Betak's comment hung over the room for a moment as everyone looked at everyone else in stunned silence.
"Elphaba." Breena went to the green witch, who was staring at the bedroom door. "Are you all right?"
Elphaba moved her head when she felt Breena touching her cheek. "Don't."
"Elly…"
"I said don't!" She snapped, turning to leave only to find her way blocked by Leto. She gave him a menacing scowl for his troubles. "Move."
"I…" Leto swallowed hard. "I'm afraid I can't do that."
Elphaba locked eyes with him as he shut the door. "You might want to rethink that decision."
"Or what, you'll turn him into a frog?" Breena took advantage of Elphaba being distracted to snatch her broom out of her hand.
"Give that back!"
"Not a chance." Breena tightened her grip on the broom as it tried to go back to Elphaba. "And you behave or I'll let Betak use you for kindling." It was still for a moment before giving another twitch. "I mean it." She started at the broom for a moment before handing the now inanimate object to Milynn, who gingerly leaned it against the wall across the room.
"Bree…" Elphaba sighed. "I can't stay here."
"Well you are, so get over it." Breena gave her a look when she started to speak again. "I meant what I said before. I'm not letting you out of my sight. In here you're among friends. Well, except maybe him." She indicated Lion, who was trying to hide behind Betak. "Out there," she pointed toward the door, "you're a walking bull's eye."
"But…"
"You're staying and that's final!" Breena pointed at her. "And don't push it. I cast a mean sleep spell."
Elphaba quirked an eyebrow. "You wouldn't dare."
Breena quirked one too. "Try me."
"Enough." Betak stepped between them. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you two?" She looked at Elphaba. "So she smacked you, big deal. Don't stand there like it's the end of the world." She put her arms around the green woman. "Oz, it's good to see you again." She only held on tighter when Elphaba tried to get away.
"It's no use." Breena warned her. "She's like a leech."
Betak broke the embrace, keeping her arm around Elphaba's waist. "You're just jealous."
"She's right. About it being good to see you Elphaba, not the jealousy thing." Milynn was quick to clarify herself. "I know we didn't always see eye to eye in the past, but that was a long time ago. I hope you know you can trust me."
"Of course she does." Breena answered for Elphaba. "And Leto here is too awestruck to say anything, but I know he admires you." She patted him on the back.
"Yes I do." Leto leaned in close to Breena. "Would she really have turned me into a frog?"
"No, probably something a little more creepy crawly." She was going to keep teasing him until she saw Elphaba staring at the bedroom door again. "Give her some time, Elphaba. She'll come around."
"I wish I believed that." Elphaba's voice was barely audible.
"In your heart of hearts you do." Betak gave her a squeeze. "Now come on. You're too skinny. I bet you haven't had a decent meal in ages." She gave Breena another look. "And I know you haven't. Eating that slop they serve at the palace." She led Elphaba toward the kitchen. "And don't either of you even think about arguing with me. I said you're going to eat and that means you eat."
"On that note I think I'll go hitch the horses to the wagon." Leto interjected. "It's almost dawn."
"Wow." Breena watched as he hurried out. "He knows that tone well, doesn't he?"
"Anyone who knows Grandmother knows that tone." Milynn chuckled.
Breena regarded her friend for a second. "Milynn, would you…"
"You don't even have to ask. Go protect Elphaba from Grandmother. I'll check on Glinda."
"How did you know what I was going to say?"
"Because I know you." Milynn gripped her hand for a second before heading toward the bedroom.
"Thanks." Breena started toward the kitchen but stopped to watch as Milynn knocked on the bedroom door. Much to her surprise it opened almost immediately and the redhead went inside.
"You shouldn't have brought her here."
She looked toward the Lion, who was sitting on the couch.
"She's going to hurt Glinda."
Breena furrowed her brow. "Who?"
"The Witch." Lion glared at her.
