Title: The Returnance

Author: AoN

Word Count: 5,000

Genre: Drama, Adventure

Rating: PG-13

Feedback: Please and thank you! Let me know what I'm doing right or doing wrong.

Summary: After many celebrations of the Wicked Witch's death, a new evil appears in the wonderful land of Oz, forcing Glinda the Good to confront the decisions she had made in the past and to accept a truth she cannot fully grasp.

Chapter Three

"Lady Glinda," Evella hissed as they walked down the hall at a quick pace. "Lady Glinda, this is not a good idea!"

"Oh, I'm not arguing with you there," Glinda agreed, hoisting up her dress slightly to prevent herself from tripping. Some of these dresses she had to wear… they were mostly for show, not exactly for comfort. "But I do believe I have the right to be told what is going on around here, especially if I'm personally affected by the matter."

"Without a doubt, Lady Glinda," Evella agreed as well. "But what if even Captain Tandy didn't know everything himself? Please, summon the bubble and let's go to safety!"

Glinda immediately stopped in her tracks. They were going to be heard if this kept up and that would not do since she, at least, was trying to sneak into her own personal chamber. "Miss Evella, I understand you are simply trying to do your job and watch over me," she began in a hushed tone. "But please consider the fact that we are agemates. You are pretty capable of taking care for yourself. I may be a public figure for all of Oz, but that does not hinder my own capability."

"Of course not," Evella answered. "Please don't take offense, I have nothing but respect for you, Lady Glinda, and I don't doubt any of your abilities, but Oz needs you – these are troubled times."

"Besides flying around Oz and telling everyone that everything will be alright, there is not a whole lot I can do for Ozians,"Glinda replied, well aware that Evella was a little taken back by the response. "I'm a public figure, yes, but I can only be encouraging. What Oz needs is a leader – public figures will come and go and they will all reassure that everything is fine and dandy, but only a leader can lead."

A tense silence fell between them. Evella only began to speak after a moment to collect her thoughts. "But public figures have been leaders – the Wizard himself-"

"I am nothing like the Wizard," Glinda interrupted. She knew Evella had meant it as a compliment; however it was anything but to Glinda who knew the truth about the 'wonderful' Wizard of Oz. She could not allow her true emotion to show. "I don't know the first thing about leading anyone. I may have my own political beliefs, but that's about it. Any Shiz graduate of Law could do a better job than I – oh, let's not talk about this now! We're pressed for time!" She turned on her heel and began down the hall once more. Now was not the time for politics or the current state of Oz – at least concerning her as the rightful ruler (what a ridiculous idea).

Without another word, probably not wanting to accidentally offend Glinda, Evella followed after her. As they continued down the hall, getting closer and closer to the chamber door and as they did, they began to hear what they assumed had bothered the guard. It was a terrible whining which echoed softly. It caused the two of them to halt at the door. Glinda glanced over to Evella, eyebrows furrowed.

"What is that – a cat?" Glinda murmured, hand wrapped around the knob of the door.

"Not exactly-"

Before Evella could say anymore, Glinda had pushed the door open. The muffled whining became clearer, confirming Evella's suspicion, but her confused had only increased.

Stepping inside the room, Glinda's bright eyes widened in shock – this was not what she had been expecting. Her eyes instantly fell on the maker of the noise which definitely was no cat. Her blanket propped up a bundle of cloth on her bed, a bundle which was squirming and now crying.

Crying.

Her steps were small and slow as she walked up to the edge of the bed. As Glinda drew closer, the whining died down. It was not until blue eyes met brown did the crying come to a complete stop. Those eyes… they seemed so familiar and the baby was looking up at her with the same sense of familiarity.

"Where did it come from…?"

Glinda jumped slightly. She had forgotten that Evella was with her. She glanced over to hear and back to the now silent baby. "I-I don't… know…" she murmured, looking around the room. Not only had the blanket been moved, but her windows had been closed – she never closed them. No, the baby had not been summoned in. Someone had been in here.

