Once upon a time the tapping of her shoes on the marble floor would have made her day. There was just something about the way the sound echoed around the main hall. That and she felt very grown up, making so much noise simply by walking. It got to the point that her father passed a rule about wearing shoes in the house. Not that it was ever really enforced considering he was always away on business. Sometimes Addena and their mother would join her, the three of them laughing as they stomped around. Normally such fond memories would have had her smiling, but not today. No, today the cadence barely registered as she worriedly made her way from one end of the house to the other.
Glinda couldn't find her mother. She wasn't in her room unpacking. She wasn't in the kitchen helping the cooks. She wasn't tending to her beloved gardens. And she wasn't curled up with a good book in the library. It was almost as if she wasn't home at all.
That's why she was on her way to her father's study. Hopefully he would know where to find her. If not maybe she could pull Dena away to help her look. She felt kind of childish, freaking out over not finding her mother right away, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
"Gregor!"
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard the voice call out. It was one she'd never heard before. And who was Gregor?
"I'm here."
She jumped again when a new voice answered. Her eyes got big as a mountain of a man pushed himself out of one of the chairs in the entryway. She didn't know what possessed her but she quickly scrambled to hide behind one of the floor length curtains at the window as another, taller man emerged from the hallway leading to her father's study.
"How are things?"
"Fine. Just like they were the last three hundred times you asked." The burly man chuckled. "Relax Eadlyn. Now tell me, how did things go with your fiancée?"
Glinda barely stopped herself from gasping. Could the tall one be Addena's fiancé? She mentally kicked herself. Of course he was her fiancé. Who else would be getting married here? She should have known Dena was right when she said their message was actually a summons. How could their father spring something like this on her sister?
"She's fiery Gregor."
She carefully peaked around the curtain, wanting to get a better look at him. She preferred tall, skinny and green to tall, dark and handsome but there were probably plenty of other girls out there who would have swooned over him. Thank goodness Addena wasn't one of them.
"It's going to fun showing her who's the boss."
Glinda gripped the curtain, barely resisting the urge to defend her sister.
"A real firecracker huh?" Gregor grinned.
"Oh yeah." Eadlyn nodded. "I bet she's great in bed."
Gregor laughed. "You'll find out soon enough."
"In two nights, my man." Eadlyn clapped him on the shoulder. "If you're lucky maybe I'll let you watch. Or better yet, join in."
"You've never been one to share." Gregor poo pooed his idea. "Come on. Let's go raid the kitchen."
Glinda's stomach turned as they walked away. Their father couldn't know what he was like. Otherwise he would never dream of letting him anywhere near Dena. But he was about to find out.
She made sure the two of them were long gone before running toward her father's study, determined to warn her sister.
Addena waited almost a full minute after Eadlyn left to turn back to her father. "Does he really have Mom?"
"Yes. His men dragged her out of here yesterday."
"That's just great."
"I… Addena…" Maximillan shook his head in disbelief. "I had no idea he…"
She silenced him by raising her hand. "I need a minute." She sank onto the couch just inside the door, leaning forward to cradle her head in her hands.
"I didn't mean for this to happen." He paced as he rambled. "I just… I needed an in with his father. The Merricks have dominated the business industry in Winkie Country for as long as anyone can remember and the firm was after me to get their business. So I…"
"Sold me off like a piece of meat?"
"No." He sounded offended. "I simply offered…"
"For me to marry their son before I could even walk?"
"Addena…"
"Don't even try to justify this to me!" She finally looked up, her face a mask of rage. "I've had the prospect of marrying a man I didn't know and certainly didn't want hanging over my head my whole life. And every time I tried to talk to you about it you would give me the proverbial pat on the head and tell me not to worry."
"That's because I never thought it would actually happen."
"Really? Is that why I had to jump through hoops to be allowed to go to medical school?" Addena countered. "Or had you forgotten the three day siege of Winkie lawyers we had to endure before you got them to agree to wait until I was twenty-four so I could have a chance to graduate?"
"Of course not. But after Eadlyn's father died during your first year I assumed the deal would be off. I mean, he never showed an interest in marrying you."
"See what you get for assuming."
Max closed his eyes. "I…"
"You what Dad?" Addena goaded him when his voice trailed off.
He hung his head. "I made a mistake."
"This goes so far beyond a measly mistake it's not even funny." Addena shook her head. "And now Mom and I are the ones who are going to pay for it."
"Mom?"
They both looked up when they heard Glinda's voice.
"What's Mom going to pay for?" The petite blonde put her hands on her hips. "Is one of you going to answer me?"
"Glinda." Max finally found his voice, a small smile gracing his features as he looked at his youngest daughter. "You're as beautiful as ever."
