A/N: Chapter 8! Finally! It's been over a month (sorry!) but the next chapter is finally up. Life has a habit of taking over. I've missed writing so much, so I'm really pleased to be back. Hopefully it won't disappoint. As exams are looming, I can't promise that updates won't be slightly erratic, but I'll do my best! Especially as this fic is therapy for me.

Emilee Amethyst: I like your reply. I also like that Fiyero has the capacity to be surprising.

Fae'sFlower: I don't know if it does make up for it, but Frex has to be horrible I'm afraid. It's kind of important to the story.

Paula (Guest): Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words.

Somehow, she managed it. Dinner was made, the chores were all caught up, and Elphaba even had an hour to spare before she and Fiyero were planning to sneak out. And her Father was thankfully none the wiser.

With a sigh, she settled under her bed covers with a book, still fully dressed and with her boots and coat ready by the door. Nervously, she chewed on a strand of her hair, trying to disappear into her book until it was time to leave. That way she wouldn't have to dwell on what might await her at the Munchkin City Tower more than was strictly necessary. Cowper curiously crawled into her lap, his head peering over the book. Elphaba smiled slightly, tilting the book a little so he could see over the cover. Maybe Cowper was only an animal, but she enjoyed the notion that he might be reading with her, however fantastical an idea that was.

The minute hand on her bedside clock dragged closer to the hour, and despite her best efforts, Elphaba's muscles tensed a little more with every clock tick. She kept seeing Khanija's face blurring the words in her book. If she was honest, her face probably hadn't really left her thoughts since they had met. Or the ugly scar running down her side. Or the image of the lion cub she had saved all those years ago.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

With a huff, Elphaba threw the book across the room in frustration. Cowper startled, and mewled in protest, leaping out of the way to avoid getting hit.

"I'm sorry," Elphaba mumbled softly, running her fingers through his fur in apology. "I need to relax." That was spoken more to herself. Her eyes flickered over to the clock for probably the millionth time. It was a quarter to midnight.

"Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any." Hurriedly, she picked up her coat, throwing it on, and stuffing her feet into her boots. She looked back, where Cowper was still on her bed. On an impulse, she strode over and scooped him up, reaching for her bag that was slung on the back of the only chair in the room. "Sorry," she muttered, before lowering the cat into the bag, and closing the flap. The zip, she kept open, obviously. "Truly, I'm sorry." She really didn't want to have to subject Cowper to her bag. Maybe it was ridiculous, but she really needed some moral support right now. Some non-male, non-royal moral support. Perhaps it was better if she didn't stop to ponder why an animal felt more like a figure of solidarity than a fellow human being.

Silently, she slipped out of the house and made her way like a shadow to the Colwen Grounds stables. She didn't expect Fiyero to be there already waiting for her, but there he was. He was facing away from her as she approached, and when he heard her footsteps, he turned around, a broad smile lighting up his face. His hair was messy, and he was half shrouded in darkness, the right side of his face highlighted by moonlight. His clothes seemed slightly rumpled, and he was dressed so casually that she forgot for a moment he was a prince. He frowned a little when he noticed the muffled meowing emanating from her bag, which was slung over her shoulder.

Elphaba coughed in embarrassment at his questioning look. "Sorry. I brought Cowper."

Fiyero looked stunned. "You brought..."

"Yes," Elphaba said brusquely, shoving the hair out of her face. "I was nervous, I needed support and your cat seemed like a good candidate. Any more questions?"

Fiyero blinked. "None." Another smile broke across his face. "You can probably take him out of the bag now, though. No one will see him."

Elphaba conceded that, and carefully lifted the very disgruntled looking cat from her bag, tucking him under her arm. "Sorry, boy. I'll make it up to you."

Fiyero took a step closer. "Are you ready?"

She laughed uneasily. "Not at all. Let's go."

At that moment, a large chestnut mare whinnied from the compartment closest to them, and Elphaba made her way over there, reaching out to pat the horse's nose. A wistful look took over her face, and she murmured, "It's a long time since I've talked to you, Delaya." Sighing, she leaned closer, and the mare tipped her head to meet Elphaba's half-way. "I'm surprised you remember me," she whispered, a mournful note in her voice. "This is Delaya," she explained to Fiyero.

Fiyero stepped up next to her and reached out his own hand to caress the horse's neck. "You're fond of her?"

