[Part 1]

Chapter 4: Deep down

- the Yellow Brick Road -

*~Theodora~*

She was still skipping down the road when a group of her sister's Winkie guards caught her eye. Her pace slowed and for a moment she wondered if she would be taken to the dungeons, but then the captain smiled and bowed to her and Theodora reciprocated.

"Good morning, Captain. What has taken your division from the city?"

"Good morning, Miss. Lady Evanora has requested we escort you safely back to the palace. She has arranged a carriage for you and eagerly awaits your return."

She was immediately flooded with relief and happiness.

Her sister wasn't upset with her and she wasn't being banished or exiled or imprisoned, but rather welcomed back with open arms.

Still, there was one thing she was still uncertain of.

"Is she all right?"

The captain's expression softened. "After she was treated, she went right back to work." They shared a knowing look and Theodora even managed a chuckle. That was such a very Evanora-like thing to do. "The chief healer checked on her this morning. Most of her wounds have already gone, but her skin will be tender for another day or so and thus I can safely report that her magic has not lost its potency."

"I'm very happy to hear that."

"And we are very happy to be bringing you home, Miss."

She smiled brightly and then even brighter when she spotted her favourite Munchkin. She skipped over, feeling light and cheerful once again. "Hello, Knuck."

"Theodora, we've been expecting you. I shall blow a fanfare."

"No, no, no, no. Not now." Theodora stopped him hastily, only then noticing the Wizard and Finley making their way over. She waited until he came to a stop before introducing him. "This is the Wizard."

"How do you do, sir?"

"This is the Wizard?" Knuck sounded disbelieving.

Theodora can understand that, she had been in awe as well.

"Is there a problem?" The Wizard seemed offended and to her surprise Knuck looked him up and down and responded with a "Yeah."

Sending him a look, the herald sighed and announced, "All hail the wizard."

"All hail the wizard." The guards repeated, saluting.

"All hail the wizard! The mightiest of mighties, the Greatest, most powerful and most genuine of real and true wizards," Finley's voice joined the fray.

"Thank you!"

"A wizard above scrutiny with no convert agenda or subversive intentions whatsoever," although he may be taking his new servitude a little too far, "a wizard of the highest moral rectitude!"

Oh, he's still going.

"He's just a real, good, solid wizard everyone. The Wizard, here he is!" Then Finley leaned closer, smiling hopefully as he asked them, "How'd I do?"

While the Wizard seemed inclined to only give Finley an odd look, Theodora kindly informed the monkey that he may have gone a little over the top and then proceeded to help him into the carriage.

With the Royal Horses of Another-Colour pulling them along, it wasn't a very long ride back to the city at all. Many people seemed eager to greet them and welcome her return, but the guards ensured the citizens kept their distance.

They always do that, even when she's merely browsing wares in the market.

Her sister insists that Theodora always has an escort, even if she's simply taking a walk in the gardens. When she asked why, Evanora claimed it was for her protection. She's grateful, but Theodora can't help but also feel a little trapped.

With how protective they are of her, most people tend to steer clear.

On the bright side, it has allowed her to become well acquainted with so many of the soldiers!

Each guard in her escort saluted her when the carriage stopped and every soldier they passed on the way to the throne room either smiled or welcomed her home.

The Captain and Knuck personally saw them to the throne room, but before entering the Captain saluted them and departed, needing to return to his duties.

"I should blow a fanfare," Knuck proposed as they entered.

"Not now."

The Wizard seemed in awe of their surroundings and Theodora couldn't help but smile at the sight. Yes, he was going to make a wonderful king.

"Is that it? Is that my throne?"

"Do you like it?"

Theodora started and turned her attention to the platform above the throne where the sun silhouetted a familiar presence. She felt her heart beating a little faster.

"I do so hope you like it because I've been personally watching over it, awaiting your arrival."

Evanora stepped closer, the blinding light that had cast her into shadow falling away from her and Theodora was met with the unblemished sight of her sister.

"Oh. Much obliged."

The Wizard walked over and Theodora accompanied him, suddenly nervous. She'd been relieved to hear her sister was fine and that she wasn't going to be banished from the Emerald City, but now that she actually stood before Evanora she felt apprehensive.

Perhaps this isn't as easy as she thought it would be.

"Praised be, you are here at last and the Prophesy shall be fulfilled. Oh, this is a glorious day for us all!" Her sister descended the stairs, gesticulating excitedly only to stop and stare as she reached the last step. "And may I add you are as handsome a king as we've ever had."

Is Evanora flirting?

"Oh, flatterer! Who is this fetching woman?" The Wizard took Evanora's hand and kissed it, all while keeping his eyes firmly on her face.

It made Theodora uneasy.

She stepped around him, coming to stand next to her family. "This is my sister."

Surprise flashed in the Wizard's eyes and he took a step back; that made her feel a bit better.

"I'm Evanora, the Royal Advisor. I've been protecting the Emerald City whilst we awaited your arrival." Her sister bowed her head briefly, dipping into a shallow curtsey as she showed her respect to the Wizard. "I'm here to serve you, as I served the king before you."

"Well I look forward to being served." The Wizard turned away, moving to inspect the throne.

"Sister, I like him already."

Great Enilrul.

"Ah, my sceptre." The Wizard took up his sceptre and swung his legs over the armrest of the throne. It made him look quite dashing, really.

"Oh, yes, go on then, have a seat. How does it feel?" Evanora was smiling a little too widely, but Theodora held back any comment. The Wizard had already promised that they would be together, he wouldn't break his word.

