"Well, I will tell her about the sexual favors part." Glinda thought to herself as the carriage headed to the train depot. "Just not right away."
She thought about how she was going to tell Elphie this. She was angry, but Elphie would be furious. This man was more than just a hanger on. He was dangerous. Maybe she could stress getting the ambassadors help or having a link to that rebel group or whatever it was.
"Lyndie, please talk to me." Elphie said, very concerned. "You are angry and upset about something very serious."
"I told you Elphie, I'll talk to you when we are alone, in our compartment." She looked at Elphie's panicked face.
"Trust me please my love." She said quietly.
She was trying to soothe Elphie, but was failing miserably, which made matters all the worse.
They got to the depot, Mr. Frama took care of their baggage and bid them safe travels then they found their compartment and settled in. Glinda made it very clear that she had no intention of talking until after the conductor had been by for their tickets. She busied herself with getting out something for them to eat.
"Now, what happened." Elphie said sternly after the conductor had come and gone.
"Jacol was in the café, he approached me." Glinda said, the anger still in her voice.
"Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Elphie said flying up off her seat.
"Elphie sit please. I am already upset, you pacing around will not help." She said pouring them some coffee from one of the containers, putting cream in Elphie's.
"I am sorry." Elphie said accepting the cup of steaming coffee and sitting down.
"He knows things about you Elphie, things he can use to hurt you." Glinda said quietly with a hint of anger.
"What! How is that possible? What things?" Elphie said completely taken aback.
"He knows you are magical, and that you have money and I have access to it. He said he has other information even more damaging."
"How… This is a disaster, All of this time…" She put her cup down and stood up. She started to pace, too furious to form sentences.
"Wait, why did he approach you?" She said stopping dead in her tracks, the implications settling into her very stirred up brain.
"He is trying to get to me through you! That bastard is blackmailing you." Elphie spat.
"He said if I gave him money from your account, he would keep your secret."
Elphie paced; as best she could in the compartment, for a time, trying to calm herself.
"This is unbelievable. I'm not even there yet and that place has already gotten to you, and is already trying to destroy me!" She was no calmer, but she sat down and looked at Glinda.
"Elphie, the ambassador should know about this, he can track Jacol down before anything else happens."
"Glinda, one way or the other Colwen Grounds will find out I am magical." Elphie said, she was twitching, but not pacing.
"Maybe, but this way it is on your terms, you control what they know and Jacol can be stopped." Glinda was trying to sound as reasonable as she could.
Elphie considered this. She was furious, but was trying to stay rational, mainly because she knew Glinda was not all right.
"Glinda, I do not think you are telling me everything, I can see it in your eyes." She went over and sat by her love.
"I am already angry, you might as well get everything out now, let me rant, then maybe I can figure this out."
Glinda thought about this, she had never tried to keep things from Elphie, it was hard and it hurt. If the situation were reversed she would want to know.
"I was going to tell you, after we had sorted things out, but you are right. But I am telling you flat out, you are going to have a very hard time with it."
"I figured, if you were intentionally not telling me." Elphie said very frightened as well as angry.
"Jacol wanted two things from me, to keep your secret. Money and sex."
"Sex?" Elphie said hoping she had misunderstood.
"That low life cad bastard wants you to sleep with him?"
Glinda simply nodded, anger making the words catches in her throat.
Elphie's eyes were blazing, her voice tight with fury. Glinda had only seen her angry like this once, it was before they were really friends. It was a cold, quiet anger and it frightened Glinda slightly. She was waiting for Elphie to blow, to shoot up off of the seat, swearing, pacing and twitching uncontrollably. She was not, however, prepared for what actually happened.
Elphie gathered her love gently into her arms and held her close. After allowing herself a moment to be surprised, Glinda melted into the arms she loved. Elphie held her tightly for a long time, stroking her hair. She held her until her fury ebbed slightly, until she had some sort of control. She simply held her.
"I am so sorry my precious." Elphie said gently in her ear. "My screwed up world has found you."
Glinda pulled away slightly, stroking Elphie's cheek.
"It was bound to sooner or later, we are rarely apart." Glinda chuckled slightly hoping to break through the palatable tension in the compartment.
Elphie smiled slightly, Glinda was very good at defusing a volatile situation.
"You can not go there now you know. When we get to the Emerald City, I am putting you on a train to Frottica."
"I was anticipating this. Elphie, Jacol can't get to me. You've got me under constant surveillance, I wouldn't be surprised if my keepers didn't keep me from myself." Glinda smiled.
"But what if he does, what if he gets to you and forces you to sl…"
"Shhhhh my love, don't go there. It will not happen. I am assuming he will not be allowed in and I am positive I will not be allowed out. I will be safe, besides me not coming will create more problems than it solves."
