I'll Protect You
Chapter 10
Shaken
AN: Sorry for how long it took to get this chapter out. Got a little stuck. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! You guys seriously made my night! Also, sorry, another small typo, Sprite should have actually been spelled Spryte, so I'm sorry about that. Anyways, huge shoutouts go to: Happyobsessed3611! You made my night with your review! Thank you so much! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time! Thank you! Lol. Now I've updated this and Bro'mance. The ball is in your court. Lol. Thank you! ComingAndGoingByBubble, I'm glad to have made your night or day depending on where you're at. And thank you for the great review! Love ya! Fae the Queen, *hangs head* what in Oz am I going to do with you? Lol, I guess I'll just have to give you a big virtual hug! Thank you for the review! Take care, and PM me soon! And I agree with the others, your so mean for leaving your last chapter at that point. Come on woman! Stop making us suffer! Lol. Love ya chica! Elphaba'sGirl, That was done in a nice calm voice? Lol. Thank you for the review! You made me laugh really hard! Lol. And soon, very soon. Lol. LifeinWatercolor, I really hope your still alive *knocks on screen* hello…is anyone in there? *knocks on screen again* hello? No, oh well, she was a wonderful person, and shall be sorely missed. What! You're still alive! Yeah! Excellent! Lol. Thank you for the review! You're a peach! A special welcome and a warm hello to Haquikah! Hello and thank you so much for the review! And thank you! *bows* lol, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Thank you so much! Take care! L8lzytwner! I love ya girl! Lol. No, passing out is never a good thing. Lol, thank you chica for the review! Take care and good luck! Another special welcome and a warm hello to Aeryella! Hey what a coincidence! Your screen name is the same as one of my characters! Lol, welcome back Elphaba-WWW! *Squeals runs up and gives you big hugs!* I've missed you so much! Thank you so much for the review! I was totally shocked to see it and you really made my night too! Thank you again, and don't worry about it. You take care of yourself and review when you get the chance. Miss you, love ya *not in that way* and hope to hear from you soon! Bye chica! Elphiesglinda, *big hugs!* How you doing sweetie!? I miss talking with you, but understand why. Thank you so much for the review! You made my night! Take care!
Alright, new chapter. I hope this was worth the wait. New one up soon, and the first chapter to the continuation of Bullet Proof has been posted. It's called The Crumbling of Oz. And a new chapter to Bro'mance will be coming soon too, so keep your eyes peeled! Alright, thank you all again to you wonderful reviewers and a special thank you to everyone who's been sticking with this story! Your continued support means the world to me! Thank you!
*Really long AN, sorry I promise almost done* Again, this story is dedicated to four very special authors who are the greatest friends anyone could ask for. Their continued support in helping me through every writer's block, through every self-doubt and wanting to just abandoned everything *hint hint, I've been forbidden to do so* has been wonderful. Thank you guys for your support and friendship! You guys rock! Thank you to everyone and God Bless!
The world fell away, and Fiyero was powerless to stop it. He could feel his body falling into the darkness, the chasm of his despair bubbling beneath his feet; a phantom cloaked in midnight, rising up from the pits of hell, ready to wrap his body up in Her sultry embrace, and carry him away into the darkness of the night, into the darkness of his despair.
Fiyero didn't fight it, for all he wanted to do, was fall away, and let the icy embrace of emptiness envelope him in its silent lullaby, and hide away beneath the folds, the riptides of silence and echoes.
He could feel his body descend down to the ground below. Slowly, he closed his eyes, ready to embrace the Nothingness washing over him.
Fiyero!
"Fae?" whispers Fiyero breathlessly.
Suddenly, hands reach out, and grasp firmly onto his body; soft, delicate hands of silk, stopping his descent to the ground beneath him. Instantly, his eyes snap open, and turning, his dark sapphire eyes stare hollow into misty cerulean.
"Gl…Glinda?" whispers Fiyero weakly.
Glinda, having seen the dangerous sway of his unsteady gait, had leapt towards him. Her arms reached out, and caught him a mere whispered breathe away before hitting the floor.
"Hey" smiles Glinda. A wince, and Glinda and Fiyero crumble to the ground below; her small legs having given beneath her from the added weight.
Crying out, Glinda's arms tightened around Fiyero's waist.
"Are you alright?" asks Fiyero worriedly. Instantly, Fiyero turned in Glinda's arms, his face stared worried back at the blonde. Pain, flickered across her face, and yet she refused to let the tears fall from her eyes.
Wincing, Glinda cracks one eye open, and for a moment, stared back at Fiyero, worry shimmering within his dark sapphire eyes. And yet despite the pain she was in, couldn't help but smile back at him.
"I'm fine" replies Glinda weakly.
"Are you sure?" asks Fiyero gently. Tenderly, his hand rises and cups Glinda's cheek.
