Tell me it's not true
Six months had passed, and Elphaba was still no closer to closure with her father than she had been when he'd first approached her since the truth came out. So, she kept him in the cell, unable to decide what to do with him. Despite her earlier threats, she found herself unable to follow them through, and the old man realised this, and silently gloated about it. He wouldn't dare voice it, lest she changed her mind.
Elphaba groaned and rubbed her head, screwing her eyes shut. "Please tell me that's the last?"
Fiyero nodded, laughing quietly to himself, but he did feel her pain and her annoyance. "Yes, my dear, it is."
"Good... Because I have to leave for the Emerald City soon and I really cannot deal with Glinda with this headache..."
"You're definitely going?"
She shrugged with a small nod, opening her eyes to look at him. "Makes sense to get things moving... And the details you sorted out with her will need to be put to the test somehow." She spoke and they both stood up.
He nodded. "Good point... Why don't I come with you?"
"And what about the children? The twins' school?"
"We'll take them with us. Leila's always talking about the Emerald City ever since she could talk." he pointed out.
"How is that child mine? I swear I blame Glinda." She giggled.
"Oh, she's yours alright. I remember you talking about it that much before everything went south. One of the few times you expressed an emotion that wasn't pissed off with the world." He smirked. "Even after that, you wouldn't shut up. Even after everything, it's still your home."
A pause. "Go away."
He laughed, knowing he was proven right. "Come on. Think of it like this... If things go well... They could be spending their sixth birthday in their mother's second home. And she'd be the happiest little princess in the world, and so would you be."
She ignored him and left the room, rolling her eyes when he followed her. "If you're going to follow me to the library -"
"Alright fine, I'll leave you." He grinned. "So am I getting the children ready for the trip or?"
Elphaba paused again, thinking and she nodded. "Fine. We'll all go." She smiled.
He nodded and walked away. As he walked through the corridors he caught Leila-Rose descending the staircase to the cells in the tower. "And what were you doing on the stairs?" he queried his five-year-old.
The little girl turned her wide blue eyes up at her father, who knew then he was seeing himself at that age. "Nothing." She answered very sweetly, skipping past her father and she squealed with a laugh when he hooked a finger in the collar of her dress to hold her in place.
"Hold it." he resisted a smirk, already knowing she'd been up to trouble. "Now, do I have to disturb your mother's reading or are you going to tell me the truth?"
Leila-Rose huffed and pouted, scuffing her shoes on the ground. "I just wanted to see what was up there."
"And what did you find?"
"A man by the door and he told me to go away."
"Good. You can't go up there again, princess." He told her firmly. "It's too dangerous."
She nodded, looking ready to cry now. "I'm sorry, papa."
He sighed and picked her up. "It's alright, just don't go up there again. Understood?"
She nodded and flung her arms around his neck and hiding her face against his shoulder.
"Right. Now, I have something to tell you that would cheer you up." he smiled.
"What?"
He tried not to laugh as he heard the pout still in her tone. She never liked to be told off. 'Yep... There I am.' He thought, almost feeling sorry for his parents having to deal with him at that age. Almost. "Well... How would you feel about going to see your Auntie Linny in the Emerald City?" This time he did laugh when she quickly raised her head to look at him.
"Really?" She asked in a hopeful voice.
He nodded. "Your mama and I still have a few things to sort out over there, but I think you'll have fun. You and your brothers."
"You won't be with us?" The pout was back.
He rolled his eyes and tickled her sides. "Course we will. It won't take long."
She squealed and giggled and wriggled in his arms. "Papa stop it!"
He grinned. "Only if you promise no more pouting."
She nodded her head so fast he thought she'd make herself dizzy, and she took off running when he put her back down.
He shook his head with a quiet laugh to himself before turning his head to the tower staircase, pausing for a thoughtful minute. "No... Not worth it," he told himself and walked away. He made his way to his children's rooms and was stopped outside the door by the Nanny. "What's wrong?"
"Your Highness, I was just coming for you, young Ashender doesn't seem himself, I think he might be unwell."
