Chapter 10

I do not own anything from the Wizard of Oz or the books. I own my OCs.

Glinda The Good Witch of the South could only sit back and watch through the Theodora's crystal ball and could only watch in worry, and regret at what was going on. If only her and Oscar had returned to Oz in time. They were about to leave Earth when the trap was set for them. Glinda had received the message from the old wizard who was trying to find the spell to open the vortex again, but he was not coming up with anything.

She knew Gandalf would have known, but he was now in the undying lands, and could never be contacted again.

She always had the nagging feeling that Ozma would pull some trickery on them. She had tried to talk to Scarecrow, but he was hearing none of it. She couldn't blame him really. He had been through hell with the war, and he just wanted to live peacefully. He gave Ozma more credit than she deserved.

Glinda got up from the chair at Oscar's house, and began to pace. She had no powers here on Earth. The only way for her to open the vortex was from their parallel universe in Oz. When her and Oscar had traveled here before, they had friends who could get them back, but now they were trapped.

"It looks like Dorothy, and the others are making good time," Oscar commented.

Glinda hated to admit it, but she thanked the heavens for Theodora. She had made this crystal ball to supersede worlds, and it could see all. That was all of its powers, but it helped.

"I still can't tell what their plans are," she said viewing the three travelers.

"Nick, and Lion will have something, and protect Dorothy at the same time," Oscar said.

Glinda smiled over at her husband. "Always so positive," she said.

Oscar put down his book, got up from his chair, and hugged his wife from behind. "We have to be for them."

"I just hope that Daaro can find the spell he needs, but his mind is old, and forgetful," Glinda said with a smile at the old wizard with the absent mind.

Oscar groaned a little. "He is our only hope right now," he said not convinced.

Glinda could hear the doubt in his voice, and she had the same doubts about the old wizard. However, he was all King Oran had to get them back.

She always knew Oran would come around eventually. They had nothing left but to forgive him for what he did. Yet, he would suffer the rest of his life with the death of his daughter.

Oscar sat back down, and Glinda settled in watching the sunset over the plains of Kansas thinking about what to do.

"Scarecrow is going to have to give in eventually you know," Oscar suddenly said eyeing his wife.

Glinda turned sharply to her husband and narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"He will have to become a killer to survive," Oscar said shaking his head. "Ordaran will only play with him for so long."

Scarecrow had been through so much, the deaths of each and every one of his soldiers who died at the hands of Drigka haunted his dreams. Glinda turned and looked into the crystal ball again.

She remembered Ozma's last words to her when she closed the vortex.

"Your joy will turn to ashes in your mouth, Glinda," she had said with an evil smile.

Glinda took in a sharp breath. The vision of Scarecrow fighting again came into focus. She couldn't take it anymore. She had enough. She couldn't bear to watch as Scarecrow fought his opponent. He would win, and he would have to kill the other man to win. Ordaran was breaking him mentally. Ordaran would win.

Oscar watched as an angry Glinda rose from the chair, and began to clench her fists as she watched Scarecrow fight.

In a fit, she pushed the crystal ball to the floor with all of her strength. Oscar watched as it landed on the floor with a loud thud. This made Glinda angrier as it did not break.

"Glinda….."

Without another word, Glinda went outside. Oscar could only watch. He knew she needed a few moments alone to gather her thoughts. He was feeling it too, but he was trying to keep a level head.

He walked over to the crystal ball. It had gone dark from the movement. He would set it back in its place. Despite what Glinda just did to it, they needed it.

It was heavy. He hadn't lifted it in years. He grabbed the base, and it turned to have the base face him. At that moment, something caught his eyes.

He had never noticed it before. With a hand that slightly shook, he pulled out the small book hidden inside the base. More curious now, he set the crystal ball back in its place on the table. It had never occurred to him that Theodora might have hidden something in there, so he never checked it.

He could see Glinda walking around the front yard trying to calm herself.

He would go out there in a moment to get her. He had to look in this book first.

