Sorry for the wait! I had the first part written a while ago, but I was struggling with the second half. I think there will be three or four more chapters of this, and then I'll be doing a second part!

Elphaba's wedding dress, ring and tiara are posted on my profile!

Disclaimer: I just love Fiyeraba.

My hands shook in my lap as I clenched them together while Polon wrapped the next group of strands around a heated barrel after sticking the first barrel in the hot coals. He had been up all night with a cosmetic man from the City, going over possible hairstyles that would work with everyone's perception of me. They decided it best not to show me or Galinda what the final result would be like. Polon and his friend were worried that they would see something in our expressions, and they would have to redo their vision all over again. And if there's one thing you do not want, it is Polon and this new man changing anything last minute. Polon was brilliant with quick decisions, but if he had a second opinion, he had a tendency to mull. So I sat in silence, fiddling with my fingers, as I waited for my hair to get the Polon seal of approval. I had passed out earlier in the morning, so the window was cracked open, letting the late summer breeze inside my old bedroom. Polon unravelled my hair from the barrel, and this tendril fell beside the others like it.

The wedding dress, my mother's wedding dress, hung on a bust model just next to the bathroom door. Galinda was currently staring at it, memorizing every inch of the thing. She hid her emotions very well, but I knew she hated the thing. I mean, I wasn't so crazy about it, but it was my mother's. It was completely crocheted, to protect against the bitter winter weather she wed in, and had once been blush; but the color was one of the things that had to be compromised. Much to many Munchkins disappointment, not that they had the nerve to do something about it. The dress had been bleached carefully so that the color of the dress would not contrast the color of my tiara. My tiara. Galinda had complained about a dress being crocheted, but that style of dress was customary in all Munchkinland weddings. Nobility and commoners were one in the same over there. Much different than the system Galinda was use to. I kind of liked the dress. It was my mother's.

"Have you seen your tiara yet?" Galinda asked, finally tearing her gaze away from the dress.

"She won't see it until Fiyero presents it to her." Polon answered for me, rearranging the finished curls. "The tradition is older than your simple mind can comprehend."

"I bet it's lovely." She ignored Polon's rude comment.

My cosmetic man rolled his eyes.

Galinda let out a whimsical sigh as Polon moved me over to the make up table once my hair was finished. He grinned widely at Galinda's approval. He may not have cared for her, but who was Polon to disagree with a socialite's agreeance? I wanted to bring my hand up to touch whatever he had put in my hair, but I knew he would only slap my hand away if I did. So I shut up and let him go on with pasting my face with the Oz awful make up. Thank Oz Polon thought I looked ridiculous with too much. Galinda thought I could have used more, but Polon told her, "Shut up, you stupid girl," and then some other profanities. She blinked at him and went over to the mirror to adjust her lipstick yet again. Polon smiled, pleased with himself. Far too pleased.

"I can't believe you're actually married." Galinda breathed later on as we hurried down the corridors to the grand ballroom. We were running late. "Like it's getting so real! You're debuting!"

I laughed nervously. Why was I nervous? We weren't lying to anyone. The paper was signed. We were legally man and wife. I bit my tongue to keep from smiling like an idiot. I was married. I was married. I was married! I took a dead stop as my heart started racing. I was married. Looking down at the blue tattoos on my hand, I could feel my pulse picking up and the need to faint following it. What was I doing? I hadn't even told him I loved him yet, and I was already signing my life to him? I had already signed my life to him. Now I was getting ready to, in front of all of Oz, tell him that I accepted his acceptance of me as his Princess. His wife. His love. My mind was working through thoughts so quickly that I only just barely recognized Polon's right hand on the back of my neck and his left apply light pressure to my chest, calming me down. How could I calm down, though? I had turned into another ridiculous girl who held her hand out to the first perfect man who showed her any interest.

He wasn't the first, though. And he certainly wasn't the perfect man. I could feel my pulse evening out and things coming back into focus. Fiyero was right for me, though. Sure, it took a stupid would-be scandal for me to see it; but I wanted Fiyero. I needed Fiyero more than I needed the freedom and power Grand Vizier would give me. I shook out my hands. This was the right thing. This was the thing that made me happy.

"What are you doing?" Polon cried when I stumbled backwards despite my certainty this whole thing was ideal. "The damned tribal band is on their last verse, we need to get down there! Your royals are going to be waiting. Move it, girl. Move!"

Fiyero was standing with the rest of the royal family at the doors that lead to the grand ballroom. Shoot me for being so cheesy, but one look at him and my pounding heart stopped. He looked so handsome. He looked like he belonged to all this, and I couldn't believe that it was me who he really wanted. I was the one he wanted to wake up to each morning. It should have sent me into a turmoil, but it had a strange humbling sensation over me. One of his tavern buddies noticed my, I don't know, entourage first and then nudged Fiyero roughly. His appearance may have humbled me, but his smile had me a mess on the floor. A mess of blue diamonds, lace, and green goo. But I smiled back at him, walking a little more confidently with my head even on my shoulders. I married him for a reason, I just wasn't sure which was my favorite.

