Perfunctory Disclaimer- I don't own any of the people or places except the ones I create.
Chapter 3- Festivals and Family Affairs
In the days before the Fall Festival, Orrie's time was almost perfectly divided between his best friend Grimmz, and his girlfriend, Glinda. As an apprentice physician in his last year, Grimmz could be called to duty at any time, day or night to heal the sick or the wounded. As for Glinda, her days were filled with preparations for the festival. Orrie found many ways to make himself useful, volunteering for various jobs, like helping to build the bonfire structure, and assisting with some of the parade floats. Of course, in his spare time, Grimmz was right beside him, as the pair was nearly inseparable. Then, there were a few times when Orrie went on physician calls with Grimmz, as he too was a trained apprentice. Though his presence wasn't required, he would go just to offer any assistance if needed, (but more just to keep Grimmz company). Many of the calls apprentice physicians were sent out on were the ones way out in the back country, where the fully fledged doctor didn't want to travel to. Needless to say, it was nice for Grimmz to have a travel companion for the road.
At last, the first day of the festival dawned, and Glinda's handmaiden, Tikka, began the routines of her morning coiffure. Today's ceremonies demanded something more than a small, jeweled tiara, so out came the tall 'Northern Crown', as it was called. Glinda had never worn it, and she doubted she could carry it off. She sat as still as a statue while Tikka made a small topknot in her hair. The rest of it she let fall in soft waves down past her shoulders. Then, she stood on a chair to where she towered over Glinda, and fitted the crown atop her head. Finally, using the topknot as an anchor (because it now could not be seen), Tikka secured the base of the crown to the topknot with special, extra long bobby pins so that it wouldn't wobble or slide down.
She still wore her mother's wedding pendant, and beneath that, quite hidden from view, was the tiny talisman necklace given to her by Queen Jawellyn of Narnia. She would never remove these necklaces, no matter what, although, she supposed she might have to consider a compromise of sorts if she married Orrie. The gown Glinda wore for today's festival was a burgundy, full length dress with many slips beneath it and a modestly plunging neckline. She could almost hear the voice of her friend Jadis telling her to 'lose a slip or three or four, because less is more', but her long ago trip to Narnia had taught her that fashions there and fashions in Oz were a bit different.
"Are you ready yet, your Royal Goodie Goodie-ness?" a voice hollered good naturedly from downstairs. At once, Glinda knew it was Grimmz.
"Oh, that's enough out of you. Why you should just be thankful you don't have to go through the rigors she does to get ready…but hopefully, you are presentable. After all, you are representing the Highest family in the Northern Quadrant, Grimmsyn, and I really hope your fingernails are clean…"
As usual, Nanny Ma was there to badger and cluck as Glinda finally managed to shake herself free from her handmaiden. She carefully walked down the stairs, swaying a bit under the strange weight of the Northern Crown on her head.
"Fingernails! Who's going to be looking at my fingernails!" Grimmz protested.
"Oh, wow, look at you!" Orrie called. He broke out in a bright smile.
"Wow is right! My, how you've grown!" Grimmz grunted sarcastically.
Glinda flushed pink.
"I hate this thing, and I don't know how I will bear going out in public in it!" she cried.
"Grimmz, ease up on her. I think she looks lovely. Glinda, you really do. You look like a queen."
Grimmz said nothing at first. Complimenting his sister was not an easy thing for a goofball brother to do. Finally, he looked up from examining his fingernails, which were actually rather clean.
"I really like your dress. It's a nice color for you."
"Thank you," she replied, trying to disguise the fact that she was on the verge of tears.
"I-I didn't mean to hurt your feelings…," he continued.
"No, it's not you," she sighed.
"Follow me," Orrie said, leading her into the parlor and guiding her onto the settee. Grimmz followed inconspicuously.
"Listen," he told her, "You know I come from a royal family. I've seen my cousin at times when no one else ever has. She has a public face and a private face, just like you do. Some of the stuff she has to wear gets on her nerves, but she knows its pageantry…it's for the people. It's what they expect to see her in. She might think it looks ridiculous, but the people don't. They think she looks beautiful in it…so she does! I mean, have you ever looked at my cousin in anything you've seen her in and thought she looked ridiculous or silly?"
Glinda pursed her lips and thought for a bit. No, Queen Ozma had always been the perfect picture of grace and beauty to her. Gowns, crowns, tiaras and all; Orrie was absolutely right.
