Chapter Twelve
In their brief conversations about the matter, Nessa, Elphaba and Fiyero were all in agreement that they weren't sure how Frex would react to come home and find a note, telling him his daughters would be well on their way to the Vinkus as he was reading it. Nessa was worried he'd be angry, Fiyero hoped he would, and Elphaba sincerely doubted he'd care at all- about her absence anyway, and consider the 'problem' solved. In a rare occasion, Elphaba was dead wrong.
They had been at Kiamo Ko for two days now, and Elphaba was feeling healthy, loved and accepted, a rare thing for her. Not wanting to stay in bed, but not allowed to move too much, she spent most of her time in the library, resting and talking, before going to bed at night. She and Ibrahim had long discussions over books and political issues, and Kasmira talked to her about everything else. At the suggestion of Kasmira and the begging of Galinda, they'd even begun planning the wedding, although nothing important. Fiyero was keen to marry before the baby was born, whereas Elphaba thought it would be best to wait until after.
It was afternoon, and Fiyero and Elphaba were discussing baby names with their friends, as Kasmira and Ibrahim listened in with soft smiles. They both approved of Elphaba, she was smart, dignified and mature and clearly had a good influence over their son. And they were both excitedly awaiting the birth of their grandchild.
"I want to give it a name that means something," Elphaba said thoughtfully, rejecting the millionth name Galinda had suggested because it "sounded pretty."
"Does that make sense?"
Fiyero nodded reassuringly as she looked at him. She was sitting up on a loveseat her legs stretched out on Fiyero's lap, who was gently massaging her swollen feet. Boq was sitting in an armchair next to Nessa's chair, whilst Galinda sat on the ground before Elphaba's stomach, gently prodding the child within.
"Galinda, will you stop that? You know it pokes back," Elphaba exclaimed in exasperation, rubbing her stomach as the baby gave a particularly hard kick in response to Galinda's touch.
"I know it does! I want my godchild to know me when it comes out," Galinda explained. "Look, we're having fun already!"
"Well, I'm not, so quit it," Elphaba scowled at her friend, who supressed a smile.
They all jumped as a door slammed nearby and they heard the sound of raised voices.
"What in the name of Oz?" Kasmira wondered aloud to her husband, then a maid hurried in the room, looking terrified.
"Pardon me, Your Majesties. Governor Thropp of Munchkinland is requesting to see Prince Fiyero."
Nessa's eyes widened and she turned to her sister, who paled.
"Oh, Oz no!"
Fiyero gently removed Elphaba's feet from his lap and stood up, but she grabbed his hand, terrified her father would make her go back to Munchkinland and carry out his plan.
"Yero-"
"Fae, everything is going to be fine," he stopped her firmly. He kissed her gently, one hand brushing against her bump and then he turned to the maid.
"Where is he?"
"In the foyer, your Highness," the maid curtseyed and Fiyero followed her out of the room.
"Elphaba, what are you doing?" Boq asked in concern, seeing his friend struggling to get up and going to help her.
"I'm going too," she announced.
"Elphie," Galinda began but Elphaba stopped her.
"Don't stop me, Glin," she warned.
"I'll come too," Nessa added, holding her head up high in support of her sister.
"Come along then," Ibrahim said appearing at Elphaba's side to escort her.
The group made their way to the foyer, where they could hear Frex shouting at Fiyero before they actually saw anything.
"How dare you? Winkie prince or none, you will be lucky if I don't have you arrested for kidnapping!"
Fiyero's voice was cold but calm. "Kidnapping? Allow me to assure you, both your daughters came here willingly. I invited Nessa and she accepted, and there was no way I was leaving Elphaba with you. Although," he said as the group entered the room.
"Whilst we're on the subject of arresting and being charged for crimes, why don't I ask you about keeping Elphaba locked away for four and a half months, attempting to give away her child, my child, against her will; or withholding from the Vinkun royal family the news that there is to be a new heir to the throne?"
Frex flushed angrily. "I did what I had to do to protect my family's reputation," he hissed. "The scandal of this bastard child would ruin us!"
"My child is not a bastard!" Elphaba spoke up angrily from the doorway.
She was tired and hormonal and worried, but standing here surrounded by her friends and Fiyero's family, she had never felt stronger. The anger and hurt that had been building in her for four and a half months, being supressed by isolation, depression and pain, was finally unleashed, given her the courage to defy her father and not back down.
Frex turned and saw her standing there, and Elphaba met his gaze defiantly. Frex seemed oblivious to the others standing behind her as he strode forward.
"Elphaba, I told you that you were not to leave the house! What if someone had seen you? Then all our efforts and sacrifices would have been for nothing!"