Elphie sighed deeply. "I know, you are right, but the thought of him…"
"I said do not go there. It will do neither of us any good to dwell on something that will never happen." Glinda said firmly, and for the first time since they left their room, kissing her softly.
Go, my love, pace around get a grip on this and when you come back, with a carafe of fresh coffee, I'll have the sweet breads all laid out and we will eat something and talk. Ok?" She kissed Elphie again.
"I am angry and upset too, but we will figure it out." She said with a certainty she did not feel.
"I am not so sure this time Lyndie, too much is out of our control. I'll be back soon." She returned Glinda's kiss, already starting to feel that numbness she felt whenever she was at Colwen Grounds.
Elphie accepted some money from Glinda and went to pace up and down the corridors for a while. She tried to sort through the mess. She had been dreading this trip for so long, now she dreaded it even more. In addition to everything else she had to contend with there was this. After a time she had come to some conclusions. She would have to confide something to the ambassador, because he was the only one there she even slightly trusted. Jacol was definitely gunning for position and power and she had no idea how to stop it, which made her mind go back to the first thing. She was getting a headache, so she went to the dining car to get coffee.
As soon as Elphie left, Glinda curled up on her seat and cried. She sobbed long and hard. The thought of Jacol's hands touching her was enough to make her stomach turn. The fact that he knew things about Elphie, things that could hurt her, upset her terribly. All of this was upsetting her terribly and she cried until she couldn't bear to do it anymore. She wasn't really hungry, which was true testament to her mental state, but she sat out the plate of sweetbreads and washed out their coffee cups in the little sink.
She did feel a little better, but was ready to see Elphie.
As soon as Elphie walked in the door, she knew Glinda had been crying, which didn't surprise her but, as always, it clutched at her heart. She embraced the fragile looking blonde who put herself in her arms and held onto her.
"Lyndie my sweet, please let me put down the carafe before I burn us both." Elphie said gently.
Glinda pulled away and sat down.
"I'm better now. A quick shot of Elphie did the trick." Glinda smiled.
She took the carafe and poured out coffee.
"Oooh! Gillkineese Coffee, yummy." Glinda grinned.
"I was pleased they had it. A little taste of home, for two stressed out girls." Elphie smiled sadly.
They sipped their coffee and nibbled on their favorite sweet breads quietly for awhile, but neither one was very hungry.
"Glinda, this is not how I wanted this trip to begin. We had some things to talk about, that were going to be stressful enough, but this was more than either of us bargained for."
"I will not argue with you there. Please don't ask me to reconsider going home, instead of with you."
"That is not what I was pacing about, but I want you to promise me that no matter what, If you want to go home, you will tell me immediately."
"Elphie…"
I mean it Lyndie. There is more of this to come, and I may not be able to shield you from it all, especially my family. Promise me."
"I promise."
"Thank you my sweet, thank you." She poured herself some more coffee, refilled Glinda's cup and told Glinda about her pacing musings.
"Sweetheart, I know you only trust him because Mr. K advised you to, but you need him. If he is what he presents himself to be, and I believe he is, he has the power and influence to deal with this."
"I know, I know, but at what cost to me." Elphie sighed.
"Or cost to us." She thought.
Elphie cleaned and put away their breakfast things, then sat down beside Glinda and pulled her into snuggle position.
"I am unhappy. I am angry, irritated, frustrated and anxious." Elphie said simply.
"I know my love." Glinda said playing with the slightly twitchy green fingers.
She gently stroked, trying to calm them. Right now it was the only part of Elphie she figured she had even a slight chance to soothe.
"Glinda, considering what happened this morning, I really do not want to talk to you about this. But I have to."
"Go on Elphie, let's just deal with what we need to deal with."
Elphie was quiet for a short time. She tried to focus on the feel of Glinda's hands playing with her fingers.
"My sweet, it hurts me to say this, but while we are at Colwen Grounds, and even after we leave this compartment, you can show me no affection whatsoever."
"I assumed as much Elphie." Glinda sighed.
"Not even in private, if ever we are ever in private."
"Elphie, that is ridiculous."
"Lyndie, you'll have to try. I am already feeling that numb feeling I get whenever I have to go to Colwen Grounds. This is hard enough for me, but having you kiss or hug me or even touch me and not being able to reciprocate, will be too hard. Please, for my sake."
Glinda was unhappy about this, but willing, mainly because Elphie never asked anything for her own sake.
"All right Elphie. But I can only promise to try very hard."
"That is all I can ask of you. There is a slight, very slight possibility that I might be able to hang on to something that resembles real emotion. If I can, I will express it to you, but I do not want you to be hurt or feel slighted if I do not."
