The Scarecrow and the Alchemist

by WhiteRabbit626

Although rebuilding the Zone takes precedence after the Eclipse, many find that mending hearts and minds presents a greater challenge. While Glitch and Ambrose reconnect, Akadellia will battle inner demons to rediscover her light. Meanwhile, DG and Cain will explore their growing friendship and discover much more. Prequel to "Pitstop at the Hilltop Cafe". Rated M for later chps.

26. Chapter 26

Warning!

If you have not read "Pitstop at the Hilltop Café," be warned: Spoilers ahead!

Epilogue

Luck it seems, is never without its twin edge. Although Ambrose and Azkadellia had had an easy reunion, and their engagement was universally celebrated throughout the Zone, it had happened almost completely without their stormy counterparts. Ambrose had been right in his prediction with regards to DG – it hadn't taken long in fact, before she slipped away to the Otherside, broken hearted and dejected. Invariably, Cain had gone rushing after her, and it had taken the better part of an annual to get either of them back to the OZ in time for Ambrose and Azkadellia's wedding day.

Fortunately, whether because Cain had seen the light of day, or because DG had knocked him over the head hard enough, Ambrose was glad to have found their relationship mended by the time he and Azkadellia slipped over to bring them back. Cain was downright glowing with happiness when they'd arrived at the Gale farmstead and had been easily convinced to go back to the Zone. The Tin Man might have been happily in love, but he missed his son and his home too, and so he, DG and the addition of DG's cat, Tiger, happily jumped into a travel storm after them.

It was winter on the Otherside, and so too was it in the Zone when they'd touched down in the grasslands north of Central City, although the bite in the air had long past, and soon Spring would warm these parts where it was bound to continue bitterly a while longer in Kansas. Despite this, Cain and Ambrose grumbled bitterly while DG and Az only smiled serenely into the cold wind that cut through the tall grasses. Fortunately for the men, they would not have to bear the cold for long at least, for a carriage had been waiting for their arrival, and soon transported them in comfort back to Central City.

This short ride offered scant time for any of them to recollect the past annual's events while they'd been separated, and dueling interests being what they were, there seemed to be some agreement that catching up would have to wait. The coming days offered very little in that department either, for both sisters had wedding planning to accomplish, and all that it entailed. Central City Palace was, in many ways, a manifestation of the travel storms that either Gale could now summon with a flick of their wrists – Azkadellia and DG were in constant motion, buzzing from one activity to the next, and staff bustled around them all the while, causing both men to retreat to the safety of their corners.

The days went quickly like this, until the morning of Azkadellia and Glitch's wedding dawned, bright and unblinking. When Wyatt awoke that morning, with DG draped over his shoulder and her foot curling around his knee, the quality of this new light aroused him, causing him to blink at the ceiling where it seemed to dance until his vision cleared. After spending nearly an annual in a place where only one sun brightened the morning sky, the brilliance of OZ mornings still startled him somewhat, and his vision was still acclimating to the change like he was emerging from a darkened room. When he stirred to get a better view of the morning light, DG only whimpered somewhat in her sleep, and turned away from him without waking; a sure sign of her acceptance of his consciousness and refusal to be so herself. Wyatt smirked at this and leaned over to place a faint reminder of his adoration on her bare shoulder before he slid out of the bed. A contented sigh escaped the princess when Wyatt's lips glanced her skin, and she hummed her approval, only whining in protest when the warmth of his body slipped away.

"It's not time to get up yet, Wyatt, come back." DG grumbled adorably.

Wyatt grinned back at his princess, and he might have complied, but as usual she was sorely mistaken in her accounting of the time, and he answered with a scoff, "Princess, you might be able to get dressed by blinking your eyes, but us mere mortals have to take showers and shave before we can even think about putting clothes on." DG interrupted him with a groan, followed by her slamming a pillow over her head, and Wyatt only laughed, adding with a non-impressed sigh, "I'm going to go hop in the shower, Your Grouchiness. I'll wake you when I get out."

"Okay," DG replied through the pillow, throwing up a 'thumbs up' to him without extricating herself from the bedding.

