Chapter 50: Time Goes On
Elphaba had mixed feelings about returning. She knew it was what she had to do, even what she wanted. And while she knew she could do it on her own, she didn't relish the thought of leaving Fiyero. He was brokenhearted over Rod's death, and he would probably never get to finish his schooling. So as soon as she returned, she threw herself into her studies.
Glinda tried to get her to go out occasionally with Pfannee and Shen-Shen, but she always refused. She hadn't gone out before, and she wouldn't now. Elphaba stayed quiet and alone for the most part, though Glinda was excited to find out about her upcoming nuptials.
"So you're not doing any of the planning?"
"Fiyero has it under control." Elphaba waved it off. "Why does it matter to me? It matters to him. He's a king; his wedding has to be perfect. It doesn't matter to me. I never intended to get married." She shrugged. "I love him, but I was happy being his lover more than I will be his queen."
"But you're doing it."
"I am."
"Why?"
"What did I just say? I love him, Glinda. And he… he needs me." And being needed, truly needed, felt nice.
"I'm not unhappy that you're marrying him. I've been hoping you would. But I wasn't certain that you would."
"Well, I am. And I'm happy."
Glinda hugged her close. "I am, too. You two are so perfect for each other."
Being at Shiz without Fiyero felt a lot like going through the motions. And time dragged until she went back for the spring. She had begun to feel like it would never come.
Fiyero pulled her into his arms and into a very passionate kiss as soon as she walked through the door, taking her breath away. "Sweet Oz, I missed you."
When she could finally breathe again, Elphaba laughed. "I missed you, too." His hand was on her waist, drawing her close, another ran through her hair. "Fiyero, if you keep touching me like that…"
"Well, then, we ought to go somewhere more private."
After they made love, Elphaba fell back into his bed. "I needed that."
"So did I." He kissed her forehead. "Tonight or tomorrow you need to deal with the dress situation."
Her eyes narrowed at him. "Dress situation?"
"Fae, you need a dress. You can't just wear a normal dress to get married."
"Can't you deal with it?"
"I am not picking out your wedding dress for you!"
"I don't care."
"That's not how it's done." He reminded her.
"Like I do anything the way it's supposed to be done!"
But still, she did what he asked. Aware that, as their queen, her culture (or lack thereof) would be an issue, she chose a ceremonial Vinkun wedding gown. Acknowledging their culture and taking it as her own might help the fact that she wasn't born one of them.
Fiyero also wanted to discuss who they were inviting, which she also found unnecessary. "Glinda. That's all that matters to me."
"What about Nessarose? Or Nanny?"
Elphaba bit her lip.
"Fae, she's your sister. And she may not know it, but…" He blinked. "One of us should have some semblance of family there."
She looked into his eyes as he said that, hearing the sadness in his words. And when she saw the desperation there, she knew she wouldn't refuse that. "I suppose we can invite them. But they might not come. It won't be her kind of ceremony, so I doubt she'll like that."
He nodded. "We'll see."
She also made an effort to reach out to Verda, asking her if she or the children would like to be involved in the ceremony, which Verda graciously accepted. "Thank you for thinking of me."
"We wouldn't have it without you," Elphaba assured her. She made to leave the room.
"Miss Elphaba?"
There was a tone to her voice that sounded familiar to Elphaba, though she didn't know why. Without looking at the woman, she asked, "What is it?"
"Fiyero told me… what happened to you. I… well, you're not alone."
She turned back to the woman and met her eyes, uncertain if she was speaking about what she thought. "What do you mean by that?"
"I… I was twelve when it happened."
And she knew. Looking at Verda's eyes, the way she spoke, it clicked. The pain behind her eyes, the haunted gaze. She'd seen it in the mirror. "Who was it?"
"My father."
Elphaba nodded. "I see."
"I just… I wanted you to know."
She knew that thanking Verda might not be the right response. "I'm sorry that happened to you."
"And to you…"
Elphaba shook her head. "I'm not… I don't really like to talk about it."
"Understood. But if you ever need to, you know there's someone else who can sympathize."
"I appreciate that." She wasn't mad at Fiyero for telling Verda. Likely enough, Verda had mentioned it first and he had said it as some sort of attempt at comfort. And, she realized, she was no longer ashamed of it, either. It hadn't occurred to her until that moment, but she didn't feel humiliated anymore when she had spoken of it. Elphaba asked, "There are more of us than we think there are, aren't there?"
Verda nodded. "Unfortunately."
"Maybe one day that'll change."
Verda looked wistfully at her daughter's crib. "I hope so."
The break moved too quickly and she was back at Shiz within the week. Apparently, Fiyero had sent out invitations to their small group of friends. When Nessa returned from her visit to Munchkinland, she said, "Thank you for thinking of us. I would be honored to attend your wedding."
Nanny stood behind her, hands on the chair. "Yes, it was… I didn't realize we'd be invited."
"Well, we've lived side-by-side for the last year and a half, of course I would invite you." Elphaba smiled. "I wanted you both there."
Boq had known since they'd returned from the winter holidays earlier in the year. Fiyero had sent him a letter detailing what had happened at home, and he was excited and nervous to be the best man. "I don't need to organize any sort of party or anything, do I?"
"I doubt Fiyero cares much for that." Elphaba told him. "You can write to him and ask, though. I didn't think about it."
Miss Elphaba,
I was happy to hear of your upcoming marriage to the newly crowned of the Arjikis. It puts you in an ever better position to help be a liaison in the Vinkus. I will send several members of the Gale Force out to assist you with whatever you need. I understand that you are probably too busy to come to the City for another briefing until after the wedding, and that is acceptable. I am a very busy man as it is.
His Ozness,
The Wizard
Now all that was left was to actually get married.
