Elentir had never been to Anne's house before, but he had looked up the address and followed directions carefully. Immediately, he began to notice the differences between his own residence and the classy, well-to-do apartment building of Whispering Stars. The floor leading to each of the doors was carpeted, and the windows were clear and bright. Elentir had nearly died the first night without shining windows. He was a creature of the son, and always would be. With excited reluctance, he knocked on room number seven. Anne answered and was startled to see handsome Elentir, bright and gracious, waiting.
How many times in my foolishness did I wish this would happen, she thought to herself sarcastically before smiling. "Elentir, what brings you here?"
"I wanted to see if you were all right. Ms. Kotter said you had left early." That is so sweet! No, Anne, don't start. Anne opened the door wider, glad she had decided to change into jeans and a sweatshirt instead of her pajamas, and invited him in. Elentir looked about her contemporary and strange home, seeing simply bizarre items hanging from the walls and sitting on clunky desks.
"That's sweet," Anne sighed, dropping onto her random red couch. "And I hate to disappoint you. I just felt a little ill, that's all." Elentir smiled shyly and slowly sat on an oddly shaped chair.
"But you're all right?" Anne nodded slowly, not seeing the urgency of casual conversation. "Wonderful, because I've discovered something amazing!" She smiled, picking up her half-empty mug full of soup. Elentir was digging madly in his jacket.
"Did you get a new eraser?" Anne giggled. Elentir shot her a sarcastic glance before returning to his search. Finally, he found his special prize.
"Look…" He handed it to her with extreme delicacy. Anne noticed the care and look at him, confused.
"What is it?"
"A medallion…from my home," Elentir explained quietly. "I found it in the bakery and think it might belong to one of my people."
"Someone from your home?" Anne repeated. "That is wonderful." Elentir smiled wider, practically giddy. Much to Anne's surprise (and secretly denied delight) he leapt to the open seat next to her.
"What are the chances of something so rare being left in the city? I…I really think someone from home left it."
"And where is home," Anne wondered aloud while running her hands over the intricate inscription. "I've never seen lettering like this." Elentir slowly reached out to take the necklace, as if her questioning would somehow mar it.
"I…I don't think you'd know it."
"Well, Elentir, you've never told me the name," she replied, grinning a bit. "In fact, in all this time I've known you and Gavin, we've never really talked about where you're from."
"Well…I…"
"Once we get Gavin started about Scotland he won't shut up, now I know you miss this magical place you come from, so what is it?" Elentir, practically chewing through his lip, relaxed and drew a deep breath.
"Neverwinter." Anne looked at the charm, and then back to him.
"That sounds pretty…is it in England?" Elentir shrugged, standing awkwardly.
"I…uh…guess so."
"You guess so?" Anne chuckled. "You are some character." She stood too, reaching for the necklace again. "What does that say?"
"It's Egyptian." He turned.
"I studied Eastern archeology in college, Elly, it's not Egyptian." She tried for it again.
"All right, my mistake, it's…"
"Elentir!" Anne laughed, pulling on his arm gently. "What's the problem?" He forced a smile, shrugging and palming the silver treasure.
"It's ancient writing! Not even the elders back home know what it means." She carefully unfolded his fingers and pulled out the piece.
"I knew I've seen this before…it's from your letter!" Anne gasped.
"My…letter?"
"Don't you remember when we first met?" Elentir smiled and nodded proudly.
"Of course." It was his pure blood and exquisite heart that fooled her mortal senses once more, a problem that Elentir had not addressed before. However, another more important problem had presented itself.
"You recognize it now?" He sighed deeply and nodded.
"It says…" Anne waited patiently. "It says: Vaminithil sila tiri / Ten'oio harnron vanwa i'ilmen/ Coia a'Sehanine ar'hinira / Lakilea a'Ithil'quessir." The words he knew so well and so painfully denied left a honeyed dew upon his tongue. It was a taste he hoped would linger.
"That's so pretty," she sighed. "What does it mean?"
"The beauty of the moon shines bright. Forever they will rule over the skies. Forever life to Sehanine and her children. Victory…" He paused, not because he could not read the corroding characters but because it would be the first confession he had ever made in the new country, the city. "Victory to the Moon Elves." Anne's eyes widened. A breath of relief left Elentir's golden throat.
"Where is this from?" she asked again, dark brown optics narrowing.
"Neverwinter Woods," Elentir repeated, gazing back to her with a newfound confidence in his heritage. "I am from Neverwinter Woods, home of the Moon Elves."