Okay I am really, really sorry that this has taken so long. I want to say thank you to everyone that has stuck with me thus far and I want to thank everyone who has pointed out continuity issues (i.e: the Roasline-Rosalie slip, that was one of those terribly embarassing midnight editing slips that I did not notice, so please forgive me and her name is Rosaline I just goofed up, I apologize sincerely) or any issues in general. I don't have a beta and I'm usually editing these things around midnight when I'm already pretty damn exhausted, so again, thank you. I had one crazy year and I am so glad that school is four school days from being over so I can focus on this and Of Shadows and Love more. Again, thank you all for being completely amazing in every way and I really, really hope this update was worth the wait for you. Keep being awesome, I love you all, and enjoy!

That night Elphaba dreamed a rather strange dream. She had become accustomed to the fever dreams but this was very different.

A night sky stretched out before her as she stood at a balcony in the palace in the center of the Emerald City. Pale hands snaked gently around her waist and she felt a warm breath against the middle of her back and a soft kiss there as well. She knew the hands that she now had covered beneath her palms but couldn't let herself believe it to be possible.

"What are you thinking about my love?" That honeyed voice confirmed it. It was Galinda standing behind her with her arms wrapped around her so comfortably.

"Us." Elphaba felt herself reply but knew that she hadn't made the decision to say that. She came to the conclusion that it must be the kind of dream that is similar to reading a book that was written from the first person point of view and all she could do was sit back and watch. Galinda moved around to stand in front of her, her pale hands now resting on Elphaba's sides.

"What about us?" Galinda looked more mature in her dream, no more than two years older than she was now. Elphaba wrapped her arms loosely around her Princess's waist and took in the sight of her pale skin being gilded by the moonlight and her cerulean eyes looking up so curiously at her own brown ones. She smiled and brought one hand up to cup a pale cheek.

"How we used to be and how we are now, I must say I prefer now to then." Galinda's lips stretched into a smile to match Elphaba's and the green girl leaned down to kiss her softly. They parted and leaned their foreheads together.

"To be honest I prefer now as well, there are a great many benefits to being engaged to my Protector." Elphaba grinned, a ring on her finger glinting in the light where it rested against her beloved's cheek and catching her eye.

"And being engaged to my charge has many benefits as well."

The dream continued with the same ambiant sweetness and warmth but when Elphaba awoke all she could remember was that first bit and the feeling of her Princess's lips, the smell of her skin and the matching rings resting on their fingers. She looked to her left, seeing the girl of her dreams sleeping less than a foot away from her, but knowing that she was just that, a dream. Unobtainable. She rolled over and pressed her face against the pillow, letting it absorb her tears, her back arching as her mouth opened in a silent cry at the grief caused by that one blissful dream. For a time she cried silently, her hands fisting the pillow and her muscles and injuries aching with the effort of that silence. Eventually her tears subsided and she could look at the blonde still sleeping peacefully next to her without wanting to jump into the nearest lake and dissolve herself so she got out of bed, moving into the bathroom and searching under the sink for a bottle of oil to bathe with. She removed as much of the bandaging as she could and had begun the arduous process of washing herself when Galinda woke. The blonde looked curiously around their quarters wondering where her Protector had gone when she heard some quiet cursing from the bathroom. Elphaba was twisted rather uncomfortably, attempting to rub oil into the scarred over oath and sigil on her shoulder, she could get some of it but not all of it. Galinda rolled her eyes, walking up behind the green girl and reaching past her to grab the bottle of oil sitting on the edge of the tub, her arm brushing against Elphaba's side and making a pleasant shiver run down both of their spines. Galinda drew in a breath intended to steady her heartbeat but the scent of the half naked girl in front of her and the fresh smelling oil that she used to clean herself made it triple. She shook her head slightly and poured some oil into her palm, setting the bottle down and rubbing her hands together before nudging Elphaba's hands away and resuming the task herself. Wherever their skin touched felt electric and both were fighting to maintain their even breathing. Galinda's hands gently worked over Elphaba's back, lightly massaging as they traveled in and down from her shoulders, lightly touching the multitude of scars and carefully working the oil into them and the area around them. She stopped only when her hands reached the top of Elphaba's pants, she was mightily tempted to reach around Elphaba's torso and undo them, to finally show Elphaba how she felt and the passion for her that resulted from those feelings. Instead however, Elphaba turned, her sleep shirt clutched to her chest to hide her breasts from view, a blush painting her cheeks a darker green.

