Salvete!
Chapter 4 here!
Elphaba's Girl - You may be right. ;)
Enjoy!
Chapter 4
Elphaba
Six months after Glinda's … coronation, I suppose it was … I was officially at a loss. How could I fight for Animal rights when my target audience always assumed I was going to eat their children or curse their husbands' genitalia? Exhausted, I went to Ursa's for food and shelter. I was quite surprised when an Owl answered the door.
"Miss Elphaba!" he exclaimed, surprised. "What brings you here this time of the night?"
"If I flew another mile, I would capitulate off my broom, and get serious brain damage from the hard forest floor," I confessed. "Can I stay the night?"
"Well, we don't want you to get brain damage! Come in! I'm Ululus, by the way. Be quiet, though, the Cubs are already in bed."
"Um, where's Ursa?" I sat down at the table in the center as Ululus flew next to me.
"I'm sorry to be the bringer of bad tidings," he said gravely. "Surely you have heard about these 'zoos' that the Wizard has established around Oz. About two months ago … the Cubs were playing over at my place, when we heard a commotion. I told the Cubs to stay put while I checked out what was going on. Well, over at Ursa's, there were about five Gale Forcers, not the Captain, I guess this was too small for him, but there they were, putting Ursa … in a cage. The Palace Musician was there, with his infamous Punjab Lasso, and let's just say he was not afraid to use it."
"Oh Oz, I might be ill!" Erik? Really?
"Believe me, she put up a fight, Ursa did, but five men against a female Bear? Doesn't end well."
"This is all my fault. I'm … not good enough for this … not good enough for anything, anyone! Ululus, when the Cubs are old enough to understand, please give them my apologies. I'm going now."
"No! Don't go! As you said, you're too tired to fly! There's a guest bed in the far right corner. Please, Miss Elphaba, stay."
"Alright, I will. Thank you."
Long after Ululus fell asleep on his perch, I tossed and turned on the guest bed. Ursa was my dear friend, and I had been too caught up in my own safety to protect her. I had done my best for Nessa, but I guess working legs don't solve everything. Whom could I still save? I traced my mind back to what started all this: Dr. Dillamond, that day in the throne room with those monkeys. Good scouts, the Wizard said they would make. I had to try and free them. It was the least I could do.
The next morning, I said goodbye to Ululus and the Cubs, and then started my journey to the Emerald City as fast as lightning. I hoped. Flying high above Oz, it occurred to me whom I might find besides the Wizard in the Emerald City: my best friend and her … fiancé, according to Boq, and my ex, who still had his proverbial fangs in me as I flew.
The fabulous engagement ball was well underway when I arrived. I spotted Glinda dancing with what seemed a very reluctant Fiyero, and Erik at the piano, playing an upbeat tune that he had no doubt written himself. I had to admit, hearing his music filled my soul with a great rush of exhilaration. But there was no time for that! Ozdammit, I had monkeys to free!
On entering the throne room, I had a surprise. It was … empty! That was good, right? But, as I should've guessed, as soon as I started looking for the monkeys, the tyrant said through his ridiculous head contraption, "I KNEW YOU'D BE BACK. I don't wanna harm you, now."
"You've already harmed me! Now set those monkeys free!" A long discussion ensued, in which he attempted to suck me back into his secret plots and plans. The worst part is, he was almost successful. For one awful moment, I thought I could rejoin him, and still campaign for Animal rights.
"So, Elphaba, are you in?"
"I'll accept your proposition …"
"Wonderful!"
"On one condition. You set those monkeys free!"
To my utter surprise, he said, "Done!" In seconds, the throne room was filled with monkeys flying every which way. They all looked ecstatic to be flying free. I knew the feeling. Once all of them had dispersed out of the throne room's only window, I noticed a figure under a blanket. Whoever this was had been set free as well. When I pulled back the blanket, I had another shock.
"Dr. Dillamond! It's me, Elphaba, from Shiz! Don't you remember me?"
