Chapter 19

I do not own anything from Wizard of Oz. We still have lots and lots more to go.

I kept my promise. Two chapters this week!

Dorothy smiled as Scarecrow awoke in her arms in the room they were now locked in. It was in the pyramid building Dorothy had seen when she entered the city. Boren had known a way in to go unnoticed by the soldiers. He had turned into a dog, and had gotten her more local clothing to fit in while she hid.

They were doing fine making their way across the city when the soldiers they had tied up at the tavern had ended up following them, and captured them as the chaos erupted around the fires Scarecrow had started around the city.

Dorothy had been taken to Ordaran, and he had told her he was onto Scarecrow and would know he would go back for Tin Man and Lion.

"If he didn't,'t. He might have escaped," Ordaran said.

Boren managed to escape from the soldiers. He promised her he would come for her, but she didn't know. However, she knew he was there at the cellblock the whole time, and helped Lion get out with Tin Man from the city safely as she had spotted him as a bird with the yellow eyes.

Dorothy knew he had developed feelings for her. She caught the side-glances, the little words, everything. She knew she loved Boren as well. He had saved her life, and it wasn't just that. He had become a good friend and confidante. Yes, she loved him, but he would never be Scarecrow, and he knew that too.

She wanted to talk to him about it, but he resisted. She didn't want them to eventually part and not have it resolved. If Scarecrow had not been in her life, of course she would have considered him as a mate. He was a good man, who did the right thing, very honorable, and treated her with nothing but respect. Though he tested her patience a few times, she laughed to herself.

After all these months she finally had Scarecrow back with her. Though these circumstances were not what she wanted. After the soldier knocked Scarecrow out, he was carried, and she was escorted back to this room. A woman with very dark hair had stared them down as they were being escorted into the structure, and Dorothy had no idea what that was about.

When Ordaran entered the room. Dorothy had clung to a still unconscious Scarecrow, and asked, "What are you planning on doing with us?"

Ordaran looked down at her and smiled. "Well, I plan on keeping you, savior. You will make a nice addition to my women. I know what you did to my soldier, and I like strong women. Scarecrow will soon have a challenge in the arena that...well...will challenge him."

Dorothy looked up at him with tears in her eyes as she clutched Scarecrow closer.

"It was not just Scarecrow who decided on the embargos in the King's council, but you chose this when you and your kin chose to keep slaves. I have seen them around the city. How could you put people in collars?"

Ordaran leaned down at her and looked her steady. Brown eyes to brown eyes giving each other a stare down. "The Scarecrow King is the first because he was the one who made the decision at the time, but don't worry the rest of them will come in time. Scarecrow was also the easiest since he abdicated the throne to Ozma."

"So, did you convince Ozma to betray us or did she do it on her own?" Dorothy asked. She wanted to know this to keep it mind if they got out of this and back to Oz.

Ordaran laughed slightly. "Ozma was a means to an end. See, when I approached her about bringing Scarecrow here she did not resist. She gave in willingly, do you want to know why, savior?"

"Yes," Dorothy said lowly her anger growing at the fairy queen.

"Oz is broke and in debt now. If I remember correctly, Scarecrow had a surplus when he abdicated, but she told no one how she spent the riches and got herself in trouble. That is what breaks alliances among other things. She offered to marry me, and I accepted to get her out of debt, and there was one other thing."

"What?"

"She would give me half of the emerald mines of Oz, and I would provide her slaves so she didn't have to pay staff," Ordaran said.

Dorothy's eyes widened in shock at his admission. It was against the law in all of the land to ever own a slave. Ever! Besides, human, animal, and creature were slaves to no one.

"So, why did you not do it?" She asked through gritted teeth.

Ordaran shrugged. "The only thing I wanted was your husband, but once again he has proven to be a formidable foe. Remember this, savior. People here starved from the embargos."

"By your hand," Dorothy said.

"Remember something savior, many empires were built on the backs of slaves," Ordaran said standing up.

"And they are always the first to fall," Dorothy said to him.

Ordaran laughed. "You will be so much fun when I take you into my bed."

Dorothy looked away in disgust as the handsome Lord walked out of the room and they were locked in.

There was a window, and it was too high for either of them to reach, as the walls were smooth. There was only linen on the floors, and a place to go to the bathroom.

It was stifling hot in the room.

"Am I dreaming?" Scarecrow asked to a smiling Dorothy.

She scoffed a little, and said, "I wish."

She helped him sit up. He groaned and rubbed his head.

Dorothy could tell he had been fighting. He now had scars that were not there before. His head was shaved, and he was showing a beard. His face and his chest were now deeply tanned from being out in the sun.

He was now a lot more built than before.

Before Dorothy could say anything more she was grabbed and brought into his embrace. They shared kisses, tears, hugs, and feelings of missing each other.

Dorothy couldn't bring herself to tell him about her miscarriage yet. She wanted to. The child was his too, and he had a right to know, but the circumstances would not allow her. They were still in grave danger.

