Wounds of the Heart

"Fellow Ozians! Today will go down in history as a glorifying day for all of Oz!" The crowd below Glinda burst into cheers, with smiles and joy all around the good witch thought it a sense of irony that inside she was dying. Nonetheless, it was her duty to smile and wave and exude happiness through her every pore, something she'd become quite proficient at imitating.

"Two years ago we killed the witch!" A voice cried out from the crowd, causing even louder cheers to erupt.

This one caught Glinda off guard; usually she was well prepared to deal with the vicious lies that were repeated about her Elphaba. Usually she was able to project an outward appearance that showed nothing of the pain and anguish she was feeling inside.

But not today.

Two years ago today she had lost the one person who made any sense in her life, the one person who she could be truly herself with, her friend, her confidant her...Elphie. She'd spent the previous night unable to sleep, plagued with the horrific sound of Elphaba's final scream, images of her melting body- which although she had not witnessed- had become as ingrained into her memory as the very night itself.

When the sun rose over the Emerald City earlier in the day, Glinda had sat watching its travel, reaching a decision two years in the making, she knew what she had to do. She could no longer stand this, this half life that she was forced to live. It had to end, and end it would today.

"No." Glinda's voice was weak, choked with emotion, she tried again. "No!"

The cheering crowd stopped at this and turned to listen.

"Today is the day you cast you vote for the first triennial Ozian election and it is also the day I step down as ruler of Oz."

Glinda was unable to be heard for a full minute, the cries of the citizens drowned out any explanation she was able to give. Eventually, Glinda was able to be heard once again. "Ozians, please believe me when I say that it has been a truly wonderfying experience leading you out from the dark times. Since I have been in power much good had been completed, but this is not down to me," she paused and waved away their protests. "It is because of you, on my own I would have achieved worthless approval, but with you, we have finally begun to right some of the wrongs proliferated under the Wizard's reign. It is you who realised the plight of the Animals and as I stand looking at this beautifying crowd of Animal and non-Animal alike, I feel that Oz has finally begun to heal."

Cheers erupted again, as Glinda knew they would. She was half telling the truth, like any good politician she knew that the best way to get a just idea- or any idea for that matter- to be believed by the masses was to make the masses themselves believe they had thought of it first.

This had been the sole aim of Glinda's time in charge of Oz. After the events of Kiamo Ko, Glinda was determined that Elphaba's death would not be in vain.

It had taken three days for her emotions to sink it, initially she thought the numbness would last forever, and she wished it had. On the first day Glinda sought the removal of the Wizard and Morrible, both of which she was successful in. On the second day she called for an audience with as many citizens as could gather- of which there were thousands- to explain to them how manipulated they'd been since the Wizard took power. On the third day she was elected to the position of Supreme Ruler of Oz.

On the fourth day she broke, and did not leave her chambers for a week.

When she eventually emerged, Glinda had been changed for good.

She made a promise to herself that she would spend as long as it took to fight for equal Animal rights, and it had taken her less time than she'd anticipated. Prejudice was still rife, but the laws were equal and Glinda knew the tide was beginning to turn. Soon, Oz would be as it once was and Glinda had done all she could, the only thing now was time, and this was something she did not have. This is why she'd begun the process to set up a democratically elected ruler, and though she knew her advisors- and most of Oz- assumed she would run for power, this was not the case. However, Glinda had ensured that there would be a fine leader to take her place, the last thing she wanted was to give power to another Wizard, or worse, a Morrible. That's not what Elphaba would have wanted. There would be ten Ozians running for power, and the most popular, the one who Glinda knew would win, was Madame Yackle. She was kind, witty and extremely intelligent. Perfect for the job.

Though if Glinda was honest with herself, which she had become rather good at doing since she was forced to lie to everyone else, she did not care who won, not really. It was only Elphaba's memory that gave her the strength to carry on, Elphaba's passion for fairness, Elphaba's hope for a better Oz. And now it was waning, overtaken by her nightly nightmares, horrendous flashbacks and ghastly visions of her melting best friend. She couldn't do it anymore, and now that the Animals were finally equal in law, and Yackle could take her place, she wouldn't have to.

She just had one more speech to get through; one last visit to make, and then it could be over.

"Ozians, I urge you all to vote in this, your election, for whoever you feel would be the best Supreme Ruler. Although as a fellow citizen I would like to suggest that Madame Yackle would be a fine leader." More applause greeted this pronouncement, and Glinda knew a truly good ruler would soon be in place.

"I have one final issue that I must speak to you about and it is..." Glinda trailed off, tears pricking at her eyes. She could do this, without breaking down; it would be her last chance to right a wrong that had been plaguing her since she'd made that ridiculous promise. "It is one that is very dear to my heart and I urge you all to listen closely as I tell you about a true hero of Oz." The citizens quieted at this statement.

Glinda swallowed and tried to smile. You can do this; she said to herself, you will do this, for her.

"I would like to tell you the tale of Elphaba Thropp."

In case anyone is interested, I was inspired to write this story after seeing Wicked a few days ago in London. Gina Beck is playing Glinda and she is incredible, the emotions she showed- especially in No One Mourns the Wicked- gave me the idea. It's probably going to be few chapters long and the next update should be within a week.

Please review and let me know what you think.