I'll Protect You
Chapter 21
Chasing Shadows
AN: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews for the last chapter. This chapter is dedicated to a wonderful person and an amazifying writer, Mad-Idina-fan98! Thank you for all your support! Also, the character Leilani is based off of Mad-Idina-fan's rp character, so she doesn't belong to me, all rights and privileges go to her.
Huge shoutouts go to Fae the Queen, Mad-Idina-Fan98, Elphaba-WWW, Happy3611, Woodland59, Varia, TheWickedrae, NiatheWickedLover, L8lzytwner, Gothic Butterfly and Guest for your wonderful reviews. God Bless you all!
Darkness enveloped around Fiyero's mind, wrapping tight like a cloak of night around his entire body, lulling his aching heart into a rhythmic symphony of warmth and ice. An unchained melody played softly far in the distant dark, like a whispered breath, floating on the razor sharped edge of the Western breeze, soothing the garish crescendo of his chaotic thoughts.
A voice, soft as thunder, echoed within his mind, luring him further into the darkness, the veil of the night. Weakly, he lifted his head, his dark sapphire eyes shimmered, catching and reflecting the light of the silver moon, rising high into the cloak of midnight. A light breeze swept past him, tussling a few loose strands of wheat gold hair.
A strange, yet familiar warmth spread like a river of flames throughout his body. His eyes fluttered, before closing. The tips of his long black lashes fluttered, before stilling in the silence of the night.
Yero…
Stiffening, Fiyero's eyes snapped open. His heart thundered loud in his chest and his breathes came out hard, and uneven. He heard her, his Fae, calling to him.
Hope filled his heart, hope that his beloved had somehow broken free from her mortal bondage, drifted through the currents of darkness and silence, to this land of midnight bliss, where their souls could be joined as one forever.
He scanned the horizon, hoping, praying to find his beloved somewhere hidden in the darkness, waiting for him. And yet, with each passing minute, he was met with only nothingness.
Frustrated, Fiyero slammed his fist hard against his side, and throwing his head back, screamed towards the horizons. His voice quaked with an unfurled rage, shattering the cosmos, and the realms between. The Gates between worlds, between space and time, crumbled before his feet, one by one, until all that remained, was a pile of shattered hearts and dreams.
His legs buckled beneath him. A scream ripped free from his bloody throat, before collapsing to the ground. A plume of dust furled high into the air, sparkling like crystals in the light of the silver moon, flickering, and fading fast into the darkness of the night.
For the first time in months, Fiyero felt alone, empty. The warmth once radiating within his heart, faded with each weak beat of his heart. He could feel it, the silken tendrils which once binded his soul with Elphaba's stretch and snap, the fragile strings fraying, before splitting and cracking one by one, until shattering into dew.
"Fae!" cried out Fiyero. Weakly, he lowers his head to the shattered remains of earth and soil, loose strands of his wheat gold hair fell over his eyes; the tips bent, curling against the ground and darkening his appearance. Hot tears prickled along the edge of his eyes, and yet he refused to let them fall.
Yero…
His breath hitched, and his body stiffened. He heard the voice, yet he wished with all his might to block it out, be rid it for good and wash it clean from his memories. A growl, deep from within, vibrated hard in his throat. His fingers trembled, as they rose and cupped over his ears.
Yero…
The anger grew, igniting like a Pfenix flame, hidden deep within the abyss, shattering the darkness and rising high into the midnight sea of the cosmos. And with that anger, the pain soon followed; pain for the fallen, for the woman whom he had loved since far longer than forever, his soul mate, his one true love, his eternal heart.
He didn't want to feel this pain, this anguish anymore. This phantom caress that refused to leave his tortured, twisted soul be. He wanted to be left alone, forgotten in the twisted darkness, wrapping himself in its silken embrace, and fall forever into slumber in the shadow of the hallow moon, where his broken soul could roam, alone, and shattered. Where no warmth, no light, could ever reach him again.
Yero…
And yet that damned voice refused to leave him in the peace of the darkness, the sweet serenade of silence in the shadows of ice, for all he wanted, all he yearned for was to escape the wretched light, and hide away in the midnight.
Yero…
Unable to take it anymore, Fiyero threw his head back and screamed. His arms rose, hands fisted, trembled in the air. Small particles of dust and blood seeped through the tiny slits of his curled fingers.
"Damn you! Why can't you leave me in peace!" bellows Fiyero. His voice echoes throughout the deserted plain. Slowly, it faded away, leaving him alone once more in his torments. "Why can't the demons of the past leave me at peace in my misery?"
A choked sob and Fiyero once again lowers his sweat beaten brow in defeat. Slowly, his hands fall to the ground; a plume of smoke rises, twirling like vapored mist into the night.
Yero please…
"No!" screams Fiyero jerking his head up. His eyes shone in the moonlight, reflecting the smooth surface of the moon. Rage sparkled within, twisting the blues to a violent black. "Enough! You've won! Do you hear me! You've won! I'm broken! Damaged beyond repair! There! Are you satisfied now?!"
Shuddering, Fiyero collapsed once more to the ground. He needed peace, serenity, he needed the shadows of the past to stop haunting him, teasing him with reflections of what could have been with mere flickering images of what his heart, his soul longs to see, to touch, and too claim as one.
He was tired, mentally and physically, for he could no longer chase after the reflections, the shadows, peering just out of reach, a dancer in the dark, a flicker of an image, and nothing more.
"Please…please be satisfied…and be done with me" pleads Fiyero, his voice soft, and broken.
Yero please...
"I can't Fae" whimpers Fiyero brokenly. "I can't do this anymore…I can't keep chasing shadows that cannot be…dreams that have been shattered the moment they were born…I'm done…I have nothing left within me anymore to care, to try…to fight"
A flicker of light and the breeze once again wisps past him, tussling a few strands of his hair. Slowly, soft footsteps padded towards him, and yet he refused to look up and gaze at an image, a phantom which did not exist.
Yero my love…
Hands reached out, slender and warm, cupping the sides of his head, gently lifting his tear stained face from the ground.
