The Fairy Diary Day 541 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Nililitil and Navril gave us a splendid sendoff. Beforehand I was able to share with them an answer I had received from the High Fairy regarding the rumors out of the north. His excellency confirmed that he had heard similar ones and wanted me to assure them that it was being looked into. In fact, Merlin has agreed to check on it himself. 

This grabbed the attention of my companions, so as we traveled along I narrated to them what little I knew about it. Then we speculated amongst ourselves – wondering if Tinadell’s mysterious destiny lay in that direction. 

By day’s end we arrived in the canyonlands without incident. And crossed the threshold of Glossom’s domicile. 

But no one was in. 

Dunfallon made the suggestion that we fly over to the stronghold city to pay a visit to Fliget. We toyed with that idea briefly, but in the end decided to stay where we were and await the return of Glossom and Gibley. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 500 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Glossom did not go with us to the stronghold city of the dwarves. He told us that he had too much work to see to as leader of his goblin clan and could not safely neglect it any longer. 

Before we parted he gifted his nephew with a young dragon that has manifested the same behavior as Rayjil. Not yet named (Gibley would have that honor), she was strong enough to carry the three of us – with room to add Herblas. 

Arriving at the entrance to the Low-way of the dwarves, Gibley remained with the dragon while Dunfallon and I went into the stronghold city. 

Herblas had not been idle and eagerly displayed for us a pouch full of purple gems. I thought they looked promising. 

We paid our respects to Fliget (Gnoston had returned to his village), and alerted him to the intelligence that the black bird was abroad in our land. Then we rejoined Gibley. 

The young goblin, having passed some time with the dragon, had named her. So, he introduced us to Conjil. And after we coaxed Herblas to join us, we winged our way to Merlin’s castle. 

The Fairy Diary Day 499 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Glossom has judged the purple stone to be perfect for our purposes. Next he says it must have a proper mounting. He suggests that the elves be consulted for the best heat resistant metals. (I wanted to put forward Noralei’s name as the best smith for the needed necklace, but thought it best to bide my time).

The goblin cautioned us that going forward the most crucial step will come next – that of identifying the best dragon with which to pair it. 

This was news to everyone. We had all assumed that Rayjil was THE one – the one and only dragon capable of bearing the beacon stone to the Land of Darkness. 

Seeing our disappointment, Glossom went on to explain that it was not what we believed. It was a matter of acceptance on the part of the gem itself. And we will not know until we bring the two together. 

This new uncertainty was added to, when I received a note on my scroll from the High Fairy. He had gone on to the repository after reporting to the Faerie Queen. He felt the need to check in on Noralei and Cluyjil. He confirmed that Rumble had delivered some fire plants as instructed, but what he learned in addition was disturbing. Multiple sightings of the black bird had been reported everywhere in the vicinity of the hiding place of the Crack of Doom.

Hearing this Merlin left immediately to help his excellency and Noralei after instructing us to collect Herblas at the stronghold city and to assemble everyone at his castle for the trials with Rayjil. 

The Fairy Diary Day 496 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The dwarf Herblas remained behind in the stronghold city. Merlin had assigned him the task of combing through the nearby gem mines for possibilities to be fashioned into beacon stones.We would be looking for the same once we arrived at Glossom’s domicile. 

Once out in the canyonlands at the absolute end of the Low-way of the dwarves we met up with two dragons waiting there with a goblin handler. Gibley mounted the first with his uncle; Dunfallon and I the second with its handler. 

Merlin wanted to travel on his own. “Besides,” he quipped, “I do not want to arrive before anyone else.” 

Even so the wizard was waiting at the mouth of cave entrance when our dragons touched down. 

I believe Gibley was impressed. 

Merlin produced a couple gems that he had acquired along the way. Glossom held them up to the sun and said,”Right color but not pure enough.”

Our host used the remaining hours of the day to lay down the rules for our search through the goblin quarry in the morning. Dunfallon was a most eager listener and Gibley was just happy for the attention from his uncle. 

For my part I was a little nervous about the dangers Glossom enumerated. 

The Fairy Diary Day 491 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

The gates to the stronghold city were wide open. The High Fairy joined us there. The sights awaiting us inside were so different than at the time of the original victory celebration. Lights and garlands were festooned overhead, bringing a cheeriness to the eyes and heart. The citizen dwarves having declared a holiday lined the street singing snatches of praise embroidered around each of our names. 

Fliget later told us that he had so wanted to do this as a more proper thank you for all that we had done. 

And the most rousing song of all was lifted up for our pixie Dunfallon the Noble. 

Even before any note was sung I knew we were in for another round of dwarfish hospitality. And there in the city square table upon table was set up for a feast. 

