Note: I am coming to the end of this fic. I hope you continue to review. I promise I have another story already in the works. It will not be a Wicked one, however. Happy reading!
Elphaba had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. Tibbett was a mere fragment of his former self. His ailment was taking a terrible toll on his body. The exuberance of his soul, however, had yet to waver.
He was placed in the east wing under Elphaba's care. She was glad for the veil that covered most of her face. It would be difficult for Tibbett to identify her. She figured he was too sick to notice anyway. She was completely wrong. Tibbett recognized her almost immediately.
"As I live and breathe, is that you Elphaba?"
She averted her eyes and continued her ministrations.
"Don't look away from me, Elphie. It is you! Miss Elphaba Thropp Third Descending if I remember the nomenclature correctly. I haven't heard about you since you pulled your disappearing act back when we were freshies at Shiz. Put us in a right state that day, you did! Poor Glinda, she was inconsolable. She barely ate for weeks."
Elphaba felt a tug on her heart. Glinda had been that distraught over her absence? Elphaba had expected Glinda to find some other person to attach herself to; the likes of Pfannee or Shenshen would have suited. Elphaba looked Tibbett in the eye.
"How is she now?"
Tibbett smiled at her. "I knew you'd come around if I mentioned Glinda. She is back to her old self. She's married to a lord, Sir Windbag or something of that ilk. I heard she and Crope ran into Fiyero not too long ago. Shame about him. He was a fine lad. Handsome too. Crope and I loved to ogle him."
Elphaba became guarded lest she give her past with Fiyero away. She was surprised that he never mentioned his encounter with Glinda to her. In all fairness, there were things she hadn't told him as well.
"What have you heard concerning his…disappearance?" she asked.
"There have been many different stories circulating, even after all this time. There is one that has been widely accepted."
Elphaba leaned in, anxious to learn.
"Many people believe he was involved in a plot against the Wizard. Somehow it was discovered, and he was done away with."
"More like he was involved with a conspirator," thought Elphaba. "I was never one for gossip, but I don't believe that. Unless he changed drastically when I left Shiz, he didn't seem the type," she said aloud.
Tibbett chuckled a little, inducing a coughing fit. When it subsided a few minutes later he said, "We've all changed since then. Who knows what he was really capable of? You have changed the most, my dear Elphaba. You used to be such an advocate for old Dr. Dillamond's research. You forced us all to think about our world, our lives, even ourselves to an extent. Now you have succumbed to a life of mundane sameness. You move about this ward as a machine would, precise and predictable. What happened to that fire and energy you used to possess? You have lost sight of yourself. Why?"
Tibbett's words stunned her. He was right, of course. She was never one to follow a continuous daily pattern. She hated structure and being subordinate. This was a self-inflicted punishment for all of her failings thus far.
"I have set out to accomplish many things in my life. Unfortunately, I have yet to be successful in my endeavors. There have been…casualties as a result. This is my penance," she said, referring to her mauntish robes.
"No one is denied forgiveness, Elphaba. Even I, who have seen many friends distance themselves from me, do not hold grudges for long. Whatever it is that angers you, let it go. Forgive yourself."
Tibbett's breathing was becoming labored now. Elphaba knew it was time for him to rest.
"I think that's enough catching up for today. You need your strength. We will talk more tomorrow."
There was an odd tightness in her throat. She had been moved by Tibbett's words though she didn't believe they applied to her. She needed to leave and check on Liir before she lost her resolve in Tibbett's sagely presence.