And only 3000 views off 200,000 views.
Not too far off =P
Under MirkWood by Dylan Thomas.
It is dawn in the Dead Marshes. The sun is rising, but no eye can now see it through the thick grey blanket grey clouds that come bellying out of Mordor. The dead lie dreamless in their marshes and light their candles regardless of expense in the thin daylight. The Hobbits lie like the dead and dream of…
FRODO: The eye of fire.
SAM: The gardens of Elrond.
Time passes. Listen. Time passes.
[ A bird croaks high in the air ]
Only you can see Gollum, padding barefoot through the reeds, eyes screwed tight down against the unnatural daylight, with three small dead fish in the basket of his arms. He looks up at the roof of clouds, and remembers other, thicker grey roofs, in the dripping alleys and coughing sumps deep beneath the Misty Mountains, where he lost his Precious, and nurses his regret…
GOLLUM: Thief! Baggins! We could have squeezed it right there, my Precious. Squeezed the breath out of it like the little fisshes, my precious. But it was tricksey. It got away. This new one now, we could squeeze it while it is sleeping, my Precious. But the Master was good to Smeagol. But it is still a Baggins, and we hates it. We can get our fingers around it and give it a…
SAM: Frodo!
GOLLUM: …nice fish. Smeagol has bought you fish breakfast.
On a naked chain
The one ring hangs
The burdeon overwhelming
– Frodo the hobbit
After countless years
My Precious returns
Boiling lakes of lava
– Gollum
A longstemmed rose
Under an open window
Spying on Master Frodo
— Samwise the hobbit
hmmmm. (THE RING) As written by Stephen King, Sauron would turn out to be an ancient spider-alien from outside time and space, the nine wraiths would be clad in clown-gear with silver eyes and mouths full of sharp teeth, and Frodo would die delivering the ring to the cracks of mount Doom, with only Sam returning to report all that had happened.
who comes to mind for me? VC Andrews “Rings in the Attic”. Mary Higgins Clark “Where is the One Ring?”, Ellis Peters “The Hobbit and the Ring; a Brother Cadfael mystery”, Jules Verne “Journey to the Center of Middle Earth”, Jack London “Call of the Ring”.
Childrens books authors: Shel Silverstein “The Taking Ring”. Roahld Dahl “Frodo and the One Ring of Evil”, and the picture book by Eric Carle titled “The Very Hungry Gollum”
Justin Wilson’s famous cookbook “Red Wine, White Wine, the Orc’s don’t care.”
Martha Stewart: How to host a fabulous quest using simple household items and naturecraft.
Well, some of ye are and some of ye aren’t. Welcome to you too, however you found us. 
and on an unrelated note:
I don’t want to be a party-pooper, and I realize it’s difficult to get through all 21 pages. But there are an awful lot of repeats lately. And even some “I can’t belive this hasn’t been done”'s when they clearly have been done pages ago. Doesn’t make them any better or worse. (Heck, the recent Haikus blow mine from page 1 out of the water.) But some are virtually identical. So just be aware…
The Carnival of Middle Earth
by Odgen Nash (again)
I will tell you a tale - if you’re still awake -
of rings, and kings, and much walking.
<i>(But, Sir, how long will this tale take?)</i>
Don’t interrupt while I’m Tolkien!
Wizards make good friends, I think
and are fun to bring on picnics
He’ll eat your food, and drink your drink
but he’ll bring the pyrotechnics.
A hobbit is a little chap
who loves to eat, and smoke, and chat.
Bare footed, and with hairy toes
they are relunctant heroes.
Gollum’s deepest, darkest wish
is to be reunited with his precious.
His very favorite food is fish
especially at its freshious.
The dwarf is a creature to be feared:
Do not toss him; nor pull his beard.
Although, in stature, the dwarf lacks;
he makes up for it with pick and axe.
Apologies if this was done before. I read the first five pages, but it’s gonna take a while to catch up to the rest of the thread.
The Ringtrix
Frodo lay recovering in Rivendell, the wound from the Morgoth blade an ugly red scar just visible under his tunic. Elrond walks over to Frodo’s bed, and slams down a sheaf of papers down onto the table beside the bed. Frodo glances at the first page, and notices the title “Baggins, Frodo A.”
“As you can see, we’ve had our eye on you for some time now, Mr. Baggins”, says Elrond. He takes the file, and starts thumbing through it. The silence is disturbed for a time by the rattle of parchment. Frodo is unsure if Elrond is looking at the parchment or at him.