Wyatt's lopsided grin was lightened by the humored twinkle in his eye, and he chuckled under his breath as he padded over to the bathroom and shut himself in. He'd been poking at her, of course, by implying that she could get ready simply by blinking her eyes. DG only wished she could do the things Wyatt accused her of being able to do – it wasn't that she couldn't, mind you, but the use of her light on such frivolity would have only drained her unnecessarily. Besides this, DG was much too independent to give in to such short cuts, as he'd discovered during their time in Kansas. Even with full use of her light, DG still delighted in doing things with her own hands. It was one of the princess's qualities that Wyatt loved, and only endeared her to him further. He was so focused on her, in fact, that he rushed through his shower, knowing that DG would be nearly impossible to move if she slept too much longer. The mirror was only marginally fogged over when he twisted the taps shut once more, and the lack of any sound on the other side of the door told him that DG was most likely already fast asleep.

"Damn," Wyatt growled under his breath as he toweled off quickly and slipped into the adjoining dressing room.

Here was where he knew he'd get tripped up. Turning on the light within this space reminded him of why he was so eager to move out of these quarters. While DG's rooms did just fine for one person, adding his wardrobe, plus everything they'd brought back from Kansas had resulted in this particular space becoming massively cramped, with clothing overflowing from the racks and piles of shoes and random collections of art supplies shoved underneath. Although DG was generally a well-ordered person at heart, their current circumstances had upended her usual patterns, turning her and their life into the heart of a twister. DG had been so busy in the past few days, and so embarrassed by her haphazard frame of mind that she'd refused to let Ana in to straighten the mess, insisting that since she'd created it, she would have to fix it. Unfortunately for Wyatt, this meant that his own clothes were even more randomized than they would have been in his own spartan quarters.

Wyatt huffed in irritation – he'd have to pester DG about the mess later. Now he just needed to find his clothes. His uniform was the easiest thing to find, being that Wyatt had insisted on an uncluttered space for it where it could hang without being crumpled irreparably. His shoes were equally easy to find, since he'd slid them onto a high shelve where DG couldn't easily reach. His underwear and dress shirt were another matter altogether, and he stood in the center of the closet, naked and irritated, growling under his breath when he couldn't locate either.

"Damn it," Wyatt grumbled, and he raised his voice then to call out through the open door, "Deeg, where's my dress shirt? I thought I hung it up last night. It was right here." When DG did not even offer a muffled reply, Wyatt bellowed even louder, "Dorothy, are you listening to me? We've got to get ready or we're going to be late."

Wyatt's bare feet began to move on their own, intending to march into the other room to rouse his frustratingly asleep finance, when DG suddenly appeared in the doorway, causing him to stop short and his mind to go very suddenly blank. Dorothy's eyes were dark, and a devilish smile curled the edges of her mouth in such an alluring way that he growled under his breath. What was more, she'd found his shirt, and wore it better than him even, using only its thin, white material to cover her bare skin.

"You weren't looking for this, were you, because I thought might just go like this if you weren't going to wear it." DG asked innocently while she hooked a finger on the opening just above her breastbone. She took a few steps into the room while she spoke, and she looked up at him through her eye lashes, daring him to pounce on her with her very wicked manner.

Wyatt dropped the shoes in his hands immediately, and his eyes turned stormy as he stalked towards her. There was something almost animalistic in his posture as he drew close to her, reaching behind her to swing the door shut, and DG swore he purred as he gently pushed her against the now closed door.

"If you go to the wedding like that, you're sure to upstage the bride, Dorothy," Wyatt purred with a seductive smile.

Although DG fully intended to offer a witty retort, Wyatt effectively silenced her with his mouth, crashing down onto hers with exacting dominance. Wyatt's hands grasped her bare hips while his mouth demanded all her attention, and the way his tongue tangled with hers, making her go hot and cold all at once, she could not help but go completely weak and breathless in his grasp. He'd done it all on purpose of course, since this was a game that they played frequently – one of them always trying to one-up the other until DG finally succumbed in ecstatic and climatic conclusion. He'd won this round of course, causing DG to be nearly breathless when their lips parted.

"You'd better fix it then," DG finally panted, her head dropping back to lean on the door and her eyelids becoming heavy with arousal.