Evella joined Glinda at the bedside. "Such a little thing – taken a liking to you, Lady Glinda. Stopped crying."

"I'm sure it would have stopped seeing you too," Glinda replied. "Probably spooked by the fireworks – Miss Evella, would you please check on the guards?"

"At once," Evella replied. She did not need to be told twice.

Glinda waited until she heard the click of the door closing before springing into action. Yes, there was a mystery child in her room which was concerning and evidence in itself that someone had been in here. There were two things she had to check on in the little time she had to herself. Immediately, she pulled out the draw where she hid the hat this morning. She panicked seeing it on top of the clothing she had hidden it under. This was not good. Not good.

After pushing the draw to a close, Glinda was instantly inside the walk in closet. The dresses in the corner hiding that ugly dresser were skewed. Her stomach tied itself into tight knots. Not only had someone entered her private chamber, they knew what they were looking for – the Grimmerie was gone, she knew it.

Embracing herself for the worst, shaky hands pulled out the draw and hurriedly removed the glass bottles along with the blankets.

"Oh sweet Oz!" she breathed a heavy sigh of relief.

The book was still here.

She was relieved, yes, but she still had a million questions running through her mind. Questions that would have to wait – the baby had started crying once again, which also summoned even more questions.

Clearly coming back to a peaceful evening had been too complicated of a request. After a day full of pretending to celebrate along everyone else, Glinda wanted nothing more than to relax. Instead, she was now in the middle of whatever it is this was – someone had left a child in her chamber. Someone had gone through her belongings, but why?

Glinda found herself back at the bed, but this time the child did not stop crying at her presence. It only continued to fuss – how long had it been in here alone? Was it hungry? Did it need a changing? Oh, she was no good at this sort of thing! Evella would know, she was a mother after all.

"Oh, come on now…" Glinda said softly, hovering over the baby. "Please don't cry, little one…"

Still pouting, the baby looked up at being addressed as 'little one.' It had been the only term of endearment the child was familiar with.

"Miss Evella will be right back, she'll know what to do with you," Glinda reassured. Did it really matter talking to the child? Would it even understand?

The baby began to fuss some more and whine. Why was it crying? How do you get babies to stop crying? Should she pick the child up? Would that help? What if she dropped it? That definitely would not be good nor helpful.

"Please, please, please don't cry!" Glinda begged, but her plea fell on deaf ears. It did not get the baby to stop – what if picking the child up could help? She should at least try, right?

A little weary of herself, Glinda leaned forward slightly over the bed. She really had no idea what she was doing; the only thing she knew was she had to support the baby's head, which she did when she initially picked up the child. Glinda brought the baby close to her chest and cradled it gently in her arms. The baby had stopped crying and Glinda felt her own heart flutter slightly as the baby smiled toothlessly up at her. The child had freed one of its arms and was now reaching for the woman.

Glinda carefully took a seat on the edge of the bed before holding out a finger to the child. Her breathe hitched a little when the baby took a hold. The baby giggled and the two locked eyes again. How could anything be so small and delicate, yet still manage to capture her heart? Why was she so emotionally attached to a being she had known for ten minutes? Was it the idea that this child was unbiased and did not see her as Glinda the Good?

As she pondered this, something on the child's upper arm caught her eye. Were those… diamonds on her skin? Was this a Winkie child? The Winkie was far west from the Emerald City – this child was a long way from home. This only added to the mystery that surrounded the child.

"If only you could share your story with me, little one," Glinda murmured softly, a hint of pain in her voice. She had been… friends with someone from the Winkie country, but she tried not to think about him – he brought back a slew of powerful emotions. A one-sided love. Betrayal. Lost. She did not think about him for the same reason she did not think of the Witch.

It pained her so much…

"Were you abandoned here?" Glinda asked quietly. "Did someone betray you for another?"

Do you have anyone else in this lonely world?

Glinda was rendered speechless as she gazed down at the child. Perhaps this was why she was already attached. Maybe the child really did have no one else, like herself. At least Glinda was able to fend for herself, but… this child…

'Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I, my tender heart tends to start to bleed…'

"Lady Glinda."

