"Greetings, traveler," she said, her voice like music. "I am Elara, leader of the Moonwhisper clan. We do not often receive visitors here. How is it that you found our village?"

"You are welcome to return," she said. "Anytime you feel lost or uncertain, come back to us. We will always have a place for you here."

"I'd like to show you our village," she said, offering me her hand. "But first, you must promise to follow our rules and respect our traditions."

Elara seemed to sense my melancholy. She placed a hand on my shoulder, and her eyes sparkled with understanding.