Thanks to my friend Purdy; she has supported me constantly throughout the story so far but has given me so much help in writing this particular chapter that she deserves lots of special hugs.
Oh and the list of subtleties I asked you to spot in the previous chapter are listed at the bottom. See if you noticed them all
</p>Previous Chapters:
1: Moving to Kansas
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9490">Part I</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9498">Part II</a>
2: Taking Him Away
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9517">Part I</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... 9528">Part II</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9542">3: Good Witches and Bad Witches</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9646">4: The Yellow Brick Road</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9683">5: Glass Eyes</a>
<A href="http://blissfulignorance.com/phpBB/view ... ?t=9737">6. Hunted</a>
<hr size="1">
<p align="center"><b>CHAPTER VII ? The Cowardly Lion</b></p>
It was getting too dark.
To an extent, it was caused by the vines that wove a complex web among the trees but Relena wondered whether that could really be the cause for such darkness. She moved her eyes upwards, where the sky was meant to be and saw nothing between the gaps in the greenery above them. As she stared, the darkness seemed to <i>grow</i> and descend further towards them. She blinked and couldn?t make out whether it had been her imagination or not, the difference so slight that it was unclear whether there had been any change at all. But she was sure she had seen something.
?It doesn?t feel right,? She muttered and Toto rubbed his head against her chin in comfort. At least they were not being watched at the moment or she would have felt more uneasy. The sensation had come and gone at certain intervals in their journey, raising the hairs on the back of her neck with its arrival and fading silently with its retreat. Nobody seemed to mention it or tried to seek out its source. The thought terrified her and she was glad Scarecrow and Tinman let it be. She shrank against their tall, strong bodies and took comfort in the sense of security she felt from them. She could close her eyes and feel the brush of Scarecrow?s straw against one arm, the tingling coolness of Tinman?s metal against the other. The warmth of Toto?s body against her chest, the soft?
She gasped and stopped. Her companions turned to look at her curiously, wondering what was wrong.
?The yellow brick road,? She said, stricken. ?Where is the yellow brick road??
There was nothing but grass beneath their feet.
The moment stretched as the truth of her words sunk in. ?Wha?how?? Scarecrow stared at the grass dumbfounded, as if he expected the golden road to reappear. Tinman seemed confused to, his eyes were flickering uncertainly. Nobody could understand how it had happened or how they had missed it, only Toto turned his gaze to the huge loping vines above them dubiously.
?We must find it again,? Relena urged the others, ?We can?t have strayed far.? That growing feeling in her chest, the apprehension, it was all misplaced surely? The road had bent and they had simply turned off, that was what had happened.
However, it was no easy task to retrace their steps. The grass was fresh and untouched wherever they went, hiding traces of their recent passage. The more they searched, the more their hearts fell and it was Tinman who finally voiced the fear that none of them wished to accept.
?This is pointless, the road is not here.?
?It has to be around here somewhere!? Relena insisted, ?It has to!? Scarecrow looked at her miserably, ?Let?s face it Relena, we?re lost.?
Relena bit her lip and shook her head, ?We can?t be lost. Without the road we cannot find our way to the Emerald City. We must keep searching.? She moved past them but Tinman grabbed her arm roughly, startling her.
?Something stops us from finding our path,? His stare rebuked her for not being aware of it herself.
?Is it agents of the witch?? Scarecrow drew close with a whisper.
?I don?t know,? Tinman frowned, narrowing his eyes.
?Whatever it is,? Relena?s voice quavered slightly, ?It won?t get the better of us. We need to keep moving.?
?We can?t waste time walking in endless circles,? Tinman said sharply, ?We need to get out of this place now.?
Relena blinked at the coldness in his voice. ?Okay,? She said stiffly, ?Maybe if I climbed up, I could see where we are.? She made her way to one of the taller trees and hauled herself up on a low branch. Toto placed his paws against the trunk before springing up after her with a bark.
Scarecrow squinted up at the canopy, ?I don?t think this?ll work.?
?It?s worth a try?? Relena?s voice filtered down.
?Wuff!?
After a while Scarecrow became worried again, ?Relena??
There was a pause before her voice came faintly, indicating she was much higher up. ?I?m fine, it?s just really dense up here?so many vines.?
?Wuff wuff!?
