Tin Man Has Heart

Tin Man: When Plans Change

Everything was fuzzy. I know something happened. Az, where is Az? I felt disconnected. I could hear my mother, father and someone else talking nearby but it seemed like they were so far away. I couldn't move or talk it was scaring me. I wish Az was here she would know what to do. Although, I knew someone in back of my mind she shouldn't. I felt a tear running down my face and had no energy to wipe it away with a free hand.

It was then that I could hear what they were saying. It turned out to be the Mystic Man and one of his men. I knew him. I just couldn't put a name to the face he always wore a leather duster and fedora. "Your Majesties, this is not the time to argue over who is in the right. We need a few fall-back plans and your Highness, you have already used more light than you have to give."

"Mr. Cain is right," the Mystic Man a.k.a. Uncle Liam interjected before his Tin Man could be called out for insubordination. "Have you had a chance to rest, Lav," her uncle asked. She must not have, but when angry Mother always had a look that could kill. He tried again to appeal to her emotional side before mentioning Mr. Cain again. "This needs to be taken care of quickly and quietly. How long before she comes out of stasis?"

Mother's voice cracked with emotion, "It depends on her." She leaned over me smoothing my hair out of my face and kissed both cheeks. I wondered what they saw. Do they see me in my night clothes? Are my eyes open and still like a doll? I feel like one. I could feel her energy roam over my body. However much light they thought was taken from her, her touch still felt like a warm hug. She touched my forehead with her lips as she whispered a prayer of good fortune before turning back to her brother, "Even then, she maybe only a shell of herself."

"Are you sure, Lav?" that was Dad and he didn't sound much better. He sounded broken. Dad, don't cry I am right here! Why can't anyone hear me? Mom! Dad! Uncle Liam, someone! I am right here! I tried to grab for his hand, again, nothing happened. The room felt so tense I was grabbing for my throat. But, again nothing moved.

Whatever was going on it's big. Mom was a mix of queen and emotionally breaking. The emotion could carry you away like music notes, twisting and swirling around a room. On the notes, were directions and plans that needed to be carried out. They were rushed, quick, and a bit harsher than normal. Those notes weren't like the ones she normally made. They were more like the ocean waters breaking against a high wall of cliffs. I wasn't sure I could wait much longer before I said something myself. Then I realized, "They can't hear me or feel me."

I can see what they are doing. The hand gestures exaggerated with a lot of emotion. and facial features were distorted with pain, anger and sadness. Their loss was overwhelming. This is horrible! I can feel it! They are dying inside. Cain is the only one who is calm but underneath he was calculating. Like cogs in a clock he was putting pieces together. He reminded me of the generals but with heart. He had hope.

The others however were bleeding and in agony over something. The tension of whatever Mother decided was awful. I take that back. I could feel it just fine. I can feel the tension. I could feel the hurt and knew whatever was going to happen to be extreme when I needed you next was just listen. "Oh, not my Spitfire."

"If the path, goes as I plan she may never truly be your spitfire again." In a more gentle voice at almost a whisper she added, "and my Angel may be lost." Then she lay out a plan. Azkadellia was smart, intelligent and the ancient evil living within her will urge her to sweep the nation of anything or anybody that can resist her future plans. Because of that Milltown would be one of the first villages taken down. They will have to move fast a spy has already found plans for its removal and it was imperative her Angel find her nurture units there as soon as possible. They were already programmed with a set of protocols to adopt her as their own, take her over to the Otherside with them. She'd be safe they could teach her about the OZ and stories and fairy tales just like she always liked. "Her memories of us will be non-existent. However, if we time this right eventually they will come back. She would remember us. She would probably hate us, resent us, maybe even, I don't want to think about that. She will be safe until the time is right for her to come back. For now, I can leave her with the feelings of her past with us. Azkadellia will be unable to use them. They could be used against us."

No, I wanted to yell I can't be erased. I can't let this happen. my story is still to be told and it is not on the Otheside! Maybe, there was another way. Maybe, there was something else that could be done to protect their secrets. Uncle Liam could do something I know it. Live with somebody else not know I am I don't know what I'll do!

Although, mother held me her grief kept her from noticing how aware I was. Uncle Liam had no such difficulties. His grief stemmed from his favorite niece falling victim to an unexpected evil. He took off his glasses and wiped at his eyes to gain perspective, "Time, Lav. We have time. She cannot ascend without gaining military support. She would have to have the support of the noble families of the OZ or the ability to take them out. She needs time to shift the support. Even with The Evil Witch of The Dark it is time that will be needed to take root."

Cain could understand the Queen's grief. He also knew her thoughts had merits. If darkness filled a daughter of light, it was well known how easily swayed they could turn. This has happened to many good witches in the OZ history before the King adopted Dorothy. The creation of the Gayle line. "He's right, your Majesty. Time and patience are needed for her to plant seeds of doubt about your power," Cain spoke with an air of authority.