"Thanks for the help." She ducked her head shyly, stepping back a bit like she was nervous or on edge. Galinda, ever the astute observer, noticed this and a few of the subtle implications that came with it. The blonde stepped forward, brushing the fabric of the crumpled shirt aside from where it hung down her abdomen and lightly running her fingers over Elphaba's injuries. She was still purple, black, red, and green as well as still being a bit emaciated from her wise decision not to eat the poisoned food presented to her in the dungeons but she was a lot better. The Princess could tell that Elphaba had already taken care of everything upwards of the bottom of her breasts, which fortunately enough for the blonde left her with plenty of room to play. She had to fight the wicked smirk trying to bow her lips as she reapplied the oil to her hands, noticing Elphaba blush a darker shade of green, this time even her ears were a deep pine color. "What're you doing?"

"Finishing what I started Elphie." She had to fight to keep any inkling of her intentions from entering her voice and tipping her Protector off. Depending on how things went she may be able to at some point tell (or show) the green girl how she felt and have it be reciprocated instead of simply being awkward. Her hands were gentle and her touch very, very appealing to the witch receiving it. Elphaba's lips parted in a near silent sigh and took a somewhat long blink in order to center herself so that she wouldn't start touching her charge in return in a far less appropriate manner. Galinda was absorbed in her work, loving every second her hands were in contact with delectably warm and incredibly soft skin and noticed Elphaba's reactions to everything she did. Her muscles would jump and twitch when she touched certain areas and this was enough evidence for the hope in Galinda's heart to grow into something substantial. She finished with her abdomen, sneaking a glance up at her Protector and meeting her beautiful brown eyes. Elphaba's pupils grew slightly larger when pale hands rested themselves on her belt buckle.

"I'll do your legs too, given your current condition you probably shouldn't bend over." Galinda's dexterous fingers began undoing Elphaba's belt, being stopped only by Elphaba's hands over hers.

"I-I can undo my belt myself." Her cheeks were dark green and her hands were trembling a bit. Galinda had to suppress an impish grin.

"Yes but why bother, I'll just do it and get it over with." Pale fingers had undone Elphaba's belt and undone her pants before they could be stopped. Galinda slid her hands into the green girls pants, lightly running her hands over green thighs. She pushed her pants down all the way, kneeling as she did so. Elphaba stepped out of them and back towards the bath tub, now covered by only a pair of black panties and the shirt still clutched to her chest.

"I-I'm sure I can do the rest Princess, you don't need to trouble yourself."

"What if I want to?" Elphaba blushed darkly and Galinda could see goosebumps running up and down her sides and over her shoulders. "Would that bother you?" The Princess stepped closer to her protecter, pouring a bit of oil into her palm and letting it drip down a couple of her fingers onto the top of a strong green thigh. "Oops, I seem to have made a bit of a mess, oh well, it's not like I can't fix it." She softly touched her fingers to the oil on Elphaba's thigh, lightly trailing them upwards and spreading the oil out a little bit before flattening her palm against the taught green skin, fingers squeezing lightly. Elphaba's breath puffed out in a short pant as her eyes slipped shut. Galinda's eyes lit up in victory, knowing that at the very least Elphaba was attracted to her. Highly attracted to her based on the goosebumps under her fingers on her Elphaba's thigh.

"G-Galinda..." Elphaba's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and Galinda was close enough to feel it against her lips and the hammering of her green Protector's heart whenever she took a breath. A smirk curled pink lips.

"Yes Elphie?" Galinda's lips were brushing Elphaba's softly and if the green girl was honest with herself she was losing all semblance of self control. Just then there was a knock on the door of the lift and Elphaba thanked all the gods and goddesses that may or may not be for whoever was intervening in such a timely manner. Galinda's head turned at the noise, her face clearly betraying her irritation at being interrupted at such a tense moment.

"A-Ahem, um, erm, I-I should get dressed and get that." Galinda moved obligingly and Elphaba got dressed quickly and efficiently, practically sprinting out of the bathroom to ask who it was and unlock the lift. As Galinda grumpily sauntered out of the bathroom she saw Elphaba talking to Nessa.

