Even with eyes protected by the green spectacles, Dorothy and her friends were at first dazzled by the brilliancy of the wonderful city. The streets were lined with beautiful houses all built of 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 were rows of emeralds, set closely and glittering in the brightness of the sun. The window panes were of green glass. Even the sky above the city had a green tint and the rays of the sun were green.
Chapter 11: The Wonderful City of Oz, Sunset said internally.
“Lots of green here,” Spike said.
“It’s not called the Emerald City for nothing,” Trixie said. “It’d be like the Sapphire City being all blue or the Amethyst City being all purple.”
“I’m afraid there’s no Amethyst City in Oz,” the guardian said. “If there were, it would likely be in Gillikin Country to the north.”
“I was just giving an example,” Trixie said. “Wait, there really is a Sapphire City?”
“Indeed,” the guardian confirmed. “It’s the capital of the Ozure Isles in Munchkin Country’s Lake Orizon.”
“Huh,” Trixie said. “Who knew?”
There were many people--men, women, and children--walking about and they were all dressed in green clothes and had greenish skins. They looked at Dorothy and her strangely assorted company with wondering eyes and the children all ran away and hid behind their mothers when they saw Raw, but, no one spoke to them. Many shops stood in the street and Dorothy saw that everything in them was green. Green candy and green popcorn were offered for sale as well as green shoes, green hats, and green clothes of all sorts. At one place, a man was selling green lemonade and when the children bought it, Dorothy could see that they paid for it with green pennies.
“This is amazing,” Dorothy said to herself.
There seemed to be no horses nor animals of any kind. The men carried things around in little green carts, which they pushed before them. Everyone seemed happy, contented, and prosperous. Quite a few could even be heard singing.
“Ha Ha Ha, Ho Ho Ho~
And a couple of Tra-la-las~
That’s how we laugh the day away~
In the Merry Old Land of Oz~”
Pinkie bobbed her head to the song.
“Buzz Buzz Buzz, Chirp Chirp Chirp~
And a couple of la-di-dahs~
That’s how the crickets chirp away~
In the Merry Old Land of Oz~”
Fluttershy joined in Pinkie’s bobbing.
“We get up at twelve and start to work at one~
Take an hour for lunch and then at two we’re done
Jolly good fun!
Ha Ha Ha, Ho Ho Ho~
And a couple of Tra-la-las~
That’s how we laugh the day away~
In the Merry Old Land of Oz~”
“Not exactly a productive work day,” Twilight whispered to Sunset.
“I guess if everything is as leisurely as it is,” Sunset whispered back. “You can’t expect to do too much work.”
The party was brought to a building to get freshened up. Bartleby was having some of his old straws being replaced with new ones.
“Pat pat here, pat pat there~
And a couple of brand new straws~
That’s how we keep you young and fair~
In the Merry old Land of Oz~”
Nick was having his tin bodied shined and polished as well as some dents pounded out.
“Rub rub here, buff buff there~
Whether you’re tin or bronze~
That’s how we keep you in repair~
In the merry old Land of Oz~”
Dorothy and the ponies were also being attended to.
“We can make a dimple smile out of a frown~” sang one of the manicurists.
“Can you even dye my eyes to match my gown?” Dorothy asked.
“Uh-huh,” one of the other manicurists confirmed.
“Jolly old town,” Dorothy said.
“I wouldn’t advise that, Dorothy,” Sunset said. “Unless you’re looking forward to having liquid sting your eyes.”
“Not to worry,” one of the manicurists said. “Our eye dye is the safest in all of Oz.”
Meanwhile, Spike and Raw were being tended to as well.
“Clip clip here, clip clip there~
We give the roughest claws~
That certain air of savoir faire~
In the Merry Old Land of Oz!”
The others had their treatments finished and saw Spike having his scales buffed. “For the record,” he said. “This was not my idea.”
“How do you feel?” Rarity asked.
“Well,” Spike admitted. “It feels kind of good.”
“As long as that’s the case,” Rarity said. “Then, there shouldn’t be a problem.”