Fiyero could feel the warmth of the person touching him, yet he refused to open his eyes. He couldn't, for the hope rippled tight within his heart, but doubt, screamed like a sirens call in his mind, warning him to not fall for the illusion, the shattered hope and prayer.
Open your eyes my love…
"No" cries Fiyero.
Open your eyes my love…and believe…
"I can't" cries Fiyero.
Why not?
"Because I know you're not there…you're an illusion…a mirrored image to what my heart…my soul yearns for" croaks out Fiyero.
Yero my love…open your eyes…and see for yourself what is truth…and what is lies…
He didn't want to, yet a hidden voice, nagged, echoed within his mind to listen, to obey. Mentally, he prepared his heart, his mind for the betrayal, which was sure to come.
Please Yero…trust me…
Swallowing the last tiny grains of hope from his heart, he reluctantly obeyed. Slowly, his long black lashes fluttered open, the darkness of his deep sapphire eyes sparkled, widening as he beheld the woman, the angel standing before him.
"F…Fae?" whispers Fiyero breathlessly.
Yero
"Fae…your…" trembling, Fiyero rose to his feet, his eyes never leaving the ethereal glow of the woman, the witch, who he had sought for eons and beyond. Who he had sworn would chase to the ends of Oz and beyond, searching, seeking her out, until she was once again safely held in his arms. "You're here…your alive!"
Sadness flickered across Elphaba's gentle face. Her eyes soften, and her head bows. Her arms tremble as they rise and cross tight around her chest. The wind picks up, tussling her hair and making it billow majestically around her.
"Fae? What's the matter?" slowly, Fiyero steps closer. His hand rises, cupping her cheek. But to his surprise, his hand moves through her. "What in Oz!"
I'm not really here Yero
Fiyero watches with baited breath, as Elphaba turns away. Tears brim at the edges of her eyes, sparkling like moonlight dew. Her long raven hair continues to billow around her, a few loose strands, twirl across her face, before being swept up once more in the silent currents of the western breeze.
"What do you mean?" asks Fiyero softly.
What remains of my soul is here with you…my body is still in the Realm of the Living…this is a mere astral projection…a mirrored image of the one your heart seeks…
"I…how?"
Your heartbreak…it called to me…I could hear it...
"How?"
It howled loud like the wind…crashed like thunder, shattering the plains between this world and the next…your pain transcended through the spheres of time and space...
"Fae…I'm…I'm so lost without you" whispers Fiyero brokenly.
A soft smile, pulled at the edge of Elphaba's slender lips. Slowly she turned her dark chocolate eyes shimmered in the moonlight. Oz, she looked like a Goddess, an ethereal Goddess, bathed in the light of the silver moon.
Tears sparkled like silver mist along the elegant curve of her eyes, tangling with her long lashes and sparkling like crystal dew. Slowly, she turned.
Fiyero stiffened, as Elphaba's hand rose and cupped his cheek. He could almost feel her touch upon his skin, for it was like a kiss from the wind, a breeze of silk, and yet there was still the bitter acidic bite of ice left behind by the kiss of Death, the Phantom Scythe.
You're never alone…
A small shudder, rippled like the waves lapping upon the clear, crystal surface of the western oceans of the far beyond across his heart, cracking, shattering the fragile surface of crimson even more.
Crystal tears of ice and snow prickled at the edge of his lids, yet he refused to wipe the misty dew away. Weakly, his hand rose, freezing, hovered mere inches above the emerald enchantresses. He could almost feel the heat of her skin, the soft silk of her flesh against his, her scent and that alone, broke his heart all the more, for he knew it was not real. The real Elphaba was not standing here before him, touching his cheek, whispering sweet longings of comfort in his ear.
"Fae" whispers Fiyero, his voice cracking slightly in pitch.
I'll always be with you my love…my heart…my treasure…my soul…for forever and beyond…
"Fae?" Fiyero's eyes snap open, and his heart races, for Elphaba's voice slowly echoes into the far distance beyond his reach. Darkness encapsulates around him, cloaking him in midnight and ice.
Clenching his fist, he tried with all his might, to fight the darkness, to shatter it, before the cloak of ice could once again capture him in its soft, melodic melody of chaos's symphony for all eternity.
Yero…
"FAE!" snapping his eyes open, Fiyero violently jerks himself upright. His hand rises and reaches out towards the emptiness surrounding him.
"Fiyero!" cries a shrill, bell-like voice.
Startled, Fiyero whips around. His eyes widen and his mouth drops open. He could feel it, his heart races and blood pounds behind his ears. He was alive, and yet, he had never felt so empty.
Glinda stood beside him, one small, fragile hand touching his arm, the other, grasping the edge of the bed. Dark cerulean stared back at him, fear sparkling within. Misty tears brimmed along the fine edges of her almond shaped eyes, making the stray flickers of light blues shimmer like crystals lost in a swirl of misty blues and ebony. Her long golden hair hung in limp curls against her broken shoulders; shades of crimson twirled around each delicate strand. A large, hideous bruise pulsed against her cheek, making Fiyero wince.
"G…Glinda" croaks Fiyero. A stab of pain steals his breath away. Wincing, his hand flies to his chest, the tips of his fingers curl, pressing hard against his broken flesh.
"Shhh" soothes Glinda. Gracefully, she rises to her feet, her hands rise and gently pressed against his shoulders. Gingerly, she helps lay Fiyero's broken and battered body down to the sheets. "You've broken four of your ribs…and bruised your collar bone"
"Fae" gasps Fiyero. "Where…where's Fae?"
Fiyero watches as Glinda's eyes soften; a hidden sadness flickers in the oceans of cerulean and oceanic blues, a hidden storm thundered just beyond the horizon. Weakly, she turned away as the tears fell one by one.
"We…we couldn't save her" whispers Glinda, her voice sounding broken, and lost.
"What!" gasps Fiyero. Jerking himself up, he stares frantically back at Glinda. "We have to go back! We have to save her!"
