When I reached the Pridelands, I saw total devastation. I was saddened by what I saw.
I spotted three lionesses and I quickly joined them. "Human!" one of them growled at me.
I held up my hands and said, "I come in peace. What happened here?"
"Two years ago, my husband, Mufasa—don't tell I said his name—and my son, Simba, died," the one who growled, said, softly, a hint of pain and sadness in her voice.
I hesitated—should I tell her that there was a chance her son was alive? "What is it? What's your name?" a second lioness asked.
"I am Glinda Upland of the Upper Uplands. I think, and I'm not sure, but I think my friend may have met him, Simba, I mean," I said, quickly.
"He might still live?" the first lioness asked. "My son may be alive?"
I nodded and she smiled. "I am—well, I was—Queen Sarabi of the Pridelands. These are my best friend, Serafina and her daughter, Nala," the first lioness, the leader of the three obviously, said.
I smiled and then Sarabi ordered, "Nala, go with Glinda. Help her find Simba. Bring him home. We must defeat Scar."
As soon as we were safely away, I said, "Listen, Nala, I'm really looking for my child and a friend—Elphaba."
"Is this Elphaba the one who saved Simba?" Nala asked.
I nodded and she said, "Then she is my friend too."
I smiled and thought, Elphie, I'm on my way to you where I belong and soon I shall see you and our baby.
We reached the jungle and I saw a broom.
"Elphie!" I gasped.
Nala looked at me and I said, "That's my name for her. She's been here. My Elphie's been here."
Then I saw Elphaba's little green bottle and hat—but no Elphaba.
Tears streamed down my face. "She's gone," I choked, crumpling. "I've lost her and my baby. Everything I wanted is gone—all I wanted was to find Elphaba."
Nala went off and hunted a warthog.
At this point, I didn't care—Elphaba was gone.
Then I heard a racket in the woods behind me and Simba emerged. "You must be Glinda," he greeted me, knowingly.
I nodded and he said, "What's wrong?"
I held up the hat and asked, "Where are they? Where is my Elphie? Where is our baby?"
"Oh, Elphaba and Melena—they're by the river," Simba reported.
"Follow me," he ordered.
I did, quickly, carrying the broom and hat—I'd slipped the bottle into my pocket and was going to ask the Wizard about it when I got the chance.
