Thank you to MyLittleElphie for the review and the chat.
Thank you to Caliax for the review.
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5/18/15
After brunch the girls met the boys outside. Adjusting themselves, the girls donned their sunhats. The boys still shifted uncomfortably at the flowery aroma wafting off them; except Fiyero, who looked content to soak up the sun. As the coach approached the Amas frowned.
"Why do they have a couple of extra horses?" asked Milla.
"I asked for a horse so I could ride," Avaric explained, "but I don't know about the other."
"I asked for it." Elphaba answered. They looked to her.
"You ride, Elphie?" Boq asked, but the green girl shook her head.
"No, I was never taught. This horse is for Miss Shenshen."
"Why?" asked Shenshen.
"You wanted to ride; I did not think we should stop something you enjoy such."
Shenshen squealed in delight and bounced to Elphaba. Throwing her arms around the green girl, she hugged her tightly. Elphaba stiffened, which grew even worse as Shenshen bounced up and gave her a pick on her cheek.
"Thank you so much! I take back every mean thing I said about you!" the brunette said, and let the statue of Elphaba go. "I'll be right back! I have to go change!"
"Miss Shenshen…" Ama Clipp started but the girl was gone before she could. The Ama sighed, and her two cohorts gave her reassuring pats on the back. Ama Clipp gave Elphaba a dark look, which seemed to unlock the girl.
"If you're hoping to cow me, I must inform you my father is a unionist preacher. If his harangues could not straighten me out, a look will do nothing of the sort." Elphaba responded. Ama Clipp sighed heavily.
"That was nice of you, Miss Elphaba." Pfannee said, a little disdain creeping into her voice.
Elphaba paid her no mind and went out to the horses. Going near the one pulling the cart, the two eyed each other. It looked as if two beasts had met in the forest and were sizing the other up. Finally, Elphaba spoke.
"Are you a Horse? You have nothing to fear from us if you are. We are not so inclined to persecute you for it." She said gently. The horse shook his head.
"I should think not; I merely think and talk. But you are green!" he said in a neighing voice. The cab driver looked mildly annoyed. Elphaba smiled.
"How do you do? My name is Elphaba."
"Well enough, I should think. My name is Harman. I am glad I shall be carrying such dainty folk as yourself; the other week I carried a load of bankers. As rotund as could be, and much weight!"
"Harman." The cab driver warned. "No need to be so talkative."
Elphaba shot the man a withering glare.
"And why shouldn't he? Do you not like for an Animal to express himself?"
"My apologies if I offended, Miss." The cab driver said, dipping his head. "I merely meant that Harman can go on for a long time, and you've rented us for the day. No need to wear himself out talking."
"I may no longer be in my prime, but I am not so old!" the Horse protested.
"Is there any way to send you back and just keep Harman?" Elphaba asked. The man looked mildly put out.
"I'm sorry, Miss, but I do not have a way back."
"You can use the horse I requested." Avaric drawled. "I no longer fancy riding."
"If that is what the young master wants." The driver said hesitantly. Avaric smiled and passed the man a bank note.
"For your services for the day. We'll send the rest home with the cab."
The driver nodded and dismounted the cab. Remounting the horse, he gave one more look back before setting off on his way. A few moments later, Shenshen appeared in her riding habit. Looking about, she frowned.
"What is going on? Are we not going anymore?" she asked.
"No, I just won't be riding. I decided it was too much work." Avaric replied.
"Oh? But where is our driver going?" Shenshen continued.
"Back to the station." Elphaba replied. "Harman here will take us as there is no need for a driver when a Horse can do the job just as well."
"Oh! Is my…horse a Horse?" Shenshen asked nervously. Harman shook his head.
"No. She's just a trail broke mare." He replied. "She'll do you fine if you don't push above a slow trot."
"No cantering at all?"
"Not much more than a ten seconds. And no sudden turns. She isn't trained to be some show horse."
"I'll remember. Do you happen to know what style she is trained in?"
"Redsand Gillikin." Harman responded.
"I see." Shenshen said.
Shenshen moved over to the horse and held her hand up to it. After a few moments the horse seemed to accept her scent and Shenshen moved closer to examine the mare. After a basic walk around, she deftly mounted the horse to the horror of the Amas. Adjusting herself in the saddle, she smiled broadly.
"Shall we go?
