A/N: Shout outs to James Birdsong and my anonymous reviewer! Thanks so much for your reviews. The confrontation with the Wizard is indeed coming up. :)
Chapter 9
The main gates were opened and in came the Vinkuns. The gates were quickly closed behind them to avoid anyone else coming in. Fiyero nervously twitched as he stood next to Glinda at the bottom of the Emerald Palace steps.
"Your parents must really be concerned. I'm going to need your help so no one goes off halfcocked," Glinda told him.
"We're going on zero sleep and we've got a bunch of civilians who could be Wizard-loving phonies. What could possibly go wrong?" He gave her a look.
"Where is Elphie? We could use her too," the blonde wanted to know.
"She figured it would be better to be out of sight. Besides someone had to keep an eye on the civilians," Fiyero told her. Glinda nodded as the King and Queen of the Vinkus exited the royal carriage.
"Your Majesties, welcome to the Emerald City. I do apologize for the current state of affairs," Glinda spoke as the two royals approach her. The blonde bowed to the leaders of the Vinkus.
"Thank you Lady Glinda. We have come to check on our troops and offer assistance. Now is a time to show you have allies and ones with some clout," King Tahir smiled.
"Truth be told, we definitely need help. There is something brewing outside these walls and I'm afraid I cannot guarantee that there isn't trouble inside the walls," the blonde admitted.
"Lieutenant Bahri!" a dark skinned man quickly approached his Queen who called for him.
"Your Highness!" He gave a smart salute.
"Find Lieutenant Dilek and take his troops and yours. Secure the walls and make sure any prisoners are secure. If anyone objects, see they are sent the Prince's way to be dealt with," Queen Ayla ordered. Another smart salute and the Lieutenant was gone.
"Mother, Father, I cannot guarantee your safety as much as I would like to. We have had multiple incidents of traitors in our midst," Fiyero told them.
"We are warriors, son. Things such as these are not unexpected. Besides should the rest of Oz find out that we have been harmed in any fashion, they would soon find out what the remainder of the Vinkus thinks of that," King Tahir said. Fiyero nodded. He knew exactly what that meant – all-out war.
"Why don't we head inside and make you comfortable?" Glinda asked.
"Where is the one formerly known as the Wicked Witch?" Queen Ayla wanted to know.
"Currently, she is with some of the civilians helping them locate missing family members. I can have her brought to the Palace if you wish," the blonde said.
"Please do. Also, where is your Council?" The Queen asked.
"They are safe but I will bring them as well," Glinda smiled before quickly leading the royal couple into the Palace. Fiyero promised to get the people his parents wished to meet.
"Captain, are we supposed to roll over for your parents troops?" Lieutenant Zetti approached him, once the Prince separated from the group.
"No. Help them root out any more traitors. Make sure that Chistery and the other Flying Monkeys don't get into trouble when the troops find them. I don't want any trouble. I'm going to check on Elphaba's progress with the civilians," Fiyero told him.
"Schultz, Roth, Norris, and Bock are with her. As for the troops, I'm on it," Zetti nodded and was off. Fiyero went to find Elphaba first. He wasn't sure how his parents would react, especially when he told them he was in love with her.
To Be Continued…