The Fairy Diary Day 686 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

With the lifting of the heaviness Gilgorgon declared a day of celebration and feasting in the great hall. I sat at the head table with Merlin and the dwarf king. Gilgorgon shared the latest news about the dwarfish kingdoms – his and that of Fliget. All is well and prosperous. 

I found myself more focused upon my tablemate the wizard. I asked him why had not the former queen freed herself like Tinadell had, when struggling with the same forces. Merlin replied that it all boiled down to the unwillingness on her part – that is, she did not desire to be free of it. She was too enamored of the power that was hers – and could not surrender even as it was fading away. 

I then asked him what were his plans for the box containing her voice. 

He has decided to keep it with him until he can place it under lock and spell in his treasury back at his castle. 

We then conversed about how he and the High Fairy worked together for the well being of all the kingdoms of the world. I hope to be able to perpetuate the blessings of such a partnership for the future. 

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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 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 439 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The discussion among Merlin, the High Fairy, and Gilgorgon dragged on interminably. Clearly by his loud protestations the dwarf king was not happy with what the other two were advising him to do in regards to Artoxon. They want him to halt any further attempts to defeat and capture his enemy. 

Rumble and I kept company with Gnoston apart from their place of contention. We were both surprised at our friend’s attitude towards this issue. He agreed wholeheartedly with Gilgorgon’s position and against that of the wizard and his excellency. And I do not think it due to a belief on his part that he must do so as their prisoner. Strange to say he does stand against his own sovereign. And he declared that so do most of Artoxon’s subjects. 

I for one marveled at how well the dwarves of this kingdom had masked their true feelings about their king all the times in the past we had been with them. 

In the end I prevailed upon Merlin and the High Fairy to give an audience to Gnoston before any final decision was reached. 

The Fairy Diary Day 428 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin, Rumble and I descended into the depths of Gilgorgon’s mountain. Gabhe desired to go with us, but felt herself in a bind. On the one hand, she wanted to brave the hazards with us, but she could not shake the onus of responsibility bestowed upon her by the dwarf king. Thus the mountain goat remained behind. 

In the midst of our conference yesterday I had written a note on the scroll to the High Fairy to brief him on our plans. No answer had been forthcoming until I checked again just as we entered the underground passage to the other dwarf kingdom. 

There waiting was his excellency’s reply, containing two bits of news- the goblins report that all is quiet on their frontier with Artoxon’s kingdom – and that the Dromadil pixies had executed the dark elf Hawk for the murder of two of their guards. 

I was saddened at the news about Hawk (Rumble not so much). 

Merlin took the lead. He had been here before, of course, when he and Gilgorgon battled the invading dark elves. Our way was brightly lit, for Gilgorgon must have left the oil flowing after he and his troops passed. It was welcome, even cheery. But I admit to being on edge the further we went. 

The Fairy Diary Day 427 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

All the way down to the great hall of the dwarves, Gabhe recounted everything that has happened to her since last she saw us. And she had to tell it in order – so that at the moment we entered the great hall she was only up to the time that the conflict broke out between the two dwarf kingdoms. 

We were not prepared for an empty hall, the sight of which only filled us with more anxiety – and questions. 

Where was Gilgorgon? And where were his dwarves?

Gabhe answered simply. Gilgorgon had mustered his troops and led them off down the subterranean passageways to the gates to the Low-way of the dwarves. She had not seen him or anyone since. But before departing the dwarf king had charged her to look after things while they were gone.

This being the case Merlin asked her permission to assemble in Gilgorgon’s council chamber in order to discuss our next actions. To this she readily agreed after he included her in our number. 

After a long discussion we agreed we must follow after Gilgorgon and descend to the Low-way of the dwarves. 

The Fairy Diary Day 395 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

My pendant proved highly effective. Not only was I shielded from the ill effects exposure to iron wrecks on the fairy physique, but it produced a brilliant red glow to light our way. 

Dunfallon helped us avoid several traps obviously set up as protective measures on the orders of the dwarf king. 

Unbeknownst to us, Gibley had followed us into these depths. Dunfallon had to rescue him when he fell prey to one of those same traps. After admonishing him for his foolhardiness I relented and granted his plea to continue with us. 

As promised upon reaching the lowest level we were received into Artoxon’s apartments. The very atmosphere was rife with tension for they knew for a fact that a dragon was held up in their biggest, deepest vault. And they were leaderless for Artoxon had locked himself in his bed chamber and would not answer any call. 

The remaining dwarves fell down before us and begged our help in their emergency. 

I asked for everything they could tell or show us about the vaults below. Thus, Dunfallon, Gibley, and I sat down with the warden of the vaults below to plan our next steps.

The Fairy Diary Day 381 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I do believe that the Artoxon’s chambers are more ornate than when we were here last. With the defeat and departure of the dark elves, the wealth from the recovered mines has obviously flooded into his vaults and it is clear that the overflow was on display everywhere we looked.

It was a difference that we also saw reflected in the demeanor of the dwarf king. He was more expansive – less explosive – I might say gracious. (But Dunfallon simply described him as less stingy). 

We believed that this boded well for our mission as ambassadors. So, I wasted no time in presenting to him a scroll that Gilgorgon had sent with us. He took it from me with a smile, but instead of opening and reading it he handed it off to Bifitz who in turn delivered another scroll to me. 

He explained that it contained their demands that must be agreed to even before they would deign to look at Gilgorgon’s message. 

Since there seemed little reason to talk further we begged to be excused and allowed to go on our way.

The Fairy Diary Day 368 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It was quite an ordeal for Merlin to carry us all at once up to Gilgorgon’s mountain. Not that four fairies and one pixie weigh very much, but besides the pieces of the broken crystal and other odds and ends from Willie’s lair, he also transported Dunfallon’s mountain goat – at the pixie’s insistence. 

Such was his fatigue that he put off his audience with Gilgorgon until tomorrow. 

I think it all for the best. I believe the dwarf king given enough time will come to the realization that to give over the dragon egg is in the best interest of all parties. 

An interesting aftermath to our journey here – Dunfallon’s mountain goat can now speak – much to the delight of the pixie. They have gone off to watch a game of nine pins. 

The mountain goat (who prefers to be called Gabhe) told us that flying does not agree with him. And if given his wish, prefers never to do so again.