The Fairy Diary Day 651 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Yesterday as we passed by the sight of the canyonlands in the distant south, I found myself wondering about our friends there, in particular Gibley and Conjil. I saw both Noralei and Dunfallon cast thoughtful gazes in that direction too. And I guessed where their thoughts lay. 

We all look forward to the next visit from our diminutive friend. 

But today our thoughts focused on the city before us. We arrived at Laguayil to a lavish welcome. Dunfallon was there already, having proceeded us and made preparations for stabling our dragons, and arranged for a secure place for holding our prisoners. 

Nililitil met with us in his private chambers. Which had me wondering why not his official chambers of state? Merlin voiced the same thought outloud to our host. The king of the Laguayil elves replied that all would be clear in good time. 

Instead he had us (including Navril) squeeze into his own scullery where he seated us at two tables and went about fixing our meal with his own hands. 

So, when all were served and with Navril mounting guard at the door, Nililitil opened his thoughts to us. 

He shared the intelligence that there is a strong movement afoot in his kingdom that seeks the release of our prisoners. 

To say that this news was shocking is an understatement. Merlin pressed him for details, but alas he lacked them. He decided that he would double the guards to see us to the border of Gilgorgon’s kingdom, and has sent word ahead for the dwarf to send a contingent to meet us there. 

And he advised us to set off early tomorrow. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 609 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Before we parted Willie gifted  Dunfallon with a striking ring. It glows with the same color as the Wisp. My pixie friend was quite taken with it, and kept looking at it as we flew along. 

When Gilgorgon’s mountain came in view, I had the urge to visit our dwarf friends – a notion that my pendants confirmed with the sensation of spreading warmth. So, I asked Gibley to take us over there. Dunfallon was all for the move, but Gibley wondered if we should at this time. When I told him that it may just prove to be crucial to our current quest, he urged Conjil on to that destination. 

We had some trouble at the main entrance with some guards who were unfamiliar with us, but once Herblas was sent for, he had us in and settled in short order. 

Gilgorgon received us gladly and called for a sumptuous meal. While it was prepared he invited us into his private chamber and listened intently to my account of our recent doings. When I revealed the problem faced by the Dromadil pixies, Gilgorgon became very animated and sent for his chief miner whom he introduced as Dibla. 

From Dibla we learned that Dromadil had been built over an abandoned work excavated by the dwarves long ago – back during the time of the building of the Low-way of the Dwarves. The more he talked the more connections I made between these underground areas and the activities of the Frost Fairies and their manipulation of water in that sphere. 

I asked Dibla if he were free to accompany us to Dromadil. He hesitated and put us off with the plea for time to consider – which we were more than willing to do. 

The Fairy Diary Day 532 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It did not augur well for our side as we entered the Faerie Queen’s chamber for the hearing. A certain grimness permeated the air. 

No one else was present. I could not help but feel suspicious. Were there to be no witnesses to these proceedings? If there was to be a reversal of the judgment against Tinadell it would be better if more knew the reasons behind it. 

My heart sank when the guards escorted him in. He was barely able to stand up under the chains weighing down his tiny frame. I could hardly restrain Dunfallon from making a scene in protest. 

The chains were removed when he was put on display in a cage. Only his eyes were in view as a gag covered the rest of his face. Noralei moved to the side of the cage in support and thankfully the guards did not stop her. 

The Queen’s prime minister read the text of the original banishment. It was plain that Tinadell was in violation of its terms. Not that we were there to challenge that. But we were going to speak about the changes in his current behavior. Simply he is no longer the miscreant he had been. 

Just as Her Majesty was to reinstate the original sentence, Merlin stood and placed a petition before the Queen. Instead of handing it off to her minister, she read it herself. 

When through, she looked up and said it would be her pleasure to review our testimony as to the changes in Tinadell. And in the next breath adjourned the hearing until tomorrow. 

On a sudden the gloom was dispelled and we returned to our chambers with hope. 

The Fairy Diary Day 402 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It seems we were kept waiting forever outside the gate to the stronghold city. The guards would not let us pass due to the presence of Gibley’s hatchling. And our demands to see Fliget went unanswered. Finally Gnoston was able to convince them to allow him entry to seek an audience with his friend. 

In the meantime Rumble purchased a hooded cloak from a passing merchant, with which Gibley and Noralei swaddled the hatchling. (It was more to hide her from prying eyes than anything else). 

As his impatience grew, Dunfallon agitated about either taking to the side passages to enter the city or maybe even going up to the surface and be on our way. But I vetoed his first idea as dangerous and reminded him that the quickest and easiest way to the canyonlands was through the city. 

