Theodora looked at the apple in her sisters hand, then at her tear burned face in the mirror before turning back to her. This could make her uncaring, she could feel no pain- but at what cost?

"No, I'm sorry Evanora I can't do this!" She shook her head and slowly backed away, running out of the room.

Evanora let out an angry hiss and threw the apple into the fire, which melted with a sickening melting sound.

Theodora ran into her room and shut the door locking it behind her. She sat at her vanity set and applied the healing oils to her face which closed and soothed the wounds. She let out a sigh of relief before collapsing onto her bed thinking of the events of the previous day. Theodora thought of what her sister had said to her about her becoming his queen,
"Are you sure it was he that he said, or was it you?"

Eventually, Theodora fell into a restless sleep.

The next day was just to bring chaos though. Rumors were spreading, and Glinda and Oz had returned. Theodora was making her way down the stairs when she saw them. She decided to push down the anger she felt rising in her that only ever caused trouble.

"What are you doing here?" She asked Glinda a little more coldly then she had meant. The effect on her was visible as she winched when her once quite close younger sister questioned her. Glinda opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when Evanora descended down the opposite side of the stairs giving Glinda and Oz a vicious glare.

"Yes, what are you doing here?" She sneered.

Glinda was about to answer when she was cut off by Oz. She let out huff and rolled her eyes, swinging her arms by her side in annoyance.

"You..." Oz pointed accusingly at Evanora trying to find the right word to use. His eyes brightened when he came up with the proper one.

"You witch!" He said triumphantly.

"Nice wordplay." Glinda commented dryly.

Theodora stifled a laugh, but she was still confused at what was happening. Glinda was banned from the city, and she had never seen Evanora so angry before in her life, and why was Oz with her? Theodora finally mustered up the courage to ask when a chilling silence filled the air; it seemed everyone knew what was happening but her.

"What's going on?" She asked all too innocently.

"Nothing." The three answered in unison.

"I'd like a word with Evanora." Glinda said through clenched teeth.

"Fine by me." She growled in response leading Glinda up the stairs. Theodora watched them go and disappear behind the door before she turned back to Oscar giving him a questioning look. He smiled sheepishly to her and mouthed something that looked like,

"I'll tell you later."

Theodora nodded eagerly. She couldn't stand not knowing; it was like being on the outside of a secret, which is pretty much what it was. Oscar motioned her over with a hand and he pointed to the little China Girl next to him that was grasping his leg. Theodora smiled, she had always loved kids. Maybe it came from being youngest so she crouched down in front the girl.

"Hey, what's your name?"

The China Girl stepped out from behind his legs and answered,

"I'm Natalie, how about you? Are you Theodora?"

Theodora looked up at Oz and tilted her head,
'You told her about me?' She seemed to ask
Oz nodded and smiled.

Theodora's heart fluttered with that familiar sensation of the night Oz asked her to dance. He had talked about her.

"Yes, that's me." She said finally, "Come on if you're going to stay here you need a place to stay."

On the way up the stairs Theodora found her hand entwined with Oscars as they lead the little girl to her new home.

A/N: So, is it worth continuing? Please leave a review letting me know your opinion!

Elphie/Theodora your WWW