Author's Note: Only two chapters left after this. I hope you all enjoy this one. There is a sequel on the drawing board, so I hope you will all enjoy reading that too. If you have a minute or two to leave a review, I have fun reading them. Thanks!
Chapter 17
"No one is taking any pictures of me, not looking like this!" she snapped in a tense, angry whisper. Fiyero looked genuinely surprised at her objection, and for a moment was unsure of what to say in reply. "Don't give me that face," Elphaba continued. "You know what I mean. Yes, my gown is beautiful, and I think I look beautiful in it. But I have already had to marry you looking like this... If we are taking any pictures, we are going to take them with me looking like myself. I haven't complained about anything this entire day. But I'm not backing down about this. Either we do things my way, or there will be no pictures. I don't care what we have to say to make it happen!"
Fiyero looked around quickly to see if anyone might have overheard Elphaba's words, but everyone else was too busy enjoying the light refreshments that had just been brought out to care about their dilemma.
"Okay, Ivy, okay," Fiyero relented. "I'll think of something... Just try to relax for a few minutes, I'll come find you when I figure out what to do." With that, Fiyero walked away. Elphaba had no idea what he might do, or if he even had a plan. She found she didn't really care. By now, the conversation in the room was reaching a nearly obnoxious volume, which was surprising considering the small number of people that were in the house. Elphaba wanted nothing more than to disappear upstairs to her own small suite of rooms and lock the door behind her. Instead, she moved off to a corner of the room and hoped no one would notice her.
"Is everything all right?" Elphaba jumped at the sound of another voice, even though Glinda's tone was soft and obviously concerned. Elphaba did not meet her friend's eyes, and at first only shrugged in reply. "That's not an answer," Glinda challenged, sounding in no mood for Elphaba's stubbornness.
"It's just... Cole's father wanted to take those pictures of me and Fiyero, but I..." Elphaba couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence, but she didn't need to. Glinda nodded, a sad expression settling over her features.
"I understand. Is Fiyero trying to find a solution for you?" Elphaba nodded quickly, suddenly looking very tired. "All right. Well, I can see you've had enough of the hubbub down here. Go on upstairs. I'll tell Fiyero where to find you if the two of you can get those pictures taken. Otherwise, just take the time to yourself until dinner. Everyone will understand." Elphaba could see the guilt in her best friend's eyes, that she felt responsible for Elphaba's present unhappiness.
"Glinda, this isn't your fault. You found the best solution you could," Elphaba said simply, before turning and ascending the staircase quickly. She went directly to the suite she shared with Fiyero, and did indeed lock the door behind her. For a short time, she was able to relish her solitude, which seemed to heal some of her pain over the present situation. By the time a knock came at the door, Elphaba felt ready to face everyone again. Fiyero entered and explained that he had found a way for them to have the wedding photographs Elphaba desired. Colverus had offered to take the pictures himself, in Elphaba and Fiyero's favorite parlor. For their safety, the door would be locked, and the session would only last about ten minutes, after which they'd rejoin the party, with Elphaba once again masked by the spell.
Elphaba found this resolution satisfactory, so she and Fiyero went downstairs to have the pictures taken. Elphaba was still a bit shy, as she always seemed to be when Colverus was nearby. But this didn't keep the bright smile from her face as she took the pictures with her husband. The shots were more candid than posed, which was more suited to the couple's personality. Cole seemed a bit unsure of himself, especially in the handling of his father's expensive equipment. But he was glad that he was able to do this favor for his friends and bring an extra measure of joy to their wedding day.
Not long after the picture taking came to an end, dinner was served. The party consisted of twelve people, since the civil servant had accepted an invitation to stay for the meal. For his part, the cook outdid himself, serving a five course feast. Though he had cooked for many formal dinner parties since Glinda's rise to power in the city, he had never had to prepare a meal for such a special occasion as a wedding. The exquisite but non-ostentatious dinner took nearly two hours to reach its conclusion. The cakes were of course served as dessert, and everyone had a piece of each. Everyone at the table was deeply satisfied by this time, and had nothing but compliments for the chef.
Though at this point everyone was very worn out and ready for bed, the two couples took the time to open the gifts that Travion's parents had brought. No one else had brought a formal gift, but none at all had been expected to begin with. After the gifts had been opened, the city official took his leave. It wasn't long after this that the guests, who were all staying at the house overnight, began to turn in. Cole and his parents said their good nights first, since they had traveled the farthest, and had to make the same journey back first thing in the morning. In a short time, only the pairs of newlyweds were left downstairs in the living room. Now that they were alone, all four were at a loss for words, as if all the other conversation throughout the day had been too exhausting for them.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," Travion said at last. "I hope my shyness wasn't too obvious. I felt so silly about being nervous. You weren't nervous at all," he said to Glinda, sounding envious of her natural grace.