"Father wanted to know when you'd be rejoining the other Protectors in training, it's been a while since you were punished, surely you must be in condition by now." Galinda stormed angrily around the corner, fists clenched at her sides.

"She will rejoin them when I say she can, which may be never given how terribly that sour old cad treats her and the rest of the Protectors." Nessa pursed her lips at the Princess.

"I know but he's getting impatient."

"Then he can take his impatience and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. Furthermore if he bothers Elphie or I about this again I will go to the Council with Elphaba and show them what he's done." Nessa nodded in agreement, wheeling herself back into the lift a ways.

"Alright, I'll tell him, and thank you your highness." Confusion entered Galinda's eyes.

"For what?" Nessa nodded in Elphaba's direction.

"For protecting her." Nessa smiled and the lift doors closed before Galinda could ask for clarification. Elphaba closed the external lift doors, locking them and leaning her forehead against it briefly before clearing her throat and looking at Galinda, a small smile on her lips.

"Are you hungry Princess?" The blonde couldn't help the way her eyes quickly flicked over her Protector's body then back up to her face.

"Yeah, um, some breakfast would be great." Elphaba nodded and moved toward the kitchen, quickly making some eggs, bacon and toast. They sat down to eat and had chatted for a bit.

"Do you wanna go to class today?"

"Elphie, if we go to class then Frexspar will press for you to rejoin training." Elphaba smiled a sort of sad smile at the blonde.

"I know Princess, it has to happen some time though. You and I both know that we won't be able to continue like this for much longer until he drags me back to training by brute force. Why not have it be on our terms?"

"I don't know Elphie, you're still a little weak, and you're still injured."

"It's been a while since my punishment, I'll be okay Galinda."

"I still want you to put on a few more pounds first."

"Okay so, in a week? Maybe two?"

"Try three, and that's the lowest I'll go. Why're you so eager to get back to training?"

"I'm not, believe me I'm really not, but the Ozdust ball is coming ups soon and I need to be down there training with them to learn what the security set up will be and what protocol I need to follow."

"But... Rosaline will be there." Galinda looked down at her hands and Elphaba tentatively reached over and took a small, pale hand in her own.

"Galinda, whatever you're worried about her doing, don't be. She may try to hurt me, she may try all sorts of unsavory things, but it won't matter. I think I made my point with her already." Elphaba smiled at her softly and Galinda smiled back, her heart fluttering at just the feeling of a green hand on her own and her cheeks heating softly at what had happened in the bathroom a little while ago.

"Okay, in three weeks then." Elphaba nodded and smiled at the blonde.

"Alright then. Now what do you wanna do for the rest of the day?"

"Relax maybe?" At that moment there was a knock on the lift door and Elphaba laughed.

"Looks like we'll have to put that plan on hold for a bit, I'll go and get that." Elphaba squeezed Galinda's hand in her own and smiled at her before getting up and going to the lift door, letting in Pfannee, Milla, Shenshen, and Alice. All four of whom immediately made themselves comfortable on the bed, dropping issues of the Ozmopolitan magazine along with several dress catalogs next to them.

"Um, what're those?" Elphaba eyed the thick tomes of fashion speculatively and suspiciously and Galinda happily flounced in, gasped in surprise, squealed, and then swooped up a rather large stack and started flicking through the pages of each volume.

"They're fashion catalogs Elphie! As you said the Ozdust is soon afterall, we have to pick out our dresses!" The green girl arched a single black eyebrow at her charge before shrugging and moving to the nightstand to pick up her book, sitting down in a chair in the corner. The girls on the bed all shrieked and pointed at various dresses, chattering excitedly and picking dresses out for each other, circling them with different colored pens to denote who would wear what. Eventually, they all had dresses picked out and Galinda looked over at Elphaba curiously. "What're you gonna wear to the Ozdust Elphie?"

"Not a dress I can tell you that."

"Excuse you it's a formal event, you have to go in a dress."

"I'd prefer a suit really." Elphaba did her best to look disinterested in their conversation, but internally she was praying that she wouldn't be forced into a dress.

"Yeah but do you have one? Do you have anything you could wear?" Green shoulders rose and fell in a shrug.

"No, but I'd assumed that Frexspar would be providing uniforms." Milla and Alice nodded at this.

"For the leaders yes. He said as much yesterday during training. The ball is in a month so they'll be here in three or four weeks. The Ozma's making him provide your formal dress, as well as choosing it so good luck on avoiding having a dress." Alice smirked at the discomforted groan from Elphaba at the end. Galinda on the other hand looked quite pleased.

