When they weren't singing carols as loud as they could with Sarima's sisters, the children were outside, pelting each other with snowballs. The snow that landed on the caste had melted and dripped through the walls and ceiling. I took to wearing my hat inside so as to avoid being hit by an icy dart.

"Elphie!" Glinda came practically dancing into the room in a flurry of blondeness, and I was reminded briefly of our Shiz days. "Sorry I took so long."

"I hardly noticed."

Glinda made a face, flicking my ear.

"Ow! What was that?"

"Don't try and fool me by acting all indifferent. I know how you truly feel about me."

I didn't reply, but continued to rub my ear.

"This is for you, even though I don't know if you deserve it now."

I looked at the wrapped package she was holding out to me. "What is this?"

"You know perfectly well. Happy Lurlinemas Elphie."

I took the present from her, and it occurred to me that I had neglected to get her anything. Slowly, I unwrapped it, opening the box inside and pulling out a pair of black boots.

"Your old ones are about to fall apart, and I know you're stubborn, so I decided I would replace them for you."

I smiled slightly. Of course her concern was ever on my fashion. "You're so thoughtful my sweet." I leaned over, taking off my old, worn out boots and slipping on my new ones.

"Do they fit?"

I straightened up. "Yes. Thank you."

The good witch sidled next to me, curling into my side as she wrapped her arms around one of mine. "I love you, Elphie."

"I love you too… and I apologize. I did not realize we would be exchanging gifts, or I would have been more prepared."

"It's all right. You already gave me a gift anyway."

"I did?" Was I now sleepwalking and giving gifts?

The blonde held her hand up, revealing my mother's ring. "Mm-hm. The best gift ever."

Glinda and I spent the rest of day in the tower, though we did not spend it all engaging in intimate activities, so push that thought from your mind. As the sun began to set, the blonde had fallen asleep, one arm and leg draped over me. I smiled down at her, brushing some hair from her face. She seemed happy enough… but we couldn't make a life here. Not in the home of the woman who was widowed because of me. Still, if I forced Glinda to move again, there was the possibility of danger, and I knew that the good witch didn't want that.

The blonde in question stirred in her sleep, holding me a little closer. A small smile formed on her face, and she mumbled, "My Elphie."

And just like at Shiz, my heart melted yet again.


A few days after Lurlinemas, Glinda had decided to step out on some errand or another, so I chose to make my way up to the outside parapet. Upon arriving, I found that Sarima had apparently had the same idea.

"Oh, Auntie Witch. I see you came to enjoy the morning view as well."

I didn't reply, but merely looked out across the expansive landscape. I could see far across the Vinkus, my vision blocked only by the mountain that rose out of the landscape.

"I apologize, but I didn't see you during Lurlinemas, so I was not able to give you these."

I looked at the brunette and saw that she was holding a bag out to me. "Sarima, you didn't have to—"

"Oh, it's not from me. It was sent here, and arrived on Lurlinemas Eve. I don't know how the sender knew you were here…"

Taking the bag from her, I saw my name written on the label. I shared Sarima's confusion… that is, I did until I opened the bag, and my heart shot into my throat.

My glass orb and the Grimmerie. I had left both of those things back in the Emerald City. Only two people would have known: Garrett and… Fiyero.

"Auntie Witch, you're turning an awfully pale green."

I quickly shut the bag, as if by doing that I could shut out my past. "I… it's nothing. Thank you…" I quickly turned and fled down the stairs, running into my witch's room and slamming the door. How… how could this have happened? Yero… was dead… how could he have sent these? And if it had been Garrett… oh, Oz, did he know I was here? If he did, I had to move. Once again, I was endangering so many innocent lives. And Glinda… but how could I bear to separate from her again? I don't think either of us could handle that another time around.

"Elphaba!"

The blonde's call jerked me from my reverie and I looked up just as she came flouncing through the door. She had a bag of her own, and she closed the door behind her as she said, "Now don't get me wrong, the Vinkus is nice and all, but it does not boast an ideal form of shopping."

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"Well, I like stores that stay in one place and can be visited whenever one chooses, not a caravan that comes by on some odd schedule."

"I see." A pause, in which Glinda was looking at me expectantly. "Would you like to show me what you bought?"

"Why yes, thank you for asking!" The blonde chose to sit in my lap, forcing my arms to move to accommodate her. "First off, I bought myself a new dress—"

"I'm surprised you found anything up here that suites your high fashion tastes."

"Don't be mean, Elphie. I just got tired of wearing the same outfits," the good witch replied, folding the somewhat faded turquoise dress. "Besides you should be nice to me."

