He blinked “You don’t know?” “Hmm…” he touched his chin as he was in deep thoughts “Maybe that’s not so weird. You aren’t from around here anyway…” He shook his head “Good thing I decided to learn more human languages. They’re fascinating.”

He grinned “Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. How rude!” he placed a hand over his heart “I am Sigurd! I also go by the name Huldra, but I suppose you haven’t heard about it. I’m actually quite famous around these parts. The humans fear me” his smile stretched into smug grin which was more terrifying than any. Sigurd chuckled at your frightened expression. “I’m a hulder or an elf if you will. They’re the same thing” he shrugged. “Humans seem to think I’m a woman, though that’s not true. Obviously” he rolled his eyes. “Just because I have long hair. Talk about nonsense.”

You stared at him with eyes bigger than saucers. “An elf?” you whispered. You would have thought he was joking had his tail not been moving. No cosplayer could pull off such movement.

“Yep! Don’t tell me your little human brain has denied the existence of supernatural beings?” he clicked his tongue disappointed as he shook his head. “That’s not nice.”

“What do you want from me?” you swallowed. Did he want to eat you? You had heard about legends of flesh eating elves, but you had always thought them to be just fairytale.

“I saw you when you were out hiking. I thought you were pretty so I wanted you for myself” Sigurd moved closer to you from the edge of the bed.

It was first then you properly took in your surroundings. The room you were in was sold fashioned with unpainted wooden walls and a dresser, a closet and a desk with a chair, all in traditional rose painting. Sheep-hides were at each sides of the bed, both looked incredibly soft. It was a charming room, whose window looking out onto a field with old wooden fences. A little oven was lit in the corner of the room giving the room its much needed warmth.

“What?” you were in disbelief.

“Hmm? Did you think I was going to eat you?” he broke out in laughter. He crouched forward, clutching his stomach as tears fell from his eyes. Sigurd used his white sleeve of his shirt to dry his tears. His laughter stopped as suddenly as it began and he stared into your eyes with genuine seriousness “I would never.”

His sudden change in behaviour sent a chill down your spine. You needed to escape and that fast. But how?

“I wanna go home” words spilled from your lips before you could stop yourself.

The elf’s eyes narrowed and his eyebrows furrowed. “You want to go home?”

You nodded.

“Why would I let you? If you go home, I won’t have you. I don’t want that” his voice colder than ice.

“Please” your voice quivered “Please, I can’t stay here. I need to go home.”

“Why are humans always so narrow minded?” he scoffed. “We are meant for each other. Don’t you see that?”

“I have my job, my family, friends and responsibilities. I can’t stay. I need to go home. I have already bought a plane ticket” you tried to plea to his empathy. He had to have some…right?

“Job? Family? Friends? Responsibilities? How boring. I always hear you humans complain about work and responsibilities. Wouldn’t you like to get free from it all? Wouldn’t that be nice? You wouldn’t need to worry about a single thing. You would be happy” a gentle hand stroked your cheek, pushing a bit hair behind your hair.

“That’s not how it works” you shook your head. “I need to get back. I can’t stay. You have to let me go.”

Sigurd smiled softly. “No. I won’t” he shushed you when a frustrated sob escaped from your lips. “Shush, don’t cry. It’s okay. You are safe. I will never harm you. Nor will anyone else. I will kill them if they do. Oh no- I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you” he gently pressed a soft kiss to your cheekbone with smile as if he was enjoying your fear.

Waves of shivers washed over your body. The hair on your arms stood on guard and your heart was beating so fast you almost couldn’t hear what he was saying. The elf has just threatened to kill someone and he hadn’t even batted an eye.

“Oh my love, don’t be afraid” strong arms pulled you into a tight embrace, coiling around you like a snake. He gently caressed your hair. “We will be happy together” he whispered against your ear, hot air fanning over your ear “You should be honoured. I have never felt such strong emotions as I do towards you.”

He cupped your face gently in his hand as he gazed into your eyes. “You’re such a pretty little thing. How could I not want to keep you away from prying eyes? And you’re so awfully naïve. An accident was bound to happen if I hadn’t stepped in. You should be grateful” his thumb swept over you lips. “We will be together always and forever and you’re going to enjoy it. I will make sure of it” he kissed your lips as to seal your fate.