A round table and a group of men, they sat like King Artur and his knights.
"What should we do?" One asked.
"Remove her!" Shouted another.
"Gentleman, gentlemen." The smallest man, but the obvious leader, tried to quell his comrades. "In normal circumstances, yes, removing her would be the answer. But with The Vinkuns, The Quadlings and a band of traitors from Gillikin, I'm afraid if we want to avoid an all-out war, we must leave her be...for the moment."
"Are we just supposed to sit here and do nothing then?" The large man on The Wizard's right commented.
"No, Chuffrey. We give her what she wants."
Murmurs passed from ear-to-ear and harsh glares were sent in the leader's direction.
"You plan on reforming Animal rights?"
"No, definitely not! Our Animal policy has proved highly successful, there are none such beings left in The City or in the main towns of Gillikin. Trade has increased in these parts and we have provided the poor with the chance of a wage. More and more would-be criminals are turning their backs on their illegal doings and are now rounding up Animals and others who oppose our regimes."
"But that is what she called for, is it not? At her inauguration, she stated she would fight us, on that basis."
"That is true, Chuffrey. I had hoped your wife would come in useful and tell us what she so obviously knows...but that is neither here, nor there now. I hadn't foreseen The Eminent Thropp to gain such a large number of support so quickly. At this moment in time, they have us surrounded, we are not prepared to fight, but I don't think we'll need to."
"What do you mean, Your Ozness?"
"The Eminent Thropp has given us an ultimatum. Either we give into her demands, or she will force us into a state of warfare."
"And what are her demands?"
"An election. Open to all the citizens of Oz."
XXX
The petite blonde had never driven a car in her life. She was surprised she had made it this far before the inevitable crash came. There was nothing left to do except run. She ran as fast as her legs would permit, the past month playing out in her mind...
XXX
The Emerald City Chronicle
ELECTION POLLS ARE PROMISING
WIZARD PROMISES WONDERS WHEN HE WINS!
The day of Oz's first general election draws nearer and nearer. Ever since The Palace announced it would take place, over four months ago, the streets of every province have been littered with campaign talk.
On the last day of this month, the first month of the new year, Oz will select its leader. Many expected an array of characters to vie for the post, but, as we know, it has turned into a two-horse race.
Our dearly beloved Wizard, the man who rescued our land from darkness and chaos, has promised to create more jobs and affordable housing. He is backed by several Dukes, Marquesses, Earls and Barons, who have pledged their gold in support.
"When The Wizard wins, Oz will only prosper!" Said Baron Chuffrey, a long-term funder of government and man of many charitable works.
"This whole election business is an absolute waste of money and time! It's an absolute joke, set up by ridiculous left-wing extremists to defame our poor Wizard. Who on earth is going to vote a Lion into The Palace?" The Duke of Phan said, when asked how he would be voting.
Many up-standing members of society are thinking along these same lines. Out of the 322 we interviewed in The City center, yesterday afternoon, 70% though the whole thing a lark, 23% didn't understand what was being debated, as there is no issue with our modern Oz, and only 7% said they found The Lion's arguments compelling.
The other party in this nonsensical pageant, Mr Brrr, The Lion, has published a manifesto that one may find at the comedy theatre. Mr Brrr says he'll see to it that Animals have the same rights as mankind along with a major social welfare reformation. Mr Brrr's only supporters seem to be societal outcasts, led by the disturbed, Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland.
Miss Thropp suffers from a curious affliction of the skin which seems to have addled her mind. That is another one of The Wizard's pledges, to institutionalize those who suffer from mental illness, and other such oddities, in order to give them proper treatment, as well as prevent any further cases.
Upon reading the last paragraph, The Baroness Chuffrey threw the newspaper down in disgust. She was unable to rid her mind of the horrendous words, just as she was unable to remove the ink from her fingers.
Ever since the snap election had been announced, every mainstream news source had been printing damning stories about the Thropp family and their allies. The Wizard was doing a splendid job, and when he won (for of course, he would win, how could he not when the public's mind was being filled with such rubbish?) Glinda knew, he would keep good on his last promise. Who knew what tortures lay in store for those who had dared to stand up to him.
