Chapter 6
While the sun began to fall they could see the door in the distance. A smile appeared on all their faces as they picked up speed to get to it. As they neared it an arrow narrowly missed Mulan causing her to fall off her horse. Merida was at her side in no time. Red and Dorothy both jumped off looking around to see where their attackers were. The ground shook as a roar came from the darkening woods. Red removed her cloak and readied herself to attack whatever it was. Merida watched with amazement as the woman turned to a wolf.
The four stood in a circle arms drawn ready for a fight. The roar sounded again but this time they could see the lumbering orc above them. The horses ran away from the scene and towards home. The women did not wish to fight such a beast but would to survive. Dorothy aims her crossbow at the monster's head trying to decide if she had a shot or not. “Aim for the eyes,” Mulan whispered.
Without thought she aimed and fired. The arrow flew true as it landed in the monster’s eye. The beast screeched in pain as its hands went for its face. Mulan ran for Orc cutting its achilles tendons. The beast hit the ground with its knees throwing its arms out trying to grab those who hurt him. Dorothy quickly shot at him again hitting his other eye. The beast fell and stopped moving with that last strike.
Red’s growl caught everyone's attention. When they looked, bandits surrounded them. Mulan was right to feel what she had before. The group had been under surveillance since they entered the forest. A small buff man walked in front of the others, “So we meet again.”
“We’ve met?” Dorothy asked.
He looked at her, “No, but I have met these three before.” He motioned at her comrades.
Mulan stood straight trying to place this man. “I think you may be mistaken. I do not know you.”
“Knowing someone and meeting them are two very different things.”
“He has a point.” Merida agreed with him. The two still in human form look at her as if saying really, right now. She just shrugs then looks ahead, “So what have the three of us done to you?”
“Not you specifically but one of your friends. You see you changed a good man into a weak one. He had a family that he forgot and a home he left without saying goodbye. Though we do well for ourselves we still have lost a member of our family.”
“What the bloody hell are you talking about?” Merida asked in frustration.
“Hook,” the man says. “He could have had all the treasures in the world. Instead your friend Emma turns him into mush. He is nothing like the man we once knew. Even Milah didn’t do that to him. She loved him for who was not what she could make him.” The man pulled his weapon, “It doesn’t matter now, he is lost to a fake love. The least I can do is return the favor to your friends.”
“Wait!” Mulan said before the battle commenced, “Who are you?”
The men froze as they all looked to their leader, “Smee.” He said with a smile. Just like that smoke began to fill the air and the women disappeared. The men looked around to see where they could have gone. “You can run but you all return.” He said as he turned to leave. His men behind him.
When the smoke cleared they were back in Granny’s diner. Dorothy threw the cloak over Red as the onlookers froze in shock. Mulan put her sword away as Merida looked around. “Not here again.” she let out a sigh.
Red stood up as Dorothy explained, “We were too overrun and this was the first place that came to mind. We can make it back just as easily but we may want to give it a little bit of time.”
“Then we go back to Merida's. We can't risk how time works in each realm. If she is gone too long it could spell disaster for her people.” Mulan stated.
“Yes, we can leave in a day after we get back. Now that you know what it looks like.” Merida stated.
“Now that you are done planning,” Granny interrupted them, “Sit and eat then you can go back.”
The small group did as they were told in the corner table by the window. As they sat they let themselves relax a little. Granny brought them hamburgers and shakes. Something filling so they would be ready for whatever is next. “Thanks.” Came in chorus. Granny nodded as she walked away.
“How do we fight an army?” Merida asked.
“I was wondering the same thing.” Dorothy spoke as she ate a fry.
“We need to figure it out, we have to follow through on our deal.” Red pointed out.
Dorothy froze mid bite then looked at her love, “The witches.” She set her food down to explain, “We can go back to get them before we go back to Merida’s kingdom. There we can hatch a plan with their help to get into the door.” The others looked at her then smiled.
“Well I always knew you were smart.” Red smirked at her. Lunch was delicious as they talked about what they could figure out before they had the witches.
The chime above the door sang as a few newcomers entered. “Mulan?”
The four women looked at the one who spoke. “Hey Aurora.” Mulan would have stood but was in the corner so she just bowed her head.
“Finished your quest already?” Philip asked.
“No, we ran into some problems and ended up having to come back here to get away.” Red answered. “We have a plan though.”
Granny walked over to the table, “What kind of trouble did you run into?”
“You won’t believe me, but you remember Smee?” Granny nodded her answer as did Philip and Aurora, “Well he has a small army of bandits and they surrounded us. He wanted revenge for Hook being lost to them.”
“He may be even more upset to know he died.” Granny said bluntly.
“It doesn’t matter, we have to get to that door and they aren’t going to stop us.” Mulan stated.
