Perfunctory Disclaimer- I don't own any of the people or places except the ones I create.
Chapter 4- Weddings and Wishes
Glinda survived her first official Witch's Ceremony with little difficulty, as she had proven herself at the Fall Festival as a capable replacement for Goodie Ardell. People were slowly beginning to respect her, and though Ardell was not forgotten, they were growing accustomed to seeing their new, blossoming Good Witch of the North.
The Gillikin Region, which made up most of the Northern Quadrant, was known for its harsh winters. Snows came early and unexpectedly. Orrie was granted an extra stay of his leave, since his regiment was stationed in the upper part of the Quadrant, and they were snowbound. He could not get to them, and they could not move out until the weather improved. And, it seemed likely that if Mombi was anywhere in the North, she wasn't going to be leaving anytime soon. Not even a witch as powerful as she was reputed to be could change the weather.
Because the weather was much different in the Emerald City and its surrounding townships, the train bearing Gandy left the train depot on schedule, but was only able to progress to a little town in the Northern Quadrant called Loonshire, before it had to disembark any passengers heading for the Gillikin region and change course. Poor Gandy was left stranded with his baggage for the two and a half hours it took for Grimmz and Orrie to hitch a sleigh up and ride out to meet him. Fortunately, they had known in advance, from the talk that Grimmz's patients had told him while he tended to him during his difficult journeys in the adverse weather, that the train would not journey all the way in. For this reason, Grimmz had gotten the sleigh, since he knew the weather would not excuse him from his duties.
With Gandy safely at home for his Winter Solstice break, wedding plans for Gereth Minor and DeMia began in earnest. DeMia's two children looked ecstatic about the whole affair. Erystin would throw the flower petals that her mother would tread upon, and Caprio would carry the wedding pendant that Gereth Minor would present to his bride to wear. By now, Glinda knew the story of how the two became acquainted. Apparently, during his apprenticeship, Gereth Minor had been called to the home of DeMia to cure Caprio, who'd been only three at the time. DeMia had only been widowed for six months, and little Erystin was just a year old. Caprio was so ill, that it looked as though he would be joining his father soon. It took all of Gereth Minor's medical skills and abilities in sorcery to heal the child, but at last, Caprio regained his health. He also placed a precautionary blessing on Erystin, so that she should not fall ill. So strong was the blessing, that so far, Erystin had never known a day of sickness in her life. However, it took many months of healing and enchantments for Caprio to recover. By then, DeMia had started to develop feelings for Gereth Minor. He, too, was growing fond of DeMia. DeMia explained that her marriage, though not unhappy, had been arranged by her father for the family's financial benefit. Her late husband had been much older than she, and when he died, he'd left the family well cared for. She had liked the man well enough, but to say she'd loved him…
Love was a word she used for Gereth Minor, and for her children.
Now, she was simply astonished at the fact that she was having what her daughter stated was a fairy tale wedding in the Good Witch's Palace! Indeed, it was true. The palace was being decked out in purple, lavender and white streamers, and DeMia and Erysitin both were being helped by two of Glinda's handmaidens into their beautiful, lavender gowns. There hadn't been a wedding at the palace since Gereth and Cambria had married so long ago. Nanny Ma questioned why Glinda was choosing to wear the same purple gown today that she'd worn to lead the Fall Festival not long ago, and Glinda told her it was because she had no wish to outshine the bride. However, in her hair, she wore jeweled combs rather than the Northern Crown.
The men were dressing in another wing of rooms in the palace. Every now and then, Glinda could hear the bells of the door peal, announcing the arrival of guests. The butler would admit them and seat them in the great hall where the wedding would be held. One guest, however, was shown upstairs to where the ladies were dressing. This was one Tambra Temby of Munchkinland, with her cheeks flushed pink from the cold. Even though she didn't know Gereth Minor very well, she'd been invited on the merit of being present at his wedding announcement to Glinda.
"Tambra, I'm ever so glad to see you could come!" Glinda cried as Tikka finished with the last of her makeup.
"Things are typically quiet after the Witch's Ceremony, so I didn't think I'd have much trouble slipping away. Of course, I told my parents I'm visiting Tavvia, so if word goes anywhere, that's where folks will think I'm heading. No one would suppose I'm coming here with the snow and that anyways."
"How is Tavvia? I haven't had a letter from her in ages!"
"Much too busy to write me much too, I suppose. But, Kyndie still writes all the time, and says that Tavvia is a spectacular teacher. One of the girls' favorites, now. Maybe that accounts for it. Of course, Kyndie lives in Quadling Country and won't be seeing us this winter."