Wyatt chuckled darkly, and his eyes were equally so when they rested on her chest, which heaved in anticipation. His fingers drifted to that first button, while his lips left hot, open mouthed kisses where her skin was slowly revealed to him. DG wanted him to completely remove the shirt from her body and bring relief to her by striking all the sensitive regions on her body that would make her come completely undone. Wyatt was having too much fun in building the tension, though, and continued to smile against her skin as he kissed his way down the opening of the shirt, until he kneeled before her, kissing the soft, barely rounded mound of her abdomen before he finally lifted her leg and hooked it over his shoulder. His eyes flickered upward to check his progress; DG's eyes were closed, and she breathed in short, shaky breaths, while one small hand rested on his free shoulder, and the other was planted firmly on the door as if she was using it to stabilize herself. Wyatt turned then to the sight that had been revealed to him, throbbing and wet already, and he hummed in quiet approval before he leaned in to give her a taste.

DG was salty and sweet all at once, and that coupled with her delectable panting made her irresistible, and Wyatt growled low as he consumed her. His eyes continued to watch her while his tongue danced around her opening and tickled her sensitive button, and finding her biting her lip to silence herself, he became even more determined, and added a digit to the dance on her body. Finally, DG could not remain silent any longer, and the assault on her senses finally broke her, causing her to clutch Wyatt's head to her body while she cried out. Her eyes were open by the time Wyatt stood back up, smirking while he licked her away from his lips, and she found that she had been rendered momentarily speechless while she caught her breath.

Wyatt took some pity on her and leaned in to kiss the column of her neck while she continued to come down from her high, and he purred against her skin between kisses, "I think I found one good use for this closet."

"Huh?" DG asked in a dazed voice, her hands grasping his biceps while he continued to kiss his way down her collarbone and pushing the shirt out of the way as he went.

Wyatt stopped suddenly in his attentions to look up at her, flashing her a wicked smile when he answered in a rumble, "If I fuck you in here, you can scream as loud as you want and you won't have to use a silencing spell with all these clothes all over the place."

Wyatt's body leaned into hers as he spoke, and he was so close that DG could feel the heat of his breath on her skin when he spoke. Having him so near sent DG's heart racing, and she longed to reach up and plant a searing kiss upon his smirking mouth, to silence the challenge in his voice and his eyes. Instead, though, a challenge flashed in her own eyes, and she grinned when she prodded back suggestively, "Well, you'll have to get me there first, Tin Man. I mean that was nice, but it wasn't quite as earth shattering as you might think."

Wyatt held DG's gaze, and his own was dark and heated when he grinned back at her. Then, like a dam had broken, his mouth was on hers, hot and demanding as his tongue danced with hers, causing her to whimper when he pulled away suddenly. A dark laugh vibrated through him when he knew she'd given up her subterfuge, and he gladly pushed the shirt off her shoulders and to the floor now while she abandoned her control, panting as his hands traveled her now exposed curves to grasp her by her hips. DG's own hands climbed to Wyatt's shoulders, and she reached up on her toes to bring him back to her, and she sighed in relief when he complied, pulling her against him when they resumed their feverish kissing.

Wyatt was impatient now, his own game having gotten the better of him, and he growled into DG's mouth just before he lifted her. DG's legs instantly raised to anchor her midsection to his hips, and she gasped to the ceiling when Wyatt piloted into her, rough and hard as his head fell into her chest.

"Oh god," DG moaned while he continued to thrust within her, and one hand flew to the shelf overhead to steady her body, while the other clutched Wyatt's shoulder.

Wyatt grunted in reply, his own words stollen by the sensations consuming him, and making his more primal side dominant. He was like a body possessed and watching DG pant and moan only goaded him further, and he growled hungrily against the damp column of her throat as he continued to pummel her into submission. DG's eyes rolled back in her head and her breathy cries intensified as she continued to climb higher and higher into bliss. It didn't matter any longer where they were, or who might hear, for her world had exploded into vivid and brilliant color at Wyatt's hands, and she now cried out in time with Wyatt's thrusts against her sensitive bundle of nerves, her voice bright and almost melodic until she nearly slipped into unconsciousness. Wyatt too, was wholly overcome by the feeling of DG, burning hot and tight around him, and her cries where like music, driving him forward and until his body seemed to careen, falling into her until he exploded with a hoarse shout.

As he slowed to a stop, the pair both felt the heaviness of their bodies once more, damp and spent against the other, separate but together once more. DG's arms both now draped limply around Wyatt's shoulders, and his own cried out from the exertion of having held DG's weight during their lovemaking. When he pulled out of her, DG whimpered at the loss of him from her. He could only smile faintly as he set her down, as his own breath had been stolen and his heart still thundered within his chest. His hands remained anchored to her waist though, and his forehead leaned against hers while they both continued to recover.

