The Emerald Woman and the Little Star
Chapter Twenty
Elphaba's eyes filled with anger "don't be so ridiculous Fiyero I can't and won't leave without my child" she tried to take Alice back off of Fiyero but he moved out of her reach she took a step forward and reached for the little girl again but Fiyero put his hand out and caught hold of her arm.
"Leave her Fae or you will wake her up" said Fiyero.
Elphaba was livid she turned on him "Fiyero give me my baby now" she reached out and took hold of the little girl and tried to lift her out of Fiyero's arms but he tried to move at the same time as he did so he jolted the little girl and she woke up with a start she blinked for a few seconds then started to cry.
"Mummy" sobbed the little girl.
Elphaba glared at Fiyero "now look what you've done give her to me"
Fiyero ignored Elphaba and started to rub small circles onto the little girl's back making quite shushing noises at the same time.
"It's ok baby Fiyero is here it's ok go back to sleep I've got you darling" said Fiyero he carried the little girl down the hall to the master bedroom he clicked on the light then dimmed it before laying the little girl onto the bed he then removed her coat and shoes. Alice sat up with a yawn and looked at Fiyero.
"Want my Mummy please Fiyero" said Alice her voice thick with sleep. Before he could answer Elphaba who had been watching from the door walked across the room she tried to lift the little girl into her arms but Fiyero put his arm out stopping her from getting to the child.
Fiyero locked eyes with Elphaba his body full of anger "I meant it Fae you can leave but my child is staying with me she has been pulled from pillar to post her whole life she has just started to settle down here and you want to uproot her because you are scared it's not fair and you know it"
"Fiyero will you stop it I have to leave I have to please don't make this harder" said Elphaba
Alice looked between the arguing adults she was tired and thirsty and just wanted the shouting to stop she slid off the bed and wrapped her arms around Fiyero's legs
"No no no stop shouting don't like it want juice please" said Alice looking up at Fiyero her eyes damp and heavy with tiredness. He lifted the little girl back into his arms then looked at Elphaba.
"I'll take her down stairs and get her a drink you have a choice to make either leave or get back into your pyjamas" said Fiyero.
Elphaba watch Fiyero carry the little girl out of the room she stood rooted to the spot for a few seconds then sighed she had to leave there was no doubt about it but she couldn't leave without her little girl sighing she opened her wardrobe and pulled out a pair of pyjamas.
Fiyero carried Alice downstairs and into the dark kitchen he flicked the light on then set the little girl onto her feet while he made her drink, once it was made he handed the beaker of juice to Alice and she started to gulp it down when she had finished she handed the cup back to Fiyero and smiled at him.
"Thank you Fiyero" said Alice with a yawn "Mummy now please want to go to sleep"
Fiyero scooped the little girl up and carried her back upstairs to the master bedroom where he found Elphaba back in her pyjamas her hair loose and flowing down her back she was curled up in a ball on the bed and she was sobbing.
"Oh Fae" said Fiyero he put the little girl down on her feet and sat on the bed beside her then pulled her into his arms he rubbed her back as he felt her tears making his pyjama top damp "what is it Fae I know there's more to this than you are telling me"
It was then he noticed Elphaba had something in her hand he gently removed it and saw it was a balled up piece of paper he unfolded it and smoothed it out and what he read on it made his blood boil. It read.
Dear Elphaba
I have recently been informed that you now have a child of all the stupid thoughtless things for you to do was it not enough that you forced the crown prince of the Vinkus to marry you now you have brought a child who is as much a screw up and disappointment as you into the mix if you have any morals left you will leave him and take that worthless child with you and let him marry a real woman. leave or I will come and make you leave you have three days
Regards
Your father
Fiyero screwed up the paper again and chucked it across the room before turning back to Elphaba "Fae listen to me my darling I don't want any other woman I just want you and my little girl you make my world better and brighter just by being in it"
"Oh Yero I'm so so sorry I was scared of what he might do to me or Alice" said Elphaba still crying "that's why you have to let me leave"
"Never Fae Never" said Fiyero holding her tight in his arms "I'd die before I'd let you leave me"
Alice watched the two adults for a minute or two then crawled up on the bed beside them and put her small hands onto Fiyero's large ones.
"Don't cry Mummy I'm sorry" said Alice bursting into tears herself. Elphaba pulled away from Fiyero and lifted Alice into her arms.
"It's ok baby you didn't do anything wrong it's not your fault" said Elphaba rubbing the little girls back she felt the little girl snuggling into her chest then heard her mumbling something "what did you say sweetheart I didn't hear you"
"Want to go back to sleep Mummy" said Alice "bed please with you"
Elphaba looked at Fiyero and he nodded "ok baby you can stay with mummy tonight, how much did you let her drink"
"She gulped a whole beaker full of juice" said Fiyero "why"
Elphaba turned back to the little girl in her arms who was virtually asleep "Alice I need you to do a wee wee for me we don't want a wet bed do we".
