A/N Thank you all so much for your reviews. I will not be updating this weekend, I'm going out of town. I know you are used to many quick updates, so by way of an apology I leave you with two chapters of the Ball. I hope you enjoy it. mecelphie
Elphie woke up early and lay in bed thinking about the past week and a half here at Upland Manor. It would take her a year to process all of things that had happened in that short period of time. She thought about Glinda and how excited she was about today, She laughed remembering how her mother had threatened her to get her to stay in bed and go to sleep. How she could love somebody so much was still a mystery to her.
She got out of bed and put on a sundress. Baths and hair, she remembered, were scheduled for later on. It was Party Day. She tried to decide if she was anxious, excited or anxious dreading, and thought it might be a little of both. Putting on her indoor slipper shoes she went over to Glinda's room, The adorable blonde was still asleep, smiling and mumbling happily. Elphie settled on her sofa figuring her love would be waking very soon. She was correct. 15 or 20 minutes later Glinda opened her eyes and sat up smiling broadly. When she saw Elphie on the sofa she scrambled out of bed and over to her, almost falling in her lap. She kissed the chuckling green girl over and over.
"Morning Elphie, I was having the best dreams, we were dancing and you dipped me and kissed me right there on the dance floor, and everyone applauded, then we were running together on the horses, in our evening gowns."
She was happily babbling a mile a minute, like she tended to when she was very excited. Elphie nodded and smiled
"And we danced in the horse meadow, and the gazebo. You twirled me around and around. Elphie it was so much fun"
"Sounds exhausting" Elphie laughed "And I'm not even going to ask how we mounted horses in our evening gowns"
"Elphie I am so excited, this is going to be a wonderful and tonight will be magical, I can feel it.
"Just promise me. No horses" She smiled at the blonde, who surprised her by scooting onto her lap and hugging her. "Good Morning Elphie" She said
"Good morning my sweet, I would inquire how you slept, but I think you answered that already," Elphie said putting her arms around the dainty waist.
Glinda had gotten quiet, sitting with her head on Elphie's shoulder.
"What's on you mind, my sweet? She asked casually, still adjusting to the fact that Glinda was on her lap.
"I'm just a little sad because we won't be dancing together tonight."
"Of course we will Lyndie. If that is what you wish, then we will find a way." She stroked the blonde curls
Glinda perked up "Your right of course we will!" She kissed Elphie and slid off of her lap.
"We need to remember that snuggle arrangement my love, I like it." She winked and skipped off to get dressed
"She is going to be impossible all day long," Elphie thought feeling very happy
They went downstairs to see who all was at breakfast. Everyone was sitting at the table.
"Good morning everyone" Glinda chirped
Samion rose to seat Glinda and Pajul to seat Elphaba. There was a chorus of good mornings.
"I hope Galinda did not bother you last night Elphaba, I threatened her with dire consequences if she did" Gwenot chuckled looking lovingly at her daughter.
"I stayed put Momsie"
"Or at least she did not bother me" Elphie said seriously.
Gwenot made sure everyone understood the day's schedule and informed them a light lunch would be available on a come and go basis. The salon was to begin a little later than planned. She laid out the new schedule starting with baths, reminding Elphie that hers was first, and ending with the family fashion show, right before dinner. She and Greda would be occupied all morning, as were the men, but the girls were free until bath time. When everyone was clear on the schedule, she released them.
"Elphaba dear, my I see you for a moment?" Gwenot asked before everyone left
"Certainly Gwenot" Elphie replied
"Is Galinda free to come with me or does Elphie need her," Jilla said with a hint of snippiness in her voice.
"Glinda, go with your cousin, I'll be along" She smiled sincerely, Glinda seeing in her eyes that it was Ok.
"We will be in my room"
Jilla took her hand and pulled her out.
"She doesn't quite know what to make of you I'm afraid" Gwenot said
"Nobody ever does at first, but we'll figure it out" She chuckled
"I'm sure you will dear. I just wanted to make sure you were comfortable with everything, the ambassador's request, the schedule, your obligations, everything. And I demand complete candor." She was in her no nonsense mood.
