Chapter 12
The Undead Forest
"We aren't safe here," Galinda tells Elphaba, voice low, barely a whisper. She scans the open field, searching for signs of movement. When she's convinced they're alone, she turns back to Elphaba. The green girl's eyes are wide, nervous, and yet surprisingly determined. "Follow me," Galinda says, taking Elphaba by the wrist and pulling her gently toward the tree line near the far end of the snow-dusted meadow.
"Did you see something?" Elphaba whispers once they are a few yards into the dense forest.
Galinda nods, and then gives pause. She shakes her head before letting out a frustrated groan and leaning her weight against a tree. "It's Morrible. Have I mentioned her?" Galinda asks. She doesn't wait for Elphaba's reply as she launches into the details. "She's headmistress of Kellswater. Very adept with magic, specifically weather enchantments. She must know where we're heading and this," she motions to the sky,"is her plan to stop us."
Elphaba's brow crinkles, troubled. "How could she have found us?"
"She hasn't found us per say," Galinda corrects. "She just knows where to focus her attack."
"Then why are we hiding?" Elphaba asks.
"We're not hiding so much as staying warm," Galinda explains. "In the open, the air is cooler; at least here we have the trees to protect us from the wind. Morrible is going to try and freeze us out. Oz, I should have realized this long ago! Kellswater is just south of the Cloister, of course she would have figured out our route and run ahead!" she exclaims, kicking the dead stump beside her. A cold gust of wind seeps through the trees, the temperature dropping ever further. Galinda hugs her arms over her chest, clenching her teeth to keep them from chattering.
She looks up at Elphaba, "This was her favorite thing to do. Force us to endure blizzards." And in her best impersonation of Morrible adds, "If the Unmentionables don't kill you first the cold surely will!"
Elphaba nods, understanding, hoping her expression of acceptance masks the anxiety growing just under her skin. She's sure when Galinda had to endure the blizzards she was prepared. Between them now they have one blanket, barely big enough for one let alone two and no thicker than the material of their airy blouses. Elphaba feels fine now, the cold barely nipping at her nose. But Galinda is starting to feel the chill, her cheeks flushed, and the tips of her ears tinged pink. Elphaba steps closer to the blonde, pulling her scarf out from her bag and handing it to Galinda.
"No, Elphie," Galinda shakes her head, giving Elphaba a gentle, albeit apologetic smile. "You keep it, I'll be all right."
"Please," Elphaba insists, draping the fabric around Galinda's neck loosely. "I know it's not much but I promise I feel fine. We wouldn't want your cute ears to freeze off now would we?"
A rush of heat blooms over Galinda's cheeks. She thinks if Elphaba were to keep saying such things then maybe she would be able to survive the coming cold without her trusted Kellswater coat. She gives Elphaba another smile, this time wider, more grateful as she adjusts the scarf around her head, ears now protected from the biting wind.
"How long can she keep this up?" Elphaba asks, looking up to the sky where a light snow has started to fall.
Galinda looks up as well, worried. "At most? A few days."
"How cold will it get?"
"If we're lucky, just freezing."
They walk for what feels like hours, the air growing ever colder. The trees start to thin as they near the Vinkus River. Galinda keeps them to the forest, too afraid to walk along the banks. She knows Morrible isn't here, knows the woman is safe far away from her enchantment. But that doesn't mean she hasn't sent a contingent of soldiers into her storm. Galinda knows they might as well paint targets over their backs if they were to walk near the river.
And besides, she also knows the wind is ripping down the river basin; it's a natural tunnel for all that cool air to sink into. As they walk they can see bits of the running water through the trees. It's not until Galinda sees the edges of the shallows beginning to ice that she finally stops. By now the air is so cold that she needs to rewrap the scarf tightly around her face to keep her lungs from stinging as she breathes in the frigid air. She shoves her recently gloved hands – again thanks to Elphaba – deep into the pockets of her trousers, shivering.
"We n-need to get out of th-this," Galinda says between chattering teeth. Her lips feel chapped but when she tries to rewet them with her tongue she finds her mouth dry as well. "F-fast."
