Chapter 22
I do not own anything from Wizard of Oz. The movies, books, anything from any story ever made. This comes strictly from my imagination.
Scarecrow was washed, stripped, and shaved again. He was still sore from the beating that he received when Dorothy was taken from him once more.
He stared on in the distance of the walls surrounding him inside the cellblock that he occupied again.
This was it. He knew he was a goner no matter what happened today. He wondered if he should fight or just give in. There was no way he would get help from the shapeshifters. He did not trust Boren from the moment he laid eyes on him.
Tin Man and Lion could not do much. Who knows what was happening in Oz and from what Dorothy told him, she didn't know if the cavalry was coming in time.
One thing that made him want to go on was that he lost a child because of this situation, and his wife. His eyes set in determination. There was no way he would give up at least giving a fight.
"Are you ready, Scarecrow King?" Ami asked from his cell.
Scarecrow barely glanced at his opponent.
"I know in the end I can't beat you. So, you might as well celebrate now," Scarecrow answered him lowly.
Ami laughed lightly. "I do have some honor left, Scarecrow King. I will not change on you and defeat you so easily."
"Really? You speak of honor, but were you honored to kill your own son?" Scarecrow asked with disgust.
Ami's face dropped, and then anger took over. "You will pay for that comment. I promise you that. I choose not to shapeshift for that very reason."
Scarecrow smirked at hitting his sore spot.
Ami took a deep breath behind his cell bars, and said, "If you really think I am the bad guy here, then you are sorely mistaken."
"Do you mean Boren?"
Ami shrugged and said, "Could be. I have no idea what he wants now. It has been a long time."
"Why don't I believe you?"
"You will find I tell the truth, Scarecrow King, but by then it may be too late."
Scarecrow shrugged. It didn't really matter now. Help was not coming, and it was time. The only thing Scarecrow could hope for was one last look at Dorothy before everything darkened.
The guards came and got Scarecrow. However, something was different. They were now taking all of the prisoners from their cells.
Scarecrow looked over at Ami who was just as confused as Scarecrow as he looked on to the emptying of the cells.
"What is this?" Ami demanded to a guard.
The guard stopped and smiled at Ami. "You live another day, Ami."
Ami looked over at Scarecrow and said, "I don't know what this is, Scarecrow King. I have never seen this before."
Scarecrow looked over at him as the guards put his shackles on. "Then you have your freedom. I would take it if I were you."
Without another word, Scarecrow was escorted out with the other prisoners.
They entered the arena, which was full with the citizens of Aglas. He could hear the cheers of the crowd, and feel the heat of the sun on the back of his neck, and his head. He could not hear the chains rattle, as the crowd was really loud today.
He didn't spot the pole at first, as his eyes searched the box for Dorothy. He smiled slightly as he spotted her. She stood when she spotted him, and was held back down by a guard.
She was dressed in the garb for Aglas nobles. She looked absolutely beautiful, even though Scarecrow knew she hated every moment of wearing that outfit. The green dress really brought the redness of her hair. She stood again, and said something to Ordaran who just sat and laughed at her.
He then turned, and spotted the pole in the middle of the arena. His eyes widened in shock, but he knew something was wrong as the other prisoners were there too.
Each and every one of them were then unshackled and then chained again around their waists now tied to the pole.
One of the prisoners looked over at Scarecrow and asked. "What is this, I have never seen this before my lord."
"I thought this arena was only one on one combat," Scarecrow said to the man.
The man had fear in his eyes as he answered. "That is how I always knew it, my lord."
Scarecrow looked over at him, and said, "Then be ready."
The man nodded and began praying in his language.
Scarecrow looked over at the other men in the chains, and said, "Be ready!"
The other men cowered a little, but most of them stood when Scarecrow said something.
Then Scarecrow closed his eyes for a moment as he heard the marching through the other side of the arena.
The other men looked around and began to pray or cry. Scarecrow opened his eyes and looked at his wife who was now being held and being made to look.
He looked around and saw the soldiers began to enter the arena in perfect formation. He counted about fifty of them.