The pixie’s sulk was cut short by the appearance of our friend Fliget – and his explanation for our long wait. He had decided to order all his subjects to stay indoors or to move from the main thoroughfare in order to clear a route through the city for our party to pass through unseen. 

He added an apology that there would be no time consequently to renew our friendship. I told him I understood but later remarked to the others that I felt our friend was being forced to comply to the will of the long arm of Artoxon.

The Fairy Diary Day 219 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Out of abundance of hospitality our captors only questioned us until they were satisfied that we had nothing to do with the flooding of their city. (Well, not intentionally). Then, they fed us and gave us a room for the night. With two guards at the door and two more at the window. 

Their questions today were all about our mission or as they expressed it – just what are you doing here in our land?

Navril, the elf who restrained Dunfallon yesterday took us into the elf council where the leader Nililitil presided and introduced us. 

Thankfully they know Merlin – favorably so – which is a plus in our favor. As for the High Fairy and the Faerie Kingdom they know little, nor do they care to know more. 

But when we mentioned the dark elves and the far away black crystalline structure they were all ears. What we had described was something from their long ago history, something that no longer exists to their knowledge. 

With that Nililitil brought us up to the highest spot in their city. And there pointed us to the spot on the horizon where we knew the crystalline structure should have been. But wasn’t. 

We were at a loss for words.

The Fairy Diary Day 149 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon returned on his eagle, which was a minor miracle for we had to change positions. (The eagle was no doubt a great aid on that score). He brought word that the guards will be on standby and will respond to a new password. (And he added that he liked Nimrood very much).

The pixie solved our second problem by opting to remain outside with Geog and Grimace. Not the best solution by any measure, but none could think of a better. 

That decided, Caywyn led us around to the secret entrance, and there we had to wait quite some time while a supply train for the trolls passed by. 

Inside the guards met us and escorted us in, just in time for a sumptuous meal spread out to welcome us. 

As reported Nimrood was overjoyed to receive us and showered honor upon us by placing us with him at the head of the table. 

Caywyn was quite moved to see the change in his king and relative. The king for his part waved away the concern for his loss and said that we’ll talk of that and the future tomorrow. For tonight he will only celebrate life.

The Fairy Diary Day 134 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I made the decision to go into the outpost alone. My friends remained outside and observed. 

I kept to the road and approached slowly, doing my best to be non threatening. (I left my bow and quiver with Rumble. Though I admit given my size I probably could not scare anyone).

Soon all eyes were on me. I could feel it. The guards at the gate allowed me to come right up to them. 

The one in charge knelt and asked me, “Would you happen to be the fairy named Meribabell?”

I barely squeaked out a “Yes,” so great was my surprise. 

And he added with a grin, “Then where are your companions?”

Such was my introduction to the Captain of Nimrood’s personal guard, Caywyn, and soon his introduction to all of us, as I brought my friends in at his invitation.

The Fairy Diary Day 89 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We bid goodbye to the guards today. We are very close to the border of the Faerie Kingdom and they are anxious not to create an incident. This despite our assurances that we would vouch for them. 

If anything Willie has increased his nastiness. Especially towards Rumble. And does not seem to tire as before. He has kept it up all day. 

We shall have to exercise extreme vigilance overnight. And perhaps double up the watch, making it a very long night for each of us. 

I wonder what the High Fairy plans to do with him. After he questions him that is. Rumble has stated on many occasions that Willie should be bound up and sent somewhere never to be heard from again. 

I am beginning to agree with him.

The Fairy Diary Day 87 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Willie has been behaving oddly today. Usually he is all vociferous to begin with, and quiets down by the end of the day. Instead he was been silent the day long. And looking very pale. 

Dunfallon is concerned he may just fade away. But I have suspicions he is up to something. 

Perhaps if he disappears altogether he hopes we will open the lantern and he can escape. 

Rumble shares my suspicion and is keeping an even closer eye on him. 

The guards tell us they will be turning back the day after tomorrow. I wonder if knowing that fact will embolden Willie to more aggressive action. 

I think that though he is getting weaker the farther we get from his beloved swamp, the more desperate he will become.

The Fairy Diary Day 85 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We have passed through two large pixie burrows this side of the road so far. It has slowed us considerably. What with all the curiosity generated by our presence, that is, fairies traveling with pixies, but even more so in regard to the Wisp. 

We would have been merrily on our way if not for an elderly pixie who recognized our prisoner. Willie returned his greeting and launched into a full throated plea for rescue. 

Thankfully the guards took control of the situation and brought us through without harm. 

After that I instructed the guards to keep to the pixie pathways and avoid the villages.