Northern Lights

Perfunctory Disclaimer- I do not own any of the characters except for the ones I made up, nor do I own the locale in which my story is set in. This story centers primarily around Glinda, the Witch of the North, but this is not a Wicked fanfic. It's more Wizard of Oz Movie/Book-centric.The Wicked Witches of the West and East will appear, of course, but please do not expect their names to be Elphaba and Nessarose. When I conceived of this story, I had not read Wicked, though I have read it since. It is a great story...I am a huge fan of it...but it is someone else's story, and this is mine. I am aware, though, that there are some minor similarities...(the boarding school schtic). But, looking back, the experiences I describe in my school are totally different, as you'll see when you read. I also claim no ownership over any Narnia characters that may find their way in my story. With all said and done, Bon Appetite! Reviews are welcome and appreciated, but I claim no responsibilty for any houses dropped on the heads of any flamers!

Chapter 1- Tomboy Days

Appearances could be quite deceiving. The frothy confections that the Good Witch of the North always wore in public, along with the perfectly groomed, copper-bright locks and well manicured nails were meant to project an image of purity, mystique, kindness, and ultra femininity. Though Glinda did reflect some of these qualities, the last aspect was sometimes the hardest to personify as she'd spent the first twelve years of her life as a tomboy.

Glinda was the third child of four, and the only girl. Therefore, she had little choice but to adapt to the rougher ways in which her older brothers played. Gereth was the eldest, and was named for their father. He looked most like him, too, with rich auburn hair and a tall, lanky build. Next came Grimmsyn ; or Grimmz as he was nicknamed. He had strawberry-blonde hair, was built like an outhouse, and always swore when adults weren't around. Though he was two years younger than Gereth and only thirteen months older than Glinda, it was plain that his sheer size gave him the upper hand in most matters. But, he also had a kooky sense of humor and was the first kid in the neighborhood to learn a new joke.

After Glinda came the baby, Gandy. He was four years younger than she was, and it was with her carrot-headed brother that Glinda supposed that she got her first 'mothering instincts'. Gandy was an unfortunate seeming child from birth. Though all the siblings were born with some shade of red hair, given to them from their father, no doubt, Gandy's shade was most shocking. To make matters worse, he freckled easily, had many food allergies, and refused to sleep alone at night. He quickly became the bane of his older brothers. Even though Glinda didn't particularly like being saddled with him either, something more than a sense of duty kept her from complaining too much.

There were other things to worry about. Glinda started having a true awareness of these things around the age of 8 or 9, right about the time when children develop a greater sense of the world beyond themselves. She and her family lived rather sumptuously, due largely in part because of the political position her maternal grandmother held. As the 'Prime Minister' of sorts for Gillikin Country, her Grandmother was simply called the "Good Witch of the North", or, much more informally as 'Goodie Ardell'. When Grandmother was good and ready to retire, it was naturally assumed her mother, Cambria, would assume her duties, and from there, someday, Glinda would. No males could inherit, it was said. Though boy children could have spell-casting powers, tradition held that only female children had the required power coupled with the right sort of emotional insights necessary to maintain such a delicate balance between practicality and spell-craft. Men, it was commonly believed, used too much logic in their decisions and were tempted by too much personal ambition.

Grandmother Ardell was pleased that Cambria had finally produced a daughter after giving birth to two strapping sons. What troubled her was Glinda's boyish behavior! The child showed no inclination whatsoever towards ladylike pastimes, let alone spell-craft. She was content to strip down to her slips and swim in the creek, climb up every tree and to the top of every barn roof, make obscene noises beneath her armpits with her cupped hand, tell bawdy jokes when she thought adults weren't around, tie bells to cats' tails, and have belching contests with her brothers! Hardly fitting behavior for the Future Enchantress of Gillikin!

"She'll come around, Mother. Glinda's just a child. What do you expect of a girl who has nothing but boys to play with?" Cambria implored.

"Well, then, perhaps you should see about giving her an appropriate playmate, then," Ardell insisted.

