He passed by a group of dryads talking amongst themselves. Once they caught site of him they lowered their voices until he passed. It didn't matter, he was used to it.
The Father of the Forest had given him a job for the day, another task that only served to take up time. He was sick of it, he had no true place in the Forest and everyone knew it. The dryads wouldn't even talk to him. The rest of the animals just treated him with either pity or scorn.
Jorndrin was a human living in the world of sprites and faeries. A young boy with no family or friends. Years ago his parents had left him here, he had been told it was to protect him... but he knew better. They just didn't want him. Nobody wanted him.
At first it had been wonderful, being cared for by animals and forest spirits. The Father of the Forest had granted the gift of speech to most of the animals so they could take care of him. But as the days turned into months and years he began to sour to his situation.
He neared his next stop, the den of a mother fox and her pups. She was always kind to him at least. He poked his head down into the den.
"Hi," he said wearily. "I'm checking today to make sure you have everything you need."
"Thank you, dear boy." the mother fox replied. "I'm afraid I don't need anything right now, but I'll get word to you right away if I do. She nuzzled her sleeping pups." these little ones would be happy to play with you once they wake up. Why don't you come back in a little while to chase them around?"
Jorndrin gave a forced smile and nodded. He left quickly and walked back down the path. He always felt like the other animals only played with him because they were told to. He sniffled as he tried to hold back some tears. Squirrels chased each other through the trees above his head, calling to each other, and that was just too much for him. He started crying, sitting at the side of a tree with his knees up and his arms around them. The branches of a nearby shrub extended towards him, patting him on the head. His tears dried up, leaving him sniffling to himself.
A small sound made him poke his head up, a raccoon was standing there looking at him. It reached out a paw sympathetically, but he turned away.
"The Father has called for you," the raccoon said gently.
"Don't wanna." he sniffled.
"You can come by when you're ready, he'll be waiting. I do wish you comfort, if only I could help in some way..."
The raccoon stood there for a long moment, anxious to help but unsure of how. Jorndrin felt a mixture of anxiety and awkwardness as he waited for the other to leave. At last the raccoon went on its way, and he was alone again.
He sat for a while until the sad mood began to pass and he began to feel bored. Rubbing his face roughly he stood up, then began heading to the Father of the Forest.
He walked slow so it took him a few minutes to get there. The Father of the Forest loomed over the trees as he approached, a massive tree that dwarfed all the others nearby. It had a wise and benevolent spirit, and was always willing to talk to him.
He walked up to the tree and placed his hand on its rough bark. The spirit inside it stirred to life.
"My child," it said.
Jorndrin nodded, not much in the mood for talking.
"My child," it repeated. "you know that I can see all that happens in my Forest."
Jorndrin nodded again.
"I have seen something that brings a change for all of us. Your parents, who left you in my care years ago, have returned. They have entered the forest and are heading this way.
Jorndrin stood dumbfounded for a moment. "My... parents?" he said slowly. "My parents are... Here?"
He felt the affirmation in the tree in its voice.
"Your life in the woods has come to an end." it said.
After a few more moments of silence, Jorndrin spoke again.
"But... How will I live with people? I... I don't belong with people!"
"You don't belong in the forest." the tree said gently.
"I don't belong anywhere!" Jorndrin cried, pushing away from the tree and running into the forest. He tripped and scraped his knee, but got right back up and running.
He ran as fast as he could without purpose, not knowing where he was running to. He cried little as he ran, feeling that he had no more tears left in himself to cry.
He then found out that he was wrong.
He knew the forest like the back of his hand and was able to avoid every tree, stump, and branch. But then he ran into something he didn't expect. He looked up at what it was, and began to sob. The face of his father looked down at him.
"Jo... Jorndrin?"
Then he was crying harder than he knew he could. "I... I... I missed you!" he cried. "I missed you so much! I was so... I was so lonely!" he grabbed his father as tight as he could, determined to never let go. Then he felt his parents hold him too, and he knew they would never let go either.
The Father of the Forest watched from afar as the family of humans reunited. He guided them as best he could to the edge of the forest. And then, in his own way, he cried too.