A/N: Huge shout outs to ExoticPeachBlossom and Elphabalover101. Thanks for everything. :)
A/N2: I will be breaking this storyline into 2 parts. I'm thinking only 1 or 2 more chapters left in this before I start the continuation. Thank you to everyone who has been enjoying this. I really appreciate all your support. :)
Chapter 29
"Don't you dare touch her!" Zetti ordered as strongly as he could. He was still the superior officer of the man pointing the rifle and he hoped that despite his weakened condition he could talk to the soldier. However the man did not budge.
"You heard him! Back off!" Everyone was surprised to find Theodore pushing his way through the soldiers. He grabbed the weapon from the surprised soldier's hands and threw it away before kneeling down next to Elphaba.
"You all right?" He asked.
"Much better now Mr. Brown, thank you," she smiled weakly, unsure of her next move, as he helped her to her feet. Everyone in the room knew that she was powerful enough to destroy them but yet she could have destroyed them earlier and did not. She did not wish to dismantle the trust she had built up already but she feared that what was left of it would not be enough.
"You can't be serious! She's the Wicked Witch!" The Mayor shouted. Captain Khalil whirled on the Mayor and struck him squarely on the jaw, knocking him unconscious.
"We know who she is," he shook his head before turning to his soldiers,
"All right Lads. Show's over. Let's get a move on."
"But sir! She's wanted for crimes against Oz! She should be burned at the stake!" The soldier who had first trained his gun on the witch objected.
"Son, in case you haven't noticed, Oz is no longer under the rule of the Wizard. We know him to be a liar. So whatever you have against this woman better be sidelined. She is entitled to a fair trial and she will get one upon our return to the Emerald City," Khalil ordered. Just then, Glinda and Private Roth entered the barn, they had heard the shouting and rushed to investigate. The blonde saw her friend and immediately knew they were all in trouble. However she could not control herself and she went to Elphaba and pulled her into a hug.
The soldiers stared at her completely confused. Not only did she not seem to notice the color of the woman's skin but she was hugging her.
"Oh Elphie," Glinda murmured.
"It's over Lin," she said holding tight to her friend.
"It's never over," the blonde whispered, smiling slightly before she released her friend from the hug but she grasped onto her green hand tightly. Fiyero moved to the girls and pulled them both in tight, knowing that this was more than likely the last time they would get to do so.
"You knew?" Roth looked at Fiyero. Despite the fact that he was a Scarecrow, Roth looked up to Fiyero as an elder brother. The two had grown close and now he felt slightly betrayed. Fiyero gave him a tight smile before speaking to everyone.
"Captain, I hereby formally surrender myself into your custody. I will face the charges against me as honor demands," Fiyero said, as he grabbed Elphaba's free hand and held it tightly.
"And what name shall I give you for the record?" Khalil asked.
"Prince Fiyero Tiggular of the Arjiki Tribe, Former Captain of the Gale Force," the Scarecrow responded.
"That can't be," Roth looked at him even more confused. Since he was a cadet, the stories about Fiyero had been shoved down the throats of those joining the ranks of the Gale Force. He had given everything up to help a traitor to the Ozian government.
"Very well," Khalil nodded.
"I too must face the consequences of my actions," Glinda spoke up.
"Lin, don't do this," Elphaba pleaded with her.
"Arrest me," Glinda leveled her eyes at her husband to be. He stood there looking at her, knowing what his duty required, and knowing that it was unfair.
"Do as she says," he heaved a sigh. Lieutenant Ronin stepped forth and looked at all three of them.
"I cannot," he said. He threw down his weapon and stood on the other side of Glinda.
"Arrest me," the Lieutenant told them.
"And me," Theodore came up from behind Elphaba and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Please you mustn't do this," she pleaded with them. They were throwing their lives away. She knew that a jury in the Emerald City would never clear her of all the Wizard had said she had done. There was no proof and the one who needed to confess never would. Morrible would rather see them all rot in jail than to dig herself in any further.
"Someone help me up and then arrest me," Zetti said. Private Roth moved to help the Sergeant and then said,
"Arrest me too." Khalil looked at them standing together despite what it meant and he heaved a sigh.
"Arrest them all," he said.
To Be Continued…
