Chapter 11

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I do not own anything from the Wizard of Oz, or the Lord of the Rings.

Scarecrow came over the hill and spotted Dorothy descending towards the opening gates of Emerald City. The Nargol began making a path for her. Scarecrow swallowed hard at the numbers on the Nargol. He almost felt sick looking at Emerald City, and seeing its destruction.

His royal horse Kronos said, "There she is, Majesty! Why is she moving like that?"

Scarecrow looked again, and spotted the image of Drigka before Dorothy.

"Oh no," he muttered. "She's under his spell."

The Nargol began to spot Scarecrow and readied their weapons.

"What do we do?" Kronos asked. Luckily, his trusty horse never backed away from battle.

Scarcecrow adjusted in the saddle. "I am going to grab her, and then we make for the hills in the south. It will be too dangerous to go back to the castle now."

"Then what?"

"We will make our way to one of the storage caves we have. Drigka can't track her there. I need to get her out of that spell," Scarecrow said. "There will be food and water supplied there."

Kronos nodded, and began to stomp his hooves. He was ready.

They took off in a gallop, and Scarecrow didn't have time think. The Nargol were running up on them fast.

He grabbed Dorothy who was like jelly in his arms, and placed her in front of him on the saddle.

Kronos kicked a few of them that were coming behind. With Dorothy one on arm, and his sword in another, he began slashing at any Nargol that were in his sight.

"Go!" Scarecrow yelled, satisfied that Dorothy was secure.

Kronos then took off into the wind. He managed to maneuver around some Nargol who were trying to surround them. Arrows began to fly past them as they galloped away.

Scarecrow placed his sword back in its scabbard, and turned to look behind him.

He could still see them, but they were too unorganized right now to get an army going after them.

He turned to look forward again, and spotted the image of Drigka in front of him.

"You will never win this war, Scarecrow," he said. "Besides, I need a queen too."

He could see Drigka's powers fading, as they got farther away from Emerald City, though his spells never faded unless counteracted.

"I would die before I see that happen, and I would die before I would let her become your queen!"

Drigka laughed mockingly. "That will be arranged straw man. I have toyed with you long enough."

Scarecrow tried to ignore the image.

"If you surrender now. I promise Oz will be well taken care of. I might even let you live," he said.

"Never!"

"Dorothy will be my queen, and I will rule Oz," Drigka said before finally fading out.

"I don't think we are being followed, you majesty," Kronos said still galloping at full speed.

So, he wanted Dorothy alive after all, Scarecrow thought. Not only was Oz his prize, but also Dorothy was his prize as well, his ultimate prize.

Scarecrow shook his head at the thought. What better way to get revenge on the farm girl who crushed one sister, and burned another than to marry her. It would be a lifetime of suffering for Dorothy, and Drigka would make sure of it.

Scarecrow looked behind him, and was satisfied the Nargol couldn't get their defenses ready in time to give chase.

He looked down at Dorothy, and could not see her face through her hair. All he knew was she was limp in his arm.

He checked to make sure she was breathing, and she was.

The overwhelming guilt of what just happened hit him like ton of bricks. If she had made it into that castle, it would have been over. For her and for Oz.

He couldn't bear the thought of Drigka would do to her. His own pride almost caused all of this, but he would make it right.

Finally, after riding hard for a long time, Kronos felt it was safe enough to slow down. Scarecrow knew he was exhausted.

"Always loyal, my friend," Scarecrow said patting his mane. He knew they were close to the caves.

Kronos snorted in thanks. "Is Dorothy alright?" He asked worried.

"She is still under his spell, but being this far away I can break it easier," Scarecrow said. "I have to keep her hidden until I can make sure the spell is broken."

The caves that Scarecrow was taking Dorothy to were actually the Emerald mines located at the tip of Munchkin Country.

Mining had been abandoned once the war had begun, and they were now used for storage of weapons and rations.

They arrived at the opening, and Scarecrow came down off of Kronos, and brought Dorothy down. He held her bridal style, as they made their way into the cave with Kronos managing to get the door open and then following close behind.

Scarecrow looked down at Dorothy's face. He could already see the affects of the spell were having on her. She was shivering in his arms, and her eyes were tightly closed.

The cave looked more like a military base now. There were cots and other supplies everywhere. All courtesy of Oscar to make sure they were always supplied and ready.

It was big enough for Kronos to get through.

There was enough light to see into the cave for about 100 feet and then it became dark.

Scarecrow gently placed Dorothy on one of the cots, and began lighting the lamps around the cave. Thankfully, these fires were contained.

Kronos kept nuzzling Dorothy with a worried look on his face.

