The Wicked Witch of the East: Evanora's Return
[Part 2]
CHAPTER 20: OZMA
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
"Why did you choose wickedness over me?"
Zurline hardly seems affected by the question. Or rather, to someone else she might. Evanora sees the subtle change in breath and the twitch in her hands. The former-Faerie's attention shifts to Ozma, a brow raising as she observes her. "A Faerie child?" Her gaze flickers to Evanora for a moment before she returns her focus to the girl. "No, a halfling from a recessive line. How unexpected."
Ozma isn't daunted. "You took me from my mother without awareness of the possibility? Isn't that a bit reckless?"
Zurline inclines her head, "I will concede to that. Regardless, what right have you to stand here giving orders? You are but a child and not even one of a proper line. My sister was the last queen."
"Yet you would kill her daughter." Locasta intercedes, her anger apparent. Though on behalf of Glinda's treatment or the the refusal of an answer to her question, Evanora cannot say.
"From my understanding, the king betrayed my sister. I did not know Glinda truly was Lurline's daughter. Had I known, I would have stopped after his demise."
"You are upset with Grandfather, but it is not him who separated you from your sister." Ozma stands tall and speaks with a fluid, formal confidence. "To find the culprit, look no further than the same man who deceived you."
Zurline seems frozen for a moment, then slowly, shock and anger creep across her features. "Orison? That crooked, half-wit of a wizard?"
Locasta huffs, "Clever enough apparently to fool you."
Seeming to sympathise with their captured enemy, Ozma sends Locasta a warning look before turning a sad-eyed gaze onto Zurline. "She's alive, but Oblivion clouds her mind." She pauses briefly, then adds, "Her daughter continues to look for her as yours does for you."
"Ozma!" Hisses Locasta, but her reprimand lacks venom and Evanora easily pulls her closer to her side, sensing her distress and the suppressed emotions so close to rising to the surface.
Zurline is quiet, but then, in a whisper so shamed it pulls at Evanora's heart, she admits, "I did not wish to make my quest your undoing. I arranged it so that you would be safe. Far enough and away from the path I would follow. Had I known my retribution for my sister's suffering to be a lie, I would not... I have hurt you greatly."
"Why?" Locasta laments, her voice shaking. "Why did you choose revenge over your own child?"
"I have always stood by my sister. In the darkest of our days, Lurline was my light. Regardless of our mother's disapproval or the plots of the Court, she never wavered or left me behind. Always, even in times I did not realise I needed it, she would extend her hand to me with a smile and plans that would light up her eyes. When I heard news of her disappearance and was then contacted by Orison and told that it had all been a grand deception to see her removed, I thought I had lost her. One so dear to my heart, my life may as well be hers. To lose that, to know that I shall never see her smile again, I became lost to my grief and in doing so, I convinced myself that there was nothing left for me. Without my sister the world was colourless. You were still so young. I was certain you would not remember, nor would you have a care to be associated with one who would commit regicide."
She shakes her head, continuing, "I underestimated how long it would take to accumulate the needed power to confront King Pastoria and his new wife after becoming a witch. In my mind, the battle was immediate. I would kill those responsible and join my sister. Instead, here we are, my war dragging on until this day." Finally, Zurline sighs, her eyes finding Locasta's. "I did not mean for you to suffer."
Locasta squeezes her hand tight, though her face remains impassive. Evanora squeezes back. "No. You had no thought for me at all. After all, what is two years compared to the millennia spent with your sister?"
Zurline closes her eyes, expression pained and in spite of all the pain wrought, Evanora feels empathetic for the Faerie-Witch. Their experiences and choices are not far apart, but even she must admit that the difference is also stark. "I did wrong by you. No apology will change that. Perhaps even no act."
"No," Locasta agrees, voice a whisper, "I doubt I will ever forgive you."
"As is your right."
There is silence and Ozma quietly slinks back to Evanora's side. Shy and mortal-like once again. Back to being Firefly. Evanora smiles and runs circles over her back, whispered words of praise making her child beam.
"Am I to be confined here until a date has been decided?"
Locasta seems calmer now, different, but also similar to how she used to be. Her tone is neutral when she answers. "Whether you are to be executed or not is up to Glinda. She is queen and your sentence shall be passed by her and those she takes into counsel."
"I see." There is no hesitation or pause to the Faerie-Witch, only weary acceptance. Her gaze finds Firefly and when her daughter stiffens, Evanora pulls her into her side. "You may be a half-blood, but you are powerful. With the correct training, you will be a great Faerie." There is a moment that Zurline looks at Locasta, as though the words are meant for her as well, but once finished speaking, the Faerie-Witch says no more.
Locasta exhales, the sound tired. "I shall return to speak with you once a decision has been made. Excuse us." She motions Evanora and Ozma outside, guiding them each by shoulder or hand, respectively.
