Ariel (Little Mermaid 1989 film)/Relationships

The relationships of Ariel from the animated version of the Little Mermaid franchise.

## Family

### Triton

Triton is Ariel's father.

Ariel and Triton were very close; when she was 5 years old, but after the accidental death of her mother, Athena, Triton bans music from Atlantica, their relationship becomes strained; to the point that; Ariel is sometimes cold towards her father.

But 10 years later, after Triton had saw Ariel getting hit; by Marina; in the process, he is remorseful for his actions, as he finally comes to terms; with Athena's death, restoring music to Atlantica, Ariel and Triton reconciles after this, becoming close once again.

In the prequel television series, Ariel and Triton's relationship is not always strained, as they do sometimes see eye-to-eye; for example; when Ariel had attempting to ride a wild giant seahorse, named Stormy that; her father, Triton had warned her that; it was too dangerous to ride, she she refused to listen to him. But after Ariel is accidentally injured; by Stormy, she realizes that; Triton was right about the giant seahorse.

Ariel's love for human objects often clashes; with her father, Triton; due to his prejudiced; regarding humans and human culture; despite this, she is capable of; making him realizing his mistakes; for example, Triton had saved a human, named Hans Andersen from drowning, after his daughter, Ariel had pointed out to Triton that; all merpeople in general; including himself are half-humans.

But despite this, Ariel does not appreciate her father, Triton's overprotectiveness towards her; due to Triton's lack of patience and uncompassionate approach.

1 year later, Ariel and Triton's relationship has become massively strained, partly; due to his overprotectiveness, but mainly; due to his prejudiced towards humans; as he believes that; all humans in general are bad and Ariel's fascination; with humans clashes; with her father, Triton.

When Ariel had forgot about the concert, her father, Triton becomes extremely furious; when his daughter returns home after her friend, Scuttle had (unknowingly) reminded her about the concert, he scolds Ariel for her careless and reckless behavior; despite the fact that; she did not (intentionally) mean to ruin the concert.

But during the scolding, Flounder had (unintentionally) reveal that; Ariel had gone to the surface again, in an attempt to defend her, the two get; into a heated argument; regarding all humans in general, during the argument, Ariel had (unintentionally) disrespects her father, Triton, after she had stated that; she is now 16 years old and is no longer a child; who needs to be protected; which is actually true. Triton (angrily) tells her to never raise that; tone of voice; with him, as he lacks patience; with his youngest daughter.

When Ariel tries to get her father, Triton to listen to her; regarding all humans in general, but he refuses and after being demanded; by him to obey his every rule and not to go to the surface again, she (tearfully) swims off, but after she leaves the palace, Triton (correctly) believes that; he was being too hard on Ariel.

For the last few days, Triton has notice Ariel's unusual happy behavior lately; but was completely oblivious to the reason behind this behavior of hers; until his second youngest daughter, Adrina points out that; Ariel is in love, much to his complete delight (initially) unaware at the time that; she has fallen in love; with a human, named Eric, believing that; the individual that; Ariel had fallen in love; with is a merman.

Triton goes and confronts Ariel not only for going to the surface again; but also for saving a human, after Horatio Sebastian had (accidentally) reveal that; his daughter had saved a human from drowning. Ariel points that; Eric could have died if it weren't for her; with Triton unmoved had stated that; it was "one less human to worry about"; but she responds that; he doesn't; even know what Eric is like; which is actually true.

Only for Triton to (arrogantly) state that; he doesn't need to know Eric, as all humans in general are the same; spineless, savage, harpooning fish-eaters; incapable of any feeling, this causes Ariel to (accidentally) reveal that; she has fallen in love; with Eric, much to Triton's complete shock.

Out of fear that; Triton may have lost his daughter, Ariel to the human world, he loses control of his temper, as he destroyed most of Ariel's human artifacts, in a failed attempt to get through to her; which ultimately backfires, as she begs her father to stop; but he doesn't listen. After he destroys a statue of Eric, he is horrified at what he had done, feeling extremely guilty and remorseful for his (unjustified) actions.

