A/N: Oh my Garland you guys, I'm so terribly sorry about the late update. There's been a lot going on (freaking out about Doctor Who 50th anniversary is one of the many reasons) and I hadn't had the time to sit down and write properly. Thank you very much for all of your reviews! I'm glad you like the story so far. And you got it! It was a Jitterbug reference. I'm still gutted about them cutting that scene out.
A mocking snicker escaped unintentionally from Hunk's lips. Then he started laughing more and more until he couldn't stop himself anymore. Grogry stared at him, outraged for this man's behaviour and impertinence towards the name of his land. So he went ahead and did what any other educated, decent and respectful senior would do. He kicked him real hard on his right calf.
"Ow!" The mocking laughter died immediately and Hunk started jumping away, one hand reaching for his now hurting leg, from the old man who strode towards him with a cane raised above his head in a threatening manner. A misstep was all it took to send Hunk straight to the ground once again.
"Stop! Stop that!" The dark haired boy pleaded once Grogry's cane was raised right above his groin "Listen bud, I'm sorry. I-I just didn't kno'" He eyed the still-on-the-air cane nervously "I just never thought all of this here was real. It-it just seems like a dream now. Or perhaps Zeke and Hickory found me and killed me and I'm already dead, who knows but-
"I do not understand any of the nonsense you're babbling about – sir" He added with a sneer.
"Com'on man, I already said I was sorry. I just wanna see Dorothy and get back to freakin' Kansas or wake up or resurrect or somethin'"
"But sir, in order for you to come back to life you must have previously died. That, of course, can be easily fixed"
"Grogry!" A high-pitched girly voice was heard behind the old man "What do you think you're doing?! Put that cane down in this instant!"
The elder man sighed, muttering bitterly under his breath. The cane was lowered and from behind the senior an equally old woman appeared into view. She was as tiny as Grogry, wearing a blue dress that matched her eyes and with her white hair curled under what it looked like a French attifet.
'She looks like Mrs. Claus' Hunk thought as she drew nearer, slipping into the spirit of Christmas for a small second, even if he never received any presents besides Hickory's old worn socks. At least he got to have some of Mrs. Gale pecan pie every Christmas dinner.
"This young fool had the courage mock our dear Land of Oz right in front of me and I wasn't going to allow such behav-
"Oh, blah blah blah. Always hitting people with your old cane because of your extreme patriotism. Next thing I know you'll be building up a barricade right on the borders of Munchkinland!"
"Now, you listen to me, I-
"Okay, young man" She quickly interrupted, turning her attention to a still very baffled Hunk lying on the ground "My name is Mrs. Billike. I'm very sorry about my husband's behaviour towards you" A growl was heard behind them but it was utterly ignored "Now, if you come with me I'll take you to see Miss. Dorothy"
"Oh, thank you very much ma'am" Hunk said, getting on his feet and regretting it right on the spot as his leg was still throbbing in pain.
"Oh, we better get you something for that too, honey. Come with me"
Grogry sneered at the limping Hunk slowly making his way to wherever Dorothy was.
"And I hope you learned your lesson!" He sighed and smiled in satisfaction "Vive la Oz"
Dorothy was wide awake, happily chatting with the Munchkins who had her bed completely surrounded. One Munchkin told her they had found the young man she had described and was going to be summoned to her immediately, but there wasn't any sign of her Hunk just yet. A baby Munchkin distracted her from her thoughts, as he crawled onto the bed and offered her a tiny flower with an idolizing look in his eyes. Dorothy smiled and gently placed the infant on her lap, giving him a loving kiss on his forehead. Some of the Munchkins cheered and others cried at the perfect scene they were witnessing.
They chatter faded away as the door opened and one of the guards yelled his announcement "Mrs. Billike and Miss. Dorothy's buffoon"
"I already told ya' hundreds of times, I'm not her buffoon!" Hunk complained as he came into the room, eyes immediately finding Dorothy.
Dorothy smiled brightly and placed the baby Munchkin back on the bed before jumping to her feet and running towards her friend, hugging him as tightly as humanly possible "I'm so glad you're okay, Hunk"
Forgetting everything about his hurting leg, the dark haired boy lifted Dorothy from the floor and spun her around for a few seconds, making her giggle adorably before placing her back on her feet.
