A/N – First, thanks as always! Second, the phrase "son of a munchkin" is used and I feel like I should properly credit the person who came up with that phrase. Only I have no idea who that is and can't remember what story I read it in first. But it's not my original thought and I certainly don't want to steal credit from the person who came up with it…wherever in the world he/she may be.
And finally, I decided to go ahead and post today because it will probably be wed or thursday before I can post again just with work stuff. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Happy 4th!
Chapter 12
Elphaba woke to a gentle shake and a soft voice.
"Elphie, wake up. Come on love. Wake up."
She once again cracked her eyes open and noticed the room was still dark. "Glinda? What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Glinda smiled sadly. "Elphie, you have to leave while it's still dark out. So no one sees you." She reached and entwined their fingers. "Thank you for coming Elphie. But truly, you have to go. I won't let you be caught because of me."
Elphaba raised their joined hands and kissed Glinda's knuckles. "There you go again, waking me up before dawn. You're turning this into a habit my sweet."
"Elphie, I'm serious. If Morrible or Chuffrey were to see you…"
"Alright, I'll go. Don't worry yourself. But promise me, promise you'll take some time off. Just relax here in your room for a day or so. And don't go out into the City without at least four Gale Force soldiers with you. Agreed?"
"Fine Elphie. I promise. I'll rest and be careful and soak in long luxurious baths and be pampered. If you'll just get back to the safety of the headquarters!" Glinda exclaimed.
Elphaba smirked. "That's what I like to hear. Just don't let Chuffrey anywhere near while taking that long luxurious bath." She blushed as soon as she said it and quickly turned to pull herself to her feet to cover.
Glinda grimaced. "Not a chance. He makes my skin crawl."
Elphaba was wrapping her cloak around her shoulders and Glinda gasped as she saw her placing a tall black hat on her head. "Elphie! You mean you still have that old thing? Where ever did you find it?"
Elphaba smiled and settled the hat onto her head. "Of course I kept it. My best friend gave it to me years ago. I had to put it away when I first joined with the Resistance, it's a little noticeable don't you think? But it gets chilly flying around up there and who knew it was aerodynamic. Plus it still suits me, seeing as how we're both so…sharp."
Glinda laughed remembering when she had given the hat to her friend. She followed Elphaba to the balcony door and when Elphaba turned to say goodbye, she threw herself into her arms.
"Please be careful Elphie. If anything ever happened to you…"
"Hush now. It's you I worry about. Remember what you promised. You'll be back home soon, right?" Glinda nodded, still clutching to Elphaba tightly. "Good. Then I'll see you soon."
Elphaba pressed her lips to Glinda's temple and stepped out onto the balcony. The early morning sky was just beginning to lighten. Elphaba hopped onto the broom and rose off of the ground. "And for Ozsakes, go back to bed!"
Glinda chuckled as she waved and watched the black speck disappear out of sight.
xxxx
Elphaba began practicing her new spells as soon as she returned from the Palace. She cast the protection spell over one of the crystal vases in the den and promptly chucked it across the room. She expected to be cleaning up thousands of little shards of glass but the vase bounced as if made of rubber.
Elphaba quirked a brow rubbed her chin thoughtfully. Her eyes and smile widened as an idea came to her. She then retrieved a hammer from a nearby desk drawer and raised it high to smash the vase. It was then that Fiyero and Sarima walked in.
"Elphaba?" Fiyero asked.
Her back was to them and she had not realized they were approaching. The sound of his voice startled her and as Elphaba jumped with a yelp, the hammer dropped from her hands and landed squarely on her left foot.
"Ow! Son of a munchkin!" Elphaba yelled, hopping on her good foot. "You scared me! What are you doing sneaking around like that?"
"Well, we saw a vase needing rescued. What in Ozname are you doing anyway?" Fiyero asked chuckling.
Elphaba stopped hopping but continued to rub the offending foot as she scowled at Fiyero. "I'm practicing some of the spells I copied from Morrible's book. Here, watch this."
She picked up a second vase, much like the first and heaved it into the wall as hard as she could. It shattered to pieces and Fiyero cast a sideways glance at her. "What kind of spell was that supposed to be? Superhuman strength? Or are you going to put it back together?"
"Just watch." She picked up the other vase, the spelled one, and just as before threw it into the wall. It once again bounced as if made of rubber and remained intact. "Protection spell." Elphaba muttered as if to explain all.
Sarima smiled in understanding. "So, no matter what we do, that vase won't break?"
"Well," Elphaba replied. "In theory. I think."
"Does it work on more than vases?" Fiyero asked. "Quite impressive by the way. Perhaps you should have cast a similar spell on your toes before trying this though."