"Yes" whispers Glinda breathlessly. Oz, despite everything, she still could not ignore the flutter of butterfly wings skipping across her heart, any time Fiyero touched her.
Closing her eyes, she lifted a hand up and cupped hers over Fiyero's. A light blush, spread across her cheeks, feeling the smooth leather of the gloves against her own. She knew Fiyero's hands were not his, not anymore. They were made of straw and twisted pieces of flesh, and yet, she could still feel the vibration, the warmth of his touch, of his love, tingle against the meats of her fingers. And it made her heart ache all the more, knowing he was no longer hers.
"Ahem" coughed Aeryella impatiently.
Stiffening, both Fiyero and Glinda's eyes widened. For a moment, the two sat there; Fiyero pressed against Glinda's chest, the feel of her hand against his, her sweet breath wafting against his face.
Oz, what in Lurline was he doing! He loved Elphaba, and Elphaba alone! He couldn't do this to her, he couldn't betray Fae, not now, not after all she had gone through, was going through, and all for love.
Awkwardly, Fiyero scrambled off of Glinda, his eyes never leaving hers. A small frown flickered across her face; which didn't go unnoticed by Fiyero, and it made his heart hurt all the more for the blonde.
Straightening, Fiyero extended a hand down towards the blonde. Blushing, she slowly cupped her hand within the palm of his of hand. Gently, he lifted Glinda off the floor. The fabric of her dress having pooled beneath her legs, snag beneath her feet, making the blonde trip and stumble.
A cry and Glinda falls against Fiyero's chest. A grunt and Fiyero's arms automatically wrap protectively around Glinda's slender waist.
"Careful"
Blushing, Glinda relaxes against Fiyero's chest, her eyes flutter closed, as she allows Fiyero's scent to fill her once more. She could feel it, her heart fluttering hard within her chest, feeling him against her, his arms wound tight against her body, Oz, how she had missed this.
Instantly, Fiyero stiffened, feeling Glinda press against his body, her head snuggled lovingly against his chest. Memories returned, of the many of nights the two sat before the fire, Glinda leaning against his chest, his arms wound tight around her slender waist. The gentle flicker of the fire illuminating the room and casting away the darkness, the way her body glowed and her hair sparkled, bathed in the warmth of golden hues, entwined in gentle oranges, and flashes of red and yellows. Oz, she looked like a goddess.
It would be so easy to go back to those days, those carefree days when nothing mattered, no worry or strife, no darkness, just endless bliss.
Slowly, Fiyero closed his eyes, relishing in the feel of her warmth, pressed against him. A part of him, a small part of him, missed the feeling of her body pressed against his, the smell of her hair; gentle jasmines dancing on the breeze, the feel of her skin against his, her sweetened breath, the taste of her lips.
Yero…
Startled, Fiyero's eyes snap open, and his breath hitches tight in his throat. Oz, what was he doing!
Tenderly, he pulled away from Glinda. He could see the disappointment sparkle in her eyes, and his heart broke all the more for the blonde.
It wasn't right, the way he had left her and he knew it. She was, is, still so in love with him. Why did he have to be so brainless and lead her on for so many years? Though a part of him knew why, for he did love her, but not as strongly, as fiercely, as his love for Fae. He stayed with Glinda partly out of duty, and partly out of not knowing whether or not Elphaba felt the same way, nor if he would ever find her, see her again…alive.
"FiFi" whispers Glinda softly.
"I'm sorry Glin" breathes Fiyero in a hushed whispered tone. Slowly, his hand rose and cupped Glinda's cheek. Warm tears spilled from her eyes, trailing like fallen stars down her cheeks, and splattering against the tips of his fingers.
"Are you two quite finished?"
Growling, both Fiyero and Glinda turn and glare back at Aeryella and Iilliana, the two Sprytes who matched the pairs glare with equal ferocity.
"Yes?" growls Fiyero through clenched teeth. Oz, these two Elves or fairies or whatever it is that they call themselves were quickly getting to be quite irritating.
"Good…then we can start proceeding with our plan on breaking Elphaba out of Southstairs…and getting the two of you out of Oz for good" snaps Aeryella.
"Leave Oz!" gasps Glinda. Turning, Glinda's dark, cerulean eyes stare desperately back into softened sapphire. "You…you would leave Oz…again?"
"We have no choice Glinda…all of Oz hates us…Morrible and the people won't stop, until were both buried six feet beneath the ground" sighs Fiyero.
"But…you're…you're going to leave me…alone…again" whimpers Glinda.
"We have no choice Glin…and besides…your place is here…Oz needs you…to keep the balance of darkness and light…to keep Hope alive" replies Fiyero gently.
"But…I'll be so lonely!" wails Glinda, before throwing herself against Fiyero's body.
Oz, now he remembered why he couldn't marry the blonde. She was a beauty yes, but her almost insane emotions and over-the-top-theatrics really could wear a man's patience thin.
