The elf appeared suddenly and agreed to give the woman back. However, the elf seemed to smile. The elf refused to let either of them leave. The woman kicked the elf, and the couple began to run. The elf tried to fly after them, but the couple hurried to cross a rushing stream and so were safe.
Elves are unable to cross moving water.
Nevertheless, the elf did see to it that the couple had a terrifying escape. The couple had to leap over the crevices that formed beneath them, duck to avoid the falling branches, and crawl under the spider webs. All the while they raced to escape, they had to listen to the elf's evil laughter. When it was clear they were going to escape, the elf began to howl. The sound of that howl was to linger in their minds forever.