Dear Readers,
I was never exactly sure I would be posting this sequel until the moment I did it. I truly enjoyed writing In Trouble or in Pain, and ever since the day I completed it, this story has been looming. I feel there is more to be told, and I truly hope you enjoy it, for this is written entirely for you. To anyone who may read, review, or otherwise contribute to this tale, I thank you very much in advance. As always, I appreciate it very much.
This story is crafted to tell what happened to Dorothy after she defeated the Wicked Witch of the West once and for all. Several different components encouraged me to take a more in depth look at the Tin Man, whereas Scarecrow got much focus of the last story. While he and all of the Oz characters will still be mentioned throughout, it will be Tin Man's heart (as the title suggests) that gets examined in this story: it's perception, depth, understanding, and workings. For surely, his is the finest in Oz. While this sequel may deal with slightly deeper internal conflicts than In Trouble or in Pain did, I intend to keep the lightheartedness and happiness that is Oz present as much as possible. I suppose you'll have to read to understand, as I am confident that my statement does not make much sense.
I'd also like to mention that a few points of the book will be used in this tale, though nothing that will require you to read them or be familiar with them to understand the working of the story. For instance, Tin Man was named Emperor of Winkie Country (the West) in the books, and I will use such a title here. Glinda, sticking to the 1939 movie-musical from which these two stories are based, will still preside over the North, and so on and so forth. In theory, this all could follow the movie better than anything, and that is how I have intended it.
Before I shut up, I would like to take this time to dedicate the story that starts below to Fauna Greywolf, Hobbit Babe, pucktofaerie, Tori7, Delibird, Insectlover, and Tiger Lily21 for the contributions they made to In Trouble or In Pain. They continue to mean a great deal to me, and I will always appreciate it. And, of course, my endless thank-yous to anyone who contributes to this story. I will always be greatful.
Please enjoy,
H.C. Glennteade
It was a beautiful day in Winkie Country when Tin Man, the land's emperor, busied himself in the Forest by chopping away at brush and branches that obstructed the paths that ran through it. He recalled a time when the same woodland, known then as the Haunted Forest, terrorized the inhabitants of the country. That was when the Wicked Witch of the West still reigned, but once she had been melted by Dorothy Gale and later destroyed entirely by the girl, the witch's spells could no longer enchant the land with evil, and the forest once again became a beautiful place.
Much had changed about the land the emperor ruled since the Wicked Witch had first been thought of as dead. The Winkies, long oppressed by the evil woman's atrociousness, immediately came to recognize the purity of Tin Man's heart, and so adored was he that they begged him to become their ruler. He agreed, aware of the sensibility and kindness they had long been deprived. The tin man, not a begrudging sort of being, soon realized the beauty of the Winkies despite the Wicked Witch's influence on them. Malevolence had not been a result of the people, he concluded, but of the witch and her minions alone.
Upon Tin Man's installation as Emperor of Winkie Country, its citizens set about constructing him a castle of his own, insisting that the structure previously occupied by the Wicked Witch was not worthy of housing such an admirable character. They made quick work of it, and their ruler adored the palace he would from then on inhabit, though its appearance made it seem more like a fortress. From the location, Tin Man carefully governed the Winkies while remaining the King of Oz's Chief Advisor of Humanitarian Aid. The days passed in relative silence, though an underlying fear was always present among the people, who secretly worried of the Wicked Witch's return. Of course, these notions were silenced forever when Dorothy, Oz's dearest friend, returned to become the Good Witch of the West and in turn destroyed her wicked counterpart once and for all, protecting her dearest friends and all the land in the process. With Dorothy safely residing in Oz again and the worries of the Winkies relinquished, Tin Man could not have been made more content with his position.
And while he continued to cut away branches and realize how days became beautiful without fear, the emperor could hardly imagine how much more pleasant that particular day would be made. For on the ground in front of him landed the pink bubble of Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and she brought good tidings with her.
In awe of the witch's appearance, the tireless tin man paused from his work and bowed reverently to the charming woman.
"Glinda," he addressed, returning to an upright position, "how wonderful that you have visited. How are you?"
"I am splendid, Tin Man, and hope that you are the same, for if you are, you are of the rank of Dorothy and I, whom I came to speak of."
