Note: I do not own any of these characters. They are the property of Gregory Maguire.
Thanks again to my wonderful beta reader for tolerating my sometimes taxing chapters. Hee hee. You're the best! Anywayz, this is a little filler chap to keep you in focus while I weave my little web. Definite love triangle developing……
Elphaba stared at him in disbelief. "How could you possibly know?"
"My ears are everywhere. Even when I was a child you and Nessa could never keep any secrets from me."
Elphaba frowned at the memories. "You used to ruin all of my hideaways. You always knew where I would disappear to," she told him.
Shell chuckled. "What are little brothers for? But the important benefit of my skill is I know why Liir was taken."
Elphaba glanced around, suddenly agitated. She felt like the atmosphere had ears. "You'd better come back to my hut. We'll be away from any unwanted eavesdroppers." She strode ahead with Shell jogging behind.
When Elphaba reached the hut, she could see Boq and Glinda sitting inside. Glinda ran to her. Elphaba could see the concern on her friend's flawless face. Its usual radiance was dulled by emotional strain.
"Elphie, we were so worried about you. You were gone for such a long time. Where were you?"
"I went for a walk and was attacked by my darling brother," she answered with mock sweetness, indicating Shell.
"So we finally meet," Fiyero said and shook Shell's hand.
"That's my husband, Fiyero," she informed Shell.
"Look at little Fabala all grown up," Shell teased. Elphaba's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. His eyes rested on Glinda.
"Miss Glinda, what a pleasant surprise. The whole city is buzzing about your little disappearing act," he winked at her.
He took Glinda's hand and kissed it gently. Glinda's heart leaped into her throat. She quickly swallowed it down. Shell's charm and dashing good looks had caught her off guard. Elphaba had never spoken about her brother that Glinda could recollect. Boq jumped to his feet and stood next to Glinda defensively.
"I'm Boq. Glinda and I are very close friends," he informed Shell. The two males locked eyes, and Elphaba quickly interjected.
"Now that we are all acquainted, Shell has some important news about Liir."
"You have already come to the correct conclusion that Liir is in the Wizard's custody," he began. "The Wizard is using him as leverage."
"Leverage for what?" inquired Fiyero.
Shell looked directly at Elphaba. "He wants the Grimmerie."
Glinda looked at Elphaba in amazement. "But it's back in the Emerald City at my house, isn't it?"
"I didn't give you the real book. I gave you a fake because I didn't want the real Grimmerie to fall into the wrong hands," explained Elphaba. "The Wizard must have seen through my ruse."
"He has the fake book in his possession. When the Gale Force came back from Glinda's house he was delirious with glee. Upon discovering the book was a fake, however, he was pissed beyond belief," Shell informed them.
"So that's why he sent the tiktok to find me," said Elphaba.
Shell nodded. "He wanted to 'make peace' with you so you wouldn't be suspicious if anything happened."
"Did he really think I would be that naive?"
"No, he is the one who is naïve for thinking you would fall for his lame scheme," Shell replied.
"I think we should pay the Wizard a little visit," remarked Elphaba.
"How are you going to get there?" asked Boq, who had never been to the Emerald City.
Elphaba smirked at him. "Follow the Yellow Brick road."
