AN:

New chapter – still travelling around Oz.

There is a bit talk and stuff about a holiday at Lake Chorge back in Shiz era. Just in case you forgot about it and are confused or whatever – it was discussed in chapter 15, an Elphie/Glinda scene.

Otherwise not much to say… Not overly dramatic this chapter. Bits of fluff here and there I guess…

I know I say that like all the time right now (sorry, guys), but this chapter seems a bit weird. If you find out why that could be let me know, because I have no real clue lol

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As always huge thanks and big hug to all reviewers and also to the new subscribers.

Elphaba'sGirl:

Peace offer: How about an engagement? Lol

Olaf:

There isn't really a bad guy. Only people complicating things here and there. Originally I actually intended Tawim, love sick as he is, to be much more trouble but while I was writing, that idea kinda melted away until he turned out rather lovable.. xD

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OK, happy reading everyone!

xoxo MLE

Chapter Twenty-One: Dear Old Shiz

Since the lousy weather persisted, they had no choice but to spend three more nights at the dilapidated tavern, sharing the much too small bed. Most people would have complained, but Fiyero and Elphaba did not mind in the least. However, when conditions finally did improve, they wasted not a second and continued their journey as soon as the road was negotiable.

Their first destination was Ovvels, one of only two major cities in the otherwise widely undeveloped country. After that they stayed a few nights in Qhoyre, the capital.

"Your Qua'ati is most impressive," Fiyero told her as they covered the last stretch of Quadling road, headed for the Yellow Brick Road which started just a few miles south the Quadling-Munchkin boarder. "Without you we would have slept outside in the rain these first few days here. And at that farm, where we exchanged our horses - they would have robbed us blind, if you had not stepped in."

Elphaba put her book aside and smiled, but immediately downplayed her little triumphs with a shrug.

"I grew up here. There was not much effort involved in learning the language or about the Quadling culture; children absorb those things like a sponge."

"More like ten sponges if they are little Elphabas," Fiyero grinned. "So, did you recognize any of the places we went?"

Pensively she tilted her head and looked out of the window at the passing landscape. She played with the ruby bracelet Fiyero had bought her on their last day in Qhoyre (everyone in Oz knew that the reddest and brightest rubies in the entire world could be found in the Quaddling mines) as fragmental childhood memories flashed past. In these memories she was not alone; another little girl was always by her side. But this did not come as a surprise anymore.

A few days ago she had awakened in the middle of the night, after dreaming of her sister. No one had ever told her that she even had a sister, but she somehow just knew who that girl in her dreams was. And just like that she also simply knew that her little sister had already passed away. How however, was still a mystery to her. She came to the conclusion that the others must have been too concerned about her mental wellbeing to tell her anything about her and making sure he would not worry, she never mentioned this reminiscence to Fiyero.

"Elphaba?" he asked concerned after she had been sitting and staring wordlessly for at least some twenty minutes.

She came back from her reveries with a start, her eyes blinking rapidly. Then she remembered the question he had asked her.

"Oh, um… Well, I never actually saw the big cities. My father preferred to live and preach in remote regions where people did not ask too many intelligent questions about the Unnamed God he could not answer. But the general scenery and the people do feel familiar."

They followed the Yellow Brick Road until they almost reached the Emerald City, but then kept east and bypassed Oz's capital. After travelling north for three more days, they reached Lake Chorge.

For the first time during this trip Fiyero was a little nervous. He had felt that the enormous detour through Quadling Country was necessary, because he had read somewhere what some clever person had said about the importance of early childhood experiences. Here at Lake Chorge, on the other hand, they finally had the chance to retrace their shared history. But would she even remember?

They arrived rather early that day and after checking in at the hotel, he decided to take her for a walk around the lake. Of course he would have preferred to return to this place sometime in summer, or at least late spring, when the temperatures were more agreeable and sudden showers much rarer, but needless to say, this trip would not have born any delay.

He kept eying her expectantly as they walked. While he did not want to prompt her or even tell her what she ought to be remembering, he was dying for her to say something, anything that indicated that she had seen this place before. For most part, however, they wandered the lonely path by the lake's shore in silence, barely discussing even unrelated matters.

Dusk was approaching fast and still no luck. He began to accept the fact that this part of their trip would most likely turn out not to have quite the desired effect, quietly chiding himself for being so upset about it. Maybe this memory was not significant enough for her to come back as readily as he had hoped. For him it was significant – very much so indeed and the realization that the whole experience could have been utterly inconsequential to her was nothing short of disappointing.

