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 278 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

My recent message to the High Fairy stirred things up mightily. It contained a strange request – from Merlin. The wizard asked me to use the pendant to summon him. 

I did. And in the span of two wing beats he was there beside us. 

He began by commending us for a job well done. Then went on to tell us that our allies were close to breaking through in mass. 

To that end he said it was crucial that we prevent the enemy from activating his nearby troops. 

We looked around our little circle in wonder. ‘How’ was the word that sprang from our lips. 

Merlin laughed and said that it would be all his concern. 

But Dunfallon spoke up and protested that he and Grimace had not yet found Geog. 

This appeared to take Merlin by surprise – but only briefly. 

Then, he said to the duo, “you two shall come with me.” 

The Fairy Diary Day 272 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Yesterday I reported to the High Fairy about the new member to our group and asked that he relay the good news to Grimace’s brother, Geog. His excellency replied to us today with the sad news that Geog has gone missing. He had been leading a phalanx of fairies into battle against a pack of wolves and walking dead trolls – he got too far ahead and was cut off when the enemy was reinforced. The fairies did see him escape into the forest beyond. So they had held out hope that he was safe. 

We were progressing right along when this came in. After I shared it with the others (a mistake) Grimace and Dunfallon were all for striking out immediately to his rescue – all despite their ignorance of where our friend might be. 

Rumble, Noralei, and I were finally able to calm them down, but only with the compromise of allowing Dunfallon to fly over the land between here and the crystalline tower. 

I kept everyone else plodding along in this interminable valley through abandoned village after abandoned village. 

The Fairy Diary Day 259 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Last night Dunfallon  monopolized all the questions in our meeting with Merlin. (None of us minded, as they were all questions to which we wanted answers too).

All is well in Dromadil. Relations among the pixies, fairies, and elves of the light are for the most part harmonious. Geog is well and is called upon by each group in turn when his great strength is needed for a task. There was nothing to report about Grimace, nor any other trolls in the thrall of the enemy. 

The wizard did have some encouraging news. For some reason, the Dromadil pixies have been able to penetrate the enchanted barrier beyond the crystalline tower. They are hoping to locate the enemy soon. 

In closing the meeting Merlin announced his imminent departure. 

The day on ship passed without incident. We are closing quickly upon the land of the dark elves. Barring any new adverse situation we should make landfall sometime tomorrow. 

In the afternoon Merlin gathered us to bid us goodbye. And to relay to us the results of his examination of the rope used to immobilize the rudder – he is certain that it was made from the ugly black plant and thus from the land of the dark elves. He has seen similar cordage inside the crystalline tower.

The Fairy Diary Day 258 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Finally Captain Dorgone has the ship on our desired heading. Northward, with following seas. (Thanks to Merlin, I do believe).  

The captain and Goff suspect that Hawk was the one who had tied down the rudder. Especially having learned what Noralei had observed about him on their shift.  She recognized the cord used on the rudder as unique to him and further suspects it has magical qualities. (Merlin is examining its remains). 

His disappearance though remains a mystery. Was he a hapless victim in the storm? Or having accomplished his designs had he escaped somehow? Rumble thinks he may well have been a dark elf. 

Dunfallon kept pestering the wizard for news about his friends up in Dromadil, especially the troll Geog. I pulled the pixie aside and promised we’d all confer together with Merlin some time later this evening after seeing to our important tasks. 

I know I am just as curious as he is.

The Fairy Diary Day 237 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon and Geog came to me at first light to tell me their decisions. In the wee hours prior, Merlin had invited himself to join them under the stars where they were wrestling with the alternatives. As the pixie relates it, the wizard was silent and simply listened. And each of them found as they talked, they saw clearly what each needed to do – Dunfallon saw himself sailing in a ship on the waves of a mighty sea, and Geog saw himself on the march with an elvish army. 

So in the peace of settled resolve, all of us assembled in the Laguayilian council chamber and there made our thanks to Nililitil for his hospitality and bid our farewells. 

Nililitil still would have preferred us all to march with his armies, but he understands our obedience to the vision. And he rejoiced to have Geog in his forces. And is overjoyed that Merlin will accompany them – which we learned at the moment of our departure. 

The Fairy Diary Day 236 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The main topic (and debate) among us revolved around when we should depart on our mission. But first we had a fundamental disagreement to resolve. 

Dunfallon wants either Geog to accompany us to the coast on our prophesied path, or take the troll back with him to Dromadil in hopes of learning something about his brother Grimace. 

The discussion was heating up, when before I could relate my vision, Noralei stood and asked to speak for me. 

So while the pixie and the troll listened, she laid out the facets of my dream of a few days past. She looked at Dunfallon and stated simply that he had to be with the fairies to fulfill the vision.  And since a troll did not figure in my dream, Geog’s destiny must lay elsewhere. 

An icy silence followed. 

I was the first to speak and proposed that Dunfallon and Geog take the time to consider their next step. 

And I declared that tomorrow we leave for the coast. 

The Fairy Diary Day 235 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Everyone gathered in the Laguayilian council chamber at the request of Merlin. He invited Dunfallon to join him at the front and together they related to us all that has been discovered through the Dromadilians. 

While Dunfallon spoke, the wizard conjured up images on the wall behind them. The Dromadil scouts have been successful in penetrating the dark elves border at many points, but so far none have been able to enter or see into the black crystalline tower. 

From all reports they believe that there are very few dark elves. 

However, the trees everywhere are black – laden with myriads of dozing black birds. 

(The wizard’s image of that phenomenon changed to that of the tower). With that Merlin took up the explanation. A closer examination revealed that the tower was covered entirely with bats. And the plain between the birded woods and the bat covered tower was filled up with tents upon tents with trolls milling among them. 

The image of the trolls brought a cry from outside of the chamber from where Geog was watching. 

It was some time before Dunfallon and myself could comfort our friend.

The Fairy Diary Day 234 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was writing a message on my scroll to the High Fairy when I felt a presence behind me. I turned to see the face of Merlin smiling down on me. Before I could say a word he spoke to me. 

“I have heard that you have been concerned for me and the dragon’s egg that you turned over to me. Well, here I be, hale and hearty. And rest assured our egg has been committed to the capable and trustworthy care of a mutual friend.”

Any thing further he would not say. But I was satisfied that it was safely hidden away. 

Before we could continue our discussion, Dunfallon flew in on his eagle. He was about to give me the news about Merlin when he looked up and saw the wizard standing there. (The pixie mumbled something about having left Merlin back in Dromadil and how had he arrived before him). 

Dunfallon shrugged his shoulders and commented, “Then you know all the news already.”

At that moment Geog the troll passed by outside one of the windows, and the pixie was gone in pursuit of his friend. 

Merlin and I could only laugh. 

The Fairy Diary Day 233 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It is hard waiting, when every spark of your being longs to be off on your appointed path. 

Such was my unease while pacing the rampart and scanning the skies towards the dark crystalline tower (for we see now more clearly its form). 

My attention was arrested by the sight of a troll emerging from the woodlands to the east. His presence was about to be challenged by a troop led by Navril in that quarter. 

Recognizing the troll, I swooped down to interpose myself between the two. Thus I kept the Laguayilians from assaulting our great friend Geog. 

The High Fairy had informed him about our whereabouts. He has sought us out to come to the aid of his brother Grimace. His twin had disappeared with other trolls from their valley, and Geog fears that the enemy may be conjuring up another army of undead trolls. 

When we brought him into the city Rumble and Noralei were by turns elated to see him and distressed to learn of his plight. 

The complications surrounding our departure have worsened. 

What to do?