The Witch of the North says no more that day. Firefly notices her silence not long after the visit to the dungeons and asks Evanora to stay by the wise witch's side. She does, watching as Locasta seems to grow increasingly further away.
Though silent, Locasta puts on a smile and though it fools most, Evanora can tell that Glinda is concerned. She is not alone in that. The Emerald Witch makes attempts to coax the Witch of the North into conversation, even makes an effort to bribe her with food, but it is all for naught.
Locasta has not a word to spare.
So the day passes in silence until Princess Ozma again makes an unexpected appearance during dinner. The child's eyes, suddenly deep and knowing, find Locasta's and she says, "We're with you."
Only those three little words. Simple, in their own ways, yet together they bring Locasta to tears. Everyone at the table spares the witch of word of assurance or comfort, but of all those who approach her, Locasta only embraces Glinda.
Afterwards, Evanora and Firefly walk her to her room and Locasta pulls them both into her arms, asking them to stay.
Mother and daughter share a glance and nod in unison, with Evanora finding herself repeating the princess' words. "We're with you."
The next morning, Glinda holds council and soon the matter of Zurline comes up.
"We need to decide." The blonde sighs, eyes falling on Locasta. "To put it off will only bring more unease."
The Witch of the North does not waver. No trace of the previous day's torment remains. Instead she nods, firm and confident, and says, "I know my losses. I may not yet have finished mourning, but now is the time to focus on bringing peace to the people."
The Wizard, his gaze sympathetic, leads them in the discussion. "We want suggestions. You know her actions. What do you think is appropriate?"
"Death!" Knuck declares, pounding his fist against the table.
Glinda gives him a look, reproach in her eyes. "Knuck."
He deflates, sighing. "Exile."
"Banishment." The Old Tinker adds in.
Finley glances between them in confusion, asking after the difference and so Locasta explains, "Exile is to sent the individual or group to a specific location from which they may not depart. It can be temporary, though more often it is permanent. Banishment tends to equal being barred from an area, such as Theodora being forbidden to return to Emerald City. That however does not keep her from traversing the rest of Oz."
The herald huffs. "In that aspect, banishment is kinder."
"Tinker," Glinda addresses the man, briefly sending Knuck a look of fond exasperation. "Why did you suggest banishment?"
"In the end, your rule is a gentle one." He explains, his smile kind yet sorrowful. "I proposed banishment, not simply from Emerald City, but from all that is surrounded by the Deserts. She is a Faerie still, though wicked. It would be far greater a punishment to be barred from the land her sister so loved."
While the Tinker's explanation brings a heavy silence to the hall, Knuck breaks it with a certain solemn correction of choice, though his words may be mistaken for jest. "I take back what I said. Go with his suggestion."
"But, the lands beyond the Deserts are dangerous." Finley protests weakly, his wings twitching.
The Wizard seems grim, but nods, his features tightening. "It is meant to be a punishment."
"What if she finds allies and comes back to get revenge? She's already proven herself fully capable of it." The monkey continues to worry, hands clenching and unclenching.
"What do the two of you think?" Glinda's gaze falls on her and Locasta, both of them having refrained from making suggestions of their own.
The Witch of the North answers first, exhaustion apparent in her face and body language as she leans forward, arms crossed. "She will not return for revenge. She has been played once, she will not dare return now that it has been proven you are indeed of her sister's blood. Banishing her from Nonestica would be best. As the Tinker said, she remains a Faerie. Being barred from the Land of Oz is not as cruel a punishment as it would be for one born here, but it does affirm the point that we will not allow such behaviour."
"Evanora?"
She considers the situation, the people around her and her own daughter's stance thus far. At last, she admits with careful thought, "I was in her position not long ago. A tool as much for her as for my father who pulled the strings for us both. Her goal was to avenge her sister. Perhaps now, it will be to find her."
The Wizard's brow furrows. "Are you suggesting we free her?"
Evanora shakes her head, knowing that the idea would not be one accepted by the overall populace. "I would not dare. Rather, as you did with Theodora, the terms of her banishment could be conditional. For example, to return only once the former queen has been found."
"Two birds with one stone." The Tinker nods, approval in his expression.
Glances are exchanged around the table and the Wizard raises a hand, putting them all to vote.
That same day, Evanora accompanies Locasta to speak with Zurline. When they tell her of the conclusion reached, she thanks them. Locasta reminds it is not a kindness, but the Faerie-Witch only shakes her head, saying, "I look forward to it."
-Emerald City-
*~ Firefly / Ozma ~*
Firefly isn't there when they take Miss Zurline away. Miss Casta is, and although she was sad before, she seems relieved now. It's good, even if it is unfortunate how they couldn't reconcile the same way she and Mother did.
Miss Casta spends a lot of time with them after the Faerie-Witch is sent away, but while she seems to have more time, Miss Glinda is busier than ever. Most of they time, Miss Glinda can't make it to breakfast and sometimes neither can Mister Wizard.
