In retrospect Wyatt Cain wasn't surprised that DG turned out to be who she was. As they traveled he supposed there were little clues. There was the puzzlement of finding out the girl from the Other Side was a native and that her parents were robots…that was odd. The brand in the shape of the royal seal that the robot priest of Milltown had pressed into her palm—that was a clue so obvious that a first year tracker could see it. All those little things had poked and prodded at his vengeance clouded mind. But then the Mystic Man had confirmed it. With the revelation that her mother had the most beautiful lavender eyes, he and Glitch had turned to stare at the girl who looked back at them with puzzlement. He may have seemed to be a reluctant guardian with the promise he'd given the old wizard the only thing tying him to the princess. The truth was he'd have done it anyway.

So now he stood with Glitch and Raw three months later in the Great Hall of Central City that was full of people from throughout the O.Z. to attend the grand celebration.

He squirmed a bit in his new finery. It was a far cry from his rough and ready wardrobe. Cain wasn't a man given to frippery (he'd flat out refused the cravat offered to him by a flustered manservant) but he had to admit that the black pants and fitted jacket paired with a gun-metal gray silk shirt made him looked sharp. It even came with a new hat.

As the Munchkins of the Eastern Guild finished up their appalling music (did they have to breathe helium before every performance?) he glanced at his companions from the corner of his eye.

From the looks of Raw's fur the hairdressers had gotten to him again. The emotional echo of so many people had put the viewer in a good mood bordering on buzzed.

He was still a bit worried about Glitch. The headcase had been reunited with his missing piece but there were side affects. As good as Dr. Nikidic was all the connection between the two halves could not be repaired. As a result Glitch was now extremely bipolar, switching from fancy free Glitch to serious scientist Ambrose and back again with the misfiring of synapses. The zipper had been removed and a thick head of still wild hair covered his head and he'd returned to Ambrose's sartorial elegance. He was struggling for a balance between his two selves.

Cain's head jerked up as his son Jeb was called forward.

Queen Lurline and Prince Consort Ahamo both garbed in purple sat enthroned on a dais,

Azkadelia in blue and silver sat on Lurline's right in a blue gown and crowned with silver. On Alamo's left sat DG. It seemed that this was an occasion that she felt impractical was the way to go. She wore a gown of strawberry red shot through with gold thread and a tiara of diamonds and rubies was perched on top glossy black curls.

The Tin Man felt his chest swell with pride as Jeb, who had joined the reconstituted Royal Army, received an Officer's Commission and the rank of captain. Cain made a mental note to make an embarrassingly paternal gesture sometime during the reception.

Next, Hank and Emily Gale were called up. He smiled as he caught DG's unladylike bouncing as her other parents approached the throne.

"As you have served and loved in a capacity well above the call of programming we name you both Lord Hank and Lady Emily of all the free peoples of the O.Z." Ahamo said warmly.

Queen Lurline continued, "And we grant you and your people Milltown and the surrounding lands for as long as the twin suns rise and fall."

This was met by thunderous applause and DG springing out of her throne to hug the robotic couple.

Then Tutor was called forward and given a medal and his old post of royal…tutor.

Cain wondered why the man didn't seem to have a proper name. Tutor wasn't a name… it was an occupation. And he clearly disliked being called Toto.

"Raw son of Rawl of the People who Feel, Ambrose Regent, and Wyatt Cain," intoned the prince. "Come forth."

They went forth and bowed.

"Because of you most loyal three our world is saved. Because of you our daughters live. And while we can never repay you we would give each of you tokens of our gratitude." Ahamo intoned solemnly.

"Raw son of Rawl," The queen stood and hung a medal on a ribbon around his neck. "For your great courage we give you the Lion Medal for the valorous. Know this; true courage is not the absence of fear but the acknowledgement that something else is more important than fear."

"We would ask this of your people," Ahamo said with a smile. "That you remain in our court under the posting of ambassador."

Raw goggled at the Prince Consort. "Raw honored." With that he blearily made his way off the dais only to be hugged firmly by DG.

"Our dear Ambrose," Said the queen. Lurline smiled widely at her old friend who offered her an elegant bow.

"Majesty," Glitch murmured.

"What shall we do for you who gave up so much?"

Ambrose blushed and looked at his shoes, "I would do it again."

Lurline smiled gently at him, "And that is why you are rewarded. Ambrose Regent we return to you your posting of our advisor. In addition, we name you, your grace the Duke of Win-kia. And you can't say no, Ambrose. It's a royal decree." She pinned a medal to his lapel with a smug smile.

Ambrose nodded absently and twitched as his synapses misfired, "Sure thing, your highnessness." It could be assumed that Glitch was now in possession of the body as he all but danced down the steps to hug DG and then to stand next to Raw.

"Wyatt Cain, Tin Man." The queen smiled gently at Cain who tried not to twitch. The lawman removed his hat and gave a sweeping bow.

The queen pinned a medal to his coat. "Someone else has asked to honor you, Mr. Cain and under the circumstances I could not very well refuse her."

Cain blinked as the queen returned to her throne. Someone else. What was that supposed to mean?

Princess DG stood up and gave him a small wave. Cain strode over to her. "What's going on?" he said lowly.

DG shrugged and ignored the question. A page mounted the steps carrying a sword on a plush pillow.

"Kneel," DG said with a smile.

Cain looked from the sword to DG and knelt. The princess took the sword gingerly and carried it carefully over to Cain. She touched his right shoulder, his head, and then his left shoulder with the naked blade.

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, and may your heart know only virtue. May your wrath undo the wicked. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath." DG intoned solemnly.

Cain stared up in a daze at her morning glory blue eyes. A daze that was shattered when she slapped him sharply on the cheek; it was a good swinging slap with some weight behind it. He was duly impressed.

"And that's so you remember it!" DG said loudly. There was a subdued rumble of laughter from the court. "Stand, Sir Wyatt Cain, Knight of the Realm." She kissed him on his forehead. Her lips were warm.

He stood with a baffled grin.

Wyatt Cain nodded to the princess and turned to join Glitch and Raw.

"Sir Wyatt." His name in her voice was new. Cain could easily get used to it. "One more thing."

"Yes, princess?" he looked at her expectantly. The page had taken away the sword and now held up a velvet box.

"A Tin Man needs a badge," DG said solemnly. The page opened it. There displayed on green satin, was a badge. It wasn't the traditional circle and star. Instead, it was a very familiar sigil, the same one that she had branded to her palm for the majority of their journey, it was the royal crest. And it was crafted resplendently from tin.

To clear up one misconception, I am not an expert on all things Oz. I get my information from the nice people at wikipedia.

In the books the scarecrow lived in Winkie Country.

The knighting ceremony is adapted in parts from Balien's knighting in Kingdom of Heaven and a little from the old code of knighthood from Dragonheart.