“It seems that you have been living two lives. In one life, you are Frodo Baggins, respectable hobbit of Bag End. You have a nice stipend from a rather eccentric departed uncle, you host parties, are generous with the pipeweed and go out drinking with your gardener.” Elrond pauses for a few seconds as the pages continue to turn.
“The other life is lived on the lamb, where you go by the alias Underhill, and are guilty of virtually every crime we have a law for - theft of crops, trespassing, dissapearing into thin air, causing disturbances at local Inns, attacking innocent barrow-wights and semi-sentient willow trees, and even provoking the wrath of certain Nazgul.”
“One of these lives has a future, Mr. Baggins. The other does not.”
“We know that you have been in contact with a certain artifact. A small little trinket in the form of a ring. Whatever you think you know about this ring is irrelevant to the fact that it is wanted for acts of terror in more countries than any other artifact in middle-earth. It is considered by many to be the most dangerous ring ever forged.” Elrond leans in closer. “My colleagues believe that I am wasting my time with you, but I believe you want to do the right thing. It is obvious that you are an intelligent hobbit, Mr. Baggins, and that you are interested in the future. That is why I believe you are ready to put your past mistakes behind you and get on with your life.” Elrond pauses for a moment, then continues, “We are willing to wipe the slate clean, to give you a fresh start and all we are asking in return is your cooperation in bringing a known artifact to destruction.”
Hehe, I remember watching FotR for the first time with friends. As soon as Elrond came on screen one of us muttered…“Where is the Ring, Mr Baggins…?” in the Agent Smith voice. No-one else in the theatre got what we were laughing our arses off about 
Hmm. What about “Frodo and the Terrible, Awful, No-good, Really bad Ring”? 
Queen - Prophet’s Song
Performed by the Queen aka Galadriel
Oh, Oh, People o’Middle Earth,
listen to the warning
The Wizard, he said
Beware the Storm that gathers there
Don’t dare look at Mordor.
I dreamed I saw on a tower stair
spreading his hands on the multitude there
summoning orcs for a bloody war
A fiery eye was watching from far.
So watch as fear takes The Gray man’s gaze
Hope of the Earth are Hobbits brave.
I see no day, if Frodo fails
So grey is the face of Gandalf the Wizard.
Oh, oh, people o’Middle Earth
listen to the warning
the prophet, he said
For soon the veil of Sauron falls
he’ll be after you land.
Oh,oh, people of the Earth
form a small but punchy
Fellowship.
Go and fight the new Dark Lord
return with your life, though.
He told of Sauron as mad and foul
taking the weak and seducible soul
Late too late all the people run
the Kings of Gondor, they will return.
From Gollums love was The Ring estranged,
had kept it his own, his preciousss gain.
As Bilbo take, what Sauron make
And death all around will be your dowry
Oh, oh, people of The Shire
listen to the warning
as Gandalf said.
For those who hear and catch my words
I have got a good plan:
aaahaaahhahhahhh
Oh, oh, and you and you
my Hobbit zoo
you’ll be running to destroy
running to destroy the very One Ring
Ohohhh, flee for your life
Who heed me not
let all the Nazgùl smell you.
Ooooh, fear for your life,
deceive you not
the Eye of him will take you
should The Ring seduce you.
<overlays>
Ahahhh, Frodo can you hear me? (Frodo can you hear me…)
And now I know, and know I know,
and now I know, and know I know
that you will bear it
And now I know, know I know,
now I know, know I know
now I know, know I know,
now I know, know I know,
Now I know (now I know)
Sauron will shake, his tower break
Sauron will shake, his power break
Go destroy The Ring, The Ring, The Ring, The Ring
The Ring, The Ring, The Ring, The Ring…(the ring)
Frodo go, Frodo go, …
[…]
Oh-uh, …
Listen to the wise, listen to wise
listen to the wise, listen to the Wise Man
Fro-do
la-la-la-la Fro-do
(7x)
Fro-
laaa
do
laaa
(5x)
( …this is the tricky part… )
Go
a- throw
-way
Ring
Go
throw a-
way
Ring
(3x)
Ah, ahhahh, ahhhahhhhh, ahhhhahhhhh, ahhhhhhhh
Listen to the man
listen to the man
listen to the man
listen to the great man!
</overlays>
<guitar (or similar Elven instrument) />
God give him grace to purge this place
and Samwise his friend may come to his rescue.
Oh, oh, mind that Sméagul.
he might be important, let him live!
