Chapter 5: Once Upon a Dream

Another year passed and Elphaba and Glinda's friendship had blossomed, so much that the two became inseparable. King Galal and Queen Larena were pleased that their daughter had found such a great companion, but Prince Fiyero was becoming increasingly jealous.

Fiyero wondered why Princess Glinda didn't want to spend time with him? They were to be married when Glinda was 21 years old, and they seemed more like strangers then future husband and wife.

"I know what I must do," Fiyero muttered. "I need to get Princess Glinda to stop spending so much time with Elphaba. I mean, come on, they are spending so much time together one would think it was Elphaba who was courting the Princess." The Prince then mounted his white horse and headed off to find the two women.

...X..

"Where is Princess Glinda?" Morrible asked, as she skimmed over a book she was reading.

"With Elphaba of course," Nanny answered, with a snicker. "She's always with Elphaba. Ha! Fiyero must be pulling his hair out in envy."

"I pity the dope, only a little though," Yackle replied, as she tapped her wand against the wall. "He's a bit too arrogant even for a Prince."

"I think the Princess cares not for him," Madam Morrible added.

"Why would Princess Glinda care for him when she has a looker like Elphaba around?" Nanny laughed a hardy bellow.

"You speak of Elphaba like she's the Prince," Yackle muttered, as she rose an eyebrow in a curious manner.

"I am not blind to Glinda's happiness like you two old crows are," Nanny boasted, her lips came together in a vigorous grin.

"You talk like you are quick-witted, young, thing," Morrible mocked her.

"Just shut up and let things be," Nanny snapped back. "Glinda is clearly happy, so let us see where things go."

Madam Morrible just shook her head as she went back to her book, and Yackle turned away. Nanny couldn't help but grin more widely, for she knew she had won this discussion.

...X...

"Oh, Elphie, what should we do today?" Glinda asked, as she leaned in close. Elphaba could feel her breath quicken as the result of the nearness, but after a moment she found her voice again.

"How about a nice walk though the gardens? The weather is just prefect. What do you think my Princess?"

"I like that idea!" Glinda exclaimed, as she linked arms with Elphaba, and they headed towards the royal gardens, but they were stopped by Prince Fiyero who gave the taller woman a scowl.

"Where are you two off in such a hurry?" He asked, as he circled them once with his horse.

"To the royal gardens," Glinda answered, as she went to pass the prince but he wouldn't let them.

"The royal gardens are for royalty only, and Elphaba is not of nobility," Fiyero replied, as he folded his arms over his chest in a defiant manner.

"Oh, Sweet Oz, Fiyero! Elphaba is more than welcome to walk the royal gardens. Besides if you have a problem with it you can talk to my father or mother," With those words Glinda and Elphaba by passed the Prince without a second glace. Fiyero didn't move for a few seconds. He then cursed under his breath and headed off.

Once they got to the gardens, and made several laps around the two young women took a rest on a bench. Elphaba could feel her cheeks heat up with the Princess so close to her. She wondered why this only happened when she was around Glinda. It couldn't be the aftermath of loathing. This feeling was too positive to be something like abhorring.

"You know, Elphaba, I must be truthful to you. Even though we have only know each other for a few years it seems like I have known you longer. It's almost like we have met before," Glinda said, as she stroked Elphaba's hand in her own.

"Really?" The Wicked Witch asked. "Where have we met before?"

"Once upon a dream," Glinda answered, with a giggle as she stood up and pulled Elphaba's arms around her waist. "I know you. I walked with you once upon a dream. I know you the gleam in your eyes is so familiar a gleam."

"Are you sure it was me?" Elphaba replied, her brown eyes were sparkling.

"Yet I know it's true that visions are seldom what they seem, but I feel I know what this one means. Now that I have met you," Glinda let a shy smile form upon her lips. She wondered why this butterfly feeling in her stomach never happened when she was around Prince Fiyero?

