Elphie was startled awake by the sounds of screaming. It took her a moment to get her bearings and realize what was happening.
"Glinda" She breathed
She bolted out of bed and flew across the hall to her love's room, at the same time her parents were racing down the hall to it. They all heard another scream.
"Elphaba wait!" Mrs. Upland called loudly
Feeling torn between her need to be with her love and the command of an adult made Elphie hesitate just long enough for them to catch up.
"Samion, go be with her, I'll talk to Elphaba"
"Please, I need to…" Elphie started
"I know darling, and you can, but for now she is safe with her father" Gwenot said soothingly. "We think we know what this is and it will help you to hear it. Please"
Elphie looked into the room. Glinda had stopped screaming and was sobbing uncontrollably against her father. The green girl felt her heart breaking.
"As you wish Gwenot" She sighed, agitated
The older woman led her into her own room and sat down. Elphie was pacing and twitching, playing with her long fingers.
"Come sit Elphaba. Her father has been through this with her before."
Elphie sat, reluctantly, ready to explode, but trying to calm down. Gwenot saw her struggling.
"Elphaba, I'm going to tell you this, only because I am certain that Galinda has not. She will not talk about it even to us, but you need to know what we think is the cause of this nightmare.
"Gwenot, I don't want you to betray your daughter"
"I'm not my dear, I'm not. This is not a secret by any means- she just does not talk about it, ever. Having you here might help her with that."
"You know what's best" Elphie relented "If Glinda has a problem, I want to help her"
"When Galinda was eight a girl moved in close by and they became good friends- they went to school together, attended social functions together, spent all their free time together, did everything together- they were thick as thieves. Devoted to each other, completely. When they were 15, her friend, Minka, was killed in a terrible accident, It is almost the third anniversary of her death."
"Oh no- how horrible" Elphie was aghast.
"It was. Galinda was devastated, she was angry and felt betrayed, by both Minka and her own emotions. And to make it worse, she blamed herself for the accident. Nothing we could say, that anyone could say, would convince her otherwise."
"Oh my poor Lyndie" Elphie flushed when she realized she slipped and used her private name for Glinda
Mrs. Upland just smiled. "We don't know if she made her peace with it, or just suppressed everything. She refused to talk about it at all. She still does. For months after the accident the only time she left her room was to go to the stables and to occasionally eat. She eventually merged back into life, but she wasn't the same. We thought she would be withdrawn and sullen but she was just the opposite. She became overly gregarious, and outgoing, forming many superficial relationships, She was wildly popular"
"She still is- this explains a lot" Elphie was listening but distracted, hearing Glinda cry.
"She had lots of friends, but never let anyone close to her again- She never involved herself too deeply in anyone else's life. Until you entered it"
Elphaba exhaled sharply
"I had no idea, she knows everyone it seems, was always with a crowd of friends." Elphie said her mind reeling
"A crowd, yes, but you are the first friend she has connected with one on one, on any deep level in years"
"Ironic, because we really didn't get along at all for a long time"
"That maybe so, but it most certainly isn't that way now. Elphaba, I'm certain you have soothed her through nightmares before, that may or may not be related to this, but this one most certainly is. She had a similar one when she was home over winter break and she didn't remember it at all, she never does
"Gwenot, something was troubling Glinda today, on and off. She was unusually moody and… well needy. I didn't push her, because she normally is so open and honest about things that bother her, that when she isn't, I figure she is not ready or able to discuss it."
"That is very intuitive Elphaba, and correct. We don't know what is holding her back, but something is. Do you remember what you two were doing when you noticed her mood shift?"
"She ran with her horse and afterward I mentioned that I felt lucky that I was allowed to be a part of it because it seemed that not too many people had been before. She told me there was only one other."
Gwenot sighed heavily "That person would be Minka, they rode together like that sometimes, and she still rides like that whenever she can, much to our dismay. It scares us, but it does seem to calm her, usually."
Elphie felt tears slide down her cheeks and wiped them away quickly, but not before Gwenot saw the tracks
"Oh my dear" She said reaching out and touching the marks.
