Scarecrow sat on his throne and listened to the Winkie guard tell him of the changes Tin Man's kindness to them had done. Not long after Dorothy left Tin Man began helping and serving in any way he could to rebuild and repair Oz. The place that needed the most help was the Western Country, WInkie Country, after it had become barren and desolate during the Wicked Witch's rule.
The straw man remembered how bad it had been and how frightening. "I don't remember seeing a town or anything other than her castle."
The guard looked down. "There used to be but she enslaved us and destroyed everything and killed many of our people. Your Majesty I promise you none of us loved her. We all feared her! We hated her! Even the flying monkeys only obeyed her because they had no choice. They are bound to serve whoever has possession of the Golden Cap."
Scarecrow looked at him in thought. "Did she curse the land so that nothing could grow? To make everything so scary?"
"Yes Your Highness but something strange has been happening since she died and your friend, the Tin Man came to help us rebuild. It's as if the curse was broken and the land is healing! Farms have begun growing food again and the forest that you all traveled through is finally growing leaves and coming to life! Is he some kind of magical wizard?"
Scarecrow and Lion looked at each other before looking back at him! "Not to my knowledge…"
"Mine either!" Lion said shrugging. "Then again, and this is going to sound bad but, we don't know anything about his past. Just didn't think to ask him."
The Winkie swallowed. 'Well if anything I speak on behalf of my people. We have grown great affection for Tin Man and…if he wants to of course…we would like to offer him kingship of our country…!"
Scarecrow chuckled at that! "Well talk to him about it. I'll send a letter with you that I want you to give him. Where will he live?"
The guard chuckled. "The castle has been demolished and the everything belonging to the WItch was destroyed, except for the Golden Cap. It can't be destroyed unless the flying monkeys are set free. Construction has started on a much nicer castle for a new ruler."
"It will take some convincing but you have chosen wisely," Glinda said as she arrived. She smiled at the Winkie guard. "The WIcked Witch's evil and hate was what ruined your land. Tin Man…or Nick Chopper…is the opposite. Due to his curse he does hold magic but has chosen to use it for good."
"Nick Chopper?" Scarecrow asked confused.
Glinda turned to him. "The true name of the Tin Man. Funnily enough before you and Dorothy came along he thought himself to be nothing but a monster."
Scarecrow gawked at her for a moment! "Monster? Him?! Even before he got his heart he was the nicest person ever!"
Glinda's smile turned sad. "He has a rather long and sad story to tell. It's not my place to tell it but I'm hoping that by revealing his true name he will finally open up to someone and begin his own healing. Although his rescue and the journey to the Emerald City helped a great deal."
The WInkie Guard frowned in concern. "I suppose the old saying is true."
"What old saying?" Scarecrow asked.
"That the kindest people are the ones that have been hurt the most," Glinda said. "Nick has been through a lot in his life and deserved none of it. Yet despite his hardships he remained the gentle soul he was born to be." She gazed at the Scarecrow with a gentle smile. "Gentle and quite protective as you know. He has a high sense of honor and will fight if need be. Convince him to accept the crown. The West will flourish under his rule and the emptiness within him will fill once more. He shall always retain his metal body, that can't be changed, but his broken spirit can be mended and he can feel again. There is another saying that he should hear and for him it will be far more literal."
"What is it?" Scarecrow asked.
"That the love you give will come back to you and make you strong as steel," Glinda said. "He will need that strength should danger return to Oz."
The WInkie Guard looked at her in thought. "Our prophecy…" His eyes went wide.
GLinda smiled. "Yes. It is him."
"Prophecy?" Scarecrow asked, not sure if he wanted any more surprises.
"THere are many lower witches and wizards in Oz. Some have a third eye that can see into the future. Once such witch lives in WInkie Country and was hidden from the WIcked Witch. THe Prophetess was and old woman and she spoke of hope."
The WInkie Guard nodded! "Yes…Her words were "Though Wickedness has come and destroyed us a hero shall come to rescue us. He shall be accompanied by friends. He will not destroy the wickedness…an outsider will…but he shall heal the West. This man knows cruelty but has chosen to be kind. A noble heart within a cursed knight. His blade shall not be a sword but a humble woodcutter's ax. Within this knight is the heart of a hero.""
Scarecrow smiled. "I think you're right. I'll go with you to talk to him." He then looked at Glinda. "The East was ruled by a Wicked Witch as well so why wasn't it cursed?"
"She was not as powerful as the Wicked WItch of the West. She couldn't curse the land but she could curse people. I'm afraid Nick was used as an example and that scared the munchkins enough to never disobey her."
"He tried to fight her?" The WInkie Guard asked, eyes wide!
"He defied her," Glinda said. "And paid a heavy price." Glinda frowned and sighed. "A price that I know wil lalways weigh heavily on his heart. Go and speak with him…get him to tell you his story. Only then will he begin to truly heal."
"He will need courage," The Guard said.
"Courage…" Scarecrow said softly. "We'll find Lion first. He rules the forests of Oz and I know he'll want to help!"
Glinda nodded with a smile. "Go towards the East first then. Go to Munchkin City and follow the Red Brick Road. It connects to the West through the North. In Munchkin City look for a woman named Nimmie Amie. She will be able to tell you how he was cursed and why."
"But shouldn't he be the one to tell his story?" Scarecrow asked.
"He will omit certain details out of shame. Nimmie Amie was very close to him before he was cursed and she can explain things and perhaps even want to join you."
THe Scarecrow only nodded as the WInkie Guard softened.
"Exactly how close?" THe guard asked. "Could we potentially have a queen as well?"
Glinda smiled kindly. "You shall need to speak with her. Scarecrow shall meet up with Lion and follow that path I have set. You return to the Winkies and assist Tin Man with the work that must be done. Speak not of what has been discussed here. Tell him to expect the King oF Oz and the King of the Forest to visit within a week."
THe Guard stood and bowed to them both! "Yes My Lady!" He turned to Scarecrow. "Safe journey Your Majesty!"
"You as well," Scarecrow said as the guard left.
Glinda turned to him! "THis journey for your friend will reveal secrets that he has kept under lock and key for several years. I am unsure how he will react when all is said and done. You will find out hard truths and with it beagle to convince him that he is not the monster he thinks he is. He does not have to atone for any sin any longer. His new heart should not carry old haunts and burdens."
Scarecrow nodded as he took off his crown and placed it on the throne before turning to one of his advisors. "Bring me my regular hat. I'm not having my brain be burdened by royal thoughts while I am gone. Any business that comes that is not urgent can wait until my return. If it's urgent then take care of it."
"I shall stay in the Emerald City while you are gone," Glinda said. "I will take care of everything. You must make this journey."
"Thank you Miss Glinda," he said as he straightened up and left. He got his old hat and made his way through the Emerald City. He was greeted warmly as he made his way to the familiar gate and bit back a grin at seeing the old guard still there. "I need to leave."
The guard blinked before turning to him and bowing! "Of course Your Grace! Is everything alright?"
"Lady Glinda will rule in my stead while I make a journey. Keep guarding this door," Scarecrow said as it opened to him and he stepped out and onto the Yellow Brick Road." He smiled in fond remembrance as he remembered their arrival at this very gate and the "welcome" they had received. SInce then the bell that hed been "Out of Order" was repaired and made a pleasant sound.
Scarecrow took a deep breath and made his way away from his own city, retracing his own footsteps from long ago.
The last adventure he helped a friend go home. This adventure would help a friend find a home.