AN:

Hello dearies!

So, here is chapter 17! I know you'll hate it xD

This chap is slightly early again, but that's gonna change from now on. I already finished chapter 18 and think I'll be able to finish chapter 19 according to schedule, but it's already pretty obvious to me now that the final chapter (chapter20) will not be completed on time. Since I think that a really long wait for chapter 20 would be really stupid (for a cliffhanger reason, as well as possibly slightly anticlimactic nature of the chap), I decided that I will slightly delay all of the upcoming chapters, instead of posting them according to my plan and then letting you hanging there for like two weeks or maybe even longer! Does that make sense to you? (tbh, this might turn out harder for me than for you xD )

Anyway, here is the preliminary schedule for the final 3 chaps:

Chapter 18: Tuesday May 12 (which actually was my original publishing day before I started posting early all the time lol)

Chapter 19: Friday, May 22

Chapter 22: Sunday, May 31

Alright... Other than that I don't have much to say, so...

Happy reading, guys! :D

Chapter Seventeen: One Short Night

Neither of the three ever addressed the incident of that night and there was no indication whatsoever that Fiyero might have broken his promise. Still, Elphaba and Glinda had become more cautious. When they couldn't be absolutely certain that they were definitely alone, they desisted from anything that could not easily be explained away by intimate friendship. It was a little less fun, a little less exciting that way, but neither of them could even begin to imagine how much worse it would be to be torn apart before the time of their inevitable parting had truly come. Glinda never dared to directly ask Elphaba, but it appeared that the emerald Princess was not at all concerned about what Fiyero had seen, or might be thinking of it. She herself, on the other hand, couldn't help but wonder every time she looked at him.

The next time Glinda returned to Elphaba's room for their nightly sleepover routine, she found out that the Vinkun had elicited the key from Nanny, so she could lock the door before they went to bed. In the same manner, the blonde took on the habit of locking her bedroom door on those other nights when her love came to stay in her quarters.

It took her a few days, yet eventually, when any sort of repercussion failed to eventuate, she began to feel more at ease again. Elphaba was the first to notice this positive change in attitude and immediately acted upon it.

"It's not storming tonight," she murmured salaciously while caressing the petite woman's neck with eager lips.

Glinda sighed in reply and contently closed her eyes.

"Thank Lurline for that."

"I was wondering whether you would mind spending the night outside? It's still rather warm."

"Are you serious?" Glinda exclaimed, jumping up.

Elphaba shrugged her shoulders and looked back at her sheepishly.

"You're right, it's a stupid idea."

"No, not at all! It's really… romantic, actually."

Tilting her head, the blonde regarded her love with a dreamy expression on her face. The brightest smile formed on her lips, lighting up her eyes. She let herself fall onto the bed next to Elphaba and pulled her closer for a kiss. Never had she even dared to hope to be this happy, this much in love and loved so much in return. It simply wasn't something she had thought was possible for the future Queen of Oz. The fact that this blissful state would most likely be only of a temporary nature was one she was determined to ignore for the time being.

Elphaba, Galinda, Avaric and Fiyero were enjoying a sunny morning in the gardens, engaged in a game of gateball. Avaric was leading, if only by a margin, yet simply couldn't stop complaining about the dullness of this pastime.

"I still believe we should at least add some brandy to the equation," he protested. "Whenever a player misses a hole, they take a swig."

Elphaba rolled her eyes, deigning this absurd proposal no reply.

Fiyero, who was already struggling to keep up with the others, didn't think it would make much of a difference to his impending defeat and was about to agree, but Galinda's appalled look quickly made him reconsider.

Poising her mallet for the next hit, Galinda lifted her gaze, trying to gauge the distance to the nearest gate. As she did so, her eyes fell on a familiar figure approaching the group. Clenching her teeth, she directed her attention back to the ball. Hopefully, he would pass by without an attempt at elaborate conversation. She swung her mallet and made contact with the ball.

"Galinda, my child! What a wonderful morning, wouldn't you agree?"

Her mallet floundered and the ball took an odd path, missing its mark my several feet.

"Uncle!" she called out to the Duke in response, giving full expression to her annoyance. "If I loose this game I will blame you alone!"

Only now she saw that he was holding on to a letter, and her heart immediately jumped to her throat. Exchanging a quick look with Elphaba, she passed on her mallet. She approached the man, holding her hands open, but he simply smiled and made no move to hand her the envelope.

"Be so good and walk with me, will you?"