Elphaba growled but made no reply as Sarima picked up the vase and carried it to the window. She held the vase out in one hand and then let it drop from the second story window. At the sound of the bouncing vase, she laughed. "Brilliant! I need that spell cast over my parents home. My younger brother is all feet and can barely walk through a room without breaking a valuable of some sort."
Fiyero just rolled his eyes and turned back to Elphaba. "What else have you been up to?"
"Well, this is about as far as I've gotten really. I also have a location spell, a blinding spell, and a spell for paralysis. I don't suppose you want to volunteer for any of those do you?"
"I have an idea," Sarima called. "Fiyero, we can paralyze you and blind you and then I'll hide you somewhere in the house and see if Elphaba an locate you. And just in case you're nervous, she can cast the protection spell on you as well."
Fiyero did not seem to find her suggestion funny as Sarima did and simply scowled at her. "How about a silencing spell, do you have one of those? Or how about a vanishing spell?" He growled.
"Oz, you two are impossible." Elphaba mumbled before sitting down in front of her spells again.
"Elphaba?" Sarima asked tentatively. "Do you think I could stay and help?"
Elphaba looked up at the woman and then saw Fiyero nodding furiously in the background. "Please," he called. "I need just a moments peace from my shadow!"
Sarima's face clouded then and she frowned. Elphaba eyed her again. "Of course you can. It helps me to be able to talk things through, perhaps you can make sense of the jumbled ramblings in my mind."
Sarima looked up and met Elphaba's gaze. She finally smiled and sat down across from her at the table. "Thank you. I do want to make myself useful."
Elphaba smiled at her and then cast a dirty look at Fiyero as he made his way to the door. "Fiyero," she called. "Since Sarima and I are busy, you wouldn't mind doing our share of the chores today would you?"
Fiyero stopped and looked back at the two. "Well, I would love to help but I'm heading out across town shortly to pick up some supplies."
Elphaba tilted her head to the side and lifted the paper she had written the spells on giving it a little wave. "I think Quincy can handle the supply run. Wouldn't want to suddenly lose your sight and walk in front of fireman's wagon now would we?"
Fiyero gulped and finally nodded. "Fine. I'll just go get started on the cleaning then."
As he darted out of the room Sarima laughed. "You certainly have a way with him. I can't even get him to look at me."
"Are you in love with him?" Elphaba asked softly.
Sarima startled and glanced up at Elphaba. She saw her kind gaze and immediately softened. "I don't know. We were supposed to have been married years ago. At first I must admit I did not take kindly to the idea of someone picking my spouse for me. And he was such an annoying little boy!" She chuckled at the memory and seemed to be looking far off into the distance. "But then, we got a little older and I remember the day he left for Shiz. He was one of the first to actually get away from the Vinkus and go to University. I just knew he was going to be a great man. And I felt proud that I would someday be his wife. And then, I started hearing from him less and less until months passed and I heard nothing at all."
Elphaba was fiddling with the pen in her hands and looking guiltily at the paper in front of her. "How do you feel about him now?"
Sarima was silent for a moment and Elphaba wasn't sure she had heard the question. Finally, she looked back to Elphaba. "I'm still very proud of him. He's doing great things. The Resistance is a worthy cause and I'm happy to be a part of it. I know he's far from perfect and I know he hasn't even been completely faithful."
Elphaba blushed and averted her gaze yet again. Sarima just smiled.
"Elphaba, relax. He talks so much of you, I know how he must feel for you. But I don't get the sense that you feel the same for him."
Elphaba cleared her throat, still blushing. "I don't. I mean…I do care for him…just not the same way. I think I did for a time think I was in love with him. But I don't know if he still…that is…it's been a while. Oh Oz. What happened between us was a long time ago."
"It's alright Elphaba. I'm not upset. I would like to start over with him though. Perhaps stowing away on the train and then running it down like a bandit wasn't the best way to handle the situation."
Elphaba laughed. "Perhaps not. But I can promise you this; you certainly got his attention that day. Give him time. He's not so bad usually. The stress of becoming the leader of the Resistance has left him punchy. He'll soften up. And then he'll drive you crazy with worrying about you."
Sarima smiled. "That might not be such a bad thing, to be worried over. Well, what of these spells? What else have you come up with?"
"Well," Elphaba said, her attention drawn back to the paper in front of her, "I had a thought. If I used the location spell to find any Animals still hiding in the City, I could cast the protection spell over it. But then, I don't know anything about actually layering spells that way or if it could even work. In theory it should. But what if by casting the location spell on the Animals, someone else could find them? What if it makes them obvious in some way?"
