Sorry for the late chapter, everyone! College life!
Ultimate Queen of Cliffies: I put that reference in there just for you!
"Please remind me again why we are here," Elphaba said, trying to balance on the edge of the small rowboat.
Hann had taken her down to the pond without much of a preamble as to why. "Because," the young knight said, standing on the other side of the boat in front of her. "You must build your balance."
"So what do I have t- AHH!" the green girl screamed as Hann jolted the boat, sending her flying into the water.
"Why did you do that?" Elphaba asked when her head broke the surface.
"To tell you to keep your balance," Hann smirked.
"You could have just said that."
"But then I wouldn't have had as much fun."
The green girl rolled her eyes. "This is absurd. Why can't we do –"
"Because you have to learn the basics first. These are the basic foundations for knightly training. If you just learned the activities first, you would have a much harder time.
Elphaba groaned as she climbed back into the boat.
"You said you wanted my help," Hann pointed out. "And you also said you would listen to me."
"I know," the green girl sighed. She straddled her legs on the two edges of the boat. "I'm ready."
"Are you?" Hann smiled and began to jostle the boat from side to side. Elphaba fell a few times, but once she got the hang of it, she was able to stay on top of the boat.
"Good," the squire knight said and saw Elphaba relax. Smirking, he jumped up, and when he came down, the other side of the boat flew up, sending Elphaba flying back into the water.
The green girl resurfaced to find Hann laughing at her. "That wasn't funny."
"You just weren't ready," Hann said, catching his breath.
"You said that I did well," Elphaba said, pushing her wet braid away from her face.
"Shall we try again?" Hann asked with a slight smirk.
Elphaba glared at him, but quickly softened and nodded. After multiple tries and many falls, the soaking wet green girl managed to keep her balance on the boat.
"Very good, Elphaba," Hann smiled.
"Thank you," Elphaba smiled back, then smirked. She quickly jumped and with a surprised yelp, Hann flew backwards into the water.
"I suppose I deserved that," the squire said when he resurfaced, wiping the water from his face.
"Yes, I suppose you did."
Hann climbed back up onto the boat with a slight laugh and tried a few more times. "You're getting very good at this, Elphaba."
"Thank you," the green girl blushed, and not just because she was cold from the water.
"We should… try off and head back," Hann said as Elphaba sat down in the boat.
"Oh. Of course," Elphaba said as the young man began to row the boat back to the land.
November Year 1155
Elphaba smiled as she passed Hann as they raced up the pyramid. The knight slowed his run to a stop and placed his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Before she knew it, the green girl was at the top and smiled at her accomplishment. She turned around to see the top of Hann's head appearing.
"Great... job... Elphaba," he smiled, breathing hard.
"Thank you," the green girl blushed, breathing deeply.
"I think you're ready." He handed her one of the fencing swords he was carrying.
"We're doing that? Up here?"
"Why not? I mean, we're already up here."
"It's so cold."
"Then it's a good thing we're wearing long sleeves."
The squire spent the rest of the time before sunrise teaching Elphaba some basic fencing moves. The green girl was more than happy to finally be done with that tedious training and get to do the fun activities.
"Lunge and attack!" Hann called as they spared. "Remember to stay light on your feet. You want to be as light as a feather."
"The sun's coming up," Elphaba noticed, stopping and Hann tagged her with his sword. "We should get back."
As the two walked back down the pyramid, Elphaba noticed that Hann was avoiding her gaze. "Hann?"
"Yes?"
"Is there something wrong?"
"No. Why would there be?"
"It's just that you… well, never mind."
The older boy glanced at her briefly and the two walked back to the palace in silence.
"Thank you… again," Elphaba said before they parted ways. "For teaching me. I… really appreciate it."
"Oh. You're… um… welcome. You're a… fast learner," Hann replied.
"Oh. Thank you."
Hann felt his face getting hot, and for some reason, he wanted nothing more than to kiss the green girl. He slowly reached for her hand and grasped it. Elphaba looked surprised as she looked down at their joint hands, but didn't say anything in protest. Slowly, Hann began to close the distance between them, all of his body heat rushing to his face. He was pretty sure his heart had leaped into his throat, but he didn't even care.
"I… I have to go," Elphaba whispered when their faces were very close.
Hann immediately pulled away and awkwardly cleared his throat. "Oh. Yes, of course. Um… I will… see you later… possibly… hopefully… maybe."
Elphaba nodded and hurried away. Hann watched her go and silently cursed himself for his stupidity and lack of finesse.
The green girl snuck back into her room and changed back into her nightgown, hiding her training clothes, before climbing into bed. She didn't know exactly what had happened, but she had a pretty good idea. Did she want to kiss Hann? Did she like him like that? Of course she liked him as a friend, but did she like him as... more than a friend? Deciding that her feminine feelings were too complicated to sort through before breakfast, the green girl closed her eyes and allowed her body to get some more rest.
