A/N: Hey there! So, it's been a while since my last update. Hopefully this chapter won't disappoint! I'd like to give a huge thank you to those who reviewed and/or favourited/alerted. You all make my day. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year :D
On with the show.
That night, Elphaba dreamt of cats and princes.
The next morning came too soon, and she rolled away from the sunlight streaming through her window in protest. Something moist brushed against her cheek, and she groaned in half-asleep confusion, pushing herself up by her arms to see Cowper pressing his nose against her. With a moan she collapsed back down and turned away from the unwelcome feline.
Cowper shifted away from her and she registered the soft padding of his feet as he landed on the floor. With resignation, Elphaba forced herself up. As she stumbled to her small dresser, a thick stench slammed into her, and she wrinkled her nose in disgust.
Cowper had evidently made use of her make-shift litter. Great.
Hurriedly, she dressed and brushed her raven hair into submission, pulling it into her usual braid. It was 6am. She had an hour before breakfast had to be on the table. First, however, she needed to find somewhere to dispose of Cowper's excretion.
Barefoot so as to be silent, Elphaba grabbed the crate and slipped out the servants' entrance. The gravel crunched unpleasantly beneath her feet, but she grit her teeth and stoically kept moving. She emptied the crate over a bush at the back of the house, and quickly went back inside, brushing the stones off the soles of her feet with relief and heading for the scullery. Giving the crate a thorough wash, she went in search of something to replace the soiled newspaper. Deciding that an old, ratty towel would do, she headed back upstairs, remembering at the last minute to bring a bowl of water from the kitchen.
Elphaba hauled her window open to allow fresh air in to rid the chamber of the smell and placed the water bowl on the floor. Cowper sat at the bottom of her bed with his head tilted, watching her softly, and she realised there was a look of intelligence in his dark eyes. A smile tugged at her lips at the thought, and she wondered how much he noticed. She was almost tempted to believe he was a Cat, not a cat. But Elphaba had met Cats before, and they were just like her. Fiery, insolent, and almost impossible to shut up. Cowper simply watched her silently.
She sat down on her bed next to the black cat, and he searched her eyes for a moment, seeming to be considering her. Then, he padded forward onto her lap and purred.
Elphaba shivered at the strange sensation. Had anyone or anything ever come so up close and personal with her before? She couldn't remember.
Cowper seemed perfectly at home in her lap, and she found her fingertips beginning to brush his fur hesitantly. He preened at the attention, and she bit back a chuckle. Reluctantly, she lifted him off and rose to her feet. Breakfast wouldn't make itself. She glanced back at Cowper as she left the room, who was regarding her with something like sadness.
Down in the kitchen, Mareem was already bustling about.
"The Prince wants breakfast in bed this morning," Mareem announced, and Elphaba froze in the doorway.
"He what?" Astonishment coloured her tone.
Mareem grinned. "Says 'e's ill. Wants us to bring up breakfast to 'im."
Elphaba blinked. "But it's only twenty past six! Why is His Highness up so early?"
Mareem thrust an already filled breakfast tray piled high with pancakes, egg, bacon and croissant into her hands. "I thought you could answer that question for me!"
Elphaba felt her face grow hot in mortification as the idea of taking breakfast to the Prince – in his chambers – sank in. "But... wait... how do you know he wants breakfast?"
Mareem cackled, holding up a small silver bell, looking supremely amused.
"...what?"
"He rang for me using this bell. I'll start breakfast for the Governor. You take that to 'is Highness"
Elphaba fell into dumbfounded silence. This gave Mareem plenty of time to push her in the direction of the door, and like a sheep, Elphaba went.
She was quiet as she headed back upstairs to the guest chamber where Prince Fiyero was sleeping. Why was she doing this? What on earth did the Prince mean by asking for breakfast so early, and in bed? Was he used to such pampering in the Vinkus, like a little girl? If he was, she would certainly have something to say about that. She stopped outside his door, chewing her lip in anxiety. She was absolutely certain her Father would not want her to be the first thing the Prince saw in the morning, but she was even more certain that if she refused, she could expect the back of his hand.
Elphaba loitered outside the Prince's chamber for several minutes, shifting her weight from foot to foot and trying to work up the nerve to knock. Finally, she gulped and kicked her foot twice against the door. She stepped back and closed her eyes. This wasn't happening.
After a long moment, she heard shuffling, and then the door opened. She looked down stubbornly so she wouldn't have to see the Prince indisposed.
Fiyero sounded surprised. "Hi Elphaba. Is that mine?"
Elphaba grit her teeth. "Take it."
He laughed, but obliged happily, prying it out of her death grip. Elphaba took two steps backwards and cleared her throat, her voice laced with sarcasm. "What in Oz's name do you mean by ringing for breakfast with a bell at this hour in the morning?"
He laughed again, uneasily though this time. "Ah," he trailed off. "Well, I..." He coughed. "I was unwell?"
Elphaba scowled at the floor. She was determined not to look at him. "So you got up at an ungodly hour to order enough pancakes, fry up and croissant to feed the whole of Munchkinland?"
She could hear the grin in the Prince's voice, and it infuriated her. "Don't you do that when you're sick?"