Triton then leaves out of guilt, shame and remorse, knowing that; Ariel is not going to accept an apology from him anytime soon; especially after what he had done and the relationship becomes damaged after this. Triton's actions had also (indirectly) lead to Ariel to make a deal; with his archenemy, Ursula to become human; in order to be; with Eric. Unknown to Ariel, she was being used; by the sea witch in a plot to overthrow Triton.

When Ariel goes missing after becoming human, Triton blames himself for the situation and (tirelessly) spends his time searching for her, unable to rest; until she is safe at home and to apologize to his daughter for what he had done, as he realizes that; his actions have gone too far this time; when Horatio; who had been watching over Ariel, arrives from the surface and tells Triton about Ursula's scheme (off-screen) he quickly goes out; with Horatio to rescue his daughter from the sea witch.

Ariel apologizes to her father, Triton; regarding signing a deal; with Ursula; who attempts to destroy the contract between Ariel and Ursula to no avail. Upon learning from Ursula that; Ariel had willingly signed an agreement; with her as it is binding and legal; but the cecaelia also had stated that; she may be willing to make an exchange for someone; even better, Triton willingly takes his daughter's place; despite knowing full-well what the cost of his choice will result; in, this; proves just how much he truly loves Ariel, as he will willingly risk anything for her; even at the cost of his own kingdom, Atlantica.

Despite the fact that; Ariel was angry; with Triton for his previous actions; regarding him destroying most of her human artifacts and a statue of Eric, she never truly hated her father, after he takes her place and was turned; into a polyp, much to her complete horror, enraged; by what Ursula had done to him, she attacks her, only to be restrained; by the sea witch.

After Ursula is killed; by Eric, Triton returns back to his original form, not only does he realize just how much Ariel truly loves Eric, but also that; his beliefs about all humans in general being bad were completely wrong, he also realizes that; his daughter has (metaphorically) grown up, as she needs to live her own life, he willingly transforms her; into a human permanently; allowing her to be; with Eric; despite the fact that; he is going to miss her very much.

The relationship is repaired after this, as Ariel forgives Triton for his previous actions; to the point that; he is invited to attend her and Eric's wedding, near the climax of the wedding, he gives his daughter, Ariel one last hug, she in return (tearfully) tells her father that; she loves him very much, after saying goodbye, Triton then uses his trident to conjure a beautiful rainbow over the sky, as a sign that; he approves of Ariel's marriage to Eric.

Despite the fact that; Ariel and Triton not seeing each other for 10 years, they are still very close, as she introduces Triton to his new-born granddaughter, Melody, much to his complete delight. Triton is no longer overprotective of Ariel, he also respected her decisions; even if he does not agree; with some of them; such as after Melody was threatened; by Morgana, she not only decided that; Melody should not be; allowed in the ocean, but also that; she should not know about the existence of the merpeople; until Morgana has been dealt with once-and-for-all.

Although Triton agreed; with the decision to keep Melody out of the ocean for her own safety; but (secretly) he did not agree; with the decision to keep her mermaid heritage a secret from her or not tell her the reason why she is not; allowed in the ocean, much to his complete heartbreak.

12 years later; when Melody runs away home, as a result; of Ariel's actions, Ariel reunites; with her father, Triton; who turns her back; into a mermaid and helps her look for her missing daughter. After Morgana's defeat, Ariel and Triton are able to stay in touch and remain closer than ever, after Melody; allows the citizens from both the land and sea to (peacefully) co-exist together once again.

### Athena

Athena was Ariel's mother.

Ariel and Athena were very close; prior to her accidental death at the hands of pirates.

Ariel also shared her mother, Athena's love for dancing, music and singing respectively; when Athena had died, she was saddened; by her mother's death, as Ariel grieved and mourned over her death, along; with the rest of the royal family.

