I wade through the water of the broad, rushing river, each step causing waves to lap over the rocky shores and splash up onto my legs. I smile and step harder, and watch as the water crash against the cliffs. The summer wind rushes in my ears, playfully pulling at my hair. I walk upstream, enjoying a day of roaming around the countryside, watching the forests rise away from the river and above the hills.

I spot a beach up ahead; one of those fine, yellow, sandy beaches. I like the feel of sand under my feet, so I steer my course towards it as something tiny, barely more than a small speck, flies past right under my nose. A thin, light-toned warble tells me it was a bird. I step up onto the beach, and my feet sink into the fine, grainy sand, warm against my skin. I take another step and hear something, far below. That reminds me.

The little people.

I must be careful and watch out so I don't step on them. They are so very small. I stand absolutely still, listening. I hear a slight noise again and bend down to investigate. There are some rocks, small patches of grass around the sand, and a small, scraggly tree, barely reaching above my ankles. And there, something tiny sits on the ground, in the shade of the tree. I squint my eyes. It's one of the small people. But this one is smaller than usual.

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A child.

It appears to be hurt. Whining and crying, it's holding one of its spindly legs. But it looks up, eyes large and round, and its mouth hanging open as I peer closer. I wonder briefly what to do about it. Then, making a quick decision, I reach out and carefully enclose the child with my hand, gently picking it up from the ground. These lands are full of dangers, and a lone child, especially hurt, won't make it for long. I straighten and bring the child up to my eye-level for a closer look. He, it's a small boy, clings to a finger, his tiny face bone-white.

'Don't worry, little one. I'll bring you home,' I say and cup my other hand over him to keep him from falling. Then I follow the riverbank. There's a village further north. Maybe he belongs there.

I wake up...