A fleeting frown furrowed her well-groomed brows before she reminded herself to act inconspicuously. Fixing a sweet smile on her lips, she excused herself and locked arms with her would-be uncle.

They walked a safe distance, chatting about the latest news from Gillikin and other such trivial things. The Duke seemed in no rush to broach the topic at hand, but Galinda soon had had enough.

"We may very well stop playing this silly game now, dear Duke. What brought you here, interrupting my perfectly pleasant morning?"

This time, he passed on the letter without a hint of hesitation. She opened it in great hurry, hoping that her fears would not be confirmed.

All she needed to know was disclosed in the first paragraph. Her eyes quickly found the devastating words and Glinda fought to suppress a distraught outcry. She spared herself the effort of reading on and folded away the parchment.

"We will have to leave this afternoon," the Duke informed her. "Everything has been arranged. My carriage is standing by."

"This afternoon?" she asked, her head snapping up in alarm.

"With all due respect, Your Highness, you must be well aware of the fact that your departure is long overdue."

Glinda bit her lip, thinking. This couldn't be it. She couldn't just leave like this. She needed time to prepare, to properly conclude this chapter in her life. Granted, it had been a rather short one, but Elphaba had, without a doubt, made it the most important one of her young existence. It deserved an appropriate grand finale.

Rolling back her shoulders, setting her jaw and tilting up her chin in an authoritative manner, she replied, "I can't do that."

The Duke's face fell, a whiff of panic in his old eyes.

"P-pardon me? No, please, My Princess-

"I took a… a risk when I accepted this little, um, 'mission.' M-my title is on the line. If I can't deliver you back to the palace on time…

"And please don't be offended if I say this, for I know it's- it's not my place, but Your Royal Highness should finally accept-"

Glinda silenced him with one glacial look. She was glad that her stare was not nearly as lethal as it must have appeared, for no matter how much she had come to dislike the Duke, she would never forgive herself for murdering even her worst enemy. Besides, as much as she despised such an admission, his words rang true. Her duty and her realm were waiting for her inauguration. And so were millions of Animals who desperately needed her help.

"I need one more night," she said with finality. "One more night, that's all I'm asking for. In the morning, I will board that carriage without a word of complaint. That is my promise."

Scratching his head, the Duke heaved a heavy sigh.

"Well, I do not see how such a postponement could possibly make much of a difference, but I suppose one more night can be done," he conceded hesitantly.

"Thank you. I appreciate your understanding. I will use this short extension wisely."

She thought of her Elphie at that and of spending one last, blissful night in her lover's arms. Her lips curled into a sad smile and a tear was about to spill, when she caught sight of the Duke's concerned expression. She quickly perked up, picking up speed as she changed the direction, back towards the castle.

"First of all, I need to set matters right with the Tiggulars and explain my situation. They deserve to know."

The Duke stared at her blankly.

"May I ask why you would do such a thing?"

Glinda in return seemed confused why the Duke seemed so startled by her plan.

"They will find out eventually, and I rather they received a proper explanation and apology. I do not wish to be regarded a liar or a swindler."

"You are the Princess of Oz, soon to be Queen."

The old man tried to argue, but she replied with a displeased look and deeply furrowed brows.

"And how do you propose that makes a difference? If anything, I should lead by example."

"That is very veracious of you."

"Do you mean to imply that you thought me any less principled than that?"

He nearly seemed to melt under her intense stare, fumbling with the hat he had previously ripped of his head in fretfulness. After a series of murmured apologies, he took a deep breath, cleared his throat and straightened his back.

"Very well then," he said, his voice still wavering a little. "I will immediately send for a tailor and arrange for some more appropriate gowns for you, Your Highness."

"Oh, don't be silly, there is no need for that," Glinda waved him off. "For one, I have grown quite used to this simplistic style – it highlights my natural beauty, don't you think?" A rather unexpected giggle escaped her lips. "And secondly, one does not put oneself above those one intends to ask forgiveness from. In fact, I believe something even more modest would be most suitable."

He bowed his head, respectfully.

"I see your point, Your Highness."

"Good. Then please summon the Royal Majesties and the Prince while I return to my quarters for a quick change."

"Of course, Your Highness. Will there be anything else?"

"No. I believe that should be all for now."

