A pained expression plagued his beautiful face as he called out to the dwarf, "Here I am, Gimli!"

Suddenly the dwarf made out two shapes in the water. Concern erased from his invisible face hiding behind the railings, and called out, "Here! Grab a hold of this and I will pull you and the lass up!" He threw down to them a fraying rope, but strong and sturdy enough to hold the two of them.

Legolas looked down unsure at the rope, and then turned his face slowly to Celeste. Her laughter subsided and faded when she saw the sad-stricken face Legolas exuded.

Her eyebrows rose in concern, and she spoke to him quietly, "What troubles you, Legolas of the Greenwood?"

Legolas sighed, and he found it hard for the words that troubled him to speak aloud. He turned away from her intense gaze, and mustered up the strength to proceed, "I loathe the fact that destiny calls to me, and that I must leave you."

Celeste's face tilts towards the direction of Gimli, and her eyes search the top of the boat for the creature who threw down the rope to them. "Is he your destiny?" Dejectedly she asks.

Legolas's saddened expression fades, and a faint hint of a smile crawls along at the absurdity of her accusation. "No," he replies halfheartedly, "but the sea is. I wish I could take you with me, but you are a sea-dwelling creature, and I am not."

Realization swept over her face instantly causing her eyes to widen. She felt pity towards the elf named Legolas. She understood why he felt distraught, and did not desire to leave. She did not want him to go either, and contemplated changing her form to stay by his side. She strode up to the side of him. Her wet hair glided behind her like a veil. Her heart quickened its pace being so close to him. She whispered into his ears, "If you wish it I can make it happen."

Legolas's heart pounded loudly, and he was afraid she might hear it. Her soft whisper entered his sensitive ear, shooting chills throughout his being. He felt desire and want towards her creep up and taunt him. He pushed away the rising feelings as she spoke.

Confused he questioned, "How is that so? Can you can venture out of water?"

"I can," was her reply to him.



Legolas looked at her, confusion swept over him causing his mouth to gape open, but no words spilled out. Celeste took his quietness as a sign to continue with her thoughts.

"Do you wish for me to accompany you on your journey, Legolas of Greenwood?" She whispered into his ear.

More than anything his heart longed to tell her. He found it strange that anyone, even a breathtaking creature as she could make his heart feel faint so quickly. He looked into the pools of her colorful eyes and replied, "Yes, Celeste. I would wish of nothing else than to be in your presence for as long as I am allowed."

Celeste, quite pleased with the handsome elf's choice of words, thought she would reveal herself to him. Yet she was unsure of how much information should be disclosed.

"I am not an elf, nor human, nor of any creature that lives on land. I also do not dwell in the sea. I am a very powerful being that can change shape to anything I desire. I have slept at the bottom of this very sea for over five-thousand years. Since the beginning of Middle Earth. I chose the shape of a creature that is called mermaid. They are a specie of half fish and half human-like. Since you wish that I accompany you," she whispers in his ear, "as well I wish for you to be in my presence as long as is possible, I will transform into your species. I will become an elf."

Legolas coherently took in all Celeste said. Still he was not able to fully grasp it all. Hundred's of questions flooded his mind. She can change her shape to anything she wishes? What creature is her true form? Asleep at the bottom of the sea since the dawn of Middle Earth? How is all this possible? Confusion plagued his mind and was apparent on his face. He was not sure which questions to ask.

Celeste saw his mixed expression. She thought perhaps she was not clear enough in her explanation. It had been so long since she had the opportunity to speak with another soul that she took for granted her complexity. She took his hand in hers reveling in the feel of her small soft hand on top of his powerful hand. She smiled up at him as he returned the smile to her.

"Follow me," she said the words flowing softly from her lips.

"Where to?" His curiosity was apparent, yet at the same time he did not care. Anywhere she wanted to go he was more than happy to follow.



Her body began to sink into the water as she replied, "Down here."

