The Story of Nor of Kiamo Ko

Beginning The Journey

Home. She returned home to walk through the abandoned walls of the Castle of Kiamo Ko. It had been many years since she'd been in these walls. If Auntie had never been here, she would not have had to leave. The armies would never have come to Kiamo Ko if she had not led them there. And her father, where was he? What had happened to him?

Nor was 18 now, 2 years since she had been released. The Wizard was gone, and his armies had no reason to keep her any longer. She had watched her mothers and her aunts be killed. She stood by her brother as they tortured him until death. She was there, and she wondered what happened to Auntie? What happened to Liir? She had always dreamed her father would come and save her, but he never did. And now everyone is gone, her parents, her aunts, her brothers, Auntie, Liir, Nanny, and even Chistery. The walls of the castle were empty.

But in the room that was once occupied by Auntie (who she later learned to be Elphaba, but learned little else) she saw it. A book. She had learned to read with the soldiers, and even before the soldiers came, before Auntie came, she had tutors to teach her and her brothers. She walked up to the book known by many as the Grimmerie and opened its pages. In some places there was nothing, and, in other places, just jumbled messes of words that made no sense.

"Damn it," she screamed as she slammed the book shut. Nor leaned against the book lying on the desk that was once used by the Witch of the West, and she cried. She cried for the first time, for herself, for her brothers, for her family and even for Liir. Poor Liir, trapped in the haunting gaze of that strange green creature. Was she his mother? Was it possible that such an innocent looking human being could come out of that horrid demon of a person?

It took her two years to get here, and she was not leaving anytime soon. She walked up to her mother's bedroom, remembering all the corridors as if she walked them yesterday. There had not been much else to think about all those years. The sheets were dusty, and some were even moldy, but Nor did not care. She climbed underneath the sheets and held close the pillows in which her mother had once laid. She fell asleep and dreamed of the happy memories she once had.

"Beautiful Nor, oh, how I've heard so much about you." Nor opened her eyes at the sound of such a soothing voice. Mother? No. All she could see was the shadow of a woman in a large flowing gown as she stood against the windows of the suite. She moved closer, and Nor saw her flowing golden hair curled under a number of jeweled hairpieces. Her hair met with the white shimmering gown at her shoulders that led down to the delicate hands that held a small twinkling wand. "I am Glinda, darling. I was a friend of your dear Auntie many years ago, before she became what she was when you knew her. Please, do not be afraid. I am here to help you."

She had heard stories of the Witch of the North, but the Witch of the North was a good witch. She had healed many and helped many through the many journeys of their lives. Now Glinda was here to help Nor. Nor pushed the covers away and sat up. She was a glorious creature. She looked at herself in her rags, clothes soldiers had left behind. Torn pants and shirts too big for her had been her apparel for years. She was not recognizable, but even if she had been, who would recognize her? The castle had been abandoned, and so had the kingdom and her family. They got what they deserved, poverty and death.

Glinda took the girl in her arms and held her closely.

"Oh, Nor," she cooed. "You're a beautiful young girl, and the Scarecrow, our humble leader, would very much like to restore your kingdom to you." She held Nor away for a moment, taking in her appearance. "It seems we've got a lot of work to do. Leave it all to Auntie Glinda, my darling. Soon, you will be the first Queen of Kiamo Ko."

Nor smiled. Her kingdom, her last connection to her family, was to be restored, by the new leader of the Emerald City. How kind of him. Why would he do something like that? But who was Nor to question people's motives? She knew little of the world outside of the Wizard's army, or even Kiamo Ko. But she KNEW Kiamo Ko, and she had learned much from the army. The future waited for her, and so did Glinda.

The sun was beginning to come up when Glinda herself boiled pales of water from the well in order to pour a bath for the young Nor. Of course, Nor was not so young anymore. Glinda recalled her last visit with Elphaba, the stubborn woman, and the stories she told of Fiyero's family, which had been lost to the Wizard's army. Oh, Elphie, if only you had gone back to Shiz along with myself, your life would have turned out so much better. She soon began the bath for Nor, and called for the girl to take of her clothes.

Nor was reluctant, for she had for years protected herselves against the soldiers. After the kidnapping, she would remember her mother's words of advice against men. She had flaunted herself against the soldiers until one had begun to take advantage of her, which made her very uncomfortable. Suddenly, she felt very angry at the memory and poor Glinda had to snap the girl out of it. Sadly, it took many baths to clean the girl, and it was many hours later before the girl's flesh could be seen again.

