minionpig22222: thanks!

ClassilySouthern: That's what I aim for- I want my stories to be different. Here's your peek at Elphie!


"And then bang! Crash! The lightning flashed!" Oscar said boisterously as he recounted his latest tale of travel to his six year old daughter. Elphaba curled her knees to her chest, slightly frightened, but intrigued nonetheless.

Melena smiled as she heard her husband tell Elphaba the story of his time in the Vinkus. She was drawn back to reality when a bird pecked at the window. A messenger pigeon stood on the sill. Melena gently untied the parchment from its leg and ruffled its feathers. It cooed and flew off, east bound.

"Take me back. I know I messed up. Take me back, Mel. I love you." It read. She recognized Frex's messy script anywhere.

Sighing, Melena crumpled the paper and threw it in the wastebasket. She cupped her forehead with her hand and heaved a deep breath. Fed up with her work, she was Queen of Oz after all, she snuck into the other room. Having already heard the story she waited for the right moment to surprise her little girl.

"And then, the Witch appeared again!" Oscar exclaimed.

"Boo!" Melena said from behind Elphaba, causing the girl to shriek and topple over. Melena laughed gently before helping Elphaba back up.

"Not funny Mama!" Elphaba said shrilly, tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry my dear, I didn't mean to upset you." Melena kneeled down to the floor and pulled Elphaba into her arms. "Preena?" She called, seeing the maid in the hallway.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" The young maid asked meekly, still unsure when she was in trouble or just needed.

"Can you bring Elphaba to the kitchen for some milk and cookies?"

The girl's face lit up. "Milk and cookies!" She scrambled to her feet and ran over to Preena and grabbed her hand, as she always did, and they walked to the kitchen.

"Hello, Melena." Oscar said, wrapping an arm around Melena's waist and giving her a soft kiss.

"Hey Oscar." She whispered, resting her head on his shoulder and staying in his embrace. "Frexspar sent me a note, saying how he still loved me and wants me to take him back." She told him.

"What did you do with it?"

"I threw it out, Oscar I'm happier here than I ever was there. I just wish…" She trailed off.

"I know, you wish you knew what happened to Nessarose."

"More than anything." Melena confessed, sadly.

"I'm sorry, mo grá."

"What does that mean?"

"It's a language from my world, it means 'my love'. If you don't like it-"

"No, I love it."


It had been three weeks since Frex started his drinking. He would come home at incredulous hours, or even not until late in the morning, hungover and mumbling about a man named Ezra. Not only was he out drinking every night, but he had also picked up gambling at the tavern. He would bet insane amounts, sometimes winning and sometimes losing. His drunken mind couldn't allow him to fully comprehend what he was doing. His work had begun to suffer, as well as the money to his name. Two or three of the many, many maids had their wages cut.

Nanny listened sadly as she heard him stumble in at a few minutes past four one morning, she had just woken and the loud boot stomps were only audible to her, luckily. Little Nessarose had enough to worry about without knowing about her father's addiction. Whenever he wouldn't come back, Nanny would tell her he just had to go out early and he'd be back later.

This particular morning, however, she heard a small whimper from the young girl's room once the door to Frex's office slammed twenty six seconds after he entered the house, as usual. Nanny slowly stood up and softly padded down the hall to Nessa's bedroom and opened the door. The young girl was clutching her head and moaning in pain.

Nanny rushed to her bedside and took the young girl's hands. It took her a few heartbeats to stop crying and realize that someone was there, and it was none other than Nanny.

"My dear Nessie, are you okay?"

"Green…brown eyes…gold flecks…" Nessa muttered incoherently, still sorting her thoughts.

"Little Rose?"

Startled, Nessa jumped away, before clutching her head and screaming out in agonizing pain again. Nanny was very unsure as to what was going on, so she simply plopped down on the bedside and hugged Nessa tight in her arms, until her sobs subsided to a hiccup.

"Are you alright now, my dear?" Nanny whispered, gently kissing Nessa's hair. She didn't get a response, as Nessa had already fallen back asleep in her arms. Nanny laid her back down and pulled the covers up to her chin, before turning away.

"Mama," Nessa whispered from the bed.

The old woman turned and look at the little girl, who was fast asleep, but then whispered again, "Mama."

Nanny paused for a moment, waiting.

"Mama." She said again. Nessa was completely asleep, but whispering anyway.

Cattery Spunge, utterly confused, left the room with a letter to write. She crept down the hall with silent steps. Suddenly, she heard Frex marching up the stairs. Quickly, she ducked into the bathroom, knowing how upset he gets when he finds anyone out after hours. She held her breath as he thumped down the hall and roughly shoved the door to his room shut. Nanny poked her head into the hall, ensuring that he was gone, before continuing down the stairs.


