DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...

A/N: Here is the legend of the blue diamonds. It brings some answers and set's up for later chapters. It is however, incomplete. Fiyero couldn't bring himself to tell it till the end just yet; you'll se why in the future. Hope all my readers are well and enjoy this. Also, sorry for the many typos the last couple of chaps had; I was rushed. Already working to get them fixed.

Suggestions, questions, things you didn't quite understand... Feel free to tell me. And, since here in Brazil June 12th is Valentine's day and it is now one minute past minight, this is to all those mushy couples out there. Fiyeraba to you all!

CHAPTER 26: Of legends and half truths

The legend tells of a man created by Lurline herself, who had within him all the power and knowledge of Oz. He was smart, brilliant even. And he was beautiful, as only a creature imagined within a fairy's mind could be. Not only that, this man knew everything there was to know, knew all the answers simple animals could not comprehend.

The powerful Lurline had looked upon her creation and, astounded by his perfection, had vowed to protect him always. Free will and happenstance, however, could not be too long controlled.

To the man, knowing was simply not enough.

Seeking to see all the places and touch all the things he only knew about, the man travelled throughout all the Land of Oz His eyes were constantly fresh, his hands always surprised; he didn't allow himself to be jaded by the knowledge the great fairy had bestowed upon him. It was a gift he learned well from.

But land is finite and could not last forever. There was nothing more to see, nothing more to touch anew and the man grew restless.

Logically, he knew the deserts surrounding Oz were impassible and that an Ozian – if one ever managed to cross the sands and survive – would not be ready to encounter those living beyond the barriers. Knowing didn't prevent him from desiring to see the thousands of miles of heated sand hid from view. So, bravely, he had carefully gathered all the information he had deemed relevant and packed all the provisions he had thought necessary.

Happy at the prospect of his journey, the man approached the borders at the west and stepped across it.

Lurline had been aghast.

She feared for his safety and tried to remind him of the impossibility of his quest and the dangers of his decision. The man didn't feel offended at his creator's attempt – he knew how kind she could be -, he didn't allow, however, his mind to waver. With honesty, he thanked her for being concerned. With patience, he explained his need to try, regardless of the chances of success. There are no chances, reasoned Lurline. The man smiled in reply. The destination is not always important. I wish to try, he said and continued on his way.

Determined to keep her vow to protect her creation, even if that meant protecting him from himself, Lurline prevented the man from continuing. For three days and two nights, the man attempted to bypass the fairy's magical wall. On the third night, exhausted, he begged to his creator, to allow him his free will.

Why, Lurline asked, confused. Why do you wish to partake on this hopeless journey? In truth, she tried, but didn't, couldn't understand. I have made you perfect and complete. Why seek more?

The man had stopped to ponder her desperate question. For long days and endless nights, he pondered. At last, he called out to the beautiful fairy. Lurline came to his side filled with hope. I have an answer, he offered. I have everything in the world. Like you said, I am complete. Lurline smiled; sure she had finally managed to make him see reason, but soon the corners of her lips faltered; her wonderful creation looked sad.

I f I have nothing to seek, nothing to do, how am I ever to find happiness?

Finally, Lurline understood. He had been made complete and perfect, but he had still been a man and man's heart would always be restless.

Even understanding, she could not allow the man, her beloved son, to perish upon the ruthless sands of the desert. He was too fragile and had to be protected. Saddened by the only solution she could find, yet aware of its necessity, Lurline touched the man, splitting him in two. Pain invaded the man and, before he could glimpse at his stolen half, the fairy whisked it away.

The man was no longer complete.

Filled with desperation and hurt for the void left within, the man openly cried, pleading for his creator to make him whole again. Lurline shook her head. You needed a purpose to be happy. I have given you one. Seek the missing piece of you.

How?

Lurline offered no more and ignored the man's pleas, her heart breaking but decided.

The man searched tirelessly without success. He didn't know how his half looked like, did not know how to find it. Defeated, he returned to the west, to the last place he had felt complete in.

Kumbricia, who had silently watched since the beginning, took pity upon the broken man. She couldn't sit idly by and watch such suffering. Determined, the witch searched the missing half and upon finding it – a woman -, she touched it with magic. Lurline wasn't the only one with power. As fast as she could, Kumbricia returned to the west and appeared before the broken man. I have found your half. He smiled, hopeful.

But, before she could tell him where to find his other half, Lurline intervened. Refusing to abide by the fairy's despotic commands, yet unable to go against Lurline's power, Kumbricia found a way to help the man without telling him the half's location.

Search tirelessly. When you find your other half, her skin will glow. Mark yourself and then her, so you never lose each other again. The man immediately realized the clue hidden within Kumbicia's advice. Her, he whispered. It's a her. Kumbricia was pleased and ignored Lurline glowering at her. Concerned, Lurline watched him resume his searching.

It took the man many years and failed attempts to find her, the one who would finally make him complete again. It was a day like any other, when he finally brushed her skin, almost by accident. The man would never know happiness as great as he felt then. The woman couldn't understand his reaction. She hadn't seen him either before Lurline had taken her away.

Why are you crying?

I am happy. And, without knowing why, she cried too.

Remembering the witch's words, the man marked his skin – blue diamonds, because they were the most resilient stone he knew of and blue, for the color of the sky, a color he would never manage to forget. But the woman didn't know who he was, wasn't aware of Lurline's intervention or Kumbricia'a advice. So, when the man tried to mark her skin with the same blue diamonds, she refused.

He tried to explain it to her, begged her even. I can't be complete again if you are not a part of me, he pleaded. I've never known complete, she answered, unable to comprehend his need for it. I am fine as I am.

But the man knew how it felt, to be whole, and how very painful it meant to be broken. He refused to allow Lurline to take his other half away again. With patience and love, he taught the woman the meaning of being one. Finally, she understood. And it scared her. I was fine before I knew what happy really means. What happens if I lose you? I'll never be whole again.

Still, it was too late to unlearn. Decision made, the woman lovingly touched the blue diamonds and watched them glow as some of them migrated to her own skin. No regrets.

Kumbricia, who had made sure to keep a watch on Lurline's son, rejoiced. All she had to do was see the look of wonder on their faces to know she had done the right thing in defying the powerful fairy. Lurline, on the other hand, became worried. If the man was once again complete, that meant he no longer had a purpose. She feared he would try to cross the borders of Oz once again. But even as she worried, something else troubled her…

Had she done the right thing, dividing her perfect creation in two?

…