Chapter 8 (The City of Emeralds)

So they all started upon the journey, greatly enjoying the walk through the soft grass and it was not long before they reached the road of yellow brick and turned toward the City of Emeralds, where the great Oz dwelt. The road was smooth and well paved and the county around them was beautiful. They rejoiced in leaving the forest far behind (and with it, the many dangers they had meet in its gloomy shades). Once more, they could see fences built beside the road. However, they were painted green and when they came to a small house, it was also painted green. They passed through several houses and people came to the doors and looked at them as if they would like to answer questions; but no one came to ask questions because of the great Lion. The people were dressed in clothing of a lovely emerald-green color and their fashion looked very similar to 19th Century Southern Belle Fashion.

Meanwhile, Eva, seeing that the group was once again safe, ran up and grabbed her broom stick. As she hoped on, she cried out,

"To the City of Emeralds as fast as lightning!"

She laughed as she flew her way toward where Bridgette was for she had a special message just for them.

"This must be the Land of Oz," said Bridgette, "and we are getting closer to the City of Emeralds."

"Yes. Everything is green here, while in the county of the Munchkins; blue was the favorite color. The people do not seem to be as friendly as the Munchkins, and I'm afraid we won't be able to find a place to pass the night, eh." replied the Scarecrow.

"I should like something else to eat besides fruit and I'm sure Toto is nearly starved. Let us stop at the next house and-"

However, before Bridgette could continue, a terrible noise came over the sky and letters started to form.

"Who's there? Who's there?" asked the Lion. In his fear, he grabbed onto Bridgette's skirt and held onto it as if it was his last lifeline.

"It's the witch! She's followed us here!" Bridgette cried out.

"Think she'll take NO for an answer?" the Tin Woodman asked sarcastically, as he pointed upwards.

The rest all looked up at the message that was within the sky:

SURRENDER BRIDGETTE OR DIE!

Terrified, Bridgette and the others ran for their lives. The others shielded Bridgette as they ran away as fast as they could, for they vowed to protect Bridgette no matter the cost. Once they felt that they were far enough from the message, Bridgette attempted to calm down. After calming her nerves, the group continued walking and came upon a good sized farmhouse. Slowly, Bridgette walked up to the door and knocked.

After a moment, the door opened just a crack and a woman looked out.

"What do you want child and why is that beastly Lion with you?" the woman said.

"We wish to pass the night with you, if you will be kind enough to let us and the Lion is my friend and comrade. He would not hurt you," answered Bridgette.

"Is he tamed?" the woman asked, opening the door a little more.

"Oh yes, and he is a great coward too. He is more afraid of you than you are of him."

The woman though about this for a moment, before responding,

"Well, if that's the case, you may come in and I will give you some supper and a place to sleep."

So they entered the house where besides the woman in the house were two children and a man. The man, who was named Owen, had hurt his leg and was lying on a couch in a corner. The family seemed greatly surprised to have such strange company staying the night. While the woman, who was named Izzy, was busy laying the table, Owen asked:

"Where are you going?"

"To the City of Emeralds, to see the great Oz," replied Bridgette.

"Oh truly?" Owen exclaimed, "Are you sure that Oz will see you?"

"Why not?" Dorothy questioned, frowning in puzzlement.

"It is said that he never lets anyone come into his presence. I have been to the City of Emeralds many times and it's a beautiful and wonderful place but I have never been permitted to see the Great Oz nor do I know of any person who has seen him."

"Does he never go out, eh?" the Scarecrow interjected, joining in on the conversation.

"Never. He sits day after day in the great Throne Room of his Palace and even those who wait upon him do not see him face to face."

"What is he like?"

"I don't really know. Because, you see, Oz is a Great Wizard and can take on any form he wishes. Some say he looks like a bird, some say he looks like an elephant and some says that he looks like a cat. To others, he appears as a beautiful fairy or a brownie or in any other forum that pleases him. Yet, who the real Oz is and when he is in his real form, no living person can tell."

