AN: This contains mainly Bookworld stuff, but there is some reference to Musicalworld, such as Beautifully Tragic, which is definately not Bookworld.

Disclaimer: Little voice in my head- Listen to me! Say it! Say it!
Me- This is hard enough without you bugging me!
Little voice in my head- Just do it!
Me- I... don't...
Little voice in my head- COME ON!!
Me- ... own... Wicked! There! Happy?
Little voice in my head- Quite.

Chapter One:

Beautifully Tragic

I had always known my mother hated me, although why was quite unknown. Father said he loved me and I reminded him of someone he once knew. When he said that, he would get a dreamy look in his eyes. Once he even called me "Elphaba". I asked Mother why and she told me it was because that was his mtoher's name, which I suspected was a lie.

But Father was rarely home. As King of the Vinkus, he had many duties around the land. This morning, I received a letter from him. It says:

"My Beautifully Tragic Nor,

Here I am at the castle at Kiamo Ko. I don't think you've ever seen it. It's far on the border of our dear land. How is your brother Aalen?"

Here I pause, reflecting on my relationship with Aalen. He was always Mother's favorite, and I was Father's. But we do not resent each other for it. In fact, he's my best friend. But he knows something, perhaps about why Mother dislikes me so. But he must have been sworn to secrecy, for Aalen, who has never broken a promise yet, has never let on to what he knows.

"I hope he is well. I'm visiting a friend of mine from Shiz University. We have not seen each other in a long time and she has a son named Liir, who is two years older than you. Perhaps you may meet him someday, and maybe even my friend, his mother. Another of my college friends, Glinda, will be visiting our home. She, too, is at Kiamo Ko and will return with me."

Miss Glinda, at our home! Oh, how good it will be to see her! I hope her husband, the kind Boq, returns with her.

"Offer your regrets to Glinda, as she has recently lost her mother. Please be kind and courteous to her. I know you won't have any problems with that, as you adore her. And now, my princess, I must go.

All the Love in Oz Ten Times Over,

Father"

It is now, as I finish the letter, that I realize the handwriting is not Father's or his favorite servant to dictate to. The words are his, but the handwriting is familiar, as Father has received several letters from someone with this very handwriting. Perhaps he dictated to the friend of his in Kiamo Ko, as he has the most atrocious handwriting. Why does she live in our palace? I wonder. But my thoughts are interrupted abruptly.

"Nor, what are you doing? You have chores to attend to!" a voice screeches.

"Yes, Mother," I reply as she takes a deep breath to begin another lecture.

"Aalen is never as much trouble as you! He always does just what he is told. He finishes his schoolwork with high marks, and does not waste time on trivial things like you! He is a perfect child, whereas you… you are not."

I do not mention that Aalen does not do chores, as he is the Prince of the Vinkus.

"Yes, Mother."

"Now go take care of the horses."

She marches away, back to her brandy, no doubt. No matter how much I despise Mother for favoring Aalen, I am grateful to him for helping with my chores. Sure enough, he is waiting for me in the barn. He grimaces as I enter.

"I heard. Another letter from Father?" he asks.

I nod and show him the paper in my hand.

Aalen sighs, insisting, "Nor, you really need to stop reading them during the day. You know she doesn't care for you that much."

Hurt at his words, I turn and pick up a bucket of oats.

He sees my distress and quickly covers, "Nor, I'm so sorry! That was an awful thing to say! You know I'm not clever as you!"

Resisting the urge to smile at his flattery, I turn to him and say, "Aal, you're always kind, but you've been hiding something. And you know as well as I that I do not appreciate liars."

With that, I turn and stalk off to the opposite side of the barn, leaving my dear Aalen standing shocked at my anger.

That evening, I rarely eat at dinner, anticipating Father's return. I am eager to see him and Miss Glinda again. Of course, not eating much angers Mother.

"I put a roof over your head, feed you, clothe you, and you appreciate none of it. You don't even do you chores! If you're going to live in my house, you must earn it from now on!"

"But Aalen doesn't work!" I protest, wishing I hadn't moments after.

Her eyes grow angrier and she raises her hand to hit me.

"What do you think you're doing, Sarima?"

I turn to see Father and Miss Glinda. Gratefully, I run into Father's arms.

"Darling, why don't you show Glinda upstairs?" he asks.

I grab one of her bags and she follows me through the parlor and up into my bedroom.

Once in my room, I tell her, "I'm sorry you had to see that, Miss Glinda."

"Please, call me Glinda. And I didn't realize how horrible it is for you here. Nor, how would you like to stay with me in the Emerald City?"

"Do you mean it? I would love to!" I exclaim, happier than I've ever been.

Glinda smiles at my eagerness. As the voices downstairs grow louder, her expression turns grim.

"Listen. We have very little time. Do you have paper and a quill?"

Wordlessly, uncomprehendingly, I take a blank sheet of the cream stationary Father gave me and the phoenix feather quill and ink that had accompanied it. Glinda writes quickly and leaves the message on my bed.

She waves her wand and my meager possessions gather in my knapsack. I scratch a quick note on the letter and am about to read it when she grabs me, leading me tiptoe downstairs, past the dining hall, soundlessly through the front door. Glinda bids me stay as she enters the stable. A few short minutes later, she emerges with my Father's fastest horse, a brown stallion, tacked and ready to leave.

I climb into the saddle behind Glinda, nervous about our departure, sad to leave Father and Aalen.

I hear Mother shout, "She isn't even my child!" before Glinda spurs the horse onwards, away from here, leaving this horrid nightmare in our wake.

Fiyero's POV

I walk upstairs to Nor's room, where everything is strangely quiet. I turn the knob and the door creaks open, revealing an empty room.

They're just on a walk in the forest I think, attempting to reassure myself and failing drastically at it.

Then I spot the paper on the bed. Reading it silently, I feel my body go numb. I drop the paper and run down the hall, checking the stables only to find my horse gone. I resist the urge to cry out and rave back up to Nor's room, rereading the letter before burning it.

Fiyero,

I am dreadfully sorry to take your beloved Nor away, but I must. She is not safe there. By the time you read this, we will be long gone. Do not fear for her; I will educate her with the best tutors and perhaps keep her form learning her true parentage. She suspects something, I know. But she must never find out, no one must. You must keep Sarima's tongue silent. And please, Fiyero, don't search for her. She will be safe.

Glinda the Good

P.S. I love you, Father.