Elphaba wasn't sure how long she had been crying before she heard a knock at the door.
"Go away!" she shouted "Leave me alone!" But whoever was at the door just kept knocking. "I said GO AWAY!" She heard the door unlock and slowly open.
"I-I'm s-sorry M-Miss" she heard a small female voice say "b-but I w-was o-ordered to h-help you c-clean up f-for t-tonight." Elphaba lifted her head and saw a young Munchkin girl carrying two small wooden boxes in one hand and a large thin box in another. She didn't look much older than twelve and Elphaba noticed that her clothes were old and torn and she was trembling from head to foot. Elphaba immeadiately felt guilty.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I've..just had a rough day. Come ahead in. I promise I won't hurt you." she said as she saw the girl looking at her with fear. Slowly the girl walked inside and shut the door.
"I-I was told to help you bathe a-and dress for d-dinner."
"Well, thank you, but I'm capable of doing it myself. I wouldn't want to trouble you."
"I-It's no trouble at all M-Miss." the girl said, calming down a little "A-After all,the Wizard himself told me to. H-He told me to make sure you were ready or else he would..." The girl looked down and mumbled something.
"Would what?" Elphaba asked.
"He said he would have me beaten."Why doesn't that surprise me Elphaba thought dryly.
"Well, in that case, I suppose we'de better get started then." she smiled at the young girl. The girl smiled back. "So, what's your name?"
"The Wizard calls me Sarah, Miss."
"Is that your real name?"
"No, Miss, but that is what the Wizard wants me to be called, so it might be better if I was called that."
"Alright, Sarah. But just out of curiosity, what is your real name?"
"It's Melena, Miss, but my mother calls me Naly." Elphaba looked at her thoughtfully.
"Melena, hmm? That was my mother's name. And, by the way, you can call me Elphie." Sarah curtsied slightly.
"Thank you, Miss Elphie." Sarah walked towards the bed to where Elphaba was sitting and put down the boxes. She opened the large one first. Inside was a long, black gown. It was simple but extremely elegant at the same time. "The Wizard requested that you wear this to dinner. And these, too." She opened the smaller wooden boxes and Elphaba let out a small gasp. Inside one of them was a beautiful diamond necklace with large green emeralds. In the other was an equally stunning diamond tiara. Elphaba noticed Sarah looking just as amazed at them. Elphaba's hand reached up to her neck and she felt the outline of the necklace Fiyero had given her under her neckpiece.
"I'll wear the dress " she said "but I'm not going to wear the jewelry . And don't worry," she said quickly as she saw Sarah's worried expression "I'll make sure the Wizard does not harm you. I promise." She put a reassuring hand on Sarah's shoulder. Sarah smiled.
"Well, I'll go make up your bath, then. Be back in a flash!" Elphaba grinned as Sarah hopped into the bathroom. She then looked sadly down at the tiara. It reminded her so much of Glinda, and the necklace she had on reminded her of Fiyero. She could feel tears threaten to fill her eyes again. After a few moments, Sarah came back in and Elphaba quickly wiped the tears away. "The bath is ready. You need any help or would you perfer to do it on your own?"
"I can do it." Elphaba said, getting up.
"Because" Sarah said after seeing Elphaba slightly confused expression "the Wizard said that I should be there to help in case anything happened." Elphaba groaned. He's treating me like I'm made out of glass. If he's like this now, I can only imagine what he'll be like after a few months.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." Elphaba assured her.
"Ok, then. I'll just stay here until you're done to help with you make-up and hair." Elphab snorted as she walked into the bathroom.
"You might be able to do something with my hair, but as for make-up, good-luck." She heard Sarah giggle as she shut the door. The bathroom was just as green as the rest of the rooms in the palace, but it was made out of smooth marble. Elphaba unclasped her necklace and slipped out of her clothes, layed them neatly in a pile near the door with the necklace on top,and climbed into the large bathtub in the middle of the floor. She sighed as she felt the warm water touch her skin, easing out some of the tension. Oh, if only Yero was here she thought sadly as she fingered her wedding band. After she washed, she climbed out and grabbed a towel. She rubbed off the excess water, wrapped the towel around her body, picked up her necklace,and opened the door. She saw Sarah huddled near the wall, cowering with fright. She looked up and saw the Wizard standing there with an angry look on his face. He turned to look at Elphaba. "What do you want?" she snarled "And couldn't it have waited till I was dressed?"
"Well" he said, trying to remain calm "I came up here to announce that dinner was ready and see how you were coming along. This little-slave girl tells me that you apparently have refused to wear the jewelry I so graciously have given you. Why, may I ask, do you refuse to where them?"
"Don't you dare call her a slave-girl! As for your question, I refuse to wear them because I wish to wear this necklace that my husband gave me. Is that such a horrible request?"she spat. She held up the necklace. The Wizard glared at it and held out his hand.
"Give it to me." he demanded. Elphaba brought her hand down quickly.
"What? No!"
"Give it to me now, Margaret!"
"My name is Elphaba." she said, testily.
"We've been through this, Margaret." he warned "Or need I remind you of what will happen if you don't obey me? Now, give it to me!" Elphaba looked towards Sarah and back at the Wizard.
"On one condition. You let Melena and whatever family she has go. Whenever they're ready!" she added remembering the last time she had tried that. The Wizard raised an eyebrow.
"Melena? Your mother?"
"No, the girl. The one you call Sarah."
"Absolutely out of the question! Her mother is my head chef, the best I have had in a long while. No, I will not let them go. Besides, you're in no position to make deals. I'm the one in control here, not you. Perhaps one day when you accept who you are, but not now. So," he strode over and grabbed the wristof the hand she was holding the necklace in "I don't want to have to tell you again Margaret, give me that necklace!" Elphaba clutched the towel tighter as he wrenched the necklace from her hand. His eyes then caught sight of her wedding band. "And that, too! As long as you're here, you're no longer married to that Winkie Prince scum!" He tried to take it off her, but she clenched her hand even tighter.
"No!" she cried, trying to yank away from his firm grip"Let go! Let go of me!" Elphaba saw Sarah's eyes widened at the scene before her.
"IF YOU DO NOT GIVE ME THIS RING THIS INSTANT, I'LL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TERMINATE HIM!"the Wizard yelled. At hearing this, Elphaba stopped struggling and slowly opened her hand, lowering her head in defeat. The Wizard pulled the ring off her finger and threw her hand down. He stuffed the trinkets in his pockets and cleared his throat. "That's better." he said "Now, after Sarah gets you ready, she'll lead you to the Banquet Hall. And you will wear the jewelry I gave you. Am I understood?" Elphaba didn't answer. She merely nodded her head. "Good. I'll see you shortly, Margaret." He leaned in and kissed the top of her head. He then turned and left, nearly slamming the door shut. Elphaba looked at her now bare finger. Her saddness turned to extreme anger. His words echoed in her thoughts: As long as you're here, you're no longer married to that Winkie Prince scum! What right did he have to claim that? None she thought none at all. No matter what he says, father or not, Fiyero is still my husband. So there's no reason to cry. She held back the tears that threatened to fall again and looked at the still very scared Sarah. She walked over to her and held out her hand to help her up. "I'm sorry you had to see that." she said "I told you I've had a rough day." Sarah nodded as she got up.
"Don't worry, I won't ask or tell anyone about this." she said "I know it's none of my business. Let's just get you ready. Ok, Miss Elphie?" Elphaba smiled gratefully at the young Munchkin and nodded in agreement.
(NOTE): Next time-the dinner! I know there's not much of Glinda and Fiyero, but it's for a reason. Just wait and see!