You held me down, but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar
You're gonna hear me roar
-Roar by Katy Perry
Elphaba flew high above the Emerald City, gripping her broom tightly.
"It was an accident... she was killed instantly…"
Why hadn't she been there to protect her? She'd promised Galinda that she would always be there for her… and now she was gone. The air was growing frigid and thin, but Elphaba continued upwards, even as her broom began to shake, and drops of water vapor froze on her cloak.
Let me die too… at least that way I can be with Galinda…
Spots were beginning to dance before her eyes… a crack appeared in the handle of her broom from the cold. Finally, she let go, relinquishing control. The green woman plummeted through the air, feeling the wind rush around her. A sudden pain in her arm caught her attention, and at first, she thought it was just her… until she felt it again.
What… the only way I could feel pain like that is if…
Her eyes widened with realization. "Galinda." She had to still be alive. The Munchkin thrust her arm out, and her broom came to her obediently. She closed her hand around it, quickly mounting it before continuing her descent, pulling up and landing on her balcony. She slipped inside, making her way down the staircase; the Wizard would answer to this. If Galinda was alive, then he had lied to her, and that would be the last straw.
Elphaba stopped short when she heard a door opening, and she ducked behind the corner, peering around it to see Ozwald emerging from the door that led down to the dungeon. He locked it behind him before walking away, and Elphaba quickly thrust her hand out, summoning the keys from his back pocket. Once he was gone, the green woman made her way to the door, quickly unlocking it and starting down the stairs.
Galinda sat in her cell, arms wrapped tightly around herself. With no sunlight, the dungeon was freezing, and though she had begged for a blanket, Ozwald had merely laughed, and tossed what he considered food at her feet. Her stomach hurt too much to even think about trying to force it down, so here she was, her head pounding from all the crying she'd done.
Footsteps caught her attention, and the blonde stood, going to the bars. "Hello? Is someone there?"
"Galinda?" The voice was accompanied by hurried footsteps.
Sapphire eyes widened. "Elphaba?"
The green woman turned the corner and ran to the blonde's cell. "Galinda!"
"Elphie!"
The Munchkin grabbed her girlfriend's hands. "Your hands are like ice… how long have you been down here?"
"I don't know… a few days maybe?"
Elphaba was overwhelmed with emotion at seeing the blonde, and her hands fumbled with the keys as she unlocked the cell, swinging the door open. She embraced Galinda tightly, pressing a fierce kiss to her lips. "Oh, Glin… I thought you were dead."
"What? Why?"
"The Wizard told me you died in a carriage accident…" Elphaba looked down at the Frottican. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?"
"I knew you would try to stop me… how did you find out?"
"Your mother sent me a letter… she's worried sick about you… and so was I." Elphaba pulled the blonde into another tight embrace, burning tears running down her face. "When the Wizard told me you were dead… I felt as though my world had ended… and I hated myself for not being able to save you."
Galinda held herself close to the green woman, relishing in the heat coming off of her. "I came here to talk to the Wizard about you… I know that what he was doing was hurting you, and I couldn't stand it anymore… but my anger got the better of me…"
"But why are you down here?"
"I accidentally let it slip that I would… kill him."
Elphaba stared at the blonde. "I have never been more attracted to you in my entire life." The Munchkin kissed her again, hugging her tightly.
"Elphaba?"
"What is it, my sweet?"
"Can you tell me your middle name now?"
Elphaba looked down at the blonde, a choked laugh escaping from her throat. "You're still thinking about that?"
"I don't want to die without knowing it."
Elphaba shook her head, placing her forehead against Galinda's as tears started down her face. The blonde wiped them away gently, and the green woman kissed her one last time before picking her up.
"Elphie—"
"Come on, let's get you fed and warmed up; your face is too pale, and I'm worried about you."
Galinda couldn't deny that she liked being carried, and she wasn't exactly feeling strong enough to make her way upstairs. She clung to the front of Elphaba's frock, leaning against her with a sigh. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, Elphaba kicked the dungeon door open, starting for her room.
"What's all this noise about—" The Wizard froze upon seeing the green woman. "Elphaba…"
"You lied to me."