It isn't too bad, of course, Firefly still has China Girl and Finley sometimes drops by to check in. Mister Tinker stayed a bit too, saying that he wanted to catch up with Miss Casta and Mother, so Firefly has him as well.
Today is different though. Today is the first time in two whole weeks that everyone will be having breakfast together and she is very excited to have all her favourite people in one place again.
"Mother, come on!" She pulls on her arm until there's an audible groan and Mother looks up at her. The Emerald Witch looks like she just literally rolled out of bed. Which, Ozma must admit, is her fault because Mother is in fact on the floor at the moment.
"Dear, it's not even dawn yet." Mother's hair is in her face and spread out around her head, extending across the tiles in brown tendrils. She's pretty, even if she does look like a bit of a sleepy mess.
"We should get up early so that we'll be ready in time." Firefly insists, though her enthusiasm is a bit tamped down as she looks at Mother's tired face.
"Very well." Mother sighs, eyes closing. "Would you like to take a bath with me?"
"Sure!"
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
Keeping her daughter occupied proves to be quite the feat when the girl's excitement is greater than Evanora's ability to come up with distractions. Regardless, somehow, they make it through the morning up to the arrival of the servants. The way Firefly pulls her along the corridors in a hurry reminds her of the time when Theodora was this age.
Back then, spending time with Glinda and Andahan and listening to the king's stories over breakfast was the light of Theodora's morning. Her heart aches at the thought of her sister's transformation and the betrayal in her eyes when she realised that Evanora had helped Glinda and the Wizard.
Perhaps there was a way to free her from the Apple's curse, but Evanora was so caught up in events, she never thought to ask and now it's far too late. Zurline is gone and Evanora has once again failed her sister. Working with Locasta might provide answers, though that would mean she must leave for the North.
Ever since it was first proposed, Evanora has wondering about her daughter's future and what would be the best choice to make going forward. She's thought long and hard and may even have come to a conclusion.
"Miss Glinda! Mister Wizard!" Her daughter runs right up to the pair, throwing herself at them in the familiar running-hug she has directed at Evanora. Both witch and wizard laugh, the later picking up Firefly to spin her around in the air, earning a squeal of delight.
"How have you been, Princess?"
Ozma laughs in response. "Good, but now I'm even better! Everyone's here!"
Greetings and pleasantries are exchanged as the group catch up with one another. Evanora is content to sit quietly and listen, but she is surprised to find that every once and a while, someone draws her into conversation. It's as she's discussing the security schedule with the Wizard that Glinda taps her glass, stopping all conversation.
"Everyone, I'm sorry for interrupting, but we have an announcement to make. After long discussion, Locasta and I have decided we will set our sights on bringing back the Cardinal Coven." Glinda's eyes find hers, a smile softening her features. "We hope that Evanora will join us. As Guardian of the East."
Attention shifts to her, but Evanora is too stunned to respond, not until her daughter tugs on her skirt, eyes questioning. "Mother?"
Picking her up to sit on her lap, Evanora embraces her daughter, smiling. "First a proposition to teach and now a Cardinal Witch, you say?" She looks at Glinda then, making sure to keep a secure hold on Ozma. "I suppose now is as good a time as any to speak my mind. I've made my choice, after all."
Locasta leans closer at that, eyes wide and curious. "So? What will it be? Will you stay, or will you go?"
"Go?" Finley whines, surprised. "Go where?"
Locasta crosses her arms, smirking, but her eyes never leave Evanora and Firefly. "To stay in Emerald City with Ozma as a princess, or for them both to leave and find somewhere else to be together."
"Mother?"
"I promised never to leave you again, my dear. I fully intend to honour that." She pauses, looking around at the people gathered before meeting her daughter's gaze again. "But I know that you have people you love here as well. That is why I decided that regardless of where you choose to be, I will be right there beside you. Be it Emerald City or the Lands Beyond the Deserts."
"You mean it?"
"I do."
"Then…" Ozma holds onto her arm, but turns to look at the people gathered around the table. "I want to stay here. With our family."
Locasta chuckles, grinning at her. "Told you."
"You did." Evanora chuckles. "Then I will stay. I will teach," she looks at Glinda, nodding, "and I will help to rebuild."
"In that case," the Witch of the North closes her eyes, features softer than Evanora has seen in a long time, "I best stay as well." She looks at them, her eyes warm. "I'm part of this, so I need to remind you that you're not alone this time, after all."
"No." Ozma agrees, regal and happy. "We have the best people to help us."
Fin.
So concludes Evanora's Return. Thank you for everyone who has been following and patiently waiting for each chapter. It's been a long while, so I hope this last chapter held up to your hopes. I had some trouble finishing the story as I simply couldn't seem to get the last scene to work in my favour. In the end, I settled on this.
After all, an ending, regardless of how dreadful, at least brings with it reassurance. I do my best to finish my stories, even if it takes me a long time. So again, thank you for coming along.
Until we meet again.
– L.L.
