New story
It was that time of year again springtime, Amelia's favorite time of year. When the snow had melted but had not quite gone, where the harsh cold was tainted with the warmth of the coming summer. Mud froze in the night and molded and shaped with the warming sun rising higher everyday. The way the world changed fascinated her and left her wanting more with each step she took. Amelia smiled as she made her way down the sidewalk letting the wind take her hair blowing it around like a flag expressing freedom from the impossible winter. She approached the front door of the large palace and gave a small knock, almost impossible to hear over it's own largeness. Moments later the door opened and a middle aged man appeared from behind. He was dressed nicely in a suite with his balding hair slicked back to the side.
"You're here for the opening I presume?" He said with a welcoming smile.
"Yes sir" Amelia said confidently.
"Good, right this way" He said ushering her in from the drizzling rain.
"May I take your coat?" He asked, hands hovering over her shoulders.
"Yes, thank you" She said curtly as he peeled the wet garment off her.
Amelia stood in the middle of a large lobby leading into many extensive hallways. She took a moment to absorb the grandness of it all. The soft velvet carpeting and the golden walls, not to mention the humongous chandelier above it all. It was all so lovely, see couldn't keep up with the bright greens and gold's, and purples spread out about the lobby.
"Ah, I see your admiring the architecture" The man said noticing Amelia's gawking.
"Yes, its very lovely" Amelia smiled.
"My names George, the butler" He said with a slight bow.
"Amelia" She stated.
"Well you should get going" George said.
"Where to?" Amelia asked.
"Right down this hall and second door to the left" He said gesturing to the nearest hall.
"Thank you" She said moving towards the hall.
"Good luck!" He called.
She smiled back at him before disappearing into he depths of the palace. Amelia slowly padded down the hallway nervously glancing around at the walls filled with large portraits of deceased rulers looking down at her with judging expressions. She shivered fearfully as she approached the large oak door. She breathed in a sharp breath as she brought her hand up to the smooth wood, lightly knocking before quickly bringing her hand down almost scared to keep it up for to long. She stood there patently wondering if she should just enter herself.
Suddenly a light voice sounded from inside the room "Come in" It said.
Amelia slowly turned the doorknob and bravely stepped in to the room. It looked to be to be an office. There was a small couch on one side of the room, the other held bookshelves filled with what appeared to be encyclopedias. Directly in front of her was a large desk filled with papers and books piled neatly to one side. The other side held the ink and pens. Two large cushy office chairs stood at the front of the desk awaiting visitors. Sitting in a large desk chair across from her was a young woman busily writing on one of the pieces of paper. She looked to be in her early twenties and had blonde curly hair that cascaded down to her lithe shoulders masking her face. She wore a large emerald green dress that transitioned into a lime color as It made its way down her body. She held good posture and had a slim figure. Though this woman was clearly an adult she had a childlike glimmer in her ice blue eyes. The woman could be described as none other than a princess with a small tiara fixed atop her head to silence any doubt about it. In the moment Amelia had completely forgotten about her interview and just stood there, staring in awe at the woman. A long silence filled the room causing to her to look up from her work. The woman cleared her throat and straightened up.
"Take a seat" She said brightly, gesturing towards one of the large chairs.
Amelia nodded and complied.
"Lady Glinda right? Or is it Miss Upland?" Amelia asked timidly as she took her seat.
"Either one's fine" Glinda chuckled lightly from behind her chair.
Still a bit dazed from the work Glinda hadn't really taken time to look at the girl fully but as Elizabeth turned to face her interviewee she was rather shocked to see the girl in front of her. She turned to see a short girl who looked to be only about 13 or 14. She had medium length hair that fell to her shoulders in thick brown waves. She had a small build but seemed to have more muscle than fat. She had a plain black dress and wore a black string around her neck that held a smoothed beach shell that was swirled with a mix of light purple and creamy white. She fiddle nervously with it in her fingers as she gave Elizabeth her own once over.
"Is everything alright?" Amelia asked sensing Glinda's tension.
