Chapter 2 (The Council of the Munchkins)
Bridgette was amazed by the landscape and the wonders she saw. She and Toto were in a land of marvelous beauty. There were patches of green grass that held trees bearing rich and luscious fruits. Gorgeous flowers were everywhere. Rare birds flew in the bright and blue sky. A small creek ran through the heart of a tiny village. Bridgette looked at Toto and said to him,
"We must be over the rainbow!" *
"Welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins," said a voice.
When Bridgette turned around, a mysterious person was standing right behind her. The person wore a red dress that was very slim. She also wore a large red hat with white feathers and from under the hat; Bridgette noticed that she had red hair.
"I am so grateful to you for killing the Wicked Witch of the East," the person continued, "and for setting the Munchkins free from bondage."
Bridgette listened in confusion. What could this person possibly mean by calling her a sorceress? And killing a witch? Bridgette never killed anything since she was so harmless and innocent.
"You are very kind," she said with a hesitant voice, "but, there must be some mistake. I have not killed anyone."
"Well, your house did anyway. See?! Her two feet are sticking out from right under your house."
Bridgette looked in shock. The person was right, for under the house there stood two feet, both in fashionable high heeled shoes of ruby red.
"Oh dear!" Bridgette exclaimed, "The house has fallen on her. What can we do?"
"There is nothing that can be done," said the person.
"Who was she?" Bridgette asked.
"As I said, she was the Wicked witch of the East. She was also known as Evanora or as me and Glinda, The Good Witch of the South, called her: Jo. Anywho, she held the Munchkins in bondage for many years, making them slave night and day. Now, they have been set free, all thanks to you." [1]
"Who are the Munchkins?" inquired Bridgette.
"They are the people who live in this land, known as Munchkin land, of the East where the Wicked Witch that ruled her once lived."
"May I ask you something?"
"Sure, you can ask me anything," the person said kindly.
"Are you a witch? Since witches are old and ugly. They..."
Bridgette then hears laughter and asks,
"What was that?"
"That was the Munchkins. They're laughing because you are right; I am a witch. I'm Locasta, the Witch of the North or as the Munchkins call me: Zoey." [2]
"You are! Oh, I beg your pardon!" Bridgette said while bowing at Zoey, "But I've never heard of a beautiful witch before."
"Only bad witches are ugly." Zoey replied, "However, I am a good witch and the people love me. I am not as powerful as Evanora or was powerful I should say; if I was I could have set the people free long before you came."
After a moment's thought, Bridgette replied,
"But, Aunt Em told me that the witches had been dead for years and years."
"Who is Aunt Em?"
"She is my aunt who lives in Kansas, where I come from."
Zoey seemed confused for the longest time. She looked down at the ground and sometimes looked at Toto, who would look back at her. Finally, she looked up and said,
"I do not know where Kansas is, for I have never heard that county mentioned before. But, do tell me, is it a civilized country?"
"Oh yes," replied Bridgette.
"That's why. In the civilized countries, I believe there are no witches, wizards, sorceresses, nor magicians left. But, as you see, the Land of Oz has never been civilized, for we are cut off from the rest of the world. Therefore, we still have witches and wizards among us," Zoey said wisely to Bridgette.
"Who are the Wizards?"
"Oz himself is the Great Wizard," announced Zoey, "He is more powerful than all of us put together. He lives in the City of Emeralds or so I think-"
"What do you mean by, 'so I think'?"
"I have not been to the City of Emeralds in many years but base on what I remember he is still there, so there is no reason for you to panic."
Bridgette was about to ask another question when all of a sudden, the Munchkins came out of no where and surrounded Bridgette, Zoey and the farm house. Bridgette was finally able to see who the Munchkins were. There were really short people who wore hats that were not only round but rose up to a foot above their heads, with little bells around the brims that tinkled sweetly as they moved. The hats were blue. All of the men's clothes and women's dresses were blue. The Munchkins clothes almost resembled 17th Century Dutch Fashion.
"You have killed her, so thank you so much." one of tiny men said to Bridgette.
However, before she could reply, the Munchkins gave a loud shout. Zoey and Bridgette turned around to see the farmhouse rise up and, to everyone's shock, they saw Evanora raise the farmhouse up by herself!
"Oh, so you thought that I was dead! Let me tell you something, when I get rid of the house all of you are going in my oven!" she cackled.
"Jo! Leave them alone!" Zoey yelled at her.