Shenshen rode along the coach on one side while almost the rest of the Circle relaxed inside. Strangely enough, Fiyero had opted to walk along it, stating he had not had a chance to really stretch his legs in awhile. The Circle had shrugged as they were reminded once again that the Vinkun was still different.
The Amas had been outraged to learn that there was not enough room for them, but had soon cooled when Avaric offered them some wine and sweets to make up for it. They had agreed to the arrangement, but not without a stern warning on foolishness. The Circle had borne it with mock seriousness, but paid the women no mind.
After a little while they crossed into the woods that bordered Lake Chorge. Harman was sure footed as he knew these paths well. In fact, without a driver forcing him on, he showed the Circle several obscure footpaths and niches. One such place they stopped at was a large stream that flowed into the lake not far away. The Circle was delighted at their little hideaway.
After Elphaba helped Glinda out of the coach, she unhooked Harman so he could roam freely. Looking around, Elphaba noticed something about this place set her on edge. As the rest of the Circle set up their picnic of sweet breads and wine, Elphaba's eyes took in the area. Finally, the lines began to resolve in front of her. She knew that this place had once not been natural.
Great columns of ivy reached skyward while an almost perfect lawn of moss lay beneath them. Smaller peaks of ivy and moss stood between the columns. Surrounded by the plinths lay a depression filled with leaves and muck from the seasons. Elphaba's eyes caught the peak straight across from her and she was mesmerized. Try as she might, she could not take her eyes off of it. She started to walk towards it.
"Elphie?" Glinda voice came. Elphaba's trance was broken and she snapped herself to look at the blonde.
"Yes?"
"The picnic is set up." Glinda said. The worry in her tone was not missed by Elphaba.
"I'll be right there." Elphaba replied. Looking towards the ivy and moss one last time, she turned her back and headed towards her friends.
"Are you ok, Elphie?" Glinda asked as the emerald girl sat next to her.
"Yes. Just thinking."
"About what?" Glinda inquired as she grabbed a sweet bread.
"About how everything passes with time."
"Always such a deep thinker our Elphie is." Tibbett commented. "What set off your deep thoughts today?"
"There's a structure behind us." Elphaba replied and the Circle craned their necks in the direction. Several squinted but shook their heads. Fiyero, though, nodded.
"I don't see anything." Milla said. Several of the group murmured agreements.
"No, Elphie is right." Boq countered. "That moss isn't standing naturally. In Munchkinland we don't have many trees, so I didn't notice."
"Same with the Vinkus." Fiyero added. "I count…twelve? pillars of some sort."
"Correct." Elphaba answered. "They surround a figure next to a pool."
"A Lurlinist shrine!" Glinda exclaimed. The group looked at her and she felt her cheeks warm. She rushed her next words. "There are some old ones by my estate in Frottica. I didn't think there would be any out here. It's so close to the City."
"You'll find much when you look deeper than the surface." Elphaba responded. "Just because something is not accepted does not necessarily mean it dies out. It often goes into hiding."
There was silence to that, as the conversation was a bit too serious for the Circle's liking. Instead, they ate quietly while watching the serene nature take its course.
"It is getting warmer, isn't it?" Avaric said as he opened his shirt. The Circle nodded in agreement.
"I thought Gillikin would not be as hot this time of year." Boq speculated. "Is it this hot now in the Vinkus, Fiyero?"
"No, but it's more humid." Fiyero replied. "Right now is the end of the wet season. The rains will be slowly departing but more heat will start to move in. The Wind Devils will appear quickly and strong soon."
"The Wind Devils?" Avaric scoffed. "What is that, some Vinkun term for storms?"
"They come with the storms; giant funnels of wind that scrape up the earth and drag it into the sky. The sound is like the moaning of the earth itself, crying as the Devils dance across her."
The Circle stared blankly at the Vinkun boy. They had never heard anything like it. Some of them refused to believe it. Elphaba, however, narrowed her eyes.
"And they always come at the same time?" she asked. Fiyero nodded.
"Always when the air is wet and starts to warm. Legend is they exist because the wind spirits of the Unpassable Desert try to force their way into Oz, and the Ozian spirits resist them. Ultimately they become tangled, like swirling water, until the wind spirits of the Unpassable Desert weaken and return home."
"Very interesting." Elphaba murmured.
"Well, after all of that stirring superstition, I feel like a swim." Avaric said. Only Glinda and Milla had the sense of decorum left to look aghast. "Who is going to join me?"
