A week later, and Glinda couldn't have been happier with Marcelline's progress. She was all she had been built up to be and more. Glinda took on the most promising sorcery student each year under her wing. After all, there was always need for an emissary from Oz to travel to the outlying territories. At least that was the public reasoning. In reality, she had a far more private one.
When Professor Grimes informed her that he hadn't seen a talent like hers since their time in school together, she was skeptical. Her and Grimes had been friends since their time at Shiz, but Glinda simply couldn't believe that anyone was that powerful. When the girl blew past the advanced magics and spell casting test Glinda set up for her, she saw with her own eyes. The timing could not have been more ironic, or peculiar, as Glinda saw it. Twenty years nearly to the hour that Elphaba died, a new witch emerged with powers that rivaled even Elphaba's.
"Very good!" Glinda said, standing to applaud her. Marcelline blushed deeply at the praise.
"Thank you." She said, a wide smile on her face.
"I have some business to take care of. I trust I'll see you at the banquet?" Glinda asked, seeing her face fall.
"No, I have some practicing to do." She said, sadly.
"No, you don't. Dedication is admirable, but you need to relax, too. I expect to see you there." Glinda said, leaving little room for argument.
"But I don't have a dress." She protested, getting a small smile.
"I'll have one delivered to your room. You will be my guest, and it will give me an opportunity to introduce you to some of the powerful people in the surrounding communities. After all, when your training is done, you will be the wizard's emissary. It's very important that we get you in circulation. Who knows, you may end up my replacement someday. The direct contact with the wizard for all of his people." Glinda said, smiling a little at the humbled look on the girl's face.
"You … You really think so?" Marcelline said, shocked.
"Of course. Never doubt your talent, Marcelline, and never let anyone else question it, either." It was the best advice Glinda could give anyone, "I will see you later tonight. I hate to run, but I have something to take care of." Glinda said, giving the girl a quick hug, "Be proud of yourself. No assistant has ever passed that test."
"Really?" Marcelline asked, excitedly.
"Really." Glinda said, before walking out. Marcelline was so excited, she had to sit down for fear of passing out. She still had the giddy look on her face when Franc walked in.
"The test went well, I take it?" He asked, a hint of a smile on his normally stoic features.
"Yes! It went perfectly. Thank you for helping me study."
"No problem, anything to help Glinda. Have you noticed she's seemed a bit distracted lately?" Franc asked, getting a nod.
"Yeah, I have. I wonder why." Marcelline said, thoughtfully.
"I've been here for five years, it seems to happen particularly around the banquet. She becomes very scarce." He said, matter of factly.
"Apparently she'd like me to attend." Marcelline said.
"Are you going?" He asked, curiously.
"I'm not sure." She answered honestly. She knew what her mother would think of that, and it wasn't pleasant.
"I happen to have off this evening. I'd be honored to escort you." He offered. She blushed three shades of red.
"I'd like that." She said, smiling shyly.
"Pick you up at seven?"
"It's a date." She said, with a nod. The hint of a smile grows into a full one, as he walked out.
()
Glinda found herself walking through that abandoned castle on her own, as she had done every single year. She couldn't help herself. It was one of the few connections she still had to Elphaba, and came each year to pay her respects. She remembered it as though it happened yesterday. Her friend giving her the Grimmerie, before stepping out fearlessly in front of that lynch mob. That bucket of water thrown by that farm girl. Her friend's agonized cries, as she melted into a cloud of smoke. All that remained of her Elphie was that blasted hat.
Even then they couldn't just let Elphie rest in peace. For years, there was an entire division of the Ozean guard dedicated to tracking down and investigating any rumored sightings. Perhaps it was her age, or how much witnessing Elphie's braverism in the face of certain death changed her, but she now laughed bitterly at the stupidity of that mob.
They feared the woman like she was a demon. She was still seeking her revenge, even after her death. Glinda regrettably reporting her death didn't even convince them. Yet they could, in their tiny minds, believe that animals speaking caused the great drought. The fact that said animals were speaking long before the drought began never dawned to them – or her at the time. After all, the wizard said it, so it must be true. She almost wished she could take that bubble of hers back in time, and slap some sense into herself.