Ahamo, the Queen's Consort, shook off some of his grief. Lav, might have the magic and be powerful but the consort's role in the OZ came into play as head of the military. Coming from the Otherside like the original Gayle he understood that he would execute her plans and execute his own plans when it came to his family's protection. His family was in a crisis. "That's where I come in, Lav. We have two daughters. You can't just give up on one when things start looking grim."

She did not like what he just said, "Nothing is more important than family." Then kissed my forehead and almost dropped me in anger. Thankfully she had been sitting in the bed before she huffed off across the room.

Uncle Liam addressed Dad, The Consort, having gained a few of his faculties. He agreed, "Family is important. Our bonds to family strengthen over time. They can also weaken. One of you will have to stay near Azkadelia now that she thinks D.G. has past away. We will have to keep that knowledge to ourselves and grieve for her."

The Mystic Man noticed that his Tin Man had moved to a chair closer to the bed. Clearing his throat he began to address the problems, "Lav, hasn't taken into consideration how separating from Azkadelia will draw her attention. Right now, she is in lessons. Her mind is being kept busy by her schedule. The funeral is over. Steps need to be made in keeping D.G. safe."

"Lav," the consort addressed her across the room. "We have to consider more options. Deleting us from our daughter's head is the wrong way to go. I need to think," he looked to Lav, "Honey, there has to be another way. We jump to quickly this charade is going to blow over." Lav stormed off and he picked up his feet to follow. "Lav, what if she notices the travel storm? What if you are unable to stay within the safety of the Northern palace? What if her memories are never recovered," he kept asking questions along the same lines running after his wife.

Shortly after I felt two strong arms lift me up and hold me while I wept. Words of comfort were offered to relieve my suffering by one of Uncle's Tin Men, the one with silver blue eyes and a fedora. The one who caught me running around Uncle's grounds when we came for lunch one day not that long ago. He put a finger to his lips to remain quiet. Mother had stood up and ranted about this and that. What sparked my memory about the nurture units was her faith in Ambrose. The tin man must have felt my discomfort over the issue and looked down at me for the first time when our eyes locked there was a connection. Then just as quickly I shut my eyes, "If they are his nurture units mother, then we are going to have issues."

"What makes you so sure they are right for the princess," he asked. Then added, "Ambrose may not have been thinking straight when he developed them."

Lav didn't look so sure herself, but she had faith in her closest advisor. He had developed them in the company of Az and DG, she could only gather that they were to watch over them when . . . without realizing DG had the same thoughts.

"Well, that's a problem. Azkadellia already knows about the tic tocks. There's a chance she may go after them before you are ready to get her there," Wyatt knew quick and dirty was the only way but this plan had way too many wholes. If he could he would suggest a different route.

"Which route," a small clear voice asked.

He looked down at her and smiled before thinking, slow and breathing. Your magic can be hidden. You could stay with the tic-tocs every now and then. Stay with your father maybe. You have Tudor he can stay and...

You are right! I need to be here in order to gain strength. Going over the rainbow should be the last thing I do. Ask uncle Liam to talk in the hallway.

"Your highness can you give me a moment with the Mystic Man?" They must have just noticed the hold on their daughter and left themselves. Odd.

"Wyatt, you brought up good points, but these are matters of magic..." he started then heard a small giggle, but it was rough and caused DG to cough instead.

Even as petite as she was he could see a silent communication between his Tin Man and his precious niece. He could see her light and it scared him. Wyatt handed her a glass of water, but she was still weak. At least physically weak. "You always surprise me don't you?"

She smiled but still couldn't talk. She looked to Wyatt and frowned. Her response was short, "Try harder."

She did and could only gasp. "Why can't Uncle hear me like you?" It was a good question. So, Wyatt inquired for her instead. "You have to see sending DG to the Otherside as a last option. She would be better off with her Father."

He smiled, "Is that what DG wants?"

"No. She's more concerned about her mother's plans to wipe her memory clean." He looked down again smiled and handed her some more water. "Then she's worried ..." he took a moment, "DG wants to know why I was the only one to hear her."

Her uncle had been given the gift of foresight and taught at an early age not to meddle with a Time- Time didn't care who you were. In this realm He worked with the Fates and could make or break you. But, for DG he would chance reading the two. He already knew Wyatt would play an important role in her future. If plans changed would his role be just as important? He studied them closely and noticed the red string of fate that made the other half of her soul. No, he was married had a son. He saw that Wyatt's marriage now would not be the one he crossed over the sands with but his future was unclear.

He took a moment to himself and cleared away the cobwebs of his sister's plans. He smiled and realized that no matter what Lav's plans were or had been Wyatt would be DGs future. He would be by DGs side when she killed the witch and eventually her consort. If the sorceress won, neither would be alive.

The queen may rule, but the consort sometimes has to take the fall.

"Well, young lady it looks like you and the Tin Man here have a deep connection that extends through time and space." The look on Wyatt's face was enough and Liam gave a hearty chuckle. He then asked what his plans were.

"On any day, I prefer slow and breathing to quick and dead...," and they did. When her parents came back Uncle Liam had a new version to her mother's plan.