New chapter! Which I like much more than the last couple... Anyway, I hope you like it. If you've been reading my story Misconceptions, I finished it today. So take a look, if you haven't yet. Don't forget to read and review!


The woods were very simple. There was a pretty nice path, and Fiyero and Cade both quickly began to recognize the land outside Glinda's castle. They would reach the palace by dawn if they didn't stop to rest. Fiyero would've blushed if he could- it was the same woods where he and Elphaba had consummated their relationship. Luckily, no one else knew that.

It was just out of the City when they crossed paths with someone who they hadn't been expecting: the one and only Cowardly Lion. He was curled up, asleep in a little meadow, a sight that made Cade snicker and Glinda make that horrible, "aww" sound that all females, including Elphaba were capable of. He was planning on not waking the Lion, but the sound Glinda made roused him.

The Lion blinked a few times, trying to seem fierce. When he realized he recognized most of the traveling party, he relaxed. "Scarecrow, Lady Glinda! I... I was just resting my eyes." He was up quickly, bowing before Glinda's feet. "My pleasure to see you, your Majesty. Are you enjoying your stay in my forest?"

"It's..." a bug flew through her range of vision, and she squeeled. "It's perfectly beautiful, Lion. Thank you for your kind welcome."

He straightened, but bowed again. "Milady, what are you doing out with only two companions? No servants, guards? I could easily get you an escort to safety."

She frowned, not particularly wanting to share that information. She decided to try some of the truth. "Nothing to worry about, my dear," she explained, lightly fluffing the Lion's mane as if he were a house Cat. "A particularly strong Witch has just caused some trouble for a friend of mine... a very good friend of the Scarecrow's, actually." She paused to smile at him mischievously.

"A Mrs. Scarecrow?"

All eyes turned to Fiyero. "If I had my way," he muttered.

Glinda continued on. "We are simply going to have a... a conversation with her, and get her to kindly stop using her cruel spells."

"A b-bad W-w-witch?" the Lion stuttored. "You mean like the one... the Witch of the West?"

"No!" Polite manners and common sense were gone, but only for an instance. Morrible and Elphaba couldn't be compared. Morrible wasn't worthy of being spoken of in the same sentence as Elphie. "I mean, she is quite a different kind of Witch, not like the late Witch of the West. We'll deal with her, but we'd be better off sneaking up on her. That's why there are so few guards, just my good friends." Fiyero chuckled at seeing Cade perk up at being referred to as a 'good friend'.

The Lion bowed, yet again. "Lady Glinda, your Lovliness, I would be honored to accompany you to your destination."

Fiyero and Glinda exchanged a rather horrified look. Neither of them wanted the simple Lion to be harmed in the crossfire, and knew they wouldn't be able to deal with his fears. Fiyero stepped forward and addressed the Lion. "That would be wonderful, my friend. I'm sure you would be a big help... Gee, I really appreciate it. We could really use your help. Y'see, this Witch is a lot worse than the last one. Much more Wicked. And less compassionate. Miss Dorothy told me that she secretly never thought the Witch would really harm her." That was true; Dorothy had told him that not long before she left Oz. He'd wanted to tell her the whole truth right then and there, but knew it would be far too much for the little girl to handle. "But this Witch... no, she's definitely worse than before." Glinda smirked, amused by the good-country-boy act Fiyero put on. Had he kept that up the whole time he traveled with Dorothy?

The Lion looked down. "Y'know, Scarecrow, maybe I should keep an eye on my forest. Keep everyone safe. Unless you think you'd need my help."

Bingo! "I suppose we would have to get on without you. You're right. The forest needs protecting." Fiyero looked to Cade and Glinda. "As much as I hate to say it, we should be going."

"Wait!"

"Yes, Sir Lion?" Glinda regally asked.

"The Tinman has been living near here. I'm sure he'd love to help you all."

"Perhaps we will meet up with him," said Fiyero, with a broad smile. Once they were far enough away, he added to Glinda, "Maybe we should meet up with the Tinman."

"Why? Why should we bring someone else new into this? Someone who helped lead the Witch Hunts?"

"Technically, I was there, too. Besides, you brought Cade in... but you see, he wouldn't really be someone new... Back before... Tinman used to be a man, like I was... and we know him."

"Who?" Glinda's blue eyes were like saucers.

"Boq."

She blinked. "Who?"

He rolled his eyes. "Biq? Nessarose's boyfriend who was 'secretly' in love with you."

Realization dawned. "What?! That sweet boy.. what happened? Elphaba?"

"He and Nessa were arguing." He chuckled though nothing was particularly funny. "He wanted to leave her, so he could steal you away from me. She cast a spell on him, but it messed up. She caused him to lose his heart. Luckily, Elphaba was able to use her spell to save his life. Although he hasn't forgiven her, maybe if he sees that we are both on her side- more specifically that you are on his side- he will see our reason, and help us."

She frowned. "If you're so very sure..." She couldn't get the idea of her Munchkin suiter out of her head... That was horrible!

"I'm sure. He'd do anything for you."