"Oh? Am I not?"

"No, and you really should, especially after I found these." Glinda extracted a green apple, looking back at me with a slight grin.

"All right, my sweet. You win." I placed my hand over hers to take the apple, and she turned, catching me in a kiss.

Upon pulling away. Glinda smiled and said, "Now what's in your bag?"

My own expression fell. "Nothing important."

"Elphie…" The blonde took my face gently in her hands, leaning in to kiss me again, this time drawing it out. When she pulled away, I noticed that she had taken my bag with her. Oh, she was a sneaky one.

"Glin—"

She opened it and looked inside before I could stop her. Her brow furrowed, and she looked back up at me. "Where did these come from?"

I couldn't think of a suitable lie, so I said, "I don't know. Sarima only just gave them to me today."

"You… you had these… in the Emerald City…?"

"Yes."

"Well then, who sent them to you?"

"I don't know."

Glinda lowered the bag slowly. "Elphaba… when you went to my cloister for whatever reason and took a vow of silence, I respected that. I couldn't imagine what had happened to you, but I forgave you nonetheless, and not just because of my sainthood. But now… I am asking you as the woman I love and trust more than anyone in Oz: what happened to you after you left me at Shiz?"

I had been dreading this question for years. How could I tell Glinda the truth? How could I relive and face my past by telling the witch I loved all the horrible, awful things I'd done?

"If I told you… you would hate me," I replied, looking down.

"I could never hate you, not now… not after everything we've been through."

"Trust me… the truth will hurt you more than when I killed your parents."

I felt gentle hands on my face, and I found myself looking into sapphire eyes. "Elphaba… please… I love you so much, and even though we may never marry, I want to help carry your burdens. I can tell that these past years have really taken their toll on you. I just want to help you."

I sighed. "Don't you think I know all that? Everything I've held inside… it's all my burden, Glinda. I can't… I can't force you to bear it too. The less you know, the safer you are." I took her hands in my own. "Please… please try to understand why I am doing this. It's not to spite you…"

Her bottom lip quivered as she said, "You can't even tell me why you killed my parents?"

I pulled her into my lap, feeling her cling to the front of my dress. "I wish it had been different… I wish your parents weren't the ones behind the Animal oppression…"

"So… are you trying to tell me… that if they hadn't been… you wouldn't have killed them?"

I stroked her hair, kissing the top of her head. "Yes…"

"I… I suppose I should feel…"

"No, you don't need to feel any way. Just… please don't ask me anymore."

"A-all right…"


It was about a week after this tearful conversation that I was returning to the tower after a failed attempt at speaking with Sarima's sisters. Since the window seemed so set against me and forgiveness, I had hoped that I could speak to her sisters about it in an attempt to get to her. However, I had hardly begun to talk when they informed me that Sarima had forbade them to speak with me about Fiyero's death. I couldn't believe it. The one time those ninnies chose to respect their sister was when I needed them most. Just another part of my curse.

So there I was, making my way back up to my witch's tower when I heard muffled sobs. I supposed it was the children again, and I was prepared to scold them when I opened the door. Instead I found Glinda, sitting on the bed, her face buried in my pillow.

"Glinda? What's wrong? Did one of the children do something?" I asked, closing the door as I approached her.

The blonde looked up at me as though I were some apparition. "N-no…"

"Then why all these tears?" I persisted, sitting beside her. I made to put an arm around her, but she turned her shoulders awkwardly. That was odd. "Did… did I do something?"

Glinda shook her head. "It isn't… you."

"Please tell me."

The blonde buried her face back into my pillow, and muffled words escaped her.

"I'm sure that pillow heard you far better than I could, my sweet."

The good witch finally looked at me with her tear-stained face. "I… I skipped a period…"

"Okay… and that warrants these sobs?"

"Elphaba, I'm pregnant!"

My heart practically stopped beating. "Wh-what?"

"I've been feeling… a little off for a while… but I thought that maybe it was just all the stress from Sir Chuffery's death and leaving. So I talked to Sarima about it, and she told me that… I was pregnant."

"You can't just take her word for it."

"She's had three children, Elphaba. I think she knows what she's talking about."

I stood up, trying to take in what Galinda had told me. "Okay… so let's assume this is true… when was the last time you had… relations with Sir Chuffery?"

"Elphie… he was sterile. He couldn't impregnate me no matter how hard he may have tried."

I could only stare at her. "Then… who did you have sex with?"

Glinda looked shocked. "I haven't had sex with anyone but you!"

"Well, I can't get you pregnant!"

"Elphaba, I swear to you, I would never cheat on you!"