After a few moments like this, Wyatt's eyes fluttered open, and his voice emerged in a tender whisper when he spoke. "I'm going to have to marry you soon, Dorothy. It's downright indecent how much I want you all the time."

DG smiled, and she planted a soft kiss upon his lips before she replied, "You'll get your chance soon enough, Wyatt."

Wyatt happily returned her kiss, and his eyes glittered down upon her in adoration, while he slowly dropped to his knees before her. His hands gently swiped at her abdomen, and he kissed the damp skin here as well while he murmured to her body, "You're so beautiful, Dorothy, and I'm one lucky bastard."

DG's hands rested on Wyatt's head while he gave his attention to her body, and she sighed when he kissed her, replying with a smile, "We'll see about that. It's a good thing at least that Az and Ambrose are workaholics and wont' be gone on honeymoon long, otherwise I'll be out to here before I can get down the aisle."

Wyatt ran his fingers along her small abdomen and smiled, his eyes flashing up to hers as he scoffed, "No one cares about that here, Dorothy. Besides, you're so small, even after two cycles, I doubt you'll show too much. It's a wonder you're pregnant at all."

DG could only laugh, and this caused Wyatt to rise once more to his feet, frowning slightly when she continued to laugh. "I'm sorry," DG sighed, resting a hand on his chest as she gasped for air, adding, "its just, with as sick as I've been lately, I have no doubt about being preggers. Can't wait to see what else this little one has in store. Next thing I know, she'll be tap dancing on my spine."

Wyatt's frown turned into a smirk, and he kissed her forehead lovingly before he scoffed, "You think that's bad. Better start getting your beauty rest now. I don't think I slept much in Jeb's first year. Little guy just about killed me and Adora first with lack of sleep and then worry. Got into all kinds of trouble right out of the gate."

Wyatt gave DG one last kiss on the forehead before he returned to the bathroom to clean up, and DG stooped to pick up his dress shirt while she laughed to herself. "That sounds vaguely familiar, but I always took you as the cautious type, Wyatt."

"I am," Wyatt laughed from the bathroom. "Adora wasn't. She was always getting into some kind of trouble. Kind of like a certain princess I know."

DG smiled at the shirt in her hands and while her hands ran down the smooth, cotton material, the wrinkles instantly disappeared. A look of smug satisfaction was on her face when Wyatt reappeared to reclaim the article, which very nearly turned into a full blow grin when he raised a quizzical eyebrow to her, seeing her handiwork on his clothes. She raised her own eyebrow in challenge and folded her arms before her while he examined it, frowning slightly when he slid it on without a word. It wasn't until she stomped away in a fit of displeasure that his hidden amusement revealed itself, and he grinned impishly when she grumbled incoherently from the bathroom.

"What was that, Dorothy?" Wyatt asked innocently while he continued to dress, "I don't think I heard you."

DG huffed loudly from the other room. "You're welcome, Wyatt." She barked back in exasperation, "for fixing your shirt."

DG had been turned away from the door while she grumbled, having decided to take a bath before changing, and when Wyatt's hands slid around her waist, and his breath came in hot behind her ear, she gasped in surprise while her head dropped onto his shoulder. "Thank you, Dorothy, for not burning a hole in my dress shirt," he chuckled darkly, ending by placing a soft kiss on curve of her neck.

DG turned in his arms, fulling intending to chastise him for his impertinence, but when she was met with his soft smile and warm, gleaming eyes, her irritation melted instantly. Wyatt took advantage of this and leaned in to kiss her again, this time slow and tender while his hand cradled the back of her head. One soft reminder seemed hardly enough, though, and with one swipe of DG's tongue, Wyatt's mouth opened with sigh, admitting her inside. It was DG's turn to be demanding, and every delectable turn of her tongue on his seemed to pull him under further, causing him finally growl while he pulled her naked body flush with him. DG's hands roamed to his suddenly tight pants, and Wyatt pulled away with a grunt, sighing when he noted the dark look in her eyes. DG sighed too, and her hands moved to rest on his chest, completing her conciliation by leaving a softer rendition on his lips.