The song had one more verse.
“Ha Ha Ha, Ho Ho Ho~
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha~
That’s how we laugh the day away~
In the Merry Old Land of Oz~
That’s how we laugh the day away~
With a ho ho ho~
Ha ha ha~
Ho ho ho ho ha!”
The Guardian of the Gates led them through the streets until they came to a big building, exactly in the middle of the city, which was the Palace of Oz, the Great Wizard. There was a soldier before the door, dressed in a green uniform and wearing a long green beard. This soldier was so tall, his head was above Nick’s.
“State your business,” said the soldier. “If you please.”
"Here are strangers," said the Guardian of the Gates to him. "And they demand to see the Great Oz."
"Step inside," answered the soldier. "And I will carry your message to him."
The guardian and the traveling companions stepped inside and were led into a big room with a green carpet and lovely green furniture set with emeralds. The soldier made them all wipe their feet upon a green mat before entering this room and when they were seated he said politely:
"Please make yourselves comfortable while I go to the door of the throne room and tell Oz you are here."
“Thank you,” Twilight said gratefully. “Can we at least know your name?”
“Omby Amby,” said the soldier.
“Nice ta meet ya, Omby Amby, sir,” Applejack said, tilting her hat politely.
They had to wait a long time before the soldier returned. When, at last, he came back, Dorothy asked:
"Have you seen Oz?"
"Oh, no," returned the soldier. "I have never seen him. But, I spoke to him as he sat behind his screen and gave him your message. He said he will grant you an audience, if you so desire, but, each one of you must enter his presence alone and he will admit but one each day. Therefore, as you must remain in the palace for several days, I will have you shown to rooms where you may rest in comfort after your journey."
“Okay,” Rainbow said. “That screen explains why he hasn’t been seen. But, now, we’ll be here for two weeks and two days!”
“This may take some time,” Rarity said. Internally, she thought, I can only hope time at home hasn’t passed too much while we're here.
"Thank you," replied Dorothy. "That is very kind of Oz."
The soldier now blew upon a green whistle and at once, a young girl dressed in a pretty green silk gown entered the room. She had lovely green hair and green eyes and she bowed low before Dorothy as she said, "Follow me and I will show you your room."
“Thank you, miss…” Dorothy said before pausing in hesitation as she didn’t know the girl’s name.
“Just call me Jellia,” the girl in green said.
“Okay, Jellia,” Dorothy said.
So, Dorothy said good-bye to all her friends except Toto and, taking the dog in her arms, followed the green girl through seven passages and up three flights of stairs until they came to a room at the front of the palace. It was the sweetest little room in the world with a soft comfortable bed that had sheets of green silk and a green velvet counterpane. 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 beautifully carved green marble basin. Beautiful green flowers stood in the windows and there was a shelf with a row of little green books. When Dorothy had time to open these books she found them full of queer green pictures that made her laugh, they were so funny. In a wardrobe were many green dresses, made of silk and satin and velvet and all of them fitted Dorothy exactly.
"Make yourself perfectly at home," said Jellia. "And if you wish for anything ring the bell. Oz will send for you tomorrow morning."
Back with the others, they were waiting for Jellia to show them to their rooms.
“I wonder which one of us will see Oz first?” Twilight pondered.
“Dorothy will be called tomorrow morning,” Sunset whispered to her. Twilight nodded.
Jellia returned shortly.
“This way, please,” Jellia said to Bartleby.
“Excuse me, Jellia,” Sunset said. “Instead of leaving each of us to our rooms individually, why don’t you lead us all as a group and tell us who stays in which room along the way?”
“It is my system,” Jellia explained in a matter of fact way. She then led Bartleby away.
“This is going to take a while,” Rainbow said.
“Anybody know any time-passing songs?” Pinkie asked.