"I'm fine with the ambassador. As for everything else I'm a little nervous, maybe even a little scared, but I'm also excited. Your daughter has been very patient with me, as have you all. And I've accepted what I've been told, that no one here wants to unduly burden me and I will be insulated from much of the unwanted attention that is a normal part of these events."
"I see Galinda has been very thorough, I'm pleased, and I'm glad you have found a way to be comfortable. It is hard to be thrown into a thing like this with very little warning. I will find ways for you and Galinda to spend as much time as possible together tonight, but her obligations are more numerous than yours."
"Just knowing she is nearby, seems to calm me" Elphie said.
"As your presence does with her. Elphaba, I understand your natural tendency towards shyness and solitude
So, promise me that you will come to Galinda or me if you become overwhelmed in anyway tonight. I want you to enjoy yourself."
"I promise. I think I will be fine, Apparently I have many people here that care enough about me to see to it."
"That you do Elphaba, that you do. May I hug you?" She smiled
"I'd like that" Elphie said and she meant it.
"Galinda I had a great idea last night while Pajul and I were relaxing" Jilla winked
"For some one who relaxes as much as you do, you seem very tense." Glinda giggled
"The idea is to sparkle the ceiling of the ball room, like we did at your 16th birthday party"
"That's a great idea, Jilla, but our moms will be too busy to help, and we can't do it alone."
"Sure we can cousin, You've been practicing and I've honed my talents considerably since then.
"I'll go get my wand." She said leaving Glinda at the door to her room and ran down the hall.
She was back in less than a minute. The cousins chanted and waved their wands, but nothing happened. They settled and focused and tried again, this time creating a few brilliant, but fast fading lights in the air.
"We need help Jilla, let me ask Elphie."
"This is a family spell Galinda, we can handle it" Jilla snapped
They tried a few more times, getting closer, but not succeeding.
"Jilla, even if we manage to sparkle my ceiling, we will never be able to the ballroom. Please let Elphie help, she does have talent."
What makes you think she'll help, I thought she didn't like magic."
"It doesn't interest her, but she will help if I ask her the right way. Elphie are you back!" She called across the hall.
"Right here Glinda" She said appearing in the doorway.
"Please get your wand, we need some help with a great spell for the party."
"I'd prefer not to" She said frowning
"Elphie" She whined stomping her foot,
Elphie whirled and went into her room. Glinda smiled
"You ticked her off," Jilla said smiling
"No I didn't, she went to get her wand. She's irritated, but that's good, she's better at this when she's irritated" Glinda chuckled
"She is an odd one" Jilla said
Elphie came back in wand in hand "I will assist you with this one spell, now what is it we are doing?"
"Gramsie had a terrific spell for creating little stars on the ceiling of a room, We call it the Sparkle spell. We did to the ball room ceiling on my 16th birthday and Jilla had the idea, to do it for tonight, but Mom's busy and we can't do it alone, it's a big spell that requires power."
"Fine. Show me the chant" Elphie said
"It's a memory spell Elphaba, you'll have to memorize it. This might take to much time, Glinda"
"Don't worry about me," Elphie said, "Recite the chant" She was bristled again
Glinda recited the spell twice and Elphie repeated it back perfectly
"Shall we try this, we've got baths in a few hours" Jilla said very annoyed
The three girls said the spell and stars appeared on the ceiling, but faded. On Glinda suggestion they tried again, with her holding Elphie's fingers. This time the ceiling was filled with little stars, sparkling brightly
"Yeah us!" She squealed "Look Jilla we did it, we did it" She jumped up and down hugging her cousin, then her best friend.
" Yes we did, Gramsie's spells never fail" Jilla said, but she wasn't very happy.
"Thanks to Elphie" Glinda said proudly
"Glinda, really" She hated this sort of acknowledgment.
"Oh Jilla since you've got your wand, can you turn that pencil holder back into my lamp." She chuckled
"I thought she supposedly could reverse your magical mishaps" Jilla said pointing to Elphie who had gone over to sit on the couch
"I do when I must, but she never asked me to" Elphie supplied
"No, we were recovering from an argument and I didn't want to press my luck" She smiled at the green girl, who chuckled softly.