Again he told himself that these kinds of thoughts were inappropriate. Even though he did not voice them, he felt like he was unnecessarily pressuring her, urging her to make up for the pain that she and this ozdamned amnesia had inflicted upon him. But she was the real victim here, he made sure to remind himself over and over. Of course no one could deny that this whole situation caused him – them – a great deal of grief. But he at least knew about things and knowing meant being in control, a luxury she, a woman who always used to hold the reins tightly in her grasp, did not have. At least not quite yet.

Slowly coming to terms with the notion that this particular episode of their past could very well be a memory that was lost to her forever, he decided to make this holiday memorable enough so she would always hark back to it. So since there seemed to be so little to discuss between them anyway, he spent the next few minutes brooding over what he could do to make the next few days more special and, if possible, outright unforgettable.

His pondering was interrupted when the rustling sound of their feet shuffling through fallen autumn leaves was replaced by the noise of heavy shoes clomping over wooden planks. Elphaba had taken charge of their route and led him onto the small pier that reached about a hundred feet across the lake.

As they reached the end, they stopped to take in the scenery. By now the trees and bushes surrounding the lake were not much more than irregular, dark shadows. The houses in the distance were nearly invisible, except the few, faint lights emitted from windows and streetlamps. At the horizon the last few rays of the sun had turned a rich and radiant shade of red, their light reflecting in the rippling water, making it sparkle as if a thousand Quadling rubies lay at the bottom of the lake.

"Wow."

Fiyero let out an impressed whistle.

"I don't think I have seen this before. It almost looks like the water is on fire."

"It's mesmerizing," Elphaba agreed. "And a red sky at night heralds fine weather," she prosaically remarked just a moment after, being the pragmatist she was.

His eyes still glued to the seemingly glowing surface of the water, Fiyero gingerly grasped her hand and squeezed it lightly.

They stood like this for a while, until the spectacle was over and a brief shudder caused Elphaba to retract her hand and wrap both of her arms around her slim frame.

"Let's go back to the hotel."

He loosely rested one of his arms on her shoulders and kissed her temple before they turned and started heading back to the shore.

Elphaba stopped after a few steps and frowned.

"Are you alright, Fae?" he asked in concern.

She lifted her gaze to look into his eyes, smirking.

"Of course I am," she replied, leaning back slightly before tackling him with her shoulder and nudging him off the pier and into the water.

When his body made contact with the icy waters of the lake, she could hear him shriek at least an octave higher than his usual voice. Giggling at first, but soon roaring with laughter, she sprinted along the wooden jetty while Fiyero swam ashore.

"What was that?" he complained once he was out of the water.

He was visibly shivering – the lake had been cold, but the cool night air and his drenched clothes were far worse.

"That was for plunging a helpless girl who can't swim into a deep, deep lake in which she almost drowned," Elphaba said crossing her arms and scowling at him.

She remembered. Suddenly Fiyero was not so cold anymore. He felt like hugging her, kissing her senseless, but instead he decided to play her game.

"Oh?" he said offhandedly. "I didn't know you were one for bearing grudges?"

She flashed him a smug smirk.

"I most certainly am. You know, I still have to think of a way to repay you for that time when your carriage nearly knocked me over. But don't you worry, I'm like an elephant. Or Elephant. Either way; I don't forget."

"Oh really?"

Sceptically he arched an eyebrow.

After a moment of silence both burst into laughter. This might have been the first time that she had been able to laugh about her bizarre condition - in a completely blithe, non-sarcastic way.

Eventually the laughter died away and they remained perfectly still, gazing into each other's eyes.

"So you remember," he quietly stated the obvious and she nodded, a melancholic expression in her eyes.

"Back then you were still Glinda's though."

"That's true," he admitted, "but you were here as well and you truly mattered."

She cocked her head questioningly but did not ask. Wistfully Fiyero thought back to this vacation with 'his' girls: Glinda his girlfriend and Elphaba – not his girlfriend but nonetheless significant. Having her around had made things so much more enjoyable, so much more exciting and so much more meaningful. Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero. There was not all that much of that anymore these days and he was sad for it.

He stepped closer and carefully kissed her, his ice-cold lips touching her soft, warm ones. She kissed him back and they pressed their bodies closer together. At first her hot body and the heat building up inside of him warmed him, but after a few long moments her clothes had soaked up enough of his dampness and both were left shivering in the nippy wind. At this point they finally had no other choice but to hurry back to their hotel.

