#grimsby little mermaid

[megan-the-artoonist]

My second take on the Color Wheel Challenge. This time I tried to go even more obscure and choose some characters with even more personal meaning to me.

-Suzie Kabloozie (Sesame Street)

-Muddy the Mudhen (minor league baseball mascot)

-Grimsby (The Little Mermaid)

-Newt (Animaniacs)

-Amelia Bedelia (children’s book series)

-Hugga Wugga (The Muppet Show)

-Sally Slater/Tightrope Girl (The Haunted Mansion)

-Sultan/Footstool Dog (Beauty and the Beast)

Here’s my first one from last summer!

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[the-type-a]

The ship The shipper

Grimsby said Team Ariel when he kicked that ring. 😂✌🏼

[who-do-i-know-this-man-s3]

⚠️Vote for whomever YOU DO NOT KNOW⚠️‼️

[m00nb04rd5]

Grimsby (The Little Mermaid)

Art by @neilcicierega

Maybe More. Imagine.

[thehorizonlinex]

Close to the Wind

A series of snippets of Eric’s life, as seen by Grimsby

Author’s Note: My first-ever Tumblr fic (ah! please be nice!) so open to suggestions, requests, and feedback. I watched The Little Mermaid (2023) and fell in love with Jonah Hauer-King’s portrayal of Prince Eric, the layers of backstory added to his character, and of course, his stunning chemistry with Halle Bailey as Ariel!

This is my take on what Eric’s life might have been like - before and after he met Ariel. I loved Grimsby as a character, especially his relationship with Eric, so there are some ideas of what it might have been like for the two of them together during Eric’s childhood. I’ve only seen the movie once in theaters, so some of the quotes are loosely based on my memory and might not be 100% in accordance with the script. Thanks for reading, and if you like it, please feel free to comment or reblog :)

Warnings: Mentions of parental death, fluff, young Eric being a little shit

Tags: @ohkarasm​ @nimerdo​ @namufication​ @chey-cheygl​ @snk25blr​ @snk25blr​

Twenty-One Years Prior

Grimsby tried his best to make his way through the crowd, pushing past the careening necks and excited whispers.

A baby!

One of the ships found him next to a whole lot of debris.

Bundled up in a chest, just floatin’ on the water, I heard. 

Could it be an omen?

How’d he get there in the first place?

What about that shipwreck the other night?

He finally squeezed past the first row, members of the royal court who’d arrived at the palace to see the infant child creating a buzz throughout the islands. The guards had been able to create a wide space between the royals and the court, allowing Grimsby to finally catch his breath as he approached the thrones at the front of the room.

“Sir Grimsby! There you are.”

“Your Highness,” Grimsby bowed to the king, both his sovereign and his employer - and an old friend. He turned to the regal woman on his right, dressed in a pale blue gown and seated in an intricate golden throne. “My Queen.”

Both nodded in response. The king gestured to the infant rocking in the queen’s arms, cooing lightly as he stared up at her.

“The baby,” the king said, his voice resolute. “Will stay here.”

He was afraid that this might happen.

The child had been found a few nights prior, swaddled in a chest that floated nearly right up to one of their merchant ships. At first, the sailors onboard had assumed he was dead - his eyes were closed and there was no way a baby could have survived the storms that had wrecked the oceans for nearly a week.

And yet, he had survived, immediately rushed to the royal palace and brought to the infirmary, where he was given round-the-clock care.

It’s a miracle he survived, the doctors had said, just as alarmed as everyone else who’d gotten wind of the curious baby from the sea. Survived without a scratch.

“Are you sure you want to decide so soon, your majesty? Perhaps the baby belongs to some of the neighboring islands, or from the coast.”

The royal couple had struggled with having children - one had been lost in the womb early on, and there hadn’t been much luck since. But he couldn’t imagine this child - this washed-up orphan of a child - becoming the heir to the throne. 

Would the people even accept him?

“We’ve looked, and we’ve asked the other lands. No one seems to know where the child is from.”

The king quieted for a second.

“And the ship that wrecked the other day - there were no survivors. We’ve sent crews to search high and low, and nothing.”

“A tragedy for certain,” the queen murmured, lightly stroking the top of the baby’s head, fingers playing with his dark curls. “But we can help turn his life into something meaningful.”

Grimsby nodded again with a sigh. He knew exactly how much both of them yearned for a child, a son, and perhaps chance was finally on their side.

He just didn’t care for children, personally.

“Have you picked out a name?”

The queen smiled widely at the infant, causing the child to giggle, his eyes twinkling in the palace light, as blue as the waves that had saved his life.