"You already did…"

Glinda's expression saddened further. "That was different… my parents forced me to marry… I always loved you…"

I sighed. I realized that I was being a hypocrite to a ridiculous degree. I had slept with two men, one married, and had a child. "All right… I believe you," I said, moving to sit beside her again. "But I just don't understand… how could this happen?"

Glinda leaned against me, and I put an arm around her obligingly. "Perhaps Lurline finally decided to smile down on her two saints…" The blonde kissed my neck gently. "Elphie… you gave me a child… something I've always wanted…"

"Well, I… I never thought I could… um…" I found it hard to finish my sentence, seeing as Glinda had fully moved into my lap, leaving a trail of kisses on my neck. "Um… Glin?"

"Elphie… I love you so much…"

"I thought pregnancy made women irritable."

"Mmm… maybe later… but for now, all I want is you…" Her lips were on my ear now, and I couldn't stop myself from undoing her dress and falling back onto the bed, pulling her with me.

I suppose it was our way of celebrating.


Life went on. Sarima continued to resist my attempts at forgiveness, and her sisters seemed to resent her for it. The children were annoying as ever, and as Glinda began to develop the first signs of a baby bump, I myself began to wonder if we were ready for a child of our own. It was true, I didn't exactly like children, but Glinda… this was what she wanted. And how could I deny my love anything?

Glinda was about three months pregnant when I received the letter. What letter am I speaking of? The letter from my dear father.

It started off like any other morning. Glinda and I were making our way downstairs to make our morning tea, and I had just helped the blonde into a chair.

"Elphie, I'm fine, really," the good witch said.

"You're carrying precious cargo now, my sweet. I want you both to be as comfortable as possible."

"We're fine Elphie."

I gave the blonde a small smile as I touched her stomach lightly, feeling a small kick against my hand. "I still can't believe it…"

Glinda pulled me close, her lips meeting mine. "But it's happening… and I love you that much more…"

I pulled away, turning to begin making the tea.

"Give it to me!"

"No! It's for Auntie!"

"How would you know? You can't even read!"

I recognized those voices all too well. I turned just as Liir came tearing into the room, an envelope in his hand. Manek came right after him, tackling the brunette to the floor as his siblings entered the kitchen as well.

"Give it!"

"No!" Liir struggled under him.

"What's all this then?" I said, approaching the children.

"A letter came for you!" Liir said just as Manek ripped it out of his hand. "Hey!"

"I just want to read it," Sarima's middle child replied.

"If it really is for me and you open it, I will turn you into a rat," I said.

Manek froze, apparently weighing the situation. Reluctantly, he held the envelope out, and I took it from him.

"Good. Now, run along."

"But what does it say?" Nor pestered.

"It is for me, and you four don't need to know. Now shoo."

The children grumbled against me, but they left, and I set the envelope on the table.

"It's from the Colwen Grounds," I heard Glinda say as I returned to making the tea.

I paused, and I'm sure Glinda knew exactly what was going through my mind. My family lived in the Colwen Grounds.

"That's interesting. I wonder how they knew where I was," I said, placing a cup of tea in front of the blonde as I slid across from her.

"I told them, of course."

Glinda and I exchanged a look at the familiar voice, and I stood, turning. "Nanny!" I practically cried at seeing the old woman and I ran to her, catching her in an embrace (not typical of me, I know). It had been so long since I'd seen a friendly face, and Nanny's had been the first one over my crib after all.

"You two just won't separate, will you? So unfortunate about your husband's death then, Miss Galinda," Nanny said as I pulled out a chair for her. "I'm sure you're sorry as well, my young Melena."

"Don't start accusing me of anything, Nanny," I said, though honestly I was overjoyed to see her again. "And how did you know where I was?"

"Nanny keeps track of all her Thropps, yes she does."

"Ah, so you do know our visitor then."

We looked up at the sound of Sarima's voice.

"She arrived off the caravan this morning, and I was not sure if she really did know our Auntie Witch."

Nanny looked at me. "So you're a witch now too then?"

"That's what people say."

The old woman shook her head. "You two… and now you've gone and gotten her pregnant. Just like your parents."

Later, the three of us sat in front of one of the grand fireplaces. Glinda had chosen to settle herself in my lap, and my hands came to rest on her slightly bulging stomach. Nanny sat in an over stuffed chair, gazing into the flames.

"How did you know we were here?" I repeated.

"Words travel. You're not exactly inconspicuous."

I scowled while Glinda giggled.

"What Nanny wants to know is how you managed to give the good witch that nice bulge."

