Chapter 2: Et Tu, Fiyero?

A couple of days passed and it was finally March 15th. The military parade was held and the Roman people littered the streets to watch the outlandish celebration of the army of Rome, as well as the goddess and god of war Minerva and Mars.

"It's still odd to me after all these years to call Athena and Aries: Minerva and Mars," Liir said, as Trism fixed his royal cape.

"I know, but when in Rome do as the Romans do," Trism added, as he gave his lover a kiss.

"I guess, even my mother forgets from time to time," Liir noted.

"Is she from Rome?"

"No, and my Papa isn't either. She's a Greek by blood."

Just then Cora entered the room. "The crowds await you, dear brother, mother is already waiting for you in the royal box."

Liir nodded before patting Trism on the back, and then he followed his sister out towards the royal box over looking the parade.

"What a fine day it is," Liir mused, as he took a seat.

When the people of Rome saw Liir, join the rest of the royal family, they cheered and waved to the young man. Liir waved in return to acknowledge the masses. It seemed like the whole city had gathered for this parade.

"Where's Papa?" Cora questioned.

"There she is! She's in the golden chariot in the front of the Roman captains," Glinda exclaimed, as she pointed out Elphaba's location. The blonde woman held her chest as her eyes gazed over the green warrior who was wearing her finest guard uniform. In the end she had to cool herself down with her fan.

The Roman army made several passes around which proved extremely positive for the people, for the more times they made passes the crowds threw flowers and ribbons at them to show their support.

Elphaba looked up and meet her wife's stare with a sly grin, and Glinda blushed excessively as a result. She then placed a hand over her heart and titled her head slightly almost like she was teasing the green warrior. Elphaba answered by tossing her head like some male ram would do to show off his mighty horns to a female.

The silent flirting came to an end however when a loud scream was heard, and the crowds began to shout in fear. Chaos had descended on the people, and Elphaba stopped her chariot to see a group of bandits running over to the royal box. They were trying to flood the royal box and get to the green woman's family. With the amount of bandits the royal guards on the ground level couldn't keep them at bay. The foes were breaking though and climbing up towards the royal family.

Elphaba wasted no time leading her chariot over to the bandits. Her chariot was mainly for show, so it was awkward to move about. Once she was close enough, the green warrior leaped off the chariot, drew her sword, and began fighting.

Elphaba battled the bandits with everything she had in order to protect her family. They weren't very skillful but there was a lot of them. They were like a swarm of lotus for they came at Elphaba in huge waves.

Finally when the green warrior thought she had won, only then did she let down her guard. This proved to be a dire mistake, for suddenly Elphaba felt a mighty blow to her head. She dropped down to her knees, cursed under her breath, before everything went black.

...X...

"Welcome royal family! Isn't this a surprise?" Avaric greeted, as he nodded to his minions for a job well done.

"Are you insane? Kidnaping the royal family will only bring you sorrow," Lirr shouted.

"Calm yourself, I wish not to harm you. This is what I like to call assertive communication. Besides as far as anyone knows you are all safe and sound." Avaric's tone was had a slick quality to it.

"Are you going to assassinate us?" Glinda gulped from nerves.

Avaric shook his head. "I wish not to kill any of you. As long as you follow my every word than you shall all live, and I will leave Rome a very rich man." Glinda looked at Avaric dubiously.

"What does that have to do with us?" Cora asked, as she stood up in a threatening way, but Avaric didn't even flinch.

"Well first thing's first. You must lift this ban on gladiatorial games in Rome."

"What? No, I will never let those barbaric games ever come back to Rome!" Liir barked.

At hearing this Avaric grabbed Glinda in a iron tight grip and placed a knife to her throat. "Let me repeat myself because I don't think you heard me. I will not kill any of you...as long as you follow my EVERY word. You will lift the ban of gladiatorial games, or well my knife is going to become more acquainted with your mother's throat!" Avaric yelled, as his eyes narrowed.