"Glin…you know we haven't any other choice" replies Fiyero. Gently, his hands grasp firm onto the blonde's quivering shoulders. Grunting, he pulls her away. "It's not safe for us here…not anymore"
"I know" sniffs Glinda. "I…I'm just…going…to…miss…you…so…bad!" wails Glinda. And in a flash, the petite blonde flings herself against Fiyero, her arms winding tight around his waist, crushing his body, and crushing the hay within.
"Is she always like this?" asks Aeryella.
"Worse" sighs Fiyero.
Screwing up her face, she glares at the blonde, before turning gracefully on the tips of her toes. Her hand flies up and tosses a stray strand of raven hair off her shoulder.
Fiyero, Iilliana and Glinda watch, as Aeryella steps over to the veranda. Her dark, brown eyes gaze darkly up at the full moon, shimmering high in the blackness of the night. A gentle gale of wind wisps past her making her long raven hair billow and swirl majestically around her, and the ends of her cloak dance to dance in the night, catching the moonlight.
For a moment, she stood tall, and regal before the group, the light of the silver moon, shimmering down upon her body, casting away the shadows. She looked magickal, an angel of the night.
Sighing, her eyes flicker closed. Her hands reach down and grasp onto the edge of the veranda. Arching her back, she lowers her head down onto the edge of the emerald veranda.
"What's the matter Aeryella?" asks Iilliana gently.
"The Darkness within is growing…and I fear that we may be too late to stop it" replies Aeryella softly.
"Darkness? What darkness?" asks Glinda, a hint of worry laced within her voice.
"The Darkness which brought me here" replies Aeryella gently. Regally, she turns and stares back at the blonde. Her arms rise, as she gestures towards herself and Iilliana. "It's what led us here to you"
"It Called to us in a distant dream…that's why we are here…to combat the Darkness and restore the balance" finishes Iilliana.
"What is this" starts Fiyero, before wrinkling his nose. Oz, this magick and darkness stuff was way over his head. "Darkness that you speak of?"
"It's an Unknown…a Shadow…a Tempest to the Destruction of Light…our people have been battling against this Darkness for centuries…and yet no matter how hard we try to defeat it…it always comes back…in one form or another" answers Iilliana.
"Form?" asks Glinda confused.
"This entity…this Tempest is pure energy…magick…it cannot take shape or form on its own…so it must possess a vessel to which it can weave it's power through…its influence" explains Aeryella. Slowly, she steps back into the room, her long raven hair billowing majestically behind her.
"Okaaay" drawls Glinda. Slowly, she steps away from Fiyero's side. "So…why exactly are you here?"
"Oz…blondes" growls Aeryella, as she hits her forehead with the palm of her hand in frustration.
"Be nice Aeryella" admonishes Iilliana. Smiling, Iilliana turns and faces Glinda and Fiyero. "We traced the Entities signature to this location"
"Signature?" asks Glinda, wrinkling her nose.
"Everyone and anything which possess magickal properties or "gifts" possess their own individual signature…a way for others to find them" explains Aeryella slowly.
"Is that how Morrible was able to find Elphie?" asks Glinda.
"I suppose" shrugs Iilliana.
"Wait!" cries out Glinda. "If Morrible could feel…could see Elphaba's signature…than wouldn't she have been able to locate her sooner?"
"Perhaps this Morrible woman is not as strong in the magickal arts as your-"trails off Aeryella, before making a face "Elphie"
"That would explain why I never felt her" sighs Glinda. Yet another slap in the face, another reality check to her mediocre magickal abilities.
"Is that how you were able to find Fae…after she had fled the Wizard?" asks Fiyero.
"Yes…it's how Atlas was able to find her as well" smiles Iilliana.
"Atlas!" gasps Glinda shocked. "Atlas possesses magickal abilities too!"
"Well yes…he's a very powerful mage…not as powerful as Fae…but powerful in his own right…he was able to follow Elphaba's magickal signature to the Great Gillikin forest…that's where he found her"
"What happened that day?" asks Fiyero. He hated hearing how another man let alone Atlas managed to come across his Fae, and yet, he needed to know. He needed, no wanted to know that part of his Fae's life, her strife since fleeing the Wizard's palace, and being on the run.
"The Resistance had been keeping an eye on Elphaba since the time she was born and beyond…we could see it…feel her magickal abilities…we knew she would be a powerful ally in our fight against the tyrant who dares call himself a Wizard" spats Aeryella.
"You've been watching her…since she was born!" gasps Glinda shocked.
"Yes…we could feel her magickal signature even when she was in her mother's womb…we could feel her power. It's what drew us to her" explains Iilliana.
"Iilliana and I had been assigned to stake out the Governor's Mansion to watch over and protect Elphaba. We watched her throughout her entire childhood…came across her a couple of times" laughs Aeryella, remembering those days when little Elphaba; a pipsqueak who barely stood taller than their knees, looked up at them with those big, beautiful chocolate eyes and small, pouty lips.
