AN. Gilmore Girls moments in chapter 11- Elphaba being unable to say 'I love you', similar to Rory and Dean in season 1 (not intentional, and not the same but it is similar); and Elphaba's breakdown after thinking Fiyero had broken up with her, like Lorelai's reaction to Luke breaking up with her (the first time.) This was intentional, coz it always makes me sad.
Thanks to all the amazing reviews, as always!
Chapter 12
Fiyero didn't bother knocking at the door to Elphaba's room, he just let himself in. Elphaba was still sitting on the window seat, her arms folded around her middle as though to support herself. When the door opened, she turned her head and she froze to see Fiyero standing there in the doorway.
"Fiyero," she gasped, standing up hurriedly. "What are you doing here?"
Fiyero shut the door behind him, coming up and folding her into his arms. "I'm so sorry, Fae," he whispered and Elphaba buried her face in his neck, clinging to him.
"No, I'm sorry. I-" she began to protest, but Fiyero stopped her with a kiss.
"Listen to me," he said gently, when he pulled away, sitting her down on the window seat again and crouching down in front of her.
She nodded in agreement and Fiyero took a deep breath. "Fae, I'm not going to take back what I said last night, because I won't take back the truth. Elphaba, I love you. I've been in love with you ever since that day with the Lion Cub, and I think you're the most amazing person I've ever met. I love you, and I'm in this for the long haul. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Elphaba smiled wryly, looking down at her hands. "Be careful what you say," she warned him. "The rest of your life is a long time."
"Not long enough," he added simply and she blushed. "Fae, you mean everything to me. And I want everything with you, a whole lifetime. Marriage and children… everything. And before you even say it, I don't give a damn what colour they are," he said sternly and she took a shaky breath.
"Fiyero, be really careful what you're saying," Elphaba said quietly. "I really doubt your parents want a green daughter-in-law."
He cupped her face in his hands. "My parents are not a part of this relationship. I will do whatever I have to do to be with you, Fae. Even if I have to give up the throne, I'll do it. Because you're more important than any of that."
Then he grinned slightly. "Besides, I'll have you know my parents already adore you, just because you got me thinking. My exam results were more than enough to convince them how wonderful you are."
Elphaba raised an eyebrow. "And they know I'm green?"
"Yes," Fiyero nodded. "I promise you, Fae. They don't care. They can see how happy you make me, and that's all they care about."
Elphaba leaned down and kissed him and when they pulled away, Fiyero gently ran his thumb along her cheekbones.
"Oz, I can't believe I made you cry. I hate myself for making you cry," he murmured in a pained voice and Elphaba caught his hand gently.
"Yero, I…" she hesitated, and Fiyero realised what she was about to do and stopped her.
"Don't," he cut her off and she looked surprised. "I know you love me, Fae... and I understand why you can't say it. And I can wait forever for you to say it, until you believe that I'm not going anywhere. I want forever with you."
Elphaba was stunned that he knew she was afraid of him leaving her.
"How in Oz's name did you… Galinda," she realised with a sigh and Fiyero nodded, smiling.
"Yeah. She was worried about you. I thought she was going to kill me," he told her, not entirely joking and she chuckled.
"You do realise you're late for class, don't you?" she pointed out, noting the time and Fiyero moved to sit next to her.
"I'm not going to class today," he announced and Elphaba raised an eyebrow.
"Really? So, what are you going to do?"
"Whatever you're going to do."
"Sleeping?" Elphaba replied. She was exhausted, she'd barely slept the night before and had been on such a rollercoaster of emotions, she could barely keep her eyes open.
Fiyero smiled slightly, noticing how tired she appeared. "I can always sleep."
Elphaba rolled her eyes as he led her to the bed and made her lie down before sitting next to her.
"That doesn't surprise me."
When Galinda made a hasty trip back to the room in between classes to check on Elphaba, she smiled to see her friend fast asleep, curled up in Fiyero's arms who was also sleeping. She had a feeling everything would be fine between them now.
A week later, Elphaba received a fancy envelope in the mail with a return address from the Vinkus. When Fiyero saw it, he grinned which immediately aroused Elphaba's suspicions.
"Do you know what this is?" she asked and he nodded.
"I do. I didn't know you were getting one though."
Confused, Elphaba opened it and found a formal invitation on gold paper inviting "Miss Elphaba Thropp to the annual Vinkun Royal Lurlinemas Ball, as an honoured guest of King Ibrahim, Queen Kasmira and Prince Fiyero Tiggular."
Elphaba gaped between the invitation and her boyfriend for a moment, completely stunned.
"Oh, Sweet Oz!" she murmured finally, and Fiyero laughed.
"You'll come, won't you Fae?" he asked eagerly. "I want you to meet my parents and you can stay with us for the whole winter break."
Elphaba didn't know what to say. "Yero…"
His face fell. "What is it? I know it says 'Ball', but it's really more of a formal dinner, so you don't have to worry about dancing. You- you don't want to come?"
"It's not that," Elphaba reassured him quickly. "I'd love to come."
"But?" he asked apprehensively.
"Nessa," she reminded him. "I take care of her all the time at home. My father wouldn't allow me to go."
Fiyero was crestfallen for a moment, and then his face brightened. "I'll get my parents to invite Nessa too! And your father."
Elphaba grimaced. "Oh, that's not a good idea."
Fiyero laughed. "Fae, I have to meet him sometime," he pointed out. "And what are you worried about?"
Elphaba sighed. "I'm worried about how he'd treat you. I'm worried that when you meet him, you'll decide I'm too much hassle and you can't be bothered anymore."
