Glinda's parent's chatted while waiting for the girls to arrive.
"She seems nice, and she obviously cares for our Galinda" Mrs. Upland said
"Well, She's got Galinda's seal of approval so…"
"Popsicle" Glinda chirped as she ran into the solarium and into her father's arms
"Hello Galinda my darling" He said kissing her cheek "Welcome home"
"Popsicle, This is Elphaba."
He took Elphaba's hands "I'm so happy to finally meet you Elphaba"
"Likewise Mr. Upland" Elphie said
"You two must be very tired and hungry, especially after having Byjon sprung on you so soon after your arrival" He said pulling out chairs for them and getting them settled.
"I'm starved" Glinda said "And Byjon was a wonderful surprise"
"Our Byjon is quite a character Isn't he Elphaba?"
"That he is Mr. Upland, that he is" She chuckled
Cook came in looking a little distressed and whispered something in Mrs. Upland's ear.
"Oh dear. Elphaba, Cook says that the cider was not due to arrive until Saturday, when you were originally scheduled to."
"Would milk be ok with your lunch Miss Elphaba?" She said worriedly
"Milk would be perfect, Thank you" Elphie smiled warmly at the woman and she hurried off.
"Elphie," Glinda said "The cider you like is not common here in Gillkin, Popsicle ordered some special."
"Mr. Upland that was unnecessary"
"Nonsense dear" Mrs. Upland said "This is your home for the next two weeks and we want you to be comfortable and enjoy yourself- whatever you need or want, just ask"
"I'm grateful Mrs. Upland- really"
"Speaking of comfortable, your package arrived from the apothecary- Oils I believe. Sargy put them in your bathroom while you were in with Byjon. Please tell her if you require anything else. I mean that Elphaba, this is your house too."
"I am accustoming my self to that notion, and I will."
"Good- Galinda I'm sure will hold you to that"
"I'm sure she will too" Elphie glanced at her obviously delighted friend, smiling.
Cook and her helpers came in with trays of food and drinks, Water for the Uplands, milk for Elphaba. She placed salads in front of everyone and spread out an array of sandwiches on the table.
"Dig in everyone" Mr. Upland, said. "Now Galinda, please tell us what brought you home early?
"Well, It is rather unpleasant. There was some trouble on campus, someone set off some small explosions in the windows of one of the buildings"
"Sweet Oz" Mrs. Upland gasped "was anyone hurt?"
"Yes, there were lot's of minor injuries- I was hurt too." She lifted the hem of her dress and showed her parents her scraped up knees and the small cuts on her legs. "But not badly- an instructor was right there and he carried me to the dispensary"
Elphie had wondered how Glinda had gotten to the dispensary.
"Oh my dear, I'm so sorry, I know how frightened you get when you're alone at times like that"
"Oh but I wasn't- not for very long, Elphie showed up and stayed with me the whole time- Elphie you never told me how you found out- or if you did I don't remember."
"Master Norven, our dorm porter" She added for Glinda's parent's benefit. "Saw me coming to meet you for lunch and told me you were hurt- I ran all the way there."
"I was so scared until Elphie got there, She talked to me and held me the whole time that mean nurse was hurting me." She laughed and took Elphie's hand.
"Oh my, Elphaba what an absolutely wonderful thing to do." Mrs. Upland gushed "I'm so glad she wasn't alone"
""I'm glad I could be there for her too, she means a great deal to me" Elphie admitted in an uncharacteristic display that not only surprised her, but Glinda as well
"And guess what" She said very proudly "I had to get two shots and I got them without fainting"
"Galinda- that's wonderful" Her parents chimed in together
"But how? We've never been able to manage it before." Her father said
"Elphie held me and hid my face, and talked to me."
"She was very brave" Elphie volunteered
"But I did cry" Glinda said rather sheepishly
Her mother got up and held her tightly, crying softly
"Oh I'm so glad you are all right and home now, what an awful ordeal. How did you manage to change your travel arrangements so quickly"
They explained about the note from the administration, and Elphie enlisting the help of Norven, even about the relaxing soak in the tub, to distract her.