"Fits like a glove."

He smiled charmingly and her sister's hand flew to her collar in the manner she had seen the ladies of the court do when they were being flirted with.

"Oh, goodness. Uh, Knuck will show you to your chambers and we can, um," her sister leaned forward conspiratorially, toying with her necklace, "we can chat more latter."

"Can't wait." The Wizard got up, swinging his sceptre. "Monkey, my bag."

"Yes, oh Wizard. Right away oh great and powerful one." Finley tugged on the Wizard's carry-bag as he followed him to the doors, Knuck struggling to open them.

Evanora slowly made her way forward, preventing Theodora from seeing her expression.

"Thank you, Sourpuss."

The Wizard swung the Munchkin aside like he was a human door handle and Knuck slid down, quickly banging his trumpet against the floor in agitation.

"My name is Knuck!"

The door once again closed behind them, leaving her and her sister alone in the throne room with what seems a gaping chasm between them. How was she going to bridge this?

"Isn't he wonderful? Didn't I say he would come?"

Her sister turned around, expression shifting to one of contained fury. "You dare escort that," she motioned at the door, appearing to struggle with something, "oaf in here and-and allow him to climb onto the hallowed throne?"

Confusion flooded her in an instant as the shift in her sister's behaviour threw her. Had she not been relieved to have the Wizard with them only moments before?

"And why not? He is the Wizard."

"The Wizard." She sounded disbelieving, but there was something else in her sister's tone that Theodora couldn't quite identify. (It was something that sounded almost like mocking, but why would Evanora mock the Wizard?) "Or so he says."

Evanora met her gaze, eyes softening. "I mean, did it not occur to you that he might be an imposter in league with the Wicked Witch," Theodora had genuinely been willing to listen to her sister's concerns until she mentioned Glinda, (honestly, all the stress has left her sister paranoid to the point she was seeing enemies were there weren't any), "and sent here to kill us?"

"The Wicked Witch? Don't be ridiculous."

"Oh, I'm not the one who's underestimating her cleverness." Evanora turned away from her, only to abruptly turn back, a look of dawning horror on her face though Theodora was uncertain why. "Or maybe it's you I'm underestimating."

(The incident a few days ago came to mind, but she shook it away, unwilling to contemplate why Evanora's words brought up such a memory.)

Mostly, the statement brought about presentiment and concern for what her sister may have convinced herself this time.

"Have you finally joined her side, Sister?"

"I am on no one's side. You know that. I-I simply want peace. It's all I've ever wanted. And the Wizard can do that, he's a good man."

She was beseeching her sister to understand, to cast this irrational fear from her thoughts and see the truth, but all it seemed to do was push her further away.

Theodora saw the change in her eyes, like the sudden snapping of a lute's chord, but she was unprepared for the onslaught that came with it.

"Oh what do you know about goodness? Deep down you are wicked."

"I am not wicked!"

A fireball formed in her palm and flew across the room, shattering a vase by the door. Both of them flinched, Theodora swallowing as she glanced at her hand.

Absently she noticed her sister had taken a step back, an arm wrapped around herself and fear shimmering in her eyes, but Evanora was good at hiding her emotions and concealed it as swiftly as it had appeared.

Theodora lowered her arm, sharply reminded of the aftermath of their last argument.

"That temper really is unsuited to you."

"Do you honestly think that I could conspire against you with her?" She approached her carefully, bringing her hands together in front of her as she tried to convince her sister in a calmer manner. "You are my sister and I love you."

Evanora bowed her head and reached out to her, taking her hand in her own. "I'm sorry." It was soft and nearly inaudible, but their proximity allowed Theodora to hear. Her sister led her away from the door and met her eyes. "But I do need proof that he is who he claims to be."

"But he has already proven himself."

"Not to me he hasn't."

"What do you intent to do?"

She wasn't going to challenge him, was she?

"Tonight, I will take him on a tour of the palace and present him with a quest. If he succeeds, I will allow him a chance to prove himself a worthy king."

That's a start at least.

"What will he have to do?"

"That is his concern, but you are mine. Have the healers perform a check-up, then eat and rest. After that you can tell me about your adventures over these last few days."

She hadn't thought much on it before, but Evanora must have been so concerned when she couldn't find her. Had she tracked her down with her magic? She must have, or she wouldn't have known to send the escort.

Theodora took both her sister's hands and looked her in the eye, attempting to convince her with everything she had that there was no need for further concern. She was home now.

"I'm alright. You don't have to be worried about me."

"I am responsible for you, but you forget that I cannot protect you outside of Emerald City."

"You don't have to protect me. It's not the same as before. I have magic now."

"Magic that you cannot control."

Theodora sighed, realising that this method wasn't working. She pulled her sister into an embrace.

"I'm right here. I'm safe."

"I know." Evanora was strangely stiff as she returned the gesture and Theodora wondered if her wounds had truly gone as the Captain said.

"I'll see you later, okay?" She whispered, lingering. When Evanora didn't respond, she held on a little tighter, seeking the warmth her sister had recently been oddly absent of. "I love you."

"Until later." Evanora's voice sounded strained and as she pulled away Theodora caught a glimpse of a tight smile.

"Alright..." Theodora agreed in confusion, feeling her sister squeeze her hand one last time before she slipped up the stairs and through the passage leading to the second floor. Despite the wall having slid closed behind Evanora, Theodora could still faintly hear the rushed click of her heels.

- L.L