He nodded. "He's probably caught the bug Liir had. Do you think I need to bring in the doctor?"
"I would with him being so young, you can never be too careful."
He nodded again. "Alright, I'll check him. We're going to be setting off for the Emerald City in a couple of hours."
"Oh, that would be wonderful. I had wondered what had gotten Little Rose all excited." The young woman smiled. "Well, I'll leave you to it and I'll send an urgent call for the doctor." she walked away.
Ever since he and Elphaba had changed the Nanny, they'd seen an improvement in the behaviour of the twins. Of course, they were still full of mischief and always doing things they knew were wrong. But they no longer acted out or took things too far. Liir no longer hid in his mother's skirts and Leila-Rose didn't hide under his desk. Whenever he asked them if they were scared of the older woman, they refused to answer. Finally, it was her attitude to Elphaba that made his decision to be rid of her. He sighed, watching her walk away and he walked into the room, into the chaotic atmosphere of the playroom.
"Papa, Ashy's sleepy." Liir informed him as soon as he saw him.
"Where is he now, bug?"
Liir pointed to the mountain of soft toys and pillows that Leila-Rose was carefully arranging. "We couldn't get him to bed so we made one for him."
He smiled at his son and nodded. "Alright." He walked over to Leila and knelt down to look at them both. "Looking after your little brother?"
The little girl nodded. "Like mama used to for her sister."
Fiyero smiled. Nessa may have had been different in terms of health conditions, but he imagined Elphaba too had taken on older sister duty just like this. "You're doing a great job."
Leila just beamed with pride.
"Go on, get a few toys together, only the few you will actually play with."
She nodded and pranced back to her twin with a giggle.
Fiyero sighed quietly, seeing his youngest curled up around a tiger, and he gently picked the little boy up, his heart clenching at the minute whimper that escaped him. "I know, kid. Being sick is awful." he murmured. He winced when he felt his forehead hot to the touch and carried him out to his bedroom and lay him on the bed.
A short while later the doctor was shown into the room, followed by Elphaba.
"What's wrong?" she cast a worried glance between her husband and child and she flew over to them.
"It's probably a change in the weather, Fae, the bug that the twins had may have been passed to him." Fiyero held her close while the doctor checked Ashender over.
"We can't travel if he's unwell, Yero."
"He's gonna be fine. There's always another time."
Elphaba shook her head, cuddling against his side.
"Yes." he kissed her temple and wrapped his arms around her.
Elphaba looked over at the doctor expectantly.
"The young Prince will be alright after a few days rest. I'll give him the same medication as the twins had not so long ago." The doctor confirmed to the two worrying parents. "And as long as he's kept warm there shouldn't be a reason for he or his siblings to miss out on a family trip. It may do him good to breathe in new air."
Fiyero nodded, listening to him. "So keep him warm and give him the medication and he'll be alright?"
"Yes, exactly that. I'll get it to you as soon as I can."
Elphaba sighed softly with relief, walking over to her baby and knelt by the bed, gently brushing his hair with her hand, golden-brown curls twirling around her long green fingers.
"Ma." the pitiful whine escaped the toddler and he reached out to touch his mother's face.
"I know, baby. Shh, I know." She pressed a soft kiss to the tiny palm, noticing a small green speck on the pale skin of his hand. She looked confused and carefully inspected the other hand, finding nothing. She tried wiping it away but the stubborn spot remained.
"Fae?"
She looked up at his voice, only then seeing that the doctor had left. "Look at this."
Fiyero walked to her, bending down beside her to look at what she wanted him to see. "What?"
A dark, pointed fingernail tapped the green spot.
"What is that?"
"I don't know." Elphaba shrugged. "It won't come off."
Four hours later than planned, the five of them were finally on their way, bundled into a carriage bound for the Emerald City, with their children's Nanny in tow.
The twins managed to pass the time for the first two days. By day three and into the fifth day, they became bored, and Elphaba had to often placate them with words of encouragement. And when that failed, she used her magick as a source of entertainment.
Ashender seemed to get better as the journey wore on, but he was still so weak.
