King Upland disappeared down the hallway and Elphaba released her breath. She was on her way to prepare the Princess' room when Galinda and her father had burst out of the library. She hid behind the column and watched the King pitch Galinda against the wall. How could he touch his own daughter like that?

Since coming to the castle, Elphaba had cursed Galinda—more than once. May the Princess trip and fall when she dances. May she wake up suddenly hideous. May her betrothed publicly denounce and revile her. May she catch a touch of the plague.

May she be stripped and humiliated like she had humiliated her.

But, seeing Galinda handled that way, her father's hands dangerously close to her breasts, ripping at her hair, squeezing the breath out of her, didn't make Elphaba feel better. Instead, the King's behavior and Galinda's frightened screams turned her stomach. Elphaba sighed.

Could she be more pitiful? Was she really feeling sorry for the cold-hearted Princess? Why couldn't she just thank the Unnamed God for giving Galinda what she deserved? Elphaba had to stop feeling sorry. She had to stop feeling anything at all before she made it to Galinda's room. The Princess' touching had crossed a line. She had made Elphaba feel things she wasn't aware she could feel. She had felt her in places Elphaba hadn't even touched herself. And, now Galinda knew what water did to her.

Elphaba would never wash herself with water in front of the others. She wouldn't give anyone else the chance to hurt her like Galinda had. The only way to survive Galinda's disgusting inspections was to feel nothing. She would dull herself. Tuck herself away. Be nowhere at all when tending to the Princess. Nanny had been right. Galinda could only take pleasure in hurting her, if she showed that it hurt.

Holding a pitcher of water and Galinda's goblet on a tray, Elphaba ascended a spiral flight of stone steps, her legs heavy, as if she were climbing sand. At the top of the stairwell, the Munchkinlander closed her eyes and remembered the Princess' expression. Blonde hair falling round her while she sneered, her pink fingers squeezing their way inside her. Elphaba cringed. How pathetic she must of looked, pleading and begging for Galinda to stop, but coming for her anyway. Warmth welled behind Elphaba's eyes. She bit the inside of her cheek— hard. She couldn't feel sorry for herself. Not when Nessa and Shell were depending on her.

Opening her eyes, Elphaba walked down the hall to the Princess' room. Her door was closed. She breathed in deep, and knocked against the thick oak.

After a long pause, Elphaba raised her knuckles to knock again, when Galinda said in a soft voice,

"Come in."

Opening the door, the Princess sat at her vanity with her back to her. The Princess' face in the mirror was vacant, her eyelids red and raw.

In a blink, Galinda's eyes were staring at her from the mirror. A cold angry expression. Elphaba flinched, the tray in her hand shaking. Elphaba raised her chin. Feel nothing. Don't let her see you.

She held Galinda's gaze for a long moment before Galinda sighed and said,

"What are you waiting for? Prepare my room."

The Munchkinlander nodded. She set down the tray by Galinda's bedside table. Trying to keep King Upland out of her mind, she tended to her tasks. She closed the drapes, her last task, before turning toward Galinda who had removed her hair ornaments and still sat crumpled at her vanity.

"Shall I ready Your Royal Highness for bed?"

Galinda rose from her chair and nodded. Elphaba removed Galinda's clothes, expecting at any moment that Galinda would pull at her apron or slide her hand over her bony curves or backside. But, Galinda didn't. Removing Galinda's last article of clothing, her corset, Elphaba took her time bringing it to Galinda's wardrobe. There was nothing left to remove.

Would Galinda's inspection begin now? The inevitable command to strip and show herself while being forced to "confess" how much she enjoyed it.

Elphaba turned. In a low whisper, she asked, "Does Your Royal Highness need anything else?"

"No. You may go," Galinda said staring at her bed.

Was she really free to go? No insults? No degrading names? No touching her against her will? Elphaba didn't wait for Galinda to change her mind, she left the Princess and went to bed.

The next morning Galinda was waiting for Elphaba.

"Hurry up, you ugly vegetable! I should like to begin my morning lessons sometime today!" she barked, standing in the middle of the room.

Elphaba's shoulders drooped. So the Princess was back to her horrendous self, was she? How disappointing her shift in demeanor hadn't even lasted a full day.

Elphaba brought Galinda's corset over when she noticed them.

Bruises on the Princess' neck. Large sausage-finger bruises.

Elphaba paused.

The Princess looked up.

"What's wrong with you, creature?"

"Nothing, Your Royal Highness," Elphaba said.

"Well, then, get on with it!" the Princess said.

Elphaba slid the corset on and pulled the laces tight when the Princess inhaled sharply.

"Is Your Royal Highness, all right?" Elphaba asked, letting the laces slacken, remembering how the King squeezed his daughter's ribs after pelting her against the stone wall.