"I consider myself properly warned. I will be able to feel you, for the short time we are there, that will do."
"I am still in awe that you would put yourself through this for me."
"Wouldn't you for me? "
"In a heartbeat." Elphie sighed.
They sat together for awhile, quietly, lost in their own thoughts, engaged in their own struggles.
"Elphie what did you mean by resembles real emotion?"
"You will see me express something, especially when it comes to Nessa, but it won't be real. It is sad to say, but I am very, very good at it. Remember, during my first mini-melt down I said I am able to affect emotions. Now you will see me do it for real, maybe even better because now I know what real emotions are like."
"That makes me sad to hear." Glinda said unhappily.
"I know. Much of this trip will make you very unhappy. Glinda are you sure you do not want just go home."
"No Elphie, this is too much a part of who you are. I want to experience anything that has the power to effect you this strongly. We will sort it out and recover together, when we go home. Together." Glinda said with conviction.
Elphie sighed deeply and held onto Glinda.
"Lyndie, you are going to be spending lot's of time with Nessa and Nanny, and possibly my father and brother. I do not know how long they will be staying though." She said starting to wander off.
"Anyway, do not let them draw you into gossipy conversations about our life at Shiz, because they will want to know everything, especially about you. The less they know, the better off we will be."
"You make this sound like one big conspiracy." Glinda said.
"It is." Elphie said simply.
They were quiet for a time. Glinda was trying to figure out how much of this was Elphie's tendency towards paranoia and how much was real. Elphie had so much going on that she could barely process it any more. She was just going to have to deal with things as they came and hope. And she did have hope; she just needed to keep reminding herself of that.
"Elphie, what may I talk to your sister and Nanny about?" Glinda said at last.
"Ask them about them." She chuckled in spite of her mood.
"That should bore you for days."
"May I ask them about little Elphie?"
"You will not have to, they will make sure you know everything there is to know."
Glinda smiled at the odd look on her love's face.
"And don't be offended if Nessa summarily dismisses you. Like she does her maids. It is her way."
"Ok."
"Oh and try, very hard to not call me Elphie."
"I'll add that to the list." Glinda said a touch bitterly.
Elphie noticed, but decided to let it slide. It might be best if she went into this with the least amount of perky as possible.
"Anything else?" Glinda said unhappily.
"Oh things will arise." Elphie said sardonically
Then she sat Glinda up and looked at her with great affection.
"My precious, I realize I am being overly cautious, cynical and paranoid. I know, in depth of my being that you will handle yourself perfectly at Colwen Grounds. You will be discreet and polite and absorb whatever they, or I throw at you. Just trust your feelings, You may not have been exposed to manipulation and true deceit and deception, but you are familiar with disingenuous behavior and speech. Use your intuition in that regard."
"I can do that. My finishing school was full of insincerity." Glinda said.
"Glinda, I will spend as much time with the family, and by extension you, as I am allowed. But if something starts to bother you, or you need me for anything, let Miss Gruity, or your maid, but no one else, know and they will get me to you as soon as possible, I will make sure they know your requests for my time take priority." She sighed.
"It may be all I can do."
"I will summon you only in an emergency." Glinda smiled.
"And not one of your infamous hanky panky emergencies." Elphie grinned.
Elphie still had lots of anger, frustration and a myriad of other emotions bubbling under the surface. But she realized that if she indulged them now, she would waste her precious private time with Glinda.
"Besides." She thought. "If I stay angry, maybe the numbness, the nothingness I usually feel when I am there will not overtake me."
Glinda felt good knowing that Elphie had confidence in her to be able to handle herself. She hoped it was true. She was beginning to understand that she would be pretty much on her own there and Elphie was trying to arm her with information and a healthy dose of cynicism.
"Well." She thought. "She always said she would give me what she could, and she does have an abundance of that."
They talked for a long time, about their individual expectations, concerns and feelings. Jacol and the implications of what he knew came up again, as did all of the restrictions that were imposed on Glinda.
They talked for a long time. Sometimes while snuggling, sometimes while Elphie paced or Glinda cried. But by the time the conductor announced that the Emerald City was in half an hour, they had a plan of sorts for coping with this visit. Glinda understood that her Elphie was not going to be her Elphie, and Elphie had been reminded that she had people who truly cared for her. They were both still a little angry and both a little on edge, but were as ready as they were ever going to get.
"We can talk about my list on the carriage ride." Glinda said as the train pulled to a stop.
"I was hoping you had forgotten." Elphie sighed gathering their things. "And it is not too late for you to go on home.
"Not on your life, to either one, you mean green thing." Glinda smiled.
