Elphaba's blood ran cold. Before she could be captured, she struck out with fists and nails.
"Hey!" exclaimed the guard while he caught her wrists. "The blow to the head was bad enough."
The familiar voice made her look up. Selzar smiled down at her and she nearly wept with relief. The adrenaline that had surged was ebbing slowly away.
"Thank Oz it's you," she whispered. "How did you get out here?"
"When I came to, I saw a pool of blood at the foot of the stairs and feared the worst. I left the dungeon and found Fiyero fighting off a group of guards. I helped him subdue them and he went in search of Morrible. He had seen one of the guards take her away after she crawled up the stairs bleeding profusely. He told me you had run out into the courtyard just before the scuffle. I went through the palace and dispatched of the guards in the front figuring you would be heading that way. You can't climb trees in your condition," he explained.
"We have to go back and help Fiyero! I don't trust Morrible even in her weakened state. She's a ruthless, impervious bitch."
Selzar shook his head. "What we have to do is get you and your baby to safety. Fiyero can handle Morrible."
Elphaba was torn. She had to find shelter and fast, but she yearned to come to her lover's aid. "Fine. I don't suppose you have any idea as to a safe haven?" she responded a bit snottily.
"As a matter of fact, I do," he replied, ignoring her tone.
"Well, we better get there quickly because that weather spell hurtling towards us will be the death of me."
Selzar looked left and saw the ominous clouds carrying a vicious storm. "Then we haven't a moment to lose," he said. He quickly removed his uniform jacket and handed it to her. "Put this over you if we get caught. It will give you a little more protection than your current attire." He then took her by the arm and began to lead her to safety.
They made it through the palace gates with no trouble, but the storm still followed them. "I don't think it's going to stop until I'm dead!" Elphaba yelled over the now howling wind.
"We'll have to head underground then!" Selzar yelled back. He led her to one of the guard posts. In the floor was a metal door. Selzar tugged on the ring, but it didn't budge. "No, no, no! These are never locked!"
"It has to be part of the enchantment," Elphaba said. "She made sure I wouldn't find a way out."
"Damn it!"
The rain lashed at the small wooden structure. Elphaba threw the jacket over her head and held it closed over her face. She could still feel the rain stinging her legs. The wind was merciless. The structure began to creak and sway. Selzar gently pushed Elphaba to the ground and covered her as well as he could.
"Hang on!"
The storm wailed and raged as Elphaba tried to stay dry. Lightning flashed and sizzled to the ground. Her heart thundered in her chest. She didn't care what happened to her, but she was furious that her unborn child would fall victim to Morrible's insane vendetta against her. She clutched that rage to her and let the heat of her anger build.
"What are you doing?" Selzar asked her over the storm.
Elphaba didn't hear him. Her focus was all on her violent emotions towards Morrible. Suddenly, she could see Morrible as if she were in the palace with her. Slain soldiers lay prone about her feet and Fiyero had the rifle trained on her chest. They stalked around each other while Morrible mumbled and moved her hands in undecipherable patterns. Elphaba assumed she was concentrating on the spell currently battering her, but when Fiyero's body jerked and fell she knew otherwise.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Elphaba screamed in her fury and pushed that fiery hatred at Morrible.
The last thing she saw was Morrible's horrified face before her vision went black.