"Tears are like water for me" She sighed "What can I do for her? I need to do something" She was distressed.
"Understand that this is just speculation on my part, but I think that part of this, and even part of what happened over winter break is a fear she has of you leaving her."
"I would never!" Elphie said emphatically.
"I know that darling, and on a conscious level so does she, but this is more the reaction of a frightened child. Her best friend, whom she loved dearly, left her. Now she has someone she loves even more…"
"I think I understand, but there is not really anything I can do. If she won't talk about it how can I allay her fears?"
"Elphaba, I don't want to embarrass you, but just being who you are will help her more to get though this than anything. You know how to soothe her, talk to her and, most importantly, love her. She trusts you and seems to feel safe with you,"
Elphie flushed, but recovered quickly when she heard Glinda crying pitifully across the hall.
"I can't bear this anymore," Elphie said rising and starting to pace. "May I go to her, please."
"Of course dear, just don't expect her to talk to you, or even remembers in the morning. We've never pushed her on this. You however, may be able to, and I think you will know how and when. You have remarkable instincts."
In an uncharacteristic move Elphie leaned down and hugged Glinda's mother. Then pulled away mortified
"I'm sorry" She stammered
"Don't fret dear, I'm honored- I'm told this is not something you do readily"
"May I go now, please" Elphie said quietly
Gwenot nodded and Elphie ran across the hall. Glinda was still sobbing, trembling and terrified. She went over to her love's bed and sat on the side opposite her father.
"Galinda darling" He said in a whisper. "Elphaba is here, I'm going to leave you with her."
Glinda sobbed harder "Please don't leave me alone"
He gently took her and passed her over to Elphie's waiting arms. Felling much more in control, she expertly gathered the crying girl up, holding her close and stroking her hair.
"It's alright my sweet, I am here and so are your parents, no one is leaving you."
Glinda clung to Elphie, who held her tightly, rocking her and whispering in her ear. Her parent's sat on the couch, in case they were needed, although they both knew they would not be.
"Cry it all out Lyndie" She soothed as Glinda continued to sob. "We are all here."
After a very long while, Glinda's sobs calmed somewhat and Elphie managed to get her to lie down. She curled up in a little pink ball against the girl she loved, crying softly. Elphie wrapped her arms around her and whispered soothingly in her ear. Gwenot came over and pulled the covers over them.
"Are you Ok Elphaba?" She whispered
Elphie nodded, stroking her love's hair. Glinda's mother leaned over and kissed her daughter,
"Darling, Elphaba is going to stay here with you all night. It is Ok. We love you"
There was no response except the sound of quiet weeping. She kissed her daughter again and they left.
"It's going to be alright Lyndie, I'm here and I'm staying here, with you"
Glinda continued to cry as Elphie whispered to her and stroked her hair. Finally
Her tears slowed coming in hiccups and spurts. She had exhausted herself at last. Elphie started to sing,
"I will always love you,
I will always need you,
Never will I leave you,
Lyndie my love.
She sang the whole 'storm song" over and over to her crying love, until at last she had cried herself to sleep. It was almost dawn
Elphie continued to hold her and sing softly in her ear for a long time after she calmed. Her mind was in turmoil thinking about what Gwenot had told her. She had never seen Glinda experience such an extreme reaction to anything. The depth of the pain she felt must have simply overwhelmed her. Elphaba fervently hoped that Gwenot was correct in the assessment of her ability to help. She lay awake, not wanting to let go of her sleeping friend, Only a few hours after she had fallen back to sleep, Glinda awoke
"Elphie?" She blinked sleepily
"I'm here my sweet"
"Was there a storm last night?" She asked confused
"No, there was no storm" She said quietly
Glinda uncurled and stretched, allowing Elphie to do the same.
"Did you have a nightmare my love?" She looked worriedly into Elphie's eyes.