She looks over to Elphaba, surprised to find the green woman not at all looking affected by the weather. She doesn't want to think about why Elphaba seems to be immune to the temperature. She's sure it'll just add another reason to her ever growing list of things to kill her father for.
"Ar-are you… a-all-all right, El-Elphie?" she barely manages to ask.
Elphaba grows more concerned with every sentence Galinda utters. The blonde is freezing yet she knows the soldier will be the last to admit it. The air feels a little chilled to Elphaba, but nothing too uncomfortable. Unfortunately, she is used to having to endure cold like this… she never wants to go back to her attic, back to Frexspar. Elphaba clears her head of those thoughts, knowing Galinda has given her a far better option. She gives the blonde a small smile. "I'm fine, but you need this," she says slipping the survival pack from over her shoulders. She digs out their blanket, giving the fabric a shake before trying to put it over a protesting Galinda's shoulders.
"N-no!" Galinda ducks away from Elphaba's arms. "Y-you n-n-nee-need i-it mo-mo-more!" Sweet Oz, why am I so cold? This is nothing yet! Barely a storm! She's had training for this! She can handle this! What she can't handle is thought of Elphaba freezing. Not if she can do something to help it.
Elphaba stops trying to lay the blanket over Galinda. Instead she stands in the falling snow, waiting for the blonde to realize she's being ridiculous. The last thing Elphaba wants to happen is for Galinda to suffer cold convulsions. They're dangerous and if she doesn't heat up Galinda's core temperature the blonde very well may loose a limb… or worse yet, freeze to death. She approaches Galinda, calm, voice laced with reason as she tells her, "You're shaking beyond belief, Galinda. Your skin is all blotchy and red, you're freezing. Please. Take this." She holds the blanket out again.
Galinda shakes her head, jumping around, willing for her toes frozen inside her boots to gain feeling again. She wants to tell Elphaba she's fine but she can't seem to will her mouth to open.
Elphaba takes a tentative step closer, blanket still held out in her arms. Galinda wants nothing more than to bundle herself into the fabric and steal as much warmth as she can from the material. But then Elphaba would be left with nothing, and Galinda refuses for that to happen. She shakes her head again. Elphaba moves closer still, now barely a foot away from the blonde.
Galinda swears she feels the temperature rise the closer Elphaba gets. She stops jumping when she feels the warmth from Elphaba wash over her exposed, frostbitten skin. Galinda can't help the whimper that escapes her throat next. Or the way her shoulders hunch as Elphaba finally wraps the blanket gently around her trembling body. She looks up at Elphaba, at the way the snow seems to melt into her dark hair, at the way it rolls down her high cheeks. It is as if she's not at all bothered by it.
"H-how is it y-you l-look so-so-so w-warm?" Galinda stutters, moving closer to Elphaba until their arms brush and she stops herself. Her body seems to want to melt against the green girl's, into the heat pouring off Elphaba's body. Elphaba tenses at Galinda's closeness, hesitantly raising an arm around the shorter woman. Galinda lets out a hum, eyes closing as the cold all but disappears and she finally lets herself lean against the green girl. She feels warm, so very warm, pressed against Elphaba.
Elphaba tries to control her breathing once Galinda's body is fully supported against her side. Her breath hitches as she feels the blonde's cold gloved fingers sliding across her blouse, clutching the fabric just over her stomach. She vaguely remembers Galinda has asked her a question… what was it?
"Oz, you're so warm." Galinda sighs.
Elphaba feels a flutter in her belly, her eyes falling close. Warm, she thinks. Then she remembers what Galinda asked. She wets her lips before saying, "I don't know why I'm okay now but I felt warm last night too."
Galinda lets her eyes open languidly as Elphaba's words sink into her head. Her focus sharpens as she recalls how she found Elphaba in the field "You were covered in snow this morning! As if it was some Oz damn blanket to you!"