"I'm fine. Keep the laces tight like I told you," Galinda said.

Elphaba raised an eyebrow, hesitating.

"Pull, you fool!" Galinda shouted.

Why did Galinda punish herself like this? Elphaba pulled gently.

"Tighter!" Galinda yelled.

"Like this?" Elphaba asked, yanking them shut.

Galinda gasped and bit her lip to stop from crying out in pain.

"Just...like that," Galinda whispered.

The Munchkinlander finished dressing Galinda in a pink dress with pearl and gold accessories when Galinda, pretending nothing was out of the ordinary, said,

"Today I will wear a scarf."

Elphaba knew why the Princess wanted extra covering. Before Galinda could select one, Elphaba presented a white fur shawl from Galinda's wardrobe that would hide King Upland's handiwork.

"Yes, that will be fine," Galinda said and Elphaba wrapped it over the dark reds and maroonish-purples.

Galinda looked at herself in her vanity, touching the fur.

"Can you see the—" Galinda stopped herself, her cheeks reddening, her gaze falling.

Elphaba looked at Galinda in the mirror and said,

"Your Royal Highness is beautiful. No different than every other morning."

The Munchkinlander thought she saw Galinda's blush deepen before she whispered,

"Thank you. That will be all."

Your Royal Highness is beautiful?! Elphaba escaped the Princess' room, almost at a run. Galinda's pitiful expression had coaxed the words out, but the compliment left her mouth with an unanticipated ease—as if she had really meant it. The mortification would have been overwhelming if Galinda's response hadn't been so unexpected. Thank you? The Princess had never thanked her for anything. Commands and insults were the only conversations the Princess had with her.

Had Galinda changed? Elphaba shook her head. She knew better than to hope for the impossible. When the Princess got over the embarrassment of the bruises, she would most certainly restart her inspections.

Turning the corner to head to the servant's kitchen, Elphaba bumped into Mrs. Morrible.

"Pardon me," Elphaba said, stepping back.

The older woman, with white sandy hair wrapped into a frazzled raisin-loaf bun on her head, turned and glared. Elphaba knew the head housekeeper didn't care for her. She frequently embarrassed Elphaba, pointing at her from the other end of the servant's table and lecturing her about her inadequacies as a lady's maid, while the servants snickered and whispered.

"El-pha-ba," Morrible said as if she was spitting pieces of fat out of her mouth, "In the way, as always, I see."

Elphaba sighed through her nose.

"King Upland wants to see you. You are to meet him at the stables at once," Morrible said.

"King Upland?" Elphaba said.

Was there a chance he had seen her hiding last night? Why the stables? Was he going to punish her where no one could see?

"Did he say why?" Elphaba asked.

"A King has no need for reasons like a servant has no need for questions" said Morrible, "Now get! You miserable pock!"

Elphaba trudged through the damp grasses to the stables when she caught sight of King Upland and a blue man in a green suit. So this must be the Winkie Prince from last night.

"Ah! Elphaba, my girl! We are going to host this year's Harvest Festival in honor of Prince Fiyero and you will have the privilege of representing me in the archery contest!" King Upland announced. "Elphaba is famous for her skills in archery."

Elphaba's eyes widened. So she wouldn't be punished for last night. But, what kind of competition was this? She hadn't practiced archery since the war. The King's speech was cut short by the Horse Master who ran toward them, calling for the King to check on one of his mares. Following the Horse Master, the King left Elphaba and Fiyero alone.

Elphaba didn't move. She kept her eyes fixed on the horizon. She would wait for the King to return and properly dismiss her.

The Winkie Prince stared at her.

"So, they let you show your face sometimes?" he asked.

Elphaba clenched her dress. Was the blue Prince about to comment on her green skin. How painfully ironic.

"Yes, outside of meal times, Your Royal Highness," she said.

"You're as beautiful as the legends say you are," he said.

Elphaba's mouth fell open like a loose hinge, before she quickly closed it. Ozians had never hesitated voicing their opinions about her skin, but none had called it 'beautiful.' What did the Prince want from her?

"I'm sure bards prefer stories about Princesses, not their lady's maids, Your Royal Highness," she responded.

"But, you're not just a lady's maid. You're the next Eminent Thropp," Fiyero said.

"Where did Your Royal Highness hear that?"

"All Winkies know of Elphaba Thropp Third Descending of Munchkinland. It's an honor to finally meet you," Fiyero said and bowed low.

Elphaba couldn't remember when she had last been greeted with a bow. She curtsied, suddenly embarrassed by her buttercream servant's dress.

"Will you walk a bit with me?" Fiyero asked.

