Elphaba cursed as she stepped into a puddle; soiling her boot. Brrr tossed his mane before glaring at her to keep quiet.
"They've been chasing us for hours; they can't still be on our tails." Elphaba panted as they ducked into an alleyway.
"No pun intended" she insisted before unfolding a piece of paper from the pocket of her cloak.
She held it in front of Brrr so he could study it for a moment before she spoke again, "There's a servant entrance on the North side. If I can…"
She paused when the Lion widened his amber eyes.
Elphaba was about to question him but an arm wrapped around her arms and a second over her mouth. Brrr let out a low surreptitious growl.
He pounced upon the gale forcer with such venom that the man instantly released Elphaba and retreated to the opposite side of the alley; steadily aiming his rifle at her. Brrr leapt from behind him to launch a messy bite into his arm.
Elphaba heard the man cry out in pain, the growl erupting from Brrr, and lastly, the gunshot.
She saw the terror that struck Brrr but she could not will her legs to move faster than the bullet. She felt her mouth move to cry out but in that one moment she could hear nothing but the dreadful bellowing of Brrr.
The Lion collapsed allowing the guard to flee the scene. Elphaba stumbled towards him, kneeling with such haste that she scraped her knees.
The verdant woman placed her cloak over the steady flow of scarlet blood coming from Brrr's ribs. She pressed her palm to his cheek; Brrr emitted a small whimper and closed his eyes.
"Brrr," Elphaba whispered, "I'm so sorry this happened."
The Lion opened his eyes and smiled in a sad way, "Don't be sorry, there isn't time for that. Just stay with me until it's over."
Elphaba had a very hard time holding back her tears; Brrr had none at all, but instead wore a brave face. Elphaba laid her head down amongst the soft fur of his mane and listened to his heart beat slowly stop.
