“It’s good to have a friend nearby again,” she said quietly. “The palace staff is wonderful, of course, but I haven’t really been able to talk to anyone in ages.”
“Ruling is lonely business,” the Lion agreed, and she brightened.
“Isn’t it? I knew you’d understand. I’m honored to be the Queen of Oz, and it is my birthright, after all. But so few people understand what it’s like to have this much power. I’m responsible for the well-being of everyone in Oz, and I worry about failing my subjects or making some terrible mistake that will send the country into ruin.”
The Lion had never worried all that much about the welfare of his subjects, but he made a sympathetic noise. He’d had no idea Ozma took ruling so seriously. Little word of the Emerald City reached the Forest of the Beasts. No wonder she was sad, if she fretted this much. He patted her on the arm with a reassuring paw. “Perhaps in that way we are the same. We have to figure it out as we go along,” she said with a smile. He felt some comfort that she didn’t know everything instinctively. He certainly had spent the last few months wondering how to be a king. But his concern had been for himself and not others. Ozma had heaped the welfare of the whole kingdom atop her delicate shoulders.
“I think we’re supposed to serve, not just rule,” she continued.
Lion shook his head. “The other beasts used to delight in scaring me. And I don’t forgive and forget. I usually just eat those who cross me.”
She laughed. “In that we differ. I forgive, but I never forget.”
“What you need is to lighten up a little,” he suggested. “Take a vacation. Or if you can’t get away from the palace, at least take some time off to have fun.”
Ozma smiled wearily. “Oh, Lion. Maybe it’s that easy in the Kingdom of the Beasts, but for me, it’s not so simple. The whole country of Oz depends on me. I can’t just take a vacation from being queen.”
“Can’t you at least go stay in Glinda’s summer palace for a while?” he prompted. He was determined to get to the bottom of whatever had come between the witch and the fairy. But Ozma only shook her head. “That time is past now,” she said quietly, and he saw that he wouldn’t get anything else out of her on the subject of Glinda.
Ozma pushed her plate away, and a servant immediately appeared to clear the remains of their meal. The vulnerability vanished from her expression, and she smiled brightly at the Lion. “How long will you be staying with us, dear Lion?”
The Lion’s mind raced as he tried to decide how to answer her question. Glinda hadn’t said how long it would take to find this mysterious necklace, and the palace was huge. Ozma laughed again at his consternation. “Of course, you can stay as long as you like!” she exclaimed. “As long as you really can leave the forest to itself, I’ll be glad of the company. You mustn’t think I’m trying to get rid of you.”
“That’s very generous, Your Highness,” the Lion said.
“But only if you promise to call me Ozma,” she added in a mock-serious tone. “We’re friends, after all. And we’re practically equals. Now, I’m sure you must be tired after your journey. I’ll see you in the morning?”
The Lion knew a dismissal when he heard one, but at least Ozma hadn’t realized his motives for visiting her weren’t entirely selfless. He bowed deeply, stifling a burp, and returned to his chambers, leaving Ozma sitting alone in her enormous room like a lost, lonely doll.
SIX