"I don't know who this 'Witch' is that you keep referring to." Breena tried not to sound too defensive as she walked toward him. "The woman who came in this house with me is Elphaba Thropp, the only person in all of Oz who had the guts to stand up to the Wizard. She was little more than a child and lost nearly everything she ever knew, but she did it anyway because it was the right thing to do. For her and the Animals she was defending."
Her words made sense to him, but he couldn't let go of his distrust that easily. "If she's so great, why did she terrorize Dorothy?"
"She was after the shoes, not the girl. She enchanted them for Nessa and didn't want Morrible or the Wizard to have them. I bet if you asked Glinda she'd tell you she cast the spell to keep them on Dorothy's feet because she didn't want them to fall into the wrong hands either."
Lion frowned. "Do you really think so?"
"Yeah." Breena nodded. "I do." She sighed. "Let me ask you this, were you scared of Elphaba when she saved you at Shiz? Did you think she was out to hurt you?" She let her questions sink in for a moment. "And then ask yourself just what it was she did, besides stand up for what she believed in, to be called wicked. Or why the great and all powerful Wizard of Oz sent a frightened little girl to kill her." She started to stand. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get in the kitchen before Betak ties me to a chair and force feeds me."
"Wait." Lion grabbed her arm. "Do you think I could talk to her?"
"By her do you mean Elphaba?"
He nodded.
"Of course you can. Come on." Breena took him by the paw, pulling him to his feet.
He started trembling as they covered the short distance to the kitchen. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."
"Just say what you need to say. She doesn't bite. Not hard anyway." Breena chuckled as he tried to pull away. "I'm just kidding."
Elphaba looked up when she heard her. "Betak was about to…" Her voice trailed off when she saw Lion.
"See." Breena pulled the big cat closer to the table. "She's just as nervous as you are."
"She doesn't look like it." His voice quaked.
"Looks can be deceiving." Betak added her two cents worth.
"I can go in the other room if I'm making you uncomfortable." Elphaba started to stand.
Breena shoved her back down in her chair. "Not so fast. Lion has something he'd like to say to you."
"I…" Lion swallowed hard. "I owe you an apology." He didn't notice the questioning look Elphaba gave Breena. "You saved my life when I was a cub. Rescued me from who knows what at the hands of the man who killed my family. A man who worked for the Wizard. But instead of blaming either one of them as I grew, I blamed you."
Words tumbled from his mouth, increasing in speed as he went along. "It was easier that way. Everyone else in Oz was scared of you so it made sense for me to be too. Then I met Boq while we were traveling with Dorothy and the Scarecrow and he wore his hate for you on his sleeve. You can only hear bad things about someone for so long before you start to believe them. So when he went to join the witch hunters and asked me to go along, I did. I realize now I did it because I thought I would lose him as a friend if I didn't, not because I wanted anything to happen to you."
He paused to take a breath. "I've been stupid. I let other people's opinions of you shape my own. You saved my life. I should be thanking you for that, not sitting in the other room brooding because you're here." He sighed. "So thanks. I hope you'll be able to forgive me someday."
Elphaba wasn't sure what she should do, so she went with her gut and stood, pulling him into a hug. Lion froze at first but slowly put his arms around her too.
"Let's just say we both made mistakes and start over with a clean slate, OK?" Elphaba spoke as she pulled away from him.
"That sounds fair." Lion smiled.
"You've grown up to be quite handsome." She gave him a scratch under the chin.
He blushed. "I should let you get back to what you were doing. Unless Betak still has some stew, then maybe I'll join you."
The old woman smiled. "You two could take a lesson from him when it comes to eating." She pushed Breena into a chair next to Elphaba. "Starting now."
Breena was frowning at Betak when she felt Elphaba grip her hand. She looked over at her to find her smiling.
"Thanks." Elphaba nodded toward Lion. "I needed that."
Breena grinned. "Hey, somebody has to help you make friends. Oz knows you're not very good at doing it on your own."
Lion put a bowl of stew down in front of each of them. "Betak said to be quiet and eat."
