Chapter 29: The Wicked Witch of the West

Elphaba had formulated a plan, to put some stress on the situation and to give Glinda some time before anything truly terrible happened to her. Elphaba also wanted to give the Narnian forces some time to regroup and rally the masses, within Oz, to their cause. They had not though the rebellion would happen quite so quickly, or that they presence in Oz would have pushed the rebellion forward, thus they had underestimated the powers of greed and corruption within the country of Oz. Sadly the terrible distress of the country was mounting and the actions of the rebellion became more violent and sever. Elphaba made her way quickly through the castle and found Fiyero with the Kings and Queens. There was determination written all over her face as she came up to the group.

"What is it Elphaba?" Fiyero asked seeing the fire in her eyes.

"The rebellion is on its way to the Emerald City. They are killing innocent people and leaving them dead on the yellow brick road. Glinda has sent my monkeys to me and they have told me of the destruction that lays in the wake of the moving forces. It will not be long before they have completely overturned the Ozian government and destroyed Glinda and all that she stands for. The Animals are in dangers, so are the Winkies and anyone who had decided to stand in the way of the Tin Man." Elphaba said.

"This is all Boq's doing?" Fiyero asked.

"Yes," Elphaba said angrily, "and there is no stopping him, but I have a plan to slow him down."

"What are you jumping into?" Fiyero asked as she turned away from them and he had to run to catch up to her.

"I am the Wicked Witch of the West, and Boq is afraid of me." Elphaba said, "I am going out into Oz. I am going to awaken the Dryads of this land and I am going to send them to block his way. If I can I will use the help of my dragons as well and the monkeys that have followed me for so long. I have more own troupes and a dark shadow that has always followed me. It may give us some time; time which we have lost by being so open in our visit."

"It's too soon!" Fiyero said.

"He is going to attack the Emerald City, take it by force, and Glinda does not have the forces to protect it or herself. She believes that the guards of the Emerald City are already against her. Once he has that strong hold on his side he'll come after Kiamo Ko, and then we are doomed. If we don't move now then what is there to hope for. Tell your people that we're all in danger and I am taking the Dryads and my sisters out into the world." Elphaba said, and with a snap of her fingers her regal beauty had vanished to the dark black uniform she had sported throughout her captivity in Oz.

"You break my heart choosing to look like this," Fiyero said sadly. "We have given up so much and gained a lot in return, only to have you revert back to your old ways. Elphaba if you are to go out into the world, go out looking like the Queen you are meant to be."

"I am not a queen in this land," Elphaba said sadly. "I promise you that this is only a cover. It is not who I am anymore, and when I return to you, you will not see me like this again." She said as she ran her hand lovingly down his cheek.

"You really look like a Witch," Lucy said fearfully as she came to Fiyero's side.

"I know," Elphaba said, "but it's still me, I am no different. I'm just very determined right now."

"What can we do?" Peter asked as he came to where the defeated Fiyero stood.

"Warn Aslan, gather the Winkies and tell them of our promise. Make way for a great awakening across all of Oz."

"We'll fight with you." Edmond said, "Give us an hour and we'll go out with you; proclaiming that you are here as a defender of those who are falling prey to the rebels who walk in the dark shadow of the Wizard. It is time to act but let us all be apart of it."

Elphaba was reluctant but gave into the young kings demands. She needed support and would have it from the Narnians.

The hour pasted by at a snails pace but it did come to an end and when it had everyone from Narnia was prepared for battle. Armour sparkled in the sun, weapons rested uneasily at their sides and her sisters, the dryads and Aslan himself were ready to head out into the world.

A great number of Winkies had gathered in the courtyard of the castle and waited for another appearance from Fiyero. When he appeared, clad in armour and followed by what looked like an army, they were shocked to see him so ready for war.

"I have something to tell you," he announced to the people that had gathered, "You are all in grave danger if you stay here in the Land of Oz. The rebellion has already stared. Death litters the yellow brick road and with the fall of the Emerald City we will see a shift in the aggressor's attacks. They will come to Kiamo Ko and they will oppress those who do not stand with them, but I have returned to Oz, with the promise of a greater peace and a return to a land from which your ancestors came."

The Winkies listened in great anticipation as more of the Narnian forces began to make their way into the courtyard. The forces were followed by Aslan himself and with a shake of his mane the magic of Narnia was released onto the Winkies. Their eyes were opened to the strength of Fiyero's promise and calm came over the crowd.

"Tell them now," Aslan said as the transformation happened. "Show them Elphaba."

The calm of the Winkies was not broken when Elphaba stepped out of the masses, her broom in her hand, and she came to stand beside Aslan and Fiyero.

