Chapter 15
"I have something for you," Glinda said without preface. "I know it seems strange I didn't ask Fiyero to come with you. This is just for you." She moved to her large closet, and stepped inside to find what she was looking for. At first, Elphaba could not see what that something was. Glinda soon emerged, holding a box in her hands. It was slightly oversized, but Elphaba gasped as she realized what must be inside. She eagerly reached for the box, but was careful with it, lifting the lid slowly and nearly peeking inside. She set the box down on Glinda's vanity and set the lid aside, lifting out first one shoe, then the other.
"My sister's shoes," she said breathlessly. "Thank you, so much! How long have you had them? I never thought I'd see them again..." Elphaba had to fight to hold back the tears she knew would burn the real skin beneath her 'mask.'
"I know. I'm so glad I was able to find them for you. I searched for them a while myself, but things here were so pressing I couldn't travel as much. So I sent some people to all corners of Oz with an exact description of the shoes. After a while, the persistence paid off. I'm not sure how they were still here. I thought they might have been taken away with that child, as you probably did. But I guess... they must be tied to this place, because of the magic inside them. This was the best gift I could think of to give you in celebration of your wedding."
"It's the best material gift I've ever gotten. Thank you again, Glinda. I don't know how to explain how much they mean to me... But I think you already know."
"I do. I'm glad I could make you so happy. I know you'll always treasure them. Now, I think we should go back downstairs, before everyone wonders what we're up to," Glinda said with a slight laugh. Elphaba put the shoes carefully back into the box. Though the one her sister had received them in had been lost, the box they now occupied would do well enough.
"If you'd like to leave them in here for safekeeping, I can give them back to you when you're ready to leave. They've been in my closet for several months now, and not a single person has bothered them."
Elphaba agreed to this, and after the shoes were once again safely put away, the two friends returned to the lower level. By now, things had grown quiet, since most of the guests were weary from traveling. Cole's parents asked Glinda to show them to their room as soon as she reappeared. They carried their own suitcases upstairs as they followed Glinda's lead. Glinda herself seemed unusually tired and decided to turn in early as well. This left Travion, Fiyero and Elphaba at the dining table with Glinda's parents. Though Travion also seemed weary from his day of traveling after finishing his work, he was determined to stay, not wanting to leave Fiyero and Elphaba without support in the event Glinda's mother went on another tirade. For the first few moments, it seemed that was just what would happen.
"Really, Travion, I'd think you could have found a way to convince Glinda to have your wedding on your own!" Symana began as soon as the small group was left to themselves. "She listens to you, you could have persuaded her."
Travion was about to reply when Riordan spoke up instead, sounding cross and completely out of patience. "You aren't going to act like this our whole visit. I already asked you to be nice, to please think of Glinda's feelings. You don't have to like the arrangements for this wedding, but I'm telling you for the last time. Get over it and act like an adult, or we will leave right now, and miss our only child's wedding. Or rather, I will send YOU home, and I will stay!"
Riordan leveled his gaze on his wife, who had never seen such fury in his eyes before. She knew instantly his threat was quite real, and did not say more. She didn't go so far as to apologize for what she had said, but no one expected that in the least. Everyone made awkward conversation for several more minutes, but then each in turn seemed to find some reason for turning in. Once Elphaba and Fiyero reached their room and had prepared for bed, they talked quietly to each other.
"If she says one more thing, I think Riordan might tie her hands behind her back, then put tape over her mouth," Fiyero said, with laughter evident in his voice. "I never would have guessed he could get so angry, but I can't blame him. He doesn't want to see Glinda's day spoiled. After all the planning, things better go off all right."
"I'm not even nervous yet," Elphaba whispered in clear surprise. "I feel like we have waited long enough... This is the right time. There is only one thing I really regret about tomorrow... but nothing can change it."
Fiyero took Elphaba's hand, clearly understanding what she was talking about. ""Ivy, I will go see my parents the day after the wedding. That's the best I can do. I know Glinda and Travion will be leaving on their trip, too. But I'd feel better if you stayed here rather than going home. The staff will be here, and if you needed anything, they could help you."