"I did not," She said carefully "But you did"
Really?" She was surprised "I did"
"A very intense one, it seemed. You woke up screaming"
Glinda went back into Elphie's arms and snuggled in
"I don't remember it. The last thing I remember is you trying to find out your surprise. I don't remember dreaming at all."
"You will remember when you are ready" She looked into Glinda's sleepy and still haunted eyes
"Lyndie, understand this. I am here to help you through whatever is troubling you enough to cause that kind of nightmare. I will never leave you."
"I know that Elphie, silly. Was I awake for very long?"
"Almost all night, my sweet. You just calmed and fell asleep again a few hours ago"
"Did you sing to me?" Glinda smiled
"I did" Elphie replied returning her smile and pushing a lock of hair off of her face.
"Did I worry my parents? Did they hear?" She asked trying to remember anything at all.
Elphie considered carefully how to handle this
"Yes, they heard and came running. Your father was with you for awhile, while your mother talked to me a little, then I came and held you until you calmed enough that your parents felt it was ok to leave."
"Elphie, you can't be serious, how can I not remember any of this?" She was agitated
"I read about things like this in your mom's books." Elphie said treading very carefully. "You are working through something in your sleep, that is too painful for you to deal with while you are awake. Since I was attacked, you have held and soothed me on many occasions when this has happened to me" She was speaking calmly and quietly, hoping Glinda understood.
"Yes, but you remember those dreams, and can talk them through." She said unhappily.
"Not always, Lyndie, you know that" Elphie kissed her forehead and stroked her hair.
"I wouldn't worry, my sweet. Just like I have, when you are ready to deal with it, you will. And I'll be right here, and so will your parents."
Glinda took a deep breath.
" I don't remember my nightmare, but I do know why I was troubled before, I just don't have the words, to talk to anyone about it, I'm so sorry Elphie" The girl sounded miserable.
"Lyndie, what in Oz are you talking about. You know perfectly well that there are things in my past that are too painful or upsetting for me to talk about yet. This is no different. It's Ok, I promise"
Glinda sighed, unconvinced. She yawned and cuddled closer to Elphie.
"Why don't you try and sleep again, my sweet. I promise whatever it is will work itself out eventually." She kissed Glinda gently and stroked her cheek "I love you"
"And you won't leave me?" she mumbled
"Not now, not ever my sweet. Now sleep"
Elphie started to hum and Glinda drifted back to sleep.
Elphie sang to her and stroked her hair until she was sure that her love's sleep was untroubled, then she closed her eyes and succumbed to slumber, with her arms still wrapped around the girl she adored.
Not long after Elphie fell asleep Gwenot quietly peeked into her daughters room. She was very relieved to see both girls sleeping. She exited and left word that they were not to be disturbed, for any reason. She walked down to breakfast smiling. Her daughter had made a wise choice in whom to give her heart to, even if it was slightly unconventional.
She found Samion was waiting for her in the parlor.
"Is she sleeping?" He asked concerned
"Yes Samy, they both are. I hope she is able to work through this, I hate it that the memories seem to plague her whenever she comes home."
"Maybe now that she has allowed herself to get close to Elphaba, it won't frighten her so much to confront her feelings" Samion commented
"Maybe, I guess only time will tell. How are the preparations going for Elphaba's surprise?"
"Well, actually. When the girls get up and out, we will be able to get everything in place. It should be ready before dinner."
"That's wonderful! Galinda will be delighted, butI have no idea how Elphaba will react" She chuckled.
Mr. and Mrs. Upland sipped coffee, ate sweet breads and talked about their daughter and the girl she obviously cherished.
Elphaba woke up when Glinda shifted position. The blonde sighed happily, last night's events seemingly behind her. Elphie's arms were free and she stretched out the kinks that had developed from holding Glinda so tightly. Carefully getting out of bed, she stretched out her legs and walked around, loosening up her tense muscles. She looked out the window; it was overcast and rainy. Glancing at the clock she realized that she had only slept for a few hours, but she didn't feel tired. She did, however want to change clothes. Not wanting to leave Glinda alone while she did, she went into the hall and called softly for Sargy.