"When I'm sick, I get up and get on with my work however close I feel to death. When you get sick, I would assume, the whole female population in the Vinkus stumble over their feet to nurse you. But I can't imagine you would get up before nine am to ask for food," she snapped. "So tell me, what is this really about?"
"The female population of the Vinkus? Does that include the Munchkin female population?"
He was stalling. Elphaba began to tremble with fury and embarrassment. "Answer the question!" she hissed, still not looking up.
"...I couldn't face the Governor. Not after the vase incident. Not yet."
She might have known it would be something like that. Somehow, though, it still surprised her. Maybe it was the vulnerability in his tone that caught her off guard. If she were less embarrassed, she would have added vulnerability to her mental notebook in which she'd already begun cataloguing the many sides of Fiyero Tiggular. Later, she would do just that. It sat nicely in her brain alongside "playboy" and "mischievous."
Elphaba huffed and spat, "Well, Mareem is a human being, not a dog. You don't ring for her, and you don't expect to be waited on hand and foot. Maybe that's what you're used to in the Vinkus, but not here. Not by me. And you needn't worry about the vase. I fixed it." She turned on her heel and stomped off, not giving him a chance to reply.
Fury rolled off her in waves. Who did this Vinkun Prince think he was? Was this whole visit a game to him? Probably, she realised with chagrin. His reputation preceded him. How was she to know what his intentions really were towards Nessa? That thought made her even more angry.
Before she realised she had a destination, she was standing outside Nessa's chamber. She expelled a breath. Well, since she was here now, and Mareem was taking care of breakfast, she may as well see if Nessa was awake. Cautiously, she pushed open the door and peered inside. Sure enough, Nessa was sitting up in bed. Nessa smiled brightly when she saw Elphaba at the door. Her smile in turn caused Elphaba's lips to turn up, in spite of the frustration she still felt towards Fiyero.
"Good morning, Nessie," she spoke softly, affectionately.
Nessa's eyes sparkled. She was the only person Elphaba knew whose eyes sparkled like that in the morning. Granted, she didn't know very many people, let alone what they were like this early. But she liked to think this was a trait specially connected with Nessa.
Maybe it was her vexation with Fiyero that caused her to feel especially affectionate towards her sister right now. She didn't particularly care.
"Good morning, Fabala," Nessa chirped.
Elphaba's smile widened as she made her way over to sit on the bed. "Are you ready to get dressed?"
"Yes, thank you."
Elphaba brushed a stray strand of hair out of Nessa's face, internally chuckling at the bird's nest her sister's hair looked like this morning. "Did you have a restless night?"
"I suppose so. Oh Fabala, I don't think I'll ever get used to having Prince Fiyero here! I was so happy last night I couldn't sleep."
Elphaba grimaced. She didn't particularly care to be reminded of the Prince's presence, but she did her best to hide that from Nessa. "Let's get you ready, shall we?"
Thankfully, Nessa conceded and Elphaba arose to collect Nessa's clothes from the elegant mahogany wardrobe at the far corner of the chamber. "What would you like to wear today?" She slipped her fingers through the row of silks, chiffon and other luxurious materials. "How about this blue one?" She indicated a simple pastel blue silk dress that flared out from the waist. "The blue is lovely against your skin."
Nessa paused thoughtfully. "Could I wear the dress Great Aunt Filepa gave me for my birthday?"
Elphaba's fingers halted and she stared at Nessa in bewilderment. "But that dress is green. I thought you said the green didn't work with your eye colour?"
Nessa looked down at her lap, her cheeks colouring prettily. Then she lifted her gaze a little beneath her lashes. Dang it, Nessa. Why did she always have to look so endearing when she did that, when Elphaba could never master any look that was remotely charming? "I know," she admitted bashfully. "But, well, Prince Fiyero did say that green was his favourite colour."
Elphaba fell silent, a little thrown by this revelation. "Green?" she asked weakly. "His favourite colour is green?"
"Yes," Nessa frowned slightly at Elphaba's obvious surprise. "He mentioned yesterday that it was the greenness of Munchkinland that surprised him, in a good way, the most since he arrived."
Elphaba spoke slowly, dragging out all her syllables. "Munchkinland isn't that green."
"Perhaps there isn't much greenery in the Vinkus."
"Perhaps," Elphaba hedged, although she was unconvinced. Pensively, she shuffled back over to the bed with the dress Nessa requested, laying it down on the sheets.
"Lift your feet when you walk, Fabala," Nessa chided her, brow furrowed.
Elphaba sighed but did as she said, looking up casually out of the window. What she saw caused her to take in a breath sharply. Unthinkingly, Elphaba squeaked, "Excuse me, Nessa," and bolted from the room. Nessa's bewildered voice followed her out, but she ignored it.
How in Oz did that cat get outside?
Elphaba ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Oz help her if Frex saw that cat before she could safely bring him back inside. Fortunately, Frex was unlikely to be leaving his chambers for another few minutes, so, she though breathlessly, she would make it if she was quick. She only hoped Nessa could forgive her for abandoning her without explanation, and that Frex would never find out she had done so.
