Epilogue.

AN: Okay, a long wait, I appologise. I was having trouble with a subject at school and then got into the whole culminating/exam stuff. Plus, I actually started writing this chapter, looked at it, went "ew this sucks" and re-wrote it as the version that you are reading now. Thanks to all of you who have stuck with me through this thing! It is mammothly long and you are all awesome!

9 months later

"Where are my gloves? And what happened to my new Gilikin Silk Gown? Oh this is hopeless! A Charity Ball and I haven't a thing to wear!" Glinda cried shrilly as she threw articles of clothing out the door of her closet. Her green friend rolled her eyes as something pink and frilly flew into her face. She pulled it off and looked at it a moment with disdain before tossing it away.

"And what are we going to do about you?" the blonde called out as more items of clothing flew out to add to the growing pile of fabric. Elphaba rolled her eyes

"After nearly thirty years of friendship and you still think there's any possibility of improving my looks?"

"What can I say? It's habit by now." Glinda replied lightly from her room.

"Ah, good one. You're getting better at those comebacks." Her friend replied, wincing slightly as her hand went to her lower back. Glinda chose that moment to walk out holding two different outfits on hangars and saw the look of discomfort on Elphaba's face.

"Sit down." She ordered. The green woman winced again and shook her head.

"If I sit down, I won't be able to get up." She replied with a groan, her other hand going to the large swell of her stomach. She shouldn't have long left to go, but she felt grotesquely huge. She prayed that it wasn't twins again...or more. But at this point, 4 would be better then 2 and even if it was twins, she wanted two boys or two girls. Thankfully, the chances of a multiple birth were slimmer simply by the fact that the baby was over-due.

The Blonde ground her teeth and tossed the outfits aside and went up to her friend

"Well if you don't sit, you'll fall over. And I don't think I can lift you." She said sternly before lightening her tone again, "Now, which do you think? The Gold, or the crimson lining?" Elphaba groaned and eased herself onto the somewhat vulgar pink bed to rest her feet.

Her friend, however, was glad to see her getting back to her old self. It hadn't been easy those first few weeks…

"Come on Liir, you need to rest." Glinda reprimanded as he stumbled wearily. He was recovering, but slowly, and it chafed him. His mother and Godmother were helping him, mainly by toeing the line on how much he did.

"I'm fine." He growled

"Remember last time you pushed yourself too far, you ended up bed-ridden again." Glinda chided. Elphaba didn't say anything. In fact, she put her hand to her mouth and ran for the latrine. Her friend watched her go with a concerned look on her face and steered Liir towards his bed. She settled him in quickly an then hurried over to the washroom door and poked her head in

"Elphie? Are you alright?" she called in. She received a groaned curse in reply. The Witch of the north simply shook her head. Elphaba was incorrigible when she was feeling sick. Shaking her blonde head the woman walked back over to her Godson.

"What's wrong with Mom?" he demanded

"Oh, nothing's wrong." Glinda said cheerily.

"Then why is she hurling? Akota's cooking isn't that bad." His Godmother snorted at this. Akota had been wounded, but was recovering. While he did, he helped out with some of the cooking. It was a good thing he was devoted to medicine.

"NO, no, she's fine. She isn't sick." As if on queue the sounds of retching became audible as Elphaba vomited violently.

"Oh. Sure."

"I'm not sure I like sarcastic Liir." Glinda muttered

"Aunt GLinda, please tell me. What's wrong? Is it something terrible? Does my f…father know? Has he even noticed?" Liir added bitterly. Fiyero in particular had been hit hard by Rhonaraye's death. It had been 2 and a half months ago, but everyone was still hurting. The losses on both sides had been heavy. Little Zack was feeling the loss of his guardian particularly hard as well, especially after Dr. Dillamond had passed away peacefully the day after the war had been declared over. Thankfully it had been before the news of his young ward and prized pupil's death had reached him.

Elphaba herself was devastated 2 times over, for her beloved professor and for the daughter she seemed to have barely regained. She was also confused over her feelings about the Wizard's demise…she had hated him, but he was still her father.

One casualty that nobody really cared about was Morrible, found run-through by a Goblin sword in her room. Those who knew her all agreed that she had it coming. The rest didn't even know who she was. Sad, really, when you thought about it.

