Chapter 10: Important News

When Glinda got to Elphaba's cell she was surprised to see her green warrior wasn't there. She looked around for a familiar face, and was overjoyed to see TurtleHeart. She tapped him on the shoulder lightly, and lifted her hood to show him who she was truly was.

"My Empress what are you doing here? It's not wise for you to come here unescorted at this time," TurtleHeart whispered, as he lead her over to an isolated corner.

"I need to find Elphaba, right away; I have something very important to tell her. It cannot wait," Lady Glinda's tone was slightly panicked as she spoke.

"She's in the training area, but if she knows it's you who's calling for her...I'm sure she will come right away," With that the gladiator lead her towards the training field. Glinda stayed close to TurtleHeart, as they rushed though the groups of fighters getting in what relaxing time they had. They finally exited doors that lead them outside where Nanny was watching Elphaba fighting a rookie female gladiator.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Nanny shouted, as she waved her hands. "Milla, you can't leave yourself open like that. Keep you shield close, and wait for an good time to strike. Don't get tunnel vision! Think girl! Use that brain of yours!"

"Don't cut her down so much, Nanny, she's new, and she has good stamina. She just needs more practice," Elphaba retorted, as she looked behind her to see TurtleHeart.

"A visitor for you Elphaba," He called to her.

"Tell them to come back later," Nanny snapped, as she rubbed her eyes with her thumb and pointer finger.

"I'm afraid it cannot wait," TurtleHeart answered, his voice serious.

"Fine, go Elphaba, I still have a lot to teach this rookie," Nanny groaned, as she wrapped her arm around Milla. "Let's get you a drink and start over."

Elphaba ran over to TurtleHeart, but he didn't say anything. Instead he pointed to the side of the wall where the shadows hide a cloaked figure. "It's the Empress; she wishes to talk to you. It is quite urgent." Elphaba's brow drew together before rushing over to Lady Glinda's side.

"We need to go somewhere in private," Glinda said, once Elphaba was within ear shot.

"Of course, come, the underground library is the prefect spot," With those words the green warrior lead her love off where they could be alone.

...X...

Once at the library Elphaba helped the Empress sit before taking her own seat next to her. "Now, my sweet, tell me what troubles you."

"I fear you will hate me and be disgusted when I tell you the news," Glinda's voice was trembling and her lips where quivering with nerves.

Elphaba wrapped an arm around her blonde love's shoulders, for a moment, to calm her heart. "You can tell me anything, my sweet, I will always love you. Nothing will change that."

Glinda took in a deep breath before laying her head against Elphaba's shoulder. "I'm...I'm..." Her throat became dry as she desperately tried to form words. It took her another long moment before she finally spoke, "I'm with child. I'm pregnant with Sir Chuffrey's child." Elphaba said nothing at first. She was soaking in what the Empress had just said. "Do you hate me?" Glinda asked, suddenly when the green gladiator didn't make a remark.

"Hate you? Of course not. You will make a great mother. This child is so lucky, for he or she is going to have a mother like you."

"But they are going to have a father like Lord Chuffrey. Oh, gods, I wish this child wasn't his," Glinda was nearly weeping now. "I don't want him to even look at my child much less touch him or her."

Elphaba rose an eyebrow. "Do you think Lord Chuffrey would harm his own child?"

"Anything is possible when he is consumed by drink and anger," Glinda whispered, against her wife's chest.

"Emperor Chuffrey is such a bastard. I would kill him if I could." Elphaba then began to rub the blonde's back.

"It would solve a lot of problems. I love you Elphie."

"And I love you, my Empress, never forget that," Elphaba answered, as she gently cupped Glinda's face.

"That is one thing I will never forget," Glinda cooed. "You can be sure of that."

...X...

Nine months passed quickly for the Empress of Rome. As she neared the end of her pregnancy Sir Chuffrey called doctor after doctor to check up on his soon to be due wife. Glinda hated to have all these doctors around her. It made her feel so nervous.

All she really wanted was Elphaba to lay her hand on her stomach, and feel the baby kicking in excitement. Glinda made a note that the baby never kicked when Lord Chuffrey was around. It seemed to only kick when Lady Glinda was happy or blissful, and nothing made her more blissful then being with her green skinned warrior.

"So what do you think the gender of the baby is?" Lord Chuffrey asked, as he tapped his plump fingers against his arm.

"Not sure, my Lord, I guess we will have to wait until the babe's out," The latest doctor said, as he looked over Glinda's large belly.

Chuffrey let out a deep sigh as he began to pace. "I grow weary of waiting. I hope it comes soon, and I hope it's a boy."

"Patience, my Lord, your child will enter the world soon enough," The doctor said, as he bowed to the royal couple and left. He couldn't do much else. Now they could only play the waiting game.

"Will you still love the child if it's a girl?" Glinda asked Sir Chuffrey, as she patted her stomach gently. The Emperor of Rome didn't answer with words. He only made a low snort before walking away and out of sight.

...X...

When the time did arrive for the baby to be born, all Glinda could mostly remember was the pain. The enormous pain struck her like lighting, and she feared for her life because how strong it was.

She wished Elphaba was there to hold her hand, and whisper words of comfort into her ear. Glinda found herself moaning Elphaba's name when the pain hit its peak. What she would have given to have her green love by her side in those hours of child birth. She had tried to hold back her screams of anguish, but it was nearly impossible. It seemed like an eternity before she heard the cries from her first born child.

"It's a boy!" One of the Midwives exclaimed. "Won't Emperor Chuffrey be thrilled! I know he was hoping for a boy."

"Go lay down Empress Glinda and be proud. You're son looks so healthy. We will put him in your arms once you are settled," the second midwife said, as she lead Glinda over to the bed. Once she was on her back the new baby boy was wrapped in blanket and placed in Glinda's arms.

The blonde Empress kissed her new born son, and a huge grin formed upon her lips. He was such a handsome baby. Her smile didn't last long though, for Sir Chuffrey walked into the room. He peered at the new babe before pulling up his pants slightly.

"Looks like I'm not as empty down there as I thought, for now I have a son. My son!" Emperor Chuffrey laughed. His hardy bellow made Glinda want to kick him down there, so he would shut up. When Sir Chuffrey made a move to try to hold his son Glinda recoiled.

"Oh, my husband, our son needs his rest. Come back later when he's not so tired. A mother knows when her child needs rest, even if she's a new mother."

"Very well," Sir Chuffrey answered, as he whipped his body around and made a haste exit. Glinda sighed in relief, and immediately opened her dress, so her son could nurse for the first time.

"We will leave you to your child," The first midwife said, as she bowed. "Have you thought of a name for him?"

Glinda nodded her head before replying, "Liir."