Thanks to Ultimate Queen of Cliffies and Mad-Idina-Fan98 for reviewing chapter 36!

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Weeks passed, and it was finally time for Fiyero's final test. He gathered basic supplies, and found Boq, who was ready to depart. Elphaba found the pair just before they were set to leave, and she asked Boq for a moment alone, and he complied.

She pulled him aside, "Listen Fiyero, please be careful."

"Why are you so worried?"

"Well, the last time we were separated, it didn't go over so well. Try not to run off either."

"Fae, I'm not going anywhere. I promise. I'll be back before you know it." He gave her a comforting smile.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him. He held her tight, enjoying the familiar scent that greeted his nose. He smiled again, "I love you Fae."

She gave him a small kiss, "Be careful, Yero." After he left with Boq, she whispered, "I love you too, Yero, my hero."

Boq took Fiyero into the wilderness and when they reached the stopping point after an hour of hiking, they prepared to part ways.

"Alright, we're here. You know the rules."

"Thanks Boq."

"Good luck. And Fiyero,"

"Yeah?"

"She really does love you, you know."

"I know. Ill see you in three days."

Boq left and Fiyero was alone. For the next few days, he didn't do much, and most of his thoughts drifted to Elphaba. Things were going to be different once he got back. They were going to be back together, and they would win this war together. Then they would start a family, and they would live happily ever after. That's how things were supposed to end, right?

The three days passed slowly, but they soon came to a close. Boq, with a few extra soldiers, arrived to get Fiyero and said, "Welcome to the rebellion, Fiyero."

He smiled, "Thanks Boq." All of a sudden, Fiyero heard footsteps. He glanced around but saw nothing. "Did you hear that?"

Boq nodded.

Then twigs started to snap, and Fiyero could only say, "Its an amb-" before the small troupe of Ozians came out of the brush and ambushed the pair.

They stood no chance. Fiyero was brought to the ground immediately and Boq was not long to follow. The group made a fight out of it, but they were outnumbered and outgunned. After several minutes, the Ozians left and Fiyero lay on the ground, his own blood pooling around him.

On the third day, Elphaba was anxious to see Fiyero return, safe and sound. When Boq came through the cavern covered in blood and limping, her previous thoughts were thrown out of the window.

She ran to Boq, "What happened?!"

"We were ambushed. Fifteen of them, five of us."

"Where's Fiyero?"

Boq hesitated, "He…he got the worst of it." Just then Fiyero, being carried by the remaining group, entered the cavern.

Elphaba screamed.

Fiyero was limp, with patches of skin missing. One solider was covering his throat, which looked like it was cut. Badly.

Elphaba tried to run to him, but Boq held her back, "Fae, stop! He's unstable!"

"I have to see him!" She said through her tears.

"Not until we know what's going on!"

"Please, I love him! He can't die! He can't die…" she said as she broke down in his arms.

Boq eventually calmed her down and took her to her room. She collapsed on her bed, and he stayed in the room with her until, hours later, Vern came through the door.

"Miss Fae," he started, "I'll start with the good news. He's alive. He lost a lot of blood, and for now, is comatose. He'll be able to recover as long as he wakes up within a few weeks. Unfortunately, there is a very concerning issue. He may have lost his power of speech."

Elphaba's jaw dropped. "How?"

"I think his vocal chords were cut."

"Is there a chance of recovering?"

"There is a chance, but its slim to none." Vern looked at them grimly.

"Can I see him?"

"Of course, Miss Fae."

Vern led Elphaba into Fiyero's room. His eyes were closed, and his chest rose and fell with every breath. She went to his side and held his hand, "Yero, I'm so sorry!" she broke down over him, tears spilling down her face. "Its all my fault!"

He didn't respond, "I love you, so much, Yero. If you can hear me, please know that. And I'm not going anywhere. I'm sorry I didn't forgive you sooner, and I'm sorry that I was so cold to you. Once you wake up, we can be together again. We'll win this war together, and after that, we'll have a family. I promise. All you have to do is wake up."

Boq slipped into the room and touched Fae's back, and she cried even harder. "We recovered Fiyero's clothes, and these were in his pocket."

He unfolded his hand to reveal Elphaba's wedding rings. She immediately took them and slipped them on her finger, and continued to weep for her husband.