When Glinda arrived at the grand parlour, wearing a simple, white off-the-shoulder dress with a pastel blue chiffon sash around her waist, the King, the Queen and the Prince were already awaiting her, nibbling on the refreshments provided. The Duke was sitting with them, trying to make light-hearted conversation. As soon as she entered, he jumped to his feet. The Queen watched him curiously for a moment, then slowly turned her attention towards the younger woman.

"I apologise for appropriating this room without prior notice," Glinda said as she approached them, for the first time without observing the usual practice of curtsying. "The Duke believed that receiving Your Majesties in my quarters would not be fitting," she further explained.

Clearing his voice, King Marillot adjusted his spectacles.

"For a guest to receive their hosts rather than being received is highly irregular at any rate," he remarked sternly.

Glinda took a moment to study her opposites. Elphaba had been right – the guests at Fiyero's birthday ball had been handpicked in a very particular way, which was ample evidence that the Queen and the King knew of her secret. From their demeanour alone, however, Glinda would never have been able to tell. The way they regarded her was too impassive, too aloof to betray any signs of either anticipation or puzzlement. If anything, Baxiana seemed slightly amused, which could be interpreted in various ways. Fiyero, on the other hand, began to show first symptoms of perplexity. Although Glinda had never been overly courteous with him, he must have noticed the way her behaviour towards his parents had changed.

Her eyes finally focused on King Marillot. Since she had arrived at Kiamo Ko, she had barely seen him more than half a dozen times, and only once she had actually exchanged any words with him. His expression always looked the same to her, so reading his thoughts was inherently difficult. She smiled as she admitted defeat in her private guess game, deciding that it would be best to continue their conversation.

"For that I apologise as well," she sighed, referring to her unconventional method of inviting them in their own home. "But as you will see momentarily, I had a good reason. If you would be so gracious as to let me explain?"

Nodding, the King gave his leave that she might do so.

"By all means. And do not hold back, I'm very curious," he said, impatience filtering through his habitual mask of composure.

Several hours, a private meeting in the King's office and a dinner later, Glinda was thoroughly convinced that Fiyero indeed had never known and never seen this revelation coming. In a way, it reassured her. She took this to mean that all his feelings and actions, although without a doubt spurred on by his mother's shrewd scheming, had been genuine. But he seemed somewhat wary of her now, and she couldn't blame him. After all, this was not only about the uncovering of her true identity – the Queen had explicitly asked her whether she still intended to marry her son, and after swallowing the nasty lump in her throat, she had replied in the affirmative. It certainly would take him some time to come to terms with the fact that he would soon leave the Vinkus he loved so much to become the King Consort to the Queen of Oz.

After dinner, she allowed Baxiana to coax her into spending some more time with them in the fireplace room. They sat down with a platter of Vinkun sweets, but she quite quickly grew tired of the endless stream of politically motivated flattery and cajolery. So she decided to play a few pieces on the piano instead. When the clock struck nine, she felt that the time had come to retire. Before she bid them good night, she had but one more thought to share.

"You were wonderful hosts and I so deeply appreciate your patience with me. Though I do see room for improvement in the way you treat your daughter. I understand that family matters should not be of my concern, but she is a bright young woman and it pains me to see her talents wasted like this. I very humbly recommend you put her to better use."

Even as their future Queen, she had overstepped her boundaries and she was acutely aware of this. So she left as swiftly as possible, giving neither them, nor herself an opportunity to add a single word.

She never made it back to her room. Instead, she headed directly towards Elphaba's tower, resolved not to loose another second. It was already late enough. Far too late, in fact. She could have rejected dinner, of course – hell, Elphaba should have been the first to be informed about her impending departure! Glinda hated herself for wasting precious time she could have spent with her love, yet the truth was that she had been too scared of this final farewell. She still was scared, terrified even, but she was also fresh out of procrastination tactics.

Her stomach in knots and barely able to breath, she stood before the familiar, old door, most likely for the last time. This realisation did not help in the least. She reached for the door knop, but did not make to turn it. Instead, she let her hand rest there uselessly. She imagined Elphaba on the other side of the door, sitting jackknived on her bed, reading a book. What would she say upon receiving the bad news? Would she be angry and hurt and send her away without as much as a kiss goodbye?

Goodness knows how much longer Glinda would have remained standing there like this, if Elphaba had not taken the decision out of her hands. The blondes' eyes widened when the door before her was ripped open, revealing the emerald Princess, already dressed in her nightshift despite the rather early hour (by Elphaba's standards). As she lifted her gaze, staring directly into deep brown eyes, the raw emotion in them caught her off guard. Elphaba already knew, she instantly realised. Tears began to well up in her eyes then. She wanted nothing more than take that one step forward and snuggle close to the tall, willowy woman, but the salty drops running down her cheeks held her back.