They stepped off of the train onto a very busy platform. Glinda had been here before to visit her Aunt and Uncle, and Elphie when she boarded the train for school, but they were both still surprised at how big and bustling it was. Elphie saw a man dressed as a Colwen Grounds foot man rapidly approach them.
"Thus it begins." She muttered.
"Your Excellency." The man said with a formal bow. "Would you like to get something to eat before we depart?"
"No thank you. We are fine for now." Elphie said with an air of authority she did not feel.
"Very good Misses. If you will come with me." He took their carry on bags and picnic basket and led them off the platform.
They both noticed they were all of the men that going in the same direction.
Glinda stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the carriage. It was the largest, most luxurious, that she had ever seen. It had deep plush seats; foot rests, little fold out tables and was being drawn by a team of eight horses.
"Elphie…ba." She said in astonishment.
"I know, welcome the world of excess, this is a mere taste." Elphie replied
They were helped into the carriage and the drivers were dispatched to collect their baggage.
"Your Excellency." The footman said from the door. "May I enter to speak with you."
"Certainly." Elphie said, motioning Glinda to sit beside her.
The starched and formal man sat down across from Elphaba, it was clear he was slightly intimidated to be in her presence.
"Miss Thropp, I was informed that you are aware that I am actually a Captain in the Diplomatic Security Force."
"Yes, I was so informed." Elphie said.
"My name is Captain Losait, but for the purpose of this trip I am Maril the footman. If you need to stop for any reason, knock on this little door." He slid rectangular panel open. "That is where I will be seated."
Elphie nodded.
"Due to circumstances that have arisen since the ambassador contacted you, we now have an escort of sorts. A carriage with two members of my guard will be a distance in front and behind us. Your driver's are members of my guard as well. I was told to inform you that we are all minimally armed."
"I see." Elphie said tightly. "Is there anything else Maril."
"Here is a list of our scheduled stops. They have all been carefully selected and all have proper facilities for necessities and freshening up and cafes for food. The ones with check marks beside them are meal breaks for the drivers; they will also be rotated at that time. The one that is circled will be the longest break, by necessity, to get a new team of horses. You may leave the carriage at any stop, and eat at whichever you choose. If you choose not to leave the carriage, two drivers will be posted during the stop."
"When is the first scheduled stop?" Elphie asked.
"In two hours, all stops are two hours apart to allow the horses a brief rest and drink, none of those should be longer that fifteen minutes, unless you or Miss Upland request it. Is this acceptable?"
"It is. Thank you Maril."
"I am at your service Miss Thropp. I was also instructed to give you this note from the ambassador. Please remember to knock if you require anything at all."
He nodded handed her a formal envelope and exited the carriage. The luggage had been loaded, they had their carry- ons and they were ready to go.
Elphie exhaled forcibly, looked at the letter and rolled her eyes.
"Let the games begin." She said bitterly.
"I had no idea things would be this…structured." Glinda said moving back to the other side of the carriage.
"Frankly, neither did I. Well let's see what the dashing diplomat has to say." She said in a frighteningly resigned tone.
"Dear Miss Thropp and Miss Upland,
"I hope your journey thus far has been pleasant. I apologize for not informing you of the added security, but there was no time. There have been some threats, but general ones, not against you personally. They were credible enough however, that Captain Losait thought the extra security was warranted. I trust him completely.
Elphaba, if he breaks propriety to give you instructions, please follow them. He would never be so presumptuous without a very good reason. Also, I know you dislike formality, but please be as formal as possible with him and your drivers. It is proper and they expect it. If you need anything at all on this trip, or if you change your mind about an over night stay on the road, please let Captain Losait know. He has been instructed to provide you with whatever you require. Miss Gruity has taken great pains to see that this journey is smooth and as easy on you as possible.
One last thing, I need to see you as soon as possible after your arrival, and before you meet with Nessarose or anyone else. Miss Gruity will be meeting the carriage and taking care of your luggage and settling in.
Your humble servant,
Harluc"
"Yippee." Elphie muttered.
"None of this should be a surprise to you." Glinda said.
"Oh it's not, but that does not mean I like it. Are you comfortable with all of this la di da?"
"Comfortable, yes. Like it, no." Glinda smiled slightly.
They were under way and the girls spent some time looking at the glitz and glamour of the Emerald City.
"Elphie, we should come here sometime on a holiday." Glinda said casually.
"Really? Here?" Elphie said amused.
"Why not? There is a lot to see and do, plus we can visit my aunt and uncle."
"Not to mention you cousins." Elphie said.
"Oh come on, you like Pajul."
"True." Elphie smiled. "If a vacation in the EC is what you want, then you shall have it. Someday."