There was no way she could refuse a royal guest's request. But, for an instant, Elphaba wanted to maintain the facade she was free.

"I suppose I wouldn't mind a bit of fresh air," she said, pulling up her dress and walking toward the pathway.

The two walked through the meadow toward the orchards in quiet. Past the apple orchard. The walnut orchard. The lemon orchard. They walked until they ran out of orchards. She would have to return soon to prepare Galinda for the evening ball.

"How long have you been here?" Fiyero asked, breaking the silence Elphaba was enjoying.

"Not yet a month, Your Royal Highness," she said.

"It seems a strange place to come after the war and an even stranger choice of post."

Elphaba snorted. What choice does one have after losing a war? They hadn't brought enough silver to travel for months across Gillikin and through the Wiccasand Mountans. Nor did they bring enough jewels to travel south and bribe a sentry at the border of Quadling Country — a land famous for its antipathy toward foreigners. Becoming a lady's maid at the castle was the best Elphaba could do. If she and her siblings hadn't met Boq who had written to his aunt, Nanny's cousin, on their behalf asking about employment, they would have starved.

"Unfortunately, the position of Princess was already taken," Elphaba said.

"Ah, Princess Galinda," he said with a dreamy look. Elphaba snorted. Were all men the same when it came to Galinda? "She's a sight to behold," he said, "And I hear a skilled painter and a beautiful dancer. Have you seen her dance?"

Elphaba remembered Galinda in the ballroom. The Princess' feet never seemed to touch the floor. She floated above it like a playful leaf on an autumn day. Spinning in graceful circles, stopping in front of her, laughing, poking her, playing with her breasts. Elphaba grimaced and said,

"Yes, Your Royal Highness, I have."

"Please, you must call me Fiyero," the Prince said.

Elphaba raised an eyebrow.

"Please," he repeated.

"I don't think Runcible Castle will think that proper, Your Royal Highness," she said.

"It's my name. Shouldn't I decide what's proper about it?" he said.

Perhaps. But, what would happen after Prince Fiyero left? The servants despised her now, how would they treat her if they heard her calling a prince by his first name, not to mention Galinda. Elphaba didn't need any more reasons for the castle to hate her, but it also wasn't wise to refuse a guest's request.

"I could call you Fiyero when we're alone" she offered.

Fiyero grinned and asked,

"And, when, do tell, will we have another chance to be alone?"

Elphaba swallowed. She heard the forward suggestion beneath Fiyero's question. Her eyes scanned the meadows. They were alone now—completely alone. Her heart started to race. How could she have been so stupid? Why would a prince ever ask a servant to take a walk somewhere secluded? If Fiyero wanted to take her here and now, no one would stop him.

"Forgive me, but I think it would be best if I returned. If the King is finished with me, the castle will insist I attend to my duties," the Munchkinlander said and turned back, speed-walking in the direction of the stables. The Prince's eyes grew. He ran after her and said,

"I've offended you?"

"I'm sure many maids would be more than honored by your interest in them—" Elphaba said, not meaning a word.

"What maids? My interest? What—" Fiyero's fell silent before he swore, "You've misunderstood! I don't have a penchant for bedding servants. Elphaba!" Grabbing her arm, he pulled her to a stop. The Munchkinlander kept very still, looking away from him. "I would never assume because of your status you would want to provide those types of services nor would I ever force you."

Elphaba glanced at his eyes and saw a tender earnestness. Had she misjudged Fiyero? She was not used to true kindness. In her experience, it was the kind who were the most dishonest, hiding their true intentions and desires behind flattery and favors. But as she stared, there was a sincerity in the Prince that disarmed her.

Fiyero added,

"I won't lie to you. You interest me, very much. It would please me if we could talk again in private, but only so we can speak freely. I want the chance to get to know the educated, gifted Elphaba Thropp, whose beauty is beyond compare, who is not at all like a servant. Not even shall we say like Gillikinese royal ladies who are too stupid to even spell their own names."

Elphaba wanted to laugh. Who would believe that the handsome Winkie Prince thought her beautiful and the Princess a fool! How furious Galinda would be. And, yet, Elphaba couldn't laugh. She remembered Galinda's frightened scream. I promise I wasn't trying to read. Galinda didn't have a choice. Neither did the servants.

"It's not stupidity that prevents the Princess from spelling her own name," she said walking past the lemon orchard.

Fiyero humfed.

"You're intriguing. You defend her even though she sees nothing wrong with covering your face for meals?"

Elphaba stiffened. She wasn't defending Galinda; she was defending her principles.

"The truth doesn't change with how I feel about the Princess."

"So you don't care for Galinda?"

"I don't care for this conversation, if I can speak freely," Elphaba said, not prepared to trust Fiyero with her private feelings.