?Toto wait, my foot is stuck.? There was another pause and then a defeated sigh, ?It?s no good. I just can?t make my way past them. It?s like a huge net up here.?
?Leave it and come down,? Scarecrow urged.
?I?m trying, hold on. I keep getting tangled up I?hey!?
?What?? Scarecrow looked frantic enough to start pulling his straw out. Tinman just stared up intently, as if he could make them out.
?It?s nothing. Funny, I could swear these vines are?? She let out a startled cry and Toto started barking wildly. The branches of the tree crackled just above them and Tinman stepped forward a few paces. He held his arms out just as Relena tumbled into them. She blinked up at him in surprise and then her cheeks became flushed. Toto leapt down to the ground and started growling up at the tree.
Tinman set her on her feet silently and she wobbled a bit, then brushed loose twigs out of her hair, wincing as her bruised body protested at the movement. ?Are you okay?? Scarecrow came over and she nodded.
?What happened?? Scarecrow asked.
?I don?t know,? She answered honestly, ?There were so many vines that I was working to get free but then they gave way and I?I lost my balance. The branches broke my fall.? She glanced at Tinman briefly but he had deliberately turned his gaze away to focus on Toto who was still barking angrily at the tree. She looked at the ground uncertainly, ?What do we do now??
?We leave,? Tinman rumbled, ?With or without the road.?
?Poochy, heel!? Scarecrow joked and was rewarded with a sharp nip as Toto bounded past and jumped into Relena?s arms. He peered over her shoulder and gave a low growl but when Scarecrow opened his mouth to reply he suddenly realised that the growl was not directed at him. It was at the tree they were leaving behind.
<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>
The going became more tough as they ploughed through the Nevenmere in an attempt to escape it. The trees were so close now that they had to squeeze between them and were forced into a single line. Relena and Toto were at the front with Tinman behind, while Scarecrow took up the back. He made a frustrated noise and plucked at some straw that had caught in the tangle of vines dangling from the trees. ?I swear,? He burst out ?This place will be the death of me.?
Relena fought back a smile and shook her head. Scarecrow continued to grumble under his breath and soon her smile faded as her spirits fell back into gloom. She was disheartened; Quatre had told her not to lose the road and she had failed him completely. Perhaps she would never find her way home now and they would be lost forever. She sighed wearily and immediately felt the eyes of Tinman burning into her back, making her very conscious of her movements as she weaved her way forward. The vines were really beginning to hinder their path now, just like they had completely stopped her progression up the tree. She couldn?t explain why, but they made her feel a little uneasy after that incident. It was as if they had?dropped her? As soon as she thought it a shiver travelled up her spine.
Tinman grabbed her arm and pulled her back roughly. He seemed to like doing that a lot she thought as she turned to give him a frustrated look mixed with mild curiosity, ?What is it??
Her eyes widened as she saw Scarecrow past Tinman, trying to push free from the vines tangling round him. They squeezed him back until straw began to poke out from the pressure. ?Scarecrow!? She gasped and ran forward, unaware that they had begun to wrap tightly around Tinman?s torso too. Scarecrow shook his head and mumbled something, vines drawn tightly across his face cutting off his voice. She pulled at them but they wouldn?t budge. He was completely covered now and not even a wisp of his straw could be seen. Toto whined and pawed at the green cocoon Scarecrow was now trapped in.
?What?s happening?? Relena cried out and turned back to Tinman who was similarly struggling. The torn vines littering the ground around him were a testament to his strength as he ripped them away ruthlessly, but their assault was endless and they pulled against him with a force even he could not overcome.
?No no no!? Relena reached out for him in despair and his dark eyes met hers. He extended his fingers but before they could touch, a thick vine wrapped around his wrist and pulled him away. She watched helplessly as his impassive face was covered and he disappeared from view. She collided with the thick wall of vines he disappeared behind and smacked her fists against it in frustration. ?Stop this! Let him go!? She continued to beat against the wall until Toto barked a warning and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She spun and glanced around nervously, back pressed against the Tinman?s cage behind her, the sound of his struggles still resounding faintly from within. ?Who?s there?? She asked tentatively. There was no response. She plucked up her courage and spoke up, ?Show yourself!?