10 years later, after discovering an underground music club; instead of exposing the club, Ariel expressed happiness in hearing music as it gave her fond memories of her mother, Athena. When the club is exposed and the band is sent to jail, Ariel confronts her father, Triton and had (angrily) stated that; her mother wouldn't want music forbidden.

Ariel then decided to run away, as she couldn't be happy in Atlantica; without having music to remember her mother, Athena. When Ariel found her mother's music box and realized how broken her father, Triton was over her death, Ariel decided to bring the music box back to him, hoping to make him happy again and bring music back.

After Ariel was knocked out cold; by Marina Del Rey, she was awoken; by her mother, Athena's song; "endless sky" and reconciled; with her father, Triton bringing music back to Atlantica just as Ariel hoped to do.

### Attina

Attina is Ariel's oldest sister.

Out of all Ariel's sisters, she is closest to Attina, along; with Arista. She also disapproves of Ariel's tendency to stray away.

As the oldest of Ariel's sisters, Attina takes on several other responsibilities; including keeping Ariel out of trouble, as a result; she is extremely protective of her. Despite Attina's tendency to be bossy; Ariel is more appreciative of her protectiveness towards her than Triton; due to Attina's compassionate approach and patience, as well as all the time the two have spent together during their childhood and teenager years.

Attina also knows Ariel better than Triton and her other sisters, as she instantly realized through Ariel's humming that; she is in love; with someone; proving just how close the sisters truly are.

Although Attina was saddened; by Ariel's decision to start her own life on the surface; with Eric; but she still supported her decision support and wished Ariel good luck while present on her wedding day. She was also present during Melody's christening and were excited to get to know her first niece.

### Alana

Alana is Ariel's second oldest sister.

Due to Ariel's free-spirited and rebellious nature; Alana has always considered her to be the oddball of the family. Despite this, she does still love and care about Ariel; despite their differences.

Although Ariel is not as close to Alana, like she is to Attina and Arista, but deep down, Ariel does still love her sister.

Although Alana was saddened; by Ariel's decision to start her own life on the surface; with Eric, but she still supported her decision support and wished Ariel good luck while present on her wedding day. She was also present during Melody's christening and were excited to get to know her first niece.

### Adella

Adella is Ariel's third oldest sister.

Due to Ariel's free-spirited and rebellious nature; Adella has always considered her to be the oddball of the family. Despite this, she does still love and care about Ariel; despite their differences.

Although Ariel is not as close to Adella, like she is to Attina and Arista, but deep down, Ariel does still love her sister.

Although Adella was saddened; by Ariel's decision to start her own life on the surface; with Eric, but she still supported her decision support and wished Ariel good luck while present on her wedding day. She was also present during Melody's christening and were excited to get to know her first niece.

### Aquata

Aquata is Ariel's fourth oldest sister.

Due to Ariel's free-spirited and rebellious nature; Aquata has always considered her to be the oddball of the family. Despite this, she does still love and care about Ariel; despite their differences.

Although Ariel is not as close to Aquata, like she is to Attina and Arista, but deep down, Ariel does still love her sister.

Although Aquata was saddened; by Ariel's decision to start her own life on the surface; with Eric, but she still supported her decision support and wished Ariel good luck while present on her wedding day. She was also present during Melody's christening and were excited to get to know her first niece.

### Arista

Arista is Ariel's fifth oldest sister.

Out of all Ariel's sisters, she is closest to Arista, along; with Attina.

Ariel has a close relationship; with her sister, Arista; who she shares her adventurous, cheerful, carefree and laid-back nature, as she would often go on several adventures; with her. But unlike Arista; she (unintentionally) lets their adventures come at the cost of her responsibilities to Atlantica, Arista also disapproves of Ariel's tendency to stray away.

Although Arista was saddened; by Ariel's decision to start her own life on the surface; with Eric; but she still supported her decision support and wished Ariel good luck while present on her wedding day. She was also present during Melody's christening and were excited to get to know her first niece.

