"To save me?  You are going to save me?", I shouted at the Wizard in anger and disbelief. "What makes you think I am in need of saving? I think you overstep here, yes, I think you overstep.  I am not in need of saving, except perhaps, from you."

"I am sure you may have good reason to think so, at the end of our time together", the Wizard said. "You may also decide not to listen to my advice. But do you not think at all of your companions who have journeyed with you?" he asked, unruffled by my ire.  "Have you no concern for their needs?"

The Wizard moved to stand by the tin man and placing one hand upon his shoulder, rapped on his chest with the other hand as if he knocked at a door.

"See here", he continued.  "The tin man, a man of wounds deep and lasting.  You have shielded him from injury but refused him love.  He has sought acceptance but instead of allowing his vulnerability, you have made him hard and cold.  You have given him this armor for survival but his heart dies within him."

My head was swimming now as I tried to fathom his words.  The Wizard  regarded me with a steady gaze, he never wavered.  His voice did not rise as he laid these charges against me, rather it was soft and consoling.  I felt then as if I would faint but somehow, my feet stayed beneath me.

"Do you not recognize him yet, my dear?" he asked.  "Look at him carefully, see beneath the armor to discover what he truly is."

The Tin Man looked at me, his eyes large and imploring.  The great sadness that was always present seemed to increase as the Wizard sought to reveal him.

"Do you see now?" continued the Wizard.  "I have watched your brave knight stand before you, his axe at the ready, his armor for your shield.  He has stopped many arrows and attacks. He has kept you safely behind him, but his armor has prevented more than pain.  He has not allowed anyone close to you, nor to himself.  He has kept these wounds far from you and in return he has lost much.  I have seen what you have lost as well.  The question you must answer for yourself is this:  Are you ready to reclaim it?"

"You are saying, I have done this?" I asked the question but the answer to it began to form even as it escaped my lips.  Yes, I knew this construction of metal and armor.  Yes, I recognized him.  He had walked with me all the days of my life.  My knight of battle, how wounded yet strong.  I cried now, as I thought of what was denied him in exchange for his bravery.  He stood, watching this exchange between the wizard and myself.  I ran to him and embraced him.  "I'm sorry", I whispered in his ear. "I am so sorry".

"It is I who am sorry, milady" he answered.  "I could not protect you, although I tried."

The Wizard looked at me, unsmiling but without anger.  He tapped the tin man on the shoulder.  "Wait here, we have need of you still."  The tin man stood, appearing exactly as he had when we had met him on the road.  He obeyed the Wizard without question, standing at attention as any good soldier would do when given a command.  

I stood as still as the tin man, but trembled within.  The Wizard gave me a knowing look.  I felt both pain and relief at his understanding.  I also feared what may yet become of our encounter.