The Fairy Diary Day 441 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Some tense moments passed as the two sides waited one another out. Hostilities nearly ignited several times between separate individuals facing each other. Thankfully Fliget kept his dwarves in check while waiting for an answer to a set of demands he sent over by an emissary. 

A very good thing – for we had to retrieve Gnoston from the bowels of the sunken capital where he had gone to help Gilgorgon’s miners. And like we believed, he was the perfect one to explain the current situation to Fliget. 

Everything Gnoston had shared with us regarding the deep seated dislike towards Artoxon proved true. In response Fliget ordered his dwarves to stand down, and while the majority made camp, he sent a contingent of miners into the capital to help those belonging to Gilgorgon. 

At the first opportunity I finally obtained an audience with Merlin and he agreed with my reasoning that it would be best for Rumble and I to return to his castle. He did not say out right that Gibley and Dunfallon needed watching, but just remarked that Noralei could use a little break. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 415 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I think I shall never forget the wide-eyed expression on Gibley’s face when he doffed his goggles and gazed upon the sudden appearance of Merlin. And the way his rather sizable jaw dropped and remained mute for the space of thirteen wing beats. Even the hatchling was subdued in his presence – that is, until she caught the scent of the other hatchling on his clothes. Then she examined him most curiously. 

I had talked about the wizard to the goblin in the past and about the possibility of joining him in his castle. So, when Merlin offered to  take us all back with him, Gibley eagerly assented. 

But first Merlin transported Dunfallon and Noralei in order to prepare another place for the hatchling. Then he returned for Gibley and his charge, and lastly for Rumble and myself. 

It was so welcome to settle back into familiar surroundings. 

For now we are keeping the hatchlings in separate areas of the castle. 

This morning Dunfallon dragged Gibley off to the library and we have not seen them since.

The Fairy Diary Day 373 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

This passageway is so different from the Low-way of the dwarves. Traveling along them was like walking the halls of an ornate castle. At those places where a descent was called for, a grand staircase was hewn from the rock for the purpose – often there were twin staircases. Dunfallon tells us that Gilgorgon’s predecessors were highly skilled craftsmen, and they somewhat snobbishly looked down upon their distant kinsmen that were only miners. Such attitudes hint to me just how difficult our secondary mission may be to accomplish. 

Rumble had been given permission to light each section we passed into, from stores of oil placed along the way for that very purpose. It was a nice luxury, especially when thinking ahead to relying on my pendant and the glow from our armor once we enter the Low-way again. 

Talking about that eventuality, brought up thoughts of Willie – especially to our pixie – and wondering where he was now – and what he was up to. 

The Fairy Diary Day 349 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We saw Gnoston off at the gate to the Low-way. He was eager to return to his family village, now that his duties here are fulfilled. 

Fliget offered to lead us on a tour of the mines in the area that have just reopened. We fairies declined, based on Noralei’s experience with one of them that revealed a danger of exposure to iron ore. Dunfallon was happy to accompany him of course. 

Before they departed I took Dunfallon aside and confirmed what he told me yesterday about our next steps. He has not changed his mind, but wants to continue on wherever I lead. He knows and approves of my inclination. 

I then gathered Rumble and Noralei for a meeting with Merlin. They both have concerns they wish to check in on back at Nonin-gal-dith before making a final decision. 

Merlin mused a moment, then agreed. He took them back right then. And promised to return for Dunfallon and me tomorrow. 

He thinks we need to know more, so he proposed that we gather at his castle to search out the matter.

The Fairy Diary Day 225 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A lengthy message from the High Fairy was waiting on the scroll for me this morning. Fitting I am sure after my equally long missive to him of yesterday. There is still no word on Merlin. His castle now is completely unencumbered from the hornets’ nest and his excellency is sifting through clues in his library. 

His main concern at present is for us and our new allies. He is of the opinion that Laguayil may be the next target for an attack. He surmises that whenever and wherever the spies of the enemy are eradicated (i.e. the ugly black plants) they are alerted and consequently launch those black birds that are either the harbinger or the beings that transform into the hornet hordes. 

I met with the Laguayil council and laid before them this possible threat. 

