WITCH - The Queen

Bonus 12

The whole thing happened a very long time ago. Today, many years later, it seems like a dream to the old lady. But she could still remember every detail, even though she was now one hundred and four years old. Her skin was wrinkled today. But back then! She was only nine years old at the time. Young and pretty. A small whirlwind with blond hair and clear blue eyes.

Her parents lived in the forest. Between two small villages of elves. Anouk's father was a craftsman. Her mother loved the silence. She could not stand towns and villages. Therefore, they lived withdrawn in the forest. Her father accepted assignments in the surrounding elven villages, or he traveled by donkey and cart to the human city to work there. He often stayed away for weeks. When he worked in the city, he moved into a tiny, cheap apartment.

Anouk's mother maintained a herb bed and a large vegetable garden. They had no shortage of food. And when Anouk's father came back from the city, he brought sacks full of flour, clothes, and toys. Everything else they needed.

It was a modest life.

Anouk was a silent child. She was very much like her mother in this regard. The little girl loved the silence of the forest. She climbed trees and danced in the rain. But she also loved the villages and towns. And sometimes, her father took her with him. Whenever he would only be in town for two or three days. This was rare, but then she met her cousins in the city, or she made friends with a few children in the marketplace. On those days, Anouk was not silent. Then she was loud and lively. Then, after a few days, she would return to her beloved silence full of adventures.

Apart from the postman, no one came to her house in the forest. It was too close to the fairy forest. Too close to its magic. Many were afraid of the forest. Even the postman always hurried away quickly as soon as he had handed over the mail. Anouk's mother had forbidden her to go to the fairy forest, no matter how much his miracles lured the little girl. And so far she had always been good.

But on this day, curiosity prevailed.

Anouk secretly sneaked away from her parents' house and ventured into the magical forest. She followed old, broken walls that stood between strange trees. Here was a different, glittering world. It smelled different. The animals looked wondrous and strange. A rainbow-colored dragonfly with feathered wings flew past her. And she was sure she had seen a unicorn between all the trees. A winged unicorn! And she also passed an old, dilapidated well. Had humans once lived here?

She ventured deeper and deeper into the forest. Until she couldn't find her way back.

Startled, she looked around. It was already dawning and the trees and flowers began to glow. Anouk had never seen anything like it. But she couldn't enjoy the sight. Surely her mother would look for her. But she couldn't find Anouk in the fairy forest ... Or could she?

Anouk's father had once told her that if she got lost, she should stay exactly where she was. So that her parents could find her. But this was certainly hopeless in the fairy forest, wasn't it? And her father had just gone to town for a few weeks to help renovate the town hall. He couldn't look for Anouk.

Did she have to stay in the fairy forest forever?

Where should she sleep?

What should she eat?

She wanted to go home. To her mom. Sobbing, the little girl sat down by one of the glowing trees and buried her face in her hands.

"Did you get lost?", she suddenly heard a soft, echoing voice. Anouk looked up. In front of her stood a ghostly, beautiful figure. The girl nodded.

"Where do you live, my little one?", the figure asked. She floated. Fascinated, Anouk wiped a few tears from his face.

"Close to the edge of the forest. Well... Close to the fairy forest. I just wanted to look around..."

"Well then, come on. This is not a place where human children should be alone. Come with me. I lead you out of the forest. And then you'll find your way home, okay? Did you pass by something special? Can you tell me that? So that I know which way we have to go."

Anouk thought about that for a moment. "There was a unicorn... Oh! It stood by a well! In the middle of the forest. And there were some old, dilapidated walls. They lead out of the forest! To the forests of the elves!"

"Elves. And walls." The figure nodded. "Ah. Then I know where to go. Come, child."

Anouk followed the strange spirit, and finally, they arrived at the edge of the forest. From here she could see the roof of her parents' house. Anouk smiled. "That's where I live! Thank you! Say... What is your name? My name is Anouk!"

The figure smiled. "My name is Ehlin. And now go, home child. And don't run into the green alone anymore!"

"The green?" the girl asked, but the figure had already disappeared.

(c: sasi)