"Mein Sohn, was birgst du so bang dein Gesicht?"
"Siehst, Vater, du den Erlkönig nicht?
Den Erlkönig mit Kron und Schweif?"
"Mein Sohn, es ist ein Nebelstreif."

(from Erlkönig by Johann Wolfgang v. Goethe)

The Alderking was old. Very old. He had prowled the nightmares of many a dreamer and taken his fill. And yet, even he had to give. There was a new King that laid claim to his Woods. All the guile and promises could not keep him out for a fae does not fear like mortals do. And so The Alderking was eventually imprisoned in his realm. Deep within the domain of The Wilds his dark forest grows but the dreamers sleep more soundly now.