Chapter 52

The next morning, after they'd agreed on dates and a place, Borak said something that made Elphaba cringe. "Princess Elphaba, am I correct in recalling that your family has some power in Munchkinland?"

She tensed, but answered. "Yes. I am Thropp Third Descending."

"And what does that mean?"

"My great-grandfather is Eminent Thropp. It gets passed down to the first female child of the third generation upon his death."

"So it is a relatively powerful position?"

"The most powerful eminence in Munchkinland. At least, that's what my father always said."

"Would you consider announcing, perhaps, an alliance with us - or at least that you intend to when you step into the role? The more power it looks as though we have behind us, the better."

Fiyero slipped an arm around her. "Wasn't an alliance implied upon our marriage?"

His father stepped in. "Yes and no. It was an unspoken agreement, of sorts, that she holds her own power and you, Fiyero, hold yours. Her role here, for us, was strictly ceremonial. At least, that's what we thought at the time." He smiled at Elphaba. "We obviously got the better of that bargain."

"We certainly did." Fiyero kissed her on the mouth before she could respond.

"Fiyero!" Elphaba wanted to hide under the table.

"So would you?" Borak was all business, always trying to keep their conversations on track.

"I wouldn't even know how."

"You'd have to return to Munchkinland."

She winced. "To my father's home?"

"Preferably to your great-grandfather's. If you could get him to announce in your place, that would be best, but otherwise, just saying it to a few well-placed people of importance in communities nearby would be sufficient."

She nodded. Being a public figure was ridiculous. "Yes. I'll do it. Of course. The problem is when we'll find the time to go to Munchkinland."

"Depending on how our negotiations go, perhaps you could go later in the summer. Otherwise, it will wait until fall. But not later." Borak told her.

"And Fiyero can come with me, right? I don't need to go by myself?" That sounded pathetic and needy, which was not how she had intended.

"He should most certainly be there."

She didn't want to admit how relieved that made her. If her father heard she would be visiting Clowen Grounds, he would pretend he wanted to see her so he could make an appearance and rub elbows with the power her great-grandfather held. It wasn't something she wished to endure alone - or at all, really. "The only member of my family I've spoken to since the wedding has been my sister," she admitted. "I haven't seen my great-grandfather since I was a girl. It won't arouse suspicion that I'm doing this? The Wizard won't figure out that I remember?"

"He might," Borak acknowledged, "but by then, hopefully, the tribes will be one again and we'll have the power of Munchkinland behind us. Unless he wants a major war, he wouldn't do anything about it." Borak smiled at her. "But you're starting to think politically - like a princess."

Later that evening after the kings had left, Glinda examined the spellbook and Fiyero continued to teach Elphaba Vinkun. "Mylan amara, saloden." he told her.

"I've had enough compliments for one day," she told him, cheeks warm.

Looking up briefly, Glinda asked, "What did he say?"

Looking into Elphaba's eyes as he wiped a stray strand of hair behind her ear, he replied, "You're beautiful, my love."

"You two are so lucky, what you have together. I want that." Glinda sighed.

Elphaba shook her head. "No you don't. This man is impossible."

"Excuse me?" Fiyero demanded.

"You are relentless sweet and affectionate and it gets exhausting, my dear."

"Well, you're stuck with me."

"Better you than anyone else," she conceded, taking his hand. "But you know how I hate public displays."

"It's Glinda. She's your best friend."

"And earlier?"

"I got carried away."

"Kind of like Kaldren did when he said goodbye to Glinda," Elphaba gave Glinda a pointed look. The young king had pulled the petite blonde into a very affectionate kiss before he left.

"It was just a kiss." Glinda said defensively.

"Whatever you say." Elphaba said in a singsong voice.

That evening, Elphaba said to Fiyero, "Everything is happening so fast recently. This thing with the Wizard, Glinda and Kaldren, school…"

"Mmm hmm," he murmured, running his fingers over her thighs. "I know. It feels like I'm living several lives at once - one as a prince, one as a student and (my personal favorite), one as your husband." He nibbled on her ear.

"That's a good way to describe it." She slowly ran her hand along the outline of one of the diamonds on his abdomen with her forefinger.

"This life, the one as your husband, that's my favorite, though. It's the easiest part, the truest part, being with you. It's the only time I don't have to worry or feel like there are eyes on us." He kissed her collarbone. "It's hard to worry when I'm looking at you."

She nuzzled her forehead under his chin. "We need a vacation. Too bad we can't even think about that until at least winter."

"At least we're visiting your great-grandfather and not your father. You won't have to see him." He tried.

"My father will probably be there, too, just to be where the power is. He likes power. It's why he actually bothered coming to our wedding. Otherwise, he'd have just sent me alone."

"Sending you alone to marry a man you'd never met in a place you'd never been? You really think he would've done that?"

"In a clock tick."

"Never leave me alone with your father, then. Every time you talk about him, it makes me want to say some very harsh things, or worse." Fiyero put a hand on her hip. "But now you have me, and I wouldn't ever…"

"I know, sweet love." She kissed him.

"Fae, you're going to get me started again," he growled against her ear.

"And what if that was my intention?" She purred.

"Then you're about to get exactly what you wanted."