"Mmm," Elphaba replied, gently nuzzling Delaya's nose. "She was my mother's. Mama found her when she was just a foal. She was injured, and no one knew where she'd come from. Mama nursed her back to health, and after that, she didn't have the heart to let her go."

"You must miss your mother."

Elphaba was quiet. "I barely remember her," she admitted. "I hardly know anything about her. The little I do know, including about where Delaya came from, was told me by our old stable hand. He isn't with us anymore."

Fiyero picked up on the strange way she said that last comment. "Where did he go?" he asked gently.

Elphaba's next silence drew out long, and Fiyero wasn't sure she would answer. Eventually, though, she said, "He died."

"I'm sorry."

She didn't reply. Sensing there was more to this story, but deciding not to push her, Fiyero instead asked, "How come you haven't seen Delaya in a while?"

Elphaba looked at him sadly, continuing to absently stroke the horse's nose. "I come to see her whenever I can, in between my chores. Lately though, those times have been few and far between. I think the last time I saw her was several months ago." She looked away. "Nessa sees her often."

Fiyero couldn't think of anything to say to that. He wasn't completely sure what she meant by bringing up Nessarose. In the end, he decided just to drop the subject. "So, are you ready to go?" he forced his voice to sound bright.

Elphaba nodded and opened the gate to allow Delaya out.

"Wait, aren't you going to get a saddle? Bridle?"

Elphaba turned to face him. "No. We don't have that kind of time. Come on." She walked over to a stool, and expertly hopped onto the horse's back, Cowper still tucked under her arm. Delaya was serene the whole time and didn't seem at all disconcerted by the lack of ceremony, nor inclined to leave Elphaba's side.

"I think that horse is as fond of you as you are of her," Fiyero marvelled, swinging his leg over her back behind Elphaba. That made the green girl smile. "You think so?"

"Yeah," he grinned. "Is Cowper safe like this?"

The cat was balanced precariously in between Elphaba's legs, peering over the edge of the animal with clear trepidation.

"Oh. I don't know." Elphaba looked thoughtful. "Could he go back in the bag?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. Maybe he should just..." Fiyero reached over and grabbed him, Cowper mewling in protest, before nestling him next to his chest inside his coat, the zip leaving a little space for his head to poke out. Fiyero had to admit, it looked very odd.

Elphaba appraised him doubtfully. "You think that's comfortable?"

"Have you got a better idea?"

She pursed her lips. "No."

"Then let's go."

Sighing, she clicked her tongue and nudged Deliya forward with a squeeze of her knees.

The night was dark, broken only by the occasional beam of moonlight that managed to break through the thick foliage surrounding the estate. Elphaba felt her heart quicken at the prospect of losing their way in the thick blackness that surrounded them. She treasured every little bit of light that illuminated the path in front of them, if only for a moment. Fiyero was quiet behind her, save for his steady breathing. Somehow, listening to him breath in and out calmed her. The intermittent meowing of Cowper helped too.

Colwen Grounds was situated a few miles from Munchkin City. If it had been lighter, she would have guided Delaya into a trot to make it there sooner, but truth be told, she was too afraid of crashing into a tree to worry about that.

What would happen when they arrived at the Tower? How would they know how to find Korèl? These questions and more circled around her head. Unexpectedly, Fiyero's arm slid around her waist, and she almost jumped.

"Sorry," he murmured, squeezing gently. "Breathe. You don't want to pass out from hyperventilation."

Elphaba grimaced. "Ok." The feel of his strong arm around her wasn't entirely unpleasant, she decided.

Both of them were beginning to droop with fatigue by the time they reached the Tower an hour later. Elphaba dismounted first, then helped Fiyero to clumsily make his way to the ground.

"Now what?" he yawned.

Elphaba's lips tightened. "I don't know. Knock?"

Fiyero snorted, then shrugged. "As good an idea as any."