Having been distracted, Glinda did not realize that Evella had returned with an annoyed looking Captain Tandy. Still cradling the child, Glinda stood up. "Have you spoken to your men, Captain?" she quickly asked, not giving him a chance to scold her for not listening to his original orders.

"Briefly before Miss Evella came to 'check up' on us," the Captain answered. "Lady Glinda, what is the meaning-"

"Did any of them report suspicious activity, Captain?"

"Suspicious activity?"

"If you can see," Evella began. "Lady Glinda is holding a child, a child we have discovered in this room." She walked over to and took the baby from Glinda's arms, who wanted to protest, but in the end, she did not. "Poor thing, I'm going to give this little one a bath," Evella announced, dismissing herself to the chamber's private bathroom.

Glinda frowned as Evella left, wanting to stop her, wanting to be with the child still. She kept her composure. "Captain Tandy, I need to know of anything strange that happened today and I have a feeling you are not telling me everything which I find odd for a man who has sworn to protect me," she explained.

Captain Tandy suddenly became a little embarrassed which only quirked Glinda. So he was keeping something from her. "Lady Glinda, your privacy is extremely important to me and I understand that-"

"I don't want excuses, Captain," Glinda interrupted. "When did you get these orders from this unknown servant and why did you keep them?"

"This morning after you departed," Tandy quickly replied, not wanting to push her further. "I returned to my post after escorting you out and not too long after, the door opened – barely – and…" his voice trailed off.

"And?" Glinda repeated.

"This woman gave the order and then I heard some chanting," Tandy explained. "Lady Glinda, I'm sorry, I blacked out until you returned."

"You heard chanting and blacked out?" Glinda questioned, taken back. She was keeping in mind the Grimmerie, how it appeared to have been found. "Captain, what did this woman look like?"

Captain Tandy took a moment to think, but shook his head. "I didn't get a good look – I couldn't see her face, she was wearing a hood, head-to-toe in black. Allow me to speak to my men. One of them must have seen her," he answered.

Glinda nodded. "How soon can you report back to me?"

"Within the hour, Lady Glinda."

"I shall be waiting, Captain. You are dismissed."

Tandy saluted and exited the chamber, closing the door and leaving Glinda alone for the first time since this morning. Glinda collapsed onto her bed, her mind running. A woman dressed head-to-toe in black and chanting – chanting no doubt something from the Grimmerie. Glinda only knew of one person who could do either.

None of this was making any sense!

Her eyes were stinging and this time she did not stop herself from crying. Why today of all days?

This woman came into her room and left behind this Winkie child. A Winkie child. Glinda's mind was throwing together ridiculous theories, all of which she just had to ignore because she knew better, but she could not shake this woman out of her mind. It was plaguing her. The black, the chanting, the Grimmerie, everything.

Her now red eyes trailed over to the grand window she always kept open and, frankly, Glinda was annoyed that this woman, whoever she was, had closed them. She stood up quickly and crossed the room to reopen them. She drew the curtains back and gazed out towards the city, toward the horizon and the western sky. Although she would not admit it, she was scanning the night sky for any abnormalities even though her rationality was scolding her harshly for her actions – she was not going to spot anything. This was all wishful thinking that she could not be giving into.

They were both dead!

She witnessed the melting herself!

"Lady Glinda?"

She immediately became tensed and quickly wiped furiously at her eyes. "Yes, Miss Evella?" she replied, turning around to look at the other woman who was cradling the infant still.

"I know you've had a long day, perhaps you should get some rest?"

"Thank you for your concern, but Captain Tandy will report back here within the hour," Glinda replied, eyes never leaving the baby. "It finally stopped crying – you have that motherly touch…"

Evella smiled slightly. "She," she corrected. "The little one is a girl."

"A girl," Glinda repeated, hovering away from the window.

