Part 6: The Trap

Simon sighed out deeply as he was led by a guard to the Southstairs where Morrible was kept. It still shocked him that Madam Morrible was still alive after all these years. Simon really didn't want to talk with her, but he knew he had no choice. He had to find out more about the Wicked Witch of the West's past and Morrible had that information.

"Time to see Horrible Morrible." Simon muttered, as he walked.

Once the guard let him to the cell he gave a bow to the Captain before leaving. Simon gulped nervously, but cleared his throat to get her attention. Morrible had her back turned but once hearing Simon's poor grumble she turned around.

"Captain Simon, long time no see." She spat, as she walked into the light. A sly grin danced across her face as she spoke.

Simon was relieved that there were steel bars between them, but that didn't do much to calm his heart. As Morrible got closer to him, Simon could see what the years had done to her. She was just skin and bones. Her face had such deep wrinkles that they looked like scars upon her face. Her eyes were foggy and slightly closed. Her fingers moved ever so carefully. Almost like they were so brittle that any harsh movement would cause them break. He didn't think it was possible, but her hair was even more white and faded from the last time he saw her.

"Madam..." Simon began, trying to keep the uneasiness out of his voice. "I have some questions I would like to ask you."

"Do you really think I will answer them?" Morrible asked, as she moved her head to one side briefly. "I live down here in this hell, where food rations could barely satisfy a rat, where light barely makes an appearance, and you come here, from your rich way of living, thinking I will just do what you say? Ha! You are an naive bastard if you think that."

"If you do answer my questions I will make it worth your wild." Simon answered.

"Keep talking." Madam Morrible growled, as she laid her boney arms across her chest.

"You help give me the information I want to know and...and I can get you out of here. I can let you go free within the week." Simon replied, as he cringed at the thought of letting her go free.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" Morrible asked, her voice softer this time.

"Is there anyway one could...leave Oz and then return?" Simon said, as a rat ran by his feet.

"I'm sure it is possible. But how to do such a thing I don't know. Why are you thinking about taking vacation outside of Oz?" Madam Morrible answered.

"No, it's just..." Simon sighed out deeply he knew what he had to do. "I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think Elphaba and Glinda are alive. For I have met what I think it their daughter."

"What? You mean Elphaba Thropp? And Glinda Upland?" Morrible asked, making sure she heard right. "Are you insane?"

"I speak the truth!" Simon shouted. "The Tin man found a girl, named Iris, lost in the woods. He brought her to me. When I asked Iris how she got lost in the woods she said to thank the broom she was holding. I didn't pay mush attention until this morning when I asked Iris her parents' names. She said the names Elphaba and Glinda. To make sure I was hearing right I even made her right the names out." Once Simon finished there was a brief pause of silence.

"So Elphaba and Glinda are alive are they. I guess those rumors from long ago were right. They were lovers from the very start. I did notice something different between them when they were at Shiz. Yes, it makes more sense now." As Morrible talked she paced around her cramped cell. "You must be conflicted." Madam Morrible snickered, after a moment or two.

"Why do you say that?" Simon asked.

"If what you say is true then you must be over joyed that Glinda is alive, for you are still in love with her. But to know she has given her heart to the Wicked Witch scares you." Morrible replied, as she studied her nails.

"I'm not in love with Glinda." Simon said quickly.

After that answer by the Gale Force Captain Morrible let out a harsh, scratchy, laugh before replying, "I may be an old crow, but that doesn't mean I can't hear the guards as they walk by my cell. And trust me...they have talked much about your little crush on Glinda." Simon's eyes narrowed but he didn't argue what Morrible had said. "I wouldn't despair, Simon, now you know Elphaba's weakness. She's will be powerless once you have Glinda and Iris." Morrible answered.

"I have one more question for you." Simon replied, his voice a bit shaky. "At one time Elphaba had the Grimmerie, but I don't think she took it with her. Do you have an idea of where it might be?"

"Check her tower." Morrible answered, as she licked her bone dry lips. "Now if you don't have anymore questions, for me, I would like to know around what time I will be leaving here."

"You will be set free, but right now I have to take care of some business first. I swear you will be released soon, but for now I must go." With that Simon turned around and made a quick exit.

"Oh, Elphaba will show up." Morrible whispered, even though Simon had all ready left. "No doubt of that."

...X...

It was afternoon before Simon returned to his room. He let out a ragged sigh as he brushed some of his hair from his eyes. Only a meek voice broke Simon from his thought.

"Simon, are you all right?" Iris asked, as she pushed opened the door.

"Yeah, I'm good." Simon lied, as he kneeled by the small girl and patted her head.