"We have her enrolled at Brisbe, but they won't take her until she's twelve. You know that. But, of course, it's the very best girls' school there is. In the meantime…well, I suppose you may already know, as you always have a way of knowing these things…"

"You're expecting again. Of course….I thought you and Gereth decided you were finished…"

"We didn't even plan to have Gandy, Mother, but you know how they say that sometimes, the best things in life aren't planned."

Ardell envisioned her whiny, carrot topped grandson and gave an audible sniff.

"The mid-wife heard two heartbeats, too, I might add. Wouldn't it be a joy if there were two little girls?"

"With your luck, you'll have two more boys!"

"Well, it hardly matters. We have our Glinda," Cambria said brightly, patting the slightly rounded bulge beneath her empire waist gown.

This entire conversation happened within Glinda's earshot, as she had just brought her younger brother in to the nanny to have a bee stinger removed. Naturally, Gandy had welted up something fierce from it, or she would have used one of her father's time tested remedies on it herself…but Gandy was an extremely allergic child, and she knew she'd be in for a scolding if the nanny wasn't alerted to the incident immediately. After she'd delivered her brother safely into the nanny's care, she'd overheard her Grandmother and her mother talking. Naturally, her ears burned at the mere mention of her own name. Now, her cheeks were positively flaming at the turns that their conversation had taken. Another baby! Possibly twins! As if Gandy wasn't enough to deal with!

In Gillikin Country, as in much of Oz, men with any sort of sorcery abilities traditionally studied medical arts, while women studied spell-craft. It was a long held belief that medicine was a sort of sorcery…and even, too, was veterinary medicine. The exception to the rule was midwifery, which was strictly a job for women…at least when it came to delivering the infants of Spell-casters. In fact, it was often said that one way 'wicked witches' could be born was by the hand of a 'male physician'. Therefore, though Glinda's father, who was very educated in sorcery, was considered a 'warlock', and was a highly respected physician, he still hired a midwife to deliver each and every one of his children. In fact, he was never even present when they were born, and never shared the marital bed with his wife once her expectant condition became known….for fear of hexing the child. Old superstitions died hard. Furthermore, since his wife was destined to be the regional political representative upon her mother's retirement, such respect was demanded of him.

Despite Gereth's care, it soon became apparent that this pregnancy was not as easy on Cambria as any of the others had been. The weather turned colder, ending the children's carefree days outside, and Glinda was forced back into her hated, starched dresses, because it seemed that Grandmother Ardell was a frequent visitor. Whenever she came, the midwife would make a show of taking mother's beautiful wedding pendant from her neck and dangle it over her bulging stomach to see if it would sway to and fro or move around in a circle. Supposedly, this would foretell the gender of the child (or children, if there were indeed two). Glinda would watch from the doorway as the pendant would move around crazily back and forth, round and round, front to back, up and down! Meanwhile, the midwife would swear she wasn't moving it a stitch, and Glinda could plainly see that her hand was perfectly still.

"Hmmmph," Ardell sniffed, "I still think they're both boys."

The midwife extracted her long, wooden listening tube and placed one end to her ear, and the other to Cambria's stomach.

"Maybe it's one of each," Cambria said wearily, "Maybe that's why the pendant doesn't know which way to move."

The visits always ended with Grandmother chanting protections spells. In the end, they did no good.

Glinda never learned whether or not the babies her mother bore were brothers, sisters, or one of each. In her heart, she always felt that her mother's assessment of the situation was the correct one, but no one ever spoke to her about it to confirm it. One evening, the midwife came to the table as the family was sitting down to eat and reported that Cambria felt too ill to join them for dinner. Gereth did not seem horribly alarmed at the news, as it was much too early yet for the babies to be born, yet she was far enough along and even more so burdened with twins, so she suffered frequent digestive complaints; most notably acid indigestion. Yet, just as they were finishing supper, the midwife appeared again and whispered in Gereth's ear, only this time, her mood seemed agitated and nervous. Gereth's face paled, and for the first time, Glinda realized just where Gandy got his freckles; for usually her father's complexion was much more robust and florid. Without his healthy color, every freckle on his face stood out like the constellations in the night sky! At her tender age, she had little idea what was upsetting him so and why it was that he suddenly looked so helpless. She watched as the midwife disappeared and her father twisted his napkin helplessly in his hands and stared at a blank space at the wall across from the table. He didn't even seem to realize his four children were still seated at dinner with him.