“Eric.”

~~~~~~~~~

Twelve Years Later - Eric, Age 12

“Eric!”

“Eric!”

“Prince Eric!”

Grimsby leaned to his side, his hand pressing against his ribcage as he slowed his breathing. 

He was growing too old for this, the continuous chasing around the palace, running after a twelve-year-old boy who seemed to be getting taller and faster and more of a nuisance each day.

Grimsby couldn’t imagine himself behaving this way at that age - even when he was younger than ten, he’d known to not cause such a ruckus. And he hadn’t been into royalty, didn’t have the expectations of a future king on his shoulders.

Eric, on the other hand, never seemed to get the memo.

“Are you alright, Sir Grimsby?”

Grimsby looked down at the boy as he skipped over to him. Eric’s height rose to his chest now, mischievous eyes peeking past a messy mop of brown curls.

“There isn’t supposed to be running in the palace, Eric.”

“Who said anything about running? We’re chasing!”

Grimsby huffed, the ache in his side still lingering. “You’re old enough to know they’re the same. I know you have access to a thesaurus.”

“Well, we wouldn’t be running if you just stopped chasing me.”

Eric squinted as he watched his majordomo leaning over to his side in pain. “And, if that side hurts, you should bend the other way so it stretches.”

Grimsby huffed again as he followed Eric’s instructions, immediately feeling relief in his side. Once the ache subsided, he straightened back up, his hands crossing over his chest.

“I was chasing you because you’ve left your study a mess, Eric.”

The boy lifted a hand to scratch his head, crooking it to one side.

“A mess?”

“A mess. Things everywhere! Books all over the place, seashells from the beach strewn all over your shelves. And that globe - did you steal that from your father’s study?”

The prince snickered.

“I didn’t steal it Grimsby. Mother said I could have the globe to help with my studies. And all of father’s old charts.”

He flashed his dimples once, causing Grimsby to mentally groan. The boy had grown into a cheeky young thing, as charming as he was reckless, his charisma as abundant as his energy.

“What studies could you possibly need them for?”

“I’m teaching myself,” Eric said confidently. “I’m teaching myself how to sail. Even if mother won’t let me yet. So by the time I do go on the water, I can navigate just using the stars.”

He placed his hands on his hips in a defiant stance.

“And I’m collecting the seashells. I’ve been reading about them in some of the old books from the royal library. Some of them aren’t native to here, you know. The ocean carries them to us for us to find.”

“I’m glad you’re finding your artifacts so educational, Eric,” Grimsby sighed. “But if you leave your study a mess, Lashanna won’t allow it. You know better than to keep them around like that.”

The prince’s eyes, normally a crystal blue, began to darken.

“I’m not throwing them away!”

“You don’t have to throw them away. But you do need to keep them organized.”

Eric rolled his eyes again. 

“Says who?”

“Says me. And until you grow old enough to be king, you’ll listen to me.”

Eric let out a huff of frustration. 

“When I’m king, Grimsby, I’ll see to it that you get fired.”

The man laughed aloud. “I’ve been with your family for decades, my young prince. You won’t be getting rid of me that fast.”

“I can do whatever I want! Eric means eternal ruler, you told me yourself, Grimsby.”

Grimsby shook his head, turning on his heels to head back towards the palace. Better to stop the conversation now before Eric’s temperament got the better of him, he hoped.

He turned once more to look at the boy, the childish expression on his face contrasting his ever-growing stature. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but wonder if the king and queen had made the right decision, bringing this boy into the fold, setting him to be the future ruler of their islands. 

Eric was intelligent, compassionate, curious - but reckless, uncontrollable at times, with a mind of his own.

And Grimsby couldn’t help but pray that eventually, he’d grow up.

Six Years Later -  Eric, Age 18

“Well, doesn’t the prince look dashing!”

Grimsby turned to face Lashanna, who’d crept up behind him to watch as Eric stood deathly still at the other end of the room. The prince grimaced as the royal tailors fussed over his new jacket, using him as a human pin cushion of sorts.

“Looks just like his parents,” Grimsby joked, causing the woman to swat at his shoulder.

“Big night for the prince, eh?”

“You wouldn’t think so, talking to him.”

“Hmm?”

Grimsby sighed, placing his hand on the pillar next to him. 

“All he can talk about is going out to sea, tomorrow morning. You wouldn’t even know it was his eighteenth birthday today, if the queen hadn’t made a rule forbidding him from sailing until then.”

“What about the party?”

“What about the party?”

Lashanna frowned. “Don’t tell me I have the staff running around for Eric to not show up to his own birthday party tonight.”

“He’ll show up. The queen will make sure of it. He just won’t be happy with all the fuss, you know he never is.”

Lashanna remained quiet briefly, watching as Eric’s gaze focused out the large glass window to his right, looking over the ocean waves.

“Do you think she regrets it at all?”

It’d been a question Grimsby had wondered himself, many times, and even more so after the king’s sudden passing the year prior. The baby in the chest had become a source of joy for the queen and for the people of the islands. He’d grown into a strong, bright young man, grounded by his values and the desire to lead his people.

And yet, it seemed as if Eric never saw his role the same as his mother, rigidly determined to do things differently. He’d grown even more passionate about voyaging and opening the country to faraway neighbors since his father died, frustrated at the lack of support his ideas received from his mother and the court. He’d vented at Grimsby more than a handful of times, but usually locked himself in his study, surrounded by shelves upon shelves of treasures and tokens other sailors brought back for him.

It’d been manageable, for a while. But now he was eighteen, allowed to voyage the seas himself for the first time, and taking matters into his own hands.

“She loves him,” Grimsby replied. “And that’s what matters.”

He straightened as the tailors finished up with Eric, taking his jacket to have the final touches added before the night’s festivities. 

“Well, aren’t you going to be a sight tonight,” Lashanna smiled at the prince, reaching out to brush a stray curl from his forehead.

“Do you know what time we leave tomorrow, Grimsby?”

“Nine o’clock, Sire.”

“Any chance we could leave earlier? I’d love to see the sunrise on the water.”

Lashanna chuckled. “You’ll see plenty of sunrises over the next few weeks, young prince. And you’ll want to get some rest after your big party tonight.”

“There will be girls there, Eric,” Grimsby reminded him.

“So?”

“You’ll be expected to make conversation with them, dance with them.”

Eric scoffed.

“To find a wife, you mean?”

“Well, if all-“

“Wouldn’t my father say I’m too young to be finding a bride?”

Grimsby let out a deep sigh. “Your father wouldn’t want you to be reckless. But you are his heir, and you’re eighteen now. In a few years you will be old enough to assume the throne per our kingdom’s laws.”

“I’m not interested in finding a wife, Grimsby. Not when there’s so much out there to see. Did you know, one of the other islands just opened a large port? Large enough to completely change their economy. We’re being left behind here, and the rest of the world is moving on.”

“Eric-“

“And besides, don’t you think it wouldn’t be fair to my future wife if I was out on the seas all the time? A shoddy husband I’d make, I figure.”

As if he’d be allowed to voyage as the king. 

“Just dance with a few, Eric. They might surprise you, there’s plenty of ladies from different kingdoms coming. Consider that your bridging between cultures and lands.”

The idea seemed to please the young man somewhat, though his face showed no hint of a smile.

“If you dance with five of the young ladies tonight, I’m sure Grimsby could convince the queen to allow you to sail before sunrise,” Lashanna offered, causing Grimsby to shoot her an annoyed glance.

“Really?” Eric’s eyes lit up again.

Grimsby shook his head. It might be the only way.

“Alright, Eric. I’ll talk to your mother.”

The bounce in the prince’s step returned as he hurried towards the passageway. 

“I’ll get to packing now. Thank you, Grimsby!”

Grimsby turned to Lashanna once Eric was out of sight.

“You needed a compromise, no?” she smiled. “And besides, you’ll need to start getting ready yourself.”

“I’ve still got a few hours before the party.”

Lashanna’ grin grew wider. 

“I meant for your voyage tomorrow. Enjoy the sunrise, Mister Grimsby.”

~~~~~~~~~

Three Years Later - Eric, 21 Years Old 

“Eric! Eric!”

Grimsby ignored the ache in his legs as he ran through the palace halls, headed directly to the wing containing the prince’s bedroom.

The news had arrived while he was helping the queen’s secretary draft a letter to the neighboring kingdoms, desperate for any news or sign of her beloved son. 

Found him washed up ashore! 

Barely breathing!

But he’s alive! 

Grimsby could hardly believe it himself; that Eric’s life would have once again been spared by the sea, fortunate enough to arrive right on their doorstep. He could have sworn, watching the flames engulf the ship that night and Eric falling backwards as it listed in the water, that the prince was lost to the waves. 

It’d been the first time Grimsby had nearly cried, the presence of the rest of the crew in the rowboats the only thing stopping his tears.

Their last interaction had been an argument, another fight about Eric’s role as a leader, his incessant need to voyage and travel and explore for the sake of the islands. Their conversation had rung in Grimsby’s ears all night, the man unable to get any sleep once they safely reached shore.

“Eric!” He burst open the door to the prince’s bedroom, causing Max, seated at the foot of the bed, to bark loudly.

