Disclaimer- I don't own Wicked or Rent.
Fiyero looked out across the horizon worriedly. It had finally started. He could see even from this distance a commotion in the courtyard of the castle. Stay safe, Fae. Please stay safe! His father walked up behind him, looking at Fiyero's face instead of the castle in the distance.
"You're worried about her." It was a statement, not a question. "From all you've told me of her, I should think your Elphaba will be alright. She sounds smart, resourceful. She'll be alright."
Fiyero turned slowly and looked at his father. "But I'm not there. I've always tried to keep an eye on her, watch her back, so to speak. It's hard to do that from here. But Fae… Fae would be the first one to agree with what we're about to do. Still…"
Adair placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Try not to worry. I'm sure she'll be perfectly fine. You said she's powerful. Just wait and see. Life's like that. I thought I'd lost you, and yet here you stand."
"Thanks to Elphaba. That woman she's about to battle up there would have had me killed, if not for her. Whatever it takes to help who ever needs it, that's what she'll do. That's why I'm so worried; she'll put everyone's safety ahead of her own. That's why I asked King Emrys to take care of her if I was lost. He's a man of honor, he cares, if something happens to me, he'll try to keep her safe. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize the lengths she'll go to in order to protect them all. The magics she's trying to harness right now are dangerous enough; then add Morrible and stir? I could lose her."
"You see life very differently now, don't you? You used to take things rather lightly, now though…is that because of Elphaba?"
Running his hands over his face and then nodding, Fiyero explained. He was not aware of the many soldiers who were listening, many who had grave misgivings about helping the Witch of the West.
"It sometimes seems to me now, as if my whole life I've been climbing a mountain. All my life, my path's been cleared and made easy and prepared by others, so my climb would be easier. Then, one heart-stopping minute, I paused to look back over my shoulder and saw Elphaba. Her path wasn't clear. It was treacherous and it was filled with difficulties. I could tell when I looked at her as she climbed, that she had fallen and been badly injured many, many, times. But she climbed! She still fought her way upward. I saw others on their own climb, cause her to fall and cause her injury…sometimes grave injuries.
"Then, it seems, that at one part of the climb our paths connected. We could have continued on separately, but instead we chose to be friends, companions for a time. That was when I knew that I couldn't bear to be separated from that lonely, brave, beautiful woman again. She fights so hard, so valiantly! But then the ground shook and we were separated for a time. But I could always see her, in my minds eye, but I could see her.
"When our paths crossed again, it seemed like the ground shook again, but this time when she would have fallen into an abyss, I was there! I grabbed her and wouldn't let go. She'd been hurt even more by then, but she kept climbing, knowing that when I pulled her up and set her by my side, I would hold her there always. We'll climb together…or not at all! She added her courage and bravery and complete faith and love for me and I added my strength and love. I'll be the one who clears the path now. The journey might… will be dangerous, but it will be worth the trip because of the company. Hopefully, we'll reach that mountaintop together. I'm not sure I'd like the view if she wasn't there to share it."
He had stopped, deep in thought and did not see the effect his words had on those around him. They looked from one to another. Wicked? Evil? How could any woman who inspired those feelings, that passion, be evil? Not unless she was made to look that way. And if she was, then she fought evil! Morrible! She fought Morrible. She fought to save a land that was not even hers because her help was needed. Wicked? Not unless they all were!
A soldier, who'd been listening, spoke up now. "Beggin' your pardon, Prince Fiyero, but I'll fight for your lady! I may not be much, but I'll fight with you."
Another nodded in agreement and added, "I don't know her, but I know you. If you say she's innocent and fights for what's right, then she does!"
"Besides, there's Morrible. What she's doing just isn't right! She's turned Oz into a nightmare." This came from still another.
Around and around they went, in the end, Elphaba had an even larger army now. Fiyero looked more than moved. A group of officers yelled to him, "We'll fight for her and you, as long as she doesn't mind a Winkie army with her."
Fiyero laughed. "Don't let herhear you use that term! I've seen her reaction when she hears it. I used the term once when I first knew her and she went on the attack. Elphaba has been treated like she's worth less than everyone else her whole life. She won't sit still and see it happen to anyone else. My ears are still ringing! As far as the rest goes, she's my wife that means she's Crown Princess of the Vinkus. I know my Elphaba, she'll be honored to have your backing and help."
Adair addressed his son. "Tell them what you need, Fiyero."
"We need a barrier. We'll hold our forces back and let the other troops from Oz advance. They fight for Morrible. In front of them are the forces of Burzee. This is their home and they will defend it! Between the Burzeeans and our forces coming up from behind the troops from Oz, they'll be surrounded. Hopefully, they will choose not to fight for a lost cause."
