The Fairy Diary Day 570 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Late last night (or early this morning) the seers stone found Merlin in the territory of the Dromadil pixies. In fact their city was in his line of sight. However, upon rising this morning and checking again – the wizard had dropped from its view. 

I was frantically searching the stone for any sign of him when Dunfallon came in. And before I could find the words for my distress, he declared to me that we must release Willie from his cage in the dungeon and take him with us. 

To say I was taken aback is putting it mildly. 

I said, “No,” without hesitation. 

But Dunfallon persisted. He agreed that the Wisp had been wholly untrustworthy in our late experience with him. But he sees a world of a difference in him now. And in questioning the owl, the change in Willie was noticed about the time he and Noralei and the others defeated the Dark One. So, he hypothesized that just like in Tinadell’s case – once the enemy was vanquished – all those in his thrall were freed. 

Only then did I tell Dunfallon that Merlin had disappeared from the view of the seers stone and that we must depart immediately for Dromadil to pick up his trail. 

All the more then did the pixie insist that we take Willie with us (even in the face of his former promise).

Seeing that he was unmovable on this, I relented – but only after exacting a condition that the Will’o’the Wisp remain in his cage. 

Dunfallon himself, tethered the floating cage to Cluyjil’s saddle and we were off to Dromadil. 

Advertisement

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 568 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

It was a quick deliberation. And in many ways obvious. 

There is too much to be done here. So it is imperative that Noralei and Rumble remain close by to see to her interests. 

As for Tinadell I appreciate his desire to be off on an adventure with me – but given the terms of the agreement worked out by Merlin, he is bound to Nonin-gal-dith until such time as he is needed elsewhere in service to the crown. And since such is not the case, he must remain here. 

And that leaves Dunfallon. I am choosing to take him along – (do not tell anyone, especially him, that he would be my first choice in any event). He is the perfect companion for this adventure. And besides, his gifts will be better channeled there rather than the mischief he would create for everyone if he remained behind. 

Still, there was grumbling from the others when I announced my choice. But that passed quickly. 

I did exact a promise from the pixie before we left – that I would have the final word in any decisions along the way. And that was put to the test immediately. Dunfallon wanted to make our first stop at Gilgorgon’s mountain. (He envisions enlisting the aid of the dwarves in the matter of Noralei’s dragon). But I wanted to stop in at Merlin’s castle to ask word from the owl as to the wizard’s whereabouts. 

And thankfully he submitted to my plan. 

The Fairy Diary Day 503 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei had mostly good news to report this morning. Rumble found everything she needed in the wizard’s workshop, secreted away in a hidden cupboard. She may be able to start forging the necklace soon, but because these metals were hidden away she was hesitant to commandeer them for the necklace. The owl could not rule one way or another without the say-so of his master. So, we went to the High Fairy for his advice. 

His excellency did not appear to welcome the question, especially as it would involve his making a decision in the absence of his friend. But he sighed loudly and ordered Noralei to proceed while adding that he would take all the responsibility upon himself. 

When Dunfallon learned that Noralei was about to begin forging the necklace, he also made a petition – he thought it important that all of us witness this momentous event. And since we all agreed, we all crowded into the workshop, including the dragons. 

Herblas gave Noralei two of his purple stones that were of the same size and shape as the goblin one, so that she could have a better idea for the link for the setting. 

Then a strange thing happened – in the act of passing the stones to Noralei, they flew out of the dwarf’s hand – one each into the open mouth of a dragon. 

We immediately stopped what we were doing in order to consider what had just happened. 

The Fairy Diary Day 502 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

To write that Merlin’s castle was a beehive of activity would be an understatement. After observing the owl yesterday I pitched in to help him in his duties. I kept the golden nectar flowing by tapping a fresh barrel and taking tankards around to my friends to refresh them in their endeavors. 

Dunfallon and Gibley passed the day exercising Rayjil and Conjil, emphasizing their coordination in flight. They were a marvel to watch whenever I passed over the parapet. 

When the High Fairy emerged from the wizard’s study, I took the opportunity to suggest that Noralei take on the task of forging a necklace for the beacon stone. His excellency agreed – with only a single caveat – that for the time being she confine herself to the metalwork. He wants Merlin here before trying the process of pairing the stone with a dragon. On that matter too I expressed my opinion that she should take the lead in those trials. 

In the meantime I broached another idea that he take Herblas into the library so he can delve into how the purple stones he has discovered should be used. 

When Rumble asked me what he could do, I  suggested he pitch in and assist Noralei as her dogsbody.  A role which he was ready and willing to perform. 

I had one task that I loathed doing. I took over from the owl his chore of feeding the Will’o’the Wisp. Willie snarled and raised a ruckus any time I drew near. His personality, never truly appealing to begin with, has definitely taking a turn for the worst. 

How I find myself longing for the return of Merlin. 

The Fairy Diary Day 484 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The surprise on Rumble’s face upon our arrival at Merlin’s castle amused me. I knew it was all due to the presence of Willie with us. Gibley, however, was upset to see the Wisp, a little fearful based on past experiences with him. 

