From now on, I decided everyone will probably refer to Oscar as simply Oscar, seems more normal for the relationships I want.

Theodora heard the sound of oncoming wings and pressed the four of them, (Oscar carrying Natalie, so five) against the wall and pushed her finger to her lips. She looked up to see the mass of Flying Monkeys go past them overhead and sighed with relief as she slumped to the ground. Glinda looked at her with a smile on her face.

"What's with you?" She asked the blonde.

"You called me your sister."

Oh. Theodora understood what she meant now. She shifted uncomfortably, just realizing how much it meant to her.

"That's because you are, nothing Evanora said can change that."

Glinda smiled again, but then it faltered. She looked to Oscar and tilted her head slightly. He nodded and took off his hat. She turned back to Theodora and smiled apologetically.

"Theodora, about Evanora..."

Theodora listened, following the beginning of the story through her childhood, then up to when her father died as Glinda told her the truth. She could feel the horror rising in her. She searched Glinda and Oscar's face for any sign of a lie, but there was none. She knew though of course, she'd had the sneaking suspicion. Evanora had been different since awhile before her father died, and it just got worse from there. Theodora nodded as Glinda finished the story with their conversation from the day before.

"We should go." Theodora finally said, not knowing what else to say. So she did what she did in situations like this. She avoided it.

The group took off, following the directions to Glinda's sanctuary.

"Why don't we use your bubble thing?" Theodora asked after a while.

"It's too dangerous. The flying monkeys are sure to be patrolling the sky; we should be there soon, though."

Theodora nodded.

"How have you managed to keep it hidden if it's as big as you say it is?" She had to admit it was weird talking to her sister again.

"Spells and protection hexes. Only the pure of heart can get through." Glinda glanced sideways at her, and it didn't go unnoticed. Theodora frowned at this.

"You don't trust me? After I left for you; I can't believe it."

Theodora ran ahead in her anger, behind her she could hear Glinda reassuring Oscar that they would see her again. She kept running blindly, making choices to go at any turn that she wanted. Eventually she got to the bubble barrier, which opened into a clearing. She slowed her running into walking and stopped when she was in front of it. All of the sudden doubts filled her mind:

What if she really couldn't get it?

What if she really was wicked?

She poked the barrier with a tentative finger, the bubble flexed back at her touch and popped at the one area on contact. Theodora smiled to herself- she wasn't wicked. She turned around when she heard approaching footsteps.

"I knew you'd find your way here." Glinda said.

"Yes, because you're smart and pretty." Oscar commented with a wink.

Theodora rolled her eyes and stepped through the barrier. She felt Glinda's hand enclose around hers, for a moment she was tempted to pull away, but she didn't she let her sister guide her through the streets where the inhabitants greeted her friendlily. She hadn't seen citizens this happy anywhere since her father was killed. Yes, Glinda was meant to be the real ruler. It was clear to Theodora now. Glinda, Oscar, Theodora, Natalie, and Finley stepped up the steps of the palace- well Finley flew but that was beside the point. The other three seemed to know where to go as they disappeared when they went past the lobby of the place. Glinda guided her up the winding staircase to a door where she stopped and turn to look at her little sister.

"I dreamed about the day you would come. I had this room made for you, to fit your interests from when I last saw you. I'm not sure if they're the same but we can change things. Go on, here's the key. I'll leave you be." And with that Glinda disappeared down the hall a few doors down into her own room.

Theodora sighed and opened the door with a click as she pressed the key in. Her breath caught when she saw the room. It was perfect, nicer than her one back in the City. The drapes were a deep but welcoming red and the rest of the room was decorated with splashes of red and white. She sat on the bed and felt the soft covers. It wasn't like she expected- dusty un-cleaned from lack of use. No, it seemed Glinda had it taken care of everyday. She really did care; she'd forgotten what it was like. But now she remembered what it was like to have someone love her.

I think this is my favorite chapter so far. Oh, and don't get used to getting TWO chapters in a day, or the daily updates, this week has been unnaturally calm- hate to say it.

Theodora/Elphie your WWW