"We can't!" cries Glinda as she whips around to once again face Fiyero. Slowly, the Prince falls back to the sheets, defeat, and understanding flickers within his eyes. "We can't…"repeat Glinda. "We haven't the man power nor the strength to return…at least…not now"
"Glin…I can't leave her there" cries Fiyero.
"And you think I can!" angrily, Glinda twirls on the tips of her toes, her eyes darken as she glares back at the Prince. The same fiery passion, the want, the need to save her friend, shimmered in her eyes, blazing like coal fire. "Do you honestly think I liked leaving her there?!"
"No" whispers Fiyero. Beaten down by the truth, the former Vinkun Prince turned his gaze away from the Witch of the North, for he could not look at her, he couldn't take seeing the pain, the betrayal, shimmer in her eyes. He knew she still loved him, still desired to have his heart, to call him hers. And in truth, he couldn't blame her. After all, he had led her on for all those years.
Slowly, he turned and stared back at Glinda. Tears shimmered in her eyes, pulling on his heartstrings and breaking his spirit all the more.
"Glinda" whispers Fiyero. Tenderly, his hand rises and with the gentlest of care, wipes the tears away, one by one until all that remained, was a faded pathway of crystal stars, shimmering in the cascading light.
A soft smile, pulled at the edges of Glinda's trembling lips. Her eyes soften as her hand rises and cups over Fiyero's.
"Are you alright?" asks Fiyero gently.
"I'll live" whispers Glinda.
"Glinda" growls Fiyero. He could tell she was hiding the truth of her injuries from him, whether it was to soften his conscious mind, or put it at ease it didn't matter. He needed to know.
"A broken shoulder…and a few scrapes that's it" sighs Glinda, giving in. At Fiyero's incredulous look, she jerks away, her eyes harden and her hands immediately fly to her hips. "It's the truth!"
"If you say so" sighs Fiyero. Oz, he wasn't in the mood to argue. Turning, he takes in his surroundings.
The darkness gives way, revealing stone walls glistening like moonlight. Shadows of a menacing nature stalk atmosphere, dancing along the vine covered walls towards the two unsuspecting Ozian's, held at bay, by the gentle twilight of the flickering flame, dancing like a solo dancer in the dark, at the tip of the coal wick.
A table made out of half dilapidated boxes sits half concealed in the far corner, a silver tray with strange tools shimmers on top. An icy wind whistles through the empty caverns.
Shivering, Fiyero unconsciously winds his arms around his abdomen. Wincing, he drops his arms down into the bowl of his lap.
"Where are we?" asks Fiyero, after a few moments of silence.
"A hidden cavern…somewhere far from the City of Emeralds" answers Glinda softly.
"A hidden cavern?" questions Fiyero. His eyes drift down the glistening rocky walls, to a small opening, half cut through the hard limestone, creating a mouth leading to a twisted corridor. Torches of ebony line the walls, the flames danced in the center of twisted bark, spiraling upwards to the ceiling. "How did we get here?"
"Fae" came a voice, startled, both Glinda and Fiyero jump, a cry and Glinda jumps into Fiyero's arms, nearly knocking the both of them off the bed, and onto the ground.
Regaining his balance, Fiyero, grunting, pushes Glinda to the side and turns. His eyes darken, as he beholds Atlas, standing tall at the entrance, both hands clasped at his beltline.
"Atlas" growls Fiyero.
"Glad to see that you're alright…your highness" mockingly, Atlas bows to Fiyero. Straightening, his eyes darken. One hand rises and claps the handle of an ebony dagger. "I see her Goodness has already filled you in"
"Only that we are in some Ozforsaken cavern somewhere in Oz…the where and why still hasn't been answered" spats Fiyero. Oz, he really didn't like this guy.
"Those questions shall be answered at a later date…for now…you must come with me" answers Atlas, deciding not to give in to the Prince's hidden jab.
Inwardly, Atlas couldn't fault this man for disliking him. After all, he had just found out not long ago, that he and Fae had had an "intimate" relationship during her time on the run. He had been with Fae, when Fiyero could not to comfort her, aid her in her time of need, when she was sick, injured and in need, to be nursed back to health, when she was sad and downtrodden. A shoulder to cry on, lips to show her love, and warm arms, to stave off the cold during the bitter winter months in Oz.
He had become Elphaba's shoulder, her rock, when she needed someone, he was there for her in her time of need, and that alone, crushed the Prince's heart the most. He wanted to be there for Fae, and yet he couldn't, for like Elphaba, he too, had been imprisoned, locked away in a gilded cage, too afraid to break lose, and fly free.
"You kept the love within her alive Fiyero…that is more than even I could have done for her" answers Atlas at last. He could read his mind see the turmoil rippling within his eyes, the love.
He felt for the Prince, for like him, he too, loved the emerald sorceress with all his heart, and yet he knew that she never really belonged to him. Never really did. She belonged to Fiyero and Fiyero alone.
"No…I only extinguished the flame of our love by staying here…taking the cowards way out" growls Fiyero. Ashamed, he turns away from Atlas's piercing gaze. He couldn't look at him, for when he did, all he could see was his faults. "You're the one who kept her love alive…the light…you were there for her when she needed someone the most…to care for her…to look after her and love her…you did all the things I couldn't do"
"Fiyero" whispers Glinda.
"Fiyero…she loves you still" replies Atlas gently.
"No…she doesn't" slowly, he turns to once again face Atlas. "She loves you"
"She never loved me" whispers Atlas. Closing his eyes, he lowers his gaze to the floor. His hand once resting on the hilt of his dagger falls away, and the tips of his fingers lightly brush against his side, before stilling. "I was only a stand in, someone to be there until you were able to find you way to her"
"How do you know that?" asks Fiyero confused.
"When the nightmares came…she would scream and thrash in her sleep…I tried to comfort her…but not even my voice could reach her" stilling, Atlas's eyes rise to once again stare back at the Prince. "She would moan your name…cry out for you in the dark…that's how I know"
"She…she called…for me?" whispers Fiyero, his voice cracking with tears.
