AN:

Hey dearies, how is everyone?

Oh, right - Happy Easter!

I know, this chapter is a couple of hours early, but what the heck... Man, somehow the time since my last update feels sooooo long! But it was just the usual week, right? Dunno, it's strange lol

*O*O*O*O*

Guest:

Why did I stop there? Because I have fun tormenting your guys ;) I'm glad you like my story and the way I write Elphaba - she is a notoriously difficult character, and I'm sure there is still lots I could improve, but hearing that I'm apparently doing a decent enough job makes me really happy! :D Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

*O*O*O*O*

Alright then,

Happy reading!

Chapter Twelve: Restoration Efforts

They lay on a bed of pale-blue forget-me-not, looking up into the starry sky. Somewhere in the distance, a bell rang twelve times.

Excitedly, Fiyero patted the blonde's arm.

"Lin, there! Did you see that?"

"Another shooting star?" she asked tiredly and he made some sort of affirmative noise.

"No, I didn't. I'm sorry."

"It's all right," he chuckled. "It's not like it looked much different to the other six."

The Prince rolled onto his stomach and reached for the picnic basket.

"I'm hungry again. Care for a second course?"

Galinda pulled herself up to a sitting position and quietly accepted the cupcake he handed her. Grinning from ear to ear, he scooted a little further in her direction – so close he could wrap his arm around her shoulders. Galinda stiffened a little and let her hands, still holding the sweet treat, sink to her lap.

"I'm so glad we were able to slip out without anyone noticing. I really enjoy spending so much time with you, but ever since my parents declared this a proper courtship, it's never just us."

"Mhm…"

Worried, he looked down to her.

"What is it, Lin? Are you cold?"

He quickly shrugged off his thin coat and draped it over her shoulders. The petite woman's lips twitched slightly in response as she murmured a soft 'Thank you,' but much to his concern, over all, her demeanour did not improve much.

"Something's not right."

Furrowing his brow, Fiyero craned his neck, studying her from various angles.

"Are you not feeling well?" he questioned. "Or…or… am I doing something wrong? Are you bored? Do you want to go back? We could-"

She quickly reached up to rest a gentle finger against his mouth.

"Please, Fiyero. It's… nothing. And it's not your fault. I apologise for being such terrible company tonight."

He shook his head frantically, then picked up her dainty hands to bring them up to his lips and kiss them.

"Even at your grouchiest you are still the sweetest company to me."

It took her a lot of restraint not to roll her eyes at so much amatory twaddle.

She slowly retracted her hands and watched them as they toyed with the decorative laces in the front of her dress. She couldn't possibly tell Fiyero what it was that was weighing so heavily on her heart. For one, she still hoped that he was genuinely clueless in regards of her true identity, and secondly, the realisation that had struck her later the previous night, after hours and hours of sitting on the cold floor of her parlour, was something she barely dared to admit to herself.

Fiyero once again shifted just a fraction of an inch closer before engulfing her in his strong arms and pressing her tightly against his chest.

"If there is anything at all that I can do for you, all you need to do is ask. You know that, right?"

Releasing a ragged sigh, she first made to shake her head, but then she stilled as an idea began to form beneath her thatch of blonde curls.

"I know you will find this silly, but I'm lonely," she admitted and nuzzled into his embrace.

He quirked an eyebrow, but was otherwise not quite sure how to reply.

"You…" she began again, "You are very… sweet. Attentive. And chivalrous. And I'd never fault you for my loneliness. Yet… between all these romantic moonlight trysts and fancy dinners that you plan for me, I might need some time to spend with a friend instead."

When she felt his arms relaxing around her, she looked up and found that he seemed slightly taken aback. He watched her in mild confusion, with his brows furrowed deeply, waiting for an explanation. She smiled as a manner of reassurance.

"Don't you know, My Prince? Absence makes the heart only grow fonder."

By the way he stared back at her, she deduced that he found this notion rather absurd. She laughed despite herself and reached up to lightly caress his stubbly cheek.

