The Fairy Diary Day 662 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We are finally down from Gilgorgon’s mountain. We were held up unexpectedly by a breakdown of one of wagon’s wheels. It was necessary to remove the bell while it was worked on. Noralei with the help of Rugis and Strukul repaired it in a very short time. 

I have noted a change in demeanor in the pair. So perhaps Merlin is right that they are no longer a threat. At the same time it makes me wonder if their recent demeanor was their own or the result of influence from her former majesty – who now, I believe, has given up hope along those lines. 

I admit I am still wary. And will be, until we leave them behind at the next border. 

Merlin entered the Caretaker’s cage to check on his complaints about injuries he sustained in the bumpy ride down the mountain. According to the wizard it was all a ruse in order to speak to him out of earshot of her former majesty. The renegade fairy is fearful for his future as we grow increasingly closer to the Faerie Kingdom. Merlin told him that he is not the one to speak to on such matters, and that he must wait until he can speak to Tinadell or those in his government. 

How I long for this trip to be over. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 660 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin left before we even arose this morning. He left word through Gilgorgon that we should follow as soon as we were prepared. Knowing we wanted to be on our way as soon as possible, the dwarf king kept the parting ceremony brief but meaningful. As always he looks forward to our paths crossing again.

Dunfallon and Noralei switched places once more. The pixie took Cluyjil up hopefully to be on hand for the wizard, if necessary. And Clemjil for the first time, accompanied them. Noralei harnessed Rayjil once again to the wagon. And as in the past Rumble and I walked along on either side with Dunfallon’s “army,” keeping pace. They looked fit and shiny… and deadly.

The dwarves with us on the way up the mountain have been assigned also to accompany us down this side. With one difference – Herblas has remained behind, there being too much for him to do to get away – and in his place of leadership are two dwarves, Rugis and Strukul. Rumble recogized them as the two dwarves he thought had an unhealthy interest in the Crack of Doom. I must say that I have never seen a more shifty-eyed pair.

Our prisoners were ensconced in their normal spots. Her former majesty was uncharacteristically quiet in her cage. Instead, the Caretaker, who has hardly uttered two words together, complained about every bump on the road that we encountered. I do believe that on one stretch before a switchback, Noralei intentionally hit every rock and pothole on the roadway.

As the shadow of the mountain behind us began to lengthen, the other two dragons showed up. Dunfallon was on Clemjil and Merlin on Cluyjil. They brought exciting news with them. The way ahead is now clear of living obstacles. Merlin had encountered the Frost Fairies waiting in ambush on this side, and successfully convinced them to return to their home in the north under their new commander Tublain.

The Fairy Diary Day 654 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Sitting beside Noralei on the wagon this morning was quite a change from yesterday. Navril’s elves rigidly kept their distance, so the mood continued to be one of optimism among Dunfallon’s “army.” I had had the opportunity to discuss my fears of a hidden enemy within, and he has taken it upon himself to vett everyone under his command. 

So, I had every reason to bask in the sunshine filling the air around us. When some humming arose again in the cage with her former majesty. Noralei began a tune of her own as a counter to her attempt to lull us into a stupor. 

Disgusted at being foiled, the renegade queen began calling us names. One epitaph, aimed at me, I did not recognize. It seemed particularly vicious. At that point Merlin broke in to command her silence and took me aside to explain to me the gist of her jibes. 

She had called me a halfling, half human and half fairy – and totally abominable. 

Indeed an insult. (I write that even though I do have friends that are human). 

I did not have any time to dwell on the slur, for Dunfallon and Conjil returned at that instant. 

Although his mission had been successful – the dwarves will meet us on their border on this road – the pixie was more excited to report on a sighting while on the way back. A force of elves was cutting through the forest from the road we had left to the one we are currently traveling. 

The Fairy Diary Day 646 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A series of commotions throughout the night along the quay made our time anything but restful. And about the first watch I noticed that Cluyjil seemed restless too. So I suggested that Dunfallon take the dragon up to stretch his wings. 

It was the circumstance awaited for by those watching us. As soon as the pixie and dragon disappeared into the darkness, a dozen elves rushed the ship. 

Evidently they were not aware of the soldier less weapons at my beck and call. Within the space of five wingbeats the swords lined the rails to both sides of me, stopping the assailants in their tracks. They ran away faster than they had come at us. 

A clatter arose from the other side of the ship as our spears there repelled an attempt to board from another vessel on that side. In their panic to get away that darkened vessel was intercepted by the return of Dunfallon on Cluyjil. The dragon set its sails ablaze. All the elves within jumped overboard. 

The rest of the night was uneventful but we did have a visit from the harbor master in the morning. To boil his demands down – he wants us gone. 

Merlin assured him that so we shall this very day. 

Thus, by the afternoon once we had moved the Crack of Doom to the wagon with the help of the dragons and since Noralei had completed the second cage, everything was prepared to depart. 

We had daylight enough to climb out of the valley around Corbelin to the heights beyond. And we were just settling in to our camp, when another band of elves joined us. 

It was led by Navril, sent by his king and our friend Nililitil to see us safely to Laguayil. 

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 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 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. 

The Fairy Diary Day 573 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon took the lead when we arrived at the capital of the Dromadil pixies. It took all of his assurances for them to allow Cluyjil within the city gates. Even then we had to stable the dragon well away from the inner city wall. 

They were even reticent about Willie’s presence with us. But they permitted him entry on the condition that he not leave our side. (The sight of his bobbing cage turned every head as we passed by). 

Dunfallon’s friend, the Dromadil king was away at the time of our arrival, so we had to wait for his return this morning. And when he did – to await again his pleasure to receive us. 

When we did at last, we learned that he had been out in pursuit of some marauders from the North. Such groups have been preying upon the Dromadil pixies since the first descent of the unseasonable frost – the harbinger of the snow and ice. 

Dunfallon explained to him our mission and reason for coming and our fear that Merlin has fallen prey to these aforementioned marauders. 

The Dromadil king was saddened to hear about Merlin’s capture. And we were aghast at his further belief that the wizard must now be dead or irretrievably lost. 

Willie interrupted at that moment and said simply, “No. Merlin was willing.” And could add nothing further as he himself knew not why he had said it. 

The Fairy Diary Day 571 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We heard not a peep from within Willie’s cage as it floated along with us. A steady glow emanated from within, which hinted to me of a more contented disposition. But perhaps a better indication of a change in the Wisp was his effect on Cluyjil – that is, there was none – no uneasiness, no distrust, no aversion to this strange object tethered to his saddle and the stranger creature within. 

We made one stop on the way to Dromadil. I know that I originally turned down Dunfallon’s desire to enlist Gilgorgon and the dwarves in the cause for Noralei and her dragon – but now I thought better of it. 

Gilgorgon’s mountain was on the way and there were other good reasons to stop. 

Herblas ushered us into the presence of the king of the dwarves who received us gladly. Dunfallon stated Noralei’s case and successfully elicited his support on her behalf.

And I asked after Merlin and learned that the wizard had stopped by – probably when he was on the way to Laguayil. I then asked that if he should come through here before we caught up with him to please have him hurry back to Nonin-gal-dith. 

Then we asked to be excused to go on our way – (I know, such a hard thing to resist dwarfish hospitality). But we knew if we did not get off right away we would be held up for a day or two. 

Dunfallon’s only regret was not having the opportunity to have a few words with his mountain goat Gabhe. 

And I am happy to record that Willie  was civil, even cordial while there. I hope he can be the same with the pixies of Dromadil.