"Yes…she loves you Fiyero…you are her soul mate…her one true love…the keeper to her heart" Sighing, his hand rises and cups the back of his head. "You're the only one who can free her from the chains of darkness…and return her light"
"And you?" asks Fiyero. Guilt crushed Fiyero's heart. Guilt for the love that could not be attained, that would not be returned. For he loved a woman, who had given her heart to another, and no matter how hard he tried, that heart, that love would never be his.
A glimmer of something flickers within Atlas's eyes and for a moment, the two men who sought the heart of the raven haired witch stood, facing each other. Determination to save, to protect the raven haired beauty, shimmered bright like firelight in their eyes.
Sighing, Atlas turned, his hand once again reaching up and grasping the tip of his dagger.
"Come…the High Elders are awaiting our arrival" with a swish of his cape, Atlas turns and disappears down the half illuminated corridor, leaving Fiyero and Glinda behind, confusion sparkling in each one's eyes.
"Should we follow him?" asks Glinda softly.
"We haven't any other choice" sighs Fiyero. Inwardly, he wanted to meet these High Elders, and give them each a piece of his mind, for these were the ones who had sent his Fae on the most dangerous of missions, with little to no regard for her life. And yet she went blindly fulfilling the wishes of the Elder Ones, the people whom she looked up to and admired.
"I'm scared…what if these 'Elder Ones' are old…decrepit Mystiques with long drawn faces…pale…wrinkly skin!" cries Glinda, crinkling her nose at the last part. "What if there even demon people who sacrifice beautiful young maidens to their heathen gods! Oh Oz! I don't want to be sacrificed! I'm too beautiful to die!"
Wincing, Fiyero's hands rise and cup his ears. Her shrill cries almost literally shattered his ear drums.
Oz…why in Lurline did I stay with her for so long? Fiyero's eyes drop and widen at Glinda's heaving breasts. A goofy smile pulls at the edge of his lips as his body relaxes. Oh yeah…that's why.
A shrill cry and Fiyero is knocked free from his reverie. Shaking his head, his hands rise and grasp firmly onto Glinda's quivering shoulders, stilling her in place. Crystal tears dance down her slender cheeks, streaking, like falling stars streaking across the midnight sky.
"Glin settle!" scolds Fiyero. "The High Elders aren't going to sacrifice you to their gods"
"How" sniffs. "How do you know?"
"The High Elders are the ones who have been pulling the strings of the Resistance Members remember…they need us…or they wouldn't have ordered Atlas to bring us here" soothes Fiyero. Gently, his hand rises and cups Glinda's glistening cheek. "It'll be alright…they just want to talk to us…perhaps they have a plan already in motion to save Fae"
"You…you think so?" quivers Glinda. A snort, and the good Witch of the North wipes her nose with the sleeve of her cloak.
"Yes" sighs Fiyero.
"Well…then what are we waiting for?!" jumping to her feet, she reaches out and grabs hard onto Fiyero's arms. "Let's go!" A plume of smoke and Glinda pulls Fiyero down the long corridor.
Morrible stands in the darkness, twisted shadows dance across her face and body. An evil sneer pulls at the edge of her lips as her dark, icy blue eyes gaze out into the darkness surrounding her.
"Everything is going according to plan" cackles Morrible. Slowly, her arms rise and cross tight around her chest. The ends of her crimson sleeves sway in the air, before stilling, the tips, lightly brush against her sides.
"MORRIBLE!" roars a voice, knocking the fish woman from her thoughts.
Startled Morrible turns and gasps. Her eyes widen and her hands fall to her sides.
"You're Ozness!" awkwardly, she bows before stumbling back as the Wizard steps towards her. A roar and the Wizard crack Morrible hard across the face.
"WHAT IN OZ DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING!?" roars the Wizard, his eyes blazing like cold fire. Angrily, he reaches out and grabs hard to the edges of Morrible's high neckline.
"Excuse me?" asks Morrible, shocked by the slap.
A roar and the Wizard strike Morrible hard across the face before pulling her close.
"WHAT IN OZ HAVE YOU DONE TO MY DAUGHTER!?" roars the Wizard.
"I assure you your Ozness" replies Morrible coolly. Slowly, her hands rise and curl around the Wizard's. "That your daughter is perfectly fine"
"DON'T LIE TO ME WITCH!" spats the Wizard. Letting go, Oscar winds back and cracks Morrible hard across the face. A gleam sparkles in his eyes, watching the fish woman stumble away from him, a line of crimson cuts through her pale cheek. "I've heard from my guards the horrors to which you have bestowed upon my daughter…so I ask again…what in Oz do you think you're doing…and I warn you Madame…choose your words wisely…for they may be your last" warns the Wizard in a threatening tone.
"I have done only what you have asked of me your Ozness…nothing more…nothing less" sniffs Madame Morrible as she regally stands tall before the Wizard, a glimmer of defiance, sparkling in her cold eyes.
"I never asked you to do this!" hisses the Wizard. "I never asked you to beat my daughter to the ground…to whip her until she bleeds…to have her raped repeatedly by the guards!"
"She had tried to curse the guards and I…we only did what we had to in order to protect ourselves from her magick" sniffs Morrible. It was a lie, but convincing nonetheless. "What would you have preferred…us defending ourselves…or being turned into liquid goo by your daughter's unstable magick and temper?"
"There still was a better way of handling the situation then beating her" growls the Wizard through clenched teeth.
"I assure you your Ozness…that it was the only way" bows Madame Morrible.
"What of the child growing within her? Was it unharmed?" asks the Wizard, fear tinged in his voice.
"The bastard child the witch carries is unharmed as well" snarls Morrible. Oz, the sentimental fool was starting to grate on her nerves.
Growling, the Wizard winds back and strikes Morrible hard across the face once more.
"Don't you ever call that child a bastard! That is my future grandchild and next in line to the throne of Oz!" roars the Wizard.
"Forgive me your Ozness…it was a mere slip of the tongue" bows Morrible.
"It better be…or I will personally rip that slimy tongue of yours from your mouth" threatens the Wizard. "Now…where is my daughter?"
Huffing, Morrible turns and points towards the darkness. For a moment, the Wizard glares at the witch, before following her gaze. A spark of light, and large, cylinder appears. Green liquid bubbles and churns within.