"You know... It's funny." Fiyero mused, a thoughtful frown on his lips, his arm around Leila against his side, she'd fallen asleep with a colouring book in her lap and he hadn't the heart or energy to move her.
"What is?" Elphaba looked up, pausing in drawing gentle, lazy circles into Liir's hair with her nails which seemed to have sent him off to sleep in her lap quite some time ago. She glanced over at the Nanny and Ashender, both asleep beside her.
"We left under the cover of darkness. And that's exactly how we're returning."
"I just hope that Glinda doesn't bring out the welcome home banners."
"How do you know she hasn't already?" he teased with a smirk.
"Oh, Oz, don't!" Elphaba complained in a hushed tone, trying not to laugh.
"Yeah! I can see it now. Glinda the Good welcomes home the Wicked Witch of the West like a long lost sister." He chuckled softly even when she kicked him.
"You... If she has done that I will turn you back into a scarecrow." She threatened good-naturedly.
He grinned, knowing she didn't mean it.
Elphaba simply rolled her eyes and shook her head, rubbing her tired eyes for a moment.
"Why don't you sleep for a while?"
"Hm?"
"We're still a few hours away from the city. Sleep."
"Yero, you might be able to sleep absolutely anywhere, but for me, this thing isn't the most comfortable."
"You'll sleep anywhere if you're tired enough. It's better than caves and forest floors is it not?" He smirked.
She rolled her eyes again and shrugged, giving in and closing her eyes. She was asleep not long after.
He smiled, watching her for a moment, and looked down as Leila fidgeted at his side. He gave in and pulled the still sleeping girl into his lap before bringing his legs up across the seats and the movement of the carriage eventually lulled him to sleep, his arms secured around his daughter.
They were woken up when they arrived at the Emerald Palace.
"Mama, where are we?" Liir's sleepy voice broke the silence as he rubbed his eyes.
Home. Was the first thought in Elphaba's mind. "This is where Auntie Glinda lives." She picked him up and was helped out of the carriage by one of the footmen, who, at the sight of her visibly recoiled, an action Elphaba ignored. Once upright, she adjusted Liir in her arms and knew by the heaviness of him he'd fallen back to sleep.
Fiyero glared at the male as he climbed out with Leila and he helped the nanny out. "Is there a problem, sir?"
He coughed and shook his head. "N-no," he said and turned on his heel, showing the family inside.
"Yero, just leave it. More than twenty-eight years of it, I'm used to it." Elphaba sighed. Despite it, she still called the place home.
Fiyero simply rolled his eyes, deciding not to argue with her just in case the twins woke up. They were shown to their rooms and the children were finally put to bed, none of them waking as they were dressed and laid in their beds.
Already on high alert, Elphaba made one last check of the night to her youngest, not liking the heaviness of him but she put it down to the journey they'd all made.
"Elphie."
She looked up, seeing her best friend and husband hugging, and stood up as the blonde walked to her and they enveloped each other in a tight hug.
"Welcome home."
She smiled at that, her heart fluttering with excitement and trepidation. "Don't jinx it just yet..."
Glinda giggled and shook her head, hiding a wince at the sight of Ashender, the tired and sick little boy was a far cry from the happy and vibrant one she was used to seeing. "You should get some sleep. We have much to discuss in the morning."
Elphaba nodded and the three adults left the room. "Night Glinda."
Glinda hugged them both again and left them alone.
He held her close as they got to their room. "He'll be alright, my love," he told her.
"I know... I just don't -"
He cut her off with a kiss and he nodded. "I know. If he wakes between now and morning, we will bring him to our bed. Sound good?"
She nodded with one last look behind her and closed the door. "Okay. I can deal with that." She said and they both got ready for bed and then fell into bed together, neither letting the other go, and she drew the patterns of his tattooed diamonds on his bare chest with her fingers, completely unsurprised as he fell asleep within minutes, she, however, couldn't sleep. Her brain would not switch off and kept drifting to Ashender in the next room, unaware of how much time had passed.
"Stop thinking so much. I can hear you."
She giggled quietly at his sleepy voice and kissed him lightly on the shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'll sleep now."