"Would you please go get Mrs. Upland for me" She asked when the woman arrived.
"Certainly Miss Elphaba" She nodded and hurried away.
In no time the concerned woman was walking quickly down the hall.
"Is everything Ok Elphaba?" She looked anxious.
"Oh yes, yes it is, I'm sorry to have worried you." Gwenot relaxed
"Glinda is still sleeping, and I was hoping you might sit with her while I go change clothes. I don't want her to be alone if she wakes." Elphie glanced in at Glinda who was sleeping peacefully and snoring softly.
"Of course, of course Elphaba dear, I'm glad you called for me. Did you get any sleep at all?"
"A few hours. Glinda finally fell asleep around dawn, but woke not to long after that. You were right she didn't remember her dream at all. We talked some, and she fell back to sleep three or four hours ago."
Gwenot sighed "You go change and decompress a little, I'll stay with Galinda. We can discuss this more later."
Elphie nodded and went to her room.
She sat in her chair for a little while trying to organize her thoughts and feelings. She knew that Glinda would wake as if nothing had happened, and that was Ok.
"I hope this isn't what she feels when she knows I am not able to talk about my past."
She thought as she went into her bathroom to clean up. Because, for some reason, her skin was feeling a little sensitive this morning she chose a loose fitting sun dress, and stayed barefoot, at least for now. She brushed out her hair and pulled it into a ponytail.
She smiled realizing she rarely ever put it up in a bun anymore.
Feeling better now that she was properly dressed, except for being barefoot. Elphie went back to her chair. She really wanted to go back to Glinda, but forced herself to stay put and get a handle on her emotions. She could hear the rain against her window and allowed the sound to help her focus. Glinda's energies would be directed towards the surprise she had planned, that was probably for the best. She sat decompressing, as Gwenot had said for a little while longer, then went back over to her love's room
When she opened the door she saw Glinda and her mother sitting on her bed laughing.
"Hi" She said as cheerfully as she could.
"Hi yourself" Glinda said beaming at the mere sight of the green girl, a look that was not lost on her mother.
"Momsie was telling me that your surprise is ready to be set up, we just have to get you out of the way" She giggled
"Set up? Out of the way?" She groaned and rolled her eyes and went to sit on the sofa.
"You will stay around to protect me, right Gwenot?"
She got up from the bed laughing "I'm sorry Elphaba, but you are on your own. The last time I tried to intervene on behalf of one of her vict… I mean friends, it did not go well."
She went over and embraced her daughter
"You are more precious to me than anything Galinda, I love you"
Glinda returned the fierce embrace "I love you too Mommy"
"Cook will have brunch for you whenever you are ready my darlings." She said as she glided from the room.
Elphie went over and sat beside Glinda on her bed. She leaned against Elphie and felt gangly arms gently encircle her.
" I think I put you through a lot last night Elphie…"
"Lyndie, I will not engage in a discussion of this sort. I mean it. You needed me and I was here for you, as I always will be, no matter what. Just as you are for me, when I need you. End of discussion. Understand?" She said calmly
"Understood" Glinda sighed.
Elphie leaned down and kissed the love of her life tenderly.
"I'll tell you when I am able," Glinda said quietly
"I know you will, so there is no need to push it." Elphie responded and they kissed again.
"Ok?" Elphie said stroking her hair while she snuggled
"Ok." Glinda said at last
"Glinda," Elphie said after a time "Why do I have to be out of the way?"
Glinda moved from her love's arms and giggled "So you can be surprised"
"Well, that makes perfect sense" She rolled her eyes.
"There is a little problem, however. I was planning on taking a picnic and spending the day in the garden and greenhouse, but it's raining. Which also precludes spending the day in town." She said pensively
"So surprise canceled?" Elphie said hopefully
"Elphie" She lightly hit her friend's arm "You will like this. I'm positive"
"If you conceived it, I'm sure I will" She chuckled
Glinda rose and headed for the bathroom
."I'll think on this while I change. Will you wait here?"
