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The three sat at the kitchen table, eating the dinner Glinda had prepared. Well, Glinda and Liir were. Elphaba was having trouble lifting her fork with her bandaged hands. She eventually gave up and sat back in her chair.

"I guess I'm not hungry." she said.

"Would you like some help?" Glinda asked.

"No! Don't embarrass me, Glinda." Elphaba snapped.

"Okay. Don't complain to me when you're starving later."

Elphaba stood up and left the room. Liir watched her go, then turned to Glinda.

"She is really not happy." he said. Glinda was about to respond when there was a knock on the door.

"I'll be right back." the blonde said, standing up.

"But Elphaba said-"

"I'll only be a minute. I won't let them in." Glinda interrupted. Liir stood up and watched from the doorway to the kitchen as Glinda opened the door.

There was no one there. Glinda opened the door a little wider and peeked out. She still didn't see anyone.

"Who is it?" Liir asked. Glinda turned to answer, but felt a hand grab her arm. Another hand covered her mouth and muffled her scream.

"Auntie!" Liir called, running after her as the unseen assailant started to drag her away. He felt a fist make contact with his stomach and fell to the ground, the wind knocked out of him. Liir looked up just as Glinda was pushed into a carriage. He struggled to his feet, but it was too late. The carriage, and Glinda, were gone.

Liir ran back into the house.

"Elphaba! Elphaba, come quick!" he called. He saw the green woman at the top of the stairs.

"What's with all the yelling?"

"They've taken her!"

"Who?"

"They've taken Auntie!"

Elphaba felt her heart drop. No… how could that have happened? Right underneath her nose. Elphaba wanted to shout, to scream, to break something, but she knew that would do no good. She had to find Glinda.

"Liir, grab your knife. Hurry up!"

The small boy ran to his room and grabbed his knife from his bedside table. Elphaba, meanwhile, was pulling her broom from the closet.

"Get on." Liir climbed onto the broom and Elphaba mounted behind him. She wrapped one arm around him before taking off.

"All right, Liir. Which way did they go?" she asked once they were outside, above the city streets.

"Um…" Liir said, looking around. "That way." He pointed.

"You're sure?"

Liir nodded.

"All right. Let's go."

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Glinda struggled as her wrists and ankles were tied and she was forced against the wall of the carriage.

"You'd better let me go!"

"Or what?" a cold, familiar voice asked.

"Or… I'll scream!"

"Go ahead. Your throat will be slit before you even know what's happening."

The blonde froze. This person sounded serious. And a slit throat was not the approach she was going for.

"What do you want from me?" she asked.

"My child."

"What?"

"You're going to bear my child."

Glinda gasped. She knew who it was now.

"Chuffery?"

He looked at her and Glinda could now see that half of his face was burnt away. She recoiled.

"Does it frighten you? You made me this way. You and that green- skinned witch!"

"You were supposed to die!"

"You would like that, wouldn't you? Then you wouldn't have to fulfill your end of the bargain."

"What are you talking about?"

"You promised to marry me, remember? I let the witch live, now it's your turn to repay the favor!"

"I will never marry you!"

Glinda tugged at the restraints, desperate to get free.

"You will, or I will kill your child the moment you give birth! And you'll be next!" Sir Chuffery roared, pinning Glinda to the wall.

"How do you even know I'm pregnant?"

"You're not."

"But you just said-"

"Yet. But you will be. And the child will be mine."

"Never."

Sir Chuffery backed off.

"Very well. But just so you know, I'll keep you in my care until you do give birth. No matter how long it takes. Even if I have to force you every single night."

"Elphaba is coming for me." Glinda said, hoping she sounded braver than she felt.

"I figured as much. But it doesn't matter because that is all part of my plan."

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Elphaba flew through the night sky, peering down at the road below her.

"Liir, I haven't seen a single carriage going this way! Are you sure-"

"I'm sure." Liir said. He looked ahead and pointed. "There! That's the one!"

Elphaba looked where he was pointing.

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't forget."

"Okay. I'll take your word for it."

Elphaba flew after the carriage, but realized that the road it was traveling on only led to the remains of Chuffery's estate. Why would he-

"The dungeon. It's underneath the estate. How could I forget?" Elphaba said. She started to descend, but and arrow suddenly pierced her shoulder. The green girl gave a gasp of pain and surprise before falling backwards off the broom.

"Mom!" Liir called. He grabbed the broom firmly and sped towards the ground after her. He reached a hand out and managed to grab her just before she hit the ground. Liir lowered himself to the ground and set the broom at his side before turning to Elphaba.

"Mom, are you okay?" he asked. Elphaba grabbed the arrow and pulled, letting out a grunt of pain.

"Who in Oz's name was shooting at us?" she asked, looking at the bloody arrowhead. Her eyes widened as she recognized the design of the arrow.

"Liir, get out of here. Now." she said, handing him her broom.

"But-"

"Glinda needs you. You have to go after her."

"I'm not strong enough. I need you!" he said, his eyes filling with tears.

"You don't. You're my son and if you're anything like me, then I know you can do it. Be brave… for both of us."

Liir looked at his mother and hugged her tightly before mounting the broom. He cast one last look behind him before he pushed off the ground and took off into the air. Elphaba watched him go, then turned to the cloaked figure approaching her.

"You knew we would come. Why did you run?" they asked.

"I don't like to stay in one place for too long." Elphaba replied. She watched as the figure raised their sword and prepared for what she knew would come next.

There was a cracking noise and the figure fell to the ground. As they fell, Elphaba saw who had whacked them over the head.

"You always need help, don't you?" Fiyero said, throwing the broken log aside. He grabbed Elphaba's arm and pulled her to her feet.

"It's not me that needs help. It's Glinda. Chuffery's still alive and he's taken her."

"I thought you said he died in the fire."

"I thought he did, but apparently, I was wrong!"

The green witch took a deep breath. "Look, I hate you, you most likely hate me, but we both like Glinda and right now, she needs help. So either you're going to help me or you're just going to get in my way. Pick one."

The prince sighed. "I'll do it for Glinda. But I'm still going to fight you for my son."

"We can argue about that later. It'll be great."

The prince nodded.

"I never thought I would say this, but let's go save Glinda again."

The cavalry's coming! Thanks to all readers and reviewers for your patience. I appreciate it. I also like reviews, so if you feel so inclined, please leave one. Thanks!