"I can explain—"
"Save it. There is nothing you have to say that I wish to hear." Elphaba started up the stairs, hearing the Wizard follow.
"Elphaba, please, be reasonable—"
"Reasonable?" Elphaba set Galinda on her bed, turning to face the Wizard. "You imprison the woman I love, tell me she's dead, and I'm the one who needs to be reasonable?!"
"Elphaba, listen to me—"
"NO! I am not listening anymore! I tried, I really did, but this… this is where I draw the line. How long were you going to keep her down there?"
"It wasn't permanent—"
"No? What were you going to tell me when you let her out?"
"Elphaba—"
"Just stop!" Elphaba thrust her arm out angrily, and an icicle shot past the Wizard, missing his head by inches before lodging into the wall. He stared at her, not having been expecting that. "I can't even think, I'm so angry!"
"Elphaba, she is no good for you, and I will not have my daughter marry another woman!"
The Munchkin inhaled sharply at that, twitching slightly as she glared at the Wizard. "I am NOT YOUR DAUGHTER!" With a yell, Elphaba drew a knife from her boot and threw herself at the Wizard, sinking the blade into his shoulder as she tackled him to the ground.
"Elphaba!" Galinda cried; never had she expected the green woman to ever attack the Wizard in such a way.
"Elphaba, stop! Listen to me!" the Wizard protested, raising his arms to protect his face as the green woman raised the knife, ready to strike again. She was suddenly grabbed from behind and thrown across the room, crashing into the bedpost.
"What are you doing?" Ozwald demanded.
"I TOLD YOU, DIDN'T I?! I TOLD YOU THAT IF YOU TRIED TO SEPARATE ME FROM GALINDA THAT I WOULD KILL YOU! " Elphaba threw herself at him again, but Ozwald stopped her with a fist to the stomach. The green woman crumpled to the ground, holding the afflicted area. On the bed, Galinda held her stomach as well, gasping for air.
This did not go unnoticed, and Ozwald moved around the green woman to approach the bed, looking down at the blonde. "Well, what's this now? Some kind of spell? Do you feel her pain too, Elphaba?"
"Don't… touch her…" Elphaba gasped, trying to get to her feet.
"Would you feel it if I had my way with her?" Ozwald continued, grabbing the blonde's ankle and pulling her to the edge.
Elphaba had managed to stand, and was giving Ozwald a death glare.
"I wonder what that would do to you, Elphaba." Ozwald reached down, perhaps to grab the Frottica further, but Galinda had noticed Elphaba's fallen knife, and she wasn't about to be helpless. She thrust her hand out, summoning the knife before plunging it into Ozwald's arm, forcing him to withdraw with a growl.
Elphaba used the distraction to her advantage, and with a yell, she tackled him to the floor, overtaken by a rage that surprised her. She began punching the dark-haired man in the face repeatedly, using her magic to keep his arms pinned down. With each punch, every terrible thing he'd ever done came back to her, and that only made her angrily. She hardly noticed when blood began to stain her knuckles, spattering onto her clothing.
"Elphaba! Elphaba, enough!" Galinda was suddenly grabbing onto her, pulling her away. The green woman resisted, but the blonde managed to get her off of Ozwald, dragging her away.
"Let go!"
"No! It's over…"
The Munchkin's struggling slowed, and she looked from the now unconscious Ozwald to the Wizard, who appeared more afraid of her than anything.
"Elphaba…" he started.
"Don't. Don't ever use my name… don't even think about me." The green woman thrust her hand out, and a few moments later, her broom came rocketing into the room, landing deftly in Elphaba's hand. "We're leaving the Emerald City… and I don't plan on ever returning."
"Elphaba—"
"Do not write to my parents. Do not write to Shiz University. Do not try and locate me, because if I even suspect you are looking for me, I will be up and gone in thirty seconds, don't think I won't."
"You can't stay away forever."
"Oh yes I can. I am abdicating; I have no love for the throne of Oz, nor will I be known as the heir who followed in your footsteps."
