"Son, why do you hide your face in fear?" The father asked calmly.
"Father, do you not see the Elfking?" The kid shuddered against his father, hiding his face again.
"The Elfking with his crown and tail?" The father asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"My son, it's only the mist." He added, tapping his son's shoulder as a source of comfort.
"Humans... How do they know Father? Anyway, they're not so different after all and he also looks similar to me." Konradin thought,
"You lovely human child, come with me. I'll play wonderful games with you." Konradin whispered solemnly, words that only reached the boy's ear.
The forest regained its noise, the winds replaying its terrifying lullabies.
"Many pretty flowers grow on Flora beach and my mother has many golden robes. We can wear them and play together there." Konradin added softly as his misty form continued to lurk in the shadows.
"Father, father! Do you not hear what the Elfking promises me softly?" The kid murmured shakily,
"Be calm, my child. It's just the wind rustling in the withered leaves." The father added not so calmly as he felt his son's fear against his chest.
"Won't you come with me, my lovely human child? My sisters shall wait upon you.
My sisters will wait on you. My sisters will sing and dance for you." Konradin insisted.
At that very moment, his sisters appeared behind him.
"Brother, what do you think you're doing talking to a human?" Amelia demanded.
"Mother says that we shouldn't interact with humans." Harriet added.
The boy pointed, his stretched hand only revealing the dark forest.
"Father, father, can you not see the Elfking's daughters there in the darkness?"
"My son, I can see clearly. It is the old grey willows gleaming." The father dismissed his son gently as he saw their farmhouse come into view.
The prince, ignoring his sisters, continued. "I love you. Your beautiful form fascinates me. Please if you don't come with me willingly, I'll have to use force..."
Konradin's mist suddenly engulfed the horse as he reached for the boy.
"Father, father, now he's seizing me. The Elfking has hurt me." The kid cried as his soul was being ripped apart from his body.
"We're almost home, dear." The father shuddered as he rode towards the farmhouse swiftly.
He held the moaning child in his arms with one last effort until they finally reached home.
He hurriedly got off the terrified horse.
He called into the silence, "Son, son…" as the child lay dead in his arms.
The wife who had heard the horse's neighs came out.
"Honey, Alexandre, dinner is all ready," She called as she approached the man. "Honey, where is Alexandre?" She tapped his shoulder from behind only to see Alexandre lay motionless in the man's arms.
"Alexandre, you'll catch a cold if you sleep here. Robert, give Alexandre to me. My boy," She said, a wide smile on her face.
Alexandre didn't respond. He stared at his son's face with remorse, tears of guilt soaking Alexandre's shirt. Ella noticed the dropping tears, realization dawning.
"Robert, why isn't Alexandre moving?" She crouched down, her voice shaking.
"Alexandre…" She took him from the man, bringing him towards her chest.
"Alexandre, my boy… It's mother. Please give me an evening hug." She murmured, tears streaking down her face.
"Alexandre, please don't leave your father and I alone…" She cried out.