They left Delaya in a nearby stable. There was plenty of straw and water there, and Elphaba was confident the gentle horse would still be there when they returned. Cowper got stuffed back in the bag – Fiyero decided he didn't particularly enjoy being scratched in the chest. The Tower wasn't very tall – hardly surprising when it was run entirely by Munchkins. Elphaba didn't have a cause to come here all that often. Truthfully, she rarely had a cause to leave Colwen Grounds for any reason other than to frequent the market. The Munchkin City Tower had functioned as many things over the years. Currently, as far as she was aware, it had been taken over by a local family trying to get their corn business off the ground. Not much had changed in the place since they had started using it for storage several months ago. It was a topic she had heard her Father discuss in meetings with important nobles, as to whether the family ought to be allowed to continue with their business. Frexspar spent most of his days since the crash counting his money and obsessing over where to invest it. As far as Elphaba could tell, that was nowhere. Instead he clung to his purse like lichen to a rock, and it was doubtful how much longer he would permit the family to use the Tower if they didn't begin to see some returns. For the past few weeks in particular it had looked largely desolate. Privately, Elphaba wondered whether the family were still there at all.

In the dead of night, the unassuming Tower took on an eerie quality that came with the stillness and quietness. It was very old, built some two hundred years ago using a brick technique that was never used anymore, but had served it well. At the top could be seen a tiny window obscured by a scarlet veil – the only window to be found. Tucked away in the side was a wooden door small enough that Elphaba needed to crouch to rap briskly on it. For several moments she was unsure whether anyone would answer. She was just about to turn to Fiyero to consider their options when the door creaked, low and almost guttural, and a pair of speculative blue eyes peered from around it. "Who goes there?" the voice rasped.

Instinctively, Elphaba leaned in on her knees and breathed quietly, "Green girl from Colwen Grounds. I'm looking for Korèl?"

The eyes blinked, staring, then they flickered to her side. "Who's he?"

"I'm a friend of Miss Elphaba," Fiyero said simply.

Another blink. "You want to inquire about corn?"

"Khanija sent us."

A moment of silence, then the door slammed shut. They could hear muffled voices from the other side, one slightly higher pitched than the one that had answered the door. Their tones were urgent. Elphaba and Fiyero exchanged a look, bewildered, but they stayed put. Just when they thought they were going to be left outside to freeze to death, the door reopened, and a female Munchkin with soft brunette curls stuck her head out, smiling. "You had better come in, my dears. Come in out of the cold, and we can discuss what you need."

Gratefully, Elphaba let out a breath of air, a white cloud appearing in front of her mouth. Hurriedly, she ducked through the door, pulling Fiyero behind her.

When they straightened, they were greeted by stacks of burlap sacks rising to the ceiling, almost seeming to bulge through the roof. There was barely enough room for the male and female Munchkins, Elphaba and Fiyero, but somehow they managed to squeeze in. Elphaba immediately began to feel claustrophobic, but she swallowed the notion, and followed the cheerful Munchkin woman who was beckoning them to follow her, the man a little in front of her. "Come right this way," she said kindly. "Can't have you hovering out here."

Elphaba held her breath as they brushed past the scratchy sacks towards another door which they hadn't seen when the first entered the tower. "Got a lovely fire going in here," the woman addressed them. "Do make yourselves comfortable."

They obliged, following her into the room. Elphaba sighed as the heat enveloped them, shivering a little to shake off the bitter cold. The Munchkin man hobbled up to them, leaning heavily on a stick and heaving. He hadn't addressed a word to them since they entered, but silently, he stretched out his hand, indicating that they pass their coats to him. Elphaba shrugged off her coat, and handed it to him, along with Fiyero's. "Sit," he said gruffly.

They did. A large, old sofa sat in front of the fire, and they perched there. Elphaba caught herself fidgeting compulsively with her sleeve, and finally, resorted to stuffing her hands beneath her rear. Fiyero caught her doing this out of the corner of his eye and sniggered quietly. In response, she sent him her best glare.

Two arm chairs sat opposite the sofa, and their hosts plonked down there. The woman appraised them, eyes bright with interest. The man's expression was unreadable.

"So, your name is Elphaba?" the woman asked finally.

"Yes, ma'am," Elphaba replied.

"And you are her friend?" she turned to the prince.

"Fiyero," he introduced himself, purposely leaving out his title.

"Khanija told us to expect you."

Elphaba held her breath. "She did?"

"She did," it was the man who spoke. He lifted his face to look them in the eye. "I am Korèl."

Elphaba's heart quickened.

Korèl fixed his gaze on Elphaba. His face remained passive, but there was a glint in his eye, she now noticed, like a single star lighting up the night sky. "You are the green girl who saved the Lion?"

"Is he here? Do you know him?" the words tumbled out of Elphaba's mouth.

