The party for her one-hundred thirty-first birthday was fast approaching. Planning had commenced months in advance, and friends of old and new were flooding the town in great numbers. With them came the usual murmurings.
It just isn't natural! they would say.
So well preserved! some would exclaim.
I've forgotten her true age by now! others would say, skeptically.
Before, she had much enjoyed their guessings each year around this time, but it was getting old by now. Now it was lasting throughout the seasons, so bad in fact that she could not leave her home without hearing the brash whisperings around her.
This year would be different, however. This year, she was one-hundred and thirty-one. A peculiar number, in all respects.
One night, as she sat mulling and fingering through her diary of the last year, such as was her tradition around this time, a rapping came at her door. As she was used to people just coming to have a look at the old hen or the fine wine, as some called her, she replied to the knock with, Oh, go away! Leave me be! You will get your eyes' fill when the time comes for my party! but it came again. Good heavens, just let me be, I say! There is no time for nonsense such as this...
She was interrupted by a booming voice on the other side of her small wooden door. Not even for old friend? it said.
She ran straight away to throw open the door. Oh, Glinda! It's you! They embraced warmly. I shall make ready a pot of tea straight away!
Yes, please! Glinda replied gleefully. She was an old wizard, possibly older than Elizabeth herself, with a slender figure that served as a complete contrast to the power that she possessed. So you still intend to go through with it then?
Oh, indeed, Elizabeth replied. I need to mountains again, Glinda, mountains!
And the inheritance? Glinda inquired.
All that will go to Frieda, of course, Elizabeth replied, fingering her coat pocket.
Elizabeth's party was nothing short of an amazement for the people of Buckingham. Local fare and plenty of flair to satisfy all, old and young. Once every had had their fill of ale and mutton, Elizabeth decided it was time. With Glinda, and all of Buckingham watching, she began,
Hello, loyal subjects, family and friends! It brings me great pleasure you all have come to celebrate my life of one-hundred and thirty-one short years. I know that many of you have pondered over the years, even debated and stirred, about the longevity of my life. I have no way of clearing this up for you, as I know nothing more than you. The attendees were not impressed. With that aside, let me say this: I know none of you as much as I would like, and I like none of you as much as you deserve. This did not make things better, in fact it made it worse. People began to mutter and stir in their seats.
At this, Elizabeth stirred as well. She knew what came next. Well, the time has come. This is the end. Goodbye! At this, she disappeared.
Glinda knew immediately what was happening. This was not Elizabeth simply going off to see mountains. Glinda made her way off to where Elizabeth would be – the stables. She found Elizabeth mounting her horse, double-checking her packs that she had readied the night before. I see that you're quite pleased, Glinda said.
Of course! Elizabeth replied. Take this, give it to Frieda – this is the source of my youth. Already she began to feel the weight of age as she handed over a locket to Glinda.
This... Glinda started.
Yes, Elizabeth interrupted. That is the one locket. The Locket of Lyons
Well, sweet, peace out! Glinda exclaimed quickly, taking off on a magic carpet, the locket never to be seen again in Buckingham.
The End... Sort of.