"No, I said to shut up and eat." Betak corrected him. "There's a difference with those two."
They both chuckled as they picked up there spoons and did as they were told.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Thanks." Glinda's voice was barely audible as she came out of the second bedroom leading off of the first, clad in the simple brown skirt and white shirt Milynn had given her.
"Well, they're not exactly the latest fashion in Ozmapolitan, but I think they'll do for a crop picker." Milynn's voice was teasing as she tried to lighten the mood.
Glinda didn't seem to notice. "What should I do with this?" She indicated the elaborate, sparkling gown in her hands.
"It's quite a contraption, isn't it?" Milynn took it from her. "And heavy. I don't know how you get around in something like this." She hoped for a reply but didn't get one. "I'm sorry, but I don't think we'll be able to take it with us."
"That's all right. It's not like I'll need it."
"I'll just leave it on the bed then. Oh!" Milynn jumped as something fell out of the dress. She leaned down to pick up a small green bottle. "Is this yours?"
Glinda clinched her jaw when she saw it, forgetting she had put it in her pocket earlier. "No."
"But if fell out of your dress."
"The thing has a million pockets. It's hard to tell what else might be in there." She waved her hand dismissively. "Just throw it away." Glinda realized her words sounded like an order and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right." Milynn slipped the bottle into her skirt pocket instead. She had a feeling it had some sentimental value for the blonde and she would want it back someday. "We'll be leaving soon."
"I'm not riding in a wagon with her."
Milynn frowned. "Excuse me?"
"Her." Glinda pointed toward the main part of the house. "Either I ride in a different wagon or I'm not going."
"Uh…" Milynn's frown deepened.
"I'm serious." Glinda squared her shoulders. "I know it might sound unreasonable, but I don't want to be around her."
"Can you hold that thought for just a second?" Milynn gave her a weak smile as she slipped out of the room. "Breena!"
All four occupants of the kitchen rushed into the front room when they heard her shout.
"What?" Breena went to her. "Is something the matter?"
"You could say that." Milynn motioned for her to come closer. "Glinda's refusing to ride in a wagon with Elphaba."
"What?"
"I said Glinda is refusing to ride in a wagon with Elphaba!"
Breena rolled her eyes as Milynn repeated herself loud enough for everyone to hear. "For future reference, that was a rhetorical what."
"Sorry." Milynn blushed. "But she's saying if she has to ride with Elphaba she's not going."
"Elphaba can ride her broom." Lion tried to help.
"No." Breena shook her head. "It'll be daylight out."
"If that's our only option…"
"It's too risky." Breena interrupted Elphaba.
"She's right." Betak agreed.
Elphaba sighed. "Then what are we going to do?"
"Corbet has an extra horse." Leto spoke, making them all jump. No one had seen him come back into the house. "And I have an IOU to cash in." He looked at Milynn. "I told you those card games would come in handy someday."
"Good." Breena answered before her friend could react. "Elly and I can ride together."
"Why both of us?" Elphaba frowned.
"Because if you're alone you might try to make a break for it." Breena's tone was light but she was completely serious.
"Don't be ridiculous." Elphaba scoffed. "Someone needs to keep an eye on Glinda."
"I can." Lion spoke up. "I'll be in the wagon." He looked back and forth between Breena and Elphaba. "I won't let anything happen to her."
"Is this settled?" Leto asked. "The others will be getting ready to leave soon."
"We'll be right behind the wagon, Elphaba." Breena reasoned. "In case Lion needs some back up." She didn't want to hurt the feline's feelings.
"Fine." Elphaba sighed.
"Good. I'll get Glinda." Milynn knocked on the bedroom door and went back inside.
"Here Lion." Leto took a hooded cloak from a hook inside the door. "Put this on. No one else was out yet when I came in, but we don't want to risk someone seeing you. You can help Betak get settled in the wagon while I get the horse from Corbet." He looked at Breena and Elphaba. "Everyone else should be ready to go by the time I get back."