"Yes, sorry I just wasn't expecting someone so young" Elizabeth said.
"Oh" Amelia said worriedly.
"You needn't fret about that" Glinda smiled.
"Age is but a number" She mused.
"Indeed" Amelia nodded, relaxing a bit.
"Now lets get this done shall we?" Glinda asked settling down into a cushy chair of her own.
"Name?" She asked more seriously.
"Amelia" Amelia said.
"All right, good" Glinda said trailing off into mumblings of her own as she grabbed a pad of paper from her desk and jotted something down.
"How old are you?" She asked.
"Thirteen" Amelia replied.
More jotting
"Ok, now what are your qualifications?" Glinda asked.
"I have done copious amounts of housework for as long as I can remember. I've never had any real jobs but I do most of the work around the orphanage being the oldest."
"Oh" Glinda blinked. It took a minuet for Elizabeth to process that she was an orphan. After working with many orphan children she knew just how hard it was and felt a pang of remorse in her stomach.
"I also attend to all the younger girls" She added quickly looking down, leaving the two in silence.
In the silence Amelia watched as Glinda's face transformed from a light resting expression to a morosely one in seconds. She sighed inwardly, not letting her feelings show. The last thing she wanted was pity.
"V-very good" Glinda managed, looking down in an attempt to collect herself.
"Any medical abnormalities I should be concerned about?" Glinda asked.
" No ma'am" Amelia replied.
"Very well" Glinda said looking down to write a few things in her notebook.
"You are well qualified and I would give the job to you now, but that wouldn't be fair to any of the other applicants. I will get back to you as soon as possible with the results, thank you" Glinda smiled.
"Your quite welcome" Amelia said rising form her seat.
" Have a good day" Glinda said.
"You to" Amelia said looking down as she quickly scurried over to the door and exited quickly.
On her way out Amelia walked by a strikingly handsome man who winked in her direction and smoothly slipped into Glinda's office. She tired to hide her smile as her cheeks turned the darkest shade of crimson from the acknowledgement of such a handsome fellow. She showed herself out, cautiously retracing her steps in order to find her way back. She left the palace feeling anxious and worried wondering if her being an orphan had ruined her chances of getting a much needed job. She sighed and walked out into the rain.
INSIDE THE PALCE
"Who was that?" Fiyero asked taking a seat across from Elizabeth's desk.
" A client I'm interested in for a maid" Glinda said.
"I see" Fiyero said.
He carefully slide some of her office supplies to the side and sat himself atop her desk
"Now, how is my lovely wife doing this fine afternoon?" He asked smiling over at Glinda.
"Oh just fine" She sighed.
" You don't seem fine" Fiyero said skeptically noticing her sullen expression.
" What's bothering you?"
"Its just, the girl I was interviewing was an orphan and it really hit me and she really needs the job; she's the oldest and takes care of all the other girls in her orphanage. I want to give her the job but it wouldn't be fair to others that might need this job. I guess her situation is making me sad and its stressing me out" Glinda said.
" I think you should give her the job" Fiyero said.
"From what you said I think she deserves the job more than anyone, plus there are plenty of opportunities out there for other people."
"I suppose your right" Glinda said. She paused for a moment.
"It's settled than, I'll write the orphanage in the morning" She smiled.
" There's that smile" Fiyero said happy that Glinda's mood was improving.
"Oh you" She giggled.
"Oh me" He smirked leaning across the desk to kiss his wife.
"Now I believe there was word that dinner was ready?" Fiyero said offering his hand to Glinda to take.
" Yes indeed, I'm starved" Glinda replied taking his hand and allowing him to lead her to the dining room.