"You know Elphaba, as an instructor I'd like to see how much natural talent you actually have."
She thought her family was overplaying Elphaba's sorcery skills like they overplayed everything else about her.
"If it is too much for you, I'd be glad to try," she said politely
Glinda shot her a warning glance
"I'm a basic sorcery instructor, my specialty is reversing mishaps, but it's not an easy skill to acquire, so I understand your reluctance." Jilla said understandingly
Knowing this was not going to end well, Glinda had slipped out to get Elphie's glasses.
"Look you two, I don't want a war, I just want my lamp back, Elphie please, just do it and make at least two of us happy!" She said agitated.
Elphie glared at her, picked up the spell book and reversed the spell with ease.
"Is everyone happy now" She left the room, not really irritated, just frustrated
"I'll be back, go get permission to do the ball room," Glinda said running after her.
"As if she'll do that now" Jilla smirked thinking "Magic might be the way to put some distance between that green girl and my cousin, Glinda loved it, Elphaba hated it. But she had a good deal of innate talent, which makes her very dangerous."
"Elphie" She said shutting the door "I'm so sorry for putting you on the spot, so sorry, I just couldn't take the tension in there anymore, and Jilla would have kept after you. Please forgive me, I wasn't using you. I would never hurt you."
Tears were falling from her eyes. Elphie gathered her up and wiped them away.
"Lyndie I'm not upset. That situation got way to out of hand, I'm sorry I allowed that to happen."
She kissed the calming girl.
"I don't know how to deal with her Glinda, I don't I'm sorry. She doesn't approve of me and nothing I do will change that."
"I know" she sighed I'm sorry I put you in that situation my love I won't do it again, if I can help it."
"It's not your problem Lyndie, It's mine, I'll find a way to cope with it Ok?"
"Ok"
"Now we have a party to get ready for and a ceiling to sparkle" She hugged her love warmly and gave her a kiss "Please be happy my sweet, if this ruins your day I'll never forgive myself."
"Let's go sparkle a ceiling!" Glinda chirped happily
Glinda grabbed their wands and they went to the ballroom. It was a flurry of activity, The stage was being set up, the lights were being strung on the terrace and chairs and tables were being set up.
Jilla was honestly shocked Elphaba was here, but hid it well
"Did Momsie give approval?" Glinda said
"She did, and thought it was a brilliant idea. She'll cast a permanence spell on it later, only a household member can do those. Is everybody ready?"
The girls chanted numerous times and filled the ceiling with small sparkling stars.
"A magical night, my love. Thanks to you" Glinda whispered in Elphie's ear.
Gwenot and Greda entered and happily surveyed the situation
"This is very impressive my darlings, very impressive indeed and I am delighted." She gushed
"My two willing sorceresses, and one unwilling one" She hugged the cousins and winked at Elphie
"Thank you Elphaba for assisting, I know it is not your favorite activity."
"It's fine Gwenot, all for a good cause, this is wonderful" she said looking up.
"It will make the ball even more special, Now Elphaba, your bath is almost drawn, so up to your room with you. And Galinda dear, please go along and make sure there are no problems."
Jilla stayed behind after the girls went upstairs.
"Aunt Gwen, If Elphaba is allergic to water, how is she taking a bath?"
"She is bathing in a tub of scented oil dear"
And she proceeded to explain the surprise and it's implementation. When she was finished, she sent the unbelieving woman up to her room to get ready for her bath.
"Elphie I mean it thank you for helping" Glinda said on the way upstairs.
"Your welcome, now can we drop it" Elphie frowned
"Yep" She smiled
Everything was ready for Elphie's bath
"Elphie, after your bath, put on your special undergarments and a robe. And would you please wait and do your hair with us, I know everyone is very curious."
"Of course my sweet"
"I love you Elphie"
"And I you, now I'm off to get oily" She chuckled "And you best be off to soak. Come over when you are finished."
"Absolutely" She kissed her love and left for her own bath.