"No wee wee want to sleep" said Alice her eyes closing.
Elphaba sighed and carried the little girl out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom she flicked the light on and walked over to the potty she slowly knelt down beside it she slid the little girl's bottoms and knickers down then sat the sleeping child onto it still keeping hold of her.
"Come on baby do a wee wee for mummy" said Elphaba she rubbed the little girl's back and after a few seconds she heard a soft tinkling "Good girl baby well done" once the tinkling sound stopped she lifted the little girl off the potty, grabbed some toilet paper, wiped the little girl and pulled her bottoms up just as Fiyero appeared in the door.
"Are you done Fae only I really have to go" said Fiyero.
Elphaba smiled at him "yes Yero I'm done if you will empty the potty for me please" he nodded and Elphaba carried the little girl back to the master bedroom she turned on the bedside lamp the flicked off the big light before laying the sleeping child into the bed then slipped in beside her she pulled the little girl close to her and wrapped her arms around her she was just falling off to sleep when she felt Fiyero getting into the bed.
"Fae are you awake" said Fiyero.
Elphaba opened one eye and looked at him "I am now what is it Yero"
"Nothing I just wanted to say I love you and that I promise to keep you and our little girl safe" said Fiyero he kissed the top of Elphaba's head and watched as she fell asleep his eyes then fell on little Alice who was snoring softly between them he kissed the top of her head before snuggling down and falling asleep himself.
Alice woke up first the following morning she sat up blinking, climbed out of the bed then headed out of the room after making a stop at the bathroom to empty her bladder she made her way to her bedroom to play. Opening her toy box she looked through then pulled out her dolls and their accessories sat down and started to play, Alice had been playing for a while when she saw Elphaba standing in the doorway with the little girl's coat and shoes in her hand smiling she dropped her dolls on the carpet and walked over to her.
"Hi Mummy" said Alice holding her arms up.
Elphaba scooped the little girl up and held her close "Hi baby you and Mummy are going on a little adventure let's get you dressed quickly"
After quickly dressing the little girl into a pink track suit she tied her hair into a pony tail then put her coat and shoes on she then took hold of the little girl's hand and lead her out of the room and down the stairs to where her suitcase still sat from the night before she pulled on her shoes and coat then after casting a quick spell on her suitcase to make it light she hooked it onto the back of her broomstick she lead Alice out of the castle once outside she slipped the broomstick between her legs then pulled Alice onto her lap.
"Ok sweetheart hold on tight" said Elphaba she then lent forward slightly but before she could take off she felt a pair of hands on her cursing she sat up straight again and turned as she did so she found herself facing a furious Fiyero.
"What do you think you are playing at Fae, it's a good job I woke up when I did or my family would be half way to the Uplands by now" said Fiyero lifting Alice into his arms. Elphaba sighed and stepped off her broomstick she then held her arms out to Alice.
"Come to Mummy baby" said Elphaba. The little girl shook her head and snuggled into Fiyero "Alice what's the matter darling"
"Don't want to leave Mummy I want to stay here with Fiyero " said Alice
Elphaba looked at the little girl then at Fiyero her brain was going round and round making her headache her heart was telling her to stay with Fiyero her head was screaming you have to leave before someone gets hurt she stood staring for a few minutes then burst into tears Fiyero pulled her into his arms and just held her for a few minutes while she cried.
"Come on Fae let's go back inside it's freezing out here" said Fiyero. Elphaba pulled away from him and picked up her broomstick then turn back to face him.
"I can't Yero why don't you understand I have to take Alice and get as far away from you as possible before someone gets hurt or worse now please give me my child and let's us go please" said Elphaba.
"No Fae I'm not going to let you just walk away from our marriage, our home just because your father tells you to, now stop being so silly and take your green rear end back inside or do I have to carry you" said Fiyero.
Elphaba narrowed her eyes at him "you wouldn't dare Tiggular".
"Oh yeah watch me" said Fiyero he set Alice on her feet the grabbed Elphaba round the waist and threw her over his shoulder in a fireman's lift the green woman screamed at him to put her down as he carried through the double castle doors Alice following behind once inside Fiyero turned and closed the doors then set Elphaba back on her feet a cheesy grin on his face "that's better now let's eat I'm starving"
Elphaba sighed then smiled and nodded before leading the little girl into the dining room, once they had all eaten breakfast Alice dashed upstairs to play while Fiyero lead Elphaba into the sitting room. The two of them sat down and Fiyero took Elphaba's hands in his.