"I suppose not. Once she graduates, I suppose we won't hear much from her at all."
"Not true. She loves letters, and knows where to find us all."
"So, what's the latest on our Easterly Menace?"
Tambra giggled, but her laugh sounded pinched, and her face somehow looked somber beneath her forced merriment.
"She's so plumb awful her own mother won't live in the East anymore! Can you believe it? No one has seen a hair of Landa since the Spring Fling! I believe she's gone out West for good, and that says a lot for Landa, since the West is so uncivilized. Lile's gotten so powerful, she's about stripped the rest of us witches of all of our powers, and made it unlawful for us to do nearly anything! She's saying it's for the people's own good that no sorcery is practiced except her own, until Mombi is caught…so this year's Witch's Ceremony was just a big sham!"
"Unlawful! What, to do curse liftings and field blessings and the like?"
"You heard me. Essentially, us witches have become glorified errand girls. If anyone has a curse, a blessing, a potion, or anything else, we just collect it and bring it to her. She then sees to it."
"Uggh!" Glinda protested, as her slippers were brought to her. She slid her feet into them, and then dismissed her handmaiden. Then, she fished around in a box on top of her dresser for the small key which unlocked a small closet where she kept her wand locked up.
"How can you stand it?" she asked, once she was completely attired and ready for the day's activities.
"I do what I must. I know I have a better purpose in life," she returned with a small, bitter smile.
Together, the descended the stairs and made their way to the great hall, which was full of seated guests. It smelled of lightly scented incense, damp wool, polished wood, and burning candles. The musicians were warming up in a corner of the hall, awaiting their cue to play. Tambra found herself a seat, and the musicians, at the sight of Glinda, found something better than scales to occupy their time.
She was not an official part of the wedding party, nor was she expected to say anything at the ceremony, except at the very end. For this, she was immensely relieved. Orrie was not officially in the wedding either, and she found him sitting in the front row, which was otherwise vacant. As usual, he wore his dress uniform and looked splendid in it. They were settled on the Groom's side, and all of the other empty seats would remain vacant for her brothers and her father when they finished their parts in the ceremony. However, there were a few too many, so Glinda craned around and motioned for Tambra to join her up front. Orrie leaned over and whispered in her ear:
"Grimmz will be thrilled to see her here!"
"Oh?"
"I'll tell more later. Here she comes."
Tambra slid into her new seat just as the wedding music began to play, and her brothers each escorted a member of DeMia's family to their seats. Glinda's father gave a ceremonial corsage to DeMia's mother, and DeMia's father gave Glinda's father one to accept on behalf of Cambria. This part of the ceremony brought stinging tears to Glinda's eyes. Then, the priest summoned forth Gereth Minor, who walked down the aisle, followed closely by Caprio, carrying the wedding pendant in a reed basket. A wreath of wheat and purple flowers was placed upon his head. Then, DeMia was summoned forth. Erystin walked ahead of her, scattering a carpet of purple blooms. When DeMia reached the altar, she too was crowned with a wreath of wheat and flowers. The priest's ceremony was rather short, twenty minute affair that culminated with Gereth Minor placing the pendant around DeMia's neck. Then, Glinda was summoned to the fore to give the nuptial blessing of fertility and everlasting love. This she did with graceful sweeps of her wand; her melodious voice easily reaching every corner of the great hall. Then she quietly took her seat, and the priest announced the couple as man and wife. They were permitted to share their nuptial kiss to the cheering of the assemblage.
Now, Glinda was officially an aunt, she could dote on the two young charges in the palace. During the celebration that followed, she allowed Erystin the privilege of holding her wand for a few minutes, which was as tall as she was, and she allowed Caprio to shove up his sleeves and splash his hands about in the fountain that graced the indoor courtyard. She also made certain they were served as many apple tarts as they could eat, as long as they promised not to spoil their dinners. Eventually, of course, they were turned over to Nanny Ma, but not before Glinda had a chance to delight in them.
The musicians played many lively tunes, and before long, Glinda recognized the first strands of 'Could It Be You' beginning. Orrie swept her into his arms as if he read her mind, and they took their spot on the dance floor, pressing close to each other.
"Look over there, to the left," Orrie urged her, using the tip of his chin against the top of her head in a light pressure to guide her in the general direction of where he wished her to look. Glinda obliged, and saw that Grimmz and Tambra were coupled up and dancing together.
"Nah…you don't suppose?" she asked in light amusement.