### Andrina

Andrina is Ariel's older sister.

Due to Ariel's free-spirited and rebellious nature; Andrina has always considered her to be the oddball of the family. Despite this, she does still love and care about Ariel; despite their differences.

Although Ariel is not as close to Andrina, like she is to Attina and Arista; but deep down, Ariel does still love her sister.

Although Andrina was saddened; by Ariel's decision to start her own life on the surface; with Eric; but she still supported her decision support and wished Ariel good luck while present on her wedding day. She was also present during Melody's christening and were excited to get to know her first niece.

## Friends and allies

### Gabriella

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Gabriella is Ariel's close friend.

### Flounder

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Flounder is Ariel's best friend.

### Max

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Max is Ariel's friend and pet sheep dog.

In "Thingamajigger", first met Max back; when he was still a puppy, but they did not have any direct interaction; with each other, as she was more focus on his master, (Eric) unknown to Ariel, the sheepdog saw her as she dived underwater, Ariel and Max would not (directly/officially) meet each other; until a year later; by then, Max would be a young adult.

1 year later, Ariel spots a ship passing above her secret grotto. Excited, she quickly swims up to the surface and toward it; despite Sebastian's protest and her father, Triton ordered her to never go to the surface again, where she watches the party on board. While prancing around, Max catches Ariel's scent and tracks her down at her hiding place.

Ariel gets scared and hides, but then glances back in curiosity and comes face-to-face; with a panting Max. Immediately taking a liking to Ariel, Max licks her cheek (affectionately) before being called away; by Eric. Max obviously recognizes Ariel, from their previous meeting a year ago; due to her scent.

When Max finds Eric on shore after the shipwreck, he barks very loudly; which causes Ariel to dive back in the water. Max sees her swimming away and tries to run after her, but to no avail. But he is still able to smell her behind the rocks in the distance and hear her reprise "part of your world"; which he barks in applause to; before leaving.

After becoming human, Ariel is still (initially) terrified of Max; when Eric is walking Max out on the beach, he picks up Ariel's scent; who is now human, further on down the beach and excitedly runs away from Eric, prompting Eric to follow the sheep dog. When the sheep dog arrives and barks very loudly, alerting Ariel to his presence, she becomes frightened and tries to get away from him.

Max (playfully) chases Ariel up a rock, joyfully licking her face once more; which makes Ariel spontaneously lose any fear and smile happily; due to the sheep dog being friendly toward her. After being reunited; with Eric, the latter assures her that; Max is quite harmless.

By the time Ariel had spent 3 days in Denmark, her fear of Max has completely disappeared, this is; evidenced; by the fact that; after Scuttle successfully destroys Ursula's necklace, freeing Eric from the sea which's spell and Ariel regaining her voice.

Max affectionately runs towards Ariel; who smiles at him lovingly as she calms him down; with her hands. At Ariel and Eric's wedding, Max gives an affectionate lick to both Ariel and Eric, happy that; the two finally got married.

Even after 10 years have passed, Ariel and Max still enjoy each other's company.

### Scuttle

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Scuttle is Ariel's friend.

### Horatio Sebastian

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Sebastian is Ariel's friend.

### Spot

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Spot is Ariel's friend and former pet killer whale.

### Urchin

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Urchin is Ariel's best friend.

## Romances

### Eric

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Eric is Ariel's husband.

In "Thingamajigger", Ariel first meets Eric, but they don't have any direct interaction; with each other or see each. Ariel is (initially) terrified of humans, as she believed that; some of the stories that; she had heard from the other merpeople may have been true; regarding that; all humans in general are bad. But; when she witnesses Eric saving a beached dolphin that; was caught in a net, this causes her to realize that; the stories that; she had heard from the citizens of atlantica are completely wrong that; not all humans are bad, as some of them are good.

