"You did what?"
The morning mist that descended over the fields of the Winkie Country during the cool and crisp evening had since dissipated from the rising sun's embrace. A throng of thrushes, wrens, orioles and sparrows fluttered throughout the castle's manicured gardens, each singing a tune more harmonious than the last. A small breeze rustled through the multi-colored leaves of the trees. Aromatic smells of jasmine, pine and the sweet scent of citrus filled the morning air.
However, things were not as tranquil in the castle dining room between two friends having a private conversation.
"I know. It's bad…"
"Wizard…you mean to tell me that you KISSED the Wicked Witch of the West?"
The Wizard shot Finley a harsh glance. And if looks could kill, it would blast the monkey into oblivion. He pointed at him confrontationally.
"You know that's not what she is. And monkey, we did way more than that…"
Finley placed his paws over his face. "Oh, no! This is a scandal, I tell you! A real scandal!"
The Wizard gestured with his hands in exacerbation. "Finley, be serious for once!"
"What do you think I am being? Do you even know what the Emerald City would do if they found this out? What other salacious things could you have done besides KISS her?"
"Finley, the Emerald City is the least of my worries now. Monkey, I called you here because I need some help…"
"You need 'some' help? Wizard, you need all the help you can get! Want some pointers from me? Stop getting into trouble with this kind, sweet and innocent girl!"
"Monkey, there's something else…"
"What? What else could you have possibly done now? You KISSED the Witch of the West! You kissed her! Oh, the horror! The horror! Haven't you done enough to this poor girl? Do you know what the Ozian press would do if they found out!? What could possibly be worse than this? They would have a field day!"
The Wizard curled his hands in frustration as he sat on one of the plush chairs. "Finley!"
The monkey shot him a glance. "What?"
The Wizard lowered his head and sighed, his eyes still gazing at his friend. "Never mind…" He wanted to confide in his former advisor, but when the monkey became emotional like this, he could hardly get a word in without judgment. Unfortunately for the Wizard, Finley knew him. And perhaps he knew him all too well. He decided to hold off on his request for now.
"Are we ready?" The pair turned in their seats and saw a young woman all too familiar enter the dining room. Unlike the traditional garb she wore around the castle, she was now dressed all in white. She was accompanied by her former two assistants.
"What are you doing here", the Wizard asked her. "I thought you had school today?"
"I am coming along with you", Bella excitedly proclaimed. "I want to see the great and powerful Wizard in action!"
"And we want to come, too!", Daisy and Betsy chimed in excitedly.
"Have you cleared it with your teacher? You know how the Mistress gets if you—" Bella's words ended mid-sentence as she saw the witch silently enter the dining room. She was flanked by the captain and several of her guards.
"We were just discussing if Betsy and Daisy could accompany us, for they really wanted to see the Wizard in action…"
Theodora subtly shook her head, a neutral expression remained on her brow. "No. They have school."
But the two younger girls started to plead with the witch. "Oh please!", they exclaimed. "Pretty please! We may never be able to see this again! Please! Pretty please! Pretty please with Ozian soda on top!"
The witch's adamant response made the two girls lower their head in disappointment. "No. Today is your school day and that is where you belong. And besides, Ozian soda is not good for—"
"Theodora, it is okay", the Wizard interrupted her. "Let them come. Consider it a field trip."
Betsy and Daisy's eyes lit up. "Really? Do you mean it!"
This made the witch tisk as she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Seriously Wizard, why do you always need to second guess my decisions?"
"It's okay. It's only for one day."
Unlike the Wizard's long walk to Gayelette's cabin the previous year, the small group rode in the witch's royal carriage. The trip to the Munchkin Country was quiet and uneventful with the occupants admiring the dazzling Ozian scenery or making casual small talk amongst themselves. For the most part, the Wizard studied his papers as he remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout most of the journey.
"You slept like a baby in my arms last night, Wizard", the witch said as she broke his train of thought and beamed at him. "What are you thinking about?"
He sighed and eyed his companion who sat next to him. He noticed that she carried with her a small gleaming red bag that he never saw before but paid no heed. "Nothing. Just reading and thinking about what I am going to say today."
"You will be fine." He then glanced up at her. It was not every day that the witch would have a positive outlook on crucial life events.
He flashed her a meaningful look. "Alright, who are you and what did you do with Theodora?"
This made her chuckle. "Nothing. It's just that you are the Wizard and I've seen you do so much. Of course you are going to prevail today." Her smile continued unabated. "And later I have a surprise for you…"
The Wizard opened his mouth but was interrupted by the captain as the wagon abruptly halted and he opened the carriage door. "We are here."
The Magistrate's building was an imposing structure. Not as huge as the Emerald City Palace and nowhere near as glamorous as Theodora's castle but it was still an impressive mansion, nevertheless. The home was surrounded by a vast and freshly cut and clean lawn. Shrubs and bushes were arranged in neat parallel patterns. The group approached the entrance way to the white chateau on an expansive marble path. A fountain greeted them before the main entranceway.
