There was a 'click' as the lock gave way, and then total darkness was split by a shaft of moonlight streaming in through the newly opened door. A shadow filled it for a moment, and then there was darkness again, the door and the latch sliding back into place.

Quiet, cautious footsteps advanced through the room followed by the sound of soft chanting, just before light erupted from the rafters, revealing a large warehouse filled with boxes and covered crates, and a slender hooded figure in dark clothing with a hand upraised.

The figure moved quickly and quietly to the far side of the warehouse, unclipping and rolling back a large tarpaulin covering a number of crates and a large empty workbench. Smoothly and quickly tools were laid out on the table, and then the hooded figure removed his gloves and hood, revealing an elven face with a light smile. Gently he removed an unstrung guitar from a case on his back and set it at the middle of the table.

"The wood remembers, the form is finished, but you will need a little more to amplify." Gently, the elf went to work inlaying gold into fine grooves in the wood. Every once in a while he would stop and sing gently to it, almost crooning.

Some hours later, he stopped, examining it with a critical eye, and eventually nodded, and started brushing lacquer over the top surface.

"And that is the best that I can do, on this, the first that I have made," the elf suddenly exclaimed to the empty warehouse. He caressed the neck gently before setting it aside and cleaning up the workbench. "Tomorrow we will see how well I have done."