Sarima nodded. "Well, don't you all know where most of the Animals are hiding anyway? So do you even need the location spell? Couldn't you just cast the protection spell over all the Animals in the City?"
"I don't know. And what if like with the vase, the Animals would have to be in my presence to perform either spell?" Elphaba sighed.
"There's a picture hanging in the main foyer downstairs. Try casting the spell on it just thinking of it and then we can go try to smash it."
Elphaba smiled and nodded. She muttered the spell, concentrating on the picture instead of actually holding the vase as she had done previously. The two then walked to the foyer to have a look at the picture. When they arrived, instead of the picture hanging, they found in its place what appeared to be a locked safe in the wall.
"The spell protected the painting by locking it away in a wall safe. That's interesting. This is clearly going to require some extra thought. We're working to keep the Animals out of cages, not creating new cages to keep them safe." Elphaba groaned.
Sarima placed a hand on her shoulder. "It was just your first try with the spell Elphaba. But it technically worked. There doesn't even appear to be a way to open the safe so the painting is pretty well protected. I just hope it wasn't one of Lady Glinda's favorites."
"Oh Oz, she'll have my green hide."
xxxx
Elphaba and Fiyero found themselves alone together later that afternoon.
"Did you get all of your chores finished?" She teased.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Who knew cleaning was such hard work. Some stains in the kitchen just did not want to come clean."
"Serves you right." Elphaba replied. "Why are you so hateful to Sarima? It's clear she wants to help the Resistance. Can't you give her the benefit of the doubt for that reason?"
Fiyero sighed. "I don't mean to be hateful. I just…she's just another person for me to be responsible for and worry about. And I'm just not sure I'm ready to be her husband."
"Could you at least talk to her? She really isn't all that bad if you would just give her a chance. Who knows, you both might be surprised at what could come of it. But all I'm asking is that you at least try to get along with her. Show a little kindness. She did leave her family to be here."
"You're right. You're right, I'm sorry. I'll talk to her."
"Good. Oh, by the way," Elphaba said, suddenly changing subjects. "Glinda was able to find out from Captain Chuffrey who informed on Mason and Susie. Some fellow named Roxly. Do you know him?"
"Roxly, I think I do. He lives close to them. Perhaps I should go have a chat with him."
"Perhaps we should go." Elphaba corrected.
Fiyero smiled and nodded. "We'll go tonight, just after dark."
xxxx
Glinda did spend much of the day sleeping and relaxing. Later in the afternoon, Sally, her young maidservant slipped into the room after a soft knock.
"Hello Miss. I've just come to check on you. Are you alright?"
Glinda smiled at the girl and put the paper she was reading back on the table in front of her. "That's very sweet of you. I'm fine, thank you."
Sally approached timidly. "Were you very scared Miss? I would have been just terrified. We're all so thankful to Captain Chuffrey. He can be a bit hateful sometimes, especially when we house staff try to clean up around his desk, but he saved your life. That makes him pretty wonderful in my opinion."
Glinda smiled again. "You're very sweet Sally. Wait…did you say Sir Chuffrey doesn't like even the house keeping to touch his desk?"
"Oh, yes Miss." Sally said with a nod. "He about skinned Marian alive when all she did was stack the papers up a little neater. He said those papers were his own private matters and not to be bothered. Oh, he felt badly later and apologized. But he gave her an awful fright when she was just trying to tidy up."
"I'm sure she was." Glinda said absentmindedly. "Well, Sally, thank you for checking on me. Unfortunately I do still have some work to do on this speech for next week."
"Oh yes, of course. I'll just be on my way. I'll come around later with the dinner menu." Sally curtsied and rushed for the door.
"Thank you dear, that would be fine." Glinda replied after her. As the door closed, Glinda rose to her feet and strode toward the closet. "It was quite rude of me not to thank Captain Chuffrey for saving my life. Perhaps he's in his quarters. And perhaps I can get a look at those papers he's so secretive about."
Glinda dressed in a simple dress and didn't bother with much makeup. She contemplated making more of an effort but wearily thought better of it. "I did just narrowly escape death yesterday. Surely I'll be excused for not wearing makeup."
She made her way toward Chuffrey's room and softly knocked on his door. She heard a shuffling from inside and tried to push down her nervousness. He opened the door and smiled in surprise at seeing her there. "Glinda! My dear, how are you? Is everything all right? Is anything the matter?" He asked, swinging the door open wider.
Glinda glanced further into the room and saw another, older soldier standing by a desk. It appeared she had interrupted a meeting of some sort. "Oh, yes, I'm quite well. Thanks to you. In all the excitement yesterday, I forgot to thank you. I was a bit overwhelmed and I'm quite embarrassed I didn't say so sooner. You're a regular knight in shining armor Sir Chuffrey."
