The South

I’m almost nineteen. We’ve grown more distant. A secret with Glinda has turned into a secret with Nessarose. I still barrow the Sliver Slippers. If only we had some way to channel it into something, but our parents give us little authority, and freedom.

“You know me, and my sisters are technically from the North, South, East, and West. Born in the detections we will someday rule. How’s that for destiny?” I say to Oz. We sit on a green, and white picnic blanket over tea. We’ve grown more distant. I still wait for that spark. That hint that wicked, or not he wouldn’t turn against me. Even our letters didn’t feel like this. I hand him a rose made of crystal, and gold. He takes it. I can tell we’re not going to last much longer. I’m not an optimist, but I still have hope. A walking purple teddy bear hands me a green envelop.

“Thank you.” I say. I open it. I stand up.

“What is it?”

“Glinda’s inviting me to get newly built Ruby Palace. I’m sorry, but I have to go.” I get up rushing to my room to pack. Flying monkeys take my things to an emerald carriage waiting for me. I stop by Nessarose’s room. The door opens with her magic. “Did you get a letter?” I ask.

“Yes, but mother and father think it would best if I stay.” I deflate. “Go have fun. Take these.” She hands me her Sliver Slippers. Items aren’t easily enchanted. Spells that wore off sure, but nothing like this. Shoes that can take you anywhere. In or out of Oz. Other things too but Nessarose hasn’t figured out what they are yet. My crystal ball could show me anything past present, or future. Anything I wanted it too. Things that never happened. Things that could. Things that didn’t exist. Anything I could imagine. Dreams. Nightmares. People’s worst fears. I take the shoes. Glinda has a wand. The end of it glowed. It also can strengthen any spell she casted. It could probably do a few other things too.

“What about you?” I ask.

“Don’t worry about me. You go. Tell me about the Ruby Castle when you get back. I can handle myself.” She was admittedly far more capable of taking care of her self than I. I hug her. “Go.” I slip on the shoes. I pass a Winkie I recognize. A person made out of gold, and diamond. Probably from Thi. I’m going to visit the West next. One way, or the other. Even if my parents are doing a good job. I’m sure there’s plenty for me to do there. The Winkie helps me into the carriage. With that we’re off to see my sister.

~

We travel carefully though the forest of fighting trees. Great protection for the South not great for travelers. We pass though a great ruby stone wall next. The Cuttenclip Village is filled with living paper dolls. Whose magic stops them from blowing away. Strong as any person

Emeraldin, witch, or otherwise. Tough skin. Paper? Then we go though Chimneyville. We get stares from the people here too. A few people crowd us. Some of them turn into smoke trying to get a better view over the growing crowd. Bunnybury is the largest town here. Bunny’s wear clothes, and most can walk on two legs, or walk on four. Hop on fours. A group of bunny’s wearing purple waist coats, and chainmail stand guarding the palace. A bunny leads me inside to the grown room. The palace is beautiful. Made of rubies. Some of Bunnybury is too. There’s some wood and stone house, and a some underground dens too. A person with gold wings announces me.

“Presenting Princess Elphaba of the West.”

“Elphaba.” Glinda smiles getting up from her thrown made of rubies to hug me. She wears a red, and pink gown, and a crown with live pink butterfly’s resting in it for the centerpieces. My own tiara is made of diamonds, and emeralds. “Did you have a good trip?” She asks ever polite.

“Yes I did thank you.”

“Come on I have something to show you.” She takes my hand leading me to a ruby room with a tall dome ceiling, and a large balcony overlooking Oz. I can see her whole Kingdom from here. The streets are well taken care of. Positively sparking in the sun. I see the construction of a homeless shelter, and a new school. Everyone looks so happy here.

“The Emerald City is nice, but you can tell people are thriving under your rule.” I say. “Can’t say I’m surprised Emerald News is calling you Glinda the Good Witch, A Strong Leader with a Kind and Gentle Heart.”

“That’s a very long title.”

“Then why not Glinda the Good Witch. Queen of the South.”

“I’m not Queen yet.” She says. I hear something move behind me. I turn to see a ruby red piano float to the floor. The room has changed. A red velvet sofa sits next to a trolley with red cakes, apple scones, and buttonberry tarts. A shelf with flutes, violins, and other interments I’ve never seen before. A harp, a cello, and the piano have all been set up. She pulls up a plush cushioned chair next to the harp. I sit on the bench before the piano. My mothers family believe learning to play an instrument made the person more well rounded. Music is also a big part of Oz tradition. It’s not so strange to see group Ozians burst into song for seemingly no reason. I often hear the staff sing as they work. I’ve never been much of a singer. I place my hands on the keys. Trying out a few notes. We begin to play. I use my magic to hit some keys while my hands hit others. Nessarose was so skilled she didn’t need to use her hands at all. I stop playing.

“I wish Nessarose was here.” I say.

“Me too.” She says her gaze turning wistful. “She be here soon.” She says.

“I hope so.” I say.

“So!” She says taking my hands. “What do you want for your birthday?”

“I don’t know really.” There’s a million things I want, but so much I already have. “I’d like to go West. Do what you’ve been doing. I doubt that’s going to happen so- Maybe a new hat or something.” When in doubt clothes, and jewelry. With that you can never go wrong. Glinda nods. A Quadling stumbles in.

