A/N: So, people seem happy to meet the Lion Cub!

s.r.54321: Ahhh you have no idea how happy this comment makes me! Making characters real is one of the most challenging aspects of writing I feel, and it's so easy for them to come across as stilted. I'm so pleased they feel real to you! As for Nessa and Frex... you'll have to wait to find out!

"It's you," Elphaba breathed dizzily. The whole world seemed to have tipped its axes, and for a few moments she simply stared, transported back to the clearing near her home where it had all happened.

The Cub had grown in the two years since she had found him. Back then he was a scrawny thing, trembling and dirty. Now he was tall and lean with just the beginnings of a mane. His eyes were bright and turbulent, and fixed on her.

Elphaba was robbed of her breath, and her words.

He spoke. "I wondered whether I would ever see you again, green girl." His voice trembled, and she could see him fighting to maintain his frown, but with every second, vulnerability was winning out.

Elphaba felt herself rise out of her chair and walk towards him. The next thing she knew, she was throwing her arms around him, and his paws were hesitantly pressing against her back. The surrealness of this moment caught us with her, and unexpectedly, she felt her eyes burning.

The Lion Cub leaned back in surprise, and Elphaba realised her shoulders were heaving, and tears beginning to slide down her face.

"I'm sorry," she half-laughed, half-sobbed at the perplexed look on his face. "I just never imagined that I'd..."

The Lion Cub seemed to anticipate her answer, and he interrupted, "Me neither."

Then, before she absorbed what was happening, he took a step back. And knelt down. His head dipped toward the floor, and Elphaba felt a jolt to realise that he was bowing to her. Like an orchestra following their conductor, the rest of the Animals followed, and they were all kneeling before her.

She was speechless. What alternate universe had she walked into? She whipped her head around, looking to Fiyero for help. He remained on the floor, watching her with a crooked smile balancing on his lips. Fiyero nodded to her in encouragement, and taking a shaky breath, she turned back around. The Cub had now raised his head and was looking at her fiercely.

"I'm in your debt, Miss Elphaba. Without you, I would have been at the mercy of those soldiers. It is my honour to be able to thank you, after all this time."

Elphaba's breath hitched, and the tears flowed more freely. She opened her mouth to speak, but found herself unable to get the words out that she so desperately wanted to say. With a quiet sob, she launched herself at him, and the whole room erupted into cheering. Cries of, "Miss Elphaba!" filled the room, until the sound was ringing in her ears, almost drowning out the sound of her own tears. She held onto the Lion Cub tightly – he was a Cub no more, but she could hardly stop referring to him as such in her head – until the quaking of her shoulders began to cease, and she shyly disengaged herself. She lifted a hand to wipe the wetness off her face.

But where to begin? There was so much she wanted – needed – to say.

In her peripheral vision, Elphaba noticed Khanija walking towards her, smiling softly. "It is because of the Lion that I brought you here, Miss Elphaba. We have all heard of your courage in sparing his life, when no one else would have done so. I confess, I had to find you." The smile slipped from her face, to be replaced by a grim tightness. "It is I who need your help now. I realise it is a great occasion for you to meet the Lion again, but I must beg for your attention."

Elphaba's eyes widened slightly at the distress in Khanija's voice and she rose up to face her. "Are you in trouble, Khanija?"

"Not I. Not directly, at least not now. Please, sit."

Elphaba did, reseating herself in the chair she had been given before.

Khanija began to pace in front of a closed-off window Elphaba just now noticed. It was the window she had seen from outside, obscured by the scarlet veil. "Are you aware that Animals have been experiencing some... social challenges for some years now?" the Tigress began cautiously.

Elphaba furrowed her brow. "I know that certain prejudices do exist among some people." Her Father being one such person, she pondered with disgust. "What kind of social challenges do you mean?" she asked carefully.

Khanija nodded as if she had expected this response. "Not many humans are aware, Miss Elphaba. I'm afraid I must be rather blunt. Some of us have lost our jobs and property. Court hearings have been in favour of humans. Private cases, you see. Only the select few humans directly involved with such measures know of it – and the legal prejudices are subtle enough that fewer still realise that prejudice exists at all. But we are becoming accustomed to this, now. It is not new. However, matters have begun to escalate. Perhaps you were not aware that many Animals have been mysteriously... disappearing."