“You never were one to give up were you.” Phillip said with a smirk. Merida, without realizing it, moved a little closer to Mulan. She had a feeling that one of them was the one that broke Mulan’s heart.
“Mulan is a true warrior.” Aurora said with a smile. Mulan looked down at her food as she blushed slightly at Aurora’s words.
“Agreed,” Merida said, “I know I wouldn’t be as good if she hadn’t taught me.”
“Do you need more help maybe?” Philip asked. Aura tried to hide the concern on her face. She didn’t want her husband running off to play knight. They had a child now and she didn’t want to lose him.
“Thank you,” Mulan stated, “but I’m sure we will figure it out.”
“If you change your mind just let me know.” He said with a slight bow. He then led his wife and child to another table.
With lunch finished the group went to the back room so they could have some privacy. Each one grabbed the other’s hand to form a circle. When Dorothy began to click her heels she thought about the round table she had been at many times. When the smoke cleared they were standing at the table with both witches waiting there.
“Where is Galida?” The witch of the North asked.
“We found the door but ran into an army.” Dorothy stated. “We need your help to figure out how to get past them to the door.”
“We cannot leave here. Our magic is keeping this world going. If we leave, even for a short time, it could destroy Oz.” The witch of the East informed them. The women looked at one another as they let their shoulders fall. They were too outnumbered to try and fight. They had to figure out how to get through to the door.
“Thank you both for all your help so far.” Dorothy stated as she stood tall. “We must go back and figure this out. We will see you soon.” They got back in their circle and Dorothy began to click her heels again. This time when the smoke cleared they were in Merida’s meeting room.
Elinor was sitting at the table looking over papers when they popped in. “I see you have made it back. I was worried when the horses came back with no riders.”
“We ran into some problems.” Merida stated as she walked over to her mother.
“What problem would that be?” She asked her daughter.
“There was an army waiting at the door. The man in charge didn’t like us too much. He knew some of the people from the Enchanted forest and wanted revenge. Figured we were just as good as any of them.” Merida explained.
“What do you plan on doing?” They all took a seat clearly unsure on how to answer the woman. She tried to hide a smile. “I see. So at this time there is no plan.”
“We can get there with no horses now. We just don’t know what will be waiting for us when we show up.” Dorothy explained.
“So it would be best if you went at night.” Elinor stated. They all looked at her a little surprised. “Well if they can’t see when you show up then you will have enough time to get where you’re going. I would say though that if all of you are not needed it would be best if only those who have to go, go.”
“Why is that?” Mulan asked.
“The faster you get into the door.” She explained. “I’m assuming this door is magical.” She looked around seeing nodding heads. “This means you all may not be able to get through the door. If even one of you can’t get in then they are left on their own against an army. The less who go the less in danger.”
“Makes sense.” Mulan said as she looked to Dorothy and Red, “So, Dorothy do you want to go by yourself?”
“Not happening,” Red interrupted before Dorothy could. “Last time we split she was put under a sleeping curse. I will not allow that to happen again.”
“I wouldn’t want that either.” Dorothy smiled at Red. “I think the two of us can handle it from here. I do want to wait a day to throw them off.”
“Then you can stay here until tomorrow night.” Merida invited them.
“After you have Galinda will you be returning here?” Mulan asked.
“If you would like,” Dorothy answered, “We can come get you before we go back to Oz.”
“Why don’t we talk about the rest of the plan tomorrow.” Merida interrupted. “I think we all should get some rest before we make any further decisions.”
“I agree.” Elinor added. “Eat, sleep, then make a plan. That way you're not rushing into things.” She stood. “With that I am going to get some sleep myself. I will see you all in the morning.” They all said good night to the woman then looked back to one another.
“You two can stay in a room down the hall from mine. Mulan you can stay in the one next to mine.” Merida informed them as she stood.
The others followed behind her as she made her way towards her bed chambers. She stopped to point to the room Dorothy and Red would be sleeping in. They all said goodnight to one another then parted ways. Mulan continued to follow Merida so she could be shown her room.
When they stopped Merida smiled shyly at Mulan. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Which one of them was it?” Mulan looked at her confused. “Which one hurt you, that couple that we spoke to in the diner.”
Understanding came across Mulan’s face. “Kind of both, but mostly Aurora.”
Merida nodded, “I see. Do you still hurt?”
Mulan gave a small smile, “Not since I met you.”
Merida smiled wide as her heart began to race. She realized she felt the same when she was with Mulan. She looked down for a moment before looking at Mulan, “I know why I couldn’t answer you before, I was afraid. I still am but being around you for the last couple days has made me realize I don’t want to see you go.”
Mulan felt her own heart picking up its pace as she smiled at Merida. “Then I will stay here with you as long as you want me.”
Merida leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, “Good. You sleep well.” With that she turned and walked away to her own room. Mulan stood there for a moment with a goofy grin on her face before going into her own room.