"Surely someone must have warned you about the complicated ways of women? Please don't fret. I do not intend to rid myself of you. I just wish for some female company. A friend to be silly with, a friend to be candid with – all those things a proper lady would never dare thinking of in company of a gentleman. Oh, and a friend to drink tea with while gushing over our last rendezvous.

"Don't look so appalled, Fiyero! All women do it, and all men have to suffer through it."

She giggled.

A few thoughtful sighs and grunts could be heard from his end.

"Dearest Lin, where in Oz shall I find you such a friend overnight?" the Vinkun asked at last, running his hand through his brown hair.

Affecting deep contemplation, the blonde tapped her finger against her chin.

"I think your sister would do – if she weren't locked away that is," she quipped seemingly light-hearted. "But yes, Elphaba and I are getting on well enough. She can be quite a piece of work at times, but who else do I have to choose from?"

"Who else indeed…"

For a moment, she feared that Fiyero might be pondering too hard and actually find another suitable lady to keep her company. When he exhaled noisily and let his shoulders slump, however, she knew she had won. As far as Fiyero was concerned, at least.

Dressed in her cream and pastel green riding habit, accented by the pink leather gloves Fiyero had given her, she crossed the stableyard.

"Where are the horses?" she asked the Prince as she reached him, a little out of breath and a little irritated as well. "I thought I was already running fairly late."

"Slight change of plans," he replied, moderately grumpy. He pointed at a glamourless, brown carriage, standing by and ready to depart any moment. "Thank your friend for this."

Galinda's heart jumped and unconsciously, she covered it with her small hands. She couldn't help but hurry towards the cab, briefly nodding at the Horse that was attached to it. She hopped onto the metal step to peer through the window. There she was sitting: Elphaba. Brown eyes flickered up and briefly locked with her own, but were quickly averted again. Of course her Elphie was still angry, and as she had said the other night, there were still more matters to be discussed.

But she had come.

The blonde leaped back down, grinning to herself. She now took the time to greet Juffa properly and bestowed him with a warm hug, inspired by her delight over the emerald Princess' attendance. When she walked back to inform Fiyero that they were ready to leave, she noted that their party was not yet complete.

"Where is Avaric? Is this another change of plans? Did he decide to stay behind after all?"

As usual, the devil appeared as soon as he was being called upon.

"I hate to disappoint, My Lady," Avaric laughed, announcing his presence. He was leading a dapple-grey Frottican Palfrey with curly mane and tail – his own horse, Galinda assumed.

"Have you not heard? We are taking the carriage."

"Well you see, Lady Galinda, as delightful as your company is, it would still not be enough to make me embark such a rickety shoebox. Filled with green troll stench to boot!"

Galinda bristled at that. Even though she knew Avaric, she had not expected words quite so vile from the young Margreave. She turned, her chin held high in indignation and swore to herself that she would never talk to him again. Well, at least not for the remainder of the day.

Soon, they were on their way, their destination a placid lake about seven miles away from the castle. Fiyero and Galinda had passed it several times when out for a ride, and the Prince was adamant that the summer would be wasted if they wouldn't go swimming at least once. Convincing Avaric had been easy enough, and Galinda supposed that replacing her handmaiden with Elphaba had finally made it possible to arrange such an outing without the King and Queen's knowledge. After receiving Fiyero's note, she had made sure to pack her swimming dress, however, with Avaric around, she was still unsure whether she would feel comfortable enough to use it.

Presently, there was something else that was making her rather uncomfortable, and that was the deafening silence within the carriage. Elphaba was sharing a seat with her, but had retreated into the furthest corner, pressed against the window. Fiyero sat in the middle of the opposite seat, watching the two women awkwardly, without saying a word. After casting a sad glance at her friend, the petite blonde silently heaved a small sigh and turned her attention back to the beautiful landscape. She would have to wait until they were alone, then she would try her luck and talk to her.

The relieve she felt at spying the lake through the scratched window washed over her like a tidal wave and, like the sweet summer wind, whisked away her glum mood. Her spirit rejuvenated, she threw open the door and hopped out of the carriage. She closed her eyes as she stretched out her arms, reaching for the warm sun.

