"Is that her?" asked Elphaba the next day as she cleaned one of Fiyero's bed room windows. She could see out of the window she was cleaning a rather large carriage pull into the grand castle drive. A petite little blonde girl stepped out, caring a parcel over her head to shade herself from the sun, Elphaba rolled her eyes. She was dressed in a gagging pink dress and heels as tall as a quoxwood tree. But the heels still didn't do much for her height. They just made her that much easier to tip over. Her blonde curls bounced on her shoulders as she walked inside...rather carefully in those monster heels. Fiyero came up behind Elphaba and looked out the window as well.
"Yes, that's her." he said, sounding amused.
"That's some dress." Elphaba commented, nodding towards the huge poof ball the blonde was wearing.
"Yeah, she likes that type of stuff." Fiyero chuckled, "Come on, let's go greet her."
*************
Galinda stood in the entrace way of the grand palace, gazing about her wondrously, she secretly hoped that one day this would be her home...her and Fiyero's home...and their children's home...and their grandchildren's home...no, wait a second, she didn't even want to think about how old she'd have to be to have grandchildren.
"Galinda!" she could hear Fiyero's greeting, loud and echoing in the large high-ceilinged hall.
"Fiyero, dearest!" she ran to him like they did in the movies and wrapped her arms his neck. A little ways behind Fiyero was the scrawniest boy Galinda had ever seen. He was short, not shorter than her, but pretty short for a boy, why he probably wasn't even 3 inches taller than Galinda and everyone towered over Galinda...well, save for the Munchkins. He looked even skinnier than Galinda! And Galinda was one who took great pride in the small amount of weight she held and for a boy to be even skinnier than she was just about shattered her pride, but she soon got over it. He had on a messengers cap, long sleeved loose clothes and...gloves? The cap hid his face, making a dark shadow across his face, so Galinda's couldn't make out his features.
"I trust you've been well?" Fiyero asked jovially.
"Just peaches darling! And you?" Galinda asked, perkiness filling her voice, she thought she heard the scrawny boy behind Fiyero stifle a laugh. Galinda took an immediate dislike to him.
"I've been fine." said Fiyero with a smile, "Now, I'd like you to meet my friend." Fiyero pulled Galinda closer and the strange boy stepped forward a little.
"Galinda, this is Elias. Elias, this is my girlfriend, Galinda Upland." Fiyero introduced the two.
"It's nice to meet you Elias." Galinda said with a little giggle at the scrawny boy.
"Pleasure." said Elias, sounding the least bit close to pleasured. Galinda scowled at him which only made Elias suppress another laugh. Galinda noted how the voice sounded labored, like he usually spoke in a different language and speaking English was hard or something.
"Well, I thought Elias could spend the day with us." said Fiyero after the silence turned awkward.
"How thoughtful dearest." said Galinda.
"Yeah, so....we could go..." Fiyero thought.
"Shopping?" Galinda asked hopefully. Elias groaned and Galinda shot him a glare.
"No, how about....swimming?" asked Fiyero hurriedly, noticing the silent feud between his girlfriend and best friend.
"No!" Elphaba said quickly, "I mean, you two can go, but if you do, I think I'll just stay here and work."
"Swimming sounds wonderful dearest!" said Galinda, jumping at the chance for this Elias character to get out of the picture.
"Well, Elias doesn't want to. How about...the market? We could go and look at what they've got and walk around. It's a nice day out. How does that sound?" he asked.
"Oh that sounds delightful; I saw the prettiest necklace the other day...." Galinda squealed.
"Great, how 'bout I buy it for you?" Fiyero offered, smiling at her and kissing her forehead.
"Oh dearest, it's much too much expensive." Galinda looked down modestly all of a sudden.
"Nothing's too expensive for my Galinda." Fiyero touched her nose. Elphaba rolled her eyes; luckily, her cap shadowed her face so nobody saw.
******************
In the market, the odd trio walked about the shops and carts set outside. It was a cute little alley and everywhere Fiyero went someone nodded at him and smiled, and then there was the occasional bow that never failed to make Fiyero blush. Galinda watched Elias closely, she didn't like him, not one bit, and there was something weird about him. Suddenly it struck her, Elias was gay! Hah! That had to be it. Because Elias certainly didn't like her and he was always carrying Fiyero's stuff for him and walking behind them...probably to get a good look at Fiyero's butt or something. Galinda glared at Elias, so this was her competitor eh?
"Fiyero darling, would you mind getting me a glass of water?" asked Galinda.
"I'll do it." said Elias. Galinda glared at him, she wanted a moment alone with Elias to slice his hopes before Fiyero accidently lead him on. She was Fiyero's lover, not him. Besides, Fiyero didn't swing on that side of the tree.
"No, I want Fiyero to get it." said Galinda sharply.