"I apologize for trying to engage a refined woman in gossip. And, please speak on whatever you like."

It had been so long since Elphaba had a real conversation with someone outside her family, she didn't know how to start. They walked in silence before she said stupidly,

"What brings you to Gillikin?"

Fiyero smiled at her, looking liked he wanted to tease her, but changed his mind and said,

"To be frank, after the Vinkus received news that Munchkinland fell, we've decided it's in our best interest to enter into an alliance with Gillikin."

"You're afraid that Gillikin might wage war against the Vinkus?"

"King Upland assures me he has no intention of it, but to be cautious, I'm to secure the King's intention in writing."

"How long will you stay?" Elphaba said.

"For another two weeks, just until the Harvest Festival finishes. Will you give me the pleasure of seeing you several more times before I must return home?" Fiyero asked.

"I cannot promise you that."

"Then promise me you would like to see me," he said.

"I can't promise that either. I hardly know you," she said.

"Then, agree to promise you'll consider promising," he said.

Elphaba snorted and crossed her arms.

"Fine," she said, "I promise to consider promising."

Fiyero grinned, an extra skip in his step as they walked past another orchard. When they arrived at the stables, King Upland and the servants were gone.

"I suppose we shall have to part here," Fiyero said and took Elphaba's hand and brought it to his lips for a kiss. His lips lingered on the back of her palm. Soft and warm. A tender prickling filled Elphaba's chest.

"Miss Thropp!" a voice yelled and Elphaba wrenched back her hand.

It was Nanny. She was running toward them. Someone in the castle must have summoned her. What must Nanny think? Elphaba could have excused her afternoon walk, saying that the Prince had insisted, but there was no excuse for intimacies.

Nanny approached the couple and bowed to the Prince.

"Prince Fiyero, please forgive me for interrupting, but may I bring Miss Thropp back to the castle with me. We must prepare the royal family for the ball."

"Of course," Fiyero said and turned to Elphaba and said, "Thank you for a most enjoyable walk. Until we meet again."

He bowed and Elphaba returned his bow and turned away, rushing with Nanny to the castle. She was too ashamed to speak a word, her stomach a bundle of knives. Right before the two servants entered the castle, the old woman stopped and looked at Elphaba, searching her. Elphaba's cheeks flushed with heat.

"Your Eminence must never be caught alone with the Prince like that," Nanny said, "If Mrs. Morrible had found you instead of I, Your Eminence would have been dismissed and I can't even imagine how the Princess would have punished Your Eminence for it."

"Nothing happened between us," Elphaba said.

"That's nobody's business but Your Eminence's. Rest assured I won't tell a soul what I saw. But, Your Eminence must be more careful. I am an old woman and I've seen the dangers of a flattering man. His words as sweet as the freshest honeycomb, but its a ruse, Your Eminence. He'll bundle you in all sorts of praises to pull the one thing he wants from you," Nanny said.

"Please, Nanny. It won't happen again," Elphaba said.

The old woman exhaled, rubbed Elphaba's shoulders and said,

"Just remember my words."

Elphaba nodded and rushed to Galinda's room. When she entered, Galinda sat at her vanity talking to Milla who lie on her bed.

Galinda looked over Elphaba.

"Where have you been?"

"By the stables, Your Royal Highness," Elphaba said, her heart tip-tippering.

"Why ever would you need to go there?" Galinda asked.

"I am to represent His Majesty in the archery contest at the festival."

Galinda raised an eyebrow. Could Galinda see that she was hiding something? Had someone already reported Fiyero's kiss? Would Galinda throw her out of the castle or worse yet, have her publicly beaten?

"Is there nothing too unseemly for a Munchkinlander woman?" the Princess said to no one in particular.

"Tell us, is it true that Munchkinlander women can read as well?" Milla asked. Galinda's eyes flipped to her cousin.

"Who told you that?" the Princess asked.

"I saw one read a pamphlet several weeks ago—the minstrel who accompanied the troupe of Munchkinland jesters who performed for the castle."

Galinda curled her lip and said,

"Oh, yes, that grotesque spectacle!"

"I thought they were charming," Milla said.

"Milla, you find charm in everyone, or rather you place it in them," Galinda said, smiling.

Elphaba's eyes darted between the cousins. Was she really in the clear? Had no one found out about her secret outing?

Turning toward her, Galinda asked,

"Well, are you going to answer Milla?"

What had Milla asked? Something about if women could read in Munchkinland?

"Muchkin women of high-ranking nobility can. And so can Munchkin ladies who've had access to a religious education, Your Ladyship," Elphaba said.

"Is it difficult?" Milla asked.

"Once one memorizes the letters and their accompanying sounds, one can read without even thinking about it," Elphaba said.

