Authors Note: Hi. I'm uploading a bunch of chapters simultaneously, so I thought letting you know that chapter 9 is the first new one if you're like me and can't remember what chapter you left off on. Otherwise, just keep on going.

This one is a bit deeper as it relates to something said earlier and Fiyero's life pre-Scarecrow. I hoep you enjoy. Reviews always welcome.

Elphaba and Glinda were practicing etiquette at a table in one of the secondary dining rooms. Glinda was attempting to instruct her in proper conversational topics, and Fiyero was trying not to laugh.

"No, you can't say how the banking establishment has systematically repressed poor Ozians for generations."

"Why not? It's true!"

"It's just not polite, especially to a banker."

"But-"

There was a knock at the door. Fiyero quickly moved to the adjoining room and Elphaba veiled her face. After, Glinda opened the door.

"Yes?"

A porter stood there. "My lady, a message."

"From who?"

"The Lord Marillot Tiggular, and Lady Baxiana Tiggular."

Glinda froze. Fiyero's parents. "The message?" she said, somehow keeping her voice even.

"They are in the city, and are wondering if they could have the honor of dining with you tonight."

"Of course. We will use this dining room. Once were done, please make it ready. Also, inform the staff."

"Yes, my lady." With that, the porter left and shut the door. Glinda turned to see a wide eyed Elphaba and an emerging Fiyero.

"Fiyero…" Glinda started.

"I heard." He said. "I can't be in the room when they visit."

"You sure?" Glinda asked. "We can make some sort of excuse."

"No. I can't, and neither can Sarima. It would blow our cover." He said definitively. His voice was cold and hard.

"Fiyero…" Elphaba said but he turned away.

"Finish up your lessons quickly, Fae. Glinda will need time to get ready." With that, he strode out. Glinda and Elphaba both knotted their brows with worry.

"Stay with him tonight?" Glinda pleaded.

"Of course. He'll need me."

"I've never seen him like this."

"Me neither."

Supper came around far too fast for Glinda's liking. When the doorman called that the guests had arrived, Glinda took a deep breath and descended the stairs to the atrium. She had put on her finest appearance; too much for an informal dinner, but out of respect for who they were. She waited as the doormen opened the double doors to the villa and Fiyero's parents came in. Marillot was a tall, broad man with dark skin and hair. His most striking feature were the blue tattoos gracing his body. Baxiana was smaller, about Elphaba's size, but she moved with a grace that belied her age. Glinda wondered if she did Agoy. She greeted her guests in Vinkun manner and both were impressed.

"I see you've been learning some of my customs." Marillot said.

"Yes. Some of my interests have been expanding out to the Vinkus. I thought it best to be able to present myself properly."

"I see my son still graces your doorway." Baxiana said, and Glinda's heart jumped in her throat. She followed Baxiana's gaze and saw the twin portraits of her and Fiyero. She had gotten them done right before the surprise engagement, when Fiyero had been made Captain of the Emerald Palace Guard. Fiyero's portrait had a black veil.

"Yes. He meant the world to me."

"Well, I suppose we can continue this over supper?" Marillot said and Baxiana shot him a admonishing look. Glinda just smiled.

"Of course. Right this way."

A porter led them to the dining room where Glinda and Elphaba had been practicing manners. It was much different from then. Glinda had directed them prepare it in Vinkun style with dark, rich earthy tones contrasted with rich, bold metallic colors. She had used her new Vinkun contacts for advice and supplies. Both Marillot and Baxiana were pleasantly surprised. Their wonderment continued when the dinner was a traditional meal of the Vinkus.

"This is quite good. Do you have a Vinkun chef?" Marillot asked.

Glinda laughed. "No. Chef was born in the Emerald City but prides himself on knowing all the dishes of Oz. Fiyero particularly enjoyed that when he lived here."

The conversation died as their thoughts moved to Fiyero. Finally, Glinda asked the question she could no longer hold back.

"How are you doing?"

The Tiggulars visibly shrunk a bit. Marillot face tightened and his jaw set. Baxiana's fell. They looked at each other for a moment before responding.

"Well enough, I suppose." Marillot said. "It's been five years now since the Witch took him from us."

"Now, Marillot, you don't know that." Baxiana responded.

"I was told he disappeared in Munchkinland." Glinda added.

"Yeah, but who was her after? You're telling me it wasn't related?"

"The wilds are still dangerous, my Lion." Baxiana replied.

"You're telling me Fiyero couldn't handle himself in the Wilds after growing up in the Vinkus?"

"Things do happen even to Arjiki. Even you, the Lion of the Thousand Year Grasslands, have had close calls."

"Bah!"

Glinda began to feel very uncomfortable. She had the feeling this was an oft repeated argument. What made her more uncomfortable than the topic was the familiarity. She felt like she was not supposed to be privy to their pet names. She started to squirm a bit and decided to change subjects.

