The Fairy Diary Day 690 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Today will live long in my memory.

I set aside my armor and my pendants for the first time in an age. Clothed in a robe of gossamer and shod with golden sandals I was escorted before a throne at the entrance of the repository by my closest friends – Rumble, Dunfallon, and Noralei. Tinadell smiled down at me. Flanking him were Merlin and the prime minister on one side, and Gibley with the five dragons on the other. Everyone in my dream of yesterday was in attendance. So many faces, and all smiling for me.

The Fairy King addressed me, “Meribabell of Nonin-gal-dith you have found favor with me and our fairy folk. You are worthy to take up the mantle of the High Fairy.”

At this the prime minster stepped forward and spread the mantle over my robe.

Tinadell then continued, “And if you promise to faithfully serve me and the fairy folk…”

At this I replied, “ Yes, I promise.”

“ Then receive the sign for your office.” He turned to Merlin and handed him the chain of office – whose gems glistened like a rainbow in the sun.

The wizard stood before me, knelt, and placed the honor around my neck. Its weight settled there and then lightened by its own power, spreading its warmth over my whole being.

The cheers of all reflected off of the trees of the repository behind the throne, and seemed to center upon the spot where I stood. Gabhe at that instant added his bleats of praise and seemed to bound everywhere.

Navril and Herblas then ushered my friends and me from before the dias to the great common area of the repository.

I admit that my tears kept me blurry-eyed thereafter.

And the idea consumed my thoughts that tomorrow upon my return to Nonin-gal-dith, my work truly begins.

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The Fairy Diary Day 689 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

After our arrival yesterday, Merlin and I met with Tinadell. The Fairy King promised to have all the questions resolved about my candidature tomorrow. There was something in his demeanor, however, that hinted that another outcome was possible, maybe even certain. 

It is probably why I rested so uneasily overnight. 

I floated through a constant stream of dreams, filled up with snippets of my adventures these past many moons. And one after another my friends appeared before me – Rumbletwist, Dunfallon, Noralei, Gibley, Navril, Caywyn, Herblas, Emminie, Captain Goff, Geog, Gilgorgon, Fliget & Gnoston – and a few faces whose names escape me, weaved in and out of them. Even Nora splashed by here and there. And Tinadell presided over the whole.

Only two were lacking – the High Fairy and Merlin. The absence of the High Fairy I dismissed as to be expected. But I continually asked my friends as they passed by, “Where is Merlin?”

But then at the end, the wizard did make his appearance. Everyone else faded away. Merlin commanded my whole attention – and intoned a sobering announcement. There would be yet one more trial for me to undergo. Then he was gone with no further explanation.

My mind was abuzz as I went down to the morning meal. Merlin was waiting for me at the door to the galley hall. Before I could say a word, he told me that I must submit to one test. He motioned for me to follow.

Up in the audience chamber of the Fairy King, a scale had been set up beside the throne. Seeing the question reflected in my visage, Merlin explained that according to my accuser, the prime minister, if it can be shown when weighed, that I weigh less than Tinadell, then he would agree to remove his complaint.

(I remember thinking at that instant, I was glad that I had not eaten or drunk anything).

Tinadell took his place first on one side of the scale, which hardly dipped as he sat. He motioned me over to the other plate. Time itself seemed to stop as I crossed to the scale.

The prime minister commanded that I not flutter my wings while on the scale.

At this, Merlin picked me up and placed me on the plate.

My side dipped at first, but then it rose to a level above that of Tinadell’s. A sigh of relief echoed around the chamber – largely mine.

Tinadell applauded and announced that I would be anointed tomorrow at the repository.

The Fairy Diary Day 678 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The wait is over. On more than one account. 

As soon as Rumble returned from Gilgorgon’s mountain with their acceptance of Tinadell’s request, the Fairy King announced my appointment as the new High Fairy. 

Talk shifted to where the investiture would take place. Forgotten for the moment were the arrangements to transfer the prisoners to Gilgorgon’s keeping. 