"Are we going to finish the flyer now?" Iris asked. "I can't wait to see my parents again."

Simon twitched slightly. He felt so conflicted. He really did care about Iris, but to know she was the daughter of Elphaba as well as Glinda's made his skin crawl, for he hated Elphaba with a passion.

"To tell you the truth, Iris, I think we have enough information. I can get the flyer out very soon." Simon replied, with a weak smile.

"Yay!" Iris cheered. "Oh, I can't wait!"

"Me neither." Simon answered, his voice carried a tone of malevolence. A tone that Iris didn't catch.

...X...

"The end is in sight, my sweet, look." Elphaba said, as she made it to the top of a hill, and pointed to the buildings of the Emerald City glowing out in the distance.

"Thank the Unnamed God we're almost there." Glinda sighed. Suddenly her eyes started to travel over their surroundings. Her brow drew together before her blue eyes widen in realization. "Elphie, do you remember this place?"

"What place?" Elphaba asked, in confusion.

"The place we are now." Glinda replied, as she motioned to the space around them.

Elphaba looked over the area before answering, "It does look somewhat familiar."

"This is where we had our picnic those years ago. Remember? We ate Gillikin berries, watched the sunset, and this place is where we first made love since you came back and revealed you were really alive." Glinda said, as she let out a blissful sigh, as the memory came flooding back to her. Elphaba grinned slightly as her gaze fell on her lover. She was glad to see Glinda had forget about her anxiety, at least for a little while. But after a minute went by Glinda just walked beside Elphaba and replied, "Let's go our little girl is waiting for us."

...X...

It had been a few hours as Simon sat at his desk just staring blankly at the wall as he passed a knife from one hand to the other. Iris was sitting on the floor beside him playing with some little wooden figures. She looked at Simon from time to time and gave him a smile. He returned it before letting his gaze fall back to the wall. He was growing impatience by the second, and it took all the willpower in him to keep calm. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Simon ordered, as she stood up. The door slowly opened and Boq walked inside. Iris gave him a wave before continuing the game she was playing.

"Sir, may I have a word with you?" Boq asked. Simon didn't need to be asked twice as he hurried out of the room.

"Well?" Simon replied, once they were out of ear shot.

"I...I saw them." Boq answered, his voice was consumed by shock. "I hid in the woods like you said and I saw them. By the Unnamed God I never thought I would see Glinda and that Wicked Witch again. They're headed this way."

"Excellent. I will tell my guards to take their positions." Simon said, as he went to leave, but Boq grabbed his arm.

"Sir, I want to inform you that Elphaba is no longer green." Boq said. "I don't know how but her skin is the same as Glinda's. She in the same black attire though, so she shouldn't be too hard to pick out."

"Thank you, Boq, before this day is done you will be handsomely rewarded. Now go and spread the word to the guards." Simon said. With that Boq ran off. His tin body making a clacking sound as he left. Once he was gone Simon took off as well. It was time to put his trap into motion.

...X...

"Are you sure this is where Iris is being held?" Glinda whispered, as they observed the building from a hidden location.

"I'm sure. All missing persons or lost travelers are directed to come here." Elphaba answered, as she careful scanned the building.

"The problem is getting Iris out of there." Glinda said. "She could be anywhere in...oh, Elphie, look!" Elphaba looked up to where Glinda was pointing. There sitting on the floor of a balcony was Iris. Again she was playing with the wooden figures. "It's our Iris! Oh, Elphie, we got to get to her!"

Elphaba scanned the area before turning to Glinda and saying, "The coast is clear I'm going to try to get her attention."

"Elphie, wait." But it was too late Elphaba had sprinted towards the side of the wall just under the balcony where Iris was playing.

"Iris! Iris!" Elphaba whispered as loud as she dared, but the young girl couldn't hear her.

Elphaba scanned the space around her to see if there was anything, so she could get closer to where Iris was. After a few moments Elphaba spotted a large box. She took the box and placed it beside her so she could climb on top of it. Once on the box Elphaba called to her daughter again.

Glinda watched from her hiding spot hoping with all of her might that Iris would hear Elphaba's calls. Just then Iris stood up from where she was playing, and Glinda felt her heart leap with joy, but instead of going closer to the balcony Iris just walked away out of sight.

"No." Glinda whispered.

Suddenly, out from the opposite side of the building, a band of Gale Force guards came running out with guns in their hands. Glinda watched in horror as they swarmed Elphaba and held their guns to her head. The Gale Force Captain then walked up to her and when he was close enough punched Elphaba in the stomach before letting two guards grabbed her. Then the Captain turned around in the direction where the blonde was hidden and began to speak.