It is odd, Elphaba agrees. She felt almost peaceful last night as she settled into the snow. It calmed her, lulled her into a dreamless sleep. A trance, she thinks, it's what she imagines it must feel like to be… under a spell. She gasps. Of course it lulled her to sleep! Everything begins fitting together like a puzzle right before her eyes. Last night, Morrible… why she feels not a bite of the cold surrounding them now. "Magic, Galinda," Elphaba tells her hurriedly. "You said this is all an enchantment. The snow may feel real but it's made of magic! Come here," she wraps her arms fully around Galinda, hugging the blonde to her chest. Galinda feels her stomach twist, her heart pounds madly against her ribs. "Is this ok? I apologize if I'm making you uncomfortable."
"No!" Galinda says quickly, relaxing further, her head resting atop Elphaba's small breasts. "No, this is okay. I'm good… very good."
Elphaba smiles, hoping Galinda can't hear how fast her own heart is beating. "I think my body is trying to protect itself from Morrible. You know, like the other times my magic has acted out."
"I like this version of it much better," Galinda says, hiding her flushed cheeks against Elphaba's blouse.
She feels Elphaba chuckle, the rumble warming her even further. "I can see that," Elphaba says.
Galinda picks her head up from Elphaba's chest, staring up at the green woman with an eyebrow quirked. "My Oz, was that a joke? Now of all times, seriously?"
Elphaba blushes, smile pulling at her lips. "I admit, you have rubbed off on me."
Galinda's other brow shoots up to join its counterpart. "Two in a row?" she smirks. "I am very proud, Elphie. There is hope for you yet."
"Thank my tutor, she has quite the mouth on her," Elphaba says with a light laugh.
Another gust of frigid air blows by, this time stronger. The branches to the trees above whip under the pressure, snapping loudly. The laughter all but disappears, replaced with the immediacy of their situation once more. The snow falls harder. Giant cascades tumble down from the tree canopy above. Galinda clings to Elphaba tighter, both girls huddling together against the onslaught of ice. Elphaba feels a rush of energy roll through her body, her muscles contracting against the surge of magic. Her teeth grind down, eyes slam shut, and arms hold Galinda firm as the power tears through her flesh and bone.
The snow doesn't touch them.
And in the wake of Elphaba's power her skin is left hot to the touch, small tendrils of steam rising from her pores drift away on the frigid wind. Her body though feels drained… exhausted beyond belief. Elphaba wants to sit down, winded all of the sudden. Galinda holds her upright as she grows slack in the blonde's arms.
"Maybe we should… stop and try to… wait Morrible out?" Elphaba says between slow breaths. A fire would be wonderful, she thinks. Galinda needs a fire. "We could… make camp?"
"Not here," Galinda shakes her head, sensing Elphaba's fatigue but knowing they cannot stay. Not here, they're too close to the river; they're easy targets for Morrible's soldiers and Oz forbid if any Undead were to stumble along. She holds tighter to the woman as the wind picks up speed. "We need to find someplace safer! Let's keep moving and try to get to the edge of this." She looks back up to Elphaba, eyes full of compassion. "I know you want to rest, Elphie, but we have to keep going. Morrible's never gone this mad with power; she can't have stretched her storm too far!"
By late afternoon the storm has only worsened. Galinda's only solace is that it's finally stopped snowing. But she also realizes it is at a price. It's simply too cold for snow. They've come across countless squirrels, rabbits, and birds, all frozen upon the forest floor. Large snow banks push against the outlying forest trees, creating a colossal wall of ice, protecting the girls from the wind they can hear howling through the meadow beyond. Elphaba stays close to Galinda, as much supported by the blonde as she supports her. Her legs have been reduced to nothing but mush, barely able to scrape along through the knee-deep snow.
She hates to think what Galinda's legs must feel like. They've taken plenty of breaks over the day, keeping their pace so grueling and slow that she doubts they'll be reaching the edge of Morrible's enchantment anytime soon. Every time they stop Galinda hugs her close, willing as much warmth into her bones as she possibly can. Elphaba would carry Galinda if she had to; the blonde always feels so small in her arms.
She can hold her.
She can keep her warm.
Safe.
