Author's Note: Oh, don't kill me, don't kill me! I know it's been awhile, I know. But duty (i.e., school and family. And friends) gets priority nowadays. ;) Plus, the fact that my computer privileges are dwindling doesn't help my cause much. So I'm sorry. About the fact that I'm going to have to become one of those authors who only update about every two weeks. –sobs- And hehe, guess what? Next Thursday I'm going on a four day long chorus trip. Yay! I got a dress from AE for it and so now I'm happy.
I'm also happy that for my next concert, we'll be singing a Wicked medley. Lyk, OMFG! I was so happy. Still am.
Ugh, this chapter is yurcky. Please nitpick, por favor! And read, review, and enjoy.
Ps: If you go by the name Cardboard, please read my postscript. :D
Disclaimer: Last night…I had a dream. I found myself in a heaven – called WickedJelly-owns-Wicked Land. It was bliss, I was famous beyond my wildest dreamings and I was – happy. Then, out of the abyss, walked a Cow – reality. I asked if my profit from Wicked had increased in the last week.
She said, "Dream on."
…darn.
Title: Whatever Way Stories End
Rating: T
Summary: Boq has been having some strange dreams: Glinda goes missing. His best friends are...alive? Then one of his dreams comes true and he is forced to rely on the others to provide him with the help he needs. But with if that help isn't what he expected?
Glinda, assisted by Boq, stepped out of the lavish carriage elegantly and waved at the students who had all gathered in front of the school building. Boq noted the diversity amongst the young learners, whose ages ranged from six to sixteen: Munchkinlanders, red-skinned Quadlings, Gilikinese with their fine clothing, and even a few kids from the Vinkus with their distinct tribal markings. One little Quadling girl gazed at Glinda's stunning ball gown longlingly and would have bolted toward the woman had a teacher not been holding her hand.
"Good morning, Lady Glinda!" the students chorused.
"Good morning," Glinda replied cheerfully and threw her husband a look that clearly read, see? Everything is fine.
Two Gale Force officers (Hillar and Rindeb, was it?) stepped forward with a supercilious air, completely knocking Boq off to the side, to accompany Glinda the Good into the building. Boq trailed behind the crowd, grumbling at the lack of appreciation in his direction. Somehow, he thought irritably, the fact that he was married to the ruler of Oz had not registered in anyone's brain but his.
Once inside a classroom, Glinda was ushered into a plush chair at the head of the room .When Boq finally straggled in, the only seat left was a wooden one at a far corner…and so that's where he sat. If he craned his neck, he could just see the tip of his wife's tiara.
After introductions were made one of the children raised their hand. She spoke when a teacher gave her a permissive nod. "Miss Glinda-"
"Just call me Glinda, dear," the blonde woman replied. "I am married, after all. Speaking of which…where is my husband? He should be up here with me."
Boq's heart soared as another Gale Forcer (ah yes, this one was Lopcan) stepped forward, a sheepish expression written across his face. "My apologies, Miss Glinda-"
"Glinda. I'm married."
"Again. My apologies, Glinda, but we weren't quite sure where to put him."
Glinda turned her head in the direction of the guard's voice and gave him a look of bemusement. "Put him? He's my husband. Hus-band. As in, my spouse. My partner. My lover, if you will. And we love each other. Therefore, it is natural for us to want to be close to each other."
The guard, taking in her last statement and blushing at the concept of being "close" to a lady such as herself, promptly ordered a teacher to bring the wooden bench to the front of the room. Boq walked over to the seat with self-importance, grinning all the way. Oh, how he loved Glinda. He took his wife's hand, causing a smile to creep up upon her face. Then she began her educational speech on "Animals versus animals".
"Animals. Can anyone tell me what they are?"
"They can talk!" blurted the same girl.
Glinda smiled. "That's entirely true, dear; good for you. Can anyone else tell me anything more?"
A boy who was previously slumping against a far wall, behind Glinda's line of vision, appeared out of the shadows. "There should never be a difference. Animals are vermin that need to be exterminated."
The room was silent with shock for more than a few clock ticks. Then Glinda spoke, her voice chilling the air. "It's a shame you think that, because I find your opinion very unjustified."
The boy only snorted and gave her a glare that caused Glinda to shiver involuntarily. "I don't care what you think, your Goodness," here he spat, "because I think you're a bitch. A filthy, rotten-"
One of the teachers frantically stood up and pulled him outside. Glinda could only gape out at the students, trying not to let her face portray how she felt: rotten. Just like he'd said.
