Elphaba'sGirl: Yes, they must suffer! MWAHAHAHA!
I'mFlyingHighDefyingGravity: *Shifts eyes* Yes, I know. But…
The flashback in this chapter is a combined idea with I'mFlyingHighDefyingGravity and myself.
The carriage sped down the dirt road. Fiyero was jumpy all the way home. He couldn't wait to get back to Elphaba. He just hoped she would be alright. He knew his parents didn't know he was coming home, and would probably be upset with him for just leaving Shiz like that, but all of that could wait. Elphaba was first.
The carriage finally pulled up to the castle and Fiyero jumped out, not waiting for the driver. Alyena, hearing a carriage pull up, looked out the window and saw Fiyero bolting up the front steps. She hurried downstairs to meet him. Just as she was about to open the door, it flew open, revealing a distressed Fiyero.
"Mom… How is she? What happened? Will she be alright?" Fiyero asked, huffing for air.
"Yero, calm down," Alyena said, grabbing her son's shoulders, stilling him. "First, we don't know. Elphaba seems much worse. She's never been this bad. And secondly, what are you doing here? You father and I didn't expect you to return home until –"
"Yes, I know. I felt like I was needed here. I had to come home, which, in hindsight, probably wasn't the smartest thing to do."
Alyena chuckled. "You're right about that. But you can go see Elphaba if you'd like."
"Thanks, Mom," Fiyero smiled, kissing his mother's cheek before hurrying up the stairs to his sister's room. Skidding to a halt in front of the door, Fiyero paused for a second. Taking a deep breath, he slowly opened the door and walked over to Elphaba's bed. "Fae-Fae?" he whispered.
Elphaba laid on her side in her bed, moaning in her sleep. Fiyero hurried over to her and grasped her hand. Elphaba moaned again, sweat glistening over her emerald forehead.
"It's alright," Fiyero whispered, stroking the back of her hand. "I'm right here."
Fiyero turned around to grab a chair. When he returned, he saw Elphaba violently shaking. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Fiyero calmly walked over to her.
"One… two… three… four… " he counted, settling himself in the chair. After the longest four minutes of Fiyero's life, Elphaba's shaking stopped. Turning over, Elphaba slowly opened her eyes.
"Y-Yero?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Fiyero carefully gathered her into his arms and hugged her. "I'm here."
"Y-You're home?"
Fiyero nodded and kissed the top of her head. Elphaba snuggled closer to Fiyero as he rocked her in his arms.
"I'm right here," Fiyero whispered.
"What h-happened?"
"You had a seizure."
"How long?"
"Four minutes."
Elphaba slowly nodded as Fiyero continued to rock her. After a while, Fiyero got up to get Elphaba's medicine. When he returned, he saw Elphaba trying to push herself up.
"Fae!" Fiyero gasped, running to her side.
"No, Yero. I know what you're going to say, and the answer is no!" Elphaba scowled, trying to push Fiyero away from her.
"Fae, please," Fiyero pleaded.
Elphaba's scowl hardened. "I refuse to be treated like a child."
"Elphaba, you know what happens after you have a seizure. You need to rest. And take these," he said, holding out the pill and glass of water.
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Fae –"
"NO!"
Fiyero crossed his arms over his chest. "I'll get Mom."
Elphaba's face softened and Fiyero smiled. That always worked.
"Okay," Elphaba whispered, giving in. She took the medicine from Fiyero and dutifully took it. Feeling her eyelids growing heavy, she leaned back against her pillow.
"I'll stay right here with you," Fiyero promised as Elphaba fell fast asleep.
Kiamo Ko was lit from head to toe. It was the young princess' thirteenth birthday, and everything had to be perfect.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Alyena asked, watching the servants set the long table in the grand ballroom.
"Alyena, she's thirteen. She's never had a party this big before," Magnus answered.
"Which is exactly why I'm having doubts."
"She wants this," Magnus said gently. He wrapped his arm around his wife and gave her a loving kiss on the cheek.
"Okay, if you say so," Alyena whispered.
"Mom! Dad!" a voice called.
Alyena and Magnus turned around and saw Elphaba slowly making her way towards them. An excited smile was painted on her lips. Her simple, yet elegant, blue dress flowed gently in the breeze brought in by the open window.
"Hi, sweetie," Alyena smiled, giving Elphaba a gentle hug. "Happy birthday."
"Thank you," Elphaba whispered, hugging her mother back. "Is that my cake?"
Alyena followed Elphaba's gaze. A large, multi-layered chocolate cake sat in the center of the table. Elphaba's smile grew wider by the second as she stared at the wondrous sight before her.
"Are you excited?" Magnus asked, smiling down at his daughter.
Elphaba nodded excitedly. "I can't wait until tonight!"
Alyena chuckled. "It's almost time. Let's get you ready." She lifted the young princess into her arms and walked up the stairs to the room.
Evening soon came and the ball was all set up. The large crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, illuminating the room. The guests soon began to arrive. All of the nobles from all over Oz were in attendance.
Elphaba was escorted into the ballroom by her father, a loud round of applause accompanying their entrance. A soft, nervous smile slowly made its way onto her face. She tried her best to hide her anxiety, knowing her mother was already worried about her. Fiyero offered his sister a smile from where he stood next to their mother. Alyena smiled, praying to the Unnamed God that everything would work out for the best.
After dinner was served, the king signaled to the orchestra to start playing. Everyone rose to their feet and started waltzing. Everyone except Elphaba. She watched with a small smile as everyone glided across the floor.
"Fae-Fae?" a voice interrupted her. Elphaba looked up and saw Fiyero standing next to her. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah. I'm fine," Elphaba said, trying to hide what she was truly feeling inside.
Fiyero knew exactly what was wrong. "Would you like to dance?"
Elphaba looked up. "I… I can't dance."
"I'll teach you."
"I…"
Fiyero offered his hand to his sister. Elphaba stared at his hand for a while before taking it. Smiling, Fiyero helped her to her feet. "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Elphaba whispered, though she was still unsure of her answer.
"Just follow me." The next dance started and Fiyero slowly lead Elphaba in a waltz. One arm was wrapped tightly around her waist to help her keep her balance, and other was on her the shoulder. Elphaba bit her lip, her nerves getting the best of her.
"Don't worry," Fiyero whispered, gently tightening his grip. "You're doing great."
Slowly, but surely, Elphaba and Fiyero were dancing in time to the music. When the dance ended, Elphaba leaned against her brother, tired from the waltz.
"Here," Fiyero said, leading her back to her seat.
"Thank you, Yero," Elphaba whispered, giving Fiyero a loving hug.
"You're welcome, Fae-Fae," Fiyero whispered back, kissing her nose.
As promised, Fiyero stayed with Elphaba the entire time. He watched as her chest slowly rose and fell. His thoughts drifted to Galinda. Was she alright? Did she miss him? What was she doing at that very moment?
No, Fiyero thought, shaking away all thoughts of the blonde. Elphaba is my first priority. She comes first.
Taking a deep breath, he looked back at Elphaba. Reaching down, he stroked a few strands of her hair away from her forehead. Seeing it covered in sweat, he ran to the bathroom and grabbed a cool cloth. Running back to the room, he knelt next to the bed and gently pressed the cloth against her sweat-covered forehead.
Elphaba moaned, unconsciously turning away from the cloth. Fiyero moved and tried again. Moaning, Elphaba swatted Fiyero's hand away.
"Fae," Fiyero whispered.
Hot tears streamed down Elphaba's face. Fiyero gathered her into his arms and sighed. "I'm here, Fae-Fae," he whispered, kissing her forehead. "I'm right here."