"I" starts the Wizard.
Sighing, Morrible snaps her fingers. The bubbles disperse, revealing a tall silhouette of a woman, floating lifelessly in the center. Her long, raven hair billows and swirls within the invisible currents, sweeping around her. Her long slender arms cross against her chest, half covering her breasts.
"Elphaba" whispers the Wizard. Snarling, he turns and glares back at Morrible. "What have you done to her!?"
"She is not dead your Ozness I assure you that"
"Then tell me what you have done to her!?" roars Oscar.
"She is merely asleep…suspended animation if you will" smiles Morrible.
"What?" frowns the Wizard confused.
"I've put her in a coma-like state…for now" answers Morrible.
"Why?" asks the Wizard. Slowly he turns his eyes soften, beholding his daughter, floating lifelessly within the sea of emerald green. A stream of crystal bubbles twirls around her beaten body, popping one by one at the tips of her hair.
"So she may heal" answers Morrible.
"And the liquid?"
"A potion I have concocted" answers Morrible coolly.
"What does it do?"
"It's keeping her alive whilst her body heals…once she is on the mend…she can be removed from the crystal chamber" sniffs Morrible.
"And…the baby?"
"Alive as well…and strong…unharmed by the beatings as well" answers Morrible to the Wizard's silent question, dancing on the tip of his tongue.
"I see" slowly, the Wizard steps away from Morrible. His eyes soften, as he nears the crystal chamber. Tenderly, his hand rises and presses against the cool surface of glass and ice. "How long till she can be removed?"
"In three months' time" sighs Morrible.
"In three months' time" gasping, Oscar whirls back around to face Morrible. "She'll be ready to give birth by then!"
"Yes" growls Morrible.
"Surly she could be removed before then?"
"You asked when she can removed and I told you…three months' time…not a moment before" answers Morrible coldly.
"Will she be strong enough to give birth…and live?" asks the Wizard softly. Slowly, he turns back to the crystal chamber.
"I don't know your Ozness…that is entirely up to her" answers Morrible.
Fiyero, Glinda, and Atlas stand tall in the Chamber of Mysts, flickers of light flash before them, distorting their vision. A rush of air and the lights still. Six plumes of raven smoke appear from above. Turning, the three watches as six cloaked figures appears, their faces hidden by their hoods.
"Ah…the Winkie Prince…and her Goodness excellent…you have made it safely back to the Resistance headquarters unharmed" growls one of the cloaked figures; his voice sounded like smoke, rough and gravely.
"Where are we exactly?" asks Fiyero.
"Deep beneath the grounds of Oz…where Morrible and her magick cannot locate us" answers, their voice was icy, shrilly like the wind.
"Why have you sent for us?" asks Glinda, trying yet failing to keep her voice even.
"It was too dangerous to let the two of you roam within the palace walls" growls another.
"So you sent your dog to come and fetch us" answers Fiyero sarcastically.
"Dog?" asks Atlas, glaring back at the Prince.
"Atlas was given the task of finding you two and bringing you here to our headquarters safely…" answers a fourth. "Though…he did accomplish in bringing the two of you here…the later…is still questionable"
"Hey…it's not like I could foresee us being surrounded by a garrison of Gale Force guards…or Morrible herself heading the attack" complains Atlas.
"No matter…the two of you are safe now…that is all that matters now" growls a fifth.
"What of Fae?" asks Fiyero.
"Agent Fae?"
"What about her?"
"She's still in the hands of Morrible and the Wizard!" exclaims Fiyero. Honestly, these Elder One's were supposed to be so smart, knowing and seeing all.
"As we had told Atlas…Agent Fae is lost to the Resistance" answers the first.
"Lost? Lost?...She's not lost! She's captured! In the hands of that fish woman and his royal pain-in-the-ass Wizard!" exclaims Fiyero.
"And?"
"We can't leave her there! We have to go back and rescue her!" cries Glinda. Defiantly, she takes a step towards the High Elders, anger, shimmers in her eyes.
"We cannot risk the lives of our members to go and rescue One who does not wish to be saved"
"You can't be serious!" cries Fiyero. "She's your best warrior and ally in your fight against the Wizard! And yet you'll leave her in the hands of the enemy!?"
"She's made her choice…surrendering to the enemy…Agent Fae has sealed her own fate" growls another.
"Elphie didn't have any other choice! She's lost and broken!" exclaims Glinda. "She believed she had lost the one she loved the most!"
"Emotions are the gateway to weakness" answers another.
"I beg to differ…our emotions keep us strong…the very foundation of what makes us human…without our emotions…we'd be lifeless…soulless beings, wandering the realm of Oz without a purpose"
"It's what kept Elphie alive…kept the flame of her passion, her desire to save the Animals of Oz from the tyranny of the Wizard" adds Glinda.
"Her emotions are what led her down this twisted path of darkness…allowed the Silence to take over, blinding her from the truth" interrupts one of the High Elders.
"Not by her doing" growls Fiyero.
"Oh?" asks the Third.
"By another…Morrible…she's twisted Elphaba's mind...enchanting her" explains Glinda.
"It does not matter…Agent Fae is lost to the Resistance…turned her back to the Light…as far as we are concerned…"
"Agent Fae is dead"
"Not one of you will have the heart of mind to send those who love her…who wish for her safe return to go and rescue her?" exclaims Glinda.
"AGENT FAE IS LOST TO US! WE SHALL HEAR NO MORE OF THIS!" roars the Fifth.
"Now…to the task at hand" interrupts the Fourth. "You Prince Fiyero Tiggular of the Vinkus…former Captain of the Guard…and you Lady Glinda…the Good Witch of the North…you shall remain here"
"And?" asks Fiyero.
"And train" finishes the Sixth.
"Train?" asks Fiyero. Screwing up his face, he takes a step next to Glinda. "For what?"
"For the upcoming battle that lays ahead" answers the Second.
"What battle?" asks Glinda, fear tinged in her voice.