Fiyero busied himself with the food and blankets, while Avaric tied his horse to a nearby tree and freed it from the bothersome saddle. Only reluctantly, Elphaba scrambled out of the cab. Galinda noticed how she eyed the water suspiciously and decided that she would gladly forego a refreshing bath for a couple of minutes alone with the green girl.

Even before Fiyero had finished setting up the rugs and snacks, Avaric already rushed past him and took a plunge into the cool water. Galinda couldn't believe how quick he had been divesting himself of his clothes. When she let her gaze wander in the direction where his horse was grazing, she could see a trail of trousers, shirts and socks marking the path he had taken.

"You're a lethargic old sod!" the Gillikinese man yelled at the Prince.

The Vinkun laughed in reply and began to drop his garments right where he stood.

Galinda blushed furiously at the sight of both men in nothing but their smallclothes, which covered, yet not truly concealed their manhood. Although she could feel the heat of embarrassment radiating through her entire body, she couldn't refrain from stealing the one or the other glance. Elphaba, on the other hand, stared blatantly, studying the two men's bodies. Her expression remained markedly unimpressed.

"You're not going to swim are you?" the blonde asked meekly.

Elphaba shook her head.

"That's good. Me neither. It wouldn't be proper."

Snorting, the Princess turned and walked over to Juffa. She helped him remove his collar and harness.

"There is no need for you to wait here and feign apathy."

The Horse offered her a thankful smile and leisurely trotted towards the lake to cool himself off.

Even Elphaba's lips curled upwards a notch and she returned to the pile of blankets, uneasily sitting down next to Galinda. They watched Avaric splash Fiyero with water before leaping at him and pushing him under. The Prince re-emerged, pushing the blond man off him and giving him a good shove. Guffawing, both waded towards the shore. While the Prince remained in the water, Avaric came running towards the ladies.

"You coming, blondie?" he cried.

In anticipation of his imminent arrival, Elphaba's eyes widened and she shrunk back, wrapping one of the rugs around her body. Galinda shook her golden head no and waved the boisterous boy off, sending him back to romp about with his compeer. Rolling her eyes and tsking over the men's childish conduct, she turned to look at Elphaba. Seeing her all muffled up in that blanket, she paused and slowly cocked her head.

"I'm allergic to water," the taller woman snarled, tossing away her cover. Crossly, she folded her arms and looked away.

Glinda gaped at her, not even bothered with her appearance anymore.

"You're jesting," she simpered nervously when she had regained at least a measure of her composure.

"Well, what do you think?" Elphaba bit back, still irritated.

"Um…"

The blonde found her own loss for words quite ridiculous. Of course there was no such thing as a water allergy! Or was there? After all, she had also never heard of green people prior to meeting Elphaba. Trying to avoid saying something stupid – or worse – offensive, she held her tongue altogether and turned away.

From the distance, she could hear the men's rambunctious hollering and hooting, and she briefly pondered how unfair it was that society was burdening women with so many more restraints than men. Well, she surely wouldn't want to play rough with Fiyero, or Avaric, but splashing through the water together with Elphaba surely sounded like fun. Which once again reminded her of that peculiar statement the Vinkun had made only a clock-tick ago.

Slowly, cautiously, she crooked her neck to look over her shoulder. She flinched when she caught sight of dark eyes staring right back at her and turned back around, her face unnaturally red.

Then there was a deep sigh and the Gillikinese could hear Elphaba shifting her weight.

"Fine. I apologise," the emerald Princess said, her voice sounding a bit strained.

Glinda pivoted around. She didn't know where to look, so playing with the lusg grass next to her feet seemed the safest.

"And yes, it is true."

The blonde's head flicked up at this revelation.

"But… but how?" she stammered.

Shrugging her shoulders, Elphaba brushed the issue aside.

"I also would like to ask your forgiveness for some of the things I said to you the other night."