"…And here we are"
"And you are sure you are not more seriously injured?" Her father asked
"I'm sure- I was very lucky"
Everyone nodded in agreement
They ate and talked a little more about the incident and about the girl's train trip, Mr. Upland told funny stories about his work. Glinda and her parents laughed and teased, just like families reunited tend to do.
Elphie was relaxing. Cook bustled in to refill glasses and remove salad plates and sandwich platters,
"Miss Elphaba" Cook said "If I may ask, do you have any food allergies, or sensitivities I should be aware of?"
"No ma'am, not really- although I don't eat thin soup or broth"
"Oh of course not- Thank you Miss Elphaba"
"Thank you for inquiring" Elphie said sincerely.
Cook hurried away looking pleased. Glinda beamed and The Uplands nodded in approval.
"So what do you have planned this afternoon girls?" Mr. Upland asked lighting his pipe
"Actually, if it is ok with you, Elphie and I would like to relax, settle in, maybe even nap until dinner time."
"That's fine with us dears, I'm sure you are tired from your trip, seeing as it was so sudden, and being inundated with Byjon this morning I'm sure didn't help. So I shall see you both are undisturbed until dinner- we will dine casually this evening,"
Glinda got up and kissed her parents.
"Elphaba, may we have a moment with Galinda, please"
"Of course, I'll see you upstairs Glinda- Thank you for you hospitality Mr. and Mrs. Upland" She left the solarium, hoping she could find her way back to her room.
Glinda sat back down "Is anything wrong?" She asked worriedly
"Oh no dear, not at all- we just wanted to tell you that we are quite taken with your Elphaba. She seems very devoted to you."
"Oh Momsie, Popsicle- I knew you'd love her!" Glinda was thrilled
"It's good to see you so happy, frankly we were concerned, knowing you two didn't get along, and you are so very different"
"I know- we've talked about that a lot, and we've been growing closer- very close in fact. She really is the best friend I've ever had"
"We can see that dear, and we are delighted- young ladies away from home need a trusted confidant. She does seem to care about you, doesn't she?"
"She does mom, more than you know- Thank you for inviting her- we needed a break from school- we both needed to get away. "
"I'm glad she came- and Galinda please make sure she has what she needs- you know her."
"I fully intend to, whether she consents or not" She laughed and kissed her parents "We'll see you at dinner"
"Relax well dearest."
Glinda skipped up to her room, happy- elated that her parents liked Elphie so much.
She saw her friends door open, and peeked in. Elphie wasn't there.
"Elphie?" she called
"In here my sweet" Elphie called from Glinda's room.
"What are you doing in here?" She said seeing Elphie folded up on her sofa with a book.
"Do you mind? I wanted to make sure I caught you when you came up"
"I don't mind in the slightest- you know that. Is something wrong?"
"No, not at all- is everything alright with your parents? I haven't offended them already have I?"
Glinda flopped on the sofa beside Elphie. "Not at all my love, just the opposite in fact- they told me they are quite taken with you" She kicked off her shoes and stockings wiggling her liberated toes and leaning back.
"Glinda, be serious"
"I am Elphaba, they adore you- they are absolutely delighted that you came- and so am I."
Elphie shook her head and laughed
"Elphie, listen to me- I know that this is not the family life you are used to- but it is the one I am used to. I want you to be a part of it. I want you to be at home here Elphie, and my parent's want that as well. I want this to be your home; I want to create memories we can laugh about on dreary days at school- Private jokes we share with my parents."
"I think I can like it here Lyndie I really do- Everyone has tried to make me feel comfortable- except maybe Byjon, but I'll overlook that"
Glinda giggled.
"Not only am I unused to the warmth your parents and you share, I am very unused to being fussed over and catered to by maids, cooks and the like. All this will take some getting used to. But I feel safe here"
"I'm so happy Elphie, as I said we need to be as far removed from Shiz as we can be for awhile. We can talk more later, if you want some alone time. "
"Oh but my sweet, I have it- I didn't mean alone from you. I meant alone from everything else, just so I can get my bearings, If that is ok with you. But I can go back to my own room, if you wish" She started to get up, but Glinda pulled her down.