The vision fades, and Gandalf says
Go and fight the mad man!
But Frodo fears, still Frodo dares
encounter these nightmares.
Player of Gandalf: “So, like, Gandalf challenges the Balrog.”
Player of Legolas: “What does the Balrog look like?”
Player of Aragorn: “Is ‘Balrog’ a name of the creature, or the name of the species?”
DM: “The Balrog is covered in flame and darkness, and looks batlike wielding a giant flaming sword.”
Player of Legolas: “So the Balrog has wings?”
DM: “Gandalf, the Balrog is 30’ high. You shit your robe.”
Player of Aragorn: “If ‘Balrog’ is it’s name, then is it like a type VI demon?”
Player of Gandalf: “I wield my Elven Ring of Fire.”
Player of Legolas: “If it has big bat wings, then it would be a lot like a type VI demon.”
DM: “No, it doesn’t have bat wings.”
Player of Legolas: “You just said it was like a bat. Giant bat, giant batwings.”
DM: “No. No bat wings.”
Player of Gandalf: “I cast Magic Missile.”
DM: “You cannot cast Magic Missile, you don’t have it memorized. Remember, you didn’t memorize Magic Missile, because you went for all Fireballs for your third level spells.”
Player of Aragorn: “I bet it’s immune to fire.”
Player of Gandalf: “But I meant to memorize the Fireballs only when we were going over the snowy mountains, for when we met up with frost giants. When we went into the Moria dungeon, I memorized Magic Missile.”
DM: “You didn’t SAY you were memorizing Magic Missile, so you don’t HAVE Magic Missile.”
Player of Legolas: “I shoot an at it’s hand, so it drops it’s sword!”
DM: “It doesn’t have a sword, it has a giant flaming whip.”
Player of Aragorn: “You said it had a flaming sword.”
DM: “I meant it had a flaming whip.”
Player of Legolas: “Well, then I shoot at it’s hand holding the whip.”
Player of Gandalf: “You said it had a sword.”
DM: “It’s a sword / whip. It changes between a sword and a whip.”
Player of Aragorn: “Heh, like the Black Knight in the Holy Grail!”
DM, Player of Gandalf, Legolas, Aragorn: “Black Knight, hahahahhaah.”
Player of Aragorn: “Are there any women here?”
DM: “No, no women. Just your party, and the Balrog.”
Player of Legolas: “What about the thousand goblins we were just fighting?”
DM: “They ran away when the Balrog showed up.”
Player of Legolas: “Well why didn’t you say so? I put away my bow and take out my Demon Slaying sword.”
DM: “You don’t have a Demon Slaying sword.”
Player of Legolas: “Yes, I do. Remember, I retrieved it from the treasure in the Tomb of Horrors last week.”
DM: “That was in Jimmy’s campaign, not mine. You can’t be bringing in weapons from there to here.”
Player of Legolas: “It’s the same character.”
Player of Gandalf: “I said I’m challenging the Balrog. I put on my Elven Ring of Fire, and bar the bridge saying ‘You shall not pass!’”
Player of Aragorn: “Was it a whip or a sword? Or has it changed again, like, say, a giant flaming mace?”
DM: “It doesn’t matter that it’s the same character. That’s his identical twin brother in a parallel universe, and you don’t have it.”
Player of Gandalf: “Do we have any more beer?”
Player of Aragorn: “Why aren’t there ever any women for Aragorn to shag?”
DM: “Okay, guys, we’re getting off track. It’s been an hour, and your still on the bridge and haven’t even swung your weapons yet.”
Player of Aragorn: “Fine. I attack the Balrog!”
DM: “You can’t attack the Balrog, Gandalf is on the bridge in the way.”
Player of Aragorn: “I didn’t cross the bridge yet!”
DM: “Yes, yes you did. I explicitly said that everyone crossed the bridge, you, Aragorn, Legolas and the NPCs – the dwarf, the four hobbits, and Boromir.”
Player of Aragorn: “No, I didn’t want to cross the bridge.”
DM: “Fine, the Balrog picks you up and THROWS you over to the other side.”
Player of Gandalf: “I use the Power of the Elven Ring of Fire and stop the Balrog!”
Player of Balrog: “Hey, you didn’t even roll to attack! I have AC -12.”
DM: (Rolls d20 without looking) “Yep, he made it.”
Player of Gandalf: “I use the Elven Ring! I stop the Balrog.”
DM: “No! No you don’t. The Balrog hits you with his whip and you DIE.”
