The Fairy Diary Day 480 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The High Fairy spent the bulk of the day working with Dunfallon as the pixie put Cluyjil through his paces. I popped in and out of their sessions and was pleased to observe that the crystal is glowing longer and longer between the dragon breaths. 

Most of the time, however, I sat with Noralei up beside the Crack of Doom, discussing her experiences on the other side – trying to pull from her memory the things she did not write about. 

She had much to relate about the feelings that plagued her there. Fear being tantamount. She believes something must be done to protect our spirits when we return there so we can keep moving forward. I told her I would talk with Merlin for I believe my pendants may just be all we need for the desired protection. 

Then I asked her who she thought Hawk was referring to in his warning for the future. I was thinking they might be Artoxon and Bifitz and was wondering what had happened to them and where they might be right now. 

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Noralei’s Account (given Fairy Diary Day 462) #TFDbyRWOz2

Noralei writes:

First Entry

Where are we? Not on Gilgorgon’s mountain that is for sure. Not unless this is the deepest pit under the lowest depth of the dwarf’s kingdom.

But then how did we get down to wherever we are?

Nothing smells right. And the air is filled with the strangest sounds – beast or … or … or what?

Rayjil seems quite content. Like she’s been here before. But Gibley seems most anxious, and beside himself with fear. It is everything I can do to keep him moving.

I must get the word out. We know for sure that Willie has something to do with this. I must tell what happened. Even if it is just so I can understand it myself. Maybe it just helps to write it down.

Second Entry

We have been in darkness so long. Even down with the dwarves, it was never dark upon dark. Gibley tells me that this place in the stories of his people was a place of punishment for those that practiced evil. A just punishment for those cruel to dragons. 

Rayjil continues to be happy and not at all upset with us – so I question Gibley’s belief. She also guards our path and nestles with us during our times of rest. 

Then there are those times that Willie can be seen flitting by.  Besides the glow from Rayjil’s chest, his is the only light down here. It is a wonder he does not see us when he passes so closely.

Third Entry

Another being dogs our steps. I feel its presence, but nothing is in sight – if perhaps only a inky black against the ordinary black. Then I saw this shape interacting with Willie and could see both were in flight, and my guess was that here was the black bird we have sighted in the past on our adventures.

Lately I feel that they have become aware of our presence, and come at us, first from one side, then from the other. Thankfully they keep their distance, for Rayjil shakes her head at them, and the sound of those silver bells on her necklace cause them to flee. 

What are they after?

Fourth Entry

Rayjil appears to know her way about this landscape – not actually recognizable as such, yet it feels like one – with the sensation of descending and ascending in a snake-like side to side motion forward.

Gibley has gained some confidence. Primarily I think because nothing untoward has befallen us so far. He even has had the presence of mind to remember some things tucked away in the pouches attached to Rayjil’s saddle. Most helpful has been the jewel mounted on a ring that the goblin has donned. It is brighter than the light from that of our dragon’s chest. It does, however, give a green cast to everything.

In those times when my thoughts come off of myself, and onto our friends, I think of how they must be so worried about us.

Fifth Entry

I do believe that I am now seeing more of our surroundings. Gibley tells me he sees no difference- but he never complained about the darkness in the first place. Maybe because his bulging eyes are larger?

A couple of times we have tried to motivate Rayjil to carry us back –  mounting her and attempting to turn her with the reins – but she refuses – or gently ignores us – a refusal all the same. 

I feared we were becoming inured to our situation. That all changed when for no apparent reason fear invaded each of us and I called out for Merlin’s help. 

Sixth Entry

Gibley and I still shiver. And it is not just from the cold. A living fear yet clings to us. And my heart’s call is for our friends to come and bring us home. I know if he knew, Dunfallon would be with us in an instant. And Meribabell and Rumble right behind him. 

Rayjil continues to take us deeper into this well – for I do believe now that such it is. She fears nothing. 

In moments between shivering my goblin companion cites a rhyme about the Crack of Doom guiding us. I ask him to repeat it afterwards and he can not remember any of it. 

Seventh Entry

Rayjil continues her march forward. Gibley now believes there must be a reason for such strange behavior. That set me speculating – that is, until Willie made a series of runs at us.

I am unsure as to which of us was the target. But at base I think he was trying to separate me from my companions. And would have too – if not for the sudden apparition rising up out of the depths below us. One look at that figure trailing a mess of rope and Willie fled away. I recognized the apparition as the dark elf Hawk.  

And he wanted to talk to me. 

Eighth Entry

The dark elf thanked me. Just for being willing to talk. Even when on the other side he remembers the time I was kind enough to ask after his well being. He had a simple request. He wanted me to extend his greetings to my friends when I see them again. Especially to Merlin. 