"Disappearing?" Elphaba's eyebrows rose in shock. "Whatever do you mean?"

"Animals have neglected to hear from their loved ones. They may see them one day, and then not hear a word from them for many weeks. After some time, their homes are found deserted – quite as though they had gone on a simple errand. Nothing much out of place. And yet no one has discovered a trace of them."

Elphaba's blood ran cold.

"All of us here have heard of such cases, with Animals we know," Khanija continued. "As far as we can tell, this has been happening throughout Munchkinland. Whether it has also been going on in other provinces, I cannot say. We have had no more information until recently."

"Recently?" Elphaba prompted quietly, when Khanija went silent.

The Tigress nodded, seeming to steel herself before speaking. "My parents have been taken, Miss Elphaba. I know that they were in fact taken. I saw it." Khanija's emerald eyes darkened, and it seemed as though she were no longer in the room, but somehow seeing something else entirely. She stared at the window veil as though she could see right through it. "We had been having a family dinner. My aunts, uncles and cousins were all there. They had all left though, by the time it happened." She blinked unseeingly, as if a curtain had fallen over her face. "They came for us then – the men. I don't know who they were. They had swords. I tried to protect them, and one of their blades got me down my side."

Elphaba shivered. So that was how Khanija had obtained her scar, which suddenly looked much uglier to her now than it had before.

Khanija turned her head minutely to look at Elphaba, blinking owlishly. "I escaped. My parents were not so lucky. I could not return to my home for fear they would come back for me, and I dared not go to my family for help lest the men find them too. Korèl and his wife found me in the streets and brought me here under the cover of night. I would have starved if not for them."

Elphaba was lost for words, and her mouth felt dry.

"The Lion spoke of you, Miss Elphaba. I knew from the way he spoke of you that you were my only chance. Our only chance." She tilted her head, indicating everyone in the room. "I managed to find you. It was the first time I had left this Tower in months, but I had to take the risk. The humans almost caught me..." she trailed off, closing her eyes, and Elphaba wondered what memory she was lost in. "But I escaped. And it was worth it, to bring you here." She reopened her eyes. "Your magic, I imagine, is very powerful. And your heart, I hear, must be equally powerful. So, you see, I need you."

The whole room was silent as Khanija finished her tale.

Elphaba expelled a breath, her head reeling. "So, Korèl has been protecting you? All of you?"

At this moment, Doctor Dillamond stepped forward. "Something like that," he answered. "It is like Khanija said. All of us know someone who has been taken. We found Korèl before any of us could be taken too. But..." he stepped closer, holding Elphaba's gaze seriously. "I have had a vision."

"A vision!" it was Fiyero who spluttered, and Doctor Dillamond smiled at him wryly. "Yes, Master Fiyero. Some of us Animals are gifted in one way or another."

"What was your vision?" Elphaba interrupted.

"A famine is coming. There will be seven years of abundance, immediately followed by seven years of brutal famine, the likes of which has not been known in Oz for two hundred years."

Elphaba gaped. "Are you serious?"

"Very. The humans, of course, are unaware of this. But it could be a way for Animals to be reinstated into society... for good. That is why we are operating this mill. If we can keep it going for long enough without raising suspicion, we can collect all the grain possible in those first seven years and store it here."

Realisation dawned. "And you will be able to prove that Animals are valuable to society by providing for us during the famine!"

Doctor Dillamond smiled. "Exactly, Miss Elphaba. But to actually keep this mill open for seven years without Governor Thropp forcing closure..."

"I see." And she did see. Elphaba was already aware a little of the struggle involved to keep the Tower in Korèl's hands. For as long as her Father was as uptight about money as he was... Doctor Dillamond was right. Keeping the mill open would be complicated.

"So, you see, we have two broad dilemmas," Khanija reclaimed her attention. "One; how to find the Animals who were taken and protect those who remain. And two; how to keep the Governor unaware of this mill until the seven years are up."

