The Fairy Diary Day 689 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

After our arrival yesterday, Merlin and I met with Tinadell. The Fairy King promised to have all the questions resolved about my candidature tomorrow. There was something in his demeanor, however, that hinted that another outcome was possible, maybe even certain. 

It is probably why I rested so uneasily overnight. 

I floated through a constant stream of dreams, filled up with snippets of my adventures these past many moons. And one after another my friends appeared before me – Rumbletwist, Dunfallon, Noralei, Gibley, Navril, Caywyn, Herblas, Emminie, Captain Goff, Geog, Gilgorgon, Fliget & Gnoston – and a few faces whose names escape me, weaved in and out of them. Even Nora splashed by here and there. And Tinadell presided over the whole.

Only two were lacking – the High Fairy and Merlin. The absence of the High Fairy I dismissed as to be expected. But I continually asked my friends as they passed by, “Where is Merlin?”

But then at the end, the wizard did make his appearance. Everyone else faded away. Merlin commanded my whole attention – and intoned a sobering announcement. There would be yet one more trial for me to undergo. Then he was gone with no further explanation.

My mind was abuzz as I went down to the morning meal. Merlin was waiting for me at the door to the galley hall. Before I could say a word, he told me that I must submit to one test. He motioned for me to follow.

Up in the audience chamber of the Fairy King, a scale had been set up beside the throne. Seeing the question reflected in my visage, Merlin explained that according to my accuser, the prime minister, if it can be shown when weighed, that I weigh less than Tinadell, then he would agree to remove his complaint.

(I remember thinking at that instant, I was glad that I had not eaten or drunk anything).

Tinadell took his place first on one side of the scale, which hardly dipped as he sat. He motioned me over to the other plate. Time itself seemed to stop as I crossed to the scale.

The prime minister commanded that I not flutter my wings while on the scale.

At this, Merlin picked me up and placed me on the plate.

My side dipped at first, but then it rose to a level above that of Tinadell’s. A sigh of relief echoed around the chamber – largely mine.

Tinadell applauded and announced that I would be anointed tomorrow at the repository.

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The Fairy Diary Day 664 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I do believe that we are farther from Nonin-gal-dith than when first we entered these pixie woods and that holds true even though we have come out on the other side of the forests. The path Rumble plotted for us kept us not only far away from the swamp of Will’o’the Wisp – it also kept us at a great distance from the main pixie burrows. 

That is why I granted Dunfallon’s petition for him to pay a visit to Nailbiter’s burrow – with the proviso that he return to us this night. 

The road chosen by Rumble was very smooth and passed through picturesque forests and meadows. It is surprising therefore how few pixie burrows there were in that most perfect of settings. 

We crossed over the road the humans use between Aznastria to the north and their sister kingdoms to the south. It called to mind our friends King Nimrood and Caywyn, and made me wonder how they fared during the freeze and the Frost Fairy incursion. 

Rumble called a halt when we came to the fairy road that will take us to Nonin-gal-dith tomorrow. Here we will wait for Dunfallon to find us. 

I wonder if he will remember to show up. 

The Fairy Diary Day 212 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I must say that the noises last night were very strange and somewhat jarring. I was thankful to have Noralei’s barrier surrounding us. 

And we were more so to be moving in the light of day, until…

Just off the side of the trail Rumble encountered some tracks that he thinks might be a very large cat. We called Dunfallon to rejoin us on my decision that while in this jungle we must band together. 

I took up the lead, holding at the ready my bow. Noralei passed out some bronze daggers to the boys from her pack and kept a bronze short sword for her own use. (The weapons were gifts to her from Caywyn). 

A message from the High Fairy had no new news regarding Merlin.

The Fairy Diary Day 173 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Rumble was the first to notice the change in the landscape ahead and drew our attention to the patches of brown earth that dotted the far side of the plain. 

We had found some refugees. 

Now how best to inform them of the change back in their homeland. 

We had the proclamation from Nimrood but would they accept it from us? Would they even let us come close? None may ever have encountered fairies or pixies before. And they might be armed with iron weapons. 

We pressed onwards and set our sights on the closest and smallest cleared field. It seemed the safest course. 

As we neared we made out a family busy outside. A flag flew atop of their simple hovel. 

Taking one look at it Noralei became excited. 

“I know that flag,” she said. “And now I know why the High Fairy insisted that I come with you.”

The flag was that of Caywyn’s family and clan and Noralei knew exactly how to approach them. 

That is what she did and how we met the leader of the refugees.

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.