Glinda blushed slightly. "We… we don't know… magic?"

"I suppose that's as good an answer as any." Nanny looked at me. "You were a little miracle yourself… or a nightmare for your mother."

"How could you ever be a nightmare?" Glinda asked.

"Oh, she was a little terror."

"Nanny, don't you dare—" I started, but there was no stopping the old woman now.

"I remember at any mention of the Time Dragon, the little green froggy here would be on all fours, roaring at us before letting out a piss on the floor, which would intrigue her so much that she'd—"

"NANNY!" Oz, I didn't want THAT story to go any further!

"Don't get angry with me. You did it more than once."

"I WAS A BABY!"

Glinda was laughing herself into a stupor, and I could feel my face growing hot.

"Nanny, I swear to Oz—"

"Careful, Fabala. Little witches have very big ears that can hear everything," Nanny said, looking pointedly at Glinda's stomach.

I glared at her, and felt the blonde's hand on the side of my face. "Elphie… don't be so upset. I think it's adorable." She left a gentle kiss just under my jawline.

"Only because it's not about you…" I grumbled. So maybe I wasn't as overjoyed as I thought to have Nanny with us again.


"Where did Liir run off to?"

It was an odd question that came up that night at dinner. Everyone looked at me expectantly, but I shrugged.

"How should I know? He curls up someplace or other every night," I replied.

"Don't even know where your own son is," Nanny said.

"He is not my son," I hissed. Nanny was going to get a sound smack from me if she kept this up.

When Liir didn't show up the next morning to complete his chores, I was more irritated than anything as I began collecting the honey from the bees.

"Where is he?"

"Elphie, aren't you a little worried?" Glinda asked from where she sat on the bed.

"I'm annoyed. He's late, and the crows' rags need to be changed now."

"But Elphaba, think about it. He's never been late or missed a morning before. What if something happened to him?"

"I couldn't care less."

Glinda stood in an almost angry way, but it wasn't intimidating, considering her slightly bulging stomach. "Elphaba, I am going to have our child, but if you can't even pretend to care about your son, how can you claim to love this one?"

I looked at her as I put the jar away. "Because you're carrying our child. Something you've wanted for so long. Liir… he isn't the same. I didn't ask for him…"

"That shouldn't matter."

I sighed. It was obvious I could not make Glinda understand my viewpoint on this, not without telling her about the awful things I'd done. "We'll see if he turns up."


He didn't. After five days, Liir was still missing. It was the good witch who brought this matter to Sarima's attention, and the search of Kiamo Ko began.

When the cry of "We've found him!" came, I wasn't exactly filled with relief.

"He's in the fishwell."

Well that was unfortunate. We all made our way down to the well and sure enough, there he was, almost invisible at the bottom. Chistery was pulling on the rope of the bucket to no avail, so I took over, pulling the boy up into the light. He looked like a corpse left in the river: his skin was pale, and covered with a soap-like film.

"Go upstairs, children. This is not for you to see," Sarima said.

"I can't believe it; it's so terrible," Manek said with a grin.

I shot him a hateful glare, his words reminding me of the cruelness of the children from my own youth. "Listen to your mother."

He made a face, but the three ran to the top of the stairs, watching.

"You know enough in medicine to help him, don't you?" Sarima said to me.

"No, I don't know enough. Come, let's bring him up into the kitchen," I replied.

"But you know magic! You can bring him back!" Sarima's sisters said.

I had had quite enough of this. "No, I don't have an aptitude for sorcery! I never did! That was just a campaign created by Madame Morrible!"

I received looks for that, and I realized they had no idea what I was talking about, but I cared little. We ran up to the kitchen, Glinda clinging to my arm tightly. Sarima and her sisters laid Liir on the butcher's block, while Nor brought my broom and Manek the Grimmerie.

As Nanny began pressing on his arms and legs and set Sarima on his chest, I flipped through the ancient book, feeling unfamiliar anxiety building inside of me.

"I have no personal experience with a soul… how can I find his if I don't even know what it looks like?"

The children gave ridiculous suggestions, while Sarima and her sisters began praying to the Unnamed God and Lurline; whoever would listen.

"Elphaba, be some help! You're just like your mother, useless in a crisis! Put your mouth on his and push air into his lungs, go!" Nanny said.

"What?" How could she ask that of me?

"Elphaba, do it!" Glinda cried.

Damn you, Glinda! I used my sleeve to wipe the water and film from Liir's face, it didn't move from where I'd pushed it. My stomach turned over, and I turned away, dry heaving and spitting into a bucket. Reluctantly, I turned back to him and leaned down, doing what Nanny had asked.

