Eh, I'm going to stop criticizing my writing skills now. I think it's making it worse. This chapter is the 120 page mark (WOW) lol, I didn't think I had the patience, or attention spa- I wasn't planning on posting this chapter(lette) today, but I had a pretty good day today so...yea (I jumped my horse over the rolltop for her first time, and because I love her so, I'm putting her in this chapter (:)

Oh, question. Have any of you been having trouble with lately? Just wondering cuz I sure have been.

Disclaimer: I don't own Wicked. I don't own Wizard of Oz. I also use Leo Tolstoy's character (name) of Frou-Frou. I doubt he'll care (since he's dead) but just in case...

For the first time in two days, the sun came out. As Fiyero was still sleeping, I snuck out of Kiamo Ko. I needed some time alone, some time to think.

Fiyero didn't want me to leave Kiamo Ko, he thought it was safe here. I had to leave, though, something inside of me told me that something was wrong Munchkinland, and that someone needed me.

I sighed and flopped myself down on the dew-frosted grass. Why was I able to feel everyone's pain? I carried the burden of Oz on my back, and I tried to do good, really I did. But something always went wrong, screwing up…..everything.

As I thought, I journeyed far away from Kiamo Ko, until I came to the small town of Luntook. It was almost noon, and people had journeyed from their homes in the warm weather…Oh crap! I had walked right into my own trap, I didn't think I should be seen in public, not with my…reputation. Who knew what other lies the Wizard had spread.

I ducked into a stable, hoping that no one had seen me.

I heard someone gasp, "It's that green girl! The one who killed Prince Fiyero!"

I turned around and faced a Horse. "Oh shit."

Another Horse stepped next to the first, her facial expression was different from the first Horse's though. "No," She said, not taking her bright chestnut eyes off of me. "You should really keep up with the times, Sky, she was framed. I thought I told you that."

The Horse called Sky flicked her ears back and forth, thinking. "Oh, yea."

"I'm Frou-Frou," said the second horse, the brave one. "And this is Sky." She said, tossing her head toward the first Horse.

I studied the Horses for a moment. The first horse, Sky, was shorter than Frou-Frou, with a much smaller frame. Her coat was a glossy dapple gray, with a long black mane to contrast. Her face was small and dished. Frou-Frou, was much bigger and much stockier, and I could tell that she was powerful by the way her muscles rippled under her dark bay coat.

"Nice to meet you." I said.

Sky stepped forward, her neck arched proudly. She stepped before me and held her right leg out. I laughed and shook it.

"Sorry about all that stuff I said. I've never been one for news and politics."

"She's a ditz." Said Frou-Frou, who had stepped next to Sky. She gently kicked out on of her back legs towards the gray, who jumped to the side.

"So tell us," said Sky, who was much calmer now. "Who really killed the Prince?"

"No one. He's still alive."

The Horses looked at each other. "I thought-" started Frou-Frou.

"He's at Kiamo Ko. Go there yourselves if you don't believe me."

"We believe you. We'll probably believe anything you tell, Elphaba-"

"How do you know my name?"

"I rather like the news." Replied Frou-Frou, swishing her black tail. "I've heard some of the people, mostly stable-hands, talking about you. They admire you greatly. A lot of people out here do, I think."

"They do?"

"Yes. The Princess Sarima made such a big thing out of clearing your name, I guess."

I gulped. Sarima. She probably hated me now. I couldn't blame her, of course. I was the lover of her husband, and he had left her for me. I didn't except anything but hate. "Sarima hates me now, though. I bet you didn't hear about that." I said, smiling bitterly.

"No. And it is none of my business. I know who you are, and what you've done for the Animal Banns, I need to know nothing more."

"I think you and I are going to be good friends, Frou-Frou."

"I doubt it." Replied Sky. "She doesn't trust anyone."

"Shut up, you old Broodmare."

They began to fight then, Frou-Frou rearing up, Sky bucking up in the air and landing gracefully on her feet. They reminded me of Glinda and I, in a way.

"Hey!" I called during their battle.

"What? Can't you see that we're busy?" Called Frou-Frou.

"Do you know if anyone is following me?" I asked. I doubted that two Horses would know, but why not?

Frou-Frou bucked irritably, then looked thoughtful. "I have heard of a girl called Dorothy. She arrived here in a house, landing on the Wicked Witch of the East-"

"Nessa." I whispered.

"What?"

"Nevermind. Go on."

"Anyways, she went to the Emerald City to talk to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz." (She said this bitterly) "And he ordered to kill the Wicked Witch of the East's sister in order for this Dorothy girl to go back to….Kansas? I think. Is that what you're looking for?"

"Nessa was my sister." I murmured. "She was the Wicked Witch of the East…Do you know if they're coming to Kiamo Ko?"

Frou-Frou shook her head. "No. Though I suppose we'll find out soon enough, eh?"

I scratched Frou-Frou behind the ears, and Sky under the chin, instinctively knowing where they liked to touched. "Thanks, both of you. You've been a big help to me. You think it's safe for me to walk around Luntook, though, right?"

"Yes..well no…You have right many fans in this part of the Vinkus, Miss Elphaba."