"Yes, and anyone would be upset if they had soiled themselves," Evella commented, rocking the baby in her arms. "I used one of the cloths in your bathroom, I'll fetch another from the maids station."

"That's quiet alright – don't worry about it," Glinda reassured, standing in front of the dark haired woman. "She's so… small…"

"Wouldn't put her past three months," Evella murmured as they both watched the child drift back to sleep. "Part Winkie."

"Part?" Glinda questioned, looking up at Evella. "How can you tell she isn't a full blooded Winkie child?"

"She only has markings on her arms, like Kiki," Evella explained. "Winkie children are covered with them usually."

"Your Kiki is part Winkie?"

Glinda saw Evella hesitate for a moment as if she did not know what to say. She was flustered. What was with the sudden embarrassment? First Captain Tandy and now Evella. This day was only getting stranger and stranger. "Lady Glinda, please don't think lowly of me," Evella began. "And I've already told you, I am in no way a radical, but… my parents were and they were proud of it. When the witch hunts began… we had to go into hiding – my parents, myself and my sister."

"So you all fled to the Winkie country," Glinda was able to conclude. She did not mean to stare at the other woman, but she could not help it.

To avoid her eyes momentarily, Evella walked around Glinda and to the bed where she carefully placed the sleeping baby. "Yes," she confirmed. "The witch hunts weren't as terrible, and we were a little safer. I… became a little friendly with a local boy and, well…" she trailed off, feeling her cheeks turning red. She could not believe she was telling Lady Glinda, of all people, this.

"Right," Glinda quickly said. "But you returned…?"

"My sister and I are not radicals, we came here to the Emerald City after the melting," Evella answered, still a little flushed. "And it's been the three of us since. Our parents remained in the Winkie country. Oh, Lady GLinda no one must know! Please, don't turn us over to the Gale Force!"

"Oh Miss Evella, I would never!" Glinda promised, instantly at the woman's side.

"It's not exactly the story you wish to hear on today of all days! Radicals fleeing-"

"You've said it yourself, Miss Evella," Glinda interrupted. "You are not one of them. We should not be judged based on our parents' actions. We all are in control of our own doings."

"With wisdom like that, Lady Glinda, you are clearly suitable to rule Oz," Evella commented.

Glinda shook her head and walked over to her vanity which she took a seat in front of. Evella followed her and took a seat on the nearby armchair. "And as I've told you, I am not a fit leader," Glinda responded. "I've been holding Oz together for the last year, but I haven't been able to push it forward which is exactly what it really needs at the moment.

"But if wizardship was too demanding for the Wizard, who else but you can lead the Ozians? You've studied sorcery after all!"Evella pointed out.

"It takes more than magic tricks to lead," Glinda retorted, ignoring the fact that the Wizard could not cast a spell to save his own life. And Glinda did not exactly graduate at the top of her class either. "And as I've said before, I am good at being encouraging, good at telling people what they want to hear, but sometimes leading requires telling them what they don't wish to hear – I've tried and I can't."

Evella watched as Glinda picked up a hairbrush from the vanity and began to comb through her blonde hair. She did remember Glinda trying to rid some of the Wizard's polices, but it had not been successful. The public did get a little rowdy, but that all blew over when she aided the Munchkin's get their rights back.

"And don't bring up Munchkinland," Glinda quickly added as if she could read the woman's mind. She winced slightly when she came across a tangle. "The Tinman did most of the work, I advocated from afar – why he took Munchkin rights to heart is beyond me…"

"Then who do you think is fit to rule Oz?"

"That's not for me to decide," Glinda answered honestly. "We have ambassadors and governors throughout Oz who are more than capable and they have surely expressed themselves. I'll make the announcement myself soon. Oz knows I need a break from the publicity and the little one is going to need someone."

Evella's eyebrows furrowed. "The little one?" she repeated, glancing over to the bed. "You're talking about the child?"

