Here it is. Chapter 5. I think I'm almost done with this story; I was planning on making it more than how many chapters that'll end up actually being..but I guess that's what happens when you write eight pages per chapter, 'eh? Oh, please review. It makes me very Glinda-ish..which I'm totally not..I'm more Elphaba if you ask me..but anyways, enjoy :)

I sat in my dark corner, chewing on half-heartedly on my fingernails. I had no idea what month it was, what day it was, or what time it was, but I suppose that's what you get when you attempt assault and battery on the Wizard of Oz.

I haven't seen a human face in what seems like years, though it's probably been only a month or two. Yes, the only way I know that it's been over a month since I was thrown in this cell is because my belly is HUGE. You can't tell, because I'm still stuffed in that dress that Glinda gave me so many months ago, but it's there.

Lights went on around me, I gasped; I hadn't seen light in…let's just a while.

"What's up with the lights, people!"

"You have someone who wants to see you."

The guard who was speaking steps up to my cell, "Hello Gruelly." That was my nickname for him, since he was also the one I threw gruel at.

With a flourish of his arms, he said, "Lady Glinda." Then under his breath, "I can't imagine why she'd want to see you."

Glinda? I hadn't thought about Glinda in…a while, let's say, "Glinda?"

"Elphaba."

Glinda's voice was cold and mean, so un-Glindaish, "Why are you here?"

"I'd like to know the same with you." It was then that she noticed my stomach, "You weren't lying."

"No, I wouldn't lie about something like that." I looked away, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to see you."

"In jail? Please. Really, why are you here?"

"Elphie, you're my best friend, I wanted to see you."

"Well you've seen me, bye."

"Is that the way it's going to be then?"

"Glinda…"

"No. It was a stupid to come here in the first place. Goodbye Elphaba."

"Glinda."

"What?"

"I didn't kill Fiyero."

"Who says you did?"

"So you believe me?"

"I knew you wouldn't of killed him, Elphaba."

"But the Wizard…"

"What about the Wizard? And the stuff he put in the newspapers?"

"Please! I don't read the news!"

"Glinda, I'm sorry-"

"Don't be. I understand, besides, you were pregnant then, too, right? Let's pretend it was the hormones."

I heard a door slam at the left of me, then I heard two voices: the Wizard's and Tasi's. "Go! I don't want them to find you here with me!"

"No! Elphie, I came here to tell you something! I just figured it out, but the-"

"GO!" I pushed her hard through my cell and she ducked towards the right and out the door. Before she left, though, she mouthed something to me. I couldn't make out much, mostly just the word 'father'.

"Who was that?" asked Tasi, "She's pretty."

"Tasi!" The Wizard hit him with his elbow in his ribs."

"Ow!"

"That was nobody, for your information." I glared at the Wizard.

"It was Glinda, wasn't it?"

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her!"

The Wizard chuckled, "Don't worry, Miss Elphaba, Lady Glinda will not be harmed."

I looked over at Tasi, he wouldn't meet my eyes.

I heard yelling down the hall, screams, really, "Oh, what now? Tasi, go check on the prisoners in the west wing."

"Yes, sir."

Tasi walked back down the hall and I heard the door slam. There were muffled noises that sounded like shots, and then silence. I looked to the Wizard, "What was that?"

He shook his head, his eyes wide, "I don't know."

"What do you mean, you don't know?"

"I don't know!"

"Dammit man, this is your prison!"

He walked towards the door, I peering as far as I could out the bars. The Wizard peered through the little window in the door, then he paled, I could see it from where I was.

"What?" I asked softly.

He didn't answer me, he just slipped out the door. I sighed. So much for interesting.

I sat back down into my corner and fiddled with my hands, humming softly to myself and my baby. I felt a kick, and I laughed, "Does that mean you like my singing or you hate it?" I felt another kick, "I'll take that as an 'I like.'"

I ran my fingers through my dirty hair, still singing, nothing intelligible, just words: Maar ik geloofde altijd dat er ander materiaal dat op binnen uw hoofd gaat was, naast het materiaal u me vertelde. Ik had het gevoel uw mening en het hart sprak elkaar tegen.

I heard the door slam once more, and Tasi walked towards my 'cage'. He shoved a key in the lock and tried to turn it, but it wouldn't.

"Tasi, what are you doing?"

"I'm letting you out. I heard the Wizard talking with some guards, asking how killing Fiyero went."

"So you believe me?"

"When I hear someone talking like that, of course I believe it."

"But Tasi, where am I going to go? Everyone thinks that I'm a criminal, it's not safe for me or.." I pointed to my stomach.

"I know, that's why I'm coming with you."

"To where?"

"I don't know, as far away as we can. Through Munchkinland, possibly."

"Tasi, I used to live in Munchkinland, I'll be recognized for sure."

"Well, we're going as far away from Oz as we can, so it's only temporary."

"Where would farthest point from Oz be?"

"The Enchanted Isle of Yew."

I was getting a whole lot further without Sahlah right behind me, I was a day away from the Shifting Sands, which is where I would probably run into the most trouble, but then I would reach Munchkinland and I would practically be home free."

