Hi All! Sorry I have been gone a while. My hubby and I moved out of Las Vegas to the beautiful Emerald City of Seattle. Ironic that I am writing a Wizard of Oz story and they nicknamed Seattle the Emerald City.
I have wanted to do this story for a long time. I am a huge fan of Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland, so here it is.
This story takes place 12 years after the original Oz movie, not the books, and is going to be darker, more serious, and adult. Of course, the romance between Scarecrow and Dorothy will develop over time. You will find elements of a particular other movie series in this story. So, stay tuned.
Ok, enough. On with the show!
I do not own any form of the Wizard of Oz.
Fantasy Broken: The War for Oz
His Royal Highness King Scarecrow the Wise sat back in his chair in his tent and sighed deeply. Before him on a small wooden table was the map to all of Oz, and the battles marked in red paint. The battles they lost, he thought bitterly. The red ones definitely outnumbered the black marks, the ones they won.
He rubbed his eyes with his black-gloved hand. Despite not being human, he was exhausted. He was so tired. Tired of fighting, tired of war, and tired of seeing his people just disintegrating into smaller numbers before his very eyes. He was not the happy-go-lucky scarecrow from the cornfields anymore. He was the king who has almost lost it all. It changes a man, and it even changes a scarecrow.
So many lost. So much pain. So much despair. What had his beloved land come to?
The once beautiful, bustling land of enchantment was now gone in smoke, ash, fire, and death.
Only he could be king when this all happened.
Scarecrow shook his burlap head trying to get rid of the selfish thoughts. He was king, and he had a duty to his people, and other beings in this world. Oz had seen war before, and they had pulled through. He could only pray to the powers that be that they would pull through again.
Five years. Five long, suffering years they have now been at war, and Scarecrow was not gaining any ground. However, he would be damned if he would ever surrender to the evil that now possessed the Emerald City. He would fight to the last man, and even if that last man were he.
Suddenly, a gorgeous face flashed before his eyes. A human girl he would give his crown to see one more time. The last face he would think of if the evil were to take him, because he would be damned if he would ever bring her back here. No, she had to stay safe in her world.
Scarecrow sat back and thought for a moment of those big brown eyes, and that silky auburn hair, and the pale smooth skin.
He shook his head in defeat. He would never know, because he would probably never see her again. The sadness overcame him for a moment.
Scarecrow was brought out of his thoughts, as his two most trusted generals entered the tent.
General Tin Man Woodman, Nick for short, and General Lion the Brave. These two were his best friends, his confidantes, and his best fighters. Scarecrow smirked a little, and thought, nope, Cowardly Lion just doesn't fit anymore. It hadn't for a long time now.
"Your Highness," Nick said sitting in the wooden chair across from the table. His trusty ax in his hand, as always.
Lion nodded and sat down as well. "Highness."
Scarecrow nodded, and asked simply. "How many?"
Lion smiled, but it wasn't a happy one. "I am happy to report that we lost none tonight after the ambush."
Scarecrow nodded. Good news, but one soldier lost was always too many as far as he was concerned.
Scarecrow could smell the putrid smell of burning bodies in the distance. It was horrible. At least it was the enemy, and not his soldiers.
Nick realized he had blood on his ax. He picked up a tossed rag, wiped it off, and went outside for a moment to throw it in their fire in the encampment.
The lookouts felt it was safe enough to light a fire till they could move in the next evening back to their new home.
Scarecrow scoffed inwardly. How he hated to call the old Wicked Witch's castle his home.
"How is your wound Nick?" Scarecrow asked looking at the fast job the welder did on the Tin Man. He had suffered a gash in his right side.
Nick shrugged. "I didn't realize the bastard was still alive."
Scarecrow smiled slightly. Nick wasn't hurt per se, but damage could have been done.
"So, tomorrow night we head home?" Lion asked.
Scarecrow knew the Lion was eager to see his mate. They were now located in the Southeast portion of Qualding country, and they had been gone for over 3 weeks. The enemy was slowly infiltrating Qualding, and now they were learning that ambushes were keeping them at bay. Something has been on their side, as their last two ambushes had been highly successful. Still, did he dare to hope?
Besides Emerald City, the enemy now infiltrated Qualding and Gilkin countries, but it really looked like they still may be able to save Qualding, but Gilkin may be lost.
"Yes, we head home under the cover of darkness," Scarecrow said going over his map. They had found trails that would keep them hidden from the enemy. At least they hoped.
"However, I am not sure how fast news will travel about this win," he added.
"We have be vigilant," Nick nodded.
Lion also nodded in agreement.
Scarecrow looked up and asked, "How many wounded?"
Lion smiled again, and said, "Just a few minor scratches, but everyone should still be battle ready when we leave."
Scarecrow sighed with relief. Bringing home the wounded was always the hardest part. Not just the fear of being attacked, but may be losing more lives along the way. He hated to think this way, but burying the dead was easier.
A soldier walked on the trio, who were discussing their route home, and bowed to his king.
"Your Highness, I was just reporting to General Lion that supper is ready," he said.
Scarecrow nodded acknowledging the soldier.
He could see Lion needed to eat soon, or the soldiers would look good to him.
Lion lit up and asked, "Is it a deer tonight?"
"Yes, sir."
Lion smiled widely. Scarecrow knew he was starving.
Tin Man and Scarecrow never required food, so it was of no use to them.
"I will be there momentarily," Lion said.
The soldier nodded and went on about his duties.
Nick shook his head in disgust.
"What?" Lion asked annoyed. "I do eat you know. I am a lion."
