Unfortunately dodging one party (however pleasantly) did not solve their problems. There were many others, frequent and long into the night. Luckily no one had discovered them yet, though Elphaba was certain they eventually would. The patrons of this latest gathering were of the recruiting variety, so they had to be very careful. She had decided to be hidden as much as possible, though Fiyero was to assist Mercus in their subtle unspoken negotiations.
Fiyero was actually quite the blessing to the entire campaign according to his old friend. With his inherent people skills and flair for charm and politics, he and Mercus were a devastating team. She wondered if perhaps this way was better than hers…stratagem versus open defiance. It was slower, but at least they weren't stopped and hunted. Perhaps Glinda had been right to stay.
They were currently appealing to some delegate from Quox, though she was unclear about the details. She didn't like the woman at all, and she was glad to be able to express her distaste from her hiding place. Elphaba watched the catlike woman leering at Fiyero, admiring his broad shoulders, trim figure, and handsome face. The territorial feeling that was suddenly rising in her had nothing to do with how attractive the woman was either.
"Who is your friend, Mercus? He is darling." The soft accent instilled the words with subtly sexuality. Her painted fingernail trailed across his chest, much to his discomfort. He seemed trapped, thoroughly unhappy and angry at the presumption of this woman, but he mustn't react for fear of damaging Mercus's relationship with her.
Mercus took charge, smoothly defusing the situation by removing the woman's hand to kiss it. "He's taken my dear. Very…very taken."
She was not dissuaded, pouting her lips at him. "What a pity." She leaned closer to him, wrapping herself around his arm. "But I won't tell if you won't." Fiyero did not look pleased at all at her persistence, and he was about to say something rash.
Elphaba decided she'd had enough. Summoning all her boldness, she rose to her full height and swayed across the room, eyes locked with Fiyero and oblivious to the ogling stares of the other men. Feminine yet commanding, she ignored the silence that had filled the room and focused on her lover. She bent to him, lips sensuously brushing his in a possessive kiss. Then she curled on his lap, nuzzling his neck as his eyes closed. Sultry, she whispered, "Hello my love. Miss me?"
He breathed, "Oh yes."
The woman withdrew at their scene, moving on to harass Mercus for something else. Elphaba's eyes were intense and possessive as they held his again. Fiyero felt like putty in her hands. That little display had been the hottest thing he'd ever seen. The other men were still staring hungrily at her, and he felt so lucky that she was in his arms. He whispered in her ear, "Wow. My hero."
She smiled and laced her fingers around his neck, "You didn't expect me to let you go without a fight."
Fiyero traced her lips, "I would never go. Not when I have you." They kissed, and the men around seemed to give up the last of their hope, returning to their previous conversations. "I love you."
"Prove it."
He was just about to rise to the challenge as it were when Mercus returned, running a hand through his hair tensely. "Well that was great. Thanks for that, really. Now I'll have to charm her myself for ages so she forgets your little interlude."
He smiled sheepishly. "Honestly though…" eyes on the girl in his lap, "can you blame me?"
Mercus grinned at her then back at him, "Of course not. I'd punch you in the arm again if you didn't have a beautiful woman in the way."
"My hero twice," he murmured in her ear. She grinned. They were more relaxed than he had felt in years, grateful to let their relationship into the open after their years of mutual hiding and painful facades.
One of Mercus's friends that he had never properly met approached them cautiously. "Mercus? Could I borrow you?"
When he returned, he was holding a letter, and his face was grave. Fiyero could tell he should be concerned. "Mercus, what is it? What's happened?"
"Not here."
They retired to the other room, away from prying eyes. "It's from Lady Glinda. She must have found out you were here, which is a problem first of all. If she found out, so could others. And I'm guessing we abandoned the whole low profile thing back there, which complicates this a little more."
Fiyero nodded, "What does the letter say?"
He sighed heavily, eyes flicking to Elphaba guiltily. "It's a warning. They're setting a trap for you, and she wanted to caution you not to be rash and fall for it. I'll let you read her words. She's actually quite funny."
Fiyero caught the smile on Mercus's face, wondering if he had ever introduced the two. Perhaps he should when this was all over.
Elphaba interrupted, "But what trap?"
Their friend pressed his lips together in a grave line that did not bode well. Hesitantly, he said, "It's about your sister I'm afraid."
Her eyes were gigantic now, "Nessa?! What about Nessa?" When no one answered her, she flushed, anger filling her visibly. "Tell me what it says about my sister!" She could be terrifying like this, and it was clear how she had existed as the Wicked Witch with such infamy.
Mercus looked down, and Fiyero took the letter from him. "She's afraid Nessa's life is in danger, though she doesn't know how. Apparently they had been scheming for quite some time just to think of this." He looked up at her, "They plan to kill you Elphaba. Capture you at her funeral and execute you." He felt betrayed by the false peace their haven here had provided. His fears invading now, he prayed somehow he could stop it this time. She could not be taken. She could not be killed.
Her face had drained of color, and she breathed "Nessa. No." Looking up at him, eyes frantic and fearful, "I have to stop them. I have to go." She rushed to the door, but he caught her arm.
"Didn't you hear what I said?! They plan to kill you Elphaba. Murder you. You can't go rushing off like this straight into their hands!" She wasn't listening, only concerned with the safety of those she loved, never her own. She shook him off, but he pinned her to the wall. ":Look at me!" She raised wild eyes to face his defiantly. No one could stop her when she was determined.
He had to try. His voice softened with his despair. "Please. I can't lose you. Not again. We'll find a way out of this. Just don't go. Please Elphaba. I'm begging you." He felt tears threatening, and he fought the lump in his throat.
She did not look convinced, focused in her tunnel-visioned way on her sister. He was angry now, frustrated that she wouldn't listen, that she would let herself be taken. Desperate, he decided not to hold anything back. She might hate him, but she would live. "You promised not to leave me again. You promised. After everything, you can break that?" The hurt, guilt and anger that flashed across her face ripped his heart open. Hating himself, he hated the Wizard so much more for this, for making him have to do this. Pure undiluted loathing filled him with a need for vengeance that was bloodthirsty and primal.
Everything was slipping through his fingers. He couldn't fight the tears, and angry as they fell from his eyes, he begged her again, "Elphaba, please. Trust me. I swear to you I will find a way. You can't go. I can't live without you." He sank to the sofa, head in his hands.
"Fiyero." It was so soft that he almost didn't hear it. She had never seen him cry before, and her face was so stricken. She knelt before him, "I can't let them kill my little sister for my sins. You know that."
He felt her suffering, but he just couldn't let her do this. Shaking his head, he placed his palms on either side of her face. "I know." He kissed her forehead tenderly. She couldn't help being who she was. It was part of what made him love her so much. "I'll go. Just promise you'll stay here."
Surprised, she leaned back, "Fiyero, no. No!" She would never agree to his sacrifice, but at least he stood some chance of survival. They weren't plotting against him.
He brushed her face, nodding. Suddenly he saw Mercus standing in the back, looking very much like he wanted to vanish into the woodwork rather than be held witness to their very private scene. Meeting his friend's eye, he said, "Mercus, I need you to do something for me." He was surprisingly calm for someone about to risk his life in such a foolhardy manner. Terrified, the other man nodded tentatively. "Don't let her leave. Whatever it takes. Just, keep her safe for me."
He stood up, and crossed the room to prepare. In moments, he was out in the night. A wild and vicious wind had taken up, and he saw the clouds ominous and threatening above him.