Pool of Living Tears

Part 2 :: Into the UnderRealm

One by one, the Fae sisters followed the Pixies toward a small cave partially hidden by the thick bushes.

The sisters trekked through miles and miles of underground tunnels, the soft glow of the Pixies leading the way through the dark.

They came to a bridge leading to a huge iron gate, guarded by one of the Melkree... a mischievous race of trolls living in the Under Realm.

The Fae could only cross over the bridge by granting all of the troll's three requests.

The Melkree's eyes were wide open, staring off into the distance ... he didn't even realize the Fae were there.

Zephyr spoke first.

"Ahem!" ...

" Oh Honorable Gatekeeper of the Hallowed Under Realm! Grant us passage along this dark path! "

(( ... silence ... ))

Winnie:: *rolls eyes*

"Let ME try, Sister."

She kicked Melkree and shouted ...

" HEY YOU! .... WAKE UP!"

With a little yelp of pain, the creature turned and looked at the Fiery Fae who had disrupted his nap.

Melkree :: *yaaaaawn*

" Oh...  Its YOU."

Winnie snorted ...

" Of course it's ME you bumbling fool!

We're here for the Dark Moon Ritual.

Now do your job and let us through!"

Melkree :: *ignoring Winnie's insult*

" Has it been 10,000 Moons already? Seems like only yesterday I was trolling my first bridge. Ahhh, memories! "

Winnie :: *rolls eyes*

Nyra :: " Dear Melkree, we request passage across your bridge. What do you require from us? "

The Melkree glanced at Winnie with a sly smile ... it had been ages since the last time he played a prank on her.  He reached into his satchel and pulled out a ripe, stinking piece of trash fruit.  He knew the Fae of Agartha detested filth of any kind, and he enjoyed watching Winnie get riled up.  

Melkree :: *in between sloppy bites of trash fruit*

" I have three requests that you must fulfill to cross my bridge. 

First, a riddle...   What has one eye but cannot see? "

Under her breath Winnie muttered, 

          " You if you don't move out of our way!" 

... but again, no one seemed to hear her.  

Joy :: "I got it! The answer is a NEEDLE. "

Melkree :: " That's right!  I always knew you were the smart one.  But the next task won't be so easy.  Bring me a Rare Relic that will bring me victory in the Troll Tournament! "

The sisters huddled in a circle to see what they had to offer him.  They decided to conjure the spirits of rare elemental beings that would prove helpful to the greedy troll.

Winnie :: " You ...CANIS... rare critter of the Flame, forever may it burn! "

Zephyr :: " You ...SUINTOR...rare critter of the Earth, stoic and firm! "

Joy :: " You ...DICOATL... rare critter of the Wind, swift to an allies side! "

Nyra ::  " You ...ARTICORN... rare critter of the Oceans deep, channeling torrents of furious water!"

Together :: " Rise You Critters of the Void! Your Power knows no bounds!" 

Melkree :: "WHOA! RARE VOIDCRITTERS!!! I'm definitely going to win the Troll Tournament this year!"

Winnie :: "Ok, you got what you want, can we pass now?"

Melkree :: "Not so fast, Sparky!  There is one more thing that you must do for me before you can cross my bridge. And this request is especially for YOU! "

Winnie :: *rolls eyes*

"FINE.  What do you want troll?"

Melkree :: "Pull my finger!" 

Winnie :: *rolls eyes*