By the time morning broke, however, she felt as though she hadn't slept at all, and she hopped out of bed without disturbing Fiyero. She quickly dressed and left the room, walking in to the children's room, finding all three still sleeping, which didn't seem to surprise her, given the long journey they'd made and the late hour they were put to bed. She sat on the edge of Ashender's bed, a hand gently on his forehead and she brushed the curls on his head.
"Miss Elphie, I can hear you worrying from out here." Glinda chided affectionately, walking inside.
"At least it's just the one... Fiyero barely saw me when those two had it. And when he did, they were both in our bed." she smiled a little, looking up at her friend just as the boy opened his eyes.
"Hey, little one." Glinda cooed softly. "Come to Auntie Glin." she picked him up and cuddled him against her. She rocked him gently when he whimpered and fussed. "I know. It's a horrendible time." She walked slowly around the room until he settled again and she handed him over to her friend.
"Maybe we should put off meetings today..." Elphaba spoke softly.
"There were no meetings with the outside world planned today anyway, Elphie. You can bring him to keep an eye on him while we go through things."
Elphaba nodded at that. "Alright."
"Mama!"
She looked up at the frightened voice just as Leila-Rose burst into tears at the unfamiliar surroundings. She stood up as Glinda took her son once more and she crossed the room to her.
Leila locked her small arms and legs around her mother when she was held and she buried herself as close to her chest as possible, her tiny body trembling as she cried. Eventually, she was quietened and soothed by her mother's gentle words and promises that she wasn't going anywhere.
Elphaba smiled and whispered in her ear. "My sweet, look up."
The little girl sniffled and wiped her eyes and obeyed her mother, and those large, scared blue eyes looked up at Glinda's smiling face, she looked around at her mother, the fear melting away giving way to excitement and wonder.
Elphaba nodded with a smile at the unspoken question. "We got here last night." She managed to untangle her daughter's limbs and set her on the ground before turning and lowering herself to the ground to wake Liir up. Leila wasted no time in dashing to Glinda with a giggle and attached herself to her waist.
The little boy whined and slowly opened green eyes to look up at his mother sleepily.
"Morning, precious boy." She smiled softly and lifted him out of his bed as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes with a pout and a whine and he latched himself on to her.
"Mama when can we go out and play?" Leila asked as she was lead from the room with Glinda.
The blonde looked over her shoulder at her friend. "I've told the staff that I was expecting my friends and their children. They'll be with Anna the whole time we're busy." She smiled.
Elphaba nodded. "Hear that? You can find Anna after you're ready, and after breakfast." She smiled down at her, laughing quietly when she yelled out happily. "Quiet, your father is still asleep."
"Not anymore, he's not."
She looked up at his voice with an apologetic smile and he shrugged with a grin. Seeing Fiyero half asleep still made her heart flutter.
"Now, someone mentioned food?" he stopped his wife and kissed her, and a kiss to his son's head.
Glinda giggled and shook her head. "Things don't change, do they."
Elphaba shook her head, laughing and they headed off for the dining room for breakfast.
"Admit it, you wouldn't have me any other way." Fiyero smirked at his friend.
"You think rather highly of yourself for a wanted man."
He made a face at Elphaba. "As I recall you like what you see too. Quite a lot, in fact."
That comment shut her up and she simply smirked in his direction, the children weren't even paying attention as they were seated at the table to eat.
After breakfast, the adults retreated to a meeting room, the young nanny insisted on taking Ashender and keeping an eye on him.
"I know you're worried. He's fine." Fiyero held her between the wall and his body. "Nothing will happen to him, Fae."
Elphaba looked up, fear clouding her eyes and she nodded. "I know... Realistically, I know I... -" She was cut off by a gentle kiss and she smiled. "I love you."
He grinned. "I love you too." He kissed her again and walked her to the small table where Glinda was sorting through her papers. He had noticed that the blonde refused to look at them at times, but made no comment on it as he sat down.