"That is very strange but we must try, in some way, to see him or we would have made our journey for nothing."

"Why do you wish to see the terrible Oz?"

"I want him to give me some brains, eh." Scarecrow replied.

"Oh Oz could do that easily. He has more brains than he needs."

"And I want him to give me a heart," the Tin Woodman told Owen.

"That will not trouble him, for Oz has a large collection of hearts, all sizes and shapes."

"And I want him to give me courage," the Lion answered.

"Oz keeps a great pot of courage in his Throne Room, which he has covered with a golden plate, to keep it from running over. He will be glad to give you some."

"Well all I want is for him to send me back to Kansas."

"Kansas?" Owen asked, scratching his head, "Where is Kansas?"

"I don't know," Bridgette replied as she blinked back tears, "but it is my home and I'm sure it's somewhere."

"It most very likely is. Well Oz can do anything, so I suppose he will find Kansas for you. But first, you must get to see him and that will be a hard task; for the Great Wizard does not like to see anyone and he usually has his own way. But what do YOU want?" he continued, speaking to Toto. Toto only wagged his tail, for he could not speak.

Izzy soon told them that supper was ready, so they gathered around the table. Bridgette ate some delicious porridge, a dish of scrambled eggs, and a piece of nice white bread. She enjoyed her meal. The Lion ate some of the porridge. However, he didn't care for it since it was made from oats, and oats were for horses not lions. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman ate nothing at all. Toto ate a little of everything and was glad to get a good supper again. Izzy gave Bridgette a bed to sleep in and Toto lay down beside her. Outside, the Lion guarded the door so that she wouldn't be disturbed. The Scarecrow and Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, for they too could not sleep.

The next morning, as soon as the sun was up, they started on their way again. Just before them, they saw a dazzling green glow in the sky.

"This must be the City of Emeralds," Bridgette said to her companions.

As they walked on, the green glow became brighter and brighter. It seemed that at last, they were nearing the end of their travels. It was afternoon before they came to the great wall that surrounded the city. It was high and thick and of a bright green color. In front of them and at the end of the road of yellow brick, was a big gate, completely studded with emeralds that glittered so in the sun that even the painted eyes of the Scarecrow were dazzled by their brilliancy. There was a bell beside the gate and Bridgette rung the bell.

"Who rang that bell?" a voice called out.

Bridgette and the others looked up to see a man clothed in green, from his head to his feet. He had a green Mohawk and piercings upon his face. Later, it was revealed that the man's name was Duncan.

"We did," they all answered at once.

"Are you all stupid? Can't you read?"

"Read what, eh?"

"The notice!" Duncan yelled at them, scowling.

"What notice, eh?" the Scarecrow asked.

"It's on the door, as plain as the nose on my face! It's-oh!"

Duncan disappeared only to come back with a sign. The sign read:

BELL OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE KNOCK.

So Bridgette knocked on the door and Duncan reappears and says to Bridgette,

"Well that's more like it. Now, state your business."

"We want to see the Wizard," stated Bridgette.

"The Wizard? Nobody can see the Great Oz! Even I've never seen him!"

"Well than how do you know there is one?" asked the Lion.

"Because he-I-Oh, you are wasting my time!" Duncan spat. He was already turning to leave when the Scarecrow said,

"It is important. It is not a foolish errand nor an idle one. We have been told that Oz is a good Wizard."

"And he is," replied Duncan, in a slightly calmer tone. "He rules the City of Emeralds wisely and well. But, to those who are honest or approach him from a point of curiosity, he is terrible, and few have ever dared ask to see his face. I am the Guardian of the Gates and since you demand to see the Great Oz, first you must put on the spectacles."

"Why?" the Tin Woodman asked.

"Simple. If you don't wear the spectacles, the brightness and glory of the City of Emeralds would blind you. Even those who live in the city must wear spectacles night and day. They are locked on, for Oz ordered it when the city was first built and I have the only key that will unlock them."