A shadow moved among the bushes but just then, a vine wrapped around her ankle and pulled her sharply so she stumbled. She landed clumsily on the grass and tugged at her foot, ?Let go!? Toto chewed furiously at the stems but they were tough and more came out of the surrounding darkness and pushed him away. He growled but they continued to hold him at bay. Relena twisted downwards and tried to prise her ankle free but her fingers slipped against the smooth surface of the vines. A shadow fell across her and she tensed. Straightening, she came face to face with a set of thick paws covered in tawny coloured fur. Her gaze travelled upwards till they rested on yellow eyes, black-rimmed and slanted. A mane that was dark and sleek hung smoothly down the sides of a face. The creature was huge, towering over her like she was something insignificant.
Relena made a sound that was the cross between a whimper and a choke. The lion peered down at her. ?Weak human female,? He sniffed, ?The jungle takes too long to judge you.? He snorted in exasperation and his hot breath blew against her face. ?What makes you so special? You are nothing.? He lifted his head and strode past, the bulk of his body thrusting her aside. He turned on her suddenly and she yelped, falling back as he stood over her and bared his teeth. ?Give me one good reason why I shouldn?t eat you.?
Toto started barking angrily, pausing to gnaw at the vines that held him in place. The lion threw him an indifferent glance and turned back to Relena. ?Well? Explain yourself!?
Relena paled, ?Ex?explain what??
He rolled his eyes at her, ?Explain what you are doing here. Why you dare to trespass here.?
?W..we didn?t know we were trespassing, we are just passing through on our way to the Emerald City.?
?Liar!? The lion roared and Relena flinched, but he simply moved back again. ?No one travels to the Emerald city anymore. You are spies for the witch.?
?We are not spies,? She countered, ?The witch is <i>after us</i>.?
?More lies,? He slammed his paw down beside her and she jumped.
?It?s true!? Relena insisted, ?We don?t mean you any harm.?
He threw his head back and laughed, ?You, harm me?? He laughed harder.
?Then let us go,? Relena pulled at her foot.
?Hmph!? The lion sniffed, ?It?s the jungle that holds you captive not me,? He narrowed his eyes at her. ?And it will never let you go.?
?We?ve done nothing wrong!??
?Don?t presume to parade that you are innocent.? The lion growled menacingly, ?You keep company with unnatural creatures created by magic? He pointed his claw to where Scarecrow and Tinman were trapped and smiled smugly when Relena didn?t say anything. There was a creaking noise from above and suddenly the vines around Scarecrow and Tinman began to tighten.
?Stop! Leave them alone!? Relena cried out in horror and tried to move. The slow crunching of straw and the groan of metal could be heard as the pressure increased.
?Not all magical creatures are bad. It shouldn?t matter where you come from.? She yelled. ?Let us go! You must believe me.? She clenched her fists tightly. ?Please, release my friends,? She urged desperately, squeezing her eyes shut. The red slippers shimmered and glowed once brightly. The lion widened his eyes at the sight and took a step back. The air grew heavy and the vines paused before they, ever so slowly, began to loosen their hold. Relena opened her eyes and blinked. She breathed a sigh of relief. ?Thank you,? She whispered, pulling her ankle free from the slack vines and rubbing it gratefully.
?Witch!? The lion hissed at her. Relena looked startled and shook her head . ?No, I?m not a??
?No more lies!? He roared loudly and pushed his face close. ?I saw you!? Toto wriggled free and ran forward barking. Relena put her arms up but the lion simply huffed at her and moved back. She gave him a puzzled frown and then, Toto jumped in front of her and nipped him sharply on the leg.
The lion grunted in pain and shifted his leg away with a snarl of fury. ?How dare you, little runt!? He ducked his head towards the little dog and gave a mighty roar intended to turn anything in its path to jelly. Relena shrieked and clapped her hands over her ears at the deafening sound. Toto stood stock still against the onslaught. His legs started quivering as he held himself against the force directed at him and his brown fur was swept backwards, giving him a windblown look.
Relena drew her brows together angrily and surged forward, scooping Toto up into her arms. Getting to her feet shakily, she swung her hand forward and smacked the lion on the nose as hard as she could. His roar cut off and he doubled back, placing his paws over his nose with a look of utter bewilderment.
?Shame on you!? She admonished, cuddling Toto close. ?Trying to intimidate me is bad enough but picking on poor little dogs!?
?He bit me first!? The lion retorted and rubbed his nose.
