A Lazy Afternoon
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters.
Chapter 23
Fiyero sat beneath the giant willow tree, reading his economics book, trying very hard to pay attention. The behemoth branches nearly obscured him from the passer-bys on the road. It was the perfect hideout during the day, but it was beginning to get dark out, and the page was hard to read. With a quick kiss Elphaba had left him on the bank of the river earlier. Shortly after, Grommetik teetered by him, heading towards Crage Hall. The thing had its mechanical arms crossed at its chest, as if to conceal something. It made Fiyero uneasy. Since he had been under the tree, he had noticed Grommetik pass to and from Shiz. It hadn't seen him, which suited him just fine. He hoped that Elphaba had found a place to study her papers in peace.
Squinting, he decided that further reading in his hiding spot was futile. He closed the book and stood up, stretching. The dim light had made him drowsy. Batting the branches out of his way, Fiyero stumbled into the road, nearly colliding with the metallic Grommetik.
"Good evening," Madame Morrible greeted.
"The same to you ma'am," Fiyero bowed slightly, per custom, and extended his and, which Madame Morrible shook.
"Hiding under the tree, are we?"
"I find that beneath the giant willow is the best place to study in peace."
"I'm sure."
"I was reading for my economics exam."
"Economics. A good subject for a future ruler."
"Yes, I agree."
"After graduation, do you plan to go back to the Vinkus?"
"Yes, ma'am. That's still two years off though." He smiled.
"And take up with your wife?"
Fiyero hesitated, something about the tone of her voice put him on edge. "Yes, ma'am."
"Now, I am not familiar with customs in the Vinkus, forgive me, but is the young lady officially your wife now, or not until you return after graduation."
"Well, she's…technically…my wife. We were joined when we were seven. I've only met her once. There is no formal ceremony in the Vinkus. I will officially take up with her when I turn 20, after graduation."
"I see."
"It is a strange Vinkus custom."
"Yes, apparently. And it seems that the rules of marriage do not take effect until age 20 either?"
"Ma'am?"
"It just seems me that you are not abiding a marital contract particularly well."
"There is no marriage contract, per se. Customs in the Vinkus are different."
"This is not the Vinkus, my dear."
"Sarima is in the Vinkus. She does not expect to even meet me officially until we are twenty."
"What a strange society," Madame Morrible scoffed. "Regardless, I doubt your father would look highly upon your actions. Especially with one like her."
"Ma'am?"
"She is not the type of girl a prince should be with."
"She's the Thropp Third Descending, in line to rule at Colwen Gardens."
"Yes, dear, that may be so, however she doesn't have the manners of the nobility, by a long shot."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just trying to say, that you had better be careful who you consort with. You do not want your actions in your youth to cloud your future potential."
"I do not think it will."
Along the path, Elphaba walked softly, and upon spying Madame Morrible, Grommetik and Fiyero, turned around and tried to head back to Shiz. Grommetik spied her, and followed.
"Fiyero, dear, just be wise."
"Yes, ma'am," he answered curtly, and turned toward the dorms.
"Oh, what have we here?"
"Let me go!"
Fiyero spun around at Elphaba's cry.
"Bring her here Grommetik," Madame Morrible commanded.
Grommetik had his cold metal hand around Elphaba's wrist, and was dragging her down the path.
"Let her go! Don't drag her!"
"If she won't come on her own will, she will have to be made to."
In front of Madame Morrible, Grommetik deposited Elphaba, and stood menacingly beside its master. Fiyero crossed behind Elphaba.
"I see we don't learn well, do we?"
Fiyero said nothing, but glared at her, placing his hands on Elphaba's shoulders. She was already extremely tense.
"No answers. From either of you. Is that the best you can give me, silence?"
They remained still.
"No answer. Okay. Miss Thropp, the reason that Grommetik retrieved you against your will is that we have a document we'd like to ask you about."
Elphaba gasped. "What document?"
Fiyero's hands dropped to her waist, to her satchel, which was slung around her back. Swiftly, he pulled out the brown leather folder, and slid it up his untucked shirt, into his waistband. He returned his hands to her waist.
"This here," Madame Morrible continued, taking the paper from Grommetik. "Interesting piece of rubbish. I cannot fathom how you might have come upon it."
"I…"
"You took it from Dr. Dillamond's lab."
"I did not! I can't get in!"
"My dear, that is the only way possible. This so called research is from a journal that we do not get at Crage Hall. It is only found in Briscoe Hall, where you are not allowed."
"I worked for Dr. Dillamond. He gave me many interesting things to read."
"Empty your bag."
"What?!"
Elphaba was in a rage now.
"I said, empty your bag."
"Why should I? There's nothing there. That's all there is. I like to read is all. I didn't steal anything."
"I find that unlikely at this point."
"You have no right to go through my bag."
"Grommetik." Madame Morrible gestured.
Grommetik advanced on Elphaba who tried to jump out of the way, but its strong, metal arm latched upon her wrist. It tore a bit of the newly healed flesh, and she cried out. Crimson blood trickled down the green slope of her arm. She fell to her knees and Grommetik scooped up the fallen satchel. Fiyero knelt beside Elphaba, as Grommetik poured the contents of her bag onto the dirt road. There were a few medicine bottles, and a number of books. Astonishment crossed Elphaba's face for a millisecond, before she hardened her gaze. Madame Morrible examined the contents.
"See, nothing there," Elphaba retorted.
"Empty, your satchel as well," Madame Morrible demanded of Fiyero.
Elphaba looked to him, concerned. Calmly, he removed his satchel, and piece by piece took the items out of his bag. A notebook labeled economics, the corresponding textbook. A small purple ribbon. Elphaba smiled.
"See, nothing there."
Madame Morrible looked perplexed. "No, it doesn't appear so. Good day."
In a huff, she and Grommetik turned toward Crage Hall and stalked off. Silently, Elphaba and Fiyero reassembled their bags. He grabbed her injured wrist.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"Let me bandage it up for you."
"If you want…"
"I do."
He led her towards the Ozma Towers.
"Where is it?"
"Not here."
Finally in his room, he pulled the concealed folder from his shirt. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him. They held on for a good minute, until Elphaba pulled away abruptly.
"Shit!"
"What?"
"I just got blood all over the back of your shirt."
Fiyero laughed, and kissed her forehead. "No problem. I'll cut it up and use it for a bandage."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
He unbuttoned his shirt and pulling it off, grabbed his picket knife, tearing the cloth into strips. He took a bottle of antiseptic from his medicine chest.
"You know how this works. It'll sting a bit."
"Mmmhmm," Elphaba answered absently. She barely noticed as he applied it. He wrapped it up, and smiled, watching Elphie watching him. He lifted her chin up to face him, and she blushed. He leaned in, and their lips met, full of fire. They pulled apart, and sat forehead to forehead.
"I hate to say this…" Elphie began.
"But you need to read."
"Yeah."
"Read here."
"Fiyero…"
"It's a good spot, away from the prying eyes you're trying to avoid."
"That's true…"
"I'll be good. I promise."
She smiled. "Okay. I'll try. One request though." She blushed.
"What?"
"Put another shirt on."
He laughed. "Can't concentrate?"
She shook her head.
"I'll do whatever you need."
He kissed her forehead and crossed to his closet, as she settled into his bed with the brown folder.
FEEDBACK!