The scowl that crossed Elphaba's face was evident even in the pale moonlight streaming into the room. "You don't have to put it so gently, do you? You're afraid I'll be sick while you're gone. I know how much you worry... and I appreciate it. But if you were that worried about me, you'd stay here and we could take one of Glinda's carriages to go home after the ceremony. But then, why would you want to spend your first days as a newlywed with your WIFE? What a stupid thing to expect!"
Fiyero was taken aback by this turn in the conversation, and found himself groping for a reply. When he spoke, he sounded very hurt. "Ivy, you know that's not the reason I'm going. We've talked about this already, and you agreed I should go. I'm doing it for us, not only myself. There needs to be peace between us and my parents. Whether it turns out for good or bad, at least we will know. But if it will really hurt you that much, of course I won't go. It will just have to wait."
"No, you should go," Elphaba said urgently. "You're right, we need to know if they played a part in this spell being cast on me. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I'm afraid of how hurt you'll be if my suffering is their fault. I can see in your eyes how much you love them. You've lost so much already because of me, so..."
"I've gained so much more." Fiyero replied instantly."Until I met you, I never thought I'd want to settle down and marry anyone. I can't wait for tomorrow, and I hope you can't either. You look exhausted, Ivy. Go to sleep now, please?"
Elphaba nodded, then settled in and tried her best to fall asleep, mostly to ease Fiyero's worry for her health. She felt him lie down beside her, and the next thing she knew, he was holding one of her hands. His grip was almost fierce, and Elphaba knew then how intensely worried he was.
"I feel fine, Fiyero," she whispered. "I know you can't help worrying at least a little. But I really am all right. Go to sleep. I'm not the only one that needs their rest."
Fiyero said nothing more, and very soon both he and his bride to be were fast asleep.
When Fiyero saw the wizard approaching his house, his blood boiled at the thought of the older man's boldness. Not only was it the middle of the day, the wizard had not even bothered to mask his actual appearance. Fiyero quickly realized that the wizard could only have come for one reason... To complete unfinished business.
Fiyero went quickly to the bedroom to look in on Elphaba, who was fast asleep despite the hour. The pervious night had been very painful for her, and she sorely needed to catch up on her rest. Satisfied that she was sleeping soundly, Fiyero returned to the living room, to await their uninvited guest. After a moment, a knock that sounded more like pounding came at the door. Fiyero went immediately to open it, and stepped aside to allow the wizard to enter. Only after they were both inside with the door closed did Fiyero speak.
"If you think I don't know why you've come here, you underestimate me," he said roughly. "I'm not letting you hurt Elphaba anymore than you already have. If you want to hurt someone that badly, then take it out on me. I have no magic, I will have to defeat you through sheer strength." Fiyero stopped there, leaving his challenge to hang in the air. True to Fiyero's expectations, the wizard had come looking for a fight.
"You want to sacrifice yourself in her place? All right, have it your own way." Though Fiyero had expected the wizard to make some sort of speech consistent with his own sense of self-importance, their confrontation commenced after these few words. The wizard's spells kept Fiyero at bay for a short time, but he avoided them all well enough. The elder man had not increased his range of magical ability since he had last visited, and soon Fiyero knew just what to expect.
He soon advanced on the wizard and began to attack him, not viciously, but forcefully enough that he very quickly began to weaken. He seemed almost surprised at Fiyero's youthful strength, as if it hadn't crossed his mind that he might lose the battle. Before long, the wizard was on his knees at Fiyero's feet, battered and with very little strength left from being hit so many times. Fiyero smiled a little at seeing the man at his mercy.
"Elphaba would spare your life right now if she were in my place," he said softly. "I hope you aren't expecting such compassion from me, you piece of filth. I hate you for what you've done to her, and you don't deserve my mercy!" With that, Fiyero grasped the wizard fiercely at the back of his head, then drove it down onto the stone floor just once. Fiyero heard a dull cracking sound, and when he released the wizard from his grasp, the other man did not get up again.
