Note: And so, we come to the last chapter (don't worry, I still have an epilogue for you). I'm sorry for taking so long. I had to write it in my non-existant spare time. So if it's a little rough, that's my excuse. Anyway, enjoy!
Disclaimer- I don't own Wicked or Wizard of Oz, yaddah yaddah yaddah and all that jazz.
9.So Far, For Good
The sun was beginning to crest downwards as Elphaba walked along the top of the wall of Ozma's garden. Her head was still spinning from all that had happened. She needed time to think.
"Elphie?"
She was so lost in thought that she hadn't heard Fiyero come up behind her.
"If it isn't his Imperial Majesty," she gave a tired smile.
Fiyero laughed wryly.
"I don't think I'm ever going to get used to that. Elphaba," he hesitated, "Is this what you want? For me to be an Emperor and you an Empress, I mean. Because if it isn't–"
"Fiyero…"
"I really mean it. If you'd be happier living in some forgotten corner of Quadling Country, then that's where we'll live. I'd do anything for you, Miss Elphaba, because I love you."
His last three words hung in the air like the last notes of a beautiful song lingering in her ears.
"No, Fiyero. I will be your Empress, your wife, or anything you want, because I love you, too."
For what seemed like an eternity they stood there, his blue eyes locked with her dark ones. Then, he leaned down and kissed her. A sweet, innocent, loving kiss; the kind most girls only dream about.
Slowly, they pulled away and stood silently in each other's arms, Just for that moment, they had one another, and the world around them seemed to hold it's breath.
They were drawn back to reality at the sound of someone walking in the garden below them. Boq wandered aimlessly through, looking like he was deep in thought. Fiyero began to call out to him.
"Shh!" Elphaba stopped him, "Look!"
Glinda stood at the gate of the garden, looking for someone. Her eyes found Boq. She smiled slightly, and walked quickly over to him.
"They haven't seen us yet," Fiyero said quietly, "Let's just wait and see how things turn out."
"Hello, Boq," said Glinda finally.
The Munchkin boy started nervously.
"Oh! Miss Glinda," he began.
"Just Glinda, please," she smiled again, " I came to congratulate you."
"Well, thank you," he turned away, "But I don't think I can do it."
"Why not?"
"I'm just a simple Munchkinlander, Glinda! I'm not cut out to be a lord. I wouldn't know the first thing about it."
"Just follow your heart," she said gently, placing her hand on his shoulder, "Like you did when we were at school."
"At school…" Boq mused, then smiled faintly, "I remember you never could remember my name."
Glinda laughed, but it faded quickly.
"Oh, Boq," she murmured, "I was thoroughly awful to you, wasn't I?"
"No, you weren't. It wasn't your fault you didn't feel the way I felt about you."
"You say 'felt', like you don't feel that way anymore."
When Boq didn't answer, she continued.
"Because I think I should be very hurt if you didn't… now that I think I might love you, too."
Boq turned back to her in surprise.
"Glinda, I-"
He got no further, for Glinda silenced him with a kiss. She smiled as he turned bright red and tried to stammer out a reply. Taking both his hands, Glinda led him back inside the palace.
As soon as they were out of hearing, the eavesdroppers burst into laughter.
"Well," Fiyero grinned, running his fingers through his hair, "That's something I never thought I'd live to see!"
"Oh, but the fun isn't over yet. Look!" Elphaba pointed down into the garden.
Tiaret and Ariel walked through the gate, already in the middle of a conversation.
"-so scared that I passed clean out!" the Lion was saying.
"That's so funny!" Tiaret laughed.
They both stopped near the fountain.
"Tiaret?" Ariel said at length, "After you visit your cousins, are you going back to Gillikin?"
"I suppose so," she shrugged, "Why do you ask?"
"Well, I, uh…" he stammered, "I was wondering if maybe you'd
like to stay with me, forever. I mean! For a while, of course."
He turned away so Tiaret couldn't see the pained and embarrassed look on his face, but Elphaba and Fiyero could.
"Ariel," she said softly.
He faced her slowly.
"I'd like that very much," she smiled and touched her nose to his, an act which turned the King of the Forest into incoherent mush. The Lioness laughed brightly. "Well, don't just sit there! If we hurry, we can get the royal chefs to give us the leftovers from supper."
She playfully butted her head into his chest, knocking him onto his tail. Then she turned and loped out of the garden. Ariel sat there for a moment with a surprised look on his face.
"Hey, wait up!" he scrambled after her.
When Fiyero's mirth had subsided, he turned back to Elphaba.
"We should probably get inside," he said, "It's getting late, and I know there's someone you want to talk to."
"Glinda," Elphaba sighed.
"Come on, Miss Elphie," he kissed her forehead gently, "It's time."
Putting his arm around her shoulders, he led her back inside. He
escorted her to Glinda's chambers. With a parting smile and an encouraging embrace, he left her at the doors. Elphaba took a deep breath to steady herself. She raised her hand slowly, and knocked.
"Come in," called a voice from within.
Elphaba hesitantly opened the ornate door and closed it softly behind her. The room seemed perfect for Glinda. It was full of bright and cheerful colors, yet they possessed a certain sophistication Glinda had lacked when they were in school. An open door on the left revealed a room full of clothes, but the door on the right led to a small library. And there was Glinda, sitting before a mirror and brushing out her hair.
She stopped mid-stroke when she caught sight of Elphaba's reflection. Setting the brush down, she rose and turned. Both girls took a halting step towards each other, then froze.
"Glinda-" began Elphaba at the same time that Glinda said: " Elphie"- "
"I'm sorry," they chorused.
Their apprehension immediately vanished. Glinda smiled brightly and motioned to a chair in front of the large fireplace.
"Won't you sit down?"
Elphaba took the chair, and Glinda say in the one across from it.
"Nice place you have here," Elphaba said after a pause.
"You're just saying that," Glinda teased, "I know you've never
liked bright colors."
"That's true," the green girl gave a short laugh, "Look how far we've come! From two silly school girls-"
"-to two of the most powerful women in Oz. I never dreamed you'd be an Empress."
"And I never dreamed you'd be the Lady Regent," Elphaba tapped the side of her head teasingly, then dodged the hair pin Glinda threw at her.
"Elphie, before I forget, I have something for you. Wait here," Glinda went into the room on the left. She returned holding something behind her back, "I thought you might want this back."
She held out a large well-worn black hat to Elphaba, who took it slowly.
"You kept this, all this time?" she asked softly.
Glinda nodded. Surprising herself as much as her friend, Elphaba hugged Glinda.
"A voluntary hug?" Glinda feigned shock, "Things really have changed!"
"Well, neither of us are entirely the girls we used to be," Elphaba
laughed.
"That we aren't. Oh, Elphie, I have so much to tell you!"
"So do I."
And so, the girls stayed up talking and laughing til dawn, just as best friends should.