Chuffrey's smile widened. "Well, I'm certainly happy to be of service. Won't you come in?" He stepped to the side to allow her to enter. "This is Sergeant Leopold, he's one of my top advisors in the Gale Force. Leopold, you of course know our Lady Glinda."
Leopold bowed at the waist and Glinda curtsied. "It's a pleasure Miss. May I say we are all very relieved to hear you're well."
"Thank you," Glinda replied with her best 'Glinda' smile. "That's very kind of you. But I didn't want to interrupt. I'll just be on my way."
"No!" Chuffrey said, reaching for her hand. "Please, stay. We'll only be a few more minutes. Why don't you have a seat on the balcony while we finish up and then I'll be right with you."
Glinda nodded and walked toward the balcony door where a marble bench was waiting. She glanced at the desk riddled with paper as she passed.
xxxx
Just after dark, Elphaba and Fiyero slipped through the shadows on their way to Roxly's home. Elphaba cringed slightly as they passed Mason and Susie's door. She tried not to notice the dark stains on the doorway and walkway up to the door.
They stepped to Roxly's door and knocked soundly. The door opened a crack and one lone bloodshot eye peered out at them. The eye widened at the sight of the two and quickly moved to slam the door. Fiyero however, was too quick and swiftly kicked the door, shoving the man aside.
"Roxly?" Fiyero asked with a growl.
The man nodded and scooted deeper into the room. When Elphaba stepped in and removed her hood, Roxly began to visibly tremble.
"You're her! You're the witch!" he cried.
"Witch?" Elphaba smirked. "What will they come up with next? Just because of my…odd skin tone and the fact that I can perform a few simple magic tricks they think I'm some sort of witch. Well, Roxly, perhaps I am. Perhaps I'll turn you into a toad if you don't cooperate with us and tell exactly what we want to know."
As she spoke, Elphaba had stepped closer to the man until she was looming over him. Fiyero approached then and reached down to grab the man by the collar and hefted him to his feet. He shoved Roxly toward a chair. "Sit down. You're going to behave yourself aren't you? I can't promise to be able to hold her off of you if you don't."
Roxly nodded furiously. "I'll tell you whatever you want to know. Please!"
"Is that the same thing you said to the Gale Force when they questioned you about Mason and Susie Beasley?" Elphaba growled, drawing closer behind the man. She was almost trembling with rage and was almost afraid of what she would do to this man if he did not answer correctly. "Do you remember what I'm talking about?"
Roxly nodded. "Of course. One doesn't forget a visit with the Gale Force." He glanced down at his fingers then and curled them into fists and placed them in his lap.
"What did you tell them about Mason and Susie?" Fiyero asked leaning over the table toward the man. "And why?"
Roxly grimaced. "They came here, that new Captain leading them. They started questioning me, asking what I knew of the Resistance. I told them I didn't know anything but they wouldn't believe me."
"So you ratted out our friends." Elphaba snarled. "They had two children who have been left as orphans!"
"I'm sorry Miss!" Roxly cried. "I just told them what I saw and told them to ask Mason about the Resistance. I swear I never said they were involved. Just said to talk to them!"
"What exactly did you tell them you saw?" Fiyero asked. He glanced at Elphaba and noticed that the muscles in her jaw were clenching and unclenching and her body was taught as if ready to strike.
"I told them about seeing a barrel being taken inside and then reloaded onto a wagon. That's all, I swear!" Roxly cried.
Fiyero cringed. Puck. "What else did you tell them? What else have you seen?"
Roxly straightened slightly then. "I see all kinds of things Mister. And that new Captain is paying good money for information like the kind I've seen."
"He paid you? And you took his money?" Elphaba railed. "Our friends lost their lives to supply you with a few coins?"
Elphaba was furious and before Fiyero could stop her, she held a hand out toward Roxly's face and chanted a short phrase. Roxly's eyes widened and he suddenly flailed his arms about and looked franticly from side to side.
"My eyes!" he screamed. "My eyes, I can't see! What have you done to me?"
Elphaba's lips formed a tight line. "You won't be seeing anything else to report and cause harm to our friends, that is certain."
"Elphaba!" Fiyero yelled. "What's happened? What have you done?"
"She's a witch!" Roxly had fallen from his chair and was crawling along the floor, still crying out. "She's blinded me, the witch! Help!"
Elphaba dropped her hand and straightened her back. Her eyes narrowed on Fiyero who was standing in shock. "Maybe I am a witch. They've got a Wizard, perhaps the Resistance needs a witch." She muttered before turning and heading for the door. She was already out in the street pulling her hood up before Fiyero gathered his senses and followed her out.