They rode in silence for a time watching the splendor of the city turn into the seamy side of the city.
"Remember this Glinda, glitz and glitter are rarely ever real." Elphie said quietly
Glinda regarded her carefully, but said nothing. She was surprised at how smooth the carriage ride was, especially on the seemingly uneven funny looking yellow bricks.
"This is still part of the famous Yellow Brick Road isn't it?" Glinda grinned.
"That it is. And infamous would be more like it. It has been a source of consternation in these parts for a long time."
"Why?"
"I am not really sure, I have never paid much attention to political things. If you are bored, ask Nanny, she'll have an answer. It might not be the correct one, but it should be amusing." Elphie smiled slightly.
"You like your Nanny don't you?" Glinda said quietly.
"At times. Mostly I like some of the memories I have of her from when I was very young. She was never unkind to me, but when Nessa came along, it was her best interests that concerned Nanny and was supposed to concern me as well. But like I said she was never unkind to me, she might have even cared for me in her way. I think my feelings about her are complicated, you will see why."
"I'm sure I will." Glinda commented
"You know the train from Shiz to the Emerald City is very new. Those tracks have only been down for a year or so."
"Come to think of it, we only did take the train once to see the family, and that was right before I came to Shiz, "
"And just so you know we are now officially in Munchkinland. The borders are right at the outskirts of the Emerald City. This part is called The Pine Barrens."
"Very interesting Your Excellency."
"Glinda!" Elphie glared.
"Hey, When in Munchkinland, one must do as Munchkins do." Glinda giggled
"Uh- huh. Well when my twitch turns into a permanent tic, you will not think it is so funny. You will see very mixed reactions to my presence whenever we stop. I am elusive remember?"
"Vaguely. I think you like that aspect of yourself." Glinda said enjoying this conversation.
"Maybe I do, It does have its advantages, seeing as I can not go out without being recognized. I usually wear a hooded cloak in situations like these, but I will not be now."
"I think that is a very good thing. Let Munchkinland see that the elusive Thropp Third Descending is a typical person, with friends, interests, a life."
"Typical? With green skin?" Elphie chuckled.
"Your coloring not withstanding. And it is emerald."
"To quote a perky blonde I know. Tomato, tomahto." Elphie smiled.
They chatted about Munchkinland topography for awhile as Glinda enjoyed the scenery.
"Elphie..er Elphaba" She grinned. "May we get out at our first stop and get something to eat. I got us some sandwiches, but I'm not really in the mood."
"Certainly. I think, we will be stopping at the Crossroads Inn. It is about two hours out of the EC. It is at the juncture where the Yellow Brick Road splits, south goes to Quadling Country, east continues to Colwen Grounds. The road actually terminates in Center Munch."
"Have you ever thought about going back to Quadling Country?" Glinda asked.
"Never." Elphie said in her tone that meant the conversation ends here.
People came out to gawk at the carriage as it went through small villages and small clusters of huts. Everyone recognized the Colwen Grounds seal on the door and wondered what important person was being transported to the governor's palace. At last the carriage pulled in front of a building, Elphie was correct, it was indeed the Crossroads Inn.
"Maril." Elphie said when the captain came to see to them. "Miss Upland and I wish to eat here."
"Very good Your Excellency." He said with a bow.
He assisted them down from the carriage and escorted them into the Inn. It was after normal lunch hour so luckily it was not very crowded. Still, all heads turned and all eyes were on the black clad green girl. Elphie stood straight and tall, with an impassive face. The captain seated them at an out of the way table and went to sit nearby with some of the drivers. The Inn Keeper came and took their orders; He stumbled over words and seemed to be in awe of Elphaba. Elphie responded formally, but politely. As they ate bowls of seasoned rice, with something like vegetable stew poured over it, they chatted about the architecture of the Inn. Elphie commented that it was a common style in this part of Munchkinland. As they were finishing up their meal, Glinda suggested they refill their drink containers. Elphie signaled the captain and made the request, as was proper, and it was done. After they ate they freshened up, took a very short and very watched walk around the outside of the Inn then boarded the carriage.
"Are you ready to depart Your Excellency?" Maril said handing Elphie the drink containers.
"I am. And Maril, please see that the Inn Keeper is more than adequately compensated." Elphie was not pleased at not being allowed to settle their bill, but said nothing.
"As you wish." He motioned for a driver whispered something to him and it was done.
They had been under way for about ten minutes when Elphie, out of nowhere sighed heavily.
"You hate this don't you?" Glinda said.
"Do you even have to ask?" Elphie said in an even voice.
"Well, I didn't want to presume." She smiled.
"You did everything perfectly back there. And before you say it, I know that is not the point. But that doesn't change the facts. Can we talk about my list now?"