They all noticed that Duncan was carrying a box. He first opened the gate and allowed the travelers to walk into a huge arched room where the walls glistened with countless emeralds. He then opened the box and Bridgette saw that it was filled with spectacles of every size and shape. All of them were green glasses and Duncan found a pair that fitted Bridgette just perfectly over her eyes. There were two golden bands fastened to them that passed around the back of her head; where they were locked together. Once when they were on, Bridgette could not take them off but since she did not wished to be blinded by the light of the City of Emeralds, she said nothing. Spectacles were found for the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, the Lion and even Toto. Duncan took a big golden key from the wall and opened another gate and the travelers followed him into the streets of the City of Emeralds.

Even with their eyes protected by the green spectacles, Bridgette and her friends were at first dazzled by the brilliancy of the wonderful city. The streets were lined with beautiful homes that were built from green marble and studded everywhere with sparkling emeralds. They walked over a pavement of the same green marble and where the blocks were joined together, there were a row of emeralds, glittering in the brightness of the sun. The window panes were of green glass; even the sky and the rays of the sun had a green tint. The City of Emeralds was like all of the famous cities of the world in one huge city.

There were many people; men, women and children were walking about and were all dressed in green clothes and had greenish skins. They looked at Bridgette and her strangely assorted company with wondering eyes. Children ran away and hid behind their mothers when they saw the Lion. No one spoke to them. Many shops stood in the street and Bridgette saw that everything in them was green. Green candy, green apples, green shoes, green hats, green clothes and anything else imaginable was offered for sale. At one place, a man was selling green lemonade that the children bought with green pennies. There seemed to be no horses or animals of any kind for men carried things around in little green carts. Everyone seemed happy, contented and prosperous.

Duncan led them through the streets until they came to a tremendous building, right in the middle of the city. It was the Palace of Oz, where the Great Wizard resided in. There was a solider at the door, whose name was Brick, dressed in a green uniform and a green fur hat that resembled a Russian Cossack.

"These strangers demanded to see the Great Oz," Duncan declared.

Brick eyed them carefully before responding,

"Step inside and I will carry your message for him."

So they passed through the Palace Gates and were lead into a big room with plush green carpet and lovely green furniture sat with Emeralds. Brick made them wipe their feet upon a green mat before entering the room and when they were seated, he politely said:

"Please make yourselves comfortable while I go to the door of the Throne Room and tell Oz that you are here."

They had to wait a long time before the solider retuned. When he finally came back, Bridgette asked,

"Have you seen Oz?"

"Oh no, I have never seen him. I spoke to him as he sat behind his screen and gave your message. He said he will grant you an audience, if you so desire. However, each one of you must enter his presence alone and he will admit but one each day. Therefore, you all must remain in the Palace for several days. I will show you all to your rooms, where you may rest in comfort after your journey."

"Thank You. That is very kind of Oz."

Brick blew upon a green whistle and at once, a young girl that was dressed in a pretty silk gown entered the room. She had lovely green hair and eyes, who respectfully told Bridgette that her name was Beth, and bowed before Bridgette.

"Follow me and I will show you to your room."

So Bridgette said goodbye to all of her friends, except for Toto. She and Toto followed Beth through seven passages and three flights of stairs until they came to a room at the front of the Palace. It was the sweetest room in the world, with a soft comfortable bed that had sheets of green silk and a green velvet centerpiece. There was a tiny fountain in the middle of the room that shot a spray of green perfume into the air, to fall back into a beautiful covered green marble basin. Beautiful green flower stood in windows. In the wardrobe, there were many dresses, made of silk, satin and velvet; and all of them fit Bridgette perfectly.

"Make yourself perfectly at home and if you wish for anything, ring the bell. Oz will send for you tomorrow."

