They set a date (the day after it was estimated they'd arrive back, Fiyero claimed he couldn't wait any longer), and invitations were ready to be sent out. Elyria cried when they had to return to Shiz.
As Elphaba stepped into the dorm room, Glinda assaulted her with hugs. "You're engaged! I can see it in your face; you look so happy. Oh, I hoped you'd say 'yes'. I'm so glad for you."
"How long did the two of you work behind my back to plan that out?" But Elphaba was not angry. She was giggling.
"A damn long time."
Elphaba's eyes widened. Glinda didn't swear much.
"Oops! I'm sorry. Anyway, I've already decided what I'm getting you as a wedding gift."
"And apparently, so has Fiyero." Elphaba mumbled.
"Huh?"
"He didn't tell you about that part?"
"What part? Oooh, Elphie, tell!"
"He's having a mansion built for us. I think he's insane and that we could live in the castle happily, but he insists." Elphaba shrugged.
"A mansion? That's so exciting! I wish I could catch a man who'd build me a mansion."
"You will, Glinda, sooner or later."
Nanny wheeled Nessa into the room, and her father followed. "Fabala," he said, looking like he was struggling for words. Finally, he sighed and said simply, "I was wrong."
"You knew, too, didn't you?" Elphaba realized.
"He wrote to your father," Nanny piped in. "That man of yours was adamant on it, in fact. Fiyero came in several times while you were out to work things out with your father and I."
Elphaba turned to Fiyero, who was in the doorway with her bag, still. No one had noticed him amongst all the commotion. "You are quite sneaky, aren't you?"
"Not normally. I was so worried you'd figure it out." He admitted.
"I thought something was going on!" She exclaimed. "I never expected it to be what it was, not in the least."
"That's what I hoped for." Fiyero put her bag down and squeezed her hand. "I'm going to let you and your family be alone for a while. I'll see you when classes start tomorrow, okay?"
"All right." She grabbed him before he got out the door, though. "Wait!" Elphaba wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him very deeply. "I love you."
Fiyero smiled lopsidedly. "I love you, too." He headed down the hall.
On his way down the stairs, he ran into Madame Morrible. "Master Fiyero, it's getting quite late. What in Oz are you doing in the girls' dormitories at this time of night?"
"My fiancé and I have just returned from vacation and I was bringing her bag to her dorm for her, that's all." Fiyero skipped merrily down the stairs, leaving Madame Morrible gaping in his wake.
Back in her dorm room, everyone was still gathered around Elphaba. "I'm tired," she protested, "I'd like to get to sleep."
"In a few minutes," Glinda waved her comment away. "How did he ask you? He wouldn't tell me too many details."
"I'll tell you later." Elphaba said. "That's a secret."
Glinda glowed with anticipation.
Nessa cleared her throat and the room became silent. "Sister, congratulations. I am happy to know that you and Fiyero have chosen to join before the Unnamed God and become husband and wife."
Elphaba was too giddy and sleep-deprived to make a smart remark and only said, "Thank you." Loudly she asked, "Now, may I please get to bed? Classes start up again tomorrow."
Nanny and Nessa left the room but Frex lingered for a moment. "I only came to see your return. Unfortunately, I have duties back in Munchkinland. I won't see you again until the wedding. Congratulations, Fabala."
Elphaba nodded slowly as her father left the dorms. "What a night."
There was a rapping on the door. "Miss Elphaba?"
"Damn, it's Morrible. What the hell does she want?" Elphaba grumbled.
Glinda looked at her and shrugged. She jumped to open the door. "Yes?"
Madame Morrible stepped into the room. "I was just patrolling the hallways when I ran into Master Fiyero on his way out. He mentioned that you two were engaged, Miss Elphaba. I just came to give my best wishes. I hope this does not mean that you are deciding not to work for Our Dear Wizard?"
"No, not at all. My living in the west might make it easier, anyway," Elphaba smiled forcibly. "If you'll excuse me, Madame, I'd like to get to bed. I wouldn't want to miss any part of class tomorrow."
"Oh, of course, my dear. Have a good evening." The old woman shut the door.
