A/N: so I was wondering, how effective would it be to update two days in a row? and then I thought how much you'd appreciate it, I've decided to do this anyway since this chapter was done anyway. so happy reading everyone! review if you love me!

Chapter 10

The throne room was deserted when he stepped in. The guard led him to the door and then walked back on his tracks. He wasn't allowed to go in, he said. Ah well. He'd better do this alone anyway. The sound of his steps echoed as he walked into the enormous room. The throne with the legendary head was right in the middle of the room, but it seemed as if no-one was there to operate it.

He was all alone.

"Hello?" he called. His own voice echoed back in the emptiness of the room.

There was a loud crushing noise, as if someone had just dropped something (or various of things, by the sound of it), and then a little man walked out of a side-room. "Can I help you?"

He just stared for a moment, unsure of how he should react to his sight. Was that the Wizard? That small, old, nearly-bald man? Was he expected to bow? What if he would bow and it turned out that wasn't the Wizard? "I'm Fiyero Tiggular," he said, thinking that starting by introducing himself would be best.

The man's features brightened. "Oh! You're the one Glinda had spoken of so warmly!"

"His Ozness?" he asked, still unsure this was the man.

"The one and only!" he replied, stretching out his hand. "It's so nice to finally meet you, Master Tiggular."

As it was not mutual, he thought silence would be an appropriate reply. They shook hands. His mind was racing. He looked so harmless, but he knew that looks could deceive. And he didn't doubt Elphaba knew what she was doing when she denied him. He felt threatened for a slight moment before he remembered what he had already known. That man had no real power. He needed others' help for that. By himself, he was nothing. There was no reason to be afraid.

"I'm afraid my press-secretary had some urgent meetings she wasn't able to postpone, so she won't join us," said the Wizard, leading him to a side-room. It looked like his father's library, only much smaller. There was a desk in the middle of it, and the Wizard took a seat behind it and motioned for him to sit on the armchair facing him. "Miss Glinda was telling us you expressed your will to join the Gale Force," he began.

He wasted no time. He went straight to the point, in a very business-like manner. Well, it might be for the best; just get it over with and start doing what he came for. "Yes, sir."

"And why is that, young man? What is it in them that you find so appealing?"

"Well, sir, I think I might be able to help them to find something that they have lost several years back, and weren't able to retrieve."

The Wizard looked intrigued. "Oh? What is that?"

"The Wicked Witch of the West." Heart pounding, expression sealed, he waited for the older man's reply.

There was the slightest shift in the Wizard's expression. He leaned a bit forward. Now he seemed interested. "It is true that the main mission of the Force for the past four years or so is recapturing the Witch. What makes you think you'll be the one who will manage to do so?"

"Trust me, sir. Letting people down is something I don't do quite often."

There was a moment of silence, in which he was waiting for the Wizard's reply. The old man seemed to consider it. Then after a few moments, he looked up at him. "You seem like an honest young man, Fiyero. And Glinda had recommended on you so highly, I think it will be only fair to give you a chance."

Yes! "Thank you, sir. You won't regret it."

"After all," added the Wizard, winking, "I think everyone deserves a chance to fly."

That was it. He had finally made up his mind. He despised this man, who thought he could manipulate everyone and everything. However, if he wanted to help Elphaba, he had to play along. He masked his scorn with a bright, ambitious smile. "When can I start?"

"As soon as possible. There is no time to lose. We have already lost four years searching for her. That's a lot of time, and money. Be here tomorrow morning, I'll make sure that the Captain of the Guards will be ready for you." The Wizard got up. Getting the hint, he got up as well and they shook hands once again. "You're doing the right thing, young man," the Wizard said, giving him a small, detestable smile. "You're joining the good side."

XoxoxoxoX

It didn't take much for him to prove himself. Several months into the job, and he was already the first in line to replace the Captain of the Guards at his retirement in several months' time. After a period of intensive training, he was allowed to go out for the actual searching. There was a special unit in charge for it, and soon he got a full responsibility of it, as the Captain of the Guards was occupied with some internal matters that required his full attention.

So he commanded on the searching. As far as he was concerned, it was the highest he could possibly go. It made Glinda insanely worried, knowing he was out there, daily risking his life, but she had her own responsibilities in the palace to worry about. He knew she realized his motives, his determination. He had to get to Elphaba before the others. If one thing was clear to both of them, that was it. Not much was known about Elphaba's current hiding place, but the searching zones varied according to fragments of information they got from the villages that surrounded the Emerald City.

The closest he worked with the Wizard, the more he came to hate the man. He was so desperate to keep Oz under his control, and he stopped at nothing to maintain this control. Whenever he caught sight of the Winged Monkeys, as they were now called, an involuntary chill went through him. He always had to tell himself over and over again this was Elphaba's doing. Glinda's words remained loud and clear. She thought she was helping them… Could she really do this? Did she really possess such power?

