Love in Oz (Scarecrow x Reader (Wizard of Oz fanfiction))

Chapter Four: The Cowardly Lion

Well, almost wished we didn't continue walking. We're in a forest at the moment which is really dark and a little scary. All you could hear was our footsteps, Tinman walking along and god knows what animals in this forest. I'm not guessing any that would be in Kansas or back on Earth in case they're not the same. On top of that, I think it's getting genuinely dark but I can't tell. And Tinman didn't make it any better by saying there were possibly tigers and lions and bears in this forest!

We just stayed huddled together while we walked through the forest. And, as we were trying to leave quickly, a lion roared at us and came out of hiding! Dorothy hid behind a tree while the boys and I stayed out in the open. I would've gone with Dorothy if Scarecrow didn't take me with him. Although, I am thankful because the lion was after me at first. Scarecrow held me close while we lay on the ground and the lion was challenging the boys to a fight.

He was confident too because he was saying he could fight them with one paw behind his back, or standing on one foot, or with his eyes closed. He noticed Tinman's axe and asked if he was going to use that to fight him. I don't think either wanted to fight the lion anyway! Not that I blame them. Tinman told the Lion to leave them alone. He took this as a sign that he was scared and mocked him. Then the lion went over to Scarecrow challenging him to fight and got a little personal with his insult.

He was just protecting me at this point. Tinman told Scarecrow to get up and teach the lion a lesson. I asked why he couldn't do it since he had the axe but he just argued that he didn't know him very well. That's not the point, Tinman. Toto started to bark at the lion. The lion went after Toto but Dorothy picked him up. The lion chased Dorothy until she just slapped him on the nose, making him start crying. What happened to being so confident? The boys and I got up and walked over.

"Shame on you!" Dorothy scolded

"What did you do that for? I didn't bite him," The lion said crying

"No, but you tried to."

"But it's bad enough picking on a straw man but when you go around picking on poor little dogs," I also scolded

"Well, she didn't have to go and hit me, did she? Is my nose bleeding?" Lion asked still crying

"Well, of course not," Dorothy said as Lion wiped his tears with his tail, "My goodness, what a fuss you're making! Well, naturally when you go around picking on things weaker than you are. Why you're nothing but a great big coward!"

"You're right, I am a coward! I haven't any courage at all. I even scare myself! Look at the circles under my eyes. I haven't slept in weeks."

"Why don't you try counting sheep?" Tinman asked

"That doesn't do any good. I'm afraid of them," Lion said

"Oh, that's too bad," Scarecrow said before tapping my shoulder, "Don't you think the Wizard could help him too?"

"I don't see why not," I said

"Why don't you come along with us? We're on our way to see the Wizard now. To get him a heart," Dorothy said pointing to Tinman

"And him a brain," Tinman said pointing to Scarecrow

"I'm sure, he could give you some courage," I said to Lion

"Well, wouldn't you feel degraded to be seen in the company of a cowardly lion? I would," Lion said sobbing

"No, of course not."

"Gee, that's awfully nice of you. My life has been simply unbearable."

Dorothy wiped Lion's tears with her handkerchief, "Oh. Well, It's all right now. The Wizard will fix everything."

"It's been in me so long. I just gotta tell you how I feel," Lion said

"Well, come on!" Dorothy said putting Toto down

Lion started singing while we walked on, 'Yeah, it's sad, believe me, missy, when you're born to be a sissy without the vim and verve. But I could show my prowess. Be a lion, not a mouse, if I only had the nerve. I'm afraid there's no denying, I'm just a dandy lion. A fate I don't deserve. I'd be brave as a blizzard.'

'I'd be gentle as a lizard,' Tinman said

'I'd be clever as a gizzard,' Scarecrow said

'If the Wizard is a wizard, who will serve,' I said

'Then I'm sure to get a brain.'

'A heart.'

'A home.'

'The nerve!'

So, we skipped along. We're all going to help each other get what we want and I think that's sweet. I'm just still surprised that a simple whack to the nose stopped a lion. Not that's I'd try it with a real one, it was just surprising. So, we walked on until we were finally out of the forest and into the light. In front of us was a field of poppies and, in the distance, Emerald City! We're almost there! We're going home! We were so excited that we started to run the rest of the way.

Scarecrow took my hand and we ran through the field of poppies. We got about halfway when I became exhausted. But I shouldn't be. Believe it or not, I used to do Badminton before I moved to Kansas so I have a lot of energy. Granted, I haven't done it for a few years but I still stay active enough that I wouldn't be this tired. Dorothy was the same, however along with Toto and Lion. We decided to just rest a moment.

I fell asleep almost instantly. But not for long as it had started snowing and we woke up. Not that it did much good to Tinman because he rusted again. We used the oilcan to get him moving again and we continued to follow the yellow brick road to the gates of Emerald City.