?That?s because he thought you were going to??
Cool hands slipped around her waist and drew her back. She twisted her head up to look at Tinman as he positioned her safely behind him. He had the remains of broken vines still hanging around his shoulders where he had torn through them when the Nevenmere stopped its attack. His gaze was fixed on the lion, the glare in his eyes unmistakeable. She stared up at him in wonder, feeling the colour rise in her cheeks again.
?I?m coming Relena!?
She turned back to see Scarecrow dangling like a wooden puppet, flailing his arms about in an attempt to shake off his bindings. He slipped free and landed with a thud on the floor before scrambling to his feet and taking on a defensive stance beside Tinman. The lion took a few steps back, watching them uncertainly. Tinman and Scarecrow looked as if they were ready for a fight.
<i>Oh no?</i>
?It?s okay!? She rushed around and put her hand up to stop them before things went any further. ?He?s all talk really,? She drew her voice down to a whisper, ?He won?t hurt us, I think he just likes being scary and loud.? She threw him a backward glance. The lion surveyed her carefully, then closed his eyes and turned his head aside. ?Hmph!?
?You got big words for a big cat but can you back them up? Huh? Can you?? Scarecrow nudged Tinman, ?Come on buddy we can take him. You go for the legs.?
?I will not fight.? The lion said, clearly agitated. He turned to leave.
?Wait!?
Scarecrow and Tinman watched in amazement as Relena ran in front of the lion?s path. He gave her an annoyed look, ?What do you want??
?That?s it? You?re just leaving??
The lion lifted its chin, ?What else is there to do? The Nevenmere let you and your friends go, witch. You have gained passage through the jungle.?
?But?but we?re still lost.? Relena said helplessly.
?And what has that got to do with me??
?You...I mean you know this jungle?couldn?t you lead us out??
He looked at her incredulously. ?Help you? A witch, a tin man, a scarecrow and a dog with a nasty bite?? Toto growled and the lion returned a deeper, more menacing one.
?You?re the only one who can help,? Relena said stubbornly.
?Forget it,? The lion stepped around her.
?You?re just tough because the Nevenmere deals with everyone for you,? She said angrily. ?When it comes to it, you?re nothing but a big coward!?
That stopped him. ?You?re quite right witch; I?m the Cowardly Lion, without honour. Leave me be.? Relena raised her eyebrows. That was not the reaction she was expecting; his tone had a defeated quality to it. She set her jaw and took off after him.
?Relena!? A startled Scarecrow and Tinman called out together. ?Aw man! Remind me to put the girl on a leash,? Scarecrow groaned as they both followed her.
?Why?? Relena raced in front of the lion again. ?Why are you so cowardly??
?Do you not understand the words ?Leave-Me-Be? woman? What?s it to you anyway?? He looked pretty irritated.
She smiled at him, unfazed. ?Because you seem half the lion you should be. You?re missing something, aren?t you? Something to make you feel whole??
He swallowed back his surprise, ?You?re pretty perceptive,? He said with a hint of geniality which vanished with his next words. ?If you must know, I?ve lost my courage.?
Relena blinked.
?I lived with my clan in the land surrounding the Emerald city.? He straightened with pride. ?The Lion Clan were strong and mighty; warriors who fought with honour.? His eyes narrowed, ?Then the Wicked Witch attacked us, for we were the first defence before the city walls. I was knocked out during the battle.? He lowered his head in shame. ?When I came to, she had killed every single one of us, except me.? He gritted his sharp teeth. ?I was defeated by a stronger opponent and was unable to protect my clan. I am weak, that?s why I stay within the shelter of the Nevenmere. I have lost my honour and cannot fight anymore.?
?Hey,? Scarecrow whispered to Tinman, ?This guy sounds more messed up than you.? Tinman gave him a glare.
?Come with us to the Emerald city Lion,? Relena said kindly, reaching out to touch his mane ?Ask the Wizard to restore your courage. We?re all going there to ask him to make our wishes come true.?
He bristled away from her touch, ?A witch going to a wizard for help??
She sighed, ?I am not a witch! I?m a girl, my name is Relena.?
Lion gave her a dubious look. ?So you say.? He glanced at the others, ?And what are your wishes??
?I want a brain!? Scarecrow announced.
?A heart?? Tinman stated.
