Hi everybody! D
Deceit. D-E-C-E-I-T – hey I did it! Ok MysticMeg – cookie now? ; - P
Thank you everyone for reviewing – you're all brilliant.
I've added one line in my last chapter – it's at the end and it basically reads that Glinda has learnt how to summon bubbles without the need for a wand. Ok?
I've got to say I was a little worried about posting that last chapter. I know Elphie and Fiyero are just like THE couple – so making them friends was a tad risky of me, but I'm glad you all accepted it (some more than others…yes rabid Fiyeraba fan Phantom's Muse, I'm looking at you ;-) ) Got to say – not sure actually where their relationship will go – back to being a pair or just remaining friends 'ducks' – I don't know. Ahhh! So many choices lol But yeah, we'll see how it goes.
Plus, Glinda's different. I know. But I thought going through what she had – what with losing her best friend (and witnessing her death), time-travelling, getting her best friend back…almost getting murdered – being an outlaw – its going to change a person. And I know Glinda would never commit murder – but she's got to the point where she's so desperate – so guilty, that she feels it's the only way to make things right again. Though saying that, she hasn't done anything fatal yet has she….
Oh plus, this chapter contains a wee bit of strong (ish) language – thought I should warn yah.
Wow that was long!
Chapter 10 –Captured
"Yell if you see her!" Elphaba cried, as she and Fiyero sped through the early morning sky on her broom.
They were going faster than they really should. Faster than was safe – but this was an emergency.
Fiyero nodded lightly, even though it went unseen by Elphaba.
Worried, his eyes flicked to the distant ground. He tried to ignore the mini vertigo attack he suffered because of it.
"We should be higher Elphaba!" Fiyero shouted over the roaring wind, "We don't want anyone to see us - especially Gilder's men. No one will mistake the sight of green on a broom."
Elphaba sighed, knowing it was true. Even if it was still quite dark, they couldn't run the risk of being seen.
She steered the broom higher.
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Light was barely peeking over the horizon when Glinda touched down just inside the palace walls.
She was wary to avoid any guards. Security had been upped since the raids on Gilder's home had started.
Quietly, she snuck through the garden, stealthy in her tight skinned attire. The blonde wouldn't risk wearing ruffles and bright colours today - despite her natural urges.
Part of Glinda wished she'd brought her wand. Not that she could actually do much with it – but Elphaba had taught her a few new tricks that would make Glinda feel a hell of a lot safer right now.
Unfortunately, it was too grand and clunky to be carried around easily - not to mention the fact that it's blinding sparkle would act like a beacon for all the palace guards to see.
Making it to the buildings sidewall, Glinda scanned the grounds quickly. Having lived in the palace for so long in her alternate reality Glinda knew every little detail of it off by heart.
Satisfied she was, at the least, temporarily safe, Glinda shrank down to her knees and searched around for the loose grass patch she knew was around that area somewhere.
Ah ha!
Pulling at the loose soil, Glinda revealed the trap door beneath it.
Always handy to have an emergency exit…or in this case, entrance.
She smiled at the thought.
Carefully, Glinda lifted up the door and winced as it let out a high-pitched screech in protest. She glanced around for a sign that someone might have heard.
Luckily, all seemed to be quiet.
Sighing lightly with relief, Glinda lowered herself down into the mouth of the trap door, before gently easing it shut behind her.
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With a cat-like stealth Glinda was surprised she even possessed, the blonde woman gradually made her way through the palace.
Of course, nothing was ever easy.
On her travels, Glinda had been forced to dodge, what felt like, hundreds of guards before finally making it to her destination.
Peeking out from behind the corner, Glinda glanced at the room she, herself, had once occupied.
The master suite. Glinda was sure that's where Gilder would choose to reside.
She was surprised to find the room unguarded.
Obviously someone's a little cocky aren't they?
Slowly, Glinda eased herself around the corner and padded gently towards the door. She tried to ignore the lingering thought that this all seemed a little too easy.
It was only once Glinda was inside the room with the door closed behind her, that she relaxed a little.
However, the feeling didn't last long.
The room was dark compared to the rest of the palace – though a small trickle of the coming dawn had managed to creep through the balcony doors, illuminating it somewhat.
She stood still, just listening.
Soft snores reverberated from the bed.
Gilder was most definitely there.
Exhaling a shaky breath, Glinda crept forwards towards the sound. Her eyes had adjusted somewhat to the darkness of the room, and she could now fully make out the slender lump of a man asleep on the bed.
Glinda stood at the bottom of it, trying desperately to control her accelerated heart rate.
It won't matter.
Quietly she bent down and slid the knife out from its hiding place.
It won't matter.
Coming around the bed, she stared at the man before her. It was definitely Gilder – the very man who had brought Oz to its knees and decimated the Animal population almost to extinction.
It won't matter.
Glinda felt hot tears well in her eyes - heart constricting as she brought the knife close to Gilder's neck.
It won't matter.
Her hand shook.
It won't matter.
She hesitated, drawing in a shaky breath.
This man has practically destroyed Oz! Everyone will be so much happier without him! JUST DO IT!
Squeezing her eyes shut, Glinda pressed the blade close against Gilder's skin.
NO!
She couldn't take a life – not even one as terrible as Gilder's.
