Elphaba had a feeling that Dr. Dillamond wanted to talk to her about something very important. As they walked away from the other three Elphaba began to remember years ago when her and Dillamond wandered about the grounds having deep discussions about animals and Animals. Those were peaceful times that she hoped to recreate soon, with Glinda's help. Dillimond led her to the fountain in the center of the University Square. Sitting on the wide ledge he motioned for Elphaba to join him.
"Elphaba, what do you think of the Ozmoot?" Dillimond asked.
"I think that it is a group that pretends it's the Unnamed God and rules Oz how it pleases. It is probably more dangerous to Oz than the Wizard ever was." She said.
He chuckles softly. "You are not far off from the truth my dear. However, the Ozmoot itself is more of a council that does the bidding of a leader."
Elphaba raises an eyebrow at that, "If the council does as they are told, then why does this leader even have a council? It seems like a complete waste of time and effort."
"That is an excellent question Elphaba. I have no idea why she insists on having a council with five members myself. Occasionally a member can make a request for a series of events. Every few years she does approve a plan. However, within the year of that plan being enacted the council finds itself called in for a series of meetings to clean up the mess from the previously approved actions." He said.
Elphaba thought about that for a few minutes. "So, the leader allows certain members to start a potentially deadly series of events only to prove that she has the best ideas?"
Dillamond smiles brightly when Elphaba draws that conclusion and clicks his hooves together in applause. "Well done Miss Elphaba! That is exactly why I have chosen you!"
"Chosen me? For what?" Elphaba asked, with a raised eyebrow.
"To replace me on the council. I have no children of my own to pass this burden onto. She has agreed that I may choose whomever I wish." He said.
"Doctor, I assure you, I am not the person for this position. I have little patience for such nonsense. I would end up in trouble and on the run again. Especially if this 'leader' and I don't see eye to eye." Elphaba said.
"Which is why you are perfect Miss Elphaba, just think with yourself and Master Tiggliar you would keep the council in check." He said.
Elphaba shifted a bit uncomfortably on the cool stone. "I don't know Dr. Dillamond. I am not the best at being gracious and political. I think Glinda would be better suited to replace you."
"Glinda will have her opportunity in time, but this is your time Elphaba. With you on the council, your voice would have real impact on Oz. You could liberate Animals. You could fight for your causes from the inside." He said.
Elphaba was about to argue further when the comment about Glinda registered as odd. "What do you mean Glinda will have her opportunity in time?"
The old goat sighed heavily, "It is no coincidence that Miss Hhhlinda 'misplaced' the ring at home. Deep down you know the answer to the riddle Miss Elphaba. However, I caution you not to expedite Glinda's understanding. She must find out in the proper time from the proper person. That person is neither you nor I."
Elphaba quickly tried to piece the puzzle together, her jaw dropped when she realized who it must be. She hears his warning and nods her head, "I won't offer the information. However, if she asks me directly I will tell her."
He nods his head, "I think that is fair Miss Elphaba. However, I do still need to know if you will accept being my successor?"
Elphaba sighs heavily, "I will need to think about this, Doctor. I will also talk to Jessie about it."
"Take all the time you need. I'm not planning on retiring any time soon. I just wanted you to begin thinking about it. I was expecting you to tell Jessie, I do believe you tell her everything Miss Elphaba." He said with a smile.'
"I will, doctor, I promise." Elphaba said, she grinned at the comment about Jessie.
"That's all I ask, Elphaba. Your Jessie, she's quite a character." He said. Now that he had her considering being his successor, he was genuinely curious about the woman the Miss Elphaba had given her heart to.
"Yes, she is. She's a wonderful character though Dr. Dillamond." Elphaba said, smiling brightly.
"She is very protective of you. When I mentioned that arrest warrant, her entire demeanor changed." He said.
Elphaba nodded her head, "Yes, she doesn't like the thought of me being in danger. I know that she would jump in the line of fire to protect me."
"It's high time, Miss Elphaba. You have looked after and protected so many. I am truly enjoying watching someone looking after and protecting you." He said.