As they entered, they were stopped by a guard, who asked for all magical trinkets and devices. "Casting magic is not permissible on the grounds", he said sternly to the group. "There are no exceptions." He eyed the witch as he continued. "It will be returned to you when you exit." He then looked at the Wizard. "Your hat is imbued with magic. Hat off please."
As Theodora parted with her ring and the Wizard his hat, he was trying to think about the challenges that lay ahead of him. He remembered what Gloma had told him earlier about her 'pure' bloodline. But what about this magistrate? Was her blood tainted like Pastoria's? Not knowing what she was going to do in this matter made him incredibly nervous. Once again, he was at a crossroads. Anything could happen.
As the group made their way further into the home, the Wizard was struck by its beauty. Marble columns lined the expansive foyer as blue rugs draped the marble floors and a grand staircase was seen at its opposite end. The rugs seemed to be out of place to the Wizard, but the captain later clarified to him that blue was the official color of the Munchkin lands.
The council had already arrived, its members seated at one of the benches that lined the expansive waiting room. The council leader huffed as the group entered and eyed them suspiciously and with much disdain. "Look who the cat dragged in", she scoffed. "The Wizard and his girlfriend…"
As the small group consisting of Bella, Betsy, Daisy, Finley, Theodora, the captain and several other Winkie Guards sat and waited, the Wizard walked over to a nearby sentry standing next to a door titled "Magistrate".
"Uhhh…hello", the Wizard said as he greeted him. "Do you know when—"
"Take a seat", the guard answered. He didn't look at the Wizard, but instead stared straight ahead. "You will know when the Magistrate is ready to see you."
The Wizard pursed his lips. What is with these guards and them having zero personalities? Regardless, he relented and headed back to the benches where the group had now taken up.
"Can I speak with you", the Wizard asked. Bella was sitting with her long-time companions as she gestured invitingly towards him. He took a seat next to her.
"PARTIES ON GAUTH", the sentry screamed. The Wizard had noticed that there were other people in the waiting hall, including some sentient animals. One such group stood from their respective bench and headed towards the guard. It appeared their matter was about to be heard. This magistrate must be very busy, indeed.
"Can I ask you a question", the Wizard whispered to her. "But I would like to ask you alone."
"Girls, can I speak with the Wizard alone?" This caused Betsy and Daisy to playfully and mischievously wiggle their way down the bench. But this only caused their older counterpart to glare at them in consternation. "Come on girls, I am serious." They then relented, stood from where they had been sitting and went over to the opposite bench where Finley was.
"I need to ask you something", the Wizard eyed her nervously. "And this might be a dumb question. But during my time in Oz, I've never noticed a pregnant woman. Do women…become pregnant here?"
Bella curved the side of her lips as she eyed the Wizard with a confused expression. "What? Of course they do. What made you ask this?"
Damnit, the Wizard muttered to himself. He knew he never should have crossed that bridge with Theodora last night. "I did something I shouldn't have and I'm hoping I didn't wreck my life."
"What do you mean? What did you do?"
"I might have…" But he couldn't finish his sentence. "It's not important…"
"No, please tell me", Bella inquired, her eyes soft and delicate. "I can see that it's really bothering you and you'll only hurt yourself more by keeping it all bottled in. Please, you can tell me. I know you wouldn't be bereft by such common knowledge. You can tell me what happened."
The Wizard sighed. "Well, there's a chance I got…" He started to clear his throat at the embarrassment of discussing such sensitive, private matters with a girl who was entering young adulthood and may not have even had her first kiss. Nevertheless, he finished his sentence. "…Your boss pregnant."
But much to his surprise, she started to snort as she covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled. "Wizard…", she said between pangs of mirth. "Wizard, witches can't get pregnant…"
"They can't?" His lips parted as he expressed great relief and satisfaction. "But I thought you said…"
"I said women can, but you never specified witches and non-witches…"
He clasped his hands together with excitement and in much relief. He was elated. He dodged a major bullet. "Thank God! Thank God! Thank God! Thank God! Thank the faeries! THANK YOU!"
"They get a delivery by the stork instead…"
The Wizard's heart crashed into his stomach. "What", he asked her, his voice faltering as he turned his head towards the maid and stared at her sullenly. "Please tell me you are lying…" He remembered that inane statement that Theodora had cooked up when they had dinner together. He thought she was utterly insane for even suggesting such an outlandish idea. It can't be true.
"No, it's true", she told him straightlaced. His mouth dropped. Bella was not being facetious. She was dead serious.
"A stork is the messenger of the Faeries. They deliver a baby when a witch conceives."
"….And…how long does this take", the Wizard asked her dumbfounded.
"Typically within 30 days of conception", Bella replied. "And it is typically the witch's decision whether to accept the baby or not."
"It's over! I'm doomed! I'M DOOMED", the Wizard screamed as he stood from the bench and held his hands above his head. The visitor's waiting hall became silent as everyone who was not privy to the conversation had no clue what the Wizard was yelling about.