Jellia led the others one by one to rooms in the palace. Of course, this politeness was wasted on Bartleby for when he found himself alone in his room he stood stupidly in one spot, just within the doorway, to wait till morning. It would not rest him to lie down and he could not close his eyes, so, he remained all night staring 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 wonderful rooms in the world. Nick 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 kept in good working order. Raw would have preferred a bed of dried leaves in the forest and did not like being shut up in a room, but, he had too much sense to let this worry him, so, he sprang upon the bed and rolled himself up like a cat and purred himself asleep in a minute.
Soon, Jellia came to lead Rarity to her room.
“Excuse me, Jellia,” Rarity said. “May I extend an invitation for Spike to join me?” She held him by her side. “He’s very dear to me and I dislike being apart from him if I can help it.”
Jellia studied the two carefully. “Am I to assume that you two are lovers?”
“Yes, we are,” Rarity answered.
“Very well,” Jellia said. “Both of you follow me this way.”
Rarity and Spike both followed Jellia. After they left, Sunset turned to Omby Amby.
“Excuse me, sir,” she said. “Us ponies and Spike all want the same thing, so, could you possibly ask if it’s okay for the wizard to see all ten of us at once to save time?”
“I can try,” Omby Amby said. “Though, whether it will come to pass will not be up to me.”
He left the room and returned a while thereafter.
“The wizard will allow this,” he said. “On the condition that your group wait until after the first four.”
“That we can do,” Sunset said.
Meanwhile, Rarity and Spike were alone in their shared room. Both were wearing emerald green night robes.
“This is softer than my old bathrobe,” Spike noted.
“And you look just as dashing in it,” Rarity complimented him.
“Aww, thank you,” Spike said. “The emerald green compliments the purple of your mane beautifully.”
“Oh, you really are precious, Spike,” Rarity said. “Come here.”
Spike approached Rarity gently. He then found himself in the unicorn’s embrace. He blushed excitedly yet happily.
“Rarity,” Spike said. “I’m glad we met so long ago.”
“So am I, Spikey-Wikey,” Rarity cooed. “You helped me to be a better pony. I hope I helped you in a way to be a better you.”
“You did,” Spike said. “You helped me come back to my senses after my rampage the day after my 12th birthday.”
“That’s true,” Rarity said. “But, I’m glad to help you since you were there for me as well.”
“That was the day our relationship officially started,” Spike said. “Of course, it was a mild start since I was so young.”
“Yes,” Rarity said. “Though, believe me, if I was around the same age as you at the time, we would have officially gone steady. Still, it was worth the wait.”
“It sure was,” Spike smiled. “I was honestly surprised you even wanted to after what I did during the rampage.”
“I had my own hormonal issues when I was getting older,” Rarity said. “Plus, those damages were easily repaired. Besides, it was mostly our fault it happened. We awakened your greed by giving you more presents than you were used to. It was only because we overcompensated for missing your 11th birthday. I’m terribly sorry for calling you a greedy old beast during your rampage.”
“No need to apologize,” Spike said. “I was being one at the time. Besides, you didn’t even know it was me.”
“Yes,” Rarity admitted. “But, in retrospect, it was rather obvious. That dragon had all of your colors.”
“If Fluttershy can forgive me after I apologized for calling her a dragophobe,” Spike said. “Then, of course I can forgive you for calling me a greedy old beast. It made me remember when I gave you the Fire Ruby.”
“That’s true,” Rarity said. “Still, that’s not something I should say, but, thank you for forgiving me.”
“I didn’t want to risk another greed growth spurt,” Spike said. “So, I gave away any gifts I got for my birthday and Hearth’s Warming for two years afterwards.”
“Oh, yes,” Rarity said. “I do remember that. But, we all have come to learn that greed-induced bigness only happens to a dragon once in their lifetime.”
“Thanks to Auntie Sunset, who learned from Zecora,” Spike said.
“Right,” Rarity said. “After that, you allowed yourself to enjoy your birthday and Hearth’s Warming again, even if it was a slow process. We were certainly glad to help you with that.” She kissed his forehead.
Spike gently embraced Rarity lovingly. He then yawned.
“Sounds like you're ready to turn in for the night,” Rarity said. “We have been at this for a while, so I can’t say I blame you. We better get ready for bed.” She used her magic to cover herself and Spike in the blanket on the bed.