?I?m looking for a way home,? Relena finished. Lion peered up at Toto, nestled in her arms. ?And what about you eh??
?Wuff!? Toto answered.
?He?s with me,? Relena explained.
?Yes and a fine job he?s doing,? Lion admitted grudgingly, rubbing his leg. Toto looked rather amused.
?So will you come with us?? Relena asked. Lion thought it over and then moved away. He glanced back at them over his shoulder, ?Follow me.?
<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>
It was strange how the jungle no longer seemed dark and frightening but under its canopy, Relena now felt shielded and safe. They would still have never found the way out if not for Lion. They had been deep inside the Nevenmere, Relena realised as they followed him. He led the way with confidence, choosing the easiest paths and even finding a tree laden with fruit so they, or more importantly, Relena and Toto didn?t go hungry. The fruit was few and Tinman reached out sternly and pulled Scarecrow?s braid when he stepped forward to eat.
?What about you?? Relena asked Lion.
?I will hunt,? Lion gave Toto a smug smile, ?Best keep close to the little witch, runt.?
Toto crouched behind Relena?s leg and glared silently back. Lion chuckled and left. They waited a long time before he came back, looking rather satiated. Relena tried not to keep staring at the spot of blood left on his muzzle as they set off again.
Hours passed before the trees drew apart and the way became easier. The air became fresher and colder and Relena could finally see the sky. Dusk poured through the spaces in the trees and revealed that the day was waning. <i>Were we lost for so long?</i> She thought with dismay and felt the familiar pangs of fear develop in her stomach again. Lion seemed to get more nervous the closer they came to leaving the shelter of the jungle. ?There,? He pointed towards a gleam far ahead of them that ran like a river through the trees. Relena?s face lit up with joy at the sight of the yellow brick road.
?You can find your own way from here.? Lion called out. ?I will go no further.?
?What?s wrong Lion?? Relena asked.
?See that glow in the distance?? He pointed through the trees where something green luminously glimmered on the horizon. ?That?s the Emerald city.? His eyes took on a hollowed look, ?I have not been this close to it in a long time.?
?The Emerald city!? She repeated excitedly, ?Well come on!? She gave him a nudge.
?Have you no sense?? He snapped, ?The way to the Emerald city is always watched! It?s madness to go any further.?
?What about your courage?? Relena reasoned, ?Don?t you want it back??
Lion hesitated and Scarecrow took the initiative to get behind the beast and give him a push. ?Come on you scaredy-cat!?
?No!? Lion dug his claws into the ground and refused to move.
?Come on guys, a little help here?? Scarecrow grunted. Tinman smirked and crossed his arms, continuing to watch the spectacle. Toto padded over and joined him. Scarecrow gave up and slipped to the ground in an exhausted puddle.
?You could?ve helped,? He moaned at Tinman.
?If he wants to go, let him go,? Tinman shrugged.
?Wuff!?
Lion turned to leave and Relena came in front of him again with her hands on her hips.
?Will you <i>stop</i> doing that?? He said, severely ticked off.
?Wait till morning,? Relena concluded in a voice that silenced all arguments. Her eyes softened, ?We?ll camp here for the night and leave when it is lighter. You might feel a little braver then.? She explained.
Lion gave her a long, searching look. ?Fine!? He huffed and stalked off, slumping on the ground a few paces away. Relena smiled and prepared to settle down for the night.
?How does she do that?? Scarecrow said admirably.
Tinman watched her sweep her loose hair behind her shoulders and lower the oil can to the ground. ?I have no idea,? He replied.
<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>
Relena woke during the night. She lay there, listening to the silence broken by the soft breathing noises of her companions. When she didn?t fall asleep immediately, she sat up, careful not to disturb Toto who was curled up beside her. Lion was lying opposite, his breath escaping with a growl on every exhale. Scarecrow was hunched up against a tree, snoring quietly.
Relena rubbed her eyes, which were slightly dazed by the sleep that still clung to them, and yawned. Stretching her body in a lazy manner, she caught sight of Tinman, standing against a tree and staring up at the night sky. She blinked a couple of times before pushing herself up on her feet and heading towards him. He turned to look at her as she approached and she brushed a hand through her hair, suddenly conscious of its messy state under his piercing gaze.
?You?re awake?? She asked curiously.