He laughed again and kissed her. "Elphaba, I'm dating a commotion, remember?" he teased her. "Where's the fun in that if there's no hassle?"
She scoffed. "Meet my father and then tell me that again."
"I will."
So, Fiyero wrote to his parents and explained the situation, who quickly sent invitations not only to Frex, but to Nessa, Galinda and Boq. Galinda and Nessa were thrilled and began to talk of nothing else but the Ball, which was very distracting for Elphaba, who was both nervous about the Ball and meeting Fiyero's parents, and trying to concentrate on her mid-terms.
So, the week of Lurlinemas, when all the exams were over, the five piled into the carriage Fiyero's parents had sent for them, and begun the journey to Kiamo Ko, the home of the Vinkun Royal Family. The closer they got to the castle, the more nervous Elphaba grew, but Fiyero kept reassuring her that his parents would love her.
"I told you. They know all about you," he assured her, but somehow that didn't comfort Elphaba. She knew Fiyero was prone to exaggeration, especially when it came to her.
"Oh. My. Oz. Fiyero, you live here?" Galinda squealed, gaping out the window as the castle came into view.
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "He's a prince, Glin. Where did you expect him to live?"
"In a little wooden hut?" Boq guessed and Fiyero laughed.
"This is nothing. You should see our other castle."
"Other castle?" Nessa repeated, wide-eyed.
"Of course there's another castle," Elphaba muttered feeling more out of place than ever and Fiyero squeezed her hand with a grin.
As the carriage rolled up, Fiyero saw his parents had come out to greet them and braced himself. Although he was positive his parents would approve of Elphaba, he was still nervous about actually introducing them. Fiyero jumped out first and greeted his parents with a warm hug.
"Hi, Mom. Dad."
"Son," Ibrahim greeted him in return. "You made good time."
"The pass was pretty clear of snow," Fiyero replied and then turned back to the carriage.
Boq got out next and he and Fiyero lifted down Nessa's chair before helping her into it. Galinda gave Elphaba a helpful push to follow her sister and Fiyero took her hand to help her out, but didn't release it once she was on the ground. Galinda elegantly climbed out last and Fiyero moved forward to introduce his friends to his parents, still clutching Elphaba's hand.
"Mom, Dad, this is Galinda, Boq, Nessarose and Elphaba. Everyone, these are my parents, Ibrahim and Kasmira."
Kasmira smiled at them all welcomingly, but turned first to Elphaba.
"Elphaba, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you. Truthfully, Ibrahim and I have been dying to meet you since we saw Fiyero's exam results. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what a good influence you've been on our son."
Fiyero glared at his mother. "Thanks, Mom," he said sarcastically and Elphaba flushed uncomfortably.
"It was really nice of you to invite us," she began but Ibrahim cut her off.
"It was our pleasure, Elphaba," he said warmly, kissing her hand. "Now, why don't we all go inside and get settled? It's cold out here."
"I told you so," Fiyero hissed in her ear with a smug grin as his parents led the way inside and Elphaba subtly elbowed him in the ribs none too gently, making him wince.
Kasmira and Ibrahim noticed this and exchanged a secret smile, liking Elphaba Thropp even more already. They gave the group a quick tour on the way to the rooms where they would be staying, all near Fiyero's bedroom. They each had their own room for the three week stay, and Ibrahim informed Elphaba and Nessarose that their father was scheduled to arrive in three days, on Lurlinemas Eve and the night of the ball. That didn't surprise Elphaba, she knew her father was attending for the chance to meet and judge Fiyero and out of politeness, rather than a genuine wish to celebrate the holiday in the Vinkus.
"Now, Elphaba- there's one part of the castle I'd really like to show you, because I think you'll appreciate it much more than Fiyero does," Ibrahim said, his eyes twinkling.
Elphaba frowned inquisitively. "Oh?"
"The Royal family has built up quite the library over the generations," Ibrahim continued and Elphaba's eyes lit up.
"Library?"
Fiyero interjected quickly. "Ok, Dad, before you show her that and I don't see her for the next three weeks, I need to show her something."
Elphaba turned to him with a grin. "Is it going to top the library?" she teased and he grinned.
"Maybe. You'll have to come with me and see."
He turned to his father. "Ten minutes Dad, I promise. Then you two can compare authors and whatever. Ok?"
"Very well," Ibrahim agreed with a laugh and Fiyero began leading Elphaba away.
"Where are we going?" she asked him.
"Somewhere," he replied vaguely and Elphaba scowled.
"Yero, you know I hate surprises."
"Yep," he agreed cheerfully.
He led her, much to her confusion, out into the palace grounds and over to the gardens.
"Fiyero, what are we doing? It's freezing out here!" Elphaba protested.
"Hang on… I know there's some around here somewhere. Ah!"
Cautiously, Elphaba looked over his shoulder to see what was so important. Fiyero knelt down and brushed away a layer of snow from a nearby flowerbed and revealed a bunch of thorny but beautiful flowers, their petals a deep, rich red.
Elphaba gasped slightly and looked at Fiyero in amazement. "They're…"
He nodded. "My favourite flower. Bellezza segreta."
"They're beautiful," she said softly and Fiyero stood up, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I told you," he said simply and Elphaba kissed him with a smile.
"Ok, this may have topped the library," she admitted and he laughed.
"I don't know, the library's pretty impressive," he teased. "It's my dad's pride and joy. Come on, I know he's dying to show it off."
Elphaba laughed, and they headed back to the castle, hand in hand.