Glinda set the brush down before shifting in her seat to face Evella. "Yes," she replied simply. She surely did not have to explain herself and she had to be careful of what she would say. As much as she wanted to trust Evella, Glinda knew she still had to be careful – better safe than sorry. "Well, at least until we can find out and return her home," she added. "Can you imagine her story, what she's been through? If I can make it easier, even for a little while, then I will. The child deserves that, right?"

"Such a kind heart, Lady Glinda!" Evella gushed.

"It has nothing to do with heart, it's the right thing to do for the child," Glinda replied mostly. "Miss Evella, shouldn't you be with your little Kiki?" she asked gently. "Surely he misses his mother, especially during a time of celebration. One should be with family today or what's left of it, anyway."

"Are you sure, Lady Glinda?"

Glinda rose to her feet and stood in front of her, taking her hand into her own. "Miss Evella, you have shown me how important you consider your job to be, but please… Never put it before your family."

A smile tugged on Evella's face, one that Glinda matched, as she pulled herself up. "Let me fetch those-"

"I'll be fine without them," Glinda reassured.

"If not for yourself, but for the baby," Evella pointed out. "And a bottle, then I'll be off."

Glinda nodded. The child's need had slipped her mind entirely. Maybe she was not set for this – then again, hwo long has it been since she had to think about someone else? Surely it took some time to get use to again. Yes, of course, she agreed before Evella dismissed herself, leaving Glinda alone in the chamber with the sleeping child.

Oh how she was ready for this day to be truly over. Once Evella and Captain Tandy came back, then she would finally be free – not exactly alone, not with the child, but she would be able to drop her defensive wall which had been crumbling since this morning and it was deteriorating even quicker now with everything that was occurring this evening.

She moved back over to the bed and sat down once again near the child, finally slipping out of the heels she had been wearing all day. Needless to say, her feet ached and she really should have taken them off earlier, but she got caught up in the heat of things.

Glinda found herself staring at the child, found herself trying to find something that could not possibly be there. She had to stop herself from desperately searching. Nothing was there. Nothing. She was not going to find anything. She had to stop.

Is this how it would be? She would not be able to handle it, it would drive her to insanity and then beyond. She could not allow this to consume her; she could not come up with any ridiculous theories which she truly wanted to be true.

No, this had to get easier with time. After all, time heals all wounds – or however that saying went. She truly had to believe that otherwise the future would be incredibly bleek and that was no way to live life.

She leaned back against the mounds of pillows at the head of her bed, momentarily losing herself in her own thoughts. The blue eyes started into space dully. Fatigue and exhaustion mixed with sadness shown through, emotions which have been extremely commont o her over the last year unfortunately. Maybe now she could relax, especially after her political step down. Would she be able to go back to Gillikin or did she have to stay here in the Emerald City? It would be nice to go home even for a short while – there was no place like it, after all – and maybe the little one would-

"You need a name," Glinda said aloud, looking over to the bundle from where she laid. They could not keep referring to the girl as 'little one.' Well, she could, but everyone needed a name. "Do you have one?" she asked, propping herself up with her elbow.

No, she was not expecting an answer. The child was sleeping for one and, well, she was also way too young to answer anyway. Glinda tilted her head slightly, watching the child sleep with ease, completely unaware of the situation she was in – tragic really.

Tragic. Tragically beautiful child.

Glinda leaned forward, closer to the silent baby.

"Nissa…?" she said quietly. "Can I call you that, little one? Can I call you Nissa?" It was as if she were asking permission, for acceptance.

"Lovely name…"

She nearly jumped out of her skin – Evella had not made a sound upon entering. That and Glinda had not expected her to be so quick, but there she was with a small pile of cloths and a full bottle. How she was able to find a bottle that quickly, Glinda did not know – she was not what you call familiar with the palace's kitchen. She had a tendency to stay in her private chamber when she was not needed elsewhere.

"Do you really think so?" Glinda quickly sat up, doing her best to not disturb the dreaming little one.

"Yes, but isn't the name traditionally pronounced 'Nessa'?" Evella asked, setting the items down on the dresser closest to the door.

