The Fairy Diary Day 418 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A major problem emerged this morning, at least in Gibley’s estimation when he came across a passage in one of the tomes in the library written by a goblin trainer. It extolled the virtues, nay – the absolute necessity of dragon shell in the diet for the healthy development of a dragon hatchling. And since the shell for Rayjil was completely consumed in the conflagration of her birth, he trembles for her well being. 

Dunfallon has been trying to calm the goblin all morning and has asked Rumble to launch another search in the library for other possible remedies. 

Noralei has offered up some of the dragon scales she has found if they can be a suitable substitute. One more item for research added to Rumble’s list. 

I assisted – in turn – the pixie and the goblin in the physical training of their hatchlings. The main device is the dragon training staff.  Now more for comfort, but becoming more important as their wings develop.

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The Fairy Diary Day 416 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

For the immediate future the hatchlings will be kept apart. According to Dunfallon’s reading (confirmed by Merlin) there are conflicting schools of thought regarding the nurturing of dragons – especially when they are of opposite sexes. The wizard has decided to err on the side of caution and thus avoid the prevalent pitfalls. 

Merlin called us together to meet his hatchling, which he has dubbed Cluyjil. Both longer and bigger than Gibley’s. And easily more active. 

The fact that Merlin had named his hatchling inspired the goblin to name his. And that is how she came to be known as Rayjil. 

Since Dunfallon was so keen on applying himself to train dragons the wizard happily stepped aside and named the pixie as Cluyjil’s official trainer. And he will also assist Gibley with his charge. 

Merlin took advantage of the new arrangement and pulled me aside for a walk up on the parapet.

The Fairy Diary Day 415 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I think I shall never forget the wide-eyed expression on Gibley’s face when he doffed his goggles and gazed upon the sudden appearance of Merlin. And the way his rather sizable jaw dropped and remained mute for the space of thirteen wing beats. Even the hatchling was subdued in his presence – that is, until she caught the scent of the other hatchling on his clothes. Then she examined him most curiously. 

I had talked about the wizard to the goblin in the past and about the possibility of joining him in his castle. So, when Merlin offered to  take us all back with him, Gibley eagerly assented. 

But first Merlin transported Dunfallon and Noralei in order to prepare another place for the hatchling. Then he returned for Gibley and his charge, and lastly for Rumble and myself. 

It was so welcome to settle back into familiar surroundings. 

For now we are keeping the hatchlings in separate areas of the castle. 

This morning Dunfallon dragged Gibley off to the library and we have not seen them since.

The Fairy Diary Day 414 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I cannot begin to fully imagine what our goblin friend is going through. His sadness and disappointment dogged his every step today. And those feelings spilled over onto the hatchling, who was sluggish and clung solely to the training staff. 

Dunfallon wanted to pay an unannounced visit to the other goblin location and snap up a few other dragon training devices, but I vetoed that idea and ordered him to focus on directing our way towards Merlin’s castle. Which may mean crossing the river again. 

As we were going along I fell into a conversation with Rumble, since we have left the goblins behind he sensed less opposition to our movement which led him to speculate that it had been an enchantment put in place by them as a reaction to the dark elf incursion at the time of Gibley’s kidnapping. 

This brought to my mind the memory of Gibley’s uncle staring at us. And the flicker of fear I saw in his eyes as they took in the sight of my pendants. 

It was a reminder also to check the scroll. And therein was written a new note from the High Fairy. Merlin was now ready and willing to answer our summons.

The Fairy Diary Day 413 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We began the day in high hopes, for Dunfallon found a promising cavern entrance. It  was somewhat of a climb to reach its level, but with a team effort we helped Gibley carry the hatchling there. The ground outside was littered with broken dragon training staffs and worn out bits of harnesses. 

We had an incredible feeling that we had finally arrived. 

But it came crashing down after a band of goblins materialized from out of the rock walls. 

But not before Gibley had rushed forward to greet his uncle. The haughty goblin did not even acknowledge his nephew. 

Gibley stammered his protest, mumbling something about his parents and holding up the hatchling for his approval. None of which moved our opponent. 

Instead his uncle made it clear that he considered Gibley a traitor and as such is banned from their kingdom forever. And as he looked around at all of us we knew none of us were welcome either. 

We departed as fast as we could. 

We fairies and our pixie turned our attention to the distraught goblin. I told him he was welcome to come with us. And Noralei and Dunfallon volunteered to help him raise the hatchling. 

The Fairy Diary Day 412 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We set ourselves to take the long way around via the river route. It was easy going for the morning, but by the time the sun passed its apex [The Narrator: the wording actually read- “when the sun settled overhead” but I felt it needed a clarification for human understanding] the way narrowed and filled with boulders over which we paused to help Gibley and the hatchling. 