TWO DAYS LATER
In the orphanage, in the main room Amelia sat cross-legged in the middle of the carpet across from 17-month year old named Gwen. The room was large with big windows to match adorned with thick drapes to keep the peeking eyes of passers by out. Toys were scattered about the floor and girls of all ages ran around the room using there two hours of free time to what ever they desired. One group sat in the corner nearest to the door playing dolls, laughing with glee as they imagined there own personal realities. Another group stood in the far corner away from most others silently whispering and gossiping about the others in a failed attempt to be mature. They were at the age where toys were thing of the past but were just a touch to young to be helping any of the other adults. The rest of the children in between these ages gallivanted about the room releasing their usual morning energy. Amelia was currently trying to teach Gwen the simple joys of games made for the minds of infants. She smiled adoringly at the baby as she giggled in delight mystified by the simple but quick movement of her hands moving about around her face and back to her eyes. The baby calmed for a minuet and vocalized a soft cooing as she clumsily leaned forward and latched on to Amelia's skirt, she looked up at her with large round piercing blue eyes. Amelia knew she'd grow up to be a beautiful young lady one day. The bliss between the two was interrupted by sharp staccato footsteps echoing though the room as Mrs. Samson entered the room. She was a uptight woman with a slim face and eyes that always seemed to be judging someone.
"Ms. Amelia" She said sharply as she approached the girl.
" Yes Madame?" she asked politely as she reluctantly tore her eyes away from Gwen.
" A letter arrived for you. From the Palace" She said tightly.
Immediately Amelia knew what this was about and was eager to read the letter as soon as possible. She swallowed her excitement and looked up at the older woman who had her hand extended to hand her the letter.
"Thank you" Amelia said.
Mrs. Samson just handed her the letter and left with a huff giving stern looks to girls she disapproved of. After she left Amelia started down at the letter and admired the regal script and the gold decorations that covered the envelope marking it an official document of the Palace. She looked at the letter and than back to Gwen. She picked up the infant and carried her the older group of girls gossiping in the corner.
"Sarah" She said as she approached the eldest girl in the group. Upon hearing her name she turned and looked back at Amelia with a disgusted expression, rather irritated to have her free time interrupted.
"Yes" She spat.
Amelia blinked, shaking off the ill-mannered response," Would you mind watching Gwen while I take care of some business?"
Sarah looked back her cronies who wore similar expressions to her. They talked silently for a moment, mostly with their eyes and than turned back to Amelia.
"Sure" She sighed.
"Thank you" Amelia said gratefully as she handed off Gwen to Sarah.
" Yeah whatever" Sarah mumbled, scowling down at the baby.
" How could someone be so cross, especially towards such a beautiful little baby?" Amelia thought as she exited the room and made her way down the main hallway to the bedrooms. She followed the trail of dimly lit light fixtures until she found her way to the end of the hallway. She turned right to the smallest bedroom, which was her own. Most girls didn't have their own rooms but since she was the first one here she had been alone for a while and it had stayed that way. Plus Mrs. Samson insists the eldest needed her space, and she was grateful for that. She entered the room taking in the familiar scenery however little it was. The room had only enough space to fit a small twin bed and desk for schoolwork, it was neat as usual and not a thing was out of place. She smiled contently at her little room, it was perhaps the only thing she had that felt like home in the cold dark building where she had spent her childhood. She shut the door and made her way over the desk, her fingers wrapped firmly around the letter. She sat down and pulled the letter opener from the top drawer. Though she never had gotten a letter before she thought it would be important to have the tool in hopes she would one day get one. Today was that day. She sliced off the top flap and looked inside to see parchment folded neatly inside the envelope with more gold decorations acting as a border around it. She carefully removed it from its package`e and unfolded it, smoothing out the paper with her hands. She too a deep breath and began to read.
Dear Amelia,
We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted as our newest maid and will hopefully be joining us by the end of this week to start work. Your board will be previously paid for. Congratulations and we are looking forward to you joining our staff.
Sincerely,
Glinda Upland
The Wizard's press secretary.
Amelia couldn't even believe what she was reading, she had been accepted, she had gotten a job. She felt a smile slowly break apart her lips as glee bubbled up inside her. She hurriedly tucked the letter back into its envelope and placed it on the desk. She rose from her seat and rushed down the hall to Mrs. Samson's office. She stopped in front of the door catching her breath. She knocked quickly and drew back, patiently awaiting a response.
"Enter" Came Mrs. Samson's sharp voice.