"E-excuse me, Your Majesty," Preena said tentatively, stepping into Melena's office with a gentle tap on the door, "this just came from Munchkinland."

"If it's from Frex just go burn it now." Melena responded tiredly, not looking up from her paperwork.

"No, Your Majesty, it's from a Cattery Spunge."

Melena's head snapped up so fast, Preena jumped back a bit. Wordlessly, she held out her hand for the letter.

"That will be all, Preena. You may go." Melena whispered, not looking at the timid maid, who quickly curtsied before bolting from the room.

Grabbing her knife, she slit the opening of the envelope and hastily pulled the letter out.

Dearest Melena,

I have heard you are doing well in the Emerald City with little Elphaba. Hopefully she doesn't miss Nessarose too much, that can't be healthy, and considering Elphaba is only six after all (can you believe it? I sure can't).

Things have changed around here, Melena. And not for the better, I regret to tell you. Frex took up drinking a few weeks ago. He'll come back at ungodly hours, if he comes back at all. It started when the doctor told us Nessarose has an eidetic memory. This previous eve upon writing this letter, she was whispering "Mama" repeatedly and muttering incoherently. I know it's a long shot, but I believe she remembers you and Elphaba, to a certain extent.

Melena's heart soared a bit. She missed her little Nessarose, it was her biggest regret about marrying Oscar and never returning to Munchkinland. They covered up the story pretty well, saying that it was done for the good of the province. Shaking off these thoughts, she turned back to the letter.

But that's not all.

Frex has become frustrated with Nessarose's leg problems, and has scheduled her first correctional surgery for the end of the week. I believe he is aware of its futility, but he insisted upon it anyway. My poor girl, she's only three, and has no idea what's going on yet. I am planning on telling her in a few days. I will write to you again after the surgery and tell you about how he reacts. The doctor said she'd never be able to walk, so I am quite unsure what he's anticipating.

But do tell me how is Elphaba coping with all of this? She seemed very upset when she had to leave her baby sister behind. She doesn't seem like the type to let that go.

Please do write back, my dear. I miss you very much and may have to visit soon!

All my love,

Nanny

Melena read over the letter several times, not quite believing everything. Frex became an alcoholic? Nessarose has an eidetic memory? She's having a correctional surgery on her legs?

"Oscar?" She called, poking her head into the hall. Closing the door behind her, she walked towards the throne room, looking for her husband. She found him lounging in his grand, green throne, talking to Madame Morrible, who was hastily scribbling notes on a clipboard. Melena lightly rapped on the door frame, not wishing to intrude. They both seized their actions; Morrible shoved the clipboard behind her back and Oscar suddenly stood up and strode over to her.

"Mo grá, what can I do for you?" He asked, taking her hands and bringing them to his lips. She smoothly, albeit quickly, pulled her hands away.

"What are you up to, Oscar?" The dark haired woman eyed him skeptically.

"We're simply making arrangements, we're having a guest in a few days."

"Oh? Who?"

Oscar made an awkward sound in the back of his throat and shifted uncomfortably. Melena, knitting her brows, looked over to Morrible, who trained her eyes on the wall and played with a piece of stray platinum blonde hair.

"Oscar?" Melena asked in a more intent voice, resting a hand on his bicep. She felt him shift beneath her touch, but she didn't move.

"It's Frex, Melena. He's coming for a meeting in a few days and will be staying for the weekend." Oscar sighed, rubbing his eyes exasperatedly.

Melena visibly blanched. All the color drained from her face and she took a few uneasy steps back, shaking her head, she fled from the room without another word. She ran clumsily back to her office, knocking over a few maids in the process, and slammed the door. Throwing her back against it, she tried to gather her breaths and her senses. Melena locked the door and sat herself, quite ungracefully, back down. Grabbing her quill and an inkwell, she started her letter.

Nanny,

You will most certainly have to visit, but be aware. Elphaba has no memory of you, Frex, or Nessarose. When she refused to acknowledge the palace as home, we gave her a memory potion and a degreenifying potion. We're quite well, actually.

I am intrigued to hear of Nessarose's memory, but I hope for her sake she doesn't remember us. That could ravage the mind of an already unsettled young girl. A surgery? To hell with Frex, he doesn't know what he's doing anymore. And he's turned to drinking? Sweet Oz, that man. That explains the random note I received a few days prior.

He's coming to visit, and he will probably be here by the time this reaches you. I'm quite scared, Nanny, of what he will do upon seeing me and Fabala.

Please keep yourself safe, I dearly worry what will happen to you and Nessarose and the staff when word gets out about his new habit.

With love,

Melena Alaycia Diggs


Mo grá is Gaelic, in case you were wondering.