A few moments later, the maid came to wake her up. Even though she really didn't want to, she slid out of bed and began to get ready for the day. She went through her daily activities quietly, not enjoying a single moment. She passed the prince a few times, and each time had to endure another snide comment or insult. She had grown accustomed to it and simply began to ignore the comments.
As Melena walked down the halls with the queen's fresh linen sheets, she paused in front of the ajar music room door. She peeked inside and saw her eldest daughter practicing the piano. Nessarose was in the corner, sewing. She smiled at the sight of her two daughters together and continued to her destination.
"That was wonderful, Fabala," Nessarose smiled when Elphaba finished the song.
"Thank you, Nessie," the green girl smiled. She really did miss these little moments when she and her sister were together, and not arguing. She could tell that her sister liked it as well, and that made both girls very happy.
"Can you play something else?" Nessarose asked as she put her sewing down and approached the piano. "Ooh, can you play my song for my singing lesson?"
"Where is it?" Elphaba asked.
The younger girl went to the basket that held the sheet music and pulled out a book. "Here," she said as she placed it on her piano.
Elphaba looked at the song and placed her fingers on the keys. After she played the introduction, her sister joined in.
"Hath any loved you well, down there,
Summer or winter through?
Down there, have you found any fair
Laid in the grave with you?
Tis death's long kiss a richer kiss
Than mine was wont to be–
Or have you gone to some far bliss
And quite forgotten me?
What soft enamoring of sleep
Hath you in some soft way?
What charmed death holdeth you with deep
Strange lure by night and day?
A little space below the grass,
Our of the sun and shade;
But worlds away from me, alas,
Down there where you are laid."
"You have such a pretty voice, Nessa," the green girl smiled when the song finished.
"Thank you, Fabala. I'm going to enter the singing competition at the winter solstice festival."
The winter solstice festival was scheduled for December 20th. Each of the four countries in Oz hosted their own festival. In the Vinkus, villages gathered together to host competitions and games. It was a very festive time of year. The royals had their own festival within the castle walls. Everyone participated in the activities, including the castle staff.
"Which competition are you going to enter, Fabala?"
"Oh… I…" Elphaba knew she could enter the fencing competition, provided she hide her true identity somehow, but knew she couldn't say that to her sister. "I might do the…"
"You should do the music competition," Nessarose chirped before Elphaba could finish. "You are getting so much better at the piano."
"You think so?" Elphaba asked softly.
The brunette smiled and nodded. "I know so."
"Thank you, Nessie."
The two sisters spent the rest of the afternoon together. For a moment, Elphaba actually forgot that she was unhappy with her life. She was just so happy to spend time with her sister just like old times.
Hann hummed to himself as he brushed his horse's mane. He wasn't the type to be humming idly, but today, he was feeling a bit gleeful today. He heard the door to the stables open, but didn't pay attention. He heard someone clear their throat behind him and he whipped around.
"Oh, Elphaba. Hi. What are you doing h-" Hann asked, but didn't get to finish because Elphaba closed the distance between them and pressed her lips against his. Hann's eyes widened in surprise, but he slowly relaxed. The two pulled apart, both a bit breathless. "Elphaba," he whispered once he regained his voice. "What… um… wow… that was… uh… unexpected. Nice… but unexpected."
"I'm sorry," Elphaba quickly apologized. "I… I don't know what came over me."
"Why are you apologizing?"
Elphaba was silent for a moment. "I wanted to do that before," she said softly, yet boldly. "I wanted to do that before, but…"
"What was stopping you?"
"I… don't know. Maybe the fact that I was hot and… sweaty. And we were running and fencing."
"May I… ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Do you… like me?"
Elphaba blinked. "I… I believe so. I mean, aren't friends supposed to like each other?"
"Yes, but friends don't go seeking each other out to kiss in the stables and without preamble."
"I mean… do you like me?"
"Who kissed who?"
"You tried to kiss me before."
"And you ran away."
"I was just… confused."
"Confused about what?"
"… How I felt."
"Well… do you know how you feel now?"
"About you?"
"Sure."
Elphaba thought for a moment as she looked into Hann's eyes. "I… I like you, Hann. As… as more than a friend."
"And… I like you, too, Elphaba. As… as more than a friend."
Both teenagers were blushing deeply as they lapsed into a comfortable silence.
"Out of all the places to have a first kiss, I don't think the royal stables make the list," Hann chuckled softly.
"I never dreamed about having my first kiss, let alone worried about where it would be," the green girl admitted softly.
"What about a… second kiss?" Hann asked and the two kissed again, this time much softer.
When they pulled away, Elphaba was blushing deeply, her cheeks a slightly darker shade of green. "I was counting on you saying that."
But what she didn't count on were the extra pair of eyes watching her and Hann.
Song Used:
Song from Chartivel by Marie de France
Dun dun dunnnnnn! Who do you think saw Elphaba and Hann kiss?