“Goodnight, Rarity,” Spike said softly. “Sweet dreams.”
The next morning, after breakfast, Jellia came to fetch Dorothy and she dressed her in one of the prettiest gowns made of green brocaded satin. Dorothy 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.
“Good luck, Dorothy,” Sunset said.
“Thank you, Sunset,” Dorothy said.
First, they came to a great hall in which were many ladies and gentlemen of the court, all dressed in rich costumes. These people had nothing to do but talk to each other, but, they always came to wait outside the throne room every morning, although, they were never permitted to see Oz. As Dorothy entered they looked at her curiously and one of them whispered:
"Are you really going to look upon the face of Oz the Terrible?"
"Of course," answered the girl. "If he will see me."
"Oh, he will see you," said Omby Amby, who had taken her message to the wizard. "Although, he does not like to have people ask to see him. Indeed, at first, he was angry and said I should send you back where you came from. Then, he asked me what you looked like and when I mentioned your silver shoes, he was very much interested. At last, I told him about the mark upon your forehead and he decided he would admit you to his presence."
Just then a bell rang and Jellia said to Dorothy, "That is the signal. You must go into the throne room alone."
She opened a little door and Dorothy walked boldly through and found herself in a wonderful place. It was a big, round room with a high arched roof and the walls and ceiling and 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.
Oh, my, Dorothy thought to herself in an enamored tone.
But, what interested Dorothy 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 did 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 and a nose and mouth and was much bigger than the head of the biggest giant.
As Dorothy gazed upon this in wonder and fear, the eyes turned slowly and looked at her sharply and steadily. Then, the mouth moved and Dorothy 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, so, she took courage and answered:
"I am Dorothy, the Small and Meek. I have come to you for help."
The eyes looked at her thoughtfully for a full minute. Then, said the voice:
"Where did you get the silver shoes?"
"I got them from Evanora, the Wicked Witch of the East, when my house fell on her and killed her," she replied.
The head listened to Dorothy’s explanation and did not say anything until she was finished. "Where did you get the mark upon your forehead?" continued the voice.
"That is where Locasta, the Good Witch of the North, kissed me when she bade me good-bye and sent me to you," said the girl.
Again the eyes looked at her sharply and they saw she was telling the truth. Then, Oz asked, "What do you wish me to do?"
"Send me back to Kansas, where my Aunt Em and Uncle Henry are," she answered earnestly. "I don't like your country, although it is so beautiful. And I am sure Aunt Em will be dreadfully worried over my being away so long."
The head considered Dorothy’s plea.
"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 little girl."
"But, you were strong enough to kill the Wicked Witch of the East," said Oz.
"That just happened," returned Dorothy simply. "I could not help it."
"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 he or she gets. If you wish me to use my magic power to send you home again, you must do something for me first. Help me and I will help you."
“What shall I do?” Dorothy asked.
"Kill Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West," answered Oz.
Dorothy gasped at the idea. "But, I cannot!" exclaimed Dorothy, greatly surprised.
"You killed the Witch of the East and you wear the silver shoes, which bear a powerful charm. There is now but one Wicked Witch left in all this land and when you can tell me she is dead, I will send you back to Kansas--but, not before."
The little girl began to weep, she was so much disappointed 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," she sobbed. "Even if I wanted to, how could I kill the Wicked Witch? If you, who are Great and Terrible, cannot kill her yourself, how do you expect me to do it?"
"I do not know," said the head. "But, that is my answer and 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 killed. Now go and do not ask to see me again until you have done your task."
Dorothy wiped her eyes from the dismal feeling as she was escorted out of the big, round room.
She was reunited with the others. "There is no hope for me," she said sadly. "For Oz will not send me home until I have killed the Wicked Witch of the West and that I can never do."
Dorothy’s friends consoled her kindly. Though, Rainbow had her suspicions. If this Oz is such a big shot wizard, she said internally. Why doesn’t he face the witch himself?
The next morning, Omby Amby came to Bartleby and said:
"Come with me, for Oz has sent for you."
