Malekin

An unusual example of a child taken by fairies reappearing in human form. Some centuries ago, the people of Dagworthy Castle in England heard the voice of a little girl speaking to them. She said her name was Malekin and that she had been taken from her cradle as a baby. At that time she had lived with the fairies for seven years, but she claimed that fairies always release human children when they reach the age of fourteen.

Malekin eventually revealed herself to one of the castle servants, who saw her as a pretty little girl dressed in white. She asked for human food to be left out for her, because that would help her restoration to human form. The servants provided her with regular meals, which always disappeared, but after a while they heard no more from her and she left their offerings untouched.

The end of her story is unknown. Possibly the fairies discovered she had been talking to humans and prevented her from doing so. But, if Malekin told the truth, it leaves one unanswered question. What happens to all the other children released after fourteen years captivity by the fairies?