The green woman stumbled out of the latrine a few moments later, looking very pale.

"Mom, maybe you should go back to bed, you don't look well."

"I'm fine Liir." She told him wearily. She didn't sound fine. However, at that moment she bolted back to the bathroom. The young man turned to his mother's best friend.

"You know!" He accused

"Know what dear?" she asked him innocently

"You know what's wrong with mother." He said, "I've had enough rest, let's get going again." He got to his feet unassisted and started walking again, better for the short rest. At this point he was just building up his stamina again. However, he had learned his lesson about over-doing it. He had done that a month ago, opened up a wound and damaged the stitches, causing internal bleeding and leaving him bed-ridden for another 2 weeks.

"So what's going on?" he pressed. Aunt Glinda was loyal, but hopeless with secrets. The Gossip Queen part of her just never died.

"Nope. I'm sworn to secrecy." She said

"Please, if she's sick, I need to know." He pleaded

"She'll be fine. The doctor saw her 2 days ago. I made her go because I was worried about her, but she'll be fine." Glinda said, grinning.

"So why is she so sick?" he countered

"Nothing time won't cure."

"Time."

"Yes. 9 months. Oh! I shouldn't have said that." She giggled. At his confused look she giggled harder

"Oooh, I can't keep it in any longer! Elphie's going to have a baby!" she burst out, clapping her hand to her mouth afterwards.

"Way to keep a secret Glinda." Elphaba groaned, slouching with a hand over her stomach

"A…a baby?" Liir sputtered, shocked. "When? How?"

"Please, I went through the puberty talk with you once and that was more than enough." She told him snippily.

"Does…does father know?" he asked. She shook her head

"How can I tell him?" she asked, "He loved Rhonaraye more than anything…he's devastated! What if it's a girl? What if the child looks like her?"

"You'll get your chance to be a brother soon enough…" he murmured.

"What?" Elphaba asked. Liir hesitated to tell her. Not everyone had believed him when he talked bout his conversation with the dearly departed. His father hadn't, but his mother had remained silent.

"Raye told me that when we…talked for the last time." He said quietly. She didn't respond to that, Glinda noticed.

Thankfully Elphaba was doing better now. How the conversation between her and Fiyero went when she told him, the Witch of the North didn't know. Whatever it had been like, the two of them had each spent close to a week avoiding the other, but then very strangely seemed to suddenly come together, more strongly than before. Their friends and son had all been relieved that though the relationship had been tried, tested and taxed, it had come out stronger than ever before instead of crumbling-they'd even gotten married officially. Others had not been so lucky. Left and right there were arguments breaking out, couples splitting up…all sorts. From Glinda's perspective, it seemed that the war had one of two effects on a relationship; strengthen it or demolish it.

As for her, the last few months had brought something wonderful into her life…she had been known to have a thing for Vinkun princes, and Fiyero's older brother Ijiri was certainly a handsome fellow. She'd had over 2 decades to get over Fiyero and had done so. The two of them were just friends now. Thinking of Ijiri on the other hand sent shivers of excitement and anticipation racing through her and she felt the urge to check herself in the mirror once more. As if reading her mind Elphaba smiled coyly

"All this fussing wouldn't have anything to do with a certain in-law of mine would it?" she teased.

"Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't." Glinda replied cheerfully. She stopped upon closer consideration of her reflection. Her green-skinned friend might now for all purposes be 25 again, but the Blonde was not so fortunate. While her friend had developed crows-feet and slight wrinkles fairly early, the more popular witch hadn't had so much as an extra dimple until her forties, but that had changed with the war. Would Ijiri find her attractive anyway? He was as old as she was, in fact he was older, but many men still preferred younger women…

"Glinda, if you're worried, stop it." Elphie told her between grunts as she struggled to get up again "See what I mean? Now I can't get up!" She muttered, getting distracted from the topic before coming back to it, "Anyway, you are still the prettier of the two of us, don't bother arguing! Younger doesn't always equal prettier." The two friends smiled at each other, then suddenly Elphaba became aware that she was wet. Glinda also noticed the spreading stain on the comforter when Elphaba gasped, a hand going to her swollen abdomen.

