[I'm very flattered by the wonderful response I've had so far, but I can tell you quite honestly I have had more Follows and Favourites than I have reviews. As much as I love any form of response, I do especially love reviews, since they help me to develop and grow as an author. If you like something, tell me. If you don't like something, tell me (as long as it's constructive. I don't want any insults, thank you very much!). I apologise about Elphaba; she'll be slightly put of character, but remember she's been uprooted from Nature and placed in the human world. Give her some time. Anyway, onwards and upwards!]
Boq sat in the cushioned armchair, hand rubbing his smooth chin, deep in thought. He was dressed for a three days hunt, britches and jacket and boots wrapped about him.
Dillamond entered, also dressed for the outside world in a heavy overcoat of a mustard yellow, and shoes adjusted for maximum comfort on his hooves. He fussed with his cuffs for a moment, before noticing his ward staring into the crackling fire with a worryingly pensive look upon his young face.
"What's bothering you, my boy?" The old Goat smiled paternally at the young man, who stood up and began to pace.
It was some time before Boq answered Dillamond. He took a breath.
"I'm worried about Elphaba, Dillamond." His guardian was as shocked as expected, bushy eyebrows almost disappearing into a salt and pepper hairline.
"About Elphaba, Boq?" he sputtered, mildly insulted that Boq wasn't happy with the woman forged by Dillamond from flowers and meadowsweet. Boq quickly shook his head to the Goat's unvoiced question, before trying to convey the uneasiness he felt.
"She is cold with me, Dillamond. Every time we-" Boq broke off, blushing, and Dillamond just smiled benevolently at his innocence and nodded for him to continue.
"Every time, she is ice cold. She doesn't hold me, she doesn't kiss back. Is she unhappy, Uncle?" Dillamond sat Boq down, and regarded him over the rims of half-moon spectacles. How would he begin to explain to one who had no knowledge of magic that Nature didn't like it when things were taken from her, even with consent? Elphaba was restless in a body of flesh, and it would take some time before she could finally settle into her humanity, which she had shown no sign of possessing so far.
"My boy," Dillamond began, "Elphaba was made from flowers, it is natural that she won't settle into her life until she's completely comfortable with her role as your wife."
"But we have had no heir, Dillamond. She cannot-" The Goat cut him off indignantly.
"Elphaba is perfectly capable of bearing children, Boq. She is uncomfortable at the moment, and this feeling will affect her ability to conceive." Dillamond stood up, leaning on the armrest for support. "Give her time, my boy."
Boq looked at his guardian uncertainly, but decided to accept Dillamond's words of wisdom.
"Now, are we leaving, or are we not? It will be dusk soon, and this entire mission will be abandonded." Boq sprung to his feet, and sent for a handservant to fetch the Lady of the House quickly.
Elphaba arrived almost immediately, trailing the elongated hem of her flowing dress on the brushed and paved floor. The luminescence of her skin complimented the ivory of her dress, and the flowers and petals in her hair had stayed there since her 'birth' into a body of a human, but with the spirit of Nature and the greenness of a nourishing stem.
"Going so soon, my Lord?" she asked in a calm voice, almost matter-of-fact. Boq smiled affectionately at her, before kissing her cheek softly. Staring into her earthy eyes, Boq marveled at how soft her skin was, like the petals of a rose.
"Yes, Elphaba," he answered, a little too late, "We are." Elphaba's face wrinkled slightly, her brow furrowing a touch. It was the most emotion she had ever betrayed.
"My Lord, I don't believe it... safe, to go now. At least wait until morning." Boq, surprised at her facial expression and her question both, opened his mouth to retort.
"But why? What danger is posed if I go now?" Elphaba shook her head, sending undulating waves through her glossy hair.
"I know not what exactly is dangerous, but I feel in my bones that nothing good will come from your leaving." There was an edge of pleading to her voice, and Boq realised quite suddenly that this was her curious way of begging him to stay with her.
"I will be fine, sweetheart," he whispered gently, smiling at her mildly worried expression, "Trust me, Elphaba."
Elphaba's expression smoothed, and she turned to regard Dillamond, who watched the pair with a sense of pride.
"Dillamond, am I beautiful?" she asked in a lilting voice, and the Goat smiled, mooning over her beauty.
"My girl, you are the best of all my creations. You have the beauty and grace of flowers, and the strength of Nature. Your skin glows with the essence of your power, and you possess hair like the feathers of your bird-sisters."
"Then why does my husband not stay when I ask him?" A hint of desperation entered her voice, and Dillamond quickly called her handmaiden, and rubbed at her skinny shoulders.
"Elphaba, we will only be gone for three days. Nothing bad will happen to us, or to you. Galinda will stay with you, keep you company." He gently steered her to a plush armchair, and she allowed herself to be calmed by her creator. Galinda stepped forward and laid a hand on Elphaba's, who didn't clasp hers back, but didn't push her off either.
Boq kissed Elphaba's cheek once more, and she watched him go with eyes that held a small modicum of sadness.
"Goodbye, Boq," she breathed delicately, watching him wave at her from his horse, and canter into the bleeding-yellow sunset. Dillamond followed him after tipping his cap towards the green woman.
Elphaba's eyes never left the spot where her husband had disappeared, the colours reflecting in her glassy stare.
[There we go! Apologies for the delay in updating, beginning this story was probably a bad idea, given my workload. I'm very happy with this chapter, it sets up the plot quite well, if I do say so myself. Will something bad happen? Or is actually something bad, and not, in fact, a blessing in disguise...? Review with your ideas! And any questions you have, I'm happy to answer them. Review please!]