Beth left Bridgette alone and went back to the others. She led the rest of them to their rooms and each one of them found himself lodged in a very pleasant part of the palace. Of course this politeness was wasted on the Scarecrow; for when he found himself alone in his room he stood stupidly in one spot, just within the doorway, to wait until morning. It would not rest him to lie down and he could not close his eyes, so he remained all night starring at a little spider which was weaving its web in a corner of the room, just as if it were not one of the most beautiful rooms in the world. The Tin Woodman lay down on his bed from force of habit, for he remembered when he was made of flesh, but not being able to sleep, he passed the night moving his joints up and down to make sure they were kept in good working order. The Lion would have preferred a bed of dried leaves in the forest and did not like being shut up in a room but had too much sense to let this worry him, so he sprang up upon the bed and rolled himself like a cat and purred himself asleep in a minute.

The next minute, after breakfast, the green maiden came to fetch Bridgette and she dressed her in one of the prettiest gowns, made of green broached satin. Bridgette put on a green silk apron and tied a green ribbon around Toto's neck and they started for the Throne Room of the Great Oz.

First, they came to a great hall in which many ladies and gentlemen of the court were, all dressed in rich costumes. These people had nothing to do but to talk to each other but they always came to wait outside the Throne Room every morning, although they were not permitted to see Oz. As Bridgette entered, they gaped at her and stared at her in wonder. One of them whispered:

"Are you really going to look upon the face of Oz the Terrible?"

"Of course," answered Bridgette, "if he will see me."

"Don't worry, he'll see you," Brick told her, "Although he does not like for people to ask to see him. Indeed, at first, he was angry and said that I should send you back where you came from. Than he asked me how you looked like and when I mentioned your ruby shoes, he was very much fascinated and he decided he would admit you to his presence."

Just then, a bell rung and Beth turned to Bridgette, saying:

"That is the signal. You must go into the Throne Room alone."

She opened a little door and Bridgette walked boldly through and found herself within a wonderful place. It was a big round room with a high arched roof and the walls, ceiling to floor were covered with large emeralds set closely together. In the center of the roof was a great light, as bright as the sun, which made the emeralds sparkle in a wonderful manner.

Yet, what caught Bridgette's attention the most was the big throne of green marble that stood in the middle of the room. It was shaped like a chair and sparkled with gems, as everything else. In the center of the chair was an enormous head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs whatever. There was no hair upon this head but it had eyes, a nose and mouth. It was much bigger than the head of the biggest giant.

As Bridgette gazed upon this in wonder and fear, the eyes turned slowly and looked at her sharply and steadily. The mouth moved and Bridgette heard a voice say:

"I am Oz the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?"

It was not such an awful voice as she had expected to come from the big head. Bridgette took a deep breath, as she drew forth her courage and answered,

"I am Bridgette, the small and meek. I have come to you for help."

The eyes looked at her thoughtfully for a full minute before replying to her,

"Where did you get the ruby slippers?"

"I got them from Jo, the Wicked Witch of the East when my house fell on her and killed her."

"Where did you get the mark upon your forehead?"

"That is where Zoey, the Good Witch of the North kissed me when she bade me goodbye and sent me to you." replied Bridgette.

The eyes again looked sharply and they saw that she was telling the truth. Oz than asked,

"What do you wish me to do?"

"Send me back to Kansas, where my Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are." she answered earnestly. "Although it's very beautiful, I'm afraid I don't like your country very much. And I'm sure that Aunt Em will be dreadfully worried over me being away for so long."

The eyes winked at Bridgette three times and try turned up toward the ceiling, down the floor and rolled around so queerly that they seemed to see every part of the room. They looked at Bridgette again.

"Why should I do this for you?" asked Oz.

"Because, you are strong and I am weak; because you are a Great Wizard and I am only a girl."

"Yet, you were strong enough to kill the Wicked Witch of the East."

"That's because I couldn't help it!" returned Bridgette sharply.

"Well," said the head, "I will give you my answer. You have no right to expect me to send you back to Kansas unless you do something for me in return. In this country, everyone must pay for everything they get. If you wish, to use my magic power to send you home again, you must do something for me first. Help me and I'll help you."

"What must I do?"

"Kill the Wicked Witch of the West."

"But I can't kill someone!" gasped Bridgette. She balked at the notion, and her hands flew up to her face.