"And I'll take this for you." Betak grabbed Elphaba's broom before heading out the door with the men.
"Hey." Breena gripped Elphaba's shoulder. "Everything's going to be all right."
"I know." Elphaba tried to sound as confident as she could, but try as she might she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Well, well, well Master Boq. It looks like you were right." Nevin grinned as he watched Lion leading an old woman to a wagon from his vantage point at the edge of the forest. He might not have spotted him if it weren't for the furry paws sticking out of the cloak. "You'll be handsomely rewarded for this."
"The only reward I want is Glinda's safety." Boq gestured with his ax. "Remember your promise." He swallowed hard, wondering yet again if he had done the right thing. Turning Glinda in was one thing, actually coming along with Nevin to get her was another. Would the blonde ever forgive him?
"Oh, I will." Nevin eyed the ax. "That's a fine weapon you have there. But you'd rather carry this." He pulled a dagger out of a sheath on his belt.
Boq frowned. "No, I…"
"You would rather carry this." Nevin looked into his eyes, emphasizing each word as he eased the ax out of the tin man's hands.
"You're right." Boq nodded. "I would rather carry this." He took the dagger.
"That's a good boy." Nevin continued to hold his gaze. "Now by your count there are three witches down there. Pick one, it doesn't matter which, and kill her."
Boq tightened his grip on the handle of the dagger. "Kill a witch."
"That's right." Nevin smiled like the cat who ate the canary as the tin man walked away. "Like taking candy from a baby." He threw the ax to the ground before turning toward the men hidden behind him in the trees. There were others in similar positions surrounding the neighborhood. "Lieutenant, spread the word. I want you to attack as soon as you see the first blonde curl on Miss Glinda's head."
"Yes sir." The lieutenant bowed.
"And one more thing." He paused dramatically. "They had better all be dead when your men are finished."
That made the lieutenant grin. "Yes sir."
Nevin's smile returned as he watched other people start emerging from their houses to start their day, his mind flashing back to the night before. One of his men had woken him in the dead of night to tell him the tin man was back. After hearing Boq's story he knew what he had to do. He also knew his mother wouldn't approve. So he gathered his men quietly and left the palace as she snored away in what used to be Glinda's rooms.
"You'll see, Mother." He clinched his right hand into a fist. "I can make you proud."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Glinda came out of the bedroom with Milynn, turning away when she saw that Elphaba and Breena were still in the front room.
"Here you go, Elphaba." Milynn handed her a hooded cloak similar to the one Leto gave Lion. "You'll need this."
"Thanks." Elphaba couldn't take her eyes off of Glinda.
"Here." Breena took it from Milynn. "Snap out of it long enough to put this on." She shoved the cloak at Elphaba.
"Come on." Leto appeared in the open doorway. "The others are almost ready to go."
"Did you get the horse?"
Leto grinned cockily. "What do you think?"
Breena sighed. "Why did I even ask?" She turned to Milynn. "Do we need anything else from the house?"
"Nope." The redhead pursed her lips. "Just us."
"But what about all of your things?" Glinda spoke, still being careful not to look in Elphaba's direction as she put the cloak on and pulled up the hood.
"There's nothing here that's irreplaceable." Leto gestured for them to hurry up. "Let's go!"
"Come on, Glinda." Milynn put her hand on the blonde's back as they walked out the door.
Elphaba watched them go with a wistful look on her face.
"Like I said earlier, give her some time." Breena took a green hand in her own and pulled her out the door, shutting it behind them.
They were halfway to the wagons when someone yelled, "Halt in the name of Oz!"
"Gale Force." Leto hissed as the guards came out of hiding.
Milynn gripped his hand as she looked around. "They're everywhere!"
"Let's get out of here!" A shout from one of the other crop pickers was all it took for hell to break loose as wagons and people started going every which way.