"Elphie," she croaked, intending to say so much more, but failing miserably.

To her surprise, Elphaba closed the distance between them with not a trace of hesitation.

"Hush now. And don't talk," she cooed, pressing a long, bony finger against her lips.

She gathered the material of her sleeve in her right hand to wipe away the tears before peppering the dried areas with light, fleeting kisses. Her hands found the shorter woman's shoulders, then slowly glided down her arms and finally grasped Glinda's hands. Without a word, she gently, but resolutely pulled her inside her room, letting the door fall shut behind them.

With one, fluid movement, Elphaba positioned herself behind her. Her hands yet again found Glinda's, and holding on to them, she crossed both sets of arms, wrapping them tightly around her love's tiny waist. Glinda tried to look over her left shoulder and catch a glimpse of the green woman behind her, but with Elphaba firmly pressed against her back, her field of vision was limited. Elphaba teasingly bit her right shoulder, immediately following up with a placating kiss on the same spot. Glinda's head snapped around, just on time to see the Vinkun disappear again, leaving a trail of kisses as she slowly moved closer to her neck and towards the other side. There she repeated her treatment – a playful nibble, softened by a gentle brush of tender lips. The Gillikinese's breath hitched and an involuntary shiver ran down her spine.

Glinda could feel the raven-haired woman's breath against her delicate skin as she chuckled and the sensation made her feel hot and restless all over. She quickly freed her hands and whirled around, only to be once more caught in Elphaba's long arms. They paused, exchanging long, meaningful looks. No words were spoken, but after a few moments of silent dialogue, they came to a mute agreement.

As if to confirm her consent, Glinda raised to her tiptoes to initiate their next kiss. They were comfortable with these kinds of caresses now, having done this so many times and in so many different ways. The looming end of their togetherness, however, made every single evanescent touch, every single breathless gasp so much more intense. As the kiss deepened and tongues met, Glinda consciously tried to savour the taste of her lover, so that she may remember it later in the glum loneliness that awaited her.

Panting, both women almost simultaneously drew back. Feeling a little dizzy, Glinda could no longer maintain her precarious position and lowered herself back onto her flat feet. Elphaba took a deep breath and bent down to rest her forehead against the blonde's. Her hands gently moved up her neck to cup both cheeks, thumbs caressing the flushed skin with feather-light, even strokes. After a few calm moments, Glinda, looking deep into the emerald Princess' expressive eyes, brought her left hand up to cover Elphaba's. Turning her head ever so slightly, she pressed her lips against the green palm and smiled encouragingly. The nervous twitching of Elphaba's hand amused her, but also reminded her that she was just as inexperienced and just as anxious. In a way, this was a comforting thought.

Determined to once more close the small gap between them, Glinda snaked her right arm up and around Elphaba's neck, pulling her down a little, while exercising just enough pressure with her left hand to slowly move Elphaba's hand downwards, along her slender neck, past her collar bone and across her chest, until it finally came to rest on one of her full breasts. Then eager lips met yet again.

Still entangled in each other, they moved - with a certain measure of awkwardness – in the direction of the bed. Elphaba's legs made contact with the rickety, wooden frame and when Glinda took but one more step forward, she inadvertently made her topple backwards and end up in a sitting position. Their kiss broke, but Elphaba quickly pulled the petite blonde down into her lap to fix that. Spurred on by the heat of their necking, Glinda simply couldn't sit still. Not able to exercise full command over her body, she gave in and allowed her hips to gyrate and her chest to press against Elphaba's.

The Vinkun began to idly play with the laces at the back of Glinda's white dress, wrapping them around her fingers, tugging on them, yet refraining from actually undoing them. Painfully aware of what Elphaba's hand was doing, Galinda was nearly bubbling over with conflicted anticipation. Part of her wanted to be over and done with this already. She wanted this too much to tell Elphaba no, but at the same time, was too sacred to suffer through the teasing. Almost accidentally biting her loves bottom lip, she succeeded in distracting her just enough to sneak one arm behind her own back and snatch the string away from Elphaba. Releasing a shuddering breath, she gave the cord a quick twitch, and the knot slipped away.