"Ah, I'll be right. As long as they don't mug me."

Frou-Frou looked at Sky. "Maybe it'd be better if I took you to Kiamo Ko."

I thought for a moment. "I'm not going to Kiamo Ko. Not yet."

"Oh? Then where are you going?"

"I'm going to Munchkinland."

Frou-Frou thought for a moment. "I guess I can take you there too."

"You don't have to."

"I feel like I have to, Miss Elphaba." She replied. She walked over to a bale of hay, and stood next to it. "Come on." She nodded toward the hay, motioning for me to climb onto her back.

I complied and I adjusted myself until I found a comfortable spot. She snatched a mouthful of hay then began a high-stepping prance. I grabbed at her mane, trying to stay on. "Hey, try not to pull any of that out. I got that done just yesterday." I felt her move into a more rocking gait, and I sat back, enjoying the feel of the wind on my face.

"So," She said, moving into a walk after we were safely out of Luntook. "Why are you going to Munchkinland? If I may ask."

Are all Horses so polite? I mused. "I don't know. Something inside of me tells me to. I've had this discussion twice already and I'm still not too sure about the answer. I know that I need to visit my sister's grave, I wasn't able to see in the few years between Shiz and her..demise. I also want to have a civil discussion with my…Frex."

"Frex?"

"He's my…Gee, I'm not sure what he is. He's not my father, though I believed so until recently. So I guess he's my step-father. I've never really had any real relationship with him, other than his religious object to show off..well, not show off. Whatever you want to call it. He always made me tend to my sister, I was more slave than sibling."

"Sounds complicated."

"It was."

"Ah, the times are hard on us Animals with all the Banns, but it's when I hear stories like yours that I'm glad I'm a Horse and not a human."

"Gee, thanks." I said dryly.

"You're welcome."

"Frou-Frou, what will happen when they discover you're gone?"

"Oh, I don't know. I suppose they'll put out a search for me, and they'll arrest anyone they're suspicious of."

"Suspicious of what?"

"Of taking me. I'm Luntook's prize war Horse."

"Sweet Oz, I'm a felon."

(Since when did that stop you)

"Nah, I came voluntarily."

"So?"

"I'm a Horse, not a horse, remember? I can tell them that."

"Oh yea, I was having a Glinda moment."

"I don't think I want to know."

"Believe me, you don't."

"So, what will happen when your posse discovers you're gone, Miss Elphaba?"

I thought. What would happen? "I don't know. Fiyero knew I wanted to go, so I guess he'll know…"

She nodded. "Now I think I'm getting at what you meant by Sarima hating you."

"I'm the lovelorn flame of a married man." I said dryly.

"What an interesting title to hold."

"Yes, and I'm damn proud of it."

When I woke the next morning, I wasn't surprised to see Elphaba gone. I sighed and sat up. As much as I loved her, I had to admit that living her was posing quite a challenge. I was up for it, though.

I knew she'd be back. Something in my heart told me that she hadn't left for good, and would come back as soon as she did what she had to do. Whatever that was.

I knew she was safe, wherever she was. We shared a bond, Elphaba and I; a bond stronger than anything in Oz. Despite knowing that she was safe, and that she was coming back, my heart went out to her. I wanted -no, needed- Elphaba by my side; a few hours apart had drawn me to that conclusion.

I stood and walked to the window, looking out over the Vinkus. It dawned on me then that the Arnicas a mile farer than Kiamo Ko didn't know I was alive. I counted the cities on my fingers: Cheema, Luntook, Kabem, and Pulamoo. What kind of prince was I? I asked myself. A right bad one, I realized.

Why did Elphaba have to be so damn brave?

(Genetics)

I was worried about her, I admit; I didn't know how much of a threat those people posed to her, but I knew that they were a threat. I'd kill them if they ever so much as laid a hand on Fae.

"So," I said as I slid off of Frou-Frou's back, "how long will this take? I've got…some people waiting for me back in the Vinkus."

Frou-Frou dropped to the ground and rolled over. I watched as she stood and shook the grass off of her dark coat. "Oh, I don't know. We'll rest here for tonight, we'll get an early start tomorrow, and we should be there in a few days. I go rather quickly," she said, matter-of-factly. "Then you'll do your business and I'll bring you back. Make an educated guess."

"I dropped out of college." I said dryly.

"So? I've never had a day of schooling in my life. You humans underestimate yourselves. It's very obnoxious."

"You're right."

"I know."

I shook my head and leaned against a tree. So much for that bed back in Kiamo Ko. You didn't appreciate something until it was gone, I supposed. I watched Frou-Frou as she grazed on the few clumps of grass, thinking. "You should get some sleep, you know. You humans waste over half of your life sleeping, but I've seen you when you don't get it. Sleep."

As if entranced by her words, I fell asleep immediately.

They were getting closer to where I wanted them. I could feel it in my bones. Elphaba, that bitch of a daughter that I never wanted, would be dead soon enough.

As I thought this, I felt a small stab of pain in my heart. Remorse? Even though she hated me beyond belief and I hated her too, I loved her all the same. She was my daughter, my own flesh and blood. I loved her. I hated her. I had to kill her.

Review for more, my pretties :)

Li