"Elphaba Thropp don't you dare"
"I'm used to alone time with you around and I'm beginning to prefer it, as odd as that sounds"
"Oh Elphie" She hugged her roommate "But I want you to know, I won't be angry or pout or anything if you ever need to retreat to your own room, or banish me to mine. I mean even at school you get to be by yourself sometimes"
"I know my sweet, but that is at school, this is home." She smiled at her delighted best friend.
They settled in on the couch, Glinda put herself in Elphie's arms and they sat together for awhile.
"Do you remember what we talked about before we left?" Elphie said breaking their comfortable silence
Glinda blushed slightly "Of course"
"Well, Now that we are away from all we've ever known as friends, I think we are going to learn to relate in new ways. We were very insulated at school, but now we will have new experiences. Not just classes, shopping and pubs, And without dispensaries, alleyways or blown out windows."
"I am glad to be home" Glinda sighed. "All that seems far away already."
"We have so much to learn about each other- So many new situations to experience. Seeing you interact with your parents, for just this short time has been very enlightening for me. - We have two new weeks to be best friends and …whatever else we are. - Let's see what that means in the world outside of Shiz."
"Seeing you interact with my parents has amused me as well"
"I said enlightening" Elphie chuckled
"Tomato, tomahto" Glinda giggled
Glinda got up and fetched some pillows and a coverlet from her bed. She gave a pillow to Elphie, and then she stretched out with her head on the armrest and her feet on a pillow on Elphie's lap.
"Comfortable?" Elphie asked looking amused
"Very" she said wiggling her toes
Elphie picked up a small foot and rubbed it gently. Glinda closed her eyes and sighed
"That feels good Elphie- thank you"
"Take a nap if you wish my sweet"
"I think I will- you should too- you didn't sleep on the train at all did you?"
"Not really- I may sleep some later"
She started to sing softly and Glinda smiled. Within a few minutes the small blonde was asleep. Elphie put down the foot, picked up her book, put on her glasses and settled in, comfortable and content to read.
After about an hour, Elphie heard some low rumbles of thunder in the distance. She glanced over at Glinda, who was snoring softly, unaware. Elphie went back to her book, but as the storm got louder, Glinda stirred waking slightly. Elphie took the opportunity to take her by the arms and shift her around so they were curled up together and Elphie could hold her. Before she could wake completely and become alarmed Elphie started to sing softly in her ear. The storm grew louder, but soothed by Elphaba's voice Glinda never woke.
Mrs. Upland, thinking the girls had retired to their separate rooms to nap- went to check on her daughter when the storm blew in. She opened the door, but did not see her daughter on her bed she walked in a little and heard singing. She saw Elphaba, arms around her sleeping daughter, singing her through the storm. She smiled and left quietly.
After the storm passed Elphaba feel asleep too. Two or so hours later Glinda woke. It took her a beat to figure out she was in a different position, and so was Elphie. Not that she cared. She snuggled, happily against Elphie for a while then got up carefully, so as not to wake her and tiptoed to the bathroom, cleaned up quickly and changed. When she came out, Elphie had stretched out- but was still asleep. She sat in a chair near the sofa and watched the sleeping green girl, a habit she developed when Elphie was having nightmares.
As she watched Elphie sleep, she couldn't believe how much she loved that mean green thing.
Glinda tiptoed out to the hall to look for Sargy, or her mom. Sargy came around the corner.
"Sargy, would you please ask my mother to come to my room?"
"Certainly Miss Galinda"
Glinda went back to sit with Elphie and was lost in thought when her mother came in
"Darling you…."
Glinda got up quickly and walked to the door.
"Shhhh. Elphie is sleeping- let's go into the hall."
"Did you need something dear?"
"I just wanted to hug you, tell you I love you and find out what time dinner is."
"Galinda I do miss having you around the house. Dinner will be around seven, Is that Ok?"
"Fine, It's only mid- afternoon now. Are you upset with me because I haven't spent more time with you?"
"No, not at all my darling- it's your first day, you've had a trying time- I think helping Elphaba get settled and comfortable is good for you. We will have time."
"I love you- I'm glad I'm home" She hugged her mother
"I love you also my precious girl- now go back to your friend, before she wakes"
"See you at dinner."