He sighed. The citizens of Oz didn't really care whether or not she possessed such power. In fact, it was this power of hers they feared most of all. Wicked, they called her now. The Wicked Witch of the West. That was even catchier than the name offered to Glinda, he thought bitterly. But what was a name? How could they believe those silly rumors so blindly? Obviously, because no-one had suggested an alternative belief, he rationalized. It was the easiest, the most convenient thing, to stick to what they were told. She was green-skinned, she mutilated a bunch of monkeys, she was wicked and dangerous.

And it was his job to capture her and bring the peace and quiet back to Oz.

"Are we ready?" he asked one of the soldiers.

"As ready as we'd ever be, sir," the young soldier replied.

"Alright. Tell everyone we'll meet for a short briefing in the conference room in ten minutes."

"Yes, sir." The soldier saluted and disappeared down the hall.

He grabbed some maps and headed for the conference room, feeling more confident than he felt in a very long time. They had gotten some new information the other night, about Elphaba's possible location. Of course, many of those fragments of information often led them towards hundreds of dead-ends in the months that passed since he became the Captain of the searching unit. He hoped that wasn't to be the case this time.

Right after the briefing and before they'd leave to begin the searching, he stopped at Glinda's rooms. Her coronation was due that day at noon, and whereas she was sorry he wouldn't be able to be there with her, she seemed to understand the importance of the mission he had taken over himself. He was glad to realize that she had matured to some extent; she could have made a scene, like that far-away day at Shiz, but she didn't. She accepted his stately obligations as solemnly and as seriously as one would have expect her, a public figure, to do.

Some of her new maids were fussing around her as he knocked lightly on the door before letting himself in. She was dressed in a marvelous new gown of silvery lavender. Her hair was done, curling softly down her shoulders. Her cheeks were flushed, probably from excitement and all this fussing around her. It made her look glamorous, radiant, breath-taking, in a way he had never seen her before.

Her maids stepped back when he entered, and then ran out of the room blushing. Their soft giggle echoed down the hall along with their steps. Once they were alone, he approached Glinda, took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he said, meaning every word.

Slight blush rose in her cheeks. She smiled. "Thank you, Dearest. I wasn't expecting to see you this morning."

"We're leaving soon. I just really needed to see a friendly face," he admitted. The burden of the mission he had taken over himself suddenly felt heavier than ever before. There was so much pressure. Everyone had the highest expectations from him; his men, Glinda, the Wizard. He couldn't possibly let them down.

She looked up at him pleadingly. "Be careful out there, will you?"

"Of course. Don't worry. Hopefully, we'll be back in time for the ball, so save me a dance or two." He said it casually because he didn't want to pass some of his nervousness to her. She had enough on her mind as it was. He must think positive. Everything would be alright. "This is your day, Sweetheart. Enjoy it. I'm sorry I can't be here to enjoy it along with you."

"I know. I'm sorry too. Go, do what you have to do, and I'll see you in the evening."

He nodded, and was about to leave the room, but then changed his mind and wrapped his arms around her. They stood there for one silent moment, just holding one another, before he left and headed out to meet his men.

XoxoxoxoX

They rode most of the morning, out of the Emerald City and into the forest. It was a beautiful day, and perfect weather for riding. The light breeze was almost distracting. He had to remind himself it wasn't riding for his own pleasure. They were in a mission. This time, they were going to find her. He was going to find her.

They stopped for lunch and a short rest, settling at a clearing they found in the depth of the forest. He leaned over the map to check on their progress. Of course, he could ask one of the newest soldiers to do that, or the qualified navigator he always took along for such journeys, but he decided he'd rather trust no-one. Not when it was Elphaba's life at stake.

"How does it look, sir?" asked Nob, one of his most trustworthy men.

"We seem to be making a good progress," he said. "We should be there in a short while." He pointed at a marked spot on the map. "The cave should be around this area. We shouldn't expect to find it so easily. The trees grow thick there."

"How could anyone live there," Nob half said, half asked, his voice contemplated.

"Easily, I guess. There's a constant water supply, the pond is really close by, and there's fruit from the trees. You can survive for days."

"Yes, days, and then what?"

"You'd be surprised for how long you can survive. If anything, it's boredom and loneliness that will eventually kill you."

An incredible noise from above them made them raise their heads with a start. A huge flock of ravens had just flown from the surrounding treetops into the sky, a mixture of rustle of wings and a hoarse cackle carried into the air. He looked up with a worried brow. Something must have happened to disturb them, or they wouldn't have to flee so abruptly, so noisily. It was as if they were afraid of something… of someone.

Before he could complete this thought, two of his men came rushing over to him, red-faced and breathless. "Sir!"

He stepped forward, pulling off his more authoritative expression. His heart was pounding with no apparent reason. He was almost afraid to ask what was expected from him. "What is it?"

"We were with the horses by the river, just as you ordered us," said one of them.

