(Requested)

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Coughing, I gasped as a small, hoarse groan came out of the pit of my lungs. I quickly took a drink of water from my flask and started to calm down again. Panic was never good mixed with fear. It's been a few years since I'd last seen the Moonshadow grove -- often times, I wondered how everyone was doing. I finally passed by the tree that I'd seen so many years before. I climbed it, wondering if I'd forgotten the incantation, since I'd been away for such a long time.

Pausing, a hand reached for the middle of my neck, pinpointing my voice box. I winced as my fingers glazed over the sickening white bandage that wrapped around it, a permanent injury I'd gotten from my time away. The tissues were a wreck, and after a few attempts at speaking, I'd concluded that nothing could be done to fix it. My voice would just forever remain at a gentle murmur, like a ghost in the wind.

Starting to step slowly across the branches, the runes lit up with silver and blue moonlight as I danced across the bark. Though I regretted every single movement I took, the ritual finished, and the mirage faded away, revealing the well hidden village. I was nervous, more than I should have been. It wasn't even seconds in when the first person recognized me.

They shouted my name and I wanted to shout theirs, but refrained from doing so, quickly remembering the condition I was in. So simply, I resorted to the old fashioned running hug, which soon turned into a small mob. Tears were streaming, everyone was flying out of their houses to come see me again.

"You've gotten so tall!"

"When was the last time I saw you?"

"(Y/N), I missed you so much!" All I could do was nod, and duck away from any opportunities to talk or use my voice. Soon, the crowd departed to go back to their duties and I was just left in the middle of the village. My head turned towards Ethari's small hut, distinctly remembering him as an important pillar in my childhood. I slowly made my way over to his house and knocked on the door, anxiously waiting for a response.

Fortunately for me, someone was home. The door opened with a small creak, revealing the elf that I hadn't seen in years. He had grown a lot since I last saw him -- his hair was longer, his features more defined, and now he was taller than me. For a moment, our eyes met and his pupils dilated in surprise.

"(Y/N)?" he whispered, hand jetting to cover his mouth, fingers slightly curled. Ethari's face lit up in joy, his body lurching forwards into mine to embrace me. I could feel the heavy breaths heave in his chest, his heart racing. Hands scrambled to clutch onto my armored back, a small flow of tears pooling on my shoulder.

"I missed you so much, you don't even believe." I silently laughed, holding him by the shoulders, thankful to be reunited with my friend again. Once the small hug-fest was over, we both ventured into his little hut, where we brewed up some tea.

"While you were gone," he started, shutting a cabinet door lightly, "I was out of inspiration for quite a while. You were the base of a lot of things that I made, and I remember how much you liked singing so..." Ethari pulled out a small oak box with my name engraved on it.

"Open it, (Y/N). I've been waiting for this day." Curiously, I peered into the contraption. My eyes were the size of dinner plates as I saw what was inside. Words were caught in my throat, my mouth dropped open, not knowing how to react. With shaking hands, I gingerly lifted a little metal case out of the wood.

"It's a music box."

Within my mind, something stirred. Something that pulled on my fine heartstrings, plucking them like a harp, softly moving them around, tying them into little knots. The gift was so thoughtful. Being endearing was always one of Ethari's charms, and he never failed to surprise me with what vast creativity he had in his brain of his. I smiled at the gesture, the fairy box twinkling with radiance, showcasing its expertly polished shell.

I unlocked the chamber and lifted the lid, the sweet sound of music pouring out as a small glass figure danced in the middle of it. I had to be careful to not get any tears on the velvet casing inside.

"Are you going to sing?" I suddenly paused, pressing my lips together in a firm line. Shutting the music box, the song cut off abruptly, ending the tender moment, dipping into one of bitter sweetness. Ethari must have noticed my expression, as he immediately put a hand on my shoulder.

"(Y/N), are you alright? Did I say something wrong? Are you uncomfortable?" I crossed my arms, a troubled expression gracing my features. This was bad. While the elf next to me panicked, worried that I might have been upset by something he said, I thought about my situation.

Should I tell him?

"(Y/N), you haven't spoken to me at all, is something the matter?"

"Yeah." I felt Ethari tense up, his mood changing.

"Oh, your voice..."

"Yeah," I repeated, hanging my head down low, "my voice." Pulling away, I seemed to shrink under his gaze, shoulders hunching and body turning away in shame and embarrassment. It had been so long that I'd forgotten what I loved to do. The reason why I was so afraid was that people had known me as a very verbal person, and to have my voice, my treasure, stripped away from me was...

Heartbreaking.

"You know what, I should go-" I said, trying to stand up. I had moved only about halfway up until Ethari's hand grabbed my wrist, pulling me down and draping his arms around me. A small gasp rose up in my throat, crackly and broken, but still signifying some type of surprise.

"You sound fine, if you wanted to know. Sorry for bringing it up." I loosely hugged him back, my teeth tugging at my bottom lip as I stifled sobs. My nose was burning, along with my cheeks -- painted a shade of fiery red.

"Thank you, Ethari."

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it's a little bit rushed, but hopefully it's still alright!