Chapter 10

"Elphie! Elphie!" Glinda ran into Elphaba's bedroom. The petite blonde waved an envelope into the air.

"Glinda, what is it? And it must be something good the way you're waving your letter."

Glinda giggle. "No, this is for you. It's from Fiyero. See?" She pointed to the upper left hand corner of the envelope. "It says Crown Prince Fiyero Tiggular Kiamo Ko Castle." She handed her the letter.

Elphaba inspected the envelope. "It has no postmark. This wasn't mailed. How did you get it?"

"I bumped into him. I really did. I didn't go to the castle. He was in the neighborhood and was going to drop by and slip it under the door, but he gave it to me."

"Oh." Elphaba felt a slight pain in her heart. "He couldn't even give me his letter in person. Fiyero must really hate me."

"Elphie! Just read it!"

Elphaba stared at the envelope. "Why? Probably to let me know he and Sara has moved on. I really don't need to know that."

"I'll bet he's begging you to come home."

"The castle was not my home. Nor is your house. I'm just misplaced right now," she said, placing the envelope on her night stand.

Glinda grabbed hold of it and sat on the bed. "If you're not going to read it, I will."

"Hey! It's mine. Very well, give it to me." Elphaba opened her mail, and unfolded the stationery. She sat with her feet tucked under her, and felt her heart beat rapidly as she read the letter.

Dear Elphaba,

Love does not always ensure happiness. It at times causes grief to one's heart. It's been weeks since you've been gone. A moment never goes by without a memory of you inside of me. But memories eventually fade, and I'm assuming that's what has probably happened...you have no memories of me, if ever there were any thoughts of me.

I've grown up quite a bit since you've been in my life, and a lot more since you left. I see the world differently. It's a lonely world out there when there's no one to share it with. I'm thankful that I have my daughter beside me. But my heart aches for you. I've tried a few times to tell you I love you. You didn't want to hear it, and you stopped me before I could tell you so.

It's hard being a prince...must live up to people's expectations, which in the past several years, I haven't. I'm human, not a machine. I do have feelings. And you make me feel.

I'm very sorry. I gave up so easily when you left. I should have fought harder for you to have stayed. As the days and nights went by, I waited. I thought for sure you would have returned to the castle. But you didn't. I should have come for you.

I've had sleepless nights. You've led me to believe that you didn't want to be a part of me. I know you love Sara, but we're a package deal. You don't just get one, you also get the other.

I wish I could read minds...preferably yours. That way you needn't tell me how you feel about me. I'll know just by tapping into your thoughts. I'm afraid though, what you're feeling is completely different.

Falling in love is easy. It's telling that person how you feel is a different story. But I'm not afraid to tell you...I love you. I love you.

When it comes to relationships, you shy away from it. You don't have to say those three little words. If you do love me, just open the front door. I'm on the other side waiting for you.

Love,

Fiyero

Glinda squealed as her best friend shared the contents of his letter. "Go out there! The poor guy's probably sick with worry that you won't show up! What are you waiting for?

"I don't know. What will I say to him?"

"Elphie! Just open the door and he'll know! What are you afraid of?"

"It will never work out. He just wants a mother for Sara."

"I don't recall reading that. He wants you. Or he wouldn't have gone to all this trouble. Hurry, Elphie!"

"And run to him? I'll look like a fool. Life was complicated enough before he came into existence. I can't...I won't."

The prince paced back and forth outside of Glinda's house. Elphaba would have read it by now. How long was he going to wait? His shoulders drooped and his heart sank. Getting into his car, he squeezed the steering wheel, and leaned his forehead against it. It was stupid of him to have told Sara that he'd be coming home with a big surprise for her. What was he thinking of? He could buy her that pony she's been wanting. After all, he couldn't come home empty handed.

"Stop acting stupidly, Elphie. Go to him." She pulled her by the arm, and dragged her toward the front door.

Elphaba stared at the door, placing a hand on the doorknob. Stepping outside of the house, she looked around the premises. Fiyero was nowhere in sight. "He's gone," she told Glinda as she walked back into the house. "I don't see him around. I guess he changed his mind."

"Oh, Elphie, I'm so sorry. You took so long that he couldn't wait. I'll go to the castle with you if you want me to. Or would you rather go alone?"

She stared at Glinda with her piercing brown eyes. "And why would I go to the castle?"

"To tell him you love him, silly!"

TBC- Chapter 11