Player of Gandalf: “No way! You can’t just arbitrarily kill Gandalf. He’s a level 16 Wizard!”
DM: “Your dead. Shut up. The bridge crumbles and you and the Balrog plummet to your deaths.”
Player of Legolas: “Can’t the Balrog fly with his bat wings?”
DM: “No. No bat wings. No flying.”
Player of Aragorn: “Can’t he use his whip like Indiana Jones, and swing to safety?”
DM: “It’s a flaming sword. It’s dead. Gandalf is dead.”
Player of Gandalf: “No way! This sucks.”
DM: “Here, you can play one of the NPCs. Take your pick.”
Player of Legolas: “I sheath my Demon Slaying sword.”
Player of Aragorn: “How much experience points?”
DM: “You don’t HAVE a Demon Slaying sword.”
Player of Frodo-nee-Gandalf: “Hey, Frodo is just a 4th level thief. Oh, man, this blows. Let me see Gimli.”
DM: “No experience. Just 200 XP for the goblins you killed.”
Player of Gimli-nee-Gandalf: “20th level fighter?! How can a dwarf be a 20th level fighter?! And, look at this, his axe is the Axe of the Whirling Dervish! Way cool!”
Player of the late Gandalf: “Well this just sucks. I’m going home.”
Player of Legolas: “No XP? For a type VI demon? I’m going home too.”
DM: “Fine. We’ll play in Jimmy’s campaign next week. You guys just spent three hours arguing in Moria, and didn’t get a damn thing done.”
Player of Aragorn: “Whatever. I’m going to bed, everyone out.”
There’s a search feature, isn’t there? The last few days have seen a prolific number of new posts but the vast majority are doing styles done before because it’s too much trouble to see what’s already been done. Is there so little left to do?
There is a search feature, but as far as I can tell it’s not worth beans, at least not to ferret out individual posts. I did a “Gibson” search and received merely one hit, namely the thread itself, not any given post.
Eljay, that’s hilarious!
After God delivered the people of the Fellowship from the creature, they went up and saw the destruction of Moria and were afraid. But God told Gandalf, “Breathe on your staff and my light will go before you.” And they came up against the orcs and cave trolls that inhabited the land and they fought them near Balin’s tomb. The LORD was with them and defeated them. From there they went to Khazad-dum. But the demon Balrog, who did not fear the LORD, went up against them in anger. The LORD spoke to Gandalf, saying “Strike you staff upon the bridge and your enemy will be destroyed.” So Gandalf struck the bridge crying, “You shall not pass!” and the Balrog fell. But the lash of the Balrog caught Gandalf and he fell with him into the darkness. When the people of the Fellowship saw this they were terrified, and they ran away in fear into Lothlorian…In the forest of Fangorn, there appeared to them, shining as fire, a man in white who spoke to them and said, “Do not be afraid. The LORD was with me and I have overthrown the Balrog. I am no longer ‘The Grey Wanderer’ for The LORD has named me ‘Gandalf the White.’” And he set up a pillar at that place and named it “Linteheledion” which in Elvish means “the Lord raises.”
Ray: Call 888 CAR TALK…that’s 888-227-8255, hello you’re on Car Talk.
Frodo: Hi this is Frodo Baggins of the Shire.
Ray: No last names there Frodo.
Tom: Is that Frodo with a ‘PH’?
Frodo: Nope…its with an ‘F’.
Tom: Aaaaah…an ‘F’! I knew a guy from Long Island once who spelled it with a ‘PH’. Where in Middle Earth is the Shire?
Frodo: It’s NorthEast of Bree by several miles.
Tom: Is that East of Rivendell or West?
Frodo: Several days West actually.
Tom: Aaaahhh West of Rivendell!!
Ray: So, Frodo, what’s up?
Frodo: Well, I have this 3000 year old magic ring that’s been giving me some problems.
Ray: You think that ring gives you problems, you should try driving my brother’s '63 DodgDart!
Tom: Did you say Piston Ring?
Frodo: No. Magic ring. Made of gold. Slips onto my finger.
Ray: And so, what, you need advice on how to polish it? Tommy knows all about rings. His wife’s led him around by a nose ring for years now…
Frodo: Um…no. Its beyond that. You see this ring is the host of incarnate evil. Forged by the dark lord Sauron. Taken by Isildur. Lost, forgotten, then found again. Gandalf the Grey says it can’t stay in the Shire.