"You said you would find me, you kept your promise," Scarecrow said still caressing her cheek.

"Are you angry?" She asked.

Scarecrow thought for a moment. "You know I would do anything in the world to keep you safe, but I knew I could never keep you away."

"So much has happened, but what are we going to do?" Dorothy asked worried.

Scarecrow looked around, and said. "From what I gathered Ordaran is going to put me up against his best fighter, and he thinks this will be the last time since he has never been defeated."

He could see the emotions playing on Dorothy's face, and tried to comfort her. "Even if you do win..."

"I am in a no win situation with this. If I do win, I don't know what will happen," he said. He did not want to lie to her.

"Who will you be fighting?" She asked.

"Ami, the traitor shape shifter," Scarecrow answered.

"Ami? I remember Boren telling me about him," Dorothy said in thought.

"Who is Boren?" Scarecrow asked raising his eyebrow.

Dorothy smiled. "I haven't told you anything yet. He is my friend. He saved my life when the soldiers were attacking us in the jungle. He is the clan leader, and guided me here. Well, he did try to stop me, but ended up saying he had business with Ami."

Scarecrow nodded. "Where is he now?"

"I saw him aid Tin Man and Lion to leave the city," Dorothy said.

Scarecrow sighed. "There is no way we can get word to our army not to attack."

"They will. You have very loyal allies, my love," Dorothy said.

"There is nothing we can do now, but we will make a plan soon," Scarecrow said kissing her forehead.

He could see Dorothy was exhausted, and they both needed some rest. He eventually got her to fall into a deep sleep. Since he got an unintentional nap earlier, he wasn't really tired now.

No light came through the window and the room was now dark. Scarecrow looked outside thinking about how happy he was to see Dorothy again, but worried about her safety and what would happen.

He looked up to see a bird in the window. The bird then flew down, and landed in front of him.

Scarecrow stiffened as he immediately noticed slightly glowing yellow eyes.

"Who are you?" He asked suspiciously. He put himself in front of Dorothy.

The bird transformed into a man with blonde hair, and bright green eyes.

"Is she hurt?" The man asked.

"No, she is sleeping. You must be Boren?" Scarecrow asked as the two men began to size up each other.

"I am."

"Thank you for saving her life. I am forever in your debt," Scarecrow said.

"You're welcome, Scarecrow King."

"Are Tin Man and Lion safe?" Scarecrow asked.

"Yes, they are with your people. I wanted to let you know that your armies are now passing through my lands," Boren answered.

"Again, I want to thank you for your help. I can never repay you," Scarecrow said.

"She loves you so much, she risked her life to get here," Boren said.

"I know. I knew once she escaped Ozma she would come here," Scarecrow said.

The room began to get really tense. Scarecrow knew right away that Boren was jealous, and that he had developed feelings for Dorothy.

"What do you want from me, Boren?"

"You will fight Ami soon."

"Yes, I know it will be him. I want to know something, Boren," Scarecrow inquired.

"What is it, Scarecrow King?"

"How was Aglas able to keep you as slaves for hundreds of years?"

"A spell over us to prevent us from changing for hundreds of years," Boren began. "I am sure you know that one well, Scarecrow King."

Scarecrow nodded in agreement. "I do. I keep my name as Scarecrow to not forget what or who I was at one time. How was the spell broken?"

"I understand. My father had a very young woman come to him once. She was blonde, and wearing a beautiful pink dress. She said she was a witch from Oz, and was banished from there, and she could help us. She broke the spell, and here we are, but it didn't end there," Boren said.

"What happened?"

"We escaped, but not all of us made it. The witch helped us, and found the jungle where we could hide, but the witch could not stay long. We were able to defeat them with our shape shifting again, but we were still attacked several times. The spell could never come to pass again, but that didn't mean that we were completely free of Aglas."

"Go on..."

"I found out that Ami was making deals with Ordaran's father right before his death. At first, our former clan leader's intentions were intended to keep us safe, but he became greedy. His son found out, and disagreed with his father, and things happened. Ami was then banished forever, but Ordaran and his father liked him as their best fighter, and have left us alone since," Boren explained.

Scarecrow smiled at the mention of Glinda. She said she traveled a lot when Theodora and Evanora were ruling Oz.

"Have you ever sought other places to live? Why do you stay so close to your enemy?" Scarecrow asked.

"Because Aglas was once fully our home, and I guess it was time for me to finally realize that we can't keep hiding in the shadows," Boren said.

"I am surprised. What brought on this epiphany?" Scarecrow asked raising an eyebrow.

"You know, Scarecrow King," Boren said a little sharply.

"I do. I have no ill will towards you," Scarecrow said. "I know why you feel the way you do, and I don't blame you, and I don't blame you because I feel it myself everyday as I still breathe."