"Don't worry Elphie, Mumsie has excellent taste." Elphaba gave her what good only be described as the look of someone who has been told they have to muck out all the animal stalls in Oz with the animals still in them. In response Galinda laughed, shaking her head and going back to looking through the magazines just to look at all the pretty gowns in it.

Three weeks later, Elphaba had successfully gained back the lost weight and maintained her physique while Galinda wasn't looking and it was time for them to rejoin the student body. Elphaba shrugged the Princess's bag onto her shoulder and unlocked the lift, giving it a once over before motioning Galinda inside and following after her. Galinda looked worried so the green girl reached over and took her hand, lacing their fingers together and lightly squeezing the pale hand in her own and giving her a small, sure smile.

"It'll be okay Galinda." Galinda squeezed back and returned the smile, still worried but for some reason less so. The lift reached the ground floor and Elphaba let go of her charge's hand and for the first time in what felt like ages set foot outside their little room. She looked around before letting Galinda leave the lift, making sure it was safe. Then, she offered her arm to the Princess. Galinda smiled at her, taking it before striding out of the hall, arm in arm.

The school day was uneventful, the excitement didn't really start until they reached evening training. Galinda was up in the observation room watching as the rowdy bunch of Protectors milled about and fell completely silent when Elphaba entered the training grounds. They parted before her as she walked up to the raised platform, nodding at the boy that had taken over for her while she was away and watching as he saluted her and jumped off the platform. She took her place in line with the other leaders and all those from the same Academy as her quickly and quietly fell into line, each saluting her from their position in the line. Galinda watched as she saluted back once they'd all finished and Frexspar walked out onto the platform with sure strides, doing a double take and almost tripping when it registered that Elphaba had returned. He shot her a glare and sucked on his teeth for a moment before turning to address the Protectors standing before him.

"As you can see, Miss Elphaba has returned. As such, she will face Master Ross and Master Urruk in that order." The Protectors nodded their understanding and quickly scurried down to the locker rooms as the platform collapsed and retracted, the leaders all jumped off of the platform and when Frexspar noticed Rosaline lingering and staring at Elphaba lasciviously as always he barked at her to join the rest of her Academy. She looked at him and tossed her head, slinking past Elphaba close enough to run one hand up her right bicep, across her shoulders, and down her left bicep, breathing out a sultry "Mine", Elphaba shaking her off and shooting her a venomous glare and clenching her fists by her side. In response Rosaline bit her lip and wiggled her fingers at her in a wave before walking away with a bit more sway in her hips than usual. Elphaba rolled her eyes and turned to where Ross was standing across the arena checking out her ass.

"Damn, you've got quite the ass your Eminence." The green girl formed a green fireball around her hand and he held up his hands, a cocky smirk on his face, then the arena began to form, blocking him from her view as volcanic geysers sprouted from the ground like daisies, creating a field of fire. Elphaba cast a quick spell around herself to protect her from the heat and started making her way carefully across the field, watching carefully for Ross. Back in the observation room Galinda watched the scrying screens on the glass in front of her, seeing Ross pick his way around a sulfurous geyser belching black smoke as Elphaba picked her way across the slopes of another geyser a little ways away. Elphaba spotted the Munchkinlander, changing her grip on her sword to one more suited for slashing. Ross already had his sickles out and was jumping at shadows, swiping the blades through sulfurous smoke at the slightest pop or hiss. The green girl maneuvered between smoke columns carefully, not even flinching as a sickle slashed through the smoke centimeters from her chest then pouncing through the column and striking Ross in the base of the skull with the hilt of the sword as the blade slashed across his shoulder, stunning him and weakening his dominant arm by damaging the muscle. He staggered and wildly spun, swinging his sickle. The tip traced a thin red line across Elphaba's toned bicep, which tensed almost immediately as her hand shot out, wrapping around his forearm and pulling him towards her as she slammed the hilt of her sword into his face. He dropped his sickles and fell back, his head hitting the ground hard. A few minutes later the arena faded back to its regular state and Munchkinlanders. Urruk cautiously stepped out of the doorway of the locker room, took one look at her, nodded, and hit himself in the head with his mace hard enough to knock him out. As his Quadling compatriots drug him off Rosaline stepped out.

