Two weeks had passed since Glinda's rather unsuccessful attempt to re-enter society.
Apart from the heated political debate that occurred at her dining table, Glinda had found the evening to be a pleasurable experience. She had enjoyed the company of Avaric and Nanny, even Miss Nessarose (who had spoken very little) had been an interesting addition to her otherwise, mundane and destitute world.
The green that had coloured her dreams since, was refusing to leave and Glinda had barely slept in a fortnight! She had been unable to enter her wistful world of happiness and beauty. She tried to carry her days out in a rather normal fashion which was proving surprisingly difficult due to the pile of correspondence and invitations that had gathered on her writing bureau.
Glinda was confused. Sure, it wasn't abnormal for her to be asked to every event possible, she was after all, the wife of a successful peer- who happened to have a seat in The Wizard's cabinet. Ever since her retreat into the darkness, and the reason had come to light, Glinda had expected herself to be shunned by society. It seemed, however, that the piranhas wanted to feast upon her, everyone wanted to add some colour to their soiree, with the presence of the pitiful Baroness Chuffrey.
She had been muddling through her papers all morning, accepting a few luncheon invites from older women, whom she knew, held no malice, and politely declining the rest. There were a select few that Chuffrey had told her she must attend. Those were the functions she hated the most. She was there to be nothing more than an accessory at her Husband's side, in the company of dreary old politicians and elderly statesmen. Glinda daren't speak her mind in that kind of gathering!
One such evening had been planned for two days' time. The Wizard was holding a light supper followed by a musicale, at The Palace. She had left Pikney to sort her attire for the evening, Glinda had no wish to ponder on it any more than was absolutely necessary. In fact, she was trying to put it from her mind altogether.
The Wizard was a perplexing gentleman. He appeared charming and polite, he spoke softly and treated his guests with great attentiveness. He reminded Glinda of her own Grandfather, kind and gentle, but a hint of something darker edging in the shadows. She could not read his intentions, and although The Wizard always treated her with great respect and an abundance of flattery, Glinda was always looking for the true meaning behind his words, and thus did not trust him.
A curt knock echoed through her reading room and she replied with a soft, "come in". It was Beecham informing her that lunch would be served in fifteen minuets, and unfortunately, her husband had chosen to take his meal alongside her. She huffed a reply and told the butler she would be down as soon as she had finished replying to this last letter.
Chuffrey rarely took his meals at home, and it was an even odder commodity for him to take them in her presence, unless they were acting as the hosts. Glinda deduced he probably wanted to coach her on what he expected when they attended The Palace. As if she did not know how the wife of an aristocrat was meant to behave! After all, that was what Glinda had been bred for, to be the dutiful wife of a statesman.
She focused on the letter in hand, shaking her head to clear her thoughts. She started to read and her eyebrows jumped to her hairline.
It was an invitation from Miss Nessarose. She was asking if Glinda would like to come for afternoon tea, one day the following week. How odd. She did not think she'd made much of an impression on the young girl and wondered why she would possibly seek out her company. Was it just to be the two of them? She supposed Nanny might be there, that would be nice, the old woman certainly had some interesting things to say. Would her Sister be there? The thought of seeing Miss Elphaba again did not sit smoothly with her. Elphaba clearly held distaste for Glinda and what she stood for.
Glinda could not admit that the green woman had plagued her thoughts, for whatever reason. She could not decide whether it was intrigue, anger, fear, or a mixture of the three, that caused her to repeat Miss Elphaba's words daily. 'I would expect nothing more from a mindless aristocrat!'
Without truly thinking, Glinda penned out a short reply to Miss Nessarose, asking if Tuesday would be an acceptable day for them to meet. She handed the envelope to a footman on her way to the dining room, asking him to make sure it went with the afternoon post. A strange thrill was coursing through her as she walked, Miss Elphaba's opinion posed a challenge and perhaps a challenge was just what Glinda needed to give her some sort of purpose.
XXX
The Wizard's Musicale went without incident. Whilst Glinda had not particularly enjoyed her evening, she had been pleasantly surprised to see Avaric. She had not pipped the Margreave to be an ally of The Wizard, but regardless of that, it had been nice to spend her time with someone whose company she actually enjoyed. When the Margreave told her that he too, had received an invite from Miss Nessarose Glinda was very nearly excited. The thought of laughing away whilst listening to Nanny and Avaric bicker, was almost what one could label as fun.