Galinda stared at her, eyes wide, like a child seeing snow for the first time.

"That's amazing. It's like magic," Milla said. "Could you show us—"

"Milla, I think it's best if we got ready for the ball," Galinda said, standing from her vanity. "Our guests from Tenniken shall be arriving soon.

"Oh, I suppose it is time. I think I shall only change my hair jewels and petticoat," Milla said, not moving from Galinda's bed. "Will you change into the red dress that King Upland brought back from Shiz? You look striking in it."

Galinda swallowed and looked down at her feet.

"I do rather enjoy wearing it for dances," the Princess confessed.

"Shall I fetch it for you, Your Royal Highness?" Elphaba asked.

Galinda looked at Elphaba and then at Milla. Her hand fidgeting with her sleeve.

The marks.

Galinda didn't want Milla to know what her father did. Elphaba watched the embarrassed Princess squirm. It wasn't Elphaba's problem. Galinda had humiliated Elphaba well beyond mere bruises. The Princess could find her own way out of this. Why did Elphaba need to worry about her? Galinda didn't care one bit about her well-being.

Galinda bit her lip.

Just how many times had King Upland done that to Galinda? Were slaps and squeezes the extent of his abuse or were there other ways he hurt her? Did anybody know about his behavior or was Galinda all alone?

Before she could stop herself, Elphaba blurted,

"If I can make a suggestion, Your Royal Highness?"

Galinda glared at her. Elphaba flinched. Why did she even try?

"What could be so important that you would speak out of turn?" Galinda asked, her hands on her hips.

"Perhaps, Her Ladyship could fetch the ruby and diamond earrings she was was wearing last night. It would match Your Royal Highness' dress," Elphaba said.

Galinda's eyes grew. She studied Elphaba, eyes full of curiosity. Or was it disbelief?

"What a fine idea!" Milla chimed in, "I'll just go and get them for you, Galinda."

"Thank you, my darling cousin. While you're out, see if you can't find Nanny and have her bring up some flowers for my hair," Galinda said and waited for Milla to leave before, she glanced at Elphaba and hissed, "Well, don't just stand there, creature. Remove my clothes before she comes back."

Elphaba sighed. What did she expect? That the spoiled Princess would thank her twice in one day? Elphaba removed Galinda's clothes, and was about to pull out her red dress, when Galinda said,

"Bring me a new chemise as well."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness," Elphaba said and plucked one out. When she turned around, she saw Galinda's backside—completely bare. Galinda's pink curves made Elphaba's stomach tremble. She walked closer with the chemise and noticed bruising along Galinda's back. Her eyes moved down to her round buttocks.

"Well?" Galinda asked and turned her head to catch Elphaba ogling her. The Munchkinlander turned a deep cucumber. Galinda rolled her eyes with a panted laugh.

"Seeing what a real woman looks like?" Galinda asked and Elphaba blanched. She thrust out the chemise. Galinda reached around herself and grabbed it, slipping it on before turning around. Elphaba didn't talk. She worked steadily, feeling Galinda's eyes glance at her now and then, but the Princess' looking never ventured into touching.

Elphaba finished placing Galinda's scarf and attaching her hair jewels when Milla rammed through the door.

"It's just too awful for words!" she shrieked.

"What? What is it?" Galinda asked.

"I just heard from Shenshen that Lady Dayblwell of Tenniken has arrived, but her carriage was raided by those dark fairies when she passed through the Great Forest.

"Those malevolent creatures!" Galinda said shivering.

"They've stolen her trunks of gold and her lunch basket," Milla added.

"I don't know how anyone can stand to go into that forest with all those evil sprites. They ought to burn the whole forest down!" Galinda said.

"King Upland decided to send a company of soldiers and a priest into the forest tonight to see if they can't find where the fairies went," Milla said.

Elphaba lost her breath. Gillikinese soldiers searching the Great Gillikin Forest?! What if they found the cottage? How terrified her sister would be seeing the Gillikinese army. Their iron armor. Shiny lances. Spiked war hammers. What would they do to Nessa if they found her?! Elphaba's blood tish-tished in her head. She had to find Shell after the ball. They would have to go to Nessa at once.

The ball seemed to never end. Elphaba waited in Galinda's room late into the evening. How long could they dance? By now, the Princess must have worn through the soles of her heels. Elphaba thought of Prince Fiyero. Would Galinda dance with him? What would they talk about? Would he mention that he had met Elphaba? Her mind flickered back to Nessa. Elphaba could see the guards dragging her sister's jerking body across the mud, tossing the rope over a high tree branch, noosing it around Nessa's neck, before they hoisted her for the birds to gorge on. Oz be damned! Elphaba paced. The candles in Galinda's room grew shorter and shorter.