"You watched over her? Until when?" asks Glinda.
"Up to when she came to Shiz…we stayed at a farther enough distance though" replies Iilliana.
"Why?" asks Glinda confused.
"She had you…and Fiyero around her…and she seemed happy…our protection at that time didn't seem warranted" shrugs Aeryella.
"You're telling me that you were there…watching Elphaba grow up…and be abused by that bastard she calls a father! And yet you did nothing to stop him!?" snarls Fiyero enraged.
"We are forbidden from interfering from human's destined paths…we are mere silent observers…protecting them when the need arise…but never interfering with what is to be…be" explains Aeryella darkly. Inwardly, she hated having to stand by and watch as Frex beat Elphaba, forced her into slavery, and practically starving her to death.
"When the need arises! My Oz woman! She was being abused daily by the hands of her own father!" roars Fiyero.
"Not father" corrects Iilliana. Gasping, her hands rise and cover her mouth.
"Smooth one loose lips" growls Aeryella.
"What do you mean not father?" asks Glinda.
Sighing, Aeryella gestures for her to tell them.
"Frex…technically isn't Elphaba's father" replies Iilliana softly.
"Wait…what!" gasps Glinda.
"Frex isn't Elphaba's real father…the.." hesitates Iilliana. "The Wizard is"
"WHAT!" roars both Glinda and Fiyero in unison.
"The Wizard-" repeats Iilliana.
"We heard you the first time!" snaps Glinda and Fiyero in unison.
"Alright geesh…no need to bite my head off" scoffs Iilliana.
"Don't. Tempt. Me" growls Glinda through clenched teeth.
"How in Oz do you know that?" asks Fiyero shocked.
"We were there when the "Wizard" visited young Melena" explains Aeryella.
"Oz" grunts Fiyero. Stumbling, Fiyero awkwardly collapses in a chair.
"You're not kidding" quips Glinda, her voice shaky as she stumbles back, but unlike Fiyero, fails to take notice that the lack of a chair or stool beneath her. A cry and Glinda once again falls to the ground.
"You must really like the floor" laughs Aeryella.
"Not particularly" growls Glinda through clenched teeth.
"You said you followed Fae up to Shiz…what happened after?" asks Fiyero, wishing to avoid another "catfight"
"We stayed close to the grounds, but never entered" replies Iilliana.
"We stayed at a distance…watching from the trees or the shadows…we were there…the day the fish lady gave Elphaba the letter from the Wizard" adds Aeryella.
"And did…did you two follow us to the City of Emeralds?" squeaks Glinda.
"Yes we did" smiles Iilliana.
"I thought I felt someone following us! I kept telling Elphie but she just told me I was being paranoid!"
"You were" replies Aeryella dryly.
"No…I was right…we were being followed" pouts Glinda.
"Yes…but you kept insisting it was two brutes of an ogre who were following you" replies Aeryella, quirking an elegant eyebrow at the blonde.
"Well" starts Glinda. Hotly, she tosses a few loose curls over her shoulder, before regally rising back up on her feet, her dark cerulean eyes glaring up at Aeryella, standing tall and regal before her. Oz, this woman was insufferable! Just like Elphie. "You can't blame a girl for believing such can you? After all, two young college students, visiting the City of Emeralds unaccompanied. Who knows what could have happened"
"And who in Oz would want to mess with you?" asks Aeryella, an icy smirk on her lips.
"I'm a Lady! I'm pretty and perfect! Who wouldn't want to mess with me!" snarls Glinda before stomping her foot on the ground.
"Hey do that again" replies Aeryella.
"What…why?" asks Glinda confused.
"Cause that was almost as scary as your pout!" laughs Aeryella.
"Why you!" snarls Glinda, before lunging towards the Spryte.
Lucky for her, Fiyero had leapt from the chair, and having reached her, grabbed the blonde up in his arms, stopping her from getting pummeled either by magick, or by the Sprytes skills in assassination. She was after all, an important figure in the Resistance.
"Let me go! Let me go I almost had her!" growls Glinda as she lunges and thrashes in Fiyero's arms.
"Ha!" cackles Aeryella.
"If were quite finished" growls Iilliana. Turning, she glares angrily at the older Spryte, and though she was younger, she still could make the elder woman, shrink back in fear. "When she fled the Wizard's palace…me and Aeryella tried to follow her…but we lost her in the sails of the Gale Wind…we had to abort and go back to our headquarters and report what had happened to the High Elders"
"Why not go and search for her yourselves?" asks Glinda confused.
"We are too important to the cause to be sent on a rescue mission…if anything were to happen to me or the others…the Resistance would fall apart" explains Iilliana.
"So they send Atlas instead" growls Fiyero.