"But I--" Elphaba began, wondering what this Galinda character had in plan. She didn't really like her. And what if she lost her job because she didn't get the water for Fiyero? He wasn't supposed to have to lift a finger.
"Elias, calm down." said Fiyero with a wave of his hand, "I'll go get it."
"But Mas--" Elphaba began. Galinda froze up at this. Mas? What was the end of this...whatever Elias was about to call him. So, he had a pet name for him did he? And it started with Mas...hmmm.
"Jus wait here with Galinda." said Fiyero, "I'll be right back. You two can get to know each other."
Once Fiyero was out of earshot, Galinda turned sharply on her heel so that she faced Elias
"Now you listen here Elias," Galinda began, "This may be hard for you to comprehend but Fiyero loves me, he's dating me, he doesn't like you and lastly, he doesn't swing that way!" Galinda yelled in his face. Elias stared at her for a long moment. Or at least Galinda thought Elias was staring at her, it was hard to tell with that stupid cap shadowing his face.
"You—you think I'm in love with Fiyero?" Elias choked out.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do!" Galinda shrieked.
"You think I'm gay?" asked Elias, laughing hard now. Galinda blushed and looked down at her feet. Then she looked back up sharply, she wouldn't not be talked down to by this stupid boy.
"Yes I do!" Galinda said matter-of-factly, "Why do you keep carrying all of our bags? Why do you always walk behind him? Why do you always offer to do stuff for him? And why do you have a pet name for him? And yes, I know you have a pet name for him because I heard you almost call him it. It started with 'Mas'." Galinda stomped her little foot with each accusation.
"Miss Galinda," said Elias. Galinda was a little shocked at the formality, "Miss Galinda, I do those things because I'm Fiyero's servant, it's my job. I'm supposed to carry his things for him. It would be inappropriate for me to walk side by side with him or in front of him. I offer to do things for him because that is what a servant does. And that 'pet name' that started with 'Mas' is Master." said Elias.
"Oh." Galinda said quietly. She felt a blush steel over her face as she realized her mistake. Elias was a servant? She felt so embarrassed and rude. She'd probably insulted Elias, oh she felt terrible.
"I'm sorry." said Galinda.
"Don't mention it." said Elias quickly as Fiyero came back with a glass of water for Galinda. She smiled at him and so the afternoon went on. Galinda tried to be particularly nice to Elias for the rest of the afternoon.
*******************
Once Galinda had gone home, Elphaba was back in Fiyero's room, cleaning off the windows that she'd left unfinished when she'd wandered off to the market with Galinda. She'd been increasingly annoying and brutally blonde. She'd even suspected her of being in love with Fiyero! That was absurd. Elphaba didn't fall for boys, especially not princes...although she did always get this weird feeling when Fiyero was around. And when she'd seen Galinda and Fiyero share a kiss or two, she always tensed up. Oh sweet Oz, what was wrong with her?! Is this what her sister meant by 'when you find 'the one' you'll know'? Elphaba was pulled out of her thoughts as Fiyero spoke to her.
"So, what'd you think of Galinda?" asked Fiyero.
"Annoying." Elphaba grumbled, "But she seems your type I suppose."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Fiyero asked, feeling a little offended, 'his type' so, Elias already had him labeled?
"You know...prince and blonde beauty, it matches." said Elphaba with a shrug.
"Now that's not fair Elias." said Fiyero.
"I'm sorry if I offended you." said Elphaba in a work, all business tone. Then she left, leaving Fiyero to his thoughts.
********************
Frex was pacing in his study. His stupid green freak of a daughter had gone missing about a week ago and there was no trace of her. He doubted anyone had kidnapped her. She'd probably run away, the little devil. What would happen to his reputation when people learned that his oldest daughter had run away from home? Who was going to cook his meals and sing to him? He was interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. He stomped over to the door and flung it open. He jumped back slightly when he realized it was the Gale Force. They had a long piece of parchment in front of them and began to read.
"The Children's Abuse Agency has recently been informed that you, Frexspar Thropp are guilty of mistreatment and abuse to your oldest daughter, Elphaba Thropp, both verbally and physically. We are here to arrest you for said crime unless your oldest daughter, Elphaba Thropp, will speak for you." said the Gale Force member before sharply looking up to meet Frex's enraged gaze, "Where is your daughter sir?" asked the Gale Force.
"She's not here." Frex growled.
"Well, where is she?"asked the Gale Force.
"How should I know? She ran away a week ago." said Frex.
"Very well, you may stay here until she is found." said the Gale Force, "We will be back in a two months to arrest you whether she has been found or not." with that the Gale Force strode away, the two officers climbing into a Gale Force carriage. Frex stood in the doorway, breathing heavily, his eyes turning to slits and his nostrils flaring. So, his daughter had reported him had she? Who had she told? He was going to kill her! But first...he had to find the little devil.