When Galinda finally entered, she teetered and tottered, walking in a zig-zag toward her. Closing the distance between them, Galinda placed her hands on Elphaba's shoulders. Elphaba winced. Not tonight! She couldn't play Galinda's games now! She wouldn't allow it! Nessa's life was at stake! They might have already found her with as long as Elphaba had waited.

"He lufs me," Galinda slurred, the sweet scent of ale lacing her breath. "Kisses, kisses, blue feather kisses," she mumbled, her forehead falling against Elphaba's chest. Elphaba stiffened. The scent of the Princess' sweat and her flowered locks filled her nostrils.

"Very good, Your Royal Highness. Now, may I ready Your Royal Highness for bed?" Elphaba asked, trying to hurry the Princess along.

Galinda nodded against Elphaba's chest. The Munchkinlander sighed. How was she going to do this if Galinda wouldn't stand. Elphaba shook Galinda's shoulders but there was no response. She pulled Galinda away from her. Sweet Lurline! The Princess had passed out! How was going to change her clothes now?

She couldn't waste time trying to wake her. Instead she grabbed the Princess around her torso and carried her toward the bed. Flinging her on it, Elphaba climbed on top and started undressing Galinda— gloves, jewels, dress, petticoat, kirtle, corset. Finally, Galinda was in her sleeveless chemise, Elphaba grabbed the fabric and was going to whoosh it off of the Princess, when she felt a pulse in her stomach. She blushed and released the garment. If she removed the Princess' chemise, Elphaba would see all of Galinda. The front of Galinda, right beneath her finger tips. Her heart was pumping hard in her chest. She remembered Galinda's backside. Her soft and gentle curves. Elphaba shook her head. She didn't want to think about it. She didn't want to think about Galinda's body at all. She pulled down the sheets and maneuvered the Princess in her chemise underneath them. She placed Galinda's dress in her wardrobe and ornaments on her vanity table, and raced to the door when Galinda whispered out sleepily,

"Late tomorrow...want...to sleep in."

"Yes, Your Royal Highness," Elphaba said and flew out.

Running outside, the wind whipped around the Munchkinlander and she wondered how she would brave the winter in her flimsy garment. Finding the outside servants' quarters, she asked for Shell. When he came out, she told him the news, falling over her syllables. Grabbing a scythe, he raced with her into the Forest. After several hours, they made their way to the cabin. From the back it was perfectly dark. Was Nessa sleeping? Had the soldiers missed the cottage? The forest was silent. Elphaba glanced at her brother in the moonlight. He nodded. They crept toward the front. As they approached, Elphaba saw it—a footman's helmet resting against the cottage door.

She gasped and yelled,

"Nessa—"

But before Elphaba could finish, a meaty hand covered her mouth and a strong arm circled her belly. She squirmed, trying to wrest free of her attacker's grip, but the man only held her tighter. From her periphery, she saw two men wrestling with Shell. One held him, covering his mouth, while another removed his scythe and threw it into the woods. Her attacker squeezed her waist tighter and tighter. A pain shot through her, making her want to vomit. She thought she would pass out when the attackers dragged the siblings into the dark cabin and closed the door.

They were done for! Sweat trickled down Elphaba's neck as her eyes adjusted to the dark. The soldiers must have already killed Nessarose and now they were going to kill them. Had it all come to this? They had escaped Munchkinland only to be murdered in the very cabin they had run to for safety?!

"They're still out there," her captor whispered, holding Elphaba still.

Who were they talking about? What were the men waiting for? Elphaba looked over and saw her brother still fighting.

"Stop moving, boy, or I'll snap your legs," his attacker hissed.

Wait! Their style of speech. He was a Munchkinlander—a peasant, but a Munchkinlander nonetheless! Elphaba's head swirled. Why had Munchkinlanders captured them? And what had they done to Nessa? Elphaba screamed against her captor's hand.

"Elphaba, Shell, is that you?" Nessarose's voice whispered in the dark.

"Silence!" Shell's captor hissed.

Nessa was still alive! Elphaba eyes searched the gray shadows as she tried to muffle a reply back. She realized there were more than just the five of them in the cottage. There were several Ozians standing against the wall. She wriggled feverishly.

"Quit your squirming, or by the Unnamed God, I'll give you a good thrashing. Woman, or no woman!" Her captor whispered, his hot breath coiling in her ear.

Elphaba's dress was soaked with a clammy sweat. Her attacker's moist chunky hand bumped against her nose, blocking her breath for bursts at a time. The siblings waited that way in the dark for an hour, until a willowy silhouette stepped forward from the wall. The woman was a head shorter than Elphaba, her light-colored hair loosely braided, the outlines of her high cheekbones and narrow eyes barely visible.

