I can't believe how much my life has changed...
"So, Glinda, shall we pick up where we left off last week?" came the soft questioning voice of her personal adviser, counselor, and only friend Tyuan Tintelus of Frottica. He was Captain of the Emerald Knights. She renamed the Guard not long after deposing the Wizard and putting Morrible in a cell in the deepest pits of Southstairs. The word Guard had sounded too violent for her liking and that sickening title of Gale Force had needed Glindafying, thus the new name. The two of them had quickly become friends, and she'd one day found herself telling him about her days back at Shiz, the days before the Wicked Witch of the West. It was to him she told the story no one else in Oz knew, and in him that she found a similar sympathy for the emerald girl that had battled an entire world. After their first conversation about those days, she and Tyuan had continued their discussion once a week, in total privacy, allowing Glinda to cope with the pain of losing her best friend. But now, as she lay upon the soft grasses of her inner sanctum, the greenhouse she'd had installed in what had once been the Wizard's living quarters of the grand palace, she did not know where to start. The story had finally linked up to the present day during their last session, and she was unsure of what to say next. So, the young blonde decided to simply speak whatever came from her heart.
"I miss her so terribly, Tyuan. You have no idea. She was the only real friend I'd ever known, and now that she is gone, I feel so lonely." She realized what she was saying and looked up at Tyuan. "Not that I don't treasure your friendship, its just..."
"Not the same." He smiled. "Believe it or not, Glin, I do in fact understand how you feel. When my brother left, I was torn apart. I don't know what happened to him when he left, and to this day I know nothing about where he is. Each day gets easier as time wears on. I remember him as he was, and I never forget to miss him at least a little each day. That I way I know I haven't forgotten him entirely."
"I've never thought of it that way before, Tyuan. I just...it just..." She broke off, frustration taking her beautiful porcelain face and twisting it. Closing her eyes, she reached up and took off the crystalline tiara she wore and shook her head, allowing her golden locks to fall gracefully upon her shoulders. She set the tiara upon the ground next to her, and stared at it before speaking once again. "It hurts so much to miss her and know that I can't mourn her because if I do, not only will it defy her final wishes, it will cause total chaos in all of Oz." She looked into Tyuan's eyes, and her blue irises twisted in confusion. "She left me behind to keep Oz safe for her, Tyuan. What if I mess up?" She whispered, finally releasing the fear she had held in these many months. Tyuan's gaze held only sympathy as he watched her tears begin to fall.
"Glinda, no one is perfect. We are all bound to make mistakes. It is not those mistakes that make us who we are, but how we respond to them. Your responses have been above and beyond all expectation." A secretive smile rose on his face. "I think even Elphaba would be proud of you for what you have achieved." Before Glinda could respond, a bell rang and the doors to the greenhouse slid open. Hovering just inside the entrance was a young Eagle escorted by one of Glinda's personal guards. She sighed, and quickly replaced her tiara before standing and walking to the door with a smile. Tyuan watched from his place upon the ground.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Miss Glinda, but this young..."He paused, eying the bird next to him. "Eagle, has requested the presence of a Master Chistery. I didn't know of whom he was speaking..." He fell silent at the look upon Glinda's face.
"You know Chistery?" She asked curiously, her attention solely upon the Bird.
"I am a friend of his. We met during his...travels...out in the western lands. I'd heard he was in the City and came to stop by for a hello and a little chat. If that is not possile at the time, I would be happy to return later or..."
"No. No. There's no need for that. Chistery will be happy to see you." Glinda interrupted him with a smile. She looked at the guard. "Is there anything more, Xai?"
"No, but I should like to meet this Chistery fellow if you do not mind, just in case another one of his comrades comes looking for him." Glinda's response was a light whistle. For a moment, nothing happened and then suddenly the sound heavy beating wings came roaring toward them, and a second later, the Monkey stood before them.
"You called, Miss Glinda?" He said softly, bowing before her. She kneeled down next to him.
"How many times must I ask you to call me Glinda, my friend?" She smiled. "Stop all this bowing that you do. You are a treasured friend, not a servant." He stood and grinned.
"Well, there were others around, I figured it best to follow the rules of ettiquette the Wizard so excellently taught me." The words 'wizard' and 'excellently' were heavy with sarcasm and Glinda had to forced herself not smile wider. The first she'd ever seen of Chistery he'd been crying out in pain as Elphaba had magically gifted him and his friends wings. He'd been unable to speak then. It seemed that his time spent with Elphaba had not only allowed him to regain his speech, but he had a tongue as sharp as any sword and as almost as candid as Elphaba herself.
"Chistery, there is no need for ettiquette with me, whether we are alone or others are around." She matched his grin with her own. "However, I didn't ask you to come in here so we could talk manners. You have a guest." Chistery's face showed his surprise until he saw the Eagle flying behind her. His expression shifted from surprised to worried to eager back to surprised in such a short time that all present missed the exchange save the young Eagle.
"Master Tip!" He said with excitement ringing in the baritone voice. "How did you know I was here?" The Eagle smiled.
"I was in the old wood and happened upon a mutual friend who said I might find you here with Miss Glinda." Chistery nodded at the reference and immediately took flight.
"Well, come, my friend. Let us leave the humans to their work and go have a chat." Tip was more than happy to comply.
"Let me know when you return Chistery." Glinda called after them. She turned back to her two friends. "Well, there you have him, Xai. That was Chistery."
"He's a fine Monkey, mi'lady. I'll be going back to my post now." He turned and walked away. Glinda turned back to Tyuan as soon as the door shut behind him.
"A fine Monkey, he says. I do wonder what trouble Chistery and that young Eagle will get into." Tyuan only smiled a smile that held many secrets.
o0o0o0o
Later that evening...
She was sleeping peacefully, something that rarely happened given the craziness of her life, when suddenly she heard a loud crashing sound and the powerful pealing of alarm bells. Startled from her sleep, she sat up, heart racing, to find herself staring into Tyuan's emerald eyes.
"Get up and get dressed, mi'lady, we've no time to lose." That got her going. Tyuan only used such honorifics when something serious was taking place. She jumped out of bed and grabbed her wand, taking the time to magick herself clothed before turning back to Tyuan.
"Done." He grabbed her free hand and tore through a secret door hidden in her chambers. It opened into a path that led directly to the throne room, which ironically happened to be the safest room in the palace, despite its incredible size and open space. "What's going on, Tyuan?"
"Someone has broken into the palace." Glinda stopped walking.
"What?! How? When?" A look from Tyuan silenced her questions.
"About fifteen minutes ago and I'm not quite sure how they got in here yet." He started walking again, dragging her with him. "What I do know is that they've managed to subdue the palace guards and wreak havoc among my Knights without being seen. I don't know what they're after, but it must be important to them. You could be in danger." Glinda said nothing, her mind trying to process the information. Suddenly the ringing of the alarms stopped.
"Captain Tintelus!" came the frayed whisper of a soldier. Glinda looked at Tyuan. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal a watch.
"The Wizard had them designed for us shortly before he left. He called them walkie talkies, whatever that was to mean. They allow us to speak to each other over large distances." He held his wrist up to his mouth and spoke into it. "Report."
"The intruder is no longer within palace grounds. We've secured the area. It doesn't seem like anything is gone." Tyuan signed off and turned to Glinda, who had frozen in fear.
"What could they want?" Glinda turned and ran. When she reached her destination, her heart broke. Tyuan found her moments later, tears cascading down her face.
"It's gone." she whispered.
"What is?"
"The Grimmerie."