We passed the rest of the day discussing what we can do to stave off disaster.

The Fairy Diary Day 222 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It was a difficult session that ran long into the night as we explained what little we knew about what may or may not have happened to Merlin. The most trying part was justifying our silence about it in the first place. 

Nililitil wanted to send a contingent of his wisest elves to the wizard’s castle to help break through the surrounding hornets’ nest. I, at the last, convinced him that the fairies had it well in hand. And I would share any news that we receive from the High Fairy. 

I did restate Dunfallon’s theory that Merlin was not there at all, but off reconnoitering the enemy on his own. This satisfied the leader of the elves. 

We had a confirmation of sorts this morning. A message from the High Fairy reported that his fairies had broken their way into Merlin’s castle – and the wizard was not within. 

And on the heels of that news Dunfallon’s golden eagle arrived to be with his pixie master.

The Fairy Diary Day 189 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

This morning Noralei and I passed out through the gates of the castle to check the approaches. We found a patch of the plants – some in bloom (ugly) – others just sprouted – and a good many gone to seed. We collected their reddish seeds and took them to Merlin. 

The wizard set his major domo the task of clearing the outside approaches of all these plants he can find. Dunfallon will accompany the owl and torch them.

Merlin wants the enemy totally in the dark as to our doings here. 

As Merlin examined the seeds, Rumble, Noralei and I looked on. Imagine our shock when he removed the husk on the first one and all its neighbors’ husks opened also – revealing unblinking eyes staring back at us. 

Merlin scooped all but the first one into a stone jar and sealed it shut – remarking, “I see that I have more work to do.”

The Fairy Diary Day 182 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The High Fairy kept vigil with Merlin the night through while they consulted his seer’s stone. Together they came to the conclusion that the same force allowing the adversary access to the wizard’s castle was also blocking all views of that speck on the horizon. 

They are most alarmed. 

The High Fairy uncovered the same phenomenon back in Nonin-gal-dith. Yet he never located any agent responsible. 

Rumble and Dunfallon remain deep in the library with as of yet nothing of substance to report. 

Noralei and I lent a hand wherever we could. We feel quite useless otherwise. 

I caught the High Fairy later in the evening and asked after Nimrood and his kingdom. He told me that the situation was settling – with most of the refugees now returned to their farms and villages. Yet there are those few who have not. 

However he added that concerns were growing in the capital of the Faerie Kingdom. The queen has asked him to send our group to her. 

We agreed that we face a dilemma as to which will be the best course of action. 

The Fairy Diary Day 177 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I feel a great weight lifted off of my shoulders with our arrival here at Merlin’s castle. I hope never to be embroiled in human affairs again. Thankfully Merlin has not bundled us off to our next mission. Surprisingly he has not yet broached the topic to us. So I am thinking it must not be as crucial as he had led us to believe. 

For now he is allowing us to take our ease. And I think Dunfallon, for one, welcomes the opportunity to forget his latest escapade. 

I asked Rumble to meet with the pixie to renew their friendship and to help him get past his guilt. And perhaps he can help with his desire to make up for the humans’ loss of those lambs. 

Noralei collected me and took me on a tour of the workshop in which she constructed that small lantern and the iron proof barrier. 

I suspected she was trying to help me recover too from our latest hardship. 

I welcomed the diversion.

The Fairy Diary Day 172 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin apologized for his curtness of yesterday and for the strain of being hurried along. He defended it as absolutely necessary. He said that time was short and instructed us along the way telling us we had to complete this mission as soon as possible for we were required to return to his castle for the next mission. 

When we came to another great oak he stopped, bowed his goodbye and disappeared after saying we had only to summon him and he will take us up immediately. 

Rumble and I were so busy talking to Merlin we hardly had said two words to Noralei. Dunfallon, however, had her all to himself and at times acted as her spokesman as we bombarded her with questions. 

Her adventures with Caywyn could fill another book. (I’ll just mention that they defeated another army of wolves and walking dead trolls.  And despatched messengers to go after the refugees beyond the human land borders on that side). 

We eagerly trudged on, for by Merlin’s account we should encounter the displaced farmers tomorrow.