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CHAPTER 21
THE SHATTERING OF THE MIRRORS
"Now we can send the Mimics back to Mount Illuso at will," said Ozana in
answer to Dorothy's question. "All we need to do is shatter the mirrors,
and the Mimics will return to their gloomy realm, banished forever from
Oz."
It was Ozma who followed Ozana's suggestion and brought about the breaking
of the mirrors. The dainty ruler lifted her wand and murmured a fairy
charm. Instantly every mirror in the Grand Ballroom shivered and shattered
with a vast, tinkling sound. Not one of the scores of mirrors in the great
chamber was left whole.
"It would be too bad," Ozana remarked, "to mar permanently the beauty of
your lovely ballroom." She lifted her wand, and while the onlookers blinked
the mirrors were whole again. In their gleaming depths there was no trace
of the Mimic horde. The Grand Ballroom was as splendid as ever.
As it was now nearing noon, Ozma graciously invited Ozana to join her and
Glinda with Dorothy and the Wizard, Aunt Em, Trot, Cap'n Bill, Betsy
Bobbin, Button Bright, the Scarecrow, Scraps and others of her friends for
luncheon in the dining room of her own Royal Suite.
Dorothy and the Wizard related their adventures on Mount Illuso, and then
the Scarecrow tried to make clear to Ozma, Glinda and Dorothy and the
Wizard everything that had happened in the Emerald City during their
absence. Scraps helped him out, and Betsy Bobbin reminded him of things he
had forgotten, while Trot chimed in and Button Bright wanted to tell the
story his way. There was such a chatter it was a wonder Ozma and the rest
understood anything.
Just as the meal was about to end, there was a knock on the door and Uncle
Henry breathlessly entered the room. After Aunt Em and Dorothy had
hugged
and kissed Uncle Henry, Dorothy told him how she had got back to the
Emerald City. (He had read an account of the rest of her adventures in
Glinda's Great Book of Records the night before.) Scraps, helped out by
Aunt Em, filled in the details of what had happened in the Palace since he
and the Sawhorse had left.
When they had finished, Uncle Henry exhibited several sheets of paper
closely filled with writing. "Here's the whole story of the Mimics. I
copied everything the Great Book of Records had to say about 'em, and then
I left Glinda's Castle last night, travelin' all night long so as to get
here as early today as possible. But I guess," he concluded, gazing
ruefully at the papers he carried, "these ain't much use anymore."
"Not one of us could have done better than you did, Uncle Henry," Ozma
consoled him. "Instead of regretting your trip," she added wisely, "let us
instead be grateful that there is no longer any need for us to concern
ourselves with what the Great Book of Records has to say about the Mimics."
Glinda announced that she must return to her Castle in the Quadling Country,
from which she had been absent too long. Bidding goodbye to all her
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friends, the Great Sorceress was transported in the twinkling of an eye by
her magic art to her faraway Castle.
With Glinda's departure, the rest of Ozma's guests began to take their
leave, until finally the Girl Ruler was alone with only Dorothy and Ozana.
Ozma had noticed that throughout the merry luncheon, Ozana had appeared
quiet and subdued, as though she were deeply occupied with thoughts of her
own. "Tell me," Ozma said gently, taking Princess Ozana's hand in her own,
"is there something troubling you, my dear?"
With a smile, Ozana replied, "Yes, Ozma, there is. Truthfully, I dread
returning to lonely Mount Illuso. In the short time I have been privileged
to enjoy the companionship of Dorothy and the Wizard, and the society of
the Oz people here in the Emerald City, I have come to realize more than
ever what a terribly lonely life I lead on Mount Illuso. And," she added,
gazing affectionately at Dorothy, "I have become very fond of little
Dorothy. I shall be very sorry indeed to leave her and all the rest of you
for that forsaken mountaintop."
Ozma laughed softly. "Everyone loves our Princess Dorothy. But," and the
Little Ruler's expression grew serious as she continued, "I sympathize with
you, Ozana. Perhaps there is a way out of your predicament. Is there any
real reason why you should return to Mount Illuso? The Mimics are harmless
enough now. We can follow their actions in the Magic Picture and the Great
Book of Records. And you can use your fairy powers to control the Mimics
from the Land of Oz as easily as you could from the top of Mount Illuso."
"You meanFF20C4?" exclaimed Ozana eagerly.
"That we would like nothing better than to have you make your home here in
the Land of Oz," said Ozma warmly. "Furthermore, it is my belief that
through your long years of lonely vigil on Mount Illuso and your courageous
rescue of the people of Oz from the Mimics, you have more than earned a
home in Oz."
"Oh, Ozma, thank you!" exclaimed Ozana. And then she added doubtfully, "Do
you think Queen Lurline will give her consent?"
"I see no reason why she should not," answered Ozma. "It so happens that I
am to speak with Queen Lurline within the hour. We made arrangements to
confer this afternoon on some important happenings in the great outside
world. During our conversation I will ask her about your remaining in Oz."
"Thank you, Ozma," murmured Ozana. "I can't begin to tell you how grateful I
am."
"Now, if you will excuse me," said Ozma, "I must prepare to establish
communication with Queen Lurline."
Arm in arm, Dorothy and Ozana made their way to Dorothy's rooms, where
they
spent the next hour in conversation. Dorothy was well pleased with the
prospect of Ozana's making her home in Oz, for she believed the Princess
would be a delightful companion. At last there came a gentle rap on the
door, and Princess Ozma entered Dorothy's room. Ozana and Dorothy rose
to
their feet and looked questioningly at Ozma.
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"It is all settled," the Girl Ruler announced with her brightest smile.
"Queen Lurline readily gave her consent. From this moment on, dear cousin,
you are no longer Ozana of Mount Illuso, but Ozana, Princess of Oz."
CHAPTER 22
WHAT THE MAGIC PICTURE REVEALED
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