He began to page through it. It was definitely Theodora's handwriting. The spells seemed simple, and not important. He was getting frustrated as he paged through them.

Nothing important, he thought angrily.

Had he hoped beyond hope?

As he began to put the book down and go get Glinda a bright flash filled the room from the crystal ball.

It was so bright that it rocked him back on his feet.

Oscar frowned. It had never done that before.

He went over to it, and a light was in the middle of it, but had begun to fade. Thinking it was nothing still; he began to set the book down again when the room flashed again.

This time he was thrown back in the chair. Lights danced in front of his eyes, and he groaned a little from the shock.

He sat himself up again, and looked down at the book. It lay on his chest, and something caught his eye.

He put on his reading glasses, and gasped. He could only sit there in shock for a moment as he read the spell.

At that moment, Glinda came running back into the house.

"What was that?" She asked seeing Oscar smiling widely in the chair holding up a strange book in his hand.

"Our way home," he said laughing.

….

Dorothy was cold, miserable, tired, and sore. Tin Man, Lion, and her had been on the road for four days now. The finally made it to the base of the mountains. Dorothy had been cursing the furs she was carrying, but she now realized she would need them as they ascended the mountains.

"We will stop here for the night, so we have our strength for tomorrow's journey over the mountains," Tin Man said.

Dorothy found a rock, and dropped her things from her aching shoulders. She sat down and rubbed on her neck.

She had to admire the pastures in this area before the mountain pass. They were absolutely stunning. They had been following the road, and not seen another soul in four days. Though they would hide at night just in case.

Lion had offered to let her ride on him, but she insisted on holding her own. Thinking of her husband kept her strength and her resolve to keep going.

She had barely slept. All she could think was Scarecrow was alive, but for how much longer? She had to get to him; she promised she would find him.

Lion looked around.

"What do your animal eyes see?" Tin Man asked.

Lion looked around, and said, "A cabin. No smoke coming from it."

Dorothy was hopeful. Maybe they could stay the night there. Maybe she could hope to get a bed for one more night.

"I will go see if there is someone there," Lion said.

"Be careful," Dorothy said to him.

He smiled at her, and Tin Man said, "If it is good enough to stay in get a fire going."

Lion nodded and took off running towards the cabin.

Tin Man looked over at Dorothy who could barely stand up she was so tired.

"I hope you will get some rest tonight cabin or not," Tin Man said.

Dorothy blushed. Tin Man did not need sleep or food like her or Lion. However, he did not want to admit he had been squeaking for a while, and needed oiling badly.

"You need a refresh yourself," Dorothy said with a slight smirk.

He shrugged. "I'll have you help me when we get over the mountain pass."

"Well, there will be snow up there," she said eyeing her furs. "Then you may lock up."

He shrugged again. "That's why I'm waiting."

He put down his map and kneeled in front of her. "How are you holding up soldier? I know you're not sleeping."

Dorothy turned away a little. "I am alright, just tired."

Tin Man smiled. "I wish I knew a better way."

Dorothy smiled back at him. "Me too."

Tin Man shook his head in disgust. "Scarecrow would have had us there by now."

Dorothy laughed a little. "You are not giving yourself enough credit. This would not have been any better with him here."

"Ahhh. He was always the planner, but I am trying," Tin Man said.

"I think your plan once we get to Aglas is a great one," she said.

"Yes, but will it work?"

"That's why you made a back up one. See, Scarecrow in that all the way," she said.

Tin Man's face changed to a serious expression. "We'll get him Dorothy."

Dorothy felt the tears threatening. "I know," she whispered.

"Do you think we will meet up with the shape shifters?" She asked.

Tin Man shook his head. "I don't know."

"How can we tell if they are really them or just an animal?" She asked.

Tin Man looked around and smiled slightly as smoke began to waft from the cabin. Good! Dorothy can get a good night's sleep.

"Oran said you could tell by their eyes. When they are in animal form, they have yellow eyes," he said. "He also said the habitat they live in more of a jungle before the desert begins, so we will know when we enter their territory."

"I hope they let us pass," she said. "If we meet up with them."