The Fairy Diary Day 155 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We bid adieu to Caywyn this morning. He was anxious to get back to his post and to find out if his men there were experiencing any problems due to the enemy’s retreat. Noralei asked permission to join him. To this we reluctantly agreed, but only because the rest of us thought we would soon follow.  

While waiting for instructions from the High Fairy as to our next actions we took our ease. Nimrood wanted to stage another celebration but we prevailed upon him to wait for things to return to normal first. 

Encouraged by Noralei‘s example, Dunfallon put in a request to accompany Geog and Grimace back to their home. I was not keen on him leaving us too until I heard that many of the farmers in the area had fled into that territory. Then, I knew what I had to do – I put it to the king that we would be glad to carry the tidings to his people up there that it was safe to return to their farmsteads.

No need to ask the High Fairy. It was the right thing to do. 

The Fairy Diary Day 153 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

This has been the longest battle I’ve ever experienced – stretching from yesterday through the night – and ending only this afternoon. 

According to Caywyn the tactics employed by the trolls have never been seen before. 

First, they launched wolves over the walls to raise havoc within. A none too smart tactic as sometimes the wolves were seriously injured. Consequently Nimrood’s forces led by Caywyn easily dispatched the survivors of the first wave. 

And all praise to Rumble the second and successive waves were thwarted by his surprise reappearance leading a band of local fairies. They filled the air above the wall creating a protective spell that propelled the flying wolves back whence they came. 

Then during the night the trolls substituted fireballs for the wolves and pressed their attack in that fashion. Our aerial enchanted net held with the powerful aid of the High Fairy who arrived unannounced to lead Rumble and his troops. Thankfully his excellency was on hand to heal those fairies whose wings were singed. 

And Noralei and I met the last assault aimed against the gates themselves. A handful of trolls penetrated the outer defenses and hacked away at the gates. She and I dispatched one and just when I thought the others were going to overwhelm us Dunfallon astride his eagle seemingly attacked from all sides at once and Geog and Gimace pounded the survivors. 

Within moments a great cry arose from the troll camps as a great ring of Fire consumed them. 

Something caught my eye on the next battlement over. I turned and saw Merlin standing there with arms upraised. 

The Fairy Diary Day 152 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was still awaiting a reply from the High Fairy. Though I confess my thoughts had not centered on hearing back from his excellency. For some reason instead they had settled upon all those human refugees we witnessed traveling between the territories of the fairies and the pixies. Many of them must have been farmers who were forced off of the lands hereabouts. And the burning conclusion I came to is that we must find some way to bring them back. 

I was so caught up in my musings I did not notice that Rumble had left. That’s when I found a note from him – he had gone in search of the rumored local fairies. 

I went to the others, but none had encountered or had even seen him. Caywyn did say that there are stories of fairy folk living somewhere in the parklands adjoining the palace. So, Caywyn led Noralei and me over to the most lovely of parks. 

But Rumble was nowhere to be seen. 

Before we could think of another possibility, an alarm was raised summoning everyone to the walls of the main gate. 

The troll army was attacking.

The Fairy Diary Day 151 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

After our long discussion last night Nimrood agreed to my proposal of laying the whole matter before the High Fairy. I vouched for the close relationship that his excellency has with the wizard. If anyone, he would know what needs to be done to save our kingdoms. 

And I convinced the king that our pixie and our trolls might just be where they need to be for the outcome we desire. I put that question to the High Fairy also. 

So now we wait, a hard thing for Nimrood to do. The king took Caywyn with him to inspect the fortifications. Noralei asked to go along – for which I gave the go ahead. I am confident she can give them valuable advice. 

Rumble and I were shown to a room where we will await the High Fairy’s reply. The room is that of a human child’s, given to us in respect for our small size. It has had a strange effect on my companion. It has made Rumble homesick for Nonin-gal-dith. 

My thoughts were filled up with how we can help to protect the two kingdoms.

The Fairy Diary Day 150 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

This morning was a serious contrast to last night as the king enumerated the dire circumstances confronting his kingdom. Chief of which was the crisis created by the surrounding farm lands being laid waste by the troll army. He has food enough for only one month. 

Nimrood is hoping that our presence will prove the decisive factor to turn the tide against the invaders. 

Months ago he had been told by Merlin himself about the arrival of our party. Then he fixed us with that one eye and asked what had happened to our pixie. 

He is convinced that our entire group must be intact for the prophesy to come to pass. 

Caywyn helped me explain the situation regarding Dunfallon and the troll brothers.