The days following were a whirlwind of activity in the West. Tin Man continued to help rebuild towns and plant new trees, creating far more welcoming and peaceful forests.

In the distance he could hear the sounds of the castle crumbling, see the fires from the Wicked Witch's things as they were all destroyed.

Then as he worked to rebuild their city they worked on building him a beautiful castle. As it was being built, help came in the form of workers from the North, South, Emerald City, and finally to his surprise…from the East.

Glinda arrived to visit him one day months later when the castle was nearing completion. She knew he was nervous.

The day the castle was completed would be his coronation day.

Nick looked at her! "Lady Glinda…!"

She smiled. "Are you ready?"

Nick rubbed the back of his neck. "That is a very good question!"

She chuckled. "You have come a long way since that day you were found in the forest."

"I never would have made it if not for them," Nick said with a soft smile.

"Yes. I have come to bestow a gift for you."

"Oh well…thank you…it's not necessary…!"

"Hold out your ax Dear One."

Nick did just that and watched as she waved her staff over it. "Your ax will never be used against you or those you love ever again. It will only ever answer to you." The ax glowed. "WIth it you will be able to face any monster, protect your people, and yourself. If something should happen to you the ax will be hidden away until someone worthy, someone that shares your heart, will be able to wield it."

"My heart? Glinda I can't father any children…!"

She merely smiled. "Believe it or not you are not the only tin person in Oz. You are just the most well known. There are a select few that ran afoul of a wicked witch. Because of you they have the courage to come out of hiding and are on their way to the West."

Nick stared at her! "I'm not alone?"

"No…never again. There aren't many but each of them has their own story to tell."

He nodded. "Then of course they will be welcome here! THe Winkies are the finest craftsmen and women I have ever met!"

Glinda smiled. "I agree. By the way I love the new flag."

Nick chuckled at that! "THe Winkie's idea!"

She chuckled and nodded as she left the tent he was currently calling home and looked up at the new Winkie flag. It was a testament to their new ruler.

It was a golden yellow with a red heart in the middle. Within that heart was a silver ax.

The good witch merely smiled as her bubble surrounded her and she flew off.

A few months later the castle was completed. White stone glimmered in the sunlight to be a beacon of hope for not just the West but all those in need of shelter and safety. The tin people that had arrived gained employment there and Nick had met with each of them.

What surprised him the most were the children. What could they have done to have to face the wrath of a wicked witch?!

It was the parents unfortunately that had angered them and the entire family would be punished.

There was one child…a little girl who was an orphan named Mirabel, who's story touched Nick's heart the most. Like him she had lost her parents to sickness. She had lived alone for a long time and eventually rusted in the rain.

Mira approached the throne and curtsied. "Your Majesty…I have no family…"

"You do now," Nick said as he knelt in front of her and put his hands on her shoulders.

She looked up at him with shining brown eyes and smiled before throwing her arms around him! "WIll you be my Papa?"

He stilled in surprise before returning the hug. He looked up at everyone that was there and saw their smiles and nods of approval. He held her close. "Yes…"

After that Mira had quite frankly stolen his heart in a manner of speaking. It hadn't taken Nick long to fall in love with the sweet little girl. He sent word to Scarecrow about her.

When Scarecrow arrived for the coronation he brought adoption papers. Both him and Lion took an immediate liking to the girl, especially with how happy she was making Nick.

Well, according to the journal he had wanted to be a father. There was certainly more than one way to make a family!

On the day of the coronation Nick was polished to a shine. A yellow sash draped across his shoulder. Pinned on it was his heart watch. His normal funnel hat was gone leaving his head temporarily bare. In just a few short hours the Winkie crown would be placed on his head. It would be official…he would be King of the West, Protector of the Winkies, and whatever other title Scarecrow had come up with.

His friend had told him the night before that he had something special planned but wanted it to be a surprise. Nick had jokingly asked him if it was something he needed to be worried about.

Well…half joked. Scarecrow had laughed and reassured him that he'd like it, whatever it was.

A knock on the door startled him out of his thoughts. "Come in!"

Mira stepped inside wearing a yellow dress that had white lace. Her tin hair was curled and half up with a heart shaped bun. "Hi Papa!"

"Well hello Sweetheart! What are you up to?" Nic kasked smiling at her.

She smiled back as she went over. "It's almost time! Uncle Scarecrow told me to come get you! Are you excited?"

He chuckled. "A little yes. What about you? You're going to be a princess!"

Mira giggled as she curtsied. "I can't wait!"