"I do suppose! I'm his best friend!"
"But Tambra's one of my best friends! Surely she'd tell me if she had feelings for Grimmz!"
"I did not say they were entirely requited. In fact, I'm sure she's oblivious."
"Really?"
"Oh, really. He's quite smitten with her. He thinks she's just the most adorable thing…"
"Well, she is," Glinda returned thoughtfully, wondering just how she'd feel about Grimmz getting on with one of her friends. But, then again, could she blame him? She'd done just the same to him, so she supposed she owed him one.
"I'll put in a good word for him, but she is in a very precarious spot with her spying activities and all…"
"He's quite aware of it, and says he'd be no trouble."
"Grimmz put you up to this, didn't he?"
"Of course he did, my darling!"
With a laugh, he twirled her around, and Glinda couldn't help but to laugh too.
The family lodged the night in the palace, as it was far too cold to travel home, even to the House In Waiting, which was not that far away. Orrie and Tambra were put up as well, and so were DeMia's parents.
As Glinda sipped on her customary tea for the night, wrapped up in the robe that Orrie had given to her, there came a knock at her bedroom door. Glinda was presently retiring in the sitting room suite next to the bedroom, as her bath maidens had just finished toweling her dry. Her handmaiden had just presented her with the tea, and looked surprised to hear the knock, as indeed, Glinda was too. Tikka went to answer the door, expecting to be rudely shoved aside by Nanny Ma, but then again, if it was Nanny Ma, she wouldn't even bother to knock.
"My Lady, it is your brother. Should I send him away until morning?"
"Heavens, no. Show him in," Glinda instructed, "And make him some tea."
This was done, and Gandy shuffled in, looking a bit nervous. He'd grown even more in the time he'd been gone and was at least as tall as Gereth Minor, though not nearly as filled out. Glinda indicated a stuffed chair on the other side of a nice, warm brazier, and Gandy was handed his cup of brandied tea.
"What brings you here at such a late hour? Is your room not to your liking?" she asked, curiously. She did suppose he'd outgrown his need to sleep with someone, although she knew he bunked up at Broden.
"My room is fine. There's actually a matter I wished to ask you about, and I didn't want a room full of company, if you please."
His eyes swiveled up at the prying handmaiden as he spoke, who immediately moved to make herself useful elsewhere.
"It is so hard to get privacy anymore, isn't it?" Glinda agreed.
"I'm entering mid-level studies at Broden, and my heart's not in what I'm learning," he confessed to her, "So if I am going to change my major, I must do it now, by return from Solstice Break. I've come to ask you if I may."
"Change your major? From what to what? I thought they only taught two things at Broden…medicine and sorcery," Glinda returned thoughtfully.
"Yes, that is true. But there are two programs of medicine to choose from. One may either choose the science of healing people, or the science of healing animals. I know, traditionally, that our family has always chosen to heal people, but I think I'd like to be a veterinarian. Aren't there enough people healers in Gillikin Country?"
"You'd rather heal animals?"
"I've always loved them. You know me."
Glinda thought hard about it for a moment. Gandy certainly would be making ripples in the family, but then again, she had heard a farmer's bitter complaints at the Festival about two cows he'd lost to a strange stomach ailment earlier that year. If there had been more qualified veterinary doctors about, perhaps those cows could have been saved. So many people in the region depended on their animals for their livelihoods. Without a good doctor to care for their stock, they would be reduced to a poverty that could sicken them quickly, and force them to require the services of a people doctor whose services they'd be ill able to afford. Quickly, Glinda's mind was made up.
"Very well, Gandy. You may change your major. I hope you study hard. We will already be requiring your services around here when you graduate," Glinda told him.
"Do you think Father and my brothers will be at all upset with my choice?"
"I'll quiet any objections they could have, and I'll wait until you're gone to tell them, so you won't have to hear them."
"Oh, thank you! Now I won't have to dread returning to school!"
Gandy left a few minutes later with a bounce in his step and his good nature returned to him.
At last, Glinda was left alone for the night, with a full house of those she cared for most beneath her roof. A toasty fire blazed in the fireplace in her master suite to ward off the chill of the winter night. She had granted two wishes thus far in her career, and it hadn't even required any magic on her part to do so, just a little wisdom and a lot of love. She hoped that all of the wishes to grant in her lifetime would be this easy, but somehow she knew they would not be. Meanwhile, she had a wish of her own, but there was no magic she would dare use to obtain it. Only hopeful patience, perhaps, would unite Orrie to her for good.