(We be Faeries three - Vina 9/29/00) Finding themselves a wee bit tuckered out from the narrow escape from the dim but dangerous Clubdub, the 3 new faerie friends decided to have a sit down and regain teir perspective. Vina wanted to talk to Princess Heidi about the path to Boubliwae now that they had ventured off coarse. Tember was preoccupied with her rumbling tummy and with thoughts of glamour of course. Heidi was a very intuitive Faerie and handed her beautiful crown to Tember along with a small satchel of nuts. "careful" Tember beamed with glee and put on the tiny crown and began a little happy dance around Vina and Heidi. Smiling the two new friends sat down on an old wooden log. "So, how did you two ever become mixed up with such a character?" "It so happens, Tember was taking me to Boubliwae when that monstrous beast decided he would squeaky squeak us!" "Dreadful! Ah, but Boubliwae is a marvelous place indeed!" "Yes, yes", cried Tember, danncing and laughing, woohoo letsbe off!!!" and she twirled high into the air. "So, you know the way, and have been then?" asked Vina. "Of course." Now Princess Heidi looked on Vina with an air of concern as she added "Most of the wood folk have." "Ah weell, that is most wood folk then! I am new to this part of the forest. I come from the land of Fhuurmaelise, a rich, lush meadowland about a days flight from here. My friend Mukktar first told me of Boubliwae and I hjourneyed into these parts to find adventure!!" "Yes, well adventure you found. Although I feel that Sable One will have some say about this." Said Heidi matter of factly. "Sable what? Who's that? What should he care about me? asked Vina. Heidi informed her that Sable One lived near Boubliwae and was a bit of the unofficial keeper and protector of the land. More on that later- "HEY! What are you two twitteren' about down there? Lets be off then!!!" cried an impatient Tember. She landed next to her new friends and handed her prize back to it's owner. She was finishing off her nuts, with Vina's help when suddenly a rustling cane to their ears... "Who doth approach!!!?" Yelled Vina, but was quickly silenced by Tembers tiny hand. "SSSSSSHHHHHH!" "Sable One!!! HALLOO!!"" Cried Princess Heidi, adjusting her crown. The small figure made himself visible, leaping to the top of a large mushroom cap. He flipped his tiny acorn hat at the faeries as he shouted, "Halloo! Princess Heidi!!! I heard an awful raucous from out this way and thought t'would be wise to have a look see." And then there were four.......

(`The Path to Boubliwae... Vina and Faejay 1/9/01)(per Vina) Princess Heidi, having spent some time with Vina and Tember, spoke up, "It seems these two were having quite a go of it with a rather terrible oaf calling himself Clubdub. Gave them quite a chase actually." Not to be thought of as silly, Tember cried out, "Vina gave him a chomp!! That showed him!" "Only made the poor beast angry and confused." said Vina, "But, Princess Heidi came along and aided our getaway wonderfully." Smiles and tips her crown, Heidi turns to the Sable One, who questions Vina, "How did it turn out then? Ye didn't kill the beast?" "Good fae, NO!", cried Vina with much indignance, "Look there, through the clearing." Taking a cautious peek the Sable One peered through the brush and saw a still scratching and rolling Clubdub on the forest floor. With a loud booming laugh, he exclaimed, "Princess Heidi, do tell me who these fae are!!" "I am Vina from the land of Fhuurmaelise, and this is my friend September Leaves, Blessed Be" "Blessed Be, and where are ye off to now?" Heidi informs him, "Vina and Tember were on their way to visit Boubliwae when they encountered Clubdub and shortly thereafter out paths crossed. Will ye journey on with us?" "Yes, Yes, do come with us Sable One!!" cried Vina and Tember together. They already had strong feelings of goodness about this forest dweller. "No."he replied,"You must continue the journey. Boubliwae is only throught the next clearing,no time at all by faery time, but I must find my friend Groon. Have you seen him Heidi??" "Why no! Is he in trouble you think?" she asked. "Always!!" he replied with a laugh, "But, not to worry, I am sure he is off playing tricks somewhere. I will go and search the hollow and meet ye three back at Boubliwae, where I hope ye will regale me with thine stories of Clubdub the Ogre and how you came to know of Boubliwae, the faerest land!!" And with that this new creature jumped onto an awaitin mushroom cap and disappeared into the lush forest undergrowth in search of his friend. Vina, thinking about what an adventure this has been so far looked on Princess Heidi and Tember with newfound adoration and gratitude. With smiles of acknowledgement the three soared into the air and towards the shimmering lights of Boubliwae, the sound of music and singing becoming clearer.""Fuuuunnnnnnggusss aaaaannnnddd mmoooolllldddd!!!""""

