Chapter 4: The Rescue of the Rose

A year passed and at least once a week, if not everyday, Elphaba and Glinda saw one another. Although Elphaba wanted to stay loyal to her mother's plan, it was becoming increasingly difficult. Her feelings for Glinda were growing, and no matter how she tried to push them out of her mind she just couldn't. Her loathing for the Princess just wasn't sticking.

"What's with the sigh Princess?" Elphaba asked, as the two of them rested under a near by tree.

"I wish the sun would come out. It's far too cloudy for my liking," Glinda answered, as she rested her head against the taller woman's shoulder. The Wicked Witch smiled at the gesture and wrapped an arm around the blonde princess. "It looks like it's about to rain any second."

"Rain?" Elphaba exclaimed, as she stood up quite fast which broke their contact.

"Elphie, are you alright?" Glinda questioned, as her brow narrowed in confusion. Elphaba gulped nervously. Her worried display could blow her cover. Everyone in Oz had hear rumors that the so called daughter of Maleficent was allergic to water.

"It's just rain could bring about lighting," Elphaba answered, as she tried to hide her fearful tone. As she turned to Glinda she saw the Princess' face filled with fright. She wasn't sure what brought upon this sudden fear. Then a few seconds passed before the Princess let out a loud scream.

"It's a spy of Maleficent!" Glinda shouted, as she pointed to just beyond the taller woman. Elphaba whipped her head around to see Chistery had jumped down from the trees, and he was hissing wildly at the Princess. It was clear he had leaped down to prevent Elphaba from blowing her cover.

"Sweet Oz!" Glinda cried out, as she ran away as fast as her puffy dress would allow.

"Come, Elphaba, we must go. It will rain soon!" Chistery called to her, once Glinda was out of sight, but instead the Wicked Witch sped off in the direction of the Princess.

"Princess Glinda wait!" Elphaba yelled, as she pushed though the heavy brush.

Glinda soon made it out of the forest breathing hard. The wind had already picked up. It signaled a storm was on its way. With the wind howling so loudly, she didn't hear a carriage coming straight for her.

...X...

When Elphaba made it out of the forest she was relieved to see Glinda not too far away. An at ease feeling soon turned to panic when Elphaba saw the carriage heading right for Princess Glinda.

"GLINDA!" Elphaba shouted, as she charged after the golden haired Princess. There was no way her call would reach Glinda's ears. The Princess' only chance was Elphaba pulling her out of the way.

Princess Glinda did see the rushing carriage but it was too late. She stood in total fear, and closed her eyes, waiting for the carriage to hit her. Elphaba made it there just in time, however, and drew Princess Glinda out of the way of the speeding carriage. She held the Good Witch to her chest, in a protective manner, as she turned her back to the rushing coach in an effort to shelter the blonde woman even more so. The Wicked Witch's breath was heavy as she thought just how close Glinda was to death.

It was a few moments before Princess Glinda finally realized she was safe. Glinda then started to cry tears of relief and joy as she peered into her rescuer's brown eyes.

"Elphie, oh you saved me! Thank you! I thought for sure I was good as dead!" Glinda's sobs only increased.

"It's okay, Glinda, I have you. You're safe my Princess," Elphaba whispered, as she held on to the blonde even tighter. "Are you alright?"

"I am now," Glinda whispered just loud enough so her rescuer could hear her.

Their alone time was short lived when Prince Fiyero came running up to them. He paid no attention to their position as he pulled Glinda from Elphaba's arms to his own. The taller woman was enraged about this action but voiced no argument.

"Glinda, are you alright?" Fiyero asked, his voice filled with worry. "Sweet Oz! My carriage almost hit you! I can't believe it. I swear, that driver will pay for his negligence." Glinda wiggled her way out of Fiyero's arms to only cling to Elphaba once again.

"Elphie, saved me," Glinda kissed her savior on the cheek. "One of those horrible winged monkeys of Maleficent ambush us. I can only assume he was trying to kill me. I ran off, and Elphaba came after me. I wasn't paying attention, and I didn't hear the carriage coming my way because of the howling wind. When I did see the coach it was too late, but Elphaba pulled me out of the way just in time. If she hadn't done what she did. I would be dead right now."

"Glinda, my love, maybe we should get you inside. You need to rest after what just happened," Fiyero said, as he tried to pull the Princess away from the taller woman's arms. Glinda made a whimper, it was clear she didn't want to leave the protective arms of her rescuer.

Elphaba in turned moved slightly, so Fiyero would not be successful in drawing the blonde away. She was not ready to have the Princess leave her arms. Holding Glinda in this way felt so right, but the rumble of thunder, and the signal of oncoming rain frightened the Wicked Witch. Elphaba signed in disappointment knowing that if she didn't get to shelter soon, she would be burned to death from the rain.

"Princess Glinda, I think Prince Fiyero is right. You need to calm your heart. Go to the safety of your castle. I will see you again tomorrow, if you are feeling up to it," Elphaba answered, as she reluctantly pulled away from the Princess, so Fiyero could take her hand.

Glinda didn't want to leave Elphaba's side, but a nod from the taller woman insured her they would meet again soon. The Wicked Witch waited until Princess Glinda and Prince Fiyero left her sight. She then rushed away, so she could get to shelter before the heavy rain came. She didn't have to go far to spot Chistery who lead her inside a cave.

"Wicked Witch of the West, what happened to the Princess?"

"She was almost hit by a carriage, but she was rescued," Elphaba replied, facial expression remained stoic.

"Too bad, if she was killed that would save you the trouble of doing it yourself," The winged monkey answered, as she nudged the Wicked Witch, and motioned to the green elixir and the dagger hidden under her clothes.

Elphaba just nodded her head as she looked away and let out a deep sign. She wondered what her most loyal monkey would think if he knew it was her who saved the Princess. The two then remained quiet as the sky seemed to part and the rain fell down. The storm had begun.

...X...

After the storm had passed, and it was finally safe to leave the safety of the cave, Elphaba and Chistery headed back to Maleficent castle. The Wicked Witch was welcomed by her mother, The Dark Witch, who gave her words of encouragement and confidence that taking over Oz would be easy. Elphaba humored her by adding her two cents before heading to her room to rest her tired mind.

Once Elphaba was in her room, she looked out the window at the night sky. It was clear she was feeling quite troubled. "My life is full of thorns," The Wicked Witch spoke aloud, for she thought she alone. Her breath was visible in the frigid air. Her expiration was so thick that it seemed like she was a dragon who was preparing to send out a fiery blaze, and smoke was rising out from her very mouth.

"Those same thorns lead to a rose," A voice rang out.

The sudden voice caught Elphaba off guard, but she quickly settled when she realized it wasn't her mother. "What troubles you Wicked Witch of the West?" Chistery asked, as he emerged from outside of the window. Elphaba could see the concern in the winged monkey's eyes and decided she could be honest with him.

"To be truthful, Chistery, I don't think I can go though with my mother's plan. Everyday it gets harder," Elphaba whispered, as she hung her head.

"Don't you want to be the absolute ruler of Oz? To get to the rose you must go though the thorns," The winged monkey pointed out.

"True," Elphaba replied, with a frustrated sigh as she stood up to exit the room. "But, alas, I want a different rose." With those words she was gone. Elphaba's steps were so silent she seemed to move like a ghost more than anything else.

Chistery's brow narrowed in confusion. "If she no longer wants Oz then what does she want? What is this different rose?"