriage and practically ran up to their room. Carlotta handed Melody over while she undressed the unconscious Queen and into her nightwear. "Eric, my dear, you really should look away while I do this, it is a lady's honour," Carlotta had rushed out.

Eric gestured to the (now) 3 and a half month old. "I think we're past that stage, Lottie... I think we passed that stage a year ago," He said, amused. Carlotta blushed and muttered a few things before continuing to undress his wife. Eric decided to walk out onto the balcony, desperate to take his mind off of the last few moments. "Ah my god mahn. Where is dat girl?" A vaguely Mediterranean voice sounded from somewhere below. "Sebastian?" Eric called out. "Ah! Finally! Where is Ariel!" The crustacean exclaimed as he stood on the balcony. Melody squealed and reached out to him, but Eric pulled her arms away. "In there," He gestured with his head. "But!" He stopped Sebastian. "Yes mahn?" He replied, looking annoyed.

"She's not well," Eric began. Right about then, Carlotta came back out with open arms. "Let me take her sweetheart. The nurse is just looking her over," Eric handed Melody over and closed the balcony doors behind Carlotta as she left, separating him from his very ill wife.

"I know chile," The crab replied gently. "I-you-what?" Eric stuttered. "That's what I came to tell you. Her whole family are ill. I don't know what with, but it can't be a coincidence." Sebastian explained, walking around on the balcony's edge. "That is strange... I'll send some ships out... maybe they can find out what's wrong," Eric said, rubbing his eyes. "God, I'm exhausted. I hate seeing her like this. Melody misses her, I miss her..." Eric vented.

Sebastian placed a claw on his hand. Had the situation not been so down, Eric would have laughed. "What are Ariel's issues?" Eric sighed deeply. "Deep exhaustion, constant sleeping. Today, she vomited in front of everyone and passed out. I have a nurse checking her out now," Eric listed as he gazed out at the sea. Sebastian tutted. "Sounds like Attina, she also passed out this morning. She was awake when I left, but not looking good,"

A gentle knock at the door disturbed the two men(?). Eric turned and saw the nurse staring at him. "I would ask about the crab, but I know about Queen Ariel... so I'm not surprised." Eric smiled slightly. The nurse was an old friend of his, so he didn't mind some gentle comments like this. "Anyway, can I speak to you? Ask you a few questions about her illness?" Eric nodded and walked into the room, shutting the door behind.

~

"So, all that the problem has been is extreme fatigue and exhaustion up until today, where she was ill?" Eric nodded. "I hate to say this buddy, but I got nothing. This just sounds like a normal bout of flu...if she can have that, of course. Sorry to be so little help," Eric shook his head, "It was a long shot anyway... but thanks." He stood up and gazed down at his wife. "But, during my exam, I checked the stitching from Melody's birth. She's looking nice and healed, which is great. So we know this is nothing to do with post-pregnancy complications." Eric nodded, a small weight being lifted off of his shoulders. "Thanks, Marie... I'll show you out,"

Marie grabbed her kit and waved her hand, "Nah, I know my way out. You stay here with your wife... and keep me updated please?" She asked, opening the door. Eric nodded. "Take care,"