Chapter 25: As Long As You're Mine

A couple of hours passed and Elphaba entertained herself by staying near the food table and eating her plate of food at a sickly slow pace. E. Thropp also amused herself by seeing how many peas she could flick at a close by high-standing gentleman before he noticed. When that too became a bore the green woman only sighed in weariness.

The crowd around Glinda had only gotten bigger by the hour, and E. Thropp decided it was best to stay away. She would only stick out anyway and might cause an unwanted distraction to the guests around her.

Glinda did teach her some tips on being popular, but Elphaba was sure that the people at this ball would see right through her. She just didn't belong in this high-class way of life and she knew it. No amount of teaching or training could change that.

Just then Highmuster, Glinda's father, came up to Elphaba and cleared his throat. "E. Thropp, may I speak with you for a minute?" His voice seemed a bit soft but it still held a deep quality to it.

Elphaba only nodded her head, placed her plate off to the side, and followed Highmuster away from the dining hall and into a room that seemed to resemble a library. There were so many of books, in the room, the emerald gunslinger assumed if anyone tried to read them all, it would take a lifetime.

Highmuster then took out a cigar. He offered one to E. Thropp but she refused it. He suddenly began to pace as he lit it. Once he had taken a few puffs only then did he begin to speak. "You did well, E. Thropp, you saved my daughter's life and I am extremely thankful. I'm sure you want to get on your way, so I'll keep this brief. You and I both know we are very different people. You got outlaws to catch and I have the final details of my daughter's wedding to plan and a ranch to support. Here's your reward, you deserve every last dollar." With that Mr. Upland took out a wad of bills and placed them in Elphaba's hand. "I thank you again, E. Thropp. It seemed all was lost when the Tin Man took her away. As more time went on my wife and I feared the worst had happened to Galinda. You have done well and I thank you once again. Whenever you're ready you may leave."

"Thank you, Sir, thank you very much," E. Thropp answered, as she placed the money in her pocket.

Highmuster only nodded to show they were finished, and Elphaba shook his hand before leaving the room. She then let out a sigh when she saw the crowd around Glinda was just as busy as ever. E. Thropp then went back to her plate of food and continued to eat all alone.

…X…

Elphaba wasn't the only one not enjoying her time at the ball. Fiyero grumbled angrily to himself as he watched Glinda complete ignore him and mingle with seemingly everyone else.

Fiyero's blood seemed to boil as he watched Glinda give more attentions to people who were barely acquaintances and rich citizens of the town than himself. He was her future husband for the Unnamed God sake! The Upland heiress should be on his arm as she gushed how handsome he was to the guests around her. Why did she irritate him so with such behavior? It was madding and it infuriated him to no end.

"Another drink here!" Fiyero barked, as he nearly slammed his empty glass on the table.

The servant filled it up to the top without question, and Fiyero gulped it down without falter. His eyes narrowed as his temper started to fume even higher.

Fiyero then gazed in E. Thropp's direction, and he growled under his breath. This lowly bounty-hunter danced with Galinda! Galinda had chosen a bounty-hunter over him for a dance! How could that be? Elphaba was dirt compared to him! Fiyero continued to rant to himself as he shook his head in disgust.

"Wait a tick tock…" Fiyero grumbled to himself. "That suit E. Thropp is wearing looks awfully familiar."

It wasn't long before Fiyero could no longer take being shunned. He stormed off out of the ball and to the stables. There he yelled and shouted like a child throwing a tantrum. His rage soon got the better of him, and he threw Elphaba's saddle bag across the stable. It hit the closest stall and a piece of clothing fell out.

Fiyero was going to leave it but something caught his eye. He slowly walked over and picked it up. When he saw what exactly it was, his eyes widen from shock. "I must show Highmuster this! He's not going to believe it! E. Thropp is a traitor and this vest proves it!" Fiyero then took off with the item in his hands.

…X…

Back at the ball Glinda was bombarded with questions from her old friends about her travels. "Galinda, do tell, just how was it traveling with E. Thropp?" one woman named Milla asked in a hushed voice.