By that time, a few of Glinda's workers had arrived from the North, many fresh out of Shiz themselves. Glinda's head Matron was Unta, an Ostrich once raised in Munchkinland. Oh, how Elphaba would be proud of Glinda's employment of an Animal. But Glinda and her staff had work to do. After all, they had a kingdom to restore. They brought many clothing and cloths to make clothing, and much cleaning equipment. It would take quite long for these 11 people to clean Kiamo Ko, but it was going to be done, as decreed by the Scarecrow, and as vowed by Glinda herself.

By day 9, the main suites of the castle had been restored, and looked better than any memory Nor had ever had or could even imagine. Paintings that were nearly unrecognizable were stripped of their layers of dust and dirt and now hung in the halls and rooms of Kiamo Ko. As the princess walked through the halls between sessions and updates of her country she saw paintings of her plump mother, her brothers, herself, one painting of her aunts, and a painting of her father, who she barely knew. Tall, dark Fiyero, adorned with those many blue, sparkling jewels, as her brother was to be.

As she turned back, her long brown hair bounced against the silk of her blue flowing gown. Nor lifted her arms, and the fabric came flowing around her sides as she stretched. It was a change for Nor, all this glamour and pampering. "You must require servants now," Glinda had told her. Nor did not want servants... she had been forced to serve so many soldiers for so long, that being served herself was a vulgar idea. But, if she was to be Queen, she could not take care of Kiamo Ko herself.

One night, Nor wandered back into the towers. Yes, this room had been Nanny's, she remembered. Nanny had come not long before her family was taken, and took it upon herself to nag on the children. Fortunately for the children, she could not see very well. Oh, the pranks the boys often played, and all of the children often played upon Liir as well. Poor Liir, she remembered. He had become such an intricate part of their family, and none of them recognized it. He was almost like a brother. Of course, Nor did not know that he was more than like a brother, but Liir was her brother, and he was out there somewhere, looking for her, wondering if she had escaped the Wizard's clutches long after he left.

And where had Liir slept all those years? Elphaba never knew or even cared for long. She was too engrossed in that book. The Grimmerie. Glinda had told her little about it in these many days, only to stay away from the Grimmerie. No fairie could read it. It had come from another land, and was not meant to be sent upon Oz.

Nor touched the book. Nor picked up the book. It was heavy in her hands as she lifted it with two hands to smell the book. She set the book back on the table and flipped open the pages. Suddenly, there was a word that captured her eye. "Power." The words around it were lost, however. Just letters randomly thrown on the page. Nor took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes, everything seemed to come together. She slammed the book shut, and ran out. The servants moved and stared as Nor ran through the kitchen.

She stopped. The sunroom. Her mother's beloved sunroom was surrounding her now. The sun had gone down by this time, but the sky was so beautiful. It had been days since she had been outside of Kiamo Ko. In fact, she had not left since she arrived. Glinda had changed everything. Although there had been no real plan, Nor had wanted to escape. She did not know where to, or what she was going to do. Just escape. Live a normal life.

"Nor, darling. Nor, where are you?"

"In here." It had been the first real words she had spoken since returning to Kiamo Ko. Glinda walked into the sunroom as the sun lifted beyond the horizon and shone through the thin clouds hiding among the mountainous regions of the Vinkus.

"She talks!" Glinda beamed as robes of pink fabric flowed behind her. "It wouldn't do to have a Queen who does not speak. Come, my dear. It's time to show you your crown."

"My crown?"

"Again, with the speaking," Glinda giggled. "Your mother's crown. She never wore it, and of course, your father's crown is to be on display in his memory." Nor lowered her head and closed her eyes. "Nor, I'm so sorry. I know this must be difficult for you. But your people need you." She paused. "I was in the Emerald City myself during the movement in which he... well, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, to no fault of anyone's. I was indeed a friend of your father's as well. We all went to Shiz together." Nor looked up, nodded, straightened her posture, and began to walk out of the room. Glinda followed her as they walked to the throne room. It was time to crown a queen.

It had been two months since Nor had been returned to her kingdom, and the throne of her family newly restored. Glinda returned to the Glikkus where she belonged as the Sorceress of the North. Nor sat on her throne with her newly appointed servants at her side. Kyanne, a beautiful 15-year-old brunette with amazingly fast hands. Mennalla, the much older and wiser woman of the new household. A young girl direct out of Shiz named Zerqinder, and a young man who had graduated two years previous named Huvley. Yes, these were the heads of her household, and they each had many servants under them. Kyanne ran most of the cleaning, Mennalla took care of the servants as well as the kitchen, and Zerqinder and Huvley were her main advisors. Nor was not sure what else went on behind the scenes, but she knew the decisions she made had already changed the kingdom. At first things were overwhelming, but things had begun to slow down. So much had happened in these two months, and it seemed as if her kingdom was now happy, or at least back on track to becoming a tribe once more.

