A/N: Hehe, things are ramping up now I feel. I feel a change in the air. Anyway, I hope you like this new chapter. Chapter 16! Woo. (This is the longest thing I've ever written. And I'm loving every second of it). Thank you so, so much to everyone who has, and who continues to take the time to review. I can't tell you how much it means to me.

DefyGravity107: Aw, there's nothing worse than getting locked out! Good to have you back. I'm so pleased you're still enjoying this fic! It's honestly difficult for me to say how many chapters exactly... if I was to shoot an (extremely) rough guess I would say we're maybe about half-way through, but it's hard to say? There's still a fair bit to go yet though, I am certain of that. I know where I'm going, it's just a matter of how long it takes to get there.

WickedObsessed (Guest): It's alright, it isn't an inconvenience. I've been responding to reviews in the AN section anyway, because it's actually simpler for me that way. It also means I can offer information that might be interesting to other readers, since some of my reviewers ask very intriguing questions! I don't think it's so much assumed that Frex was abusive (or at least, for me it isn't). It just makes for an interesting story! That's my take on it anyway. I don't personally gather from the musical that he necessarily abused her, although he may have done. Ooh, I like those book quotes! I especially like the one about doing no harm. Having said that, though, I don't plan on reading the book, since some of the themes are pretty dark. I'm a Christian, and so with that in mind it didn't particularly sound like something I would want to read. That's fine with me though, I'm more than happy obsessing over the musical! And I did really love those quotes, so feel free to shoot me any more good ones you have! They're very insightful, and I love that. And I love your crazy reviews haha, so don't worry about that!

Elphaba pressed her forehead against Delaya's, gently weaving her fingers through her mane from the top of her head and down to her neck. Her hands continued the movement softly – up and down, up and down. In a hushed tone, she crooned to her, unwilling to step away from her even for a second. Nessa hadn't stopped screeching in her ear ever since she had brought Delaya back, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Delaya whinnied contentedly whenever there was a break in Elphaba's murmurings. Nessa's high-pitched rambling ran on in the background, but she blocked it out, placing a kiss on the horse's nose.

It wasn't until she unexpectedly felt wheels ram into the backs of her legs that she turned, startled and incredulous. "Nessa!" she exclaimed. "What was that for?"

Nessa sat back in her chair with a huff, crossing her arms, her pretty face scrunched up. She rolled her chair back a few paces. "First you run off to Oz knows where after some cat you were hiding beneath your coat, and now you're all over Delaya, completely ignoring what I'm saying!"

Elphaba scowled darkly. "Go on then," she answered. "What did you want to say?"

"Perhaps you could tell me why you had a cat under your coat in the first place?"

Here, Fiyero swiftly intervened. "I can't claim to know why Elphaba brought him today," subtly, he winked at her, and Elphaba's face burned. "But Cowper is mine, Miss Nessarose. Well – my sister's technically. Your sister kindly offered to help me take care of him."

"Cowper?"

"That's his name," Elphaba clarified.

Nessa was looking at her as though it was all too absurd to take in. And perhaps it was rather absurd. With some effort, however, she seemed to compose her face, and she turned to look at Fiyero – as if looking at Elphaba had suddenly become too exhausting. "I didn't know you had a cat, Your Highness."

To his credit, Fiyero looked rather sheepish. He brushed his hand through the hair at the nape of his neck. "I apologise. I wasn't sure how Governor Thropp felt about cats."

Nessa nodded slowly. "He is not fond of them."

Fiyero expelled a breath. "That's what I thought." He looked at the wheelchair-bound girl imploringly. "Would it be alright if you kept this between us?"

"You want me to keep this from Father?" Nessa's brow furrowed. "I don't know how honourable that would be."

A very peculiar look overtook Fiyero's face suddenly. Elphaba couldn't place it at all. "Miss Nessarose, I'm confused," he blurted out. The second the words had left his mouth, his eyes widened and he bit his lip, as though he hadn't meant to say them.

