She walked into the worn, old castle. She shivered from more than the draft that blew through entryway. It wasn't the castle one imagined when reading a fairy-tale. It wasn't full of sound and life, with minstrels and jesters. It was cold and barred, deprived of even the royal family that owned the castle. The handsome prince who had authority over Kiamo Ko was now dead. His parents blamed him for being a traitor and would not mourn him.
He had told her they would be together forever. Yet she had had doubt, no matter how hard she wished it. She had had doubt no matter how much she wanted to be with him forever. No matter how pleasant the daydreams she had about having a peaceful life with him were, she had had doubt. No matter how badly she had wanted to give up and have a nice, normal family with him, she had had doubt.
And, unfortunately, she had been right to doubt. He was wrong, they were not to spend the rest of their lives together. She had been right, they were going to be parted forever. He had died for her. He had sacrificed everything he had possessed to be with her, and when he could sacrifice no more he gave up his life to spare hers. He had done it all for her and there was nothing she would ever be able to do for him.
She wandered the halls, her hand touching the moist, mildewing wall. The family had never lived at Kiamo Ko. It was easy to see why. Even she, the Wicked Witch of the West, was frightened as she wandered through the halls. But it wasn't fear of a ghost. The ghost of Fiyero would've been more than welcome. It was a fear of the opposite- would she be completely, horribly alone forever?
She scaled the staircase, entering the highest tower. Her fingertips touched a crystal orb... a crystal ball. A large hourglass sat nearby. Her Grimmerie fit the surroundings. She laid it on the table, desperate to find something, anything to save him.
Later she collapsed to the floor of her home. Her empty, decrepit home that should've held such life. Home. The one place you are always welcome. Where the heart is. Being with the one you love. Home... she fell into a sleep that provided no relief, only flashed images of her lover sacrificing himself for her.