The Dawn Hunt

The hunt was on for the tiny elf; Salif had gone missing in the night, Jerid was panic-stricken, it was his job to care for the nursery elves, and he fell asleep. Young elves are known for their mischievousness, and so need to be watched constantly; all Jerid remembered was a pretty, coloured smoke ring hovering above his head. He should have known, a sleeping spell, he was warned how tricky the youngsters were, and Salif, cleverer than most. She already had a talent for spells, basic, yes, but these don't usually develop until the sixth month, Salif was only four months of age.

This was Jerid's first time in the nursery and he'd failed miserably; Salif was out there, lost, gone forever even, and it was his fault. His mother arrived to see him.
'Any news, Mother...'
'I'm afraid not, you know you're not to blame for this don't you'
'But of course I am, I let her put a sleeping spell on me'
'You're not the first to be caught out, many have had even worse. On Freden's first time, they found him turned into a toad in the morning and the whole nursery empty; at least you've only lost one, they'll find her you'll see.'

This cheered Jerid up; he was relieved he hadn't woken up as a toad this morning. After only a short time, his mother was proved right, they found Salif, quite well, she was asleep in a small tree hollow, and was returned to the nursery with suitable chastisement, however, the twinkle in her eye lingered.