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Liir knocked on the door to Candle's room, "You nearly ready in there?" he called, "I've been waiting for ages!"

"You have not." His girlfriend replied from inside as she slid her earrings in. She was dressed for the first time in an evening gown. It was a big step for her. White, floor-length, spaghetti-strapped and fairly close fitting-certainly the most expensive and fancy thing she had ever worn. She felt more comfortable with her body these days, particularly after those who'd hurt her had been locked up…at least, those who had survived the war. The Goblins hadn't just taken their friends, they had also done some of the dirty work for them. Morrible was dead, found in her room with a knife in her chest—two of the most corrupt generals had also been killed on the battlefield. Other lives more precious to her had been claimed, both during and after the fight. Dr. Dillamond had thankfully passed away peacefully in his sleep, after the outcome of the war was announced, and before the official casualty list was posted. It had all been very hard on Zack, the little Mule. Thankfully although Dr. Akota had been injured, he had made a full recovery, during which time he had helped them all grieve.

The Wizard's body had also been found of course. Emotions were mixed, though at this point, more people were concerned with who would take over Oz? The two Witches had been running things for the past few months, but it was hardly a permanent arrangement, and after all, there were rumors that the Vinkun Royal couple were going to step down in favor of their son and his wife, with him becoming the new King of the Vinkus. Liir and Candle had remained undecided on almost everything except for one matter—they were staying together.

As Candle mused over the outcome, she cautiously applied some lipstick and then stood back to regard herself in the mirror. Her dark hair had been swept up into an elegant bun and her earrings set off her eyes. She nodded in satisfaction and then went to the door and opened it.

"My, don't you look dashing." She said to Liir, who was in a dark green tux.

"You look exquisite." he breathed.

"Thank you." She said a little shyly, taking his arm. As they walked down the hall the couple stopped at a door which was slightly ajar. Familiar voices drifted out of it

"You're kidding! She looked like that? That is not her! What happened to the glasses?" Zack exclaimed

"No lie! Although she had no sense of style back then, look, here's your father!" said Annette. She had joined the fight early on, resuming her friendship with Rhonaraye and building a platonic one with Liir. Candle even liked her, and truth be told she was genuinely likable now, had been since Raye had become her friend. Cautiously, the couple walked into the doorway. In the room sat Zack, in a suit as well, Fiyero (also dressed up) and a now-black-haired Annette with a bright blue streak through it and wearing a sleek black gown. The former socialite had experimented with her hair a great deal, though she had never returned to Blonde. Strewn across the floor were old photographs. Upon noticing them Annette flashed a brilliant smile and beckoned them in enthusiastically, patting the floor beside her to indicate for them to sit.

"We're just taking a trip down memory lane." She said, holding out a picture to Liir.

"Whose that?" Candle asked. Liir felt tears sting at the back of his eyes, but they didn't show. It was an old photograph of Rhonaraye from high-school with her patched dress, military-like boots and large, round glasses. She was holding out a hand in front of the camera, but it only darkened part of the shot. The next picture was of him, Annette, Ray and Jack all together just before they had left for the emerald city. It was quite a funny picture actually, Liir had set the timer on the camera and then tripped in his rush to get back into the shot, tripping them all. He laughed in spite of himself. They had barely spoken of her in all the time since her death, or any of the people who had been claimed by the war--it had just hurt so much—but now here they were looking at pictures of them all.

"Look at the class picture!" he exclaimed, pointing to the large group one. He and Annette pointed people out to the other three and told them a bit about those they didn't know.

"This is how I want to remember her." The former-blonde said, handing them a shot taken at their last party only a month before the last fight. It was of Annette and Rhonaraye standing with Akota. She must not have realized the camera was there, for she was dancing on the floor with the disco-ball lights bouncing off the glittery decoration in her hair and laughing at something Dr. Akota had said, not to mention there was no sign of her trying to block the lense. The ornament had been a gift from Zack. Her dress was also very pretty, but simple. It was a beautiful royal purple that showed her shoulders and also had short sleeves.

"Yeah," Zack agreed sadly, looking down at a rare voluntary picture of his Guardian with her facing the camera directly. She was affectionately head-locking (or hugging, hard to tell with a Mule when he was on all fours) Zack and the two of them were grinning up at the Camera.