They stay huddled close together as they make their way painstakingly through the deep ice. The cold is unrelenting. Galinda doesn't remember what having fingers and toes feels like. She regrets ever deciding to continue onward. Stupid, stupid, stupid, Galinda repeats to herself. She's led them further into Morrible's madness… no closer to the end. Galinda hates that Elphaba trusted her and now she's basically led them straight to their deaths. All she can see ahead is the wall of ice towering along the forest edge. The trees buckle under its weight, creaking and groaning loudly in protest.
She feels like the ice wall, like she is causing Elphaba to crumble a little more with every step they take forward.
"El-Elphie," Galinda calls to her weakly, trying to wrap her numb fingers around Elphaba's wrist. All she manages to do is touch her hand to Elphaba's hip. She doesn't even feel the contact. Elphaba looks down to Galinda, eyes barely focused. "Ca—c-camp… here…"
Elphaba nods, finally letting her legs give out under her weight. She falls to her knees in the snow, the ice melting against the heat of her skin as she sinks into the cold slush. Galinda drops to her knees as well, using the last of her strength to push the snow from around them both with her bow. She can hear the wood of the weapon cracking, the pressure of the cold obviously compromising its strength. She puts it down, too afraid of breaking their only long range weapon.
"Here," Elphaba offers, having realized the same as well. She uses her feet to push the snow away, enough room now along the barren forest floor to accommodate them and a small fire. Galinda stays close to Elphaba, already freezing from being away from the green girl's heated side for less than a clock tick. Elphaba scrounges up a meager pile of sticks uncovered from the snow, as well as a few more lying around the rim to their small den. She's not sure they will light, frozen as they are.
Galinda reaches into their survival pack, willing her fingers to extract the box of matches. She growls, frustrated with her lack of dexterity. The sun has begun to lower in the sky, the temperature dropping further. Elphaba leans over, exhausted and breathing hard as she takes the matches from the bag for Galinda.
After what feels like an eternity Elphaba manages to get a small flame to spring to life, its heat barely penetrating the thick cold. There are no matches left.
Galinda thinks if they get any closer to the flames they'll both be lit ablaze.
Instead she snuggles further against Elphaba, wrapping herself tightly around the girl's heated body. Their legs tangle, Galinda letting her calves rest between Elphaba's. And then she settles herself along Elphaba's torso, reclining the green girl against the wall of their ice den as she does. She's too cold to even care that she shouldn't be doing this with Elphaba; she needs to cuddle. It's quite literally a life or death situation.
And it's also very nice, she thinks as her mind grows numb, sleep soon to overtake her.
Elphaba cares though. Elphaba cares so much she's afraid her heart will burst from the emotions storming inside her. She dares to brush some frost-dusted hair from Galinda's clammy forehead, tucking the strands back beneath the scarf. Galinda lets out a small moan at the touch, rubbing her cheek deeper into Elphaba's blouse along her collarbone. Elphaba lets herself relax only once she realizes Galinda has fallen asleep, tucked impossibly close around her. There is not one inch of space between them, not at any point.
It makes Elphaba flush from head to toe.
She pulls the blanket further up Galinda's body, careful to keep them both wrapped in the fabric. It doesn't do much, but Elphaba hopes it keeps some of her body heat in. She hopes that come morning Morrible has given up.
And if not, maybe they'll finally reach the end of the storm.
She knows they're somewhere north along the Vinkus River.
They must be getting close to Kiamo Ko…
As she watches the meager flames flicker near their feet she can't help but wonder what will happen when they finally reach Fiyero. She hopes Galinda is strong enough to call off her marriage. Her side throbs as she thinks of Galinda, unhappy with Fiyero. She sighs, relaxing further against the ice wall. Galinda moves with her, her breaths even and deep brush along Elphaba's neck. She feels a tingle wriggle down her spine at every puff. She swears it makes her feel warmer. She doesn't ever want to move. She wants to be beside Galinda, like this, always. But all it takes is one look down to where Elphaba's green skin meets Galinda's pale cheek above her blouse collar for her to think otherwise.
Green does not go with perfection.