Nessa tilted her head. "How so?"

Fiyero's shoulders slumped. "Forgive me for saying so, but your idea of what is honourable seems inconsistent." His teeth came down harder on his lip, until Elphaba was certain he would draw blood. "You are reluctant to deceive your father, even by omission, but you seem very accustomed to behaving as though you are the firstborn, not your sister."

Elphaba's jaw grew slack at his words. Fiyero had in essence just called Nessa a hypocrite. Nessa, however, seemed not to react, except for the way her knuckles whitened as she gripped the arms of her chair tighter.

Fiyero worked to hold on to Nessa's gaze, apology swimming in his eyes. There was a steadiness there, however, beneath it. "I don't mean to be unkind. I know you are very devoted to Elphaba, and Oz knows, she's devoted to you."

Elphaba couldn't help the way her heart seemed to trip over itself at his words. Whether it was due to discomfort at the situation they were in, or pleasure at him coming to her defence, she couldn't tell.

"However," Fiyero continued, expelling a breath, "was it really necessary for you to wheel yourself into Elphaba's legs like that? Or to speak to her the way you just did?" His eyebrows rose minutely as he attempted to drive in his point.

Nessa looked torn between fury at the rebuke and embarrassment at the necessity of it. A sheen of sorrow covered her face, and she ducked her head, still not looking at Elphaba. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I don't mean to take away my sister's rights."

"It's Elphaba you should apologise to, not me," Fiyero said quietly.

This time, Nessa's shoulders visibly tightened, and a sharp intake of breath followed. Elphaba even thought she noticed her hands tremble. She finally made eye contact with Elphaba, seeming to force her tongue into submission, though her eyes were sharp like daggers. "I'm sorry, Elphaba."

Elphaba contemplated firing back. She wanted to yell, to scream at her sister how worried she'd been about Delaya. "It's alright, Nessa," she sighed.

Nessa turned away again. "I would like to leave now," she announced. "Your Highness?"

Fiyero nodded slowly. "Alright."

The tension was thicker than Elphaba could remember it ever having been.

…

Elphaba and Nessa were alone in the carriage, while Fiyero rode on Delaya's back as they made their way back. The outing had been cut short rather abruptly, but Elphaba couldn't find it in her to care.

Elphaba stared out one window, and Nessa stared almost viciously out the other, as much space between them as could be afforded. Cowper sat on Elphaba's lap, and absently, she stroked his fur. He, at least, seemed to have forgiven her for all the manhandling.

Out of the blue, the carriage came to a jarring halt, and Nessa's head swivelled to her sister's, her mouth already open in accusation, as though Elphaba had something to do with it.

"What...?" Elphaba began. Soon, however, it became wondrously clear what was happening.

The silence was pierced as the carriage began to shake, and three, maybe four boys started banging on the windows, faces pressed up against the glass. Nessa jumped in fright at the way their faces twisted into something like a snarl with the pressure of the glass against them. They were dirty, and their hair was as unruly as the incessant hammering of their fists and the shouts that poured out of their mouths.

Elphaba's jaw dropped in awe. The boys were small and stick thin. They couldn't have been above five or six years of age. Before she realised what she was doing, Elphaba threw open the carriage door, pushing the boys out of the way by necessity, and leapt out. Now that she was outside, their mingled cries were much clearer, and they all pressed against her, their filthy hands grabbing at her hair, her dress, her waist – anywhere that could be reached. Fiyero had hurriedly dismounted and was making his way towards her, face contorted in utter bewilderment. He seemed about to make his way to pull them away from her, when Elphaba cried, out, "No!"

She might have felt fear, had it not been for the desperate pleading tumbling from their dry, cracked lips.

"Money!"

"Please, Miss!"

"So hungry!"

Elphaba's brain tripped into overdrive, and she analysed the situation, coming to a conclusion about what was happening. "They're beggars, Fiyero!" she shouted over the rabble, by way of explanation.

