A young child is lost deep in the forests. The parents were frantically searching, not knowing where their child was. They'd only taken their eyes off the little one for a short time while doing chores on the farm. But, kids wander away quickly. Fortunately, the "monster" found the child, and, soothing them kindly, brought them back to their home, much to the relief of parents who, when they first saw who was carrying their child, were terrified to start with. Now, they thanked the "monster" profusely. As it was late at night, they let the being sleep in their home, and ensured a good meal, so the being could travel safely at first light. -- Anon Guest
Tilal had begun by following a butterfly. After the butterfly had gone out of sight, ze picked flowers for hir parents. By then, ze was thoroughly lost. Tilal had tried to find their way back, but memory was never the strong point of a child not yet three years of age.
The flowers in hir skirt[1] were sad and wilting, but Tilal still wanted to bring them back home and make Mama smile.
But it was dark and scary, and the lights ze tried to follow were only fireflies. Until ze found a light that was not. A campfire! That meant somebody was out here.
Friend or foe, there were generally rules that travelers followed. Camps were neutral ground. And anyone coming across a camp had to ask to share the fire. The figure near this fire was big, but then everyone was big to a very small child.
Tilal made sure not to surprise them, edging around the clearing until ze was noticed. "C'n I share y'r fire t'night please an' thankyou?" Tilal squeaked.
This was not one of the kinder creatures of the world, by reputation. This was one of the ones who were big meaners in the stories. This was a Bugbear. All the flowers in their hair couldn't hide the tusks or the animal-like ears or the snout... All the soft-looking robes in the world didn't make a difference to the too-long arms or the claws on each hand.
"It's all right," rumbled the Bugbear in a voice so much like a purr. "This is a welcoming space." He hummed a few notes and fireflies came to dance around the camp. "I have some bread I can share. Are you very lost?"
Tilal nodded, and watched as a savage beast's hands broke bread just like Grampa did it. Along the seams.
"My name is Oakloft," he offered the more abundant portion. "The bread is fresh and good. The fire is warm. And I am no harm to lost little children, I promise. Mother Nature would not have gifted me otherwise."
Tilal still took it slowly. Step by baby step, closer and closer. Until the smell of the bread made hir lose hir inhibitions and accept it with a nervous, "...'nk you."
The Bugbear continued to not be a meaner the entire night. Bringing health back to Tilal's flowers and even creating a nice basket to hold them in. Oakloft could make the branches and leaves create anything, including a cot for Tilal that smelled of lavender.
The next dawn, Oakloft had magic to retrace Tilal's steps all the way to the farm. More accurately, all the way to the part of the woods where Mama and Da were next to madness looking for hir.
They took in the sight of Tilal perched on a Bugbear's shoulder remarkably well, all things considered.
Halfway between abject horror and the polite joy of having a new pet, Mama and Da welcomed Oakloft into their home. They took turns between yelling at Tilal for wandering off and being thankful to the gods that all was well.
The Bugbear Druid showed his gratitude for their hospitality by blessing the fields into abundance, and then giving some sage advice for further seasons. He was content to wander off, following his own omens.
If only the rest of the world could treat him the same.
[1] Gendered clothing for children is an invention of the 20th Century. For most of history, children of any gender wore dress-like garments.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / LABE]
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