“Shhh, Max,” Eric muttered with a groan, his eyes looking at Grimsby tiredly. “It’s just Grims.”

“Thank the heavens,” Grimsby rushed over to his side, clutching one of Eric’s hands in his own. “I thought you were lost-”

“A girl saved me.”

Grimsby raised a brow, his eyes moving to the bandaged wound on Eric’s head.

“Pardon?”

“A girl, Grimsby,” Eric repeated slowly, his voice betraying his body’s exhaustion. His eyes fluttered open and close. “She saved me.”

“You’ve had a long day,” Grimsby said. “You should get some sleep.”

Surely the doctors would have informed him if Eric had sustained any major head injuries, not just a scratch?

“She sang to me, Grimsby. The most beautiful melody I’ve ever heard.”

“I’m sure she did, Sire.”

Eric’s eyes opened suddenly, the piercing blue gaze making direct contact with Grimsby’s own. 

“Find her for me, Grimsby.”

“Eric-“

“Please. She saved my life. I owe her my life.”

Eric closed his eyes once more, his tiredness quickly lulling him back to sleep.

A mystery girl who’d saved the prince from certain death in the ocean? How hard could it be?

He closed the bedroom door behind him as he walked towards in the direction of the infirmary. 

The doctors had some explaining to do.

~~~~~~~~~

“We could take a carriage tomorrow, if you’d like.”

Grimsby stopped as he heard the familiar voice coming out of the prince’s study, warm lantern light peeking out of a door left just ajar.

He was surprised to see the two of them in the light, diligently peering over maps and charts across Eric’s belongings. He’d hardly expected Eric to even get to know the new arrival at the palace, the girl who’d been found in the waves just as he had.

Perhaps that connected them, in a way.

But he’d distinctly recognized the disappointment in Eric’s face once the prince realized she wasn’t the mystery girl, the one who’d saved her and sang to him on the beach. How could she be, when she had no voice of her own?

Grimsby coughed quietly, causing the two of them to look up at him. Eric’s face was beaming, a look he hadn’t seen in the young prince since the night of the shipwreck, dancing with the crew.

“Oh, Grimsby! We’ll need a carriage for tomorrow.”

Grimsby nodded politely, hoping not to cause any distress to the red-haired girl staring wide-eyed at him.

“Of course, Sire. If I might have a quiet word?””

Eric looked back at the girl with a smile, nodding slowly as if in a daze. “Yes, of course.”

When they were out in the hall and out of earshot, Grimsby decided to broach the subject. Part of him wanted to not bring it up at all - the fantasy girl they were spending all of their resources chasing, and yet, Eric had been insistent. He still remembered the desperation in the prince’s eyes, begging him to find her.

“Sire, all of the carriages are being used tomorrow to look for the girl.”

A wave of realization seemed to pass through the prince, as if he’d been woken from a dream. “Oh, yes! The girl. Yes, we need to find her.”

“And may I remind you,” Grimsby continued. “That the queen insists that you stay inside at the palace until you’re feeling better.”

“I feel fine, Grimsby!” Eric grinned, his familiar dimples flashes. “I’ve never felt better.”

Grimsby looked at the prince carefully. In the study, he could have sworn the young man’s face had been glowing in the light, the golden hues reflecting off his skin. And yet, he was still beaming in the hall, a joyous grin he couldn’t hide even if he wanted to. 

Perhaps the silent girl was the distraction he needed, someone to make him happy for at least a little while.

“Yes, yes, I can see that,” Grimsby acknowledged, scanning Eric’s blue eyes once again. They were as blue as the waves.

“Well, I’m sure we could spare just one carriage. But you do need to go to sleep, Eric. The doctors said you still need plenty of rest.”

“I know. I got distracted all day in there.” He smiled. “She likes looking at my collections.”

“Hmm?”

“The girl,” Eric gestured back towards the study. “I’ll tell her she can stay in and keep looking, if she wants.”

“Ah, yes. Well, if you trust her with it all.”

Eric quickly slipped back to say goodnight to the red-haired girl, and as he’d assumed, she decided to stay back. He climbed up the stairs in the direction of his bedroom with Grimsby, the man’s arms clasped behind his back. 

“I trust her,” the prince said, a sheepish grin on his face. “It’s funny, really. You know that fossilized sea stone that’s been on my shelves since I was eighteen? From my first voyage?”

“Ah, yes.” Grimsby distinctly remembered Eric’s accomplished expression on that first voyage, as he traded some of their island cane for a few treasured items at the market.

“She threw it onto the ground,” Eric explained, chuckling to himself. “And it shattered all over the floor, but there was a beautiful gemstone inside, this vibrant rock that had been hidden for years. I’d never known it even existed.”

“I wonder where she must have learned to do that,” Grimsby commented.

“Me too. It’s not in any of my books. She’s strange, isn’t she? But in the best way.”

Grimsby kept watching the prince as they walked through the passageways, the young man seemingly lost in thought.

They stopped outside his bedroom door, Eric ruffling through his locks with his fingers. 

“Goodnight, Grimsby.”

“Goodnight, Eric. I promise we’ll continue to search for the girl in the morning.”

Eric frowned slightly as he made sense of the words.

“Right. The girl. Yes, thank you, Grimsby. Let me know what you find.”

“Of course, Sire.”

~~~~~~~~~

In any other time, Grimsby likely would have made a fuss over the mess that Eric had made in the main passageways of the palace, lake water dripping from his clothes onto the floor.

The queen had nearly slipped in a small puddle, and again, in any other time, Grimsby would have said something.

But he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of his lips as he saw the two pairs of soaking-wet feet hiding behind a wall, so by the time he finally approached Eric and the silent girl, any thought of scolding the prince had long vanished.

“We went out onto the lake, and well, we ended up in it,” Eric chuckled sheepishly at him, as if that somehow served as an excuse.

“Well, it seems you two had fun,” Grimsby remarked, the gleam in Eric’s eyes not going unnoticed. “I imagine you’re tired, and we should let you get some sleep.”

The red-haired girl smiled gratefully at both of them, a dazzling grin on her face that Eric seemed to melt into.

“Yes, goodnight,” the prince said, as the girl smiled again before ascending the stairs.

Suddenly, she turned, taking the hat off her head - where had they even gotten such an item? - and placing it gently atop Eric’s. She flashed another grin at the prince again before walking up.

“Goodnight…Ariel.”

She turned again once more, her smile reflected in her warm brown eyes. Grimsby watched as Eric’s gaze followed her up the staircase until she disappeared from sight.

“Sire,” Grimsby said, finally breaking the silence. “About the carriages…unfortunately, they weren’t able to find the girl.”

Eric stayed silent for a moment, though Grimsby could see his shoulders tense slightly. “Oh.”

“Should we resume the search?”

Eric turned to face Grimsby, a mix of emotions on his face. The man had known the prince since he was a baby - he knew exactly what Eric was feeling, even if the young man couldn’t verbalize it.