"I agree." Said Fiyero, passing them the only photograph in which they had managed to actually get a family picture with all four of them in it. Liir looked over at his father. Fiyero had taken the longest to even try and move on, understandably. No one was really sure how the news that Elphaba was pregnant had gone over with him, but after the green woman had started getting big enough that certain things were becoming more difficult, he was by her side constantly. They didn't really have to talk for them and their loved ones to tell that though they were both hurting, they would weather it together.

"Oh, I like this one." Candle said, pointing to the group shot of their friends in the resistance, or rather, he supposed, the army as it was during the War. Rhonaraye stood in the middle with her staff, her long deep red hair cascading down over her shoulders and down her back and Elphaba beside her with the broom. Fiyero had his arm around her shoulders. Liir and Candle were posed in an embrace to Raye's left. In the back was Akota holding Zack up high and the bear Ralima with two orphans on her shoulders. There were lots of other people in the picture, many of them dead, but while it hurt to remember the loss, it also felt…right somehow to remember the good times as well.

Just then Glinda sprinted by, catching herself on the doorway

"Aunt GLinda!" Annette cried happily, "Come join us! We have time before the party--"

"Elphie's gone into labor!" she gasped. Fiyero leapt to his feet

"She is? Is she okay? There's no complications so far are there? Oh no…I only left for a second! It's not a breech is it?"

"Fiyero, calm down! Dr. Akota told you it wasn't going to be. She's fine. The Doctor is with her, but you might want to hurry! This little one doesn't look like it's willing to wait very long!" she panted as the Vinkus prince rushed past her, throwing the blonde off balance. She stumbled and her hand flew to her signature (if somewhat silly) tiara to prevent it from falling off.

"Oh no, who's going to open the party? Everyone is expecting them to make the opening speech!" Glinda realized with a shock

"Well that seems a rather impractical move." Annette scoffed, "She's already like a week and a half overdue!"

"In any case, it seems that our hosts are going to be a bit busy. Well, there's nothing for it. Liir, you'll have to do it."

"Me? What about you? You're the famous figurehead!"

"Look, I missed your birth. I wasn't there for Elphie the first time and I'm her best friend! I am going to be there for her this time! Candle, we might need your help!" The Witch of the North said as she followed Fiyero, the Quadling on her heels.

"Great." Liir groaned.

**********************************

The guests were all gathered for the party in all their finery when Liir, well dressed but somewhat disheveled-looking burst in. They all looked up and he suddenly found that every pair of eyes in the room was on him. The feeling was not the most pleasant one he'd ever experienced.

"Uh…hi." He said somewhat awkwardly "Well, I can see you're all here—of course you're all here, sorry. Well, thank you for coming, we really appreciate it, and we've raised a lot of funds…at least, I think we have. Er, I know you were all expecting my parents, or at least the Lady Glinda, but they're a little, uh, occupied." He caught the eyes of his Grandparents in the crowd. Fiyero's mother was the first to figure it out, though the others didn't

"Where are they?" one of the thicker (or maybe less informed) guests asked

"Well…I'm going to be a big brother!" He said. Applause erupted.

Meanwhile in Elphaba's favorite tower room, the green woman clenched her teeth as her face screwed up in pain.

"It's alright if you want to scream." Dr. Akota told her

"Yes Elphie, let it out!" Glinda urged.

"No!" the woman replied, shaking her head "I screamed last time, the only screams I want this child to hear are the ones people make on a Roller Coaster…This isn't so bad…its not a breech—ugnhhh." She groaned as another contraction hit.

"You're doing great Elphaba." Fiyero said encouragingly, taking her hand in his. She smiled thinly at him and crushed his hand when she felt her insides clenching. She was also cutting off the circulation to Glinda's fingers, who sat on her other side. Suddenly she let out a short cry of pain.

"Alright Elphaba, you need to push now." Dr. Akota told her

"That much I'd figured out!" She snapped. He didn't take it personally of course. The birth went very quickly after that. The Green woman didn't scream once. Finally the healthy, loud wail of a baby sang through the air. Elphaba caugh a glimpse of a foot…a normally coloured foot and gasped in relief, sinking back against the cushions. She was exhausted, but not to the extent as she had been with the twins.