It was a windy day, so I let the wind blow my boat across the water as I munched thoughtfully on a cracker. I had been in Plenia almost eight months ago, it seemed like not nearly that long, but I could tell because of the season changes.

I hoped to reach Munchkinland before winter set in, because that would be the worst time to be in the Shifting Sands. I closed my eyes and leaned back on the boat, letting the sun hit my face. I sighed, I was so tired; I wouldn't let myself stop, which would probably end up killing me in the end..but I wasn't going to be a patient man and wait for Elphaba to escape. She probably would end up doing just that, the crazy woman, but I didn't want to wait.

I felt my boat stop. "Oh shit, please don't tell me.." It wasn't a sand bar like I thought..it was the the Shifting Sands..But how? I was at least a day away…Oh. Yea, the Shifting Sands. How could I have forgotten?

I got out of the boat and stepped mid-calf deep in sand, "Great." I muttered. I took one last look at the boat and began to trudge through the sand.

"How are we going to reach the Isle of Yew, Tasi? I'm pregnant, remember?"

"Yea…that's just a minor complication, but we'll figure it out. Oh yea, I have something for you."

Tasi reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, "What's this?" I asked when he handed it to me.

"Read it."

I opened the letter and gasped. It was from Sarima. Fiyero's Sarima!

Elphaba:

My name is Sarima; I don't believe you know me, but I was the wife of Fiyero Tiggular, the Arjiki prince. I have received a letter saying that you were not the murderer of my husband- and I have reason to believe that it is very credible- that the Wizard was. I'm trying at this very moment to prove your innocence.

Sarima

"What?" asked Tasi when he saw my face.

"It's from…from Sarima, Fiyero's widow. She's trying to clear my name. Somebody thinks I'm innocent!"

"Shh!"

"Sorry.." We were in a carriage on our way out of the Emerald City, the driver had no idea that I was a convicted criminal…not yet anyways, so I had to keep quiet.

I pulled the hood of my cloak even farther down my face and sunk back into my seat.

The driver turned around that moment and began to talk to Tasi, "Eh, you hear about that criminal, the green one? Murdering an Arjiki Prince like that. You know, he had three kids and a wife, and she killed him."

Well..he had four kids, but only Tasi, Glinda, the Wizard, and I knew that.

"Yes, it's a shame. But I heard that she might not be the murderer, she had an alibi, if I recall correctly."

I had an alibi, alright..

"Sure. She did it, though. I saw a picture of her when she first got in the slammer, she freaked me out, with those ugly pointed features and those weird eyes."

I had the urge to rip my cloak off and bite the driver right then and there..but I bit my lip and closed my eyes.

"I don't know, I saw her in the prison-"

"How? I'd like to see her and give her a piece of my mind."

"I used to work there. She seemed truly sad about his death."

"Yea, claimed she loved him, I heard."

"I think she did."

The driver finally turned around when we almost crashed into another carriage, and I looked at Tasi, "You have no idea how close I was to just..hitting him."

"I know. I could tell."

I ripped one of my sleeves off of my shirt and wrapped it around me face, trying to keep the blowing sand out of my eyes. It didn't do too much good, but it was better than nothing.

I coughed as a sand was blown into my mouth, from then on I kept my mouth shut. The Shifting Sands was about twenty-five miles long from what I'd heard, which meant it would take a possibly a week to get through, if it kept blowing like it was right now, that is. I couldn't stop even if I wanted to, for fear of being suffocated or buried alive if I fell asleep.

The wind died down and I was able to remove the sleeve from my eyes and squinted into the bright purple and orange light. All I could see for miles was flat land and sand. Good thing I just had to go straight for twenty more miles, because I'd get lost. I knew that for a fact.

I pulled a piece of bread from the little bag that Sahlah had let me keep, I stuffed it into my mouth hungrily. Man, I hadn't realized how hungry I was until just now.

The Shifting Sands went uneventful, really, no man-eating monsters and only a few sandstorms. It was nothing like I had expected, but then again, it was Sahlah who had installed these fears in my mind.

I reached the border between Munchkinland and the Shifting Sands in three days, probably a record, but I didn't care. I stepped onto Munchkinland soil, grateful for grass and not sand.

I walked a mile or two, but I was so tired..I sat down by a tree, emptied my shoes of sand, and fell asleep.

When I woke back up, I wasn't under a tree, like I had been when I fell asleep. I was under clean, white sheets. I sat up and shook my head. Sand covered the bed. Where was I?

I got up and walked out of the door, I was in a small house, probably just a cottage. "Hello?" I called softly.

An elderly man walked out from behind a corner, "Hello. Feeling better? You were looking ill when I found you outside on that tree."

"Yes, thanks, I didn't even notice me feeling sick..Who are you?"

"My name is Frexspar, but you can call me Frex."

Frex? That name sounded so familiar…like I'd heard it before, but where?

"Am I still in Munchkinland?"

"Yes. I took you in a little deeper than where you were, but you looked like you'd just come out of the Shifting Sands so I figured you were heading in."

"Yes, I was."