“Grimsby…I feel...a little…”

“If I may, Sire, from one old man. Don’t let what should be get in the way of what is.”

Eric nodded. 

“Goodnight, Sire.”

“Goodnight, Grimsby.”

He turned towards the passageway, hoping to find Lashanna to help take care of the mess in the halls before the queen woke up in the morning.

“Wait, Grimsby!”

“Yes, Sire?”

“Her name…her name is Ariel.”

Grimsby nodded. He’d gathered as such, though he couldn’t imagine how young Eric had figured that particular one out.

“And how did you come across that, Sire?”

Eric laughed to himself, his hand touching the top of his hat as if it contained a cherished memory.

“It’s a long story. I’ll have to tell you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Eric.”

“Goodnight, Grimsby. And thank you.”

~~~~~~~~~

“Grimsby! Grimsby!”

Eric rushed over, a frantic look in his eyes inconsistent with the celebratory atmosphere they were surrounded by.

Grimsby glanced over at Vanessa, the mystery girl, the woman in purple who’d arrived at the palace on Eric’s arm early that morning. She was busy entertaining members of the court, waxing poetic about what it was like to save the prince from drowning, a story that seemed more like fantasy with each passing minute, or so he believed.

“Grimsby, have you seen Ariel?”

He furrowed his brow, looking back at the prince. It was like Eric had completely reversed overnight, the feelings he felt for Ariel replaced by an enchanting trance for the newly-found mystery girl. 

It didn’t sit right with Grimsby. Something had felt off all day, even if the queen and the rest of the court thought nothing of it.

Of course, Eric had desperately wanted to find the girl for days, pleading with Grimsby to find her - and yet, he had assumed, perhaps foolishly, to think the mystery girl was no more than a passing thought, now. He had sensed something in the air between Eric and Ariel the night before, something stronger than the mystery girl, now gone like the tide.

And as far as he was concerned, there didn’t seem to be a true connection between Eric and Vanessa. 

He couldn’t explain it.

“According to the servants, she left this morning.”

“Left?”

“Can you blame her, Eric?” Grimsby finally said, exasperated. “I don’t understand, this isn’t like you.”

“I…I know,” Eric muttered. “I’m not sure I understand myself.”

“I don’t think it would be fair for Ariel to stay, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes,” Eric said, his voice sounding deflated. Grimsby noticed a glassy haze in his eyes, as if sleepwalking or under a spell. “Yes, that wouldn’t be fair.”

“You’re old enough to make your own decisions, Eric. And to learn to accept the consequences.”

“Yes. Yes, yes, you’re right, Grimsby.”

“Eric!” 

The two of them turned to see the queen gesturing towards her son.

“Go,” Grimsby said, his heart sinking slightly in his chest. He knew what the queen would be giving him - he’d had one of the palace servants polish it earlier that day at her request.

But it was Eric’s decision now.

“Grims-”

“Go, Eric.”

~~~~~~~~~

The walk back to the palace was eerily silent, the crashing waves the only sounds filling the air.

Grimsby glanced over at the prince, dripping from head-to-toe, his clothing torn to shreds and clinging to his wet skin. The queen and the rest of the staff were several feet ahead of them, the two men bringing up the rear back to land.

Back to safety.

“Eric-”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Grimsby.”

“She was real, Eric.”

The prince stayed silent for a few seconds before stopping mid-step. He lowered himself to the ground, balancing himself against a large rock as Grimsby took a seat next to him.

Eric’s gaze stayed focused on the horizon, watching the colors of the sunset reflect off the ocean intently, as if Ariel might reappear if he looked hard enough.

“I’ve been a fool, Grimsby.”

“No, no. What you felt for her was very real, your mother was right about that. You would be a fool to deny the connection you felt between you two.”

Eric sighed, taking a small pebble from next to him and throwing it into the ocean.

“She really saw me, Grimsby. Like no one ever has. Not to mention that she’d been the one to save my life in the first place.”

“I understand.”

His heart ached for the prince - just as the oceans had spared his life, they’d also torn Ariel away from him, their two homes at odds with each other forever. Eric had always been stubborn - but now, he seemed completely deflated.

“I loved her, Grimsby,” Eric murmured under his breath. “I do love her.”

He stared out into the ocean one more time, before standing back up, reaching a hand out to help Grimsby onto his feet.

Grimsby noticed the tears welling in the corners of his eyes, threatening to fall.