"Incredible Elphaba." Fiyero breathed as Candle handed him the infant wrapped in a blanket.

"Let me hold him." The tired mother said,

"Her." Candle corrected as Fiyero sat on the bed next to his wife and carefully handed her their child. The baby's howls had queited to indignant whimpers as she demanded nourishment.

"Her?" Elphaba asked a little nervously "I thought…I was sure it was a boy. Oh Fiyero-"

"She's perfect." He told her, moving back a section of blanket so that he could better see his daughter's face. "Liir was right, we get a second chance." Everyone looked at him. He hadn't spoken much since the war had ended, and when Liir had told them about his 'conversation' with his twin whilst he was comatose, Fiyero had certainly not believed him.

As if he had heard, at that moment there was a tentative knock on the door as Glinda (who had slipped out without anyone noticing surprisingly enough) walked in pushing her godson ahead of her. Candle sidled up to him and whispered in his ear, "You were right. Congradulations big brother."

"Guess that goes to show you, don't bet against an Oracle." Akota said to lighten the mood.

"I know just what to name her." Elphaba began, Fiyero nodded

"No Mom, Dad, you don't understand. It's not her. A second chance isn't a do-over." He told them, "This little girl is herself and only herself, if she has had any previous lives, it wasn't as my twin." They all noticed his casual reference to 'past lives' but didn't bother to comment on it.

"Well, I still know a good name." the green woman said after a few minutes silence.

"Not--" the Vinkus Prince began

"No, not that one. Not quite anyway."

A few hours later Fiyero returned down stairs. Most of the guests had enjoyed the party and then left, but there were two he needed to see. His parents were waiting at a bench. If his brother had stayed he didn't know

"How are they?" his mother asked, patting her silver bun. There were streaks in it that still had its former deep red colour, the same shade as…no. He wouldn't think about it. This was a happy time.

"They're both fine." He told them "Elphaba and our daughter are both resting."

"A little girl? Oh that's wonderful!" his mother exclaimed, embracing her son. She couldn't do this enough since he had been transformed and revealed that he was in deed alive to them.

"Yes, and with that strapping Liir as your heir--" his father began

"Liir has declined that particular honour." He informed them, much to their dismay "He has decided to remain in Oz, and assist Glinda in ruling here until someone more permanent is found. He and Candle may even take up the job someday—but at the moment they are both planning on a trip out to Quadling country and the twons to help the villages get back on their feet. Anari Rose will be our heir." To his surprise, they didn't say anything about a girl being the new heir to the throne after they stepped down in two months. In fact, their first comment was on the name

"Anari…that's an old Vinkun name. It means 'dawn' doesn't it?" the Queen asked

"Yes. We thought it fitting. We're starting again. I suppose, you could even say it's a new day."

Unseen by everyone, the transparent image of a woman revered as a godess by many in Oz smiled as she watched the scene below unfurl through a high window. Bowing her head, she conjured up the slightest of breezes which seemed to disintigrate her ghostly form, only to reapear miles below the earth by the gentle blow of the tiny twister.

Glowing brightly now, she glided over to the altar in the room. It size and grandeur was second only to hers. The body resting upon it was tall and slim with deep red hair cushioning her head and flowing over her shoulders. The scar along her cheekbone was gone and the markings on her body were complete, though only the ones on her face and clasped hands were visible.

"You did well." She told the motionless, "And you were right to convince me to allow them the fountain of youth. They value their second chance at this. But they might need you again…sooner then they think." With that Lurline faded into the darkness and retreated back to her own form for a rest as the red-head's mouth opened and she exhaled the same shimmering light audibly………

THE END

A.N: Wow. 162 pages on my Word Document. This is officially the longest thing I have ever written. As you can see I left myself open for a sequel but I will tell you now it is unlikely. Not only did this story get way to long, but looking back I realize it was way too centered on OC's, two things that often loose me as a fan-fic reader. A sequel would only come up if there was a high demand for it, and I mean like very high so I'm pretty sure its not going to happen, but you decide.

Anyway, a great big thanks to those of you who reviewed and put the story on your favourites and alerts list. You guys are awesome. Don't forget to check out my other stories and review those too! Thanks again!