Fiyero's movements came to a standstill as he absorbed what was happening, seeming to come to the same realisation. His eyes widened. Then, his face suddenly became entirely business-like and he marched towards the boys, one by one taking them firmly by the arm and prying Elphaba's dress out of their grip. Although outnumbered, somehow he managed to press them against the carriage, leaving them with no way of moving away. They had been wrong. There were six, and not just three or four of them.

"Fiyero, they're just children!" she protested.

Fiyero, however, merely nodded. "I know, Elphaba." He then raised his voice, suddenly commanding. "Alright, all of you! Hold still and listen. We can help you, but only if you calm down."

All at once, their mouths seemed to snap shut as they looked up at Fiyero with part awe, part hope and part fear. Elphaba's heart constricted.

"Fiyero, we have to take them home," she said, coming up beside him. "We don't have anything to give them, except the money Father gave Nessa."

Fiyero thought that over for a moment, finally nodding. "Yes, I suppose you're right. Will there be room for them in the carriage?"

A ridiculous question. Of course there was room. The boys, being Munchkins, were small anyway. Even smaller, being children. At the suggestion, their cries began again in full force, but Elphaba let them. As soon as they opened the carriage door, they each scrambled inside like a flood. Nessa pressed a hand delicately against her mouth as they piled in, glaring at Elphaba who calmly followed. "Fabala!" she all but screamed. "What on earth are you doing?"

Elphaba shut the door behind her, saying nothing when the boys tumbled about for space, one of them ending up in her lap alongside Cowper with his little hand twisting tightly in her hair. "We're going home," was all she said by way of explanation. Her tone softened fractionally. "Don't be afraid, Nessa. They're only young."

Not that this seemed to make much of a difference. Another of the children pressed up against Nessa's arm as the carriage moved off, heedless of the way they all smelled, or the look of disgust on Nessa's face. The smell was indeed pungent. Elphaba's own nose wrinkled, just once.

They were all jostled about for the rest of the journey. Several times, a mud-covered hand would plunge itself into Nessa's skirts, causing her to gasp as it rooted around for something to eat, or a few coins. The unspent money of Frex's was soon found, and Nessa groaned in protest as it was quickly taken from her by the little thieves. Elphaba continued to receive the worst of her death glare. The green girl ignored it.

By the time they reached Colwen Grounds, Nessa seemed to melt with relief as the boys poured out of the carriage as quickly as they'd come in.

"I'll take care of Delaya, Elphaba," Fiyero said. "And the carriage. You and Nessa can take the boys. I'll join you in a few minutes."

Elphaba nodded and expertly lifted Nessa back out of the carriage and into her chair. The group of boys looked positively feral, knowing not what to do with themselves as they gawked at the domineering mansion. Almost as soon as Nessa was settled into her chair, they were on to the sisters again, pawing, clawing, begging. Taking charge, Elphaba lifted one of them into her arms, probably the smallest – something she hadn't done since Nessa was young – and brusquely made her way inside, leaving Nessa to roll herself in with a huff.

There was no need to usher the boys along. They followed her like a swarm of flies.

Elphaba considered where to take them. She was almost tempted to take them straight to the kitchen; it wasn't as though she cared whether they ate everything, after all. But then, her more rational side argued that they needed to have some semblance of order. So she led them into the breakfast room, Nessa following crankily behind.

"Honestly, Elphaba," Nessa was saying. "This is ridiculous!"

"Perhaps," Elphaba conceded disinterestedly. "But we could hardly leave them. I'll mind them here, for now, if you can go and collect Fiyero?"

By the look on Nessa's face, Elphaba was certain she would have stomped her foot if she could. "That's Prince Fiyero to you, Elphaba!"

Elphaba bit her lip, but brushed off her mistake. Now was not the time.

"Prince Fiyero then," she agreed, starting to become annoyed. "I need you to go and get him, Nessa."