"I think they've gone," she said in a crisp peasant voice. "And who might you be?" she asked the siblings. The captors removed their hands from their mouths, still gripping the siblings' shoulders and waists.

"Shell Thropp," her brother said.

"Elphaba Thropp, sister to—"

"Lurline's teats! Have we the whole royal Thropp family here?" the woman asked. "Why have you come?"

"You've trespassed into our cabin! You will release us and then tell us why you are here!" Shell said.

"Ha! The isn't Munchkinland, my dear boy. We answer to no one, especially not to the royal family," the woman said.

"Please, just tell us what you've done to Nessa," Elphaba said.

"Elphaba, I'm all right. They've eaten some food and touched the tableware, but nothing that several washings won't right," Nessa called out.

"Silence, you wretched clot-pole," the woman said.

"Please, Pfannee, let them go," a man's voice said. He came forward out of the shadows. Boq!

The young Munchkinlander hadn't changed much. His wool toque a littler dirtier, his shirt and breeches a little thinner, his reddish-brown hair a little longer, but his short frame as sturdy and upright as ever.

"Who are these rogues, Boq?" Elphaba asked.

"In Munchkinland, you called us the Weavers," the woman answered.

Elphaba's eyes widened. The Weavers were vagabond Munchkin serfs who escaped their landlords. They would "weave" in and out of Munchkinland, reaping where they had not sown. Known among royalty and nobility as dangerous criminals.

"The Gillikinese call us dark fairies," Pfannee said.

Elphaba snorted. So this is who haunted The Great Gillikin Forest, a band of traveling thieves!

"Unhand us right now and show me my sister," Elphaba demanded.

"You are not in the position to make demands," said the woman.

Elphaba looked at her brother. Shell winked. Elphaba shrieked at the top of her lungs, disarming the men, and slammed her heel into the Weaver's shin behind her, scraping it downward.

"Pig-wench!" he screamed.

Shell raised his elbow and rammed it behind him, catching his captor's eye, before turning and kicking him in his shin. The Weaver squealed in pain and fell to his knees.

Elphaba's captor held onto her and pulled her down. A pain shot through her knees as they bit the floor. Hunching behind her, with one hand, her captor squeezed her neck and, with the other hand, he gripped her stomach and pressed her body into his.

Shell was about to kick his wounded captor when Pfannee yelled,

"Kick him again and your sister is dead,"

Pfannee had drawn a sword and held it to Elphaba's throat.

"Stop, everyone! STOP!" Boq squealed, standing on the kitchen table. "We're Munchkinlanders! Munchkinlanders who just escaped the Gillikinese army— again. We should be celebrating, not murdering one another."

"We've nothing in common with these thieves!" Pfannee said.

"Thieves! It's you, the Weavers, who steal from other people's lands!" Shell said.

"It was the royal Thropp family and the Munchkin lords who forced us to work the lands, then stole what we made! You rendered to your serfs meager scraps; many of us starved. We took back only what you stole from us—the work of our hands. We will be slaves to no Eminent or Lord again," Pfannee said, moving her sword to Shell's throat, pushing it against him until a trickle of blood danced below her weapon.

Watching her brother's nervous eyes, Elphaba's heart fell off its beat. In an instant, she saw dozens of arguments, laughter, and secrets she shared with Shell. She remembered how lost he looked when he packed their trunk with mostly Nessa and her things, the sound of the Gillikinese war drums drawing nearer. How determined he was as he hoisted that trunk on his back, sweat pouring down his face as they walked, and walked, and walked. He never once complained. She could lose him. Her siblings were the only Ozians left who made her dark existence bearable. And tonight they were going to be severed from her.

"There is no royal family here—only servants," Elphaba whispered.

"What are you saying?" Pfannee asked.

"Since the fall of Munchkinland, I've worked as a lady's maid for the Princess of Gillikin," Elphaba said.

"So you have a tiny taste of what it's like to have a master? Am I to pity you? You've basked in riches all of your life and have been forced to work less than a season. As a royal servant no less. We've never known rest, not a day in our lives. We're hardly the same," Pfannee said.

"Please!" Boq said. "Please, let them go. Let us agree to end our grievances, if just for tonight."

Pfannee glared at Elphaba. The kneeling Munchkinlander raised her chin.

"Please, Pfannee," Boq pleaded

"Fine," Pfannee said and stuck out her arm, "Because Boq is a dear friend of ours. Let us call a truce for tonight. It's almost over anyway."

Elphaba eyes didn't leave the sword Pfannee still held in her hand. Pfannee lowered her weapon.

"Let her up," Pfannee said and Elphaba's attacker released her.