We gave the charge of the imp over to the wizard’s major domo, the owl. Willie shrunk back from the sight of the bird of prey and hid away in one of the private chambers fashioned by Noralei within the cage. The owl took it and him down into the dungeons of the castle. 

Merlin sent us all away to our comfy chambers for a night of rest and assembled us in his study at first light. 

Rumble had no problems accepting his exclusion from the mission. He always did have a healthy knack for fitting in where he was needed. And he could see that he has an important task helping the owl look after Willie and tending to Rayjil’s needs. 

Merlin and I had to spend more time convincing Gibley to accompany us without his dragon. The wizard calmed his fears and promised to remain by his side throughout our trip. 

Once we settled the important issues, we turned our efforts towards our preparations. 

The Fairy Diary Day 479 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I passed the morning by myself up in the new repository for the Crack of Doom. I wanted to check on how the branches from the surrounding trees were faring after the stress to which the High Fairy and I had subjected them. I was very pleased. They all appear healthy and thriving. I took note of some spots, higher up, in which to station guards from the fairy troops and visited the Caretaker to give him the recommendations. 

Coming out of my meeting with him the High Fairy was just then returning. As Merlin was not with him we all the more eagerly gathered around him. 

His excellency had not seen the wizard but he did learn of his whereabouts. His major domo the owl delivered a note to him from Merlin. Merlin had gone to pay a visit with Gibley’s people, the goblin dragon handlers. From them he hopes to learn more about the other side and the enemy who inhabits it. 

The High Fairy talked to Gibley before he left Merlin’s castle. The little goblin had been very helpful with names of those he should contact. 

Dunfallon looked at me and said, “More waiting!”

I feel his frustration. 

The Fairy Diary Day 451 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I had to restrain Dunfallon this morning. He wanted to go out with Cluyjil again even before the sun was up. I prevailed upon him to wait for Merlin who had sent word through the owl that he would soon call us in to review his discoveries. 

Rumble heeded the cue and took him aside to encourage him to be patient. It was good to see the two friends spend the time together. He led the pixie down to the library where they combed through volumes that the owl had returned from the wizard’s study. 

(Rumble had hopes for clues as to what Merlin had uncovered).

After another round of golden nectar for all, including Cluyjil, Merlin sent for us. 

Solemnity cloaked the room as we claimed our seats in the wizard’s study. Instead of telling us he put the seer’s stone through its paces – image after image trotted around land after land – none of them bore back an image of our missing friends. 

Dunfallon asked the question on all our minds – “Do our friends yet live?”

Merlin nodded affirmative and said, “But not in this world.”

With gravity he continued. The key is in Rayjil’s ability.  He indicated the volume open in front of him. In the rarest of cases, dragons who can disappear do not just turn invisible, but are transported to another place altogether. Another world? Another reality? None can say. 

The problem therefore remains – how to call them back. 

Merlin looked at each of us in turn and declared that we must find that means to call Rayjil back. 

The Fairy Diary Day 450 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin made the decision to return us to his castle. He chose Rumble and me to accompany him and allowed Dunfallon and Cluyjil to fly back on their own, the better to check once again for their friends. 

Once there, the wizard pulled a few volumes from his library and then buried himself in his study. 

Rumble and I wended our way up to the parapet and kept vigil, scanning the skies in the direction where Gilgorgon’s mountain lay below the horizon. 

Merlin’s major domo the owl took pity on us and sent up two goblets of golden nectar – to keep up our strength and sharpen our eyesight. After the first sip I could make out the distant dots of the pixie and the dragon, flitting hither, thither, and yon across the landscape. 

It seemed that as they drew closer the slower they moved. 

They touched down on the parapet with the setting of the sun. That they were dispirited was plain to see. 

Dunfallon took his mount down to the courtyard to see to his care. And we went down to wait in the antechamber to Merlin’s study. 

The Fairy Diary Day 419 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Cluyjil consumed the last of his eggshell last night and is a strapping specimen. Thus far there appears to be no ill effect to the lack of dragon shell in the diet of Rayjil. And Rumble has located no other reference to the topic in the dragon literature aside from those of the goblin author. 

We therefor sought out a consultation with Merlin. Dunfallon left word with his major domo the owl. Unfortunately it was one of those times when the wizard had buried himself in his study with orders not to be disturbed by anything but a dire emergency. 

In the meantime I alternated between the pixie and the goblin, the better to compare the two hatchlings. Cluyjil has the advantage in size over Rayjil, but that seems only natural given their sexes. However, the male’s wings are maturing rapidly and he may begin his flight training on the staff very soon. Rayjil’s wings are hardly noticeable and she prefers to slither about like a serpent. 

But she did surprise us all when she left the staff to cozy up to Noralei. The instant she let go of the staff she disappeared from our view. Apparently she can make herself transparent but as of yet cannot control it. 

Gibley fitted her for a necklace with seven tiny bells. And so far she is quite taken with the merry little tune they jingle. 

The next few days should prove interesting.