The nanny, who was simply called Nanny Ma by the children, came to the rescue shortly thereafter. She made quick work of insisting that they all got their baths at once, and then, off to bed. All the while, she prattled on like there was nothing odd going on at all. For once, Gereth Minor didn't beg to stay up and read for a bit after his bath, Grimmz didn't get cheeky with Nanny Ma, and Glinda didn't protest when Gandy begged to sleep with her. It was a long, cold night. Gandy was as still as a rock beside her, yet Glinda slept in fits. When a gray dawn finally pearled the sky, Glinda slid quietly out of bed, reached for her robe, and tiptoed out of her room.

At first, there were no sounds to be heard at all. The house was as quiet as a tomb. No lamps were lit yet in the main part of the house, so it was still somewhat dark. A thin layer of ice glazed the front windows, and the skeletal branches of the trees outside cast eerie shadows on them. They looked like long, bony, pointing fingers, Glinda imagined. What were they pointing at? With a shudder, her eyes followed one of the creepy shadows, seemingly pointing in the direction of her father's study. The door was ajar, and now she could see that there was an oil lamp lit inside. Padding quietly on bare feet, she moved towards the study, wincing as a floorboard creaked slightly beneath her. At the doorway, she paused, peering inside. There, seated at his desk, she saw her father.

Daddy, what's wrong? Glinda wanted to ask.

But her voice failed her. She knew what was wrong. It was almost like she could see it. Her mother was gone from this world, and the babies with her. Gereth was holding Cambria's wedding pendant, and it was utterly still.

Chapter 2- Early Education

The years that followed went by in a haze of hasty lessons organized under the watchful eye of Grandma Ardell. Gereth Minor went to Broden Boy's Academy the next year, at the age of twelve, just as he ought to, and he seemed happy enough to go.

Grimmz mourned for a bit, for even though Gereth Minor was more academically inclined, they were close. It also meant that Grimmz was as much under the watchful eye of Grandma Ardell as Glinda was.

"It's time for you to clean up that rowdy mouth of yours!" she'd chastise to him, often to no avail. The more she'd harp, the more he'd be inclined to rebel behind her back.

Of course, Glinda, in her own way, encouraged his boyishness, for he indulged where she no longer could. Every day, she was forced to give up more and more of her former freedoms. Grandma Ardell conspired with Nanny Ma to insure that Glinda practiced her posture lessons, which meant walking for an hour each day with a ruler in her bodice, and fifteen minutes thrice a day walking with a book on her head! In addition, she was not allowed to eat with her spine touching the back of a chair…(that was not considered 'regal')…and there were lessons twice a week on which utensils to use at which meals. She even had to learn how to properly fold and unfold a napkin!

"Suppose you ever receive an invite to tea with Ozma? It could happen, dear. I've taken many teas with her. Would you want to behave like a heathen, Glinda?" Grandma Ardell had asked her pointedly.

"I suppose not," Glinda replied honestly, feeling a slight chill of terror at the thought of meeting Ozma of Oz.

Despite some of his earlier disappointments, Gandy was actually culturing up quite well. He enjoyed the teas (and especially the sweets served with them), and never seemed to have any problems remembering which fork was to be used at which course. And though he wasn't showing any particular promise in medicine as of yet, though he was still young, it did seem that he was musically inclined. Already, at the age of six, he could pluck out melodious tunes on a lyre; and he had a sweet voice when he sang the county rally songs to himself. It was the older two Ardell was most concerned with. Grimmsyn would be leaving for Broden Boys' in six months now, and Glinda would then go to Brisbe for Girls the year after. She had only 18 months left to culture this child.

Ardell had loved her daughter deeply, but sometimes, she felt that she had left Cambria to her own devices too much. Ardell busy with her own career, Cambria had been raised primarily by a nanny before being packed off to Brisbe herself. However, deeply instilled in her daughter was the way things ought to be, and Cambria had seemingly followed her mother's advice. She'd married a proper man from a good family, and all appeared well, at first.