"And my Father will not trust that the mill holds promise until you can prove to him that it does."

"Yes," Khanija looked grim. "It is at present run entirely by Animals. The Governor will not trust that, with the existing prejudice being so fierce."

Elphaba pondered this silently. "And you want me to help you find your parents."

Khanija almost looked apologetic. "Yes. I know, it is selfish of me to be primarily concerned about my own Mama and Papa, when so many of us have suffered the same..."

"No," Elphaba interrupted, with feeling. "No, I understand. Please, Khanija, don't ever, ever apologise for worrying about those you love."

Khanija managed a wobbly smile in response. "I take it you are used to worrying for those you love, Elphaba?"

Elphaba looked down at her lap, her fingers twisting nervously. "It's my job to worry. But I cannot imagine having to worry about something of this magnitude." She took in a ragged breath. "I'll help you, Khanija. I must. I don't know how, but I promise to help you. Somehow."

"Thank you." Khanija's voice trembled, and her eyes brightened with unshed tears. "Thank you," she repeated. "Just thank you."

Elphaba's lips tightened. What could she say?

"You are very brave, Miss Elphaba," Doctor Dillamond said with a smile in his eyes.

She merely shrugged. She didn't think of herself as brave.

"Lion," she addressed the Lion Cub suddenly, and he looked up at her, curious. "Are you hurt too? Khanija mentioned you might be in trouble."

Understanding crossed the Lion's face. "No more trouble than everyone else here, Miss Elphaba. We're all in trouble. And will continue to be in trouble until things go back to the way they were."

Elphaba nodded, much calmer now she was assured that he was okay – for the present. Then a small smile broke out on her face. "What's your name? You haven't told me."

He frowned. "I don't have a name. That is, the soldiers called me Brrr. I don't know my real name, or if I ever had one."

Elphaba felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "Why did they call you that?"

"Because I kept shivering. When they took me, all my courage left me." His expression suddenly took on an intensity that hadn't been there before. "I should have fought back. I'm the King of the Forest."

Here, Elphaba interrupted. "No. Don't say that. You were only a Cub. And anyway, I think you incredibly brave."

He looked up at her, perplexed. "You do?"

"Of course. In fact... would it be alright if I named you?"

The Lion was silent, and when he spoke again, his voice suddenly sounded much thinner. "What would you call me?"

"Bir. Courageous."

He tested the name. "Bir. Bir." Then he smiled, wide and genuine. "I like it." Tears sprang to his eyes. "You actually gave me a name."

Elphaba couldn't help but grin back. "You deserve one."

…

By the time Elphaba and Fiyero made it back to Colwen Grounds it was three in the morning. Elphaba collapsed back in bed, her whole body screaming with exhaustion. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.

The next morning was bright. Too bright. Having had less than four hours sleep that night, and every nerve in her body still buzzing from everything they had heard at the Tower, Elphaba was positive the universe had conspired to kill her. The light was piercing, causing her to moan and clutch her pounding head. She felt as though an army of tiny people were hammering away at her head from the inside.

Mareem was up and moving about more on her foot today. Elphaba couldn't imagine she was really ready to be back to her usual duties, but she wasn't going to complain. Not when she felt so heavy and tired that she might throw up.

Her only consolation was Fiyero.

Her Father summoned her while she was preparing breakfast, and she followed, puzzled, into his study.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Fiyero has requested your presence at breakfast this morning." Frex placed strange emphasis on the word 'requested.' "I shall therefore permit you to join us, this once."

Elphaba gaped at him.

"I allow that it is uncommon for you to eat with us when we have guests," he answered her unspoken question. "Do not expect to be pampered regularly in this manner. I am only ensuring that His Highness' desires are treated with utmost respect, as far as is practicable. Why he wants to look across the table at you, I do not know. But if he is to have my little Nessa's hand in marriage, his needs must be taken into due consideration. I hardly need to explain, of course, that the utmost decorum will be expected of you for the duration of the meal. You will remain silent unless spoken to, and you will not think too highly of your opinions. A simple yes or no will suffice for most conversation. You will return to the kitchen immediately as soon as you have eaten, and your sinful magic will be kept under control at all times. Any breach of my terms, and you will finish your meal with Mareem. Do I make myself perfectly clear?"