Most sentiment in the kingdom calls for the investiture to take place in the chambers of state within the palace here at the capital. If I have anything to say about it, I would prefer a more private ceremony at the repository so that all of my friends could be in attendance. 

But immediately all such notions became moot. For Tinadell’s prime minister challenged my qualifications for the post on the grounds that I was not born a fairy at all, but was a human – kidnapped as a baby and transformed into a fairy. 

Thus, that spiteful slur of the queen was back to haunt me. (Perhaps passed on to the prime minister by her sometime in their interactions).

Merlin leapt to my defense at once, but not in an expected manner. For he put forth the argument that my origin had no bearing whatsoever on my fitness for the position. 

I was taken aback – and left wondering what the wizard knew that I did not. 

The Fairy Diary Day 620 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I do not think I have ever been more shocked by anything than when Merlin revealed to us all that has transpired in the Faerie Kingdom in our absence. The others were variously effected. Rumble and Noralei were visibly shaken. For his part, Gibley could sense their devastation and was moved to sadness in sympathy for them. Dunfallon, struggling with the stigma of his tardiness, could not lift his gaze under the disapproving eye of the wizard.

According to Merlin the Faerie Queen has been deposed – not just for her late dereliction of duty, but in reviewing the documents in the archive pertaining to the banishment of Tinadell, the prime minister has uncovered a matter of the most alarming nature. A secret history assumed to be written by the Queen herself detailed the plan she had successfully executed to usurp the throne from its rightful heir, Tinadell. 

That worthy has now been installed in her place.  

A prophesy that predated that time had predicted the ascension to the throne of one who weaves. Tinadell had not been a weaver in those olden times and thus was not given another thought by those then in the know. This goes a long way to explain the behavior of the queen once she learned this after Tinadell’s return and what that meant to her future, and why she moved to consolidate her power outside of the kingdom. 

When the wizard finished, Dunfallon spoke up – he had heard these revelations from his new elvish friends last night. And then he added that Tinadell is currently searching the kingdom for the right fairy to become the new High Fairy – for the High Fairy we knew is no more.

A great sadness descended over the room. 

At this turn of events it was Merlin’s turn to be shocked and announced that for this news the pixie would be forgiven his tardiness. He then went on to say that we have a great work ahead of us. It would be the best way to honor our fallen friend. 

The Fairy Diary Day 580 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin was also confident that the decision would fall in Noralei’s favor. But as the day dragged on with no summons from her majesty we were increasingly uneasy. 

To get away from our thoughts, Dunfallon and I went out to where Cluyjil and Willie were stabled. Willie and his cage were there, but not the dragon. The Wisp, grateful to see us, whined that he had been helpless to prevent Cluyjil from being led away. 

We took him with us back to the palace where we were met by a contingent of the Queen’s guard and ushered into the throne room. The others were within already, having received their summons.  

The Faerie Queen was not there. Her prime minister was. And he announced that she had departed on her scheduled trip, but had left it to him to announce her decision. She had accepted Noralei’s gracious offer to allow Rayjil to remain at the repository for now, and had added Cluyjil to her menagerie until such time as a breeding pair was provided in their place. 

As the others gasped, I looked to the wizard, but saw no anger there, just a placid acceptance on his features. 

Our dismissal followed and Merlin led us from the chamber to our suite where we packed our things and set out for Nonin-gal-dith. 

Throughout all this I was left to wonder where was the High Fairy. And why had he not answered any of my communications via the scroll. 

The Fairy Diary Day 579 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We stayed up into the early watches of the morning as Noralei laid out the strategy that she and Rumble had put together for the hearing. It met with everyone’s approval. And they followed it exactly when it came time for the hearing. 

The Faerie Queen did us the great honor this time of hearing us out herself without an initial step of appearing before her prime minister. (That august official, however, did stay by her side throughout the proceedings in his advisory capacity). 

Noralei began by submitting statements from others to the truth that Rayjil was hers. She went on to share the grief she has felt since this injustice had been visited upon her.

