Well, Jerry, my Cassell's translates "Erlkönig" as "Elf King," but doesn't give a root for the word or any further explanation. My German-German dictionary says it's derived from the Danish "ellerkonge," with a German meaning "Elfenkönig." And we all know that "Elf" is the number right after "Zehn," but I'll go with "elf king." I do get the impression these elves may not be the cute little guys we think of.
-Joe Offer-