As Elphaba pointed out, they were so thoroughly chilled to the bone that a change of clothes alone would not do. She suggested that a hot shower could produce relief, but before either of them made it to the bathroom, they stated kissing again and before long found an alternative way to warm each other's bodies.

The next morning Elphaba woke with a rumbling stomach. She found herself in the same position she had fallen asleep in the night before – clinging to Fiyero's bare chest, limbs so entangled it was hard to tell where his body ended and hers began. They had missed dinner - and now breakfast, judging by the solar altitude. But why should she care?

For the next five days Elphaba and Fiyero found themselves enveloped by an aura of pure bliss. Things between them appeared to be just like they had once been. No, not quite, Fiyero mused. Better in fact, for as exciting as it had been, their life as fugitives had taken its toll on them back then. Now they were not the Wicked Witch and the Deserter anymore, they were Elphaba and Fiyero, two lovers making up for lost time.

As the time had come to move on, both of them were not quite sure whether they were really willing to take the next step. Neither one knew exactly why this had happened, but somehow things had simply clicked into place that evening, that night. The uncertainty concerning the how made them wonder whether their newfound happiness was too fragile to survive any change of state. Despite all this; in the end they found the resolve to take the risk and challenge their destiny, seeing how they could not hide themselves away forever.

Broden had been sent back to the Vinkus as soon as they had reached Lake Chorge. Instead of their private carriage they used the train to reach their next destination. Fiyero would not tell her where they were headed, but she already had a good idea.

They disembarked the train a few hours later in Shiz – Elphaba had been right of course. What she had not seen coming was Fiyero hailing a cab and giving the driver the instruction to take them and their entire luggage directly to the university, without stopping at a hotel first.

Elphaba paused for a second before she could bring herself to step thought the old iron gate. So close to this place that had changed her life so profoundly, the overwhelming wave of lurking memories was tangible. One hesitant step was followed by another. The threshold was crossed and she felt, heard, smelled, tasted and saw so many things at once that for a split second she was sure that her head must burst. But then everything was over as quickly as it had overcome her. She remained motionless for a little while, holding her head as a dull headache slowly subsided.

"Elphaba?"

Fiyero's voice sounded alarmed and his eyes searched hers for answers.

"I'm fine," was all she said and her lips formed a faint, but sincere smile.

Reassuringly he patted her back as they continued along the path to the main building.

Elphaba did not know what the ultimate purpose of this visit was and did not ask. She merely looked around, taking in her surroundings. If there was time later, she suddenly thought, she really wanted to take a stroll through the library and along Suicide Canal and sit under her favourite tree just one more time.

Lost in her cogitation, she followed Fiyero without protest, until they stood in front of the office of the head of university. She swallowed hard and shied away; Morrible's face popped into her mind and although she preferred to believe that she had never feared, only despised the old fish woman, she had no desire whatsoever to recall any memories that included her.

"Fiyero, can't we go somewhere else?" she asked and sent a pleading look his way.

But the prince had already knocked on the door and eventually it opened, granting them access. Mercilessly Fiyero dragged her along when he entered the office, no matter how hard she made it for him.

The door closed behind them. Her eyes, mainly trained to the ground, tentatively explored her environment. She recognized this room, but for some reason it appeared less intimidating and more welcoming than she remembered it. As she slowly lifted her gaze, she noticed a mouse bold enough to sit on an old typewriter that stood on a small desk positioned an a ninety degree angle to the much larger, much more imposing one that was meant for the headmistress or master.

"Huh. Seems like he is still busy elsewhere," Fiyero noted staring at the headmaster's ancient bureau.

He sat down on one of the chairs in front of it and patted the chair to his right, indicating that Elphaba should joint him.

As they waited, she registered a steady flow of clicking sounds. Turning her head she saw that the pert animal was still there, now hopping from one key on the typewriter to the next. It was funny how the rodent's movements seemed almost deliberate and Elphaba squinted to better study the subject of her curiosity. Was this mouse wearing glasses? And… a necklace? Knowing how much Oz must have changed now that Glinda was in charge, she did not know why she was so surprised to discover that the headmaster's secretary was a Mouse.

"I apologize for the wait," she suddenly heard a vaguely familiar voice say as the door opened again.

Elphaba and Fiyero stood and turned to face the headmaster who had just entered the office.

