The Fairy Diary Day 673 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We almost passed by the cutoff to the repository. Its approaches hidden by design, have been further obscured by the rampant growth of the neighboring vegetation since its abandonment. Merlin helped by close observation of the images supplied by the seers stone.

Thankfully, once we were on its track, Rayjil was instrumental in muscling the wagon and us forward. Noralei directed us right up to the entrance, and Merlin addressed the two monarch trees which bowed to his command and opened to allow us in to the close grown forest that is the repository.

The quiet within lasted about fifty wingbeats, long enough for its new protectors – Clemjil and Torjil – to enter and race about in a frenzy of discovery. Gibley sighed in resignation and added his opinion that it was best not to rein them in, but indulge their curiosity.

I was thankful that neither was yet fitted with igniter stones.

The first order of business was to set the Crack of Doom back up into its place high above. The fairy troops were effective in guiding the bell, preventing it from falling afoul of other structures – but the wizard – staff in hand – was the one to do the heavy lifting.

Once the bell rested in its place, we began the task of setting all else in order. The fairy troops tidied their barracks and Dunfallon’s “army” were welcomed back into their place of origin.

For now Merlin and Gibley set up in the former Caretaker’s chamber. Noralei and I saw to the care of the dragons and will seek places near them for our time here.

Tomorrow the next project begins.

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The Fairy Diary Day 672 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The sentencing of the confessed killers will fall to Tinadell. But it will not be right away. His majesty has decided that the remains of the High Fairy must be recovered and laid to rest first. 

I originally volunteered for that task, but Tinadell overruled me. He wants me to remain in the kingdom until I make my decision. Instead Rumble was sent on Conjil with Dunfallon on Cluyjil to the place revealed by the Caretaker in his testimony. 

The rest of us, including Merlin, prepared the wagon for transporting the bell and the young dragons to the repository. Dunfallon’s army too will be returning there. Besides our fairy escort, they will make up the garrison. The Crack of Doom will be reinstalled and Gibley and Merlin will see to the igniter stones for the two dragonlings. 

As an added charge Merlin and I will evaluate the repository as a potential prison for the convicted pair. 

Preparations were completed before the midday meal. So, we set out immediately after. Merlin and I sat up on the wagon with Noralei and Gibley as she started Rayjil into motion on the road away from the capital. 

The Fairy Diary Day 670 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was teased wherever I went today. When I passed Dunfallon on the way to the library this morning, he gave me a deep bow – and a titter. Behind him our goblin friend Gibley scraped the ground also (though for truth with his small size it was hard to discern the difference). 

I startled Rumble upon my entrance into the library. He made a hurried bow – stopped in mid movement – hesitated – then executed the lowest courtly bow I have ever witnessed. I begged my friend to desist and to never do that again, even if I were to accept the post of High Fairy. 

Afterwards I fled out of the city for a little peace of mind and paid a visit to Noralei and the dragons at the inn. There I was greeted by a sweeping bow and a wink and a smirk. She giggled, and then told me that I would make a magnificent High Fairy. Thankfully she changed the topic by pointing out her new charges. Besides Rayjil, Clemjil and Cluyjil she was now looking after Conjil and Torjil too. Gibley had  brought Torjil with him from the canyonlands. She is to be Clemjil’s consort upon his installation as guardian of the Crack of Doom at the repository. 

By evening, the jibes were past and our regular comradery resumed. Merlin shared the news out of the palace. Tomorrow the trial of her former majesty and the Caretaker will commence.

The Fairy Diary Day 666 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei and her sister’s shop and home is surrounded nonstop by an elite corps of fairy troops from the capital. And there is an inner ring of Dunfallon’s army whose only focus is the bell and our prisoners. 

I feel safe and secure. We all do. Yet I want to be off to the capital and get the trial behind us. But for now we must wait. 

Rumble with an escort assigned by the captain of the elite guard left early for the former High Fairy’s residence to collect documents for the trial. Upon his return this evening he informed me that he will need the morning tomorrow to complete his task. 

While we were waiting today everyone was talking about their plans for the future. Noralei is looking forward to settling back into the business with her sister – which she plans to do after the trial and after settling Clemjil into his role as the protector of the Crack of Doom at the repository. 

Dunfallon has a decision to make. Nailbiter reminded him that there is a new burrow that desires to have him for their leader. He asked me for my opinion in the matter. I hemmed and hawed at first, but then told him straight that I could not envision him as a pixie settling down in one spot. 

He then turned the tables and asked me if I had any plans. I confess that at first nothing occurred to me other than taking up my life again here in Nonin-gal-dith, but even in the act of thinking it I knew that something more would be asked of me. 

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 659 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin was not convinced that the dwarves would have any designs on acquiring the Crack of Doom for themselves. But rather than continuing to speculate he suggested that we just go ask Gilgorgon ourselves.