Perplexed by the endless series of surprises, all Glinda could do was blink stupidly. Her stomach was in knots. Could it really be this easy? Could it be that Elphaba missed Glinda just as much as she missed her and also sought to reconcile their differences as quickly as possible? She barely dared to hope.

"Not all of them, mind you," Elphaba added. "I'm still rather mad at you."

Maybe not quite that easy Glinda corrected herself silently and nodded her understanding. She waited for more; for any specifics, or for a small interrogation perhaps? Yet unfortunately, this seemed to be all the Princess had intended on saying and Galinda knew that it was her turn now.

"Well, Elphie," she almost whispered," I am deeply sorry that I lied to you. But I already told you everything. I don't know what else to say to mend our friendship. I hope you will find it in your heart to believe that I had no bad intent."

Elphaba moved her legs from under her and stretched them out on the grass, her gaze directed somewhere in the distance.

"I think I do. Believe you."

Not even able to express how relieved she felt, the petite blonde wiggled an inch closer. Her right hand wandered a tad further even, until her little finger barely brushed against one of Elphaba's green digits. When Galinda heard a small noise next to her, she mistook it for an annoyed huff, but as she fearfully lifted her eyes, she saw Elphaba smile faintly.

"It's wrong of me to blame you for the Animals' plight. You may be the future Ozma, but that doesn't mean-"

"Not 'Ozma', actually," the shorter woman interjected, and the emerald Princess furrowed her brow while casting her a questioning look. "Well, you see, plans have already been made for the system of government in Oz to be transformed into some variety of amended monarchy."

Elphaba pulled back her shoulders and stiffened. Wary eyes begged for an explanation.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

Glinda cleared her voice and quickly tucked a strand of hair behind her good ear, trying to stall, if it was only for another second. In hindsight, after her fight with Elphaba, she had realised that the edict she had signed so enthusiastically and with all her best intentions was heavily flawed.

"That I will relinquish my title as Ozma and adopt that of 'Queen of Oz' instead. Although still the head of state and government, my power will be checked by a newly formed council, led by the 'First Minister'."

In want of a suitable reply, Elphaba lowered her gaze, biting her grey-green lips until they were embellished with several red marks.

"I assume, this wasn't your idea," she finally said slowly.

The smaller woman's insides churned at her friend's tone.

In a small voice she admitted, "No," and hung her head. "But I liked the idea. I still do. I'd rather not reign as a tyrant."

"The Wizard would not suggest such a plan if he wasn't hoping for some benefit," Elphaba grumbled.

"He is to be installed as the First Minister," Glinda confirmed.

"Then dispose of him!" the Vinkun Princess demanded of her, her eyes wide in disbelief and shock. "Appoint someone else!"

Dispirited, Glinda rested her forehead on the heel of her palm and released a shuddering breath.

"Oh Elphie, if that only were so easy. But you see, this decision has never been mine in the first place. The members of the council select their leader so that the monarch has no control over them."

"I understand," Elphaba pressed out between clenched teeth.

"I will try though," Glinda said determined and looked up, straight into the taller woman's troubled eyes. "I may not be able to make decisions singlehandedly and as I please, however, neither is the council. I promise you, I will stand up to them."

Elphaba smiled sadly.

"You are charming, Glinda, and caring and good. But do you truly think you could be strong as well as gentle? Just as firm as kind?"

It hurt a bit that Elphaba had so little confidence in her, but could she really blame her?

"Well… I-"

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by a shrill shriek escaping the Vinkun Princess' lips. Cradling her arm, she glared daggers at Avaric, who had, inconsiderate and self-absorbed as he was, shaken his head of wet hair but a few steps away from the ladies as both men were returning from their aquatic exploits to grab some refreshments.

"You imbecile," Elphaba growled under her breath, knowing fairly well, that the young Margreave would not care for her insult, even if he heard it.

Fiyero picked up his trousers and pulled them on, motioning for Avaric to do the same, for decorum's sake. Once both were at least half-dressed, they sat down and Fiyero opened the large wicker basket to inspect the food they had brought along.

