A/N: This is the first fanfic I've written in over a year, guys! I'm going to try to get back into it and update regularly, but truthfully I'm a little rusty. Anyway... I just wanted to point out that this takes place after the end of Wicked- and that's the book, not the musical. So I hope you all enjoy it! ~Pepper.
She looked strange walking into Arendelle, like a black smudge on an otherwise magnificent pastel painting. Yet the gates were open and the castle yard was buzzing with activity, and that meant Elphaba was free to enter. Thank goodness too, for after having come quite a long way she was very tired and in need of a place to stay- no matter what the townsfolk thought of it. Sure enough, the whispers started the moment the toe of one of her boots crossed the town line. Children pointed their grubby little fingers at her, and exclamations of "Look! A witch!" followed her with each step. There were even a few screeches of horror when two little girls who were tossing coins into a fountain caught sight of her, and quickly abandoned their wishes to go and clutch their mother's skirts. Was she really all that terrifying? Over the years, Elphaba had gotten used to the cruel comments and finger pointing. She wasn't even all that surprised when the little ones fled before her. But she'd be lying if she said that these reactions didn't sting just the slightest bit.
It didn't take Elphaba long to locate Arendelle's inn and its keeper; the sign outside the door swung in the gentle wind and a bearded man worked to clear the snow from its front step. That was going to pose a problem, she thought. The water wouldn't hurt her in its current state, but eventually all snow does turn to puddles. She removed her black pointed hat and tucked a fly-away strand of equally black hair behind her ears. Then she cleared her throat. "How much for one night?" Her voice sounded unfamiliar; it had been so long since she last used it.
The innkeeper, happy for an excuse to take a rest, started to reply: "Oh that'll be-" He hesitated. By then he had turned fully around and taken a moment to look over his possible guest. His eyes roamed her form from pointed face to the tattered bottom of her skirt, his expression falling with every passing second. "Sorry," he said, using a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow, "no vacancy."
Elphaba's lips pressed into a hard line. "I have the money," she told him, perhaps a bit too loudly. Several heads turned in her direction, but if she took any notice she failed to show it. "Name your price."
"Sorry," the innkeeper repeated again, shaking his head. "No vacancy."
"No vacancy?" Elphaba repeated through her teeth, which were clenched tight in her anger. She drew herself up to her full height, blocking out the sun and casting a shadow over the inn. She was indeed an awesome, terrifying sight. "Do you happen to know who I am? No?" From her throat she produced a deep, guttural laugh that shook the shutters of the nearby buildings- or were they doing it of their own accord? "I'm the Wicked Witch of the West! Would you still deny me?"
Stunned, the innkeeper failed to answer. He stood frozen before her, unable to move or speak for several moments. When he finally did regain his strength, he pointed a fat finger at her. "Witch!" He exclaimed, eyes darting between all the frightened onlookers in the castle yard. "Witch! Sorceress! Seize her!"
The whole place erupted into panic. Children squealed and ran as fast as they could to their parents, who quickly ushered them out of sight. A few brave souls dared to approach The Witch, but immediately pulled back when the ground began to shake. Arendelle was in chaos, and no force -not even the palace guards, clad in their shining armor- could contain Elphaba. That is, until the doors swung open and a regal figure emerged. Queen Elsa held up her hands and shouted to the masses, "Stop!"
Everyone grew quiet. Two guards managed to grab hold of The Witch's arms, even as she squirmed and did her best to break free. They each gave a nod as their ruler approached them calmly. "To the dungeon with her, my lady?"
"No," she replied. She waved off the guards and curtsied to the stranger, paying no mind to the horrified gasps that came from the gathering crowd. "I am Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and you are invited to stay at the palace for as long as you need."