His heart grew lighter at the mention of the young girl, especially when it was mentioned that she was faring well. "She is feeling better, then?" He inquired to be sure he had heard correctly. Only several weeks before had Dorothy returned to the magical place and crossed paths again with the Wicked Witch of the West. She had, thankfully, destroyed the green menace, but she herself was left unconscious and fragile. It took several days for her to awaken, and after a few more days of rest in the Emerald City, where the horrendous event had occurred, it was decided that the Good Witch of the West would reside in the northern Gillikin Country with Glinda, who would see that her healing progressed and would continue to teach her in the art of witchcraft.
"She grows stronger every day," the Good Witch beamed, stepping closer to the emperor, "both physically and magically. She feels ready to accept her position here in the West."
"How wonderful," Tin Man sighed, "but I'm afraid I'm a bit confused. Is there somewhere else you will want me to go? The Emerald City, perhaps? For surely there is no other place suitable for Dorothy to reside."
"Not at all, my dear, I want you to remain here, most definitely. It is one of many things I suppose I should explain to you, if you don't mind me interrupting."
"Of course not," he insisted before ushering her to a wide tree stump - a product of his handiwork - for her to sit on. She accepted the position gratefully, and Tin Man perched himself against his axe most thoughtfully as she began to speak.
"Well," she began, positioning the end of her wand in the ground, "you know all of which the young lady has thus far overcome, but I fear she does not realize what awaits her. Firstly, and since you brought it up, I should tell you that I intend for Dorothy to stay in the Witch's old castle."
"Oh, but isn't that too dreadful?" The tin man gently questioned.
"In principle, yes, and I will arrive at that shortly. But the castle itself has been transformed, and its apparent physical gloom can no longer be found. I know, however, that the innocent little lady will be dreadfully fearful of the place. It holds many horrible memories for her. She was imprisoned there, nearly killed there, and she suffered something terrible." With that, the good witch shook her head wearily.
"Then," Tin Man offered, "why is it that you want her to live there?"
"A very good question, one to which I think I have a satisfactory answer. Dorothy has defeated the Wicked Witch of the West in the physical. She must champion over the memories left behind, and while it may be by no means simple, it must be done to truly overcome the essence of evil. Once Dorothy does this, and I believe that in time she can, she will truly have no enemies, but not at all before. Most everything in the West will frighten her, I fear, but it all must be overcome. It can be, so long as she has a very dear friend to help her through. As Emperor of Winkie Country, and the wonderful comrade that you are, I came here to ask you to aid Dorothy in her search for harmony."
He fought to hold back a tear at Glinda's poignant recitation. The words she spoke were unfortunately very true, and he realized at once that Dorothy, the tender and good-natured girl, would be disheartened by the residual gloom that sought to victor over her once and for all. He knew in his heart that he must help her, but then wondered if he was the right one for the job. Tin Man recalled his dear friend Scarecrow in Emerald City and how strongly he cared for Dorothy, and wondered if he would not be a better candidate for the task.
"It would be an honor," he continued after a time, "but perhaps Scarecrow is better suited for a such a thing, he-"
Here, the Good Witch of the North obstructed the metallic man's response. "Tin Man, I am very aware of the options I have. His Majesty possesses the finest brains in Oz, that I know without question, but this problem will take a different sort of strength to resolve. Dorothy is in need of the most outstanding and virtuous heart in order to overcome the many fears her own heart and mind will present her with. That heart, dear Emperor, belongs to you, and it would be quite commendable if you would use it to aid our dear friend. Will you?"
Tin Man was a bit choked up by the compliments he received, and knowing just what Dorothy meant to him, for being the beautiful girl she was and coming to his rescue so very many times, he responded without hesitation. "Yes, indeed. As I have said before, it would be a privilege."
"Wonderful," Glinda mused, "thank you so much. I know for sure that she is keen on leaving soon, and I believe she plans to stop at the Emerald City along the way, but further details I am unsure of, though I will keep you as well informed of the situation as I can."
"I will appreciate that very much," an anxious tin man replied.
"As I will appreciate this. Thank you so very much, Tin Man. You are doing us all a greater favor than you know." With that, the witch rose and shortly thereafter, her coral bubble gently ascended into the sky.
As Tin Man watched her depart, he could not help but be thrilled by the fact that soon Oz's other Good Witch would come to him.