Tin Man looked around again. Not seeing any danger, he began to relax a little. " I am hoping we don't."

"Me neither," he said.

Lion came running back to them and smiled towards Dorothy. "My lady, your bed awaits you."

Dorothy lit up. "Really?"

Lion shook dust from his fur. "That place has been abandoned for years. But it had stored food, and firewood. The bed is old, but I think it will hold you."

The group got their supplies and headed towards the cabin. Dorothy knew she needed to make herself sleep tonight. She hadn't been feeling well lately, and couldn't figure out why. She had passed it off as stress over Scarecrow. Though the feelings she was having were starting to concern her.

They entered the small cabin, and found a stove lit up now from Lion. Some chairs, and old rug, and a table to complete the place. There was cabinets with some canned food.

Dorothy tested the bed. It creaked, but it held her. She coughed a little as the dust came up from the blankets. She got up and took them and shook them off outside. It wasn't the best, but it would do.

That night, Lion lay out on the rug. Dorothy helped oil Tin Man a little to get him through the snow. She found some dried meat for Lion to eat, though he complained about it. She then ate some of the canned vegetables, and finally had enough for the night.

She didn't even remember the last thing she did before sleep took her.

"You can do it!" Dorothy said to her husband as she swam though the lake.

Scarecrow shook his head, and said, "Can we do this another night?"

Dorothy frowned up to him from the water. "You have been saying that for months now. Besides, I can grab you," she said.

"I'm too heavy for you," he answered.

Dorothy scoffed. She came up to the beach, and came out of the water with her hands on her hips facing her husband. She could tell from the look on his face that he was thinking of other things besides learning to swim.

Dorothy smiled, and said, "Now, now. Swim first, we can do that later."

Scarecrow let out a frustrated breath, and said, "How do you read my mind?"

Dorothy laughed. "It's not the mind, it's the look."

She grabbed his hand, and he resisted but finally let her pull him along.

She turned to the see the fear in his eyes. "I have you."

She turned and walked backwards, and took both of her husband's hands in hers. They slowly made their way into the water. She had to admit that she was admiring his toned chest more than the swimming lessons she was going to give.

She turned back to Scarecrow, and realized he was staring off at something.

"Scarecrow?" She asked confused.

He continued to stare at something, and she tried to shake him a little. "Scarecrow? What's wrong?"

She looked around desperately, but could see nothing.

Suddenly, a giggle caught her attention. She turned back and instead of her husband being there, she felt something tug at her shirt.

She gasped in surprise, and looked down. Her eyes widened as she spotted a little boy with auburn hair, and blue eyes staring back up at her in wonder, and a smile.

Dorothy softened a little. "Who might you be?" She asked smiling back at him.

Without saying another word the little boy took off running in the other direction.

"Wait!" Dorothy called after him. She decided to follow him. She began to run after him.

He ran towards their house, and Dorothy kept calling for him to stop. She wanted to know who he was.

"Wait, I just want to know your name," she called.

The boy stopped at the door, and giggled again. The door opened making Dorothy stop in her tracks. Out came Scarecrow. He lifted the boy in his arms, and began to twirl him making the boy laugh playing with him. They both stopped and began to stare at Dorothy.

Dorothy could only fall to her knees as the realization hit her.

Dorothy awoke with a start. She frantically looked around the room. The fire was still lit and crackling happily in the stove. Lion snored below her. She looked around again trying to get her bearings together.

She did not see Tin Man anywhere, so she took a moment and lifted her shirt slightly. She stood quietly as to not wake Lion. She began to feel around her belly, and her eyes widened, as she knew why she wasn't feeling good lately. Why her clothes began to tighten on her a little. She fell back to the bed. It all became clear now. She had brushed it off as stress, but her stomach was beginning to get a little rounder. She could not deny it anymore.

She had lost track of time with her menstruations from being in jail. She grabbed at her stomach and leaned over putting her head down between her knees.

Dorothy sat up again and looked around wide-eyed. What was she going to do now?

"No! Not now," she whispered.