Elphaba grabbed Pfannee's thin but muscular forearm and pulled herself up and then shook it. The weaver's grip was firm, but not forceful.

"Now where's Nessa?" Elphaba asked.

"In the corner," Pfannee said and Shell and Elphaba rushed to her.

Nessa was hunched by the stairwell. Elphaba kneeled to check her sister for broken bones or cuts in the moonlight.

"Come on, Weavers. Into the woods and onto the air!" Pfannee said and the Weavers one by one walked outside until only Pfannee, Boq and the Thropps remained.

"And you're welcome, Elphaba Thropp," Pfannee said.

"For what? You holding us against our will and eating our food?"

The Weaver scoffed.

"No, you, flap-mouthed canker-blossom. We saved your sister's life," she said and disappeared out the door.

Elphaba looked at Boq.

"What's she talking about?"

"It's true," he said. "I had come to check on Nessa tonight and bring her some food. We were eating supper when a group of soldiers banged on the door. They told us to come out and show ourselves. I didn't want them to see Nessa so we left the door closed. They charged us with disobeying the King and said they would bash the door down and take us out and hang us. They might have killed us, if the Weavers hadn't killed them first."

Elphaba turned to Nessa,

"Is this true?"

"I suppose the bandits did protect us," Nessa said crawling toward the staircase.

Elphaba exhaled, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. And how had she and Shell thanked them? With punches, gouges, and kicks.

"They should have told us," Shell said, "We wouldn't have fought them."

"They didn't know who you were and they didn't want to risk soldiers hearing them," Boq said.

"How do you know them?" Elphaba asked.

"They've been helping Munchkinlanders in the forest set up tree houses so they can't be found by Gillikinese travelers or soldiers. They've also helped many Munchkin immigrants forage and plant food."

"But they're criminals," Shell said.

Boq shrugged.

"They have been good to Nessa and I. In times like these, one can't be picky about one's friends," he said.

After a few hours, visiting with Nessa and Boq, Shell and Elphaba were racing back to the castle. The sun rose over the hills.

When they were about to part ways, Shell asked,

"Do you think Nessa will be okay in the forest with those Weavers?"

"If it is as Boq says, she might be safer with them. Take care, Shell. Until our next trip to see Nessa," Elphaba said and turned to run.

"Wait!"

"What?" Elphaba asked, looking over her shoulder, eager to get back to the castle.

"How is she?"

"She?"

"The Princess? Is she as lovely as ever?" Shell asked, wetting his lips. "Has she asked about me?"

Elphaba held in a groan. Was her brother still obsessed with Galinda?

"Shell, you must forget her," she said.

He leaned on the balls of his feet and said,

"Elphaba, please, just tell me how she is!"

"She's as self-absorbed as ever—"

"Elphaba!"

"She's fine! Perhaps even lovely, but, even then, you're worth a dozen of her!" she said.

At her brother's dumb-founded expression, she snorted. "Oh, not to me, you idiot! Not to me," she said and rushed away to the castle.

Creeping up the servants' stairs unnoticed, she washed the bottom of her dress and fixed her braids, before Nanny knocked on her door.

"Elphaba, there's a change of schedule today," the old woman said.

"Yes, the Princess told me" Elphaba said, turning to face Nanny in her doorway. "No, not the Princess," the old woman said. "King Upland wants you readied and out by the stables. He wants to see your archery before the festival. I'll dress the Princess this morning."

Elphaba felt herself pale before she nodded and headed to the stables. She had hoped she would be able to practice a bit on her own, before she had to show the King.

Approaching the stables, there were flags of Gillikin flying everywhere. Except somehow the shape of Gillikin had changed. Elphaba stopped mid-stride, her breath catching. Gillikin was drawn to incorporate its new territory. In thick yellow thread, "Gillikin," was sewn over Munchkinland. Her fists clenched. She thought she had snuffed it out. Any hope that they might return. But seeing her homeland disappeared from the flag was like the noonday sun had iced over. The ground spun beneath her. They were stuck here. Stuck here forever. She buried her face in her hands.

"Elphaba, are you all right?"

The Munchkinlander looked up. Fiyero stood beside her, a wrinkle in his brow, his hand coming to her shoulder.

"It's gone, gone, all gone," she whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. His pulled her close and she fell against his chest. He hugged her tight.

"It's going to be okay," he whispered, his warm palm caressing her neck. "Everything will be all right."

Ahem!

A man cleared his throat. Fiyero released Elphaba. She looked up to see King Upland and Galinda before them — the Princess' round eyes seething.


A/N: Thanks for reading this chapter. I hope it was enjoyable even though it was light on the sex. More spice to come in the next chapter. As always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts, questions, and comments.