Hello wonderful people!

I can't beliee that there are people around the world who actually read that story. You are wonderful and I adore each and every one of you. So, this is the third chapter and it is the first time that we see our favorite brainless prince from the Vinkus. And we see more of Macon and how much of a hateful character is he.I know that many of you have questions but I promise you that all of them will be answered as the story progresses. Those first few chapters are more filler chapters so that we can establish a relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero. After doing that the story will reach the most questionable moment- a part of which you read on the prologue.

Enjoy this journey with me and please please please review and tell me what you think.

With Love,

Katria

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Sandremo, Munchkinland

Elphaba was intelligent and loved to read. There wasn't a single person in all of Santremo who didn't know about her obsession with books and knowledge. From an early age she had started reading and absorbing the words written on paper with her dark eyes wide in excitement. By the age of thirteen she had read every single book offered in the local church and the local library and by the age of fifteen she had read all the books in her mother's old mansion- sneaking secretly inside just to get her hands on the precious manuscripts and books. She was lucky that her aunt Amelia would often bring her books from her travels around the world.

Since her obsession with reading had grown, people knew not to disturb her whenever she was absorbed in a good fantasy world or in the depths of a scientific research. Unless it was an absolute emergency, Nessa or Nathan or her step parents knew not to disturb "Fabala's reading time". She would lock herself in her mother's old mansion and she would read for hours.

Locking herself up in the mansion wasn't just for reading, though she would never admit it. There were many times when someone would randomly pass outside the great house and would hear a sweet and mesmerizing melody. Those old enough to remember the mansion's precious glory knew of the grand piano on the second floor and could guess that either Malena's ghost or Elphaba were playing the sweet music. The latter seemed more of a possible idea. But Elphaba's musical talent is another story, meant to be explained another time.

So, reading in the mansion was Elphaba's solace and brought her piece of mind. And that was exactly why no one disturbed...

"Elphaba it's an emergency!" A voice stopped her reading and the green woman looked up from the historical book she was currently reading. On the doorway stood Nessarose, dressed in the simplest of clothes and with her auburn locks in identical braids. Her brown eyes were filled with worry that immediately alerted the green woman.

"What happened Nessie?" she asked as she left the book at the side table.

"Your cousin is here." she said and Elphaba needed to hear no more. She abruptly stood up and followed her friend outside the mansion to the Dillamond house where she knew her cousin was going to be.

"He is here about the damn letter, right? I should have guessed that he would visit sooner or later, yet I had hoped for later... much later." mumbled Elphaba and to her friend who accompanied her. She had told Nessa about her cousin's letter that asked her to return to Munchkin City so as to marry a man of her father's choice. Nessa, being generally shy and timid, believed that Elphaba should follow her father's directions word by word and her opinion had been the reason of a great dispute between Nathan and herself. Nathan was just like Elphaba, strong willed and stubborn, while Nessa was the tranquil and obedient child. Their relationship was still a bit shaken by the argument and they gave each other the cold shoulder.

The two girls were walking down the street with long steps, not even noticing that they were now waking in the middle of the road and were vulnerable to any bypassing carts.

"I was right. Now you're going to be in big trouble Fabala. And I can't bare that. When I suggested you did what your father asked of you I did it because I wanted to see you and your inheritance safe. Now, what if he disinherits you? What if he takes the mansion from you? Or..."

Nessa's words died in her mouth as a loud horn was heard, along with the galloping of horses. Nessa was frozen in place due to her fear but Elphaba acted quickly and pulled her friend away from the middle of the road and away from the deadly carriage that had been out of control. A chubby short man in his late thirties was the unlucky driver who stopped the carriage just in time before it would collide with the two girls and the trees behind them. He was also the unlucky driver who would face Elphaba's wrath.

"Watch where you're going. You could have killed us." said the green girl as she held Nessarose close to her to calm down her ragged breathing. All color drained from the driver's face once he saw the intimidating green woman and his witty remark against her died in his mouth between stuttering and murmuring.

It was then that He emerged from the carriage. He was tall, Elphaba could tell he was maybe a head taller than her, with a strong built body. He could be considered handsome but Elphaba was too angry to realize if he was actually the most handsome man she had ever encountered or if he was commonly beautiful. His features were elegant and strong. His hair were dark blond and styled according to the time's fashion and his eyes... oh, his eyes were azure blue, the coldest yet most welcoming shade of blue she had ever seen in her life. The man rubbed his eyes and then an angry Elphaba noticed that he was rubbing the sleepiness away and was fighting the urge to yawn.