"Zerqinder, what is it, you think, that makes people follow someone they barely know so willingly?" Zerqinder paused in a state of fright, not sure what to say to this head of State. Who knew how she would react after being appointed to her family thrown after so long of a journey here.

"Why, my Queen, I do believe that it has much to do with your great self-confidence and your overwhelming knowledge of this land that allows for your tribe to follow you."

"Please, do not bullshit me, Zerqinder. Yes, I know my tribe, and I know that they would not follow a woman. And my self-confidence is minimal. My self-worth is underrated however. I know many of my followers do not think I am fit to be a leader, but why would they follow me? Why would they follow a woman?"

"Alright," Zerqinder sighed, "I will be honest, your Majesty." She took a deep breath. "People will follow anyone with a strong idea when they are in a time of need. However, knowing the history of your tribe, my only resolution for why they would follow a woman is due TO the history of your tribe. They were led by a woman for years when your father was, well, murdered. And they were destroyed by a woman, who was later destroyed by a girl. If a woman is strong enough to destroy their tribe, why can't a woman be strong enough to build it again?"

Nor smiled. "I like that answer, Zerqinder." She paused. "Please... Call me Nor." She got up from her throne and walked towards the wings of the castle.

"Where are you going, your Majesty?... Uh, Nor?"

"I'm taking a rest for tonight. Have Mennalla come to the towers for me when my supper is ready. Please do not disturb me otherwise." And off she went to look at the book, trying to understand the jumbled words once more.

"She only understood the Grimmerie because half of her was from the land from which it came." Nor turned around to find out who's voice spoke to her. She was not angry, but saddened that someone had defied her trust, her orders. But this was not someone she recognized, perhaps one of her servants' workers. She was a tall, thin girl with raven black hair. Her eyes were a piercing green and her dress reminded her of the kind that Auntie... that Elphaba once wore, except much more elegant and revealing. The V-neck of her gown went down to her bosom where her white flesh could be seen to push together. The soft fabric clung nicely to her thin but shapely figure. Nor was mesmerized by this woman.

"Who are you?" Nor asked quietly.

"Elstrala. I was named after an ancient Goddess whom Lurlina trusted with the power to serve justice. I studied at Shiz recently, and did my own research on the Witch of the West and her underground work. I learned much history of her from her brother, Shell."

"She has a brother?" Nor stood up. "I mean I'm sure I heard once as a child from Nanny, but how I do not remember the existence of a brother... Where is he? I must know."

"That, I do not know right now, for I have traveled very far to come to you. I am sure you have questions, as do I. When I heard that the throne of Kiamo Ko was to be restored I knew I had to travel here. I am not sure what I have to say or even ask of you. But I am here now."

"Well, in the tradition of my family, you will be well taken care of, Auntie Elstrala. Please let me show you the way to the kitchen, where I am sure supper will be ready soon. Afterwards, I will have someone lead you to suitable quarters." The woman nodded in gratitude, and Nor led the way down and to the kitchen and dining area of the castle.

It had been four days since Nor had seen Elstrala, but she was not worried. If she was in the castle, she was being well taken care of. If she had left, and Nor doubt that she had left, she would come back for the answers to her questions. Each night, Nor checked on the Grimmerie, and it was not missing. It was also still unintelligible to her eyes. Perhaps she had imagined the word she had once seen. Perhaps a delusion set off by her sincere desire to understand what had happened to her.

As Nor lay against the hard bed in the tower room, she stared up at the ceiling wondering who exactly this woman was that came to destroy her kingdom. A sound suddenly came from the window, a soft rustling, and as Nor looked over, Elstrala climbed into the tower holding a broomstick. She smiled softly at the queen, and stood silently, waiting for Nor to make a move. Nor stood up, nodded, and gestured toward the chair at the desk.

"I'm sure you would like to take a look at the book yourself."

Estrala shook her head. "I've taken many a look your majesty. I do not need the book. I am here only as an agent of knowledge. To gain and to receive." Elstrala walked to the bed and sat on the edge. "Your father was a very important man. However, the significance of his life only served as an agent to the changes to come that were caused by Elphaba. He was a pawn in the will of a higher power." She smiled widely and tilted her head towards the sky. "Something is out there for a reason. Elphaba knew it. Nessarose knew it. Glinda KNOWS it. There are few people who possess enough knowledge and power to take control of that." She paused to look at Nor. "True, many things go wrong, and many people get hurt. We all must learn our lessons our own way. Nessarose meant well, but was hated by many. Elphaba only meant to protect, but instead destroyed." Elstrala shook her head. "Glinda was selfish and conceited, and now is the light of the Glikkus. She protects all of Oz and is practically worshipped by most of those in her land. And honestly, she doesn't even realize it. She just helps now."