He tilted his head slightly, ?I don?t really need sleep. As long as I rest my joints, I?m okay.?
?Do you need more oil?? She started to turn back for the oil can but he shook his head, ?No,? He replied shortly and remained silent. Relena stared up at the sky with pink-tinged cheeks, thinking of something?anything that she could say to lessen the intensity of his stare. Numerous stars sparkled down at her, clear and bright. They filled the sky and made her glad.
?Stars are so beautiful aren?t th?? She started and then put her hand over her mouth as the oddest feeling suddenly rushed through her. Her mind flitted with thoughts of stars?and someone ?but the more she tried to grasp at them the more they seemed to slip away.
?What is it?? Tinman asked sharply.
She put a hand to her head and stared up at him with wide eyes, ?I just?had the strangest feeling?like I?ve known you??
His eyes flickered, ?I?ve never met anyone like you before.?
?Of course not, I?m being silly.? She broke away from his gaze, feeling embarrassed and stared at the ground instead. ?I just wish I could remember, but I guess it doesn?t matter anyway.?
?Hn.? He narrowed his eyes but didn?t push the matter. Silence grew between them again.
When she was sure he wasn?t looking, Relena glanced over at him, tracing his profile carefully and marvelling at the way his metal glowed dimly. He truly looked beautiful at night. She stopped when she noticed his hands, which for once, were unclenched and hanging stiffly by his sides. ?Oh!? She gasped and grabbed them, holding them up so the moonlight illuminated them. He gave her a startled look.
?What happened to your hands?? She turned sad eyes up to him and he fidgeted, unsure how to react. The chunks of metal attached to small joints that made up his fingers were terribly bent out of shape. Deep grooves ran across them, as if they had exerted great pressure such that had bent the metal itself.
When he didn?t reply, Relena shook his hands gently, prompting him for an answer, ?Did the Nevenmere do this to you?? She wondered.
?No,? He answered, distracted by the feel of his hands resting in hers. ?They were damaged when I escaped from J??
<i>Pain?relentless pain coursed through him but he continued to pull at the collar. Somewhere, he knew, J was laughing at him, but he would never give up. He continued to pull and scratch at his neck, clamping his mouth shut and pouring all his strength into his fingers. The metal collar squealed at the pressure and began to give. A hundred electric needles stabbed through his body. ?I will be free!? He emitted a pained grunt and gave one mighty pull. The collar shattered into pieces?</i>
??That?s over now so don?t concern yourself about it.? He drew his hands away abruptly and clenched his fists. Relena looked long and hard at him and then sighed. She leaned against the tree beside him.
?You?re cold.?
He closed his eyes and frowned. It was not his intention to appear that way. Once he had a heart, he would not hurt her anymore like this. He opened his mouth ?I just??
?But then you?re always cold?? She looked up, saw his expression and smiled, ?I was talking about your hands Tinman.?
?I?? <i>She wasn?t upset with him? Why did it matter anyway?</i>
?Do you actually feel cold yourself?? Relena asked curiously. She shivered, ?It?s a little cold right now.?
?I feel heat and its absence,? He replied slowly, ?But it doesn?t affect me much unless in great degrees.?
?Oh. Well I?ll just have to leave you in the sun for a few hours,? She laughed lightly. Tinman?s eyes softened as he watched her. They returned to their silence, but this time it was more amiable with no need for words to fill it. Relena closed her eyes and felt closer to home than she?d felt since she?d arrived here. Feeling calm and relaxed, the gentle tugging of sleep overcame her and she surrendered to it quickly.
Tinman had been trying to assess what her presence meant to him when he felt a weight against his shoulder. Looking down, he realised that Relena had fallen asleep on him. ?Relena?? He tilted and tried to shift himself but she started to slip off his shoulder. He caught her in his arms before she could fall and held her against him. Her body felt so soft and vulnerable compared to his tin structure that it would be easy to accidentally crush her; he had felt the same way when holding Toto. Tinman didn?t know what to do.
She shifted, her cheek rubbing against his chest. ?So cold?? She murmured sleepily. He tightened his jaw and gently scooped her up into his arms. He could feel the warmth emanating from her body as he walked back to the others. They were all still asleep, except for Toto who perked his ears immediately and sat up to watch them. Tinman slowly lowered her in the shelter of Lion?s body and she immediately curled up and snuggled into his fur. <i>She would stay warm there</i>, he thought. Lion grunted but slept on. Tinman watched her for a moment before he exchanged gazes with Toto and then left. Toto came to Relena and wiggled into a comfy spot between her and Lion. He rubbed his head comfortingly against her and closed his eyes.