The Wizard could hardly believe his ears. "I could have given you everything…"
"But you didn't… and now we have nothing left to say to one another." Elphaba held her hand out to the blonde. "Come on, Galinda. We have no further business here."
The Frottican was having a hard time comprehending the situation herself; she almost felt bad for the Wizard, but considering what he'd done, it was hard for that feeling to last. Galinda took Elphaba's hand, and the two went out to the balcony. Elphaba put her cloak around the blonde before they mounted the broom, and as they took off through the chilled night air, Galinda was grateful. She curled up against Elphaba, feeling the Munchkin hold her close.
They must have flown through the night because when Galinda awoke, she was lying in her bed at Frottica. The blonde sat up, looking around the room. She heard a the door open, and her gaze fell on Elphaba, who had a tray in her hands.
"Oh, did I wake you?"
"No."
Elphaba approached the bed, setting the tray in front of the blonde. "I figured it had been a while since you ate actual food."
The blonde let out a gasp at seeing the assortment of breakfast foods set out before her. "Elphie… you made this all for me?"
"And me." Elphaba picked up a fruit-filled pastry, sitting beside the blonde and putting an arm around her as she took a bite. The blonde happily picked up the cup of coffee, taking a deep whiff of the scent before taking a sip.
"How did my parents react when you brought me inside?"
"They were surprised… mostly relieved. Your mother cried."
Galinda looked at the green woman. "She did?"
"I saw it myself." Elphaba didn't mention how seeing those tears had made her feel; she was sure her own mother had never cried over her. Would she even care if her eldest daughter suddenly went missing? "Anyway, if you go downstairs, beware: they're waiting to ambush you."
Galinda smiled slightly, kissing the green woman's cheek. "I knew you would find me…"
Elphaba could only manage half a smile. "Yeah…"
The blonde noticed. "What? What is it?"
The green woman looked away. "When the Wizard told me you were dead… I was so distraught… I did something reckless."
"Don't tell me you purposefully fell off your broom."
"Okay."
"Elphaba!" The blonde began to smack the green woman in the chest. "You could have died!"
"I thought you were dead! I couldn't live in a world that didn't have you in it!"
Galinda paused in her smacking, looking up at the Munchkin. "You… really?"
"Really." Elphaba took the blonde's hand, looking into her sapphire eyes… those eyes she loved so much, and thought she'd never see again. Perhaps what happened next was inevitable. "Galinda… marry me."
The Frottican was completely taken aback by that. "Wh-what?"
"I finally get what you were saying: you're the one I can't live without. I don't want to think about a life that doesn't have you in it. We don't have to get married right away, but I just… I want you to know how that my feelings for you go beyond just being a girlfriend. I am ready and willing to commit myself to you until I die."
Galinda had teared up at Elphaba's proclamation, and she felt the green woman wipe away her tears, giving her a smile. "Elphaba, I… I love you…"
"But you don't want to get married."
"That's not what I was going to say." Galinda took a deep breath, preparing herself what she was about to say. "Yes."
Elphaba's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Yes?"
Galinda nodded. "Yes… I will marry you, Elphaba."
The Munchkin could hardly believe her ears, and she hugged the blonde tightly, kissing her forehead. "I never thought I could be this happy…"
"But there are a few things we need to talk about."
Elphaba pulled away, looking at the blonde. "Just name them, my sweet."
Galinda intertwined her fingers with the Munckin's, admiring the contrast of their skin. "First off, we should wait until after we graduate; I don't want our first home to be our dorm room."
Elphaba smiled. "I agree."
"Secondly, you need to give me another chance to meet your family."
That caused the eldest Thropp to groan.
"And our families have to meet."
A louder groan.
"No, that's not allowed. This is all part of being married."
"Fiiiiine."
"There's one more thing."
"Dare I ask?"
"We both get each other rings."
The Munchkin couldn't help but smile at that. "All right, my sweet; if that is what you wish."
The blonde kissed her girlfriend, bouncing up and down excitedly. "Oh, Elphie, I'm so excited! We're really going to get married!"
"Easy blondie. We've only taken the first step. Now, finish your breakfast."