"She is shaking pretty badly, your majesty," Kronos said.

Scarecrow nodded and came over and put his hand on Dorothy's forehead. She wasn't running a fever, but her reactions were almost like she was.

He cursed his own selfish pride.

"It is almost like a state of euphoria that she needs to come out of. Her conscious mind is fighting her subconscious one. You know when the Gilkins decide to smoke the poppies. It is almost like that," he said rubbing her forehead.

"Do you know the spell the counteract this?"

"Yes, Glinda taught me it, but it can take days depending on how strong one's mind is," he said.

Scarecrow got up and began to pet Kronos's mane. "I have a mission for you."

Kronos snorted in surprise. "I don't want to leave you here alone, your majesty."

Scarecrow was adamant. "No, this is important. First, I want you to ride to the Munchkins and let the mayor know I am here, but I want him to keep it a secret. I want him to send out his spies for Nargol, but not to tell them where I am located unless absolutely necessary."

Kronos was still doubtful about leaving his king and Dorothy, but he nodded.

"Then head back to the castle, and alert Oscar of where I am. Tell him to not say a word to where I am with Dorothy. He may let Lion and Tin Man know, they may need to be ready for battle. I want you back here in 3 days, and we will plan from there. They will be safe for now, but if Dorothy and I showed up now we would be at war, and we are not ready for that kind of big battle yet."

Kronos knew not to argue. The king was right. He and Dorothy were placing his people in great danger.

"Yes, your majesty," Kronos said bowing as best he could to his King.

Kronos nuzzled Dorothy one last time, and took off from the cave. Scarecrow closed the improvised door to the cave, but only after searching the area with sword drawn. It was quiet out here, but he had to make sure.

He looked off to the west, and could see clouds forming in the distance.

Rain was coming.

The cave drew a little darker as he sealed the door. He then removed his hat, and took off the belt that held his sword.

He wanted to cry as he kneeled down beside Dorothy. She was shaking so bad, that she had turned to her side and was now in a fetal position. She kept mumbling things in her trance. He needed to work quickly. He knew she was trying to fight it, but she needed help.

He covered her in a blanket and got some water.

"Dorothy," he said softly.

She did respond to him, and opened her eyes, but it saddened him greatly that there was only a blank stare.

Suddenly, Dorothy began to shake her head furiously. She began to cry out, and look around frantically.

"He is still trying to get me!" She yelled out.

Scarecrow put down the water, and held her by the shoulders.

"I know. It will be over soon," he said. "I need you to relax."

"I can still see him!"

Scarecrow knew he had to start quickly or Drigka could have a chance of finding her again.

"He is pulling me to him!"

Dorothy looked around, but Scarecrow knew she couldn't see her surroundings. He had to somehow get her to relax.

She looked at Scarecrow, and he eyes were wide with terror. "I will not be his queen!"

Scarecrow shook his head. "I know. Keeping fighting it."

Dorothy suddenly grasped Scarecrow's shirt with a fury. "I will not let you die!"

Scarecrow looked at Dorothy, but tried to pry his shirt from her grasp. He was actually surprised at her strength. "I am not going to die," he said softly again.

Dorothy then rubbed her temples. "I saw you. You burned."

"He was trying to trick you. Come on, keep fighting it, none of it is real," Scarecrow said.

Dorothy began softly sobbing, and she leaned into Scarecrow's chest. He gently rubbed her auburn hair. He could see that she was relaxed enough to counteract the spell.

He then made her look at him. Her eyes were still frightened, but she seemed to understand that it was he, and not Drigka.

Scarecrow looked down at her, and caressed her cheek. "Dorothy….. this will not be easy.

Somehow she knew what was coming next. She closed her eyes, and titled her head back slightly.

Scarecrow's mouth began to quiver as he said, "Dorothy, I love you. I always have."

He then placed a hand on her forehead, and began the incantation.

He could tell in the next moment she was completely out. It was up to her now. She had more strength to fight it.

He placed her against his chest, and held her there as the rain began to pound away above them.

…

Dorothy's thoughts turned from burning, ashes, and dust to green grass and fields with flowers. Her memories began to take over as she walked up to the cornfields, and spotted a Scarecrow hanging from a pole. She remembered with a smile as he tried to trick her when she was wondering where she was and which way to go.

Your mind is free again.

Dorothy's eyes fluttered open, and as they began to focus she frowned in confusion.

She looked up to a ceiling that looked like stone. Yet, a vein of sparkling green ran through it. Wow, they're emeralds! A soft yellow light reflected off the rest of the rock.

Yet, she didn't know where she was. Where was Drigka? Did he get her? Was she in a dungeon in Emerald City?

