Thank you for reading this far! I have had so much fun writing this! This is another short chapter, but the story is nearly done,so the chapters are wrapping up faster.

Aria stared silently at Elphaba from her bed. Within seconds, the green witch stood and stumbled to the toddler's bed and lifted her out. Aria rested her head on her mother's shoulder and closed her eyes as she was moved into the big soft bed.

"We have another visitor."

"Hungry?"

"Yes," Elphaba answered, yawning. She handed Aria to Galinda and lifted Jade. "Two nursing babes. We were insane."

"Told you."

"Love you both, but we need a little more sleep."

"Elphie, we need to talk."

"So talk."

"When they get back to sleep." Elphaba nodded and nursed Jade by the light of a candle. When she was certain that the baby was sleeping and full, she gently placed her in the cradle and took Aria, who was also asleep, back to her bed.

"We have a serious problem," Galinda said is a hushed voice. "My father's people are rising up; we aren't safe there, and neither are my parents.. I don't think they will be able to go home."

"An uprising?"

"There were riots in the streets while you were giving birth. Some one was killed by a guard for threatening one of us, and the castle was stormed."

"Oh, Oz!"

"The New Northern Order has declared the boarders closed, and no one can leave or enter. Our Oz is at war, my love," she said, tears falling. "And it started with the gardener who threw water on you."

"It started decades before, Galinda. The political uprising is because the country feels your father shouldn't rule directly under you. The people and Animals believe that you will favor him and his descisions, no matter how they affect the country-"

"Its not true!"

"I know its a lie, and so does your father. But once a rumor starts, its hard to stop. We're going to have to allow those who are against us go and help those who are not. Your father has stepped down, correct?"

"Yes."

"You may need to as well."

"I love-"

"You hate leaving me and the girls at all hours of the night to solve problems for people who can't think for themselves. You hate having to always be polite and perfect. You loathe having to grin and nod at every single person who looks in your direction. I know you would rather live in a beautiful cottege with gardens and no worries besides your children and me." Galinda nodded and tucked herself into Elphaba's arms.

"Where will we go?"

"We'll teach at Shiz!" Elphaba grinned. "You can teach political history, and Bub L."

"Beginner's Usable Bubble Levetation? I never actually mastered more than the most basic Bub L. It took me years to do that." Elpahab laughed lightly. "You teach levitation. Let me teach hair and make-up."

"We could teach, raise the girls in a safer place-"

"The Emerald City is safer than Shiz."

"Galinda-"

"If I appoint a new leader, we can still live here, raise our children here and not have to really worry about anything."

"Wouldn't you get bored?"

"Do you want to teach, Elphaba?"

"Yes."

"I do want to retire. I took this job because I needed to fight for you. After three years of it, I just want to be with you and our lovely daughters. We'll build a beautiful home near Shiz Lake and I'll retire."

"We'll be safe at Shiz."

"I'll make the announcement at Jade's ceremony. In the meantime, we'll keep the plans to ourselves, and have someone else get the place built as quietly as possible." Elphaba nodded. "Elphie," Galinda cried out. "The potion's master who makes the potion for you and the girls is in the Northern most point of the Uplands."

"We have enough stocked up to last the three of us a few more weeks until we can either get her out, or find someone who can make it for us. Don't panic yet, my love."

"I will panic! If we can't get the potion, you and the girls will be in danger every time you leave our home!"

"We have the plants, and I've kept storing sap. We won't be in over our heads, and it will be much easier for the girls than it was for me. Aria barely has a reaction, and we haven't tried Jade yet."

"Easier doesn't make it easy. It just means that it won't be as bad for them as it was for you. It will still be hard! That potion will be what keeps them safe," Galinda whispered harshly.

"Don't get angry at me," Elphaba hissed back. "I did not cause the uprising!"

"I know. I'm sorry." Galinda tucked herself into Elphaba's arms. "I'm scared, Elphie."

"Don't be. As long as we're together, I will take care of us."

Elphie looked at the land. She'd flown as far south and east as she could until she was beyong the Munchkin land's outlying villages.

"Its perfect," she told the mayor. "How soon can we have the cottege built?"

"With a Munchkin crew, it will take some time. But, if you bring in some help, it will be done in a few short months-"

"I need it done very quickly," Elphaba stressed. "You know what's been happening in the north." He nodded. "Is there a place we could stay while its being built?"

"Yes, of course. We'll find someplace for you and your family. When is the change of power?"

"We'll make an official announcement at the baby's naming when she's 3 months old."

"She's just over a week old! Should you be flying?"

"I was in almost no pain as she pushed out. She's a natural healer and protector. I am completely healed. But we're not safe in Galinda's home, and we may not be safe in Emerald City much longer. We'll make the announcement and we'll be ready to run first thing in the morning; things will be on a carriage ready to leave if the ceremony goes bad."

"I understand. We'll get as many people building your new home today. I have friends in the west, who will build without asking any questions as far as who the cottege is for. How large or a home are we talking about?"

"I want the girls to have their own bedrooms, and Galinda and I will need a good-sized library, but we're not talking about a palace. We're looking for a rpivate home with no guards, or glass halls. A home, not a palace." The mayor nodded as they stepped back into the carriage. As the horses trotted the red brick road toward Munchkin land's main roads, Elphaba stared at the land. It was where she was raised. She knew these forests, these fields, and the mountains in the distance. Raising her children where she lived scared her; no one was kind to her as a child. She had no friends, and hated the city. But she was safe there, and her children would be as well.

"Are you happy to be back, Lady Elphaba?"

"You have no idea," she answered, honestly.

Galinda held Aria close to her chest as she and Elphaba ran to the carriage. Her parents were already waiting. Jade was crying as Elphie held her as they ran.

When Galinda made the announcement only moments before, that she was stepping down, the crowd gasped. When she explained that there was a northern uprising because of her personal life and her personal choices, the crowd turned ugly.

Galinda and Elphaba weren't sure if it was angry at them or at the north. They didn't care; the family would return if it was safe, and not a moment before.

"Galinda!" Elphaba called. The smaller woman had made it to the carraige with Aria and Elphaba wasn't behind her.

"Elphaba!"

"We need to go," her father yelled. The horses galloped away, leaving Elphaba and Jade in a crowd, lost.

More to come, so stay tuned floks!