Neverwinter Forest Moon, a hole of light

sólhárr turned the word over on his tongue, atekai, letting the syllables settle as if tasting the roots of her language. atekai, he repeated softly, savoring the way it rolled from his mouth, as though welcoming a part of her world into his own. he met her gaze, a flicker of warmth in his eyes, knowing that these words bridged more than just languages.

and here, he said, a glimmer of pride lining his voice, we say hverfugr. it means one who brings warmth, light. his gaze softened, lingering on her with a tenderness that broke through his usual guarded strength. forneskja calls the morning sun hverfugr. like you. a light on the horizon.

he paused, watching her reaction as he repeated the phrase, slower, inviting her to take it for herself. he wanted her to know the way his language shaped her presence in his world, just as hers had shaped his understanding of welcome.