"Darkness and Light shall clash…until only one remains…the Fate of Oz…rests in your hands…you shall train with Atlas and the others...until the battle begins…then you shall stand with us…and fight for the freedom your Fae has sacrificed her life for"
"I cannot abide to your command! Not until Fae is rescued and returned" growls Fiyero.
"You shall train…or be casted back to the Land of Oz…where you shall be hunted, tried and killed as a traitor…either way…it matters not to us" growls the Second.
"The Choice is yours and yours alone...choose…but choose wisely Prince Fiyero"
"But be warned…should you chose to defy us…and go off on your foolish quest to rescue one already lost to the Darkness…then We shall have you skinned alive and burned before the bonfires of the North"
"This is your one and final warning…" A crash of thunder and the six Elders disappear in a plume of smoke, leaving Fiyero, Glinda, and Atlas alone in the Chamber of Mysts.
"Well" smiles Atlas. Slowly, he turns and faces the others. "That went well"
An hour later, Fiyero and Glinda are led to a large chamber. The walls were lined with gilded mirrors, each reflecting the flicker of flames, dancing along the walls, separating each mirror from the other.
"Where are we?" asks Glinda.
"This is the Chamber of Mirrors…a training facility where all new members must go" explains Atlas.
"Even Elphie?" asks Glinda softly.
"See for yourself" smiles Atlas. Turning, he points a thick finger towards the far wall. Following his gaze, Glinda's hands rise and thread against her chest.
Slowly, she steps towards the wall. Her eyes widen, for one of the mirrors; half hidden in shadows, was cracked, the surface splintered in several places. Small sprinkles of blood, splattered across the cracked surface.
"Did…did Elphie do this?" asks Glinda. Softly, her fingers stretch towards the mirror. A wince spreads across her face, as the tips of her fingers lightly brush against the cracked surface.
"More like her body did" chuckles Atlas.
Gasping, Glinda spins on the tips of her toes.
"What!"
"You threw her into the mirror?" growled Fiyero. Now he had a legitimate reason to hate this guy. Not only did he sleep with his Fae, but he had thrown her into a mirror as well. Oz, he couldn't wait until he had the chance to wipe that smug smile off his lips.
"We were sparring…it wasn't like I wanted to send her crashing through the mirror!" exclaims Atlas.
"But you threw her into a mirror! What part of that don't you understand!" screams Glinda.
"She's a lot tougher than you give her credit for Lady Glinda" sighs Atlas.
"Meaning?" asks Glinda, as she quirks an elegant eyebrow at the oath.
"She's strong…she's not as fragile as you and your Prince here are led to believe" answers Atlas, as he jabs a thumb towards a now fuming Fiyero.
"I don't treat her like she's fragile!" exclaims Fiyero.
"Please…the moment Fae sneezes your all over her with a tissue, thermometer, and a hot water bottle" snorts Atlas. Turning, his dark, emerald eyes shimmer with mischief. "And you with a bowl of hot soup and a ton of overly stuffed pink blankets"
"It only happened once!" screeches Glinda. Infuriated, the Good witch slams her fisted hands hard against her sides.
"She told you about that?" asks Fiyero surprised.
"That…and everything else you two put her through back at Shiz" chortles Atlas. "Like the pink fluffy underwear" turning, "Did you honestly think Fae would wear those?"
"Yes" replies Glinda proudly.
"What pink fluffy underwear?" asks Fiyero frowning. Why wasn't he privy to this? Oz, all the good things happen whenever he isn't around.
"And why…may I ask did you think she would?" laughs Atlas.
"It's pink fluffy underwear! Who wouldn't want to wear it!" exclaims Glinda.
"Fae" replies both Atlas and Fiyero at the same time.
"And?"
"Oz" Sighing, Fiyero slams his palm against his forehead in frustration. "Glinda…what colors does Fae like?"
"Black" answers Glinda, making a face.
"And what color does she absolutely detest?" continues Atlas.
"Pink"
"So…it would beg to differ that Fae…" continues Fiyero.
"Is color blind and has absolutely no taste for fashion" sniffs Glinda.
"Sweet Lurline above" angrily, Atlas throws his hands in the air, and turns, whilst Fiyero, slaps the palm of his hand against his forehead. "And exactly what did you see in her again?"
"I don't know" whispers Fiyero.
"Pink is the cutest…most adorabubblist color in all the color spectrums ever created by Lurline" giggling, Glinda twirls on the tips of her toes.
Both Fiyero and Atlas stare, eyes wide, and mouths agape at the little, pinkified blonde twirling before them, the edges of her dark, blue gown fans out around her, revealing small glimpses of her perfectly sculpted legs.
"How in Oz can someone…anyone not like the color pink?" asks Glinda. Suddenly, something silver cuts through the air, missing the blonde's cheek by a hairs length. A crack, and Glinda stills, her eyes widen and her body stiffens. Three strands of her golden hair floats before her eyes, slowly billowing down to the ground.
"Glin!" cries out Fiyero. Racing over to Glinda's side, he quickly gathers the now shaking blonde up in his arms and holds her close. "Are you alright?"
"What…what in Oz was that!?"
Smirking, Atlas turns. Neatly, he folds his muscled arms across his chest.
"May I be the first to present to you" starts Atlas. Grandly, one arm falls away and curls against his chest the other straightens and points out towards the darkness surrounding the room. Light footsteps pad towards them. Slowly a woman appears, tall and regal with long, dark hazel hair threaded neatly into a tight, French braid. Her dark, hazel eyes glare menacingly back at Fiyero and Glinda, quivering but a few feet away.
As the shadows fell away, Fiyero as well as Glinda, took notice of her outfit, or lack thereof, for she wore a dark brown leather bodice, the edges were sharp, the center pointing down towards her bare midsection. The skirt; which ended a few inches above her knees, too was made of the same material as her bodies. Crisscrosses of white thread could be seen along the edge and rim. Her dark, brown leather boots came to the edge of her knees, and an ebony headband, threaded like a braid, was strapped across her forehead.
"Leilani…one of our greatest and fiercest warriors…skilled in the art of daggers"
"Leilani?" asks Glinda, screwing up her nose. "What an odd name…is it Quadling?"