"Oh your Goodness, I'm so sorry. Please forgive him," a teacher said, rushing to her side. "Master Grof…he's…he's rather brash when he talks, but it's not entirely his fault. He has a minor mental disorder that skews his judgment. Of course," the teacher added hastily, "that doesn't mean his actions were justified."
"Might I ask what his surname is?" Glinda queried.
The teacher hesitated. "His last name is…Morrible."
Boq emitted a loud gasp. Since when did Madame Morrible have children? She was old, for Lurlinesake, and that would mean she would've had to have…well, you know…with someone – but who? Who was that old woman's…lover?
"Oh," said Glinda, feigning disinterest. "So how is he faring with his mother in prison?"
"It hasn't exactly helped his disposition, but he's managing. He – wait. His mother is in prison? That's impossible. I think you must be referring to his grandmother, your Goodness."
"You mean…oh no. There's more?" she said, so shocked that her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Well, yes," the teacher said tentatively, feeling uncomfortable. "That teacher who pulled him out…was his mother."
"Is his mother much like him?"
"Meaning…oh yes, yes. I mean, no, she isn't. She is rather fond of you and what you stand for, as a matter of fact."
Glinda let herself be flattered for a clock tick before pressing on, not caring how officious she was. "But where did she come from?"
"Look, your Goodness. I don't know much about Miss Petootla Morrible, but what I do know is this: as a baby she was found on the doorstep of the Church of Saint Glinda. The maunts there took her in. Then when she was around…five, was it?" the teacher said, looking around at the other teachers for confirmation. "Yes. When she was about five years old, Morrible arrived at the door and offered to take young Petootla into her care.
"Then, thirty she had her son: Master Grof. We don't know who the father is; we've never asked, she's never said. But the boy wanted to know, and he thought Morrible could help him. So he went to her. While she wasn't able to tell him who his father was, they became quite close. He started pushing his mother away. So far away, in fact, that he thought it fit to run off and live with his grandmother. But when she…well, you know…went to prison, he was forced to go back to residing with his mother. Petootla Morrible. Needless to say, he wasn't too happy about that. And that just about sums things up."
That was a lot more information than, "I don't know much…", but Glinda wasn't complaining. "I see. Thank you," she said slowly, then began to massage her forehead as she felt a sudden bout of fatigue overcome her body.
"Have you had enough?" Boq whispered.
"I – to be honest, yes. But I can't just leave," she responded just as quietly.
He chuckled. "Oh, yes you can; you're Glinda the Good." Boq didn't want to let on that he thought she should leave, and not only because she was tired. His concern for her safety had increased as a result of the whole "Morrible has family" thing.
"Alright," Glinda relented. She stood up and gave the students a small smile. "Thank you, everyone, for allowing me to speak at your lovely school. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm feeling well enough to continue on with my speech today, but I do plan on finishing it some other time. Thanks again, and goodbye."
Fifteen minutes later they were traveling along a dirt road on their way home. Boq and Glinda occupied the front carriage while the four Gale Forcers brought up the rear in a second carriage.
"I just can't believe Morrible could have anychildren, even if they weren't her own," Glinda thought out loud. "How could we not have known?"
"Don't worry about that right now," Boq said as he placed a kiss on her forehead. "Listen: maybe you should put a hiatus on your appearances for awhile."
"Oh Boq, not that again."
"But what if-"
Boom.
A deafening sound vibrated throughout the air around them, shaking the carriage. A clock tick later, it stopped.
"What was that?" Glinda gasped as a second boom was heard.
"Let-let me go check."
Boq opened the door of the carriage and was about to step out when one of the Gale Force officers shouted, "Get back in!"
He wasted no time in following orders.
"What's the matter?" Glinda asked fearfully as he sat back down next to her.
"Nothing. Don't worry, my dear," he said (most likely the worst lie he'd ever told) and pulled Glinda into his arms. She rested her head against his shoulder and he petted her hair when he noticed she was trembling. It didn't help that he was no less terrified than his wife.
But when a third boom rang out, then the sound of a rifle being fired, the horse that was leading their carriage spooked. The couple was thrown forward onto the floor as the frenzied animal pulled the carriage along at a breakneck speed and before they could react, the carriage was thrown onto its side. It skidded down the decline and off the dirt road until it slid to a halt a couple feet later.
And the last thing Boq saw was a green and gold uniform.
Author's Wittle Message: Um…yeah. I'm mucho sorry, but I might not be PMing you for awhile, cos apparently my computer might get taken out of my room – for a long time - if I don't stop emailing. :P Needless to say, I like my computer. So a lot less emailing for me. But I shan't forget you!
