TrebledWriter: Um… Fiyero's grandparents technically didn't say they approved yet…

Ultimate Queen of Cliffies: Yes, that was me having chill because it wasn't a very bad attack. And this story is gonna get… worse. Much worse. Because I can.


The next afternoon, Elphaba was reading in the parlor when she heard footsteps and looked up to see the queen entering. She immediately got up and curtsied.

"Elphaba," Alyena began. "Are you busy?"

"No, Your Majesty," Elphaba said softly, shaking her head.

The queen smiled. "Would you like to join me on a walk through the garden?"

Elphaba had no idea why the queen was inviting her outside, but she simply nodded and followed her.

"Elphaba?" Alyena asked as they walked.

"Yes?"

"I must apologize for yesterday. We didn't mean for it to be uncomfortable for you."

"I understand, Your Majesty. You were concerned about Fiyero."

"Navon really didn't mean any harm with his questions. He can be rather… blunt at times," she chuckled softly, then stopped when Elphaba didn't even crack a smile.

"I understand."

Alyena knew that it was now going to take a lot more effort to get the green girl to open up to her. She quietly regarded her. She really did look scared to be out here with her right now. And she knew this was a result of what had happened the previous day. "So, I remember you told me you like to read. What are your favorite books?"

"I like mystery novels," Elphaba said. "But I mostly stick with nonfiction books."

Alyena nodded and filed that information away. She had to think off something that would get the green girl to open up and really talk to her. "Elphaba, I owe you a great deal of thanks."

This got the green girl's attention. "Thanks? What for, Your Majesty?"

"For helping Fiyero," the queen answered with a genuine smile. "You got him to think and study and try to apply himself. That's something none of us have been able to successfully do. You got him to be serious not just about school, but also more serious about his future as king of the Vinkus, even though he still has a long way to go before that happens."

And then she saw it. Elphaba smiled at her. It wasn't a fake, forced smile, but a genuine, free smile. And it only made her own smile grow.

"All I want is for Fiyero to be happy, and he is clearly very happy with you. I can see that you two care deeply for each other. And I can tell that you are the type of girl who will keep him in line when he starts to stray away."

Elphaba chuckled softly and the queen beamed.

"So, thank you," she finished with a wide smile.

"You're welcome, Your Majesty," Elphaba smiled back.

Alyena could tell that the green girl was much more relaxed and tested her theory. She led her over to a bush with light purple flowers on it. "This is my favorite flower in the gardens."

"It's very beautiful," Elphaba said as the queen picked a flower and gave it to her.

"Tell me what it smells like."

Elphaba sniffed the flower and smiled. "Lavender."

The queen quickly discovered that she had just opened the door to conversation with the green girl. The two continued to walk and talk about the flowers, the history of the Vinkus, and any other small talk topic they could think of.

"Are you excited for the start of the Cherry Blossom Festival tomorrow?" Alyena asked as they went back inside.

"I am. Fiyero told me so much about it. I'm very excited to see the cherry blossoms."

"This would be your first time seeing cherry blossoms?"

"Yes. We don't have cherry blossom trees in Munchkinland."

The queen nodded. "Now, Elphaba, I don't mean this in a rude way, but there will be a lot of things going on tomorrow. There's going to be a parade, speeches will be made, and then the weeklong festival begins, with many other events and activities. Are you sure you'll be alright?"

Elphaba knew that the monarch was just concerned about her and nodded. "I'll be fine, Your Majesty."

Alyena looked at the young woman before nodding again and leading her back inside. When Fiyero saw his grandmother come in with Elphaba, he immediately got worried, but slowly softened when he saw both women smiling.

"Elphaba just decided to indulge me and walk with me through the gardens," Alyena said as Elphaba walked over to her boyfriend.

"I'm fine, Yero," Elphaba said as he pulled her into a hug.

The grandmother chuckled and walked over to the couple. "You chose a very nice girl, Yero. I'm proud of you," she whispered into her grandson's ear before walking off.

Fiyero was too shocked to say anything. His grandmother had officially approved of Elphaba. And he knew that as long as she approved, his grandfather was okay with it, too. Everything would be fine. He released a puff of air and buried his nose in Elphaba's hair.

"Yero?" Elphaba asked, shifting to look up at her boyfriend. "What –"

Before she could finish, Fiyero captured her lips in a passionate kiss. The green girl stumbled back, but quickly melted into the kiss. When they pulled away, they were both slightly breathless, and Fiyero got worried.

"Fae, are you alright? Do you need your inha-"

"No," Elphaba interrupted, kissing Fiyero again.


The next morning, Fiyero woke Elphaba up at the crack of dawn, much to the annoyance of the green girl.

"Yero…" she moaned as she turned over in her sleep.

"Fae, wake up. It's the Cherry Blossom Festival today and we have to get ready," Fiyero said, nuzzling his nose against Elphaba's. "Get up, sleepy head."