Elphaba sniffled as a bit as tears of joy filled her eyes. "The fact that you believe that means everything to me, sir."
He pulled her into a gentle hug before standing slowly. "Now, let's return before Miss Hhhhinda gets any ideas about makeovers."
Elphaba laughed at that little comment as they made their way back to his former classroom. Dillamond was overjoyed that Elphaba would consider his offer. Miss Elphaba was nearly as powerful as her, Dillamond hoped that Elphaba replacing him on the council would be the key to the dissolution of that useless institution.
()
Lord Chuffrey sighed as he stepped out of his carriage in the Emerald City. While most of his district of Qualding did not care for parties and festivations like this, as the mayor he was obligated to attend this grand ball in celebration of the good witches of Oz. He tipped his hat to Coriv the Munchkinlander Mayor who had also arrived.
Chuffrey was a bit surprised to see the near mob of…wait those looked like happy Munchkinlanders. Perhaps the rumors of Elphaba the Wise were true and she had freed thousands of Munchkinlanders. He intended to have a private conversation with Coriv later about what actually happened on the tours stop in Munchkinland.
()
Hostick had the arrest warrant ready to go, all he required was a judges signature before he could actually use it. He was waiting outside of the head judge's house to get that signature. If no one answered the door then he would simply sneak into the house through the back door and wait for the judge to return home.
()
Elphaba, Glinda, and Fiyero were wandering about some of their favorite places on campus while Roric and Alec made sure the carriages were ready for the short trip back to the Emerald City. After hearing what Dillamond said about Hostick Roric and Alec were to return to Emerald City as soon as the carriages were ready to retake control of the Ozian guard. If the Ozmoot was going to remove Hostick, they needed to make sure someone level headed was there to make sure the guards fell back into line.
The three friends arrived at the carriages first, Jessie and Dr. Dillamond joined them a few minutes later. Elphaba smiled, she knew that Jessie had wanted to speak with her old professor for quite some time. She was honestly quite happy to see them having a good conversation.
Roric walked around the carriage. "Everything is ready for departure."
Glinda nodded, "Very good. You and Alec may head towards the Emerald City. We will arrive late this evening. If anything is still off please send word of it back to us through Mr. Chistrey."
Roric nodded, "As you wish your Goodness."
Both men bowed before hopping onto two horses and galloping off to the Emerald City.
Elphaba sighed after they left and took Jessie's hand into her own. "Do we have to leave now? I promised to show Jessie my favorite places here."
Fiyero chuckled at that, "Uh-oh, we might never be able to leave now. The bookworm is close to her second home."
Glinda giggled lightly at that, "I don't see why not. Right dearest?" Glinda asked with a hard elbow to Fiyero's side.
Fiyero rubbed his side from the elbow, that actually hurt a little. "All right then, why don't we spend a little longer here." He pointed at Elphaba, "After an hour though we need to meet back up. I promised to show Jessie my secret to success here at Shiz."
Elpahba rolled her eyes at that, "What, you mean the back of your eyelids?"
"At least that was less exhaustifying as all of that reading you insisted on doing day and night." Glinda said.
Elphaba chuckled, "All right then, I promise to meet you two here in one hour."
Fiyero grinned, "Deal!" He then swept Glinda off of her feet and headed towards the gardens. He intended to make full use of his hour.
Elphaba chuckled as she watched Fiyero carry Glinda off to the infamous gardens. Some of the students called it the 'haunted gardens' from all of the sounds that could be heard at night. She turned to look at Jessie, "Come on, I want to show you my favorite place on campus." She began to lead Jessie towards the massive library.
()
Hostick had gotten impatient. He was currently waiting in the judge's study. He looked at his pocket time dragon clock for the hundredth time. The judge should have been home hours ago, what in Oz was keeping him?
