Chapter 53

For as much importance as she had placed on her schooling as a teenager, she found herself caring less about her marks or what she was learning - not that her grades slipped, though she ended up second in her class just behind Glinda. Elphaba had started to realize that everything they were taught was part of a political agenda, not just in life sciences or political science. Ozian histories glazed over the unpleasant parts of the Wizard's ascension to the throne, made it look like life under the Ozma regents had been much more miserable than it was under the Wizard. In literature classes, only Munchkin and Gillikinese books were studied - Quadling and Vinkun literature was completely neglected. Her education at Shiz began to matter to her less and less and the political intrigue of her world took up more and more of her time.

"If we have to choose only one of the three royal families to rule, it should be Borak." Fiyero said to her over dinner one evening.

"Why?" His admission surprised her. She hadn't put thought into who would make a better king, but it did make sense. Still, these were his people and it was his tribe.

"Because he's the most political-minded and he's open to new ideas. He's not easily distracted by his personal life and he's certainly logical and intelligent."

"That's a rational way to look at it. But maybe we don't need a king at all. Maybe we could have a council of leaders."

"Women and men, of course."

"Naturally."

"And where would the central ruling place be? Would we all live in one castle? Fae, that's a great, progressive idea, but we need baby steps to get the people to agree. We could have one king with a council of advisors, though."

"Then we'll propose that. And you still think it should be Borak? I do appreciate how diplomatic he is. He would be a very fair leader. How would Kaldren feel, though?"

"He'd be on the high council, be his tribe's main representative, much like he is now. He could probably stay in his castle, too, just as we would. Not too much would have to change just yet."

"And that's probably the best."

Glinda returned with them to the Vinkus that summer. They didn't even stop at Kiamo Ko and instead headed straight to Kaldren's castle where his father was already awaiting them. After an extensive greeting (which involved a passionate kiss between Glinda and Kaldren) they were all escorted to the rooms they'd be spending at least the next several weeks in. Glinda's room was bigger than anyone else's, not that it was surprising in the least.

Elphaba cringed as she hung up every nice dress she owned in the closet. "It will be strange staying anywhere outside of Kiamo Ko or our apartment for more than a night or two."

"We are used to privacy." Fiyero commented, already done unpacking. He sat on the bed and the bedsprings let out an ear-piercing creak. When he shifted, it happened again. He stood up, and another loud squeal erupted from the mattress.

"That does not bode well," she muttered.

"Not for a good night's sleep, no. Fae, sometimes you toss and turn. You stop if I hold you, and it doesn't bother me, but if it's going to cause that kind of noise, it might get bothersome."

"I wasn't thinking about sleep," she said pointedly. "Borak doesn't have his wife with him, as usual - I'm starting to think she doesn't exist - and your father and Glinda are also sleeping alone. Somehow, we're the ones who ended up with the loudest bed to ever exist. Why do I feel like someone is playing a cruel joke?"

"I don't particularly want my father and everyone else being aware of every time that we…" Fiyero bit his lip as he trailed off.

"And you think I do?" She groaned. "This summer is going to be painful."

"Who says we need a bed?" Fiyero laughed, eyes dancing with the mischief that usually made her weak. "And I'll hold you at night. It will keep you still. We'll be fine, Fae."

She hadn't ever known that she trembled or moved at all during the night, though it didn't surprise her that she calmed when his arms were around her. That seemed to be the effect of his arms in her waking hours, too. "I suppose. We can't say anything, after all. It would be rude and probably embarrassing."

"That's for sure." Fiyero stood. "We should probably get downstairs and begin meetings. Do you want to bring up our idea or should I?" He took her arm and they headed out into the hall.

"It doesn't much matter to me." But it did. She liked the way they'd come to a compromise, and she was proud of her solutions. Still, she was not a prideful person.

"I'd like you to. Borak seems to like you better, anyway. And Kaldren won't argue with you so long as Glinda's on your side." He kissed her cheek before they entered the conference room that Kaldren had set up.

Borak led the discussion, as seemed to be the case in most of their meetings. "Before we begin, has anything happened at Shiz or otherwise that we might need to know about?"

Elphaba shook her head. "Nothing of note."

"I suppose that's a good thing." Kaldren commented.

"I suppose we should begin negotiations, then. Unfortunately, in this, I am lost. I simply don't know of a way that we could make our people agree when only one of us rules. And I don't know how we would make that decision." Borak spread his hands on the table. "If any of you have any thoughts, please, now would be the time."

"Actually," Elphaba began, "we'd been thinking."

Fiyero's father gave them a look. They hadn't told him their thoughts, and she wasn't sure how he'd feel about them. "Oh?"

"Borak, both Fiyero and I feel that you make a wonderful ruler. You're intelligent and you've always been willing to listen to any idea that comes your way, like you are now. Kaldren, though he is also a good man, is newer to his post than you are."

"And how would we get our people to rally under a Yunamata King?" Kaldren asked, not seeming offended at all, almost as though he had expected this.

"What if the king had a council with representatives from the other two tribes? We'd keep the structure of the tribes in place, almost, but the Scrow and the Arjiki leaders would report to Borak. You'd stay in your castle to keep things peaceful and be near your people, as would we. We'd be like delegates. If we're willing to serve under Borak, our people should see that we trust him and maybe they would do the same. We'd handle smaller spats and things, but when any disagreement that came between people two or three tribes came up, it would be for the council to decide. Any law passed would have to have the approval of the king and the council."

Silence fell across the table and no one looked at each other. After a moment Borak said, "The only thing I don't like about that idea is how easy it seems. I can't find a problem with it. Anyone?"

Kaldren shook his head. "I would be happy to serve under you, Borak."

"As would I, and my son." Fiyero's father said. "It is almost time I stepped down, after all. My son and his wife are clearly doing better than I am at this, anyway."

"Elphaba, over the past few months, you've clearly become the princess that you were meant to be all along. And you're willing to step down from that?" Borak asked.

"Gladly. Besides, we'd still be pretty much royalty. I doubt I'd get much reprieve." She laughed.

"Well, then, we need to work on a document to finalize this, and way to announce it to our people." Kaldren said. "And then, I was hoping, even if we finish early, Miss Glinda might be willing to finish out the summer here? Even if Elphaba and Fiyero return to Munchkinland."

Glinda looked at her friend hesitantly, but Elphaba nodded at her. "Yes, of course, I'd love to stay."