1
Oz. I was right to think that this was no place like home.
I had arrived here through the portal I had conjured a few days ago, searching for Glinda.
I had left my home and family to find this place and the answers I needed. I also hoped that this could also be the place where I could finally be reunited with my love.
It had been a rough few days, and I still couldn't believe it. Not too long ago I had been in Neverland, fighting to protect my 'almost brother', Henry, from Peter Pan. You'd probably think me crazy to say this, but Peter Pan is evil... or was. When I had met him, I wanted to kill him and free Henry from his influence.
But, the more I fought him, I started to develop feelings for the fugitive boy and finally I challenged him, fought and lost both my will but also my heart to him. And I didn't take it back from him.
I was shaken from my thoughts when I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" I exclaimed as I looked at the small Munchkinlander. I had learned that in this part of Oz was where the Munchkinlanders lived, but general residents were called Ozians. Not all munchkins were small like this one. In fact, I had seen some that were taller than I.
He looked terrified, and backed away from me.
"It's alright," I said, trying to calm him down, "Did I hurt you?"
"A...are you a g...good w..w..witch or a b..bad one?" he stammered.
I wondered how he knew. Did I look like a witch? Maybe. I wondered if I looked like my mother... or even my father. Would anyone recognize me? Would they arrest me? I grew afraid but shook the thoughts away. "I'm a good witch... at least I hope so." I explained, "I'm looking for Glinda. I've been searching for her but no one knows where she is."
"Glinda the good?" The munchkin asked, his eyes wide.
"Yeah...Have you seen her, or know where she is?"
The munchkin shook his head sadly, "I don't not know where she is... but I might know someone who does."
A surge of hope went through me then.
I followed the munchkin to a small building. It wasn't too small, and I could easily fit through, but it was the size of my room... not very big.
I looked around as the munchkin went to the front desk of the building, and I saw an Animal there. Animals were basically animals who could speak, as I had learned from my grimoire.
It was a goat, and he wore glasses that went to his nose. He had small horns and he studied us carefully.
I had spoken to a few Animals, but i still found it strange that they could speak, let alone dress like humans and even drive cars. It was amazing!
"What can I do for you two?" he asked, pushing up his glasses.
The munchkin looked shy then and I stepped forward. "I'm looking for Glinda the good... they say she can answer my questions. Do you know where she is?"
"Glinda," the goat said with a sigh, "she's been gone for such a long time now."
I took a breath, then let it out. Patience was a virtue and it was something I was losing these days, "Do you know where I can find her?"
"She resides in the North... she was banished long ago by an evil witch."
I looked down sadly.
"Tell me," the goat began, "are you a good witch, or a bad one?"
Why was everyone asking me that? "I'm a good witch," I explained, "But I'm not from here. I've been searching for Glinda because she's the only one who can help me."
The goat didn't seem to believe me.
"Please," I said. "If you give me her location, I can get there myself... That's all I need... a map or something."
The goat nodded, then turned to the munchkin, "I have maps in the back room. Would you mind giving me a hand?"
The munchkin agreed and the goat turned to me, "you may sit or read if you wish. It will only take a moment."
"Thank you," I said, then he disappeared.
I looked around the room, and then to the bookshelf on the wall. I fingered the covers, skimming the summaries on the back, or just glancing at the titles. As I did that, my thoughts drifted back to Storybrooke. What was everyone doing right now? I loved travelling, but once in a while I would think of them. It still felt a bit strange travelling by myself after all.
"But I'm not alone...not really," I whispered, hugging my canvas bag close to me. The steady beat of Peter's heart drummed against me and I felt a bit at ease. It had been days since I had lost him. I put my head in my hands as I remembered the awful memories. Rumple had killed him and they disappeared in a purple cloud. In desperation I had said a resurrection spell and it had worked. Peter was smart in the end too... he never put his heart back inside him, and my love and spell kept the heart alive.
But I had no idea where they had gone to.
I shook my head at that. How could Rumple be so horrible? Peter was his brother...well, his half brother, but still. How could someone sink so low just to be rid of a family member?
My thoughts were interrupted by a slight cough. I turned to the goat, who was alone now. He studied me through his small goat eyes. "Are you alright, miss?"
"I'm fine... did you find anything?" I asked, drawing closer to him.
He nodded and produced a map. It was old and yellowing. With it was a book that seemed fairly new.
"This map will show you where she is... if you have the correct spell. Us Ozians have been living in fear, but from afar, Glinda tries what she can to help. We trust that the Wizard can help us too, as he's alright and governs Oz."
He then handed me the book, "and this is a gift from me... it's a history book, if you will, and it may help you on your journey."
I took the gifts and smiled at him. Maybe this book had answers about my parents. "Thank you so much."
The goat smiled and nodded. "Good luck and safe travels, miss."
I nodded, then took the map, then laid it out onto the floor. Then, I summoned the searching spell. As I focused my energy on the map, the goat gasped and I opened my eyes to see a piece of the map glowing.
"She's in the Northern forest," I said, looking at the map, my powers were still not as strong and I couldn't have found her just like that, so I needed something to narrow the search. Now that I knew where she was, the portal would be easier to create.
Sometimes I wished like I was Regina. She could think of the place where she wanted to go and she'd be there in ten seconds flat! I still was learning and wasn't as powerful sadly.
"Thank you so much for your help," I said with a smile, then focused my energy onto creating a portal. When I heard the familiar sound of wind and buzz of power, I opened my eyes and nodded when I saw it had worked.
Holding my canvas bag, and book, I crossed into it.