"You see that Elphaba Thropp lives. She is not the witch that the Wizard has made her out to be, but it is by her magic and the people that she commands that we will be able to make our escape." Fiyero told the people and the dryads, the guardians of the elements and the dragons all appeared to those who were gathered.

The Winkies watched as Lila, Alba and Fleur came forward to join Elphaba and Sofala and Malinka appeared from the wind and the fires that burned around them.

"There is a life, and a magic that dwells in all of you. The call of Narnia has been awakened in your hearts and as we progress together the magic will come alive and the truth will be known," Elphaba said as the crowed stared in silence. "Fiyero is your rightful King and all that is asks is for a chance to protect and serve you all. Please, do not punish him because of what you believe is within me."

"You swear that protection will be given to the Winkies?" a young man of the same age as Fiyero asked from among the crown.

"Protection has always been given to the Winkies who believed," Aslan said, "and so protection is given now."

"Then what can we do to help those who have not yet heard the call of our ancient magic?" the young man asked.

"Bring them to me," Fiyero said, "and I will open their eyes. Tell them not to fear Elphaba but to fear those from this land that wish to oppress them."

"Can we not fight with you?" the young man asked.

"If you wish to fight, as your ancestors would have fought then come and join my ranks," Fiyero said.

The young man stepped forward with out delay. He bowed before the prince who had summoned him and then reached out to Elphaba, "my great, great grandfather kept a book of ancient stories. Narnia was mentioned in it. I believe what you tell me if you will admit to being the Guardian of the Earth."

"I am she," Elphaba said, "this is my sister wind, and my sister fire, and our sister water is falling to the oppressors who is moving toward the Emerald City."

"Then you must save her," The young man said, "and I am for you, forever your servant."

With his words the crowed was captured by the ancient stories that had been but whispers of fairy tales. More young men came forward and pledged their allegiance to the Narnians and to their Prince. Soon more followed and the spirits were awakened in them all. Elphaba could even see the change that happened in their physical appearance. With one touch from Fiyero, a hand shake of even the lightest acknowledgement of their true nature put within them the colour that their people. The sounds of the forest were all among them now as the threes that lined the courtyard came to life and the Dryads who had followed the ancient Winkies into Oz were awakened.

"You've come back at last, my Queen," one of the older Dryads said as his beautiful green skin shone in the sunlight.

"I am here only to take you back to Narnia and to where you belong," Elphaba said and the existence of the Wicked Witch withered away from her before all of their eyes.

She was not meant to go out among the Ozians as she had once, but her transformed self, with all of the followers of the forest departed with her. Elphaba mounted her broom and turned her face to the sky. "They will know me now as a Guardian but their memories will be of fear. Let the Ozians know that I am alive and well." She said and took to the sky.

Elphaba flew as fast as the broom would carry her and the wind was always at her back. She flew low over the cities and towns of those who had once oppressed her and they recoiled from her. She heard the screams of fear rise from the depths of society. She flew along the yellow brick road and saw for herself the extent of the carnage that Boq had left in his wake and soon she came upon the moving rebels. She landed on the yellow brick road before them.

"You are alive," Boq gasped fear visible on his face.

"And you are a murderer," Elphaba said, "beware Boq, your time is come and the end of your reign of terror is near."

With a wave of her hands the roots of the surrounding trees burst up through the yellow brick road and tossed the advancing troupes around. She then took to the sky again.

"Let all of Oz be agreed, I am wicked through and through, and you have messed with me for the very last time. I will succeed, Boq, in banishing you from this land and ending your corruption. Beware of your movement, stay away from the Emerald City and leave the Animals alone!" she shouted as the masses of his troupes were tossed and trembled at the sight of the Wicked Witch. "Know this, Boq, I am master of my magic now. The trees and the plants of the forest are all on my side. The wind blows and fires burn for me and me alone. You will parish should you try to defeat me and should you lay on finger on Galinda you will know my wrath!"

"You don't scare me Elphaba!" Boq yelled as the earth trembled beneath his feet.

"Remember Boq, who made you the way you are! Shout it to the heavens that the Wicked Witch had returned!" Elphaba screeched as she took off again and disappeared from sight.

The earth stopped trembling as the Witch and the wind left them, and Boq was left with a barricade before him and a toppled and wounded platoon behind him. All of the Animals he had captured escaped and ran off in the same direction as the Witch and the casualties to the Witch's wrath made Boq even more angry. They had taken a really hard blow, but his determination was with him.

"I will take the Emerald City, Elphaba Thropp, just to spite you now!" He yelled at the sky but the Witch was far, far away from him and her legend had already begun to spread.

With what was left of his troupes, Boq moved onward toward the barricade of trees that lined the road before him. He drew his axe and began attacking the living beings that places themselves before him. One by one, as the trees fell around him, he pushed forward toward the Emerald City and the dryads who continued to live fled toward the castle at Kiamo Ko.