"You have nothing to swim in, Avaric." Boq replied. "And don't tell me you are going in naked. I don't want to see it."
"Of course not, Boq. I'd not want to shame any of the other men." Avaric replied and the Circle groaned. "I will go in my shortsand then simply sun dry. By the time we leave will be as dry as the Amas."
"I don't know…" Boq replied. Avaric smiled as he started to shuck his clothing.
"Too bad for you, as I am doing so anyway. Those who care can come join me." Avaric answered.
Finally, Avaric shucked his clothes to his shortsand took off towards the water. Fiyero had started to as well (to the sly appreciation of the women and two boys) but was more respectful to distance himself . Soon he was followed by Crope and Tibbett, and with a mild urging from Milla, Boq. The girls followed the departing boys with appreciative looks until they were well into the water.
"It is warm." Shenshen said and loosened the laces of her riding boots. Soon she had wiggled her feet out of them, and loosened the laces holding her in. Her blouse gaped slightly, nothing unseemly, but improper nonetheless. She smiled at the slightly scandalized look of Milla. "Oh stop; the boys are all the way over there. I'll be put together enough before they get back. Besides, it's not like you haven't seen it before."
"Still." Milla protested. Shenshen scoffed.
"Loosen up a bit, Mill. You won't have a chance in the future."
Milla crinkled her nose, but said nothing. After a few moments she too wiggled out of her delicate footwear, and loosened the laces of her dress. Shenshen smiled, and then turned to Pfannee. The Munchkin had already shucked her shoes, and her blouse gaped more than may have been appropriate. The girls did not mind. Glinda looked towards Elphaba.
"Do so if you wish. I will not squeal and clutch at my skirt." Elphaba answered. Glinda nodded, and carefully undid her shoes. She left her dress as her fair skin did not take sun well.
"And what of you, Miss Elphaba?" asked Shenshen. "Surely you are not too bashful?"
"I am not." Elphaba replied. "But unlike you fair ladies, I am used to such temperatures. As such, I am quite comfortable the way I am, thank you."
"Don't be a spoilsport." Pfannee grumped. Elphaba turned her gaze on her.
"Even if I were to be warm, I find that people do not like the sight of so much of my skin showing."
"I often wondered about your skin." Pfannee continued. "Is it all one shade, or does it come in shades?"
"All living creatures have variance, Pfannee; I am no different. And that should satisfy your curiosity."
"Not even slightly."
"Were you so interested in your academic pursuits."
"Only if they were so exciting, I would be."
With that, the conversation entered a lull. Glinda laid her head in Elphaba's lap, and the green girl absentmindedly stroked her hair. Pfannee did the same with Shenshen. Milla looked at both groups, and seemed torn. Her eyes misted over.
"Come here." Glinda said and held out her arms. Milla looked at her and then up to Elphaba.
"You sure?"
"If you can stand being in such close proximity to me, then yes." Elphaba interjected. Glinda glared up at her.
"Hush you." Glinda ordered gently and looked back at Milla. "Yes, I'm sure. Come here."
Milla scooted over to the pair and laid her head on Glinda's stomach. After a brief period of readjustment, the three girls sat closely. Milla sighed contently as Glinda stroked her red hair.
"Such gorgeous hair. I've always admired it." She said.
"Really?" Milla said dreamily. "I've always admired yours."
"Red is even rarer than blonde."
"But blonde gives you a golden halo. Red just makes you look like a freak." Milla countered sadly. Glinda wrinkled her nose while Elphaba frowned.
"Who said such a thing?" Elphaba asked. Glinda noticed her hand had stopped. Milla stirred.
"No one." Milla murmured. Elphaba squinted in the direction of the other girls but both held the trio in rapt gazes. "Not them, Miss Elphaba. At least not where I could hear. But haven't you ever noticed the way people stare at red heads?"
"Actually, no. But I shall endeavor to do so more in the future. People tend to gawk about those that are different."
"I'm sorry. I quite forgot. How simple of me." Milla sniffled. "Another one of my flaws."
"Listen to me." Glinda said, her voice earnest. "You are a beautiful, intelligent young lady. We all make mistakes sometimes, but that doesn't make us less of who we are. Understand?"
"Yes." Milla said. "And thank you. I'm sorry I brought everyone down."
"Nonsense." Glinda replied.
"Button up, girls." Elphaba interjected. "The boys are coming."