Inside the mountain was abuzz with the activities of a new day. We caught Gilgorgon just after his morning meeting with Herblas in which he had laid out the tasks for the day.

To Merlin’s pointed question, our friend the dwarf king smiled and said that he for one could understand our concern. However, he expressed surprise that knowing a dwarf’s propensity for metals, we should have at least understood the matter from their side. He brushed it off as just curiosity on the part of these unnamed dwarves as to the metals used in the bell and its forging.

Gilgorgon went on to add that our pixie seemed to understand this about dwarves, for he had petitioned him last night for permission to visit their forges to help put new edges on his soldier less “army.”

This mention thunderstruck the wizard. For he immediately excused himself by saying that it was imperative for him to be present throughout that whole process.

I also excused myself from Gilgorgon’s presence – and as it was clear we would not be departing today, I joined with Noralei and Rumble down in the assembly area. There, we busied ourselves with the upkeep for the wagon and the care for the dragons.

As we finished for the day, we felt satisfied that we had headed off some possible future problems. The harness was quite worn, and we were able to mend and strengthen it. Noralei took a close look at Clemjil, who, though present, was not behaving like his normal self – for he had not been everywhere and into everything. And she said to us that he might just be ready to have an igniter installed in his jaw. 

I confess that I shuddered for a moment, but with my second thought I knew that the time would not be far off.

The Fairy Diary Day 658 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Thankfully it was an uneventful transit up to Gilgorgon’s mountain. Neither we on the ground, nor Noralei up in the air spotted any suspicious looking elves. 

Gilgorgon had a sumptuous welcome for us set up in his great hall. Our host made the rounds to thank each of us profusely for everything we had done for the dwarves – both for bringing peace to the two dwarf kingdoms and their consequent prosperity – but also for the recent rescue from the freeze that had been threatening the world. 

A secure place was set up at one end of the hall from which our prisoners could observe the proceedings (and we could keep an eye on them). I heard not a peep from that quarter. Curious, I wandered over a couple times to check. Each time her former majesty greeted me with her favorite slur. I did not even bother to lift the cover. 

On the second instance, Rumble met me and asked to talk. He took me down to the large assembly area where the wagon with the Crack of Doom and the dragons were kept. My friend was uneasy and was feeling guilty for it. On the journey up the mountain it seemed to him that a couple of the dwarves expressed an odd interest in what was contained in the large box. He did not like the gleam in their eyes after he told them what was inside. 

So, Rumble decided to stay with the wagon and the bell overnight. I was not sure that I agreed with his assessment, but then again I was not present at the encounter. However, I did promise him that I would talk to Merlin about the situation. 

The Fairy Diary Day 647 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I traded off with Dunfallon taking Cluyjil up to look out for ambushes ahead on the road. I remember thinking on my first stint what a motley collection we must seem – the dragon Rayjil pulling the wagon under Noralei’s direction – Merlin seated up front with her – little Clemjil, walking along with them – the floating presence of Dunfallon’s army flanking both sides of the wagon, (most heavily grouped around the box containing the bell) – Navril’s forces split in two, (he was in the lead with one half and the other brought up the rear).

Anyone considering challenging us would have to be mad.

In my estimation we had the road to ourselves through the mountains. Though I could see some movement ahead coming across the plains, and headed towards us. Most likely merchants on their way to Corbelin.

During those times when Dunfallon’s turn on Cluyjil came around, I sat atop the box containing the Crack of Doom. It gave me a better view than when riding forward with Noralei and the wizard. Though I did trade places with Merlin on those occasions when he wanted to consult his seers stone.

It was on one of those occasions that I heard humming coming from the inside of the renegade queen’s cage. Noralei had created cloth covers for the cages, to keep them away from the prying eyes of passersby.  I lifted one edge of the cover and the queen stopped her humming, stared at me and stuck out her tongue. I dropped the cover back in place.

The look on my face drew a chuckle from Noralei and she told me that I needed to ignore her – and to guard myself from any incantations.

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 644 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

One incident marred our entry into the harbor of Corbelin. A couple of the returning fishing boats came alongside and questioned Captain Goff about our passengers. Evidently the renegade queen somehow had been trying to solicit the aid of these elvish fishermen in securing her release. At that point Merlin intervened and explained to them the crime for which she will be tried back in the Faerie Kingdom. 

The fishing crafts backed off but I had an uneasiness that they were not totally convinced. 

Such was my concern that I thought it best for Dunfallon to set up his “army” on deck once we were moored – to protect the ship, the prisoners and the Crack of Doom. In addition the pixie had Cluyjil take up a position on the quay beside the ship. 

It was also time to bid goodbye to Nora. He had more places to go and places to see. After quartering Rayjil, Noralei went for a ride around the harbor with him as her way of saying farewell. 

We are going to wait for the morning, before procuring a wagon to transport the bell, our prisoners and us.