But unlike our feast up in Gilgorgon’s mountain, talk about the future was not only allowed but also encouraged. And the first decision made was about the dwarfish involvement in the mission to the other side. Fliget announced that he would back Gilgorgon’s selection to represent all the dwarves, and while looking at Herblas he added that he thought him a perfect candidate. 

Merlin and the High Fairy applauded the king of the dwarves choice. Then, the wizard stood to make an announcement himself. He introduced Dunfallon and myself and said that we would be part of the team joining Herblas. He had one other to name, but could not until a missing guest had arrived. 

And with that he left us to wonder who that might be. 

The Fairy Diary Day 490 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Our progress picked up after Fliget decided to exercise his prerogative as king of the dwarves. All caravans were shunted aside to allow ours the right of way. 

I began to feel uncomfortable about what might lay ahead for us in the stronghold city. My sense that something was off lead me to approach Merlin to talk to him about it. Gnoston’s and Fliget’s actions were hard to understand as to what motivated them. And afraid to say, I was suspecting our friends of evil intent if not outright perfidy. 

The wizard listened patiently to my fears. When finished he chuckled and painstakingly calmed all my concerns. 

The High Fairy has been sent for and will join us in the stronghold city. The dwarves have invited him to be present for a special celebration of our victory over the dark elves. 

Evidently the dwarves think that a season of thankfulness is called for, especially on the eve of another conflict. 

Before he dismissed me, Merlin hinted that more surprises await us upon our arrival in the stronghold city. 

The Fairy Diary Day 488 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We were not the only ones traveling the passageway down to the Low-way of the dwarves. Many merchants were passing us in both directions. In the main they were dwarves, but there was a smattering of goblins and elves among them. All were curious and stared unremittingly at Merlin. The wizard took it in stride – and even exchanged pleasantries with a few of them. 

Gibley was not a little amazed at the attention he was getting from these strangers for his being among our number. It made me want to shield him all the more, but Dunfallon beat me to it and fell in step beside him. 

When we reached the bottom where the great doors stood open (as was Merlin’s hope when they were replaced) we found another surprise. Fliget was there – set up in a camp just on the other side, in the Low-way of the dwarves. He had heard that we were coming and had come out to meet us. 

His capital is still being rebuilt and wanted to take us down to the stronghold city to talk through things there. 

Thus we entered into another occasion of dwarfish hospitality. 

The Fairy Diary Day 474 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Dunfallon took Cluyjil out for a romp – with a side trip to the crystal makers he had uncovered back when we were looking for those responsible for the crystal installed over the dwarves’ stronghold city. He will ask around about a suitable jewel to protect the Crack of Doom. 

Seizing the opportunity we sent Gibley to Merlin’s castle with Rayjil. Originally Rumble was going to stay with us but at the last minute he changed his mind and left with them. 

So, there we were – dragonless – when the High Fairy returned from Nonin-gal-dith with word that Willie was indeed back from the other side, and he was obviously searching for us – and in particular for our dragons. 

At his excellency’s suggestion, Noralei and I set about setting up traps for the Wisp inside of the repository, just in the event he appears here. 

The Fairy Diary Day 433 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We came upon an even greater mystery today. Artoxon’s capital was not where it should have been. It was not anywhere at all. Neither the gates to the city nor Bifitz’s palace were evident from its junction with the Low-way of the dwarves. 

Merlin covered the area testing for any hint of enchantment. And found none. 

Rumble walked about with his hands stretched out in front of his face, expecting to bump into buildings turned invisible. But met with nothing. 

At the last we regrouped to discuss what to do next. Not knowing what had happened made any decisions blind ones. In the end we opted to continue on to the goblin outpost. It was closer than the other dwarf stronghold city, and I was looking forward to seeing any living being, even a goblin. 

The Fairy Diary Day 430 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

We reached the gates to the Low-way of the dwarves. They had been locked and barred only a moon ago when we passed by on the way from Gnoston’s village towards the stronghold city. Now they were broken asunder. 

Had Gilgorgon and his forces done this?

It would seem the logical conclusion- but ever since the vision of yesterday my thoughts touch continually upon the grinning face of Willie. 

Merlin himself is perplexed as there are no signs of battle – force opposing force on either side of the gates. He is inclined to believe that some other power has done this. And that Gilgorgon and his dwarves passed through without opposition. 

However the question remains- did they turn towards the stronghold city? Or towards Artoxon’s capital?

Rumble asked the wizard to describe the scenes of battle he witnessed via the seer’s stone. Merlin did something better – circumscribing a circle in the air with his staff, we were soon observing the past scene ourselves. 

Our hearts sunk when we realized that the battle between dwarves was playing out in Gnoston’s village.