Glinda knew she shouldn't be jealous. She had no right to be. He hadn't been in a relationship with her for almost six years, hadn't even been hers for far longer than that. Elphaba deserved happiness. "So... We've given the Ozians four weeks to get used to the changes we made last time. They're agreeing to the trade rules between the Emerald City and the Vinkus."
Fiyero nodded. "That's a start."
"I've also started to undo everything the Wizard and Morrible did. Obviously it will take a long time... We are being met with some resistance..."
"Glinda... When you say that, what do you mean?" Elphaba wrung her hands together.
"You know the first thing I did was to undo the Animal Banns. Of course not everyone liked that but they got over it... What I'm having trouble with is the issues and the truth of everything else... Namely... You."
"Glinda..."
"Hear me out! I know you're still nervous. And who wouldn't be after what you were put through..." Glinda looked at her.
"Glinda, if they're reluctant to accept the truth about me-"
"They will! They just need-"
"We have to tread carefully, Glinda. The adoring public may love you but if you make one wrong move, that's it." Fiyero reminded her. "Just follow through with the plan we already discussed."
"What plan?" Elphaba looked between them both.
"Over the last six months, we've been feeding the public stories, telling them the truth in a very sensitive way." Glinda grinned. "Starting with our first trip here... They know the truth now about the flying Monkeys, Chistery was able to help with that. He's doing so well now, Elphie, you should see him! Anyway... Some people still don't believe it and would rather believe the Wizard's propaganda than the truth."
"And that's where she wants you to come in. Reveal who you really are."
"I'm not going to use my unfortunate family situation to gain sympathy from a bunch of small-minded pathetic people who called for my head six years ago."
He gave Glinda an 'I told you so' look. "No, she's not saying that. Yes, tell them he's you father. But you are not the all-powerful Oz's daughter. You are the Queen to a very powerful, very loyal tribe and they will be dealing with you whether they like it or not."
Elphaba couldn't stop the small smirk on her lips as she raised her head that little bit higher. "I suppose that's true."
Glinda giggled at her friend. "So you'll do it?"
She paused. "Fine, fine! When do you want me to do it?"
"Not until the end of the week. We'll have time to finalise details and you can be with the children." Glinda grinned.
"And you just know that Leila and Liir won't want to miss seeing you in action." Fiyero smirked.
"If those little munchkins think they're watching that speech they've got another thing coming. I don't want them to be there should it turn bad."
"Well... They are quarter Munchkin." Fiyero shrugged, and shot a glare at her when she kicked his shin. "Besides, it might do them good to see you out there."
"How would that possibly be good?"
He shrugged. "When you're in control of a situation, especially back home, it fascinates them. I've caught Leila watching you when you hold court by yourself."
"And if there's another revolt?"
"There won't be. Elphie, trust us, we've thought about it in great detail. If anyone causes any trouble I plan to clamp down on it straight away. As it stands right now... There are more people who believe me than those who do not. I think they will far outweigh the rebellious ones. Just have a bit of faith."
"It's you thinking that worries me!"
"Fae, play nicely." The scolding lost its effect with his laughter and Glinda pouted. "Just... Trust us. Okay? You know I'd never let anything happen to you."
She sighed and nodded. "Alright. Alright, fine. What have you said so far?"
He smiled and held her close while Glinda pulled out copies of the articles she'd had printed, and copies of her speeches.
"Can I take these and read them later?"
"Of course." She smiled. "I had a little help with some of them." She gave a pointed look at Fiyero.
Elphaba looked impressed and nodded. "Yes, he did always have a way with words." She look the papers. "So it's not so much you thinking, more the Scarecrow."
Fiyero lightly jabbed her side with a smirk. "What did I just say to you?"
"This is as nice as you're getting." She told him.
After a lot of discussion between the friends, Elphaba retreated to the bedroom to read what she'd been given, and that's where Fiyero found her, dark hair loose around her bare green shoulders, curled up on the window seat with her glasses perched on the end of her nose while she read. The late afternoon sun cast a shadow across her.
Seemingly sensing his presence, her lips curved into a smile and she looked up, removing the glasses to rub her eyes before putting them back on. "How long were you there?"