"Dena?" She ignored his comment, knowing her sister was more likely to tell her the truth.
Addena sighed. "The less you know the better."
"I already know you're fiancé is here. I overheard him saying disgusting things to what I'm going to assume is one of his friends. And I've looked everywhere for Mother and can't find her. So just tell me what's going on."
Max locked eyes with Addena, shaking his head. "Don't."
"She has a right to know."
"But..."
"What's the matter? Afraid the pedestal she's always had you on will crumble?"
"That's not fair!" His temper flared.
"Fair? You're going to tell me what's not fair?!" Addena chuckled humorlessly. "You have some nerve."
Max pointed at her. "Don't you dare speak to me like that! I'm still your father!"
"More like my pimp."
"Stop it!" Glinda looked back and forth between them. "Dena, please. Tell me what's going on."
"You said you saw Eadlyn?" Addena tucked her hair behind her ear as her sister nodded. "He's a peach, isn't he?"
Glinda shivered, remembering what she overheard. "He's horrible. You can't let him anywhere near Dena, Daddy."
Addena chuckled again. "He's the one who ordered me home to marry him."
"Daddy?" Glinda looked beseechingly at their father.
"The puppy dog eyes won't work this time, Linny. If my guess is correct we weren't supposed to get here until the day after tomorrow. Just in time for me to be whisked away for my ceremony and you to be my maid of honor."
Glinda continued to stare at their father. "Is that true?"
"But only after Eadlyn's men took Mother." Addena didn't give him a chance to answer.
"They have mother?!" Glinda sank down onto the couch next to her sister.
"She told Eadlyn in no uncertain terms that Addena wouldn't marry him and ordered him to leave the house." Max wiped his hand over his face. "He laughed at her and had her taken away by a couple of his men."
"He brought an entourage?" Addena pinched the bridge of her nose when her father nodded. "Great."
"Then call the police." Glinda gripped her sister's arm. "Better yet we'll have Elphie and Breena send for the Gale Force. They can arrest Eadlyn and make him release Mom."
"That won't work." Max growled.
"Why not? They'll..."
Addena interrupted her. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but he's right, Linny."
Glinda frowned at her sister. "What?"
"We don't know where he has her." Addena tried to reason with her. "And he's threatening to kill her if I don't go through with the ceremony."
"He's... He's going to..." Tears swam in Glinda's eyes. "By the Unnamed God."
"No he's not."
Max furrowed his brow. "What?"
"I said no he's not." Addena raised her voice. "I can't let him hurt Mother."
"Dena?" Glinda tightened her grip on her sister's arm.
"I'm getting married." Her voice broke as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I'm getting married."
Glinda gathered her in her arms, rocking her as she ran her fingers through her hair. All Max could do was look away, not wanting to intrude.
"Go ahead Elphaba."
She ignored Yackle's words, concentrating on the object on the table instead.
"You can do it."
Maeve's remark didn't have any more of an effect.
"Sometime this year would be preferable to next."
"Aunt Yackle!"
"What? Nothing's going to happen if she just keeps standing there. Breena didn't take this long when she did it."
"Well Elphaba's not Breena. Maybe she needs a minute."
"We don't have a minute. They're going to have to leave for the palace soon!"
"Don't pay any attention to them." Breena's voice filled her senses. "Just concentrate."
"But what if it doesn't work?" Elphaba finally tore her eyes away from the table to look at her sister.
"It's a vase of flowers Elly." Breena leaned in close to her, pointing at the object in question. "If it doesn't work it's no big deal." She raised an eyebrow when her sister opened her mouth to speak again. "Just try the spell."
Maeve smiled as she watched them. "They're so good together."
"They should be. They're cut from the same cloth." Yackle was watching them too. "I just wish Elphaba wasn't so hesitant to use her magic."
"Cut her some slack. She's trying to adjust to a new spell."
"No, she's fighting it again." Yackle contradicted her. "You're going to have to learn to tell the difference."
"Me?" Maeve furrowed her brow.
"Yes you if you hope to take over for me someday." The old woman finally looked at her. "She shouldn't need to be persuaded to try the spell. Her hesitation could get them killed."
"By a vase of flowers?"
"No, by someone like Morrible."
"But she's..."
"Don't honestly tell me you think she's the only challenge they're ever going to face." Yackle's voice dripped with disbelief. "This land is in a state of transition and they're the ones we need to see us through. They might not be there to talk each other through whatever crisis they're having. Then what would happen?"
"I..." Maeve shook her head. "I don't know."
"Neither do I." Yackle admitted. "That's why this has got to stop happening. Why I've been pushing them so hard lately. Breena's too much of loose cannon and needs some of Elphaba's modesty and Elphaba is too cautious and needs a dose of Breena's confidence."