Another couple Glinda had been surprised to see that night, had been Fiyero and his Wife. Instead of the dinner jacket he had worn to her house two weeks prior, Fiyero had been dressed in what Glinda recognised as the uniform of a Vinkun Lieutenant. So, he was a leader in the Vinkun army? That would explain his 'I know best' attitude.
His wife was of typical Vinkun appearance. Average height, dark skin, brown hair and dark eyes. Glinda supposed she was attractive, but not anything special. Her physical structure reminded her of Miss Elphaba, and Mrs Fiyero definitely paled in comparison, next to The Third Thropp Descending.
When Fiyero had saw Avaric and herself seated together, before the Orchestra started to play, he turned his head and lead his wife in the other direction. The Margreave told her, that after her dinner party, he and Fiyero had engaged in a small row.
The men knew each other from their days at University, and whilst they had always been friendly they had not always got along. They shared a vast difference in opinion and outlook, and both of them refused to wield to the other. Glinda apologised for her part in their disagreement, she did not want to come between 2 comrades, even if she disliked one. Avaric laughed her off and told her not to worry. He said this was a normal occurrence and Fiyero wold soon swallow his pride, invite him for a drink and then repeat the same saga in a month or two.
When the grand piano, in the large, ostentatious ballroom had sounded its final note and the last man had finished clapping, the smile that rested on Glinda's face, soon fell. It had been so nice to be treated as a normal person. She felt terribly silly. She had spent a mere number of hours in Avaric's company, yet she already felt like she could call him a friend! The thought of feeling welcome and ordinary when they would meet again in a few short days, was the only thing that propelled her home.
Again, sleep failed to take her that night. Soldiers and green plagued her vision, she could hear the sobs of a distraught woman. Or were they just her own?
XXX
Tuesday came at the speed of a snail.
Glinda was walking down the stairs, after declining Pikney's 3rd request to accompany her on her outing. She didn't know why, but Glinda wished to leave all vestiges of her reality behind. She would be with people who did not know her truly (or pretended not to) and applying herself onto a blank canvas, seemed like the gift of Lurline herself.
The large oak doors opened and in stepped her Husband. Removing his navy bowler hat and sweeping his ash locks back into position, he gave her questioning look.
"Your meeting with the Eminent's Granddaughter is set for today then?"
"Yes, I told Miss Nessarose I would arrive by 2pm this afternoon".
She surveyed the Baron, now removing his finely tailored dress coat. Chuffrey was a full decade her senior and at five and thirty, his handsome looks, that Glinda's Mother had raved on about, were starting to fade. Thin lines had creeped onto his brow and his hairline was now peppered with grey. He'd retained his tall and muscular appearance. When they had married, Glinda had been told how handsome they looked together, but even then, she had failed to agree. They were more than just miss-matched, she looked small and insignificant next to him, whilst he only looked large and intimidating. Their portrait perfectly matched their roles.
"I do trust that you will remember your place when conversing with that family"? Her husband's question was much more of an order, and she very well knew it. She also knew the ramifications, if she even thought to disobey.
"Of course," was all she could reply, whilst taking the final stair onto the marble floor. They were on even ground now and Glinda had to crane her neck to see his face.
"Good. I do not question your social skills, or your ability to charm those around you Glinda." His statement was so shocking she almost stumbled. "Your impeccable lineage was, after all, one of the reasons I married you. Of course, I have been displeased to learn that you find it hard to hold your tongue, but, what woman can? You, go too far at times however, Glinda.".
He took a step toward her and immediately her body tensed. How could she have been so stupid? When had her husband ever truly complimented her? She should have known, he was cleverly trying to bring her down, yet again!
"You cannot afford to let it happen today." He continued. "Especially within earshot of those from Munchkinland." He was threatening her now! "Whilst we, the government, have an amicable relationship with the current Eminent, he will not be around for ever. I have been informed that he is currently unwell, and if that wretched green thing is to succeed him, we need her to take a more favourable view on us than the one she currently holds."