Hearing even that name hurt, but Glinda nodded. "Traditionally, it's also pronounced 'Galinda.' I'm not entirely one for tradition," she grinned. "Thank you for your help, Miss Evella. I trust to see you tomorrow, am I correct?"

"Yes, Lady Glinda," Evella answered. "I'll see you in the morning – and the little Nissa. I thought you should know, Captain Tandy is on his way."

"Is he now?" Glinda was on her feet. "Thank you, Miss Evella, again. I bid you good night."

"Good night, Lady Glinda."

Once Evella had dismissed herself and the door closed, Glinda had begun pacing around the room as she waited in anticipation. She could always expect the good captain to be either early or on time, which at the moment she was extremely glad for.

The few moments Glinda waited dragged on, but the knock finally came and perhaps Glinda said 'enter' too quickly, but oh well. The door opened and the expected Captain stepped inside.

"Lady Glinda," he greeted with a nod.

"Captain Tandy," she replied. "What did your men have to say?"

"There was another who blacked out within the palace – at the entrance to the tunnel," Captain Tandy informed.

"A-and…?" she asked with baited breathe.

He shook his head. "The guard in question did not see nor hear anything. One moment he was at his post, the next he was picking himself off the floor," Captain Tandy answered. "At the end of the tunnel stood another guard on duty-"

"Blacked out also," Glinda concluded.

"Yes, eventually, but he was attacked-"

"Attacked by the woman?"

"No," Captain Tandy replied. "Well, we can't be certain – he claims to have been attacked by a scarecrow."

"A scarecrow?" Glinda repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh, yes," the captain confirmed. "He was in and out of conscience and overhead a male voice 'he thought I was a scarecrow,' so the force is assuming either a bewitched scarecrow or a disguise. Regardless, we can confirm two intruders and they might be in the palace still or nearby. We don't' have any evidence that they left."

"And we have to assume they're dangerous," Glinda could not help but agree with the captain. "Miss Evella just left-"

"She is being escorted home," Captain Tandy reassured, picking up on Glinda's worry. "There will be extra security tonight for your own safety. Perhaps you should consider closing the window this evening, Lady Glinda, until we can deem the palace safe again."

It was a suggestion Glinda would have shot down in a moment and Captain Tandy was probably waiting for that response, but Glinda actually hesitated. She looked towards the window and the curtains which were blowing gently with the light breeze. Would it be too chilly with it open for little Nissa? She did not know the answer, but she was not about to chance it either. It was odd – thinking of someone else, taking someone else into consideration.

"I'll close them at once," she answered which took him by surprise. He did not remember a time where she willingly agreed to close those damn windows. She must have really frightened by this situation.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Lady Glinda."

"Will there be any extra precautions for the areas directly affected by these intruders?" she asked.

The Captain nodded again. "There will be two guards outside here and two other patrolling the nearby hallways," he explained. "We will do the same for the tunnel. The palace is under lock down until morning. Guards are thoroughly searching inside and the grounds. Expanding the search any further would only raise suspicion. Not to mention, with all the festivities still going on, the streets of the city are still crowded. WE wouldn't be able to find them with the little amount of description that we currently have."

"Captain Tandy, I don't know how to express my gratitude for all that you and your men are doing."

"We are only doing our jobs, Lady Glinda," he replied. "It is our duty to protect you and we will do whatever it takes to make you feel safe, especially in a situation as troubling as this."

"Once again, thank you, Captain."

"Shall I inform you once the search has been completed?" he asked.

Glinda took a moment to consider the offer – another intrusion tonight? "If something comes up, if you find something, then please alert me at once," she answered. "Anything else can wait until morning. It's been a long day, even more so now."

Captain Tandy nodded and bowed slightly. He wished her a good night and was soon out the door which Glinda followed him to in order to lock it behind him. She sighed heavily before crossing the room to close the window as well.

Finally, some peace – if this is what one would call peace.

A year ago today, Glinda's life had drastically changed and in the course of one day, it had again. Little did she know that both events were caused by the same person.

To be continued