Ever since the night before the opening of parliament, Glinda had been confined to her home. The Eminent Thropp had indeed visited The Wizard the following day, but she had not been alone. Fiyero, Avaric and a Quadling official had accompanied her, and together they had got their wish, Oz would vote for their leader.
She was sure her husband still suspected her as having some form of contact with Munchkinland and had therefor forbade her from venturing more than a few meters from their home. The only company she had, was Beecham and Mrs Hopkins. Life was no longer worth living. She had nothing. She had no one.
Glinda hoped her incarceration could last forever, after the election was over, the votes had been counted and The Wizard had won, she didn't think she could step out into a world that no longer held a shining emerald.
It was very much a waiting game. Every day felt like the executioners' axe was creeping closer to the back of her neck.
XXX
Verdant lips mouthed those words. 'I love you Glinda.'
Pink lips stayed shut.
'Why can't you say it back, have you truly lost your heart?'
The scene dissolved, rising from the ashes, arose a medieval, stone structure, surrounded by a dark lake. Waves crashed against rocks, the wails from within merging with the impact of the tide.
Along a dark, damp hall, heels clicked. The only light coming from a battered oil lamp in a pale white hand.
The cold, creeped and caressed.
An old brass key turned the lock on the very last door. The rotten wood moaned in the action of revelation.
'You've taken your own sweet time...'
The words came from a form huddled on a bed of straw. Weak and malnourished, it turned, the little light giving the briefest hint of what looked like skin, caked in the awful, green grime that lined the walls.
Another figure appeared, as if from nowhere. 'You can save her, if you like, but only if your heart permits it.' It was a man, so oddly out of place in this world of darkness. His clothes were brightly colored and his skin much to healthy to not have seen the light of day.
The figure on the straw, whimpered and uttered only three words.
Silence prevailed, no heart was beating.
The man laughed, 'In that case...'
A flash of white, hot light filled the room and the figure huddled on the straw, breathed no more.
Glinda's head snapped up from the pillow. Her satin nightdress clung to her body, slick with the cold sweat that followed only the most terrifying of nightmares. Her erratic breathing was constricting the oxygen trying to reach her organs, making her head swim and bile raise in her throat. She desperately tried avoiding putting her vision into context, for if she did, she knew, it could very well become a reality.
XXX
"What is your understanding of love, Mrs Hopkins?"
The Baroness was sitting at her dressing table, the housekeeper behind her, taming her blonde curls.
"Love, is the most complex of human emotions, My Lady", answered Mrs Hopkins.
"But how can one tell if they are in love, or that love is the particular emotion they are feeling?"
The housekeeper stilled her motions and her eyes met Glinda's violet pair in the mirror. "It is a term that is often bandied about, far too liberally. There're many different types of love, familial and romantic being the most prevalent, the latter being the hardest to define. In my view, only the two interested parties can truly define their love, it is a different experience for each and every couple. But if I were to encapsulate the term as a whole, the only word I could use would be, selfless. Love is selfless."
Emotion welled inside her. An old Lurlinist in another lifetime had told her the same thing. Putting someone's needs before your own, even when that act condemns you to a lifetime of pain, that is a selfless act. That is an act of love.
The only love Glinda had ever held in her life, was for the Son who had been taken so cruelly and far too early. That was a Mother's love, she had thought it completely different from the romantic kind, but perhaps, that wasn't the case.
Embarrassingly, she allowed the tears to fall. Her own ignorance and stupidity had clouded her perception.
She had thought by distancing herself from everything that was, Elphaba Thropp, then she would be able to keep her safe. Realization, that love was a much more powerful weapon and shield than any sword or armor, hit Glinda like a train. She had been handed the opportunity to save Elphaba and she had pushed it away. It was too late now, there would be no more chances.
XXX
The Emerald City was eerily quiet on the last day of January. The only sign of life, was the cluster of people filing into various polling stations. The clock on the high tower showed it was seven-forty-five-pm, only fifteen minuets 'til the last vote would be cast.
An insignificant peasant woman meandered her way down the street. Her face, hidden by the guise of a threadbare cloak, the hood drawn tight.