"You're everything to me Dorothy. I love you so much." Wyatt whispered, his arms still wrapped around her waist, holding her to him. "Thank you for not giving up on me."

DG's blue eyes were wide, and she smiled against the wave of giddy happiness rushing quickly over her, "You made it easy, Wyatt. I love you too." she replied in a wavering voice before her head dropped to his chest.

Wyatt kissed her crown gently, feeling DG suddenly trembling in his arms, and he rubbed her shoulders to warm her body. Hearing a muffled sniffle brought the Tin Man to the realization that DG wasn't cold though, she was crying. "Hey," Wyatt whispered against her crown, "what's wrong?"

DG sniffled as she raised her head to look in Wyatt's eyes. Despite the tears that had seeped out of her eyes, she was smiling weakly at him, and she spoke with a cracked voice, replying, "Nothing's wrong, I'm just so happy."

Wyatt smiled back at her and pushed her hair behind her shoulder. Oh, I get it. Hormones. He thought with a sympathetic smile, knowing better than to say anything, lest he should encounter the flip side of her happy tears.

DG stepped out of his arms and wiped her face furiously, sighing after a moment and stopping suddenly to laugh, "I guess this is another side effect of pregnancy. I think Az might have something with skipping make up today. If I'm crying now, then there's bound to be some major waterworks later."

Wyatt's mouth twitched as he tried in vain to hide a smile, and he laughed instead, "Well, I'll keep a few extra handkerchiefs in my pocket just for you."

DG rolled her eyes as she stepped into the bath, scoffing as she sat down. "My hero," she retorted with a raised eyebrow.

Wyatt grinned and kissed DG in response, muttering seriously against the seam of her lips, "Say what you will Mrs. Cain, but we've got a wedding to get ready for."

Wyatt stood back up and returned to the dressing room, but not before witnessing DG's nod of agreement. "I get it Tin Man, no being fashionably late. Come get me in ten minutes if I'm not out." DG grumbled while she twisted her hair up and away from her shoulders before she began to furiously scrub her body.

Wyatt had seen enough to know that DG was taking him seriously, and he waved her off in favor of completing his own tasks. Most of DG's final preparations would be done with Az anyway, while he would need to be completely ready before they left their quarters. His mind wandered as he went about his chores, harkening all the way back to the first time he'd met DG and Ambrose, after seeing their faces through the murky glass of the iron suit. He'd almost ignored their appearance all together, believing that they were just another figment of his imagination. Then DG had swung though the replay of his family's separation, causing the device playing it to sputter and malfunction until it came to a stuttering halt. He'd blinked at the sudden change in the view before his eyes as if waking out of a deep sleep, and finding DG and Ambrose standing before his now dilapidated house made him come awake and his arms wiggled to break free of their confinement. He'd only managed to slam his hands against the metal door in his sudden burst of energy, bringing the pair just below his nose while they tried to determine the source of the thudding racket. He managed another slap on the metal door just before his energy gave out again, and he could barely maintain consciousness when DG returned to his view, hammer in hand and determined frown on her face. When the door opened, he had been so consumed with the thoughts that had been turning in his head for the past nine annuals within that suit that he hadn't really thought to thank the pair for freeing him. The truth was, though, DG and Ambrose both had done much more than that. They'd stepped into being his family so effortlessly, and without asking for anything in return. They simply wanted him around. Wyatt still couldn't figure out why, but he was thankful still, and excited besides for the next chapter in their joint tale to begin.

Wyatt very nearly forgot to check on DG, being so consumed with the thoughts in his head, and it wasn't until her hands slid around his middle that he snapped out of it with a jump. "Great Glenda, DG!" He cried out in surprise, "I guess I lost track. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Tin Man, I didn't. Where did you go?" DG replied gently.

Wyatt turned to find that DG had gone so far as to change, and the rose-colored taffeta only highlighted the almost constant flush on her pale skin. Wyatt was so transfixed that he almost forgot to answer, and his eyes took DG in while he sighed wistfully. DG's eyebrow raised quizzically, and she placed a soft kiss on his lips that caused him to shake his mind free of its fog, and he replied, "Just remembering being rescued by a princess and a headcase. And being really happy about it."

Wyatt's finger traced the curve of DG's jaw, and his eyes glittered happily in counterpoint to her own, which seemed to smile on their own while she gazed up at him. "I seem to recall you wanting to get rid of me then. Something about heart having nothing to do with it," DG murmured with a humored smile.