It was awful. I grasped at the block, fighting to keep my nausea under control. A few minutes (a lifetime) later, Liir's stomach swelled, and a yellowish liquid ran from the corner of his mouth. His eyes opened, and I was mercifully able to pull away.

"Thank Lurline!" Sarima cried.

"We're not out of the woods yet. He may die of exposure, so off with his clothes now."

Liir was stripped, rubbed down with lard, and wrapped in a blanket. As this was happening, I was doubled over in the corner, trying not to retch on the floor. I felt a hand on my back, and I looked up to see Glinda.

"Elphaba…"

"Are you… happy now?"


Men and women. Male and female. The difference between the sexes is one I have thought about for quite some time. Oh, I am a female, yes, but I suppose at times, I don't exactly feel like one. Almost as if I don't fit in the body of a woman… Glinda does well enough. She's perfect for that… but as for me… well, how could one ever know for sure?

The heat of the sun was strengthening as winter began to melt away. Snow ran off the roofs and created icicles, which hung off the side. As I mused over the battle of the sexes, I sat on the balcony, my gaze fixated on a particularly sharp icicle. Warm and cold working together… perhaps warm and cold anger worked together as well to make a weapon to fight whatever still needed to be fought. I had always thought myself capable of as hot an anger as any man, but to truly find that power, one would need to access both…

A crack, and the icicle I'd been intently staring at while thinking of weapons broke, falling like a lance.

Liir survived. Manek did not.


"They're calling you a witch now. Why is that?"

I walked with Nanny in the orchard, the bees buzzing happily now that the air was beginning to lose its chill.

"Stupidity and silliness… and the fear of the Wizard," I replied, plucking an apple from a branch and biting into it. Still unripe.

"Your parents wouldn't stand for it… as for Miss Galinda."

"It's Glinda now, Nanny, and what of her?"

"Well, she appears to be a 'good witch'. She's the one who enchanted Nessa's shoes."

I didn't reply to that.

"I see you already knew that. Well… what of you two then? Still a couple?"

"She's pregnant with my child… and I never stopped loving her."

"She was married."

"Her husband was a monster…"

"And you liberated the damsel in distress I assume?"

"Nanny—"

"Was his death an accident?"

"That's enough."

Nanny looked at me, but I refused to look back.

"Always doing what needs to be done…" she said. We continued our walk in silence.

That night, as Glinda lay in my arms, I thought about my family. Nessa was the Eminent Thropp… I would have never thought that possible before… not while she was still, well… I suppose it was easier now that she could stand on her own two feet. I suddenly remembered that I had forgotten all about my letter. It was still unopened. I reached over the blonde, my fingers just able to grasp the envelope on the bedside table. As I brought it back towards me, Glinda stirred and buried her face further into the crook of my neck but didn't wake up.

By the light of the moon, I was able to make out my father's handwriting.

My dear Elphaba,

I can't say that I understand why you at the castle of Kiamo Ko, or why people call you a witch now, but I do know that you are still my daughter, and as such, I would like to extend an invitation for your arrival home. I realize it has been some time since we talked, but you weren't exactly easy to find. I hope you are doing well.

The reason I am writing you this is, as I stated before, to invite you to come home. Your sister, as you know, has taken her place as Eminent Thropp, and has expressed an interest in seeing you. It has been some time… we would all like to see you again. If you could… please come home.

Frexspar

So my father was beckoning me home, and based on how he was calling me "dear", it appeared to be serious. And Nessa wanting to see me? Most likely to fulfill her promise of spitting in my face. Still… my sister and I did have unfinished business regarding… a certain blonde witch. I looked down at the woman in question, who draped an arm across me. I smiled slightly, kissing her forehead. Glinda smiled in her sleep, cuddling closer to me. Of course I didn't want to leave her… but a pregnant woman had no place on a broomstick. Yes, I had to go home… it was a duty to my family.


"So you're leaving me?"

"It won't be for long my sweet."

The only bad thing about Glinda's pregnancy is that her morning sickness woke her early, and she'd caught me dressing and retrieving my broom.

The blonde pouted. "I want to go with you."

"No, no, no. You can't ride on a flying broom in your… condition."

"Elphie…"

I pulled her into a tight embrace. "Please don't pout. I'll be back before you know it." I brushed some hair from her face, kissing her gently. "One for you." I leaned down, kissing her stomach and running my hands along the bump. "And one for you." I straightened up. "I love you my sweet."

"I love you too Elphie… so please come back to us in one piece?"

I nodded. "I will do all I can."

And I meant it.