"So you're saying that no one will think that I look silly when I go out there today?"
"Absolutely not. Not a soul will think you look silly. Personally, I think you look splendid."
Orrie stood up and offered Glinda his hand, helping her stand. Then, he brought her close to him for a brief but sweet kiss, not caring who could be watching. For once, Glinda found herself not caring either.
Orrie proved to be right, as Glinda learned. The others went to the festival in the palace carriage, but she had to appear on her own by her designated 'trademark', floating in gracefully in a pink bubble. By now, she'd perfected this, and it never ceased to amaze the crowds, just as Grandma Ardell's rainbow wash had before. Wearing a crown made her easily visible, and fair goers were able to follow her around and ask for spells for this curse or a potion for love or fertility. Small children waved to her and smiled at her as if she was a fairy princess. Grimmz, Gereth Minor and her father had been told what color Glinda's festival gowns would be, and in what order she would wear them, in advance. To distinguish themselves as members of the 'Good Family' of the Northern Quadrant, they all wore simple navy blue pants, white shirts, and a cummerbund sash at the waist that matched her gown. Orrie wore his Royal Regiment uniform, with his newly acquired Captain's bars. Even the men attracted their fair share of attention.
Glinda was not surprised to note that Gereth Minor had brought his girlfriend DeMia along to the festival. They had first met briefly on the night of her grandmother's death, and Glinda had only seen her a few times since. Today, DeMia's two children were also in attendance. It was plainly obvious that they worshipped Gereth Minor, and looked to him as though he was their father, even though Glinda knew that their biological father was dead. DeMia had a son and a daughter, and they looked to be so close in age that it was hard for her to distinguish which of the two was the elder. The girl was a bit taller but acted less mature. She was the excitable type that seemed to never sit still. The boy was quieter, and almost seemed fragile, yet his coloring was good and he appeared to be content. Upon meeting them, Glinda soon learned that Caprio, the boy, was 7, (and was quite small for his age), while Erystin, the girl, was 5, and was well within normal size limits for hers. Glinda was a bit surprised at Gereth Minor's devotion to them as he had always been impatient with Gandy, and more drawn to his books growing up. She supposed, though, that love changed things. He certainly seemed fond of DeMia, and she, in turn seemed delighted with Gereth Minor. Though the two children looked nothing like him, they all blended together easily enough.
"Will we get to come see you at the palace?" the little girl begged sweetly, her wispy, light brown pony tails swinging emphatically as she spoke.
Her brother hung back between Gereth Minor and DeMia, but his eyes looked brightly curious at the thought.
"Certainly," Glinda agreed, "I should like that."
Erystin could barely contain herself. She bounced up and down on her thin little legs, pony tails bobbing up and down. Caprio split a huge grin, revealing gaps in the front where he'd lost teeth. Glinda was instantly endeared.
"I was planning on a visit with you soon," her brother said to her earnestly, "There's a matter that I wish to discuss with you."
"A serious one, I gather," Glinda replied, noting the tone of his voice.
He nodded.
"When would be a good time?"
"After the bonfire."
"Very well. Shall I bring the children? They won't be much trouble."
"Of course. I have a gramophone now, thanks to Orrie. I'm sure that will entertain them for a spell while we talk."
Gereth Minor smiled.
"I'm sure it will. And, Nanny Ma is there, too. I'm sure she won't mind looking after them."
On the third and final day of the festival, Glinda wore a ravishing, purple gown, which was the regional color of the North. Most of the houses, save for witch's or sorcerers houses, were either purple or lavender, or they were gray with purple trim. Only a witch or a sorcerer (or a physician sorcerer) was allowed to have a white house, but most of them had white houses with lavender or purple trim. Florists in stalls at the festival sold pretty fall bouquets tied with purple ribbons, and donated many of their best purple blooms to adorn the parade floats.
At noon, the parade was scheduled to begin. Men, women and children lined the route. Many were waving, clapping and cheering. An assemblage of horse drawn floats, decorated carriages, costumed dancers, jugglers and marching bands made their way down the street for the crowds' delight. In the very last, grandest float rode Glinda, her father, her brothers, the Mayor, his wife, and their two daughters. Up two floats ahead, Glinda could see Orrie, riding with several Royal Regiment Officers in a servicemen's float.