Hostick's questions would be answered in the next few minutes. The sound of a key fitting into the lock and unlocking the door could be heard. The door opened to reveal a man wearing a large black cloak that completely hid his body. He wore black gloves and had a golden ring with a red stone in the center. The man pulled a pistol out from under his cloak and shot Hostick in the head.
Hostick's body fell limply to the ground and blood began to pool around his body. The man picked up the arrest warrant and put it in his pocket. He turned and handed the pistol to the judge who had closed the front door behind him. "Remember, you shot him in self defense. He was waiting for you in your home and he caught you by surprise. You continue with that story and you will be protected from prosecution."
The judge nodded his understanding. "I will do as you have said."
The man nodded, he pulled out a small purse with one hundred rubies in it. "For your loyalty to Oz." The man then walks out the back door and disappears down a side alley.
()
Roric and Alec arrive in the Emerald City just as the news of Hostick's death begins to spread throughout the city. Apparently he had attempted to kill the head judge in his own home.
Roric and Alec go to the Ozian guard barracks to take control of the men. In a matter of minutes the guard is once again organized and all agree that Elphaba the Wise and Glinda the Good are the absolute rulers of Oz and must be protected at all costs.
()
The hour at Shiz felt more like five minutes to both young couples. Glinda's cheeks were still a bit flush and Fiyero's shirt was almost tucked back in.
Elphaba and Jessie walked out of the library with bright smiles of their own. Although, there seemed to be a bit of dust in their hair, who knew that library books could be so dusty.
Dr. Dillamond chuckled as he watched the four of them walk back to the carriage, ah to be young again he thought to himself.
Elphaba looked at Glinda, "Well, since the boys seem to want to hang out…why don't we go look at our old room?"
Glinda nodded with a bright smile. "That sounds like a great idea Elphie!" She gives Fiyero a quick peck on the cheek before taking Elphie by the arm and skipping off towards their old dorm room.
Jessie laughed when she saw Elphie getting dragged along by a skipping Glinda.
Fiyero nodded towards the nearby building, "Ready for a final rehearsal?"
Jessie nodded, "Oh yeah. You actually remember the words this time right?"
Fiyero chuckled as he led Jessie inside to rehearse.
()
Qualding was relaxing in one of the hidden alcoves in the gardens behind the grand palace in Emerald City. She walked up and joined him on the small bench. She was smiling, he had never seen her smile like this.
"Well done Qualding! That is one of the best operations I have seen in decades. You are quite talented." She said with a bright smile.
He nodded, "Thank you. It was a simple job."
She grinned, "So humble! Perhaps you should be the next head of the council." She let that sink in for a moment. "Enjoy the rest of your time in the Emerald City Qualding. I hear this ball is going to be quite spectacular." With that she vanished into the cool evening air.
He sighed after she left. He really didn't want to be the next head of the council. Traditionally the head of the council tends to get killed or go insane. He didn't particularly want either to happen to himself. If only his young son was older so he could pass this duty on to him, or perhaps he should look into requesting a separate successor. He honestly didn't know how Gillikin pulled it off at his age.
()
After another hour the four friends met back up at the carriages. Fiyero and Jessie had gotten three good rehearsals in, with Dillamond's help. Jessie felt better and nervous at the same time.
Elphaba and Glinda had a wonderful time remembering all the pranks they pulled on each other and others. Elphaba still hadn't told Glinda about the few twigs she still had in her hair from the gardens. It amused her that Glinda hadn't discovered them yet what with her obsession with mirrors.
Dr. Dillamond walked up to the group with a wide smile. "Have a safe journey! I look forward to seeing you all at the ball!"
Elphaba gave him a tight hug. "Thank you for everything Dr. Dillamond. Thank you for coming to the ball! I look forward to seeing you there."
Glinda clapped her hands together excitedly, "I'm so glad you are coming! It is going to be the most excitifying ball in Ozian history!"
Dillamond chuckles, "I have no doubt of that Miss Hhhlinda! I look forward to seeing the four of you at the festivities!"
They four friends load into the carriage and wave goodbye to the old goat as they finally head towards the Emerald City and the end of the very long tour.