But then, Cambria and Gereth had let their children run wild!

"Oh, Mother, there's a time for all of that. That's what school is for! Early childhood is a time for family life. They have to be children for a little while," Cambria had insisted.

"Your children aren't just any children. Especially Glinda, but even the boys!" Ardell had insisted.

"My children are my children. End of discussion," Cambria had finished sourly.

"Well, darling, Mother does know best after all," Ardell defended, raising her voice slightly to the sky. No one heard her speak except a Munchkin maid who was clearing away the teacups from the morning's lesson. The maid remained silent and kept to her task, acting as if it was the most normal thing in all of Oz to hear the Goodie of the North talking to herself.

Those 18 months passed sooner than Ardell could have ever imagined possible. At twelve, Glinda was tall for her age, with coltish legs, a pale complexion, a longish face that she hadn't yet grown into, clear, inquisitive eyes, and fiery hair. Her dress was one suitable for travel; federal blue with black velvet trim at the sleeves and collar, and matching buttons. In her hair was a carefully tied black velvet bow, and on her elegant looking hands, she wore black gloves. Glinda's bags were being loaded in the baggage compartment as the conductor was shouting the last call. With a final hug to her father and Nanny Ma, and a clinging hug from little Gandy, Glinda was ready to board the train.

"Now, you remember to be a lady…always! Don't disappoint me! You're the next in line. All eyes are on you, Glinda!" Ardell admonished.

"I'll try!" Glinda said, trying to hold back the quiver in her voice.

"You'll do more than try. You'll do!"

With weak, knocking knees, Glinda climbed the first step to the passenger car. The conductor politely offered her his hand and assisted her the rest of the way in as was his custom for all lady passengers, and she was grateful for his help. Once inside, she couldn't help but to notice that all eyes were indeed not on her, as her Grandmother had observed. Instead, everyone seemed to be gawping at her Grandmother. It wasn't every day that the Goodie of the North just showed up at the train station! Once everyone had boarded and was situated, the train began to huff away from the station. Glinda waved to her family, and watched as they waved back, slowly becoming smaller and smaller. Even when she could no longer see them anymore, it was some time before she could turn away from the window.

The school she would be attending was not far away from the Emerald City. All in all, the journey was over six hours by train. This included other stops, where some passengers boarded and others disembarked. It was nearly nightfall when she reached Brisbe Girls' Academy.

Though her traveling suit was a wrinkled nightmare and her bow was knocked a bit askew, Glinda did her best to look presentable when a carriage brought her through the immense wrought iron gates of the boarding school. At the sweeping front steps of the entrance, the carriage drew to a stop, and the driver helped her down, and then took her bags out and stacked them beside her. Then, he climbed the steps and rang a huge brass bell to signal for a porter. Only when the porter arrived did the driver bade her farewell.

"Follow me, Miss. I'll show you to the Headmistress's office, and then when you're given your room assignment, I'll know where to take your bags," the porter instructed her.

Glinda nodded silently, swallowing the nervous lump in her throat. Her gawky legs felt like they would surely trip over each other, but miraculously, they did not. Gingerly, she followed the porter up the steps and into the cavernous hall. The smell of wood polish and floor cleaners filled her nostrils; it smelled very much like Grandma Ardell's palace! The mere thought of Grandma Ardell made Glinda remember her posture.

"In here, Miss." The porter instructed.

The headmistress was clearly expecting her.

"Ahh, you must be Glinda Gillienes. Greetings. I'm Mistress Stanhope."

"Good evening, Mistress Stanhope," Glinda greeted in her most proper voice, hoping that there was no nervous quaver in it.

"What a pleasure you could join us. I understand your brothers are all now at Broden with the exception of the youngest."

"Yes, Mistress," Glinda replied.

