The Fairy Diary Day 688 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin and I had a few things to sort out before we departed. The wizard invited Navril to accompany us. Having completed his mission of contacting us, he planned to return to Laguayil – but Merlin reasoned with the elf that since he would not be expected back so soon anyway, why not continue on to the fairy capital for my investiture. 

This being agreeable to our friend, we next tackled how to transport the wagon and the small unit from Dunfallon’s army back to the repository. 

Merlin said there would be little problem since he could now employ a rainbow bridge – but what was absolutely necessary was a beast of burden to pull the wagon. His comment was overheard by Gabhe who immediately volunteered, stating that he was certain he could do it. 

I was incredulous that such a small mountain goat would be strong enough, but the wizard smiled and said that he was certain too. Then he winked at me and whispered, “I can make it so.”

And when Herblas asked to accompany us also, I was confident to invite him along. 

Thus, when we had it all together we bid Gilgorgon goodbye. We gave Gabhe his head and he soon mounted the rainbow bridge and before we knew it we touched down at the fairy capital. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 652 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We departed early from Laguayil. Something felt very odd to me about it. It was all so rushed and had an aura of being out of control. And my conversation beforehand with Merlin did not help. 

Noralei and I were wondering why the wizard had not whipped up another rainbow bridge to take us all the way to the Fairy Kingdom capital. Dunfallon overheard us and chimed in with his opinion that we must ask him. I intervened when he moved to do so himself with the promise that I would ask him. 

I caught Merlin alone and put the question to him. He was not at all put out by my question (I was somewhat insistent in my opinion that he should do so immediately), but he patiently explained to me why we could not. There are too many points at which her former majesty could seize control of the phenomenon and bend it to her will and purposes. 

When I reddened with embarrassment, Merlin was quick to put me at ease. 

And though this was the main source of my uneasiness, there were others. 

With the addition of more elves under the command of Navril, to my mind, the possibilities increased that one or more could be of the feared faction. 

I paired with Rumble, each walking on one side of the wagon, and assigned him oversight of Clemjil – to free myself to watch closely the goings on. 

It seems to me that Dunfallon’s “army” senses the tenseness in others and is reflecting that in its behavior. 

I need to ask Dunfallon about that when he returns after his flight with Cluyjil. 

Perhaps I should talk to Merlin about it. 

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. 

The Fairy Diary Day 646 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A series of commotions throughout the night along the quay made our time anything but restful. And about the first watch I noticed that Cluyjil seemed restless too. So I suggested that Dunfallon take the dragon up to stretch his wings. 

It was the circumstance awaited for by those watching us. As soon as the pixie and dragon disappeared into the darkness, a dozen elves rushed the ship. 

Evidently they were not aware of the soldier less weapons at my beck and call. Within the space of five wingbeats the swords lined the rails to both sides of me, stopping the assailants in their tracks. They ran away faster than they had come at us. 

A clatter arose from the other side of the ship as our spears there repelled an attempt to board from another vessel on that side. In their panic to get away that darkened vessel was intercepted by the return of Dunfallon on Cluyjil. The dragon set its sails ablaze. All the elves within jumped overboard. 

The rest of the night was uneventful but we did have a visit from the harbor master in the morning. To boil his demands down – he wants us gone. 

Merlin assured him that so we shall this very day. 

Thus, by the afternoon once we had moved the Crack of Doom to the wagon with the help of the dragons and since Noralei had completed the second cage, everything was prepared to depart. 

We had daylight enough to climb out of the valley around Corbelin to the heights beyond. And we were just settling in to our camp, when another band of elves joined us. 

It was led by Navril, sent by his king and our friend Nililitil to see us safely to Laguayil. 

The Fairy Diary Day 603 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

A reply from Merlin to me was waiting on the scroll when I opened it this morning. He and Navril had made it to Laguayil. Nililitil confirmed that the High Fairy had not stopped by recently, but he did add that there were rumors out of Corbelin that his excellency and two other fairies had taken a ship from there out into the west. And that is where the wizard and Navril intend to go next. 

There was one other thing that Merlin added which I relayed to the others. He told me to stay in contact and be prepared to come to him. If he needed our aid he would send a rainbow. 

Conjil was a little reluctant to be hitched up this morning so Gibley took her up to spread her wings for awhile. Once she was back and harnessed, we were on our way again. The goblin told us that from their view above he estimates we will sight Dromadil tomorrow. 

The Fairy Diary Day 577 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

When we left behind the trolls and the well that was once the tower of the Dark elves, Merlin turned his attention to Willie by joining him within his cage and stayed there throughout our transit to Laguayil. 

I admit as time went on I became uncomfortable at the long bouts of silence between the intermittent buzz of conversation. The wizard emerged as the city of the elves of light came in view. He stated that all was well within and expressed satisfaction at the change in the Wisp’s demeanor. 

The frost that covered the fields round about the area we were approaching, melted before our eyes as the sun appeared from behind the clouds that had hung over our entire morning. 