Elphaba slowly edged off the blanket and as far away as possible from the still damp bodies of her brother and his thoughtless comrade. Galinda tried to pretend she didn't notice.

"So, what have you two beauties been up to?" Avaric asked merrily, pouring drinks for everyone. "Peach juice, Champaign, or water, fair lady?"

"Nothing, thank you," Glinda answered curtly, worried about her own occasional clumsiness. She would never be able to forgive herself if she were to hurt Elphaba by spilling her drink.

But the young Margreave shook his head.

"One cannot go without hydration and a lady needs to maintain her fresh looks. Have at least a sip, I insist!"

He handed her a full cup of sparkling wine.

"Here you go, sweetheart.

"Yero, I brought something more manly for the two of us. I trust you're in?"

The Prince shrugged his shoulders and nodded. Grinning, Avaric passed him a small sliver flask.

"And a cup of water for Princess beanstalk," he chortled as he handed Elphaba her goblet.

The emerald woman accepted the chalice with a contemptuous smile and immediately emptied it onto the grass.

"So rude!" Avaric complained. "Really, Lady Galinda, it puzzles me to no end how you could possibly prefer this weed's company over that of the Ladies Shenshen, Milla, or Pfannee's."

The blonde huffed.

"Surely, you wouldn't actually suggest I ask my hosts to invite them here to the Vinkus."

"Why ever not?" Avaric chuckled.

"Because those garrulous ninnies know-"

Stopping midsentence, Galinda held her breath and cast a nervous glance at Fiyero, who seemed to not have been listening very well. As she tried to quickly think of a change of subject, she caught herself staring at the Prince's blue diamond tattoos. Never before had she seen so many of them exposed. She remembered spotting the same adornments on the King's neck and hands, and sometimes even peeking through from underneath the Queen's dresses whenever she wore something that revealed her shoulders.

"Um, do all Vinkuns decorate their bodies with such patterns?" she asked a little awkwardly, waving about her hand in an odd fashion to avoid directly pointing at Fiyero.

The Prince liked the flustered expression on her face and grinned widely.

"You like them?"

Galinda had to admit that she did and nodded bashfully.

"They are a symbol of status and the privilege to wear them is reserved for tribe leaders. All members of a chieftain's family receive them from a shaman once they hit puberty. Those who marry into the family also will have to under go the same procedure," he added with a small smirk and a wiggle of his eyebrows.

The idea of a needle piercing her flawless, pale skin made the delicate woman a tad nauseous, so she did her best to ignore this comment.

"Did you say all members of the family?" she curiously asked instead and turned to Elphaba, tilting her head. She couldn't recall noticing any unusual marks on the few inches of tender, green skin that she had been able to see so far.

Fiyero opened his mouth to answer, but his sister cut him off.

"Father and mother barely tolerate me under their roof. Why would they irrevocably brand me as theirs, for all to see?"

"Oh, Elphie," Galinda sighed, her heart aching for her dear friend, but the raven-haired woman shrugged it all off with a blasé wave of her hand.

"Well, that's very fortunate for the poor shaman who'd otherwise have to see that green thing naked, I say!" Avaric piped up.

For once, Fiyero took his sister's side and whacked his friend with one of the wooden plates. Rather appreciative, Galinda grabbed his arm to pull him closer and placed a quick peck on the Prince's cheek, while Elphaba's reaction was restricted to an almost unnoticeable twitch at the corners of her mouth. Galinda saw it though, and gave her a bright smile.

When the clouds drifting across the sky became greyer, thicker and larger, choking the warm sunlight, Galinda began to fret that it might begin to rain any moment. Terribly worried about Elphaba's safety, she insisted they return to the castle.

"One drop isn't going to melt me," the green woman kept on muttering, but the blonde had seen the burn marks that Avaric's tiny droplets had caused and did not relent until she got her way.

Knowing that Elphaba would be safe in the carriage, Galinda released a content sigh while leaning back in her seat. With a lurch forward, the cab got underway.

