A/N - Just another idea that has been rolling around through my head. Updates may not be as quick as with my last story but I certaily do try to keep the wait to a minimum. I still don't own anything you recognize. I know the summary only mentions Glinda, she'll show up shortly. A lot of this will be in the form of a flashback, I'll make a note at the beginning of each chapter. I apologize in advance if it becomes hard to follow :)
Love is Not a Victory March
Chapter 1
The Witch flew quickly through the cloudless night. The half moon provided ample light make her path clear. In reality, the moon was not necessary; her destination was the Emerald City and the glow of the illuminated Emerald Palace could be seen for miles.
Gaudy, was her only thought as a scowl pulled at her lips. The Emerald City was home to all that she hated most yet she found it impossible to stay away. As the Witch flew toward her destination, she fought to keep her thoughts and emotions in check. She was a creature of self-discipline and she usually had no trouble refusing to allow her mind to wander. Yet tonight, as she flew through the still night, the Witch allowed the memories to surface.
With a low growl, she thought of simpler times with friends lounging by the Suicide Canal or having a pint of ale at the Peach and Kidneys. If she concentrated hard enough, the Witch could almost swear she could hear the laughter coming from the group as Crope and Tibbett tormented Boq. She could almost smell the fragrance from the cherry blossom trees by the Canal as she and Galinda sat companionably through many afternoons.
But years had passed and the Witch had convinced herself that revisiting those times served no purpose so she pushed the thoughts from her mind. Her heart was cold and saw so need to dwell on the past and truth be told, she saw little need to think of the future either.
So why then, she wondered, was she once again approaching the place that seemed to stand for all that she had lost? All that had been stolen from her. The Emerald City served as a monument to the beginning of the end. Her life had taken such a different path from what had been expected upon her first arrival in the shining city. Even after years had passed, the Witch still cringed when she thought of the naïve girls who had entered the city, full of hope and dreams. A lifetime had passed in just those few short years.
The Witch shook her head as if to clear it of the rebellious thoughts of the past. She was almost to the City and she would need to be alert lest she be spotted and such thoughts only served as a distraction. She surveyed the land below; she was almost to the City Gates.
In the distance, in the very center of the City, stood the Emerald Palace. How tempting it was to fly straight there and hunt down those responsible for her current situation in life. The Wizard was still very much in power, Madame Morrible at his side. As many times as she had dreamed of crossing their paths again, the Witch veered slightly and instead directed her broom slightly north of the Palace.
As she passed the Palace, the Witch tried to convince herself that someday, someday, she would return for the purpose of enacting her revenge. But not tonight. Tonight she had a different goal in mind.
As she neared the stately mansion before her, the Witch saw the home was dark without a single lamp lit. She circled the place twice from high above before slowly making her descent. She landed soundlessly on a balcony facing the Emerald Palace and silently strode to the door. Curtains were drawn blocking her view but the Witch could imagine the scene in the room beyond the door. A petite blonde would be nestled comfortably among pillows and blankets, the picture of contentment. Her husband would be next to her, snoring softly.
The Witch turned with eyes narrowed and approached the window to the adjacent room. The room itself had no door to the balcony but the window would suffice. She muttered a soft spell and the latch released, allowing her to push the windowpane and slip soundlessly into the room.
It was just as she remembered. A canopy bed was situated in the center of the room with soft flowing pink fabrics creating a thin curtain around it. The Witch quickly glanced toward the door to the adjacent room; it was cracked open, but only just. She listened for any movement from either room and satisfied that all occupants were still peacefully asleep, the Witch crept closer to the grand bed.
A hint of a smile graced her lips as she sidestepped a pile of books near the window. They were worn and appeared to have been read often as certain pages were dog-eared, marking the favorite pages. The sight of the books pleased her.
As the Witch neared the bed, a quick movement near her feet caught her eye. In a flash, she raised a hand, ready to chant a spell when a small kitten scampered out of the way. The animal hopped up on a chair next to the bed and looked up at the Witch with wide eyes. She smirked and raised a thin finger to her lips as if motioning for the animal to remain quiet. The kitten settled on its haunches and a contented purr echoed.
The Witch wryly shook her head and approached the bed once again. She stood there, still, as she gazed through the thin curtains and could barely make out the small figure sleeping there. Her hand trembled as she reached and pulled the fabric away. She inched closer to the sleeping child, suddenly desperate for a better view.
Thick dark hair billowed around her pretty face as she slept. The Witch cursed inwardly when she felt an unfamiliar sting to her eyes. It had been years since she had shed a tear. As much as she tried to deny it, her heart clenched painfully at the sight of the sleeping girl before her.
The girl had kicked her blankets off as she slept and the Witch recovered her gently. As she straightened, the Witch reached her still trembling hand toward the child and brushed a lock of raven hair from her forehead. She let her fingers gently trace the curve of the child's face before withdrawing her hand. She smiled softly at the contrast her green skin presented against that of the little girl.
She stood gazing down at the child for a few moments more before replacing the curtain around the bed. As she stepped away, the kitten gave a soft cry. The Witch shook her head again and gently scratched behind the small animals ear before moving back toward the window.
Her eyes caught the cracked door to the adjacent room. The Witch ached to slip inside and see the blonde once more as well. But she didn't dare risk waking anyone in the home so she steeled herself and gripped the broom tightly as she made her way back out onto the balcony. Without a backward glance, she hopped back on the broom and quickly flew away into the night.
The Emerald City was also home to all that she loved most.