"You aren't used to speaking in front of people, that's all," she reassured him. "You did fine. I was very proud of you, and Elphie too. It was harder for her than it was for you. I could tell."
Elphaba frowned and looked away, making no reply. Fiyero filled the silence by saying he was too tired to stay up any longer. Elphaba eagerly took his cue and said her good nights as well. Once the two were safely up in their room, they got ready for bed and got settled under the warm blankets before they began to converse quietly.
"Are you really going tomorrow?" Elphaba asked, without any preface. She knew Fiyero would understand exactly what she meant. She sounded frightened, and privately cursed herself for her show of weakness.
"You really are afraid something will happen to me," he stated, not daring to insult her by making it a question.
"Yes, I am," Elphaba stated matter of factly. "I know it's just my feeling, and I have no way of knowing if it will come true. But..."
"Ivy, if you're that worried, I don't have to go."
"But if you don't go see them now, when will you? I know Glinda and Travion are leaving in the morning too, but the household staff will still be here. I won't even be responsible for answering the door." They both knew this was a reference to her fear of finding the wizard at her doorstep again. At least she herself would not be responsible if the cold-hearted man ever set foot in Glinda's home.
"You have a point, there probably will be no better time. But you're so frightened. We can go home, I can send them a letter later. That would do."
Elphaba cast a glance at her husband that made it clear she thought he was completely wrong about this. "A letter? For something as serious as this? Fiyero, you know better than that. Under these circumstances, a face-to-face conversation is the only real answer. They won't understand how you really feel unless they can see it in your face. Besides... It's been months since you've seen them. They'd be happy to see you too, I bet."
"Ivy, you do realize you're talking me into going by saying all this stuff, right? I know you can manage just fine being here alone. But you're going to worry about me the whole time, I know how you get. It would be better if you had someone to talk to."
"Well, I was planning to ask Glinda's father if he might stay here and keep me company. His wife will be angry, I'm sure, but I don't care about her right now. If I tell Riordan why I'd like the company, I'm sure he'd agree."
Fiyero nodded slightly. "He loves you, too," was all the reply he made.
Elphaba smiled and said in a whisper, "He must, to have done what he did for me today. Now, it's late and we're both very tired. Good night, Fiyero."
Fiyero leaned over and kissed his bride tenderly on the lips before settling onto his side, facing Elphaba, and closing his eyes. Elphaba laid there watching him for several minutes before allowing herself to drift into slumber. She felt as if she were memorizing every aspect of his facial features... just in case.
By the time Elphaba and Fiyero woke the next morning, within minutes of each other, they found the house very quiet. It was not much past dawn, but they had little doubt Glinda and Travion were already up, making final preparations for their trip. They would be traveling to Gillikin, partly to give Travion time to prepare to move his tea shop to the city. There would also be plenty of leisure time, and Elphaba knew Glinda was happy to have an opportunity to get away from her own responsibilities in the city.
After a few minutes lying there quietly, Elphaba sighed and turned to face Fiyero. "We have to get up sometime," she said sadly. "You didn't even pack last night, you'll need to do that before you can be on your way."
"Ivy, it's still not too late for me to change my plans. You're more important to me than anything. We were married less than twelve hours ago. I don't feel right about leaving you."
"I told you before, I'll be just fine. I know Riordan will agree to stay here. All I want is for you to do what you need to do... But please be careful."
Fiyero finally felt ready to probe deeper into Elphaba's concern for his safety. "Who is it you think is going to hurt me, Ivy?" he questioned gently.
"I... I'm not really sure who, or even if you're in any physical danger. I think it's just that I'm worried you'll feel you have no choice but to shut them out of your life. That they will say just what we're both afraid they'll say. I don't want you to lose your parents, too. Any children we might have would have no grandparents..." Elphaba turned away again as her words trailed off. Fiyero knew her well enough to understand how much heartbreak this idea held for his wife.
"I will figure out some way for us to make our peace with them," he said, his voice suddenly strong and determined. "Both of us. I will make them understand how I love you. They'll come around... They have to. They know me well enough to realize I will turn my back on both them and the monarchy if they don't accept you."
These words brought some small comfort to Elphaba, but not nearly as much as Fiyero had hoped. Left with nothing else to say, he reluctantly got out of bed and began to pack for his voyage. Elphaba watched him silently, following his every move with her eyes. The intensity in her face began to unnerve Fiyero, so he gently suggested that she go find Riordan and speak to him about her wishes before Symana had the chance to whisk him away back to Gillikin.