Elphaba finally began changing into her nightgown. She gave Glinda a look when the blonde jumped onto her bed.
"What? You said you'd tell me how he proposed."
Elphaba sat down on her bed next to Glinda. "Well, as you know, he took me to a hotel, and we stayed in the king's suite. When I came out of my stupor, thank you," she glared at Glinda for a moment, "we had dinner on the balcony. He then ordered dessert and in my ice cream was this ring," Elphaba held out her hand for Glinda to study.
"It's beautiful." Glinda examined the golden ring with etched patterns of triangles and diamonds.
"I know," Elphaba blushed. "Anyway, he got down on his knees next to my chair and proposed. He almost thought I was going to say 'no', too."
"And what did he do when you said 'yes'?"
"He told me he loved me and took me back to bed." Elphaba grinned.
Glinda was scandalized. "Elphie! I thought that didn't matter to you."
"It doesn't," Elphaba said, "but it was sure as hell nice. The next day we went back to the castle to tell his family. His mother went crazy. She got me fitted for the gown and such, and told me stories about her wedding night… that I did not necessarily want to hear. I saw people building something outside one morning and that's when Fiyero told me about his foolish mansion, and we spent the rest of the time discussing the wedding. That's about it."
"That's so cute! Well, except the sex."
"Sex isn't cute." Elphaba agreed.
"Under the right circumstances it could be romantic," Glinda decided.
"Okay." Elphaba moved to get into bed. "It's been a big night. I'm going to sleep."
"Fine. Sleep tight, Elphie."
It was lucky she'd taken all of her important classes before second term, because she could barely concentrate. Her mind could not seem to focus on anything but the wedding, or Fiyero. Elphaba was constantly daydreaming during class and got by only because she'd known the information without having the lecture. She'd never thought something social could distract her from classes so much. The day when invitations arrived for their friends at Shiz was chaos, since only Glinda knew beforehand that Elphaba and Fiyero were engaged.
Fiyero arrived to walk Elphaba to class and Glinda was bouncing around the room holding an invitation. "These are so cute! Did your mother make them?"
Elphaba rolled her eyes, causing Fiyero to bite back a laugh. "Uh, yeah."
"Would you tell her that I think they're adorable, next time you write to her?"
"Why don't you tell her at the wedding, Glinda? You are coming, right?" Elphaba grabbed her books.
"Oh, yes. But I'm dreadfully forgetful."
"Tell me about it," Elphaba met Fiyero at the door and closed it behind them. "Last night, when we were half asleep, she asked me if my mother was coming to the wedding. I said something like 'Glinda, my mother's dead,' and she just asked, 'When did that happen? I'm so sorry! Was it unexpected? Have you told Nessa yet?' I practically died laughing."
"She must've been really tired," Fiyero said.
"Or just stupid." Elphaba replied. She took his hand and they headed over to the lecture hall.
"Elphaba! Fiyero!" Crope and Tibbett were running towards them.
Elphaba laughed at the two boys panting as they caught up to them. Tibbett said, "See, Crope? I told you it's not a joke. She's wearing a ring!"
Crope grinned. "So, you two are tying the knot, huh?"
Fiyero nodded proudly. "Yup. It took more than two years, but I caught her."
"Is that how you see it?" Elphaba said, hands on her hips.
"It might as well be, with you." He pulled her to him. "Are you two coming to the wedding?"
Tibbett exclaimed, "We wouldn't miss it! It ought to be quite interesting. Except, we had a quick question about apparel…"
"You are not showing up to my wedding in women's clothing!" Elphaba snapped.
"How'd you know what we were going to ask?" Crope said, frowning.
"How could I not? That's all you ever do. I refuse to allow you two to wear dresses to my wedding. It's not happening." Elphaba responded, nose in the air.
"Aw, come on, Elphie, it's all in good fun," Tibbett pleaded.
"I said 'no'."
"We'll do a strip tease," Crope offered.
"That only makes me more unhappy with it. Can't you have some class for once? It's a wedding."
"Fine," the two said in unison, pretending to cry.
"Oh, shut it." Elphaba snorted.
And then it was off to the wonderful task of paying no attention in class.