Elentir sold the used television he had purchased at an upstanding pawn shop exactly three hours after he had bought it. His head was still ringing from the noise it produced, and he craved the outdoors to clear his thoughts. He had recently discovered a boarded staircase leading to the top of the old building barely covering his head. He was able to watch the sunset with no one knowing, and when it was too dark to see, he could easily find his way home. Under a full moon, he was moved to finally write his anxious friends at home.

Dear Mother, Father, and Lin

I'm sorry I have not been able to write you, but work is strenuous and must take most of my time or I will be discharged.

He stopped, looked at what he wrote, and used the most amazing invention he had discovered at the office three days before, the funny little pink eraser that allowed him to make mistakes.

I'm sorry I have not been able to write you, but I have made fast friends here and I am awfully busy.

He smiled and continued.

I live in an apartment building named East Street Quarters. It's a bit small from my room back home, but I've already made it my own. I keep my bow resting by the door like you told me to, Father, and it really has brought good luck. Legolas sent me leaves from Lorien that I keep in a jar by my bed. Their fragrance fills the house. I work at a company owned by a man named Mr. Wilson. He didn't like me at all at first, but now we are business-level friends. Everything here is based on business. I believe you would like it for your worth ethic, Father. At lunch, I go to a bakery that makes rolls. It does not match your cooking, Mum! One of my new friends, Gavin, tried your roll and said it was the best he's ever tasted. Gavin plays the guitar and sometimes I sing with him. He lives in the park, I think, which is not rare here in the city. People live with no houses, and sometimes, this worries me. I work with a very nice girl named Anne. She reminds me of you, Lin-Lin, because she is always smiling. She and I sometimes visit Gavin at lunch. Lin, I am sending you a ring made in the city. It's called a Mood Ring, and it will change colors on your finger. Please tell Legolas they teach archery in the city too. Tell him I watched a lesson and nearly laughed; the humans here cannot shoot an apple from a horse's head. When he decides to visit, we will show them how it is really done. I love you all and wish you were here to visit me. I hope Lin's schooling is going well.

Love, Elentir.

He smiled once more, glad with what he had written. Carefully, he folded the letter and began to address it. Suddenly, he was hit with what he had just written. The page was covered in random English words. At first, he began to laugh, seeing the word lunch among the lofty Elven characters, the letters forming teach so close to Legolas, one of the prettiest names in the language. A cold chill came over him. Was he leaving his roots? He quickly tucked the letter away, knowing he would have to rewrite it. A bit worried for his own self, he wished he was able to talk someone who might understand. He slowly gathered his things and retreated to his room. His dreams could comfort him, as always.

On the other side of town, another lonely soul tried to straight herself out. The day in the park was indeed days ago, but Anne couldn't shake that one single moment from her thoughts. She sat in her favorite chair, enjoying the view from her simple loft. The cup of soup in her hand was warm but not comforting. Each time she tried to close her eyes, she imagined the friendly sunlight spilled across the park lawn, Gavin's guitar humming no particular melody, and Elentir, smiling with such vibrant life she had never seen anywhere else. It was like a good movie, or a special kiss—it had lingered in her memory for hours on end. It was with the annoyance of a never-ending song, but as sweetly real as her dinner in her mug. The telephone rang. On an impulse, she snatched it, but immediately sighed at how incredibly silly she was acting. Was she a well-mannered young woman, or a love-sick teenager? Calmly, she answered it, completely not expecting it to be Elentir. "Hello?"

"Hey, girl, what's up?"

"Oh, hi Jen. Haven't talk to you in a while." Anne sipped her soup, a bit dazed.

"I knew I should have called. Do you really think I don't know something's wrong?"

"Jen…" Anne moaned.

"Tell me everything and if you don't, I'm coming over!"

"You live in Manhattan!"

"I'll make it!" Anne laughed, shaking her head.

"Don't book any plane tickets. You and your sister instincts…"

"Spill it." Anne sighed.

"There's…this guy." Immediately, Jen began to tease her younger sibling.

"Oh! A guy? Little Annie has a boyfriend?"

"Do you want to hear it or not?"

"Sorry. Continue."

"He's really nice and caring. I know him through work…and we've been spending a lot of time together, just casually of course. Well, I don't know if I really like him, you know? It could just be that he's…exotic or just different from any other guy I've met…"

"That's not the reason," Jen flatly replied. Anne rolled her eyes. Her sister knew everything.

"You're right. He's incredibly handsome and he has the most amazing laugh. I can't get it out of my head." Jen giggled on the other line, sighing happily.

"Sounds like a real catch, but if you don't know him that well, don't ruin anything by rushing your relationship." Relationship? When Jen said it, the idea of a 'relationship' with Elentir was beyond odd. Anne scowled a bit, setting her thoughts straight.

"I believe you. I…I don't think he's for me. I've just met the guy, I don't even know where he's from." Jen laughed, and Anne had to do the same. "Thanks for your help…boy, I sure am glad I didn't do anything I surely would regret."