I don't own Wicked.
The sun on her skin felt good, and she never thought she'd ever disregard the feeling like the other people in the carriage around her. She had never met them before, nor had she ever heard of them. But then again, she didn't know a lot of people. She kept checking around, making sure nobody was trying to pull something. The poor young woman was terrified, and had been most of her life. Elphaba Thropp didn't understand completely what was happening, just the fact that she was out of that horrid little room. Apparently, she really did have a little brother named Shell. She had actually thought it was her father, Frex, pulling a fast one on her to give her hope. Oh, how many times he had done that to her was more than she could count!
She stared at him, not realizing that staring was considered rude. He didn't have green skin like her (for which she was extremely thankful for because she would never want anyone to live the life she had lived). Instead, it was a normal pink color. His hair was dark brown as well as his eyes. He was a smart boy, twelve years old, he had said. He smiled at her when he noticed her looking at him, but she didn't turn away. "I see you're holding a book by Doctor Dillamond," Shell said to her. Elphaba nodded hesitantly. He gave her a sad smile. "I wish you weren't afraid of me," Shell said. Elphaba wished she wasn't afraid of him either, but she couldn't help it. One could only be abused and neglected for so long without it having some effect on one's emotions. Elphaba hated her emotions were irrational, and she felt bad for the boy. He had attempted to give her a hug once before, but she flinched away and cried, tears leaving burn marks on her cheeks.
"Anyway, is he your favorite author? I noticed in that…umm…room, underneath it that is, there was a whole library of books you had access to. I really like him, too, you know. I don't understand some of it, but I try to," Shell said. Elphaba nodded, confirming he was one of her favorite authors. She loved his work. "You know, the Arduennas' have a ton of books in their library, and they have every one of Doctor Dillamond's books. I'm going to attempt to read them all this season. Maybe you'd like to take up that challenge, too." She gave him a small smile, something she hadn't done until a Winkie had lifted her up, taking her out of that disgusting room. Elphaba wanted to thank her brother for saving her, because she knew it was him who had gotten the help. But she couldn't. "I met Doctor Dillamond on the train to Gillinkin," he started speaking again. "I even got his autograph. I have it here with me," Shell said as he reached into his bag. He took out the slip of paper and held it out towards her. "You can have it if you'd like."
Hesitantly, Elphaba reached for the paper. Could she trust it? Could she trust him? What did the word trust even mean? With the tips of her long, slender fingers, she took it and looked at the signature of the Goat. "You're welcome," Shell said and made sure to keep his distance.
Elphaba looked towards Nanny, the only person she could remember from her childhood who seemed to somewhat care for her. She didn't remember much, but she remembered that Nanny always fed her at least three meals a day, taught her things such as mathematics, science, reading, language, and practically everything until one day when Elphaba was about seven, she stopped showing up and the torture was worse that it was before. Would these memories ever go away?
In the carriage in front of them were Mr. and Mrs. Arduenna, the lovely couple who were taking her into their home. She had to figure out a way to thank the Gillikinese couple for being so welcoming, especially an abomination such as herself. There was also Fiyero (a prince she had found out) who was very nice to her, and the only person that had been able to touch her because she had been too weak to fight back. He was nice…gentle even. And then there was Avaric-a bit odd, but nice enough to be part of the "rescue squad".
"Don't cry, Elphaba. We're almost home, our new home," Shell said sweetly. She couldn't believe how much he accepted her as a sister. She just hoped that this Nessarose person really did exist because it would be nice to also have a sister, and one close to her age.
Elphaba knew she didn't trust these people just because they saved her. What if they were bringing her to another room where she wouldn't have her mother's old stash of books to keep her occupied? Fear was a strong emotion, and she always felt it, even when she was in the hospital where they took care of her and fixed her up. What if they put something inside of her that could make her explode? Decay from the inside out?
She didn't let this show, of course, but it seemed her brother could see into her fear. Maybe her eyes were deceiving her. "No need to be afraid," Nanny said. She must have noticed Elphaba's fear, too. "You're okay, now. My, you look exhausted. Please try getting some sleep. Nobody will hurt you." As much as Elphaba wanted to believe her, she couldn't. And as much as she wanted to stay awake and alert, the green girl passed out from exhaustion.
