Disclaimer: I do not own anything by Tolkien. I'm just writing this for fun, and I'm not making any money.
June 21 1998
The Young girl sat down in the soft green moss. She was exhausted, hungry and tears were streaming down her chubby, pink cheeks. Around her the forest was hot and quiet. Rays of bright sunlight fell on the forest floor, here and there through gaps in the thick canopy of green leaves. The oak trees here were old and huge with thick winding branches.
The girl sniffled. It felt like she had walked for hours. Mom and dad had told her not to walk into the woods alone..They would be so angry with her. She had seen a cute fluffy rabbit that she just wanted to hug. She had to follow it. The rabbit didn't want her hugs though, and soon she had no idea where she was. Lost in the woods. Would she ever see mom or dad again?
Suddenly she heard a deep, melodic voice behind her:
"Are you lost Little One?"
She turned around and faced the strangest man she had ever seen in her short six year old Life. He was huge with very long, pale blond hair and thick, dark eyebrows. He had the face of an angel, or at least what she imagined an angel would look like. It was almost like he was glowing faintly. The man was dressed in strange clothes and on his head, he had a crown of branches decorated with wildflowers. She just stared at him and suddenly her tears stopped running.
"I asked you if you are lost." The man said sternly and his ice blue eyes stared straight into hers.
The only thing the girl could do was to nod. He got down on his knees and smiled. He seemed odd, but kind. And perhaps lonely and a bit sad. She didn't know why she thought that, but somehow she could see it in his eyes.
"What is your name?"
"Anna, I'm six years old. Who are you?"
"I am the Guardian of these woods. I am an elf."
She looked at him up and down, and it was then that she saw his ears were pointed, and not round as her own.
"Are you a king?" She pointed at the crown.
"I was once a king. This land was my kingdom long ago. Now, Anna, let's get you home. Your parents are probably very worried."
Anna nodded and the king put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. From among the trees, a huge moose silently made it's way to the Elvenking and the child. On the animal's back was a brown saddle with shiny golden ornaments. The elf smiled assuringly, as a sign that Anna had no reason to be afraid of the creature. The little girl could still only stare at the huge animal in awe.
"He is quite a gentle creature. You can give him this if you want to." The elf handed Anna a bright red apple.
"Thank you." She said politely, just as her parents had told her to. She slowly reached out her hand until the animal slowly captured the apple with its mouth. Tentatively, she touched its soft nose.
"Can you tell me where you live, Anna?"
"We are staying at my aunt's cottage. It is small and white, at the edge of the forest, near a small lake."
The Elvenking nodded. And suddenly he lifted Anna up in the air and placed her in the saddle. The girl was shocked at first, her small hands grabbing the saddle hard.
"No need to worry, Little one. As I said, he is a gentle elk. Just hold on to the saddle, and he will carry you home safely. You are too tired to walk, aren't you?"
Anna nodded. The elf took the reigns in his hands and started leading the animal through the woods. The afternoon was slowly turning to evening and the shadows were turning longer. The birds were singing happily and flying close to Anna and the Elvenking. They seemed to like him. One even landed on the elk's enormous antlers and looked at her with its curious, small black eyes.
"Do you have kids?" She suddenly asked the elf, without really knowing why.
"I had a son once. But he left a long, long time ago."
Anna nodded, and again she thought he looked sad and very, very old.
"Are you lonely?"
He chuckled.
"I suppose I am. I do not talk to people very often."
Soon enough, they reached the tree line, and Anna could see the small house and the old fashioned garden with the fruit trees in the field below them. The elk reached down to chew on some grass, and the Elvenking lifted her down from the saddle. In the distance she could hear her father calling her name. He sounded really upset. The elf looked down at her and said:
"I think it is time for us to part ways, Anna. Go to your father, he is worried about you."
Anna nodded. She patted the elk on the head before asking:
"Will I ever see you again?"
The Elvenking laughed, and his laughter was just as soft, low and melodic as his voice.
"Who knows, what the future might bring, Little one."
Anna smiled, and then she waved goodbye, and ran down the slope to the cottage. Half way there her dad saw her coming. He ran towards her, and caught her in his arms.
"Anna! Thank God you are alright! Mom and I have been so worried, she even called the police."
"I got lost in the Woods, but the Elvenking helped me get get back. Look, he is still standing there among the trees."
Her father looked suspicious. He looked at the treeline and shook his head. There was no one there anymore. No trace of either the elf or the elk.
"Well, there is no one there, sweetheart. But it is good to have you home. Was the man nice to you?" Her dad looked worried now.
"Yes, he was very nice, daddy. He helped me get home, I was so scared in the Woods."
Her dad shook his head in disbelief, but smiled.
"Let's go home to Mom now. Then you can tell us all about the Elvenking. Ok?
Anna nodded happily and took her father's hand.