From that point on, each of her movements tugged and pulled on the laces, until the bodice felt very loose around her upper body and began to slowly slide off her. Elphaba noticed soon enough and took a clock-tick to gauge Glinda's frame of mind. Making sure the viridian woman would get all the reassurance and encouragement she needed, Glinda once more reached behind her back, undoing the bow that held together the blue chiffon sash. She watched dark brown eyes following the delicate material as it tumbled to the floor, before leaning in to capture those delicious, green lips again.

It took some clumsy and unhandy fiddling and yanking before the white dress finally could join the sash on the wooden floor. Eager to hasten this most distracting process, Glinda quickly divested herself of her camisole as well and motioned for Elphaba to help her with the petticoat. The restricting corset was next on her list, and this time, nimble, green fingers helped her with the intricate lacing. How good it felt to finally be able to breathe! Closing her eyes, the blonde stretched out her arms. She rested them on Elphaba's shoulders, offering her a sensual smile as her lids fluttered open again to reveal longing eyes.

Elphaba's hands were still positioned at the small of her back, where they had recently worked on the corset. Carefully, they began to dance up and down the thin material of her camisole and along her spine, causing goosebumps to erupt on pale skin. The realisation that only one final, flimsy layer concealed her body from her love's gaze, struck Glinda like lightning. Her breath hitched, as she tried to decide whether to simply pull that stupid thing over her head, or beg Elphaba not to venture any further. She never came to a conclusion, however, as the Vinkun Princes found the most perfect way to distract her.

Elphaba's left hand ever so slowly made its way from Glinda's back, across the outer side of her thighs, all the way to her knee, where the silky camisole ended. The blonde felt her stomach flip for a second, but Elphaba's hand did not slip underneath the fabric and back up as she had worried. Instead, it was swiftly pushed beneath the hollow of her knees, so that the raven-haired woman could lift her off her lap and onto the bed. Her flat hand lightly placed on the smaller woman's shoulder, Elphaba gently laid her down.

The view of Elphaba hovering above her was challenging for Glinda. It frightened her about as much as it excited her. There was no time for fear though, and Elphaba made sure there was no need for it either. She regarded her with a look of pure adoration, bringing up her free hand to tenderly stroke her cheek. Lips brushed against lips for an intense, but brief kiss. Glinda wouldn't have minded continuing like this for a while longer, but Elphaba had other plans. Her mouth began to venture south, but not too far. Along the way, fervent attention was devoted to some of Glinda's most sensitive spots, before Elphaba quickly moved on, trailing her tongue towards the newly exposed cleft between the blonde's supple mounds. Taking a similar path her mouth had, Elphaba's hand now slowly travelled to Glinda's chest cupping one of her breasts.

Elphaba's hands and mouth took turns caressing, nibbling and teasing, making Glinda squirm in unforeseen pleasure. Why, she asked herself, had they waited until now to try this? It was a silly question, really, for most of the enjoyment clearly came from the level of trust and comfort they had established over the past two and a half weeks. Being this intimate at an earlier stage of their relationship would definitely not have had the same effect.

Lightheaded and her senses clouded with desire, Glinda barely noticed when the Vinkun Princess began to let her soft kisses wander downwards. Both hands followed suit, gliding over her ribs, along the soft waist underneath and finally stopping as they reached her hips. A lingering kiss was pressed against her navel, and the blonde's body arched into her lover's touch.

Lips broke contact, hands slid back up a couple of inches. Glinda wanted to grumble in discontent, but gasped instead, when Elphaba's lips made a sudden return, tenderly grazing bare skin. She lifted her head as much as she could, and with half-open eyes, appraised what was happening. The fabric of the camisole was gathered over her breasts, leaving everything below exposed, except for her most private area, still hidden by a pair of satin and lace knickers. She watched Elphaba, slowly, yet focused, headed for what lay between her legs. The anticipation, still mingled with a trace of apprehension, was almost too much to bear and elicited a small whimper from Glinda. Upon reaching her destination, the emerald woman left but one sensual kiss before moving back up, all the way to where she had started. Glinda sighed, almost disappointed, but also relieved.

The time had come for the camisole to be cast off. Not breaking their kiss right away, Elphaba pushed the material further and further, until it reached the blonde's chin, briefly disconnected their lips to push it past, and then immediately resumed the kiss while untangling the garment from Glinda's hair and letting it drop beside the bed. Glinda could feel her smile against her mouth and used that moment of heedlessness to capture a grey-green lip between her teeth and give it a playful bite. Elphaba yelped, and then growled, venturing away from Glinda's lips to repay her with small nibbles and pinches all over her body.

