Chapter 1: To the Emerald City
Author's Note: This is my first attempt at ANY sort of fan fiction so be easy and just read for fun. These are all book based rather than musical, and basically revolves on the notion of what could have happened if Gelphie relations didn't remain so ambiguously subtext. Thanks!
Disclaimer: Sorry if there are any sort of chronological mistakes, story-wise. I'll do my best to catch them before I publish them! And of course, we all know I don't own Wicked or any of the characters. Thanks again!
"We don't have time for sex, you little idiot!" Elphaba hissed. "I'm going to the Emerald City and you're coming with me."
They set out early the next morning, sneaking from the room without rousing Nanny or anyone in their dormitory corridor from their sleep. Glinda reluctantly dragged along with Elphaba after having her duffle bag and purses rudely thrown back into their room. The campus of Shiz was doused in darkness, making it difficult to move efficiently. "Elphie, I can't see a thing…," Glinda whispered, waving her arms around trying to feel her way through.
"Hush, my dear," Elphie soothed as she snatched Glinda's hand into hers. Glinda felt her heart jump a little, forcing a smile to creep across her face, for she acknowledged Elphaba's weak attempt at making up for chucking her possessions back into their dorm. It was not like Elphaba to be so kind to anyone. Glinda shook her blush off her face, calmed her heart, and pressed forward with Elphaba guiding her. She was always guiding her.
Elphaba released her grip as soon as they escaped school grounds and she quickly hailed a cab. The ride to the wagon that would carry them to the Emerald City was quiet and on the verge of extreme awkwardness. Every time Glinda would open her mouth to speak, Elphaba would shoot her a death glare that told her to keep it shut. This is more serious than I first took it, Glinda thought. She realised this was not just a rebellious vacation to the Emerald City. Just what is Elphaba planning?
As Glinda's mind was racing through all her questions, a shiver ran down her spine. But being Glinda or anyone really, she disregarded it as the chilled breeze from the driver's slightly cracked open window.
"This is our way of travel?" Glinda cried. She was startled to see the bucket of a wagon that she and Elphaba would have to squeeze into with seven other passengers. As Glinda said this, another shiver ran down her spine. And being Glinda or anyone really, she disregarded it as the idea of having to take a trash heap of a wagon for a two week excursion to the Emerald City.
"Glinda, I don't have the energy to listen to your trivial complaints, honestly." Elphaba climbed into the rickety coach and pulled some fruit and crackers from her cape, luring Glinda's empty stomach to force her into the corner next to Elphaba.
Days passed and the wagon moved as slow as ever. Eventually Glinda had converted her and Elphaba's corner into a nest with the two of them keeping to themselves.
"Elphaba, what are you planning?" Glinda finally decided to ask four days into the leg of their trip. The moon was high above them but it still remained too dark for Glinda to see into Elphaba's shadowy face. There were huddled together in Elphaba's cape for warmth and protection, and Glinda nestled in close to avoid Elphaba's clear and piercing eyes.
"You know I cannot answer here," Elphaba breathed. "And I think you already know my intention, my pet." Glinda flinched at this and hoped Elphaba did not feel her nervous quiver. Lady Luck, Lurlina, or the Unnamed God must have heard her plea; the cart pulled to a jerking halt. After spending four days on the road, the wagon master judged that it was time to take a rest at an inn that seemed isolated from any sort of society. Elphaba and Glinda's third-class status became even more apparent to Glinda when they were led to a closet with a tiny futon masquerading as their lodge for the night. Sighing, she threw herself onto the futon until Elphaba rolled her over so that she could fit. Glinda sat herself up and leaning her back against the wall behind her, she faced Elphaba. Although Glinda and Elphaba sat at opposite ends of the futon, an inch kept them from being in each other's laps, what with the closet being so miniscule. Glinda peered into her green friend's dark face.
"Elphie, are you planning on confronting the Wizard when we arrive at the Emerald City?" Glinda asked as hushed as possible.
"I wouldn't confront the Wizard – I'm not for confrontation as everyone else would like to believe. You know, I know, everyone knows that Doctor Dillamond was murdered. We heard from Ama Clutch's own lips that Grommetik murdered him, and that can only mean Madame Morrible is responsible. The Wizard can do something if he chooses to act how the ruler of Oz should act. Oh, Glinda, spare me your looks of hopelessness! This would only be a lost cause if I did nothing – if we did nothing."
Glinda turned her face away and lay on her side, away from Elphaba, and did not respond. Elphaba did the same, crammed next to her angry friend. She kept vigil at night should anyone disturb them, while Glinda, angry or not, felt safe enough to fall into a deep sleep.
For the next couple of days, this cycle continued: whenever the coach stopped for the night, Elphaba would remain steadfast with Glinda maneuvering in underneath her friend's cape which served as her blanket.
"Elphie are you awake?" Glinda asked one night, buried into Elphaba's cloak. Elphaba did not stir. Glinda shuffled in closer. Elphaba twitched.
"Yes," she answered. "I am."
Elphaba did not want to admit why being able to feel the breath of her friend because of their current closeness made her shake. In any other situation she would not think twice – intimacy may not be the norm for her, but she was not petty enough to let something of the sort actually bother her. The difference was that this was not just anybody. This was Glinda. "What do you want, Glinda?" Elphaba kept her eyes on the ceiling, refusing to look at her roomie. She did not think she would have been able to contain herself if she did.
"Well you know it's been over a week since we left Shiz," Glinda murmured.
"What's your point?"
"…I just wanted to say thank you for taking me. Even though what I think you're doing is crazy…" Glinda tried to take Elphaba's hand into hers, but Elphaba pulled away and rolled over as much as she could in the little lumpy bed they were occupying. This is not the time to give in, Elphaba told herself firmly. Surely Glinda is only being the blonde friend she is, who does not think before she speaks. Surely Glinda means nothing by her words. I need to stay focused, Elphaba demanded of herself. The Wizard is my only objective right now.