Well here it is. The third and final installment of the Good Trilogy! Hopefully all you readers of 'Good' and 'Goodness' will come through to read (and hopefully review) 'Goodness Knows'…I hope you've enjoyed reading about my OCs as much as I've enjoyed writing about them!

The Council of Emeralds, Oz's governing body of the last five successful years, was humming with excitement. Fine, quoxwood desks placed in row after gleaming row filled the Council's prestigious chamber. "I still don't understand why the tax on travel is necessary," Lady Elphaba exclaimed. She had become Queen of the Vinkus three years after giving up her place as Oz's ruler in favor of a democratic council.

"Well I don't understand why you care so much about interior travel taxes in Munchkinland," Nadira Porth, Munchkinland's Madame Governess, exclaimed. "It doesn't affect the rest of Oz."

"Any Ozian has a right to be concerned about your citizens," the green woman countered. "I'm simply…"

"Just because you are the heir to my position doesn't give you any right to poke around in how I run my own territory," Nadira hissed.

"You're wrong there," Fiyero Tiggular, the Vinkus's king of two years, interrupted. "Technically speaking Selky is the heir to Munchkinland, since Elphaba is now royalty." His emphasis on the last word caused Nadira to shrink slightly.

"Governess Porth I am not trying to dispute your claim to the Eminence," the Witch of the West assured. "My heritage has nothing to do with your travel taxes; you're comparing apples to oranges." Before anyone could respond a bell rattled nearby, signaling that this session was adjourned. Immediately the hum of conversation gushed free from dozens of council members as they stood to leave.

"Nadira truly seems to hate you Elphie," observed Lady Glinda of Gillikin.

"She just feels threatened," Brrr, Oz's official Animal ambassador, insisted. "There's a great amount of pressure on anyone with power in Munchkinland after its former dictatorship." He was careful to steer clear of Nessarose's specific name. Whatever had been plaguing her mind had dissipated over the course of a year, leaving the girl guilty and wounded. She still lived in the Emerald Palace and was ashamed to go outside. Munchkinland's former governor spent most of her time alone, refusing to see anyone except Elphaba.

"Hopefully she'll warm up to me over time," the green witch shrugged. At the moment she was occupied by other, happier thoughts. Today was a big day.

Outside the council chamber Caya, Shay, and Izo were waiting impatiently. The Cubs were delighted to be skipping a day of classes at Shiz for this special occasion. It was their second year and both were doing splendidly.

The Emerald Palace had spectacular gardens, which made it a perfect location for important ceremonies. Dainty, wooden chairs had been set up before an enormous stage. Honestly the fanfare seemed a little over the top to Elphaba, though she was secretly enjoying all the pride this setting evoked. Boq sat beside the seats reserved for important guests with Farrah on his lap. The exuberant eight year old waved her hands frantically to signal Glinda and the others. She'd inherited her father's thick, brown hair and her mother's deep blue eyes.

"Did you have fun with your Daddy?" the blonde witch asked as she sat beside her husband.

"Uh huh," Farrah replied, nodding enthusiastically. "We went on a picnic and Chistery showed me how to climb a tree."

"You didn't tear your new dress did you?" Glinda wondered, trying to disguise her utter horror at the idea.

"No," Farrah replied, though she sounded disappointed at that fact. "I got it really muddy though."

"Lovely," the blonde witch replied in a fondly, displeased voice. Boq sent her an apologetic look. Curyn arrived at that point and wandered over to greet everyone. She owned a successful restaurant called Raven's Roost in the Emerald City. It was a popular gathering place when council sessions required that friends from all corners of Oz be united. Loxin trailed behind the strawberry blonde with a slightly awkward expression on his face. He wasn't totally comfortable with Selky's high standing family quite yet.

"Ryn-Ryn!" Farrah exclaimed. "Come sit by me!" The eight year old had been totally won over by her cousin's best friend the moment Curyn made her chocolate pancakes for lunch at Raven's Roost.

"Alright I'm coming," the strawberry blonde complied. Loxin scuttled after her. He had just seated himself when the ceremony began. Chistery, who had taken over Fiyero's place as Captain of the Guard, took the stage. Over the last eight years he had finally mastered speaking again.