Korèl nodded slowly. "I do know him, and he is here."

Elphaba stood up so quickly the room spun. "Where is he?"

"Sit." There was a firmness in his voice.

"But..."

"I said, sit." He spoke a little louder, though not unkindly. There was a weariness suddenly in his demeanour, but he didn't break their gaze.

Fiyero grasped Elphaba's wrist lightly and tugged her back down.

With nothing else to do, Elphaba returned to her fidgeting. She could feel Fiyero watching her, and it unsettled her a little, but she did her best to ignore it. Instead, she took a deep breath. "Korèl. Khanija said she needed help. She directed us here. To you. And she also mentioned the Lion cub. Forgive me, but I'd like to know what's going on." Something, she knew not what, compelled her to look over at Fiyero when she'd finished, and she found him staring at her, looking vaguely... impressed.

Korèl's shoulders slumped. "Of course." He was quiet, and the Munchkin woman placed a gentle hand on his arm. Here, she took over, standing up. "Wait here," she instructed. "I'll bring Khanija in." Swiftly, she exited the room. Left by themselves, Elphaba took to bouncing her leg up and down. Fiyero, she noticed, had his hands clenched together in his lap, as if compelling them not to commit some crime. She turned away from him. Korèl was no longer looking at them.

When the Munchkin woman came back, Khanija was following her with a slight limp that Elphaba hadn't noticed before. Or was it new? Quickly, she stood. "Khanija..." she breathed.

Khanija gave her a strange sort of smile. "Miss Elphaba. Your Highness. I'm glad you could make it."

"Your Highness?" Korèl's brows ascended into his hairline, and Fiyero closed his eyes, chagrined. "Not Prince Fiyero Tiggular of the Vinkus, surely..."

Fiyero's lips twisted. "The one and only."

Elphaba bit her lip, feeling a little sorry for the prince despite herself. She was sure he had wanted to keep that titbit to himself. "Sorry, Fiyero. I shouldn't have told Khanija..."

Fiyero blinked at her in surprise. "You didn't do anything. The cat's out of the bag now. No harm done." His tone said otherwise, but Elphaba said nothing. A muted meow caught everyone's attention. It was the first sound they'd heard from Cowper since arriving, who had so far been as good as gold. No more, evidently.

Fiyero's eyes brightened in amusement. "Looks like another cat is out of the bag."

Smiling in agreement, Elphaba lifted Cowper back out of her satchel to everyone's shock and bewilderment.

Korèl expelled a breath. "I'm not going to comment on the fact that you keep domestic animals in your bag."

Here, Khanija stepped in. "Neither am I. I am sure this is something we can discuss later. Miss Elphaba, if you would?" She backed out of the same door that she had entered through, clearly intending for Elphaba to follow.

Elphaba tucked Cowper under her arm, stroking his back in silent apology, and obeyed, with Fiyero close behind her.

Khanija led them into a cramped, dark hallway. The chill quickly wrapped its fingers around Elphaba in sharp contrast to the warmth of the room they had left, and she shivered hard. It was distinctively like a cave. She could barely see her hand in front of her face when she waved it, and Elphaba found she couldn't put one foot in front of the other without bumping into Khanija, or having Fiyero clatter into her from behind. The hall began to steepen, and she realised they were heading up to a narrow staircase. Khanija's soft tread guided them from up ahead.

The stairs kept going up, up. How far up were they going exactly? Finally, however, Khanija stopped in front of a door that was beginning to rot, waiting for them to catch up. "In here, Miss," she said, nudging it open with a creak.

Elphaba was not prepared for the sight that met her eyes. Fiyero let out a soft gasp.

The room was teeming with Animals, all working at machinery of a kind Elphaba had never seen in her life. It was piled high with wheat and corn, and alive with the sound of grunting, grinding, groaning. Heavy looking wheels turned, creating a buzz that seemed entirely out of place for a failing corn business in the middle of the night.

Every pair of eyes turned on them, one by one, as they entered next to Khanija.

One by one, the Animals ceased their work, and the pulsing energy of what she could now clearly see was a very-much-working mill ground slowly to a halt. It was unnerving, to say the least.

Every gaze in the room was on them, and Elphaba began to fidget uncomfortably, even as she drank in the scene with awe and strange fascination.

Thick silence hung in the air.