"You look lovely, Fabala." Takoda complimented with Avaric as Fiyero took my hand.

It made me feel much better when I noticed how Fiyero's hand shook just as much as mine. We were such an odd pair.

"Are we ready now?" Baako snapped. He'd been tense since I'd gotten my tattoos, and his pissiness just jumped when the tattoos were filled in yesterday. It was painful for both of us, but for completely different reasons. Everything was so real for him now. His plan was failing. The house was crumbling, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Galinda and Avaric began the walk to the head of the room. They had to practice walking together properly, because they both looked so uncomfortable just walking arm in arm. It was very hard to watch at first, but eventually it got better. Fiyero's tavern buddy lead Nessa out. Each time a couple went into the ballroom, they were greeted by polite applause, and a few catcalls for Galinda and Avaric. Takoda went out next, leading a pretty Scrow. Then Baako, stag. He held his head high and his expression stoic. The King was the only one who stood between us and the crowd of Ozians. He was escorted by two of his aides, since motor skills were increasingly difficult for him. The doors shut behind him, leaving Fiyero and I in utter silence as the King would give a speech with my grandfather before Fiyero and I were to enter as man and wife. Prince and Princess. Tiggular and Tiggular.

"How long is his speech?" Fiyero asked.

"Polon will kill me if you ruin my hair." He fingered the blue diamonds Polon had glued into my hair in certain areas with his special concoction.

"I can think of several ways to not mess your hair up." Fiyero smirked, trailing his fingers down my neck, over my collarbone, and right up to the dress' neckline. His fingers left my skin raised in anticipation. "I'd quite like a repeat of two nights ago." His breath was hot on my cheek. My body pressed tight against his as he place his hands on my hips and maneuvered us so.

"If you keep this up, all of Oz is going to know what kind of camper you are."

"A happy camper?" A goofy grin spread over his face.

"A tent camper." I wiggled out of his grip as he laughed.

"You do look beautiful, Fae." Fiyero said after a few moments of silence passed. I gave him a side glance but made no motion to thank or dispute him. So he walked in front of me and took my hands. "I love you and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"You're such a sap." I rolled my eyes.

"I grow more in love with you every time I see you." He kept going.

"You're going to make me vomit if you keep this up."

"I'm going to make you happy. I'm going to make you feel as beautiful as I know you are. I'm going to help you show Oz who you are as a person, a princess, and a wife. I'm going to help you defy gravity and ground safely. I love you, Elphaba."

I opened my mouth to come up with another comment, but I couldn't. I kissed him instead and walked towards the doors when I heard the applause at the end of the king's speech. Fiyero took my hand again, this time to present us to Oz. Two members of the palace guard opened the doors and let us in. There were so many people. I didn't even think the grand ballroom could hold so many. There were Vinkuns, Munchkins, Gillikinese, and Quadlings. Most of them were segmented to their respected provinces, but some were intermingled, craning their necks to see us. We smiled at them all as we passed them on our was to the front of the room. I squeezed a few hands. I wasn't sure if that was allowed, but they just had their hands out, waving and so desperate for me to give them some attention. How could I have possibly ignored them? I would have felt terrible to obviously see them and actively pretend like I was better. Even if my title proclaimed me superior, I wasn't really. I was just lucky.

There was a balcony at the head of the ballroom with a staircase leading up to it and one down. All those who preceded us were in order on the right staircase, having gone up the left, been announced at the balcony, and then gone to stand in place on the right. My grandfather was waiting at the foot of the left staircase. Once Fiyero and I ascended the stairs, he would follow and stop halfway up. When we were at the balcony, Galinda and Avaric, Nessa and Fiyero's tavern buddy would move to the left staircase, evening out the staircases. Typically, it was the split between the bride's family and the groom's, but this wasn't really a typical grand ceremony. My grandfather kissed my cheek before Fiyero and I made our way up to the balcony. Someone snapped a photo of the moment. It would be such a deceptive picture.

"So," Fiyero addressed all the people in the ballroom when we were finally up at the top. A few people rolled their eyes at his informal tone, but most of the people, those who knew what was good for them, laughed. "Elphaba has been living under the protection of the Vinkus for as long as I can remember. I ate meals with her, had lessons with her, learned how to ride horses with her, and traveled to event after event with her. So naturally, knowing that she wasn't related to me and wasn't here for only a bit, I assumed that she was going to be the woman I was bound to wed." The crowd erupted with stifled laughs again. "Of course, my brothers crushed those dreams not too long after they formed. But looks like I've got the last laugh now, eh? Anyway, from my original assumption, I had formed a bit of a crush on her.