Elphie enjoyed her second soak even more than the first. She let the tension of the morning fade away and prepared herself for the upcoming activities, she wanted to make sure she had good control over the aspects of this day that frightened her.
Glinda put a small amount of the purple bottle in her steaming hot tub and sank down into it forgetting about the magic wars, and other troubles. This night was going to be fantastic and she had no doubt that her Elphie would sparkle and shine as much as the ballroom ceiling.
Squeaky clean and wearing those strange undergarments, Elphie wrapped up in a robe and sat down to wait for Glinda. She was so relaxed she closed her eyes and started to sing to herself.
"You should do that more often you know," Glinda was standing in her doorway
"How long have you been standing there."
"Long enough" She giggled sitting in the other chair. "Are you ready for some pampering?"
"You mean more pampering, this whole trip has been one big pampering for me" She chuckled
"I guess it has, let's go get Jilla and go to the salon," Glinda said going into the bathroom to retrieve Elphie's hair dust tin.
"Need this" She said putting it in the pocket of Elphie's robe.
They knocked on Jilla's door.
"All aboard the pampering train " Glinda called excitedly
"Your nails could use some help" She smiled as she came out
The three robe clad girls made their way down to the makeshift salon.
"Hello girls, we are almost ready in here. The facial remix arrived, with a note" She handed the package to Elphie, who read the note
I think this will be just fine for Elphaba's facial, but please test it well, on her arm for at least a minute, then on her neck or forehead, just to be sure. If I send her back to Shiz damaged, Mr. Kwenyo will not be pleased.
Glinda laughed out loud and Elphie chuckled. Glinda opened the container and rubbed some between her fingers, it felt like the same stuff Pamil used.
"Ok Elphie you heard the man. Arm please"
Elphie complied, frowning. She hated this.
"Why all the fuss?" Jilla asked
"My skin is very sensitive, so I test things like this that will come in contact with it, to see if it harms me."
"Sounds reasonable, I guess."
All the ladies were watching as Glinda rubbed a little on Elphie's arm
"Not a tingle" Elphie said
They waited as they were instructed, while the manicures were being set up.
"Still not a tingle" Elphie said wiping off the mixture, revealing nothing but emerald green skin.
"Forehead or neck?" Glinda asked chuckling
"Neither, It's fine" Elphie huffed
"Elphaba, he stated explicitly that you do this" Gwenot said seriously
"Your choice" She said to Glinda who smeared some on her friend's forehead, then giggled
"You know, when you go pale, this is close to what you look like," She commented
"Great. No tingles, Happy now" She was irritated she just hated this and Glinda knew it.
"Very" Gwenot said, "Manicures everyone"
Everyone enjoyed the manicures, Especially Greda, who used some of the scented oil for hers. When color choices were presented, they got a glimpse into dress colors. Gwenot chose red, Greda a shade of silver,
Jilla, also choose red, Glinda, turquoise, that perfectly matched her dress and Elphie, of course choose clear.
"Elphaba, how boring" Jilla exclaimed
"Fits me perfectly then." She laughed
Pedicures were next, only Elphie using the oil, then facials. Glinda explained the procedure. After the mask was spread on Elphie's face, Glinda handed her a mirror.
"I look ridiculous," She said
"And we don't?" Glinda laughed, as did everyone, including Jilla.
The masks dried and their toes were trimmed and painted. Glinda stopped the lady attending to Elphaba, just before she tried to remove her mask with a warm wet cloth. When they were all cleaned up they prepared to have their hair done.
"Elphaba, I'm curious. If you don't use water how do you wash your hair." Jilla said
Elphie pulled the tin from her robe.
"This is a type of wood ash soap, specially mixed for me. Glinda calls it hair dust. It works very well.
"I'd say so" Greda said, "You have beautiful hair."
She showed them the hair dust, and while they were getting their hair washed and styled she cleaned hers extra well, and brushed it out with special care.
"That stuff is amazing isn't it Momsie"
"We could all use some of that for in a hurry days" She chuckled.