So she holds Galinda closer, willing the magic inside her to keep the girl she's come to love warm. Because Galinda deserves to live. She deserves to find a woman worthy of her affections because they are so rare and so very precious. Arria could have been that girl, and maybe she still is, Elphaba thinks. Why else would Galinda still have the name at the forefront of her mind? The other girl must be beautiful, strong… someone unlike her. At the very least she's of normal complexion. And obviously far more… experienced.
Elphaba's stomach churns uncomfortably when she thinks about that night they spent in the Scrow. Galinda slept with someone and worse yet, unabashedly let her know. How could the blonde be so uninhibited? Was it the alcohol, or was more swirling in her mind at the time? Did she want the woman? She obviously cares not for her fiancé since she went through with it. So who was she? What kind of woman did she allow to please her? Was she pleased? Argh! Elphaba closes her eyes to stop the unwanted thoughts.
But one slips through.
Does Galinda realize how much it hurt her, hurts her even now, just knowing she'd rather be intimate with a stranger? Elphaba can't imagine ever letting alone that close. Oz, she could barely contain her urge to flee when Galinda was redressing her wound.
She sighs.
Galinda would never have the patience to be with her. On top of being green, hideous, and weak I am also irrevocably inadequate s-sex-sexually. She groans at her mental stutter. She's blushing even now just thinking of the word. She hasn't the slightest clue how to pleasure herself let alone another. It was one thing to read about… but an entirely different thing to experience firsthand. She never dared. Not under the same roof as her father… not when she was always in so much pain.
She squirms, uncomfortable in her skin just thinking about it.
And now, of all times? Really Elphaba? When Galinda is ten degrees from convulsing in your arms and a horde of Undead could stumble toward your beacon of a fire at any second?
It's funny, she thinks, what the human mind will resort to escape from the dire reality the body breathes.
She's feels tired and rests her cheek atop Galinda's head. She will stay awake though. She will watch over the blonde tonight.
She will keep them safe from the harm surrounding them.
She will always keep Galinda warm.
The next morning Galinda wakes, and is, Elphaba notes, naturally upset with her. But Elphaba assures her all is well, that her magic kept her awake. Which is a lie but it seems to quell Galinda's rising temper. She does feel tired, but won't let it show. Not today when finally, finally the cold has started to dissipate.
It's still unbearable though. Even she's starting to feel the bite along her skin.
Galinda tries to stand, only to crash down to the ground a moment later. Elphaba hurries to help her to her feet. Galinda's legs wobble, almost as if underused.
"I c-can't… feel my feet," Galinda confesses, voice pained. She stares up at Elphaba through fearful eyes. Elphaba feels her heart skip. There was no way Galinda could have succumbed to cold convulsions. She was there! She kept her warm!
Galinda tries to step forward again and Elphaba catches her this time before she can stumble down.
"Here," Elphaba tells her softly, helping Galinda to lean her weight against a nearby tree. Elphaba takes the survival pack from her back, holding it out for Galinda to slip over her shoulders. Galinda seems confused but allows Elphaba to slip the straps through her arms. Then Elphaba squats to the ground, back turned to Galinda, and she smiles up at the blonde from over her shoulder. "I've seen the children in the streets give each other 'pony rides,' they called them. Hop on."
"Elphie," Galinda sighs, shaking her head and trying to keep the smile threatening to pull at her lips at bay. "I'm not going to… to ride on you. You're not an animal."
"Just for a little while," Elphaba promises. "Until you can feel your feet again. They'll feel much better up out of the snow."
Galinda admits that Elphaba has a very valid point. She squints down at Elphaba and asks, "Only for a little while? And if you feel tired you'll put me down right away. Okay?"
Elphaba nods, smile growing wide. "Agreed. Now hop on, this pony's skirt is getting all wet."
Galinda feels herself grinning, a chuckle escaping her throat as she rolls her eyes in good humor and leans down, wrapping her arms snuggly around Elphaba's shoulders. Elphaba throws the blanket up and over Galinda's body, asking Galinda to hold it around them both. Once secure Elphaba rises to her feet.
She always knew Galinda was light, and now, carrying the girl on her back, Elphaba can't believe just how light the woman is. She wonders if it's just her magic, or if the blonde really does weigh so little.
