Elyana hurried through Lunacrest's shadowed streets, clutching a sealed scroll that her father had entrusted her to deliver to Elder Arwyn. Her heart fluttered with a mix of duty and curiosity. The council's meeting was a matter of great importance, talked about in hushed tones throughout Lunacrest. As she neared the hall, the weight of her family's expectations pressed upon her.
Elyana reached the grand hall, her intention being to slip in unnoticed and deliver the message. However, fate had other plans. As she pushed open the door, she was met with a sudden quietness, with the council members turning to face her. Their eyes, sharp and questioning, made her heart race.
Startled, Elyana stumbled. The scroll slipped from her hands and rolled across the polished floor. All eyes followed its path, and tension filled the room.
Elder Arwyn, recognizing the young elf, approached with a stern expression. "Elyana, what brings you here at such an hour?" he asked, his tone a mix of concern and reprimand.
Trembling, Elyana nervously picked up the scroll and handed it to him. "A message from my father," she whispered, barely audible.
As Lord Arwyn's eyes moved across the document, his brow furrowed deeper with each passing line, the muscles in his jaw tightening subtly. "Elyana, you seem troubled beyond the weight of a simple message. There's more, isn't there?" He pressed, sensing her unease.
Elyana hesitated, glancing around the room filled with the Moonlit Kingdoms' leaders. Suddenly, she recalled her newborn sister, cradled in moonlight, the distinct crescent moon birthmark visible on her tiny hand.
Elyana took a deep breath, her throat dry, before the words spilled out of her mouth in a hurried jumble. She closed her eyes for a moment, then blurted out, "My sister... she was born under the last full moon. And she has a mark—a crescent moon—on her hand." Her words tumbled out, almost tripping over each other in their urgency.
"A crescent moon birthmark, you say?" he asked gently. "How did you come to know of its significance, child?"
Elyana's eyes darted around, panicking. Her gaze flickered around the room, her chest tightening and breath growing shallow, a cold sweat forming on her brow. "I... I accidentally overheard your conversation," she stammered, her fear evident. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help it. I was scared, and now... I don't know what to think."
Lord Caedmon, his face lined with concern, stepped forward. "Elyana, we need to understand the gravity of your words. Why did you mention your sister now, of all times?"
She looked down, twisting her fingers. "It felt important. With everyone talking about the prophecy, I couldn't ignore it anymore. But I don't fully understand. Please tell me, what does it mean?"
Elder Arwyn exchanged a look with the other leaders, then kneeled down to meet Elyana's gaze. "It means, dear one, that your sister may be at the center of a prophecy that speaks of great change for our world. We must see this mark for ourselves."
Elyana nodded, a mix of relief and dread flooding her. "She's at home. I can take you to her."
Arwyn stood, his expression grave. "Lead the way, Elyana. The future of Arcanthia may depend on it."
He turned to the assembled leaders. "I will go to Elyana's residence to verify her claim. We will reconvene here upon my return to decide our course of action."
As the leaders dispersed, Elder Arwyn moved hastely through the moonstoned paths of Lunacrest, heading towards the residence of Elyana's family.
The night was deep, and the stars overhead twinkled with secrets of their own.Elder Arwyn moved swiftly through the moonstoned paths, the weight of Elyana's urgent message heavy on his mind.
Lord Arwyn arrived at the Tharvyn manor, its spires looming like silent sentinels under the moonlight. The air around the manor felt charged, as if the prophecy itself had cast a spell over the place.
Círdan Tharvyn, with a blend of worry and determination on his face, opened the door before Lord Arwyn could knock. "Elder Arwyn, you received my message," he said, urgency clear in his voice.
"I did," Arwyn replied, his tone matching the gravity of the situation. "You mentioned a crescent moon birthmark. I need to see it."
Círdan nodded, leading Arwyn inside. "Yes, my youngest daughter. I feared the prophecy might be upon us."
They moved quickly through the manor, their footsteps echoing in the silent halls. "The message mentioned the prophecy," Arwyn said, glancing at Círdan. "Why did you not investigate it yourself?"
"I needed your expertise, Lord Arwyn," Círdan responded, his eyes reflecting his inner turmoil. "This prophecy... It could change everything. I needed another set of eyes to ensure we handle this correctly."
Entering the nursery, the room bathed in silver moonlight, they approached the crib. The infant slept peacefully, unaware of the destiny that loomed over her. Arwyn leaned in, his breath catching as he saw the crescent moon birthmark on her tiny hand.
Elder Arwyn approached the crib, his heart heavy with the burden of knowing. As he gazed upon the child, he saw it—the crescent moon birthmark, clear as the night sky, on her tiny hand.
"So, it is true," Arwyn whispered, a mix of awe and dread in his voice. He turned to Círdan, who was watching anxiously. "This changes everything."
Círdan's jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed with determination, his posture straightening as if steeling himself for what lay ahead. "What do we do now?"
Elder Arwyn's breath hitched as he stared at the tiny hand, the mark confirming his deepest fears. His mind raced, connecting threads of prophecy and the present.
"We must act swiftly," Lord Arwyn replied, his voice firm. "The council must be informed. We need to ensure her safety and prepare for what comes next."
He turned away, his thoughts clouded with the weight of what lay ahead.
Outside, the moon cast a ghostly glow over Lunacrest, cloaking the night in mystery and anticipation. In the stillness, a cruel thought occurred to him: one that would alter the course of Starhaven and Earth alike. What will morning bring to this family?