“And now she’s gone.”

~~~~~~~~~

“Eric! Eric!”

Grimsby clutched his side, a cramp near his ribcage causing him to wince.

Certainly, he was getting too old for this.

“Grimsby!” He heard Eric’s familiar laugh as the prince opened his bedroom door, allowing him to enter.

Eric was already dressed for the big day, his curls neat and clothes pressed. “You’re going to kill yourself one day, old man, chasing after me.”

“I’ve done it for twenty-one years already, Sire, I’m sure I’ll last at least a few more.”

“Did you need something? The wedding’s supposed to begin in less than an hour.”

Grimsby nodded, reaching into the hidden pocket of his jacket as he took out a compass, slightly worn from age, though the mother-of-pearl and gold fixtures still shone brilliantly in the light.

He straightened up as he placed the compass in Eric’s hands, the prince’s blue eyes looking curiously at him.

“This,” he said. “This was your father’s. Many years ago. I thought it would serve useful on your voyage with Ariel.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t find anything larger, but I imagined you two have already been showered enough by the court.”

“Grimsby, it’s perfect,” Eric’s eyes shone brilliantly. “Than-”

“Oh, no need to thank me,” he replied quickly, hoping to clear his throat of anything too sentimental. “It was your father’s, after all-”

His breath was knocked out of him as Eric pulled him into a tight hug.

“Thank you, Grimsby.”

“Sire-” the corners of his eyes began to prick.

“For leading me to Ariel.” 

“I-”

“And for believing in me.”

Grimsby patted the prince’s back as the tears in his eyes finally spilled over.

The boy - the child on the waves - had finally grown up, into a man that Grimsby couldn’t have even pictured. He imagined he had Ariel to thank for that, the silent red-headed girl who’d shone a brilliant light into the prince’s life, helped secure his destiny, allowed him to find his place in the world.

“Always, Eric.”

[titsthedamnseason]

so anyway i saw the little mermaid and it was absolutely incredible. in my opinion it blew the original out of the water AND was superior to all of the other disney live actions

[butyoucouldberadiant]

Grimsby was just such a treasure in this (spoilers for the live action little mermaid)???

To paraphrase:

“Eric please get down I really don’t wanna tell your mom I let you die on your birthday,”

“Hey Eric, you clearly like that girl who washed up, please stop worrying about your mystery girl and go out with her???”

“Won’t you get in trouble for getting him a carriage?” “What carriage?”

“…hey Eric is everything okay? You’re acting real weird, are you sure you wanna get married?”

“Where’s Ariel?” “Well, Eric, she ran away, and I’ve gotta say I agree with her,”

“Oh no! Where could the ring possibly be!! What a shame!!!!” *kicks it*

*Ariel and Vanessa start fighting* “Grimsby, let me go!” “No, Eric, I wanna see Ariel kick the crap out of her,”

[paronoiccake]

I keep thinking abou that scene of Eric almost falling off the ship in the beginning of the movie and Grimsby being stressed about him nearly dieing and Eric just laughs like the cute princeling guy he is

But like

Imagine him as kid being like this? Climbing things, hanging on ropes, wanting to jump head first into the ocean

I mean he must have been the kind of kid that drives you absolutely insane cause you need to constantly make sure they won't die (and let's be honest Ariek was probably the same)

I can just imagine him falling all the time because of his "adventures" and everyone freaking out he's seriously hurt while he's just laughing and showing those cute dimples

Just... I can see why Grimsby got worried like a mother goose he was STRESSED

[sundove88]

Disney Dream Linkage Incorrect Quotes: Maybe More. Imagine.

Note; This is before Caspian becomes the Linker of Prince Eric. And after he accidentally witnessed Ursula’s holographic disguise flicker off- something he was not meant to see. Also, Urijah is the NPC based on Grimsby.

(Caspian runs inside his homeroom at Dreamburg Public and sits down at his desk.)

Caspian: Mr. Faulkner, this is weird! What do I do!

Urijah: You saw this… lady, right?

Caspian: Yeah, but Mr. Faulkner!

Urijah: She was with another young girl your age…

Caspian: Yeah, Mr. Faulkner, but-

Urijah: But what?!

Caspian: Eight! Legs!

Urijah: Seven… Lady Parts.

Caspian: (Spit Take)

(He stands up and heads towards the door)

Caspian: Ok, than-

Urijah: Maybe more…

Caspian: Ok, thanks, Mr. Faulkner!

Urijah: Imagine.

[houseofmouselove100]

Megara telling Hercules that Mickey was a hero in the cartoon but if Hercules is also a hero he is strong and brave

If Ariel's sisters had been with her, they would surely agree with her and Sebastian was shocked with Ariel's wish

Mortimer decides to tell jokes about Mickey, making everyone boo him, and Donald laughs, but Daisy does what, and Donald opens his eyes and realizes that Mickey is the best friend Donald could ever have.

So Donald goes on stage and defends his friend by throwing Mortimer off the stage, then the entire audience applauds Donald for being a good friend to Mickey

If Della Duck had seen this scene of her brother defending his friend she would be proud and congratulate him

Episode: everybody loves Mickey

[cjbolan]

Worth mentioning that the live action Grimsby took a MAJOR level in badass! He gave major Alfred Pennyworth vibes. Where do I start...

*WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD*

He’s equally competent at sea as Eric and his crew, even saving Eric from falling overboard.

He’s the only one onboard staying calm during the storm. I legit laughed at how calmly and slowly he jumps overboard from the burning ship XD.

He helps Eric sneak out behind his overprotective mother’s back.

He even kicks away the wedding ring with a sly look on his face, to help Ariel reunite with Eric.

Seriously I half expected Grimsby to kill Ursula in the end.

[writing-fanics]

Grimsby when Vanessa showed up

[dragonmasterhiccup]

Melodía smiles brightly, clapping her hands with glee. She then pulls out something from behind her back. She had taken the wildflowers that Hiccup had given her, and woven them into a little flower crown. She holds it out to him, smiling.

"See? I knew you'd be excited!"

Seeing the flower crown she made, his eyes widened in surprise. "Wow...you made this?" Gingerly picking it, he was afraid it would come apart, but it held together really well. "It's beautiful..."

Looking back at her, the crown in his hands he asked her, "May I?" Indicating that he wanted to place it on her, if she'd allow it.

[siegelst]

Grimsby is the stylish dude in the whole movie.

[sami-foxxe-gifs-and-screenshots]

[bellaaldamas]

Here's the thing:

Live Action Eric's mother would have preferred Vanessa, as a wife for her son and as a daughter in law.

That is, if "Vanessa" was a real person and not a ruse used by Ursula who literally changed her body to get the man. And then effectively drugged said man via hypnotic spell, stealing another woman's voice and his free will to gain control. Ariel had already proven to Ursula by that point that "looks and pretty face" (which original animated Ursula referred to in order to manipulate Ariel) were not enough, did not define her as a woman and that Eric fell in love with her because of her enthusiastic, inspired personality. Down to choosing her mute self over the dream/fantasy girl with a charming voice (a physical trait that was constantly suppressed by others when Ariel was living under the sea, mainly by men - her father and Sebastian, in both versions; though Sebastian perpetuating Triton's patriarchal oppression was far more pronounced in the animated 1989 canon, especially when they both organized a propaganda event where Triton's daughters and Ariel in particular were supposed to sing praises to Triton as a ruler and father).

Hence why Ursula/"Vanessa"'s only way to get the man was to take away his freedom of choice - the thing Eric, in both versions, valued above all else and fought with all his might to retain.

But the Queen in the LA version did not know that context about Eric and mute Ariel. She didn't even know about their bonding when Grimsby helped them escape the castle. To her Ariel was just some girl a random fisherman brought to castle who then turned out to be a mermaid (the Queen held prejudice against the sea creatures but as highlighted numerous times throughout the movie it was certainly not exclusive to her - the sailors told legends about mermaids luring men to their deaths and feared them) and brought a series of dangers upon her son (even Ursula/"Vanessa", from Queen Selina's perspective, tricked and hurt Eric because of her beefs with Ariel).

