A/N: I'm thinking only one more chapter to go. Not sure where to go from the end but I hope you all have been enjoying it. :) Thanks!
Chapter 29
"Lady Glinda we have some news. Some of it good, some of it bad but what can you do?" Captain Khalil smiled as he walked into the grand dining room. He was followed by Boq and the Major General, both of whom were still not strong enough to stand for very long.
"Tell me the good news first!" The blonde was excited.
"Prince Fiyero has proposed to Miss Elphaba. They wish to be married as soon as possible," Khalil couldn't help but smile.
"Fiyero is awake and the first thing he did was propose? Oh how romantic," Glinda sighed.
"Well not exactly. The first thing he did was save Nurse Melinda from three Munchkins attempting to hurt Miss Elphaba, and then he proposed," the Captain clarified.
"What?" Her gaze moved to Major General Noli who did not bother to hide his shame.
"That's the bad news. I've got three Munchkins in custody and I'm having the Gale Force search for any more weapons that our short statured neighbors might have," he explained.
"Oh that just frosts my cookies! I had intended this evening to be a nice relaxing meal before we started negotiating a new alliance tomorrow but it seems we just can't have nice things!" Glinda was really upset.
"Lady Glinda if I may?" Boq asked.
"Of course Boq. What are your thoughts?" She asked.
"In light of what has happened and in light of my new found status as Head Munchkin, we can negotiate all you want this evening. I would prefer that Major General Noli be present as he will be able to fill us in on just how things are going in Munchkinland. Now as for the three that were captured this evening, you may do with them as you see fit. They did not listen to either myself or the Major General and they could be dangerous to both our citizens and yours," Boq smiled slightly.
"I can agree to that. Come let us begin to enjoy dinner and discuss what is necessary for the next step in relations between Munchkinland and the Emerald City," Glinda smiled back and the four quickly situated themselves around the table.
Meanwhile, back in the infirmary, Doctor Haluk was pouring over Fiyero in an attempt to figure out just how he was feeling. Elphaba looked on with a smirk.
"He really loves you doesn't he?" Melinda asked. The Doctor had given her the night off but had instructed her to stay close so that he may check the bandages he'd placed on the wound. Elphaba was feeling a little drained but that was because she had been performing spells and not eating. She promised however to take a look at the nurse's wound when she was a little sturdier on her feet.
"More than I ever thought possible for someone like me," Elphaba smiled slightly.
"Fear does a lot of bad things to people," Melinda nodded.
"Yes but to be honest, had I gone the way the Wizard had said, there would have been reason to fear. Although once Glinda cured me and I began to speak about what I had been through I found the magic I now possess is ten times stronger than it ever was before. It seems making myself vulnerable actually made me more powerful, which I can only imagine will cause new fear from those around me," the green skinned woman admitted.
"People will always fear and it is not fair that you have to be on your best behavior at every waking moment lest someone take offense but you used your magic once to hide your skin color, I imagine you could do it again," Melinda said.
"No. No more hiding. No more running. I am me and underneath my green skin beats a heart that is the same as everyone else's. I have to be who I am, if not for anyone else, at least for myself," Elphaba sighed.
"Good for you," Melinda smiled slightly.
"I guess so. Only time will tell," Elphaba shrugged. Fiyero had managed to satisfy Doctor Haluk who came over to take a look at Melinda's neck. Fiyero however came to steal Elphaba away and head outside onto the nearby balcony.
"You know Glinda will want to make a big to do about our pending nuptials. The ring is regrettably still in the Animal Village," he heaved a sigh as she leaned her back into his front. He wrapped his arms around her and started to kiss her neck. It had been so long since he'd touched her like that that her body started to get the old familiar sensations that his touch brought. She was surprised by this considering how mentally she wasn't ready yet. Her body certainly had other ideas as did Fiyero's.
"Sorry," he apologized, knowing she felt what his body was doing. He wasn't even sure if it would work after all this time. She turned around to face him and pulled him close.
"What do you have to be sorry for? You still find me attractive, it's flattering," she smiled.
"I could never find you anything but beautiful. I have missed being able to actually feel you. But no matter what, we cannot rush into anything. When you are ready, then we will move to the next step," he kissed her forehead.
"You have waited so long for this," Elphaba pointed out.
"And I can wait a little longer. It's not just about me. It's about you," he reminded her.
"I feel like this relationship has always been about me. When do you get your fair share?" She wanted to know.
"When you put that ring on and say "I do". That's when I get my fair share," he winked.
To Be Continued…