Elphaba felt a sense of dread as soon as the knock came at the door of the small house in the Vinkus. Though she knew she shouldn't answer it, something seemed to draw her to the door anyway. She looked out, and saw the wizard standing there, completely undisguised. She knew in that instant why he had returned here, why he was being so bold.
Decisively, Elphaba opened the door. Fiyero was not at home, at least he would not be in any danger. Whatever was meant to happen, Elphaba was tired of worrying and wondering what the wizard would do to her if he ever returned. The moment had arrived to find out the answer.
The wizard's smile as he walked inside was leering, as he thought about what easy prey Elphaba would make. But as was his way, the wizard underestimated his only child. She let him take several steps inside the door, then would not allow him to progress any further.
"I can only guess you've come back here to try and kill me again," Elphaba said bluntly. "I've been expecting this for a long time. I won't go without a fight. Whatever happens here, I want this to be the end of your vengeance. After today, I never want you to come near me or Fiyero ever again. If I best you, I will consider us even.You've been too wrapped up in hating me to want to be my father, and I want nothing more to do with you! "
The wizard agreed to these terms, which surprised Elphaba. She knew she would have little or no time to prepare for what was coming. She simply tried to call to mind the words of every spell she had learned or read in the Grimmerie. Other than that, all she could hope was that the wizard would not immediately use the paralyzing spell, since she still knew no counterspell for it. The pair stood there a moment or two, some distance apart, studying each other. Then, without warning, Elphaba uttered the first spell that came to mind. It sent the wizard hurtling backwards, causing him to hit the kitchen table and collapse to the floor. Just seconds later he was on his feet again, already uttering his counterspell.
Things went back and forth in this way for a considerable amount of time. Though Elphaba was not weakened by pain from the earlier spell casting, she eventually began to grow tired. Due to his more advanced age, the wizard was noticeably more spent. Elphaba saw her chance to cast a spell that would almost certainly kill the wizard. But, staying true to her basic nature, she chose to have more mercy on the man than he properly deserved.
The wizard realized that his daughter was not going to take advantage of her opportunity, and in reply he swiftly advanced on her, a mocking smile on his lips.
"I knew you'd never be able to do it," he said with a laugh. "Even to save yourself you won't kill me. I hope you weren't expecting me to show you the same mercy, witch!"
With that, the wizard cast a spell that Elphaba barely heard all of the words to. By the time she hit the floor, she was dead.
Elphaba woke with a start, and barely stifled a scream. When she looked over at Fiyero, he was already awake, watching her. He immediately reached for her hand.
"Bad dreams again? What was it about? I know you can't usually remember anything about them, but..."
"He killed me," she replied instantly. "The wizard... I guess he's been on my mind more than I wanted to admit."
"I was dreaming about him too, just now. Except in my dream, I killed HIM. Which is as it should be. Maybe one day it will be. I know how you feel about that, but Ivy, if I ever have the opportunity, I'm going to take it."
"I know," she said with a shudder, which was caused by the events of her dream, and not Fiyero's words. "That was the worst dream I've ever had. He probably does hate me enough to really do that, too. Tonight of all nights, what am I dreaming about HIM for?"
"You're probably worried he'll show up and ruin the wedding," Fiyero said sadly. "The thought has crossed my mind too. But we have to keep positive thoughts. We've been planning the day for months... We can't let anything ruin it now. I'm sorry about your dreams, though," he whispered, squeezing her hand once more before releasing it. "Do you think you can go back to sleep now? We have to be up early in the morning."
"You're the late riser, not me!" Elphaba teased, which gave Fiyero the first real sign that she was shaking off her nightmare. "Good night, again. I'm sorry I woke you up." Fiyero didn't take the time to explain that he had awoken even before Elphaba began dreaming. He had watched in the dim light as her expressions changed, and could tell quite well what she had been dreaming of. He couldn't help wondering if the events of his own dream had somehow reached her telepathically, and been changed into the nightmare she had. Feeling weighted with guilt, Fiyero closed his eyes and tried earnestly to go back to sleep. By the time he did, Elphaba had been asleep for a very long time.