Elphaba moaned again, but slowly opened her eyes.

"Good morning," Fiyero chirped, kissing her cheek.

"Morning," Elphaba hummed, her voice hoarse from sleep.

"Are you ready for today?"

The green girl pushed herself up and yawned. "I guess so."

"The festival is really fun. There's games, food, music, food, dancing, -"

"Food," Elphaba chuckled.

"Exactly! So get up so we can get ready and go," the prince chuckled, hurrying out of the room.

Elphaba yawned again and got out of bed. She quickly washed and put on her white blouse with the sleeves that stopped at her elbows, and her favorite long, pleated dark blue skirt that went all the way down to her ankles. After slipping on her black flats, she ran a brush through her hair and braided it.

"Fae, are you ready yet?" Fiyero asked as he knocked on the door.

Elphaba opened it a few clock ticks later and smiled. "I'm ready."

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks," the green girl blushed.

Fiyero nodded, waited, then pouted. "And…"

"And?"

"Don't I look… dashing?" the prince asked, striking a pose.

Elphaba stifled a laugh. The prince was dressed in a crisp, cream dress shirt with khaki pants and black shoes. "You look comfortable." She snuggled against him and Fiyero pouted again.

"Fae, you'll wrinkle the shirt!" he whined.

"Yup, definitely comfortable," Elphaba chuckled.

"Oh, you meant that type of comfortable. Your type of comfortable!" He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. "Not that I mind." He kissed her forehead and walked with her down the stairs to breakfast.

After everyone ate, they made their way to the to the waiting carriages. Alyena and Navon got into the first carriage, which was golden with the royal Vinkun seal in silver, and Amalie, Raal, Fiyero, and Elphaba went in the second carriage, this one silver with the royal Vinkun seal in gold. They immediately took off to Granderthorn Square for the festival.

"Look, Fae," Fiyero said as he pointed out the window.

Aligning the sides of the road were hundreds of people, all cheering and waving to the royals. Amalie and Raal smiled and waved back to the crowd, and Fiyero did the same.

"Wow," Elphaba whispered, having never seen people gather in the streets like that before.

"It's always like this," Fiyero said, taking a brief pause in waving and looked at Elphaba. "Especially during the festival."

"Has there always been a cherry blossom festival?"

Fiyero looked at his parents for the answer and they both chuckled before giving Elphaba a brief history of the cherry blossom tree.

"It is said that King Utak, back when the Vinkus was very young, came up with the idea of the festival to mark the official end of spring. It also coincided with the birth of his first daughter, Illyianna. It was kind of a way to have two different celebrations merged together in one, since the start of spring also means the start of new life."

"Kind of like my grandmother's birthday and the festival," Fiyero explained.

"Yero, your grandmother's birthday is on Sunday, the day after the festival officially ends," Amalie said, smiling softly at her son.

"What are we doing this year?"

"Mother said that after all the official things are over, she just wants to have a private party in the gardens with just the family," Raal said. "And you as well, Elphaba."

"Me?" Elphaba asked, surprised. It seemed like she had just become on good terms with the queen, and now she was being invited to the private party?

"Yes. Mother said that she would be honored if you attended."

"I would be honored to," Elphaba smiled, blushing.

Fiyero beamed, happy that his grandmother really seemed to be embracing his girlfriend. It meant a lot to him, since his grandparents played, and were still playing, a very big role in his life.

"Are those cherry blossoms?" Elphaba asked, pointing to the light pink flowers decorating the trees.

"Yup. And the flowers on the trees are only in bloom for one week," Fiyero smiled.

"They're beautiful," the green girl smiled. She thought about how much her sister would have loved to see the flowers, but pushed the thought aside as they arrived at Granderthorn Square. People were cheering, waving little Vinkun flags, and waving to the royals. Alyena and Navon got out of their carriage first, waving to the people. Amalie and Raal climbed out next and followed the monarchs. Fiyero climbed out next, giving a big wave to everyone before turning and helping Elphaba out.

"You have to wave, Fae," the prince whispered to the green girl as they followed his parents to the center of the square.

Elphaba looked at her boyfriend before turning and giving the people a shy wave. It was received rather well, considering most of the cheers had turned into murmurings about who she was and what she was doing on the arm of the young prince.

After Alyena made a brief speech about the history of the cherry blossom (with Fiyero whispering how it was exact same speech every year and he could practically recite it from memory, word-for-word), Navon officially signaled the start of the festival and the people mix and mingled around the square.

"What would you like to do first?" Fiyero asked, walking around with Elphaba.

"I don't know," the green girl said thoughtfully. She sniffed the air and smiled. "But I would love to try whatever is making that wonderful smell."

Fiyero sniffed the air and smiled, leading Elphaba away to a vendor selling cherry pies.

"Here you are, Your Highness," the vendor said, handing Fiyero two slices of the warmed pie.