They stared into each other eyes for some time before Hunk cleared his throat "So...Oz. Not how I pictured it"
Dorothy giggled again "I'm sorry about the incident you had with Grogry"
"Gossip goes around like mad 'round here"
"Excuse me, Miss. Gale" Billike said "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to have a word with you. Alone"
"Oh. Well, of course Mrs. Billike; Listen, everyone" She said, turning her attention to all the Munchkins absorbing her presence behind her "I'm very thankful for all of your kind attention. But for now if you're so kind, I'd like to be alone for a moment, so my companions and I can rest properly"
The room was empty before Dorothy could even finish her request, every Munchkin committed to fulfil everything the young woman asked for. Hunk looked impressed, and as Mrs. Billike turned to lock the door he mouthed a 'You got the power' to her.
"Now, Miss. Gale, I-
Her eyes fell on Hunk, who was inspecting the house closely, accidentally making one of the portraits on the wall fall and shatter into pieces. Dorothy cringed. He picked the portrait up guiltily and swept the broken glass underneath the bookcase with his foot.
He cleared his throat, looking back at the two women "Um...So, how do we fit in here?"
"Interesting question, Mr...-
"Just Hunk"
"Mr. Just Hunk. It's actually an enchantment Lady Glinda put upon this house in case something like this happened. I suppose she sort of knew."
Billike and Dorothy exchanged smiles at the mention of Glinda, but Hunk looked as confused as ever.
"...Which means?"
"Which means it's bigger on the inside. Now, Mr. Just Hunk, if you excuse us, Miss. Dorothy and I would like to discuss something very important"
"Mrs. Billike, I do apologize but, wherever I go, Hunk shall come too. So he will stay"
The elder woman sighed, but still fulfilled Dorothy's wish. As much as she found Hunk quite sympathetic, he could be quite, well, childlike.
"I don't see why not. Just keep quiet, Mr. Just Hunk. This is an important matter"
The young farmhand looked rather offended and was ready to answer back, but Dorothy took his hand right on time and sat him down on the bed next to her.
"Miss. Gale...You have no idea the perfect timing you've had with your arrival. Something bad is happening in Oz, at the moment. There was something we didn't know years ago. The witch...she had an apprentice. No...She had a son"
"Wait, the witch? Ya' don't mean a real witch, do you? Ya' mean like...like Zeke in the early mornin', right?"
"Hunk, no, I-
"Why of course I'm talking about a real witch, Mr. Just Hunk. The Wicked Witch of the West, the one Miss. Gale melted on that wonderful day Oz was set free!"
"...Dorohy, ya' actually killed someone?!"
"It wasn't my fault. I-I didn't know, I just-
"There is nothing to be ashamed of, my dear! You saved Oz! And you freed us from the evil hands of the Wicked Witch of the East as well!"
"Jiminy Cricket, Dorothy! Why would you-
"That-That wasn't me either, Hunk! It was the twister! It made the house land on top of her and-
"You squished an old woman with a house?!"
"Hunk! I thought you knew all this already. I told you everything about it, almost every day. You believed me, you...At least you said you did"
"I did!"
"Then why are you-
"I'm sorry to interrupt...again, Miss. Gale. I do understand how confusing this situation can be to your friend. And I'm sure you'd like to hear more about Oz's situation"
"Well, of course"
"But, upon seeing how these current events are...interestingly unfolding, I'd rather wait for someone very special to arrive to Munchkinland. I'm sure he'll explain everything better than I ever will"
"Who's comin' over?" Asked Hunk "And please don't say the tooth fairy"
"Actually, it's our beloved King. His Highness the Scarecrow"
Dorothy's eyes lighted up "Scarecrow is coming to visit?"
"Of course he is, my dear. And he's going to be here for more than just visiting. He's coming over to ask you to be his Queen"
Silence.
Shock on every single one of Dorothy's features.
And then Hunk.
"...HUH?"
Sort of short chapter, but hopefully next one will be longer. Do not fret my friends, the Scarecrow will not be an antagonist in this story. I love him too much. And there you go, more various references (I actually enjoy those)
And keep reviewing guys! I take every suggestion into account. Your reviews keep me going so thank you very much :)
(Happy Doctor Who anniversary to all the Whovians out there!)