That night at dinner, Elphaba could feel all eyes on her. She paused in her eating to look up, and the five sisters quickly went back to their own supper.

"If you permit to gather supplies tonight, I can be gone by morning," the green woman said.

The sisters exchanged worried glances. They had no interest in seeing Elphaba go.

"You would not have to go… our tent would be favored to have you," Two said.

"I am a stranger in a strange land. I have no wealth, no skill as a shepherd, and it is death to give sanctuary to a runaway slave."

"Slave?"

"Death?" This news was confusing and distressing the sisters greatly, but Two was unfazed.

"Not among us. You have wisdom; you need nothing more. And we can teach you the tasks of a shepherd."

Elphaba looked at the hopeful faces of the sisters and considered what they were suggesting. If she left, where would she go? She had no homeland… would this be so terrible of a life?

"I will dwell in this land."

In the days Elphaba spent in the Vinkus, and she would spend many, she learned the ways of the shepherd. How to herd without scaring the flock, how to locate water if no well was nearby, and where the herd's favorite grass grew. The sisters still believed her to be a man, and the green woman was surprised at how easy it was to slip back into that role.

One day, while watching the sheep, Elphaba's gaze fell, as it did so many times, on the looming castle in the distance. She leaned on her staff, wondering what it was, or if anyone lived there.

"Elphaba."

The green woman turned to see Two approaching her, a covered basket hanging on her arm. She sat beside the green woman, extracting bread, cheese, and a bottle of milk.

"Who lives in that castle?" Elphaba asked, picking the loaf of bread and tearing a piece off.

"That is Kiamo Ko… no one lives there… not now."

"It sounds as though someone did."

"Yes… it is rumored that Kiamo Ko was the home of the Kumbric Witch. She tried to destroy Oz with darkness, and was met with resistance by the Fairy Queen Lurlina. The war lasted for a century before the Kumbric Witch was finally sealed away… the legend says that her spirit still resides in Kiamo Ko, and calls for her descendent."

"I cannot imagine a witch having children."

"It is only a legend." However, Two could see that Elphaba was still intrigued by the castle. "You cannot believe in such myths… there is only the Unnamed God."

"You know of this Unnamed God as well?"

"Yes… we are all his children, and he watches over us."

Elphaba looked away. "If that is so, then why has he not heard the cries of the slaves in bondage? How many of my people have died because he has turned away?"

"You cannot judge the Unnamed God, Elphaba."

"I cannot believe in what I cannot see… or prove exists. It is the same as a soul."

"Elphaba," Two laid her hand gently on the green woman's arm, "Is it not enough to know that he has saved you from the Wizard's anger?"

Elphaba looked at her. "How do you know that?

Two smiled slightly. "You walk like a prince, and you fight like a warrior… I have seen you out in the fields at night, fighting the trees as if they are enemies. There is word in the caravans of a great one who was driven out of the Gillikin."

Elphaba looked at the staff in her hand. "This is not the scepter of a prince, but the staff of a wanderer."

"Then rest from wandering… you could have peace of spirit here."

The once emerald prince shook her head. "There will never be peace of spirit for me… not while my people cry for freedom… and my brother tirelessly cracks the whip upon their backs." Elphaba readjusted her grip on her staff. "Perhaps I will find answers up in Kiamo Ko…"

"I have heard that Galinda has taken up residence in Boq's home."

Nessa looked up at her brother. "That isn't exactly recent news Shell."

"I know… but I have been thinking… if we could help her escape, maybe she could find Elphaba."

"Elphaba has been exiled… you know that. She is most likely dead."

"She isn't."

"How do you know?"

"Because I do, and Galinda can bring her back."

Nessa shook her head. "Shell, listen to what you're saying—"

"I am, Nessa! Is this the life you want? Do you want to die here, like our father?"

The brunette looked down. "No… but what makes you think that bringing Elphaba back will change anything?"

"Elphaba used to walk with royalty… if anyone could free us from our bondage, it would be her." The younger Thropp stood. "I will go to Boq's house tonight, and free Galinda from her prison."

As the sun set over Oz, Galinda sat in the outdoor bedchambers, singing a forlorn song softly to herself.

"Hello, my desert flower." The Munchkin approached her, but Galinda did not look at him. Boq moved away, pouring a glass of wine before returning to her side. "Here, taste this: the blood of Pertha grapes, the wine of love."

"No wine can change my love."

Boq had had enough of the blonde's resistance. He downed the glass himself before seizing her arms and pulling her to her feet. "Then your love shall be my wine."

Shell easily scaled the wall and landed on the other side, finding himself in Boq's chariot house. His eyes fell on a burning torch and he grabbed it, thrusting it into a cart of hay.

"There's a fire in the chariot house!" he called before hiding behind a pillar.

Boq heard the call, and turned away from the struggling Galinda. "The chariot house! Guards, guards! Take water!"

Galinda pulled away and tried to run, but Boq caught her again, pushing her into a chair.

"No, no your wings must not be signed, my dove. Not by that fire, at least," he said before running towards the chariot house.

The blonde was about to head into the house when a familiar figure came into view. "Shell?"

"Run Galinda! The way is clear!" he said, picking up an abandoned knife and scanning the area for additional guards.

"Shell, I… I cannot."

"The guards are busy with the fire, but it will not hold them long. You cannot delay!"

"But if I leave, Boq will make your and Nessa's lives hell."