"Can we join the fun!" Avaric yelled as the boys came hurrying out of the water. The girls averted their eyes (or at least pretended to). Elphaba stared him down.
"If you come over here like that, Master Tenmeadows, I shall gut you." Elphaba warned harshly. It almost caused Avaric to stop in his tracks.
"With what, Miss- do you carry that thing everywhere?" Avaric exclaimed.
"Yes, I do." Elphaba replied with a wicked smile. She let the sun catch the blade of the knife to emphasize her point. "Now go dry off and do not come back until you do."
After a short while, the Circle remounted the cab and set off back to the cabin. They enjoyed the ride back; even Fiyero and Shenshen joined in, tying the mare to a rope. A bottle of wine was broken out and they toasted the entire bottle. By the time they reached the cabin they were quite into their cups. The Amas scolded the group and sent the boys on their way.
The girls were in for another scolding as the Amas sat them in the small dining area. The girls only half listened as most had decided by that point they were well old enough to make their own decisions. As Elphaba never had an Ama, she did not care. Her obvious lack of interest grated them, and they began to focus on her. Elphaba returned the tirade.
"I see no reason for you to lambast me your concerns." Elphaba replied coldly. "You only care for your own reputation as minders, not for these girls. If you did you'd worry more about what goes in their heads than what goes on their hands. Now, are you quite finished? If not, I shall retire to bed."
The Amas huffed and groaned but Elphaba merely stood and strode past them. They looked on shocked as Glinda followed. The other girls, taking their own cues, also went to bed; leaving the Amas very distraught and put out. Luckily enough they still had some wine left over, and proceeded to calm themselves with that.
"Ugh." Glinda moaned as she rolled out of bed the next morning. "Why did I think that was a good idea?"
"I could not fathom a guess." Elphaba replied. The emerald girl held a tray with a tea cup on it. "However, you should drink this. It might make you feel better."
Glinda took the cup with thanks and lightly sipped it. It was strong tea but sweetened with honey. Just how she liked it. The blonde moved over to the nightstand and opened a drawer. Drawing out her wand, she gave it a flick and her fatigue went away. Sighing, she took another sip and straightened up.
"All better. Now, what is on the plan for today?" Glinda asked. Elphaba did not respond, but merely sat down in bed. Putting her glasses on, the emerald girl opened the book to the page she had marked and started reading. "Rae?"
"Whatever it is, my sweet, I shall not be partaking." Elphaba replied without looking up.
"Now don't be like that, Rae." Glinda huffed. Elphaba did not look at her.
"My sweet, I think I have been quite indulgent with the whims of our group." Elphaba answered evenly.
"Whims!" Glinda exclaimed. "They're our friends; spending time with them should not be indulging!"
"Glinda, I don't quite have the same need as you to be surrounded by people all the time." Elphaba's voice finally changed, frustration coming into her tone. "If you haven't forgotten, we've got an axe hanging over us."
"I hadn't forgotten." Glinda growled. "But that doesn't mean we have to slave away every moment of the day. We deserve to relax too; especially since we won't have much time after this."
"We haven't done anything since our trip began to further ourselves!" Elphaba voice began to rise. "We can't just continually waste time. What do you think will happen if were forced to forget everything, or worse, bound to Morrible? Look around; how many Animals have you seen on this trip? I count only one, and he was doing manual labor. That's all they'll be relegated to if we do not help."
"Rae, I know you feel strongly about this but it doesn't help to hole yourself up from the world in a book!"
"Knowledge is power, Glinda; otherwise they would not have killed Doctor Dillamond." Elphaba retorted.
Glinda blanched. Both the girls knew that what Elphaba said was true, but across the line. However, neither girl knew how to get the conversation back on track. Glinda said nothing, and just began dressing. Elphaba mimed going back to her book, but watched Glinda instead. After Glinda was prepared for the day, she turned towards Elphaba.
"I'm going out. You can hole up here if you want." She said stiffly, and Elphaba only nodded slightly in response. With that, Glinda left the room.
The other girls were already congregated in the little sitting area downstairs. They noticed immediately that Elphaba was not with Glinda.
"Is Elphaba not joining us?" Milla asked.
"No. She wishes to stay inside and read." Glinda replied, trying to keep the discontent from her voice. The girls picked it up, but decided not to comment.
"I'll admit, I am not up to doing much today." Shenshen said. "Yesterday tired me out."