Bartleby followed Omby Amby to the same room that Dorothy was escorted to. Inside, however, was not a giant floating head without a body. Instead, he saw, sitting in the emerald throne, a most lovely lady. She was dressed in green silk gauze 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 fluttered if the slightest breath of air reached them. When Bartleby had bowed, as prettily as his straw stuffing would let him, before this beautiful creature, she looked upon him sweetly and said:
"I am Oz, the Great and Terrible. Who are you and why do you seek me?"
Now, Bartleby, who had expected to see the great head Dorothy had told him of, was much astonished, but, he answered her bravely.
"I am only a scarecrow, stuffed with straw. Therefore, I have no brains 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."
The most lovely lady heard Bartleby’s plea. "Why should I do this for you?" she asked.
"Because you are wise and powerful and no one else can help me," answered Bartleby.
"I never grant favors without some return," said Oz. "But, this much I will promise. If you will kill for me Zelena, 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 the Land of Oz."
"I thought you asked Dorothy to kill the Witch," said Bartleby in surprise.
"So I did,” Oz said. “I don't care who kills her. But, until she is dead, I will not grant your wish. Now go and do not seek me again until you have earned the brains you so greatly desire."
Bartleby nodded and he was led out of the throne room. He sorrowfully regrouped with the others and told them what Oz had said. Dorothy was surprised to find that the great wizard was not a head, as she had seen him, but, a lovely lady.
So, Twilight figured internally. Oz takes on different appearances to suit their needs.
"All the same," said Bartleby. "She needs a heart as much as Nick."
Nick nodded at this.
On the next morning, Omby Amby came for Nick and said:
"Oz has sent for you. Follow me."
“Thank you, Omby Amby,” Nick replied as he followed the soldier and came to the great throne room. He did not know whether he would find Oz a lovely lady or a head, but, he hoped it would be the lovely lady. "For," he said to himself. "If it is the head, I am sure I shall not be given a heart, since a head has no heart of its own and therefore cannot feel for me. But, if it is the lovely lady I shall beg hard for a heart, for all ladies are themselves said to be kindly hearted.”
Once inside, he saw what Oz was presenting as this time: the shape of a most 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 in its face. There were five long arms growing out of its body and it also had five long, slim legs. Thick, wooly hair covered every part of it and a more dreadful-looking monster could not be imagined. It was fortunate Nick had no heart at that moment, for it would have beat loud and fast from terror. But, being only tin, the woodman was not at all afraid, although he was much disappointed.
“I am Oz, the Great and Terrible!” the beast said with a great roar. “Who are you and why do you seek me?”
“I am Nicholas III of the House of Chopper,” Nick said. “I was once flesh, but, now, I am tin. Therefore, I have no heart and cannot love. I pray you to give me a heart that I may be as other men are."
The beast pondered after he heard Nick’s plea. “Why should I do this for you?” he asked.
"Because I ask it and you alone can grant my request," answered Nick.
“I do not grant favors unless they do something for me,” the beast said. "If you indeed desire a heart, you must earn it."
“Then,” Nick began to ask. “What shall I do?”
"Help Dorothy to kill Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West," replied the beast. "When the witch is dead, come to me and I will then give you the biggest, kindest, and most loving heart in all the Land of Oz."
“Oh,” Nick smiled, genuflecting before the beast. “I shall like that very much.”
So, Nick returned sorrowfully to his friends and told them of the terrible beast he had seen.
“A beast?” Raw asked, shivering with fright. "If he is a beast when I go to see him, I shall roar my loudest and so frighten him that he will grant all I ask. And if he is the lovely lady, I shall pretend to spring upon her and so compel her to do my bidding. And if he is the great head, he will be at my mercy, for I will roll this head all about the room until he promises to give us what we desire. So be of good cheer, my friends, for all will yet be well."
Though if this pattern continues, Trixie thought to herself. Oz might not appear as any of those forms before Raw.
The next morning, Omby Amby came for Raw.
“Oz has sent for you now. Follow me.”
