Alright, sorry for such a long wait, I just started my summer job (40 hours a week....fun...) so I've been a tad busy. This story, however, wouldn't go away, so I just had to get some more out. ::smiles:: Anyway, thank you all for the numerous and kind reviews, I never thought I'd get such a nice reception! Oh, a note to sweet saturn: thanks for the careful observation about Elphaba and her magic, you were right. However...I never said the girl in the first chapter was Elphaba. :-D Anyways, enjoy!
Ack, I almost forgot: At the moment, I'm writing this without the book to aid me with the little facts (i.e, exactly where everyone lived, how on earth you spell Chuffery (I'm still not sure that's right...) etc) so if you see a mistake along those lines that's why. I'm trying hard, but yes, some things will slip through.
Final note: I still don't own the characters, the book, etc. Darn.
Glinda looked around at all the colorful market stalls and shops. She had been cooped inside the Emerald City for days thanks to the gray, dreary, constant rain and after a certain point there was only so much green she could take. But finally the skies had cleared, and she had immediately set off for the market, not caring that the ground was still not quite dry and her new skirt would probably get ruined. In fact, Glinda's idea seemed to be quite a popular one, considering how crowded the streets were. The Good Witch chattered happily with the shopkeepers, and was just about to examine one particularly pink and expensive-looking dress when a sudden movement caught her attention. She turned and, her suspicions confirmed, she let out a high-pitched squeal.
"Boq!!!!! Oh, it's so good to see you! How have you been? What have you been up to? Oh, it's been so long!!! Boq.... Boq, what is it?"
For instead of returning her joyous greeting, the Munchkin had tried edging himself away from the exuberant blonde. At the final question, however, he stopped, looking nervous, and gave a half-hearted greeting.
"Oh, hi, Glinda, it's good to see you too. I'm sorry, I can't really stay and talk, I've got to be getting on...to be getting on my way. It was nice running into you...well, some other time, perhaps..."
Boq had almost slipped away when the man he had been talking to called after him, "Wait, man! What about the room and board then? Are you taking the offer or not?" Which only served to leave the small Munchkin even more flustered and fidgety. Glinda, however, took no notice of her friend's discomfort, and instead pounced on the sentence.
"Room and board? But Boq, I thought you had married...Milla, was her name? And you were making a lovely, quite life for yourself and your children." Suddenly her expression took on a sly, knowing look. "Oh, is the country life a bit too much for you then?"
Boq, whose face had been growing redder by the moment, finally stammered, "No! No, that's not it at all! It's...it's just..." and turning his face towards the western sky, away from Glinda, he finished quietly, "...they're gone."
Glinda was immediately ashamed of herself, and asked quietly, "Gone? But, Boq, how? What happened?"
He still wouldn't look at her. "It...that storm, a few nights back. I'm sure even the Emerald City felt the effects of it, although we got hit the worst. There was lightning, and the house...caught fire. I was out in back, making sure all of the animals were okay...Elphaba would never have forgiven me...it just spread too fast. There was nothing anyone could do.
"Oh, Boq. I'm so sorry."
But his voice was finally growing stronger. "I stayed with the animals, waiting out the rest of the storm, and hoping it wouldn't outlast the meager food supply. When I saw that things calmed down this morning, I made my way here, to look for a place to stay and a job to do."
"Well, whatever for? You are more than welcome to stay with me! Oh please, Boq, won't you? I've been ever so lonely since Sir Chuffrey passed on-- not that he was that exciting to begin with, but it was nice having another person around, to keep me talking to nothing but thin air-- but please, I would be honored if you stayed with me. Even if its only until you're back on you're feet again. Please."
Boq finally turned to look at her. Though starting to get on her years, Glinda's beauty had yet to fade. But what caught his heart this time wasn't her appearance, which had kept him up late at nights as a young man. It was the look in her eyes, the spark of Glinda that very few people were lucky enough to see. She wasn't inviting him on a whim; he was a friend who needed her help, and she wanted to do whatever she could. Boq gave a small smile.
"That's very kind of you, Miss Glinda, and I accept your offer, if it's not too much."
"Oh, wonderful! Now come, there's so much to do! And so little sun left!" And with a trademark giggle, Glinda grabbed hold of the Munchkin's arm and dragged him off to a store painted in a bright, obnoxious pink.
...........................................................................................
The two got along well together, the conflicting emotions of their high school days having mellowed into a close friendship. Boq did what he could to help around the enormous house, though Glinda made it more than clear that he was her guest. Days turned into weeks as the pair took on a daily habit. Each would occupy themselves however they wished throughout the morning and afternoon, meet and discuss their day over dinner, and finally adjourn together to Glinda's den, where they would read, sew, or just stare into the fire. They grew to know each other's moods, and after awhile, even Glinda came to appreciate the silence between them.
It was on one such ordinary day when the bedraggled girl came to ask for their help.