"Absolutely my sweet" She smiled and moved over to the sofa.
After about twenty or so minutes Glinda came running out half dressed.
"I've got it!" She squealed
"Is it contagious?" Elphie said with out looking up from the book in her hand
"Not funny, smartie. We shall spend the afternoon sequestered in the library, You love it in there,"
"Are you sure, won't you get bored?"
"Oh I have some thoughts about how to entertain myself, beside I'll be with you."
"Ok then, hiding in the library it is." Elphie smiled
Now that she had a plan Glinda finished getting ready very quickly. She dressed casually as Elphie had, then retrieved two pairs of indoor slipper shoes from her closet.
"Here Elphie put these on, no need for shoes and socks today, since we are staying in."
"Ok your in charge" She chuckled
Glinda leaned down and kissed her mid chuckle
"Yep! Now you go on down to the library, I have some arrangements to finalize with my parents and supplies to gather and I'll be down there soon." She put on her slipper shoes.
As Elphie prepared to leave, Glinda gave her a big hug.
"I love you so much," She said
"And I you my sweet. I'll see you in the library" She kissed Glinda's cheek and tugged on her ponytail.
On her way down she ran into Glinda's parents
"Hello Elphaba."
"Hello. I've been banished to the library until further notice" She said eyes twinkling
"And I think your devious daughter wants to see you."
Samion laughed "And thus it begins. We will see you later"
"I certainly hope so" Elphie chuckled and went on down to the library
Having forgotten her glasses, Elphie skipped the books and settled in her favorite chair to wait for her crafty companion.
In about an hour, Glinda appeared with Cook and her assistant. They spread out a lavish brunch on the desk and left smiling broadly.
"What is up with Cook?" Elphie said
"Nothing, she is just in on the surprise" Glinda smiled slyly.
Elphie arched an eyebrow, but kept silent
They ate vegetable omelets with herbed potatoes; Glinda was ravenous and ate two. Elphie ate all of hers and finished almost her entire pitcher of milk. When they finished Glinda unloaded her supplies: Elphie's glasses and book, as well as spell books, both wands and a deck of cards.
"You brought your wand?" she groaned
"And yours, we need to break it in, It'll be fun" She grinned from ear to ear.
They spent the majority of the afternoon playing with the spell books. Glinda was in awe at how fast Elphie could do the chants and how accurate the few spells she actually agreed to cast were. But she didn't mention it for fear that she would stop. Mostly though, Glinda tried out new spells and Elphie tried to reverse them when they went awry.
"Glinda, my wand is sufficiently broken in now, so no more" Elphie said exasperated, but laughing.
"Alright Elphaba," She pouted
"You're just getting fidgety my sweet. Come here"
She gathered her friend up into a hug
"I can only take so much sorcery Lyndie, you know that. So please don't pout"
"Oh I'm not, not really, I just want your surprise to be ready."
Elphie went over to her favorite chair, brushed off the stray chicken feathers and sat down. Glinda sat across from her, long ways with her legs over one arm of the chair Elphie engaged her in conversation and got her mind off of waiting. It wasn't to long before Hensign entered
"Miss Galinda, Miss Elphaba's surprise is prepared."
Glinda jumped up and squealed
"Elphie, your surprise is ready! I can't wait- come on." She grabbed her amused love by the hand and literally dragged her up the stairs.
"Glinda, please. You are going to dislocate my shoulder. I don't need to be dragged, I'll come willingly" She laughed
Glinda stopped and let go of Elphie's hand
"I apologize my love. I'm just very excited. This is the best surprise ever"
After last night's trauma, Elphie did not want to dampen Glinda's enthusiasm in any way, so she held out her hand.
"Drag away my sweet" She said smiling
They ran down the hall and Glinda skidded to a halt in front of their rooms, causing Elphie to almost trip over her.
"Sorry Elphie. Now, close your eyes."
"Lyndie, honestly!" She said knowing Glinda enjoyed these little exchanges
"Please" Glinda whined
"Oh very well" She closed her eyes.
