Yes, another chapter. This is going to be the last chapter of their childhood because I want to get to the Shiz part, where the real action starts.

I'mFlyingHighDefyingGravity: I was thinking the exact same thing. Would it still be Fiyeraba? I mean… they love each other. That's got to count for something, right?

Elphabalover101: Don't worry. I know I'm a Wicked Queen who sometimes can't be trusted with things like that (wait, ignore that last part!), but this story won't be that sad. I promise.

NellytheActress: Not all brothers are mean. My friends have brothers (older and younger) and they're nice. Yes, Fiyero is one year older than Elphaba, and the Queen's name is Aly-ena with an 'A' pronounced like in 'Ally' and a short 'e'.

Seven year-old Fiyero laid on his back on the couch in the front hallway, looking up at the ceiling. He looked around at the beautiful tapestries, the paintings and the expensive-looking pottery. He had never been more bored in his entire life, which wasn't that long to begin with. He ran his fingers through his light brown hair, brushing his side bangs away from his forehead as he tried to think of something to do. He finally decided to check up on Elphaba. Sliding off the couch, he hurried up the stairs to her room. Slowly pushing the door open, he peeked inside to find Elphaba still fast asleep, dressed in her nightgown, even though it was almost noon.

Fiyero smiled, stepping into the room. Sitting down in the chair next to her bed, he reached for her hand and held it. He allowed random thoughts to fly through his head as he absent-mindedly stroked the back of her hand. He wondered how Elphaba could still be asleep so late in the day. He remembered his parents telling him something about Elphaba having brain damage, so it might throw her sleeping patterns off a little. He smiled at being able to remember what his parents told him. Turning back to Elphaba, he sighed. She looked beautiful, especially in her sleep. The way her chest slowly rose and fell; how she sometimes sucked her thumb; how her long, black, raven hair tumbled down her shoulders was simply enchanting.

The prince snapped back into reality when he heard a soft moan. He saw Elphaba stir and force her eyes open.

"Hi," Fiyero whispered, giving Elphaba a caring 'good morning' kiss on the cheek.

"Hi," the six year-old whispered back.

Fiyero helped her into a sitting position and sat beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Elphaba smiled. She looked out her window, realizing that it was almost lunchtime. She started to push herself off the bed, but Fiyero moved to help her. "Yero, I can do it myself."

"Of course, Fae-Fae," Fiyero grinned.

Elphaba scowled, which only made Fiyero's grin wider. He knew how stubborn his sister was. She hated it when people helped her.

"Yero, really, I can do it myself," Elphaba insisted, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. She reached down and grabbed her crutches. Slipping her arm into the metal cuff and pushing herself to her feet, she slowly made her way towards her door and out her room. Fiyero was right behind her. Once they got to the stairs, Fiyero quickly moved to her side. Elphaba grabbed onto the handrail, while Fiyero wrapped his arm around her waist. Taking a deep breath, Elphaba stepped down the first step. Though she hated being helped, she was secretly glad that Fiyero was right by her side. At least he didn't carry her down the stairs. She didn't want Fiyero to think that he had to help her out of pity. Elphaba hated pity. She wanted to do everything she could to appear normal, though deep down, she knew she never would be.

"Where are Mommy and Daddy?" she asked once they were downstairs.

"They're in the parlor," Fiyero answered, smiling softly.

Elphaba smiled. She turned and started to slowly walk towards the parlor. "Mommy! Daddy!"

Alyena and Magus looked up and saw their daughter approaching them. Alyena stood up and walked towards Elphaba.

"Hi, sweetie," she whispered, kneeling down to Elphaba's height. "Did you just wake up?"

Elphaba nodded as her mother picked her up. Alyena walked back to the couch and sat down, stroking Elphaba's hair. She smiled to herself. Elphaba was now six years old. The doctor said she wouldn't live past three or four. The brain damage wasn't as severe as they first thought and Elphaba was making amazing progress.

"Fiyero, I need you to come with me for a moment," Magnus said, kissing Elphaba's forehead and standing up.

Fiyero inwardly sighed. He knew what his father was doing. He didn't want any more lessons on how to be a good future king and leader. Though he knew it was necessary, he still didn't want to do it. Obeying his father, he followed him out of the room, leaving the two girls alone.

Alyena kissed Elphaba again, cherishing their moment alone. It was just the two of them. No problems and no worries.

"I love you so much," Alyena whispered.

"I love you, too, Mommy," Elphaba whispered back, snuggling closer to her mother.

"Really, Yero?" Magnus asked in the carriage on the way home.

"Dad, it wasn't my fault," Fiyero, now fifteen, protested.

"Son, this is the umpteenth school you've been kicked out of. What is the matter?"

"Nothing," Fiyero whispered, hanging his head in shame. He couldn't tell his father why he kept on getting kicked out of school. Well… not the real reason, at least.