Because she had to do something, and because she was feeling lucky, the shorter girl began wiggling sideways, closer and closer to an unsuspecting Elphaba. Once her target was within her grasp, the trap snapped shut. Slender arms quickly reached out to wrap themselves tightly around the emerald Princess' concave midsection. Galinda briefly glanced up to riposte Elphaba's sceptical expression with a radiant smile. She felt confident that her friend would endure her assertive tenderness. After all, this was exactly how she had wormed her way behind the curmudgeonly woman's walls the first time around. When her advances were not met with any sort of defensive behaviour, Galinda leaned her head against Elphaba's shoulder, thoroughly pleased with herself.

For a while, neither of the three people in the carriage was speaking; Galinda because she was too comfortable to break the silence, Elphaba because she could not be bothered, and Fiyero because he felt just a notch awkward watching his precious Lin so entangled in his sister's arms.

Avaric, who had been riding ahead since they had left the lake behind them, decided to slow down a little so he could have a chat with Galinda and Fiyero. When he peered through the window, however, and saw the blonde so close to Elphaba, he made a face and urged his horse forward again. To make a point, Galinda cuddled even closer, nuzzling her friend's soft, silky hair. Once she could be certain that Avaric was out of earshot, she frowned.

"What is it with him anyway? Why does he hate Elphie so much?"

Fiyero shrugged rather indifferently.

"Who knows. But at least the feeling seems to be mutual. Elphaba can be a real beast sometimes. I think, the only reason why she's so placid and well behaved today is because she's your chaperone and doesn't want to embarrass you."

Galinda could feel Elphaba's chest vibrate beneath her when she replied with an irritable huff.

"That is not the reason at all."

"Oh, it's not?" Fiyero teased her, smirking cheekily.

Yet Elphaba, used to her brother's foolery, merely rolled her eyes.

"No. I grew up, he didn't. That's all there is to it."

"Well, anyway," the Prince continued, likewise unimpressed by his sister's lack for humour, "there's actually a hilarious story about the two of them."

Keen to hear more, Galinda perked up, while Elphaba squeezed herself a bit further into her corner, wary of the tale to come.

"You know, the year Elphaba was born, Oz was plagued by a terrible drought. Nowhere else was it as severe as in the Vinkus."

The excitement on Galinda's face somewhat subsided. This hardly sounded amusing to her.

Fiyero continued.

"So my parents needed money and food for their people, but they didn't know where from. Around that time, however, my mother found out that she was pregnant with her first child. They consulted a shaman, and he told them that she was carrying a sweet, little princess."

A soft scoff coming from Elphaba briefly interrupted his account, but Galinda nodding begged him to resume.

"It wasn't an easy decision they were facing, but in the end, they decided to offer their unborn daughter's hand to anyone who would lend them the means they so desperately needed. It took a while, but at last, it was the Margreave of Tenmeadows, who agreed to help. He was already married, and so were his children, so he determined that his oldest grandson, Avaric, should marry the princess.

"All seemed to go well and my sister was born but a week shy of the expected due date. But as you know, when she came out of my mother's womb, she was as green as a little froggy. Distraught and worried that the Margreave might demand his money back and refuse to deliver the goods that were still outstanding, my parents promised that Avaric could marry another daughter, yet to be conceived. Soon my mother fell pregnant again, but the result was not a princess, but a dashingly handsome, strong and striking –"

Elphaba lifted her foot and gave her brother's shin a good kick.

"Idiot."

"Well, sometimes, maybe" Fiyero admitted, his grin unwavering. "Anyhow, there was no princess they could give to the Margreave and as years passed, my mother never fell pregnant again. Luckily, the Vinkus recovered well enough, and my parents were able to begin paying back their debt with land, entitlements and whatever surplus in produce and taxes they could spare."

For a little while, Galinda was simply sitting there, speechless. She looked up to Elphaba and recognised the worry in her beautiful, brown eyes.

"It was the draughts fault, not yours," she tried to console her. "And I doubt you wanted to be born green."

Elphaba remained silent as a rock and stiff as a board.

"Besides, could you even imagine marrying that oaf?" the blonde added appalled.

