Chapter 5- Reunited
Elphaba opened her eyes slowly. The sunlight hurt her eyelids, and her head throbbed. She felt as if she had been sleeping for years. She looked around her at the unfamiliar room. Where in Oz was she? The bedspread was pink and the room was definitely not the tiny bedroom in the cabin. The last thing she could remember was Fiyero sitting next to her. Will you marry me? She smiled. She couldn't believe it actually happened.
Someone opened the door and she panicked. Who could it be? Where was Fiyero? What was that place? She watched in amazement as a blonde woman dressed in baby-blue frock entered the room and locked the door carefully behind her. She turned around then, and their eyes met. Elphaba's forehead cringed in confusion. Glinda? Was she dreaming this? What was going on?
A huge smile of relief lightened up Glinda's face. She hurried to Elphaba's side. "Sweet Oz! It did work, you're okay! Thank goodness!" she cried and hugged Elphaba as tightly as she could.
"What… what happened? Where are we? Where is Fiyero?" asked Elphaba. She was amazed to hear how weak her voice sounded.
"You don't remember?" asked Glinda. Elphaba shook her head. "We brought you here almost two weeks ago. You were unconscious most of the time, but I knew you would be better," she smiled in spite of the tears that glistened in the corner of her eyes.
"Where is 'here', exactly?" asked Elphaba, confused. Everything was happening way too fast for her. Two weeks lost. It felt so strange.
"Why, the Emerald City, of course!" said Glinda. "No-one knows you're here, though. I promised Fiyero. All my servants got a specific order not to come into this room or Fiyero's, and the doctor who took care of you knows not to tell anyone that you are here."
"Your servants? Did you marry a prince, Glinda?" asked Elphaba, amused. She was back in the Emerald City with her best friend. This was unbelievable.
"Well, I…" she started, but soon her voice trailed off. How would she break this to Elphaba? "I'm now the ruler of the Emerald City, Elphie," she said eventually.
Elphaba stared at her, then exclaimed, "You're what?"
"There are some things you have to know. This city had changed a lot in these two years, starting with the Wizard's departure right after you… died…" Elphaba wanted to say something but decided against it after she saw the look on Glinda's face. "Oh, Elphie, I don't how to say this. You're not going to like what I have to say to you… but you must know."
Now she was beginning to worry. "What? What happened?"
"When you… well, disappeared… I found that small green bottle you held under your pillow back then at Shiz, the one that was your mother's." Elphaba nodded. She was glad that Glinda had the bottle, not some stranger. "Well, I saw the exact same bottle… in the Wizard's palace."
"What are you trying to say, Glinda?"
"I'm trying to say… that the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the man who wanted you to be killed, the man you came to hate so much… was your father," was Glinda's soft reply. "I just thought you deserved to know the truth."
Elphaba was speechless for a moment, then slowly said, "Thank you… for telling me." Was that monster her father? Her real father? She couldn't believe it.
They both jumped, startled, when they heard a strange noise coming from one of the side walls. Fiyero came in from a secret door and was thrilled to see Elphaba awake and quite healthy. "Thank Oz, you're okay!" He sat on the other side of her bed and pulled her into his arms. "How are you feeling?" he asked, kissing her forehead.
"A little shaken, but generally okay," she answered, smiling.
"Glinda, thank you so much for everything," said Fiyero, touching Glinda's hand.
"Oh, don't mention it," smiled Glinda. "I'm Glinda the Good, after all." Elphaba smirked at that. Fiyero rolled his eyes, saying nothing. Glinda was too happy to be offended. She got her friends back. Nothing else mattered. "So, what are you two up to? You didn't decide to do this dangerous journey all the way back here just because you missed me, huh?"
"Well, kind of," replied Elphaba, smiling. All of a sudden, she felt so wonderful. "And also because I need your help on something," she added, touching one of Glinda's golden curls. "I missed you so much, Glinda. I'm sorry I didn't… I couldn't…"
"Elphie, it's okay. I understand. It's been difficult two years, I'll confess, but now when you are here I understand it was worth it. No-one will call you Wicked ever again, I promise. And with time, you might be the next Wizard of Oz," she smiled hopefully. "So, what was this thing that you needed my help on?"
"Well… I'm trying to find a spell… that will turn Fiyero into a man again," said Elphaba. Fiyero held her hand. Glinda looked shocked. "What?"
"You are looking for… what?"
"Transformation spell. I thought that since I did this one using the Grimmerie, and since I gave it to you-"
"Well, I don't think you'll need the Grimmerie, Elphie," Glinda cut her off with a smile.
"What do you mean?" asked Elphaba, puzzled.
"I mean… that I started making a transformation potion of my own… and it should be ready later this week."
Elphaba stared at her in amazement. "You made what?"
"I never was very good with spells and wands, but I was at the top of the potion class. Someone came to ask for my help and I said I'd do it. It took some time, though. I think it should be enough for two people," she concluded, looking at Fiyero. He looked stunned. So was Elphaba.
"You mean… that until the end of this week…" started Fiyero.
"Actually, I couldn't use some help," admitted Glinda. "With its finishing touch. If you feel strong enough, Elphie."
"Surprisingly, I do," smiled Elphaba and got out of bed slowly. She looked at herself, then glared at Glinda. "What in Oz name am I wearing?"
"It's a pink nightgown," Glinda stated simply. Fiyero burst up laughing, but another glare from Elphaba silenced him immediately.
"Yes, I can see it's a pink nightgown, my question is why am I wearing it?"
"Because this was the only nightgown that was on your size! You became so skinny, Elphie!"
"So, who is the lucky one we are transforming?" asked Elphaba while finding one of her own black dresses in the closet.
"Boq," Glinda replied matter-of-factly. Fiyero had already known that. Living in Glinda's castle for two weeks now, she told him that Boq lived there with her, but she didn't tell him why. Now he knew.
"Boq?" echoed Elphaba. Well, that was a surprise. Boq was asking for Glinda's help? And she actually remembered his name?
"Well… yes, you know, we are old friends," Glinda pointed out, failing to appear indifferent.
"Why, why, Miss Glinda Upland, I believe you are blushing!" Elphaba called triumphantly.
Glinda's blush deepened as she shyly nodded. "What can I say? I couldn't be happier," she said, wrapping her arms around Elphaba in a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're here. I hated the thought of telling him that this potion wouldn't work after all."
"All right, so where is this potion of yours?"
"Upstairs, in the attic. There is a secret passage up there from this room. This is how Fiyero got in here."
"Well, give me a minute to change. I'll follow you."
"Alright," said Glinda and led Fiyero back to the door. "It's on the top floor on the western tower. And Elphaba… no-one knows this passage… but still…" Glinda's voice trailed off as she gave her friend a pleading look.
Elphaba understood. She nodded. "I'll be careful."