And that's exactly why Grimsby - and not Eric's mother (who didn't exist in the original) - immediately noticed something was wrong and unusual about Eric's behavior when he decided to marry "Vanessa".

That's one of the spins that benefited the LA version, unlike many other changes that sacrificed real empowerment for the sake of pseudo-feminist "girlboss" moments.

Mainly the kiss amnesia which completely removed Ariel's agency (even though the intention was clearly the opposite). This pseudo-"feminist" twist made Ariel an inert, clueless object during the Kiss the Girl scene. Meanwhile, the subjects are Eric, who in the remake is the one to make all the moves on Ariel during the boat sequence while SHE is the one resisting and pulling away. And Sebastian, who repeatedly manipulates Ariel into kissing Eric throughout the movie.

Sebastian even spells it out to Scuttle and Flounder that he is going to act without her consent and against her wishes when pushing the pair towards each other on the boat. Because otherwise Ariel - and Sebastian admits that too - would chase them all away for ignoring her boundaries, as she does at least twice in the remake ("If she sees or hears us, she’ll shut us down. Nah, man. We got to be sneaky about this"). Which means that without Sebastian's "man knows better" interference Ariel ends up, ultimately, in Ursula's hands. LA Ariel is not only not in control of her romantic agency, she is not in control of her life because of that twist.

(more break down of the good, the bad, the very bad and the very good changes in the remake under the cut though it is not exhaustive at all and I'm not even touching upon the climax because that would require a separate novel length post).

To add insult to injury, the subjects in the LA Kiss the Girl are all male. Discounting Scuttle who, while female in the 2023 version, remains the same comedic relief as in the original. However, original Scuttle has distinctive purpose: to have Ariel bond with someone living above the surface (back when Ariel had no means to "explore the shore up above" herself), the world her bigoted father insisted was full of "barbarians". Even though the ultimate barbarian lived under his ocean and scammed his subjects before turning them into hideous, impaired creatures just to satisfy her sadistic leanings, all with Triton's tacit endorsement.

Conversely, LA Scuttle ultimately affects and accomplishes nothing, besides in the carbon copy of the original scene where, in both versions, Scuttle is used as a plot device to discover "Vanessa" was actually Ursula who stole Ariel's voice. In the 1989 movie Scuttle actively serves his narrative function when he rips the shell necklace off "Vanessa"/Ursula. In the remade version we get an atrocious cat-fight scene between two women - Ariel and "Vanessa"/Ursula - which is not progressive or feminist in the slightest (again, contrary to Disney intending to make it a "girlpower" moment).

That said, although the plot changes to LA Scuttle's role in the story were not well executed Scuttle herself, as an individual character, had a very defined and compelling personality (contrary to Jacqueline in Cinderella 2015 who had no personality at all unlike her male counterpart Jaq in the original; she was made female solely for "progressive points"). This version of Scuttle was vastly different from the original, not only in terms of them being a different type of bird (seagull in the original, northern gannet in the remake), but in terms of how they interact with other characters, particularly Sebastian.

In the original Sebastian doesn't think much of Scuttle and his "human expert" ways (deservedly so) and is annoyed by how clueless he can be. The narrative treats Sebastian as the rational and righteous one and Scuttle as an incompetent airhead who is always wrong about everything. In turn, Scuttle, growing frustrated with his own inability to get some of his points across, lashes out at Sebastian even more harshly, hitting him several times against the docks when trying to explain that Eric is actually marrying the sea witch in disguise.

In the remake the antagonism and banter between Scuttle and Sebastian is also mutual but the narrative more often than not sides with Scuttle despite her being just as wrong about human things as her 1989 counterpart. LA Scuttle, in turn, remains unequivocally on the side of Ariel - a clever way to show the narrative is on Ariel's side as well. Especially when Sebastian slips into his "man knows best and by man I mean me and King Triton who will kill me if I don't parrot his propaganda" mode. It is particularly evident in the Part of Your World Reprise scene on the shore, when Scuttle is genuinely excited for Ariel finding love in the form of Eric and literally doesn't give Sebastian's patronizing speeches time of the day ("sorry, what'd you say, again?").

Onto the change with LA Grimsby realizing there had to be more to a sudden decision to marry "Vanessa" on part of Eric. Eric who has just had his arc of growth and letting go of his idealistic dreams of a fantasy girl and was willing to take the next step in his relationship with mute Ariel after bonding with her. Grimsby, in the new version, got to actually witness glimpses of said bonding in the library and when the pair came back from their Kingdom tour which Grimsby helped organize despite Queen's orders to keep Eric in the castle. That change was good and contributed to vindicating the original Eric. Who often tends to be just as misunderstood and mischaracterized as animated Ariel.

In the original movie Grimsby is Eric's main and only parental/guardian figure and yet he notices nothing about Eric's robotic voice and erratic, irrational behavior when the latter announces he is to commit to "Vanessa". Grimsby is more concerned about why Eric wants to marry so soon but doesn't act on this concern at all. Most tragic thing is that, for awhile, animated Eric, after his free will is stolen, remains completely alone in the world, with no support system besides Max (whose 1989 version saw through "Vanessa" magnificently and made it known at the wedding when hissing at her).

The plot with the removal of animated Eric's agency was more brutal than in the remake.

Because animated Eric struggled and fought not so much for his right to not conform to royal rules and lifestyle (unlike both Ariels, 1989 Eric was not subjected to patriarchal oppression and didn't have parents who could force their idea of royal life on him - but he was just as lonely and firm in his defiance of toxic social norms and pressure to act contrary to his beliefs as Ariel was; and THAT was their bonding point in the original). Animated Eric fought for his individuality, values and priorities (another parallel with Ariel who rejected her father's bigoted views about humans and aspired to gain knowledge and information herself instead of being blindly submissive to Triton's narratives or singing him political and public praises - like her sisters - rather than indulge her curiosity and thirst for exploration).

Original Eric, in that vein, fought for his right to exercise his romantic agency the way he saw fit, subscribing to his idealistic view of love and his conviction there was "the one" out there who would "hit him like a lightning". Which is exactly what ended up happening, twice, just not in the idealistic and naive way his dreamer self expected. But in the way which ultimately proved he was right all along about not settling for pressure and looking for the person who would be good for him. Same way animated Ariel was right about defying her father's bigotry about humans being "savage, barbaric fish-eaters" with no regard for anyone.

When animated Eric let go of his idealistic image of a dream girl with the Voice TM he wasn't letting go of his ideals. He came to realize that it was the mute Ariel who shared those ideals. The one who nearly got him killed because she was too eager to drive the carriage herself (after a lifetime of HER agency and independence being suppressed). The one who dragged him around the square paying little attention to him and often not even looking at him but still wanting him next to her. Even when animated Eric lifted Ariel up during their dance Ariel still did not try to kiss him, more interested in where they'd go to explore next.

Instead of using that time with Eric to try to get close to him romantically (and animated Ariel knew the stakes of NOT kissing him before the third sunset), Ariel was having the time of her life. She wanted to share her own excitement with Eric over finally getting the opportunity to "walk, talk, run, wander free" and not be a "reprimanded daughter" (read: an oppressed woman). She was treating him like a partner.