"Of course Glinda." Elphie tried to smile.
"Elphaba, being the elusive Thropp Third Descending suits you. But when you are out in public, you can be however you wish. Like in the Inn, you were not evasive or sulky and the Inn Keeper will remember that and speak with pride, not trepidation, about how the heir apparent ate at his Inn. That is a good thing Elphie, really."
"Glinda, I do not think that…"
"Hear me out. " Glinda said mildly
"I had planned on it, we have a very long trip ahead of us." She smiled slightly.
"You are going to be dealing with people you dislike, who expect you to be surly and uncooperative."
"I get that way when inane demands are made of me continuously."
"You may have reasons, but now you also have alternatives. You have influence and a certain amount of power, that gives you a freedom of sorts."
Elphie looked unhappy
"From the get go, make it known that you are no longer the sulky uncooperative green girl who left Colwen Grounds. Present yourself to everyone as you did to the ambassador, wary but not inflexible. If something does not suit you, say so. Use your inherent influence to negotiate, to change things, just a little
Even if I wanted to, what makes you think I can just waltz right in and change things at all?" Elphie said in a slightly irritated tone.
"Well for one thing you waltz very, very well." Glinda grinned.
"And before you say it, I know that is not the point."
"So far your point eludes me."
"No it doesn't. You know full well I think you can be something besides the sulky, uncooperative, brooding ignored girl you are there."
"It is not that simple."
"I did not say it was simple, I think it will be far from simple. It is one more thing in a very long and painful list of things that are not simple for you."
"Ok. Let's pretend I understand where this is headed. I want to march in and take Colwen Grounds by storm so everyone will love me. What do I do first oh wise one?" The sarcasm was evident.
"First, you stop treating me as though I am the enemy." Glinda glared.
"If I must. At least that is some acknowledgement that I have them."
"I never claimed you didn't. Elphie, I do not wish to quarrel. I will end this now."
"No, no." Elphie sighed. "I am so sorry, but I have been trying to warn you."
"No, I apologize. I am speaking of things I do not fully understand. May we start again?"
"Certainly." Elphie said with great affection in her smile.
"Elphie, May we talk about what is on my list."
"Of course Glinda." It always amused Elphie when she started things that were not going well over.
"I think you should give the mucky mucks at Colwen Grounds a tangible, but subtle show of who you can be. Show up at you ceremony in the new outfit Byjon made for you, with you hair in a fancy braid and your AS pins on your blouse, standing tall and confident. And show them again by wearing your evening gown to the reception, with your necklace on and your hair down."
"You packed my pins?"
"And your cape, just in case."
"Of what? Never mind, I do not wish to start again." She smiled slightly, and Glinda grinned.
"Elphaba, this is very hard for me, because I have seen what I think is the real you. A little shy reserved, sulky, brooding, moody and definitely uncooperative and sarcastic. As well as kind, compassionate, thoughtful and very generous. I have also seen you be very strong, resilient, take charge and get what you want. I have seen you overcome terror and confront painful emotions. I have been witnessing you reinvent yourself, learning to recognize and utilize all of your many gifts. This is hard for me because I only know you at school and at Upland Manor and I have been using those as a guide for this."
She lowered her voice to a whisper.
"I have been very unfair to you my love, and I think unfair to me as well. You said once that I have always pushed you a little to do things that I believe you can do. That may be true. But I realize now I can not do that here, or I shouldn't do that here, because the situation is not the same. You know I love you more than anything does, and I will support you no matter how you choose to deal with things here. I am proud of you, and I believe in you."
Elphie stared at Glinda for a long time. Everything she said was true, but seemed wrong somehow. "Lyndie, your counsel means more to me than anyone's. Please never withhold it because you think you are being unfair, or I seem unreceptive. I think that defeats the purpose of providing counsel. I will do as you suggest and dress the part. Everything else I will just have to deal with as it comes."
She sighed heavily. "Glinda I heard you, I did. I am going to try and remember all of it from now and before as well as everything you mother has told me. I am attempting to cling to my good memories, the warm loving things I know I have now. I have to, if I am to do as the ambassador asks. And deal with my family."
She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Glinda knew she was wandering off, but did not try and stop her. She stayed that way until the next rest stop. They got out of the carriage briefly to walk around and stretch then got a drink from their containers. Elphie was the object of much pointing and whispering. The stop was a quick one and when they got underway again, Glinda made her self comfortable on the seat to take a nap, and Elphie tried to work through impossible scenarios in her mind until the next stop. Since Glinda was sleeping soundly when they arrived, she got down to walk around and get them a snack. Two guards were left at the carriage.
"Maril." Elphie said as she reluctantly accepted an escort into the Inn.