"Why lost, Prince Fiyero?"
"It's lost because in front of the troops from Burzee, is Morrible and she's just discovered that Elphaba is alive. She's discovered that Elphaba and her sister, Maureen, have used old magics to strip Morrible of her powers. Without her powers, she'll be helpless, especially when Elphaba catches up to her. Morrible has cost my wife far too much! Elphaba will destroy her or die trying."
King Adair clapped his son on the back. "The army is yours, Fiyero. Lead them well. Win the day if you can, but there's something more important to remember."
"The war?"
"No, something my father taught me to remember. It's the reason I'm here beside my men. Remember that each of your men has someone waiting for him, someone who waits to hear only his footsteps. Remember that some of those waiting are so young they do not yet know why he is gone. Remember that just as I value and love you, my son, someone loves and values each of your men. Do not waste them or the skills they would add to your forces. More than anything, fight only if you must and then if you must, always fight with honor."
Fiyero nodded and looked into his father's eyes solemnly. "I promise, Father. And Father? If we should be separated by the Divide, will you honor my wife and care for her? Her sister has no way of knowing, but if I'm lost, Elphaba will try to disappear and live alone. She's lost enough, can you…"
"I will care for my daughter, Fiyero, never fear! She will have what is due her as your wife, and she will have me to protect her…and your army here, unless I'm very much mistaken! They have not met her yet, but already they respect her. That is a fine trait to have."
"I'll tell you the secret, Father. Let her think she's caring for you. She'll stay near you if she thinks you need her. She'll never desert you then. Never. Take care, Father."
Fiyero hugged his father, and then moved to the front of the Vinkun lines. He signaled the troops and they began to move forward. I'm coming, Fae! I'm coming!
As they got closer, the forces from Oz never gave them a second look, and the Vinkuns could see the Burzeeans ready to hold their lines and not allow them near the castle. Fiyero signaled his officers to his side when he called a halt behind the forces of Oz. His officers rode forward and awaited his word.
"I do not want to engage them if we can avoid it. Our presence here may be enough to put an end to this madness. They're trapped. I'll give the word if necessary, but only on my command. I'd like to keep the bloodshed down to a minimum."
Fiyero looked towards the courtyard. "If my wife is successful, Morrible will have nothing to fight with on her side. We're buying time for the Princess."
A young officer looked to him with concern. "But Sir, what if there's another powerful witch up there in the courtyard? What about our Princess?"
Fiyero clapped a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Never fear. Our Princess is the other powerful witch in the courtyard! Her sister is there as well, while she's not as powerful, when they work together they are a force to be reckoned with." Something caught Fiyero's eye. "There! Look!" In the distance he could make out Elphaba stepping into the open courtyard confronting Morrible. His men watched as the green woman stepped out alone to face Morrible who had until that point been dealing with Glinda and Emrys. Even from where they stood they had heard her voice drift toward them on the wind.
"Glinda's not green, you miserable excuse for a human being! I am!"
The Vinkuns looked from one to another. She stood tall and with an air of authority and one that spoke of her detestation of Morrible. They could make out some of what Elphaba said when she took her to task.
"You've hurt enough people you old hag!...You are through, Morrible…How many, Morrible?"
The Vinkuns respected this woman. She stood up to someone very few in Oz would dare to! They looked at Fiyero who, although worried, looked at her with pride and love.
"That, gentlemen, is my wife; Elphaba, formerly known as the Wicked Witch of the West; now, Crown Princess of the Vinkus." He paused, and smiled again pointing toward a woman in tight pants and heeled boots who now stepped into the open using long strides and an attitude. The woman walked right up to Morrible, no fear on her face. Again they heard a voice on the wind.
"Don't be so sure you clown-faced bitch."
"My sister in law, Maureen!", smiled Fiyero. "Uh, oh! Morrible better…"
The troops saw the other woman punch Morrible in the face – twice.
"Watch it!" Fiyero and his men began to laugh.
"The magics worked! Morrible has no powers! Elphaba and Maureen stole them, it worked! Gentlemen, our day has improved immensely."
Prince Fiyero of the Vinkus smiled as he watched Morrible flailing in the courtyard.
"That's my girl, Fae! That's my girl!"
He turned to give an order and looked back when the young officer cried out in alarm.
What he saw turned his blood cold. He saw Morrible trying to escape on horseback, with Maureen right behind her on her broom and Elphaba? He watched as Boq advanced on his wife with an axe.
"Fae! Fae, look out!"