"Glinda, I know you are here! Come out and we will not harm the Wicked one!" Glinda quickly noticed it was Simon who was the Captain of the Gale Force. When Simon wasn't given an answer within a few seconds he took out a hand pistol from his coat and rested it against Elphaba's head. "Show yourself Glinda! Show yourself or I blow her brains out!" The Good Witch needed no further words as she walked out into the open area. When the group of Gale Force guards caught sight of her they immediately bowed their heads in respect. Glinda wasted no time trying to get to Elphaba's side, but Simon stood in her way.

"Glinda, my heart swells with delight seeing you alive." Simon said, as he took her hand and kissed the top of it. "For years all of Oz thought you were dead by the Wicked Witch's hand."

"Well as you can see that rumor was a lie. Now please let Elphaba go. We have just come to get our daughter and then we will leave." Glinda answered, as she tried to keep her voice calm.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple." Simon replied, his voice sly. "The Wicked Witch of the West once escaped the punishment of her crimes in the past, but this time I will make sure she gets what she deserves and much more." With that Simon gave a nod to his guards and they led the two women inside.

Once they were in the building Simon stripped Elphaba and Glinda of any items they carried with them at the time, including the rainbow jars. Elphaba then was taken to a prison cell away from her blonde lover as Simon had a few words with Glinda.

"I've heard of these rainbow jars. Each jar grants you one wish." With that Simon opened one and whispered something. "Don't even try wishing for Elphaba's release. I just took care of that with this jar. In no time she will be convicted." Simon added, with a cruel laugh, before lifting his gaze to rest on Glinda once more.

"You can't convict Elphaba." Glinda shot back her voice fill of anger. "She's not green anymore, so no one will believe you really have her if she's not green." Simon just gave Glinda an evil grin as he looked over the remaining two jars.

"I think I might have to make another wish of my own." Simon replied, as he opened the lid and whispered his wish. "Go to your, precious, Elphaba her cell is downstairs. And you tell me if she can't be convicted."

Glinda shook her head and once Simon was finished talking she ran off to Elphaba's prison cell. Once finding it Glinda looked inside to see Elphaba was sitting in the corner of the cell with her face pointed to the wall.

"Elphie?" Glinda called out.

Elphaba gave a sigh as she slowly turned around and stood in the light. Glinda gave a sharp gasp as her gaze fell on her lover. Elphaba no longer had a pale complection like the blonde's own. She was now back to being green skinned.

"Sweet Oz..." Glinda answered, just above a whisper. She couldn't believe Simon had used his wish to bring back Elphaba's green skin color so he could condemn her. "Elphie..."

Elphaba didn't answer as she walked up to Glinda as close as she could and held the blonde's hands through the bars. Glinda then suddenly heard footsteps behind her. She whipped her head around to see Simon standing only a few feet away.

"Well, I guess the green freak is back." Simon replied, as he walked up as close as he could to Elphaba and spit at her feet. He then looked over Glinda with a lustful gaze before exiting.

"I'm...green again. How can I be green again?" Elphaba whispered.

"It's Simon's doing. He wanted you to be green again so he could convince the people of Oz that he really had captured the Wicked Witch of the West." Glinda answered, as she caressed Elphaba's hand through the cell. "But don't worry, my love, I will get you out of here."

"I know you will try your best." Elphaba said, as she cupped the blonde's cheek.

"Your Goodness!" A voice rang out. Glinda looked behind her to see one of Simon's guards a few feet behind her. He gave her a bow before replying, "Your daughter wishes to see you. Come, I will escort you to Simon's room."

...X...

"Mommy!" Iris shouted, as she rushed into Glinda's arms once the blonde had entered the room.

"Mother and daughter how adorable." Simon answered, as he watched the two interact.

"Oh, Mommy, I have missed you so much! I never thought I would see you again." Iris said, as she hugged Glinda even tighter.

"I'm so happy you're all right." Glinda replied, as she kissed her daughter on the forehead. Iris soon noticed however that someone was missing.

"Mommy, where's Mama?"

Glinda was lost for words and could only look to Simon. The Captain of the Gale Force cleared his throat and walked over to Mother and child before answering, "Your...Mama... can't be here at the moment. But as I look at the clock I can see it is almost dinner time. Glinda, how about you get yourself cleaned up and Iris and I will met you down in the dinning hall. There you and I can talk about... Elphaba."

"Fine." Glinda replied, as she kissed her daughter again, before watching Simon and Iris leave the room. Once they left Glinda could feel a deep pain in her gut begin to form. She knew things were going to get worst before they got better. Well... if they got better at all.