Glinda put her arm around Elphie's thin waist and led her carefully into her bathroom.
"Ok, open your eyes" She squealed.
Elphie opened her eyes and found herself looking into a tub of water.
"Glinda if you need to get me out of the way, there are easier, and far less painful ways than drowning," She said chuckling.
"Elphie!" Glinda said shocked. "It's not water, it's oil, It's your surprise"
"What!" Elphaba said in disbelief
"It's mineral oil scented with Gillkin rose oil." She grinned
Glinda knelt down beside the tub, pulling Elphie down with her. She took a soft green hand in hers and slowly immersed them both in the tub up to their elbows. Elphie suffered a moment of panic because it looked so much like water, but reason prevailed.
"It's very warm," She said in amazement
"It's supposed to be Elphie. We've drawn you a bath." She was beside herself with pride and excitement
"A bath? Glinda you can't be serious."
"I am. One hundred percent"
"I've never been immersed in anything, ever." She said not able to comprehend the concept
"Well there is a first time for everything. I know you want to know how we pulled this off, and I'll tell you. But now you need to hop in and soak before your bath cools too much.'
She kissed her stunned roomie, got up and started to go.
"Wait a minute, you're leaving me?"
"Of course my love. Not that being here with you wouldn't be thrilling, but you need to experience this all by yourself. I'll pump you for details later. You'll love it, I promise. I'll be in my room when you are finished." She blew her dumbfounded love a kiss and left and shutting the door behind her.
"An oil bath! This is ridiculous." Elphie said out loud
She put her hand back into the oil, it felt like when she had the manicure. She got up sighing and thinking that however they did this, they went to a whole lot of trouble to do it, so she should at least try.
She disrobed, quelled her panic, took a deep breath and put her foot slowly into the tub.
The sensation of feeling something liquidy surround her foot and calf was completely foreign to her, not bad, just unknown. And slippery.
Holding onto the wall to keep from falling, she brought in her other foot
"I can't believe I'm doing this. I can't believe she did this. I'm not sure who is more insane," Elphie said to herself.
One more deep breath and she lowered herself carefully into the warm oil. She felt the sensation and warmth move up her body until at last she was sitting in the deep tub, immersed almost up to her neck in very warm, very soothing oil. She stretched out and leaned back, trying to keep her ponytail outside the tub. Elphie was still stunned that she was actually immersed in a tub of anything. The feeling was slightly disconcerting. She played with the oil, letting it run through her fingers, tracing patterns in it, wiggling her toes. It felt so warm and good that any disconcerting feelings she had melted away and she closed her eyes letting her mind wander.
She thought about Glinda, her sweet, precious Lyndie. It still amazed her that she was capable of feeling such intense emotions for another person, and that those feelings were reciprocated. She thought about her time so far here at Upland Manor and how she had for the first time in her life been unconditionally accepted. Feeling tears on her face, she reached up with an oily finger to wipe them away, soothing the sting in the process.
She sat soaking in the warm comforting oil for a long while, clearing her overactive mind and trying to focus on the feeling of her body being covered in something semi-liquid. The warmth of it seemed to permeate her skin, not like the burn of water, but more like being by a cozy fire. She could feel it in her bones. After dealing with Byjon and the formal dinner practice and being up all night worrying about Glinda, this was truly relaxing. She understood now why Glinda loved long hot baths and she also realized that she was in love with a genius
Feeling that the oil was getting cooler, she put one of her bathing cloths in the tub, then ran the very oily cloth up and down her very oily arm. The sensation was incredible. She did her arms, legs, toes, everywhere. It was heavenly. Sighing, she very carefully stood up, managing somehow not to slip.
She looked down at her glistening oil coated body, and shook her head. Even her vivid imagination could never have envisioned this. She stepped on to the mat and dried herself off, chuckling at the thought of having the need to dry herself at all. Her skin felt alive and tingly, good tingly. She put on fresh clothes and went to go find her favorite blonde.