"Your family fits well here." Enaeus commented as he and Zelena walked through the streets of Kiamo Ko. It was several days later and their plans had already begun to take shape. At the moment, they were enjoying the city while Glinda and the other witches began unlocking the seals on the tunnels. It would probably take a few more days to complete and by then, they needed to be ready.

"They seem to do that anywhere they go." Zelena replied. A flood of children ran by, chasing a red ball, her own children among them. Fiyero's kids had taken it upon themselves to introduce hers to a child's life in Oz. So far, they seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. They came to the plaza where Regina was surrounded by even more children, pulled into another game while Oziana and Dorothy watched. Her sister's arms were covered in many different colored tribal symbols that the children had happily painted on her to welcome her to the city. It didn't surprise Zelena at all. Regina was always good with children.

"Glinda has informed me that the seals are nearly done being removed." Enaeus said. "Perhaps another week at the most and they'll be done."

"We're...ready." Zelena came around the corner and was surprised to find Maleficent in dragon form, taking up most of a plaza while fascinated children and some adults touched her scales and felt of her massive head. Mal was careful to be still and purred softly to show she meant no harm.

"She suggested it." Enaeus came to her side. "Dragons will soon be commonplace, hopefully, so people should get used to seeing one."

"Not all of them will be as friendly." Zelena reminded him.

"Understandable." He replied, watching the children urge Mal to roar. Mal lifted her head and stood up, giving herself a shake. She truly was a mighty creature. "You still haven't told me how you planned to feed all of these dragons."

"Mal wants to see if one of the dragons will go with us immediately to the dragon mountains. There should be prey there. After that is only a matter of hunting enough to fill the bellies of the freed dragons without destroying their supply. I've spoken with some of the merchants and farmers and they are willing to sell us some of their stores and I have a friend in Storybrooke buying as much food as she can. Regina has Robin Hood and his men hunting too. Food shouldn't be much of a problem." They had planned for that beforehand anyway and were already building the new settlement for the dragons in Kiamo Ko.

Mal looked down at the cheering children and curious adults. They held little to no fear for creatures that had been lost to history. As far as Zelena knew there weren't even books on dragons. Half the world probably didn't even know what they were.

"I know of dragons and their power." Enaeus said. "Maleficent could level this entire city in a single breath if she chose to."

"She would never."

"Doesn't mean others wouldn't or haven't tried."

"You remember them?"

Enaeus shrugged. "Bits and pieces but nothing solid. I'm older than I look, but I'm not that old."

"Don't tell me that you agree with Glinda's actions."

"Of course not. Dragons belong in the sky, not underground. They deserve freedom as much as you and I. I do understand why she wanted them gone, but a better option would be to lock them in their mountains, no? Restrict them to their territory? That way they would have an entire mountain range at their disposal."

Zelena shook her head. "A better option would be to get rid of the ones causing trouble. Not condemn all of them. Teressa even said that there were eggs, babies, children. How could they deserve such a fate? Besides, you try and lock someone up of course they're going to want to get out."

"Roar!" The children called up to Mal. The Dragon Queen tilted her head, as if confused. It was hard for Zelena to contain a grin when they started growling and roaring at each other to demonstrate.

"Give them a roar, Mal." She said.

Mal purred and her chest expanded as she drew in a deep breath...only to let out a little squeak. The children burst into fits of laughter and Mal purred even louder. She drew in another breath and unleashed a thunderous roar that threatened to crack open the sky. The sound shocked many of the people around them, but the children cheered even louder.

"Does this mean you and your family will move to Oz?" Enaeus asked as they continued their stroll.

"We haven't thought too far ahead, but that would be the plan for the time being. The dragon mountains need to be repaired before the dragons can move back in and we're not sure how long that will take."

"How do you know that?"

Zelena gestured to Elizabeth. The young brunette was with Lily and Ruby who were at a group of food stalls, trying the many pastries that the kind old woman offered them. "That's my niece, Elizabeth, and she's had dreams that are almost prophetic in nature. Dreams of places she shouldn't know. They only seem to connect back to Regina, her mother, but she's dreamt of the mountains and they are overgrown and falling apart. Whether her dreams are true remains to be seen."

"Are you sure?"

"For now we have to believe it."