"Yes" nods Aeryella. She could tell that Fiyero didn't like Atlas, though she didn't really quite understand why. After all, he had been gone, to blind by his own selfish wanton desires to even give a fig about the raven haired witch. And judging by what she saw earlier had been too wrapped up in the blonde to even care.
"He's a powerful Sorcerer and skilled in the arts of combat…he was perfect in retrieving Elphaba and ensuring she was still alive" adds Aeryella.
"If he's so powerful then why send him…surly he's just as equally as important as you two" spats Fiyero.
"Your sarcasm isn't warranted nor needed at the moment" growls Aeryella.
"Fine…but still…why send Atlas if he's so powerful? Surly the Resistance wouldn't want to lose such a valuable warrior?"
"Though your right in that account but whether or not the Elders would or would not have sent him is irrelevant…he would have gone regardless" replies Iilliana.
"Why?" asks Glinda confused.
"Cause like us…he'd been watching Elphaba as well" smiles Aeryella, knowing this little bit of information would infuriate the Prince. And her assumptions were, as always correct, for she could almost see the steam puffing out of his ears.
"Why that no good son-of-a!"
"FIYERO LIIR TIGGULAR! LANGUAGE!" screams Glinda horrified.
"Yes mother" spats Fiyero.
"And what have I said about that attitude?" asks Glinda, growling.
"To stuff it"
"Good boy" smiles Glinda.
Iilliana and Aeryella couldn't help but burst into laughter, watching the Prince, who stood at least three feet taller than the blonde, cower before her.
"So Atlas had been watching her too?" asks Glinda.
"Yes" replies Iilliana.
"What happened then?" asks Fiyero.
"He found her…after searching the woods for several weeks…she was alone…near death and starving…she had been wounded badly and a bad infection had set in" explains Iilliana.
"Wounded! How?" gasps Fiyero.
"She had a bad run in with the Gale Force when she had gone to rescue a nearby Animal village…she managed to save the Animals'…but had ended up being mortally wounded in the process" explains Aeryella.
"I told my men not to harm her" growls Fiyero.
"And you honestly thought that they would listen!" cackles Aeryella.
Oz, she was starting to remind him more and more of Fae by the minute.
"I was Captain of the Guard at that time…what I say goes"
"Well…not in this case sweetheart" winks Aeryella.
"What happened?" asks Glinda, interrupting another argument.
"He picked her up and carried her back to the base…when he arrived, her fever had spiked, and she was seizing terribly…it took everything we had to try and break her fever and heal her wound…the rest was up to her" explains Iilliana.
"Atlas stayed by her side, applies cool compresses to her forehead in hopes of breaking her fever…and changing her bandages…we often found him holding her hand, or touching her forehead" adds Aeryella, which earned her an icy glare by Iiliana.
"He read to her most nights as well" adds Iilliana trying to take away some of sting of Elphaba's past.
"We feared that she wouldn't make it…that we had been too late in finding her" replies Aeryella solemnly.
"At one point…we nearly lost her…she started thrashing and screaming wildly in the bed…Atlas tried to hold her still, to prevent her from falling…her back arched high off the bed, before she gave one last earthshattering scream…before she fell silent. No breathes escaping her lips" replies Iilliana softly.
"She stopped breathing!" gasps Glinda.
"Her heart stopped…" nods Aeryella.
"Oh Oz Fae" cries Fiyero.
"Atlas wouldn't accept it…he brought her back to life" smiles Iilliana.
"How?" asks Glinda.
"He forced air into her lungs…beat on her chest to jumpstart her heart…it worked…she took in a breath…and after that night…she started to slowly get better" explains Iilliana.
"Atlas fell in love with her even more" adds Aeryella.
"When she got better, Atlas asked her to stay…she agreed. He had her meet the High Elders the very next day. They granted her into the fold after she was deemed worthy" replies Aeryella.
"Deemed worthy?" asks Fiyero confused.
"Anyone wishing to join the Resistance…must complete a task…a mission. It's the only way for them to prove their loyalty to the Resistance" explains Iilliana.
"Are all the initiations
the same?" asks Glinda.
"No…they all depend on the person and skills that individual can give to the Resistance" explains Iilliana.
"And I'm guessing the High Elders had given Fae a magickal one?" asks Fiyero.
"A very dangerous one…one that not many members survived…but you must understand…they knew of her powers and of her drive to rescue and save the Animals…the High Elders had no doubt in their mind that she would succeed" replies Aeryella.
"How dangerous?" asks Fiyero, eyeing the two.
"Explosions…fire…guns…and rescuing a Top Priority prisoner" squeaks Iilliana.
"WHAT! YOU SENT FAE OUT TO FACE A CONTINGENT OF GALE FORCERS WITHIN THE CITY OF EMERALDS!" roars Fiyero.
"We knew she would survive" shrugs Aeryella.
