A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong for his review. Glad you liked it!

Chapter 4

"Ta'rek, I am glad to see you," Prince Fiyero was all smiles as he greeted the Councilman at the front door to the Palace. It was the night before the big announcement and their man in the Emerald City had just gotten back in time.

"My Prince it is good to see you. Do you know why your father summoned me?" The man asked as they walked back to King Tahir's study.

"Well one part would be that Elphaba gave birth to a happy, healthy baby girl," the proud poppa beamed.

"Congratulations! So that is the announcement then?" Ta'rek wondered.

"Yes. Little Zara Ayla Tiggular and she looks just like her mother, thank heavens," Fiyero smirked as he knocked on the door to the King's study. Tahir bade them to enter and quickly they did so, shutting the door behind them.

"Councilman, it is good to see you," Elphaba spoke first. Little Zara was sleeping in her mother's arms.

"Princess it is good to see you as well. This must be the little one the Prince was telling me about," Ta'rek smiled. He noticed the green skin color but said nothing. It did not bother him; he just knew that it had been something that both parents had expressed concern about. After all, Elphaba had been mistreated because of it, and the same fear of mistreatment had worried them.

"Yes and thankfully she's sleeping. I'm afraid to put her down, given how early she arrived and how much crying she's been doing," he was surprised to hear the Princess voice her concerns to him but then again, what new mother wasn't concerned?

"We're just waiting for my wife. I'm not exactly sure what is holding her up," Tahir said. The Councilman turned his attention to the King and said,

"Congratulations Sire. I'm sure that whatever delays the Queen is important."

"Thank you and yes, I'm sure it is. When was the last time you ate? Perhaps I should ring for someone to bring you dinner?" Tahir wondered.

"You are most kind Majesty. I am slightly peckish," Ta'rek told him. Tahir was about to call for a servant when the Queen arrived. Everyone with the exception of Elphaba and Zara stood up.

"Sorry I am late. Sophia went into labor and I had to help her until Havva could get there," Ayla explained. Sophia was the Queen's dressing maid and she was due a few days prior. Unlike Zara, this little one was late. Ayla had wanted to check up on the maid and had been lucky to arrive when she did.

"Babies everywhere it would seem," Ta'rek chuckled.

"Indeed. Now besides announcing the birth of Zara, we wanted to see if the rumors were true," Tahir said.

"Rumors? I'm afraid you'll need to be more specific my King," the Councilman said.

"There is talk of a spy from Ix. Can you confirm it?" The King asked.

"I can. Lord Arduenna has been questioning him but so far, when I left the Emerald City, we had not heard back. Forgive me for asking but what rumors? How is it possible for you to have heard them?" Ta'rek grew concerned.

"We share a border with Gillikin. One of the tribal elders heard it from a friend of his and thought I should know," Tahir said.

"I worry that there is a leak then. Glinda did not want news of the spy to get out as she was afraid it might incite panic. No one thought the deserts were passable and now it seems they are," the Councilman frowned.

"Yes well I have ordered the troops near our desert border to be beefed up, just the same," Ayla spoke up. Before anyone else could say anything there was a knock on the door. They all looked at each other, not sure who would be bothering them at this time. The King bade them to enter and in popped Sergeant Bahram and Chistery.

"What's going on Sergeant?" Tahir asked.

"Chistery intercepted a message from Ruler Glinda. She sent Falcon Nihi to tell us she needs to speak to the Councilman and yourself immediately," he said as the Flying Monkey made his way to Elphaba and baby Zara.

"We can't get there any faster than I got here. Did the message say why?" Ta'rek spoke first.

"No sir," the Sergeant shook his head. Elphaba watched as Chistery signed to her. His speech was getting better but he often fell back onto signing. Fiyero watched them closely, interested to see what the Flying Monkey had to say but it wasn't making sense to him.

"Prepare the horses. We'll ride through the night. Elphaba, do you think you could enchant them?" Tahir wondered.

"I most certainly can. Yero, would you hold Zara for me?" She asked as she carefully stood up.

"As if you even had to ask," he smirked and stood up as well. He took the baby and made sure to not disturb her. The Prince also gave her a look that told her they needed to talk about what Chistery had been saying before she left the room. Elphaba acknowledged him and then was off to help the King and the Councilman.

To Be Continued…