Seeming to decide that now was not the time for this battle, Nessa scowled, but obeyed.

Alone, Elphaba felt a little lost at what to do. The boys were still clinging on to her, so she took the time to observe them more closely.

"Please, Miss," one of them looked up at her, hazel eyes brimming with hope. He had wild curly hair that may have been blonde if it were washed. He was dressed in ripped, ill-fitting clothes. As were the rest of them.

"Please, Miss," he repeated, rasping. "We're thirsty."

Elphaba's breath caught at the sight of them. How long had these children been on the streets for, and alone? When was the last time they'd eaten? And how had they come to be on the streets in the first place?

Her musings were interrupted as Fiyero entered in the room, pushing Nessa.

"Fi- Prince Fiyero," Elphaba breathed in relief, before collecting herself. "We have to find them something to eat. Can you watch them for a minute?"

Fiyero agreed, and Elphaba swept out of the room, all but ignoring Nessa. When she returned with bread, fruit and some leftovers from the previous meal she'd found, the boys' eyes grew huge with hunger. She almost dropped the food as they launched themselves at her, until Fiyero quickly intervened, taking it from her and placing it on the table before it ended up on the floor. "Sit down!" he ordered, but not harshly. Over their heads, he shared a glance with Elphaba, and she nodded in understanding. Together, they reached for the children, pulling them apart until they were all seated in various chairs around the room; some had managed to procure pieces of fruit and were wolfing them down, but it hardly mattered.

"Nessa," Elphaba said, "could you share the food out onto some plates and pass them around?"

Elphaba was half afraid Nessa would refuse, but she did so silently. Thank Oz.

This done, all of the boys were scarfing down their share. Elphaba and Fiyero watched them closely, making sure that they limited themselves to their own shares instead of trying to start on someone else's, and also to ensure none of them choked with the sheer gusto with which they were eating. Elphaba had also brought cups of water for all of them. Watching them, she sighed.

Fiyero turned towards her, noticing. "They'll need a bath when they're done."

"Yes," Elphaba agreed. "Can you...?"

"Of course, I'll help," Fiyero answered, anticipating her request. "How many tubs have you?"

"Three. One of Father's, one of Nessa's and one for guests."

"Will your Father still be asleep, do you suppose?"

Elphaba shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

Fortunately, Governor Thropp was still asleep when Elphaba peered fearfully around his door. Her relief knew no bounds. Truly, it had been a risk even to bring the boys into the house. The whole time, Nessa had been stonily sitting and watching the chaos, or else discharging an instruction with an air of disgust about her. Elphaba would have to take another risk.

"Nessa," she began, quietly.

Nessa wouldn't seem to respond.

"Nessa," Elphaba prodded, softly. "I'm sorry to ask, but can you watch just two of the boys while Fiyero – Prince Fiyero and I bathe the others?" She would have asked Nessa to bathe the other two, but wasn't convinced that Nessa would be able to with her chair. She didn't say this, of course.

Nessa sniffed. "Why? You've completely disregarded my feelings in bringing them here at all. I know you want to save the whole world, Elphaba, but you can't! And anyway, surely someone else could care for the boys? Why you?"

Elphaba took a deep breath, seeking to hold on to her temper. "I'm not trying to save the whole world. Just six boys who desperately needed help. And what, you think we should have left them there?"

"No!" Nessa hissed. "Do you think I don't care at all? Of course, I care! But why did we have to bring them here?"

Elphaba was incredulous. "Did you have a better idea?"

Nessa seemed to mellow down. "We'll discuss this later," she said finally. "I'll watch the boys. You go."

Elphaba decided to take it.

About an hour later, all six of the children had been fed and washed, and all but one had conked out on the breakfast room floor within the last ten minutes. The last to do so was curled in Elphaba's lap, almost asleep, though hanging on. Elphaba hardly knew what to do with the child. She wasn't good with children. She'd never been good with any children except Nessa. Usually they ran away from her, screaming. These boys seemed to be an exception. She assumed hunger did that to a person.