But those thoughts are quick to disappear when she feels Galinda resting her chin along the top of her shoulder.
"Thank you," Galinda whispers, squeezing Elphaba tightly for just a moment.
Elphaba nods. She is unable to form words; her body and mind are no longer working in tandem after Galinda's touch.
She focuses on the sounds of the forest instead of the way she feels with Galinda pressed behind her. There's not much to hear aside from the far off roar of the Vinkus River as it runs through the land. The ground below crunches with every step she takes. The snow is just barely starting to melt.
Soon the whole forest will thaw… soon Galinda will have feeling in her toes.
Elphaba readjusts Galinda on her back, and repositions her arms from under Galinda's knees. She can barely reach but she does manage to gently poke the ankle of one of the blonde's dangling legs.
"How are they doing?" Elphaba asks.
Galinda concentrates on wiggling a few toes inside her shoes. But feels nothing. She sighs, "Not yet. I'm sorry, Elphie. If you're tired we can stop. I must be weighing you down."
"Oh no," Elphaba tells her. "You barely weigh a thing."
"Have I told you yet, that you're a terrible liar?" Galinda says with a chuckle.
"I'm not lying," Elphaba replies truthfully. "Trust me, you really don't weigh all that much."
"I do," Galinda tells her softly. "Trust you, I mean."
"I know," Elphaba says just as quietly, small smile playing at her lips. She wants to tell her how she feels, what she thought about the night before… but she doesn't want to ruin this moment they have now. Oz, she never wants to ruin what they've found. She'd only complicate things further if she told her.
And it's not like she'd ever return the sentiments, Elphaba thinks with a sigh.
No, it's better she not say anything.
Galinda senses a change in Elphaba's mood. The green girl growing quiet all of the sudden, her head turned toward the ground. It worries Galinda. Did something happen last night? Did Elphaba have to protect them both? More than she already is…? Galinda hugs the green woman closer. She hopes what she lacks for in words is made up for in her action.
She notices a smile tug at the corner of the green lips.
Galinda feels more than satisfied with that reaction.
She looks up ahead, not at all surprised to find the forest suddenly thick in fog. The same would happen at Kellswater. The heat of the day was quickly trying to replace the cold of Morrible's waning weather. Naturally the fog was the result of both clashing. Galinda holds a hand out in front of them; the low-lying clouds swirl around her exposed fingers. The fog quickly encompasses all in sight.
"Sweet Oz, I can barely see my hand now!" Galinda exclaims in a quiet voice.
Elphaba stumbles into a short, stout tree, nearly knocking Galinda from off her back. The tree cracks though, snapping easily in two as the top portion falls down into the slush of rapidly melting snow below. Galinda swears she saw a flash of red on the tree before it hit the ground.
She taps Elphaba, motioning for the green woman to lower her to ground. She can vaguely feel her toes, but it's enough for now. Once standing, Galinda bends down to inspect the tree. The inside of the trunk is red, blood red, and frozen to its very core. She bends closer, never having seen such a tree before.
Aren't only Quoxwoods red? She thinks. They're nowhere near Quox!
"Galinda," Elphaba whispers, a chill rolling down her spine, not at all related to the departing cold. There is an odd feeling in her stomach. A pulsing clench that wraps about her gut. It screams at her to run, to get as far from this place as she can.
Galinda pokes at the tree with the end of her bow. The snow once covering its sides slides off and Galinda stands upright, gasping.
Elphaba looks down, repressing the urge to vomit at the sight.
Half the body of a man lies along the ground, frozen solid. Elphaba spares a glance to the remainder of the "tree." The rest of the man... his frozen lower half.
The sun finally breaks the layer of clouds, streaming heat down into the meadow the girls now find themselves in. The fog quickly rushes out.
Elphaba feels herself freeze in place. Rooted by that same strange sensation from before that now she can only attribute to boiling fear.
She is unable to move; just like the hundred or so Undead who now surround them, suspended in time.
"Sweet Oz," Elphaba breathes, clasping her hands over her mouth.
A breeze rolls by, some of the Undead crumbling under the gust.