A voice called out suddenly from somewhere in the room, "It's the green girl!"

That was enough to kick start the movement in the mill once again, and they were suddenly swarmed by the workers.

Excited cries and broad smiles enveloped them, and Elphaba instinctively cradled her arms around her chest, unsure what to do with all this sudden – and apparently positive – attention. She found herself backing away towards the wall, simply to accommodate the tsunami of Animals flowing out from behind all the odd-looking machinery. Fiyero, too, seemed to be a little bewildered, and his face had frozen in an expression that was almost comical in its boyish surprise. It wasn't long before they were both pressed against the cold wall, shoulders touching.

Khanija wormed her way through the crowd into Elphaba's line of sight, giving her a small smile that was significantly lighter than anything they had yet seen from the Tigress. "Don't be frightened, Miss Elphaba," she reassured her. "It's been a long time since they've seen a human other than Korèl and his wife – let alone someone as famous as you."

Famous? Her?

"Give her some space!" a booming voice rang out, and the throng parted to make way for a large figure with bright, intelligent eyes and a kindly smile. It was a Goat, Elphaba realised.

"I do apologise, Miss," the Goat addressed her. "And to you as well," nodding towards Fiyero, who was in too much shock to respond with more than a grunt toppling out of his slightly hanging open jaw. "Everyone here has been waiting to meet you for so long. I am Doctor Dillamond. It's an honour to finally make your acquaintance." His smile was gentle and warm.

Something about his demeanour settled Elphaba's nerves, and she stretched out her hand to wrap around his hoof. "I only hope I can be of help. I'm Elphaba."

Doctor Dillamond shook her hand. "I'm sure you will be, Miss Elphaba. And who is this?" He turned to Fiyero, curious.

Elphaba looked to the prince, eyebrows raised in question. He coughed and pushed himself a little unsteadily away from the wall. "Fiyero, sir," he answered.

"The playboy Prince of the Vinkus!" Korèl abruptly appeared behind them, the Munchkin woman – his wife, apparently – in tow.

"Fiyero Tiggular?" Doctor Dillamond's eyebrows rose in surprise, though curiously, not in judgement.

"Yes," Fiyero muttered, fixing his perturbed gaze on the ground.

Taking pity on him, Elphaba defended, "The fact of his being the Prince of the Vinkus is hardly relevant."

Fiyero looked a little startled at her proclamation.

"Of course not," Doctor Dillamond said. "Well, any friend of Miss Elphaba's is welcome here."

Elphaba was shocked to hear him speak in such a straight-forward manner. Were they friends? Fiyero had insisted he come along. And he was annoying, but that wasn't something she had expected him to do. She supposed that made them friends. Kind of.

"Come," Khanija interjected. "We have much to discuss."

The Tigress returned back through the crowd and nudged an old rickety chair that was peeking from behind one of the machines. A small Black Bear hurried to pull the chair out behind Elphaba, wide eyes imploring her to sit. Something in his expression communicated to Elphaba that as far as he was concerned, he was offering a throne to a queen. This notion perplexed her, but she bit her tongue and instead sat down, smiling at him gratefully. Cowper made himself comfortable in her lap. The Bear beamed at her acceptance.

Fiyero huffed and sat down cross-legged next to her on the floor.

The Bear noticed this, and turned to him in apology. "We only have one chair, Master Fiyero."

Fiyero snorted good-naturedly, a boyish pout balancing on his lips. "I realise I'm lower down in the pecking order here. Don't worry, I'm quite comfortable on the floor."

Elphaba bit her lip to hold back a laugh at his blatant sarcasm. The Bear shuffled away, unsure how to reply.

"Everybody get back!" a new voice spoke, and Elphaba was startled to see a young Lion making his way towards her, a peculiar mix of hesitancy and regal confidence in his gait. He had a frown on his face, but it didn't seem to be directed at her, although he appraised her up and down in a way that made a shock run through her body. A shock of – recognition.

Perhaps it was the shape of his face, or the suppressed glint of fear in his eyes covered up by a sheen of bravado, or maybe it was just that something in her spirit recognised his. Suddenly, however, she found herself staring at him with wide eyes, her faculties sharpened and thoughts brought into startling clarity.

It was the Lion cub.

A/N: Delaya is pronounced Del-EYE-uh. Chapter 9 coming soon!