Reaching the ballot box inside a school in the nick of time, she took her paper and the quill and ink provided.
Grand Ozian Election
Please place a cross beside the name of your choosing.
Please note: You can only cast one vote per-person, all crosses must be clearly visible and legible, no other symbols or signs will be accepted. If you fail to follow these procedures, your vote will not count
Which party would you like to elect as the leader of Oz?
Our most gracious Wizard, current leader of Oz
Or
Mr Brrr, lion
The act of failing to capitalize the word 'lion' had been a deliberate move. It was a great insult to any Animal, to imply they were no more intelligent than common cattle without any sentience.
The peasant woman placed a neat cross next to the name, 'Mr Brr' and posted her paper through the lid of the solid green and gold box.
In the short time she had been inside, the streets had been enveloped into the night. The low mist that was creeping around her ankles gave off an ominous feeling. Her heckles rose and she moved more quickly, the thought of being watched propelling her forward.
Coming upon a familiar building she took the unfamiliar entrance. Round the back and in through the servants' door she went.
A middle-aged man and woman sat at the long, wooden table, the cards in front of them lit only by a single candelabra. They stood at her entrance, the woman quickly moving to help her in removing her cloak.
"Did you get there and back alright? I do wish you'd allowed us to send William with you." The man moved to inspect her, as blonde curls tumbled free.
"I'm fine Beecham, I got there just in time."
"He's been worrying since the moment you left, My Lady, I'm almost driven up the wall," jested Mrs Hopkins as she led Glinda to a seat at the end of the table, closest to the fire.
A bowl of warm soup and a mug of tea was place in front of her and she thanked her staff kindly. Being so lonely and confined to their company for so long had opened her eyes, here was two people who cared for her and would always remain loyal. Not just staff any longer, Glinda felt like she could now call them friends.
It had been the housekeepers' idea, to dress her mistress in one of the parlor maids' clothes and sneak her out this evening. Glinda wondered whether the woman was more perceptive than she let on.
The butler had been much less enthused, hence his worry, but none-the-less, he had gone along with their escape from Alcatraz.
After her bowl was clean and the chill of the night air was driven from her skin by the heat of the fire, Glinda proceeded to play a game of cards with her companions. They must've lost all track of time, for the candle wicks had nearly burnt out before they were interrupted.
A loud crash was heard above stairs and the three of them raced to discover its origins.
In the first floor sitting room, stood a raging bull that happened to be her husband, china from the cabinet smashed at his feet.
When he caught sight of Glinda, he charged, horns tipped, ready to strike. Beecham stepped swiftly in front of her, the full weight of Chuffrey slamming his body to the wall.
"STOP!" Screamed the Baroness, "what is the meaning of this?"
Her husband rounded to face her again, leaving the butler to slump against the wall, clutching his ribs, the wind knocked out him. Mrs Hopkins didn't know where to put herself, between husband and wife or aid Beecham.
"She's won!" Growled the blonde man, "your vile, little lizard, has won."
Conflicting emotions whirled inside of her, fear and elation, they fought to be expressed. The good triumphed over the dark, a cheshire-cat-like grin spread across Glinda's face. The jubilant moment did not last long, Chuffrey's sadistic laugh penetrated her bubble.
"You don't think we shall ever announce this do you? I really cannot believe how unbelievably dim and idiotic you are, Glinda. In official terms, The Wizard came out on top, pipping the Lion to the post so to speak." He prowled toward her, lowering his voice to a whisper that cut her like the cool wind of night. "The only thing that stands in our way, however, is the monster from Munchkinland. Or should I say, the only thing that 'stood' in our way? It matters not now, that problem is being taken care of as we speak."
The grin of the devil, marred his once handsome face. The memory of a dream appeared in the forefront of Glinda's mind. Everything she had suppressed over the years, every cruel word, every brutal act, raced to join it. Anger like she had never felt was set free!
"What have you done?"
Her voice sounded foreign to her own ears. It was as though she was possessed, not by a spirit or other being, no, Glinda was possessed by her true self, the one only her Elphie had seen.