She approached the spot slowly, never having the courage to before. It almost killed her the first time to see the spot where her last true friend died. She began crying uncontrollably, as she knelt, running her hand along the smooth stone. As she pulled her hand back, the roughness of the surrounding bricks caught her attention. She raised an eyebrow. The texture was so different than the rest of the floor, it really held her attention. Curiously, she pushed on it. A shock scream echoed through the abandoned castle, as she found herself plummeting some seven feet. Thinking quickly, she muttered a quick spell to slow her decent.
Upon landing, she glanced around. The dust covered room was pitch black, the cobwebs standing proof of exactly how long it had been since anyone was there. With a cough, she uttered another spell; the room became illuminated in soft light. She looked around in shock. Dust covered bottles with various potions lined the walls.
She slowly made her way a little farther in, finding a makeshift bed with a small chest next to it. She sat down, summoning the chest to her. When she opened it, the tears returned. It was covered in that black shall she had wrapped around Elphie. She couldn't believe Elphie had kept it. Underneath, she found several volumes of papers. With the research Elphie had done on the Grimmerie, she could guess what they were. It was the small carrying case next to it that really got her attention.
She recognized it immediately. It was the small case that Nessarose was given by her father. She had always assumed that Elphie took it after her death, but never really had proof of it until now. With a mixture of excitement and sadness, she opened it carefully. She cried, seeing that pink flower she had put in Elphie's hair all those years ago. She never knew it meant that much to her. She picked it up, playing with the pedals a little. Under that was Elphie's glasses, covering an envelope sealed in red wax. Taking it out, she carefully broke the seal. Unsure of what to think, she began reading.
()
At the banquet and ball to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the witch's death commenced, Glinda made her rounds, Marcelline close behind. For the first time in the history of this ball, Glinda's smile was genuine, as she greeted the dignitaries from the various communities. It remained so, as she took center stage to make the address. Glinda genuinely enjoyed the attention. Even more so right this second.
"Fellow Ozeans! As we gather tonight to celebrate the anniversary of Dorothy ending the witch's reign of terror, I'm reminded of why our unity is so very important. As misguided as her methods were, the witch united us as a people behind our beloved wizard. It's due to that unity that we find ourselves prospering today. In celebration of this prosperity, I will be leaving to personally tour each and every providence. In my absence, my new assistant Marcelline will be acting emissary. She will be relaying messages I receive from the Wizard only. Any conflicts will be settled by me on my return. And with that, fellow Ozeans, I leave you for the evening. There is much to do, as I'll be leaving in the morning. Please, enjoy the party, and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you in your respective hometowns. Thank you again." She smiled, waving to the crowd that sat in stunned silence. No one was expecting that. There hadn't even been a rumor that Glinda was considering such a tour. It took a moment for the crowd to pick up in cheers, her normal reaction to a speech like this. Bowing graciously, she activated her bubble, waving regally as it skirted her away.
()
"Glinda, I have to advise you against this." The man in her apartment said. It was obvious he was a high ranking Ozean official from his impeccable wardrobe. Glinda looked at him with a calm, practiced smile.
"Noted, Mr. Alan. If that's all?" She said, motioning towards the door of her suite.
"Glinda, I'm here as your friend. Not ambassador to the western providences, but just Alamere. The same Alamere that has stood by your side for two years."
"Alamere, I appreciate your concern. But I don't feel there's any danger, certainly not enough to warrant any guards." Glinda said, dismissively.
"That evil witch still has many minions. Even twenty years after her death." He said, before Glinda silenced him with a wave of her hand.
"Evil? Bold statement from a man that never knew her past the propaganda engine of the wizard." She said, dismissively.
"Glinda, don't let your past with this woman blind you to the truth." He said, concerned. Glinda began laughing.
"Blind? Someday, I'll tell you exactly how foolish that statement is. But for now, I have packing to do. See yourself out."
"If you insist on going, let me go with you." He offered. Glinda shook her head.
"No, Oz needs you. I need you here. Marcelline is very capable, but there are few people in this city I trust as much as you, Alamere. I need you here," She could see the sadness in his eyes, "This is something I need to do alone." She said, pulling him into a gentle, genuine hug.