"I am glad to not see that slaughter," Nick said shaking his metal head.
"This comes from a man who cuts down trees, which are alive, ya know," Lion shot back.
Nick scoffed and still looked disgusted.
Lion growled lowly.
Scarecrow couldn't help but crack a smile. This has been going on for years. Yet, when it came to battle they would die for each other.
"Alright you two…" Scarecrow chided mildly.
Both of them grumbled, but were quiet.
They talked for a few more minutes when Scarecrow heard it.
What was that?
Scarecrow stopped mid-sentence and turned his head.
That sound.
Lion and Nick looked at each other confused at their king's sudden distraction.
Scarecrow put his hand up to quiet his two generals. He cursed his burlap head for sometimes affecting his hearing.
He knew he heard something.
Both Lion and Tin Man drew their weapons still confused on about Scarecrow.
Scarecrow stood suddenly.
There it was again. A…a voice…..
A voice?
Scarecrow walked around the tent for a moment still holding up his hand for silence from the other two.
Yes, it was a voice, and it was female. It was also singing.
Scarecrow still strained to hear. It was faint, but there.
He looked at his two generals who stood there confused, but ready for another battle.
"Do you hear that?" Scarecrow asked.
"Hear what?" Lion growled.
"Home is behind….."
Scarecrow stopped and looked at them again thoroughly incredulous.
I know that voice, he thought desperately. I would know that voice anywhere.
"The world ahead…"
"I…I hear singing," Scarecrow said.
Before Nick or Lion could respond Scarecrow suddenly took off to the outside of the tent.
"And there are many paths to tread…"
The soldiers who were around the king's tent suddenly came to life as he rushed outside and looked around furiously.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Nick asked concerned. He wondered how badly the toll of the war was now affecting the Scarecrow. Now, that he had a brain, he was susceptible to the affects of war and other things like everyone else.
Scarecrow looked around in frustration. More soldiers had gathered with weapons ready.
"Thru shadow…. to the edge of night….."
"Don't you hear it?!" He asked. Nick could see the desperation in his eyes.
Lion shook his head. "No, your Highness, I only hear the sounds of the night, and my stomach growling," Lion snickered a little at his own joke.
Nick elbowed his friend. Lion immediately became serious again. Not a good time for a joke, you moron, he thought.
Scarecrow walked back to his friends, and said, "I know that voice."
"Until the stars are all alight…"
Nick shook his head at his king and friend. "I don't hear anything, Scarecrow, I'm sorry."
"Mist and shadows, cloud and shade…."
Scarecrow scoffed, and continued to look around the area, seemingly lost in his own little world. He would know that voice anywhere. Though he did not know the song she sung.
"All shall fade. All shall fade…"
Nick was now really worried about his king. Lion and him exchanged confused, and worried looks.
A soldier came up behind Nick and whispered. "The area is all clear, sir," he said to Nick in a confused whisper.
Nick nodded and dismissed the soldier.
"It's gone," Scarecrow suddenly said.
Nick came out of his thoughts, and looked at his king, who in turn looked totally defeated at that moment.
The war had to be taking its toll.
Nick inwardly groaned. What would they do if Scarecrow surrendered to the evil?
Scarecrow realized he was being closely watched and looked down for a moment and sighed.
He knew what he heard, and he knew who it was. Everyone stood there surrounding him in question and confusion. He knew what they were thinking. Was their king finally at his breaking point?
He was hearing voices after all. A voice he had not heard in so long.
He took one last look around, and straightened himself up.
Maybe he did need some rest.
"Enjoy the evening, men. Also, enjoy our small victory."
Without another word, he took off to his tent and shut the flap.
Everyone stood for a moment in shock, but decided to go on about their business. Weapons were lowered, and conversations were starting again, though hushed.
It had been an intense moment.
Lion began to walk to the tent to follow Scarecrow, but Nick stopped him. He had a feeling Scarecrow needed to be alone.
If it was who Nick was thinking of, then what would they do?
He knew Scarecrow had never gotten over her even though he never talked about it.
"Don't. I think he needs rest," Nick said to Lion.
Lion shook his head in disbelief.
"You don't think…" Lion asked in wonderment reading his thoughts.
Nick looked around and said in thought, "That's impossible. Isn't it?"
Lion sighed, but said nothing else. He walked off to eat, and Nick decided to sharpen his ax. He ordered all soldiers to come to him or Lion first if there were any further problems.
Nick sat down, and looked up into the sky sadly.
Scarecrow went back into his tent and took his hat off and threw it onto the table. He wished he had hair to run his fingers through.
His army would now think he was going crazy. He wondered if they would still trust him after this little episode.
He sat heavily back in his chair, and thought for a moment.
This was the first time in so long he heard that voice. In a way, he hoped it was his imagination. In a way, he hoped that was a sign.
He looked around sadly, and tried to distract himself from those thoughts that he had tried so hard to suppress, but his brain was in overload.
He finally pushed his papers away, and laid his head down in his straw arms on the table and closed his eyes.
He knew sleep, but this time it was deeper than he ever felt in his existence.
Somewhere off in the distance a good witch smiled widely.
…
Author's Note: You may know that song that the Scarecrow was hearing from Lord of the Rings. All credit to JRR Tolkien for that song. I thought it would go perfect in this chapter to set the tone of the story, and I imagined Judy Garland singing it as I wrote this. That would have been awesome to hear if she had.
Another note: The Fellowship of the Ring actually wasn't published until 1954, and I am setting this in the early 1940s, but I thought I would push it up a little. =)
