A/N: Sorry this took so long. There are some personal as well as work issues going on and I have not been able to write. I hope you enjoy the update. For all those affected by Hurricane Sandy, I hope all is getting better.
Chapter 10
The afternoon came quickly and Elphaba was not in any better shape. Brrr offered to carry her outside and the Dillamonds went to inform Mr. Underhill of the situation. The trough was brought out and the villagers were quick to fill it. A cool breeze had begun to blow and more and more it was painfully obvious that winter was on its way.
"She could catch some sort of lung problem if she gets wet out here," Fiyero said. Despite not being able to feel the temperature of the air, he could see the tree branches and how they moved. Villagers were bundled up in coats, hats, and anything else that would keep them warm.
"We thought about that," Doctor Dillamond smiled and pointed to the villagers who were carrying large fluffy quilts.
"Ah I see," Fiyero nodded.
"Ready," Mr. Underhill called out. Brrr then left the house and got Elphaba to the trough where Mr. Underhill and the Dillamonds got her into the water. When her very hot skin hit the water that was very cold, her eyes shot open and she began to thrash around. Fiyero moved to get to her and Brrr stopped him.
"You have to give it a few minutes," he said. It pained Fiyero to see her thrashing around but he knew that the Lion was right.
"All right let's get her up," Doctor Dillamond said and quickly the villagers with the blankets rushed over and wrapped her in them. Then it was a quick run back to the Dillamonds' home to get her out of the wet clothes and into something dry.
"I hope this worked," it was obvious that Fiyero was nervous as he paced the floor waiting to her from Mrs. Dillamond.
"Miss Elphaba is strong. She will be fine," Doctor Dillamond smiled, trying to calm the agitated Scarecrow.
"He's right. She'll be fine," Brrr said, hoping he was right. A silence fell between them and the wait to hear from Mrs. Dillamond seemed to last an eternity. As Fiyero paced, the Goat tried to make jokes about how nice it was to get the floor swept and how things will never be that clean again but it did not ease the Scarecrow's fear.
"Her fever has definitely broken. She'll not feel well for a few more days but I suspect she's out of the woods," Mrs. Dillamond finally emerged some twenty minutes later.
"Can I see her?" Fiyero asked.
"Absolutely but she's fallen back asleep so please be quiet," the Goat smiled. He nodded and quickly took off for the room where Elphaba had been staying.
"Did she say anything at all?" Doctor Dillamond asked.
"Nothing coherent. I'm not sure…" she never got to finish her sentence when they heard Fiyero scream out,
"Elphaba no!" Quickly the group rushed to the room where the two lovebirds were; not wanting to think of what had happened.
"The dogs aren't picking up any scent, sir," a private by the name of Roth said to Captain Khalil. They had been out scouring the kingdom for the missing Scarecrow and Lion with no luck.
"The rain has done us in," Sergeant Zetti shook his head.
"I thought that would be the case but Lady Glinda needed reassurance that we could find them or at least have tried our best to," the Captain told them.
"Of course sir," the sergeant nodded.
"Any course of action left sir?" Roth wanted to know.
"Head to the old castle, Kiamo Ko. From there we should be able to get a great vantage point and some protection from the weather. We'll have to spend the night and then return to the palace tomorrow. Hopefully the other troops will have found something," Khalil smiled slightly. He turned his horse and they headed in the direction of the castle with the dogs in pursuit.
To Be Continued…