"What in Oz's name is going on?" he mumbled once he made sure he was no longer half asleep.

"What is going on? What is going on?" yelled Elphaba in her most girlish and full of annoyance voice. "Your driver almost runus over and you were sleeping!"

"Of course I was sleeping! It's daytime!" With those words the unknown man lifted his head to take a better look at the woman yelling at him and his driver.

In front of him stood a girl two or three years younger than him. The first thing he noticed about her were her eyes. Her eyes were exquisite. They had the most overwhelming shade of brown he had ever seen. As he noticed better, they weren't even brown. They had a golden tone, warm like chocolate and smoldering like amber, with flickers of green there and then. Her eyes were behind round glasses and had beautiful long lashes around them, making them even more big and magnetizing. Those magnificent eyes were coming straight from his dreams.

The second thing he noticed was that said eyes were part of an angelically beautiful face. Her features were sharp yet elegant and kind, her nose was pointy but not too pointy and definitely not round. Her lips were thin yet capable of the brightest smile, even if now they were pushed together in a line, expressing her annoyance. Her hair were tied in a loose braid but he had noted that the braid was very long, indicating that if her ebony locks were free, they would reach her upper hip.

Then his eyes traveled on her body. Her figure was slim but not too skinny. She had very slight curves compared to other women but he considered her body just perfect. He also noticed that she was tall but not to the point of not being able to stand beside him. He was still a head taller.

All in all, she was a very beautiful and enchanting woman. She wasn't the typical bubbly blonde sweetheart or the seductive red head. She didn't look at all like the several girls he had dated in the past years or the girls that had fallen at his feet with broken hearts. She was something entirely different.

"Stop staring you brainless idiot! Yes I'm green! Get over it and apologize!" Her sharp voice, sharp enough to cut thin air, broke him from his reverie and he blinked several times. And only then did he saw a major detail that hadn't been there before. How had he missed it? Her skin... Her complexion was the most beautiful shade of emerald green.

Wait! Green?

Something ringed into him. He had heard about a green woman before but he couldn't just put his hands as to where.

"Are you completely stupid? Your driver almost killed me and I expect an apology!"

The unknown man was so nervous and he had sworn never to allow to a woman to make him feel nervous. He was a womanizer. Women followed him everywhere and this little green missy, with her hard stare and the annoyance in her eyes, seemed immune to his charm.

"Maybe the driver saw green and thought it meant go!" he stated, immediately regretting his decision to insult her. Though, she surprised him again. Instead of yelling at him for insulting her or run away crying, she straighten her shoulders like a trained ballerina and stood taller than before. Her expression remained blank and unreadable but her eyes betrayed what could be something between hurt and hatred.

"If it makes you sleep better at night, no one had ever thought of this particular insult. Congratulations for being original." she stated and turned on her heel to leave, not sparing him a second look.

The few people who had gathered around the carriage immediately made their way back to their job and the stranger boarded his carriage again, continuing his brief trip to visit an old friend of his and buy a new horse from his barn.

Unbeknownst to Elphaba and Nessa, someone else had also seen the incident and had kept the small encounter at the back of his head, ready to use that knowledge at his benefit.

He was so lucky that the kitchen in the Dillamond house had such great view of the central road. He was also very lucky of the fact that people in this small village liked to talk and they had willingly explained to him the whole incident with details.

Macon Thropp relaxed in a not so comfortable armchair with Nathan Dillamond watching his every move from his place on the couch. Tea had been served by Madame Dillamond but their cups were intact. Macon eyed the other man with hatred while Nathan sent suspicious looks in Macon's way as they both waited for Elphaba to come.

Thankfully, Elphaba, followed closely behind by Nessa, entered the sitting room and sat at the armchair opposite her cousin. Nessa was about to exit the room and leave the three alone but Nathan sent her a kind smile and motioned for her to sit beside him. It seemed that he was no longer angry with her and Nessa wouldn't lose a chance to spend a moment by his side- even if he would be engrossed in an argument with Macon Thropp.

Elphaba crossed her legs and straightened her composure before speaking to her cousin. "What do you want here Macon? Last time I checked everything was in order and your help is obviously not needed."

"Straight to the point my dear cousin. As it seems, life amongst peasants has made a peasant out of you, instead of a lady of finesse and elegance." he said and for the first time he calmly took a sip from his teacup.

"No formalities are needed between us Macon. I know why you're here and I assure you I have no intention to comply to what my father and you ask of me. I have no intention to marry and leave Santremo and I have no intention to abandon my mother's heritage."