"If you have hurt her, I swear to Lurline, Chuffrey, I'll-"
"You'll what?" He laughed, "you'll kiss it better? I don't think that's quite how the kiss of life works, my dear, but of course, be my guest, you may try."
Her mouth hung open in understanding.
"Did you really think I didn't know where you ran off to every Friday? Claiming to be at parties or such things, when really, you were lying with another woman. You, my loving wife, are nothing more than a common whore. You're ten-a-penny on the street!"
Clenching her fists, Glinda made up her mind. She had promised herself long ago, if Elphaba thought her brave, then she would live up to that. Until now, she had done nothing of the sort, but tonight, Lady Glinda planned to right many wrongs.
"If you have harmed her in any way, I will ruin you, that is a promise! You can laugh and jitter all you like, but you have taken everything from me, and if you've touched her, then I've nothing to live for. There is no greater foe, than one who stands to lose nothing!"
Squaring right up to his face she made sure he heard every syllable of her next words. "Throw me on the streets, tarnish my name, I don't care. I will be your wife no longer!"
And with that, the Baroness left the room and exited the house. No more to return.
XXX
She had been racing along the west end streets for no longer than five minuets, her car a mangled heap left behind. Every step felt like another year to Glinda. She prayed to the Unnamed God, she prayed to Lurline, she prayed to anyone who would listen, she prayed that she was not too late. All she wanted to do, was tell Elphaba the truth, a truth she had known for a long time but never admitted.
That familiar door, the one that once gave her chills of dread, was now in sight.
No longer caring to knock, Glinda swung the door open and raced down that dark hallway, to the room at the end. That was where it had all started. That was where she hoped it would not end.
She barged in, and what happened next happened so fast, it would take her weeks to fully comprehend.
Against the bookshelf, the one that housed their book, was Elphaba. A greasy bulk of a man, holding her in place with a dagger at her throat.
"Elphie", Glinda breathed in horror, "please, I love you..."
Dark eyes met her own and both sets filled with tears.
The man glanced around at the intrusion and the next thing Glinda knew, a small, strong form had barreled her out of the way.
The neck of a wine bottle was swung downward, it crashed upon the man's head with considerable force. He immediately fell backward, blood running a river from his temple.
"No one hurts Nanny's duckies!" The old woman heaved triumphantly.
"Nanny! What have you done? I think you've killed him," Elphaba gasped, looking upon her would be assailant in horror.
"Good! I haven't spent twenty-nine years raising you, for your life to be snuffed out by a common hood rat."
Nanny's humorous words, belied the situation. Elphaba had almost been killed! Glinda had almost caused it!
"Elphie..." The petite blonde cried, to frightened and unsure to move.
"Hush, my sweet," her lover whispered, closing the distance between them. "It's all over now." Those comforting arms wrapped around her, both women clinging onto life itself.
Glinda lifted her head, "oh Elphie, I'm so sorry. I was so blind and foolish, I should never have let you go through this alone. If you'll let me, I'd like to try and make amends, I want to come with you, I want to run away. I love you."
"No," Elphaba murmured, holding her lover close still. "We will not run. We will do things properly, together. I don't want to hide you away Glinda, I want, no, I need, you by my side, we can face the world together."
"No more running?" Asked the blonde.
"No more running." A slim finger caught the one tear that had escaped from the corner of a blue eye. "I love you, my sweet, and I will do anything and everything I can, to prove it to you."
"You don't need to prove anything to me, Elphie. I already know."
Pink and green met in unison. Their kiss was slow and sweet and full of love.
Nanny was long forgotten, which did not suit the formidable character, who had just saved both of their lives.
The old woman cleared her throat to regain attention. When two sets of eyes gave her the time of day, she laughed, "Finally! Nanny though she might need to spell it out, to both of you."
AN:
And there we have it...
I cannot believe this is the end, I actually feel rather lost.
I'm both sad and happy at the moment, but I'm so proud that Nanny got her big moment!
There will be an epilogue to this fic, so don't worry, I'm not just leaving it here, and that will be up tomorrow at around 8pm UK time.
Thank you so much for all the support I've gotten from all of you, it has meant so much and spurred me to continue writing. You are all amazing and I'm so glad you chose to come on this journey with me!
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Catch:)