That leads us to a bad change TM in the remake: LA Ariel didn't include Eric in her process of exploring the human world and made no conscious effort to bond with him on a spiritual and platonic level. When they go out for a walk Ariel completely separates herself from him and he doesn't get to witness her most ridiculous, anti-social moments and still fall in love with her, as animated Eric gets the chance to. Earlier in the library it is Eric who finds Ariel first and starts sharing his interests - only then does Ariel reciprocate rather than initiate their communication, showing him the "secret of the seashell". When he starts making effort to get closer to her on the boat, both emotionally and romantically, Ariel once again responds but she doesn't instigate as animated Ariel does. LA Ariel reciprocates, yet again, because Eric - and Sebastian with his "sneaky" help - is persistent enough.

LA Ariel has no idea she has to kiss Eric to remain human, she just follows the lead of two men in that sequence.

In the 1989 version the vital point was that Ariel knew all along she needed a kiss from Eric to remain human like she dreamed long before seeing and saving him. But she preferred - as in, made an informed choice - to play with dolls on the town's square and explore around and do anything and everything but try to seduce Eric. Eliciting frustration from her male friends for NOT caring enough about a man and caring MORE about every other interest she had.

LA Ariel doesn't get to make that informed choice because she doesn't remember about the kiss. Contrary to 1989 Ariel, she doesn't get to pick between herself and a man and still choose herself.

It is not until animated Ariel and Eric end up on the boat and there is nothing to explore but Scuttle's horrendous "vocal stimulation" that Ariel - again, consciously - has her mind go back to the kiss condition and finally pays attention to Eric. Crucial point is that in the animated film SHE made the first explicitly romantic move on the boat and leaned in for a kiss first. At her own pace, in her own time and when she wanted. The initiative in Ariel and Eric's romantic interactions in the original belonged entirely to Ariel, a woman.

Another disastrous change that should have never happened and that robbed LA Ariel of any agency in the situation: giving Ariel the "kiss amnesia" and having Eric be the one to attempt to instigate a kiss.

A kiss - the condition forced on both Ariels by Ursula in exchange for an attempt at gaining freedom and fulfilling their goals. The condition that animated Ariel remained conscious, aware and in charge of up until forces beyond her or Eric's control interfered (Flotsam and Jetsam tipping the boat over on Ursula's orders). Because she was aware of the stakes and deadlines animated Ariel got to decide how and when to proceed. She couldn't control Ursula's unscrupulous actions but she was in control of her own body and romantic agency.

LA Ariel was robbed of that privilege and it's inexcusable. Especially when done under the guise of "feminism". Especially when her father, in the remake, was even more oppressive and vicious towards her than original Triton.

In the 1989 version Ariel is the subject but Eric is no object either. When Ariel leans in for a kiss Eric pulls away. Because "looks and pretty face" were never enough for him. Because he was still committed to his ideals and viewed the Girl with the Voice as an embodiment of them. And, most importantly, because his ideals included taking love and relationship seriously and Eric, per his own words, could NOT kiss a girl whose name he didn't even know.

And Ariel backed away when he did. She did not make fun of Eric for being a "boy too shy" (toxic masculinity brought on by Sebastian - who directed the "mood creating" musical number; and who proved there was a reason Triton's patriarchal self appointed him as his adviser AND a personal spy to invade his daughter's private space earlier in the story). Animated Ariel respected Eric's agency and consent as much as he did hers. Be it throughout the Kingdom tour or in the aforementioned scene where he pulled away and refused to take advantage of the situation and mute Ariel's vulnerability.

It is not until Eric does learn Ariel's name is the physical intimacy between them resumed - because Ariel wants it and takes him by the hand (being the one to instigate physical contact) to confirm (nodding enthusiastically) that he did, in fact, get her name right. Once again animated Ariel is the subject and an active party in the scene.

In the 2023 version Ariel is simply going with the flow in the same scene. She passively follows along with what she is offered by Eric (who in the remake is completely smitten with mute Ariel by that point and easily shifts the focus of his feelings from his "fantasy girl" to her) and Sebastian. Who, in turn, pressures Eric and Ariel into doing something Ariel does not even remember she has to do and shows no consent or interest in doing.

It's Eric who leans in for a kiss here and Ariel who pulls away, feeling tense, confused and uncomfortable. She doesn't understand what is going on while Sebastian is pulling the strings ("Work on the Prince using the power of suggestion") and he and Eric remain active parties who get to decide how the events turn and when the next romantic step should be taken.

In either case, however, the sequence ends with Ariel getting closer not just to Eric but to her dream of remaining human. Whilst Eric ultimately chooses Ariel over his "dream girl with the voice". Despite the kissing failure courtesy of Ursula's minions Ariel and Eric almost fulfill the condition of the deal and take their relationship to a new level in the process and nothing stops them from trying again (that's the very reason Ursula decides to intervene personally and, as mentioned above, actually changes herself into a conventionally attractive younger woman to coerce Eric).

Difference is that where animated Ariel still has agency and awareness of the situation and the deadline LA Ariel is kept in ignorant bliss and has NO control of either the situation or her own life in this case.

However, Disney did right by both Ariel and Eric when it comes to Eric's key development: him letting go of his idealistic dream of the "girl with the voice" and Ariel doing everything to restore his free will after Ursula/"Vanessa" stole it. Moreover, in the LA version the narrative emphasized more boldly the disturbing nature of this act on part of Ursula, having Ariel directly spell it out ("she bewitched you"). LA made it a point that Eric was no less a victim of Ursula than Ariel and Triton were.

Children likely would not perceive the terrifyingly predatory implications of both versions as far as this matter - and the scene where "Vanessa" puts Eric under the spell - is concerned (same for the horrid, taunting “so long, loverboy” line from Ursula). But it does, either time, attain it's purpose of eliciting a reaction of "why does this have to be so unfair" from anyone regardless of age (or whether or not they cared about Eric prior to that scene). Because the scene - in either movie - is the epitome of injustice and pure unadulterated cruelty despite the lack of any physical violence.

The viewer is exposed to how one of the two leading characters whose core identity was built upon striving for independence, who has gone through the process of maintaining said independence while growing out of childish idealism in favor of informed choices (same theme Ariel's arc rested upon, see above) in the face of constant pressure has everything he's worked so hard for be torn from him rapidly and viciously in an instant.

In the animated version Eric's choice of mute Ariel symbolizing both his growth and the triumph of his free will is more pronounced. Eric's youthful romantic nature was what set his arc in motion in the first place and was the foundation for his struggle. He is the one who rejected the princess of Glowerhaven despite Grimsby's best efforts to get him to act like a royal heir ought to. And marry out of obligation to his subjects (rather than, again, by choice) whom Grimsby uses to delicately pressure Eric in the original ("The entire kingdom wants to see you happily settled down with the right girl").

But Eric stood his ground - because he valued his independence and the idea people should form partnerships upon genuine mutual feelings rather than political contract - above societal demands; and that's what got mute Ariel to listen to him so intently and identify with him. Animated Eric was the one who was, literally, hit by the lightning (the way he believed he would find his love) and, metaphorically, by Ariel who saved him (notably, animated Eric had no qualms proudly announcing that "a girl rescued him" and did not feel one bit emasculated about it).