Galinda turned back to her breakfast, starting on the butterscotch pancakes. "We'll have to tell our parents."
"About that… maybe we should wait."
The blonde looked at the green woman. "What? Why?"
"Galinda, we don't even have rings yet. I don't want your parents to think I'm some sort of flake."
"I doubt that they think that."
"I still have to prove myself to your mother."
"Saving my life should have been enough."
"Regardless, I'd like to wait until I have the ring, one that's been bought with money I've earned… not money I've inherited."
The blonde smiled at the green woman's sincerity. "You're the most amazing person I've ever met."
The two had just exchanged another kiss when there was a knock at the door.
"Hello?" Lady Upland poked her head in. "I apologize if I'm interrupting."
"No, not at all," Elphaba said, leaning back against the headboard.
The older blonde entered, approaching the bed and smiling down at her daughter. Galinda could see the tears brimming in her eyes as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Galinda… I'm so glad you're safe… I was so worried about you."
"Yes; I'm safe, thanks to Elphaba."
The green woman looked away, her face darkening slightly.
"Yes… I knew I could count on her." Lady Upland touched Elphaba's arm lightly, surprising all three of them. "Thank you, Miss Elphaba."
Elphaba nodded. "It… it was no problem…"
Lady Upland looked back at her daughter, kissing her on the forehead. "Well, I'm very glad to have you home… both of you." She stood and left the room, and Galinda tackled the green woman in a hug.
"Gah!"
"And you were worried."
That night, the Uplands offered to take the two girls out to dinner, which Galinda gladly accepted on their behalf.
"I don't understand why we couldn't just stay here," Elphaba grumbled as Galinda fixed her hair.
"Because it is rude to decline an offer to dinner, especially from my own parents."
"I can't even remember the last time I went out to place like that."
"Don't worry, Elphie. Just be yourself, and you'll be fine."
Elphaba gave her a look. "Being myself has gotten me into trouble."
The blonde finished with her hair, and moved to sit on Elphaba's lap. "Elphie… what happened at the palace—"
"Is something I do not want to talk about."
"Elphaba… I know you don't like to talk about things that bother you… but you can't keep shutting me out. When we're married… you can't keep secrets from me. We have to be honest with each other."
The green woman sighed, kissing the blonde's forehead. "I did what I had to… the Wizard… he lied to me. He imprisoned you, and let me believe you were dead. I tried to forgive him for the other things he's done… but this is too much."
"So what you said was true? You're really not going to take the throne?"
"It's true, my sweet. A life spent with you will be much more fulfilling than ruling Oz."
As the two made their way downstairs, Elphaba caught Galinda's arm, stopping her.
"Now remember, not a word to your parents about my proposal," the Munchkin said.
"Elphie, you can trust me."
"I mean it, Glin."
"I'm not going to say anything."
Elphaba wasn't entirely convinced, but the two continued downstairs, where Galinda's parents were waiting.
"Ah, there you are," Highmuster said, giving them a smile. "Are you two ready to go—"
"I'm engaged!" the blonde practically shouted excitedly, running down the rest of the stairs.
"Galinda!" Elphaba put a hand over her face, shaking her head.
"What?" Lady Upland said.
"Elphaba proposed! We don't have rings yet, but we're getting married!"
The Uplands looked at the Munchkin, who was still shaking her head. "Galinda…"
Highmuster was the first to move, pulling his daughter into a hug. "Congratulations, button. I'm happy for you both."
"Thanks Popsicle." Galinda looked at her mother, who gave her a smile.
"I am happy for you too. While it isn't what I had envisioned for you… I cannot think of anyone better to take care of you."
Galinda's smile seemed too big for her face, and she hugged her mother before running back to Elphaba.
"You kept our secret for all of two seconds," Elphaba said.
"I'm sorry Elphie, but they're my parents… I had to tell them."
The green woman crossed her arms, but there was no way she could stay mad at the blonde, and they both knew it. "Fine."
Galinda let out a squeak of excitement, hugging the green woman tightly. "Oh, I can't believe it! We're getting married!"