Glinda enjoyed this kind of punishment and arched her back to be as close to her Elphie as possible. As she did this, and her bare skin brushed against rough cotton, a growing frustration over Elphaba's state of dress began to manifest itself. The plain fabric of her nightgown was all that prevented direct contract, and besides, it was altogether unfair that the blonde herself lay there on the bed, open and clearly visible to Elphaba, while the mean, green thing was still swathed in that unworthy piece of cloth.

She tugged on the hem of Elphaba's nightdress then, interrupting her attentive administrations. The emerald Princess' gaze lifted to meet hers. Tilting her head, Elphaba cast her a questioning look, to which Glinda replied with more eager tugging. Elphaba bit her lip and shook her head.

"I want this to be about you," were the first words she spoke in this room that night.

"This is about me," the blonde answered cheekily. "I want to see and feel you. I want to savour this moment, burn it into my memory. Wouldn't this memory be terribly incomplete without you?"

Elphaba blushed in a most alluring shade of mauve.

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable with my... my skin and all that."

"I would be far more comfortable if I wasn't the only one exposed like this. Besides, I have seen most of you already, remember? That night you got all drenched to the bones?" She giggled lightly, then gave Elphaba a serious look. "You are beautiful."

At first, it appeared as though Elphaba would continue arguing, but her mouth already half open, she rather unexpectedly decided to desist. She swallowed hard, sat up and pulled her nightdress over her head.

"Better?" she asked nervously, and Glinda could see her chest heaving as she fought to calm her breathing.

She considered her appreciatively. Letting her eyes roam from top to bottom, she noticed the shadow of faded violet diamonds on her shoulder. The pattern re-emerged further down, on the hip of the opposite side. From there it wound its way towards dark curls, where it disappeared. The blonde surely would have flushed even darker if such a feat were at all possible, but the excitement of that evening had already coloured her in the rosiest shade her skin could master. Her eyes shot back up, focusing on Elphaba's worried face. Wiggling beneath her love, she sighed contently.

"Much better."

Relieved, Elphaba uttered a sigh of her own and went back to work her wonders on Glinda's body.

The blonde vaguely knew that there was more – more than hungry kisses and gentle caresses, although lost so completely in Elphaba's closeness and touch, she really couldn't imagine anything that could possibly, ever be more. What was this 'anything' anyway? That was something no one had really cared to explain to her yet. Fortunately, Elphaba was about to teach her.

Exhausted, but deeply satisfied, Glinda was lying in Elphaba's arms, wallowing in the scent of the oil Elphaba had used to clean the both of them off. She smelt almost exactly like her Elphie now and the thought made her grin like a fool. Snuggling closer, she let her hand dance along the emerald Princess' side.

"H-how… how did you know how to do all this?"

"Instinct," Elphaba replied, shrugging her shoulders slightly. "I also consider myself a bit of a scientist."

"What in Oz is that supposed to mean?" Glinda giggled.

"I read, my sweet. Extensively, across a vast range of subjects. And I explore."

Quickly shifting around, the blonde poised herself on her elbows.

"Explore?" Her eyes grew wide. "Explore what?"

"Myself, of course," Elphaba answered evenly. "Until tonight, I never expected to find another willing subject for such ventures."

Blue eyes continued to stare at her in mild shock. After a clock-tick, a sharp intake of air could be heard, and Glinda hurried to turn away and hide her flushing face.

Elphaba laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and began to stroke her back in a comforting manner.

"Does that knowledge make you uncomfortable?" she almost whispered.

Glinda, face still pressed into her pillow, shook her head. She risked a shy glance.

"No, Elphie. I… I just feel embarrassed by the way my body reacts at the thought of you… you…"

Laughing, Elphaba pulled her closer.

"So you're imagining me-"

"Elphie!"

"I apologise, my sweet," the raven-haired woman chuckled. "But you really needn't be embarrassed.

"When you're back in the Emerald City-" Glinda tensed at that, and Elphaba continued her slow strokes up and down the blonde's back. "-please remember this: You are your own woman. Society might have many rules that are near impossible to circumvent, but what you do or allow to be done to your own body in the privacy of your own bedchamber, is solely up to you. You can be as wild or as chaste as you like. There is no reason, why men should monopolise sexuality, least of all yours."

Glinda's grip on her lover tightened.

"You will promise me to remember that, right?" Elphaba probed gently, and Glinda moved her head against her chest to confirm.