"And it's obvious she did…or she wouldn't still be here" adds Iilliana.
"Oz!" sighs Fiyero. It was a good thing he hadn't a clue to the types of missions the Resistance had put upon his Fae's shoulders, for he probably would have lost his insanity months ago.
"And what of being paired with Atlas?" asks Glinda.
"The High Elders felt it a perfect fit, to have their two most powerful mages working together. Atlas was thrilled…Elphaba not so much. She liked Atlas…but it was easy to see her heart belonged to another" replies Aeryella.
"The two worked side by side, going on many missions together. Atlas tried his best to win over Elphaba's affections…but she kept pushing him away. But you could tell she liked him…she always blushed whenever their hands touched…or he accidently brushed against her" replies Iilliana.
"Or when his lips were close to hers" laughs Aeryella remembering the many of times she found the two standing close, in awkward positions, their lips a mere whispered breath away from touching.
"That all changed though. During a mission…things went horribly wrong and the two had to flee. Atlas had been injured badly protecting Elphaba from not only the rifles of the Gale Force, but from the explosions around them" replies Iilliana.
"Explosions" squeaks Glinda. Oz, she couldn't believe the dangers her Elphie put herself in, and all for the cause.
"They managed to escape…but with Atlas being wounded…and Elphaba terribly weak and hurt as well, she was forced to find shelter until it was safe enough for the two of them to journey back to the headquarters of the Resistance" replies Aeryella.
"When you say escape…you mean" smiles Fiyero.
"By broom" answers Iilliana and Aeryella at the same time.
"Her and that dirty old thing" laughs Glinda, pleased with her joke that only she seemed to have grasped.
"Well…we can't all come and go by bubble" spats out Aeryella.
"Why does everyone knock the bubble!" whines Glinda.
"It's too…" trials off Aeryella, as she searches for the right word. "Bubbly"
"And flying around on that ratty old thing is better?" sniffs Glinda.
"Anyways…back to the story" interrupts Fiyero.
"They found refuge in an old abandoned Corn Exchange hidden deep in the Shadow District…a place the Gale Force does not wish to go"
"They hid there for several weeks…with Elphaba tending to Atlas's wounds…she slowly started to fall in love with him…and when she thought he was going to die…she kissed him" adds Aeryella.
"Kissed. Him" growls Fiyero.
"Hey!" shouts Glinda, causing Fiyero to stumble. "Why are you getting so huffy? You were with me still at that time!"
"I just can't stand the idea of her being alone…with him" growls Fiyero.
"Well get over it because she was! And there's nothing that you and I can do to change that. So just shut up!" snarls Glinda.
"Go blondie!" cheers Aeryella.
"I have a name" snarls Glinda.
"Whatever…any ways the next day he awoke...alive and well. Their feelings only grew after that. And you can guess what happened soon after" laughs Aeryella.
"Must you go into details" growls Fiyero.
"I could" cackles Aeryella. "But I'll spare you Princey"
"Thanks" says Fiyero dryly.
"They returned a week after…when Elphaba was sure his wounds were healed enough….they tried to keep their feelings hidden but you know how that goes. They agreed later to make the Corn Exchange their home away from home, and spent many nights there…many"
"Just had to rub that in…didn't you" growls Fiyero.
"Down boy" growls Glinda, before knocking Fiyero upside the head.
"So that's their story…you want to know how many times they "did" it!" exclaims Aeryella.
"No!" shouts Glinda, Iilliana, and Fiyero at the same time.
"Your no fun" pouts Aeryella.
"So what do we do now?" asks Glinda after calming herself down.
"I told you…we cannot interfere with the humans…we can only quietly observe. We can only give aid when the situation calls for us to use our magick" explains Iilliana.
"Does this not qualify for you to use your magick?" asks Fiyero.
"No…there's others out there…those who love and care for Elphaba dearly and would do anything to see her safe and alive" replies Iilliana.
"Who the Resistance! Where are they! There not here! Obviously Fae's life is not of the highest importance!" roars Fiyero.
"You have to understand Fiyero. The Resistance lives by a code of arms…we aid our brethren when in need…we never leave one behind…but if the predicament a member is in puts the others at risk or the Resistance and Cause as well…then we can only hope for a dignified death" replies Aeryella.
"So you guys would sit back and allow your most powerful member be tortured and killed?" asks Glinda horrified.
"Obviously the blonde has damaged your brain or you would have remembered me telling you that there are others willing and able to rise to the cause" spats Aeryella.
"Who?" asks Glinda.
"The Animals who Elphaba had saved…other members…they all owe Elphaba a life debt…and would do anything to see her save and sound" huffs Aeryella.
"Where are they?" asks Fiyero.
"Waiting" smiles Iilliana.
"Waiting? Waiting for what?" asks Glinda confused.
