Chapter 9
It was early morning when Glinda awoke from her nightmare about Elphaba's death. It was so early in fact the sun was just starting to rise over the horizon. She blinked her eyes a few times trying to calm her body. "It was just a dream." Glinda whispered into the air as she caught her breath. "Thank the Unnamed God it was just a dream." It took a second or two for her body to recognize a light pressure coming from her hand. Glinda gazed down, and once her eyes rested on her hand still holding Elphaba's her heart nearly stopped. As she stared at the green witch's hand she realized it was not limp in her own, but instead squeezing her hand in return.
"Elphie?" Glinda whispered. "Elphaba, can you hear me? Give me a sign, please." Glinda then felt the green hand grip her own tighter. "Oh Elphie, please wake up, open your eyes." But instead of Elphaba's movement increasing the green witch's hand began to grow limp again. "Elphie, oh no, please don't go." Glinda replied squeezing the green hand a few times trying desperately to send the limpness away. However Elphaba's pressure was gone and Glinda was back to holding an unresponsive hand. "Oh Elphaba." Glinda said as she let go of the green witch's hand and dropped her head and began to cry. Suddenly a few seconds later Glinda felt a hand stroking her hair then a second go under her chin and lift her head up. Glinda's blue eyes peered into brown ones that she never thought she would see again.
"Hello Glinda." Elphaba whispered, her voice weak.
"Elphaba!" The blond witch shouted as she pulled the green skinned woman up into a sitting position and hugged her fiercely as tears escaped down her cheeks. "Oh Elphie, Elphie, my Elphie."
"Its alright my love." The green witch replied as she rubbed Glinda's back in a soothing manner. "Please don't cry. I hate to see you cry."
"I'm...I'm just so happy your awake." Glinda said between sobs.
Elphaba only smiled as she kissed the top of Glinda's head, not caring that her own tears of joy were burning her face. The pain in her head and body still throbbed as well, but just holding the curly blond was the best medicine the green witch could ask for.
Some time passed before Doctor Roarke was informed about Elphaba's regain of consciousness. He then gave her some medicine that would help the pain that in flicked her body, and a cane so she could get up and get walking again with her injuries. Doctor Roarke then left to inform Twyla that the Wicked Witch of the West had awaken.
"So how are you feeling?" Glinda asked as she began to caresses a green cheek.
"Sore." Elphaba answered. "And I got a bad headache, but I expect nothing less."
"I was so worried about you." Glinda said as she tried to keep her voice from cracking. "I thought you were gone, I would never forgiven myself if you died, I mean I was the one that was suppose to be crushed by stones, not you."
"I would never let you get hurt if I could do something to stop it." Elphaba replied as she took the hand that was stroking her cheek and kissed the knuckles.
"Thank you though." Glinda said. "For saving me. I love you Elphie."
"I love you too Glin." Elphaba answered as she brought the blond into a hug. The embrace lasted for several moments before they pulled away. Elphaba then tilted her head down to take Glinda's lips for a kiss, but before their mouths could meet Twyla entered the room.
"My, my, so it is true." Twyla said as she shook her head in disbelief. "The Witch is back."
Elphaba only stared at the eldest member of the council with great sternness. "Well you must be happy." Elphaba spat. "This means you can give the Ozians a proper execution of the Wicked Witch of the West."
"Well, Elphaba, I have been thinking..." Twyla began. "You see this council was created sometime ago, but we only really started to deal with very important issues after the Wizard of Oz left. Our job like the Wizard was to rule Oz and follow the laws. With that said, when I was searching through the scrolls and law books of Oz, I came across something very interesting that I bet you don't even know." Twyla then took out a small leather journal. "This contains the logs of the Wizard of Oz, and well according to one of the entries there is some amazing truth."
"What kind of amazing truth?" The green witch asked.
"Well Elphaba the former Wizard of Oz is your father." Twyla replied.
"The former Wizard of Oz is my father?" Elphaba asked in shock.
Twyla nodded her head. "He makes note about it in a few of his last logs."
"It is true." Glinda said. "After I thought you died from the bucket of water, I met up with the Wizard and the truth was discovered when we started talking about that green bottle you kept."
"And according to the law of Oz...after the Wizard of Oz passes or leaves the next of kin shall take the place." Twyla replied. "In other words, Elphaba by blood you are heir to Oz."
"I don't think the Ozians will care that I'm the daughter of the Wizard." Elphaba said. "I think they will want my death anyway."
"Well I have at least changed my mind about your fate." Twyla answered. "After seeing you save Glinda I know you are not as evil and selfish as all of Oz thinks."
"I do not think simply saying I did a good deed will change their minds." The green witch replied. "The Oz people are not going to be that trusting of the Wicked Witch of the West. Even if I did save Glinda. They want something more before they can trust someone with a reputation like mine."
Suddenly the Earth shook with a great force causing Elphaba and Glinda to clutch one another to remain steady as the intense shaking threatened to knock them to the ground. "What is with these earth shakes?" Glinda asked.