The ladies chatted and told stories while they were getting their hair done. It was a fun time. Jilla and Elphaba were on their best behavior, which made Glinda very happy. Glinda's hair looked as spectacular as it did the other day. Jilla's was down, but curled. Greda and Gwenot both had their hair up on their head, in sophisticated and lovely styles.
"Galinda dear, will you require a dresser, or are you and Elphaba capable of assisting each other?"
"We can help each other"
"Fine. Jilla, Do you require a dresser?"
"No, Pajul is an excellent assistant" She grinned slyly
"Excellent, Galinda, Byjon sent over his assistant to do your make up, and apparently Elphaba's,"
"What? I don't use make up," She said slightly shocked.
"Byjon seems to think a little of this on your lips will be all that's needed, just try it, if you don't like it don't use it"
"We'll test it out Momsie"
Every one left to get dressed. Elphie and Glinda had a good time together. They helped each other into their dress, then stood and stared. Elphie helped Glinda with her jewelry, even attempting to put in one of her earrings.
"This is complicated", she laughed finally giving up for fear of tearing her love's earlobe.
"It doesn't hurt Elphie"
"Maybe not, but it looks painful, and that's enough."
Glinda put on Elphie's necklace and stood with her looking at their reflections in the mirror.
"We are quite a pair" Glinda said softly "Elphie, I've said it before, but sometimes, like now, I can feel it. I know we were meant to be together, our lives were meant to be intertwined, the good, the bad, the everything."
She put her arms around the shimmering girl and kissed her softly, "Now lets put something else besides my lips on yours." She giggled
"If I must, but it will never compare." They kissed again
They tested the lipstick and it didn't sting, so Glinda put some on Elphie. It was a natural shade of red. It's effect made Elphie's lips look like Glinda's did normally.
"Look Elphie, it's fine"
In the mirror she saw that her normally pale, green tinged lips, were a mere hint of red.
"Do you like this?" Elphie said
"I liked them just fine before" Glinda chuckled "The question is do you?"
Elphie sighed "I'm not sure, I think so"
Elphie sat and watched Glinda get her make up on. It wasn't heavy, or over done.
"See Elphie, it enhances, not changes, just like yours"
Before she could comment, Sargy said it was time to model clothes and that Glinda's parents were waiting to see her in her room.
"Time to go upset my father" She laughed "You'll be next"
"Popscicle?" Glinda said softly
Her father turned and gazed at her in disbelief, then sat down hard in a chair.
"Samion?" Gwenot said.
"I'm fine my dear, just look at her. Oh my!" There was a tear in his eye
Galinda you look, you look incredible," Her mother said
"Do you approve?" She walked over to her father
"My little Galindadoodle, I hadn't realized how grown up you've become. You re amazing"
He hugged his daughter tightly
"Daddy, I may look big, but for you I'll always be little" She said happily as they hugged again
"You two look just terrific yourselves," She said wiping away a tear.
Her mother was in a red dress with a high collar, tight bodice and full flowing skirt. She looked regal and very elegant. Her father was in white tie and tails, Together the looked like a king and queen, and to Glinda they were.
"Let's see how Elphaba turned out" Gwenot when they finished hugging, crying and admiring each other.
"Elphie" Glinda called quietly from her door
She walked slowly into the room feeling very self-conscious.
"Elphaba" Gwenot breathed "Darling you look wonderful, that dress truly suits you"
"It does Elphaba" Samion said, "You look poised and confident"
"Now I only have to feel that way." She said shying away from the attention
Jilla and Pajul came in to much attention. Jilla was in a white flowing gown, with a plunging neckline and red roses embroidered on it, Pajul was dressed as Samion was.
"Wow" Pajul said when he saw the girls "You two are defiantly going to turn some heads"
"We should have no trouble finding young men to occupy their attentions" Jilla said winking at her cousin.
Greda and Robil came in looking like a true EC couple. Greda was in a stunning gown with a silvery bodice and black skirt with silver flecks throughout it.
They fussed and admired one another for awhile longer, and then the older couples went to get the dinner started. The younger couples would follow in ten minutes or so.
"Excuse us Jilla, I need Elphie's help with something"
They went back over to Elphie's room and Glinda shut the door.
"Are you still Ok my love?"