"To be honest, at first, I didn't want a thing to do with her. I only thought she was a terrible brute," Glinda admitted, with a soft laugh, as she thought back to her first meeting with Elphaba. "But I couldn't be more wrong. She's an amazing woman and ever so selfless."

"I find that hard to believe," another young lady interjected with a huff. It looked like she was going to faint just with the thought of it. "I would have been so very scared if E. Thropp escorted me home."

Glinda frowned and replied in a vexed tone, "So, Holly, if you were me you would have rather stayed with the Tin Man and his band of lustful outlaws?"

"Oh dear I never said that," Holly answered as she darted her gaze away. "I just can't imagine having a smooth journey with a bounty-hunter of any kind…especially one with green skin."

Before the heiress could harass Holly any longer for having such a narrow view of her emerald gunslinger another question was asked of her.

"Was it a daring rescue?" Another young woman asked in an eager tone. "I've only heard gossip and rumors about E. Thropp's gun-slinging skills."

"E. Thropp defeated the Tin Man and his crew all with expert shooting. The Tin Man and a few of his members did escape, but one would think the Tin Man was going to soil himself from fear. Of course I didn't really appreciate what she did until sometime after. She saved me more time than I can count during our journey back to the Upper Uplands. She is truly a hero."

"Saying that she is a hero is going a bit far, don't you think?" Holly replied in an arrogant fashion.

Glinda only gave her a stern look as she replied, "My, my, Holly, with an attitude like that saying that you're a well behaved lady is going a bit far, don't you think?"

The woman named Holly was clearly shocked at this witty comeback by Glinda, and only stuttered for a few moments before declaring, "I think… I need a fresh drink."

She then waddled off, but not before the Upland heiress added, "See if they are serving fresh attitudes as well, won't you Holly? The Unnamed God knows you need a new one."

…X…

Still eating alone Elphaba was growing beyond frustrated. After finishing her last bit of food, E. Thropp couldn't take it anymore. She stood up abruptly and left the ball. She rushed pass the crowd around Glinda without a second glace.

Glinda saw E. Thropp leave but found it quite the challenge to break away from the people around her. Everyone wanted to talk with her and why not? She was the most popular lady at the ball and there were still so many questions they wanted answered.

It was another five minutes before Glinda could truly get away from her adoring crowd. She found Elphaba, in her normal bounty-hunter attire, just outside, packing up her things like she was getting ready to leave.

"Elphaba, what's wrong? Why are you in your bounty-hunter clothes? The ball has only been going on for a few hours. Come along, and mingle with me," Glinda said, in a soothing tone.

"Don't you see?" Elphaba asked, as she shook her head, her voice was cheerless. "I don't belong here with high-class people. I'm too rough around the edges. No matter how much you teach me I can't be popular. I just can't fake that way of life. Besides, I think it's for the best I leave on my own. If you come with me then you can kiss your popularity and this way of life goodbye. I want the best for you. I want you to be completely taken care of. You can't have that if you're with me."

Glinda answered by cupping E. Thropp's emerald face and saying, "Can't you see high-class functions and popularity means nothing to me now. Being happy and loved is what really counts. And let me tell you something, Elphie, I have never been this happy and loved until I started traveling with you." Glinda then held up her right hand to show E. Thropp the wedding ring the green woman had given her when they were among White Feather's tribe. "We're married and I'm not going to give you up. It seems like I've lost all resistance and if it turns out it's over too fast well then guess what? I'll make every last moment last… as long as you're mine."

Elphaba couldn't help but blush, a slightly darker shade of green, after hearing Glinda's kind words, "You don't mind that I'm green all over and that I'm a bounty-hunter?"

"Oh, Elphie, I love every bit of you! When I first started having feeling for you never in my wildest dreams could I foresee you wanting me," Glinda exclaimed, as she wrapped her arms around the emerald neck and kissed her a dozen times on the face. "I love you so much."

"And know I'll always be here holding you. As long as you're mine. I love you too," Elphaba answered, her heart was soaring to hear the blonde's love declaration. "Do you want head back to your party now? I can change back into my suit again in no time at all."

The heiress' eyes suddenly became heavy with lust as she whispered, "There's no need to. Forget the ball. Just meet me in my bedchambers in ten minutes."