She understood. Her husband and the rest of The Wizard's cabinet, were frightened of Elphaba, but why? She knew the Third Thropp Descending's policies were polarised with the government but even if she did become the leader of Munchkinland, Miss Elphaba was still one woman and Munchkinland only one province in Oz. The Wizard would still have his power and Miss Elphaba would be a mere nuisance, so why did they fear her so?
"I would like you to make friends, Glinda. I think it would do us all good." With that last statement, Chuffrey ascended the stairs without a backward glance, leaving her to digest what he had just said.
So, she was to be his political pawn? He was happy for her to form a friendship with Miss Nessarose, in the hope it could possibly have an effect on her Sister? Did he want her to become friends with Miss Elphaba as well? The idea was laughable, Glinda knew the last thing she and the green woman would ever be, was friends!
She would not let Chuffrey's words take away her anticipation. She had been looking forward to this afternoon and she was going to enjoy her freedom.
Her chauffeur opened the door to the stately motor car, and she got in, smoothing the skirt of her lavender dress as she sat, to decrease the chance of any possible wrinkles. She was dressed much more simply than she would have been, if she was going to lunch with one of her husband's associates. Her dress was a soft muslin, a silk bow clinching her waist. Her most comfortable cream heels adorned her feet and around her neck, a single strand of pearls. She had taken to wearing her hair up more often, it was styled in a marcel wave and held in a chignon. The only thing about her attire, that one could consider her usual decadence, was the mink fur coat around her shoulders. A beautiful chestnut, she enjoyed the softness when it brushed her cheek. It had been her favourite present had ever been gifted to her. Even if it had come from Chuffrey.
Glinda was surprised when she learned the location of the Thropp townhouse. Whilst she resided in the very centre of the Emerald City, (the most affluent area, only a stone's throw from The Palace itself) The Thropp family had chosen the western edge to base themselves. It took Glinda half an hour to get there, making her almost, very nearly late. She was far from the emerald streets she knew. Here, the roads were much narrower and the buildings cloistered together. The blonde could have sworn she saw a Man fall from the steps of a nearby tavern!
"I'm sure this isn't the Emerald City you know, My Lady", said her chauffeur.
She had to agree. She knew there were seedier parts of the City, but she had never thought she would ever traverse them. She could not believe this was where the most important family, in all of Munchkinland were living!
They pulled up to an old, three storey house at the end of a cobbled street, it was the only building, she could see, that stood alone. She alighted the vehicle and readied herself to approach the front door. Her gloved hand made three sharp knocks. No one came. She knocked again, looking over her shoulder to see a few onlookers, openly gaping at her. She heard a voice call from the inside and before her raised fist could touch the weathered wood a 3rd time, the door was pulled open.
She must have looked rather stupid standing there, her hand raised and her mouth open. "Are you Lady Glinda then?" A boy in his late teens had answered, he was tall, gangly and his outward appearance was shabby, but his clothing, even though out of fashion, was too fine to belong to a servant.
"I am Lady Glinda. I am here at the invitation of Miss Nessarose."
The boy smiled, "my Sister said you were pretty, but I didn't quite believe her."
Glinda blushed a thank you, slightly uncomfortable at the situation. She didn't know Elphaba and Nessarose had a Brother.
"I'm Shell." She shook his hand.
"Very nice to meet you, Master Shell".
He laughed, "Just Shell, will do fine, Baroness".
"Just Lady Glinda, will do fine, Shell", she replied as he led her inside the house.
The first thought that sprung to Glinda's mind, was how dark it was. The walls were lined with red and the furniture was all the same deep wood. Definitely not her taste, she preferred pastels and more neutral colours.
"They're in there", Shell said pointing toward a door that stood ajar.
"They?" She questioned.
Shell just smiled and gave her a nudge forward. She found she liked the boy but she couldn't say the same for his manners.
She was unsure whether she should knock.
"Is that you Glinda?"
Well that was a terribly informal term of address. It was Nanny, so Glinda was prepared to let it slide. She entered the room smiling brightly.
Thankfully, it was better lit than the rest of the house, it still retained the same décor, but large, floor length windows on the back wall gave it an almost homely feel. Nanny and Nessarose were seated on a dark, leather couch and in the corner in a tatty, red armchair was Avaric. She beamed at the sight of them all!
