A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong. Glad you liked the last six chapters. Thanks!
Chapter 16
"It seems to have passed but I could not begin to tell you what it was," Doctor Magi frowned. He had ordered the soldiers who had come running at the sounds of the scream to take the Princess down to the infirmary. She'd promptly passed out when they tried to help her out of her chair. Fiyero was understandably concerned and had followed them down there along with his parents.
"I've got a bad feeling," the Prince frowned. He was sitting in a chair next to the bed where Elphaba lay, still unconscious. Wanting her to know that she wasn't alone, he held her hand, hoping she'd open her eyes.
"As do I. Miss Elphaba has been very healthy as of late so the only answer that remains is…" Magi trailed off.
"Her magic," Ayla finished.
"Yes, I would say so. Perhaps we could borrow one of the Griffins and they could tell us something about what happened," the doctor suggested.
"It could not hurt. It's not as if we can get Glinda back here yet. She's still coordinating in the Emerald City," Tahir said. He turned to a nearby guard and ordered him to fetch one of the Griffins. The man was off like a shot.
"We are still without the reinforcements from Ix and we are spread thin with keeping troops at the borders. I would hate to still have people in the lower town if our enemies should show up," Ayla worried.
"I would agree but until we know what is going on with Elphaba, I don't think we should move anyone. No point in starting a panic," her husband said.
"I would concur, I just don't like it," Ayla gave him a slight smile.
"I don't either," Tahir admitted.
"I hear that the Princess needs help," Altan spoke as he entered the infirmary. Kelebeck was right behind him.
"Something happened at the breakfast table and we have no explanation for it. She grabbed her head, screamed, and passed out," Fiyero said.
"I take it that that isn't normal behavior," the elder Griffin said.
"Definitely not," the Prince told him.
"Ok, I'm going to try something but I need Kelebeck's help. We must do this, if it is what I think it is," Altan said.
"That sounds ominous," Fiyero swallowed. The elder Griffin moved next to Elphaba on the other side of the bed. Kelebeck sat back on her haunches and put her two front legs over the green woman's midsection while her father placed one of his claws on Elphaba's forehead. It had been said that Griffin's claws had medicinal properties and their feathers were said to cure the blind. Right now, Fiyero just wanted Elphaba to wake up.
Altan began chanting in a language that no one recognized. When he stopped the look on his face told them that something was wrong. Not being deterred, he tried again but again he found he couldn't do what he thought he should be able to.
"What's wrong?" Fiyero asked.
"I cannot reach her," Altan frowned.
"How can that be?" Ayla wanted to know.
"Because she isn't alone in there," the Griffin said.
To Be Continued…