She went back in and sat down. She let her thoughts wonder around all the things she wanted to do with Elphie while they were here. She also thought about their relationship, the possibilities were thrilling, and a little daunting, but she allowed herself to imagine. She had no idea how long she had been reveling in her fantasy, when she heard Elphie stir. She smiled as she watched those marvelous gangly green limbs stretch out.
"Glinda?"
"Right here my love"
Elphie sat up and smiled "How long have you been up?"
"An hour or so. Did you have a good nap?" She went over and cuddled up with her love.
"I did- I feel a little better now."
"Me too"
"To what do I owe the cuddles?" Elphie asked "Not that I mind"
"Do I need a reason? I'm in love with you."
"You never need a reason, my sweet, these arms are yours whenever you desire."
"Elphie, I know you prefer to do the holding, as opposed to being held, and I like being in your arms more than anything, Just out of curiosity, is there anything else you like?"
"I see you caught on to my little ploy" she chuckled. "Actually, there is. I like it when you play with my fingers. And I like feeling you in my arms."
Glinda sat up, she turned to and pressed her lips to Elphie's soft green tinged ones. She gave her a lingering, but still somewhat chaste kiss. Elphie responded by wrapping her arms around her waist.
"I think I like that too" Elphie said when they parted
"Me too'
Glinda snuggled against Elphie's chest and intertwined her fingers with the hands that were holding her and played with the long fingers.
"We have a few hours until dinner, Elphie- I thought maybe sometime before we went down, I could give you a tour of the house."
"That sounds like fun. This place is like a small town compared to what I know"
Glinda giggled "Uplandburg- home of Princess Galinda"
"All hail her royal perkiness!" Elphie laughed and squeezed her friend
Glinda got up "Come, I command you my love, I shall escort you on a tour of my kingdom." She giggled uncontrollably
"I have no choice but to obey, as I am hopelessly wrapped around your royal finger" she bowed deeply and joined in on the giggles.
The walked hand in hand around the second floor, Glinda showing her the other two guestrooms and Sargy's suite. Then they went to the opposite end of the hall to see her parent's bedroom and parlor and her father's study.
Her mother was in her parlor, writing letters.
"Hi mom" Glinda went over and kissed her mother
"Hello Mrs. Upland" Elphie said.
"Hello girls, did you have nice naps"
They both nodded
"I'm giving Elphie a tour of my kingdom.. Uh the house" She started giggling again and Elphie chuckled
"Oh that's a wonderful idea. Continue on and when I have finished my correspondence I shall join you."
"Goody" Glinda clapped and wriggled looking very pleased. Elphie smiled.
"Momsie, do think daddy would mind if I showed Elphie his study?"
"Not at all dear, go right ahead. - Enjoy your tour Elphaba"
"I am already" She laughed "Your daughter is a very enthusiastic tour guide"
Glinda curtsied "I aim to please"
All three women laughed, Glinda took Elphie's hand and they headed out to the study.
"See you soon mom"
"I love my father's study, but rarely go in without permission, it's his private sanctum"
"I feel honored," Elphie said "This room is wonderful," She said looking around.
"I know- it smells like my father's pipe. When I was young- sometimes he would let me play in here while he worked. Every now and then, my dolls and I would sit around this table and have tea parties. Popsicle would always stop, no matter how busy he was, and join us" She smiled at the memory
"What a lovely memory Glinda" She looked at her love, who resembled a little girl at that moment.
"I am very lucky- I have parents who dote on me, and the girl I love wrapped around my finger, if only while in Uplandburg."
She kissed Elphie gently and chuckled "Shall we continue our tour?"
"As you wish, my sweet" She wrapped one long green finger around one of Glinda's dainty ones. "As you wish"
They continued the tour downstairs with Glinda showing Elphie all of the, as she called them, boring formal rooms, then they headed off to the kitchen.
"Mmmmm, Dinner smells divine, I wonder what Cook fixed?"
"Whatever it is, I'm sure it will be delicious" Elphie commented
"Hello Cook" Glinda said, "Dinner smells yummy"
She took the lid off of one of the pots. "Can I have a taste?" Cook lightly smacked her hand away.