"Elphaba, get them to the wagon." Breena let go of her hand, taking in the situation.
"What?" Elphaba frowned.
"I'll distract them."
"Bree…"
"Don't argue. We both know I'm the more expendable one here. Just get them to the wagon and get out of here." Breena started to walk away, throwing an, "I'll catch up!" over her shoulder as she disappeared into the chaos.
"Damn it!" Elphaba clinched her jaw. "You heard her, let's move." Elphaba herded Leto, Milynn and Glinda toward the wagon.
"Halt!!" A guard suddenly stepped into their path.
"Agito!" Elphaba waved her hand, hurling him out of their way.
"That must come in handy." Milynn yelped and buried her head against Leto's shoulder as a horse and rider almost ran them over.
"Watch out!" Betak yelled at them.
Glinda put her hands around Elphaba's arm as a group of Gale Force guards surrounded them, rifles raised and at the ready. She didn't have a chance to say anything before Elphaba said, "Absentis," and motioned with her free arm, toppling the guards like dominoes.
It took several minutes and a lot more assistance from Elphaba but they finally reached the wagon. Leto helped Milynn into Lion's waiting paws and turned to help with Glinda but Elphaba motioned for him to go. He ran around the wagon, climbing into the driver's seat as Elphaba helped Glinda reach Lion.
"Go, Leto!" Elphaba yelled once Glinda was safely inside.
"Elphie?" Glinda gripped a green hand as she started to walk away. "You're not coming?" There was panic in her voice.
"I can't leave Bree out there by herself." Elphaba gave her a half hearted grin. "Besides, I'm not allowed to ride with you, remember?" Her tone was teasing as she pulled her hand free. "I'll…"
"You're not going to do anything but die witch!"
Someone came into view from the side of the wagon, grabbing Elphaba by the shoulder and turning her around before anyone could react. She caught a glimpse of Boq's sneering face as pain jolted her senses. The tin man laughed as he twisted the dagger he had just plunged into her chest.
"Elphaba!!" Glinda screamed.
"No!" Lion swiped at Boq, nearly taking his head off his shoulders as his paw made contact with his face, knocking him away from his victim.
Elphaba drew in a strangled breath, looking down at the handle of the dagger as she staggered against the back of the wagon.
"Elphie!" Glinda reached for her as she started to fall.
"I've got her." Lion jumped to the ground, carefully taking the green woman into his arms. "Here." He quickly handed her up to Milynn and Glinda, shooting a look at an unmoving Boq before scrambling back into the wagon to help.
"Sweet Oz!" Milynn swallowed hard as they laid their burden on the floor of the wagon.
"She's going to be fine." Glinda wasn't sure if she was trying to convince herself or everyone else as she fell to her knees next to her friend. "Just hold on, Elphie." Tears glistened in her eyes as she looked down at her. "I'm going to take care of you." She started to reach for the dagger.
"No!" Betak grabbed her hand. "Don't touch it!"
Glinda furrowed her brow. "But…"
"Pulling it out could cause her to…" Betak shook her head. "She stands a better chance if you leave it be."
"Glin…" Elphaba gasped. "da…"
"Shhh." Glinda put her hand on Elphaba's pale cheek. "Don't talk."
"I… I'm… Sorry." Elphaba's brow creased in pain. "So… sorry…"
Glinda used her free hand to grip one of Elphaba's, her tears beginning to fall.
"I… lo…" Elphaba gasped again as blood slid from the corner of her mouth. "Love you." Her eyelids fluttered as she fought to stay conscious. "I… I always have."
"Oh Elphie. I…"
Elphaba coughed, interrupting the blonde. The four huddled around her watched in horror as her face became a mask of agony for a second before her features relaxed and her eyes shut.
"No." Glinda sobbed as the hand in her own went limp. "No! Elphie?!" She gathered the unresponsive woman into her arms. "Wake up, Elphaba." She shook her. "Wake up!!"
Tears streamed down her face when her begging was met with silence.