"Good girl," Elphaba smiled weakly, pressing her lips against her right ear and carefully playing with her earlobe.

Glinda shot up almost immediately, covering her ear with both hands.

"Y-you weren't supposed t-to see this!" she stammered, a look of absolute horror contorting her usually so pretty features.

Tilting her head, Elphaba furrowed her brows.

"What's wrong? I saw so much more than that of you tonight. No need to hide any part of you."

"It's hideous!" Glinda cried. "So terribly maimed and disfigured."

Moving very slowly and carefully, Elphaba wrapped her arms around Glinda and held her close, kissing her forehead, her nose, the corners of her mouth, but avoiding either ear this time.

"You are a mystifying being, my sweet," she murmured as her lips wandered along the blonde's jaw line. "On the one hand, you accept my discoloured, spindly and boyish form, yet on the other, you worry about what the weird, green girl might think about an imperfect ear."

"I'm sorry, Elphie. But I just can't help it."

She did calm down though and relaxed into Elphaba's embrace.

They had been sleeping for an hour or two, but the heaviness of her heart didn't allow Glinda too much rest. Her eyes fluttered open and she shivered. The nights had become colder over the past three days and she was still naked beneath Elphaba's threadbare blanket. Her gaze tiredly trailed towards the fire in the fireplace. There was still a tiny flame flickering in between charred logs, but it barely radiated any heat.

She scrambled out of the bed, immediately feeling the chill creep down her spine as soon as she left the warmth of Elphaba's body behind. In the basket beside the fireplace, there were only two more pieces of wood left, but they would help for at least a short while. She chucked them onto the heap of ash and prodded them with the poker until they caught fire. She remained sitting in front of the fireplace, drawing her knees up under her chin and closing her arms around her legs.

The rustling of the sheets behind her told her that Elphaba had woken up as well now. The light padding of her feet on the wood soon followed.

"What's wrong?" She asked, draping her blanket around the Gillikinese's shoulders.

"I was cold and woke up."

"I see. I'm sure you'll be warmer in the bed though."

Glinda nodded and let the emerald Princess help her up. Back in bed, she wrapped her arms around her small waist. Elphaba did the same.

"We will see each other again," Glinda said sniffling, sounding not at all convinced.

Elphaba pressed a kiss to her head of golden curls and deeply inhaled her scent.

"You're marrying my brother," she replied simply, leaving it to Glinda to interpret the exact meaning of those words.

Glinda waited for Elphaba to fall asleep, then wiggled herself free and slid lout of the bed again. She inspected the pile of clothes on the floor and fished for her knickers, chemise and dress. She put on those three garments, leaving the others behind. On her tiptoes, not to wake the sleeping Vinkun Princess, she crossed the room and snuck out of the door, never looking back out of fear of losing her resolve.

She didn't bother going to the breakfast room the following morning. It was far too early and her appetite she had probably left behind in Elphaba's bed. Her maid, still oblivious to her true identity – thank Lurline for that – helped her dress. Well, 'helped' really wasn't quite the right word, for Glinda's lethargic state made dressing decidedly more difficult than usual.

"Your arm, My Lady," she patiently reminded her mistress for the umpteenth time as she tried to fit her into one of her travel gowns.

Lifting her gaze for the first time, Glinda beheld herself in the large mirror. Her eyes were drawn to that spot, now hidden beneath several layers of clothing, where a tiny bruise adorned her collarbone. Her maid had emitted an accidental scandalised gasp when she had first seen it. It had taken her only a clock-tick to recover though, and as soon as she had overcome the initial shock, she had chuckling shaken her head and cast her mistress a cheeky grin. She was all wrong of course, about the creator of the ungainly mark, but Glinda could not afford correcting her. She continued staring, wondering, how long it would take until this inconspicuous piece of evidence for their passionate encounter would fade.

"Well, that's it," the maid announced as she placed a bonnet on Glinda's head.

"It was an honour serving you, My Lady, and I hope to see you back here at Kiamo Ko, real soon."

"Thank you," Glinda replied distractedly and turned towards the door. "Thank you for everything. And take care of yourself."

The carriage awaited her in the courtyard. Fiyero had come to see her off and to convey his parents' best wishes. They had decided not to attend in order to give the young couple a few moments to say their farewells.

"I'll miss you," Fiyero said softly, gently holding her gloved hands in his. He wanted to kiss her, Glinda could tell, but he didn't, probably too worried about affronting her and not getting a chance to set things right for the next several months.