"What is this, my lord?" The man beside him asked in fear.
Scarecrow took a deep breath, and said, "This isn't a fight. It's a massacre."
The man cowered in fear once more. Scarecrow would not go down without a fight, and he would not let these men give up either.
He had once been able to fight off fifty Nargol, but then again he had been immortal then.
He looked around and shouted, "Aim for their necks."
He turned to the other ones, and shouted the same thing.
Finally, one of the soldiers brought out the weapons. Scarecrow scoffed at the dull sword and wooden shield. He could feel his anger boiling at the weapons that were given to them.
The soldiers stood in formation about fifty feet away from the prisoners.
Ordaran finally stood, and began to silence the crowd. Scarecrow could still hear the faint cries of Dorothy in the box.
Scarecrow studied the soldiers, making sure he could find any weakness in their soldiers. He then turned and studied the pole.
"What's your name?" Scarecrow asked the man beside him.
"Cerce, my lord," the man said still shaking with fear.
"Cerce, on my command raise your shield," Scarecrow said. "Tell the others."
The man nodded grateful for the instruction, and began to whisper to the others who nodded in agreement.
"Citizens of Aglas! Our Scarecrow King has turned into a better fighter then I first thought," he began with a smile. "Now, we will see what he really can do."
Scarecrow turned back, and met Dorothy's eyes. He nodded to her, and she shook her head at him.
The crowd began to cheer, and Scarecrow finally was able to drown out the noise. Dorothy's eyes were wide with fear, and he could see her face wet.
Ordaran turned to Scarecrow and said, "Scarecrow King. You will now pay for your crimes against my people."
The crowd cheered again.
Scarecrow smirked and said, "Your crimes are your own, Ordaran. When I am head of the council again, I will place more embargos on you. You may win this battle, but the war of the realm and the kingdoms will begin. You kill me, and it is your head."
The crowd began to boo and hiss at Scarecrow. Dorothy gave him a "What are you doing?" look as he spoke.
He smiled slightly at her. He knew why Ordaran was doing this. The armies of Oz were here, and he was feeling threatened.
Ordaran flinched a little, and that gave Scarecrow his answer right there. Then Dorothy realized what Scarecrow was saying, and she began to relax a little.
Scarecrow could see she was looking around confused for a moment, but tried to keep it to herself. She then turned and stared straight at Scarecrow, her eyes becoming flat and steady.
"Enough! Kill them all!" Ordaran shouted as the crowd cheered again.
Scarecrow looked back the soldiers, and spears began to fly through the air.
"Shields up!" Scarecrow yelled out.
All the men fell to their knees and Scarecrow flinched as the spears hit his shield, and one almost taking off his face.
He heard a couple of screams as some of the prisoners fell.
The soldiers began to run towards them, and Scarecrow prayed to the gods as he began to fight them off with the dull blade as best he could.
There was chaos of fighting all around him, as one after another attacked.
The crowd cheered and booed in the distance. He could no longer see the box that Dorothy was in as he fought off more of them. He felt the slash of a blade against his shoulder, but adrenaline meant he felt no pain.
He had one chase after him, and Scarecrow was able to take his chain and wrapped it around his throat. The choking sounds almost sickened him.
Then something happened that made everyone stop and gasp.
A green light came from the box, and the chains suddenly dissolved on the men still standing.
Scarecrow looked up to the nobles box, and Dorothy now held Ordaran and the guards there within the light, and was using her other hand to release the prisoners.
The crowd could only look on in shock, and amazement at the savior of Oz.
Scarecrow was then able to take down more soldiers who attacked him, and the other men were able to fight a little better.
"Dorothy!" Scarecrow yelled to her as he came closer to the box.
Dorothy turned to him, and said, "Scarecrow!"
"Send a signal for attack!"
Dorothy knew what he was talking about, and began to send firework like magic into the air.
With all the chaos of the crowd they stopped to see the light show begin in the sky.
"I would run if I were you!" Scarecrow yelled to the crowd.