But the only thing that came out of my old teacher's mouth was, "Baaa." I was angry! No, I was more than angry! I was betrayed! Again!
"We have nothing in common," I spat at the Wizard. "I am not like you, AND I WILL FIGHT YOU TILL THE DAY I DIE!"
Then, he finally called for his guards. Good. Let him do that. I had nothing to fear. Or so I thought until I beheld Fiyero Tigulaar leveling a rifle at my chest. I knew I couldn't dream of him having any kind of feelings for me, but I didn't think he would kill me.
"Silence, witch!"
"Fiyero, not you too!"
"I said silence! Cirevus, fetch me some water." Oh Oz, did he really believe that silly rumor?
Without warning, Erik bounded in, gun in hand. "Did I not instruct that I was to capture the Witch?" he asked Fiyero angrily. "Just because you are the Captain of the Guard does not mean you get to run and do everything!"
"I became the Captain of the Guard to find her!" Fiyero retorted. "It's only fitting!"
"Insolent boy, you're basking in my triumph!" This was getting ridiculous.
"Okay, does it really matter who captures me?" I cut in. "As long as I'm in handcuffs, you can both have triumph for all I care."
Suddenly, I heard a cry of "ELPHIE!" The next thing I knew, I was being suffocated by none other than Glinda the Good … officially.
"Glinda … hi … can't breathe … need oxygen!"
"Thank Oz you're alive!" she exclaimed, releasing me. "Now everything can be perfect! We'll clear your name, you and Erik can get back together, we'll have a double wedding …"
"Whoa, Glinda, slow down. I can't stay here! I have to go!"
"And so do I," Fiyero declared, stepping forward. "I'm going with her."
"What?" Erik half shouted. "Are you mad?! I'M GOING WITH HER!"
"Fiyero, were you with her behind my back?" Glinda asked, her voice trembling.
"No, it wasn't like that," I said. "Erik, we broke up when I left Shiz. Yes, we have a bit in common, but I just … don't feel … that about you."
"And did you see the prince secretly?" Erik fumed. "ARE YOU LYING TO THE PHANTOM OF THE GUARD, WITCH?"
"No, she's not," Fiyero quickly said. "Due to my utter cowardice, Fae, I never got the chance to tell you: I've loved you since …"
"… Lion Cub Day!" I finished in excitement. "Oh Yero!" Forgetting myself for a moment, I tackled him into a bear hug, at which point, he lifted me off my feet, and spun me around as if I were a little girl. Oz, he was strong!
"This is a lovely moment you two are having," Glinda said coldly, bringing me back to reality. "What about me and Erik?" I was too ashamed even to correct her grammar.
"Glinda, I'm sorry, but Fae and I can't worry about that right now," Fiyero said. "Elphaba, we need to get out of here now!" I only gave one frightened glance to Erik before I rushed out behind the one thing I wanted most but thought I could never have.
Two hours later, Fiyero and I landed in the Gilikin Forest. I don't believe in the afterlife, but I was almost convinced when he kissed me so fiercely that I became out of breath. His hands crawled like spiders up and down my body, relaxing all the muscles they touched. Suddenly, I remembered something. "He'll kill you."
"What? Where did this come from? Who will?"
"Erik. I know about his Punjab. An Owl told me. He was furious back there, Fiyero!"
"We'll deal with him when he comes! We're a team now, Fae."
"That's what I don't understand. How do you, or why did you leave the most popular, beautiful girl in all of Oz to be with a frog girl who has witch hunters and a crazy musician after her?"
"Because I love you, Fae! For Oz's sake! Plus, I didn't leave the most beautiful girl in Oz because I'm with her right now."
"No, Yero, you don't have to lie to me."
"It's not lying! It's just … looking at things another way." That made my heart melt.
But at that moment, I heard a noise, like someone in pain.
A cliffie! Mwahaha! But, I hope you liked the Fiyeraba.
Cheers,
Elle Dottore
