Chapter 37.

Rifiuto: Non Miriena

Elements in 36? Elphaba's comment about the porridge

Based on? Mary's comment about the porridge

Book and author? The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgens Burnett

Elements in 37?

Their happiness didn't last long. A couple weeks later, she lost her temper.

Again.

Screams coming from their bedroom brought Fiyero from the study down the hall. A maid stopped him in the hallway.

"Your Highness. I wouldn't. She's out of control! No one can control her. We've tried everything. She won't stop-she won't listen to anyone! Sir, please!"

"Have you tried?" He demanded, hurrying down the hall, the servants and family members following.

"Fiyero, she's uncontrollable. She won't listen, won't cooperate." He turned, meeting his mother's eyes.

"Have you tried cooperating with her?"

"N.... No." He took a deep breath, keeping his temper in check. That afternoon with the chess game and everything that took place after was still strong in his mind.

"Well maybe you should have tried! She's not cooperating because no one except me is willing to work with her!"

"But--" He stopped her in the hall, blocking their bedroom door.

"She's my wife, Mother! You forced us both into an arranged marriage! Her family is dead, she has no one else except us. Me. I'm her husband. And over these last couple of years, I've grown to love her, and she's grown to love me. She's seen me through every struggle I faced since our marriage, and now it's my turn. She's been hurt, Mother. And now I need to take care of her. I need to see her through this, I need to be strong for her. Because it's what a marriage is about. Now leave." They stayed, shocked. "I SAID LEAVE!"

Quickly, they scurried away, his mother slowly following. Once gone, Fiyero slipped into the bedroom, to find Elphaba- in a fit of frustrated, emotional, pent up rage- ripping the blankets from their bed, pulling the clothes from the closets, knocking the perfume and other toiletries off the dresser top. She beat against the windows, screaming.

"Elphaba?"

Finally, she collapsed among the scattered clothes and blankets of their marriage bed. Silent, he sat next to her.

"Elphaba." She didn't acknowledge him. "Dove, please."

She didn't say anything for several minutes. Then,

"I hate this! I'm sick of this! I can't take not seeing anymore! I can't!" Gently, he pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back.

"Shh. Hush Dove. Hush. It's okay."

Her temper flared. Angry, she pulled away, shoving him, before she began to hit him. She didn't care if she caused him pain, she just hit him. Again and again. Screaming obcinities, hitting, anything she could to make him feel as awful as she did.

"You son of a bitch! I hate you! You jackass! I...hate...you..." Finally, she dissolved into sobs, collapsing into his arms. He held her, stroking her hair, silent, letting her sob. When she seemed to calm down, he asked,

"What brought this on, Dove?"

She didn't anwer for several minutes, before,

"It's raining."

"I know it is." He replied, confused by her simple statement.

"I want to see the rain." He nodded, now understanding.

"I see. So the rain brought this on?" She nodded into his chest. "Oh Dove. Oh my sweet Dove." Gently, he rocked her back and forth, before getting up, and pulling her to her feet. "Come on."

"Where are we going, Yero?" She asked as he led her out of their room. He took her through the castle, before leading her out to the stables. "The stables? Why are we at the stables?"

"Because, there's someone I want you to meet." And he took her hand, leading her into the stables. He took her to one in particular- it held a beautiful black stallion with a light brown diamond on its forehead. Then, he took her hand, and guided her towards the horse, running her hand down his muzzle. A small smile appeared on her face.

"What does he look like, Yero?"

"He's black, with a light brown diamond on his forehead."

"Oh Yero. He must be beautiful. What's his name?" She asked, reaching out by herself to pat the animal's nose.

"Dawn."

"Dawn." She whispered it softly. "He's beautiful."

"Would you like to ride him?"

"Can I?"

"Of course."

Then, he led the horse out of the stable, and saddled him up.

Elphaba backed away, allowing him to prepare the horse.

"Come here Dove." Slowly, she did, taking the hand he held out. He led her to the saddle, and gently placed his hands on her waist. "I'm going to lift you onto the saddle. Don't struggle, darling." He whispered. She nodded. Then, he gently lifted her onto the saddle, making sure she was secure before climbing up behind her. "Ready?" She nodded. He gently guided the horse into a trot. Soon, they flew through the meadow, the rain pelting their bodies. "Are you all right, love?"

"Yes!"

They rode for several hours, before returning to the stables. As the two returned to the house, Elphaba stopped, tilting her head back and spreading her arms, her eyes closed.

"I want to see the rain so badly. Just like I want to see you." She whispered. He smiled softly at her. Soon, they hurried into the house, and upstairs. Both were soaked, and Fiyero slipped into the bathroom, grabbed a couple towels, and came back, handing her one. They dried their hair in silence, until Fiyero wrapped his towel around her shoulders and pulled her to him. "Yero!"

Gently, he kissed her.

"I love you."

A smile graced her features.

"Do you regret marrying me? Even after the fire?" She asked. Gently, he cupped her cheek. After all that had gone on between them, he knew that his answer was true, and always would be.

"No. Never. I love you. Before the fire, after the fire. I will always love you. Understand me? I love you. I will never stop loving you." She moved closer, stealing a gentle, tender kiss.

"Good. Because, even with all that's gone on between us, I don't regret it either. And I never will."

Her arms went around his neck, and she kissed him deeper.