Gavin's eyes widened as soon as Elentir had finished. The elf waited patiently for a reaction from his friend, eyes fallen and visage reflecting a broken spirit. "She…she said all of that?" Elentir nodded gravely, rubbing his brow.
"What am I going to do?"
"Elentir, I…I'm sorry to say I saw that coming." Elentir glanced up, not relieved.
"Did she tell you that she…she felt that way?" Gavin shook his head and pulled his blanket closer about him. The two sat on the unfolded couch; Gavin knew something was wrong when Elentir wasn't amazed at how it seemed to disappear so compactly. "How did you know?"
"I can just tell, lad," Gavin replied with a smile. "But what I don't understand is why didn't you tell her the same thing back? Anne's a wonderful girl and I think you were shocked to turn her down!" Elentir shook his head quickly, sighing.
"No one understands…no one." He suddenly lifted to his feet, pacing. Gavin watched him move so abruptly and scowled.
"Elly, if you tried to explain…"
"But I cannot!" Elentir intruded, spinning to face Gavin dramatically. "I cannot explain to you, Gavin, because you are not of my kind!" In angst and confusion, he rolled his eyes to the ceiling, desperation taking his words. "I…Gavin…where I come from…"
"What's the matter with Anne?" Gavin argued, accent growing thicker as his voice raised. "Just because she's not like you, Elentir, you won't even consider her?" Elentir dropped back onto the bed and buried his elegant features in his trembling hands.
"It would be a lie," he uttered. "It would be a lie to say I loved her." Gavin held his dear friend's shoulder, not sure of what to say. "Gavin, I wish I could tell you everything and you would take it…with sugar." Gavin smiled a bit, barely making out Elentir's muffled voice. "Oh, my stars…only you can know how hard it is to travel far from home and have no one to support you. There's no one here waiting with a home and a job, no sense of security…"
"Aye, I know."
"I just don't think I belong here," Elentir said more clearly, lifting his chin to his palm. "I know I don't belong here! My home is with the trees, the valley…the sky so large you could see every star…" Gavin sighed gracefully, nodding.
"Sounds like a bonnie haven." Elentir nodded also. "Lookie here, mate, first class postal." Gavin produced a beautifully scribed letter that he had been saving since the early afternoon. Elentir's face lit as he opened it.
"From home," he announced. "Dear Elentir…Lin says hello and wishes you a happy Neverwinter Festival." He paused; he had completely forgotten about the annual festivities back home. "She thanks you for the ring and all of her friends think it's marvelous. We're so proud that you are doing so well in the big city. Your home sounds charming and so do your friends." Gavin blushed. "Your father tells all his friends he has a son overseas giving Elves a good name. I have a surprise for you…" Elentir's voice trailed as he began to read ahead. Suddenly, his eyes exploded with such color that Gavin leapt and excitedly gasped.
"What? What's the surprise!"
"Legolas is coming to visit! Legolas is coming!" Elentir once again found his feet and began to stumble elatedly. He threw the letter in the air and burst into a graceful leap. Gavin laughed, catching the falling leaf.
"Calm down, Elly, you'll wake the neighbors!"
"Yallume, estela!" Gavin tried to read the letter, but as always, it was in those strange markings. "Oh, Gavin, this is wonderful!" The guest chuckled, falling back onto the armrest.
"My, Elentir, it's as if you found the medallion all over again." Shock filled his expression.
"Oh no…the necklace…it's at Anne's…" He blinked rapidly and pulled the sadness from his thought. "Nevermind, I'll get it later! Finally, Legolas is coming to see me! Gavin, he's my closest friend and I know you'll think he's hilarious."
"When is he coming?" Gavin asked hopefully.
"Oh, it could be anytime…getting from the woods to here isn't easy, but if anyone can do it Legolas can!" he laughed. Elentir began to mumble in that strange tongue he knew so well, adjusting the bow next to Gavin's guitar and often laughing at his own prayers. "He's finally going to have that adventure he's been begging for!" Gavin recognized. "Oh, I can't wait until he comes! Finally, a friendly face…someone other than edanae!" Gavin blinked, his smile fading. If Elentir had listened to what he was saying in the middle of such joy and mad preparation, he might have realized how awful it sounded. He might have also remembered that he had taught Gavin a few things from home, one of which being the word for the often downcast human. He was, however, blinded by passion, and did not even notice how quickly Gavin slinked to sleep. "Goodnight, then," he bid to his distraught friend, who's hurt soul listened clearly under the pulled blanket.