To distract herself from her growing helplessness, she watched as Fiyero tiptoed around the sleeping bunch, covering each of them with a blanket. Her heart felt full to bursting as her eyes followed him.

Cowper sidled up beside her. Noticing the cat, the child laughed with tired glee, picking him up and depositing him on the part of Elphaba's lap he wasn't sitting on himself. Cowper preened, and the boy leaned back against Elphaba's chest, his hand slowly drooping as he stroked the cat.

"What's your name, Miss?" the boy asked thickly, about to drop off.

Elphaba started, not having expected the question. She only paused for a moment though. "It's Elphaba," she answered him.

He smiled wearily. "Miss Elphaba," he tried the name out. His eyes brightened momentarily.

Elphaba thought for a moment. "What's yours?"

"Girne," he mumbled.

Elphaba was beginning to think that the child had fallen asleep when he spoke again. "Can you help the Tigers too?"

She stilled, puzzled. What did Girne mean by that? "What Tigers?" she prodded.

She felt Girne shrug. "The ones that are building that castle. The men were hitting them. The Tigers looked scared."

If Elphaba had been confused before, now her mind was reeling. Castle? Tigers being hit by men?

"Where did you see this happen?"

But there was no reply. Elphaba looked down and realised that the child was peacefully sleeping.

...

What Girne had said troubled Elphaba greatly. She plunged deep into a pool of chaotic thought as he slept soundly, his steady breathing the only thing reminding her of her surroundings. What castle had the boy meant? Where had he seen it? Anxiously, she gnawed on her lip, until she became aware of Fiyero sitting down beside her. She snapped to attention.

Fiyero smiled apologetically. "Do you need me to take him?" he indicated Girne with a dip of his head.

Elphaba looked down pensively. "Maybe we should get him a pillow and blanket, like the others."

Fiyero's smile widened. "Sure." He rose, fetching the blanket and old cushion he'd retrieved for the purpose. Turning back to Elphaba, he knelt and gently slid his arms beneath the fragile body, pulling him slowly off Elphaba's lap.

Once free, Elphaba shifted slightly so she could place the cushion under Girne's head. He didn't stir, except to mutter a little in his sleep.

"Fiyero..." she began, mind whirring furiously. But what could she say?

Fiyero looked at her curiously. Maybe it was the way that he gave her his complete attention that motivated her to tell him.

"Girne said something to me."

Fiyero tilted his head. "Girne?"

"Sorry," Elphaba smiled crookedly. "His name is Girne." She stared at the child sleeping on the floor, brow furrowed.

"Oh. What did he say?"

"Just... I'm not sure exactly. He asked whether I would help the Tigers too. Out of the blue. I don't know what Tigers he meant. But he said they were building a castle, and that... some men were hitting them."

If she hadn't had his attention before, she certainly did now. "I'm sorry?" Somehow, Fiyero managed to sound confused and fearful and angry all at once in those two words.

"I don't know what to make of it," Elphaba admitted. "But Fiyero," she looked up at him with wide eyes, "what if this has something to do with the Animals disappearing? With Khanija?"

Fiyero didn't get a chance to answer, however, as Nessa chose that moment to roll over. Elphaba and Fiyero startled. Neither had heard her coming.

Nessa seemed considerably more mellowed down than she had been before. The frown was gone from her face, and her skin was as placid as ever, like fine porcelain. "Fabala, I would like to see Father," she said quietly, in a voice that was gently lilting. "Do you think you could take me to him?"

Elphaba sighed. She could never refuse her sister anything when she talked and looked like that. She was reminded of how much Nessa had suffered since Frex's... accident. She missed her father. "Of course, Nessie," she said with feeling. Quickly, she rose from the floor, tripping clumsily as the feeling came back into her dead legs. Once she'd gained her equilibrium, she positioned herself behind Nessa's chair and began to leave the room. Just before she did, however, she stopped and turned back to glance at Fiyero. "Can you watch them for a little while?" she implored.