Bridgette had a good look at Jo. She had really short hair, with a grey robe and of course, the ruby slippers. Toto noticed Jo and started to run toward her. Bridgette saw Toto run and chased after him, trying to stop him. Jo, who also saw Toto, freed her hands from the farmhouse to grab Toto and the farmhouse fell on Jo. Now, not only was Jo completely dead, but Toto wasn't even hurt!
"Let the joyous news be spread, the Wicked Old Witch at last is dead!" Zoey gladly said to the Munchkins.
The Munchkins cheered and congratulated Bridgette.
"You will be history!"
"We will glorify your name."
"You will be a bust in our hall of fame!" [3]
Zoey came up to Bridgette, while holding the ruby slippers and said,
"Evanora was so proud of these ruby slippers. Now that she's gone, the ruby slippers are yours and you can have them to wear."
Zoey gave Bridgette the ruby slippers and Bridgette placed them into her basket. She then asked the Munchkins,
"I am anxious to get back to my aunt and uncle, for I believe they are worried sick about me. Can you show me the way?"
"At the East, not far from here," said one, "there is a great desert and no one could live to cross it."
"As for the South, it's the same. I have been there to see it. The South is the county of the Quadlings." another one said.
"Don't even try the West. That county is where the Winkies live, ruled by the Wicked Witch of the West, who would make you slave if you ever meet her." a woman pointed out.
"The North is my home," Zoey said, "It's at the edge of some great desert that surrounds the Land of Oz. I am afraid you will have to live with us."
Bridgette looked down at Toto and began to sob, for she felt lonely among the Munchkins. The Munchkins took out handkerchiefs and wept with her. As for Zoey, she took off her hat and held it in her hands. She counted, "One. Two. Three." At once, the large hat changed into a chalkboard on which was written in big letters:
"LET BRIDGETTE GO TO THE CITY OF EMERALDS."
Zoey read the slate and asked,
"Is your name Bridgette?"
"Yes", Bridgette answered while drying up her tears.
"You must go to the City of Emeralds. Perhaps Oz will help you."
"Where is the city?"
"It's in the center of the country, ruled by Oz, the Great Wizard I told you of."
"Is he a good man?"
"He is great. He is a good Wizard."
"How can I get there?" asked Bridgette.
"You must walk. It's a very long journey, through a country that is sometimes pleasant and sometimes dark and terrible. However, I will use all the magic arts I know of to keep you from the dangers and harms of Oz."
"Won't you go with me?" pleaded Bridgette, who looked at Zoey as her only friend.
"No, I cannot do that." she said calmly, "but I will give you my kiss and no one will dare injure a person who has been kissed by me, Locasta."
Zoey came close to Bridgette and kissed her gently on the forehead. A round shiny mark was left where Zoey's lips touched Bridgette, though Bridgette did not know about it. Then Zoey moved away and faced Bridgette.
"The road to the City of Emeralds is paved with yellow brick. When you get to Oz do not be afraid, tell your story and ask him to help you. Goodbye, my dear and if you need anything, stomp your heels and I'll come," Zoey said.
The Munchkins bowed to her and wished her good luck as they disappeared through the trees. Zoey gave Bridgette a friendly nod, whirled around on her left heel three times and disappeared, much to the surprise of Toto, who barked after she left, since he had been afraid to even growl while she was there.
"My!" Bridgette cried to Toto, "People come and go so quickly here! So Toto? May we follow the Yellow Brick Road?"
Toto barked happily as he and Bridgette set off for the City of Emeralds.
Thank You so much for waiting for me to publish this! Sorry that it has taken me a while to update, I have been busy with trying to get P.I. (Pahkitew Island) typed... unfortunately, it's taking me longer but still hold on. Also, work and get ready for mid terms has kept me busy. My spring break has started and I hope this will keep you all occupied until I can (at last) finish the 2nd chapter of P.I. Now for some quick author's notes:
*- That line came from the script.
[1]- The name Evanora was never used in the "Wizard of Oz" books. In fact, the Wicked Witch of the East never had a name. The name Evanora came from the 2013 film "Oz: The Great and Powerful." I will be using parts of this movie later in the story.
[2]- Locasta's name was not reviled until the 5th book in the series. Yet, I decided to use that name instead of Glinda, since Glinda is the Good Witch of the South. Locasta makes the chapter a bit more easier to understand.
[3]- That line was part of a song that the Munchkins sung in the 1939 film. Yet, I just took that line out and re-used it. If you are still confused, find the script online and read it to understand.
Until next time: read, review, alert, favor and spread the word!