Elphaba woke up as the carriage pulled into the Arduenna's estate. She gazed in awe when she saw the size of the house. "Have a good sleep?" Shell asked her as he stretched. Elphaba nodded. She realized it was the first time in years that she had taken a successful nap. She got out of the carriage behind Shell and in front of Nanny. She watched as everyone was reunited, along with a short blonde girl and a girl in a wheelchair who lacked arms. Was that Nessarose? Elphaba couldn't be certain. Perhaps this whole thing was a joke!
She watched Nanny reunite with Nessa, who cried when she saw her.
"Nessa, this is Elphaba, our sister," Shell said. Everyone went silent. Nessarose eyed the green woman, taking in her appearance. Elphaba stared at her sister's body. She had no arms, which meant Nessarose could never hurt Elphaba no matter how hard she tried. Maybe she'd let herself get somewhat close to her (although Elphaba's definition of closeness was much different from most).
"Galinda, please help me up," Nessarose said to the blonde. The girl helped the crippled one get to her feet. Nessarose walked over to Elphaba, stumbling a bit as she tried to keep her balance without assistance.
"Don't get too close," Shell warned. But Nessarose didn't listen. Elphaba flinched and stepped back, but the sixteen year old was persistent, stubborn even. She can't hurt you no matter how hard she tried. Elphaba said to herself. She stopped stepping back and let Nessa close the distance between them. Of course, she tripped on something and began falling to the ground face first. Reacting quickly, Elphaba caught the delicate girl.
She had a feeling Nessarose was going to be disgusted with her. She felt that she'd be shunned, and she thought the girl would attempt to leave her grasp as she stood her upright.
Elphaba couldn't have been more wrong even if she tried. Nessarose smiled at her and leaned into her, attempting affection. A hug perhaps? Elphaba wasn't good at reading obvious body language yet, unless it meant she would get hurt. Awkwardly, Elphaba wrapped her green arms around her, and Nessa rested her chin on her shoulder. "I think you can trust me, am I right?" Nessa whispered. Confirming her question, Elphaba nodded. Of course, she didn't fully trust her, but it was close enough; she just knew she wouldn't hurt her. She couldn't hurt a fly if she even tried. Elphaba told herself.
"I think she knows you can't hurt her," Mr. Arduenna spoke up. "It's common with abused victims. She had a severe case, so I think, well…" he trailed, not finding the words.
"Because I have no arms, I can't hit her. And even if I tried to hurt her, I couldn't," Nessarose replied.
"Sir, is there a way she could hurt Nessarose?" Shell questioned. "I mean, I don't think you're harmful, Elphaba, but I don't know you as well as I'd like, and I'm very protective of my sister."
"I'm not entirely sure," Mr. Arduenna replied. "She seems harmless, but we won't know for sure unless something happens, and we don't want anything to happen."
"Why don't we go inside and discuss things?" Mrs. Arduenna replied. Everyone agreed, and Elphaba found herself walking into the large house. She admired the luxury of the place. It was almost like a palace. Was she really going to live here? It must have been a joke, a cruel one her father was playing on her. She sat down in a chair at the dining area hesitantly. Waiting for them was a ton of food, more than they could eat. Elphaba was still getting used to eating every day. Nanny began to make Elphaba a plate of food, careful not to give her any meat because the green girl refused to eat it.
"There is something you all must know about Elphaba's past. Since she cannot speak, I'll be speaking for her and tell parts that I know," Nanny said as she began to feed Nessarose. Elphaba felt bad for her sister for she couldn't even feed herself. She must have felt like an infant, but then again, she was probably used to it.