"When I was about six, the palace went to a wedding, my first wedding. It was for the leader of our dear Scrow." He nodded to the man standing at the front of the crowd. "I was so taken up by all the events that we attended, all the high spirited emotions we were immersed in, and all the splendor of the week. And I was so inspired that I went right to my father's study to pen my own vows to my future wife. Who, at the time, I was sure was going to be Elphaba." Everyone smiled at me, and all I could do was stare at Fiyero. Was he lying? He didn't really have a crush on me then, did he? This was my first time hearing any wind of it. "I asked my father to keep them safe until the following week. Because, obviously, I was going to ask her, she'd say yes, and we'd be wed within a week. So last week when we were going over the week's schedule, I heard that I would be giving Elphaba my solemn vow to love, honor, and protect her until forever runs out; and I knew exactly what I was going to do. That being said, you'll have to forgive some of this letter: Six year old me is not as eloquent with words as I am today, but I've done my best to make sure the grammar makes sense."

I stole a glance at Galinda. She was crying. Avaric held the most amused grin on his face. Fiyero's tavern buddy shared that look. Nessa looked appalled that he was going to be reading something that came from a six year old's mind. I was a mix of all of those things. Without the tears.

"'Fae'," Fiyero read from a yellowed piece of paper that was atop a box. A box that held my handcrafted tiara. I could have lived without the tiara, though. It would be hard to keep it on if he constantly had me melting, anyway. "'We're going to get married next week. I turn seven soon, and I want to marry before then. I want to have a load of time with you before we get old like my dad.'" Fiyero licked his lips nervously as people snickered. I squeezed his hand encouragingly. "'I think it's cool your skin's green. Green's my favorite color. I'll paint mine green if you want it so. I'd do anything for you. It's what husband and wife do. S'what the Scrow tell me, at least. I wrote down some things I will do for you. And I drew a picture of your crown. I don't have the money to buy it. But I think you will like the drawing just as much.

"'I promise to kill the spiders in your room. I promise to eat your peas for you. I promise to do your homework for you." I couldn't help the laugh the escaped. It calmed Fiyero down, and his smile widened as he went on. "I promise to help you with your chores if you help with mine. I promise to hold your hand when you're scared. And hug you when you cry. I promise to be the one that makes you laugh. And clock anyone who calls you ugly.

"'I, Fiyero Marillot Tigglar, third prince in line for dad's job, do pledge my word of honor, love, and protection to you, Fae'-I didn't know how to spell her name. Sorry, Elphaba.-'Thropp, Munchkin living in my home.'"

There were people crying. Some were torn between tears and smiles. I smiled to keep the tears from falling. Why was I wanting to cry? Those words were written by a six year old. They couldn't have been any more perfect, though. Fiyero kissed me softly before putting the note in his pocket and opening the protective box of the tiara.

"The tiara I chose was the one I drew when I was six." He announced, still not revealing it. "When I was drawing it, I knew Elphaba didn't like the extravagant, avant garde that most of Ozian nobilities tend to gravitate towards, and I also had enough working knowledge of the story of the diamonds to know the perfect tiara for her. And while she's grown up considerably from the five year old I was set on marrying, deep down, we're still those same people." Fiyero pulled out the tiara and set the box where it had been.

"Fiyero..." I breathed quietly as he presented the tiara to me. It was very simply, but it was the most beautiful tiara I'd ever seen. It was double banded and diamond studded. The design above the base looked like small, curling waves. And at the center of the tiara was the loveliest blue diamond. Glimmering and perfect. Drawn by a six year old just for me.

"May this tiara ever be a symbol of my undying devotion, love, and protection for you as my friend, princess, and wife."

Fiyero situated the tiara on the top of my head and kissed me like there wasn't a room full of people watching us.

.

The first day after the grand ceremony, the castle was cleared out in a matter of hours. Polon went home for an extended vacation. Galinda and Avaric rode home to the Gillikin with their families. The Scrow and Yunamata representatives and guests left before the dawn, leaving a very generous wedding gift behind for us. They left it with a note that made it clear they would wait welcomingly for the news of an heir to the Vinkun and Munchkinland throne, 'so that our great land may once again be united under one strong front'. Just the thought of pushing a baby, a human baby, out of me was enough to keep me in bed with menstrual pains for well over a month. So I left Fiyero to do as he wished with the note, and I kept busy reading books on past princesses. My grandfather was the last to leave. He promised, begrudgingly so, Nessarose to send for her some time, so she could stay with him in Munchkinland for a little bit. To get to know the land, the people, and the law. She was beyond the moon happy, but he seemed to take it was a tight grin and false twinkle. He shook her hand before he left. He hugged me tightly.