Elphaba could feel her mouth become dry, and she let her arms sag slightly as the words of her mother began to flood her mind. This princess she was suppose to hate! For Oz sake, she was suppose to kill her. Instead of feeling intense hatred towards Glinda she was feeling dare she say it...not just love...romantic love.

Just as her thoughts seemed to overwhelm her a deep clearing of the throat bought her attention back to reality. Prince Fiyero was the one who cleared his throat and stood staring at the two women.

"Glinda, your father is calling for you," Fiyero said, as he approached the blonde princess and held out his hand. "I will escort you to him." Elphaba's eyes drew together. Her gut told her Glinda's father wasn't calling her at all. The Prince just wanted her away from the Princess.

"If I am being called upon then I will go. I will see you soon, won't I Elphie?" Glinda asked, her face quickly fell when she realized her and Elphaba were parting.

"I promise to visit soon, my Princess, I know where to find you and vice a versa," Elphaba answered, as she cupped a cheek.

"Good, until we meet again Elphaba!" Glinda called, as Fiyero began to lead her away even before she was done speaking.

"Until next time, my Princess." Elphaba grinned. She couldn't deny that pure loathing had turned into pure love.

...X...

The next day Elphaba got to the forest a bit early, hoping that Glinda would be there ahead of time.

"Elphie!" Glinda exclaimed, as she caught sight of her taller friend and nearly leaped into her arms. "How I missed you so."

"I was only gone a day, like always, but it warms my heart to know you think so fondly of me," Elphaba answered, with a wide grin.

"More than you know," Glinda replied back. Her face was muffled by Elphaba's chest, so she didn't expect the taller woman to hear her.

"How fondly?" Elphaba questioned, as she pulled away slightly so she could peer into the Princess' eyes.

Glinda let a shy smile formed before she rose on her tippy toes for a second, so she could place a quick kiss on Elphaba's lips.

She giggled and answered, "Follow me, Elphie."

"I dare not refuse," Elphaba replied, as a blush rose in her cheeks. Princess Glinda had just kissed her, and the only thing the Wicked Witch could think about was how she wanted to be kissed again by the Princess.

...X...

"Where are you taking me?" Elphaba couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. She was still riding the high of the kiss she had gotten only moments ago.

"To my secret spot," Glinda replied, her voice was slightly labored, as she reached out her hand, and in turn Elphaba took it. The Princess had to will herself not to swoon right there and then as a result of the touch. "I found this place about a year ago. I have told no one else about this spot, but I wanted to share it with you."

With those words the Princess stopped dead in her tracks and pointed out in the distance. Elphaba gave her a curious look before leading her gaze to where Glinda was directing to.

The Wicked Witch's eyes grew large as she stared at the landscape before her. The land in front of her eyes was covered with a vast number of flowers and trees. In the distance one could see the glowing yellow brick road that led off over hills, and country side towards the massive and famous Emerald City. Poppies was the most abundant flower that littered along the golden brick road. The sun's rays seemed to made everything glisten with such a wonderful sparkle that made Elphaba feel so warm inside.

"The view is amazing, my Princess," Elphaba said, once her voice came back to her.

"It certainly is," Glinda replied, as she laid a hand on Elphaba's shoulder, as her eyes stayed fixed on the taller woman.

"I come here when I just want to be alone. I don't get much time to myself, and I fear when I marry Fiyero I won't be able to come here anymore. I know my father and mother want me to be good wife and queen, and a good wife doesn't go off when she has so much to do." Glinda let out an unhappy sigh, and Elphaba knew that this spot meant so much to the Good Witch.

"Let us make use of this important time then," Elphaba said, as she wrapped her arms around Glinda, before she brought them both down to laid down on the grass.

Princess Glinda immediately clung to Elphaba and let out a blissful sigh. "When I am Queen this is what I will miss most."

"What will you miss?" Elphaba inquired.

Glinda smiled sweetly at her raven haired friend before whispering, "Spending time with you, my Elphie."