A/N: A shout out to my two anonymous reviewers! Still working on whacking Glinda over the head with Fiyero and Elphie's relationship but it is coming. As for what's worse - I'd say Wizard being her father. She finds out that both of her fathers were monsters. That's a lot to deal with. Thanks so much!
Chapter 31
"Miss Elphaba, how are you feeling?" Doctor Talib asked as the green woman woke up. She'd been out for just a few minutes, Councilmen Barat and Arif had lifted her from the floor to the top of the table, both noticing how thin she was. Private Schultz had broken the land speed record in order to find Fiyero and Glinda and bring them back to the Council's temporary home.
"I'm not sure," she admitted, then she felt Fiyero's hand in hers.
"Maybe you need something to eat," he said, knowing she hadn't eaten breakfast.
"I think what I found in Morrible's book did it," Boq spoke up. He looked remorseful still unsure of what he'd uncovered other than the fact that the Wizard had an implied history of sexual assault. That was bad and on top of everything else he knew about the Wizard; it only made things worse.
"What did you find?" Glinda wanted to know.
"Morrible believes that the Wizard had a penchant for getting women in vulnerable positions and taking advantage," Councilman Fekri said.
"That green liquid, right?" The blonde asked.
"How did you…" Councilman Barat started.
"Because he tried it on me. I refused and he didn't push but I was certainly creeped out," Glinda involuntarily shivered.
"It's worse Glin," Elphaba spoke up as Doctor Talib and Fiyero helped her off the table and into a chair.
"I know. I honestly had no idea how to tell you," the blonde confessed.
"You know?" The green woman looked hurt.
"I didn't find out until Fiyero was missing in the woods. The Wizard had this green bottle and I almost lost it right there," Glinda went to her friend and pulled her into a hug.
"What are we missing?" Councilman Arif was as confused as the rest of the room.
"I have one of those bottles. It is the last thing I have from my mother," Elphaba explained as Glinda sat down next to her.
"Fae…" Fiyero wasn't sure she wanted to open up like this in front of the Council.
"No, Yero it all makes sense now. No wonder my father… Frex… hated me. He knew I wasn't his," Elphaba half smiled at him.
"There is nowhere else that these bottles can be procured? Perhaps it's a common bottle and the liquid is the special portion? I mean there are lots of green bottles in Oz," Councilman Fekri said.
"I saw the exact same bottle Elphie once showed me back at Shiz, in the Wizard's hands. He was drinking from it. Why get that particular bottle when any old bottle would do?" Glinda pointed out.
"My mother was tall with red hair. She was known as the Rose of Nest Hardings," Elphaba's words came out strained. It was a lot to absorb.
"I think it best that Miss Elphaba take a break. She needs time to process this. In fact, we all need time to process this. Master Boq, how much of the book do you have translated?" Councilman Barat wanted to know.
"About half. I need more time to finish the rest," Boq told the room.
"Ok get working on that. We'll reconvene tomorrow afternoon; if you think that will be enough time," Barat said.
"I don't need to sleep or eat. It'll be enough time," Boq smiled slightly.
"Very good," the Councilman nodded. The Tin Man stood up from his seat and looked at Elphaba. He had no idea what to say so he just left.
"Fiyero, would you please escort Miss Elphaba to the mess tent? She needs something to eat and I think a checkup is in order," Doctor Talib said. Fiyero nodded and quickly went to the green woman's side. She smiled at him but did not let him help her out of her seat. In a show of strength, she lifted herself up, bowed to the Councilmen, and headed out of the room. Fiyero quickly followed her and Private Schultz brought up the rear.
"Gentlemen," Glinda closed the door before the four men could leave.
"Lady Glinda?" Councilman Pepi spoke up for the first time in a long time.
"There is something more you must know before we move forward," she said.
"If it is about Elphaba's heritage, we know that she is the third Thropp Descending. On top of apparently being the daughter of the Wizard," Councilman Arif said.
"She told you?" Glinda was surprised.
"Rather reluctantly but yes. Of course, given how the Munchkins reacted to her sister's death, I can't say I blame her for keeping that secret," Councilman Fekri shook his head.
"Do you think Morrible knew Miss Elphaba was the Wizard's child?" Councilman Barat asked.
"I don't even think the Wizard knows. When Morrible brought us to meet him, he did not act as if he knew Elphaba was his daughter and Elphaba didn't know until fifteen minutes ago," the blonde said.
"Why did you two come to see the Wizard?" Fekri asked.
"We were Morrible's two best students and she said it would be an honor to meet him. He wanted to see if we would work for him. We thought it was a big honor, but it turned out that all Morrible and the Wizard wanted was to see what Elphaba could do. When he suggested that she use her powers to help him and she did, he then revealed what she had just done would help to squash the Animal population. Knowing that it was wrong, Elphaba defied him and left the Palace. From that moment forward, Morrible peddled her as the 'Wicked Witch', turning all of Oz against her," Glinda explained, leaving the Grimmerie out of it. She had no idea where the book was but wherever it was, it was better it wasn't here.
"What did she do to show her power?" Pepi wanted to know.
"The Wizard had her create Chistery and the Flying Monkeys," the blonde was honest.
"Good Unnamed God," Barat shook his head.
"What did Miss Elphaba mean that Frex hated her?" Arif questioned.
"I can only speculate but basically Frex treated Elphaba like a servant. When she first arrived at Shiz, she was only supposed to make sure Nessa got back and forth to class and make sure everything Nessa needed, she got. It wasn't until Morrible suggested that Elphaba get an education, that Frex was willing to allow it. Well, more to the point, Morrible offered to have Elphaba attend for free, so that Morrible could self-tutor her. Frex was fine with it since it was free. When it came time to go home for break, Frex sent a carriage for Nessa and not for Elphaba. She was forced to stay on campus during the holidays. I suspect there was more going on, but I never pressed, and she never offered," Glinda heaved a sigh.
"Thank you, Lady Glinda. We will reconvene once Master Boq is done with his translations," Barat smiled slightly. The blonde nodded and left the room, making a beeline for Boq.
To Be Continued…
