Homecoming
She alit shakily in the courtyard of Kiamo Ko, half-expecting Nor to come running from some alcove. The cumulative shock of the past few weeks must have taken its toll on her. She was actually glad for the absence of a welcoming committee; the throng at the service and at Avaric's soirée had induced a brief spell of sociophobia in her.
"Now where've you been?" Nanny scolded when she was finally found to be in the sitting room, absently rubbing Chistery's hackles up the wrong way. "It's almost time for supper. Would you tell Liir, wherever he is? It's cheese, his favourite."
Elphaba's lips stretched into a taut smile (Liir hated cheese) and she gave the old woman a dismissive peck on the cheek before heading for the tower. The boy was slouched on the bottom step, humming an oddly familiar tune. He looked up as she approached and rose to his feet. He must have grown while she was gone; he was now only a head shorter than her and she suddenly remembered that he was fourteen.
"You came back," he said stolidly, but Elphaba caught the traitorous waver in his voice. The Witch's only response was a curt nod as she swept up the stairs in a flurry of skirts, leaving Liir staring fixedly at the spot where she had stood.
A/N: I'm a little leery about this one. Set after Nessa's death and veers a little from the book. Please review!
