Chapter Eleven

As we walked down to the river I noticed there was a giant waterfall, the water was a deep bluish-green, as the sound of the falls rushing into the river like loud rain, the trees around seemed to have the most beautiful colour green leaves I have ever seen. As well as all the things that belonged to wildlife.

　　Ariel began getting undressed without warning and I awkwardly looked away. She slowly made it into the water as she tested the coolness of it. Ariel let out a vocal sigh as she laid her head back, the water enveloping her body, and the blood flowed with the water as well.

The moonlight from above luminated her pale skin and darkened her black hair.

She looked just like a painting.

　　I sat down with my back still towards her as she laid in the ever-flowing water.

　　"I'm not sure what happened, but if you need to talk I'm here," I said softly watching the clouds bleed in the dark sky. 

　　I closed my eye's as the breeze touched my face ever so softly, the sound of deep sobbing came from behind me then gurgling and then nothing; worried I turned around and shes underwater I quickly ran into the water and pulled her up into me and held her as she just stood in my arms.

　　Suddenly her tears stopped and she just went numb, just stood in my arms with her head against my chest and the spark in her eyes was gone. That's when Ariel looked up at me, her ice blue eye's looking into mine.

I may not remember her from before, but her domineering yet caring personality would be enough for anyone to fall in love with her.

I don’t know what made me run to her like this, my feet moved on their own, realizing that I stood rigid,  the softness of her skin under the tips of my fingers enticed me, I swallowed harshly and cleared my throat.

“Are you alright?” I breathed out the question, and the right thing to do circled through my head like a fading ghost, I looked down at her face for just a moment to noticed the tears in her Ice blue eyes, It would be enough that even an angel would cry.

A rining filled my ears, I tried to blink through the pain but I couldn’t see it was like being pushed back into your own head but not being able too see your surroundings. 

I could feel my body moving and hear my own voice but it wasn’t me that was speaking.

I began to feel panic rip through I tried to claw and fight back up to the surface.

Then when I finally could see again, and everything didn’t sound like it was under water, I now relize my hands were holding her face to mine, our lips were in a passionate kiss.

I pushed her back into the water and I stood there stunned my hand touching where her lips just been.

“What the hell Luke?” Ariel asked loudly.

“I…” I couldn’t get the words out my tongue felt like cement.

She stood up out of the water and quickly went to get dressed but as she passed me I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to me again. 

As confused as I am I didn’t want her to leave, she beared witness to so much already, and I don’t think I can do all this with out her.

“Let go of me Lucas.” She demanded, but against her wishes I wrapped my arms tightly around her face.

Beads of water trickled down from her black as abyss hair. “Ariel, don’t go, I can’t do all this without you and I still don’t remember much but you do know me, and maybe I can learn more about all this.

She sighed and looked back up at me. “I’m not leaving, but I am really confused why you kissed me.”

I have to make up a lie, I don’t want her to think I’m catching the madness myself. “You are so beautiful, the moon made you look lumineering, I couldn’t stop myself.” Ariel blushed.

“Right, we should head back to camp.” she says getting out of my grasp.

We both got out of the water and quickly got dressed then walked back to where Merlin awaited us.

He had a fire going and he sat on a small boulder, we were placed on a small hill, we both sat down next to him as the fie spat hot sparks up into the dark sky.

Ariel laid out on the grass by the fire, she sighed looking up at the stars.

　　"We haven't done this in years," She reminisced.

　　"What, look at the stars?" Merlin asked confused.

　　"No, to actually enjoy them," Ariel answered as her eyelids became heavy and drifted off to sleep.

　　"It has been a long week for all of us," Merlin spoke looking over at a sleeping Ariel.

　　"It really has been," I agreed with a yawn.

　　"I'm glad Ariel's back safe with us," I said while looking over at where Ariel now slept watching as the glow of the fire danced across her face. 

　　"As am I, Lucas the whole endeavour must have been quite the ordeal for her. Which is why I must ask something of you."Merlin said somberly.

　　"What is it?" I asked being snapped out of my trance. 

　　"I sense a deep sadness in her. I am not at liberty to discuss why, but I need you to watch over her. Will you do this for me, Lucas?" Merlin's face became serious.

　　"Umm, Sure..." I said looking away turning red.

　　"Thank you, Lucas," Merlin said sighing. 

　　"It is a relief to see she has taken a liking to you." Merlin breathed loudly.

　　 "I agree," I said softly sighing under my breath.

　　"Did you say something boy?" Merlin asked looking up while putting more kindling in the fire.

　　"No. It was just, a sigh. Anyway, I'm going to go find more firewood" I said quickly jumping ship.

“Be careful of Treants, they are more active at night.” Merlin called out.

“Right.” I replied.