Dunfallon reported in to say that it will be more of the same ahead. He was almost apologetic about it, as if it were his fault. I encouraged him to keep on the lookout for other possibilities. 

A couple of times the hatchling let go of the training staff and took her first steps. We allowed her to continue to do so whenever the way leveled off. But if she gets too far away from us, Gibley waves the training staff, and so far she obediently returns to it. 

At day’s end I composed a note to the High Fairy relating our news and asking for some from him. Especially in regards to Merlin and his dragon hatchling.

The Fairy Diary Day 408 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Last night we arrived on the banks of the river. It was a wild sight. Immense and roaring. We moved back from it, the better to rest. 

The river looked even wilder in the morning light. We sat down to think through our options for getting over. We knew we fairies would be able to fly across, our only concerns were for Gibley and the hatchling. 

Dunfallon announced that while we talked it over, he was going aloft to look for narrower places to cross. So our pixie was not around when we heard a voice call out from the river. 

Noralei was the first to spot him – it was Nora the waterhorse. He skipped through the rolling torrents, hallooing all the way over to our side. 

It was a joyous reunion. 

Noralei explained our predicament to him, and he volunteered immediately to carry each of us across the raging river. I, for one, did not mind saving my wings the exertion. 

Nora was a little skittish about carrying the hatchling, but Noralei convinced him that when wrapped around its special staff she was as docile as a lamb. 

And after we explained what a lamb was to Nora, he took Gibley over first, so the hatchling could focus on him. 

By the end of their crossing the two – Nora and the hatchling – grew quite fond of one another. 

Dunfallon arrived back just in time to join us in thanking Nora and bidding him goodbye.

The Fairy Diary Day 407 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We stumbled across a cave entrance that had eluded Dunfallon’s notice from the air, so Gibley just had to check it out. While I stayed outside with a dozing hatchling, the goblin went in accompanied by Rumble and Noralei. 

They were not gone long, for it turned out to be inhabited by an animal of some kind – absent at the moment.

Gibley did find a few scraps to give to his dragon later. 

We were about to move on when Dunfallon dropped in to see us. As he slid off the back of his eagle we all saw that he was wielding a knobby stick and made to strike the hatchling with it. Before any of us could react, the hatchling was awake and threw itself at the stick. It was soon wrapped around it and making contented sounds. The pixie laughed and explained he had found this dragon training staff near the cave that was farthest from the river. 

Dunfallon had recognized it from his library research. And Gibley confirmed its use by his people. 

His hope soared that he may soon be back with them.

The Fairy Diary Day 405 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A message from the High Fairy brought us news about Merlin that was both good and bad. The other dragon egg has indeed hatched, but its hatchling has proven sickly and requires all the nursing skills he can muster.  Consequently the wizard will be tied up for the immediate future. 

We were so hoping that he would be free to come and relieve us. And perhaps carry Gibley and the hatchling back to his castle. 

I actually broached that topic to the goblin today, thinking he might welcome the wizard’s help. 

His answer surprised us all. 

In a manner it was a confession. He was not a member of the goblins from the Shaft. Rather – his was a special race of goblins whom he believes lives somewhere in the vastness of these canyonlands. Long ago he had been kidnapped by the dark elves and taken to their kingdom for the specific purpose of wrangling a dragon hatchling. His tribe of goblins were famous dragon handlers. 

The only thing is – Gibley was not. The dark elves soon discovered their error and imprisoned him with the goblins of the Shaft. Although accepted into their tribe back when we released them, he wants to make his way back to his people with this hatchling and reclaim his heritage. 

This revelation explained a lot. 

And it left us wondering if those dwarves outside Fliget’s city were sent by someone other than Artoxon.

The Fairy Diary Day 403 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I regret not going further than outside the other gate, but we were tired and wanted to rest up before venturing out into the canyonlands. My decision resulted in another attempt to wrest the hatchling from Gibley and us. I suspect that Artoxon set the plot in motion. And thankfully we believe neither Fliget nor Gnoston were involved. 

Both Dunfallon and I were awakened from a sound sleep to the sight of two burly dwarves creeping up to the swaddled hatchling. Our cries of protest awakened the others and we rallied around the dragon and its goblin. Rumble and Noralei beat them off with their drawn swords, forcing them to drop the sack into which they hoped to secure the hatchling. She bit the ankle of one of the dwarves before they both stumbled off. 

Our attackers did not enter the city, but made off for the canyonlands. So, we were a bit apprehensive when we exited the land of the dwarves and emerged into the first canyon. And like Rumble once said – a vast army could be hidden down here. 

Thus the very first thing, Dunfallon summoned his eagle and flew ahead as a precaution against being taken unawares.