"Two years ago I was asked to take over as Captain," he began, nervously speaking into a microphone. "It was a great honor to be trusted so greatly, but today I am happy to hand over this position to someone who is even more qualified." A wave of applause swept through the crowd. "This person has been a hero to our great nation for many years," Chistery continued, grinning excitedly now. "She joined the Gale Force a mere five years ago and has already demonstrated enough skill to be voted into this place by fellow officers." More shrieks of approval assaulted the stage. It felt as though all of Oz had turned out for this event. Elphaba and Fiyero sent sidelong glances of glee at one another.

Onstage Chistery was gesturing wildly for quiet. It took awhile for his motions to be heeded. The Monkey paused for dramatic effect before finishing his short speech. "It is with great pleasure that I present to you Selky Fallorn Tiggular; the new Captain of the Guard."

A momentary earthquake of humanity shook the gardens then. People surged to their feet as Selky appeared beside Chistery. She was decked out in a vaguely feminized version of Fiyero's Gale Force uniform. It was adorned with gleaming metals and adjusted slightly to hug her body in a curvy fashion. The twenty six year old beamed at the enthusiastic reception. Ever since she'd prevented Elphaba's stoning the Ozian public had been infatuated with Selky. They'd wept for her supposed demise and been thrilled with her exploits as the Raven. Now their happiness at her triumph was loudly evident.

/

"To Selky," Elphaba toasted as she raised her goblet. Raven's Roost was closed for their private party that night and the entire gang, from Oscar to Farrah, was jubilant.

"To Selky," everyone agreed, touching glasses.

"Can we stop with all the toasting already?" Curyn requested cheekily. "Her ego's inflated enough as it is."

"It is not," Selky retorted. This statement was contradicted by the fact that she was practically glowing with pride.

"So Captain Selky," Fiyero began. "What is the Gale Force's first mission?"

"Well I've just sent a team to investigate some reports of a supposed rebellion," his daughter replied, suddenly serious. Talk about her work often did that.

"Rebellion?" Elphaba repeated incredulously. "I know I've been in the Vinkus a lot lately but I was under the impression that Oz was content at present."

"That's just the thing," Selky exclaimed. "I've spoken to many, many citizens and they're all perfectly satisfied with Oz. Of course some people have mild complaints, but nothing large enough to incite a rebellion."

"Could it be another group of my former advisors trying to reinstate the dictatorship?" Oscar asked.

"According to my sources this sounds more serious than a few old crackpots spreading lies again," Selky replied.

"You're turning into your mother; discussing work at a party," Glinda chastened her niece perkily. "Let's forget about those rumors for awhile."

"Here, here," Fiyero responded.

"Fine," Selky sulked. She turned on her bench to cuddle into Loxin's side. Curyn, who sat beside the two lovebirds, bit back a teasing request for them to 'get a room'.

/

"Your people are content at present my Princess. Are you sure it's wise to start a rebellion?"

"I have a duty to this nation; I cannot allow it to be ruled by those who are not fit."

"But…"

"If you are having second thoughts perhaps I could have some mind magic worked on you."

"You know that my loyalty lies with you; I'm just concerned for our safety."

"Ozians are my people; I have nothing to fear."

"If you say so."

"We'll need to take out or buy out the governments of the four territories before tackling the Emerald City. Quadling Country has no formal governing body so that doesn't concern me. Gillikin presents more of a challenge; there are so many nobles living there that it will be difficult to remove everyone with power. Perhaps it would be possible to create a chain reaction if we eliminated someone with enough influence…"

"Would Lady Glinda suffice?"

"Possibly, though I'd prefer to have her on my side. In my absence she's become Oz's heart and soul."

"What about the Vinkus?"

"Monarchies are easy; just take out the ruling family."

"That might present a problem. The Witch of the West is Queen; her power if formidable. Fiyero Tiggular, the King, was Captain of the Gale Force."

"Perhaps it would be possible to trick them. What about Munchkinland?"

"The people there have been suspicious of their government since Nessarose. However their new governess is worried for her power and would probably be willing to make a deal in order to keep it."

"Hmm. Maybe we'll pay her a visit."

By now you should know that most of my stories start slow and build to a height of action. Please review and let me know how this start sounds (can you guess who the main villain will be?)…I am quite thrilled to be working on this series again…unfortunately (well fortunately for me but unfortunately for this story) I will be leaving for a two week trip to Africa on Thursday and therefore will not be able to update for two weeks…I will start updating very fast after that though…

PLEASE REVIEW!