Anne knocked on Elentir's door the next day thirty minutes before lunch. She seemed nervous, which worried the young Elf. "Elentir?" she squealed, slipping into his small office. "Elentir, I have something to say to you." He stopped typing and attentively listened.

"Is something wrong?"

"No," she replied. "I must apologize." A small but satisfied smirk came over his features. "I just spoke with Mr. Wilson."

"Mr. Wilson?" She stopped, recollecting her thoughts.

"I'm sorry for not listening to you yesterday at lunch. Mr. Wilson explained to me…"

"My ears?" Elentir continued the grin yet to fade. He could tell he was making Anne more uncomfortable.

"Well…"

"Or my hair. Perhaps my name?"

"Elentir!" Anne intruded, laughing even more timidly. "Please."

"I'm sorry," he replied, laughing. "And I accept. I know I'm different, but it's all right." Anne looked at him skeptically, but glad he was so forgiving.

"You're in a great mood," she commented, sitting in the chair across from his that was never used.

"I received another letter from home," he explained, pulling it from his desk drawer. "It's from my sister." He began to hand it to her, but realized it was written in Elven, as usual. "Here, I'll read it to you." She smiled. "It says Elentir, how is life in your new home? Father misses you but can't stop saying you'll come home soon enough. Sullina…she's Elenlindiel's best friend."

"Elen…lin...diel?" Anne stuttered. "You say it better than I do."

"We call her Lin for short," Elentir corrected. "Sullina bought a new horse and Lin got to ride it—I taught her how to ride last summer." Anne nodded, perfectly intrigued at how excited Elentir was to hear from home, where ever it was. "Mum says she's sending more bread. Anne, you have to try it. It's better than anything you'll ever eat. Oh, this is about her boyfriend, Meneluin…I believe I'll have to skip that." Anne nodded, smiling wider. "Ah! Legolas!"

"That sounds pretty," Anne said while glancing at the envelope the letter had arrived in. "Who is that?"

"My best friend," Elentir laughed. "She says he's telling all sorts of stories about adventures I'm having. None of its true!"

"I would say every day here in this crazy place is an adventure," Anne sighed. Elentir shook his head, playfully looking over the paper to her comic expression.

"It is a different kind." Suddenly, they were interrupted by the usual rush through the hall. Anne read the clock and gasped.

"It's already time for lunch. Are you going to the bakery again, Elentir?" He shook his head and stood, gathering two sacks.

"I think I'll go to the park instead. I happen to know someone who would deeply appreciate a nice lunch." Anne half-smiled.

"All right. See you later." Elentir followed her out, but headed for his same bench. He was looking forward to the hour.

"Well, hello!" Gavin greeted happily. "I do remember this face!" Elentir smiled, abandoning the bench and taking a seat next to the musician under the tree. "What brings you this way?"

"Lunch," Elentir answered, passing him the second paper sack. "You have to take a bite of it all, because it is all from home." Gavin's charming face lit with a new found joy as he slowly opened the bag. He smiled from ear to ear as he discovered each item.

"What is this? It looks positively wonderful…"

"Tastes better than it looks," Elentir joked, already eating his own roll. Gavin nibbled a bit and his eyes doubled in size.

"Jiminy Christmas, man! You're right! This is unbelievable!" Elentir chuckled, pointing to another homemade Elven delight.

"That's better." Gavin soon agreed. The hour would pass too quickly, and Elentir promised he would stop by again after work. Gavin thanked him too many times, for all Elentir gladly took in return was the elation in his heart he so longed to feel so far from home. Anne was right; there were great adventures in this new land, and although his friends might have not understood right away, Elentir knew he would fit in soon enough.