Then he told me all about the conversation he had with the wizard back when the goblins held him prisoner in their outpost. Merlin had been severe, and as it turned out truthful in a prediction he pronounced over him – he described exactly this place in which he finds himself. 

And he wanted us to know that he would do his best to shield us while we are here. 

Having said his piece, the elf abruptly excused himself and fled away. On his heels a cold biting wind visited us, and my goblin friend and I were once again shivering with fear. 

Ninth Entry

The fear is past. All because Rayjil dragged us to our feet and kept us moving forward. 

Every now and again we spot Willie away off in the distance. And though we do not see the black bird we do sense its presence too. But somehow I feel they are being held at bay. 

Gibley says it is all due to Hawk. He thinks that the elf is trying to make amends for his past deeds. 

That may be so. Will it get him out of here? Who knows?

What will get us out of here?

Tenth Entry

Rayjil has slowed her pace and appears to be looking for something or someone. Both Gibley and I cling closely to her. We both have the sense that she might bolt away at any moment and leave us behind. 

It is strange to think along those lines that she would abandon us after the closeness that we have shared so long. It would break my heart to see that trust which I treasure evaporate into the nothingness that is all around us. 

Eleventh Entry

Rayjil has halted. She made an elaborate ritual of chasing her tail before bedding down for a long sleep. She included both Gibley and me in her coils, but so loosely held that neither felt threatened. 

We kept watch in turn. It was Gibley that alerted us to the approach of the dark elf Hawk. I noticed Willie and I think the black bird circling in the dark distance, so at last I was sure he was holding them back. 

At the last he sidled over to me with a strange message – he wanted me to know that our dragon received her gifting from the blood of the dark elf warrior which had been absorbed into her eggshell before she hatched. 

Twelfth Entry

Gibley tells me that something is coming. He feels it. I can tell Rayjil senses something also. Strangely I do not. 

I have been comforted – odd to say – by everything Hawk has shared with us. Whatever it is that is out there I am confident that ultimately it can do us no harm. 

Thirteenth Entry

For the first time ever I have sensed fear in Rayjil. We are still stationary in the same spot as before. But instead of her normal nonchalant self she is cowering at every flutter of darkness.  It takes both of us to soothe her (after reining in our own fears).

Gibley believes that the master of this place is very near. And thankfully the light from the goblin’s ring reaches further out. 

That and the heft of my sword swells my courage. 

Fourteenth Entry

How odd I was thinking- to have a dream in this place. I know it was a dream for I was all alone – even though I knew Rayjil and Gibley were with me. And Hawk in a more solid form came up to whisper in my ear. 

He told me the secret weakness of the enemy and said to prepare for his arrival. And then added a severe warning for the future – to beware of the dwarf with a crown and the ancient goblin. 

And then the elf was gone and I could see where we were once again. And the darkness was growing. No longer shades of demarcation. 

Fifteenth Entry

Our ordeal is now thankfully over. And I record this simply in hopes that this knowledge will help the world I live in and the peoples who inhabit it. That it will somehow protect everyone from the ravages of that most hate filled presence. 

Gibley, Rayjil and I were planted squarely in front of that burgeoning thing. A force from it swirled around us, making it difficult to breathe- as it was sucking us and the very air towards it. 

Then, we launched into the plan that Hawk had left us with. The goblin forced his emerald ring into Rayjil’s gullet and she reacted by ejecting it at our tormentor in a stream of fire from deep within her glowing chest. 

And we saw the fearful entity before us – hideous of visage – be consumed with fear itself – and recoiling in haste to get away from the glorious light. 

At the very moment the tolling bell called us back to our world. 

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 390 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We set out on the Low-way of the dwarves without any guides, counting on an absolution from Artoxon for our departure from Bifitz’s expressed edict by the urgency of the situation. 

Dunfallon took up the lead as is his custom. He and Noralei guided us around all the hidden obstacles. 

I had written on the scroll to the High Fairy inquiring about news – any news – for it seems we have been cut off from information as to the goings on in all the lands we have been to. I particularly wondered if the dark elves had chosen a new name for their people. That led to thoughts about Hawk and his fate. Before we left, the goblins were chaining him up for transport to the shaft. 

Rumble was a quiet companion. When he did speak, I learned he had been thinking about some of the same things as me. 

His main concern above all was whether or not we can trust Artoxon. He has taken to heart the warning from Dromadil pixies via the High Fairy. And I believe – so have I.