(per faejay) Earlier, that same day in the wood, Gezub, a young and playful sidhe, loved every morning to fly through her favorite stretch of the forest; to fly in low and run her hand through a clear stream that trickled it's way through the underbrush, to fly straight up the trunk of a great oak and out into the morning breezes about the tree line. Feeling particularly bold and courageous, Gezub took to flying as low and as fast as she could through a heavily shrubbed area of the forest, just to test how good a flier she really was. Her eyes and wings had to react incredibly quickly as she shot through, around, over, under anything that came her way. She dodged this way and that in a blur of shimmering golden red hair and lemon and lime wings. But for all of her agility, she was always going to end up hitting something, and so it was with great surprise that she failed to avoid a thorn bush of all things. She let out a shrill cry as she plummetted to the ground in a cloud of dust and leaf, skidding for some distance before she reached a halt, wounded and weak, she faded into a heavy sleep. Gezub woke to soothing whispers, it was now night, the stars above flickered through the trees far above, the noon taking it's place smiling down on the hidden land of Faerie. She felt the pain of the fall as her memories returned, but it wasn't as bad as it should have been. She'd taken plenty of falls in her life, especially when she was learning to use her wings for the first time. She slowly openned her eyes and tried to focus, when they eventually did, she was rather shocked to see two gnomes (or what she believed to be gnomes) looking back at her....

(cerridwen 1/22/01) and thus is fair cerridwen awakened from her slumber. as the slight faerie uncurls herself from her bed of rose petals, she alerts herself to her surroundings-what WAS that crash? and finds herself face to face with a quaint little fae! "pardon you" cerridwen cries. "What brings you to this part of the forest? "gezub exclaims" I was merely fluttering about as I so love to do-enjoying the day you know, when this thorn bush crossed my path!" "or rather you crossed IT'S' path!"Cerridwen exclaimed. "I am cerridwen-gaurdian of small animals. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. what say we tromp around for some breakfast? I find myself quite hungry. I will call upon the dweller sedwick to carry us through the forest, and you may rest your wings...

(cerridwen, vina and faejay 1/24/01(per )...and off the fae went on the back of Cerridwen's dear friend, Sedwick the squrrel. upon finding a berry patch, they took their fill, and lay down to a heavy sleep. Gezub awoke to soothing whispers, it was now night, the stars above flickered through the trees far above,the moon taking it's place smiling down at the hidden land of faerie. Gezub slowly opened her eyes and tried to focus, when she eventually did, she saw Cerridwen sleeping peacefully... then... her eyes rested upon 2 gnomes...or what she believed to be gnomes...looking back at her...

(per Cerridwen 2/12/01)---"deja vu!" exclaims Gezub." I have seen this just before-a dream perhaps?" looks over at Cerridwen, then back at the...gnomes? "pardon us" the first spoke. "but you look as though you have lost your way. you are tresspassing, I dare say." Gezub nudges Cerridwen awake. Startled, Cerridwen shrugs into alertness,and notices the funny creatures. "why, thou art gnomes." "Aren't you the brilliant one. and I shall repeat, you are tresspassing." the second gnme exclaimed. "we were not trespassing, we were resting." Cerridwen replied. "I am Cerridwen of the faeries." "And i am Gezub." "And we are on an adventure to a majical place called Boubliwea where happiness is ever abound! Perhaps you can point us the path and we will be out of your way!" "Boubliwea, you say, of course I know of it. I wouldn't be a true gnome if i didn't! But getting there is another matter..."

(per Cerridwen 3/7/01)---the 2 faeries looked at each other in question. "we know there is a trick to getting there, we have heard it is a great mystery- you as a wise gnome does know?" gezub implied. "of course. but i can tell you now to beware the ogres of the forest who despise faerie merriment-it quite makes their toes curl and they will go to great lengths to stop it.let me introduce ourselves first. I am Handel and this is my brother Ferg. and you are STILL tresspassing! however,for a price, we can send you to Boubliwea.. "Cerridwen and gezub were quite taken aback by this gnomes forthrightness, but perhaps that was the gnomes way. They were altogether very eager to get to Boubliwea. "what is this price" replied Cerridwen, "that you are so sure we can pay?" Let us discuss this over a snack of tea and honey and acorns. it is snacktime, you see," announced Ferg. and the 4 dined on a fine mushroom cap table and drank tea out of buttercups and each had a bowl of acorn soup. After they all had their fill, Handel spoke up. "it is awfully nice how you faeries fly. Us gnomes, we never see the world that is not right at our feet. How nice it would be to ...have wings" "But what use would they be you live underground!' Gezub exclaimed. "Gnomes can make use of anything. we are clever that way." Cerridwen pondered,"We could perhaps, have a word with the faerie queen." "And in exchange you will send us to Boubliwea?" "In exchange we will fly you to Boubliwea ourselves if you like! Cerridwen and Gezub considered, would the faerie queen be angry at such an exchange? Was it truly worth it?..."

