Chapter Twenty-Five

Elphaba consulted with Taj like she did every morning to sort out her daily agenda. Usually it started with paperwork, the meetings, lunches, galas, etc. She was busy from sun up to sun down with the dealings of Munchkinland, and she embraced every task with excitement and dedication.

Taj began, "Well, there is a representative from the Vinkus coming this afternoon to discuss a new trade relationship." Elphaba froze and hoped that Taj wouldn't notice. He didn't.

"Do you know who they are sending?" She said, trying to sound more curious than confused.

Taj shook his head no, "They were very vague. You should be cautious with them." Taj then moved on to the next item on the agenda, but Elphaba could only focus on the fact that Fiyero could be coming to her home. She felt elated and terrified at the same time, not knowing how to react to this unexpected visitation. She tried to busy herself with the rest of her tasks, but as the day drew on, her fears grew worse and worse.

Fiyero arrived in Munchkinland later that afternoon. With an anxious heart, he watched as the Governor's mansion grew closer and closer. All the memories of his young adult life came flooding back to him- the escape attempts, the work, the poor housing, and that beautifully intriguing emerald girl who fascinated him. He watched as the familiar landscape refreshed his memory and he took a deep breath before getting out of the carriage.

He went to the front door of the mansion and knocked, a tan man with green eyes greeting him when he opened the door.

"You must be from the Vinkus. I'm Taj, please follow me." The man let him in and Fiyero followed. As they walked down the corridor, Fiyero never remembered ever being let into the mansion. There were portraits of Frex, Nessa, and who he thought to be Elphaba's mother. Taj walked quickly and Fiyero was soon led to a door. Taj then gestured, "Whenever you're ready." and left Fiyero alone, facing the door.

He didn't know what to expect, so he took a deep breath, and opened the door.

Elphaba was reading her morning documents when her door suddenly opened. Her head snapped up as her heart raced faster than it ever had before, and before she knew what was going on, Fiyero was standing in front of her looking more handsome and mature than ever.

"Oz….Fiyero?!" Elphaba said, removing her reading glasses to look at him more closely.

Fiyero's jaw dropped. Elphaba was right in front of him and he had no idea what to say. "You're the Governor?!" he said, in the most shocked he'd ever been in his life.

She studied him and said, "Forgive me, I'm kind of at a loss for words here." She took a deep breath, "Please, take a seat."

Fiyero sat, and looked at Elphaba. She'd definitely grown in the past few months physically and mentally, seeming more aware and more mature. "I wasn't expecting this." he said.

She chuckled and smiled a little, "Yeah, me neither." Oz, he'd missed that smile. "How is everything in the Vinkus?"

He sighed, "That's why I'm here, actually. We need help, and we'd heard that Munchkinland was thriving under a new Governor." He smiled at her, "I cannot believe it."

She looked down and smiled, "Yeah, I came back here and Taj had been waiting for me. Everyone had been waiting for me to come back and take over. So I did." She sighed, "Things have been going rather well recently."

Fiyero sat up straighter, "My father sent me here to make a trade deal. The Vinkus is in trouble, and no one has been able to help, or wanted to help. Plus, we thought it was a good idea to reach out to Munchkinland. Since all of the conflicts are over."

Elphaba furrowed her brow, "Fiyero, I don't know. Munchkinland is doing very well, and I don't think a trade agreement right now would be in the best interest for us."

"Fae-"

She winced at the name.

"Elphaba, listen, let's try and work something out."

She stood, and he stood out of respect, "You can stay here as long as you like, but I don't think it's in the cards for us, Fiyero. Taj can show you to a room." She left the room, and as she exited, Taj entered, ready to escort Fiyero to a room. His jaw dropped as she left, shocked at so many things- her power, her protection for her people, and her feelings towards him, which he was very unclear about.

He needed to come up with a plan, so he headed to his room and brainstormed on how to win her back.