Raw at once passed through the door and glancing around saw, to his surprise, that before the throne was a ball of fire so fierce and glowing, he could scarcely bear to gaze upon it. His first thought was that Oz had by accident caught on fire and was burning up, but, when he tried to go nearer, the heat was so intense that it singed his whiskers and he crept back tremblingly to a spot nearer the door.
“I am Oz, the Great and Terrible,” roared the fire. “Who are you and why do you seek me?”
Raw answered, "I am a cowardly lion, afraid of everything. I came to you to beg that you give me courage, so that in reality, I may become the King of Beasts, as men call me."
After the fire listened to Raw’s plea, he asked. “Why should I do this for you?”
"Because of all wizards, you are the greatest and alone have power to grant my request," answered Raw.
The ball of fire burned fiercely for a time and the voice said, "Bring me proof that the Wicked Witch is dead and that moment, I will give you courage. But, as long as the witch lives, you must remain a coward."
Raw gulped uneasily. Though he was angry at this speech, he could say nothing in reply and while he stood silently gazing at the ball of fire, it became so furiously hot that he turned tail and rushed from the room. He was glad to find his friends waiting for him and told them of his terrible interview with the wizard.
“A great ball of fire does sound terrifying,” Bartleby admitted. He then turned to all the Equestria residents. “You’re all next.”
“I can only wonder what form he’ll take when he does see us,” Fluttershy said.
“We’ll find out either way,” Sunset said.
“Tomorrow, of course,” Pinkie added.
The next morning, Omby Amby came for the Equestria residents.
“Oz is ready for all of you. Follow me.”
The soldier with green whiskers led them into the throne room. Once inside, the Equestria residents saw an emerald green alicorn stallion resembling their ruler, Princess Celestia.
“I am Oz, the Great and Terrible,” the alicorn stallion said grandly. “Who are you and why do you seek me?”
“I’m Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset said before gesturing to the others as she introduced them. “This is Phoebe, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Starlight Glimmer, and Trixie Lulamoon. We all want to go back to our home of Equestria and you’re the only one who can help us out, but, I suspect you’ll only do it if we help Dorothy kill Zelena.”
“Yes,” Starlight said. “We heard what Dorothy and the others told us about you. So, is that the case?”
The stallion was surprised by how they all caught on, but, maintained a stoic expression as he answered. “Indeed, it is.”
“Looks like you called it, Sunset,” Trixie whispered.
Rainbow flew up to Oz. “If you’re such a big shot wizard,” she challenged. “Why don’t you kill the witch yourself?”
Oz responded by morphing his face into that of a shark, nearly biting Rainbow’s face off. She flew back to her friends, cowering behind Sunset.
“Good reason,” Rainbow said, quivering with shock.
“You got confrontational with someone who could take on any form he wants,” Sunset said, deadpan. “What did you think would happen?”
“Anyway,” Twilight said. “We’ll make sure to fulfill this task.”
They all went to the others.
“What did all of you see?” Bartleby asked curiously.
“An emerald green alicorn stallion,” Sunset said. “We also saw his face turn into that of a shark’s.”
“Oh, how frightening,” Dorothy said. "What shall we do now?"
"There is only one thing we can do," returned Raw. "And that is to go to the land of the Winkies, seek out the Wicked Witch, and destroy her."
“If that’s what needs to be done to ensure Oz will fulfill our promises,” Spike said. “Then, we must.”
"But, suppose we cannot?" said the girl.
“Well, none of us will get what we want,” Starlight said.
“It sounds as if we don’t have a choice then,” Nick said.
“I don’t see why you’re complaining,” Trixie said. “You carry an axe everywhere you go.”
“I was promised a big, wonderful, loving heart,” Nick clarified.
Therefore, it was decided to start upon their journey the next morning and Nick sharpened his axe on a green grindstone and had all his joints properly oiled. Bartleby stuffed himself with fresh straw and Dorothy put new paint on his eyes that he might see better. Jellia, who was very kind to them, filled Dorothy'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 backyard of the palace and the cackling of a hen that had laid a green egg.