Chapter 21

Each passing day brought more hopelessness to Elphaba's heart. She became more desperate with each passing day. She wasn't proud of it, but it was the truth. As much as she tried, she couldn't use magic to release the ropes that were tied around her wrists and ankles.

Limited. The word had never had much power and effect upon her as it had during these days. As much as she longed to see Fiyero and Dawn again, her determination was slowly fading away.

Luke came by from time to time to bring her something to eat- some water and dry bread, and to remind her how useless and powerless she was. He seemed to enjoy it enormously. He didn't try to touch her again, though he looked as if he was making great efforts to do so. Each time he entered that room she wondered whether it would be the last time. Maybe this time he would be courageous enough to just kill her. Sometimes she just wished that she could do it herself. She knew that no matter what, it would be better than what she had at the moment; nothing but misery and despair. Anything was better than that, even death.

Two months, and nothing. The rainy weather outside matched Fiyero's gloomy mood perfectly. He put on his coat. Another day, another search. He was sure they wouldn't find her anyway. He became so desperate these days, it scared him. The only thing that made him move on was Dawn. He had promised her to bring Elphaba home. He had to keep the promise to his little girl. The last thing he wanted was to break her heart. His was already broken anyway.

It was not a big surprise to anyone that from the day Elphaba was taken, the graffiti across the city was wiped away. Everything was normal again, the streets were as full of people as before. The atmosphere was different, though. The citizens of the Emerald City who knew Elphaba by now did everything they could to help find her. They were shocked to hear of her disappearance. Glinda told them the news herself the following day, and everyone was so sweet and supportive. Fiyero was amazed to realize how lovable Elphaba had become among them.

He spent as much time with Dawn as possible. He was afraid that she would start forgetting Elphaba, but soon realized there was no reason to be afraid of that. She kept asking him questions about her and he answered them all. More than that, he told her everything he knew about Elphaba's life, about her Auntie Nessa, about Shiz. He tried to teach her to read, and though she was not even four yet, she seemed to be learning fast. She was a smart little girl and he was proud of her. The worst thing about Dawn was also the best thing about her, as far as Fiyero was concerned. She was the perfect reflection of her mother.

Boq was waiting for him in the main hall. "There is a change in our plans," he said. Fiyero looked confused. Boq held a small parchment in his hand. "Madam Morrible asked to see us, the sooner the better."

"What does she want from us, all of a sudden?" asked Fiyero suspiciously. So far she wasn't willing to help them in the least. She claimed she knew nothing about Dawn's disappearance, at first, and Elphaba's later.

"I don't know, but I think we better find out," replied Boq. "I've already told the chief to start without us today. I thought you might want to see her first."

Fiyero nodded, and they left for the prison.

"So how are we feeling this wonderful day, Miss Elphaba?" asked Luke in faked concern as he walked into the small room.

"I'll feel much better if you just tell me how long is this going to take," she said dryly. She was tired, of everything.

"You are being impatient," he smiled viciously. "Too bad, I thought you might enjoy our time here together," he added sarcastically.

Elphaba didn't look so amused. She let out a desperate sigh. "Look, if you want to kill me, then do it, but do it soon, I can't stand all this!" She was ashamed of herself. She was practically begging him to kill her. She noticed a dagger on his trousers' belt. "Or if you're too afraid, I can do it myself."

He raised an eyebrow, his expression amused. "Well, well, well, listen to this. The strongest woman in Oz is begging me to take her life." He moved closer to her; so close that their lips nearly touched. And she could escape nowhere. "Well, Miss Elphaba, your wish will come true one of these days. It's just that I haven't yet decided how to do it. I could shoot you, like we shot your poor husband." She closed her eyes as he mentioned Fiyero. "Or I could use water, like that girl once did. But it would have to be more than one bucket of course. I could drown you in the river or something," he removed the dagger from his belt and touched its blade carefully. "Or I could use this," he said and put it so close to her neck, that she forgot how to breath for a moment. It made him laugh. "Huh. Who is afraid now?" he mocked her.

She looked away. She wondered how long she'd have to take this. She was afraid that whatever the answer was, it wouldn't be much longer.

Madam Morrible got up the moment she heard Boq and Fiyero's footsteps down the hall. "I was expecting you," she said calmly as they stood in front of her cell. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Is there a reason for your strange request?" Fiyero asked coldly. She looked so old and fragile all of a sudden, not at all the powerful woman he remembered from their old days at Shiz. By the look in Boq's eyes, Fiyero guessed his friend was thinking the same thing.

"Yes, there is. I should have done it weeks ago, I guess." She paused, as if considering her next words.

"Go on," said Fiyero.

She hesitated, then slowly said, "I might know something about the man who took Elphaba." Fiyero and Boq exchanged a look, but said nothing as she went on. "There is someone who planned to revenge my imprisonment. He talked about killing her, yet I haven't heard from him in a long time."

"Does his name happen to be Luke, by any chance?" asked Fiyero, not at all curious.

Madam Morrible slowly nodded. "Exactly so."

"Great," he muttered. "Well, now tell me something I don't know."

"He is my son."

Fiyero gasped. Now that he wasn't expecting.

"I'll tell you again, I haven't heard from him in a long time. When your daughter was first taken I suspected his involvement, and when I heard about Elphaba, well, I couldn't be more certain. You must stop him."

"And how do you suggest we'll do that?" asked Fiyero.

"Let me out of here. Or at least," she added when she saw the expression on Fiyero's face. "Make him believe that I'm out of here. He'll go out from hiding. This is what he wants. I don't believe he killed her, not yet."

"It's been two months. Why did you wait all this time to tell us this?" asked Boq.

"Because I believed I'd be able to convince him not to hurt her, but now I realize I can't. I need your help. He mustn't hurt her, I can't explain that at the moment. Do as I say, make him believe that I'm out of prison. He will come then." Fiyero looked skeptical. "Trust me, young man."

"Why should I?" he asked. "You were unfaithful to us from the beginning. You could have told us weeks ago but you didn't, I don't care what your reasons were."

"I understand your hesitations. Do as you please, but I have one more piece of advice, if you care to listen to it." She looked at him seriously. "There is one person who might be able to convince Luke to bring Elphaba back."

"How can we contact him?" asked Boq.

"That is the problem exactly," she replied, a bit hesitantly.

"Why? Who is he?" asked Fiyero. Once again, her reply caught him off-guard.

"The Wizard."