During the days that followed, Ariel grew to love Mirkwood and the elves that dwelt in it. She loved the stables best, and spent most of her time there, helping to groom and feed the horses.
But she kept her distance from Legolas, for every time she saw or got near him, her heart leapt and her pulse quickened considerably.
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It was a beautiful eventide. Ariel had just feasted with the elves and was listening to the elves singing. The music was lilting, accompanied by harps, and Ariel felt at peace. She started pondering over King Thranduil's words.
She had a twin sister. That explained why she felt something tugging at her soul, a strong bond found within twins only. Feeling the need to see the stars, she made her way outside to the gardens.
As she enjoyed the scent of the flowers, she gazed up into the night sky, there shone the twin stars of Undomiel and Evariel. Why had she not noticed them before? Both stars shine with radiance of their own, and they twinkled merrily at her.
"They are beautiful, are they not?" Came a familiar voice behind her. Ariel stood hastily, showing her irritation.
" Is this a habit elves have, to sneak up on a person when she seeks solace?" Ariel snapped. She was shocked by her outburst, but the mounting pressure of meeting her family had been too much for her she felt the need to take it out on someone. And the unfortunate person happened to be Legolas.
"My lord, I am dreadfully sorry, please forgive me." She hastily added.
"There is nothing to forgive, my Lady." He replied warmly.
"Thank you, and please, I am just Ariel."
"Then just call me Legolas."
They regarded each other for a full minute.
Ariel thought he was attractive, with the starlight on his brow, and she wondered how it would feel to run her hands on that broad back of his. And those blue-gray eyes beheld her as if they could look through her soul and see her innermost thoughts and feelings. She felt exposed, but did not mind it at all.
Legolas saw the starlight reflected in those silver eyes and thought her to be the loveliest maiden he ever saw. He had an overwhelming urge to touch those tresses of deep gold hair. Will they feel like silk? Her thoughts mirrored in her eyes, but try as he may, he could not read what she was thinking.
"We leave for Imladris on the morrow, I hope you are prepared for some hard riding."
"Indeed I am. " Ariel thought of all the times she spent riding in the other world. Her favorite mare was Phil, she was a speckled gray horse and could outrun any ordinary horse. Ariel regretted leaving Phil behind.
"Are you sure?" He asked unbelievably when Ariel told him she was skilled with both bow and sword.
"You do not believe?" Ariel smiled, and thought, 'ah, another male's pride that I am going to wound terribly.'
"Come." He led her to a clearing where the elves practiced their archery. Ariel saw targets lined up at the far end. Though it was dark, her elven sight enabled her to see well in the moonlight. Why, they were so easy to aim for that Ariel nearly cried out in disbelief. Then she had an idea, which would allow her to flaunt her skill.
A sharp twang sounded and her arrow landed exactly on the thin line dividing the middle target and the outer circle.
Legolas smirked, pleased that what she said earlier was merely a boast, and was about to gloat.
"See, you—" Ariel's hand went up to silence him as she aimed again. Brow furrowed in concentration, she loosened her bow and the second arrow found its way to the thin line again, this time an inch away from the first arrow.
Soon she completed a circle of arrows, and all were exactly on the hair thin line, Ariel noted with smug satisfaction as she told Legolas so.
The look on Legolas' face was priceless. Ariel burst out laughing. It sounded like the twinkling of many bells, and was music to his ears. Soon, he too joined in.
"Forgive me, Ariel, for not believing you earlier, not many maidens have acquired the skill, and even Arwen, your twin prefers the sword."
At the mention of her sister, it reminded her of her family, and Ariel grew quiet. She did not know what was expected of her and what to expect of them.
Legolas sensed the change, and inquired concernedly, "What is wrong?"
Ariel poured out her heart to him then and there, and after that she felt as if a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders, it felt wonderful to be relieved of it now she had told someone.
"You have naught to fear," Legolas replied. "Lord Elrond is a loving father, I do not doubt he would accept you immediately and has missed you terribly and his sons, that is, your brothers Elladan and Elrohir, I have journeyed with them before and they would certainly find joy in their supposedly dead sister. When I think of how many centuries they spent pursuing those orcs in revenge for your mother and you, my heart goes out to them, and sometimes I join them in their pursuit, that is, if my father allows." A bitter note crept into his voice, but it cleared quickly. "As for Arwen, look! That should be proof enough that the sisterly bond and love is strong between both of you."
Sure enough, the stars of Undomiel and Celebriel twinkled as if in response to confirm what Legolas said. He touched her arm in friendliness.
His touch on her skin burned her and left a tingling sensation, his explanation had rendered her speechless.