"Then we heard a noise, and looked up," the other added, pointing to a cliff that overlooked the river bank. "Someone was watching us."

He fought to maintain his expression as neutral as possible. "Someone?"

"Her!" the first soldier whispered fiercely. The other soldiers, who gathered around as soon as the commotion began, gasped as they heard that single word.

"How do you know it was her?" he asked quickly, not meaning to give way to their evil talking. He had enough of it on their way. His gaze wandered towards the cliff again. The sun was in the middle of the sky, right above the cliff. It would harden on anyone's sight.

As if knowing that thought was on his mind, the second soldier shook his head. "She mounted her broom when she realized we noticed her."

"Disappeared within seconds," the other one said, as if to confirm his friend's words.

"We have to move," he said, already moving forward to pack the maps. His men all seemed startled by his abrupt movement, but as if they sensed the urgency within him, they hurried to do the same.

Soon they were on their way again. Closer than ever. Or so it felt.

XoxoxoxoX

It seemed like the thickest spot in the entire forest. They were told it would be like that, but he had never thought this would be what he'd find there. He took back his previous words. No-one could possibly live there.

He looked around once more, then turned to his men, who were waiting for his orders. "We'll go in pairs. Nob, you're with me. The rest, never leave one another's sight. It's easy to get lost here, and it will be very unpleasant if I'd have to face His Ozness and tell him we had to leave some of you behind." Everyone nodded, looking grim. "Any questions?"

One of the soldiers raised his hand. "If we find anything, what do we do?"

"We don't know if she's around, so it would be best if you don't make much noise so we won't scare her off," he said. "If it looks safe, send one of you to get me. I won't be far behind." Murmurs of agreement passed among them. "Any other questions?" He looked at his men. No-one spoke. "Alright. Let's do what we came to do."

He watched them as each pair disappeared in a different edge of the forest. When they all went out of his sight, he locked his gaze with Nob, and motioned him to follow. The spot he chose for them was supposed to be the closest to the location given to them by the hunters. He hoped that was truly the case.

It was when they went deeper into the forest that he began to regret spreading his people all over the place. It would be impossible to find them if anyone got in trouble. But on the other hand, it seemed like the most logical strategy. They would have gotten nowhere if they stuck together.

A rustle made him turn back, heart racing. Just the wind, he told himself, walking forward. He wondered if his long waiting was finally over, if that was the day he'd see her again. And if that was to be the case, then what? Would he really be able to defend her from the people's rage? From the Wizard's desire for revenge? What if he wouldn't?

No. He couldn't do this. He couldn't afford doubts and insecurities now. He had to remain focused. He would find her. If not today, then-

"Sir!" The hiss pierced the silence of the forest. Looking over his shoulder, he saw one of his men running over to him. He didn't have a chance to ask further. The soldier pointed into the trees, saying, "Over there."

The three hurried along. When they got there, most of the men had gathered around already. The one who came to get them pointed towards a huge rock among the trees. He looked at it closely. The large crack in the middle of it surely looked like an opening of a cave.

"Find someplace to hide, but stay where I can find you. I'm going in," he said.

The men exchanged frantic looks. Nob stepped forward. "With all due respect, sir, you can't go in there alone. It might be dangerous."

He watched his men as they all nodded their agreement. He hesitated. He knew there was no way he could help Elphaba if any of them would join him. On the other hand, as far as they saw it, walking in there alone was strategically wrong. "Alright. Nob, you can wait outside, in case something will go wrong. Everyone, be ready in case we'll need your help. Now go."

Just as before, he waited until his men disappeared from his sight, before he went in the other direction. He motioned to Nob to remain behind some high bushes, right by the entry of the cave. Nob looked hesitant, but then did as he was told.

He walked in. It was a cave alright, and it looked huge from the inside. The rustle of the wind and trees was almost inaudible as he made his way deeper into the cave. So far, there was not a sign of living, but he figured that if she did live there, she would be wiser than remaining where someone could easily find her. So he walked on.

The further he went, the colder it got in there. He embraced himself, trying to get warm. He expected it to get darker as he went on, but it didn't. Instead, there was this constant flicker, and it seemed to grow stronger as he went further in. It also got somewhat warmer.

And then, within an instance, he could see why.

It seemed to be as far as he could go. It was probably way underground, or into the surrounding cliffs; he couldn't quite recreate the topography of the forest outside. It looked like a room, carved into the stone. There was a bonfire in the middle of it, spreading the light and heat he had seen and felt on his way, but there was something strange about its flames; almost unnatural. He knelt by it, reached out his hand and stuck it in the middle of the whispering flames.

Just as he thought. It was charmed. It was so cold in there; she probably had to make it to keep warm.

He stood up, taking in his surroundings. It looked comfortable, in a strange sort of way. There was a shabby cot at one corner, and leftovers of some fruit at another. Someone had definitely lived there. But was it her?

There was only one way to find out.

"Elphaba!"