He couldn't have been clearer. Not that Elphaba minded about that, for once. She was going to be dining with them. With company. And while the thought of sitting across from Governor Thropp admittedly caused her to quake in her boots, she was surprisingly anxious to see Fiyero again. Even if she had to bite her tongue, and not voice a single thing she was actually thinking. It caught her off guard how much she had come to tolerate, even enjoy, the prince's company in the past few days. Was she still wary of his intentions? Of course. He perplexed her more every time she saw him with his odd behaviour, particularly towards her. That didn't do much to encourage her to drop her suspicions of him. Nevertheless, she never brought her concerns up to him directly, and the thought of doing so actually made her feel a little uncomfortable, as if she were bearing false testimony in a courtroom. She considered to herself as she left the study that perhaps she wouldn't mind having him as a brother. It would be nice to have someone else around, besides Mareem and Nessa, who didn't seem to completely abhor her company.

Despite herself, however, her stomach still flipped nervously as she stood outside the door, preparing to enter, trying to hide her profusely sweating palms. It wasn't that she wasn't used to dining with her Father and Nessa. She did most of the time – just not in company. And she had certainly never been requested to be present. By anyone.

However, she did her best to straighten her face, and taking a steadying breath, she knocked.

"Enter," her Father replied coldly.

She pushed open the door, hands trembling just slightly, and curtsied without daring to look up immediately, in case she met Fiyero's gaze. She wasn't ready for that.

Frex coughed in reluctant acknowledgement. "Sit," he ordered, as though she were a domestic pet. She said nothing, merely doing as he said, sitting next to Nessa.

Elphaba fidgeted uncomfortably, until the toast rack was passed under her nose. By Nessa, presumably. As she helped herself to a slice – the silence in the room was deafening – she raised her eyes for the first time, her gaze immediately arrested by Fiyero's grinning face opposite her. Her mood lifted, and she couldn't quite hold back the small smile that threatened to break out on her face in response. She hardly even noticed the dark circles under the prince's eyes, denoting that he was operating on as little sleep as she was. All she could focus on was his smile – and his eyes. How had she never noticed the light in them before? How blue they were...

"Hey Elphaba. Sleep well?" His smile widened.

Elphaba's cheeks burned – how would her Father take a question like that? She decided simply to answer the question as nonchalantly as possible.

"Very well, thank you, Your Highness."

Fiyero raised an eyebrow, probably internally laughing at her demure answer and the use of 'Your Highness.'

Fortunately, Nessa interrupted. "I feel as though we haven't had as much time as I'd like for us to become properly acquainted, Your Highness."

Fiyero bit his lip, Elphaba noticed. It drew her attention to his mouth in a way she hadn't expected it to. Wait, Elphaba. Focus.

Fiyero coughed. "Well, then perhaps you would do me the honour of taking a turn in the gardens with me this morning, Miss Nessarose." The change in his tone was marked. It was smooth, suave, silky. Elphaba could see how a voice like that would be attractive, if it didn't sound so false. Did he know he was doing that? Surely, he must. Charm took over his demeanour like a glove.

"I would like that very much," Nessa beamed at him, and Elphaba suppressed a grunt. Why did it matter to her whether Nessa and Fiyero took a simple walk in the garden? She didn't know, but she didn't like it one bit.

"Actually, I would like to speak to you both about how we can best facilitate your courtship," Frex said. "Nessa, you are quite right my darling. Your Highness, I believe you are settled in now at Colwen Grounds?"

Fiyero gulped. "Yes, sir."

"Excellent. In that case, I think it would be wise to organise time for you to spend in getting to know one another. A walk would be a good place to start."

Fiyero placed his fork down on the table. "Yes, sir."

"You will be staying with us for two months. Hopefully by then we shall be able to make a deal that suits everyone. I trust this meets with your approval?"

"Yes, sir."

