Disclaimer: The LOTR trilogy belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien while Darcy Lewis character is owned by Marvel. I am not profiting in any way by writing this two-shot besides having immense amounts of fun while doing so.
Every man regardless of stature and importance, be that a humble swineherd or prominent advisor knows the Firstborns are much different from the mortal race. It's an ingrained awareness born of limited experience and understood in a vague sort of way. Not dissimilar to the manner in which humans comprehend the world. The certainty of the sunrises in the east and sunsets in the west unquestionable and yet the details and mechanics fuzzy at best.
The differences in the lifespans, characteristics and abilities joined together with unique and defined culture that pronounced certain aspects of elves lives too private to discuss openly only widened the gap and increased the misconceptions.
Needless to say it is not surprising that the world at large knows little about their childhood that is as blissful as it is short coming to an end sometime around 50th year when puberty commences and lasts another half century after which they emerge fully grown.
Mating customs are even more mysterious, obscure - the only surety in the fact the monogamy is practiced and adultery is unthinkable even though elves marry early in life.
Of the process in which the perfect match is chosen the world knows nothing. It is not a practice that can be learned or set of rules and guidelines that can be copied. It is a mystical gift the Valar granted to their first children, one that brought great happiness for every elf is either born with a soul bond or marked with it later in life.
It was a guaranteed occurrence, a sure thing as proven in elves' numerous discussions, studies and essays but there were days when Legolas doubted it will ever happen to him.
As a child he was not worried about the lack of a handwritten line, the first sentence that his destined will say to him when they finally meet. It was not uncommon to get it in the late childhood or early adolescence as soulmates tends to be close in age but not too close considering how rare elven youngsters are. As the years passed and the number of friends that did not have text etched on their skin dwindled, a slight tension found its way into his spirit transforming in time to uneasiness and later, when he was the only one without a fated match, flat out worry.
He could see it sometimes in his father's eyes as well. His brows furrowed as he followed him with his heavy stare pondering the consequences of the situation.
He was aware that throughout elven history there were examples of late matches but these happened in ancient times and tended to reshape the world. Lúthien who recognised her mortal lover when he called her Tinúviel is the most prominent and well-known example. The only other one known to him is Idril. Both married men.
Sometimes he wonders if his father would prefer if he did not have a match at all rather than having a mortal one. Falling for a woman leads to a quick death in grief and an eternity in the undying lands without the other half of the soul. It is glorious when it lasts but painful when it ends.
Well, that is a moot point now. He touched the curly and somewhat messy writing that started at his side and disappeared somewhere on his back ribs. Funny, he always imagined that if it ever appears he will immediately know notified by some inner hunch or gut feeling or searing pain similar to the one humans feel when they tattoo themselves. Nothing of the sort happened.
He was running for days through the forest aiming to cross Anduin in Carrock while on his way to Rivendell via the High Pass. Time was crucial as he was tasked with informing Gandalf and Elrond of Gollum's escape. The foul creature scurried away hidden by darkness, in the chaos and panic created by the Orks' and spiders' attacks. It did not look good. These were carefully prepared skirmishes. Planned actions suggested a leader. Leader suggested agenda? Driven by worry he did not stop until he had to.
During one of such stops he took off his tunic to brush away the accumulated grime for the first time spying the long awaited mark.
To have a mirror to decipher the script, to learn what she will speak... Legolas wished, the initial surprise giving way to curiosity. What kind of person is she to write upside down? He wondered as it was proven that the placement, the style, the handwriting said as much about the author as the text itself. The letters looked a bit uncertain as is she knew how they looked like but wasn't confident in penning them yet. Does her family not believe in educating women? Did she have to learn in secret?
Eyes shining and appearance flushed he donned the clothes, his journey fuelled by the excitement and elation coursing in his veins*
* During the war of the one ring it is remarked that Legolas is the lightest of heart of all of the fellowship members. Clearly he is part of the race that is well predisposed to this kind of attitude but I thought it a good idea to give him a real reason to be merry.
A/N - this was tormenting me for 2 weeks now! I hope that with this finished it will let go of me as I was thinking about this pairing and story while going to and coming from work, cooking, cleaning and sleeping.