"Against my better judgment, I want to help you Scarecrow King, but I am doing it for her," Boren said.

"I appreciate it. I really do, Boren. Why is this against your better judgment? If you help me, I will help you."

Boren scoffed. "You are royalty. I think you can guess how I feel about royalty, and lords, and princes among other titles."

"You say that, yet you are the leader of your people," Scarecrow said. He looked back at Dorothy who appeared to still be sleeping. He was worried about their voices beginning to rise. He wanted to shape shifter to go away so he could be with her, but he knew he needed him so he would cooperate.

"I lead, but my people are free to make their own laws on their own honor," Boren hissed.

"I had a lot more people and creatures than you ever will. My people are free, but they know the laws of the land," Scarecrow said. "Ruling a few hundred is not the same as ruling many thousands."

What the men didn't know was Dorothy had awakened and was listening. She was afraid this would happen.

"Yet, you let a witch take over, and rule over your lands. You lost a war," Boren prodded. "Now you must retake it from an evil fairy queen. They call you wise, Scarecrow King, but I wonder."

Scarecrow laughed lowly. The shape shifter would not bait him over Dorothy.

"I will not allow you to antagonize me when you don't know all the circumstances of how I came to be," Scarecrow said. "You have made it perfectly clear how you feel about Dorothy, and I have thanked you for your help. I continue to want your help, so please let's just try to get along till this is all over."

"Why Scarecrow King? You have made many enemies throughout your reign. You could not protect her after one comes back for you? What makes you think you can in the future?" Boren asked.

Scarecrow felt his temper flare. He tried to resist, but this shape shifter was pushing his buttons especially about his wife.

"At least I never hid in the shadows like a scared little child," Scarecrow said. "I have an always will face my enemies head on. Remember, the kingdom was thrown in my lap, and I did what I could, so your judgment is uncalled for."

"That ring on Dorothy's finger says otherwise," Boren said angrily.

So, that was it. Boren thought Scarecrow came from wealthy and royalty.

"You have no clue as to my heritage. I was born of poverty, and became a knight. I was cursed to become straw, and then had the kingdom thrown into my lap because the wizard did not have an heir," Scarecrow said. "So your judgments are unfounded and unjust. You choose to hide, I choose to rule."

Boren's face changed into anger, and both men stared each other down once again. Scarecrow knew he would not have a chance against the shape shifter if they fought.

"Stop!" Dorothy yelled getting up as both men began to move on each other.

She looked between both of them. She guessed any other woman would be flattered, but not her. She didn't want this with all of their lives in danger.

"We need to work together in this. Both of you need to put your differences aside till we figure this out," Dorothy said standing between both of them.

Boren shot Scarecrow another angry glance and Scarecrow did so in return. Boren then turned to Dorothy and said, "Dorothy, Ordaran will make you watch the Scarecrow King fight. I am planning on getting my people to attack then, because I have to confront Ami as well. I will tell your people to stay away until my signal."

Dorothy nodded to him. "I understand."

"Follow my direction," he continued.

"I will," Dorothy said smiling slightly.

Boren turned to Scarecrow and said, "I hope you can survive long enough with Ami."

"I guess I would be on my own for that one," Scarecrow shot back.

Dorothy sighed loudly. "Please stop. We will help each other. All of us," she said shooting glances at both of them.

Boren smiled at her softly, and said, "I will for you."

Scarecrow couldn't help it; he had enough of the cocky shape shifter. He knew he could change at any moment, but he didn't care. Before Boren could move Scarecrow had him against the wall holding him against it.

"Not so kingly now am I?" Scarecrow asked.

"Scarecrow!" Dorothy said frustrated.

Boren smiled, and changed into a bird again leaving Scarecrow empty handed.

Boren stopped at the window and turned and said, "Look for my signal."

He then flew away.

Dorothy turned to Scarecrow and raised an eyebrow in question.

Scarecrow raised his hands and said, "What do you want me to say? I won't take his abuse nor him thinking he can take you away from me."

Dorothy said, "I will tell you something truthfully. I care a lot for Boren. He has helped me through so much, and so did his sister Khali. I am not defending what he just did, but I owe them both so much."

Scarecrow nodded and said, "I know."

Dorothy's eyes suddenly filled with tears. Even in the darkness Scarecrow could see it.

"No, you don't," she said sobbing a little.

He cupped her face, and felt the tears hit his fingers. "Dorothy what is it?"

"Scarecrow, there is something I need to tell you," she said answered.

Scarecrow was prepared for anything. Even if in the heat of the moment something happened with Boren, but what he was told, it hit him hard in the chest.

...

Dorothy had cried herself to sleep once more, and Scarecrow looked out of the window as the sun rose.

He had cried enough that night for the child he would never know. That now explained the dream he had when he was still in the cellblock. His son had come to tell him goodbye.

He angrily wiped the tears away, and then he would do everything in his power to hold Ordaran's head in his hands.