Elphaba's eyes widened. "Our sacrifices? I'm sorry Father, what exactly are the sacrifices you've made? I'm the one who was forced to give up my education, my friends, my baby. What exactly have you had to give up?"
Frex opened his mouth furiously, then he saw Nessa beside her.
"Nessa! I was worried about you," he said with relief and she frowned.
"What about Elphaba? Weren't you worried about her?"
Frex hesitated. "Your sister is more than capable of taking care of herself."
"Not in this condition, she isn't," Kasmira stepped forward, putting an arm around Elphaba's shoulders.
Fiyero spoke to Frex, who turned to face him. "Governor Thropp, I love your daughter. I'm going to marry her, and I would have married her four months ago if you'd given me the chance."
Frex raised an eyebrow at Kasmira and Ibrahim. "Really? You're going to allow them to marry?"
"Why wouldn't we?" Ibrahim asked, his voice dangerously quiet. Fiyero knew that tone well and braced himself, but Frex didn't.
"She's green, for Oz sake!"
Elphaba visibly flinched and Galinda silently grabbed her hand, a sign of comfort.
"She's disgraced both our families, and I won't allow Nessa's reputation to be jeopardised because of her whore of a sister!"
Galinda gasped and Nessa looked mortified as Frex turned to Elphaba, grabbing her arm roughly.
"You are coming with me back home, Elphaba and we will continue as planned. Hopefully your foolishness hasn't cost us anything."
Fiyero stepped forward, his face dark with anger. "Over my dead body," he snarled and Elphaba wrenched her arm out of her father's grasp.
"I'm staying here, Father," she said, stepping back to where Galinda stood with Nessa.
"Need I remind you, Governor," Ibrahim said icily. "That the child Elphaba carries is our grandchild and as Fiyero said, the heir to the Vinkun throne. Elphaba is going to be a part of our family, and we are proud to have her as our future daughter-in-law."
Elphaba blushed slightly and Frex didn't look happy at how things were going.
"Nessa? You're coming home with me," he addressed his youngest and favourite daughter but she hesitated.
"Father I want to stay. My friends are here, Elphaba is here… we've been invited to stay for Lurlinemas and then we'll return to Shiz."
"Nessarose, you are coming home," Frex insisted firmly and she took a deep breath.
"I will if you answer me a question honestly."
Frex paused for a moment. "Very well, Nessa," he nodded and she met his gaze. There was only one thing she still doubted, wanting to think the best of her father, but she had to know the truth.
"What about the milk flowers?" she asked and Frex was stunned.
Elphaba looked at her sister in confusion. "Milk flowers? No, Nessa- they gave them to me, but I said I wouldn't take them. The only thing I've had is-"
As realisation dawned, she whirled around to face her father, feeling sick to her stomach.
"No. No, no, no, no, no, no, no," she whimpered, her hands flying to her stomach. All the colour drained from her face, and her knees gave out as it became increasingly hard to catch her breath.
In a heartbeat, Fiyero was at her side and he caught her, helping her stay on her feet.
"How- how could you?" she choked out to her father, her thoughts whirling around a hundred miles a minute, wondering what she had done to her unborn child.
Frex's expression was all the answer Nessa needed and she reached out to grab her sister's hand.
"I'm staying with Elphaba, Father."
Elphaba was still unable to breathe, and Fiyero cupped her face reassuringly, making her meet his gaze.
"Hey, hey, hey. Fae, look at me," he said softly. "You're going to be okay. You and the baby, I promise."
"You don't know that," she whispered. "My Mother… Nessa…"
"I do know," he insisted. "You're both going to be fine."
As he wiped a tear away from her eye, Ibrahim turned to Frex.
"There is a lot to talk about, regarding the baby and this new situation. I think it best you stay here for a while so we can make any arrangements."
Frex agreed, unwilling to offend the Vinkun King, although he was reluctant.
"Fiyero, why don't you take Elphaba upstairs? Let her rest for a while," Kasmira suggested and Fiyero nodded.
They'd only gone a couple of steps when Elphaba turned to her father, her eyes as broken as they'd been when Fiyero had first arrived at Munchkinland.
"There's no guarantee they work," she said. When she'd been old enough to understand what had caused her mother's death, Elphaba had researched the milk flowers, and read that there was no guarantee they were what had prevented Nessa from being as green as her sister.
"What would you have done if the baby was like me?"
The room stilled, for everyone but Elphaba knew the answer to that question, and Fiyero silently prayed her father would have enough compassion to lie to her.
But Frex met Elphaba's gaze unashamedly. "I would have drowned it as your mother should have done with you," he replied and Elphaba only nodded faintly, before collapsing in Fiyero's arms in a dead faint.