"How goes your business the in the City?"

"Good." Marillot responded gruffly. "We still have to throw money around to get noticed here, though." He stopped when he realized how that might be taken. "I don't mean you, my lady, I mean, uh-"

"You've always been good to us. Helped us whenever we needed anything." Baxiana stepped in.

"It's the least I can do. I…know your position out in the Vinkus isn't as stable as it appears. Has there been any trouble?" Glinda asked. Marillot and Baxiana stared at her again. This Glinda was much different than the one they met previously.

"Most don't pay attention to Vinkun politics. I'm surprised my lady knows." Marillot said.

"I care about all of Oz." Glinda said, and then realized that was not what she wanted to say, just expected to. "But I especially care about you. I'm only sorry I haven't been able to give you my attention before now."

"It's alright, my lady," Baxiana said, "we understand."

"The situation is more tenuous than before." Marillot put in. "We're still doing well enough, but here have been some minor raids, cattle and the like, but they're too scared to go after us personally. If Fiyero were still around they wouldn't dare do even that!"

"Dear, slow down on the wine."

"It's true! You know it is!"

"Is there anything I can help with?" Glinda asked quietly.

"No, dear, not really." Baxiana replied. "But feel free to come visit."

"I will. I promise."

"So tell us about this new handmaiden of yours. They say she's a Vinkun princess?"

"Oh!" Glinda said, trying not to get flustered. "Well, she is, sort of. She's one from one of the more nomadic tribes nearer to the desert by Ev. She's the family member of the chief, so we call her a princess rather than get into the details."

"Well, it would be interesting to meet her." Baxiana said.

"Unfortunately, she is away on an errand I sent her…on. But perhaps when we meet next."

"Sounds delightful. Marillot, I wonder if we've ever met her or her family."

"I'd hope not. Most of those tribes only come down for war."

The rest of the dinner passed peacefully, if uneventfully. Then, it was time to say their goodbyes. Glinda was not very enthusiastic about offering them lodging but it did not matter; she could not board them in a manner right for guests (as she did not have the space) and they had to get back to their rented flat to pack because they were leaving the next day. As they went to leave Baxiana turned and said,

"I remember when our dear Fiyero told us about you. He was so happy, and so were we. Finally, a girl who could get him to think and finish school. Oh, I know he bounced around on purpose. Then, when we heard the engagement news we were so excited." She looked to his portrait. "You're such a good woman to honor him after so long. We'd have understood if you married someone else."

"I'll never marry another man." Glinda firmly replied, and Baxiana smiled sadly.

"Much as my heart warms to hear it, I know it will condemn you to a life of loneliness." With that she left. Glinda sighed after the doors closed, and went upstairs to look for Fiyero and Elphaba.

"If Fiyero were still around they wouldn't dare even do that!" his father's voice said. It was then Fiyero could no longer take it. He moved through the servant's door quietly and back up the stairs. He closed the door and Elphaba looked up from where she was studying the Grimmerie.

"Yero? I thought you were in the other room." She said, and then by his face could tell something was wrong. "What is it? What happened?"

"Nothing." He said and moved towards the other room. Elphaba caught his hand and stopped him.

"You're lying. What is it?"

"I've failed them, Fae."

"Who, your parents?"

"My clan. They depended on me to be the next great leader for them, and I squandered the time away. Now they're in trouble and there's nothing I can do because I'm like this."

"What do you mean they're in trouble?"

"They're being raided. They made it seem like it's nothing, but soon it will escalate to skirmishes and war. The thing is, I don't know if they can win it. Even if they do, they'll be weak afterwards and easy prey to bandits and the Emerald City."

"I'm sorry Yero. Is there anything I can do?"

"No."

Elphaba pulled him close and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Look, I'm making progress every day. A few months, a year tops, and you'll be back to your old self."

"And how will I explain to my parents where I've been?"

"We'll think of something."

"So, more lies?"

"Tell them a witch held you captive in Ev." She retorted with a slight smirk, and he gave a little laugh.

"I suppose that could work."

"Soon, Yero my hero, soon, you'll be back and can go to them."

"And what about you?"

"What do you think?" she gave a little laugh and planted a light kiss on his lips.

"I really wish I could feel that outside of pressure."

"Well, when you're back, I'll remind you how it feels, among the least of things."

They laughed together. Outside, Glinda had frozen as she opened the door. She had not wanted to interrupt them. As she had listened to their conversation her heart soared and fell at the same time. Doing so broke it in half, and Glinda could not tell what the tears on her face were for.

Authors Note: I know I made Fiyero a bit deeper than portrayed in the musical, but I wanted to explore why he had his nonchalant attitude. Glinda's came from being an up-coming trophy wife. I've found in my life the people who have the most carefree attitude tend t be running from something, and made that his inheritance. And now as an adult he can see the effects of his actions.

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