The pair continued walking to the edge of the city where a small section had been added, connecting a group of buildings to the rest. Cynara had had a great hand in the design of the tall, cylindrical tower. There were dozens of rooms in that building and a pair of second buildings that looked more like inns. Regina and Mal did most of the decorating while Zelena and Eric dealt with structural supports. They seemed a bit out of place when compared with the rest of the city, but changes could be made later on down the road. Zelena led Enaeus inside the tower and into one of the rooms. Each room was outfitted with a balcony and double bed. The floors were carpeted, there was a nice fireplace and large, adjoining bathrooms that had modern toilets and showers magically inserted. There were a lot of potted plants and even some herbs scattered around the room and the colors were light consisting of beiges, light grays and so on, with the bed sheets being vibrant colors such as bright red and royal blue or purple. They wanted something brighter than the tunnels. Anything would be better of course and they still had work to do, but they had time.

"What do you think?"

"Looks nice. I'm sure they will appreciate it."

Zelena smiled proudly before looking at her old mentor. "Are you sure you're okay with this? Are the people okay with it?"

Enaeus nodded. "I assure you, I am okay and there have been no complaints from the people. I believe they are even excited about it. New life, new blood, something interesting for once." He gave her a bright smile and stepped out onto the balcony. Zelena followed and both of them took in the sight of the sun shining across the endless golden fields. "I know I haven't been as involved as you thought I would be," Enaeus said, drawing her attention. "But you have things handled. Seeing you, happy and in love, putting all of that talent and potential you were born with and worked so hard to develop, into something good is just…" He smiled and patted her on the head. "You are the greatest student I ever had."

"Thank you, Enaeus." Zelena conjured a tape recorder. "Now, would you mind repeating that so I can play it for Fiyero?"

"No, if you tell him, I will deny it. A teacher cannot have favorites." He grinned.

"Fine, but we all know the truth. By the way, know any Animals heading to the Forest sometime soon?"

"Going to see the kings?"

"Yes, I want to take the kids while we're not too busy."

Enaeus thought for a moment. "I do and they might be glad to have company on the road, but you're going to need some nuts."

"Excuse me?"

/

When Zelena told her that they were heading to the forest of kings, Maleficent was interested to see what the fuss was about. She did not imagine however that they would also be escorting a few Animals there. They were all piled into a wagon with the children while the adults rode horses next to it. One of the Animals they were escorting was a mouse who was taking his family home. He had a wife and 12 children who never stopped talking. With them came a group of squirrels, chipmunks, and lemmings who were all munching away on the pile of nuts and seeds Zelena had left in the back of the wagon.

The dragon found it all a bit odd. Especially when watching Zelena have a full conversation with the chipmunk sitting on her shoulder. It didn't surprise her that her wife was more comfortable with animals than people, but the situation reminded Mal far too much of Wonderland, a land based on magic and nonsense.

"You okay?" Regina asked, riding up next to her.

"You don't find this all a bit strange?"

"Of course, but the children are enjoying themselves." They glanced back at Elizabeth and Adrienne who were giggling as a fat squirrel perched on Beth's palm to eat a peanut. "That's what really matters."

"I agree."

It would be an eventful journey across the land of the Vinkus. When the amber fields gave way to a thick forest with purple leaves and grass, it let them know that they had entered Gillikin Country. Here the trees grew tightly together and the branches formed a rooflike canopy overhead, throwing them into endless shade. Maleficent could hear creatures all around them and the trees were full of them. Birds of every shape, size and color nested in the branches above and other little woodland creatures ran across the path, disappearing into the undergrowth. She glimpsed herds of deer through the tree trunks and large cats stalking between them.

Zelena soon had them dismount and leave the horses in a clearing. They detached them from the wagon and removed their tack, letting them roam free while they continued on down the trail on foot.

"How do you know these beast kings?" Mal asked, following behind her wife as she took the lead. Erec balanced on her shoulders while their daughters followed after her. The others came behind her while Oziana and Regina brought up the rear.

"Not far from here is a meadow that grows lots of herbs. I used to visit when I was younger." Zelena answered. "One day, I saw this man leaving with a cart full of cages. Naturally, I asked him what the hell he was doing. He got angry and tried to kill me to hide his crimes. I killed him and released the animals he was poaching. In two of the cages was a little yellow tiger with purple stripes and a white lion cub. It turns out, these two cubs were the children of the kings and they were so happy to have their children back, they named me friend and ally forever. I was allowed to enter the forest anytime I chose and take from it whatever I needed. I visited a few times after that, but pressing matters drew me away."

Mal didn't need to ask her what those matters were. It would seem that her wife was never truly alone, or at least not as alone as she thought herself to be. Perhaps as a child, that was true, but as an adult she clearly could've had a bright future, but her hatred of Regina and Cora made her drop all of it for vengeance. Any friends and allies she may've made, any new talents she may've discovered were lost.

"Don't look so upset." Zelena said, taking her hand. "It was my decision and yeah, I missed out, but I found you and that more than makes up for everything else." Mal gave her a smile in return. "I know it all sounds pitiful and pathetic but I don't care. I stopped when we met. If I have to do it all again just to be right here with you, I would."

