The Fairy Diary Day 483 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

With everything prepared I had a prompting of sorts to check on the Crack of Doom before Merlin, Dunfallon and I left for his castle. All seemed in order. Four fairy guards were in their new posts high above the bell. I felt assured that it was as protected as we could make it. 

That is until I turned to leave that roost. 

An alarm sounded indicating that one of our traps had sprung. It was soon surrounded by almost everyone in the repository. 

We had once again caught the Will’o’the Wisp. And he was spluttering his displeasure for all to hear. 

We postponed our departure only for as long as it took Dunfallon to question the imp about his recent activities. Longer than that we did not want to indulge. We were satisfied that there was no imminent danger of further incursions. And having transferred him to his new cage Merlin made the decision to take him with us. (We want him as far from the bell as possible).

After exchanging farewells with everyone (and promises to Noralei that we would soon be reunited), Merlin whisked us away. 

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The Fairy Diary Day 475 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Noralei worked the night through fashioning a new cage for the Will’o’the Wisp. This was after, of course, we had finished placing some clever traps around the repository. 

The High Fairy busied himself putting in place an elaborate spell that should mask our presence and that of the bell from the outside. And in the offhand chance Willie discovers a way in, the effects of the spell will follow him in and hopefully blind him to the traps we have set. 

Having finished these preparations another thought suddenly occurred to me. Though we have fully warned the fairy troops here about Willie, we have not alerted them to be on the lookout for the black bird. 

I immediately went to the Caretaker to rectify that omission. 

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 446 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was glad to leave the craziness behind. And so was Rumble. (As for Merlin we have seen no change in his composure throughout- we admire his strength). That being said, I will be very keen to hear about the final decisions regarding the future of the two dwarf kingdoms. I am sure the High Fairy will have great success and that all will be satisfied. 

Merlin has settled upon returning the way we came. We were no longer required to be accompanied by guides, so we acted our own. Rumble is sure that all the traps have been removed from the Low-way of the dwarves. Probably by Gnoston. 

Passing through Gnoston’s village, we paid a call on our friend. He was just about finished putting things back in order. He and his fellow villagers have been tasked with restoring the gates to the passage up to Gilgorgon’s mountain. And asked to accompany us. 

The Fairy Diary Day 395 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

My pendant proved highly effective. Not only was I shielded from the ill effects exposure to iron wrecks on the fairy physique, but it produced a brilliant red glow to light our way. 

Dunfallon helped us avoid several traps obviously set up as protective measures on the orders of the dwarf king. 

Unbeknownst to us, Gibley had followed us into these depths. Dunfallon had to rescue him when he fell prey to one of those same traps. After admonishing him for his foolhardiness I relented and granted his plea to continue with us. 

As promised upon reaching the lowest level we were received into Artoxon’s apartments. The very atmosphere was rife with tension for they knew for a fact that a dragon was held up in their biggest, deepest vault. And they were leaderless for Artoxon had locked himself in his bed chamber and would not answer any call. 

The remaining dwarves fell down before us and begged our help in their emergency. 

I asked for everything they could tell or show us about the vaults below. Thus, Dunfallon, Gibley, and I sat down with the warden of the vaults below to plan our next steps.

The Fairy Diary Day 391 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I was just reading a bit of news from the High Fairy when Dunfallon and Noralei returned with a captive in tow. The pixie had discovered someone was following them. It was Gibley the goblin. Upon being spotted, he tried to flee and fell headlong into one of our traps. (That it was one of fairy design amused Rumble no end, who will thus be bragging about it as against those of pixie design). 

When we questioned the goblin he was quite contrite, even apologetic. Dunfallon pressed him further as to why he was following us, but he answered only that he was following orders from his commander and did not know the reason why. 

I thought I knew why. So I shared the news from his excellency. The Dromadil pixies report that the treaty between Artoxon’s dwarves and the goblins may be breaking down. 

We may have a very ticklish situation when we arrive back at Artoxon’s capital. 

The Fairy Diary Day 343 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

I detected a hint of embarrassment in our friend before he began the account of his latest adventure. That became clearer with the first words out of his mouth. In his  hasty pursuit on the Low-way of those bearing the dragon egg, he ran afoul of one of our traps. It had to have been one of our fairy traps. For he fell into a deep state of forgetfulness. 

And he wandered aimlessly until he fell into the company of a couple of dwarves – our old friends Fliget and Gnoston. That is how Merlin fell into the hands of the ever suspicious Artoxon. 

Something about his surroundings brought him back to his senses. (I believe that the fact of all that gold in one spot would make a perfect nest for a dragon egg did the trick). 

Once he remembered who he was, he thanked them, bid them goodbye, then disappeared from their sight. (He was none too keen to trust those dwarves based on their past history). 

He was more than happy not to explain more when Noralei laid before him the mystery of the chalice and the red ash. 

As the wizard conferred with her and Rumble, I went atop the tower from which it had been removed, and looked around.

The Fairy Diary Day 332 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Merlin disappeared without a word to us. We could only surmise that he was off to waylay whoever is bearing the dragon egg. Leaving us to our own devices. 

Rumble wanted us to follow after the wizard as best we could. I countered that we would be little help to him and too slow to make a difference. 

At that juncture Dunfallon laid down his opinion that we stay right where we are and allow the dragon egg to come to us. With a twinkle in his eye, he added an explanation. The pixie is certain that the dark elves have the intent to bypass the area where we laid the traps and are headed for the exit off of the Low-way that is near the abandoned fishing village. 

As he pointed to the passage off this junction I understood his gist. 

They will travel on the surface to go around the problem on the Low-way.  We could hope the goblins are in place and will stop them – and there are those other pixie traps…

Still we will have to decide what to do if they do show up. 

On a sudden I had an inspiration and sent Dunfallon up to the surface and told him to summon his eagle and keep a watch on that other exit by the fishing village.

The Fairy Diary Day 325 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Three times now we have taken cover when parties of dark elves passed by on the main thoroughfare. Twice Dunfallon gave us the warning when he covered the glow from his armor and we hid in the shadows cast by the flickering firebrands borne by the dark elves. 

A total of twenty. 

After that Noralei kept watch on our rear. It was her turn to warn us when five came running back by us. 

We assumed the others were caught up in our traps. 

More than ever I felt the urgency to get off the Low-way entirely and off onto any parallel passage. 

Shortly after we found a stream that flowed across the Low-way, and we entered its entranceway and found what we were looking for.

The Fairy Diary Day 323 #TFDbyRWOz2

Meribabell writes:

Per my instructions we slipped around the dark elf camp. We renewed a spell of silence upon Willie and successfully kept him quiet. 

I am now convinced that the evil genius that attracts the Wisp, is the same entity with whom Noralei and myself have been wrestling. It must be the motivating force behind everything that has been against us. 

I did make one concession to the wishes of our fairest fairy and our pixie by allowing them to lay traps behind us. Otherwise we have done no direct harm to the dark elves. I am beginning to feel pity towards them. And Noralei appreciates my reining in her darker impulses.