The Thropp gardens were extensive and hugged the mansion in a crescent. Melena Thropp, the Governor's late wife, had spent considerable time there cultivating it, and Frex had even arranged for a large private pond to be dug in the heart of the garden as a birthday present for his wife. This pond she had filled with water lilies and various water species until it was teeming with life. Elphaba's memories of her mother were fuzzy, but she thought she could vaguely remember a vibrant, smiling woman who was as alive in every way as her pond. Elphaba couldn't be sure that this memory was accurate of course, but she treasured the gardens, and especially the pond, all the same.
Cowper was pawing at the stone bird bath at the corner of the pond and seemed to be trying to claw his way further up. Elphaba groaned when she saw him and made to scoop him up, now breathing heavily. She was intercepted by a tan hand blocking her movement and lifting Cowper easily into the newcomer's arms. Elphaba realised with a start that it was Fiyero. How had she not seen him coming?
Fiyero grinned at her, and to her irritation, her heart did a little leap. Stupid, playboy prince.
"How did you get out here?" Fiyero addressed Cowper playfully. "Elphaba wasn't that awful to you, was she, hmm?"
Elphaba scowled darkly. "It's your fault I have to run around after a cat, instead of doing my work, Fiyero. I think the least you can do is not blame me when he gets infected with wanderlust."
He opened his mouth to respond.
"Save it," she snapped. "You can deal with him. I have to get back to Nessa." She turned on her heel and tried to walk away.
"Woah, hold on a minute!" Fiyero reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her. "No need to be so prickly."
Elphaba turned around, eyes blazing. "Are you trying to get me in trouble?"
"No, of course not!" he defended.
"Then unhand me!" she hissed, pulling her arm roughly out of his grasp.
Fiyero was having none of it. "Hey, you aren't going anywhere!" There was a tinge of frustration in his tone now.
"Let me go!"
"Only if you promise to stay."
"No."
"Then I won't let go."
Elphaba growled, and suddenly, Fiyero was thrown backwards several feet as if he had been hit by an invisible tidal wave. Cowper slipped out of his grasp and landed neatly on his four paws, retreating a few steps and watching them in interest. Fiyero landed on his back with an 'Oof!' and Elphaba pressed her hands over her mouth, eyes wide in horror. "Oz, Fiyero, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do that!"
He lifted his head, a little dazed, and narrowed his eyes at her. "What did you do?"
Before she had given them permission, Elphaba felt her legs carrying her over to him and she flopped down next to him, her brow furrowed. "Are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere?"
He grunted. "Probably bruised my back."
"I'm sorry," she spoke faintly. Her lip was quivering now.
Fiyero shook his head and sat up slowly. "What did you do?" he repeated.
"I... I don't know."
He simply looked at her.
Elphaba moaned. "Please, don't tell Father. It's been weeks since I lost control."
Fiyero looked as if he had been electrocuted. "Wait... your Father?"
Elphaba abruptly realised what she'd said. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, but nothing came out, and she paled.
Fiyero was definitely paying attention now. "The Governor is your Father?"
Elphaba bit her lip and looked down, but there was no point in lying, so she nodded.
"So... Nessarose is your older sister?"
"Younger sister," she corrected him quietly. She dared to look up and found him staring at her, as if she was a puzzle he was trying to solve. "Please, don't ask me anymore," she practically begged him, an edge of desperation in her voice.
He looked like he wanted to push further, but he nodded slowly and Elphaba let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. To distract herself from what had just happened, she offered him her hand. "How badly does your back hurt? Can you get up?"
He gingerly lifted himself up as a test, but Elphaba caught the wince that briefly passed across his face. She closed her eyes. "I'm so sorry."
"Stop apologising," he told her, and she opened her eyes again. There was a transparency in his eyes that told her he had really forgiven her, and she smiled a little bitterly. Her hand was still held out.
Fiyero took her hand, and she almost pulled it back. Because as soon as his fingers wrapped around hers, a spark shot up her arm, and she suddenly felt very warm. She was unsure whether she found the sensation pleasant or not. She stood up, pulling him gently up with her. He tried to hide his pain, but the discomfort was plainly written on his face. Elphaba felt miserable. It had been a while since she had lost control of her magic, and even longer since she had actually hurt someone.
She let go of his hand and went to pick up Cowper, then she turned back to Fiyero. "I'll still keep him safe for you."
Fiyero slowly smiled. "Even though he's causing you this much trouble?"
"Even so," she nodded. "Although, yes, if you could get him to stay in one place, I would appreciate it."
Fiyero laughed.
Cowper started to wriggle around in her arms, and Elphaba tightened her grasp. No. No way was Cowper running away from her again. He mewled softly and tipped his head to the left, behind where Fiyero was standing. Another tug, and a louder mewl. "Hey," Elphaba frowned. "What's the matter?"
Fiyero turned around in the direction Cowper was tipping his head. He gasped.
"What?" Elphaba was suddenly alarmed. "What is it?"
Fiyero pointed. "Over there! I can see something in that copse of trees."
Elphaba followed his finger, and stiffened. A pair of luminous green eyes stared unblinking at them from amongst the trees.