Salvete!
Elphaba's Girl - Once again, you are right!
Just a warning, I pushed through MAJOR writer's block to write this chapter. If it sucks, that's why.
Story time!
Chapter 3
Erik
"Erik! Wake up!"
"Unh? Go away, Fiyero. One more minute."
"You're on duty today in the throne room! Now get UP!" Something hit my face. Hard.
"OW! That hurt!" I opened my eyes and saw what had hit my face: my mask. I quickly put it on before Fiyero could see anything.
"Okay, I'm not as stupid as I look," Fiyero said. "You're grumpier than usual, and I know you were somewhere last night. Spill."
"I'm the Phantom of the Guard," I said curtly. "I'm not one for spilling."
"I'm the Captain of the Guard," Fiyero retorted. "I'm not one for letting people not spill. Especially my bestest friend."
I snorted. "Glinda has too much of an influence on you. If you must know, I was in the Gilikin Forest."
"And?"
"I found her. She's hiding with Bears, Fiyero. But, we spent most of the night together, and in the morning … I left."
"Was there … action?"
"Apart from her ripping off my mask and telling me a big fat lie that I was handsome? Nope. I told her about Glinda's meeting with the Wizard today. She said she would try to make it."
"What?! Is she insane?! It's a good thing you're the one assigned to the throne room today! If she's caught …"
"Don't worry, Fiyero. I'll make sure I don't catch her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get breakfast."
Breakfast was loud. Breakfast was always loud. Everyone thinks being in the military is like taking a vow never to be frivolous again, but in reality, lots of young men in tight quarters equals loud. I, however, quietly got my helping of porridge and sat down with Fiyero, the only person I could tolerate. Unfortunately, Glinda had decided to tag along. Great.
"So, you were in the Gilikin Forest last night?" she asked me. "It's beautiful, isn't it? Momsie and Popsie used to take me there every summer for camping. No sign of Elphie, though?"
"Nope," I lied. "She has vanished like a phantom."
"Like you sometimes," Fiyero added.
"I don't vanish. I merely hold my tongue. There's a difference."
After breakfast, I took my place in the throne room. Glinda would be coming in at any moment. Was El already there? Was she hiding? I prayed that she was alright. Glinda came in, trembling, and bowed before the Wizard's large throne.
"I AM OZ, THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE! WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY DO YOU SEEK ME?"
"Glinda Upland, of the Upper Uplands, Your Ozness. I'm here because you summoned me?" She did a small, terrified curtsey.
"GLINDA UPLAND, YOU ARE NOW OFFICIALLY GLINDA THE GOOD, HENCE BE KNOWN!"
"Th-thank you, Your Ozness!"
We heard a shrill cackle from behind one of the curtains, and suddenly, El was before us, with a sarcastic smirk on her face. "'Thank you, Your Ozness!'" she said in an overdone high pitched voice. "Honestly, Glinda, I had no idea you could sink this low! Your second chance! Come with me!" I could now see why people were afraid of El. The way she leaped from behind an emerald curtain scared even me. And if looks could kill, Glinda would be dead!
The Wizard's fake head moved once more. "GUARD! STOP HER!"
"Yes, Your Ozness!" I said, fear in my voice. I didn't want to do it, but I knew I had to. I rushed over and knocked El out before she could react. I realized how ridiculous I must have looked, carrying the Wicked Witch of the West like an infant in my arms, with her broomstick slung over my shoulder like a rifle. But I ran like that, out of the palace, past the borders of the Emerald City, to the Eastern Vinkus, setting her down at the beginning of the Thousand Year Grasslands.
Of course, she awoke almost as soon as I put her down. "Erik!" she exclaimed. "Why in Oz did you do that?! Give me my broomstick!"
"I know you disapprove of Glinda," I said smoothly. "But outbursts like that are easy ways for you to get captured! You have to be sane, my emerald angel."
"THEY'RE not being sane! Glinda hasn't done anything good! All she's done is look pretty and be a figurehead! Now give me back my broomstick before I hex your arms to your sides!"
"Fine." She snatched it back from me with a quick swipe.
"Thank you, Erik."
"El? What if I quit the Gale Force and come with you?"
"You can't do that. It's what they expect of you. You need to stay safe."
"But I love you."
"I know."
"Do you love me? Did you love me before you saw my … distortion?"
"Your face means nothing to me, Erik. After all, look at me! I'm ugly enough for the both of us!"
"Your skin is smooth and beautiful and puts all the emeralds in Oz to shame! For goodness sake, El! Can't you see that?"
"If I wasn't the color of a frog, none of this would be a problem! Don't you dare lie to me to make me feel better, Erik!" And then my angel flew out of sight.
I got back to the Emerald City in time for dinner. I found a hysterical Glinda being held by Fiyero in my quarters. "Erik! You're back!" he exclaimed.
"Nice observation," I snapped.
"Is Elphie alright?" Glinda asked between choppy breaths.
"I can say that she overpowered me," I said. "Which actually is kind of true. Now, you two are my friends, but can I please eat in peace?"
"Sure man," Fiyero said. "C'mon, Glinda."
Left alone in my room, I thought about El. Why didn't she want me beside her? Was it because of the face that had won me a mother's fear and loathing? Or was she truly trying to protect me? Dammit, I didn't want to be protected! And why couldn't she see how beautiful she really was?
Let me know? Thanks for reading!
Cheers,
Elle Dottore