"Like I told Ambrose, I was lying," Wyatt countered earnestly, and his smile softened while he tilted his head towards the door, "Now come on, Princess. We've got jobs to do."

DG planted a sweet peck on his lips and sauntered past him, swishing her dress tauntingly and causing the Tin Man to rumble animalistically under his breath. DG only snickered as she passed, and Wyatt countered by swatting her behind, drawing a smirk from her as she looked back. Wyatt grinned back, reveling in their lighthearted gameplay for the last moments of privacy they'd have all day. He stalked after her while he maintained his near-evil grin, and he chuckled when she stopped suddenly, turning to leave him with a light kiss, knowing they were now both bound for their charges at opposite sides of the palace.

Wyatt's heart was so light that it seemed as if it might float down the hall with DG as she disappeared in the opposite direction. A smile was on his face though as he watched her depart, and he sighed with almost wistful intent when she turned the corner, knowing that he would have other charges to deal with today. He turned then to march in the opposite direction and reached Ambrose's room with such speed that he wondered if he might actually be a bit early. He was surprised then by the swiftness of Ambrose's response to his knock, and when the door swung open, Ambrose's visible nerves determined the cause. While Ambrose's surgery had resulted in only a few outward changes, they had been enough to make him appear generally more put together. Ambrose's curls were now more relaxed, and he had since trimmed his hair on the sides, making him seem more coiffed. His face, which had once had a slight pallor to it, was now often flushed with a warm glow, making him appear younger. On this day, however, he was full of nervous excitement, and his face was red when he opened the door to Wyatt. He barely even acknowledged the Tin Man before he buzzed past him as he moved back to his floor length mirror, fidgeting with his tie all the while in a sorry attempt to tie it.

Wyatt watched him quietly and smiled, recognizing the nerves flowing off Ambrose like water. He quietly stepped behind Ambrose and placed a hand on his shoulder as he spoke gently, "Here, let me do that."

Ambrose sighed and turned around, lifting his chin and holding still while he grumbled, "I can't seem to get this right today. It's like I'm glitching again."

Wyatt focused on the tie and he replied through his concentration, "You're not glitching. You're getting married." Wyatt finished the knot and patted Ambrose's chest lightly as he smiled at him, "There, all done."

Ambrose smiled back nervously and nodded in thanks, turning to examine Wyatt's job in the mirror. After a cursory examination, he shrugged and replied, "It'll do, thanks Wyatt."

Before another word could be spoken, there was a quiet knock at the door, and Raw poked his head in. "Raw, I'm so glad you're here!" Ambrose cried excitedly while he swept over to the door and greeted the Viewer warmly.

Raw accepted Ambrose's hand with a kind smile and held it in both of his, quietly rumbling, "Raw very happy. Very happy." Raw looked from Ambrose to Wyatt and continued, "Healing complete. Bright days ahead now."

Wyatt's smile fast became a grin, and he embraced the Viewer with a chuckle. When Wyatt and Raw parted, Ambrose took a deep breath and spoke up, "Well, I'm glad you're both here. It's been quite a ride, fellas, and after everything we've been through together, there's no one else I'd rather have with me for the beginning of this next adventure." Ambrose paused his speech to pour a drink, handing it to Wyatt as he spoke. Raw was given a glass next, and they both stood quietly holding their glasses as Ambrose continued, pouring his own drink. "I just wanted to thank you both. You're my best friends you know. Cheers."

The three clinked their glasses together before downing their drinks quickly. Wyatt winced against the sting in his throat and croaked out as he put his glass down to slap Ambrose's shoulder, "Well, we're about to be family now, and I couldn't ask for a better brother. Congrats Ambrose."

Ambrose was not satisfied with a slap on the shoulder and pulled Wyatt into a hug instead. "I think the pregnancy hormones are rubbing off on both of us," Ambrose scoffed as he separated from the Tin Man, causing the man to let out a puff of air in agreement.