"Fae when did your fathers letter arrive" said Fiyero his thumbs rubbing along Elphaba's hands.
Elphaba eyes dropped to her lap then she said softly " two days ago that's why I have to leave today".
"Oh Fae why didn't you tell me I could have dealt with it straight away" said Fiyero "why did you keep it to yourself and stew on it for two days"
Elphaba sighed and lifted her head her eyes finding Fiyero's "I was scared Yero you have no idea what my father is like you have enough on your plate with your royal obligations without me bringing more trouble to you, you got enough grief from some of your people when you announced you where going to marry me sometimes enough is enough Yero"
"Fae listen to me I don't care what my people say, I don't care what your father says I love you I married you I want to grow old with you" said Fiyero he wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him after a few seconds he felt his shirt start to get damp and realised she was crying he rubbed a hand in small circles on her back after a while he felt Elphaba pulling away from him her green hands rubbing at her eyes furiously wiping away the tears she then stood up.
"I'd better go and check on Alice it's been nearly an hour and we haven't heard a sound" said Elphaba she left the room and walked up the stairs, she walked down the hall to Alice's bedroom door and looked inside to find the room empty the little girl's toys spread out across the carpet she quickly carried on down the hall checking in all the rooms as she past until she came to the master bedroom looking inside she spotted Alice standing next to her dressing table a lipstick in one hand and a mascara wand in the other smiling Elphaba walked over to the little girl as she did so Alice caught sight of her in the mirror.
Dropping the items in her hands Alice tried to bolt past Elphaba but she caught hold of her as she did so the little girl started to panic and wriggle about trying to get free.
"Hey it's ok darling I'm not cross" said Elphaba she felt the little girl relax "that's it good girl it's ok what have you been doing eh"
"I wanted to look pretty like you Mummy" said Alice "I'm sorry"
"Oh baby you are very pretty but Mummy's make up is not for little girls let's go and wash your face ok" said Elphaba she took hold of the little girl's hand and lead her to the bathroom.
Downstairs Fiyero was walking around the sitting room with the cordless phone pressed to his ear trying to organise some extra guards and security he had been talking for a few minutes when he heard a loud knocking on the front door he quickly put the phone down and went to open the door when he saw who was standing on the door step his blood started to boil. It was Elphaba's father.
"WHERE IS SHE" said Frex.
Fiyero glared at him "Why are you here Frex Elphaba doesn't want anything to do with you why can't you just leave her alone"
"THE GIRL IS A DISAPPOINTMENT SHE HAS BROUGHT SHAME ON MY FAMILY AND NOW SHE HAS FORCED YOU INTO THIS SHAM MARRIAGE AND ADDED A CHILD THAT'S SCREWED UP EVEN MORE THAN HER AND SHES NOT EVEN THE MOTHER" shouted Frex. "NOW WHERE IS SHE"
Back inside Elphaba was half way down the stairs when she heard a familiar voice shouting she froze to the step Alice behind her after a second or two she started to shake she grabbed Alice into her arms and slowly carried on down the stairs once at the bottom she set Alice on her feet and sent her into the sitting room then walked over to the front door and took a deep breath.
" Go inside" said Elphaba "I will deal with this"
Fiyero turned around and looked at Elphaba he could see the fear in her face "No Fae I'm not leaving you alone with him"
Frex stood glaring at the two of them for a second then sighed he reached out and grabbed hold of Elphaba's arm "ELPHABA GET IN THE CARRIAGE NOW"
Fiyero yanked Frex's hand of off Elphaba and pulled him away from her "DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH MY WIFE AGAIN SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO WITH YOU NOW GET IN YOUR CARRIAGE AND GET OUT OF MY FATHERS COUNTRY"
"NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER, ELPHABA GET IN THE CARRIAGE NOW OR DO I HAVE TO THROW YOU IN" shouted Frex.
"If you so much as put one finger on Elphaba I will have you thrown in south stairs for the rest of your life" said Fiyero his anger at boiling point.
"Yero please go inside and look after Alice I will be fine" said Elphaba.
"I said No Fae and I meant it I'm not leaving you alone with him" said Fiyero.
"ENOUGH IT'S A LONG JOURNEY BACK TO MUCHKINLAND AND NESSAROSE IS ALONE ELPHABA GET YOUR THINGS AND THAT BRAT AND GET IN THE CARRIAGE" said Frex "WE STILL HAVE TO STOP AT THE ORPHANAGE AND DUMP THAT BRAT ON THE WAY"
At that moment a cry erupted from behind them Elphaba and Fiyero spun around and saw Alice standing in the doorway behind them sobbing.
"No Mummy no no no don't want to go to the orphanage I want to stay with you and Fiyero" sobbed Alice.