"Is it ever warm today! I'm sweating buckets!" Grimmz complained, drawing his hand across his forehead. It came back slightly damp. Indeed, the day was turning out to be unseasonably warm, and Glinda could feel sweat pooling unattractively beneath her arms. She hoped it didn't stain the fabric of her dress and show as an obvious stain when she waved to the crowds.
"Think it's bad for you? Imagine being one of the horses!" Gereth Minor chided back. In response to his remark, the horse harnessed to the right of the float turned its head as if to acknowledge an agreement.
Somehow, the crowd never seemed to loose its enthusiasm, despite the heat. Glinda felt considerably wilted by the end of the route. The tall crown felt like a lead weight on her head. Though she was used to riding in the 'family car', as they considered the grand float, she had never been the center attraction, and had never weathered public scrutiny for so many days at a stretch. By now, she was morbidly exhausted, and she still had the bonfire business to attend to, and then Gereth Minor to entertain that evening.
After the parade, the food and drink vendors ran a brisk, last minute business refreshing everyone. It was nearly time for all of the craft makers, toy sellers, florists, jewelers, potters, quilters and the like to pack up their stalls. Glinda and her family, and the Mayor and his family were each served complimentary chilled lemon waters, salted corn cobs on sticks and caramel apples. Meanwhile, Orrie and Grimmz both enrolled themselves in a pie eating contest. Glinda thought for certain that her brother would win, but was rather surprised when Orrie came away as the victor! He was awarded a huge purple ribbon and a whole apple pie for his prize. A teenaged Gillikinese boy with a huge appetite was awarded second place and was given a smaller purple ribbon and a half dozen apple turnovers. Grimmz took third place. His ribbon was also purple, and was the smallest of the three. He was given a box of six apple-cinnamon muffins to complete his prize. All seemed content with their lot.
"Did I ever tell you I love apples?" Orrie said, proudly carrying his box with its prize pie in it over to where Glinda stood.
"You surely must! I've never seen anyone eat like that in my life!" she exclaimed with a laugh.
Then, he leaned over and whispered slyly in her ear,
"There's only one thing in all of Oz I love more than apples….Can you guess what it is?"
Glinda bit her lip and flushed, feeling her legs tremble a bit.
"I'll give you a hint. Good Witches wearing purple…."
"I have a certain weakness for Royal Soldiers in Emerald Green," Glinda said slyly.
"Oh, really?"
"I must admit that I do. I love ones who love apples and win prizes for their devotion to them….It shows a certain…"
She tried to continue, but she burst out in gales of giggles, and Orrie soon followed.
"Are you saying that you love me?" Glinda asked, finally, when she was able to calm down. She kept her voice low, knowing that prying ears were always around.
"Yes, I have for a long time. A day never passes that I don't think of you. I hope you feel the same for me…"
Glinda nodded eagerly.
"Yes!" she breathed ecstatically, "I do!"
"Congratulations, my friend! You have one heck of an apple-tite!" Grimmz joked, interrupting their moment. His face was flushed and his eyes were twinkling brightly.
"Same to you. Be sure to save me one of those muffins," Orrie replied casually.
"Only for a slice of pie."
"I saw the whole thing. I never knew the two of you had such horrid table manners, but then again, at a pie eating contest, I suppose it can be forgiven…"
Orrie and Grimmz both wheeled around, in the gap created between their bodies, Glinda could see the small form of Tambra, clad inconspicuously in a lavender dress, with a flowered bonnet perched atop her head. Though she was a half-bred munchkin, she'd achieved enough height to pass as a petite sized adult, so she didn't attract too much attention in Gillikin Country, especially when she wore heels. Considering the fact that she spent a decent amount of her time covertly spying on Lile, she didn't travel North much anymore, so her presence was a welcome sight.
"I thought I could come to the Bonfire and I my absence might not be noticed so much," she said with a smile, explaining her unexpected presence.
"You're welcome here any time!" Glinda cried in delight.
"Most certainly!" Grimmz agreed, quite enthusiastically. He offered one of his muffins to Tambra, who accepted it with relish.
If only her youngest brother could be here, the picture would be complete, Glinda thought, but his visit was still some weeks off yet.