"Could you maybe lighten up a little?" Breena glanced at them. "It's no wonder she's so nervous with the two of you standing there looking at her like the fate of the world rests on her shoulders."
Yackle growled, "Maybe someday it will."
Breena frowned at her. "Well that day's not today, is it?"
"Bree." Elphaba put her hand on her sister's arm. "She's right. I should just try this so we can get going."
"See." Yackle gloated. "At least one of you listens."
Brenna ignored her. "Concentrate Elly. That's the key."
"Right. Concentrate." Elphaba returned her attention to the vase, giving herself a moment to draw on the power flowing through her before saying, "Extorque."
They held their breath as the vase disappeared, only to reappear a moment later on the window ledge across the room.
"I did it." Elphaba looked amazed.
"Of course you did." Breena clapped her on the shoulder. "Now that you have we can…"
"Not so fast." Yackle interrupted her. "She needs to put it back on the table."
"Aunt Yackle." Maeve tried to intervene.
"Practice makes perfect. She needs to bring it back. Breena did." The old woman stuck to her guns.
"But..."
"It's all right Maeve." Breena reassured her. "I've got this Elly." She shot a look at Yackle. "Extorque."
The vase stayed where it was but the water and flowers disappeared, reappearing over Yackle's head for a split second before drenching her.
"Oops." Breena shrugged. "I guess I didn't take my own advice and concentrate."
"Show off." Yackle used her hand to try to wipe some of the water from her face.
"Here, let me help." Maeve's shoulders shook with unreleased laughter as she pulled one of the flowers out of her aunt's hair.
"We'll leave you two to it then." Breena grabbed Elphaba's hand and pulled her out of the room before either of the other women could say anything.
"That was great." Elphaba chuckled as she let herself be led away.
"No, it was stupid." Breena corrected her. "I let my temper get the best of me again. I've got to stop doing that."
"It was only water Bree."
"But it could be something else next time."
"Hey." Elphaba tightened her grip on her sister's hand but it didn't slow her down. "Hey." She tried again, digging her heels in to bring them to a stop in the living room. "Bree?" She used her free hand to lift her sister's chin when she wouldn't look at her. "What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"I know better. Now tell me what's wrong."
"I… I just…" Breena sighed. "It's nothing." She was quick to add a, "Really," when she saw the look Elphaba was giving her. "Let's just get our things and go to the palace." She started to walk away but stopped when she realized her sister hadn't moved. "Are you coming?"
Elphaba crossed her arms over her chest. "No."
Breena frowned. "What do you mean no?"
"I mean I'm not budging from this spot until you tell me what's going on in that head of yours. And don't you dare tell me nothing again." She cut her sister off before she could even open her mouth to speak. "I already let Glinda leave here upset and I'm not about to do the same thing with you. So we're not going anywhere until you spill."
"Spill?" The corner of Breena's mouth turned up. "You've been around Glinda too much."
"And don't try changing the subject either." Elphaba held her sister's gaze. "Talk to me, Bree. Please."
"It's noth…"
"I told you not to say that."
"But…" Breena sighed at the no nonsense expression on her sister's face. "I can't really explain it, Elly. It's just…" She gestured with her hands. "Something doesn't feel right."
Elphaba furrowed her brow. "Like what?"
"I don't know. Can we just go?"
"Bree."
"Addy was acting really strange before they left." Breena blurted it out. "And ever since I've had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something's not right."
Elphaba swallowed hard. "Are they in danger?"
"No. I don't know." Breena growled as she clinched her hands into fists. "This is why I didn't want to say anything. I knew it would upset you."
"OK, let's calm down." Elphaba finally moved, dragging her sister over to one of the couches so they could sit down. "Tell me what you're feeling."
"That's just it. I don't know." Breena clinched her jaw. "It's like I said, I have this nagging feeling, for lack of a better word, that there was more going on with Addy and Glinda then their mother being sick. But I can't tell if it's our magic trying to let me know that something's wrong or if it's just me reacting to the fact that Addena was acting strange and wouldn't talk to me."
Elphaba leaned against the back of the couch. "Wow."
"No, no wow." Breena shook her head. "It's just me being insecure again. I shouldn't even have told you."
"But…"
"You're the one who gets visions, Elly."
"That doesn't mean you can't sense things." Elphaba put her hand on her sister's arm. "I felt something from Glinda before they left too but I just assumed it was a combination of her being upset over leaving and worrying about her mother."
"Damn it." Breena ran her hand through her hair. "We can't ignore this."
"No we can't."
"What are we going to do?"
"I think we should make a pit stop on the way to the palace."
"You mean…"
Elphaba nodded. "We're going to the Uplands."