(per Queen Gnome 3/11/01) Handel, a Forest Gnome, looked over at his younger brother Ferg and he was amazed to see his brother and the flighty, red-haired Gezub enjoying a snack together. Ferg you see is noted as being very shy for a gnome especially around females! Ferg is a very quiet, thoughtful gnome; much like his mother Queen Lyra. Handel on the other hand is more like his father, King Ner, less trusting and possessing a strong "protector" instinct. Both Handel and Ferg are 89 years old, they are twins and are almost mature enough to take on wives of their own. Both have unusual deep auburn hair. Handel who is called 'Prince Handel' by others because he will some day take over for his father as King. Ferg on the other hand is more likely to enter into an apprentiship with the Wizard Gnome Talmai. Anyway, Handel and Gezub are sitting on a carpet of soft moss enjoying a snack mix (a secret recipe known only to Ferg) made up of dried mushroom caps, berries and some unknown ingredients. They are also drinking some of Ferg's home made wine which he ages in an acorn flask. Gezub and Ferg are smiling and their eyes are sparkling...Handel thinks that perhaps Ferg does not realize that Gezub is over-indulging and that his snack and drink are prooving too potent for Gezub. Both of them are giggling and singing something....Handel looks back at Cerridwen to discuss their plans to assist one another. He has learned from Sedwick her squirrel friend, that she is trustworthy. Handel has decided to gift Cerridwen with some of his precious, magical energy stones to show his willingness to become friends with her. These stones will help you to find the way to Boubliwae. They will glow if you are following the right path and loose their glow whenever you stray in the wrong direction. Your friend Sedwick will be at "Moss Rock" where King Ner often settles disputes between the forest creatures. Why, just two days ago, King Ner was called to Moss Rock to investigate some missing magical acorns from Crystalmyst. Handel wondered if Sedwick had told Cerridwen about it? Handel, who was gifted with ten times the hearing of his brother hears the pounding of big feet upon the ground. He can tell that is is the foot falls of Dandersup, Clubdub's father. He has had a terrific toothache for days and is all riled-up. Soon Dandersup would be close enough to smell his breath. Handel feared that it would give the wee faes sleeping sickness. Handel wispers to Cerridwen, "You must take Gezub and depart at once! Dandersup is approaching! He is Clubdub's father and boy is he in a mean mood!" So Cerridwen approaches Gezub and tries to get her to come, however...

per Cerridwen 3/18/01)...Gezub seems..rather giddy. "Gezub,we must hurry- the ogre Danderscup approaches-and he is most foul indeed! "Cerridwen insists. "I have decided to take a brief rest here", Gezub smiled drowsily. "Gezub, why I think you overindulged yourself! "Gezub drops fats asleep. Oh Ferg, don't you know not to let the fae eat too much of our rich food and drink? This fae will sleep for 24 hours, and they need to leave NOW to escape the danger of Danderscup! Cerridwen dances around madly exclaiming that she is doomed to never find Boubliwae because of her silly fae friend. she may have the magic stones but she dare not venture alone. Handel says" We have an option- you two fae can come to our forest home. We will keep you until Gezub awakens, but that means you owe us 2 favors-one for the stones and one for our safe keeping you." eagerly Cerridwen agrees. THUD THUD THUD as Danderscup approaches. The three quickly gather the sleeping Gezub and hurry to the safety only the gnomes know...

per Cerridwen 4/18/01...and so Handel, the shy ferg, and Cerridwen scurried off away from the stumbling ogre, carrying the sleeping Gezub between them. the brother gnomes kindly took the fae to their home in the wood. at the base of a tall hemlock tree was an opening just the right size for the little people. the 4 struggled through and ended up in the gnomes storage room. "We will go in through the back-even though we trust you it is not wise for a gnome to reveal the entry to his home" Handel remarked. "our parents,the king and queen, live here long with several pet mice. there are never more than 4 gnomes to a home- and soon we shall have our own families to raise!" Cerridwen had never heard of a group with such rules-fae just lived as the day took them! but she felt it was not her place to judge. they piled through into the parlor where Lyra, the queen, attended to dinner, for the king would soon be home from the forest and be ready for dining and rest. "Mother," Handel began, and briefly explined the plight of the fae. Lyra was pleased to be host to such amusing creatures-and that Gezub, overindulging indeed! "by daylight Danderscup will tire, it will be safe for the fae to flee. but to Boubliwae? Are you prepared for that? It is a long journey. "I have lent them the magic stones in return for a favor!" Handel replied. "Well then It should go well. Gezub should awaken soon, we will give you a small portion of food and drink but you must be sparing with it-it will be all you have until you reach your destination". Suddenly in came the king. the sitution need not be explained to him for he already knew! "the first ray of daylite is approching-we have a potion to make Gezub awaken for you must travel now as the ogre sleeps! it was not needed however as that moment Gezub's lids fluttered open. "What, where" she spoke. "oh Gezub you silly little pig-you near drugged yourself with rich food. we must hurry-we have the way to Boubliwae and must go at the first light!" Cerridwen cried. "We owe you gnomes a favor. We will spend a fortnite in Boubliwea and then return to you. Let us meet at moss rock where Sedwick awaits us. one fortnite plus 2 days each way travelling, and we will grant your wish and return the stones!" "it is agreed then." spoke Ferg. and now it ws time for the fae to find the way to Boubliwae...