"I agree." Pfannee added. "Much as I like the boys, I am not really up to seeing them."
"How about we just have a ladies' day?" Glinda suggested. "We can take a nice walk, and sit in the sun."
"That sounds wonderful." Milla concurred. "I won't have to look presentable at all."
"I'll send a note to the boys." Shenshen said and left the room. There was a stagnant silence.
"Are you and Miss Elphaba having a fight?" Milla broached cautiously. Glinda eyes darted to her, and the intensity of her look caused Milla to flinch. Glinda quickly blinked and hid it.
"I'm not quite sure I want to discuss that with you." Glinda answered evenly. Milla looked down.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to see if I could help." Milla said quietly. "I don't know why I thought I could, though."
Glinda exhaled softly, composing herself. In the back of her mind she cursed Elphaba for forcing her loss of composer, but even further back it said that it must be true to affect her so.
"I understand your well intentions, Milla. Elphaba just has a tendency to be…" Glinda trailed off, trying to find the right word.
"Quarrelsome?" Milla suggested. Glinda nodded.
"Yes. And today she is in her mood to be so. It will pass."
"I see."
Shenshen rushed back into the room. The girls looked up at her alarmed.
"What is the hurry, Shenshen?" Pfannee asked.
"The boys are two minutes up the road." She replied quickly. "I went to give the letter to my Ama to send, but she had already spotted them."
"So early?" Pfannee exclaimed. Shenshen shook her head.
"No, we are apparently quite late this morning, and they have fared better. Quick, get dressed!"
"But I thought we weren't going out?" Milla asked as she got up.
"We're not; but we can't tell them to bugger off like this, can we?" Shenshen replied amused. Pfannee laughed as the girls moved to their rooms.
Glinda entered her shared room with an easy step. With her mind occupied on much more urgent matters, she had forgotten about their fight. Elphaba's voice caused her to jump.
"What's the rush?"
Glinda settled herself for a moment and then went back to selecting clothing.
"The boys are almost here. I have to look presentable." she responded coolly.
"Where are you all going today?"
"We are not. The girls and I decided it would be nice to relax today by the lake. No boys."
"Intriguing."
Glinda almost invited Elphaba, but remembered she was upset with her. Instead, she quickly divested herself of her clothes. As she did so, she noticed Elphaba's eyes flick over her glasses and back. Glinda inwardly smiled as she thought the teasing was proper punishment with how the other girl acted towards her.
Glinda did not have much time to dwell on the fact as she chose her clothing. On went the white stockings and the cream petticoat. Over the top went a simpler dress of green and white floral pattern. It had no busk or cinch; it was cut with a taper to the waist and larger in the hips. She simply had to tie the bow behind herself to pull the waist in and topped it off with her white sunhat.
After she was finished she strode over to where her wand lay and quickly cast a spell. Her base appearance set, she hurried out the door with only one last glance towards Elphaba. The green girl sat where Glinda had left her; jackknifed onto herself reading while munching on a bowl of nuts. Glinda sighed to herself as she closed the door, and did not see the green girl's eyes follow her out.
Glinda was the first of the girls out the front door to meet their guests. The boys looked slightly worse for wear, but no longer smelled like tarts. They were dressed in comfortable clothing, as if they had known the girls decision ahead of time. When they saw Glinda they all blinked as she glowed in the morning. They were much surprised at her radiance.
"Good morning, gentleman." Glinda said. "I did not expect to see you at such an early hour."
"Well, we didn't want you to waste the day pining for us." Avaric responded easily. Glinda's finely plucked brow rose.
"Oh?"
"Yes. The men and I decided that while your female company is always enjoyable, we wished to have a masculine day." Avaric explained.
Well, that will be difficult. Elphaba's voice ran in Glinda's head. She mentally shushed it.
"How perfect. We were thinking it would be best to have a gentler day ourselves." Glinda replied.
"So who gets Elphaba?" asked Crope sniggered. Boq elbowed him and he looked very put out. "Well, I thought it was funny."
"So will you be taking off, now?" Glinda asked. The boys grinned and looked at Boq. He looked down.
"If you wouldn't be too much trouble, could you get Miss Milla for me?" he asked. Glinda broke out into her first real smile of the day.
"Of course." Glinda went into the house. Ama Ren was standing there and Glinda passed along the message. She frowned, but went to go get her charge. When Glinda went back outside all the boys except Boq had disappeared. "Where did the others go?"
