Later, that night, unable to sleep, I kicked my blankets to the floor. I sat up, and shaking Courage, hissed, "C'mon." Courage looked at me and asked, "What are we doing?" "Sneaking out." I replied. "I can't wait until the interview—I have to tell the Wizard, tonight." Courage nodded, knowing I meant revealing to the Wizard that I was his daughter, and said, "Let's go." I struggled to my feet, grabbed my mother's little glass green bottle, and quickly changed into a riding outfit—one from my days at Court. I also grabbed my sword—I'd need it to explain how I discovered who I really was.
We hurried silently through the halls—me fearing Madame Morrible catching me sneaking out, especially with my cat, since technically no one was allowed to have pets on campus. I entered the campus stables quietly and whistled softly—it was a signal to Starlight I'd come up with during the Drell River Valley War. I heard her whinny softly and hurried over to her. I carefully saddled her and then led her outside. "Shh," I whispered to her.
As soon as we were a safe distance from Shiz, I swung myself up into the saddle. Courage leapt up and took her seat in front of me. I whispered, "Starlight, let's go to the Emerald City." When Starlight tried to gallop, I nearly stopped her, but then remembered I had to talk to the Wizard as soon as possible. As we neared the Emerald City, both my nervousness at meeting my father and my excitement at finding my father increased.
We reached the Emerald City safely and quickly entered. When we were nearly stopped, I said, "The Wizard is expecting me."—actually, he was, but he probably hadn't gotten Madame Morrible's letter yet, plus he didn't even know he had a daughter—and, after that, no one tried to stop us again. Glancing skyward, ever anxious about the time, I neared the Emerald Palace. Dismounting Starlight, I said, simply, "I'm here to see the Wizard." "No visitors—he's in a meeting." I grimaced. I sighed, and said, "He's expecting me." "I'll tell him that—what is your name?" I froze and said, "Elphaba Thropp Third Descending," giving my Ozian name—it was the first name that came to mind. The guard returned and said, "His Ozness says, 'Go away!'"
I groaned and sinking to the ground, whispered, "All that work—for nothing." Fighting tears, I said, "Let's go home." Courage looked at me and scratched my arm. "What?" I demanded. "You've never given up before, Elphaba," she pointed out. "Why start now?" "You're right," I replied, "but I've waited this long. I can wait a little longer." Courage nodded and said, "Okay, Elphaba."
I sighed and said, "Let's go to the Dancing Dove—visit George." We hurried back to Corus and I entered the Dancing Dove. Sitting down at my regular seat at George's table, I said, "Hey, Rispah." "Hello, Ella." she replied. I grinned—I very much liked my town name.