"Good, then. You must surely be tired. I'll have a schedule of classes prepared for you as soon as you finish your assessments. You'll begin those tomorrow morning. But, first, your room assignment. Because of your status, you'll only have one room mate. I wouldn't brag about that, if I were you. Many girls have up to four. Your roommate is expected to be arriving tonight as well, so I imagine it will be a comfortable arrangement. Darris, please show Glinda to room 317."

"As you wish, Mistress."

"Oh, and Glinda, dinner has already been served tonight, but if you find yourself hungry, there is a fig tree in the rear courtyard. No one is permitted out past lights out at 9 pm, but until then, you may help yourself."

"Thank you, Mistress," Glinda said with a slight smile. Figs were one of her favorite fruits, especially ones that she had to climb high to pick.

Two flights of stairs later, Darris deposited Glinda and her belongings into the formerly vacant room 317. It had been aired out, and both beds looked ready to expect occupants. Everything was arranged very thoughtfully, as if to prevent arguments. There was one window in the room, in the center of the wall. The twin beds were situated on either side of it, and each bed had it's own small night stand. On the opposite wall, across from each bed, was a small dresser and a large wardrobe closet apiece. There was no room for a desk. Glinda would either have to study in the library or on her bed. It was a far cry from the luxury that she'd known at home, but it certainly wasn't shabby. She wasn't about to complain. The idea of having to share accommodations with three or four girls to one room was enough to make her head spin!

With a sigh, Glinda picked up the suitcases that had been put in the middle of her floor and wondered lamely which bed she should choose. She didn't have long to wait. Suddenly, a commotion came from the wardrobe closet from the left of the door. Was that a light she could see shining from beneath the crack in the door?

The suitcase she'd been holding fell with a heavy thud, and she rushed over to the wardrobe. As she was about to grip the metal handle, the door flung open on it's own accord. From within it's mysterious depths, a young girl stepped out. She had elaborately braided blond hair, bright hazel eyes; and like Glinda, she was tall, gawky, and as flat as a rail. They both looked to be exactly the same age.

"You must be the roommate Headmistress Stanhope was telling me about…" Glinda murmured to herself.

"I must be, except I haven't met the Headmistress yet. My father told me it was time to come, and this is where I was sent, so this must be the place to be."

"He sent you through the wardrobe? Why not on a train?"

"Where I'm from, there is no train from there to here."

"Where are you from?" Glinda asked incredulously.

"Narnia. I do hope I'm in Oz…at the Brisbe Academy."

"Yes. That's where you are."

"Good. I certainly wouldn't want to get stuck in Neverland. These days, I hear it's nothing but a bunch of pre-pubescent boys and pirates there. No good sorcery schools at all."

Glinda smiled a bit at the thought of pre-pubescent boys and pirates. To her, it sounded awful fun, but she said nothing.

"By the way, I'm Jadis," said the girl, holding out her hand.

"Glinda."

They shook hands.

"I'm also starving. We likely missed dinner, didn't we?"

"I'm told we did."

Jadis reached into the wardrobe from which she'd come, pulled out her bags, and began piling them onto one of the unclaimed beds, thereby solving Glinda's dilemma. Opening one of them, she grabbed a box and lifted out some white, powdery squares.

"Care for a Turkish Delight?"

"Turkish Delight?"

"Oh, if you've never had one, you simply must try one. They are a delicacy from the World on the Other Side of the Rainbow. Try one," Jadis urged.

Hesitantly, Glinda accepted one of the squares and bit into it, feeling a sweet sensation flood her mouth. Oh, Jadis was right! These were delectable!

"One of the first spells I want to learn to do is how to make these things without having to travel to that world to get them," Jadis said with her mouth full.

"That would be a worthwhile spell," Glinda agreed, deciding she already liked her new roommate. She'd never heard of Narnia, the World on the Other Side of the Rainbow, or Neverland, but for now, she didn't care. In just five minutes, Jadis had already opened her eyes to two miracles…transportation through wardrobes, and Turkish Delights!

"Well, now, I suppose I should go down to meet the Headmistress and pretend that I came in through the front door like anyone ought to," Jadis announced.

"Perhaps so," Glinda agreed.

"Ta-ta for now. I'll see you soon!"