A bitter laugh left Macon's lips and he eyed Elphaba up and down before his eyes examined the rest of the sitting room and stayed a moment too long at Nessa's way. Then he looked away and returned his attention to Elphaba.

"You don't understand dear cousin, do you? You have no choice over the matter. It is of vital importance that you marry a wealthy man. Not only it is your responsibility as a Thropp and your duty as the daughter of a count. It is also important for your mother's inheritance."

Elphaba's eyes widened in attention.

"In case you refuse to do as your father asked of you, he intents to sell your mother's mansion and the land around it to the highest bidder."

"He can't!" exclaimed Nathan without even thinking. "The late Countess Thropp names her child as the solemn heir of her property."

Macon glared at him and his cold gaze made Nessa and Nathan flinch. "You ignorant peasant boy... A dead woman's will is just a rotten piece of paper with no value whatsoever. And there are many lawyers willing to help my uncle get rid of the burden that is that mansion."

"So you want to deceive the law so that you can force me to marry and make you richer?" snapped Elphaba, after thinking Macon's words again and again.

"Look at the bright side of it. You are a green woman and nevertheless you aren't going to die an old maid."

"Get out of my house." Elphaba said with mocking kindness. "I'm not going to allow you to mock me in my own house." She stood up and motioned for him in the direction of the exit.

"This isn't your home Elphaba. Your home is in Munchkin City with noble lords and ladies, no dogs and peasants." he snapped bitterly.

"Don't forget that it was the same father who now asks me to leave this place, the one to sent me here the first chance he got."

"It was for your own..."

"For my own good? For my safety? For people's cruelty against my skin? I assure you that it was none of the above. My father- if I can call him that- has no right over my life. And if he wants me to be an obedient daughter, he better comes here and drags me out of this village himself, instead of sending his loyal puppy." Macon seemed at a loss of words. From the corner of his eyes he caught a beaming smile on Nathan's face and a timid flushness at Nessa's cheeks.

"Now get out of my house and don't you dare come back and insult me and belittle me in such a manner."

He had been humiliated and he knew it. But he cared not about it. He had lost the battle but not the war.

"Such a great horse my friend." said the handsome young man as he caressed the mane of the kind beast. "Though you made me wait for you for more than an hour, it was worth it. This horse is one of the fastest I've ever ridden."

"I'm glad you think so Fiyero. The mansion and the land belong to my cousin and she takes care of the barn and the horses. Lately she has been a bit more temperamental than usual and I was worried she had strayed from her work of taking care of the land."

The handsome man, Fiyero, petted the beautiful horse once more and then turned to face Macon Thropp, one of his most recent business partners. "She is not half as bad as you describe if she can take care of this land all by herself and train this horse to the point of making it perfect."

A disgusted expression appeared on Macon's face but he dismissed it with his usual lopsided smirks. "I suppose she is not half as bad as I make her out to be. You would know about it my friend, especially after your recent encounter with her."

Confusion appeared in Fiyero's eyes, soon replaced with realization. But before he would have time to react and explain himself, a woman entered the barn and made her way to them with a deadly look in her amber eyes.

"I told you to leave the premises of my property." she said and pointed her green finger at Macon's face.

"Relax dear! I was only here to sell that pretty horse to the handsome gentleman, who happens to be a good friend of mine." Elphaba turned around to face the other man and her eyes were locked for the second time in a day with azure orbs. Her eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of the insulting man.

"The horses are not for sale." Her gaze travelled to the horse in front of which the stranger was standing, his hand still in the soft brown mane. "Especially that horse. It's mine!" she said and turned her attention to her cousin again, leaving the other man dumbfounded.

"Now, leave my property immediately. You shouldn't be here." She had no intention to stay there and fight with him anymore so she left the barn and left the two men all alone.

"See what I was talking about? She is not a woman. She is a wild green bean." he exclaimed and Fiyero nodded, unable to admit out loud that this woman was stronger than she looked and certainly stronger than Macon.

Two weeks later
Sandremo, Munchkinland

For a few days Macon had left Elphaba alone and hadn't dared to annoy her. His supposed friend, this Fiyero whatever his last name was, had stick around with him and was doing Oz knew what. The gossip around Santremo though was running wild. Macon and his stranger friend were frequent visitors of the cabarets in the nearby town and were often causing havoc with their drunken tantrums and improper behavior.