The people of Aglas began to do as Scarecrow said, and began to run out of the arena.
Scarecrow could not hear if Oscar and the rest of the allies received the signal. He just had one goal in mind, and that was to get to Dorothy.
He climbed the wall, and took her in his arms.
"We need to go," she said. " I can't hold it much longer."
Instead of answering her, Scarecrow walked up to Ordaran and said, "Do you yield?"
"Fight like the King you are, or will you cower under the magic of the woman?" Ordaran asked.
Scarecrow's eyes narrowed. He looked over at Dorothy who had tied up Meera. The guards in the box were now on the ground and still.
She shook her head, but Scarecrow had to do it.
"Let him go," Scarecrow said to Dorothy.
Dorothy walked up to him, and said, "No! I hear them coming. We have help now."
Scarecrow turned to his wife. "Please let him go. This is my fight. Go find the others, and join them. Do as I ask."
Dorothy looked at him in astonishment, and then resignation as Scarecrow picked up a sword from an unconscious soldier.
She knew she could not stop him. She knew that Scarecrow had to resolve this once and for all, and he would need to do it alone. She wanted to cry, but now was not the time. She did need to find the others and get help back to him as quickly as possible.
The crowds in the arena were now cleared, and she could hear yelling in the distance, and could now smell smoke in the air. The battle had begun.
"Take Meera as your prisoner. It will keep you safe," Scarecrow said to her.
Dorothy hesitated again, and Scarecrow took her his arms and kissed her furiously.
"This is where my battle began. This is where it must end," he said into her hair.
Dorothy looked up at him and could see the determination in his wide blue eyes.
"I will find you, no matter what," Dorothy said to him choking up a little.
He cupped her face, and said, "I love you."
Dorothy choked up again, and did the same with him. "Scarecrow…."
He nodded to the door. "Go!"
Dorothy then untied the magic ropes around Meera who was scowling the whole time.
She then turned and gave one last look at Scarecrow and let Ordaran go.
Scarecrow stood face to face with his enemy.
Ordaran smiled at the departing women and said, "Very noble of you, Scarecrow King."
Scarecrow twirled the sword, and said, "More than you'll ever be."
Ordaran looked around, and asked, "I know magic as well."
"Not as strong as hers," Scarecrow said.
Ordaran started to chant, but looked at his hand in surprise, as nothing appeared making Scarecrow laugh.
"I think she disarmed you in a way, my lord," Scarecrow said.
Ordaran shook his head, and said, "We will still fight. I have toyed with you long enough."
Scarecrow looked at the Lord of Aglas and said, "So have I."
Ordaran picked up his sword, and began to swing at Scarecrow. Scarecrow put up his defensive position. Both men not only fought with swords, but tried to wrestle each other as well.
"You will die for what you did to me," Ordaran said through heavy breaths as swords clanged violently against each other.
"You paid for your crimes. That was my job," Scarecrow said back between movements.
Both men attacked each other so violently that they both fell from the box and hit the hard sand with a thump.
Both men laid there for a while trying to recover from the fall.
Scarecrow felt pain on his left side that he thought he may have broken his arm.
He began to move it and knew it was sprained, but no broken. He hobbled to his feet, and walked over to Ordaran who still lay on the ground writhing in pain.
Scarecrow put the knife to his throat, and said, "I will be merciful, and give you a quick death."
Ordaran stared at him for a moment, and resigned. "You will burn in hell, Scarecrow King."
Scarecrow brought up the sword. "This isn't only for me, but the son I never got to meet."
Scarecrow forced Ordaran on his hands, and knees, and began to bring the sword up. He was about to swing down when a snake suddenly appeared around his neck and began to choke him.
He fell back to the ground, and could not catch his breath.
The snake made it's way to his face and hissed. Scarecrow could only make out yellow eyes, as he was really now in a fight for his life.
The snake opened its mouth and emerald dust came out and landed on his face, which he choked on for a moment.
Scarecrow's eyes widened in horror. "Dorothy…"