Glinda's eyes snapped open as the door closed.

"I'm sorry." Dorothy apologized, walking towards the bed with a tray on her hands.

Glinda smiled briefly. She was tired and it was a matter of time before she fell from her chair. But even the hard stone floor seamed like a nice place to take a nap on. She was just so tired.

"Sleep. Soft. Sick."

Glinda re-opened her eyes again as Chistery's voice dragged her back to reality. She glared at him as he shrieked un-melodically as he always seemed to do when he was nervous.

"Hush." She ordered crossly. "With all it cost me to make her sleep."

Dorothy had placed the tray down on the tiny night table next to the bed and tried to pet the monkey to calm him down. But the beast snarled and snapped the hand away, jumping back and away to join the pack of winged monkeys staring at them from the shadows. Glinda hated the beasts, but they refused to leave the room. Maybe, their primitive minds had a certain sense of loyalty. Maybe they had a spell on them. Was Elphaba that powerful?

"Her skirt caught fire." Dorothy said in a small voice. "I tried to…I didn't knew."

"Not many people do." Glinda removed some wet locks away from Elphaba's sweating face as the witch slept. "And I guess it is for the best…as it will be that not many people know what happened here."

Glinda sighed and straightened. The Tin Man and the Scarecrow would soon be at Kiamo Ko's door. And then Dorothy, the Lion and that boy, Liir would leave. But not before the child understood something really important.

"Elphi is not a murderer. She never was, never will. She…" Her eyes filled with tears again but she swallowed them. This needed to be said fast and stated clearly. "Dorothy, there are many strange things happening in Oz. Many of which not even I, or Elphaba, not even the Wizard himself understand. He sent you here to kill the Witch."

"I would never have …"

"Yes, you would. You have, as a matter of fact."

Glinda fixed her blue eyes on Dorothy's.

"You threw a bucket of water on her, and she burnt. And she died."

For a moment, Dorothy seemed confused and abashed with guilt, but then the light of understanding started illuminating her face and her hunted eyes brighten.

"The Wicked Witch of the West is dead." The child nodded, straighten like a little general and wearing an expression of grim determination. But then she hesitated. "He wanted proves…"

"Take the burnt broom. And maybe…maybe the burnt clothes too. Tell the Lion to take it for you. I've talked to him already. He understands and will be there to help you." Glinda assured her. "No one else must know. Not the Wizar, not the Tin Man nor the Scarecrow."

"She is gone and dead." Dorothy stated, but even then her eyes watered and her lip trembled. But she didn't cry again. Instead, she rubbed her eyes furiously with the back of her wrist and turned to the tray. "Liir made some tea, and sandwiches."

Glinda didn't know what to make of Liir. Elphaba seemed particularly sensitive to the kid's lack of attention and open hostility. But neither she nor the boy would say what link there was between them. Well, Elphaba hadn't said much about anything except to protest and curse them all.

"I should be leaving now." Dorothy's voice startled her again out of her thoughts. "I really miss my family and my home."

Glinda raised her eyes from the sleeping face of Elphaba. Dorothy seemed so fragile and lost. Smilling, the Good Witch of the North stood, and hugged her tenderly.

"Everything happens for a reason, honey. Maybe good things will come out of this. No one ever knows. Be safe."

"You too. And tell her I'm sorry about everything."

"I will."

The door closed softly behind Dorothy as she left. Glinda was alone with the unmoving figure on the bed. Did she really know Elphaba all that much? Had she really contemplated the downfall of a great mind? Or had merely seeing one of many break downs? One chaotic event, out of many? They have being together for three years, after all. What were three years compared to a life time of separation?

Glinda caressed with two creamy fingers the bandages covering Elphaba's cheeks. She had never seeing Elphi cried before and now Glinda had a certain idea of why she had such an iron control on her emotions. At least where sadness was concerned. The tears hurt her. They cut and burnt the flesh like tiny drops of acid. So much pain and still, Elphaba was denied even the release of tears.

What a tragic creature, what a sad course of events.

Dorothy climbed down the stairs and walked towards the main hall, where the Lion was waiting for her. Toto was scampering around her feet, whimpering. She had the strange feeling that he liked the Witch.

"Dorothy…" The Lion greeted her.

"Let's go." She said, carrying the burnt broom stick, the burnt clothing of the witch and a greenish bottle on which it could be read "Miracl…Elix"

Liir followed them, all smiles and enthusiasm shining on his eyes.

"You are coming with us?" Dorothy asked him as he followed them outside.

"Well, yes! I…" He blushed and lowered his eyes. "I like you, you know."

"But who will take care of her? Fabala? Elphibi?"

"Elphaba…" Liir corrected absently. "Glinda is here with her. She will take care of her. I want to go with you."

"But she is your mom, isn't she?"

Liir jumped, blushed and then giggled.

"No, she is not. She is just old Auntie Witch."

Dorothy's face grew somber.

"She is your family. And there is nothing more important than family. I lost mine…" her voice broke. "And I missed them so much that my heart hurts. And I know that my parents in heaven, and my auntie and Uncle at home, are worried about me and miss me as much as I miss them. No, you can't do this to yourself and to her. You must stay."

"Oh, she doesn't care about me! Chistery and the others can do as much as I can. Please, let me come with you. I can protect you better than this coward overweight cat."

"Well, am not the only overweight here, now am I?" The Lion huffed, offended.

"You helped me and my Toto so bravely." Dorothy stated, taking his hands on her own. "And I will be forever grateful. But I would be even more if you stay here. Lion will protect me on my way. And there is also the Tin Man and the Scarecrow and my Auntie and Uncle are waiting for me at home. You just have her, and she just has you." And without even waiting for his response, Dorothy hugged him. "Take care and be safe."

Liir just stood there, watching their departure. Finally he turned and stormed inside the castle to sulk.