Chapter 7. Fainting
Rifiuto: Non Miriena
Fae looked around.
The ball was a success.
Couples danced and talked, women in beautiful gowns and glittering jewels danced with men in handsome suits. However, Fae felt that her mother outshined all of them; even Glinda.
Fae stood by the refreshment table, watching the other couples, but turned her attention when she saw her father lead her mother out onto the balcony. She saw him wrap her in his arms and pull her to him, kissing her passionately. Her mother's arms wrapped around his neck and held tight. She watched her parents kiss until hands covered her eyes, and she let out a squeal.
"Guess who."
Quickly, Fae reached up, removed the hands, and turned, to see Trism standing behind her. She let out a squeal, and threw her arms around his neck, kissing him hard.
"When did you get here?" She asked, when they broke apart.
"This morning. I wanted to surprise you." He said, hugging her.
"Trism. It's good to see you again." The couple looked up, to see Fiyero and Elphaba standing behind them.
"You too, Your Majesties." Trism said, shaking Fiyero's hand and kissing Elphaba's. The queen gave him a small smile. Fae noticed that her eyes didn't spark, that the smile her mother wore didn't have any life. Trism noticed also. "Is your mother all right?" He whispered.
Fae looked up at him.
"Now, if you'll excuse us. Would you care to dance, my queen?" Fiyero asked, leading Elphaba onto the dance floor.
The queen didn't say anything, just gave the two another small smile, and followed her husband, allowing him to wrap her protectively in his arms and lead her in a waltz. Fae and Trism watched, as Fiyero led Elphaba gracefully around the dance floor, her skirt belling out around her. For a few brief moments, Fae saw the light in her mother's eyes return, saw the woman who eagerly followed her husband in the steps, the woman Fae knew as a child, as a teenager, the woman who had danced at Liir and Candle's wedding three years earlier, with such joy, such passion.
"Well, shall we?" Fae turned, to see Trism hold out his hand.
Laughing, she accepted, allowing him to pull her to the dance floor.
Three hours passed.
Elphaba and Fiyero had retired to a corner, talking softly and sharing an occasional kiss. Mainly, they watched Fae and Trism.
"Remind you of anyone, mi amata?" He asked, squeezing her gently. She nodded.
"Us."
He nodded and kissed her hair, before letting go and getting something to drink. Elphaba sipped her wine silently.
Everything started to blur. With a quick shake of her head, she opened her eyes, finding the same blurry vision. The blood rushed in her ears, and her knees felt weak. She reached for Fiyero on shaky legs, as her head pounded. She felt drained.
Fae looked up from her waltz to see Elphaba reach out for Fiyero. She stopped, watching.
"Mama?"
"Y...Yero."
"Yes love?" He asked, turning to see Elphaba weakly reach out for him.
"Y....y....Yero----"
"Fae!"
She dropped her glass, the object shattering once it hit the floor.
"Fae!"
He rushed to his wife, concern in his blue eyes.
"Mama!"
Fae's cry stopped the orchestra, and the others dancers and guests turned, watching horrified as the Vinkun queen dropped quickly to the floor. Fae rushed to her mother, the dance forgotten. Everything happened in slow motion- the glass shattering, her mother collapsing. By the time she got to Elphaba, collapsing on her knees by her mother's side, Fiyero had her cradled in his arms, and was checking her pulse. It was strong, but fading fast.
Fae looked from her mother to her father and back.
"Daddy? W....will she be okay?" Tears gathered in her eyes and she choked back a sob. Fiyero met her eyes.
"Liir!"
"Yes Dad?" Liir and Candle had come down for the ball, and planned on staying another couple days.
"Fetch the shaman! Quickly!" Liir nodded and left, racing from the ballroom as if death were on his heels.
When his son was gone, Fiyero turned back to Elphaba.
"Come on Fae. Speak to me, love! Fae! Fae!"
His daughter covered her mouth with her hands, as tears slid down her cheeks. She only looked up when Trism knelt next to her, hands on her shoulders. The guests huddled around the remaining members of the royal family, horrified.
Choking out a sob, Fae took her mother's hand.
"Please Mama! Please!"
