Chapter 1

No. This could not be happening. And yet the facts were simple. Fiyero was dead. I was a failure, a wicked witch. Of course. How could I think for a second that I could actually have a happy life? Now there was nothing to live for. Except those shoes. I wanted them, needed them. If that stupid little farm brat thought that …

Suddenly, I sensed something. Magic. Morrible? No! She wouldn't dare! Chistery came into my room, screeching like Kumbrecia herself was on his heels. "For Oz's sake, Chistery!" I exclaimed. "What is it? What's going on? Is it Morrible? Glinda?" I knew he probably couldn't answer me, but still, I could hope.

"No, I am not your psychopathic schoolteacher nor your prissy ex best friend." I looked up, and saw the strangest woman in the doorway. She was elderly, with short grey hair and a black dress that was in pieces near the hem.

"Who are you?" I asked, trying desperately to sound like a fearless, all powerful wicked witch.

"I am Ursula, the sea witch," she replied, as if I was supposed to know who in Oz that was. "And you, Elphaba, need my help in the worst way." The nerve!

"I DON'T NEED ANYONE'S HELP!" The castle shook as I felt my power start to get out of control. "And how do you know my name?"

She shrugged. "How did you save your darling prince's life? Magic. Convenient thing, isn't it? My specialty? Transfiguration. That's how I was able to come see you." My mind was reeling. Fiyero? Alive? She was lying! She had to be lying!

"I would be careful if I were you!" I said threateningly. "I could kill you right now if I so choose!" But that was pathetic, and I knew it. Ursula did too.

"Look at you, trying to be all wicked!" She looked at me almost pityingly. "It's almost cute. But listen, I'm telling the truth about your sweetheart. You're a witch, for goodness's sake! You should be able to just feel his life essence. I do, and I'm not even his true love! Try." Playing along, I tried. I focused on Fiyero, his blue eyes, his sandy blond hair, his handsome smile …

"Nothing!" I yelled, now getting even angrier. "He's dead! Fiyero's dead!" This Ursula was probably just a reconnaissance spy from the Wizard. Sea witch, my broomstick! The sea was just a myth, a fairy tale.

"You're doing it wrong," Ursula said, like a teacher admonishing a hopeless student. "Don't think of how he looks, think of him. Come on, I can tell by your face that you don't trust me, but please, one hated enchantress to another. It won't hurt to try again."

"Y-you're hated?"

She nodded. "Mmm-hmm. My brother kicked me out of the kingdom for obvious, stupid reasons. I was clearly not the sea king's daughter; I had tentacles instead of a tail. And I had magic. The magic was what frightened people the most. By the time I discovered Oz, you were already in that school. I have to admit, you intrigued me, Elphaba Thropp." She had been stalking me, but even so, I was a little bit flattered.

I tried again, this time thinking of Fiyero himself: how he found me in the throne room, our one, glorious night together, how he sacrificed himself for me … and I knew! I felt him! He was alive! "I trust you," I told Ursula. "I feel him. How do I get to him?"

"I would suggest … joining that little farm girl and her band of irregulars."

"What? They hate me; that would be like suicide."

Ursula grinned. "It would be … if you were the Wicked Witch of the West."

I was getting very confused now. "And you can … make me not be?"

"Uh-huh. I can pass you off as a mute, fair skinned Vinkun girl named Illinora who tragically got captured by the Witch, but then escaped with the help of her mother. That's me."

"Okay …" But then I took in a key detail of what she had said. "Wait. Mute? That's impossible. I can't not talk."

"Ah, but dear Elphaba, that's part of the deal. As long as your skin is normal, I get to keep your voice as payment. Standard operating procedure." She shrugged casually, like losing your voice was an everyday thing.

"No," I said bluntly. "No way in hell. I like my voice, thank you very much."

"You love your voice more than you love Fiyero?"

She had me there. "Yes. No! Ugh! Why can't I just fly out on my broom as myself?"

"Because they'll kill you in an instant! And then where will Fiyero be?" I wavered. The concern in her eyes was genuine; I could tell. But no! If I didn't have either my skin or my voice, there was a chance that Fiyero might not recognize me. But I could write. Once I found him, I could take him someplace private and write down who I was. But there was one more issue …

"When will this spell of yours end?"

"The moment you and Fiyero cross the border out of Oz. As soon as that happens, your skin will once again be green, and your voice will return to you. That is a promise."

"Okay," I said reluctantly. "But if it doesn't, I'm suddenly going to be very good at nonverbal magic." That got us both laughing.

"I used to be horrible at it too!" Ursula said with a grin. "Now, by my knowledge, a caravan is leaving for Munchkinland early tomorrow. So, let's work out our little transaction now so we won't have to worry about it in the morning when we're both groggy. How does that sound?"

"Okay."

She sensed my apprehension. "Don't worry, this will all be very painless. Now, I need you to sing for me, alright? The only way to capture a voice is if it's active. Don't be shy, I don't care if you sing horribly."

I sighed. "Must I sing?"

"Well, you could just talk, I suppose, but singing's ideal. C'mon, I happen to know that you have a lovely mezzo."

Well, if this is the last time I'm going to be able to use my voice for awhile, I might as well make the most of it. So, I started out with a low C, and gradually I worked up to belting a high F. Then, suddenly it cut, like someone had lifted the needle off a record. It was like my vocal chords were paralyzed. My lips formed the word, "Chistery," (I needed him to make my bed) but no sound came out.

Ursula held a glowing, green orb in her hand. "Geez, is everything about you green? I'll keep this safe." I watched as she put my voice in a seashell and tied it around her neck, just like that. "Now, my end of the deal. One minute, and your hands will turn white first, and then everything will follow. I gotta concentrate for this one. Again, no one has ever complained of discomfort during these procedures, so never fear." No one has ever been able to speak during these procedures, I thought.

A minute later, I looked down at my hands, and saw the green giving way to white, creamy white skin, just like Mama's had been. I lifted up my skirt, and saw the white enveloping my legs as well. Forgetting Ursula for a moment, I rushed over to the window, and saw my face. My face! Dare I even think it: it was almost beautiful! I whirled around to face Ursula, who was beaming.

"I'll take the look on your face as a thank you," she said, chuckling. "You do look good. Now, we should both get to bed. Early rise tomorrow!"

After a long pantomime game with Chistery (it's hard for two mute creatures to communicate), my bed was made, and I was in it. I was nervous about my travels, but I reminded myself that Fiyero was out there, waiting for me. I could sense that he was lonely. Very lonely.

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