“Your highnesses there’s been an attack on Bunnybury.” Glinda rushes faster than I’d ever seen her walk. Me trailing behind her. The second she’s above open sky a bubble forms around her, and she takes off.

“Um hello!” I call up. I see smoke in the distance. Then I remember the slippers. One, two, three. Three click of the heels, and I’m wear I want to be. Glinda flys in.

“What happened?” She asks an injured bunny. They wear a red dress. She heals a small burn on the bunny’s ear.

“Oh it was terrible your highness. It was- It was- It was you!” They point at me.

“What? Ridiculous I didn’t do this.” And I hadn’t this time. Guilt rises in me. I try not to look guilty. A guard walks up.

“The fire is out your highness. Twelve citizens are injured. No deaths. I have three healers on the scene. I’ve doubled the guard in Bunnybury. We’re investigating as we speak. Reports say they saw a wicked witch.”

“See it is her!” The bunny cries.

“It couldn’t have been. She’s been with me the whole time.”

“It is an odd coincidence that the spotting of a wicked witch happened only after she came here.” Another guard speaks up. I look at the little burning cottages. Like something out of a dark fairy-story. The people whisper. Many stare at me.

“What did the ‘witch’ look like.” No one answers. No one steps forward.

“Well there we have it.”

“She threw fire.” A child. Speaks up. Ears cast downward. “Her hands were green.” More talking. Not whispering anymore. A few people point at me.

“I will not have a witch hunt in my quadrant.” Glinda says so firmly she almost sounds angry. The people grow quiet,, and she regains control. I look out at the destruction cause by wickedness. Chardwood and cinders. Smoke and ash. One of the homes is dust. As if it simply went poof. I click my heels. There is a flying monkey unpacking my things.

“Get out!” I cry a sharp pain growing.

“Your Grace?” They jump dropping an emerald brush.

“Get out!” I repeat. Throwing a fireball. They duck flying out of the room in a hurry. Realizing what I did I call,

“Sorry.” Out into the hallway. Emotions make my voice weak. I slams the door shut with magic. Stumbling back onto the soft white pearl beaded comforter. It’s late when Glinda returns. She picks the brush off the floor, and has me sit up. She hums to me like she did when I was a child. She was always like this with me, and Nessarose. It never mattered how much we fought. We took care of each other. Me because I was the youngest, and Glinda being the oldest was always motherly. She used to read us bed time stories, heal scraps when we fell off our horses, she was the one who taught us how to ride. Nessarose was always there to defend me when I got in trouble, always there to help me out of trouble. Tears begin to fall stinging my skin.

“No. No. Don’t cry.” Glinda makes a red handkerchief appear dabbing my eyes. She’s wearing a simple pink night gown. She changes my clothes into a black nightgown with a spell. I’m still wearing the shoes. “It was Nessarose wasn’t it?” She asks. I say nothing. She sighs.

“We’ve been doing evil. The Emerald City, and the South are the only places we can’t get caught.” I confess.

“Why did she make it look like you did it though. I mean fires more your thing.” Thunder booms outside. Lightning spreads across the sky.

“She probably can’t help it.” I say shrugging.

“It looks like it’s going to rain.” She says. Just then there’s a pounding knock on the door. A flying monkey fallowed by some bunny’s. Then all in red guards uniform, and some from the wreckage.

“There she is.”

“We’ve been over this-“ Glinda begins gently.

“Look she has the Sliver Shoes. She could have been there, and back again with out your notice.” Glinda tries to calm them like she did before.

“I’m going home. Send my things.” I click my heels three times. I meant to end up in my bedroom, but in my rush I didn’t focus enough. I ended up in the courtyard. It starts to rain. I scream. Some one barrels into me. We both end up under the roof that surrounds the sidewalk that wraps around the green grass.

“What were you thinking!” Nessarose demands. Sheathing with anger. Her hair is slightly damp. Burn marks cover her face. I look down at my arms, and there’s some on my face too. It goes from a trickle to pouring. I start crying. Carful sitting on my legs so the tears fall to the sliver sidewalk.

“I’m sorry.” I say.

“No, no. That was a bit of the wicked, and fear for you. I’m sorry this is my fault.” I shake my head.

“I should have been more carful.” I mumble.

“Emeralds Elpha. Get up.” She helps me to my feet. I stop crying. It still stings. I start to shiver from the cold. Nessarose demands, well yells for some one to bring us dry towels. We go inter her room. It’s alot like mine. Emerald walls, and a gold chandelier. Black curtains are drawn shut. A green canopy bed is set up to the side, as well as a writing desk. She sits me down onto the green velvet sofa, and pulls her green leather lounge chair sewn with gold closer. She grabs the red towel from a maid. Who squeaks as she takes them. She wraps one around me. I make a large fire in the fireplace. The green flames turning to shades of gold before my eyes. Nessarose dries out her hair.

“Why are we wicked?” She grows still.

“Because magic like ours can only be good or wicked.” She answers.

“Why?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” She grows quiet again.

“The people in the South are going to spread the word. Not even Glinda can stop it.”

“The two wicked sisters. I for one can’t wait.” She says darkly. A wicked gleam in her dark eyes, and a smirk on her red lips.