And Elphaba was annoyed. She was more annoyed than what she wanted to admit though she was grateful that Macon had stayed away from her and her family.

Things were running smoothly as far as she knew and she occupied her free time with preparations for the summer solstice festival. The beginning of spring was a big deal in the village and if was celebrated with an overwhelming festival. She had her suspicions though that the summer solstice would give her cousin a good chance to approach her and humiliate her (again).

She was with Nathan that day, two weeks after Macon's arrival, and the two were helping their step father with some decorations for the festival. Elphaba was picking the flowers and Nathan was moving a few boxes when a distressed Nessa made her way towards them.

"Nathan! Fabala!" she yelled from afar and run straight into Nathan's arms. Her fiancé caught her just in time and she collapsed in his arms crying.

"Nessie? Sweetheart?" Nathan kissed the top of her head and whispered a few soothing words at her. Elphaba approached with a worried expression and Jean abandoned his work to see what was happening.

"Noah..." It was all Elphaba needed to hear to be worried.

"What happened to Noah my love?" Nathan asked worriedly and Nessa tried to calm down her crying and breath before answering.

"The doctor said that..." Elphaba didn't let her finish. With long strides she started running to Nessa's house, followed closely by her adopted father. Nathan and Nessa stayed behind because the young woman was in desperate need of air and a glass of water.

In two minutes, Elphaba had reached Nessa's house and had entered through the open front door. She found everyone, including the doctor, in Noah's bedroom. The ten-year-old girl was laying in bed, looking pale and deathly sick.

Noah, Nessa's little sister, had been feeling sick for two days now. She was feeling a sharp pain down her tummy and as the doctor explained to Elphaba, she had high fever. It was the fever that had alerted her parents to call the doctor and luckily they had called for him.

"...Appendix..." was the only word Elphaba's brain comprehended. And it was enough to understand what had Nessa so worried. Appendix was a cause of death if not dealt properly with.

"As the fever gets higher she will have peritonitis and then her chances of survival are limited to none. She needs an operation and soon. If not, she will..." The doctor's explanation wasn't needed. Elphaba knew exactly what the doctor meant to say as the thought was enough to cause her distress. But there was a reason Nessa had called her and Jean. They were more rational and would listen carefully to what the doctor had to say. Elphaba was worried but she rarely panicked, a treat she shared with her adopted father.

"And now what? What do we do?" Jean Dillamond asked as he approached Nessa's mother and patted her shoulders. The crying woman looked up at him with watery red eyes.

"There's nothing we can do to save her. She needs an operation and we can't afford to take her to the City and pay for the hospital. My baby... my poor baby..." The mother cried in Jean's arms and the old man embraced her protectively. There were no words he could say to comfort her.

At that moment, Nathan and Nessa entered the house. Nessa had stoped crying but she clung to Nathan for support. She could barely stand.

"We can't afford to save her." Nessa's father said sadly and went to stand beside his younger daughter's bedside. A long moment of silence followed.

"You can't but I can!"

There wasn't a single person in the entire room that didn't turn to look her way. The determination in her amber eyes silenced all possible objects. No one was going to change her opinion. Those who knew Elphaba, were well aware of her stubbornness as well as her compassionate heart.

"Nessa is like a sister to me and so is Noah. I have the money and I can afford the operation. Noah is going to live. I promise you that much!"

The mansion and all of its contents belonged to Elphaba- or so she thought. Entering and exiting the vast house was her right and using its contents was also her right by law.

Silvery... unneeded silvery was all Elphaba needed to solve Noah's problem and save her life. Selling silver bowls and spoons and candlesticks was enough to gain all the money she needed to pay for Noah's operation.

A few days later, only three days before the summer solstice festival, as Elphaba watched little Noah returning to her home alive and well, as she watched Nessa's beaming smile, as she watched the grateful eyes of Noah's parents, she recalled a conversation she had had with Nathan at the day Noah had gotten appendix.

"If your father finds out what you want to do, he will be furious." Elphaba looked at him angrily. She knew what e was trying to do. Though he was in love with Nessa and cared deeply for little Noah, Nathan was trying to be reasonable and make Elphaba understand that she was going to be in big trouble.

"My father won't find out. He doesn't come here and I certainly won't tell him. Besides this is my mother's house, thus my house and if I want to sell my stupid useless silver spoons I'll do it; especially if I can save a child's life by doing so."

It was totally worth it, she thought as she looked at Noah's smiling face. Getting in possible trouble was worth the happiness of a little girl.

That's how good of a person Elphaba was...