As soon as Elphaba ventured downstairs, wrapped tightly in a heavy robe, she heard voices at the dining room table. Breakfast was already laid out there, earlier than usual. Elphaba was sure this was so the many travelers would have a meal before they departed. Colverus and his parents were nowhere to be seen, and Elphaba supposed they had already left. Seated at the table were Glinda and her parents, as well as Travion. It was Travion who took the first notice of Elphaba as she lingered in the doorway.
"Good morning," he said cheerfully. "Sleep well?"
"Well enough, I guess," Elphaba said slowly, feeling none of Travion's happiness. She didn't move from the doorway, and declined Travion's invitation to join everyone else at the table. "I came down because I need to talk to Riordan for a minute. If you wouldn't mind," she said hesitantly, meeting Riordan's eyes, but quickly looking away again.
"Of course not," the kindly man replied, already rising from the table, barely taking time to excuse himself. He and Elphaba walked back to stand beside the staircase before they began to speak to each other.
"What's wrong?" he questioned immediately. One look into Elphaba's eyes had been enough to tell him something was troubling her.
Elphaba hesitated a moment before replying. She suddenly felt shy, almost too nervous to make her request of him. "Fiyero has to go... I mean, he has urgent family business to take care of," she explained, stumbling over her words. "He wants me to stay here, but he'd rather I had company. I know you're supposed to be leaving very soon, but.. I was wondering if you would mind--"
"I'd be happy to stay," he said with a smile. "You didn't have to be so hesitant to ask. Did you really think I'd refuse?"
Elphaba suddenly blushed. "No, but your wife... What will you say to her?"
"I'll tell her the truth," he said plainly. "She's traveling with Glinda and Travion back to our province. She will have more than enough company. And frankly I'll be grateful for some time away from all her nagging and complaining. You're much better company."
Elphaba's blush deepened as Riordan walked away to inform his wife and daughter of the change in his plans. Symana made a bit of a fuss, but not a loud one. She too was secretly glad to be given an opportunity for time away from her spouse, who seemed determined to constantly try her patience. Glinda was concerned that something was seriously wrong, but her father took her aside to quickly and quietly explain the situation. Shortly, breakfast came to an end, and everyone returned upstairs to either hurriedly finish packing or begin gathering up all the things that needed to be put in the carriage. When Elphaba likewise returned upstairs, she found the room Travion's parents had occupied the previous night stood empty. They had likewise left the household very early, obviously.
Elphaba returned to the bedroom to see how Fiyero's packing was progressing. "Everyone else is just about ready," she informed him. "If you're hungry, there's food down there already."
"I don't really want to take time to eat," Fiyero confessed. "The trip is just about as long as the one we had to make to get here. The sooner I leave, the sooner I can get there and start sorting out this mess," he sighed. "I still need to ask Glinda if I can borrow one of her carriages. Walking that far would take ages."
Elphaba said nothing as Fiyero completed his packing, then left the room to make his request of Glinda before he missed his chance. He also asked Glinda to give him a spell to mask his appearance as she had done for Elphaba. Fiyero had decided that he would be able to get the answers to the questions he had for his parents much more quickly if they didn't know it was him they were speaking to. When he returned to where Elphaba stood, he did not look pleased, only grimly satisfied.
"All set," he whispered, walking to the bed to pick up his single bag. "Ivy, I'm so sorry about..."
"Please don't call me that now!" she cried, sounding angry, sad and somewhat frightened all at the same time. "Not now... It will only make it that much harder to watch you go. When you call me that it makes me feel so..."
Fiyero gently placed a finger over her lips. "Loved, I know. I'm sorry, I didn't even think of... It's so natural for me to call you that now. I was about to say how sorry I am to be leaving you right now. It will take some time to even get a message to you."
"I know. I understand, really," Elphaba replied, setting her jaw and losing any trace of fear in her voice. "It's safe here, I'll have company, and it isn't as if you'll be gone for weeks. We'll both survive just fine."
"You're more confident than me, I'll give you that," he said admiringly. "And thank you for understanding. I didn't want this hanging over us, especially not now that we have just gotten married. The worry and tension this causes you can't go on."
Fiyero's protective side was showing, and Elphaba couldn't suppress a smile. "Always looking out for me," she said softly. "Thank you."
Without saying a word, they both came to the conclusion that this was as good a time as any to say their farewells. However, neither husband nor wife uttered the word 'goodbye.' They simply gave each other a single long, tender kiss, and then Elphaba watched as Fiyero walked out of the room and down the staircase. She moved to the banister on the upper level so she could keep him in view until he climbed into the already waiting carriage. Elphaba pushed her own sadness from her mind, and focused instead on her hope that things would turn out well between Fiyero and his family.