"Doctor Dillamond," Elphaba exclaimed incredulously.

The old Goat smiled.

"So good to see you, Miss Elphabaaaaah – Sorry, Miss Thropp. It still is 'Miss Thropp'?" he hastily added uncertain after acknowledging Fiyero with a nod.

"Yes, it is," Elphaba confirmed smiling.

"For now," Fiyero added with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Oh, good," Doctor Dillamond breathed in relief. "Mind you, I don't object to your… you know, I merely still fight slight problems forming certain…" he took a breath and furrowed his brow in displeasure, "saaaaahwnds."

"So this is your office now?" Elphaba asked, changing the unpleasant topic of their conversation.

"Indeed, it is. Courtesy to miss Glind- Her Goodness."

She nodded approvingly.

"You will be pleased to learn - I'm not the only one of my kind here," the Goat informed her smiling. "Things seem nearly like in the olden times, I reckon."

And Doctor Dillamond's words proved to be true. Walking the school grounds, they encountered all sorts of Animals – staff as well as students; something previously unheard of.

Much to Fiyero's grief, one of the things Elphaba was most eager to do, was to attend some of the classes. Some of the lecturers recognized the Vinkun prince, but apparently nobody connected the dots and identified Elphaba. It was better that way, she knew.

Later they did visit the library, as she had hoped they would, but Fiyero would not allow her to linger. Not for now at least – he tried very hard to convince her that she would have time for that later. A stroll along Suicide Canal followed, as well as a short rest under her favourite tree.

Looking at his pocket watch Fiyero elbowed Elphaba who had dozed off while leaning against the trunk of the tree.

"We should go and change for dinner."

"Oh? Where will we go?" she asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

"'The Peach and Kidneys'?"

She laughed.

"Sounds perfect. So I assume you booked the best hotel in town? 'The Dragon's Head', is it?"

"Nope," he smiled mischievously, "I found somewhere better."

He took her hand to pull her up and led the way. Soon she could see where this was going and a wide grin appeared on her face.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead serious," he replied as he pushed the key into the lock.

"Voila!"

Creaking the old door swung open and allowed a look into the modestly furnished and decorated dorm room.

"You are unbelievable," Elphaba sighed happily and wrapped her arms around his neck to kiss him.

"It will be lonely though," she considered, knowing that he would not be allowed in the girls' dormitory.

"You should know me by now," he chided her lightly. "I think of everything."

He pushed to door open a bit further to reveal a certain blonde sitting on the second, pink, bed, reading a magazine.

"Good evening, Elphie," Glinda chirped.

It was late already when someone knocked on the door of the headmaster's quarters.

"Come on in," the Goat sighed, putting aside his book and gracelessly sliding out of his armchair by the fireplace.

"I very much apologize for the disturbance, Doctor Dillamond, but it might be important," the small and haggard brunette squeaked.

"Important enough to call on me just before midnight, Professor Blubell?"

The Goat studied the woman. She was a naïve creature, easy to impress, easy to hector. It was incomprehensible to him how this person had been able to secure a position at such a prestigious university. But then again, she taught astrology, a subject that also had no place at this institution, as far as he was concerned.

The professor checked her surroundings before she took a deep breath to collect her courage.

"I have seen her. The Witch."

Doctor Dillamond acted unimpressed.

"Which witch?"

"The Wicked Witch of the West," the woman whispered nervously.

"There, there, my esteemed colleague, we all know – the Wicked Witch is dead. Exterminated. There is no need to worry."

"But if I tell you!"

Shaking his head, the headmaster still dismissed her concerns.

"I'm sure it would be nearly impossible for this green person to be discovered by only one of us."

"Well, she wasn't exactly green," Professor Blubell admitted."

"Not green? Then it couldn't possibly be the witch. I think this conversation could surely be deferred. Good night professor."

With that he shoved her out the door and closed it behind her.

"Sweetblum," he said quietly and his Mouse secretary appeared from behind the drawer chest where she lived in her mousehole.

He wrote a note and folded the piece of paper several times until it was small enough for her to handle.

"Be a dear and deliver this to our guest in Briscoe Hall."

"Of course, Headmaster," Sweetblum piped and disappeared.

The old Goat was surprised and a little worried. He would probably not have recognized her as her sudden appearance was utterly unexpected due to her apparent demise and peculiar change in skin colour, yet another, rather useless faculty member had. Who else would?