"For the perfect moment"
The putrid smell of the dungeons grew heavy, the smell of death prevalent, stalling the air. Blood glistened on the walls, illuminated by the rays of the silver moon.
Elphaba lay motionless in her prison cell, her right arm bent in an awkward position and hung limp across the blood splattered ground, courtesy of the guards. Her left arm remained curled tight against her bare chest, half covering the bruises and burns on her breasts. Her long raven hair billowed out across the floor like a sea of tangled ebony. Blood stained the tips, and a strange opaque liquid glistened in the moonlight.
Her entire body shuddered hard, trembling in both fear, and revulsion. She could still feel the guard's wretched hands upon her skin, touching her, striking her, slicing her skin and bashing her bones. She could taste them in her mouth, and that alone, made her stomach twist.
Every square inch of her body was covered in fresh and old bruises, and violent burns. The horrid scars made by the whip glistened with fresh blood. The bones of her ribs had been shattered, broken and bruised, several poked through her skin, making even the simplest of things, like breathing, difficult.
Her lips were bruised and cut, and stained in blood. Her face matched that of her body, horribly bruised and burned. Her right eye had swollen closed, the lid of her left eye hung limp over her eye, distorting her vision all the more.
Her left ankle was twisted in an awkward position, broken in several places, each toe broken, the bones shattered. Blood stained her inner thighs, and an opaque liquid glistened, and mingled with the blood covering her body.
A hard moan slipped past her lips as the pain slicing through her body, stole her breath away.
The guard had left but a few moments ago, each laughing heartily as they tucked the ends of their gale uniforms into the beltline of their pants. The squeak of the door, and Elphaba was left alone in complete and utter silence.
"And just for this moment…as long as your mine" whispers Elphaba brokenly.
"Oh my Oz" gasps a voice.
Startled, Elphaba jerks her head off the floor and turns. Her vision hazy, glares vacantly at the swirl of darkness surrounding her. Small splints of silver light poured in through the bars of the window, stabbing away parts of the darkness.
A figure, slowly steps out of the darkness, his dark, chocolate eyes stare painfully back at Elphaba. His silver gray hair almost seemed to glow in the moonlight. The ends of his off white jacket swirled around him as he stepped closer.
"Wizard" spats Elphaba darkly.
"Elphaba…what in Oz happened to you?" asks the Wizard, tears in his voice.
"What your wonderful guards do best…beat their prisoners down and rape them till they lose consciousness" growls Elphaba darkly.
"My guards…have done this…to you"
"What do you want Wizard! Come to gloat of your victory? Why not? Why not get your kicks while I'm down!" snarls Elphaba.
"No Elphaba…I haven't come to laugh at your misfortune" sighs the Wizard sadly.
"Then why are you here?"
"I…Elphaba" stilling, the Wizard closes his eyes as his hand dives into his jacket pocket. The feel of the smooth emerald glass brushes against his fingertips. Slowly, his eyes open, a newfound determination sparkling within. "You've been so strong throughout this entire ordeal…aren't you tired of being the strong one…wouldn't you want someone to take care of you…to let me take care of you…please" trails off the Wizard softly.
"And why in Oz name would I allow a filthy bastard like you to take care of me!" snarls Elphaba darkly.
"Your all alone Elphaba…the Resistance has abandoned you…your friends...you…no one can live a life like that…a lonely existence" tries the Wizard.
"Maybe I like being lonely"
"Don't try and lie to me Elphaba…I can see it in your eyes. Your hurting…lost in your loneliness and despair" whispers the Wizard gently.
"What do you want?" growls Elphaba, not wishing to admit her own weakness's, especially to him.
"I've" starts the Wizard. He was starting to lose his nerve. Oz those eyes, so much like hers. Oh why in Oz did he not notice before? Nervously, he fingered the bottle, before gently pulling it from his pockets. "Do you recognize this?"
"My mother's bottle" whispers Elphaba. "Why do you have my mother's bottle!" cries out Elphaba, desperation took hold of her heart. She never wanted to appear weak before the Wizard, but with him standing before her, her mother's bottle held in his hands, had broken a part of her protective barriers.
"So" starts the Wizard. Slowly, he brings the bottle up closer to his face, the meat of his thumb glides lovingly across the bottles shimmery surface. "What she said was true"
"Why do you have my mother's bottle!? Answer me!" roars Elphaba.
This bottle…actually belongs to me…I…I gave a similar one to a woman I had met…twenty-one years ago…to a dark eyed beauty in Munchkinland" slowly, he lowers the bottle, and his eyes rise up to stare back into Elphaba's dark chocolate eyes. "Her name was Melena Thropp…she was the wife to Frexspar Thropp…a travelling Minister"
"No" whispers Elphaba.
The Wizard could see it, she was shaking violently, her breathing became ragged, short, desperate gasps slipped past her cracked lips.