"Approximately how much longer is this journey, including stops?"
"Roughly eight hours, with the stops, the next stop is the longest, to change out the horses. It is a fine Inn with an excellent Chef, if you and Miss Upland care to dine there. We should arrive at Colwen Grounds right around dawn. The ambassador arranged it that way."
"Slip me in under the cover of darkness." Elphie chuckled, but not happily.
"Miss...?"
"Never mind Maril. Thank you."
Elphie ordered snacks from the counter and refilled their beverage containers. People were whispering and gawking. Elphie remembered what Glinda had said and gave them all a friendly wave and smile as she left.
"Maybe I should join the drama department." She mumbled as she walked with her footman back to the carriage.
Glinda was still sleeping; curled up in her seat, head on the amply padded armrest. Elphie had covered her with a coverlet that she had found in one of the storage drawers under the seat. She sat listening to her love's adorable soft snore. That comforting, familiar sound that provided her with the tiniest notion that everything might actually work out well. She sat gazing at the girl she loved desperately, and who loved her. She starting thinking of ways she could try and merge her two disparate lives. She became deeply lost in her own mind, so much so she did notice that Glinda had awoken and was watching her intently.
"You can do this my love, I know you can." Glinda thought to herself. "You can't really help her with this Glinda, as much as you might want to." She sighed.
"Hi Elphaba!" Glinda said with less perk than usual. It was late, and she was tired.
"Hello Glinda, did you have a nice nap?"
"How long did I sleep?"
"Three hours or so. You slept through one stop and we are almost to another."
"This carriage is amazing, very comfortable." She smiled.
"Only the very best for the ruling class." Elphie said sarcastically.
Glinda rolled her eyes, but other wise ignored her.
"Lyndie." Elphie said by way of appeasement. "Maril said the next stop is the long one, at an Inn with a fine café. I know it is close to midnight, but would you like to dine?"
"A café will be open at that hour?"
"Oh I have no doubt it will be open, if it actually is or not." Elphie chuckled.
"With all of the drivers congregating there?"
"Not to mention their very own heir apparent." Glinda smiled and leaned close to Elphie.
"Accompanied by her beautiful blonde lover." She grinned slyly.
"Glinda Upland!" Elphie said blushing furiously.
"I am sorry Elphie; I will not do that any more, while in Munchkinland. But that was far too good to pass up." She winked at her dark green love.
"You have been around Manif far too long." Elphie sighed, but with the hint of a smile.
They chatted casually about their friends at Shiz until they arrived at the Inn. Glinda was tired, but Elphie had initiated the conversation and Glinda hoped it the thought of her friends, who also cared about her, would be another source of comfort for her. They settled in at a corner booth and ordered a light meal of salads and fruit. They had barely started eating when Maril hurried over to them.
"Please come with me now Your Excellency, Miss Upland." He said in a firm, authoritative voice. He hustled them off into a back room and a driver followed with their meals. The proprietor set them up at a table.
"I shall return in a moment. Douerk will remain right outside the door." He hurried off, leaving one confused and frightened and one very irritated girl behind.
"Don't worry Glinda, I have got the feeling he is overly cautious by nature." Elphie said trying to calm her love's fear and her own irritation.
"And the ambassador did warn us." Glinda said a little on edge.
They went back to eating and chatting. In about half an hour the captain returned.
"All is well now Your Excellency, and may I offer apologies for my abrupt behavior." He said with a formal bow.
"No need for apologies Captain. I understand you were doing your job. And you handled the whole thing very appropriately."
"Thank you Miss." The man said humbly.
"We will be ready to depart shortly."
"Maril, what happened?"
Even though he did not want to tell the young lady such things, he had been specifically instructed to be direct and honest with the heir apparent.
"Some drunken men on horseback, some of which we think belong to one of the rebel cells were riding in. We think they saw the carriage going by earlier. The proprietor turned them away with out indecent. We will have some of the men riding solo on horseback from here on out, just to make sure they do not return."
"Thank you Captain for you directness." Elphie said with a smile.
"I shall come for you when we are ready to depart." He bowed and left.
"Elphaba, you handled yourself very well. I am beginning to think it is inherent in your nature, and instinctual."
"Interesting concept. I will have to mull that over." Elphie smiled at her very tired love.
They were escorted back to the carriage and got under way. They talked about what had happened back at the Inn and the subject of Jacol resurfaced. Seeing the lengths that the ambassador had gone to plan this journey made her feel better about telling him about what had happened back at Shiz and she told Glinda so. They talked for just a little while longer then Elphie convinced Glinda to take another nap.
"You should too Elphaba."
Elphie looked at her with raised eyebrows and an amused expression.