"What do you think he's talking about?", one of the council members asked from across the hall. "What do you think", the leader interjected. She knew exactly why the Wizard was upset. "He clearly knows his request to this Magistrate is doomed to fail. You see, ladies and gentlemen", the council leader exclaimed as she crossed her arms on her chest and shook her head. "This is what happens when you side with the Wicked Witch of the West."
Bella tugged at his sides and brought him back down onto the bench. "Look, you are not doomed", Bella responded. "Just talk to her. You've done so much for all of us already. She'll listen to you, Wizard. Just talk to her and be honest."
Talk to her, the Wizard bemoaned to himself. This is exactly what Finley would tell him to do when the monkey was not getting all emotional himself.
He was about to continue the conversation with the maid when he noticed that a new group had entered the waiting room. And he couldn't believe who they were.
The Wizard stood up and walked over to the new arrivals. He smiled when he saw the rest of his soon-to-be cabinet members enter. And he was especially shocked to see that Mombi was among them.
"You came…", he said with much fervor as he moved briskly to his friend.
The northern witch flashed him a small, but reassuring smile. "I did", she said. "I thought about everything you told me. About redemption and proving to myself that I have what it takes and that mumbo jumbo. All that ridiculousness you told me. And after thinking about it, I just told myself 'fuck it. I'll ride and die with you, Wizard'. I'm all in."
He blushed. "You know, I never actually told you how to play poker." This made Mombi beam him a smile of her own.
"Achem…" They were interrupted by Theodora, who had gotten up from her own seat and approached her cousin, who she had not seen in a long, long time.
"Cousin…", Mombi said. "It's been…a long time." They both stared at each other, Theodora emotionless and silent with many things being left unsaid between them, until the Wizard decided to break the ice.
"Theo", the Wizard finally replied. He then placed his hand on her cousin's shoulder. "I'd like you to meet the new Minister of Justice!" While Theodora did not smile or nod, her silence conveyed a tacit acceptance of his choice. The remaining candidates started to gather around, and the Wizard pointed at each of them. And as he spoke to them, some like the lion turned giddy, while others blushed and smiled.
The Wizard pointed to the Cowardly Lion. "You, my good sir, are the bastion of courage and valor. You will make certain that all Good Ozians are safe. I am delighted to appoint you to the Ministry of Defense."
"Ohhh boy! Oh boy! I always wanted to be a general! I—I think I can do it!"
He then turned to Nick Chopper. "A woodcutter, descended from a long line of farmers, you faced death at the hands of wickedness and prevailed. You are a mighty defender of the forest. I will be honored to make you head the Ministry of the Interior. May you preserve the Ozian lands and cultivate them to the greater envy of us all."
"Thank you, Wizard."
He then turned to Mombi. "My dear Mombi. My friend. You have been my best friend. Robbed of justice by a tyrannical ruler. I know you will serve the land way better than the injustice and persecution you faced. I am pleased to have you lead the Ministry of Justice. May you act impartially and uphold the rule of law." He grabbed her hand and held it in his. "Thank you."
He then turned to the final witch who was among them. "Theodora, I give you the most important duty in all of Oz. It is a big prize, for with great power comes even greater responsibility. My chief diplomat, you will travel the land, engage with friends and foes, adversaries and allies alike and will serve the Ozian people by her wit of tongue, her charming demeanor and her affable and adorable persona. You will foster goodwill and establish diplomatic relationships with every country in Nonestica. It is my pleasure and my great privilege to appoint you to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." As the witch's cheeks turned red and she lowered her head, the Wizard placed his fingers under her chin and propped her head, so his eyes were now staring into hers. "Thank you", he said sincerely. "I really mean this."
"Wizard, I'm going to cry", she said, doing her best to battle away tears.
"And what about me?" The Wizard turned his head and saw a woman he thought he would never see. For someone who also declined to accept a position in his new government, seeing Dorothy was an unexpected surprise. However, seeing her carrying China Girl in her arms was even more so.
"And you my dear", the Wizard extended his hand and pulled her towards the group. "You are a renowned scientist, an esteemed doctor and an inventor almost as good as my own, one who will make an outstanding contribution to Ozian society. I am proud to make you the Minister of Health and Technological Innovation."
"What about me, Wizard", China Girl asked. "Ah yes, my defender, who vociferously advocated for me at my trial. You will make an extraordinary arguer among those who like to…argue. I hereby decree that you will represent the people when they make requests of me. You will streamline the process, make access to the great Wizard open to all and then advocate on their behalf. I therefore make you the Solicitor General of the Emerald City.
"Wait…who is this?" Theodora's eyes narrowed as she gazed at a woman she never saw before. "Wizard, who is she to you?" Her eyes darted suspiciously between him and this mysterious new person.
He eyed Dorothy and the witch, not knowing what to say. It's not every day that someone unknowingly meets their killer in an alternate timeline.
"Oh, the Wizard and I", Dorothy explained in a quick-witted way. "We go way back."
No kidding, the Wizard thought to himself.
"PARTIES ON EMERALD CITY!" The time had come. They were about to be called in.