A/N: I just made the huge mistake of listening to the Hamilton soundtrack in the order: Dear Theodosia; It's Quiet Uptown; Blow Us All Away; Stay Alive (reprise). Do Not Do That. I REPEAT: Do. Not. Do. That. Dire Consequences.
Anyway, wrong musical…
GoldenHydrangea: Well, Elphaba got from "the wizard made her give monkeys wings so they can be spies" to "the wizard is behind the Animals losing their power of speech." Also, the Ozians got from "the wicked witch is green and gave monkeys wings" to "she has an extra eye that always remains awake, she can shed her skin like a snake, and water can melt her," And there is more if you think about it. That's one way to explain it, but it could also be because it made more sense when I read it. :P Also, I like your username!
Yeah, I never realized how fun it was to write cliffhangers and see your guy's reactions! There will most likely be more cliffhangers in that case. *grins evilly*
Disclaimer: Stephen Schwartz and Gregory Maguire would be very offended and insulted to know that you think that I own Wicked. Oh, you don't? Good! You're not stupid!
The way to the Emerald City from outside the southern border by foot was much harder and slower than the way by broomstick. From his time in the Gale Force, Fiyero knew a safer way to the Emerald City than the one he knew Elphaba was taking - which was no doubt the most direct way possible that went over numerous mountains and forests - but it was more round-a-bout and therefore would take him around two days at the least.
Exhausted, he leaned against a tall quoxwood tree after about a day of walking through the dense forest. He knew this trail very well and had walked it countless times, but so had the rest of the patrolling Gale Force. Fiyero could tell that the guard throughout Oz had lessened greatly since Elphaba had faked her death, but it didn't stop completely, so he had to keep on his toes. The moment he heard the footsteps or voices of a patrol troop, he dove out of sight. Because of this he hadn't had a chance to rest at all for the past day. Now though, he couldn't help it.
It will only be for a few minutes. He told himself. I'll be going again soon. He sat with his back against the tree, wondering how Elphaba had managed this for two years straight. Sure she had her broom, but there had been much more security around Oz during her time as the Witch of the West. Fiyero shook her head in amazement. That was the strongest girl in Oz, and he had somehow managed to win her affection. How he did it, he had no idea.
"Yero, get some rest, you can barely stand up now that you're human again," Elphaba said, helping him to his feet.
"Fae, I'm fine really! I feel great!" Fiyero said. The next moment Elphaba had to catch Fiyero before he went tumbling to the ground.
"Yero, really. In bed. Now," Elphaba said sternly, holding him up with one arm and pointing to the bed with another.
"Ok mom," Fiyero said sarcastically, though he was grinning. Elphaba grinned back while Fiyero crawled into bed. She pulled the covers over him and kissed his forehead.
"Fae?"
"Hmm?" Fiyero held out both arms with a lopsided grin. Smiling more broadly than before, Elphaba slid under the covers next to him and rested her head on his chest, for the first time in weeks feeling the steady beat of his heart. Fiyero wrapped his arms around the green girl and kissed her softly. In a few minutes, they were fast asleep in each other's arms, perfectly peaceful like there was nothing in their past that could harm them. No problems whatsoever. Just them in each other's arms.
Fiyero didn't know what had stirred the memory. It had been so peaceful then, and now they were on the verge of another fight for their lives. Worst of all, they had no idea if they would win. Elphaba told Fiyero one day that the best part about a book was that you could close it at any time. He had no clue back then how much he would want to close his book now. His, Elphaba's, and Glinda's. They could go to safety and forget about their story and leave this book untouched.
But they couldn't do that. Not yet. He knew what he had signed up for when he went with Elphaba that night in the wizard's chamber, and he wasn't backing out. He never would. For Elphaba.
Where is she now? He wondered. By now she should be at the palace with Glinda. Was she worried about him? She knew that he would be way behind her, so she shouldn't be.
But should I be worried? What if something happened to her? What if the guards caught her? Or worse…
"Hey you!" Fiyero jumped and ran into the shadows of the forest. He had been so deep in thought that she didn't notice the wagon pull up on the trail. Dang, now look what you've gotten into. Fiyero held his breath, hoping that the man on the wagon would let it go.
"Come on out! I'm not gonna bite!" The man called out, chuckling at his own joke. Fiyero cautiously poked his head around the tree he had been leaning against just a few minutes ago. He saw the man wave for him to come forward. After a moment's hesitation, Fiyero stepped out into the open, just far enough so that they could see each other well enough.
"What do you want?" Fiyero asked, sounding less confident than he wanted to. The man chuckled. At a closer look. Fiyero saw that the man was actually a Raccoon. He had on a worn out vest that frayed at the sleeves and a straw hat.
"I just wanted to ask what you were doing on the trail. Most people take the train," the Raccoon said. Fiyero had, in fact, considered taking the train, but he didn't want to risk getting discovered.
"I, um, don't trust the public transport," Fiyero lied, hoping that would suffice.
"Understandable," the Raccoon chuckled, "Even after the Wicked Witch died, you can never be too careful!" Fiyero had to suppress a grimace at that. "So, where you off to?"
"The Emerald City," Fiyero said shortly, hoping that he wasn't making a mistake in telling him.
"Well, I'm going there now!" the Raccoon said. "You want a ride?" Fiyero hesitated once more.
"Do I have to pay?" he asked.
"Of course not!" the Raccoon said. "Hop right in the wagon!" Fiyero thought this over, but finally decided that no Animal would be very friendly with the government at the moment, and therefore couldn't harm him.
He climbed up into the wagon to find a small team of Gale Force members in front of him, all pointing their rifles in his direction, and all with identical smirks on their faces.
"Hello, Captain," one whispered menacingly, putting a heavy sarcastic tone on the word. Fiyero smiled so nervously it was more like a grimace. Sweet Oz, I'm as good as dead. Not wasting anymore time, he dashed out of the wagon and into the forest, hearing a gunshot ring in his ears.
A/N #2: I swear, I wasn't planning to leave another cliffhanger in this chapter! Really! It just... came into my head! I was going to write: He climbed into the wagon to find piles of different varieties of baked goods and pastries, but then this came into my mind and I couldn't let it go!
Also, this chapter was going to continue and switch to Elphaba, but it was getting long, so I'm giving you a double chapter, because I don't want you to be left with two cliffhangers. I'm not that mean.
Me: *crying*
Elphaba: What happened?
Me: I listened to "Stay Alive reprise" again!
Elphaba: Cry-baby.
Me: *slaps Elphaba*
Elphaba *cackles* Feel better now?
Me: Actually, yes I do.
Fiyero: My Fae is a genius!