Magnus sighed, tired of having this conversation with his son. "Fiyero –"

"I'm sorry, Dad. Really, I am. I'll try harder," Fiyero insisted.

"Okay," Magnus said. At this point, he really didn't believe Fiyero would try harder. After getting kicked out of so many schools, he and his wife were really starting to worry about Fiyero's anger issues. What was making him so angry?

After what seemed like forever, the carriage finally stopped in front of Kiamo Ko castle. Fiyero jumped out and hurried inside, running straight to his room. Magnus stepped out of the carriage and walked into the parlor to speak to Alyena.

"Yero?" Elphaba called from her room, hearing her brother's footsteps.

Fiyero sighed. He knew he would have to face his sister sooner or later.

"Yero?"

He chose later.

"Yero!"

Blinking, Fiyero hurried to Elphaba room. He found his sister sitting in an armchair, painting on her easel.

"Hi, Fae-Fae," Fiyero smiled, entering the room.

"Hi. I heard you coming up the stairs. How was school?" Elphaba asked, putting her paintbrush down.

"It was fine."

"Did anything interesting happen?"

Fiyero looked down. He couldn't tell Elphaba he got kicked out of another school. He was sure she was secretly keeping count. He should have known he wouldn't be able to avoid her questions about school. He knew Elphaba wanted to attend school, but their parents wouldn't let her, either because of her condition, her green skin, the fact that they wanted to stay as close to her as possible, or all three. Instead, they hired a private tutor for her. Elphaba was an extremely smart girl, but longer to be around other children.

"Yero?" Elphaba whispered, not getting an answer.

Fiyero continued to maintain his gaze on the floor.

"Did you get expelled again?" Elphaba asked gently.

Fiyero nodded sadly. Elphaba looked into his eyes. This was the seventeenth school he's had to leave in five years, not that she was keeping count or anything.

"Yero, please tell me what's going on," Elphaba pleaded.

Fiyero shook his head. He couldn't tell Elphaba what had happened. He couldn't tell her that he broke a boy's nose because he was making fun of her. Everyone in Oz knew about Elphaba's condition and green skin, and for some people, they saw this as an opportunity to ridicule and make fun of her behind her back. It killed Fiyero to see people do that to his beloved sister. Something just came over him when people said those mean and awful things he dared not repeat to anyone.

Elphaba firmly placed her hands on the armrests of the chair and pushed herself up. Wobbling to keep her balance, she looked at Fiyero.

"Yero, please tell me what happened. Please," Elphaba begged.

"I can't," Fiyero whispered, still not looking up.

"Yes, you can. You can tell me anything." Elphaba slid her right foot forward, then her left, in an attempt to walk to her brother. Her knees buckled beneath her and she fell to the floor. Fiyero snapped out of his trance and ran to her, falling to his knees in front of her.

"Are you alright?" he asked, helping her to her feet.

Elphaba nodded. "I'm fine. But I would be better if you told me what was going on? Yero, you've been so angry lately and I want to know why."

Fiyero didn't answer as he helped Elphaba sit down again.

"Is it something I did? Are you angry with me?" Elphaba asked softly.

Fiyero's head snapped up. "What? No. Of course I'm not angry with you."

"Then what's wrong?"

Fiyero searched his brain for a way to change the subject. "That's a really nice painting," he said, looking at Elphaba's masterpiece. It was a beautiful ocean view painting, the colors blending perfectly. The sun was setting as the waves crashed along the sand. Elphaba had developed a true talent for art. Her artwork was so good, everyone was convinced that her artwork would soon be featured in the Emerald City Art Museum, the most exquisite museum in Oz.

"Yero, don't change the subject!" Elphaba snapped.

"I'm sorry," Fiyero whispered.

Elphaba calmed down. "Please just tell me."

"Fine, okay. I broke a boy's nose."

"Yero! Why?"

"I can't tell you."

Elphaba placed her hands on the armrests again, threatening to stand up again.

"He was making fun of you," Fiyero whispered.

Elphaba stopped and looked up at her brother. "So you punched him in the nose… because he was making fun of me?"

"Well, when you say it like that…"

"Why?"

"Because it kills me to see people who don't know you making fun of you," Fiyero said, kneeling beside Elphaba's chair. He took her hand and squeezed it.

Elphaba sighed. "Okay. Thank you. This doesn't mean I'm not still disappointed in your behavior, but thank you."

Fiyero stood up and kissed her forehead. He would really try harder next time, for her.

Okay, everyone. I know I skipped over a lot, but the next chapter starts the Shiz-era. Fun! I might go back over the parts I missed in flashbacks, so it's not a total dark era. Reviews please?

Just for a note: Elphaba's crutches are the Lofstrand crutches (the ones with the metal cuff around the forearm.) Specifically to this story, these are the ones with the compete metal circle forearm cuff.