The Fairy Diary Day 388 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The four of us resisted the urge to run off on our first impulse – or impulses, as we surely would have scattered in every direction. As it is, after some deliberation we did divide into two groups – Rumble and Dunfallon went off with the goblin party that will be exploring an offshoot from the confirmed dragon lair. Noralei and I planned to interrogate Hawk for any details Merlin may have missed. 

To that end we asked for and were granted the prisoner’s release from his chains. However, at the goblin commander’s insistence he was placed into a cage. We found him docile, awake, and somewhat willing to talk. 

What we wanted to know was why he desired to obtain the dragon egg. He was more responsive to Noralei than to me. And after some patient questioning we learned that he believed that with the egg he at the least would have control of the dragon, and most certainly would have control of the hatchling when its time came. 

“Besides,” he added manner-of-factly, “the black bird commanded him to do it.”

He admitted afterwards that it was an outworking of the effect of the curse upon him. 

How intricate is the evil woven against us.

The Fairy Diary Day 387 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin extracted answers from Hawk to all his questions and to most of ours. The dark elf is now a shattered husk – a state from which the wizard assures us he will recover. 

Merlin claims never to have laid a finger on him. Whatever pressure was exerted, it was focused against the curse. And he turned that to his advantage. 

Understanding this went a long way towards explaining the puzzle that existed for Dunfallon and me. We could not understand why Hawk had continued in the thrall of the curse after its dissipation with the fall of the dark elf stronghold. 

Merlin said the curse had been totally embraced by Hawk, and thus it branded every part of his being. 

Most important of all was the knowledge that though Hawk encountered the dragon, he did not succeed in bending its will to his. Nor did he get anywhere near the egg. 

Merlin believes that the time for nesting has become critical and he is certain that both the dragon and the egg are held up in some remote place for that purpose. 

And because it is crucial for him to turn his attention to the egg in his possession for that same purpose, he has delegated us to stay in this area until it is found.

The Fairy Diary Day 386 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Hawk steadfastly refused to answer any of our questions. The goblins had chained each limb to a different wall in the cave cell set in the floor. So, it was easy to understand his reluctance to speak. 

His captors ignored all of our advice for his better treatment. And it was all we could do to keep them from spiriting him off to the Shaft before Merlin could join us. 

Probably it was the threat that the wizard was coming that prevented the goblins from summarily carting him off to prison and more than likely execution. 

When Merlin arrived, he brought more bad news for the elf, the High Fairy had made a query about Hawk with the Dromadil pixies, those recently responsible for his incarceration. Somehow the dark elf had given them the slip, harming several and in fact killing one of the Dromadilians. 

Merlin commanded that he be left alone with Hawk.

And we knew he was serious when he included all of us in his ban. I looked for something to keep us busy in the meantime.

The Fairy Diary Day 385 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Rumble and I questioned a half dozen goblin witnesses who had been in other parties out looking for the whereabouts of the dragon. Adding the locations of their prior sightings to Rumble’s map revealed that either one dragon was very active, or there were more than one. 

I was of the opinion that one was the correct number. But that also meant that this goblin camp must be at the center of a honeycomb of passageways. 

Dunfallon and Noralei had gone out with another party of dragon hunters, back down to whence we came – to check more thoroughly the passage discovered by our pixie. 

They returned with a prisoner – a tall elf we recognized as our former ‘shipmate’ Hawk. When caught he had been carrying a saddle and bridle for a dragon. 

I jotted a note to the High Fairy and summoned Merlin.

The Fairy Diary Day 299 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The goblin king and the leaders of the Dromadil pixies are content with the groundwork that Dunfallon laid in talks with them. The goblins will stay where they are. The pixies were never intent on moving back to their ancestral home, but will maintain a small presence on the level with their great burrow. They are more interested in the area on the surface around the shaft (Rumble helped in that regard and took some steps to bring back the plant life).

I was relieved for that released us to continue as planned. 

As Noralei had ventured the furthest into the main passage, we gladly gave over the lead to her. And Dunfallon was happy to be by her side, holding Willie in his cage to help light the way. 

(Hawk was turned over to the pixies – he’ll be safer with them rather than with the goblins).

The Fairy Diary Day 297 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We fairies filled the silence with a frantic survey of the shaft above. But all seemed secure. 

I checked on Hawk – his face was a mask of misery. A good indication to me that he was not expecting rescue. Willie tethered nearby in his lantern prison had grown dim and an occasional sob ruffled his whiskers. 

Then from below came the shrieks of the dark elves. And I knew the pixie traps were sprung. 

By the time we had descended the fight was over. The goblins had ripped through the dark elves, devouring any that dared show their faces. 

Thus the first wave died. 

Whether there were more we do not know. Neither Merlin nor the High Fairy had been able to supply us with any numbers. 

The reigning silence was eerie.