The Song of Starlight

Lina sat in her usual spot in the bustling square — a weathered stool next to the grand oak tree that stood sentinel at the center. Her lute, worn at the edges but perfectly tuned, lay lightly in her arms. She brushed back a strand of her unruly red hair and began to play, her fingers dancing over the strings with practiced grace. People gathered around as the music floated through the air, carried by a gentle afternoon breeze. The market buzzed around her, vendors peddling their wares, children darting after each other with joyous abandon. Yet, there was a hush in the small circle that encompassed Lina, her enchanting melody a temporary refuge from life's chatter. But today wasn't just any day; it was the day Lina discovered the Song of Starlight. Rumor had it that there was a melody, buried in the forgotten texts of songcrafting, that could grant one exceptional wish if sung under the light of a falling star. Lina had heard the legend so many times it felt like an old friend. Perhaps that was why, as she played, she slipped into a tune she never knew she'd known. The air seemed to shimmer as each note floated into existence. Her thoughts clouded, the world around her blurred. The melody found its rhythm — a tune both familiar and foreign, like the memory of a dream. Eira, her best friend and reliable mischief-maker, leaned over, her eyes alight with playful curiosity. "What's that one, Lin? Been holding out on me?" she teased, nudging Lina with the familiarity of years of friendship. Lina blinked back into reality, an odd warmth lingering in her chest. "I... I don't know," Lina replied, baffled yet intrigued by the melody. "It feels like... a call." Her words hung heavy between them as Eira furrowed her brow, a rare seriousness crossing her usually carefree expression. "You think it's the Song of Starlight?" Curiosity twisted into determination, and before long, the pair were elbows-deep in dusty parchments and old family journals, the dim attic light casting an eternal twilight around them. They studied well into the evening, and finally, Lina found the script she sought — a weather-worn page hidden between tales of her ancestors. It spoke of a melody linked to a star, a promise etched in the night sky. The days that followed were a whirlwind. Lina practiced the song, each note gathering strength, her confidence building even as doubts gnawed at the edges of her resolve. When the night of the falling stars arrived, Lina and Eira found themselves surrounded by their closest friends and family, the dark sky their stage, heavier with expectations than she could have imagined. Lina closed her eyes as she strummed the first note, a breath as vast as the night sky itself filling her lungs. The notes spilled into the air, an open invitation to the stars above. As the last note faded into silence, the crowd held its breath, watching as a single, brilliant star streaked across the sky. And just like the legend whispered, Lina felt the rush of certainty, a warmth deep within, a wish woven into her being. A month passed since that magical night, and while life carried on, little had visibly changed. They laughed it off... until the music played on a market day, and Lina sang her heart's tune, now realized anew with hope's melody. People listened, paused, and shared a smile or a tear — for the most unexpected yet undeniable effect echoed in Lina's song: happiness. Eira stood beside her, squeezing her shoulder. "It's a gift, Lin," she said. "The kind words can't touch, and maybe that's enough of a wish for anyone." Lina smiled, her own heart lifted, music a friend and a new beginning forged under the starlit sky.