"Try Vinkun" replies Leilani darkly. Sighing, she turns and stares back at Atlas. "These are the ones the High Elders spoke of?"
"Yes" whispers Atlas.
"You've got to be joking" sighs Leilani.
"Hey…we can hear you!" exclaims Glinda. Oz, if there was one thing she hated more than someone who couldn't tell the difference between pink, and salmon, it was being ignored.
"How in Oz is "twinkle toes" over there and his Brainlessness going to help us defeat the Silence?" continues Leilani, ignoring Glinda's rant.
Huffing, Glinda angrily stomps her foot on the ground.
"Hello! Were still here!"
"The High Elders must be losing it if they truly believe those two idiots are going to help us save Oz" continues Leilani.
"The High Elders have very high expectations for these two" whispers Atlas. "And besides…if the High Elders believe the two of them are useful in our mission then so must we…remember what happens if we dare question the High Elders orders?"
Shuddering, Leilani's arms rise and wrap tight around her bare midsection.
"Don't remind me"
"Wait a minute!" huffs Glinda. Angrily, she pulls herself free from Fiyero's grasp, and snatching up her skirts, takes a gallant step towards Leilani and Atlas. "If she's so "skilled" as you so boldly boast of…then let's see her in action"
"You already did" smirks Leilani.
"What? When?" gasps Glinda. Frantically, she racks her brain, trying to remember seeing this strange woman throw anything at her, or at the walls.
"Over there…a few minutes ago when you and brainless here were arguing over pink underwear" stopping, Leilani closes her eyes, and crossing her arms, gracefully folds one leg over the other. "And I agree with Brainless…what in Oz were you thinking…giving pink fluffy underwear to Agent Fae?...You really must be as bubble-headed as Agent Fae said you were"
"Hey! I represent that remark!" snarls Glinda.
"Case in point" sighs Leilani as she stretches her hand out towards a now fuming Glinda the Good.
"Look at the wall" answers Atlas, wishing to quell the fight that was sure to come. Nudging his head towards the wall, he waits and watches as Glinda, huffing, turns and storms over to the wall she had been previously standing at.
"I see nothing" huffs Glinda.
"I think blondie is in some serious need of glasses" whispers Leilani.
"I'm not blind! I just don't see it!" exclaims Glinda.
"Look harder" sighs Atlas.
Turning, she leans closer to the wall. Something shimmery catches her eyes. Turning, she gasps as the hilt of a dagger warbles but an inch away from her face.
"See" smirks Leilani.
"I…I never even saw you throw it! How do I know this isn't something you two just planted in here so you can scare us!?"
"Really?" sighs Leilani.
"Yes" snarls Glinda. Angrily, she stomps her foot on the ground. "Really"
Sighing, Leilani turns away from Glinda. Smirking, the good Witch takes a step, and raising a pointed finger high in the air, was about to admonish the strange woman when Leilani suddenly whips back around. A glint of silver and everyone in the room stills.
Stiffening, Glinda's eyes slowly glide towards the wall. A gasp, and she stumbles back, for an ebony silver dagger appears, impaled deep to the hilt in the wall, the blade, just barely grazing the blonde's cheek.
"Oh my Oz" gasps Glinda.
Smirking, Leilani brings two silver daggers up to her lips, and with a laugh, blows on the tips.
"Doubt my skill now?" asks Leilani.
"Wow" is all Fiyero can bring himself to say.
"All of us here in the Resistance were born with a certain skill or power…which is what makes each member unique…and valuable" replies Leilani softly.
"Like Fae" whispers Fiyero softly.
"Agent Fae was strong in magick and linguistics…she had a heart of gold and possessed a warriors spirit" replies Leilani.
"Her brains also helped us in forming many of the strategic attacks our members have made against the Wizard and his Press Secretary…not to mention…finding and making several hidden tunnels"
"Which we used to help hide away the Animals we managed to rescue" adds Atlas.
"Fae did all that?" asks Fiyero softly.
"She was integral to our cause…it's because of her bravery…her courage…that the Resistance has remained strong…why most of the Animals are now safe in camps far beyond the eyes of the Wizard and his Press Secretary….why no member had lost their life" replies Leilani.
"That's Elphie…always thinking of others before herself" sniffs Glinda. Absently, she wipes a tear from her eye, before turning to face Atlas and Leilani. "Is that why we're here…to finish the fight that Elphie started?"
"I'm afraid so" replies Atlas softly.
"Your powers…though mediocre at best" starts Leilani. Inwardly, she smirks, seeing the irritated look on the blonde's face. "And your knowledge and skill in combat both as Prince of the Vinkus and Captain of the Guard will be useful in putting an end to the Wizard's control over Oz"
"Plus it helps that you know the ins and outs of the Palace…secret passageways and such" adds Atlas.
"I will help in whatever way I can…but know that I have my own agenda as well" replies Fiyero darkly.
"Do what you must…all I ask…is that you do so without endangering the lives of the other Resistance members…or Fae's" gently, Atlas places a comforting hand on Fiyero's shoulder. He was warning him yes, but his warning had been more discreetly directed towards not allowing the High Elders to find out about his plans on saving Fae.
Inwardly, Atlas admired Fiyero, not just for his bravery, but for his determination to risk his life, for the one he loved. Yes, in truth he too would do anything and everything within his power, to save his precious Fae, but he knew that it wouldn't matter. She wasn't his. Not anymore.
"Are we done with the mushy stuff now?" asks Leilani, breaking Atlas from his thoughts. Sighing, he turns and glares back at the young warrior. "What!?...You know what mushy stuff does to me…makes my stomach all growly and icky"
"Oz….your weird" sighs Atlas.
"And you love it" giggles Leilani. Turning, she gently taps the tips of Atlas's nose, before twirling gracefully on the tips of her toes. Her eyes darken, as she once again faces Fiyero and Glinda. "Alright you two"
Fiyero and Glinda watch as Leilani rolls the none-existent sleeves up her arms. A click and she slams her fists together, startling the two.