"Hello" Amelia said meekly as she entered the room and approached Mrs. Samson.
"What is it dearie? I've got things to do" Mrs. Samson said.
"Oh, well you see a few days ago I interviewed for a maid position at the palace. Today I got a letter saying I had gotten the job and I will be gone by the end of this week" Amelia stated.
At the statement Mrs. Samson's cold eyes turned frozen.
" I cannot believe you! I did not permit this. I would have expected this behavior form any of the other girls but this coming from you is defiantly a surprise. What do you have to say for yourself young lady?" Mrs. Samson said angrily.
Amelia's hopeful smile disappeared. "I-I'm sorry I know should have asked you first but if I did I was afraid you wouldn't have let me go. I'm getting to the age now where I need to start earning a living." She defended timidly.
"It was a sneaky thing to do, I'm sorry"
Mrs. Samson calmed a bit and looked Amelia in the eyes. " Though, I am still very upset and rather ashamed in you, you do also have a point. You do need to start earning some money. Do they have board?" She reasoned.
"Yes, free of charge. I will live and work there. But I know there are plenty of girls around here fit to help. But if you need someone maybe we can work it out and I can visit for a few hours a week." Amelia offered.
"That may just work" Mrs. Samson agreed.
The older woman's tight face loosened into a slight smile, " I will allow it. Congratulations and I whish you the best of luck on your knew position. She said resting a wrinkled hand on Amelia's shoulder.
"Thank you so much I promise you wont regret it" Amelia said.
"I'm sure I wont" Mrs. Samson said leading her towards the door.
Amelia felt the older woman's hand lightly push her back as she was ushered out the door. She turned to speak once more but the door shut behind her.
"That was odd" she mumbled as she headed to her room to pack her things.
IN EXACTY THREE DAYS TIME AT THE EMERALD PALACE
"Hurry hurry! She'll be here any moment!" Glinda fussed as she instructed a group of servants to put the dishes that had previously placed in the third new spot that day.
"Calm down hon" Fiyero chuckled taking his wife's hands.
"Everything will be fine" He assured her.
"She's not the queen"
"Yes but I want her to be happy" Glinda said.
"I don't think it will take that much" Fiyero said looking around that the extravagant lunch table she had out together.
Glinda sighed, "I suppose your right"
"Of course I am" Fiyero smirked.
The tinkle of a doorbell sounded.
"She's here!" Glinda exclaimed.
Glinda rushed to the door and quickly smoothed down her skirt before opening the door. She pulled open the door to reveal Amelia clad in the same clothes she had left with, a large truck sat by her side and a weak smile adorned her face.
"Hello" Amelia said meekly.
"Welcome!" Glinda cried pulling the girl in and shutting the door behind them. She proceeded to wrap Amelia in a tight hug. Amelia tensed up at Glinda's sudden affection and was released as Glinda noticed her tension.
"Sorry" Glinda said sheepishly.
"It's fine" Amelia chuckled nervously.
"What about my trunk?" Amelia asked staring at the door that she had been waiting behind a few er moments ago.
"Oh we'll get that later" Glinda chuckled ushering her into the ever-familiar lobby.
Amelia smiled as she noticed George standing at the edge of the room. He returned her smile giving her a light nod.
"Would you show her to her room?" Glinda asked George sweetly.
"Certainly" George smiled extending his hand to Amelia. She hesitantly took his offer.
" I knew they'd pick you" George whispered throwing Amelia a playful wink.
Amelia giggled in response.
Amelia spent the next few minuets gazing at the architecture of the palace as George led her up the stairs.
"Here we are" George said leading her in front of a large oak door.
Amelia placed a trembling hand onto the golden knob and pushed opened the door. Behind it was a large bedroom filled with the most elegant furniture imaginable. A desk sat in the corner with fresh ink and paper awaiting use. A four-poster queen sized bed stood against the wall across from her, adorned with large pillows and the softest looking blankets she had ever seen in her life.
As she gazed at the room she asked, "This is mine?"
"Yes" George smiled.
"Welcome to the Emerald palace"