The taller woman still didn't reply, but looked down at her friend and wrinkled her nose.

"I didn't think so," Galinda said giggling, and took Elphaba's hand.

They disembarked the carriage about half an hour later. When Fiyero walked over to the front to pay the Horse for his services, Galinda followed him to pop a few extra coins and a leftover cookie into the cup attached to Juffa's harness. The Prince offered his arm and the young lady accepted it enthusiastically.

"You do seem much happier today," he remarked and she looked up to him, positively beaming.

On their way back to the castle, they passed Elphaba, who was standing there, holding out one hand cocking her head. Galinda stopped to watch her.

"Still not raining," was all the emerald Princess had to say and Galinda shook her head, still smiling.

"You always must have the last word, don't you?"

Her smile widened as she began to excitedly tug on Fiyero's sleeve.

"Oh, I just had such a fabulous idea! Why don't you take me out to town for dinner tonight?"

The Prince scratched the back of his neck with his free hand.

"My parents will insist we take your handmaiden though," he replied, having guessed her motive. "There is no chance they will allow Elphaba to be seen with us in public."

Pouting, Galinda turned her head to see her friend's reaction. The green woman didn't appear to care, but she never did. Of course, Galinda had learnt by now, that with Elphaba, appearances were always quite unreliable.

"You could still take me though," she finally said to Fiyero.

"Sure. But I'll have to hurry then to make the necessary arrangements."

She nodded.

"All right. Off you go then. Elphie, would you be so kind and walk me back to my chambers?"

Elphaba seemed confused.

"You have been here for weeks. Surely you can find your way without my help?"

"Elphie!" the shorter woman squealed in annoyance and the Princess gave in.

Just before they reached Glinda's quarters, the blonde grabbed her escort's green hand.

"Elphie? Even though we are actually allowed to spend time together now, I'd still like to go back to our nightly sleepover routine."

The taller woman didn't reply until they stood in front of Glinda's door.

"We could get in trouble," she said slowly, her voice flat and distant.

"That's nothing new," Glinda countered.

"But now there is no need."

Elphaba's dismissive attitude equally infuriated and pained Galinda, yet she knew that she had to be patient with her. Elphaba was already temperamental enough for the both of them, so it was prudent for her to keep her calm and use her inherent charm to appeal to the stubborn woman's soft side.

"Don't you see how these two settings are entirely different? I know that things between us have been difficult the past few days, but I believe it is possible to set them right. And… and I hope so do you. Spending the nights together the way we did was something special and perhaps, this would help us on our way back to the way we used to be."

Elphaba's nostrils flared as she exhaled noisily.

"Not tonight."

Biting back her disappointment, the Gillikinese bowed her head mutely.

"I'm not sure about tomorrow either," the Vinkun Princess added quietly.

"Then promise me the day after," Glinda insisted.

She watched how Elphaba worked her jaw, fiddled with her fingernails and twitched with her right foot. They were the slightest, most inconspicuous signs of distress, but she noticed them all.

"Glinda, I –" pretty, blue eyes widened pleadingly and perfectly pink lips puckered when Elphaba tired to deny the petite woman's request.

After briefly closing her eyes, she nodded.

Glinda did her best to supress the wide grin that tried to fight its way through.

"We will spend the night in my room," she decreed. "The last time you came over everything went terribly wrong. I want to erase this memory by creating fresh, happy ones."

Then she smiled softly, took a step closer to Elphaba and lifted herself up onto her tiptoes to fleetingly brush her lips against a verdant cheek.

Quick as lightning, she moved away, opened her door and slipped into her room. Her door no more than a hand's breadth ajar, she cast her friend one last glance.

"Good night Elphie. And fresh dreams."

Giggling, she closed it.

AN:

There is a lot of switching between "Glinda" and "Galinda" - how confusing is that?!

The idea is, that I'm calling her "Glinda" when everyone involved knows who she truly is, and "Galinda" when someone present doesn't know that she's actually the Princess. Makes sense? Let me know if i'm annoying you too much with that, okay? ;)

Have a nice week everyone!