Fiyero nodded, although he was frowning slightly. Or perhaps that was just Elphaba's imagination.

"I'm sorry, Elphaba," Nessa spoke once they were out of earshot of the breakfast room.

Elphaba paused. "For what?"

Nessa craned her neck to fix her baby blue eyes beseechingly on her sister. "I know you only want to help. I don't always agree with your way of going about things, but I can see that."

Elphaba smiled faintly. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, she walked around to sit at Nessa's feet, placing a hand on her knee for a moment. "You know I love you Nessa, don't you?"

Nessa's face opened like the morning sun. "Of course, I do. And I love you too."

That time, Elphaba's smile was genuine. She extended her arms, and Nessa leaned forward a little as Elphaba lifted her tenderly, walking slowly up the stairs with her, being careful where she placed her feet so as not to trip. It was difficult to see over Nessa's body.

Once they had arrived at the door to Frex's chamber and Nessa was back in her chair, Elphaba turned to leave. She might love her sister, but she drew the line at having to be in a room with Frex any more than strictly necessary.

She couldn't help listening at the door though.

Frex sounded as though he had just woken when Nessa came up beside him. They spoke softly.

"I've missed you, Father," she heard Nessa say.

"I've missed you too, my darling. Did you have a nice trip?"

"Yes. I didn't buy anything though. There was a nice scarf, and a pair of silver shoes. I couldn't afford the shoes."

Elphaba inclined her ear in interest at that. She hadn't seen Nessa looking at any pair of shoes. Perhaps she had seen them while Elphaba was chasing Cowper.

Frex inquired how much the shoes were, and Nessa told him.

"I'll buy you the shoes – I promise," his voice lowered in sincerity. "The market will still be here for another day, yes? Go into the drawer, my rose, and take the money you find there. I trust it will be enough?"

There was rustling. "Yes, Father! It will be more than enough."

"Then take it. Take it and buy the scarf as well."

Nessa's voice filled with emotion. "I don't know how to thank you. Perhaps – would it be alright if I took a little more, Father? It's only that I wondered whether Fabala would like something for herself. She's a wonderful sister, you know, and I know she hardly ever buys anything of her own."

Elphaba's breath caught in her throat, but a hard layer of steel was thrust into Frex's voice. "Perhaps Elphaba could have something of her own, if she had done anything to deserve it. Oh, I know she cares for you well enough, my rose. It is no more than is required of her. What gift should a person receive for doing their duty? No – once she has learned to control her temper, and acquired a sweeter manner more like your own, and once I have seen sufficient evidence myself of the change – perhaps then I might consider it."

Elphaba heard no more, for she fled.

She pushed open the door to her chamber, shutting it firmly behind her. Something was there, however, that she hadn't expected to see.

Her gaze was arrested by an item folded neatly on the bed. It was a scarf – in fact, as she took it up in her hands, on closer inspection, she was certain that this was the very scarf Fiyero had picked out for her at the market. She pressed the material against her face. Yes, it was the very same.

But how? The thought plagued her. Who had bought it, and why had they left it on her bed?

Suddenly overcome by a strange sort of impulse, she wound it around her neck with trembling hands – the same way Fiyero had done earlier.

A little reluctantly, but compelled by some unseen force, she turned and slowly lifted her eyes to gaze at her own reflection in the tiny old mirror on her dresser. The dark green seemed to at once melt into and contrast with her own skin tone. For a split second, she almost thought she saw what he had seen. Or did she?

Was it beauty she saw, or was it simply a distortion of her sister's image; the reflection of one who could never measure up, however she tried?

All the same, she couldn't take it off – even as her fingers hovered around the material, itching to rip it from her neck, and perhaps even give it to Nessa instead.

She didn't.