Water engulfed her and then Legolas. Her hair floated above her head. The color was very light and pale. It was like no others hair he had seen before. It was white and brassy like that of a pearl. It shone brilliantly with only a few strands of silver shimmering throughout. Her hair was magnificent. The few silver strands beamed, reminding Legolas of the moon bright in the dark sky. The tips of her hair were pink. They were only a shade brighter than the pale pink that set off her lovely lips. She was truly a vision to behold. Legolas was almost certain that she had seduced him below the water to entrap him there. She was a water nymph intent on sealing his fate beneath the cold watery surface, and he cared not.

Celeste let her grasp of his hand go. She closed her eyes as her hand descended to her side. She began glowing. A silvery hue illuminated her very being. Legolas had to shield his hands over his eyes from the intense rays of light flowing around her. They were too powerful to conceal, and he was forced to close his eyes. He could still see the color of the rays seep in, and he feared that he would never see her beauty again. He secured his hands over his eyes to help block out the beams that spilt forth. Suddenly they began to fade. He removed his hands, and slowly opened his eyes to allow the slits to be visible. Content that the beams of light were gone he opened his eyes more. Celeste was still in front of him. Her eyes were still closed, but every beautiful detail about her was there and in plain sight. His eyes shifted to reveal her whole body, and in fact there was something that had changed.

Legolas paled at the sight of her. He was shocked beyond control. In fact he had forgotten about the pounding that surged in his lungs for air. Celeste's eyes opened revealing their delicate blue shade. Sensing Legolas's sudden neglect to his lungs she quickly reached for his arm, and dragged him to the surface of the water. He breathed the air in deeply, and then began to pant. His temperature seemed to have risen he thought.

He couldn't look at her. She had done it. She transformed from the prior creature, and changed into an elf. That was not the reason his eyes could not meet hers. It was what happened as she floated under the water in front of his view. She had sprouted long, creamy, luxurious legs. They were only momentarily hidden under the long silvery skirt. The water slowly and seductively began to raise her skirt allowing Legolas an eyeful. It floated up high exposing her sleek legs, then her round knees, and finally inch by painfully slow inch it worked its way to her thighs. Legolas knew he should recoil his eyes, but could not help it. But her eyes had opened, and she dragged him to the surface foiling any attempt to in vision the possibilities of what else lay hidden beneath her attire.

Celeste was unclear why Legolas refused to look at her. She spoke to him, "Do you wish that I return to my former self? Are you not pleased, Legolas?"

Legolas could have kicked himself for appearing so ignorant to her new state. The problem was he liked it too much. He had to will himself not to reach out and touch her delicate frame.

He shot her a smile trying not to think of her beautiful body underneath the water. He stated simply, "forgive me, Celeste, for I have had only the company of my friend the dwarf. If I act improper it is only because I have lacked the company of the fairer sex for quite some time." He hoped his revelation would subdue her for the time being, and she would not think ill of him.

"And I too ask for your forgiveness. I have not the pleasure of any company for quite sometime, and I find it quite refreshing to be in the presence of an elf wise in the ways of the world as you are." Celeste stated sincerely, although she thought that if she were going to choose a companion there would be no finer suitor than the one standing before her. He was an amazing sight to behold. He was tall, strong, and more handsome than any other creature Iluvatar had created. She wanted him desperately, but was afraid to reveal that side of her to him. She did not want to spoil her chances with this beautiful elf so she waited for a more appropriate time to announce her feelings. Especially since they were so strong, and so sudden. In the meantime she would befriend him, and see what took place from there.

Legolas picked up the rope. Only a section of it was wet and dripped sea water as he handed it to her. She took it in her hands and examined it, and then held it out in her hand for him.

Legolas smiled amusingly at her lack of knowledge of a rope. He gently took it from her and said, "This is a rope. You climb it. Watch and follow me."



Celeste nodded. She would watch what he did, and mimic him. Easy enough she thought.