Woohoo! The next installment of "Bridges Crossed" is up and finally where I want it to be so as to really move forward! Please R&R!

Two years passed. The passing of each season saw many changes. In the Emerald City many of the Wizard's bans were lifted from the Animal community, thanks to Glinda the Good. Though abolishing prejudice in the provinces proved more difficult, Glinda's Animal Education program was helping Animals to relearn speech and language so as to stand up for themselves more effectively.

Glinda had always been popular, but her popularity only grew after the Wizard's departure. Not only had she begun to reinstate Animal Rights, she had improved relations with the workers' unions thereby improving working conditions in Oz's factories and mines. Her power over the people had grown to such extremes that there were rumors she was Ozma returned to her rightful position as Queen of Oz. Others believed she was Lurline Incarnate, sent to save the citizens of Oz from the fires of the Time Dragon. Whatever the story there was no doubt in the hearts of the people that Glinda was Good.

Munchkinland too was beginning to stabilize. Out of the chaos that ensued after thedeath of the Wicked Witch of the East, one leader had emerged triumphant. No females remaining in the family, Shell Thropp had assumed the title of Eminent Thropp. Like his sister he ruled with an iron fist, but this time they loved him for it. The Munchkins decided they favored fascism and full bellies to anarchy and famine. His Eminence's enthusiastic conversion to Unionism also swayed the people in his favor. The righteous son of a minister could do no wrong, they believed.

Meanwhile, in the wilds of the west, the Arjiki tribe had been nearly wiped out by the Yunamata and Scrow tribes. It was a somber day when the news of the Arjiki king's death reached the Cloister of St. Glinda.

Fiyero was repairing the old tool shed in the garden.

"Papa! Papa!" a little voice shrieked.

Fiyero smiled to see Nor, her blonde curls bouncing, running to him with a handful of flowers in her tiny fist. He squatted down to her level.

"What's that you've got?" he asked.

"Flow'as," she proceeded to stick the stems through the weave of his burlap skin, covering him with flowers.

The Scarecrow chuckled. "Making Papa pretty?"

"Pop'lar," the toddler giggled and nodded.

Seeing Elphaba approach he grinned at his commonwealth wife. "She's making me popular."

"Fiyero…" Elphaba's voice was tight. Her hands trembled as she clutched a newspaper in her thin green hands.

Fiyero immediately grew serious. "Fae, what is it?"

Silently, she handed him th paper. She watched as he read the news of his father's death.

"I'm so sorry, Yero." She touched his arm but he flinched away. Elphaba knew better than to follow him yet. He was too proud to show his pain. They had that in common.

"Papa's sad," her adopted daughter spoke quietly.

Elphaba gave her a small smile. "Yes, Papa's sad." She picked the girl up.

"Pop'lar," Nor stated again, placing a flower in her hair.

Elphaba froze for a moment as she remembered a night when another girl with blonde curls had beflowered her in an attempt to make her popular. But that was a lifetime ago, she told herself and shook it off.

"As long as Mama's popular with you, my pretty," she smiled warmly before proceeding to the kitchen to feed her children.

It had been days since Elphaba had seen Fiyero and it worried her. By day he had locked himself in the catacombs. She now watched from her window as he worked in the garden by torchlight.

She knew practically nothing about his family. What she did know was that families could be complicated. Her own family had taught her that. Now she had a new family, though. Despite her wishes, Liir was so much like her it was obnoxious at times. He had her dark hair and his eyes were an emerald green, though richer than her own skin pigmentation. His volatile temper and extreme stubbornness eliminated the question of whether or not he was her son. Elphaba thanked Oz that he at least had Fiyero's bone structure and handsome features.

Nor was another story entirely. Although adopted, there was no denying her eyes were the same blue Fiyero's had been when he was human. She had his cheery nature and carefree attitude as well, which bonded father and daughter very closely.

Kissing each child on the forehead, Elphaba crept out the door and made her way out to the garden.

"Yero, come in please." There was no response. "The children miss you. I miss you."

Fiyero stopped his work. "You miss me? You miss me. How do you think my people feel? They need me and I'm powerless to help."

"Oh," Elphaba was taken aback. "I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know I'm here for you. I understand you're mourning for your father."

"I don't give a shit about my father. He was a bastard who couldn't care less about his own family, not if we didn't meet his expectations anyway."

Elphaba winced. She knew something of unconditional love amongst family.

"He was a good ruler, though. My tribe was in good hands with him," he continued. "Now… now there's no one capable to lead them."

"You could," Elphaba stated.

A humorless chuckle escaped Fiyero's lips. "Suppose I possess the leadership skills necessary to save my people, suppose I was half the king my father was. Look at me, Fae. Only you recognize me. The Arjiki tribe will not accept a Scarecrow as their leader."

"Then we'll make them," Elphaba countered. "We'll make them see that you are Fiyero Tigelaar, heir to the Arjiki throne. Burlap and straw can't change that."

Fiyero glowered in the torchlight. "It changes everything," he sneered before abandoning his chores and leaving Elphaba with the cool night air for company.

Elphaba did not sleep a wink the rest of the night. She had to do something. Fiyero needed to be with his people right now and it was her fault he couldn't be. She raided the Mauntery's library. Their books on magic were limited and often critical of the craft, but there were a few gems among them. Elphaba stole away with them and studied the by candlelight in her chambers till dawn. It was of no use. The Grimmerie had been a magic book like no other. If Elphaba was going to fix what she had done, she was going to need help.

Once she had gotten the children dressed she hoisted them on Sister Cook to feed them and made her way to Sister Doctor's offices. She barged in without knocking.

"I need your help."

Shell walked the halls of Colwell Grounds in silence. The sound of his shoes on the marble floors alone echoed on the walls. Everything was going according to plan. The other eminences had been abolished and he now ruled Munchkinland as the Eminent Thropp. His staged "rebirth" into Unionism had gone exceedingly well. As the son of a Unionist minister he knew very well how to talk the talk. Half of Munchkinland now believed him to be a saint and prophet sent to them by the Unnamed God.

Shell smirked at the irony. He held all the cards now and it was time to play them. He had already sent a messenger to the Emerald City. It was only a matter of time now before he heard back from the Palace.

As if on cue, a rather short Munchkin servant scurried down the hall to Shell.

"Your Eminence," he bowed deeply. "Master Loxpur has returned from the Emerald City."

"See him to my study. I will receive him shortly."

Shell ambled into the study a few minutes later. "I trust you have good news for me, my little Lox."

Loxpur smirked. He was a smarmy little Munchkin who fancied himself to be of the highest social ranks. His red curls were over-greased and his garments were clearly second-hand.

"Indeed, your Eminence," he bowed. Unrolling a scroll he read, " 'To the Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland. I thank you for the generous gifts of corn and grain from your personal fields. On behalf of the citizens of Oz I would like to express my gratitution to you and your people for providing the most essential staples of food to your fellow men, women and Animals throughout Oz. It is with great honor that I invite you to the annual Spring Ball at the Emerald Palace, with a private reception the following day. We have arranged for your accommodations at the Palace and wish you safe travels from Munchkinland. Signed, Her Goodliness Glinda Upland of the Upper Uplands.'"

Shell grinned. "Excellent work, Loxpur. Soon enough we will be right where we need to be. Her Goodliness, though well-intentioned, has led the people of Oz astray with her love of magic. Only love of the Unnamed God can truly set them free. It is my calling to educate her Goodliness in the error of her ways and set her on the path of righteousness."

"Indeed, your Eminence."

"You may go, Loxpur." The Munchkin bowed and exited the study. Shell chuckled. "This is going to be easier than I thought."