The WInkie Guard stepped in and looked at his new king. "Your Majesty…it's time…" He bowed.

Nick nodded and stood up. "You know where to go?" he asked Mira.

She nodded and hugged him. "I do! I'll be with Uncle Lion!"

He returned the hug and watched as she ran out of the door. The Guard chuckled in amusement as he got out of her way.

Nick drew in a deep breath as he looked at himself in the mirror. "I barely recognize myself in the mirror…"

"Your Grace?"

He gave himself a mental shake! "Best not to keep everyone waiting!"

THe Tin Man then followed the guard out and to the throne room. He waited outside the double doors. Beyond it he could hear the Scarecrow talking.

"Winkies for far too long you lived under the cruelty of the WIcked Witch of the West. That was the past. Your future is now in the hands of a man who knows exactly what you have been through. Despite his own tragedies he will rule with kindness and love. Your country will undoubtedly flourish. Today your chosen king takes the throne! I proudly present to the people of the West your new king: Niccolo Chopper!"

The doors opened and Nick drew in a steadying breath before he began his walk to the throne. The room was bathed in gold and white. Banners from the kingdoms of Oz hung from the ceiling. People lined the walls on either side of a long gold carpet. As he walked they bowed low and he was glad he couldn't blush.

Standing beside the throne was Scarecrow. His usual clothes were replaced by nicer ones and he had a green sash over his shoulder. On his head was the Crown of all Oz. In his hands was the crown that he would wear.

His crown was gold and was studded with diamonds and amethysts. It was lined with gold silk on the inside.

Scarecrow was smiling, his cloth face lit up with anticipation as his friend approached.

In the crowd Lion sat beside Mira smiling as well. History was being made right in front of his eyes! Glinda smiled from her on seat.

Once Nick got to the throne he knelt on the pillow there in front of the Scarecrow.

Scarecrow smiled. "This is a glorious day! One I am honored and privileged to be a part of." He placed the crown on Nick's head. "As King of Oz it is my great honor to crown Niccolo Chopper as King of the West, Protector of the WInkies…" He paused for a moment and smiled softly. "Knight of the Realm and the Heart of all Oz! Long may you reign and Long live the king!"

Nick stood up to the cheers of the crowd. His eyes glistened.

Scarecrow grinned. "Don't cry! You'll rust yourself again!"

Nick chuckled! "Sorry!"

Nick turned around and sat on his throne as Scarecrow announced: "Winkies of the West I present to you your new ruler! King Niccolo Chopper!"

Cheers rang out loud and joyous as bells rang outside!

Mira stayed still as long as she could but before Lion could catch her she got up and ran over to her father, climbing into his lap. Nick only chuckled and shrugged at the gathered people who chuckled and smiled at the scene.

Scarecrow grinned. "May I also present your new princess and heir to the throne: Princess Mirabel!"

Another cheer rang out.

Right after the ceremony was a ball in the castle and a celebration all throughout the land of the West.

Later that night when the celebration was over Nick stood out on the balcony of his private suite enjoying the breeze as it rustled the nearby trees. He watched as party guests left to go home.

'I wonder what Dorothy would think of all of this,' he thought. She would have loved Mira there was no doubt about that.

He blinked when a white dove landed on the railing. He held out his hand and smiled when it went right into his palm. "Hello there little one."

The dove looked up at him before flying up to his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek. It then pecked his cheek before flying down to the garden below.

The dove landed on the shoulder of a tin woman sitting among the roses admiring them.. The woman was wearing a blue dress with an apron. Her tin hair was braided in two long yellow pigtails. She looked at the dove and smiled as it landed on her palm as well. It took the rose she had plucked and flew back up to Nick before dropping it on the balcony in front of him.

Nick picked it up before looking down at the tin woman. She looked back up at him and smiled with a shy wave.

He waved back wit ha small, shy smile of his own. She was certainly lovely…

"Go say hello…!"

Nick blinked in surprise and turned around to find the spirit of Nimmie Amie! "Nimmie…!"

"You'll like her. I promise. Go on."

"Are you sure?" Nick asked uncertain.

"I'm positive. Go on Romeo," she said teasingly. "Just try not to be too cheesy!"

He shot her a scowl. "I am not!"

Nimmie smirked at him! "Go on…it's time to love another."

He nodded with a deep breath. "Alright…thank you Nimmie…"

She went over and kissed his cheek before vanishing.

He took a deep breath to gather his courage before leaving and going to the garden to meet who he hoped could be his mate.

After all…every kingdom needed a queen didn't it?