Tom:…Twas blind but now I see… Oops…wait a minute, that’s a different story.
Ray: So you’re saying this ring feeds all of the evil power in the universe? Did a guy named Doug Berman give it to you?
Frodo: No…it was left to me by my uncle Bilbo who’s gone off to stay with the elves…
Tom: Say…that’s some uncle you got there. Sounds like my brother back in 3rd grade when he slipped pickles into my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Ray: Yeah! But you never noticed the anti-freeze I slipped into your milk carton!
Tom: Is that what that was…?
Frodo: So, guys, I need some advice on what to do with this ring? If I keep it my soul’s core will rot and, over time, bend me to Sauron’s will. Not to mention destroying the home that I love.
Ray: Hmmm…we save apocolyptic scenarios for the 3rd half of the show.
Tom: Ya know…we see this kind of thing in the shop from time to time.
Ray: Frodo…it boils down to this…You have to ditch this ring.
Tom: Right. But you can’t like pawn it for $30 bucks. You gotta take it some place special.
Ray: I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but my brother’s right. You have to take the ring to Mount Doom and cast it into the fire.
Frodo: Really…is that the only way? I can’t like bury it under a rock somewhere.
Ray: That’s the cheap solution…it will hold in the short term, but eventually, the ring will come back to haunt you.
Tom: Yeah…better to take the hit up front, do the right thing, and tote that puppy to Mount Doom in Mordor.
Frodo: I don’t really know the way to Mordor.
Tom: Well…see, you play this right and you get some buddies to go along with you…see!
Ray: Right…you kinda sell it as a road trip. You know…the guys together on vacation.
Tom: And…once you get far enough away from the Shire…you happen to mention that you’re carrying something very dangerous and you need their help to destroy it.
Ray: Oh…they’ll love it. They’ll practically carry it for you!
Frodo: Well…ok. If you guys say so. That’s what I’ll do then.
Tom: Good luck Frodo.
Ray: See ya, Frodo! Well, you’ve squandered another perfectly good hour listening to car talk. Our executive producer is Doug ‘The Subway Fugitive, Not a Slave to Fashion’ Berman…And DON"T DRIVE LIKE MY BROTHER!
Tom: Don’t drive like MY brother!
Ah, the memories…
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Thank you!
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by RenMan *
**you wanted Ayn Rand, you got Ayn Rand…
Excerpts from Ayn Rand’s LordHead of the Rings Shrugged
Er . . . Gollum?
Think Lena (leading Covenant from Kevin’s Watch); Atiaran (leading him toward Revelstone through the Hills of Andelain); Elena (taking him to Melenkurion Skyweir and lusting after the Seventh Ward/Power of Command) – 3 generations of messed up women all conveniently packaged in one pathetic character.
Pleasepleaseplease someone do Donaldson!
TheTwo Slippers ~ by L.R.R. Frank Baum
*Prologue:
The Wicked Witch of the East had been terrorising the Munchkins for some time and had not long re-appeared in their land, when Dorothy Gale - Niece of Em - was took up in her Uncle’s house which landed true and smote the Wicked Witch a fatal blow.
Knowing not what had just transpired, the young girl crept cautiously from the house.
Under one corner lay the withered stockings that were the only remains of the Wicked Witch of the East - and two sparkling red slippers. They had found a new owner…
Dorothy took the Ruby Slippers and put them on.*
The Present Moment
A mighty celebration was held, with much dinging and donging and singing of the deadness of witches.
But sadness was in Dorothy’s mind. Would she ever see her home again?
Not knowing where to go, she was given this advice by a woman of great wisdom, who decended to earth within the glowing ember of some celestial firework - “Glinda the Good” was her name.
Upon seeing the Slippers on Dorothy’s feet, she counselled: “Follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald city, and there we shall meet again. But first I have some business I must attend to…”
And so Dorothy Gale left the land of the little people, with only her faithful companion Toto for company.
As she skipped down the path that was to be a long journey ahead, the Munchkins sang a farewell.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road - it
Goes ever on and on.
Follow follow follow follow
Back to where it began…
Wicked Witch of the West: “The hour is late, and Glinda the Good rides to my castle to seek my counsel, for that is why you have come is it not, - dear Sister?”
On her journey, Dorothy met three companions:
- A Lion who was too afraid to acknowledge his kingship
- A noble Woodsman who dreamed of an impossible love, wishing only for a heart, and also
- A Scarecrow whose brainless nature was apt to get them into trouble, but who was loyal and courageous all the same.