"Come and sit child. Avaric has been delighting Nessa and I, about his tales of Gillikineese women."
"I do hope, these are tasteful anecdote's you have been telling, My Lord? You might remember, I myself happen to be a Gillikineese woman". She sat on the couch opposite Nanny and Nessarose, turning her head towards Avaric, awaiting his response. It was Nessarose who spoke first.
"Nanny has been the one to let the conversation slide, Lady Glinda. I think she forgets that I am an unmarried woman, who should not know, why it is men prefer Gillikineese women".
Nanny did not seem phased by Nessarose's obvious scolding, and merely laughed. "Little Nessa forgets, Nanny knows all her duckies secrets. Nanny has seen the books on the shelf."
Nessarose turned the same shade as the walls, "those are Elphaba's," she mumbled.
Glinda tried to help Nessarose's unease by questioning Avaric. "Why do men prefer Gillikineese women, Lord Tenmeadows?"
The poor man couldn't even open his mouth to answer. Nanny cackled, "it's their figure of course child!" Gesturing toward Glinda, Nanny continued, "look at you! I've never seen more curves on such a little thing."
Glinda grimaced. She was uncomfortable about her body. Even as a teen her..assets had been more visible than those of her peers. Since then, her body had been through several changes and they had only intensified what was already there.
Apart from Nanny, everyone in the room seemed to be uncomfortable, and when Avaric broke the silence and said that actually, he happened to find women from Munchkinland more appealing, nothing more was said on the subject.
They had been talking for over an hour now, tea and scones had been enjoyed and Glinda was revelling in the convivial atmosphere. Until the subject of children was brought up.
"Are you thinking of starting a family of your own, Lady Glinda?" It was Nessarose who asked the question that made Glinda's heart sink. The younger woman was only being polite, but Glinda seethed at her. Why did she have to ask that? They had been delighting each other about the differences in their upbringing. She and Avaric had shared experiences in Gillikin, Nessarose had spent her formative years in Quadling Country (and of course Munchkinland) and Nanny, well Nanny didn't seem quite able to remember where it was, she had first come across a naked man dancing round a fire.
"I cannot have children." The light from the windows seemed to die at Glinda's answer. Tension circling the air, was making her breaths come in short pants. How did she get out of this situation?
"I think that is a dreadful shame," said Nessarose. "The way you spoke the other evening made me think you'd be a very loving Mother.
It was kind words, said in such matter-of-fact terms. Tears sprung to her eyes and she desperately tried to swallow the lump in her throat.
For the first time, the colour green gave her a lifeline.
"I'm back", Elphaba strode into the room. She mustn't have sensed the tension, or she did not care. She perched herself on the very edge of the couch, next to Glinda. The green woman had some cheek, she did not want to sit near her? It should not have offended Glinda, this Woman was an oddity after all, but it did.
Nanny and Nessarose both enquired about Elphaba's day and she replied with an abrupt curtness that Glinda, found quite rude. How could this family be of such high birth?
It transpired that Elphaba had been visiting a home, for foundling children, on the outskirts of The City, the thought made Glinda feel worse.
"Did you happen to see Fiyero", asked Avaric?
"Why would I?" Elphaba snarled. She appeared, in the moment, to share the characteristics of a wild animal!
"He is refusing to see me and I know the two of you are particularly friendly, so I wondered if maybe, he had said anything to you?" Avaric was calm in his demeaner, but Glinda suspected he had an ulterior motive.
She had not realised Fiyero and Miss Elphaba were friends, from what she knew, they seemed to be completely opposite. What could they possibly have in common? As for Avaric's friendship with the Vinkun, had he not told her not to worry? The Margreave had said that he and Fiyero would be back to normal in no time, and now the Soldier was refusing to see him. Was this her fault?
"Contrary to your belief, Avaric, the world does not revolve around you, therefore why would I be discussing you, with anyone?" Elphaba's snarky retort seemed to anger Avaric.
"Perhaps I should write to Sarima, his wife? Maybe she would be able to aid me?"
Elphaba swiftly turned away from him, fists clenched at her side.