Glinda looked up to the castle, in the general direction where Elphaba's room was. Her tiny window was facing the back of the castle though, where the gardens were, so she wouldn't be able to watch her leave. She hadn't come to see her off. Glinda hadn't expected her to. In fact, she had hoped she wouldn't. It would have made things too difficult. And besides, nothing could possibly have surpassed the farewell they had shared the previous night.

The Duke approached them then, a relieved smile appearing on his face as he saw Glinda, ready to embark on their long journey back to the Emerald City.

"Well, children," he announced, his mood greatly improved, "I believe it is time." He rested a hand on the Princess' shoulder. "Come."

Glinda whispered her goodbye to Fiyero and turned, her hands slowly slipping out of his.

The Duke helped Glinda climb out of the carriage. The large crowd of staff was once more assembled in the courtyard of the Emerald Palace to greet their Princess. So that was it. She was back home again. Only 'home' didn't feel very homely at all. It did all feel terribly familiar, however.

A large, imposing and remarkably fish-faced woman, bedecked in a pompous dress, fashioned to suit a queen, descended the stairs leading down from the main door. Good old Morrible hadn't changed a bit. Well, why would she? Glinda had only been gone for a little over three months! But somehow it had seemed so much longer and far too short at the same time.

The governess stopped in front of the Princess and offered her a thin smile.

"How good of you to finally grace us unworthy souls with your mesmerising presence, Your Highness," she greeted her stiffly. "A footman will show you to your chambers, where you can freshen up before you see the Wizard."

Glinda nodded mutely and followed the servant.

Upon entering her spacious apartment, her eyes wearily took in every ostentatious detail. She vaguely remembered being so very impressed with the architecture and adornments when she had first set foot in this room, but now the elaborate stucco relief just seemed all too excessive and too unnecessary. The mint green walls and the slightly darker green upholstery and curtains she still liked though. They reminded her of Elphaba. On a second thought, she wasn't so sure anymore whether that was a good thing.

Once all of her luggage had been placed neatly in her room, the pages and the footman left. Her maid rushed inside and made to pick a dress from the well-stocked armoire. Glinda intersected her and quickly produced a dress of her own choice. It was more elaborate than anything she had worn in the Vinkus, safe the few gowns she had worn at special occasion. But it still was by far the simplest design available in her wardrobe.

No sooner had the maid finished dressing her and brushing her hair than Madame Morrible knocked and entered the room.

"It is time, Princess."

They made their way to the large parlour, where the Wizard was already waiting for them.

"Glinda my dear!" he exclaimed, his voice loud and cheerful. "What a soothing sight for sore eyes! Dare I say it, you have matured considerably over those few short weeks."

At first it proved difficult for her to maintain a straight face. Knowing about his double-faced nature now, all she really wished to do was to expel him from her palace. But those sorts of things would have to wait.

She smiled instead and slowly found herself slipping back into her old ways like a well-worn glove.

"I learnt a lot in the Vinkus," she replied and allowed him to kiss her hand. Oh how very true that was.

He led her to the coffee table and signalled for a servant to pour their tea.

"I admit, we were a little concerned to have lost you to those savages when you refused to return on the agreed date and then time and time again."

His choice of words offended her in an odd way.

"I believe it was you who once assured me that such rumours weren't true and that the Vinkuns were a fairly modern people," she remarked pertly as she took a sip from her cup, ignoring the dismayed look Morrible dealt her.

"Yes, of course," the Wizard chuckled tensely. "It was only a jest my dear child, all in good fun."

"My advise would be that you better refrain from sharing such humorous comments with my future husband."

Clearing his throat, the man sitting next to her nodded.

"So everything went to your satisfaction."

The Princess gracefully set aside her cup, then took her time to decide on one of the treats on offer – anything to buy her some time.

"Yes. I suppose," she said at last.

"Well, that is a fabulous reason for a celebration! Tonight I have arranged for us to dine with those lords that will be appointed as ministers upon your coronation. A good mutual understanding is the first step to smooth politics."

"I'm fairly tired from my long journey. If we really must do this tonight, I will join the party of course. But in that case, please excuse me so I can get some rest."

She hurried to her room them, as quickly as could be passed off as appropriate. Still fully dressed, she flopped herself face first on that huge four-poster bed, her limbs stretched out to all sides. Then she began to cry, wallowing in her loneliness.