In "Scuttle"; when a second ship appears, Sebastian not only informs Ariel that; it is the royal galleon and there's a prince on board, but he also informs her of the pirates plans to take that said prince hostage.

Ariel then asks to Scuttle to fly back to the docks and get her a battle axe; which she uses cut the ropes of the ship's tale rudder, foil the pirate's plans, unaware that; it is the same human; who saved a beached dolphin that; was caught in a net at the time; preventing Eric from being taken hostage.

During the skirmish, Ariel is (accidentally/unknowingly) seen; by Eric; albeit he does not see her face. He only sees a red coloured hair and green colored tail, but he (correctly) believes her to be beautiful. The two future lovers would not officially meet each other; until a year later.

1 year later, Ariel spots a ship passing above her secret grotto, excited, she quickly swims up to the surface and toward it; despite Sebastian's protest and her father, Triton ordered her to never go to the surface again, where she watches the party on board, upon spots a human prince, named Eric, she immediately becomes romantically attracted to him.

When a storm suddenly come out of nowhere and sinks the ship, Eric is knocked overboard and is left completely unconscious, Ariel saves him from drowning just in time and carries him all the way to the shore. Much to her relief, Eric starts to regain consciousness and Ariel sings to him about her longing to be; with him in his world.

Even though Ariel and Eric are (partially) different species, she doesn't care and she loves him so much that; she makes a deal; with the sea witch, Ursula trading in her voice for a human body in hopes of winning Eric's heart; within 3 days. If she succeeds before the setting of the sun on the third day, she will remain a human permanently, but if she fails, she will turn back; into a mermaid and Ariel will be Ursula's slave forever. When the two reunite, Eric gets a feeling that; Ariel is familiar; when he asks her if they met before, she states yes; by shaking her head up and down.

After Eric finds out that; Ariel is the girl; who had saved him from drowning, he asks her what her name is, for she attempts to answer, but the moment she tries to speak, she not only realizes that; her voice is gone, but Ariel also remembers the deal that; she has made; with Ursula, losing her voice in exchange for becoming human. After discovering that; she cannot speak, he (incorrectly) believes that; she cannot be the same girl; who had rescued him from drowning.

Ariel becomes frustrated; by Eric's cluelessnes, so she then tries using sign language to speak to Eric to tell him that; she is the same girl; who rescued him from drowning and and the reason why she cannot speak in the first place. But this fails; due to the fact that; Eric doesn't know sign language. Despite not recognizing her as the girl; who had rescued him from drowning, he invites her to stay; with him.

After Ariel takes a bath and gets dressed for dinner, she arrives in the dining room, Eric is amazed of how beautiful she is and complements her on her beauty, much to Ariel's complete joy; who blushes as a result; of his complement. But unfortunately, she (unintentionally) embarrasses herself in front of Eric; when she uses a fork to comb her hair; due to previously been told; by Scuttle what they are used for. But; when she sees the confused looks on Eric's face, she soon realizes that; forks are not actually used to groom hair, much to her complete embarrassment.

After Ariel notices Grim's pipe, she takes it and thinking that; it is a musical instrument, also; due to previously been told; by Scuttle what they are used for, she blows ashes; into his face, also discovering what it is actually used for, believing that; she had made a complete fool of herself in front of Eric again.

But Ariel's embarrassment is short-lived; when Eric laughs at Grim; who's face is covered; with ashes, after Carlotta points out that; is the the first time in weeks that; she is seeing her prince smile, much to Ariel's complete delight, realizing that; she didn't make a fool of herself in front of her love this time.

That; night as Eric is playing; with Max, Ariel gazes at him from a balcony. When Eric suddenly notices that; she is gazing at him from a balcony, this causes him to happily wave at her; which (initially) makes her become nervous, but then she happily waves back at him before going back; into her guest bedroom to sleep.

