"Welcome," she says, as her eyes take in your form. They are unusual eyes, you notice. Silver and large by Elven standards, with an odd depth that makes it difficult to tear your gaze away.

"You wish to know my history then?" she lilts, forming each syllable with and almost musical tone.

"It is here." she makes a sweeping gesture to indicate the sea and land. Her eyes glow with an intensity sparked by love, sorrow and an emotion almost unfathomable.

"I am Arelin, daughter of Galmor and Linuial Lothluinel. I spent my childhood learning the healing arts of my father. He taught me of roots and herbs, a knowledge for which I am grateful, but it was not my true calling." She pauses, her head pensively cocked to the side.

"Every night my mother sang her children to sleep, and each night I vowed to become a bardess like her. Every note she sang had the ability to make my cry, or fill my heart with joy, or even lull me to sleep." She smiles softly, sweeping the black curls from her face.

"My childhood was idyllic in many ways. My brother, sisters and I were free to do as we pleased and had no fear of the local animals." She pauses thoughtfully, as though pondering what to say next. She starts to speak, stops, and begins again with a troubled look on her face.

"There have been two constants in my life, music and the sea. Just as music can bring one to tears, so can the sea bear sorrow upon the waves." Her eyes harden momentarily and her next words are ragged.

"Suffice to say I hate pirates to the very core of my being." Arelin turns away and seems to take a moment to calm herself.

"With the exception of my youngest sister, my whole family was lost to me that day. We sailed to nearby Aesry to live with our aunt soon afterwards. Every night I sang my mother's lullabies to Feadulin, but she would not be comforted and stopped eating." A crystal tear trickles down her cheek. Taking a deep breath, she continues.

"Years later I journeyed to Crossing to fulfill my bardic dream. I regained some measure of happiness through my profession, and was eventually adopted into a loving family." She smiles and toys with her wedding band.