Dunfallon maneuvered us around to the main gate, and from there we were shown up to the palace to meet with Nililitil. Navril was there, of course, and he took Dunfallon aside for a quick chat. 

Once the formalities were observed, Merlin told the elven king all that had transpired since last they met. Nililitil was particularly interested in what he had to relate about the Sprites. Then, we got around to the point of our visit – seeking their aid for Noralei’s claim for Rayjil. 

Navril spoke up at that juncture and volunteered to appear at the hearing in her support. Nililitil agreed to his proposal and drew up a letter for him to give to the Faerie Queen. 

Before we departed Merlin asked me to drop a note to the High Fairy to inform him of our imminent arrival. Then, he told me he had decided to ride with Willie again in order to make room on Cluyjil for Navril too. 

Navril sang his farewell to his king and once underway took up that pixie ditty with his friend Dunfallon. 

The Fairy Diary Day 576 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

There were no qualms about allowing Cluyjil to descend down into the well past the pixie habitations and over to the troll domain underground. It proved a might tight at a couple points but the dragon did not appear to mind. 

The trolls had heard of our coming and their leading chieftains came out to greet us. They cast appraising glances Cluyjil’s way and Dunfallon leaned on the dragon as a way of signaling that he belonged to us. 

They listened respectfully to Merlin as he laid out his concern for the Sprite village to the North. 

The trolls confirmed that they indeed had an operation ongoing up in that area and agreed to hold up further excavation until things could be investigated. Merlin thanked them for their understanding and asked permission to return soon to help them find a solution for both parties’ needs. 

I felt good about the mutual respect evident in our meeting. And was glad to be off so soon.

But Merlin had one more request. He thought it good (I believe Dunfallon may have suggested it) to stop by Laguayil and pick up an endorsement from Nililitil for Noralei. 

Since we had three days yet to get to the hearing, I approved. 

The Fairy Diary Day 571 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We heard not a peep from within Willie’s cage as it floated along with us. A steady glow emanated from within, which hinted to me of a more contented disposition. But perhaps a better indication of a change in the Wisp was his effect on Cluyjil – that is, there was none – no uneasiness, no distrust, no aversion to this strange object tethered to his saddle and the stranger creature within. 

We made one stop on the way to Dromadil. I know that I originally turned down Dunfallon’s desire to enlist Gilgorgon and the dwarves in the cause for Noralei and her dragon – but now I thought better of it. 

Gilgorgon’s mountain was on the way and there were other good reasons to stop. 

Herblas ushered us into the presence of the king of the dwarves who received us gladly. Dunfallon stated Noralei’s case and successfully elicited his support on her behalf.

And I asked after Merlin and learned that the wizard had stopped by – probably when he was on the way to Laguayil. I then asked that if he should come through here before we caught up with him to please have him hurry back to Nonin-gal-dith. 

Then we asked to be excused to go on our way – (I know, such a hard thing to resist dwarfish hospitality). But we knew if we did not get off right away we would be held up for a day or two. 

Dunfallon’s only regret was not having the opportunity to have a few words with his mountain goat Gabhe. 

And I am happy to record that Willie  was civil, even cordial while there. I hope he can be the same with the pixies of Dromadil. 

The Fairy Diary Day 569 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We were off. However, there was some reluctance on the part of our dragon. Noralei had mentioned to us that he appeared to be pining away for Rayjil. And now as we were putting more distance between the two his sadness was growing. 

Finally, Dunfallon gave him a squeeze about the neck and whispered in his ear. His demeanor perked up immediately and his speed increased. 

And when Cluyjil caught sight of Merlin’s castle, his excitement grew. In a matter of a few wingbeats we were back on solid ground. The dragon deposited us in the courtyard and continued on to his very own pen – quite content. 

The owl, Merlin’s major domo, greeted us and ushered us into the wizard’s study. He knew already why we had come. At last report Merlin had just left Laguayil and was headed for Dromadil. He had left us permission to use the seers stone in his study to locate him more precisely. 

The owl did make a request before leaving us there. He told us that there had been a marked change in the Will’o’the Wisp and he asked if we could take a look at him. 

We agreed. While I stayed to consult the seers stone, the pixie went off to visit his old friend. And I did not see him the rest of the night. 

The Fairy Diary Day 565 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we are all feeling quite glum. Thankfully no one but Rumble and Noralei’s sister took note of our arrival. Perhaps we need to take in the peace and quiet of Nonin-gal-dith and try to calm ourselves. I know one pixie who should do so. He is still seething over Rayjil being forced to stay at the repository. 

Noralei has agreed to take Cluyjil in, until such time as I return him to Merlin’s castle. But I think it more likely that I will take him on a search for the wizard in Laguayil or Dromadil. 

I think we shall need Merlin to advocate for Rayjil and Noralei before the Faerie Queen – like he did on behalf of Tinadell. Already I have heard from the High Fairy that he cannot get in to see her. This attitude smacks of ingratitude – especially in light of all we have done for the kingdom and for this world.