"I'm fine, you needn't worry so much my sweet. I'm nervous, a little, about dinner, but you are right beside me. Just tell me you love me and let's go, before I lose my nerve"
Glinda hugged her love, kissed her lightly and stroked her soft green cheek.
"I love you Elphaba Thropp, very, very much"
"Thank you" She said quietly
They walked arm in arm downstairs and to the formal dining room. It was a splendid set up. The brilliant white starched linens, the sparkling goblets and silver and the fine China. Elphie was slightly taken aback at all the sophisticated looking people around the table. SA they walked in, the men rose and Samion introduced them, informally before they were seated.
"You all remember my daughter, Galinda" He seated her "And this is her best friend, Elphaba"
Then he seated her
"They are on spring recess from Shiz."
Servers came and filled glasses with water, wine and in Elphie's case, cider. Then Samion tapped his glass and they all rose for a toast.
"To all our family and friends who honor us with their presence here tonight and to our guests of honor, Greda, Robil and Elphaba. You add love, laughter and light to our lives"
They raised their glasses and toasted the guests of honor. Then sat back down
"Everyone enjoy" Gwenot said. "Officially starting the meal.
Servers brought out the courses, with everyone savoring each more than the last. Stories and jokes were shared. Glinda chatted excitedly to the people around her about school and her horses and anything else. Elphie enjoyed listening to the conversations, very grateful that she was in a position to initiate them. Glinda was in her element, bubbly and happy, but as the course were brought out and cleared she showed signs of getting tired of the small talk. She reached under the table and put her hand on Elphie's leg, giving it a little squeeze, which surprised Elphie and made her jump slightly.
"Are you alright dear" Samion said quietly
"I'm fine Samion" She said the leveled a look at her giggling roommate.
"Behave" She said under her breath.
Glinda settled down and enjoyed her dessert. Her hand only wondered over to Elphie's leg one other time.
When all was cleared Gwenot stood
"Friends, the ball will commence in half an hour. Men there are cigars and brandy in the family dining room and Ladies the front parlor is set up for relaxing and the upstairs one for freshening up. We will see you all back in the ballroom" She gave an elegant wave of the hand, dismissing the attendees.
Glinda and Elphaba hurried up to Elphaba's room, where all their things still were. Elphie watched in amusement as Glinda primped and reapplied and fussed with her hair.
"You are incredibly low maintenance," She said to Elphie, who did nothing more than brush her hair.
"It comes in handy" She chuckled, then frowned as Glinda started to do her lips.
"Elphie, you need a touch up, don't be difficult"
"Fine" She stood still hating the feel of the lipstick going on.
They sat for awhile, not snuggling because of their clothes; Elphie was quieter than normal.
"What's on your mind my love?" Glinda said going over and pulling her up.
"Nothing really, I was just thinking I've gone from a sulky, moody, antisocial mean girl, to this"
"A sulky, moody, antisocial mean girl in a absolutely stunning evening gown?" Glinda chuckled
"Exactly" She laughed along.
"Lyndie, I only have one worry that I haven't been able to quite squash. I'm afraid I'll get panicky when I'm dancing with a stranger. I've told myself It's Ok because I'm in control and can dance or not as I please. I know it is silly"
Glinda hugged her friend "It's not, it's realistic, but you are more in control than you think you are, tell me you understand that"
"I do. I love you so much," She said kissing her friend. "It is because of you that I am this" She stood back, and turned
"Not me Elphie, this was you all along, I just helped you find it." The shared lingering soft kiss
Then held each other until they heard Sargy.
They were being summoned, the ball was underway and it was time for them to be presented. Glinda looked at the beautiful, shimmering green girl. As they walked down the hall. She stopped before they we in view from the stairs.
"Don't be nervous my love, I will be near all night. You will accept introductions gracefully, dance beautifully, and be amazing. I know it."
Elphie just smiled "I love you"
"I love you, and if you need to go into the library, for any reason, go. I'll get to you as quick as I can if we are apart." She kissed Elphie "I love you"
Elphie stood up straight and took Glinda's arm. "I'm ready"