"What are you talking about?" Nor questioned.

"Your life, my dear. You don't think that your survival was a coincidence, do you?" Elstrala laughed boisterously. She walked up to Nor, and whispered in her ear. "You know little, my love, but I shall teach you." She stood up and ran towards the window, broom in hand. "You shall know soon enough," she yelled, and flew off into the wind, the sky, and the night.

Had Auntie been able to fly like that? She carried around the absurd broomstick, and there was a faint memory of some childhood pranks gone wrong. Who could remember everything anyway? Nor had been so young back then. It was so long a go.

Nor did not bother to absorb what Elstrala had said. It meant very little at this point. There was nothing she could do about it, and she knew that. She must be patient, and wait for the answers. As her eyelids began to drop and her mind drift into sleep, the wind whispered her name. Nor smiled and dreamt dreams of rivers and meadows and grassy hills.

Then suddenly fire burst through and screams fell upon her ears. Chanting heard from a distance where a shadow flew above the fires, hair blowing in the wind. Destiny. I am your destiny! And a laugh that she had never heard. Not from Mother, or Elphaba, or even Elstrala. It was a laugh filled with so much hate, that Nor woke up in fear, crying and sweating. Nor stepped onto a balcony and felt the breeze of the night. The sun was beginning to show on the horizon. The day was soon to begin.

And her day would be full of many members of her tribe calling out to her, asking for her advice, and demanding answers. Huvley stepped forward to calm the crowds as Zerqinder took her queen aside. "Nor, my Queen, something is to be done within your tribe. There are dreams of fire and destruction. A man has come to town claiming to be a visionary this morning, saying that soon their world would be destroyed once more. You must find something to say to show your tribe that we are heading in the right direction."

"I cannot," she cried. "I've had the same dreams, and I have seen the face of evil. I do not recognize it, but I heard her cry. I heard her laugh. Something is coming our way, and I must find out what it is myself before speaking to my people." She stormed off with many robes flowing behind her. Her white dress flew with each movement. She spent the entire morning trying to purify her mind, trying to come back to the ground. She needed more time to think. Perhaps what Elstrala had said meant something. Maybe it was connected to the dream. Had Estrala come to destroy Kiamo Ko and all her followers?

Nor lied down across a couch in the sunroom, slowly falling into a sleep. No, I must think. I need answers. The sun was bright this afternoon, and easily distracted her. She was sick of being stuck in Kiamo Ko. She needed freedom. She knew what she must do. So she quickly went to her throne room to announce her departure.

"My fellow Arjiki members, I must ask for your full attention and cooperation. I have made a decision. Many of you have complained of strange events and strange dreams. I, too, have been plagued by the dream of fire in the past night. But tomorrow, I shall leave for the Emerald City to ask the advice of our fair leader, the Scarecrow. Whatever answers he has I am sure will be helpful. He is a wise man. That is all." Nor left the throne room in a field of murmurs as she left to pack for her long journey.

"Your a little crazy you know," Mennalla cried after Nor. She just laughed and was soon flowing up the stairs to her room. The Emerald City, she thought. I was there once, but never saw it. I was a prisoner. Now, it's time to take the Emerald City by storm as Queen of the Arjikis. And perhaps get some answers.

"Good morning, Nor." Elstrala walked in through the doors of Nor's balcony, making her way towards her, the same way Glinda did that first morning back in Kiamo Ko. "Heading out towards the Emerald City, I hear."

"Yes, indeed. Care to join me?" Nor replied, sitting up in her bed. Elstrala only smiled and examined herself in the mirror nearest to Nor's closet. Nor got out of bed and prepared herself to travel. By mid-morning, Nor and Elstrala were being guided to their carriage by Zerqinder and Kyanne, who would join them in their journey. Down below the castle, many of the tribe members were awaiting the carriage to pass them in it's journey to the Emerald City. Mennalla and Huvley would stay behind to mind the castle and take care of what needed to be done during the time gone. Too bad there is no one left to rule in my place in case of emergency, Nor thought. But nothing could be done now. The journey must be made. Silently, Nor smiled, remembering how she had silently slipped into the towers to put the Grimmerie into one of her bags. Next to her, Elstrala sat silently, staring blankly ahead, with her broom by her side.