"Okay, okay, I will lift the ban please just let my mother go," Liir's voice was filled with worry and his hands trembled from fear as well.

"Good," Avaric answered, as he drew back his knife and ran his knuckles against Glinda's cheek, in a seductive manner, before releasing her with a forceful push. "Now I must go. I want to be there when your precious green warrior wakes up, for she's in for quite a surprise." Avaric's eyes fell on Elphaba's rudis. He snatched it up without another word and left the room with a hardy laugh.

...X...

When Elphaba finally awoke, her arms were chained to a wall. The smell around her was familiar and she knew she was in her old underground. When the green woman's eyes focused more she saw a mystery man drinking wine.

"Finally you're awake, my name is Avaric, I was wondering when you would join the party. For a great warrior like you it would an insult not to drink to Minerva and Mars." With those words the unknown man took his glass of wine and threw it into Elphaba's face.

Elphaba coughed briefly before answering, "I'm sure Athena and Aries don't want me to get drunk on their behave."

Avaric raised an eyebrow. "How strange that you speak like a Greek. I know much about you but not that."

Elphaba let out a chortle. "You know less of me than you think. I wasn't born in Rome. I'm a Greek."

Avaric held his chin as he pondered this. "No wonder you use the different names for the Olympus Gods."

Elphaba lifted her head up slightly. "I take it you're the ring leader in the attack at the parade."

"Yes, things went very smoothly I must say. Especially in the capture of your wife and children," Avaric taunted.

At hearing that Elphaba struggled against her chains in rage. "What have you done to my family?"

"They're safe...for now." Avaric chuckled softly as he turned his back to the green woman. "In fact Elphaba your performance is what will save them."

"What do you mean?" The green woman asked in a curious manner.

Avaric let out a straining breath before speaking, "I was at one time a very rich man. I had the prefect job, for I planned the gladiatorial games in Rome. I worked undercover and very closely with, my dear deceased friend, Emperor Chuffrey to hold these wonderful games, but once he died the games were banned. I was out of a job and out of my fortune, but that's where you come in! I will be holding new gladiatorial games and you will the main attraction. People still know you as the green skinned gladiator who conquered such foes as the tameable Lion and the heartless Tin Man. With you fighting in the arena once more, there is no doubt people will flood to see you fight...to see you kill or be killed."

Elphaba stared at him coldly before answering, "I'm not a gladiator anymore. My rudis proves my freedom."

"Oh, this rudis?" Avaric asked in a sickly sugary tone as he held up Elphaba's rudis. The green woman was shocked. How was he able to get her most prized item? She watched in horror as Avaric broke the rudis in half with one swift motion before throwing it into the fire. Elphaba's eyes seemed to lose some sparkle as she watched the flames consume her wooden sword of freedom. Her body then gave an unnatural twitch as she ripped her eyes from the flames.

Avaric gave a short whistle and called for his guards. "Take her away to the cells. We will find a place for her there." He turned his attention back to the green woman as he said, "You will fight, Elphaba. Your rudis is no more...including your freedom."

...X...

Avaric went to find Fiyero. It would be his job to find a secure cell to place the great green gladiator. He soon found him inspecting the underground and the supplies.

"Fiyero, tell the guards where to put this gladiator they are bringing in now. She will be our main attraction. This gladiator will make us rich beyond our wildest dreams."

Fiyero nodded. "I will tell them Avaric." The new trainer could hear the struggling of the guards as they tried to keep the gladiator under control. When she met his gaze only then did she settle down.

When Fiyero caught sight of the gladiator that would be making his fortune, he soon realized he was indeed going to be rich, but was it worth the price? Seeing Elphaba's shocked expression made his skin crawl and his gut tighten.

As the guards pulled Elphaba over to him, her eyes hardened. When she was mere inches from him, her top lip curled as she growled, "Et tu, Fiyero?"