Glinda's awkwardness at the situation, and her own thoughts on the conversation that had been going on before Elphaba entered the room, caused her to squirm. The woman beside her must have noticed, for now, dark eyes were boring into her own. Glinda reached nervously to her side, where her coat had been placed, on the arm of the couch. It was certainly odd, in an aristocratic household, for a servant not to take a guest's outerwear and hang it up when they entered, but Glinda believed, there wasn't much of what she had considered 'normal', in the Thropp family.
Elphaba had saw her reach for comfort and was now staring at her coat. "That", she pointed, "that isn't real is it?"
Elphaba did not seem the type to enjoy fashion, but Glinda was relieved. How normal, a question about her clothes, now there was something she could handle.
"Yes, It's mink! My husband bought me it as a gift, for my Birthday a few years back. I must say, I was surprised, Chuffrey is not one to remember such sentimental things." She had expected to illicit some form of amusement from the room's occupants, at her last statement but everyone, except, Miss Elphaba looked nervous. She looked disgusted!
"You really are the stereotypical, dumb blonde, aren't you?"
"Elphaba, that is enough!" Avaric, was poised at the edge of his seat, Glinda should have felt warmed at his readiness to defend her, but the comment had left her affronted.
"I beg your pardon." The blonde was bemused. How had a conversation about her coat, turned into insults being thrown at her?
"A poor, defenceless animal, or Animal has been slain, so you can walk around with something hanging from your shoulders! I think you are absolutely abhorrent! I refuse to sit in the company of such a person any longer!" With that, the oldest Thropp Sister got up and left the room. Avaric was burning with rage, Nessarose was quiet with embarrassment, Glinda was close to tears, and Nanny, well Nanny, was perfectly normal, as if none of this had taken place.
Glinda had never thought about where the fur came from. The one at her side was not the only one in her wardrobe, she had dozens perhaps. The possibility that another being had suffered for the cause of her vanity, made her feel sick! Was Elphaba right? Even if she was, that gave her no right to speak to Glinda in such a way.
Due to the awkwardness and the fact that their rather pleasant afternoon, had come to such a sticky end, led both Avaric and Glinda, to bid their farewells. Nanny made Glinda promise to return and see them soon, she said she and Nessarose did not manage out very often, so her company would be much welcome. Glinda very much doubted she would ever return to this part of The City, after today's events.
Avaric walked with Glinda to the front door. There was no sign of any staff, no sign of Shell or even Elphaba- not that she had any desire to see the horrid woman ever again. So much for her husband's instructions to ingratiate herself with the Munchkinlanders. Glinda now believed one of them, might want to lynch her!
As he closed the front door with soft thud, Avaric turned and put his hand on her free arm. Across the other, lay her coat, she hadn't the stomach to put it on again, after what had transpired. "Ignore Elphaba", said Avaric. "She is not as righteous as you may think."
"What do you mean?" She whispered.
The Margreave's handsome face twisted, as he thought for a moment and Glinda took the time to study him. She had heard many women talk of the infamous Margreave of Tenmeadows and his womanizing ways. Although Glinda was not entirely comfortable with the fact her new friend was probably, definitely, a rake, she could understand why he was so popular. He was perhaps, the most handsome man she had ever seen. His face was much too soft and his blonde curls perfectly matched her own. For a moment, Glinda thought she'd much prefer to be wed to Avaric, than Chuffrey. Did that mean she was attracted to him? It definitely, didn't feel like what she dreamt it would, but she supposed that was to be expected. She had come to realise, after all, that her dreams had no base in reality.
"I don't wish to be vulgar and I know I shall probably regret telling you this, as it's not the topic one usually discusses with a Lady, but damn it, my own anger at the pair has gotten the better of me!" Who was he talking about? What pair? "The future Eminent Thropp is having an affair with Fiyero Tigelaar!"
XXX
AN:
So that was chapter 2, just a little bit of history and me trying to set the scene.
One thing I'd like to note, for the purpose of this story, Fiyero is not a Prince, he is however, an important figure in the Vinkun leadership.
If you have any questions or anything you'd like to know more about then please, feel free to leave a review, send me a DM or follow me on Instagram (where I'm most active) ohlookitstomorrow
Chapter updated on the 23rd of September 2018.
