A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong! Thanks for the review! Glad to have you back. :)


Chapter 3

The caravan arrived at the village as the sun was beginning to set. The soldiers let the group in and quickly dispersed the women and children to homes willing to foster them. They were met with some resistance as most had only heard how horrible Animals could be but soon the new visitors and their foster families were getting all settled.

Fiyero, Sergeant Zetti, Lieutenant Ronin, Private Roth, Theodore, and Olaf were led into the conference room where they were locked in. Elphaba was carried to the Dillamond's who were both surprised to learn of what had happened in the Village. Billy explained everything and promised that part of his duty was not letting Elphaba or Glinda out of his sight. He was then directed to the Captain who was recovering on the couch in the living room.

"Everyone make it back?" He asked.

"Yes but I don't see how you can leave those under arrest, still under arrest," Billy spoke bluntly.

"How do you figure?" The Captain eyeballed him.

"Elphaba doesn't even know who she is. I had to explain to her why her skin was green. I think that it would not be out of the question to release the prisoners and reinstate them. She's not a danger to anyone. At this point, I'd probably have to teach her how to tie her own shoes. Moreover, she's had multiple opportunities to destroy everyone here but she never did. If she was as "wicked" as they say, would she not have destroyed every Gale Force soldier who would have tried to enter the village? Would she have travelled all the way to the Emerald City where she could have been killed on the spot? Captain, you have to understand..."

"I understand perfectly well but you know as well as I, that if I do not hold them accountable and if someone leaves this village and blabs, we're all dead. It is only by sheer luck we have managed so far. I intend to get those arrested to the Emerald City where Brrr is currently running things and leave the decision to him. If the good people of the Emerald City see their temporary leader holding those who would stand up for the witch and for Animals accountable, it may just make the hatred of Animals decrease. When everyone discovers that Elphaba is incapable of aiding in her own defense and that she is as harmless as a butterfly, they will undoubtedly feel she could not be held responsible. Besides we have proven most of the myths surrounding her false just by the fact that we're all still standing here. That and most of what the Wizard said were all lies too. If he lied about who he was, could not also lie about Elphaba? Not to mention, Morrible's lies that she spewed. Her trial illuminated quite a bit about the old codfish. Her execution became a national holiday for cripes sake!" Khalil was working himself up and Mrs. Dillamond came in and demanded that the two put a stop to it. The Captain's heart needed to be examined after he practically froze to death and she didn't want to put extra strain on him. Billy nodded and left to find Elphaba.

"Oh Lady Glinda, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were in here," Billy stood at attention as he entered the bedroom where Elphaba had been brought in. the blonde had taken a seat next to the bed where her friend was lying.

"Billy!" Elphaba was all smiles.

"Hi there Elphaba. How are you feeling?" He asked.

"My head feels a little better but I don't remember this place," her face fell.

"I was just trying to help her remember who I was," Glinda had a slight frown on her face.

"It is going to take some time but I'm glad that both of you are alive and well. How is your shoulder?" Billy wanted to know.

"It hurts but as soon as I gain a little strength back, I'm going to try and heal it. I need to help the Captain as well, if I can," the blonde admitted. Billy nodded and noted that Elphaba had grown bored with the conversation. She was playing with her long hair as if she was trying to figure out how it was attached to her head.

"The next few weeks are going to be brutal," he said.

To Be Continued…