"Elphaba was born green. Her mother was a bit promiscuous and was always on some drug or another. Melena was quite the character! I mostly cared for Elphaba. Her parents had a tendency to neglect her, and her mother wanted to drown her. The poor thing was only an infant! But she was cared for, that is, until Nessarose was born. When Frex saw that Nessarose was born without arms, he blamed Elphaba for it and that is when she was locked up in that horrible room. I tried to get her out, but I couldn't. Instead, I did the next best thing and educated her for seven years. I taught her to read, write, do arithmetic, and speak. Yes, she spoke once, but went mute by the age of five when Frex would bark at and punish her for speaking or making any kind of sound.
"Once Shell was born and Melena died giving birth to him, Frex told me to leave the premises. I wouldn't, of course. So, when I was asleep, he drugged me somehow and sent me in a carriage to Quadling Country with no money. I have a feeling that was when the worst abuse happened. The only thing Elphaba had for years were the old books Melena secretly stashed in a room below the room Elphaba was locked in. A room below the cellar is quite odd, but then again, the whole Thropp family is quite odd, besides these three of course," Nanny finished her tale. What she said was true, although she didn't know the degree of abuse and horror Elphaba had to endure.
Elphaba looked to Nessarose and saw her began to cry and give her a sympathetic look. It pained Elphaba to see her so upset. Shell gave her a small smile. He went to reach for her, but then pulled back, noticing she flinched at the action. The short blonde girl dabbed at her eyes while Fiyero had an arm around her, holding her close. Was her life really that sad? "This is my daughter, Galinda," Mr. Arduenna said as he changed the subject.
"Hi," Galinda said meekly. She was so pretty, Elphaba thought.
"So, what are the sleeping arrangements? It's getting late," Fiyero said after dinner and small talk.
"I believe Nanny should stay with Nessarose," Mrs. Arduenna said. Nanny nodded in approval while Nessa smiled, glad to have her old familiar Nanny back instead of Ama Clutch. "Shell can share with Fiyero."
"Sweet!" Shell said. Fiyero gave him a high five.
"Awesome, little buddy," Fiyero laughed.
"Ama Clutch will keep her room. And Galinda, Elphaba will be sharing with you," Mrs. Arduenna finished. Everyone seemed satisfied except Galinda. Elphaba didn't blame her; she wouldn't want to share a room with herself, either.
"Mother, why must I share with Elphaba? Can't Fiyero and I stay together? After all, we are to be married."
"In six months," Mr. Arduenna reminded her. "That would be highly inappropriate. Besides, it would be good for her to share a room with you. There is no way you could hurt her; not that you would, of course."
"Daddy, are you calling me weak?" Galinda asked.
"Of course he isn't. You're just very small and Elphaba might feel safer sharing a room with you because she can easily overpower you," Fiyero said and looked towards the green girl. Elphaba gave him a small smile, something she was still learning to do.
Before she could comprehend what she was doing, she was being led upstairs to Galinda's room. The room was nice and quite large. However, there was one problem: there was only one bed. Elphaba shrugged it off, thinking she didn't deserve a bed to sleep in anyway, although it did look comfortable. No, she was an abomination, a freak of nature and didn't deserve such things. She changed into nightclothes Mrs. Arduenna had purchased for her. They were high quality, and better than the rags she once had to wear.
Galinda reentered the room with her nightgown on and put a small hand on her hip. "Look, Elphaba, I know you've been…abused. But I must lay some ground rules. Don't flinch, please. The rules are simple. First, don't touch anything on my vanity. There are just some things that I don't even let my mother touch. Two, don't go through my clothes in the closet, or my shoes, for they are arranged, and honestly, I don't think anything I own will fit you. There is a side of the closet that will become available to you tomorrow morning once I get everything squared away. And number three, do not go snooping around my room looking for things. And some nights, I may kick you out in the hallway for a couple hours for some time with Fiyero. Any questions? No? Good. It's been a long day. I think we should go to bed," Galinda finished and blew out the candle on her nightstand.
The bed was big enough for the two of them, but Elphaba was frightened. She wanted to go crawl into the room with Nessarose and Nanny. However, she knew she couldn't because if she left the room, what would happen to her? She was instructed to stay in this room, so she would stay in this room with Galinda.
Instead of climbing into the bed, Elphaba curled up in a far corner and slept on the floor.
