Chapter 2

Her name was Elliana, a young girl burdened by the weight of the world, yet blessed with a voice that could lullaby even the stars. She was an orphan, her parents taken from her when darkness enveloped their lives. But in the midst of her sorrow, Elliana discovered a hidden gift: a pair of magnificent wings resplendent in their ethereal beauty. The wings grounted her the ability to fly, to soor above the troubles that plagued land of Serendia. However, the scares that marked her fragile heart were far more difficult to heal. To shield herself from the prying eyes of the world, Elliana drops herself in long, flowing garments, concealing both her wings and her face beneath her hood. It was during one of her nightly serenaded turns. A man approached her, a traveler lost in Serendia. Upon seeing her lovely face, his heart leapt with desire. " I have come to see your beautiful music…" he said, a hint of awe in his voice. Elliana replied, " My song may be beautiful and seductive, but if you seek my voice for yourself,you will find nothing but discordant notes." He laughed at the insult, replying, " My heart is open to any song, even if it is meant to break." Elliana stared at him with disdain. With a slight shake of her head, she spoke, "You speak of music with a passion that does not match your words, my dear stranger.

Perhaps it would be wise for us to part ways before you tire of our company." He responded with a laugh, " Oh, I am not tired of you. If anything, I am eager to know you more. I have traveled to many places but never met someone so fascinating as yourself. Your voice has enchanted me ever since I heard it last summer. How can someone who sounds so wonderful sound so sad?" Elliana frowned, "You are very sweet to ask such a question. But you must understand that I can not reveal myself just yet, nor will I ever show the light of day." He smiled warmly, " Then perhaps the best thing I can offer for the time being is your company. You needn't fear I will bore you with stories of adventures beyond my ken." His smile widened with delight as Elliana responded," You are most generous and kind, sir. But I fear my tale is a lonely one. It is a story of loss, heartache, and pain that I wish to keep silent and hidden until its rightful time." At this point, tears pricked at Elliana's eyes, " So, goodnight to you, sir," she whispered sadly, turning to go her separate ways."Wait! Please! Don't leave just yet!" Elliana turned to stare at her companion, her eyes filled with sadness. 'What is wrong with me? Why must I cry so easily?' she thought to herself, feeling ashamed for letting something as trifle as a few tears dampen her cheeks. Yet, she couldn't help it; it had been weeks since anyone visited her in the quiet of the night.