The men all chuckled to counterpoint the suddenly sober realization amongst them all; nearly two annuals ago, their lives had been in shambles and their families spread to the winds. DG had pulled them all together and brought them back to life. Since then, they'd weathered not only the Sorceress's wrath and traipsed through every corner of the Zone with danger on their heels, but they'd seen each other through their own separate struggles, coming out on the other end a kind of family all their own. Although their experiences had given them each other, they all now had families of their own burgeoning before their eyes. Raw had adopted young Kalm, and the boy now shadowed him almost constantly, and the other two men had cubs of their own on the way. Ambrose let the rest of his fire whiskey slip down his throat while this thought clouded his mind. Warmth bloomed in his gut, and the curious sensation of not knowing whether it was the alcohol or his thoughts creating the warmth made a crooked smile spread on his face, and his eyes gleamed happily. At this point, he was sufficiently relaxed and ready, and so Wyatt retrieved their glasses and set them down before he followed other men through the doors.

The library was still empty when they arrived, as it was still somewhat early, and the suns' rays had only just begun to cast their warmth upon the space. The men chose to amble about, surveying the changes to the room; the furniture had been rearranged to face the massive bay windows, and two large arrangements of deep pink roses flanked these. It was a simple arrangement to be sure, one hardly fitting for the next monarch of the OZ, but Cain had convinced the Queen quite early on that security was paramount, and opulence would only breed opportunity for anyone still bitter over the past fifteen annuals. This had been a wedding present of sorts from the Tin Man to Ambrose and Az; for neither of them had been enamored with the thought of a large ceremony and had secretly hoped that the next page in their story would be told where it had been born in the first place; in the library.

The next arrival to the library was a lone harpist who was attended by a footman, who quickly arranged for a chair to be placed to the side of the windows. Once seated, the harpist quietly sat tuning her instrument, discretely ignoring the quiet conversations of the men stationed at the windows. Next were the other guests, who took their seats, quietly conversing as they waited. Finally, the Queen and Prince Consort entered, with almost no fanfare, and fondly greeted their guests as they moved towards their seats at the head of the room.

This was the harpist's cue, and she began to play soft music that floated about the room pleasantly. Given the setting, being surrounded in books and scant witnesses, the music gave the room a romantic quality, and Ambrose stood, bubbling over while being simultaneously transfixed by the double doors. He eagerly awaited the appearance of Azkadellia, whom he knew would arrive at any moment now that the Queen was seated. He didn't have to wait long, for as the harpist began a new melody, the double doors opened, and DG stepped through with Azkadellia trailing behind her. Although DG was definitely a sight to behold herself, Ambrose only saw Azkadellia. She seemed to sparkle like a gem in her dress, as the suns' light struck the crystals of her dress and diffused the light in all directions. Her hair, which she had allowed to grow out in the past annual, was tied in a loose bun at the back of her head, and small white flowers crowned the knot. There was a soft smile on her face as she approached, and when she took Ambrose's hand, he could feel her tremble slightly.

"You're beautiful," he whispered as he gently rubbed her hand.

Azkadellia's smile brightened even more, and she whispered back, "So are you."

As Ambrose and Azkadellia stood facing each other, quietly gazing at the other in giddy anticipation, Raw addressed the entire room, speaking in a low, humble purr, "Today bright day in the Outer Zone. Loss of love create darkness in our world, but presence of great love bring much light and healing to all. First the heart heal, then the mind, and the love of our princesses and their knights has healed all." While Raw spoke, he glanced knowingly at both couples standing before him. Both pairs seemed transfixed by the other, and only marginally paid attention. Raw had intuited this of course, and as he continued, a bashful smile arose on his kind face, "Ambrose and Azkadellia ask me to join them in marriage, and Raw honored to be witness to such happy day," then he addressed the bride and groom in his usual quiet manner, "Ambrose and Azkadellia wish to say their own vows?"

Ambrose and Azkadellia, with eyes locked only on the other, nodded in reply to Raw, and Ambrose began, "Azkadellia, you have always been the best part of my mind, so full of wonder and raw imagination. When I lost you the first time, I felt like my whole world had shattered, and I didn't even realize why until I found you again. When I didn't remember who I was to you, you were still the best part of me, and I found myself drawn to you. If you couldn't sleep, I couldn't sleep. If you were sad, I was sad. When you were happy, I was overjoyed. I believed that it was my duty to rescue and safeguard you, my princess, but it seems that you were the one doing the saving all along. Not once, but twice you rescued my mind, and I'll never forget it again. Our paths have always been linked, and I'm glad to say that now, your path is mine, and we will walk it together. I promise to always walk next to you on our path. When you feel weak and unable to walk, I will carry you. I love you Azkadellia and I pledge myself to you, my wife."