"Miss Galinda, really, you know better than that" She threatened her with a big serving spoon, grinning from ear to ear.
"Now out of my kitchen the two of you, or no dinner"
Glinda pouted and Cook relented holding out a plate of still warm cookies.
"One each" she said with mock severity "Then be off with you"
The girls took their cookies, Glinda enjoying the little drama
"Thank you Cook" she smiled sweetly.
Cook humphed and waved her spoon at Glinda, but winked at Elphie.
They left the kitchen, Glinda giggling and nibbling her cookie.
"You have obviously done that little play before" Elphie said enjoying every moment of Glinda's delight
"All the time" She grinned "Eat your cookie. Cook makes the best."
Elphie nibbled her cookie as they walked down the hall.
I saved the room I thought you'd like the best until last" as they arrived at a closed door. "The library"
The room startled Elphie. Floor to ceiling bookshelves, loaded with books, A very large fireplace, large comfortable sofa's and chairs and other elegant furnishings.
"Wow"
"I'm glad you approve Glinda chuckled.
Elphie went over to survey the bookshelves becoming lost in the titles
"… Were my grandfather's"
"What? I'm sorry my sweet I was lost in thought" Elphie said still marveling at all the books.
Glinda laughed "I said my father inherited the majority of these books from my grandfather"
"Oh here you are girls"
"Hi Momsie"
"Hello Mrs. Upland, I was just admiring your lovely library"
"Elphie is an avid reader," Glinda said
"How wonderful, Well Elphaba dear feel free to take whatever volumes you like up to your room, whenever you wish."
"Thank you Mrs. Upland, that is very kind of you and I will."
Glinda once again was beaming.
"You are most welcome dear- Did you girls finish your tour?"
"Yes we did and now I'm starving- Cook tossed us out of the kitchen" Glinda pouted
"Yes I heard" Her mom laughed " She has missed you too, I try to pester her every so often, but it's not the same"
Elphie laughed out loud in spite of herself "It seems I'm not the only one around here that's wrapped around your royal finger"
Glinda's mom looked highly amused. And Glinda just smiled demurely.
"Dinner is in half an hour girls, why don't you go and wash up- or whatever term you use Elphaba, I'm sorry"
"Please don't be- wash up is appropriate- I just use oils instead of water." Elphaba said reassuringly.
"Fine then, I'll see you in the dining room" She kissed her daughter and took Elphie's hands.
The girls went to their separate rooms and cleaned up. Glinda went over to Elphie's when she was finished
"Ready when ever you are," She said sitting down
Elphie emerged changed with her hair up in a bun.
"Oh Elphie why do you do that- your hair" she used her hands and made a bun like motion on top of her head and pouted.
"My hair is in need of a good cleaning- I shall attend to that tonight and tomorrow, I'll keep it down- or at least in a pony tail. So stop pouting. Please"
"Fine" Glinda, said unhappily "I just love your hair, It is the first thing I admired about you."
Elphie sighed, but smiled "Maybe now isn't the time to tell you I was thinking of getting it cut short"
She said as she walked out of the room.
Glinda ran to catch up with her.
"Elphaba Thropp, you had better be kidding or I shall never speak to you again." Glinda said seriously
"Of course I'm kidding my sweet. My hair shall stay as it is. Nanny trimmed it a little for me before I left for Shiz, eventually though, I will have to get it trimmed again."
"Well I guess that would be true. Why must you tease me so?"
"Because it amuses me and I'm a mean green thing"
"Yes you are" Glinda said slipping her hand into Elphie's.
Dinner was casual but scrumptious. Cook made a wonderful fish chowder. The Upland's and Elphaba talked a little more about the incident at Shiz and generally about life there. Glinda talked about her classes, especially her sorcery classes.
It's a lot harder than I thought it would be"
"It takes much practice darling- you'll do well, I'm sure." Her mother said
"I think she will too," Elphaba said smiling at the roomie.
Mr. and Mrs. Upland asked about Elphaba's classes and interests and what the girls did for fun. Cook brought out dessert and coffee. Glinda yawned involuntarily.
"Oh I apologize," She said
Her parents laughed. "It's fine darling, you've had a long day and even with that nap- I'm sure you are very tired. I'll get Sargy to draw you a bath."