"There is nothing more he can do to us. Please… find my sister… bring her home."

Galinda then understood. It was crucial to more than Melena for Elphaba to return… the blonde knew what she had to do. However, it was at that moment that Boq returned, his eyes narrowing at the scene.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"Run Galinda! He will not follow," Shell said, moving between them, brandishing the knife. Galinda took one last look at the youngest Thropp before she quickly ran from the prison she'd been forced to call home, disappearing into the night.

"Neither will you, mud turtle," Boq said. Shell backed up, only to run into two guards, who seized him.

"Bind him between the columns!" Boq said, gesturing to those that sat at the end of the bed. "See that his arms are tightly stretched!"

The guards did as they were told, leaving Shell defenseless.

"Now go after the girl. Don't come back without her."

The guards left, and Shell watched them go, but his attention was pulled back to the Munchkin when he heard the crack of a whip.

"You foolish, stupid man. I would have kept her only a short while. She would have returned to you, shall we say, more worthy."

"Galinda is not yours to defile."

"Oh? Then whom shall I have returned to her? Your precious Elphaba lies dead in the Vinkus, her skeleton picked clean."

"Mark my words, you will die at the hands of a Thropp, and you will listen to the cry of the slaves."

"This is not that day Shell," Boq said, drawing his whip back. Shell braced himself, determined to never cry out.

Galinda ran, hearing the shouts of the guards behind her. She did not know how she would make it to the Vinkus, or even survive Kumbricia's Pass. It seemed hopeless, and tears soon clouded the blonde's vision. Her foot caught a loose rock and she fell to the ground, letting out a desperate sob as she struggled to get back to her feet. She could hear the guards getting closer… they were almost on her now…

Suddenly, a figure was standing between her and the guards, forcing them to stop.

"This pursuit shall come to an end."

Galinda knew that voice. She turned to see just who her savior was.

"Miss Sarima—"

"As the next queen of Oz, I order you to turn back, and leave this slave be. She is my lady in waiting, unfairly taken from me, so I tell you now, turn back."

The guards knew they could not cross the Vinkan woman, so with some grumbling, they left.

Galinda slowly got to her feet. "Sarima… how… why?"

The brunette turned towards her. "I know Melena tasked you with bringing Elphaba back. She said you wee being reluctant… so I decided I would try my hand at convincing you, but I see that was unnecessary."

"Sarima…"

"I know, you and I do not have the best history… but the Wizard is dying… and when he passes away… I will wed Fiyero, and life in Oz will change drastically. Elphaba will never be allowed to return to the Gillikin… and I cannot live not knowing what has happened to her. I cannot leave… but you can… and I believe you are the only one who can bring her back. So please, Galinda… I beg of you… please bring Elphaba back."

The blonde could see the tears shining in Sarima's eyes. "I wish to bring Elphaba home… but I have no means of passing through Kumbricia's Pass."

"Then you will take my chariot… please Galinda."

The former water girl nodded. "I will find her."

The sisters had seen her off in the morning when Elphaba left to investigate Kiamo Ko. They had packed food and drink for her, and she had chosen to take her sword, not sure what to expect. The castle was farther than it appeared, and as the sun rose higher, she seemed no closer than before. However, the reason why soon became clear: the castle sat atop a cliff, and though it once bore evidence of having a stone staircase, they had long since crumbled away with time. This left Elphaba with the daunting task of navigating the rocks on her own, but the green woman refused to be deterred.

As night began to fall, Elphaba crested the final rock and found herself mere paces from the imposing doors of Kiamo Ko. Something seemed to be calling to her… beckoning her forward. With a hand resting on the hilt of her weapon, she approached the castle, pushing open the heavy door.

A musky scent hung in the oddly still air, and Elphaba's footsteps echoed off the stone walls as she walked, looking around.

"Elphaba."

The green woman could hear her name now. She ascended the staircase, following it up to a tower door. She pushed it open, and her eyes fell on a thick book sitting on a pedestal in the middle of the room.

"Elphaba."

There it was again. "I am here," she said, not sure whom she was speaking to.

"Put off thy shoes and cloak…"

Elphaba did so, still trying to locate the mystery voice.

"Remove thy weapon."

The green woman complied. "Who are you that called to me?"

"I am the Kumbric Witch of old… and your green skin has marked you."

"Marked me as what?"

"A witch, Elphaba… a holder of magic… a Munchkin raised as Gillikinese… the savior of your people."

"But how can I be their savior? How can I lead such a multitude from slavery?"

"The book you see before you… the very Grimmerie I drew my power from… I bestow it to you. It will teach you what you are to say."

Elphaba approached the book, almost afraid to touch it. "I have been told you strove to destroy Oz."

"If you choose to believe legends, then that is true. However, my power is yours. You cannot fight it, Elphaba, and until you accept who you are, you will never find peace of spirit."

The green woman did not know how to reply. It was true, she sought to discover who she really was, but could she accept this truth? That she descended from a witch who wanted nothing more than destruction?

But if I could free my people…

Elphaba set her hands on the book and immediately felt a rush of wind in the room. Her dark hair broke free of its tight braid and whipped at her face, but she hardly noticed, feeling as though her eyes were being opened to a language she had never heard before. It was almost too much… Elphaba sank to her knees as the wind died, clutching her head as she tried to take it all in.

"Now go, and I will be with thee."