"I want a rematch." Elphaba's muscles seemed to tense and flex and Galinda could see the blazing fury burning in her eyes.

"Why Rosaline?! Why? I won, fair and square."

"Mm, yes, but baby I wasn't even trying." She held up an arrow, its head sharp and shining. Frexspar walked out of the locker room area.

"Miss Rosaline is right. She was using duds when you two fought originally, therefore she deserves another shot so to speak. I'll allow it." Galinda yelled her outrage in the observation room, practically ranting at how unfair it was until Fiyero stopped her with a hand on her arm and some comforting words. Elphaba's grip tightened on her sword as Frexspar walked away, the arena springing up behind him. A massive sheet of ice began appearing and Elphaba quickly scrambled up onto one as the ground turned to icy water. Eventually, Elphaba and Rosaline stood across from one another on what was essentially a massive iceberg with a few smaller ones floating close to it.

"I do not belong to you Rosaline. I belong to Princess Galinda." Elphaba had to yell a bit to be heard over the roaring arctic wind but her voice rang out clear enough to be heard. Rosaline smiled a thin lipped smile as she notched an arrow on her bow, but not pointing at the green girl across from her.

"Oh baby, they all say that in the beginning. I've talked to someone very special recently, and he promises me that won't last." Elphaba's eyes narrow at the ginger.

"Who?" Rosaline laughed as she slowly brought her bow up and took aim.

"I believe you know him, I'll give you a hint, he's bald and has a green eye." In the millisecond of time between Rosaline finishing her sentence and firing her bow Galinda saw something snap deep inside of Elphaba, her head tilting down towards the ground but her whole demeanor changing. Her head snapped up, irises glowing from deep inside, the air becoming thicker around her as the shattered into pieces when it touched her chest. Rosaline frowned and quickly notched another arrow, firing it into the iceberg near Elphaba's feet, prompting her to move. She leapt forward with a speed Galinda hadn't seen before as the ice exploded behind her, whizzing past her and scattering in all directions, the blast lightly searing the skin of her shoulder and back. Elphaba snatched the next arrow out of the air, shadows following her arm as it moved through the air to snatch the shaft.

"Do you know why I'm called the Wicked Witch of the West Rosaline?" Her voice is velvety and dark, and Rosaline smirked, tossing aside her bow and drawing her sword as Elphaba was close enough that the ranged weapon would be useless.

"I figured it had something with you being wicked in bed but no, I don't. Please enlighten me."

"Why don't I just show you?"

"Mm, please do, you're so sexy when you're angry like this." With that Rosaline dashed forwards, lunging with her sword. Rather than parry Elphaba dropped her sword, stepping smoothly forward, grabbing Rosaline's sword hand with her left hand and wrapping her right around her throat, using her momentum to swing her around and throw her down into the ice hard enough to create a crater. Rosaline slashed wildly with her sword as Elphaba bore down on her, her hand closing around Rosaline's throat tightly, nails gouging into her skin as the green girl pulled her back up, throwing her like a rag doll into the ice towards the edge of the iceberg. Cold glowing eyes watched as Rosaline slid over the edge, barely catching herself and scrambling to try and pull herself out of the subzero water.

"When I fight, I don't just fight to fight. I fight to win. I fight with everything I have and I never, ever give up." Rosaline's teeth are chattering and her lips are blue. "Tell him that if you ever see him again." With that, Elphaba picked her sword up again, raised it above her head and buried it up to the hilt in the iceberg, lightning striking the hilt and shattering the iceberg all the way from her feet to Rosaline's measly grip on the ice. The ginger shuddered and tried to stay afloat and Elphaba sighed, watching her struggle for a little before casting a spell and walking across the water to crouch before her. "Do you forfeit?" Rosaline looked up at her with pale skin, almost black lips, and frost covered hair and seemed to consider for a moment before nodding.

"I forfeit to you Elphaba." She chattered out and Elphaba plunged her arm into the water, her spell protecting her as she pulled the smaller girl from the icy liquid. Rosaline couldn't stand so Elphaba held her by the arms to help her balance.

"Do you understand now Rosaline? I'm loyal to Galinda, and she's the only one I can belong to." Rosaline nodded, a shaky smile bowing her lips as she looked at the green girl.