He shook his head with a smile. "Not long. I was admiring the view."
She blushed and shook her head. "Yero..."
"Yes, Fae?"
"You're impossible."
He laughed and the twins ran into the room to greet their mother who hugged and kissed them both.
"What are you reading, mama?" Liir bounced up and down to try and see for himself.
"A few things that your papa and Aunty Glinda wrote up." She smiled at him and looked surprised when he held out a crumpled handful of brightly coloured flowers at her.
"We picked them in the garden, mama. You looked sad and we wanted to make you happy." Leila told her.
She carefully took the handful of flowers with a smile. "Thank you. But do you know what makes me happy anyway?"
"What?" Liir cocked his head.
"The two of you." She smiled again. "And your papa, of course." She added at a very indignant 'hey!' from her husband and she smirked, the children just giggled, Leila picking up one of the articles to try to read it.
"Mama... What's a... A... Animal thing?"
She paused for a second. Oh, Animal Ban! She thought. "It's an old rule that stops Animals that are sentient beings being part of the community. They behave more like people than animals."
The young girl nodded thoughtfully. "So this is to stop that from going on?"
"Exactly that. Your mother's favourite history teacher was an Animal." Fiyero nodded. "Oh, which reminds me. About an hour ago, one of my sources found him."
"What?" Elphaba's jaw dropped and she looked up at him. "But I was almost certain that..."
"I know. I thought so too, which is why I didn't tell you I was looking for him. I didn't want you to be upset or disappointed. He's a tricky Goat to find! Took me two years."
"I was hiding in plain sight for four and a half years, Yero. You couldn't find me until I wanted you to."
"I still got you." He stuck his tongue out.
She laughed and nodded. "Any ideas what happened to him?" the children were both trying to read the articles that were in her lap.
"He escaped. He's somewhere in the Gillikin and he's slowly regaining his speech. I think Glinda had something to do with it."
She smiled and nodded. "Wow... I never thought... Oh, this is the best news!" she stood up and hugged him.
"I figured you'd be happy with that." He grinned and hugged back, kissing her head.
"Thank you. Oz, you have no idea how wonderful that is to hear." She looked up.
He softly caressed her face. "I think I have an idea."
"Does he want to see me?"
"I don't know. I never sent word that you were looking for him. Would you like the honour?"
"Please."
"Then it's all yours."
She smiled and kissed him fiercely, a soft noise in her throat when he kissed her back. Eventually, the need to breathe kicked in and she reluctantly pulled away before turning back to the children.
"Mama, did a bad man really make up lies about you?"
She melted underneath those wide, innocent green eyes of her boy and she nodded.
"Why?"
No! Her precious boy would not be sad about what happened to her. She wouldn't let it. "Do you remember what I told you when Leila had her first magick outburst?" she asked and he shook his head. "Some people are just too small minded. And people like him just like to manipulate the truth to make themselves look good. And that's what he did." She explained. He did not need to know that the man responsible was locked up in the cells back home.
Leila pouted. "What if they don't listen to you, mama?"
"Then we'll go back home and at least we tried." Fiyero told her, and the two adults opened their arms for them both and held them close against their bodies.
"We won't let them hurt you, mama. We can protect you now." Liir told her solemnly.
Elphaba smiled softly and shook her head. "No, Liir. I don't want you to do that for me."
"But it makes us sad when you're sad." Leila pouted.
Elphaba sighed, not knowing what to say.
Fiyero kissed her lightly and then picked Leila up and settled her on his hip. "Do you think I'd let anything happen to your mama?"
The little girl shook her head. "No."
"And would I let anything happen to you and your brothers?"
"No."
Elphaba smiled. "Do you want to know what I call him?"
"What?"
"Be careful, Fae." He smirked.
She elbowed him and shook her head. "I call him 'Yero my hero'. Because he's saved me more times than I care to admit, and I know he will always be there."
Leila giggled and curled herself against her father's chest.
"Always. Whenever you need me, Fae." He grinned and kissed her again.
"And just remember, I'll be there for you, too." She smiled as Liir hugged her around the hips and she kept her arm around him.