"Ambrose," Akadellia returned with a wavering voice, "You have always been my rock. When my mind is buzzing, you always seem to calm the storm, and help me to focus my energy and my spirit. You have always believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself, and that faith in me led me out of the dark. When you were taken from me, and things looked their most bleak, you held my hand and reminded me of that faith. You loved me even when you didn't remember me. I promise to always have faith in you, and to trust that our love will continue to stand the crucible of this life. I will hold your hand through it all and walk with you through whatever storm may pass. I love you Ambrose, and I pledge myself to you, my husband, my light."

Neither Ambrose nor Azkadellia seemed to hear anything after that moment, being consumed by the other, until they heard the words they had been waiting so impatiently to hear. When Raw said "I pronounce you husband and wife," Ambrose and Azkadellia could no longer contain themselves, and met in a laugh-filled kiss while the room erupted in happy applause, all feeling an overwhelming sense of joy for the couple.

As happy as Azkadellia and Ambrose were to share in their joy, their world contracted in that moment, and they nearly forgot that they were not alone. With hearts soaring and happiness bubbling out of their very pores, they found it difficult to look anywhere other than in each other's eyes. When they finally did break their contact to look upon those in witness to their bonding, they found that the other attendants had already left, wanting to give the Gales a moment alone. The only witnesses left within the room were their family and they shared happy hugs at the close of their ceremony.

It was only when the Queen approached, bearing a large parcel wrapped in creamy silk, that the smiles faded to more sober levels, and when the Queen stood before Azkadellia, she held out the parcel with an enigmatic smile. "I was told to give this to you and your sister on the day that you both were blessed in love." She paused to meet Raw's eyes, and finding the man smiling and nodding in silent approval, she continued, "It's not really a wedding gift, darling, but it is very special."

She stepped back, allowing DG to cut in, and the girls stood next to each other in rapt silence as Azkdellia unwrapped it. Within the silk lay a large, green velvet book. The material was soothing to the touch, and Azkadellia's fingers traced the edges of it before they ran along the golden letters printed through its center, spelling "OZ" in brilliant, giant form. Though the book itself was large, the pages numbered few, making the size of the volume almost superfluous except for what lay within. The girls seemed to feel this, and their eyes shined as they might have when they were children as the volume was opened, revealing the prophesy that had nearly torn their lives apart, written in scrolling, golden letters:

The majestic Queen of the OZ had two lovely daughter she.

One to darkness she be drawn and one to light she be show.

The double eclipse it is foreseen, light meets dark in the stillness between,

but only one, and one alone, shall hold the Emerald and take the throne.

DG huffed in irritation at the words, and nearly looked away, except Azkadellia's hand reached out and grasped hers tightly, and she cried in a quiet, excited hush, "Wait Deeg, look!"

DG returned her eyes to the page, and they widened like saucers when letters began to appear beneath the known words, bright as sunlight as they wrote themselves in:

For whoever, the throne, their task shall be.

The other shall reign eternally,

as mother of hope, healing, and golden light.

Together in the end, the sisters, shall put out the night.

This was not the prophesy as they had been told it to be as girls, nor was it the dark eventuality that the Sorceress had led them to believe it was. It was the truth that had been in their hearts from the beginning. Together, the Gale princesses were strong, and brighter than any other natural light within or outside of the OZ. What was more, it was apparently important that they followed the advice of the hearts, leading them to the two men that stood with them. For not only were the Princesses strong together, bringing light to the darkness that had grown throughout the OZ, but their bonds with the Tin Man and the Scarecrow would strengthen them as well, giving them the ability to rise above the trails of their youth and lead the OZ into a new golden age.

The Tin Man and the Scarecrow looked on this sight in awe, and a wave of love bloomed within them both, for it truly was a bright sunrise ahead, and they could only be happy for the turns along the old road that had brought them here together.

Author's Closing

With that, my friends, I must say a small adieu. While I have loved writing these tales, I must flick my pen onto other projects for a short while. I truly hope that you have enjoyed my idle fancies.

This is not farewell forever though, and I truly hope to meet along the old road soon.

If you would be so kind, please do tell me what you've thought about my ramblings. Should you have any thoughts or requests for future works, I would be glad to hear your suggestions!

Yours truly,

White Rabbit