A/N: Shout outs to everyone reading this! Hope you're enjoying it. This chapter gets into the nitty gritty a little bit. ;)
Chapter 4
The trip to the Vinkus was rather quiet in terms of the road conditions and lack of bandits. Fiyero, however, noted the tension inside the carriage. He had watched his wife play with the little pieces of hair that refused to stay where she wanted them to until she had practically ripped them all out. He took her hands in his in an effort to stop the new nervous habit she had developed. It reminded him that the old, outwardly confident, Elphaba was gone and that the woman he loved now wore her emotions on her sleeves.
"We'll be to the palace in about ten minutes so you best prepare yourselves. Not sure what kind of welcome the Gale Force will get in the Vinkus. I don't think anyone from the Force has been here since the Wizard's last visit…" Zetti trailed off. The Wizard's last visit had had the dictator denouncing Fiyero to his parents claiming his treachery to not only his title of Captain of the Gale Force but also all of Oz.
"I had best exit the carriage first. One little surprise at a time I suppose," Fiyero said giving a tight smile.
"Absolutely not. I will exit first. This way if we have to turn tail in a hurry we can," Zetti told them.
"We will not turn tail. If need be, I can protect us. I would not think of doing so as I hope my first meeting with the King and Queen goes a little smoother but then again there is my green skin to worry about," Elphaba said.
"Then we send the Private out first. He's expendable," Zetti chuckled which earned him a look from Roth and a slight chuckle from Fiyero.
"What? I'm the ranking officer here," Zetti said as Roth only shook his head.
"I would argue ladies first but certainly not considering the situation," Elphaba spoke up.
"All right well we're out of time. I will exit, announce your presence, and then you come on out and of course the Private will bring up the rear, although Olaf might be better suited for that," Zetti cracked another joke and Elphaba rolled her eyes as the men laughed. They all knew not to bring up Olaf's better half or mention his preference in life partners here. The Vinkus was known for its strict laws against such behavior despite the fact that it wasn't something that was controllable like behavior. Zetti exited the carriage first and was immediately met with suspicious looks from the Vinkun Palace Guards.
"Prince Fiyero Tiggular has returned at the request of the King and Queen," Sergeant Zetti announced as he stepped out of the way and Fiyero then exited the carriage, holding Elphaba's hand.
"Witch!" One of the Guards shouted and they immediately shouldered their rifles. Private Roth shouldered his and threw Fiyero is own while Zetti stepped in front of Elphaba.
"Lower your weapons!" A lieutenant ordered.
"Not until you lower yours! We have orders from Lady Glinda herself to bring both the Prince and Miss Elphaba to her wedding. Any harm comes to them or us and you will find the Vinkus no longer on Glinda's ally list," Zetti shouted back.
"All of you lower your weapons!" Boomed a voice from behind them all. Immediately, the Vinkun soldiers lowered their weapons which allowed the others to do the same. King Havel stepped out of the main Palace doorway. Behind him, Queen Eliska, stepped out as well.
"What is the meaning of this?" He asked, meaning the fact that his soldiers had raised their weapons at his own son.
"It's the Wicked Witch of the West, Your Majesty," the Lieutenant pointed to the woman with green skin.
"She is my wife," Fiyero growled as he handed his rifle to Sergeant Zetti.
"What?" Havel asked.
"Her name is Elphaba and she is my wife!" Fiyero announced it loudly for everyone to hear. Sensing a blow out of epic proportions about to occur, Queen Eliska stepped forward, took Elphaba's hand and gave her a smile.
"It is so very good to meet you," she said.
"It is an honor Queen Eliska," Elphaba began to curtsy but the Queen stopped her.
"There is no need for that. Why don't we leave the boys to their foolishness and we can talk and get to know one another. You must be tired from your trip," Eliska said.
"I must confess I don't sleep much anymore, Your Majesty," it wasn't a lie and upon a closer look at the younger woman she realized that despite her beauty, the signs of a heavy burden were evident.
"Well at least come and sit down on something a little more comfortable than the carriage seat," the Queen smiled and Elphaba smiled back.
"Go with her Private Roth," Zetti ordered.
"Yes, sir," Roth saluted, grabbed Elphaba's bags and followed the ladies inside. Fiyero watched as his mother led his beloved away. He wasn't worried about her so much as he was his father. The King turned to his troops and said,
"Assist the driver and see that the Prince's bags get to his room." With that he turned around and entered the Palace. Fiyero followed, knowing the next conversation was not going to be pretty.
To Be Continued…