The Bonfire Ceremony never ceased to amaze, yet frighten Glinda at the same time. She could smell the pitch that coated the timbers used to make the structure. A flaming barrel was set somewhat close by, and, at the signal, both she and the Mayor dipped their torches into it. The citizens stood back, with the head of each household soberly holding his or her bare, dry corn cob. Each cob had been ceremoniously prepared prior to the night's ritual, and her father had his in his right hand. Glinda had hers in her other hand. She was, by rights, the head of her 'own household', as she was now the Goodie of the North'. First, she and the Mayor tipped their torches, in unison, to their respective sides of the pyre. Flutists played lilting, swelling melodies, accompanied by the beat of drummers thumping big kettle drums. The heat began to intensify as the fire caught. The Mayor nodded his head, and he and Glinda first chucked their still burning torches into the fire. Then, Glinda recited the short 'Harvest Hymn'; a thanksgiving to the Earth for all of it's blessings. Then, she and the Mayor offered their cobs to the inferno. The crowd erupted into cheers. Next to pay his cob was her father, and so on, and so on, until the Bonfire was well fed. Next came the stacks of wood for the 'baby fires' fed from the huge bonfire for the skewers of meat, and people roasted their dinners out in the open, under the stars, and glutted themselves until they could hold no more.
Glinda, of course, could not stay for a dinner of porker, freshly roasted over a 'baby fire', no matter how much she would have liked to. There were other matters to attend to, and she could not sit on a bare patch of ground wearing her grand, purple dress. So, her nearest and dearest were escorted to a waiting carriage, while she bade the people goodbye, arranged herself neatly into her bubble and floated off into the night. She had just enough time to rid herself of that tiresome Northern Crown and have Tikka arrange her hair into something that did not resemble a rat's nest before her family arrived.
When at last, the parlor was filled with her company, Glinda was bleary eyed from exhaustion, but she did her best to maintain her composure. Despite the late hour, DeMia's two children seemed full of boundless energy, especially the girl, and were crowing over the enormity of the palace and all of the wonderful things they were seeing. By force of habit, Nanny Ma soon took them into hand, and bustled them off to someplace out of sight, so that the adults could converse peacefully.
"Glinda, I've come to formally request your blessing for the marriage of myself to DeMia," Gereth Minor stated, after they'd all made themselves comfortable with a round of brandied teas.
Glinda blinked at him in surprise. She was grateful that she'd thought to use a minor spell to enchant the redness out of them from the bonfire, but his declaration had shocked any residual sleepiness from her.
"Why ever are you asking me? Shouldn't you make your queries to Father?" she asked, shifting her gaze from her older brother to her father, who was sitting comfortably in the arm chair by the fireplace, which always seemed to be his customary spot.
Her father returned a rather bemused gaze back to her, but said nothing.
"No, I've already spoke to father regarding this matter. He told me I need to discuss it with you. You are now the Goodie of the North, and it is your blessing we require."
Grimmz hooted loudly and slapped his hands on his thighs.
"Do you mean to tell me that if there is some woman I wish to marry, I must ask my younger sister for her blessing? What is this rubbish?"
"It's not rubbish at all, Grimmsyn, its tradition. If a member of the Good Family is to marry, they must secure the blessing of the Good Witch, and in this case, the Good Witch happens to be your sister!" Gereth shot back, in a disciplinary tone. Grimmz instantly quieted.
"Who's permission would Glinda require, should she wish to marry?" Orrie quietly asked.
"Mine. I am still her father," Gereth responded.
"What do you say, Glinda," Gereth Minor asked.
She looked at him, and then to DeMia, who looked as pale as new fallen snow. She was clutching the edges of the settee, as though she expected Glinda to render the same sort of decision that Grandma Ardell would.
How could she not allow it? They loved each other. Did it really matter that DeMia was a widow with two children already, and that those children were not her brother's? He loved them as though they were….
"Of course you may marry. Marry as soon as you'd like," she announced with a smile.
Gereth Minor was never one to be known for being demonstrative, but before Glinda had any warning, he leapt off of the settee, pulled his sister up into a hug, and swung her once around the room.
"Thank you ever so much!" he told her earnestly.
"We'll name our firstborn daughter for you, should we have one," DeMia promised with a gleeful smile.
"That really won't be necessary…I just would like to see you happy. No one in love should have to suffer," Glinda replied.
When she spoke, she noticed Orrie gazing at her thoughtfully. His lips twitched up in a smile.