A/N: Hello everyone! This is the sequel to "The Trial of Elphaba". Hope you all like it!

Tradition

By 18lzytwner

Chapter 1

Spring gave way to Summer and the Animal Village celebrated the coming of the new season by having a little fashion show. At first Elphaba had thought it was Glinda's idea. The blonde had been writing letters back and forth to the new tailor, Mr. Theodore Brown, about ideas for her wedding dress. However she was stunned to learn it was in fact Theo's idea. He had never designed clothing for Animals and he was excited to try. Now all his hard work would be paying off as he showed the little village just what he was capable of.

Elphaba smiled as she left the home that she and Fiyero had built shortly after they returned from the Emerald City. It was good to see that Theo finally felt comfortable to be himself and that Olaf, despite his protests about leaving the big city, was comfortable too. She was surprised at first that the troops stationed with them didn't balk at seeing two men holding hands or kissing. Usually there was some resistance to it but perhaps when Theo and Olaf had been so brave in the face of almost certain death to protect her, the troops' worries lessened. Brave men came in all sorts of shapes and sizes after all.

Speaking of comfortable, she noted that things were becoming more so for her as well. Of course when she and Fiyero returned from the Emerald City, her Animal friends had welcomed her with open arms. The troops had been more wary, uncertain of why the witch was free. They felt betrayed in a sense and were now unsure of how to handle things. Sergeant Zetti had escorted the group back however and he explained all the details to the men. By now, most had warmed up to her but there were a few who were just unsure. Especially when they discovered Liir was her son. Though she urged Zetti to not tell them of how the young boy came to be, it wasn't long before they figured out that he was as powerful as his mother, which led them to wonder just who his father was.

To be honest, she was trying to figure out how it worked herself. Her father had no magical powers, nor did her sister. Her mother might have but her capabilities were in question seeing as Nessa was born without any magic whatsoever. Fiyero chalked it up to the mysterious ways of the universe which Elphaba only shook her head at. She was green for a reason and her son had great power for a reason. Though she could not answer how, it was her next mission to try to explain it, especially since she did not pass her green skin on.

"Miss Elphaba, you are looking very happy today," Sergeant Zetti smiled as he broke her from her thoughts. He'd just left the barracks and was heading to the center of town for the fashion show.

"I am very happy. It's very odd," she admitted.

"I don't know about that. You seem pretty happy quite a bit now," he pointed out.

"That's what is so odd. I can't explain it," she said.

"Well I can. First, you married the love of your life. Second, you are free from prosecution, so you can be you, and last but not least, you're here in a village where you are loved by most of its residents. Can't say it'd get any better," he tilted his head to the right and then back to the center.

"I suppose. Although not every moment is rainbows and sunshine," Elphaba heaved a sigh. The nightmares still plagued her and her inner emotions when it came to Liir were still something she wasn't sure how to deal with. As much as she tried, love for the only child she would ever have, it wasn't an easy thing to manufacture. It sounded terrible to say manufacture but a mother should have an innate love for a child, something she just couldn't manage. Fiyero told her that it wasn't going to be easy and that if love wasn't manageable, at least start with like.

"It won't be. But then again, what would life be without a little strife?" Little was an understatement considering who he was talking to but she got his point.

"Indeed. Enjoy every moment that we can," Elphaba nodded.

"Exactly. Now you'll have to pardon my frankness but were you screaming last night?" The question caught her off guard and she halted in her tracks.

"I'll take that as a yes…" Zetti was half tempted to smirk.

"Yes but not because of what you're thinking…" she started.

"Master Fiyero having troubles helping you with something?" The sentence was loaded with innuendo but also slight concern.

"He cannot take the nightmares away no matter how hard he tries. It seems to be one backlash of having my brain injury. Things that I had buried and had not bothered me for years now haunt me. Sometimes it's every time I close my eyes and sometimes I don't need to close them. A touch, a smell, a sight of something and I just lose it. I fear that as much as I try to hide it that I'm not hiding it very well," Elphaba admitted. Zetti nodded. Men had come home from battle with similar symptoms. It was not something that could be cured but only dealt with.

"Maybe you should come to our meetings. The boys and I have weekly meetings to help each other. No one will admit it but we do. Some things cannot be unseen but sharing helps," he said.

"I appreciate the offer but I don't really feel comfortable explaining what happened to me to a bunch of men," she told him.

"I know but since we're not in the city, you don't get much help out here," the Sergeant pointed out. She nodded. He was right. By now they had reached the center of town and everyone seemed exited to see what Theo had whipped up. It seemed odd but it was a nice change of pace from the typical day to day activities. They were about to get started when the sound of hoof beats made everyone turn around.

"These men are here on behalf of the Crown of the Vinkus. They seek an audience with Prince Fiyero," Private Roth, who had accompanied the Sergeant, announced. He'd been on duty at the gate when the two very stern looking gentlemen on large, broad chested, horses arrived.

"Carry on everyone. I'll handle this," Fiyero announced from his position on the little stage that he had helped build for the fashion show. Elphaba stepped forward as he moved toward the back of the crowd.

"Yero…" she started.

"I'll talk to them Fae. Don't worry," he gave her a lopsided smile and a kiss on the forehead before meeting the men and Private Roth.

"Shall we to the barracks?" Fiyero offered.

To Be Continued…