After some encouragement from Carlotta and Grim, Eric is compelled to spend time; with Ariel and the two spend the next two days bonding. Eric gives Ariel a tour of his kingdom and eventually takes her sightseeing in a lagoon, he starts to fall in love; with her, but is reluctant to kiss her partly because he still hopes to marry the one; who had rescued him from drowning, but mainly; due to his shy nature; regarding girls in general. With the help of Sebastian orchestrating a romantic stimulation, Eric and Ariel are finally about to kiss; before Flotsam and Jetsam ruin the moment.

The next morning; when Scuttle informs Ariel that; the entire kingdom is buzzing over the news that; Eric is getting hitched this afternoon, she is briefly confused, as doesn't understand what that; word means; until Scuttle had stated that; it means he is "getting married". She then realizes that; Eric is going to marry her, much to her complete delight. She excitedly runs downstairs to see her fiance, only to see him; with a dark-haired girl, named Vanessa.

Hearing Eric intending to marry Vanessa, Ariel becomes confused about how Vanessa could be the individual; who had saved him from drowning; when Ariel knows that; she is the one; who had actually saved Eric. She then breaks down in tears and runs off, devastated that; he is not marrying her. Later that; afternoon, the wedding ship departs; with him, Vanessa and the wedding guests on board, leaving a heartbroken Ariel to mourn over the loss of the man that; she loves.

But Ariel's heart-break is short-lived; when Scuttle informs her that; Vanessa is actually Ursula in disguise and that; Eric is compelled to marry Ursula while entranced; by her, realizing the sea witch's dark intentions, she dives; into the water; in order to get to the wedding-ship so that; she can save Eric from being married to Ursula. But Ariel still cannot probably swim in water in her human form, as she has to grab onto one of the barrels that; was released; by Sebastian to stay afloat and Flounder helps her to the wedding-ship; by pulling it; with a rope.

After Ariel reaches the wedding-ship and climbs aboard, the seashell on the necklace that; Ursula had been wearing shatters in front of her, freeing her voice; which is then restored to her, after Eric comes out of the spell, not only does he notice a glowing ball of golden light surrounding Ariel, but he also hears a voice coming from it, as he recognizes it as the voice of the girl; who had saved him from drowning.

When Eric calls out to Ariel, having regained her voice, she speaks his name, much to his joy, Eric then excitingly runs towards Ariel, realizing that; she is the girl he has been looking for the entire time.

But unfortunately, Ariel is so caught up in the moment that; she does notice how close the sun is setting and just as she was about to kiss Eric, the sun completely sets and she then changes back; into her mermaid form right in front of him. But he is only slightly surprised to discover that; the girl that; he is in love; with is a mermaid.

After Ariel is abducted; by Ursula, Eric goes and rescues her, not caring if she is a mermaid or not, during the battle; with Ursula, Ariel displays concern for Eric's safety and tells him to get away, but he refuses to leave her. At the climax of the battle, just as Ursula was about to kill Ariel, Eric saves her; by plunging the ship's splintered bowsprit through Ursula's belly; killing her; in the process.

The next morning, Ariel watches Eric on from a nearby rock, she is sad; since she is unable to be; with Eric; due to being a mermaid again, but her sadness is short-lived; when because her father, Triton uses his magic trident to permanently transform her; into a human, much to her complete delight. After Eric regains consciousness and sees Ariel in her human form, they are happily reunited as they embrace each other and they share their first kiss.

A few days later, Ariel and Eric get married. After Ariel waves goodbye to her father, Triton, her sisters, Attina, Alana, Adella, Aquata, Arista, Andrina, and her friends, Flounder, Sebastian and Scuttle, she and Eric have one last kiss at the climax of their wedding.

Even after 10 years have passed, Ariel and Eric are still happily married; when Ariel becomes pregnant; with Eric's child and discovered this, she becomes happy that; they are both going to be parents.

## Enemies

### Ursula

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Ursula was Ariel's attempted killer, enemy and slave master.

### Morgana

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Ursula is Ariel's enemy.