"I get it Elphaba, and I'm sorry for how I've acted." Elphaba smiled back at her. "If you and the Princess will allow it, friends?" The green girl laughed.

"Sure Rosaline, friends." They smiled at each other until Rosaline's shaking knees seemed to give out and Elphaba caught her, picking her up and carrying her bridal style as the arena continued to fade back to normal.

"Thank you Elphaba."

"Anytime Rosaline, as long as you don't go psycho again." Rosaline laughed shakily.

"I won't. You saved my life so I owe you more than I owe that weird bald guy. Besides I kinda like you." Elphaba laughed again.

"So the only reason you were basically trying to rape me was because of some weirdo?" Rosaline blushed as much as someone who was hypothermic could.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"He saved me from the person who originally bought me. My original charge was a bit of a monster and he appeared while we were both asleep and killed him then made it look like I was attacked so that I wouldn't be killed and would just be resold. I got a better charge the second time but his price for not killing me was that when I met a green girl with black hair I would try and seduce her and I had to do it quickly or else he'd find me and kill me again. He conditionally spared my life, you saved it. I owe you." Elphaba nodded.

"He's quite the asshole isn't he?" Rosaline laughed again.

"Yeah. I'm sorry by the way."

"Apology accepted, I know what it's like to have to deal with that jackass first hand." Rosaline's brow furrowed in confusion as the ground dried around them.

"How?" Elphaba gave her a sad smile.

"It's a long story, suffice to say the scarring on his face? That was me." Rosaline looked at her with a newfound respect.

"Huh, you'll have to tell me that story sometime." Elphaba started walking across the now-safe-to-traverse ground.

"Sure, let's just get you somewhere you can warm up first. You're freezing." Rosaline laughed again and Galinda found her to be much more pleasant now that she wasn't being so aggressive with her Protector.

"My hero." Elphaba laughed as well and shook her head, handing the smaller girl off to one of the larger Gillikinese boys.

"Whatever gingersnap, you still owe me for biting me." The half frozen girl laughed and yelled back over the boy's shoulder.

"I'll buy you dinner some time."

"Good enough for me!" Elphaba responded over her shoulder as she walked away. Galinda smiled, glad that she didn't have to worry about Rosaline anymore and Elphaba had made another friend too.

"Well now that Rosaline is being civil to your Protector I feel it safe to introduce myself." Galinda turned to see a tall blonde boy with brown eyes, pale skin, and a strong jaw with some tasteful stubble on it. "My name is Gavin your highness, Gavin Strank of the Ambrose Stranks."

"Ah yes, your family controls a major mining industry in the Gillikin mountains yes?" He nods.

"Those're the ones yes. I'm sorry I hadn't introduced myself earlier, I was quite afraid you or Master Fiyero here would deck me." Fiyero smiled.

"Rightly so. I'm glad that Fae and Rosaline seem to have a truce now though." Gaving nodded.

"I am too. Well, I suppose I will see you two around, right now I feel I should go attend to my Protector, Miss Elphaba did quite a number on her." He nodded to them both and took his leave as the protectors reassembled for their assigned training.

Once training was over Galinda met Elphaba downstairs, smiling at her when she saw her appear from the locker rooms. She was sweaty and her shoulder looked a little dark from the searing she'd received and she had miscellaneous bruises but overall she was alright. As they were heading to their room though a courier came running down the hall with two packages, Pfannee, Milla, Shenshen, and Alice making an excited entrance with a package each shortly after. The courier ran up to Galinda and Elphaba.

