Chapter 1

She was wandering in the forest. Meaninglessly as she had already gathered all the assorted vegetables and herbs that she originally set out for earlier in the day. Now she was reuniting herself with the new forest, as elves liked to do. Feeling the breeze comb her hair and absorbing the peaceful healing atmosphere that permeated this part of the wood. As she sat down between the roots of a large tree contemplating how long she could tarry in this serene part of the wood before some her father's company came looking for her, and the seasoning to their dinner. The restocking herbs for their healing kits and the cleansing sage for washing. She figured that she should probably rise immediately as it was nearing dusk and make her way back to the company, but for some reason she couldn't find the will to. The colors of the brisk afternoon swam as her eyelids slowly closed over peaceful eyes. Basket and task forgotten, she slipped into peaceful slumber.

Legolas landed silently on the soft grass and made his way over to where the maiden slept, careful not to make the slightest sound as it might break his hold over her and wake her. His bow and quiver were fixed to his back but the limbs were high enough here that he did not have to duck more than a little to prevent collision of the two. Slowly he knelt by her side, examining her as much as was permitted by the dark green traveling cloak that she wore, he didn't dare test the spell by altering it in any way. Deep brown hair with the richness of mahogany spilled down her back in lush waves to curl gently at her mid back. He hadn't seen her eyes for long but he knew them to be a soft emerald, a green deeper than the royal emerald that graced the crown. She had been traveling with a foreign party of elves that were passing through the wood. A rather well armed party of elves, even for the perils that waited in the dark of the forest they seemed prepared to fight worse and were so equipped. Currently scouts from his city followed and watched them from the safe havens of the trees. It was a skill all other elves had yet to master. Travelling by limb, passing like shadows across the land so silent and unnoticed it was. All other elves envied this one skill and were intent upon learning it, they guarded the technique with great care. His hand wandered down to gently stroke a stray lock of hair, it felt like silk beneath his fingers.

Elves loved only once, and fate decided their love far in advance of their coming. Elves spent their whole lives searching for their fated lovers. The feeling that announced one as their other half was described as a total tranquility. Such a feeling of serene contentment that death at that moment would be acceptable. He had been enveloped by such a feeling upon laying eyes upon her. Euphoria.

Her eyes flickered in frustration. Without doubt, she was fighting the slight trance that he had impressed upon her. He strengthened the spell slightly, settling an aura of peace and calamity around her. The expression slipped back into contentment.

It was the men that sensed the link strongest. The connection between the two souls because it was they who needed the other half more direly. The lady elves had the men for protection and security, the women were for comfort, easing of the soul. A lady grew up protected by the men of her house but the men had none to confide in until they found their counterpart. Mostly when one found his lady, it was accepted by all immediately. There was no such thing as adultery for none could ever hold the appeal that one's partner did. Such announcements were automatically taken as truth, for such declarations were as solid as if set in stone. None would even consider lying about such a thing. However.

Although such a tradition was taken as law in the north, elves from the southern, warmer lands did not hold such nature in to full acceptance. They believed in pairings, there was no question of that. Nevertheless, they did not accept the ploy that the elves of the north could claim that any lady elf was theirs by divine decree. Such acts as betrothal and union by the judgment of other than the lady herself was common place. Although some managed to wed their true beloved through careful manipulation, in the south, the hand of a lady was manacled, and the lead controlled by her father.

It was a barbaric code to live by. By the slight golden hue in her skin, he could tell she was not of the north woods. She was not betrothed to a northern elf, betrothals were considered barbaric and heartless, but if she was not already taken, then his people would support him. Weather she became his passively or not all depended on her guardian. He kissed her once, softly, and then removed his spell as he disappeared into the foliage.