"They went to check out the boats as Avaric fondly remembers them." Boq replied embarrassed. He paused, and then added, "It's hard to believe it's been a year."
"It is. It feels much longer than that." Glinda mused.
"I'll admit, I did not picture us here last year." Boq said. Glinda quirked her lips.
"Oh? And where did you picture us, Master Bfeeson?" Glinda tempted. Boq sputtered.
"Not like that! Well, not exactly like that. Just us and our strange band together."
"Our young Prince had yet to join us, as did our two harlequin boys."
"And you ladies were separate for most of it. And Miss Elphaba, alone."
"She said it was you who convinced her to come."
"No one convinces Elphie of anything. The friendship between you two was already growing then. Maybe even more."
"Maybe. But I remember it was you who stole the kiss on this porch, Master Boq."
"Yes, well…" Boq said and turned bright red. "Not my proudest moment."
"But not your lowest." Glinda countered. "That took courage."
"If you say so."
"And now you got a prize of your own in Miss Milla."
"She is amazing." Boq said, his voice gentle. Glinda smiled her second real smile of the day.
"That she is. A nice, mannered girl; good looking, too."
"I will admit I do the way she looks. And moves. She's just amazing in every way, and I am stupid lucky. I don't know what I did to deserve her."
"You were yourself, and that's good enough."
They fell into silence, and Glinda sat on the porch swing. Boq stood quietly overlooking the fields.
"Not hunting for kisses again, are you Master Boq?" came a dark voice. Boq jumped and Glinda nearly started out of the swing. The both turned to see a tall green figure come from around the house. Dressed in her normal black frock, she had a sharp look in her eye.
"With Miss Glinda? No, Elphie, no. I am waiting for Milla." Boq exclaimed.
"So you are hunting for kisses." Elphaba rebutted. Boq sputtered.
"What..uh…"
"Elphie, let him be." Glinda admonished. She turned her sharpness to Glinda. "And don't give me that look. What are you doing out here anyway?"
"I came outside to practice my magic. The room seemed too small." Elphaba replied coldly and motioned to the book and wand held in one hand.
"How did you get out here?" Boq inquired. "There's only one door."
"I climbed down my balcony." Elphaba responded as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Of course you did." Glinda said exasperatedly. Elphaba opened her mouth to reply but the door opened and Milla stepped through. Taking two quick steps she captured Boq in a hug.
"It's nice to see you, Boq. I will admit, even though it I look forward to today, I was going to miss you."
"Me too." Boq said. "I was wondering if I could steal you for a few minutes? The others won't be back for at least a little while."
"Of course." Milla answered gleefully. "But we must stay in sight. My Ama would never let me go anywhere else if we didn't."
"Of course." Boq replied.
The two parted lightly and Boq held out his arm. Milla looped it through. The two girls watched them walk away, feeling their own insecurities. Glinda turned to apologize to Elphaba, but the green girl was already gone. Glinda sighed.
"It's nice to be able to do this, isn't it?" Milla said as they walked hand in hand.
"Do what?" Boq asked.
"Be alone. We're always with someone."
"I know what you mean. It is nice." Boq agreed." They walked comfortably in silence for a few moments. "Milla, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course Boqykins, any time."
"What do you want from this?"
Milla stopped, which caused Boq to also. She looked deeply at him.
"What do you mean?" she asked. "Am I not good enough for you?"
"What?" Boq cried. "No! Quite the opposite. I'm not good enough for you."
"What makes you think that?"
"Milla, I'm not from a wealthy family; I have no estate to go back to. Your family has more wealth than the entirety of Rush Margins. I cannot give you the life you deserve."
"Boq, I don't care about that. Money, land, and great houses don't mean anything to me."
"They mean something to your parents. They would never consent to you marrying me."
"Are you asking?" Milla asked and Boq started.
"No! I mean, not right now! But I've thought about it." He tripped over himself. Milla smiled and placed a light kiss on his lips.
"You're so wonderful. And to answer your question: we simply won't ask. We'll run away to Munchkinland and have a farm, and pop out as many little Boqs and Millas as we can." She answered sweetly. "How does that sound?"
"Perfect." Boq replied. The two kissed then, a deep, content kiss of lovers who had figured their way in the world. For now, at least.
This chapter covers the 13th and 14 of Wanespring.