Dorothy felt a longing within her - to return home. It grew, as they continued toward the distant gleaming towers of the Emerald city.
At one time, a black shadow flew high overhead, instilling nameless dread.
The shadow tried to compell Dorothy to Surrender the slippers, with its passing.
Only the strength of the Friendship kept her going. She no longer felt like singing and skipping down the road as they had once done before, for the slippers had begun to weigh heavily upon her feet.
Unbeknownst to them, deep within her fortress, the Wicked Witch of the West was building a mighty army of Flying Monkeys - ten thousand strong - from apes that had been crossed with birds. They could fly for hours on end, with great strength and stamina, a dreadful host indeed.
She gave them the order:
“Fly, My Pretties! Fly, and bring me back the Girl - alive!”
With fearsome cries, they departed on their mission.
She watched them go, with malice in her heart.
The Friendship reached the Emerald city, but there was no sign of Glinda.
But the presence of the slippers had not gone un-noticed.
Duly they were summoned to the Wizard of that strange place.
High aloft in his gleaming tower, the Friendship found themselves face to face with a Great and Terrible Head.
He was terrifying to look upon, and all were fearful under his fiery gaze, and compelling voice.
He said he would only help them all, in lieu of a task that they must perform for him - to destroy the Wicked Witch of the West.
And so they travelled by another path from the city, heavy of heart.
Their way was perilous, through a forest of fearsome trees, and they would have fallen asleep forever in an enormous old field of poppies, but for the timely intervention of Glinda, who they had not expected to see again.
Her appearance cheered their spirits greatly.
Before she left, she said “Look to the Wicked Witch of the West - on the dawn of the fifth day, I will return.”
And so it came to pass that beyond the Poppy fields, there was a great battle.
Winged Monkeys in their thousands surrounded them.
Dorothy was captured, and taken to the tower of the Wicked Witch, only her faithful dog Toto was near her now - hidden safetly under a blanket in the basket on her arm.
Four days and five nights passed. Her companions sought her to no avail - weeping at the remains of the Scarecrow who had been plucked of life, in a last valiant effort to defend her.
But her saving came about by unexpected means.
The water burst free from the wooden bucket, and flooded over and around the Wicked Witch of the West.
"Foolish child!, she cried “I’m melting…” and her remains pooled out on the floor. There would be no more treachery from this place.
In triumph, they were escorted back to the Emerald City, on Glinda’s return.
They went straight to the Tower of the Great and Terrible Head.
But a further shock awaited them - the Great and Terrible Head was unmasked by faithful Toto, who had simply followed his own nose to a secret corner where the Wizard had hidden himself.
The Wizard of Oz turned out to be only a man - a man of great skills, but only a man.
At first they were all greatly disappointed, but then it was announced that there would be a farewell ceremony afterall - a ceremony which involved the giving of “special gifts”.
To the Lion, a fine certificate of Courage was presented, with a medal wrought of finely detailed metal.
The Scarecrow (who had been restuffed, and appeared as good as new) was gifted a small box of bran and pins, with instuctions that the mixture was to be sewn into his head when the time was ready - for bran and pins combined to make the most excellent of brains.
And the Brave Tin Woodsman received his heart’s desire, indeed, the heart that he had long desired.
(His story is bittersweet - for eventually after many years of happiness his body came to its final rusting place and moved nevermore, although his heart would live on for many lifetimes alone.)
To Dorothy, the Wizard said: “Soon we will leave these lands. Our time has come to sail away in this hot air balloon, back to our homeland, from where we will never return to Middle Oz again.”
And this might have been the end, but as Dorothy made her heartfelt farewells (and there was much sadness at the parting of the Friendship), Toto inexplicably bit through the ropes before she could join the Wizard.
The Wizard was unable to stop himself floating away.
But the Ruby Slippers still remained upon her fee.
It was only now, that Glinda chose to reveal what she had learned in ancient and faded writings of their One True Power.
"You will return home - although things will never seem quite the same to you again.
Click them three times, with the following incantation…
One click - No place like home
One click - (Thrice mind you)
One more click to rule the way, and
To your homeland, find you."
And so with precious Toto clutched tightly in her arms, Dorothy bid one last tearful farewell to her friends, and with three brisk clicks of her heels, she vanished.
It was said of the Slippers, that they fell off her feet somewhere along the way.
The Ruby Slippers became legend, legend became myth, and some things that should not have been forgotten were.
But their time will come… again.
