Chapter 4:

Elphaba woke up the next morning with the sound of a soft humming. She opened her eyes, rubbing them slowly as her gaze fell on Glinda. There was the other girl, humming softly while she brushed her hair, looking intently at her own reflection. She smiled softly as she saw Elphaba shuffling in the reflection.

Glinda laughed and Elphaba looked up at her with a small smile.

Elphaba buried her face into her arms, "I do believe the greatest criminal act has just been committed."

Glinda inquired still concentrating on her hair. "Would you please share, though I do believe that I dread the answer?"

Elphaba smiled at the teasing tone, "You woke up before me."

Glinda laughed, "Oh absolutely scandalous."

Elphaba laughed in return, "Yes well maybe I'm being slightly dramatic."

Glinda couldn't help but smile, "Yes only slightly."

Elphaba got up and draped her arms around the girl, "Now stop teasing."

Glinda shrugged, "Alright but I swear if you keep going like this I'll stop being so quotable. You'll put me out of business."

Elphaba laughed, "Let's not hope for a miracle my sweet."

Glinda smiled, "Yes, far too beyond your reach."

At that Elphaba lightly slapped the other girl at the back of the head smiling all too broadly. Glinda couldn't help but laugh at the reaction.

Glinda stood with a yawn, getting into her red dress, she smiled, and she thought it looked very nice on her. Elphaba got changed into her pants and shirt. Glinda stumbled down the stairs when they had packed their trunk. They walked down almost too eagerly and got the door. Glinda went to get the horse as Elphaba paid for their nights stay.

Glinda waited with the horse. Elphaba laughed as she mounted, Glinda sat behind her and they started to ride as Glinda's arms wound tightly around Elphaba. That whole day went without complication. When they got to the next inn there were guards patrolling it, inescapable for the fact that they were trying to locate the princess.

Glinda stared wide eyed and Elphaba whispered softly, "Put the horse in the stable and I'll take care of this."

Elphaba walked up to the guards, "What happened?"

One of them looked at her smiling greetings, "The princess ran away, she finally managed to escape, we're looking everywhere for her. The King is beyond distress. We've looked at every village within radius of castle but so far we've yet to come across her. Do you have any word?"

Elphaba shook her head, "I'm afraid I don't know more than what you've told me."

He sighed, "Too bad. What are you doing here anyway? Last we heard you left the castle with a maid?"

Elphaba smiled, "I am with a maid. She is to accompany me to take care of my horse and shine my boots and help with the cooking when we're on the road. I'm here to take leave to the capital. I decided if I were to ask the King that he would surely refuse so I left on my own terms. I have far outlived my terms of service and deserve a break."

He smiled softly, "I couldn't agree more Miss Elphaba."

Elphaba smiled softly at him, he was a good friend of hers. "Yes Anthony."

Anthony laughed, "I would love to meet the maid."

At that Glinda walked to Elphaba, linking arms with the other girl, "I do believe I was mentioned."

No one recognised her, simply for the fact Glinda never wore clothes like that or ever appeared so plain except for her obvious beauty.

Anthony bowed, "You are very much correct my lady."

Glinda smiled softly, "I have respect for anyone who would treat any women as a lady."

Anthony laughed softly, "Something my parents beat into me as a small child my lady. I've never been able to do otherwise, even if I tried I wouldn't know how to. Both you ladies please enjoy your stay we have other duties to attend to. Thank you graciously for your time."

At that he stood with a charming smile and left with the other guards.

As soon as they left Glinda bumped into Elphaba, "I insist of you to go out with him."

Elphaba's face went darker, "What!? He's just a friend, I couldn't and I wouldn't."

Glinda laughed softly, "Fine then, the less competition the better."

Her face went greener than normal, "What!? You want to go after him!"

Glinda smiled softly, "You sound so surprised, of course. He is a very good-looking and charming young man. It would be inhuman not to pursue him."

Elphaba blinked, "I don't believe this."

At that Glinda caught Elphaba by the hand as the entered the inn and got a room. Glinda spent little than a few minutes on her appearance and the result was astounding. She looked stunning; she was one of those people that could look amazing in almost anything.

She turned to Elphaba, "Are you coming?"

Elphaba sighed, "Yes."

They walked quickly down the stairs. Glinda walked into the bar smiling softly at Anthony. Anthony smiled back, he'd obviously paid attention to his appearance and had done a good job should Glinda say so herself.

She sat next to him. The whole night was spent flirting and smiling, exchanging old stories. The whole time Elphaba was sitting in a bore trying not to be overly protective.

Eventually Anthony stood, "Shall we dance?"

Glinda laughed and took his arm, "I was about to ask you."

They danced for hours, all the time Elphaba sat there by herself at an empty table, drinking her wine.

Eventually Anthony took Glinda to watch the stars. They sat on the bench for hours simply watching the stars. Then Anthony gently kissed Glinda on the lips and Glinda blushed with a childish smile. It had been her first kiss. When it was late Anthony stood and offered to escort Glinda to her bedroom.

On the way they found that Elphaba had fallen asleep on the table by herself with the glass still in her hand. Anthony picked her up into his arms, leading up the stairs. They then walked up the stairs where Glinda thanked him for a wonderful night and he bowed saying the pleasure was all his own.

Glinda yawned, dragging Elphaba to the bed with her as she fell asleep. With both girls holding each other in their sleep.