"Aw." Lily grinned as she walked past. "How cute-" A thunderous roar shook the forest, causing the small woodland creatures to bolt. Another followed, but this one was deeper and more of a groan or a bellow. She recognized the calls as being from a tiger and a lion. The children were quick to crowd around her and Zelena gave them each little pats on the head. They came to an intersection and in the distance Mal could see large four legged creatures coming towards them down the intersecting path. It wasn't long before she was able to recognize them as a group of lionesses, each one as tall as horses with gleaming golden coats. Cynara and Adrienne peeked out as they passed, smiling at the little lion cubs trotting around their legs. They passed by the dragon family without so much as a glance. It wasn't until an older female passed by and stopped, that the others stopped as well.

"Hello, Queen Nor." Zelena said with a respectful curtsy. Maleficent arched an eyebrow as the lioness came to greet her wife.

"Never thought I would see the Wicked Witch of the West again." The lioness purred. "Brrr and Soran will lose their minds. Have you seen King Rama yet?"

"No, I want to see everyone and introduce them to the children." Zelena looked down at her daughters with a smile before swiftly spinning around to find her son. She relaxed when she found Erec sitting on Lily's shoulder.

"You want them to meet everyone?" Queen Nor asked.

Zelena nodded. "Everyone."

When the evening rolled around, the dragon clan was greeted with the full majesty of Oz's magical creatures. Zelena conjured enough supplies for a celebration on the banks of a small river and invited every creature in the Forest to attend. It took them some time to arrive, but when they did, the look on Mal's face was priceless. "The Forest isn't just for animals." She said, "All magical creatures are welcome." When the bushes parted, all manner of sentient beasts stepped out. From mice to rabbits to cows and horses and otters. Parrots of every color landed in the trees around them and still more came. Talking and walking trees and other plants, huge lions and tigers, massive deer and elk with singing birds and lizards riding on their antlers and creatures made of tin, fashioned into strange animals of their own. Centaurs and minotaurs and elves and were-creatures were only a few of those that dwelled here. Fairies and sprites danced across the water towards them and beautiful cats made of spun glass came and rubbed against Zelena's leg.

Last, but certainly not least, came the kings and their sons. King Brrr was a massive golden lion that towered over his subjects. He was more commonly known as the Cowardly Lion. His son, Soren, was a younger lion with white fur and a thin mane that had yet to grow in fully. King Rama was a huge tiger, often referred to as the Hungry Tiger, even larger than Brrr with orange fur and purple stripes, as well as a little bow tied on the end of his tail. His son was named Irasha and he was similar in appearance to his proud father. Zelena had only ever seen them a couple times since she saved the princes from the poacher, but they hadn't forgotten her. None of them had.

Watching her new family meet those who were once her friends felt like two worlds colliding and shifting. The world that was left was unlike any she'd seen before. She cast her gaze over the harmonious group of creatures and saw her daughters chasing young centaurs or swimming with the fairies, Mal having a conversation with the two kings, Ruby playing with other werewolves while Lily argued with a bear over who was going to eat the last piece of honey drenched pie. Erec was at the river mouth, helping a beaver family with their dam and most likely using it as an excuse to play in the mud. It was amazing. Even Regina was enjoying herself. Her sister was seated in the grass with a pair of stallions on either side of her, listening to her tell them about her treasured steeds from her youth. Elizabeth was nearby with a little white stoat sitting on her shoulder, sharing a handful of berries with it while Eric was dining with the princes.

Zelena made her way over to Mal and sat next to her. She was greeted with Rama's booming laugh and Brrr's deep chuckle at Mal's story. Mal turned to her and gave her a kiss on the temple. "Having fun?"

"I am. And you?"

"Of course. Although I must admit that it was strange talking to a deer earlier."

"Why? Because you're so used to eating them?"

"Yes."

Zelena grinned and leaned her head against Mal's shoulder. So much of her world she considered boring and uninteresting or it had long since lost its luster to her. The Forest was beautiful and magical and breathtaking and although it seemed normal to her, it was amusing to see her family so taken with it. Especially since it was only the beginning.

Over the next few days, Zelena took them to the Emerald City and to Shiz to show them the royal palace she once lived in and the magic university she never got to attend. The girls were especially excited about the university, although having them attend was not something she particularly wanted considering the school was in Glinda's back pocket. Perhaps after some reform she would consider the option. However, they had much to do. There was no way she would be able to show them all she wanted them to see, but watching their faces take in the gleaming green city and the university was wonderful enough. They eventually had to go back to Kiamo Ko to prepare for the dragons, but she promised them they would return.

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