The Fairy Diary Day 586 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei arose before the sun, and we came early also to see her off. She and Gibley already had everything in place for their trip to the repository. Not knowing how long she would be called upon to settle the new dragons in there, she again turned over control of her shop to her sister. And l promised to follow after them once Merlin returned from his time with the trolls. 

Dunfallon, however, announced that he and Navril were also going to make the trip to the repository – on foot. (The pixie had often bragged to the elf about all the sights they had missed when Merlin had rushed us to Nonin-gal-dith from the capital). So, they departed just after we made our goodbyes to Noralei and Gibley. 

Come the afternoon I experienced quite a letdown as all at once all the excitement was gone. I called on Rumble and together we recruited Tinadell to join us in a bowl of refreshment and we talked long into the evening. 

By the time we left we were a bit merry. 

The Fairy Diary Day 585 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon came back from his early morning walk with exciting news. The village  had been abuzz with a rumor that a dragon and a goblin were pacing about outside the daisy ring defenses. He rushed to investigate and found our friend Gibley with Conjil. He led them in – settled Conjil in Noralei’s stable – and came straight over to collect us. 

Having seen us on our way, the pixie continued on to notify Rumble and Tinadell of our gathering. 

The instant I came through the door to Noralei’s shop, the face of the little goblin lit up and he bounded over to greet me. He had a message from Merlin for me. As I had thought when the wizard left the canyonlands he told Gibley that he had a promise to keep with the trolls. 

I asked him what his uncle decided about Noralei’s request for a breeding pair of dragons. Gibley asked me to wait until we were all present. 

So, the instant Dunfallon arrived with Rumble and Tinadell, the goblin led us out to the stable. And there he introduced us to the young dragon Clemjil, and an unhatched dragon egg, lovingly cared for by Conjil. 

Noralei was beside herself with excitement. 

The Fairy Diary Day 584 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our session broke up late last night. We then returned to our separate homes. I took Dunfallon and Navril with me. I can say without hesitation that I was glad not to be alone after an evening of stories about the frightening revelations regarding the race of Frost Fairies. 

My dreams were filled with images of fairy on fairy cannibalism – tribal warfare – slaughter, and unspeakable cruelty. It remained the topic of conversation among the three of us at morning breakfast. 

Navril stirred up some controversy by claiming that it was an elvish belief that fairies everywhere had such behavior in common. And was quick to add that such was all in the past (trying to take the sting out of his words). And perhaps those in the far north had never advanced – unlike my people. 

I had to admit that in our lore there are intimations about perpetuating fairy bloodlines by kidnapping human babies and transforming them into fairies too. But I have never had the desire to give it any further consideration. 

I was glad to get away from the topic when we reconvened at Noralei’s where the discussion turned to Merlin and his continued absence. 

I for one counseled patience. For I believed there to be a simple reason for it. Certainly he would have had a quick answer from Glossom about our main question, but there was that promise the wizard had made to the trolls. He most probably would have swung by there to look into the problem under the Sprites’ village. 

The Fairy Diary Day 583 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I sent out another message on my scroll to the High Fairy- with an added question about the Frost Fairies. So far today –  no answer. To any of my questions. 

Rumble with help from Noralei dug into the books his excellency left out regarding the mysterious Frost Fairies. Navril heard about their task and invited himself along. (I think he is bored without Dunfallon around). 

While they saw to that business, I paid a call to the weavers guild and hunted up Tinadell. ( I had some fresh cobwebs for him to make some more scarves). He asked the latest news about the others, and perked up when I mentioned the Frost Fairies. 

He told me he had heard scary stories about them. So I invited him over to share them with us. 

He arrived at Noralei and her sister’s at the same time the trio returned from the High Fairy’s – and Dunfallon from Willie’s swamp and from his pixie burrow. The pixie had important news to share – he has been offered the leadership of a new burrow that is being established near the pond closest to the Wisp’s watery domain. 

And while Noralei’s sister served out their best nectar we listened to a variety of stories about the Frost Fairies. 

The Fairy Diary Day 582 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I emerged from my doldrums today. And so has everyone else. Having plans helps immensely. 

I saw Dunfallon off to the pixie territory where he will return Willie to his swamp. The Wisp has asked to keep his cage as it is a finely wrought apartment and he thanked Noralei for it personally before they left. 

Merlin and I went over to the High Fairy’s residence to check for any clues as to his whereabouts. The wizard has a key for his own use that allows him entry just about anywhere. Everything was as neat as a pin inside – except when we came to his library- there within was a messy mess – but knowing that Rumble had been granted access before the hearing, I was not sure that his excellency was responsible for the disarray. I took note of the open volumes. One, that was of concern, dealt with the care of dragons. But most of them were about ancient stories about fairies of the north countries – the Frost Fairies. 

Afterwards we went to Rumble and asked if he had pulled those tomes for his research. He said he most definitely had not. Merlin then asked him if he would mind checking them in order to find out why the High Fairy had pulled them. Rumble agreed. 

We then returned to Noralei’s where she greeted Merlin with the demand that he make good on his promise and go to the canyonlands to inquire after her request for a breeding pair of dragons. 

With a chuckle and nod of his head, the wizard was gone, leaving us to our parts in the developing plan. 

The Fairy Diary Day 581 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I do not know how he did it, but I suspect that Merlin shortened our trip from the capital to Nonin-gal-dith. We were so focused on our misery that we did not notice the swiftness with which the landmarks were soon behind us. And the journey that normally consumes a couple days took only one. 

No fuss was made over our return. A few fairies who knew why Noralei was gone asked after news as to the hearing. And from them the news soon made the rounds. 

Tinadell came running out of the weavers’ shop when we passed and accompanied us over to Noralei’s, where the sisters greeted one another. Her sister had even prepared their stable for not one, but two dragons. And was saddened that there were none. 

