Ariel was the youngest of Athena and Triton's seven daughters. She fell in love with a human, Prince Eric, and went to the sea witch, Ursula, asking to be made human. Ursula agreed, in exchange for Ariel’s voice and told her she had three days to get Eric to give her true love’s kiss or Ariel would belong to her forever.

After the spell was cast, Ariel, unable to breath, was rushed to the surface by her friends and found by Eric. Ursula enchanted Eric, preventing them from kissing, causing Ariel to turn back into a mermaid. King Triton arrived and traded himself for his daughter, thus giving Ursula what she wanted, his trident and ultimate power. She tried to kill Ariel but was defeated by Eric.

Ariel was transformed into a human by her father and married Eric. The following year they had a daughter, Melody.