Chapter 26
Natalee, Ben, Argy, and Lady Glinda the Good all came together into my throne room. I wasn't on the throne, I was pacing the floors, still always wearing Ozma's crown, and holding the awesome new staff, but I was expecting and waiting for them to come and they finally did.
"Ah! My friends! So good to see you all! What's on your minds?" I asked them. Lady Glinda was wearing a ring, something I had never noticed before.
"Anthony, we all want to return to Earth. I know this may come as a shock to you, but we can't stay here we have our own lives to fulfill. You have accepted your role as King of Oz to reunite it under one banner once again, but I miss Earth." Natalee said, Argy replied with, "here here" in agreement as ben nodded. Julia was already in the room. She did not want to return to Earth, she wanted to remain by the King's side for a bit more.
"I can't send you home, there is only one person in this room who can, Lady Glinda the Good. Is it as hard as I think to try and convince you to stay here with me? I love you guys. Maybe it's a little selfish, but I wanted you all to take charge of the States," I said solemnly.
"I'm sorry Anthony, but I agree with Natalee, our roles are finished, it's time we returned to our home. We will never forget you, and we will see each other again though mate, I promise you that." Argy said.
"Our destinies have been tangled, but for the moment they part I do believe my good sir," replied Ben.
"Well, then I guess this is good bye," We all began tearing up. "I cannot thank you all enough for saving my butt, in more ways than one, without hesitation. You are my family, and I love you all like the true heroes you have been not just to me, but for Oz and her people, and the freedom from Wickedness in this Country. I wish you all fair winds and following fortunes wherever your lives take you from here, now come and give me a big good bye hug!" Laughing with small tears they all gave big hugs, we had been friends for ages, and this was another goodbye with uncertain sequels.
"Are you all ready?" Asked Lady Glinda, whose staff lit brightly.
"Yes we're ready," they replied.
"Then close your eyes, and think to yourself, there's no place like home. Don't speak, just think hard about the place you call home back on earth. Hold onto that and repeat it until you wake up again." Lady Glinda began singing the spell that transcends dimensions, to send the earthlings home. Gold lines tied to their feet and hands, and levitated them. Suddenly they were engulfed by a cloud of white light, and then in a quiet puff of popping tiny pink bubbles, they disappeared.
"I miss them already, Im going to need your help now more than ever Lady Glinda, if you please. I cnt run the country on my own. We need an army, and I need good politicians to run the states in their steead," I asked her. Lady Glinda smiled as we walked down the Great Hall, which was an open but covered, airy and light bridge looking out east towards the lakes and to Mockbeggar Hall, Glinda's favorite back-up home.
"I miss them too Anthony. They were incredible souls. But I do think I should tell you something." She smiled brightly, and placed the ring bearing hand on the rail.
"I have a son, he's your age now, one year younger anyway. Remember when I married Sir George Chuffry? He wasn't always an old fat geezer like the press makes you think. He was a great man, a General in the Emperor's resistance army the first time he tried to take the throne, back when I brought you here the first time. My son's name is David," Lady Glinda explained.
"Holy cow I never knew you had kids, I didn't even see you get pregnant!" I exclaimed excitedly.
"Witches Good and Wicked do many things without signs of it happening Anthony. The difference is I choose to follow my heart, and what I know to be right and to constantly uphold the vow I took when Oz was founded. That's why even at almost 200 years old I still only look 30!" Glinda laughed. It was all true though, which made it funnier.
"I'd like to meet him, soon. I could use someone of your blood to work with me,"
"Tomorrow, I will take you to him. He has established his own keep in the Madelines,"
"I think that would be, good" I smiled, toying with her title. As we looked out over the setting horizon, the music of the Birds returned to the sapphire skies, and trees breathed again, flowers blossomed, and Animals galloped across large beautiful fields. Life was blooming once again in Oz at last.
The only questionable thing was that rumors of the old Emerald Key had gone missing. Someone, or something, had stolen it from the Emerald Vaults deep belw the Palace. The Grimmerie had also not been seen in a while…