"Hold on." Elphaba looked at the older Frottican couple, feeling she owed them an explanation. "We've decided to wait until after we graduate from Shiz… and I am going to buy Galinda a ring, and propose properly. I promise, I will provide for your daughter; you won't have to worry about anything."
Highmuster exchanged a look with his wife before giving the two girls a smile. "Whatever you two want; we will support you."
"So, Galinda, have you thought about the venue?"
"I haven't even thought about my dress!"
Elphaba was currently hiding her face in her hands, shaking her head. The four had managed to make it to the restaurant without too much excitement, but it had apparently become too much for the blondes to hold back. It was apparent to Elphaba now where Galinda inherited her enthusiasm from, and though it made her slightly embarrassed, she loved Galinda too much to stop her.
"It seems as though they got a little carried away," Highmuster said with a smile.
Elphaba lowered her hands, letting out a sigh. "Of course I'm glad Galinda is excited… but all this planning… we're not even officially engaged… and she isn't the best with patience…"
"Elphaba, you know she's excited right now because it's something new. Give her some time, and she'll calm down."
Elphaba sighed, poking at her salad. She could only hope that would be true; if Galinda revealed their secret while at Shiz, it would not bode well.
Galinda let out a happy sigh at the feeling of the brush running through her hair. "I hope you're not upset that I told my parents about us, Elphie."
"You know I can't stay upset with you," Elphaba replied, setting the brush down. She wrapped her arms around the blonde, allowing Galinda to lean back into her. "But I can't say that I'll be so forgiving if you start telling everyone… particularly our classmates."
"I'll keep my mouth shut."
"That's what you said earlier, and look what happened."
The Frottican turned in Elphaba's arms, giving the green woman a look. "That was different. I had to tell my parents."
"Yes, well, don't tell anyone else. I have no doubt that if this reaches Morrible, she will try to break us up."
"Why would she do that?"
Elphaba smiled slightly, touching the tip of Galinda's nose. "Because together we're unlimited."
Galinda smiled, leaning against the green woman and placing a kiss just under her sharp jawline.
"Are you ready to sleep?"
The blonde nodded, and the two wriggled under the blankets, Galinda immediately curling up to Elphaba's thin frame. With a snap of green fingers, the lamp was extinguished, and Galinda felt a pair of arm pull her into an embrace.
"Elphaba?"
"Hmm?"
"What's today? I lost track of time."
"It's Lurlinemas Eve."
The blonde let out a gasp. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?!"
"You didn't ask."
"Elphaba, you can't not tell me things like this! I didn't get you a present, or—"
The blonde was cut off by a kiss from the taller woman. "Galinda, my sweet… just having you with me is enough."
"But I wanted to get you something…" the blonde pouted.
"It's all right. I don't need material things."
"Are you saying I'm a material person?"
"No, my sweet, or else you would be upset with me for not having a present for you either."
There was a pause before Galinda said, "Can I at least make you breakfast tomorrow?"
Elphaba chuckled. "If you wish; just don't stress too much, all right? I will be perfectly happy even if we only spend the day curled up in front of a fireplace."
The blonde smiled, kissing the green woman. "And you thought I wouldn't want to marry you."
"You might still change your mind."
"Not a chance." A pause. "Maybe as a gift you could tell me your middle name?"
"Ha! Nice try."
"Elphie… you can't keep secrets when we're married."
"We're not married yet."
"Elphabaaaa…"
"Why does this matter to you so much?"
"Because I want to know everything about you."
"You don't need my middle name for that."
"Please, Elphie?"
"I don't even know your—"
"Annabeth."
Elphaba paused. "You didn't even hesitate."
"Because I have no secrets, Elphaba. I am going to be one hundred percent honest with you. Now, you tell me yours."
"I don't think so."
"No fair! I told you mine!"
"I didn't ask for yours!"
"You… you… mean green thing!"
Elphaba laughed, kissing the blonde gently. "Go to sleep, my sweet."
There was long silence, and Galinda thought that perhaps Elphaba had fallen asleep. She closed her eyes, beginning to drift off herself.
"Maureen."
A smile crossed Galinda's face, and she snuggled that much closer to the green woman.
