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.

Advertisement

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. 

The Fairy Diary Day 541 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Nililitil and Navril gave us a splendid sendoff. Beforehand I was able to share with them an answer I had received from the High Fairy regarding the rumors out of the north. His excellency confirmed that he had heard similar ones and wanted me to assure them that it was being looked into. In fact, Merlin has agreed to check on it himself. 

This grabbed the attention of my companions, so as we traveled along I narrated to them what little I knew about it. Then we speculated amongst ourselves – wondering if Tinadell’s mysterious destiny lay in that direction. 

By day’s end we arrived in the canyonlands without incident. And crossed the threshold of Glossom’s domicile. 

But no one was in. 

Dunfallon made the suggestion that we fly over to the stronghold city to pay a visit to Fliget. We toyed with that idea briefly, but in the end decided to stay where we were and await the return of Glossom and Gibley. 

The Fairy Diary Day 500 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Glossom did not go with us to the stronghold city of the dwarves. He told us that he had too much work to see to as leader of his goblin clan and could not safely neglect it any longer. 

Before we parted he gifted his nephew with a young dragon that has manifested the same behavior as Rayjil. Not yet named (Gibley would have that honor), she was strong enough to carry the three of us – with room to add Herblas. 

Arriving at the entrance to the Low-way of the dwarves, Gibley remained with the dragon while Dunfallon and I went into the stronghold city. 

Herblas had not been idle and eagerly displayed for us a pouch full of purple gems. I thought they looked promising. 

We paid our respects to Fliget (Gnoston had returned to his village), and alerted him to the intelligence that the black bird was abroad in our land. Then we rejoined Gibley. 

The young goblin, having passed some time with the dragon, had named her. So, he introduced us to Conjil. And after we coaxed Herblas to join us, we winged our way to Merlin’s castle. 

The Fairy Diary Day 495 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Before we met again Merlin had been prompted to change a few things. Instead of the council chambers the wizard asked for a smaller and more secure venue – and he also limited those in attendance. 

Fliget and Gnoston, as their presence was not required, took it upon themselves to stand guard against any eavesdroppers at the doors of the inner room in which we convened. Herblas joined his fellow dwarves, leaving only Dunfallon, Gibley, and myself to attend. The High Fairy was not present, as he had returned to the Faerie kingdom to give a report to the Queen. 

Merlin opened the meeting with important information from Glossom. He made it plain that only dragons like Rayjil can transport to the other side in their own power. For other dragons and their riders to accompany such a one required a beacon stone worn around its neck. And the only one that Glossom’s goblins possessed was the one lost when Gorbin was immolated. 

(When this was said I had a flash of understanding of how the black bird moved between the worlds with the Will’o ’the Wisp). 

Upon a quick glance Gibley’s way I was filled with pain for him, wondering what may happen in any future encounters with this bizarre reincarnation of his father. Is there anything left of Gorbin in that beast?

Thankfully the wizard did not allow us the time to dwell on such thoughts, for we immediately set out for the goblin holdings in the canyonlands for answers. 

The Fairy Diary Day 492 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Well, at long last some of the mystery in which Merlin has shrouded his plans has been revealed. 

Fliget and the new regent for the city were taking us on a tour to show off all the improvements when word was brought up that the long awaited guest had arrived and was outside the canyonlands gate. 

The wizard begged to be excused from the party, but rather than go on without him, all of us chose to accompany him down to the gate. 

Gibley the goblin spotted the mystery guest first. And his look of astonishment left his mouth agape. There at the gate was Gibley’s uncle. 

Merlin greeted him warmly, then made the introductions all around to Glossom the chief of the goblin dragon handlers. 

This time the uncle greeted his nephew in what we only could understand to be warmth between goblins – a stiff embrace. 

Then, Fliget moved everyone up to the city’s council chambers and thus began our council of war. 

(Thankfully another feast was not proclaimed).