When we learned that the High Fairy’s residence was empty, we settled on Noralei’s as our headquarters while we deliberated our next steps. 

The Fairy Diary Day 580 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin was also confident that the decision would fall in Noralei’s favor. But as the day dragged on with no summons from her majesty we were increasingly uneasy. 

To get away from our thoughts, Dunfallon and I went out to where Cluyjil and Willie were stabled. Willie and his cage were there, but not the dragon. The Wisp, grateful to see us, whined that he had been helpless to prevent Cluyjil from being led away. 

We took him with us back to the palace where we were met by a contingent of the Queen’s guard and ushered into the throne room. The others were within already, having received their summons.  

The Faerie Queen was not there. Her prime minister was. And he announced that she had departed on her scheduled trip, but had left it to him to announce her decision. She had accepted Noralei’s gracious offer to allow Rayjil to remain at the repository for now, and had added Cluyjil to her menagerie until such time as a breeding pair was provided in their place. 

As the others gasped, I looked to the wizard, but saw no anger there, just a placid acceptance on his features. 

Our dismissal followed and Merlin led us from the chamber to our suite where we packed our things and set out for Nonin-gal-dith. 

Throughout all this I was left to wonder where was the High Fairy. And why had he not answered any of my communications via the scroll. 

The Fairy Diary Day 579 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We stayed up into the early watches of the morning as Noralei laid out the strategy that she and Rumble had put together for the hearing. It met with everyone’s approval. And they followed it exactly when it came time for the hearing. 

The Faerie Queen did us the great honor this time of hearing us out herself without an initial step of appearing before her prime minister. (That august official, however, did stay by her side throughout the proceedings in his advisory capacity). 

Noralei began by submitting statements from others to the truth that Rayjil was hers. She went on to share the grief she has felt since this injustice had been visited upon her.

After that, she challenged the wording of the Queen’s edict that confiscated her dragon in perpetuity. We learned in their response that its wording had been put together by the Caretaker. 

Rumble followed her with a history and examples of decrees that have been altered to make them more just for the individuals affected. (I believe I saw a look of helplessness in the prime minister’s face when Rumble reached his conclusion).

Next up Dunfallon begged leave to present to the Queen the testimonials he had collected from neighboring kingdoms, petitioning her to look favorably upon the claims of Noralei to her dragon. Navril at his side, presented with a flourish, the letter from the king of the elves. Her Majesty consented to receive them all, so her minister stepped forward to receive them on her behalf. 

Lastly Merlin spoke his piece. He started with the statement that for all Noralei has done for the Faerie Kingdom, and for all the kingdoms of this world – she is owed a great debt – and the return of her dragon would be the right thing to do, and all in all a very small recompense. The wizard went on to offer (at Noralei’s suggestion) that Rayjil would be allowed to remain at the repository until such time as a breeding pair could be supplied to fill her position. And that, he promised, would be every soon. 

After Merlin concluded his remarks, the hearing was declared at an end. The Queen asked us to come back tomorrow at which time she would render her decision.

I confess that we are all feeling very confident. I know that I was convinced. 

The Fairy Diary Day 578 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It has been a long, long day. We arrived at the capital of our Faerie Kingdom very late in the evening. We flew more or less directly here. We skirted around a few problems, and did not stop at Gilgorgon’s mountain for the obvious reason. 

However, Dunfallon wanted to swing around to Aznastria to solicit an endorsement from King Nimrood, but I told the well meaning pixie ’no.’ With the hearing set for tomorrow I did not want to chance any untoward happenstances. (And anyway I was sure that any human endorsement would not be looked upon favorably by her majesty). 

The High Fairy met us and brought us to an inn outside the capital where he had arranged a place to stable Cluyjil. Merlin decided that it would be best to leave Willie (in his cage) tethered to the dragon, to the end that they could look after one another. Then it was that the wizard revealed the substance of his discussions with the Wisp – Willie wants to be released back into his swamp in the pixie territory. Merlin went on to say that we could discuss it further after Noralei’s hearing. 

His excellency led the wizard, Dunfallon, Navril and myself up into a suite in the palace set aside for us. There Noralei and Rumble were waiting up for us. 

After the briefest of reunions Noralei herded us together into the library to talk over tomorrow’s hearing. 

The Fairy Diary Day 577 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

When we left behind the trolls and the well that was once the tower of the Dark elves, Merlin turned his attention to Willie by joining him within his cage and stayed there throughout our transit to Laguayil. 

I admit as time went on I became uncomfortable at the long bouts of silence between the intermittent buzz of conversation. The wizard emerged as the city of the elves of light came in view. He stated that all was well within and expressed satisfaction at the change in the Wisp’s demeanor. 

The frost that covered the fields round about the area we were approaching, melted before our eyes as the sun appeared from behind the clouds that had hung over our entire morning. 

Dunfallon maneuvered us around to the main gate, and from there we were shown up to the palace to meet with Nililitil. Navril was there, of course, and he took Dunfallon aside for a quick chat. 

Once the formalities were observed, Merlin told the elven king all that had transpired since last they met. Nililitil was particularly interested in what he had to relate about the Sprites. Then, we got around to the point of our visit – seeking their aid for Noralei’s claim for Rayjil. 

Navril spoke up at that juncture and volunteered to appear at the hearing in her support. Nililitil agreed to his proposal and drew up a letter for him to give to the Faerie Queen. 

Before we departed Merlin asked me to drop a note to the High Fairy to inform him of our imminent arrival. Then, he told me he had decided to ride with Willie again in order to make room on Cluyjil for Navril too. 

Navril sang his farewell to his king and once underway took up that pixie ditty with his friend Dunfallon.