"It's true Elphaba…we fell in love…and carried on a love affair…I wanted to ask her to marry me…but when I had finally found the perfect ring, I had been called back to the City of Emeralds…to take my place as the Wonderful Wizard"
"No…no your lying! Your lying!" screams Elphaba.
"I wish I was…but I'm not…Elphaba" slowly, the Wizard kneels before the raven haired witch. "Melena Thropp ended up giving birth to a daughter later…a daughter…who had been fathered by-"starts the Wizard.
"No!" screams Elphaba. Reeling back, Elphaba strikes the Wizard hard across the face, knocking him off his feet. "You lie! My mother would never allow scum like you to touch her! Let alone bed her!" roars Elphaba.
"Then how do you explain the bottle?" asks the Wizard.
"A keepsake…something you must have dropped…or had been forged by Master Glass blowers" snarls Elphaba.
"Elphaba…I'm not lying...I'm your father…your real father…not Frex" pleads the Wizard.
"Lies!" spats Elphaba, before spitting in the Wizard's face. "You are no more my father than the Great Lurline being my mother! I hate you! And I'll keep defying you till the day I die!"
"Elphaba…don't do this…don't close the doors to me…I can help you…protect you…I can get you out of Southstairs and kept hidden in the Palace…I can clear your name and give both you and your unborn child" pleads the Wizard. Stopping, his eyes lower and soften, seeing the small baby bump. "My grandchild the life you both deserve"
"You will never touch nor see my child! I am not your daughter and the child growing within my womb is not your grandchild! I'll never let you near it! I'll kill you first!" roars Elphaba.
"Elphaba!" pleads the Wizard.
"No!" roars Elphaba. Suddenly, great bolts of emerald lightning shoot out of Elphaba's hands and zap the Wizard. A twist of the wrist and the Wizard is flung across the room.
Bashing against the wall, the Wizard slowly slides down the grime covered walls, and crumples to the ground. Great plumes of ebony smoke rise from his body, where the lightning had struck.
"You're a soulless bastard. Evil and twisted in the heart and soul…You'd do or say anything in order to keep your sick, twisted hold over the minds of the Ozian people. Well. You don't have me fooled. I told you once more that I would fight you till the day I die and I meant it. You're nothing to me, not a father, nor a Wizard or a human being!" roars Elphaba.
Angrily, the Wizard rises to his feet. His dark, chocolate eyes glare down at Elphaba's writhing form.
"We shall see my darling daughter" snarls the Wizard. "We shall see" and with that, the Wizard turns and disappears back into the darkness, leaving Elphaba alone once more.
Slowly, Elphaba crumples to the ground, the tears she had kept at bay, cascade down her face, washing away some of the blood and glistening liquid from her face. Weakly, her hand rise and cup her growing abdomen.
"It's not true…it's not true…it's not true…it's not true" cracks Elphaba, before dissolving into tears.
Angrily, the Wizard storms back into the palace. Throwing open the doors, he storms up to his golden Throne.
Morrible; having been distracted with looking over the empty pages of the Grimmerie jumps in surprise, at the sound of the doors banging open; one fat hand clutching her chest.
"Your Ozness!" exclaims Morrible.
Silence. Worriedly, Morrible watches as the Wizard takes his seat on his Throne, a stormy look in his eyes.
"Your Ozness…what has gotten you so upset?" asks Morrible gently.
"I tried to help her…and yet that Thropp stubbornness of hers just won't let her!"
"Help her? Whatever for?" asks Morrible.
"Because of the fact that she's my daughter" snarls the Wizard.
"I see…and the Witch? I mean your daughter I take it…didn't take the news all so well?" chuckles Morrible.
"She spit in my face and threw me against the wall! How well do you think that went hmmm?" spats the Wizard sarcastically.
"Well I see where she got her sarcasm from" mutters Morrible.
"What was that?" growls the Wizard.
"And her temper" mutters Morrible before straightening up. "Nothing your Ozness…now tell me what happened?"
"I offered her solace…I offered her sanctuary a clean slate! And yet she threw it all away!" roars the Wizard.
"Hmm…you know your Ozness…the spell I had spoken of…could aid you in what you seek" offers Morrible darkly.
"What are you getting at Madam!" snarls the Wizard.
"That if you wish to have that father/daughter relationship you so hunger for…then allow me to weave the spell around her...think about it…you'll finally be the father you've so longed for…you'll have a daughter who adores you…loves you…a beautiful grandchild who loves and adores you…and will one day sit upon the great Throne Of Oz…and rule the land by your influence alone. You can have all that and more…just let me do this spell…and all that you've desired…shall come true"
An evil smile crests along the edges of the Wizard's lips. He would have the daughter he had always wanted, a grandchild who looked up to him, who would rule Oz in his stead, and the most powerful witch by his side.
"Do it" snarls the Wizard before slamming his fist on the arm rest of the chair.