"Thank you," Fiyero smiled, handing Elphaba her slice.

The green girl took a bite of the pie and smiled. "It's good."

Once they were finished, they continued to walk around, looking at the different vendors and Fiyero was stopped by a few people to have a quick conversation with.

"Yero!" a voice called from behind, startling the prince slightly.

Fiyero turned around and a boy with dark blonde hair and a tan shirt with matching pants hurrying over to them. Smiling, the prince laughed and gave his old friend a big hug. "Khy! How's it going?"

"Great! You?" the other boy asked.

"Can't complain," the prince said, and both boys shared a laugh. "Oh, Khy, this is my girlfriend, Elphaba Thropp. Fae, this is one of my oldest friends, Khynel Mayfaire."

"Nice to meet you," Elphaba smiled slightly.

Khynel blinked his wide eyes in surprise, but quickly snapped out of it. "It's nice to meet you as well, Elphaba. Fiyero wrote me so much about you."

"He did?" Elphaba asked, looking at the prince.

"Of course, Fae. I had to rub it in that I got a girlfriend before he did," Fiyero smirked.

"And when he said that you were green, I thought he was just joking. But clearly, he wasn't," Khynel said. "If you don't mind my asking, why are you green?"

Elphaba sensed that he wasn't trying to insult her, but was merely curious. "No one knows. I was born this way."

Khynel paused, but nodded, seemingly accepting the answer. "Have you seen Defek yet?" he asked, turning back to the prince.

Fiyero shook his head. "Not yet, but I know he's around here somewhere. Is he still with Cherry?"

"Yup. From what I heard, those two are still as madly in love as ever. It's sickening really," Khynel said, playfully shaking his head.

"You just wait until you get a girlfriend. You'll see things differently," Fiyero chuckled, wrapping an arm around Elphaba.

"I'm just waiting for the right girl," Khynel shrugged.

"Well, if it isn't my two least favorite people," a new voice said.

The boys looked up to see a boy with light brown hair and a matching beige shirt and pants. There was a girl on his arm, her wavy, auburn hair stopping at around her shoulders, wearing a peach-colored sundress.

"Always nice to see you, Defek," Khynel said, rolling his eyes. "And you as well, Cherry."

"Hi, Khy," Cherry smiled.

"I see you're still as single as ever," Defek laughed.

Khynel rolled his eyes. "Just focus on yours and stop worrying about when I'll get mine."

"Very well."

"Okay, if you two can stop arguing for a few clock ticks, there's someone I want to introduce you to," Fiyero said.

Defek and Cherry's gazes both shifted to Elphaba. Cherry gasped softly, while Defek just stared at her with wide eyes.

"Defek, Cherry, this is my girlfriend, Elphaba Thropp. Fae, this is Defek and his girlfriend, Cherry," Fiyero said, looking from Defek, to Cherry, to Elphaba.

"It's… nice to meet you, Elphaba," Defek finally said.

"You as well," Elphaba said, smiling slightly.

Defek looked at his girlfriend, who was still staring at Elphaba. He gently nudged her and whispered something into her ear. When he did, Cherry blinked and gave Elphaba a discreet once-over, clearly judging her.

Fiyero could tell that Elphaba was becoming slightly uncomfortable and recommended that the group walk around the rest of the square together. The two boys immediately agreed and Cherry simply nodded, finally taking her gaze off of Elphaba. Fiyero looked at the green girl, and when Elphaba nodded that she was alright, he led the way around the square.

"I'm sorry," Fiyero whispered to Elphaba as they walked. "I didn't know they would stare like that."

"It's okay, Yero," Elphaba said with a slight eye roll. "I've dealt with worse reactions. I can deal with stares. I'm used to it."

Fiyero didn't like that fact that Elphaba had to become used to worse reactions than stares, but simply nodded. He soon noticed that the green girl was starting to wheeze a bit, so he excused themselves from the group and led her to a nearby bench and helped her sit down. He reached into her pocket, took out her inhaler, and shook it before handing it back to her. The green girl took the small device and dispensed the medicine into her mouth.

"Thanks," she whispered.

The prince smiled and kissed her cheek. He managed to talk her into resting for a bit before they caught up with Defek, Cherry, and Khynel.

"Hey, Yero!" Khynel said when he saw the prince and Elphaba returning.

"Are you alright, Elphaba?" Defek asked, glancing at the green girl.

"I'm fine," Elphaba said, smiling slightly as Fiyero gently squeezed her hand.

"Looks like the band is getting ready to play," Defek said as he watched the band of musicians get their music situated on their stands. He grabbed his girlfriend's hand and twirled her around. "That means dancing!"

A moment later, the band began to play and the people around them started dancing. The prince smiled and gently pulled his girlfriend against him. "Let's dance," he whispered, gently pulling her into a kiss before spinning her around.