"Let's get to work" Smirking, Leilani pounds her fist together, earning a frightened look from both Fiyero and Glinda.
An uncomfortable silence fell upon the four occupants. Laughing, Atlas gently places a hand on Leilani's shoulder.
"Just…take it easy with them alright…wouldn't want to break them in before they have a chance to break in Morrible's face"
Leilani stands, staring glumly back at Atlas. Her lips curl into a half frown, and her eyes lower. Slowly, her hand rises, and the tips of her fingers curl around Atlas's. With an irritated grunt, she roughly plucks Atlas's hand from her shoulder.
"What have I told you about touching?" growls Leilani.
"Not to" squeaks Atlas.
Smirking, Leilani's hand rises and pats the top of Atlas's head.
"Good boy"
He could hear the bubble-headed blonde and her lover, giggling at him in the background. Angry and embarrassed, Atlas's hand rises and grasps firmly onto Leilani's, stilling her movement.
"And what have I said about petting?"
"Oh…is Atie-watie getting upset?...Oh how adorabubble!" cries Leilani in a shrill voice.
"You just have to push it…don't you" growls Atlas.
"What…it's cute!" laughs Leilani.
"When Fae said it…yes…not you"
"Elphie called you Atie-watie?" giggles Glinda.
"Yes" sighs Atlas.
"Why?" snorts Fiyero.
"She was drunk" answers Atlas plainly.
"On one mug of ale might I add!" laughs Leilani, which earned her a good punch in the arm. "Ow…what! It's not like you didn't get anything in return that night!"
"Huh?" asks Glinda dumbly.
"Atlas…he and Fae were so drunk that they stumbled their way into the boys "water house" and…you know" both Fiyero and Glinda stared shocked as Leilani makes derogatory gestures with her hips and arms. Moans or what the two could only interpret as moans, vibrated off her slender lips. But to Fiyero, her moans sounded more like a cat being tormented.
"And that's what exactly?" coughs Glinda.
"Atlas and Fae doing the "nasty" in the men's water house duh!" exclaims Leilani.
A groan and Atlas face palms. The color in Fiyero's face drains away and Glinda stands quivering, her small knees knocking together.
"You…you and Elphie…did…it…in a public area no less!" screeches Glinda.
"Hey it's not like we meant to! We were drunk for Ozsakes!" exclaims Atlas.
"Correction!" exclaims Leilani in a sing-song voice. "You were tipsy…Fae was drunk…you still had a mind to know better…she didn't" turning, Leilani pokes the tip of Atlas's nose with her finger.
"Hey cut it out!"
"What…it's not like it's anything new…I'm sure blondie here and brainless know all about her 'exploits'" laughs Leilani.
"Actually…we didn't" replies Fiyero dryly.
"Oh…well I" stammers Leilani. Embarrassed, the young woman nervously bounces back and forth on the balls of her feet. One arm rises and cups the back of her head.
"I think now would be a good time to start the training" adds Atlas, deciding Leilani had suffered enough.
"Thanks…brainless" orders Leilani. Turning, she glares back the Prince. A snarl and she stalks over to the wall, and grabbing up a pike, thrusts it towards Fiyero. Easily, Fiyero catches it. "On guard" smirks Leilani, taking a defensive stance.
For three grueling months, Fiyero and Glinda trained under the watchful eye of Atlas, and the High Elders. Leilani continued to train the two in the art of dagger throwing, and setting traps, whilst Atlas taught them sword techniques. Others from the Resistance came and volunteered to teach the Good Witch and her former lover the art of combat with weapons and hand-to-hand combat.
Others taught the two how to pluck items out of the air, mainly arrows and daggers being hurled at them by the enemy. And a few, taught them how to use a bow and arrow properly.
"Your getting to be as good as Fae" smiles a man. He was tall, with long raven hair, half tied back by a thin leather strap. He stood tall, with a strong muscular built that rippled down his arms. He remained shirtless, only wearing a pair of tight, black leather pants and matching boots. Glinda swooned, and Fiyero, simply rolled his eyes.
"Why Caylan" giggles Glinda. Playfully the Good Witch slaps Caylan on the chest.
"Oh brother" growls Fiyero.
Lessons in magick however were being conducted by Atlas, seeing as he was the only one of the Resistance Members; save for Fae, who possessed magickal abilities. And though at first, Glinda loathed spending the time "alone" with Atlas, eventually, she grew to greatly admire him. He was smart, and well versed in the magickal arts.
Soon, her power grew stronger, not to the level of Elphaba's, but stronger than where she had been, which lifted the blonde's confidence and pride all the more.
"How long has it been?" sighs Fiyero. He and Glinda had just finished a rigorous workout and were taking it easy, relishing in the peaceful serenity of the hidden gardens, located deep within the caverns.
"Three months" replies Glinda softly. Slowly, she lifts her head and her eyes soften. "Three months Fiyero…do…do you think Elphie is alright?"
A scream echoes throughout the halls of the Palace of Emeralds, bringing each guard, and servant to their knees. Quickened footsteps bang along the walls. One by one, the servants move out of the way, as Morrible and a large contingent of guards, follow at her heel.
"Madame…what's going on?" questions a young Maid.
"Nothing you need concern yourself with" snarls Morrible.
Bowing, the others turn and leave, allowing Morrible and the guards to enter into the hidden chamber of shadows.
The doors crash open. Morrible's eyes widen and narrow, seeing the Wizard kneel upon the floor, Elphaba cradled tight in his arms.
"What in Lurline are you doing!?" screams Morrible.
"She shattered the glass a few minutes ago" replies the Wizard.
"What happened?" sighs Morrible as she steps up next to the Wizard.
"Her…her…I think her water broke" is all the Wizard manages to get out.
Morrible's eyes widen, seeing a large pool of blood, spill from between Elphaba's legs. A thick sheen of sweat, sparkles across her pale forehead and her breathes come out short, and uneven.
"Quick…fetch the midwife…now!" roars Morrible.
"Were too late! She's losing too much blood!" cries the Wizard. Jumping, he turns and stares terrified back at Morrible. "I'm losing her! My daughter! She's dying!"