She began to take deep panicky breaths. Where was she?

"You're safe. You need to rest," a voice said from the other side of the room.

Dorothy felt relieved at the voice she heard, and she smiled slightly.

She finally turned her head to see Scarecrow sitting on the floor adjacent to her. He leaned against the far wall of wherever this place was in a relaxed position with his left arm resting on his left knee.

He had on a simple shirt, and pants, and Dorothy wanted to smile when she recognized his farmer's hat. His sword was resting at his side.

Dorothy adjusted and sat up a little. "Where are we? What happened?"

She ran her hand through her hair, and found it to be matted in some places from sweat.

She looked down and blushed. She was no longer in her dress, but another simple shirt and soft pants.

What happened to my dress? Oh dear…..

Without a word Scarecrow got up and sat down next to Dorothy on the floor. He looked up at her, his blue eyes soft.

"It's alright. We are safe here. We are in the emerald mines," Scarecrow answered.

Dorothy looked around again. The veins of the emeralds were dazzling despite the low light. She eyed other things like cot like beds and water barrels. There were also weapons, and boxes everywhere.

"How long have I been like this?" She asked looking back down at Scarecrow.

Scarecrow shrugged. "A little over a day. You came out of it fast."

Dorothy looked at him confused. What the hell had happened to her? She remembered walking towards Emerald City on the yellow brick road, and then suddenly the nightmares began.

She began to breathe a little heavily at the memories, and Scarecrow took her hand in his.

"What happened to me?" She asked a little panicked.

Scarecrow rubbed her hand with his soft-gloved thumb. Despite herself, Dorothy shivered a little at the touch.

"Drigka put you under a trance like spell. I came and got you, and brought you here. If I had taken you back to the castle, he would have sent an army after us. Besides, he has no powers here, and I could break it without interference," he explained.

Dorothy felt some tears wet her eyes, and she looked down at Scarecrow. "You came for me again…"

Scarecrow got up and Dorothy moved over in the small bed a little to let him sit down. He was now facing her.

He lowered his head a little. "It was my fault. I never meant to hurt you or have you do what you did."

Dorothy put her hand on his shoulder, and said, "I know. I acted really stupid, but I thought you didn't want me around. I was trying to do the right thing, and I thought I was…."

Scarecrow looked up at her, and she smiled a little. "No, Dorothy. What happened wasn't your fault. I should have never said what I said. I let my own pride get in the way. The castle was attacked for the first time under my rule. I am losing this war, and I took it out on you, and for that I am sorry. You brought hope back with you, and I should appreciate that."

Dorothy felt a few tears run down her cheeks. "You saved me again. I will always appreciate that," she said softly. "You are not losing this war. I know you will think of a way through it. I can help if you let me."

Scarecrow smiled and said, "You saved me first. I wanted you to stay safe, but now I realize that I need you here more than my brain wanted me to admit."

Scarecrow then took Dorothy in his arms, and he felt so warm to her, and solid. She sighed a little. She wanted to stay like this forever.

"You get some rest," he murmured stroking her hair.

She lifted her head to him, and asked. "May I get a drink of water first?"

He smiled back down at her. "Of course, my lady."

Dorothy hated having him leave her, but she was thirsty. She suddenly felt empty when he rose.

He handed her a cup of water, and she drank it all down.

Scarecrow chuckled when she looked down at her clothing and blushed again.

"Your dress fell apart," he explained uncomfortably, but smiled.

She gave him a mischievous look. "Well, I'm glad you find that funny, your highness."

Suddenly, Scarecrow took the cup from her, and took her in his arms again. His lips found hers softly, and she responded with a contended sigh.

How he wanted more from her. He would give anything to feel her warm body against his. If only for a moment…

They parted and Dorothy smiled softly at him, her eyes glazed over in the light of the lanterns. She was thinking the same thing, he thought happily.

He leaned into her ear and whispered, "You're beautiful, and perfect."

She blushed again, and asked, "How long will we be here?"

"Kronos should be back within a day," he said still stroking her hair.

Dorothy looked a little disappointed, and it almost made him laugh. He was having the same thoughts.

"What are you thinking?"

She looked up at him again and said seriously, "Just how wonderful it is to be here with just you. I wish we could stay here. Am I being selfish?"

She frowned at her own words.

Scarecrow chuckled again. "You are not the only one that feels that way. Selfish or not."

Dorothy smiled and Scarecrow held her, as she got comfortable on his chest. He continued to stroke her hair as her breathing became soft.

…..

I am going to end the chapter here, because I have big plans for the next one. I have it written, but some things I want to add. They will continue in the emerald mines in the next chapter.