"Can I ask you why you were in the Shifting Sands? You could have been killed in there, not that that's any of my business."

"I came back looking for my..lover, I was dragged off to Plenia against my will so I was on my way back to the Emerald City. Do you have a newspaper I could see?"

"Yes." Frex handed me a newspaper off of an antique table.

"Thanks." OF course the headline was more Elphie: Murderer of Prince Fiyero Escapes was what the headline said, "Good going Elphie." I whispered to myself.

Frex heard me, "Elphie?"

"Yea, the green girl who was convicted of killing Fiyero. I think it's awesome she escaped."

He widened his eyes, "Why?"

"Because she didn't kill him."

"You believe that?"

"Of course I do. If it was true, I wouldn't be sitting here right now."

He didn't hear me or didn't care, "I never believed she would do something like that."

"Why?"

"She was my daughter."

I widened my eyes, "Your Fae's father?"

"Fae?"

"That's what…Yes, Fae."

He studied me for a minute, "You're Fiyero, aren't you?"

Softly, "Yes."

"Then who tried to kill you?"

"Take a guess."

He nodded, "I don't need to."

"She escaped. Now I just need to find her. I've still got this feeling…."

Frex looked at me like a crazy man, "She's your..?"

I smiled, "Yes. Appreciate the bed and paper, but I'm going after the Green Girl."

I felt better once I was on the road again, Munchkinland was pleasant enough to travel through…not so much sand. I was getting closer, Frex had said that he had taken me deeper into Munchkinland, so I had gotten even closer to the city while I was sleeping..or passed out or whatever.

I heard a rustle of bushes behind me, and I turned..Could the Gale Force…? "Who's there?"

There was no answer, so I turned around and kept going; shaking off the thought that someone was following me. I was so close now, nothing could ever bring me down!

Tasi paid the driver and helped me out of the carriage. It was the border between Munchkinland and the Emerald City, "Tasi..my father lives here and so does my sister..what if they sees me?"

"What? Would it be bad if they saw you?"

"Yes. They probably believes everything the Wizard tells them. They're gullible that way."

"You make them sound like they doesn't like you too much."

"They don't."

"That's horrible to say something like that."

I shrug, "It's true."

"Look, just keep the cloak over your face, and you'll be fine."

"Fine."

Tasi stepped over the border, but I stood still on the other side, "Oh come on!"

He steps behind me and pushes me across. I stand in Munchkinland, "I haven't been here in nearly six years, it's scary."

"Oh please, stop being so overly-dramatic."

He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me, "Let go! I'll walk, just let go."

With that, we began to walk into Munchkinland, "How far is it from her to Plenia? My feet hurt."

"Oh dear Oz."

"Leave me alone. I'm carrying at least five pounds of excess weight on me. My feet are bound to hurt."

"Yes, but you're being such a baby about it."

"Bite me."

"Someone's looking for you."

I turn around, "Who are you?"

"My name is Sahlah. There's someone looking for you."

I look at Tasi and he shrugs, "Well, what's his name?"

She smiled, it wasn't a pleasant smile, it sent chills down my back, "His name is Fiyero."

"You little bitch.." I walk towards her, but a wave of pain sent me to my knees.

"Elphaba?"

Tasi walks over to me, "Tasi, I think…" I felt more pain then darkness clouded over me.

When I woke up, I was in some forest.

"Welcome back, stranger." it was Tasi.

"What happened?" I asked groggily.

He nodded to a bundle on my chest. How could I not of noticed that? I opened my eyes wider.. "Meet your daughter, Elphaba."

I picked her up to look at her. Tears clouded my vision; she looked like Fiyero.

"What? You don't like her? You can't send her back."

"No, it's not that..she looks like Yero."

Tasi smiled, "What are you going to name her?"

"I don't know. I was thinking about Hasina..but that doesn't seem to fit her…what was that name you suggested to me, when I was in prison, Tasi?"

"Tale, it means-"

"Green. I know. Tale..Ta-lee.." I repeated it over and over to myself, "I like it. How about you?" I smiled at my baby, "Tale it is then."

It was then I saw that girl..the one who called her Shala, or something..Sahlah, I sat up, even though I was extremely tired, "You, you said something about Fiyero, what?"

She smiled that menacing smile again, I hugged Tale tight to my chest, "He's alive."

"You're really scaring me with that smile. You're a liar, I saw the blood. Fiyero isn't alive."

She shrugged, "Fine, don't believe me. After all, he could've died in the Shifting Sands."

"Go." I glared at her.

"Whatever, I'm on my way to the Emerald City. I have a duty to fulfill."

She walked off. Thank Oz, she was scaring me.

"Do you believe her? About Fiyero, I mean."

"How can I? You didn't see my place…you didn't get drenched in his blood."

"Did you see him die?"

"No..but-"

"Then he could still be alive."

"Tasi, please, don't. You're making this hurt more than it has to. Tale looks so much like Yero that it's scary."

"If Fiyero is alive, I'll find him for you. It's the least I can, tricking you like that."

"Tasi-"

"No. I'm not taking no for an answer, Fiyero, Prince of the Arjikis, will rise again."