"I would feel better by your side, Glinda."
"Normally, I would insist on it." She said, kissing his cheek.
"Then what's different?" He asked, pulling away.
"The timing. Had this happened a few months ago, I would have thought little, if anything, of it. But for a girl as powerful as Marcelline is to appear exactly twenty years after the most powerful sorceress Oz has ever seen? The timing makes me suspicious. She even reminds me of the witch in certain ways, her quiet studious nature most notably. Without proper guidance, we could easily have a far bigger threat than El …" she stopped herself, "The witch of the west ever was." She corrected.
"My son speaks highly of her. Apparently they've been seeing a bit of each other. I think the stress of this anniversary has you a bit paranoid." He said, getting a gentle smile.
"I easily could be. I've noticed her and Franc seeing quite a bit of each other. It's a weight off my mind. The girl studies entirely too hard. Relaxation would be a very good thing for her."
"Then let him keep an eye on her, and let me go with you." He said, getting a sad shake.
"I trust Franc as much as I trust you. Wholeheartedly, but I think it's his view that might be blinded. I half expect on my return to be overseeing their union." She said, a genuine smile on her face.
"Perhaps you'll be seeing your own." Alamere threw out, getting a sad smile.
"I'm too busy for such dribble." She said, honestly, "But please do excuse me, Alamere. I have to prepare."
"As you wish." He said, sadly, before leaving.
Glinda listened carefully for his footsteps leaving before locking the door with a simple spell. With the doors now locked, she summoned a large book to her. One of the first things she did as emissary was requisition the finest map makers in the country to properly access the boundaries of the territory and plan the industries that let them live considerably more comfortably now. She had just begun to plan her route when there was a knock at the door.
"Glinda?" Marcelline's voice carried softly into the room. Without looking up, she opened the door.
"Please, come in, Marcelline." She said, smiling warmly, as she looked up.
"I wanted to talk to you." Marcelline said, walking farther in.
"Good, I wanted to speak with you myself. How did you enjoy the banquet?" She asked, curiously.
"I liked it. But I'm concerned. I've barely been here a week. I'm not sure I'm ready for this much responsibility." She said, honestly.
"Why aren't you? When the wizard entrusted me with this position, I was your age. It's daunting, certainly, but you're up for the challenge. I have faith in you." Glinda said, smile never wavering.
"I wish I did." Marcelline said, discouraged. Glinda put her arm around the girl's shoulders.
"Come sit down." Glinda said, leading her to the sofa. Glinda sat next to her, "Did you know that I almost didn't make sorcery class at all?" She asked, curiously.
"No, I didn't." Marcelline said, shocked. Glinda nodded.
"It's true. Madame Morrible, the professor that taught the class, didn't want me in it. A dear friend of mine in her class threatened to drop out unless she took me on as well. If not for the faith my friend showed, I wouldn't have been anything but Glinda. I'm giving you the same opportunity because I know you are ready for it." She said, surprised when the woman hugged her back.
"Thank you. I won't let you down." Marcelline promised,
"I know you won't, dear." Glinda said, returning the hug. Glinda herself always wondered why Elphie would've taken such a chance. At the time, they were enemies. Or Glinda thought so.
"I'll, uh, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Actually, I'll be leaving later tonight for Munchkinland. But I do want to give you something." She said, getting up. Walking to the desk, she got out a small thin screen, and handed it to her.
"What is it?" She asked, curious. She hadn't seen it before.
"The defense ministers developed it for in field communications. By pushing this button, it will contact the other, which I will have. If you need anything, or have any questions, please contact me. But I think you'll be fine."
"Thank you again, Glinda." The girl hugged her. Glinda gave the first genuine smile she'd given her since they met.
"You're welcome, Marcy."
"Marcy?"
"Yes. I'll call you Marcy."
"And what do I call you?" She asked.
"Glinda." Glinda said, laughing a little at something Marcelline wouldn't understand, "Now get some rest. You have a long day tomorrow." Marcelline nodded, as she walked out. Glinda could only shake her head, as the door closed. She gathered up a small bag with some of her more important items and clothing. Forming her bubble, she left out of the balcony. When safely floating over the city, she reread that letter, smiling brightly.