"You killed the Wicked Witch of the East and you wear the ruby slippers, which bear a powerful charm. There is only one Wicked Witch left in all this land and when you tell me she is dead, I will send you back to Kansas; but not before."

At this, Bridgette began to weep and the eyes winked again and looked upon her anxiously, as if the Great Oz felt that she could help him if she would.

"I never killed anything, willingly and even if I wanted to, how could I kill the Wicked Witch? If you, who is Great and Terrible, cannot kill her yourself, how do you expect me to do it?" Bridgette sobbed.

"I do not know," replied the head, "but that is my answer. Until the Wicked Witch dies, you will not see your uncle and aunt again. Remember, that the witch is wicked, tremendously wicked and ought to be destroyed. Now go and do not ask to see me again until you have done your task."

Bridgette sorrowfully left the Throne Room and went back to where the rest of her friends were waiting to hear what Oz had told her.

"There is no hope for me for Oz will not send me home until I have killed the Wicked Witch of the West and that I can never do." Bridgette said sadly.

Her friends were sorry but could do nothing to help her, so Bridgette went to her room, laid down on her bed and cried herself to sleep. The next morning, Brick came down to the Scarecrow and said,

"Come with me for Oz has sent for you."

The Scarecrow followed him and was admitted into the great Throne Room, where he saw, sitting on the emerald throne, a most lovely lady. She was dressed in green silk all over her and wore upon her flowing green locks a crown of jewels. Growing from her shoulders were wings, gorgeous in color and so light that they flattered if the slightest breath of air reached them. When the Scarecrow bowed, as far as his straw stuffing would let him, the beautiful creature, looked upon him smoothly and said,

"I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?"

Now the Scarecrow, who had expected to see the great head Bridgette told him of, was much astonished; but he answered bravely:

"I am only a Scarecrow, stuff with straw. Therefore, I have no brains because and I come to you praying that you will put brains in my head instead of straw, so that I may become as much a man as any other in your dominions."

"Why should I do that for you?" asked the Lady.

"Because you are wise, powerful and no one else can help me, eh."

"I never grant favors without some return but this much, I will promise. If you kill for me the Wicked Witch of the West, I will bestow upon you a great many brains and such good brains that you will be the wisest man in all of the Land of Oz."

"I thought you asked Bridgette to kill the witch, eh."

"So I did. I don't care who kills her but until she's dead, I will not grant you your wish. Now go and do not seek me again until you have earned the brains you so greatly desire."

The Scarecrow sorrowfully went back to his friends and told them what Oz had said. Bridgette was quite surprised to find the wizard not as a head but a lovely lady.

"All the same. She needs a heart as much as the Tin Woodman." the Scarecrow said to his friends.

The next morning, Brick came to the Tin Woodman and said,

"Oz has sent for you. Follow me."

The Tin Woodman followed him and came to the great Throne Room. He did not know whether he would find Oz as a lovely lady or a head but he hoped it would be the lovely lady.

"If it's the head, I am sure that I will not receive a heart since a head has no heart of its own and cannot feel for me. However, if it is the lovely lady, I will beg her hard for a heart for all ladies are said to be kindly hearted."

When the Tin Woodman entered the Great Throne Room, he saw neither head nor lady for Oz had taken the shape of a terrible beast. It was nearly as big as an elephant and the green throne seemed hardly strong enough to hold its weight. The beast had a head like that of a rhinoceros, only there were five eyes upon its face. There were five long arms growing out of its body. It also had five long and slim legs. Thick woolly hair covered every inch of its body and a more dreadful looking monster could not be imagined. It was fortunate that the Tin Woodman had no heart at the moment for it would have beat loud and fast from the terror. Yet, being only tin, the Woodman was not afraid at all, although he was much disappointed.

"I am Oz, the Great and Terrible," roared the Beast in a voice that boomed and shook the entire room. "Who are you and why do you seek me?"

"I am a Woodman, made out of tin. I have no heart and cannot love. I come to you to ask for a heart so that I may love like other men do."

"Why should I do this?"