The flute, for the original Eric, represented that idealistic dream and his belief in free choice of partner attached to said dream, of a girl with angelic voice. But when he gets to bond with the mute Ariel he realizes that physical attributes such as the aforementioned angelic voice or his adoration of an image of "the one" who may or may not have been a figment of his imagination is not what his beliefs rest upon. They, as mentioned above, rest upon free will and Eric's commitment to the idea of mutual, unforced feelings between two people.

Hence why when he throws the flute into the waves he lets go of his immaturity but not his identity.

Live Action Eric did not want to be "hit by a lightning" - he was afraid of that as much as he was afraid of the approaching "storm". It is notable that in the 2023 version it is Eric - not one of the sailors - who first notices the storm coming and warns other sailors about it. LA Eric wasn't an idealistic romantic - he was out to prove a point to his mother about their Kingdom needing to develop and not be years behind in terms of progress compared to others (there where the Queen latched on to her more conservative ideas about the direction their Kingdom should go and, presumably, preferred to keep up with the legacy of her deceased husband).

When LA Eric talks about his late father he uses words such as "isolation and fear" which he associates with staying in the castle and conforming to imposed royal routine. That's what he wants to avoid, for himself and his Kingdom and his people.

In that regard LA Eric, in the first half of the film, is more immature than idealistic romantic Eric from the 1989 movie who wasn't avoiding anyone or anything, did not prove any points and adhered to his beliefs. Where animated Eric seeks conflict of heart ("It'll just - bam! - hit me - like lightning") because he assumes he has enough courage and emotional resource to handle it, LA Eric avoids conflict of heart and hides behind ambitious, often reckless plans to expand his Kingdom's business. The Queen later mentions Eric's voyages resulting in more loss than profits so far for the Kingdom. Grimsby is actually being reasonable when he warns Eric about thoughtless risks ("I believe a little fear may be advisable, sire").

What stands out is how those changes in LA Eric's character impact his relationship with Grimsby (which brings us to the original point about the difference in Queen Selina's and Grimsby's reaction to Eric's announcement he wants to marry "Vanessa").

In the LA version the characters of change are King Triton, Queen Selina AND Grimsby whereas in the 1989 version the only character of change is King Triton. Animated Grimsby never gets to have self reflection or development because he, unlike Triton, is never proven wrong. The only time he thinks he is is when "Vanessa" appears at their castle's doorstep holding hypnotized Eric in her literal and metaphorical grasp.

At that point 1989 Grimsby is forced to admit that the dream girl is, in fact, real; and accepts not so much Eric's freedom to choose a partner (their main conflict point from earlier) as the fact that Eric was right in that one instance. He completely overlooks all of Eric's previous developments and bonding with Ariel from earlier. Even though Eric's illogical demand to have a wedding with "Vanessa" "as soon as possible" seems strange to Grimsby ("Oh, yes - of course, Eric, but, er - but these things do take time, you know...") he doesn't give it any more thought and follows along.

In the remake Eric and Grimsby start out with virtually the same conflict (Grimsby trying to pressure Eric into embracing the royal norms and rules he rejects) but the context is slightly different: LA Grimsby has more of an excuse to not show understanding towards Eric. Because in this version he is NOT his fatherly figure or the closest Eric has to an adult guardian. Original Grimsby used his position of emotional - if not social/hierarchical - authority to guilt trip and manipulate Eric (an orphaned prince, with enough privileges to live his life not needing for anything and not having anyone who would have the power to tell him what to do; yet still vulnerable because of the lack of guidance) about hurrying up to get married, as a proper heir to the throne ought to at his age (the aforementioned line about the entire Kingdom waiting for it). Even when original Grimsby doesn't deny the importance of finding the right person that Eric insists upon, he still places the blame/responsibility on Eric, remarking that he wasn't "looking hard enough" for the right woman.

LA Grimsby doesn't manipulate or pressure Eric about personal matters at all (quite the contrary, he supports all of Eric's wishes and decisions in that respect; it's him LA Ariel and Eric owe their alone time during the Kingdom Tour and the boat scene - he went up against the Queen's direct orders to arrange that for them). Grimsby admonishes Eric about endangering himself or forgetting about subordination on the ship when Eric prefers to drink and party with regular sailors. Which is, in fact, a responsible thing for an adult to do (whereas LA Eric, as mentioned already, starts out as less responsible and self aware than his animated counterpart though eventually achieves similar results and developments). Because Eric is the captain and should always keep a cool sober head and maintain authority. LA Grimsby just does that for all the wrong reasons (Eric is royalty and therefore should "act like one"). Those reasons are less a reflection of Grimsby's own views and more him projecting the views of the Queen. Whose wrath he fears to invoke if anything happens to Eric (as Grimsby admits himself in the very beginning of the remake).

That's precisely why LA Grimsby is able to notice something is wrong with Eric on the day of his wedding with "Vanessa". Furthermore, he actually does something about it. Whereas original Grimsby is pleased to see Eric ultimately doing exactly what he had been pressuring Eric into doing all that time - marrying "the right girl" and being the proper Prince (never mind that just an evening ago animated Grimsby gave Eric "wise guidance" about mute Ariel and how a girl of flesh and blood is better than any dream girl - because back then that narrative was convenient for Grimsby, just like Eric's wedding with "Vanessa" was convenient now).

On the contrary, LA Grimsby goes from someone too fearful to disobey or disappoint the Queen to someone actively defying and anti-paralleling her for the sake of Eric's agency. It's not limited to Grimsby assisting Ariel and Eric in escaping the castle for a day to have a good time.

The scene with the Queen giving Eric the family ring for his wedding with "Vanessa" and Grimsby then pushing said ring aside deliberately when it falls to the ground, as to stall the wedding, are contrasts. That is also why the Queen not accepting Ariel right away and being horrified by the reveal of her being a "sea creature" - whom the Queen was as prejudiced against as Triton was towards humans - works within this story. While Queen Selina and King Triton were meant to be parallels she and Grimsby are anti-parallels.

Back to the beginning: yes, Queen Selina would have preferred "Vanessa". From the writing standpoint, it was a well executed Freudian slip when she called Ariel specifically a "sea creature" but did not say the same thing about "Vanessa" transforming into half-human half-octopus. Subconsciously, the Queen must have been disappointed that the wedding with "Vanessa" was a scam and never meant to happen. And glad that "Vanessa"/Ursula took Ariel away and back into the ocean where she "belonged" and would be away from her son. That's why the Queen immediately attempts to stop Eric from going after Ariel and tells him that the sea is not a friendly place and "their whole world is evil".

But that's also what makes the outcome realistic and compelling: while Selina might have preferred a different route for her son, just like Triton preferred a different route for Ariel, she still accepts his wishes. She makes it a point to highlight she does it for Eric's sake and for the sake of her Kingdom, because Ariel has positive influence on both. It requires wisdom to accept your child's decisions even when you disagree with them and/or would have wanted said child to reach a different outcome with their goals and actions.

It is also not random that LA Ariel and Eric drive off to explore uncharted waters together, taking a necessary distance, while Selina and Grimsby, standing beside one another, bid them their goodbyes. That time and space to reflect on the past events and relationships is necessary not just for Ariel and Eric but also for the Queen. With Grimsby's help and perspective she is likely to gradually learn to see the situation and Eric's journey of self fulfillment from a different angle.

Tonnes of changes in the LA version were either unnecessary or outright criminal but this was good writing.