Here's another chapter! And I've noticed a decrease in reviews /hinthint. So, please review and enjoy! c:

Sorry about uploading Chapter 9 again by accident!

"Lyle, I need a favor." Fiyero strutted down to the stables, greeting his friend from afar.

"Of course you need a favor. You never come down here just to say hi to me anymore." Lyle wiped his hands on a towel that was hanging from his belt.

"You know that I've been busy." Fiyero told him, feeling a slight pang of guilt for ignoring the stable boy.

"Yeah, yeah, getting married and all that jazz. Oz, I just want this to be over with so that we can go back to the Vinkus. These munchkinlanders are starting to scare me." The boy responded, flipping back his sandy bangs and getting a good look at the prince. "So, what do you need?"

"A horse." Fiyero responded simply. He watched as Lyle's dark eyes widened.

"A horse? Are you taking that special lady of yours out for a ride?" He joked, nudging his friend.

"Not exactly," Fiyero made a face, "there's someone that I need to see and it's urgent."

Lyle shrugged his shoulders. He knew better than to argue with the prince or even question his intentions. Instead, he grabbed the reins of a black horse and handed them to the man.

"This is Renee. She gets a little tense and shaky on rough terrain, so I suggest that you stay on smooth ground as much as possible." Lyle informed him, stepping back as Fiyero clambered up onto the horse's back. "And be safe; I don't want to be the one responsible if she bucks you off and you break your neck."

Fiyero glared down at him. "Thanks for that, Lyle. It's much appreciated." He told him sarcastically, gripping the reins.

"Anytime," answered the boy, smiling at his friend before going back to work.

"Oh and Lyle," Fiyero turned for a moment, "Cover for me, will you?"

Lyle nodded his head in response before Fiyero and Renee galloped away.

By the time they reached Munchkinland, the sun was setting and Fiyero felt as if he'd never be able to walk again. As he leapt down from the saddle, his legs became numb and he could barely stand. He handed the reins of the black horse to a city stable boy and put a few gold coins in his hand as a tip.

Fiyero took out his map, determined to use as much natural light as he could before the day became night. He seemed to be on track, all of the signs he had passed directed him on this road. Colwen Grounds couldn't be that far off. As he turned a corner, he had no choice but to stop and light his lantern for the darkness was impenetrable with the naked eye.

Once the lantern was lit, Fiyero found himself in a rather grand neighborhood. There were rows of huge houses on both sides and they were pressed closely together. It didn't take him long to find the house he was looking for, but it took him awhile to muster up enough courage to knock on the front door.

"I'm comin', I'm comin'."

Fiyero took a step back as he heard the voice from inside. He didn't want to admit it to himself, but he was absolutely terrified.

As the door opened, all his fears were laid to rest. Nanny looked nothing more than a mere elderly person. She was about half a foot shorter than him and she used a cane to walk.

"Cattery Spunge?" He questioned, holding his hands behind his back.

"I know who I am. Who are you?" She snapped at him.

Fiyero was taken aback by her attitude. "Prince Fiyero Tigelaar, ma'am." He answered, looking at her.

She pursed her lips and glared at him. "What do you want from me?" Nanny questioned.

"Are you Elphaba's nanny?" He inquired, watching as her eyes widened.

She quickly ducked her head and took a panoramic glance around the street. Nanny pulled him inside and slammed the door behind him. "What do you know about Elphaba?"

Fiyero took a seat on the parlor couch, trying to be as far away from her as possible. "Elphaba's a servant for the Uplands." He told her.

Nanny seemed to visibly relax as he informed her. Maybe she was glad that the girl was safe. "And how do you know the Uplands?"

"I'm marrying their daughter."

Nanny turned to glance at him. It seemed as though she was trying to scrutinize him. "If you're marrying Glinda, why in Oz do you want to know about Elphaba?"

"I was curious. She's curious, although she never wanted to admit it. I wanted to know about her. I asked Carole about how Elphaba came to the manor, but she gave me a story that seemed like it was missing a lot of pieces." Fiyero answered honestly.

"I should have known that Carole would lie," Nanny muttered under her breath, sitting across from him. "My dear boy, it seems that you haven't been told everything." She told him.

Fiyero leaned forward, his eyes set intently on the old woman. "But I don't know what I'm missing."

Nanny took a deep breath. "Well I suppose you should know about the murder."

Fiyero's eyes widened and he went pale. "Murder?"