Choking back a sob, Glinda withdrew the dagger.
She trembled lightly. Attempting murder? What had she become?
Heart pounding, Glinda glanced at the blade still clutched tightly in her hand. What had she been thinking? She wasn't a murderer.
Shocked at herself but relieved she had come to her senses in time, the blonde turned quietly back to the bedroom door.
Hopefully she could make it back to Kiamo Ko before anyone even realised she was gone.
She made it to the door – hand on the doorknob when suddenly the lights clicked on.
Glinda froze.
"What is this?! Who are you? And what are you doing in my bed chamber?!"
Every instinct in Glinda's body told her to run – but she knew it was already too late.
Gathering courage, Glinda turned back to the man who she despised and took a couple of steps forward.
Dark, cold eyes met hers.
"How can you do this to Oz?" she asked, voice breaking slightly. This was her chance to finally tell the new ruler of Oz what she thought of him.
Slowly, Gilder got to his feet – his eyes never leaving those of Glinda's.
"Oh," he began, "You're one of those filthy resistance bastards aren't you?"
Glinda's eyes narrowed. "I'm a free agent actually – but I detest you and everything you've done to Oz."
"Hmm," Gilder sneered, "Well I'm in control now sweetheart so guess what? I don't fucking care what you think. You and your lot mean nothing to me." He paused. "So tell me – what is this? I've had them all. Oh, let me guess - an interrogation?" His eyebrows rose, finally noticing the blade in Glinda's hand. "An assassination?"
Glinda chose not to answer, shaking her head sadly instead, "How can you rule this way? Through fear and terror? Wouldn't you rather have the people's love? You said, many months ago, that you love The Wizard – well The Wizard loved his people – what you're doing is completely going against everything he would have wanted for Oz!"
Gilder laughed cruelly. "Lurline – you really are stupid. I don't care about The Wizard – I never have. The only things I care about are money and power – and now I have sheds loads of both."
"You won't be able to keep this up – soon the people of Oz will unite and take you down." Glinda warned, her voice dangerous.
Suddenly, Gilder's eyes dawned in realisation. He smiled. "Glinda," he said slowly, as if testing the name on his tongue. "Glinda the Good."
Glinda stared, shocked.
"Oh sweet Lurline, you are! You're the witch who turned traitor – well, this is too much of an honour." He gasped dramatically, "I can't believe that the woman who helped The Wicked Witch to escape is right here - standing in my bed chamber – amazing. Oh and so hypercritical aren't we Glinda? Going on at me because I make a few Banns and restrict a few people when you helped out the evilest, wickedest witch known in existence."
"That was a lie," Glinda growled before she could stop herself. "She was never wicked – she only ever wanted to help."
"Hmm right – well, whatever you say it doesn't matter, the people sure don't see it that way. Incredible – you're hunted and hated by the very same people you want so desperately to protect."
Glinda glared. "Don't speak like you know me Gilder - you don't even know the first thing about me."
"Right," he drawled, "so what happened Glinda? You go into hiding or something? The Witch still with you?"
Glinda said nothing.
"Hmm – well you're boring. I'm afraid if you don't want to chat like a civilised person, well I'll just have to -" Gilder trailed off, leaning down towards his dresser, before slowly rising to face Glinda again. "Oh just so you know, I've just pressed a button that will have the guards running in here in oh about – now."
Glinda's eyes widened and quickly she rushed towards the balcony. Throwing open the curtains and double doors in a panic, Glinda was seconds away from summoning her bubble - when suddenly, strong arms locked tightly around her waist and forced her backwards.
Instantly, the blonde kicked out - cursing as the knife flew from her hand in the struggle.
She managed to successfully connect with her assailants groin and was satisfied when she heard him groan painfully behind her. His iron-grip lessened. Glinda felt it and took full advantage – quickly fighting out from his precarious hold and making a desperate rush for freedom.
She didn't get far.
Two men instantly tackled her to the ground and Glinda cried out as she hit it with a bone-shuddering thud.
Despite the dizzying pain coursing through her body, the blonde continued to fight back as the guards wrestled to keep a hold of her.
One managed to pin Glinda's arms down, while the other locked her legs together.
Gilder, highly amused by the whole ordeal, strolled over to the pinned woman and kneeled down, close to her face.
Glinda glared at him in hatred.
"You should have stayed hidden bitch," he hissed, before turning to his men. "Take her to the dungeons and lock her up tight." Out from his pocket he held up Glinda's knife. "Tomorrow we'll inform the people of this attempted assassination and see what they want done with her. If all goes well – we'll have ourselves a little witch burning - that ought to raise the people's spirits."
He smiled nastily as Glinda eyes widened in fear at the words.
Violently, she thrashed against her capturers as she was dragged up to unsteady feet and hauled off to the dungeons.
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Resist Glinda!!!! RESIST!!!
Ahem – anyway it appears I'm doing that cliff hanger thing I promised not to do anymore…sorry bout that ; -)
And really sorry for the huge wait for this one guys. I found this chapter really difficult to write. I wasn't sure whether to write about Glinda's journey getting in and through the palace or not – but in the end I thought it would work better that way. But who knows, you guys might think it's unnecessary.
Whatever, love it? Loathe it? (Resisting the urge to sing here!) Review and tell me )