"Fuck," Galinda mutters, in absolute shock at the sight. She reaches out to the nearest frozen Verdigris and taps the Undead's calf with her boot. Its leg snaps in two. The body shatters as it impacts against the hard ground.
Another gust of wind blows through, this time colder than the last. Clouds move to cover the sun once more. Galinda shivers, moving closer to Elphaba.
"How cold do you think it got for them to freeze like this?" Galinda wonders aloud as they walk as quickly as they can through the paralyzed horde.
"Well below freezing," Elphaba tells her, fighting off fatigue as her body pumps more heat to them both. "I'd even chance to say well below what's natural."
"But look at them. One hit and their done," Galinda says, a grin growing over her lips. "This is the answer to the plague!"
Elphaba sighs, shaking her head. "No, it's not."
Galinda turns to Elphaba, brow furrowed with confusion. "What do you mean, it's perfect! They're frozen solid! Someone just has to cast a huge ice storm over all of Oz and within a week they'll be history!"
"But at what cost?" Elphaba asks, breathing much harder than before. She rubs her chest, trying to unknot the tightness she feels just under her ribs. "We're only standing because I'm some kind of magical freak. But what about the animals in this forest? The people seeking refuge? How would they survive?"
"I...um... mass evacuation?" Galinda offers, knowing her answer is pitiful in comparison.
"Unlikely," Elphaba says softly, pace slowing. "Besides, an ice storm over the whole of Oz? No one… is that powerful."
Galinda reaches her hand out, brushing the tips of her now bare fingers against Elphaba's wrist. "...You could be."
Elphaba sighs, eyelids growing heavy, "I feel about ready to collapse… and I'm just trying… to keep us from turning… into ice sculptures like them."
The clouds part once again and Elphaba wonders if Morrible is just taunting them.
Galinda grabs Elphaba by the arm, stopping them both. "Elphie, we need to stop if you're hurting."
Elphaba shakes her head, taking Galinda's hand with her own and pulling the blonde forward. "We can't… stop here, Galinda. If Morrible quits the storm…they'll thaw instantly in the heat… and then we're surely good as dead. I can make it… a bit further."
"Are you sure?" Galinda asks, clearly worried.
Elphaba smirks down at her, masking the pain behind her eyes with a squeeze to the blonde's hand. "Where's the girl… who pushed me into a lake of sewage… without second thought?"
"Gone," Galinda tells hers, eyes downcast. She can't believe she was ever so cruel to Elphaba. "I'm sorr-"
"I'll be all right." Elphaba says breathlessly, interrupting Galinda before the blonde can sink into her destructive thoughts.
Galinda nods. "Promise you'll tell me when you need to stop."
Elphaba squeezes Galinda's hand again. "I promise, don't worry."
Morrible sends one last blast of frigid wind through her weather enchantment. It's enough to push Elphaba over her limit. The green girls' body doubles over, pained at the surge of energy tearing through her veins. Elphaba only makes it another step forward before her eyes roll back and she collapses to the ground.
"Elphaba!" Galinda screams, not caring about their surroundings as she dives to her knees beside the fallen girl.
Without Elphaba's warmth the cold pierces through Galinda, the sting unrelenting even as the temperature continues to rise. Galinda realizes it's getting warmer, fast. Too fast. The sun above beats down through the now dissolving clouds. She grabs Elphaba by the shoulders, trying to shake the woman awake.
But Elphaba remains still.
Galinda hears cracking in the distance, the ice surrounding the Unmentionables melting. Galinda scrambles, knowing time is of the essence as she tries scooping Elphaba into her arms. She'll carry her if she must! But no sooner is the green girl in her arms than Galinda finds she doesn't have the strength the lift the taller girl from the ground. She falls back, one of the arrows in her quiver knocking the ice from an Unmentionable's arm behind her.
Galinda turns, horrified as the ghastly green fingers, twitch, reanimating to life.
She looks around them.
They're surrounded.
Everywhere her eyes turn, Undead slowly break free of their icy prisons.
And somewhere, somewhere far away Galinda knows Morrible is grinning.
Knows that she has finally won.