"Princess Galinda Upland and Elphaba Thropp?" The two nodded and he handed them their respective packages, having Galinda sign a piece of paper saying that they'd both received their packages. He nodded to Elphaba and bowed to the Princess before scurrying away as Pfannee and company ran up to the two girls, squealing excitedly making Elphaba let them into the lift to take them up to the girls' room so they could try on their dresses. Elphaba sat in her chair in the corner again and watched the girls parade in and out of the bathroom as they got into their dresses. Pfannee had gotten a soft peach, floor-length flowing sleeveless gown with golden embroidery around the waist and up around her breasts, Milla had gotten a green gown with a diagonally cut skirt that reached just above her knee at its highest and mid-calf at its lowest and a single strap on her right shoulder with matching golden embroidery to her charge's. Shenshen chose a red gown that faded down to a golden edge with white feathers in a pattern like fire on the corseted boddess and Alice had a black dress with a beautiful sort of cascading blue skirt, like water to compliment Shenshen's fire. The it was Galinda's turn, and when she came out of the bathroom Elphaba dropped her book entirely and couldn't suppress her gasp. Galinda had a beautiful, strapless white gown with a flowing, tiered skirt on a diagonal cut with sapphire blue edges. The boddess was modestly cut and similar to an over bust corset and the same color as the edges of the layers of the skirt. It was simple, but pure and beautiful and Galinda looked absolutely stunning in it. When she exited the bathroom the first person she looked at was Elphaba and in that moment the green girl's expression was completely unguarded and the blonde could see the wonder and awe in her eyes, and maybe something a little more. Then the moment was broken by the gasps and dropped jaws of the other girls as they squealed and fussed over the blonde. Elphaba looked down at her lap and picked her book up again and Galinda caught her sad smile and the heartbreak in her eyes out of the corner of her eye and frowned a little in her direction before returning to the conversation about her dress and how amazing she looked.

Finally they were done obsessing over the dress and Galinda went back into the bathroom and changed back into her more casual clothes, walking out and looking at Elphaba still curled up in her chair and intent on her book.

"Aren't you gonna try on whatever it is my mom got you for the Ozdust Elphie?" Elphaba looked up at her and shrugged, mumbling something about not thinking it important and the others started chanting her name to get her to do it. Finally, she rolled her eyes and put her book down, picking up the box the courier had given and going into the bathroom. When she came out it was Galinda's turn to have her heart melted. The Ozma had gotten Elphaba a white dress tunic, a black corset, black breeches like many of the men would be wearing, a pair of black mid-calf boots, and a special sword belt with a red half skirt attached in the back to add a touch of femininity and the crest of Oz on the sword clip. She looked dignified, sexy, and unbelievably gorgeous even though her hair was a bit of a mess still from training and when she looked into Galinda's eyes in that outfit all the air in Galinda's lungs seemed to evaporate and her heart beat a million miles a minute. She looked like the prince from one of Galinda's favorite story books as a child, the prince that she'd always fantasized about marrying but much, much sexier. The Princess stood from the bed where she'd been sitting with the other girls and tentatively walked forward, soft fingers taking the braid thrown so casually over Elphaba's strong shoulder and undoing it, gently combing it out with her fingers and gently brushing the hair that fell into her face to the side a bit, lips parting as pale fingers brushed across a green cheekbone. The Princess stepped back and if possible her heart beat even faster. There was enough hair falling across Elphaba's face to give her a sultry air and her lips were parted as well as she looked at the Princess, and it was like they were seeing each other for the first time in a much, much softer light. The girls on the bed were completely silent, taking in the sight of the taller girl in admiration. Finally Elphaba broke the silence with a blush and a lopsided smile.

"I guess your mother has better fashion sense than I'd thought." Galinda laughed, the blush that had been slowly painting her cheeks deepening as she swatted Elphaba's chest.

"Never doubt Momsie." The girls on the bed laughed and they quickly forced Elphaba down onto the bed and began to fiddle with her hair and such as they'd done with each other to try and decide how she should wear her hair, finally deciding to leave it as Galinda had put it. Galinda watched her until the last second when she closed the door to the bathroom and started getting changed back into the clothes she was wearing before. Alice nudged her shoulder and smiled at her, offering her a steaming cup of tea and winking at her knowingly.

Inside the bathroom as Elphaba was carefully removing the outfit the Ozma had gotten for her she spotted a rectangle of notary on the floor that must've come out of the box when she'd pulled the clothes out. She knelt down and picked it up, turning it over to find a note from the Ozma and her signature in the corner.

Dear Elphaba,

I knew you wouldn't want a dress, so I tried to work around that. I hope you're satisfied with this and I hope that you can dance with my daughter in it. I know how you feel about her and don't worry, it'll be okay. You'll see what I mean soon enough.

P.S. I have one more gift for you enclosed in this box, there should be a leather pouch with some gold coins in it. You may do what you choose with them as you've done an incredible job protecting Galinda and I hope that they are useful to you.

Good luck my dear,

Sincerely,

Melinda Upland, Ozma

Elphaba looked through the packaging and sure enough there was a pouch of coins. She got dressed and put the pouch in her pocket, knowing exactly what she would do with it and that she had only a week in which to get it.