"Alright fine." Glinda smiled. "Just promise me that you will sleep sometime during our stay at Colwen Grounds."
"I promise." Elphie returned her smile.
As a way of appeasement, yet again, Elphie hummed softly until Glinda fell asleep then she went back to her brooding, think about the rebels, Jacol, how they might be connected. Suddenly it occurred to her that Jacol's hometown; Bright Lettins, was probably the last stop before Colwen Grounds. She got up and carefully leaned over a sleeping Glinda to tap on the little sliding door that was behind her seat.
"Captain, I need to speak with you." She said without preamble when the door slid open.
"Certainly Your Excellency." The man said.
He whistled and the carriage drew to a halt. He came around to the door, and opened it.
"Miss Upland is sleeping." She said getting out of the carriage.
"Is something the matter Your Excellency?"
"I don't think so, but I just remembered something I thought you should be aware of. There is a boy at Shiz who has been causing Miss Upland and me problems. He has been overly interested in me, as the Thropp Third Descending all term, asking around and supposedly trying to gather information to use against me. He is from Bright Lettins and we know he will be coming back to Munchkinland. We saw him before we left this morning."
The Captain looked concerned. "Bright Lettins was to be our last stop, but we will now go past it to another. I shall see to the arrangements at our next stop. Do you believe he poses a physical threat to you or Miss Upland?"
"I do not believe so. Miss Upland refers to him as a hanger on."
The captain smiled and nodded at the term, giving Elphie the impression that he had dealt with such types before. Elphie knew she wasn't being honest, but the blackmail aspect was not needed now.
"Thank you for informing me Your Excellency. I will take care of everything. Your safety is paramount." He smiled at her with genuine concern and admiration.
"You are welcome Captain." She said extending her hand to be helped into the carriage, feeling confused.
She sat considering her feelings of confusion. The Captain was protecting the Thropp Third Descending, but seemed genuinely concerned about her. Maybe at this point there was no real distinction. Elphie was the Third Descending, heir apparent. She was beginning to get a headache again, so she put that line of thinking away and focused on her love's adorable little snore and finally fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion. They both slept through the next two stops. Elphie awoke, with a start, when the Captain tapped lightly at the carriage door.
"Your Excellency, My apologies for awakening you."
"It is quite alright Captain. Is there a problem?"
"Not at all. We have bypassed Bright Lettins and this is our last stop before we reach Colwen Grounds. I though you and Miss Upland might want to freshen up before we arrive. We are approximately an hour out."
"Thank you very much Captain. We shall do just that." Elphie said.
He smiled bowed and left then Elphie woke up Glinda, although not in the manner to which she had become accustomed.
"Glinda, you need to wake up." Elphie said touching her lightly.
"Ummmm. Elphie?"
"Yes." She helped her to sit up.
"We have stopped and I think we should get out and freshen up." She said grabbing Glinda's carry on which had freshening up essentials for them both.
Glinda roused herself and remembered they were in a carriage on their way to Elphie's home. Elphie helped her out of the carriage, since she was still half-asleep and escorted her into the Inn. They brushed their hair, washed their hands and faces, and took care of other necessities. Then they ordered some coffee, and while they sipped Elphie told her about what she had slept through, including her conversation with the Captain.
"So we are about an hour away from Colwen Grounds." Elphie said when they were back in the carriage and underway.
"How are you?" Glinda said, concerned.
"I have a knot in my stomach the size and weight of a croquette ball, and occasional someone whacks it with a mallet." Elphie smiled.
"But I will be alright. I did sleep a little."
"Good girl Elphaba." Glinda smiled.
They talked for awhile, about nothing of great importance until they went through a large gate, in a large wall.
"Welcome to the grounds of Colwen Grounds." Elphie said.
Even though it was barely dawn, there was enough light for Glinda to see the vast expanse of lawn, with gardens, fountains, trees, everything.
"Wow."
"Just wait." Elphie said flatly.
"Look." She said with little enthusiasm about ten minutes later Glinda looked out of her window and gasped, then gawked.
They were heading towards a palace, an actual palace. It was huge.
"Elphie?"
"Welcome to Colwen Grounds Glinda, My ancestral home." Elphie said trying very hard to keep the sarcasm out of her voice.
Glinda reached out and briefly interlocked their fingers, letting Elphie feel the little jolt.
"I love you Elphie." She whispered.
"I know." Was all Elphie could manage in response
They pulled around the buildings to the family entrance on the side. The captain helped Glinda down, then Elphaba. As the ambassador had indicated Miss Gruity was there to greet them.
"Welcome home Your Excellency." She said, as she and about half a dozen other people curtsied or bowed in deference.