After that, she challenged the wording of the Queen’s edict that confiscated her dragon in perpetuity. We learned in their response that its wording had been put together by the Caretaker. 

Rumble followed her with a history and examples of decrees that have been altered to make them more just for the individuals affected. (I believe I saw a look of helplessness in the prime minister’s face when Rumble reached his conclusion).

Next up Dunfallon begged leave to present to the Queen the testimonials he had collected from neighboring kingdoms, petitioning her to look favorably upon the claims of Noralei to her dragon. Navril at his side, presented with a flourish, the letter from the king of the elves. Her Majesty consented to receive them all, so her minister stepped forward to receive them on her behalf. 

Lastly Merlin spoke his piece. He started with the statement that for all Noralei has done for the Faerie Kingdom, and for all the kingdoms of this world – she is owed a great debt – and the return of her dragon would be the right thing to do, and all in all a very small recompense. The wizard went on to offer (at Noralei’s suggestion) that Rayjil would be allowed to remain at the repository until such time as a breeding pair could be supplied to fill her position. And that, he promised, would be every soon. 

After Merlin concluded his remarks, the hearing was declared at an end. The Queen asked us to come back tomorrow at which time she would render her decision.

I confess that we are all feeling very confident. I know that I was convinced. 

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 459 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The Faerie Queen held court this morning, and all of us were invited in. She was fully conversant with our petition and had been well briefed by her prime minister (who strangely was not in attendance). The High Fairy did all the talking on our side, answering quite skillfully each objection hitherto unraised – a testament to the thoroughness of our preparations. 

Still, sitting there engrossed in the proceedings, I gained no sense of which way her majesty was leaning. She was serene through it all, and made me proud to be her subject. 

When the hall fell silent after his excellency finished his last explanation regarding the risk involved in striking the Crack of Doom, the Queen surprised us. Instead of adjourning for the day, she asked if there were anyone present to speak for those who were missing. 

At this invitation Dunfallon leapt to his feet and without acknowledgement, mounted a spirited plea for the rescue of our friends. At the  close of his remarks the Queen’s composure changed. Before anyone else could speak, she stood and ruled immediately in our favor, commanding that we make the attempt at their rescue without delay. 

And I found that I loved our Queen all the more. 

The Fairy Diary Day 458 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Only the High Fairy and Merlin were called in for the hearing regarding our petition to the Faerie Queen. The Queen herself was not in attendance. Her prime minister asked the questions. And by their account our two petitioners answered all the objections put forth in this first session. For it is now a certainty that this process will drag on. 

To say this is frustrating is an understatement. But in Dunfallon’s estimation it is an utter travesty. He wants them to move beyond the talk and actually do something to bring our friends back to us. I did my best to calm him and pulled out the volume on the Crack of Doom for him to read. 

Having read it myself, I better understand the reasoning behind the steps Merlin and his excellency have taken so far. The crux is convincing the Queen that this bell can be rung to call our friends back to this world without invoking the end of the age or bringing doom upon every living soul. Hence the creation of something different to strike the proper tone to be a beacon and not a destructor. 

In the end it is all pure risk. 

The Fairy Diary Day 457 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our reception in the Faerie Queen’s court, as expected, has been icy. (Not so with the populace which are accommodating and friendly enough – but then again they are not privy as to why we are here). We were dismissed with a nod each and ushered off to our own wing of the palace, where we are being made to wait for word about the time of our hearing. 

The High Fairy was allowed to deliver our petition to her prime minister once we were settled. We can only wonder what will happen next. 

Dunfallon was more restless than usual. He and I were allowed out into the adjacent garden which kept my pixie friend amused for a matter of fifteen wingbeats before his restlessness resurfaced. Before he could climb the wall I talked him back into our apartments to explore the bookshelves in one corner of the room assigned to me. 

Dunfallon found a tome on breeding dragons and I read with interest one which covered in great detail the bell called the Crack of Doom. As I held it in my lap reading, I sensed palpably darkness leaning over my shoulder.