<p align="center">~~~+~~~</p>
J sat hunched over the table, the light of a nearby lantern lighting up the work he held before him. A tin snake lay coiled before him, its body composed of plates resembling scales. J?s attention was focussed on a certain part of the creature which had been damaged. The sound of clinks and clanks as he worked the tin filled the room.
?Dear me One Eight,? He clucked in disapproval ?For a beautiful creation such as yourself to be damaged this way...? He shook his head, his small, round goggles filling with the dim light. ?You should be more careful.?
The snake writhed uneasily but J made an annoyed noise and it stilled immediately. The tinsmith was about to continue his work when a strange feeling caused him to peek impulsively over his shoulder. The empty room greeted him, shadows decorating its stone walls. He inspected the closed, wooden door at the other end carefully. Finding nothing unusual, his gaze wandered back towards the table, and stopped short.
Standing by the window was a tall figure. Her dress so black, it gave her the appearance of a silhouette. Her palm lay flat against the wall beside the window and she leaned out slightly, breathing in the air deeply as the skies lightened to announce the approaching dawn. Her body quivered and then she seemed to shimmer in front of his eyes. The presence she created hit him like a heat wave.
J stood shocked for a moment before climbing off his stool and making his way towards her. His heavy metal leg supports thudded against the floor. Une stood perfectly straight, eyes closed.
?You?re back eh?? He grinned.
She opened her eyes, ?I?ve slept too long,? She stated in her deep, imperious tone.
?Ah, that?s what you?ll get for breaking the seal,? J said with a chuckle. ?Do you feel any different??
She gave him a piercing stare and turned away from the window. Her dress rustled against the floor as she approached the table. She glanced down at the tin snake that lay trembling before her and stroked one finger across the top of its head.
?How pretty,? She whispered and smiled.
One Eight relaxed a little and hesitantly slithered up her arm and around her neck at her prompting. She ran her fingers along its body. When they reached the head, a sharp crack of blue electricity exploded from her fingers. Black dust fluttered to the floor and Une wiped more off her shoulders to join it.
?I feel good,? Une remarked with a smile, surveying the room. J stood staring at the black, charred remains on the floor. ?One Eight,? He sighed with regret.
?Get over it J, you have plenty of pets,? Une said coldly. She spun back towards him, her dress flowing around her. She narrowed her eyes in thought and stood tall and menacing before him.
?Now tell me, where are my ruby slippers??
<p align="center"><b>TBC</b></p>
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<b>A/N:</b>
Character equivalents:
<i>Wufei:</i> Cowardly Lion
<b>References to the anime from Chapter VI:</b>
<i>Before she could blink, her hair whipped backwards with the force of his fist flying inches past her cheek.</i>
Alludes to the part where Heero saves Relena from the falling debris.
<i>The shutters rolled up in surprise and his jaw lowered slightly. ?I deserve to be free?? He repeated, his fingers tightening momentarily. His head snapped up in a certain direction with a slight creak and he let go of her to step back a few paces.</i>
Slightly resembles the part where Heero is dancing with Relena, is shocked by what she says and replies, ?On my side??? And then lifts his head hearing the OZ carriers outside.
Tinman holding Toto in his arms alludes to the way he held the little puppy from Endless Waltz
<i>?Why am I still here?? He mumbled, ?I saved her in return for freeing me so I should have left by now, shouldn?t I??</i>
This is similar to Heero?s dialogue in Wing, after he saves Relena and wonders why he can?t kill her.
<i>He looked around smugly only to sigh when it was clear that everyone really was asleep. ??And now here I am, talking to myself just because Mr Autonomous over there hardly ever talks???Can you keep it down over there?? Tinman opened his shutters slightly to emit a thin slit of blue light. Scarecrow sighed, ?Yeah sure,? And lay back on the rug, closing his eyes. ?I don?t know why I bother sometimes.? He mumbled.</i>
This is similar to the exchange between Heero and Duo in episode 4 where Duo offers to repair Heero?s Gundam.
Well done for getting most of them Fate!
