Ralph and the Pixie

‘You are awake?’

The voice was Theuli’s. It took her a moment to realize that the Elf woman’s face was near her own, regarding her gravely. She mumbled something in reply.

Theuli left her, returning quickly with something that made Deborah’s mouth water involuntarily.

‘What happened?’

‘Do not concern yourself with that for the time being.’

‘Wha-lp-’

Theuli forestalled the girl by spooning food into her mouth, her features set. Deborah suddenly felt ashamed, never having seen Theuli angry before. She swallowed everything Theuli fed her, obediently, though it was more than she wanted to eat. Afterward, she tried to think of something to say. Suddenly, as though her emotion had a will of its own, she started crying.

‘I’m sorry . . . I couldn’t help myself . . . but I wanted to find whatever was out there . . .’

‘Yes, and the following morning we would have found your body floating amongst the reeds,’ Theuli said. ‘The next time you feel such an urge, tell someone! I cannot believe that those on the watch who were so lax as to miss your foray to the tarn.’

‘I don’t think they could see either of us,’ Deborah muttered.