Lud-in-the-Mist

"Lud-in-the-Mist" by Hope Mirrlees is a story about Master Nathaniel Chanticleer, a man living in the pleasant town of Lud-in-the-Mist, in the country of Dorimare, which borders the magical land of Fairyland. Nathaniel appears to live a normal life, but is secretly worried by vague fears that came from something he saw as a child. Living in a town that is on the edge of a fantasy world, Nathaniel is challenged when his son, Ranulph, becomes troubled and wants to run away to the strange world just outside their own, Nathaniel must come to terms with his fears, while trying to help his son. Everything comes together as Nathaniel learns more about himself against the backdrop of society and the strong draw of Fairyland.