Fiyero lifted the sobbing child into his arms and held her close "it's ok baby you are not going anywhere in promise"
Once she was sure Alice was ok Elphaba looked at her father fire in her eyes, green sparks flew into the air around her "NO FATHER IM NOT GOING WITH YOU IM STAYING HERE WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY DAUGHTER NOW DO AS FIYERO SAYS AND LEAVE"
Frex sighed "OK ELPHABA YOU WIN FOR TODAY BUT YOU MARK MY WORDS THIS IS FAR FROM OVER" he walked over to her carriage and got in slamming the door behind him.
Elphaba watched as the carriage pulled out of the gates at the end of the drive as soon as it was out of sight she started to sob her shoulders shaking with the force. Fiyero pulled her into her close and wrapped his arms around her and Alice.
"It's ok my Fae he's gone come on let's go inside it's cold" said Fiyero he lead Elphaba inside Alice still in his arms and closed the doors behind them with a soft thud.
Three weeks later.
"Alice come back here" said Elphaba as she chased the naked child down the upstairs hallway.
"No Mummy no bath don't want to" said Alice as she ran towards the stairs she was about to run down them when she saw Fiyero coming up the other way she turned back to run towards her bedroom and smacked into Elphaba who scooped the little girl into her arms.
"What are you doing young lady I said it's bath time you don't want to go to the party all covered in dirt do you" said Elphaba as she carried the little girl back to the bathroom, once in the room she tried to put the little girl into the bath but she held on to her for dear life "Sweetheart what's the matter you usually love your bath"
"Don't want a bath Mummy I want my Fiyero please" said Alice still holding onto Elphaba's top in a death grip sighing she carried the little girl out of the bathroom and down to the master bedroom where she found Fiyero in front of the mirror holding up different ties in front of his chest spotting Elphaba in the mirror he turned smiling at her.
"Are you alright Fae I thought you where giving Alice a bath" said Fiyero.
"She's refusing to get in the bath she's asking for you" said Elphaba
Fiyero chucked his ties onto the bed and walked over to where Elphaba stood holding the little girl he lifted her into his own arms and looked at her "what's the matter darling why don't you want to get in the bath you normally can't wait"
The little girl buried her head into Fiyero's chest and sighed "don't want to go to the party Fiyero I want you to tuck me in bed and tell me princess Elphaba stories"
"Oh darling I can still tell you princess Elphaba stories just not tonight come on let's get you in the bath baby" said Fiyero he carried the little girl back to the bathroom and put her into the water Elphaba followed behind and smiled when she saw the little girl in the tub.
"Thank you Yero" said Elphaba "right little lady let's wash your hair".
A short while later Elphaba had bathed the little girl, blow dried her hair and was in the process of tying it into a bun when Fiyero walked into the room dressed in his green suit with gold trim his hair was loose and a small gold crown sat on his head he grinned when he saw Elphaba staring at him her mouth slightly open.
"Enjoying the view Fae" said Fiyero using one finger to gently close her mouth.
"You look ok I suppose" said Elphaba with a grin. After quickly finishing the little girl's hair she slid the tiny gold tiara into the front of it "there you go sweetie"
Alice climbed off the bed and looked at herself in the little mirror on her bedroom wall.
"Look Mummy I'm a princess like you" said Alice with a smile.
"That you are sweetheart come here let's go and use the potty before we put your dress on" said Elphaba bracing herself for the fight that was sure to come.
"No Mummy don't need to" said Alice.
Elphaba was about to walk over to her when Fiyero put his arm out to stop her.
"Let me give it a try" said Fiyero. Elphaba nodded and he turned to the little girl "Alice let's go to the potty now please"
"Don't need to Fiyero" said Alice shaking her head she walked over to Elphaba "dress now mummy".
Elphaba sighed and looked at her watch it was almost seven o clock deciding she didn't have time to fight with the little girl she nodded and slipped the dress over the little girl's head Alice slid her arms into the arm holes then Elphaba zipped the dress up and tied the sash around the middle then added a small white cardigan.
"Fae I will take her down stairs and get her shoes and coat on you had better go and get your dress on" said Fiyero.
A short while later they where in the carriage heading down the lane towards the other Tiggular castle they had just rounded the bend when something slammed into the side of the carriage knocking it off the road and into a near by ditch. Screams filled the air for a second or two then everything went silent.
Fiyero opened his eyes his head pounding he tried to sit up but found he couldn't as his leg was pinned under the seat he looked around for Elphaba and his eyes fell on the back window of the carriage just in time to see a pair of arms lifting Elphaba out then a second later the same arms lifted little Alice out he tried to speak to ask if they where ok but his head started to spin and he once again faded into the darkness.