Chapter 2

"I just received word that Glinda and Balfour will be gracing us with their presence in two days' time. They have promised that they will be bringing Isabelle with them," Fiyero announced as Elphaba walked into the King's study. He was sitting in a plush chair, reading the latest updates from the tribal leaders and financial reports for the past few months.

"Zara will be happy to hear it. It's not that I don't want to see my friends but did she say why she'd be making a visit? It does seem odd to pull Isabelle away from her studies when spring break is only two weeks away," she said. The green woman took a seat in the chair next to him and picked up her knitting that she'd been doing earlier. Surprisingly, Elphaba had never thought she'd enjoy something like knitting but in making toys for the children at the orphanage, she had found it relaxing and purposeful.

"I asked my father the same question and he wasn't sure himself. As far as I know, there are no pressing matters that need the Vinkus's input," her husband told her.

"I was having another thought but you said that they were only bringing Isabelle and not Bartholomew so that can't be it either," Elphaba's response was a bit cryptic.

"Back up a minute. What does Bart have to do with anything?" Fiyero wanted to know.

"Zara is quickly approaching the marrying age, as is custom in the Vinkus correct? As much as I would want her to marry like you and I did, I don't think the Vinkun people would see it that way. Bartholomew has had a crush on Zara since they were five and six years old. It would only make sense that they would be paired together," she explained.

"She's not even dating until she's thirty-five so I fail to see the relevance of that statement," Fiyero shook his head.

"Fiyero, be reasonable. Besides, it's not like you haven't known Bartholomew his whole life, but you might be right. There are bigger fish to fry anyway," the green woman said.

"What do you mean?" Now Fiyero was getting worked up.

"I believe our daughter only has eyes for Emir Aksoy of the Yunamata. This would be the third time this week he's come over to do homework with her," Elphaba smiled. Fiyero's jaw practically hit the floor. That's when his mother walked into the room.

"Fiyero, the gaping fish look is really not for you. What's going on? I heard Glinda will be here in a couple of days," Ayla said. Fiyero closed his mouth up and gave his mother a look.

"We're trying to figure that out for ourselves, especially since Bartholomew isn't joining them," Elphaba said.

"Well that would be because Bart is getting engaged to cousin Derya. Aytac told me the good news just a few minutes ago via Bird messenger. They're announcing it to all of Oz tomorrow," the Queen told them.

"When did that happen? I thought he was chasing after Zara," Fiyero was thoroughly confused.

"As did I…" Elphaba looked up from her knitting.

"I think we all thought that but Aytac's letter would suggest otherwise. It could be a match of convenience but somehow I doubt that," Ayla frowned.

"Somehow I think Khalil would have shot him, not caring who he was, if Derya came home pregnant, they are much too young," Fiyero said. The Prince was right. Bartholomew was only fifteen years old and Derya was only fourteen. While it wasn't uncommon for young people of royal lineage or children of Ozian leaders to be engaged at young ages and then married when they reached eighteen, no one in the castle had even known that the two had been dating or that the idea of an arranged marriage had been discussed.

"Maybe we have the reason that Glinda is going to be here in a few days. Something is up," Elphaba frowned.

To Be Continued…