Glinda lay in her bed, unable to sleep even though she was very tired. She had gotten ready for bed in record time and come back in to check on Elphie, who was breathing evenly and sleeping soundly. She kissed her gently on the cheek and crawled into her own bed.
She wasn't sure when she drifted off, but awoke at the sound of Elphie groaning. She walked quickly over to cheek, but she had already calmed. "Please", she prayed silently" No pain for Elphie- no nightmares-just sleep". She went back to her own bed and drifted off. When she awoke again she saw dim sunlight in the window and heard Elphie crying out and thrashing in her sleep "She went over to her bed and crawled in beside her, just as Elphie had done with her so many times. She gently wrapped her arms around her agitated friend and whispered softly in her ear. "It's ok my love. It's a dream- no more. Shhhhhhh. It's Ok you're safe. It's a dream. Come back to me" She continued to whisper those words in Elphie's ear, and held her close- till at last she settled down.
Elphaba was surrounded by darkness- dodging hands that tried to grab her-pain shooting through her. From far away she heard a soft voice "dream" She ran, hitting wildly at nothing. "It's ok my love" Pain everywhere. "You're safe" Soft murmurings. She felt a familiar embrace- heard the soft comforting words, and it all went away.
Glinda awoke with a start, nearly falling out of Elphie's bed. Elphaba had tensed and was clutching wildly at the sheets. "No, No " she cried over and over, tears starting to run down her face. Glinda quickly dried them with sleeve of her nightdress and gathered a shaking, frantic Elphie into her arms. "Elphaba, wake up- It's ok- you are dreaming" She was frightened. "Elphie It's ok I'm here. She hugged her tightly "Elphie wake up. The terrified sleeping girl shot bolt upright screaming, crying. Glinda hung onto her 'til she regained her balance. Although Elphie seemed to be awake she hit at Glinda, green fists thrashing wildly. Glinda grabbed her arms and held them, "Elphaba Thropp, wake up this instant!" she said with a quivering voice "It's ok" Elphie stilled, breathing rapidly, unable to focus, she stared at Glinda until recognition came "Oh Glinda" she cried pathetically.
Glinda grabbed Elphie and hugged her tightly-ignoring the bruises for now. "It's over Elphie, it was a dream."
Elphie trembled in her arms crying softly for a long time. Glinda held her and rocked her gently- whispering in her ear, stroking her hair. Elphie finally disengaged from Glinda and lay on her side facing away from the girl who had just held her so tightly. Glinda curled up behind her putting her arms around her, Elphie tried to pull away, "Glinda, Please- it's to much- I can't" Her voice cracked her body tensed. Glinda held tighter "Whatever it is Elphie- It's ok. I'm here, you are safe now". She stroked the raven hair. At last Elphie spoke-quietly "That's never happened to me- I never dream- and…" "she gulped I've never been this scared, or needed someone like this. I can't bear it" "My precious Elphie, my love" Glinda spoke softly, soothingly, but with strength. "You can bear this. You are the strongest person I know, but you have been through a terrible ordeal, and it is ok to feel it, be scared, angry- vulnerable. "No-no more- I can't " Elphaba cried "You can, We can Elphie, I'm here for you, you don't have to bear this alone. I love you Elphie, really love you and I need you" She was crying softly now. "It's ok to need me, I won't hurt you, I won't leave, let me give you strength. " She hugged her close and kissed her softly. Elphie spoke in a whisper "I don't know how do what you say. What if I can't need you, What if I can't accept you're strength? What…" Glinda stopped her by gently rolling her over so they could face each other.
She saw the marks that tears had left on her beautiful green face. Glinda kissed the burn marks gently and reached back for a tube of analgesic ointment on the nightstand and rubbed some gently on the burns. "What nothing" she said looking into the painfilled eyes. "Non of this is going to easy for you Elphaba. If you have trouble with emotions, if you are scared, if you feel confused or alone, that just makes you human. We will deal with this as you are able-but WE will deal with it. I'm yours. "You seem so sure about all of this" Why? Elphie asked reaching for Glinda's hands" "I have never been more sure of anything in my life" Glinda spoke with an authority she was trying to feel, and she kissed Elphie's fingers. "And I'm sure because I trust you, and I know you. So I know that all these emotions seem unbearable to you now. But you need to trust me, if you can't manage anything else that is ok. I understand. But trust me when I say you will get through this. - I love you and will do anything I have to. " The green girl was relaxing slightly –or maybe it was resignation "What have I to offer you? My precious Glinda. How can I give you what I don't understand" "What you are- who you are right now is all I need, It is all I have ever needed. I ask for no more, only that you try to trust me" Glinda felt tears on her hand. "Elphie" she said lightly " I know crying is a novelty for you, but please try and stop, We are almost out of analgesic cream." Elphie chuckled and snuggled in closer. Glinda held her, and stroked her hair, and whispered words of encouragement in her ear until the both feel in to a deep untroubled sleep. It was late morning before they awoke.