Elphaba suddenly found the wood patterns on the oak table highly interesting. It took her a moment to realise she had yet to take a bite of her toast. Noticing this, she forced herself to eat it, but it tasted like ash in her mouth. This conversation was really robbing her of her appetite.

"I would love to show you the pond, Your Highness," Nessa chirped, blissfully unaware of the tension in the room. "It belonged to my mother. I think you would appreciate it. And the flower beds she planted are simply exquisite."

"It sounds lovely, Miss Nessarose."

Nessa's eyes sparkled. "Indeed. Perhaps we could also give you a tour of the area sometime. You have already told me a little of how different the Vinkus is to Munchkinland."

"That is a wonderful idea, Nessa," Frex said warmly.

"Perhaps Elphaba could come too!" Fiyero ejaculated, almost desperately. The dual frowns of Nessa and Frex zoned in on him, and he squirmed in his chair, feeling the heat of their questioning looks. "I mean, isn't it only proper to get to know my potential future sister as well as my prospective bride? And anyway, it is probably best to have a chaperone, is it not? For propriety's sake?"

"...I suppose so," Frex conceded after a long moment of thick silence. "It is good to see that propriety is a concern of yours, Your Highness. However, perhaps, under the circumstances, it would be more appropriate for me to chaperone. I am, after all, her Father."

Fiyero's voice jumped an octave so quickly that Elphaba had to suppress her laughter. "Is that really necessary, Your Governorship? I'm sure you have much to do."

"So does Elphaba," his eyes narrowed to slits, seemingly mentally stripping Fiyero naked there and then. "She has her duties, and I am not certain that forming a relationship with her will be required in any case. I am not an unreasonable man – I shall keep a certain distance from you, to allow you to properly converse. You are right, however, that it would be wise to have another present. I am sure my duties can spare me for an hour."

Fiyero's shoulders slumped. "Very well."

"You seem to think very highly of principles of propriety, Your Highness," Nessa observed mildly.

Fiyero seemed to have difficulty meeting her eye. "Yes - well – my parents had high expectations of me."

"I take it, then, you have endeavoured to meet those standards of late?" Frex asked shrewdly.

Elphaba was no fool. She could clearly see that this was a thinly concealed probe into the prince's scandalacious reputation. She couldn't deny that she was curious herself to know whether this reputation was at all founded in truth. The manner in which her Father had approached the subject, however, with such callous directness, left a bitter taste in her mouth.

Fiyero put his cutlery down slowly, his eyes trained on the table. It looked like he was considering how to answer. "I am aware you have probably heard numerous rumours concerning me, Your Governorship." He chewed on his lip. "Many of them are probably true. Let me only assure you that I have no untoward intentions towards Miss Nessarose."

Frex observed him carefully, his face blank.

Elphaba felt a strange warmth rush through her as she watched him. She had no doubt, in that moment, that for as little as Fiyero had said, he had spoken honestly.

His shoulders slumped, and he seemed to have lost any energy he had possessed to begin with.

Frex finally spoke. "I would like to discuss this topic further with you in my study, Your Highness, if you don't mind."

"But what about our walk, Father?" Nessa asked in a small voice.

A slow smile spread over Frex's face and he leaned over the table to pat Nessa's hand affectionately. "Don't you worry, my pet. You may still have your walk with Prince Fiyero, as soon as you complete your morning lessons. I will not begrudge you that."

Nessa's whole face lit up, and she turned her beaming smile on Fiyero, who gave her a small smile back. Elphaba jumped, however, when his gaze suddenly turned to her.

There was a question in his eyes, as if he were silently seeking her approval. Elphaba also thought she detected a note of fear, as if he were bracing himself for condemnation. She smiled softly, hoping to assure him that she believed him to be sincere.

Apparently, it worked, as his face broke out in a smile more genuine than she had seen thus far. It caused butterflies to rise up in her stomach. There was a kindness to Prince Fiyero. A kindness she was beginning to see more of.

A/N: Bir is actually a real name, meaning "courageous," but I thought it sounded suitably Ozian. It's pronounced 'B-eer.'