The second day after the grand ceremony, Fiyero and I did nothing but stay in bed. We'd been told that the crowd that had formed after the guests' departure had yet to disperse, so anything we needed to do outside would have to wait. We used it as an excuse to not leave the warmth of the bed. The maids even brought fruits, bread, and water to us in bed. It had remained untouched until the afternoon when we found a new use for it in our activities. One of the maids had come in, tell us that Baako was requesting a meeting with me; but Fiyero shooed her away, having the girl tell Baako that I was attending to a sudden stiffness Fiyero was having problems with. The poor maid flushed furiously before fleeing like the speed of light. I had to admit, for all my worries about being wed, I could get use to these lazy days in bed.

The third day after, I stood at one of the windows overlooking the front of the castle, watching as two servants tried elbowing their way through the throng of people waiting just beyond the gates. Thank Oz for the landscape in front otherwise they'd have swarmed up to the door. I don't think some of them had left for the past three days. They were just waiting there like scavenger birds waited for a wounded animal to fall. I kept my face straight but frowned deeply on the inside, because I was the wounded animal in this situation. Fiyero told me I was being paranoid, but I knew they were just waiting for me to mess up. Or do something too good that it would be considered bad. Or the other thing...which I was taking certain precautions against. I just knew they had my name on a headline that had to do with a scandal. I wasn't princess material, yet I had become one. Don't think I hadn't seen the article in the gossip rag that named fifty other women Fiyero could have married. All perfectly normal.

"My fair Princess." Baako's voice startled me from my thoughts. I spun from my outlook of the crowd below. "It's funny." He smirked, joining me at the window. I noticed a few in the crowd start taking photos excitedly. Cameras loved Baako.

"What is?"

"You've clearly won, yet you haven't approached me for your earning."

"Huh, I suppose it slipped my mind with the excitement of everything." I shrugged slightly, letting a silence settle over us. "Thank you, by the way. I've never been happier."

"You're avoiding the point." I could see the smirk on his face out of the corner of my eye. "Would you really treat your future King as one to be ignored?"

"If I remember right," I smoothed my dress over my abdomen. "I'm the one who holds that power."

If it was possible, I could feel the air around Baako turn frigid. "I figured as much." He told me after a flood of camera flashes died down.

"Don't be coy, Baako." I said through a staged smile.

He brought his hand to wave at the flashing cameras. "You don't want me as an enemy."

"Nor you me."

"Don't bet against the house, Elphaba, you'll never win."

Strategically, I placed my hand on my abdomen and smiled even wider for the cameras. "What in Oz could you have possibly done to require your sister-in-law to bet against you?" I turned away from the window, ready to get away from him before I jinxed him into oblivion. "Enjoy your time, Baako. I mean day. Enjoy your day." I brushed past him, making sure to roughly bump him when I was out of the window's view.

"What's wrong?" Fiyero asked as I stormed into his closet. He was standing in nothing but an undone tie and pair of underwear, looking for clothes to wear.

"Baako."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"I don't have that much time."

It took him a moment of digging through pants for my comment to click. He looked over his shoulder at me with a lax glare.

"He told me I don't want him as my enemy."

"Well, you don't."

"And you've put us in a situation where we can have him as an ally?"

"Hey," Fiyero frowned, pulling out a pair of light grey slacks. "I didn't put us in any situation. I opened a door that would save us from exile, and you barricaded us in. There's nothing that he can do to touch us. We're legally wed, and our marriage has been traditionally consummated." He paused. "Plenty of times." He added with a wicked grin.

"That's not the point."

His frown deepened, "Then what is the point?"

"Nevermind." I huffed, turning to leave.

"No," He grabbed my arm before I could reach the door. "You can't do this anymore. Just because you get flustered with me, that doesn't mean you can keep me out of your train of thought. Tell me what you're thinking." It was hard to tell him no when he was standing in front of me in nothing but underwear.

"What if he runs us out? What if he takes the crown and sends us away?" I plopped down on the chaise in the middle of his closet. "The Vinkus is the only home I've known, and it's the only place I want to be." I drew meaningless designs into the suede.

Fiyero sat down next to me and rubbed my leg reassuringly. "We're going to be fine. The worst thing that'll happen is we face some gossip rags printing something out about our marriage not actually being legitimate on the date we swore to be legitimate; but we have enough money and men to dispute it." He took my hand and played nervously with my fingers. "Besides, eventually, you know..."

I laughed when I noticed the tips of his ears turning red. "What?"

"I mean," He cleared his throat. "Your princess duties. The main one. And, you know, you know?"

"I know." I mumbled.

Fiyero was right about it all. Of course he was right. But it still didn't help the unsettling feeling I had brewing in the pit of my stomach. Baako was fire, and you don't mess with fire.

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