Twyla then stumbled to a table that was positioned near the window. After regaining her balance Twyla caught the view from the window. What Twyla saw next shocked her and made her rub her eyes in disbelief. A great dragon with red scales and blood colored eyes was walking around outside. It's tail looked like a giant club and when it hit the ground it caused the Earth to shake.
"Sweet Oz!" Twyla exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" Elphaba asked.
"There's a dragon outside!" Twyla shuddered.
"A dragon?" Elphaba asked. "Maybe its Kaida." The green witch thought to herself as she went by the window as well. She then peered out the window and saw the red dragon who was making it's way towards Shiz. The dragon was not alone however, upon it's back was Samson leading the creature on. "Okay, that's definitely NOT Kaida."
"Elphaba! Hear me!" Samson screamed. "I know you live, you really should learn to stay dead! But if you don't want me to destroy Shiz and everyone living there then you better come out now and face The Destroyer and myself!"
Elphaba growled in rage as she gathered her cane and broom and headed towards the door to exit, but Glinda stood in her way. "I'm coming with you."
"Don't be insane, Glinda." Elphaba replied.
"You're telling me not to be insane?" The curly blond asked. "You're the one going to face a giant dragon alone while you are injured."
"I have no choice in the matter." The green witch answered. "I need to face Samson or he will destroy Shiz and everyone there."
"You will need my help." Glinda said. "Besides it will be a plus to have another witch on your side."
Elphaba knew deep inside she was going to need help. With her current state she doubted her body was up to tackling this challenge alone. "All right, you can help." The green witch said. "I need you to get the Grimmerie. There's a special spell that could help us defeat Samson and his helper there. I will stall them as you get it."
"I'll get it as fast as I can." Glinda replied as she kissed Elphaba quickly on the lips. "Just be careful."
"I will." Elphaba answered as she watched Glinda exit the room and once she was outside start to travel by bubble to retrieve the Grimmerie.
"Are you really going to try to save Shiz?" Twyla asked.
"Yes, I really am." Elphaba answered.
"So let me get this straight." Twyla said. "You are going to try to save a place where it's people hate you?"
"That's right." The green witch answered.
"You are definitely not the Wicked Witch of the West I have heard about in the legends." Twlya replied as she shook her head.
Elphaba didn't answer as she exited the room and made her way towards where Samson was. It didn't take him long to led the Destroyer to the very doorstep of Shiz, yet Elphaba had made her way there first and stood before them.
"So you have decided to face me." Samson snickered. "I have to admit, I'm quite surprised you survived your injury, I surely thought you would face the same fate as your sister...crushed to death." Elphaba's top lip curled in anger as he joked about Nessa's death. "Then again if you did die I wouldn't have the pleasure of killing you now!" With that Samson pulled on the reins that controlled the dragon and sent it's jaws down towards the green witch. Luckily she saw this coming, and leaped back before the red dragon's teeth could come in contact with her flesh and bones. Samson only laughed at Elphaba as she held up her broom in a defensive manner. "You're such a fool! All of Oz hates you yet your going to die for them." Elphaba then started to run as fast as her cane would allow, away from Shiz. Samson in turn led the Destroyer after the green witch. "I can't wait to kill you!" Elphaba didn't waste any time as she fled towards the trees. The Ozians could only watch from their homes in confusion and in awe as a wounded Wicked Witch of the West battled a enormous dragon, known as The Destroyer, to save Shiz. "Burn the trees! Smoke her out!" Samson ordered. In turn the dragon took in a mighty breath and let it's fire descend upon the trees.
Elphaba not letting her fear get the best of her began to speak a chant. "EB ENOG ERIF! EN ELEKA! EOMC DNIW! EN ELEKA!" Once the chant ended a powerful breeze came forth from the west and fell upon the trees that were consumed by flame. Samson cursed under his breath as he watched the wind that Elphaba called upon kill the fire. "Don't think you can destroy me that easily!" Elphaba shouted as she pushed deeper into the brush.
"Destroyer, go around to the back." Samson spat, angered that a injured witch was beating him. Elphaba hid behind two oak trees looking for where Samson had guided the dragon too. Her brown eyes scanned the area, but there was no signs of either of them.
"How can a dragon of that size disappear?" Elphaba whispered. Suddenly however one of the oak trees that Elphaba was using as a shield was pulled from the ground by the Destroyer who had made a secret attack from the rear.
"Tear her apart!" Samson screamed as the dragon raised it's razor sharp claws. "Feast on her unnatural green flesh!" Elphaba rushed behind the second oak tree only to have it get cut down in front of her as the beast's claws came in contact with the trunk. The Witch of the West was able to duck the second attempt, but the third time the dragon used the back of it's foot and smashed Elphaba to the ground. This caused her cane to fall from her hand. Samson in turn began to laugh in a cheeky manner as he watched Elphaba struggle to her feet. Small drops of blood were falling from her head. "You are truly a fool!" Samson chuckled. "Look how you suffer! But don't worry I will put you out of your misery."
Just then however, a bubble floated in front of the Destroyer's face. It stayed there for a beat or two before flying down to Elphaba. The bubble grew bigger with every passing second before landing beside Elphaba. Once the bubble reached full size Glinda stood in it's place.