"Ooooooo, that sounds heavenly" Glinda sighed, but I can talk to her."
" As you like. Elphaba dear, did everything you require arrive from the apothecary"
"Yes, I have everything I need. Thank you"
"May we be excused please" Glinda asked
"Of course dears, We'll be up later on to say good night"
"I can't believe how tired I am, a bath will feel great." Glinda said as they walked down the hall."
"I know, now that I have my oils and hair dust, I can bathe properly. Glinda I'm going to stop by the library and get a book- Ok?"
"Of course my love. Shall I come with you?"
"No, go get your bath started- I'll be fine. When you are all done either call for me or come over to my room"
"You can count on it" Glinda said happily as she headed up the stairs.
Elphie found a book that interested her and went to her room. She was getting things ready when she heard Sargy at the door.
"Excuse me Miss Elphaba? Is there anything you require?"
"No thank you Sargy, I'm fine"
"Every night I make sure Miss Galinda has a glass of cold water on her night table. Is there something you would like to drink before bed."
"Hmmm." Elphie pondered "Tonight a glass of milk would be fine, Thank you so much"
"My pleasure Miss Elphaba."
She left and Elphie spent the next hour bathing and cleaning and brushing out her hair. She put on a soft nightdress and feeling squeaky clean, went to go wait for Glinda. She folded herself up in one of the big comfy chairs, picked up her book and had been reading for a short while when there was a knock at the door.
"Miss Elphaba?"
"Come in Sargy" Elphie called
The girl came, put a glass of milk on Elphie's night table and turned down her bed
"Miss Glinda told me to tell you she will be over in about half an hour. Is there anything else you need tonight?"
"No thank you- I appreciate all of this. Good night Sargy"
"Good night Miss Elphaba"
Elphie was not comfortable with being catered to and fussed over, but she didn't want to disrupt what appeared to be a well-established routine. She sighed and went back to her book. It wasn't long before Glinda poked her blonde head in the door.
"Are you decent?" She giggled
"Of course" Elphie said
"Darn" Glinda said coming in and flopping her pink nightgown clad body in the other chair. "You look fresh, clean, comfortable and very tired."
Elphie put aside her book and glasses. "You look the same"
"That bath was heavenly, even though it stung my legs."
"I'm sorry your soak wasn't perfect. Is there any thing I can do?"
Glinda handed her the vile of antiseptic and tube of ointment "I only used the ointment the last time because the stuff in the vile hurt. You do it for me"
Elphie got up and knelt by Glinda's chair. "I'll do like I used to do for Nessa. It will only sting a little."
She lifted up one of Glinda's legs slightly and using the dropper put some antiseptic on Glinda's knee. As Glinda flinched, Elphie blew on the scrape.
"Does that help my sweet" She said blowing again
"Yes- your very good at this"
Elphie did the other leg and applied the ointment. She got up and sat in the chair with Glinda
"Ok?" She said soothingly
"Ok" Glinda said snuggling close and yawning
"Elphie, have I told you I'm glad you came"
"Yes you have" Elphie smiled
"Have I told you how much I love you?"
"All the time" She kissed her friends hair and breathed in the intoxicating scent of her shampoo.
"Have I told you that you are a mean green thing?"
"Every chance that you get, my sweet"
"Good, because I am, I do, and you are"
"I'm glad I came too, I love you dearly, and I know I am." Elphie got up and went over to her own chair.
"Lyndie, Are you Ok about what happened to you yesterday?"
"I think so- I don't feel scared, being home and being here with you makes it better. I'm fine"
"Alright, but if you have a nightmare, come to me, or call for me- promise."
"Promise." She smiled broadly and yawned again.
"I think maybe it's time for us to go to sleep." Elphie said getting up.
"I know." She went and wrapped her arms around Elphie and hugged her tight.
They kissed innocently, but lovingly.
"Goodnight my love" Glinda said hugging her again
"Goodnight my sweet, Fresh dreams" Elphie said
Glinda turned and winked at Elphie as she walked out the door. "Oh my dreams will be wonderful"
She blew her dark green love a kiss.