The Fairy Diary Day 491 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The gates to the stronghold city were wide open. The High Fairy joined us there. The sights awaiting us inside were so different than at the time of the original victory celebration. Lights and garlands were festooned overhead, bringing a cheeriness to the eyes and heart. The citizen dwarves having declared a holiday lined the street singing snatches of praise embroidered around each of our names. 

Fliget later told us that he had so wanted to do this as a more proper thank you for all that we had done. 

And the most rousing song of all was lifted up for our pixie Dunfallon the Noble. 

Even before any note was sung I knew we were in for another round of dwarfish hospitality. And there in the city square table upon table was set up for a feast. 

But unlike our feast up in Gilgorgon’s mountain, talk about the future was not only allowed but also encouraged. And the first decision made was about the dwarfish involvement in the mission to the other side. Fliget announced that he would back Gilgorgon’s selection to represent all the dwarves, and while looking at Herblas he added that he thought him a perfect candidate. 

Merlin and the High Fairy applauded the king of the dwarves choice. Then, the wizard stood to make an announcement himself. He introduced Dunfallon and myself and said that we would be part of the team joining Herblas. He had one other to name, but could not until a missing guest had arrived. 

And with that he left us to wonder who that might be. 

The Fairy Diary Day 490 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our progress picked up after Fliget decided to exercise his prerogative as king of the dwarves. All caravans were shunted aside to allow ours the right of way. 

I began to feel uncomfortable about what might lay ahead for us in the stronghold city. My sense that something was off lead me to approach Merlin to talk to him about it. Gnoston’s and Fliget’s actions were hard to understand as to what motivated them. And afraid to say, I was suspecting our friends of evil intent if not outright perfidy. 

The wizard listened patiently to my fears. When finished he chuckled and painstakingly calmed all my concerns. 

The High Fairy has been sent for and will join us in the stronghold city. The dwarves have invited him to be present for a special celebration of our victory over the dark elves. 

Evidently the dwarves think that a season of thankfulness is called for, especially on the eve of another conflict. 

Before he dismissed me, Merlin hinted that more surprises await us upon our arrival in the stronghold city. 

The Fairy Diary Day 489 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Come time to set out for the stronghold city I was almost too full to move. This feasting of late slows me down considerably. Looking around at my companions I saw a similar effect at work in them – all except in the case of Merlin. He seemed ready to march nonstop all the way to our destination. 

Even more traffic was traveling the Low-way of the dwarves. Most of it headed towards the capital. Many times our party had to yield to the traffic headed in that direction – huge caravans carting building materials and there were other transports headed in that direction which we knew were ferrying metals from the mines, judging by the amount of soldiers guarding them. 

During one of the instances we were waiting Dunfallon excitedly brought to us a new arrival – our friend Gnoston. He wanted to know if I would send a message to the High Fairy – but before I could answer him, Fliget saw him and took him away from us. 

I asked Dunfallon if he knew why Gnoston wanted to contact his excellency. The pixie shook his head. 

We had the distinct feeling afterwards that our friend was being kept from us. 

The Fairy Diary Day 488 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We were not the only ones traveling the passageway down to the Low-way of the dwarves. Many merchants were passing us in both directions. In the main they were dwarves, but there was a smattering of goblins and elves among them. All were curious and stared unremittingly at Merlin. The wizard took it in stride – and even exchanged pleasantries with a few of them. 

Gibley was not a little amazed at the attention he was getting from these strangers for his being among our number. It made me want to shield him all the more, but Dunfallon beat me to it and fell in step beside him. 

When we reached the bottom where the great doors stood open (as was Merlin’s hope when they were replaced) we found another surprise. Fliget was there – set up in a camp just on the other side, in the Low-way of the dwarves. He had heard that we were coming and had come out to meet us. 

His capital is still being rebuilt and wanted to take us down to the stronghold city to talk through things there. 

Thus we entered into another occasion of dwarfish hospitality.