"Because, I asked for it and you alone can grant my request," answered the Tin Woodman bluntly.

"If you indeed desire a heart, you must earn it."

"How?"

"Help Bridgette kill the Wicked Witch of the West. When the Witch is dead, come to me and I'll give you the biggest, kindest and most loving heart in all of Oz," replied the Beast.

So the Tin Woodman was forced to return sorrowfully to his friends and told them of the terrible beast he had seen. They all wondered greatly at the many forms the Great Wizard could take upon himself and the Lion said:

"If he is a Beast when I go see him, I will roar my loudest to scare him so that he will grant all I ask. If he is the lovely lady, I will pretend to spring upon her and so compel her to do my bidding. If he is the great head, he will be at my mercy for I will roll his head all around the room until he promises to give us what we desire. So be of good cheer my friends for all will be well."

Brick lead the Lion to the great Throne Room the next morning and bade him to enter the presence of Oz. The Lion at once passed through the door and glanced around. To his surprise, there was a ball of fire upon the throne that was so fierce and glowing that he could hardly gaze upon it. He first thought was that Oz had accidentally caught on fire and was burning up; but when he tried to go nearer, the heat was so intense that it slightly burned his whiskers and he crept back tremblingly to a spot closer to the door. A quiet and low voice than came from the ball of fire and it said to the Lion:

"I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?"

"I am a Cowardly Lion, afraid of everything. I have come to you to beg that you that you give me courage so that in reality, I may become the King of Beasts as men call me."

"Why should I give you courage?" demanded Oz.

"For of all Wizards, you are the greatest and have the power to grant my request."

The ball of fire burned fiercely for a time until the voice said,

"Bring me proof that the Wicked Witch is dead and when you do, I will give you courage but as long as the witch lives, you must remain a coward."

The Lion was angry at this speech but could say nothing in reply and while he stood silently gazing at the ball of fire. It became so furiously hot that he turned his head and rushed from the room. He was glad to find his friends and he told them of his terrible interview with the Wizard.

"There is only one thing we can do," remarked the Lion, "and that is to go to the land of the Winkies, seek out the Wicked Witch and destroy her."

"But suppose that we can't destroy her?" asked Bridgette.

"Then I will never receive courage."

"And I will never receive brains."

"And I will never receive a heart."

"And I will never see Aunt Em or Uncle Henry." Bridgette lamented. As she said this, she started to cry.

"Be careful! The tears will fall on your green silk gown and spot it!" Beth exclaimed, more worried about the dress than of the group's predicament.

Carefully, as to not stain the dress, Bridgette dried her eyes and said,

"I suppose we must try it but I am sure I don't want to kill anybody, even to see Aunt Em again."

"I will go with you but I'm afraid I'll be too much of a coward to kill the witch," replied the Lion.

"I will go too but I probably won't much help to you, I am such a fool, eh." added the Scarecrow.

"I haven't the heart to harm a witch but if you go, I certainly will go with you," imputed the Tin Woodman.

Therefore, it was decided to start their journey the next morning. The Tin Woodman sharpened his axe on a green grindstone and had all of his joints oiled. The Scarecrow stuffed himself with fresh straw while Bridgette placed new paint on his eyes in order for him to see better. Beth filled Bridgette's basket with good things to eat and fastened a little bell around Toto's neck with a green ribbon. They went to bed quite early and slept soundly until daylight, when they were awakened by the crowing of a green rooster that lived in the back of the Palace. Then came the cracking of a hen that laid a green egg.

Orginally, this chapter was to mark the one year anniversary of the story, on December 20th. Yet, it took a bit longer to type up but I figured on how to start 2015 off, why not release this chapter to mark the beginning of a new year filled with new goals and determinations to finish this story. We are already half way there! :D

Me and Noah again thank all of the supporters we have received. 1500 views? No way, I never thought on how this story would be so popular! We both really thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we apologize for the delay of this chapter.

Happy New Year to everyone on FanFiction and may we all have a wonderful year. :D

Until next time! Please read, review, favor, alert and spread the word!