Disclaimer- I don't own Wicked or Rent.

They had Glinda settled in a guest room in the palace very quickly. Emrys's physician was on his way to see her. Glinda was still unconscious. Elphaba and Fiyero didn't want to leave her until then but Elphaba knew she had more important work right now.

She spoke softly to Maureen and Emrys. She asked them to stay when the doctor arrived, so she could talk to someone. She didn't want Glinda to be afraid. When he arrived, Maureen patted Elphaba on the arm.

"Go… go. I'll stay right here with her. I promise. You…you go help Emmy." The mother in Maureen came screaming to the surface. She felt no sense of destroyed pride when she begged, "Please, God, please Faba, help her!" Nodding to her sister and giving her a reassuring hug, Elphaba left the room in search of someone who just might need her more than Glinda.

In the end, she found Elfie and Emmy sitting on the steps that led into the garden. Elphaba was proud of her daughter. Elfie sat beside her cousin, holding her hand, offering quiet encouragement. Right here, right now, Elfie was the strong one. Her quiet, loving strength reminded Elphaba of Fiyero just now. Elfie heard her coming and turned toward her. Usually, she would run into her mother's arms, but now she stayed…Emmy's strength stayed. Still, she was curious. "Mama, is Aunt Glinda going to be alright?"

Elphaba had no idea and would not lie to her daughter. "I'm not sure yet, lamb. I think so, but I'm not sure." She paused. "Elfie, can you go check on her for me? Daddy's in the upstairs corridor with Uncle Emrys. I need some time with Emmy. I won't leave her alone, don't worry."

Elfie Tiggular regarded her mother silently for a moment and then nodded. She kissed her cousin and whispered to her softly, "I'll be back. Mama will keep you safe, she can help, you know she can…I promise."

When Elfie left, several of the flying Monkeys went with her. Several others remained nearby with Emaurie and her aunt. Elphaba sat down beside Emmy, who had yet to look at anything but the garden. She took up the hand that Elfie had let go, and sat quietly until her niece looked into her eyes. They said nothing, but spoke volumes.

Suddenly, her niece was in her arms, tears on her face, sobbing as though her heart were broken. They remained that way for several minutes; the only change was when Emmy was lifted onto her aunt's lap. Nestled there, Emaurie felt stronger, safer. After a while, Emmy spoke softly, "I hate…I hate portents!"

"I do too," said her aunt as she rocked her gently, "I always have. No matter what anyone says, they always make me feel…uneasy, unsettled. When I was young, they frightened me terribly. Even when I grew up, some of them were scary. Ask Uncle Yero. I once saw a house flying through the sky and I knew my sister Nessa, your other aunt, was in danger. I was too late to save her."

Emmy raised her tear stained face to her aunt and searched her eyes. "Why do we get them then? If we can't help save someone, why do we need to get them at all? What good does it do?"

Elphaba stroked her niece's cheek gently. "Perhaps you didn't receive this portent to save Ambassador Gorrian; perhaps you had it to help him." When Emmy looked confused, Elphaba explained to her the reason she believed Emaurie had it.

"Just like Nessa, I believe the reason wasn't to save but to lend aid, to help. Emmy, don't you see? What happened to the Ambassador was terrible and very, very frightening but he might have died alone…alone and afraid and without hope. He didn't! He had you. In a portent, your mind brings you there physically." When Emaurie still looked slightly confused Elphaba explained softly, "Ambassador Gorrian could see you. He heard everything you said and even felt you hold his hand. Emmy, he may have known he was dying, but he knew you were there with him, helping him, caring for him, and carrying word to us of what had happened. If I'm right, he was hoping to warn and send word to the person he loved most."

Emmy's eyes widened as she stated knowingly, "Aunt Glinda."

Her aunt nodded and continued, "Yes, Aunt Glinda. You saw the condition she's in. Right now, she thinks the man she loved died alone and with no one to comfort and help him. It's a horrible way to die…alone."

Emmy sounded stronger now, if only a little. "But he wasn't. I was there. I told him not to be scared, that I'd get you and Mommy. I held his hand and…and when he was dying, he…he squeezed my hand."

"Perhaps to say thank you, little one. Perhaps, also to let you know that he saw and felt and heard you. I know Ambassador Gorrian; he would want to thank you for all you were doing for him. He must have known you would tell us and we would do everything we could to protect Aunt Glinda and help her. You're a strong young lady, little one…stronger than you know."

"I don't feel really strong, Aunt Faba. I just feel safer now because of you…and our friends." Emmy added this last bit to be sure that the Monkeys would know how much she loved them and trusted them. Like Elfie, she couldn't bear to see their feelings hurt. It worked, because upon hearing her, they all smiled and came closer to touch her hand and pat her arm. There was a pause and then the little girl asked, "Aunt Faba, will you help teach me about portents? So I won't be so scared next time?"

Elphaba smiled lovingly at the child she looked upon as another daughter. "Of course, little one, then, together, we can help Aunt Glinda and the others. Trust me, alright?"

The answer she received was an almost bone-crushing hug and a small smile. Elphaba considered that quite a victory under the circumstances. "I love you, Aunt Faba. I love you so much!"

Tears formed in Elphaba's eyes, unseen by the child held tightly in her embrace. "And I love you, little one, so, very, very, much!"

After several moments, they stood, and still holding hands turned to go back inside. Suddenly, Emaurie stopped and asked Elphaba to answer the question that was on her mind now.

"Aunt Faba, when you had the portent with the house, you said you couldn't save your sister, Nessa. If you didn't see it so you could save her, why did you have it?"

Elphaba was taken aback at the speed of her niece's mind. Luckily, she had given this matter a great deal of thought over the years and was certain she knew why. She bent and looked deep into her niece's brown eyes.

"In a way, just like you, for Aunt Glinda, I think. You see, we had argued and she had let the Wizard and Morrible know how to bring me out of hiding. She knew if I believed that Nessa was in danger I'd try to protect her. What Glinda didn't count on was how evil Morrible really was. Aunt Glinda thought that they would just start a rumor. But Madame Morrible used her magic to control the cyclone that killed Nessa. But Emmy, can you imagine how guilty Aunt Glinda would have felt when she found that out? And, what if Uncle Yero hadn't been there to save me, how would she have felt if I had died? I believe that I had that portent to help Aunt Glinda get through her pain and to bring us together again. It did, you know. No matter what, Aunt Glinda and I will always be there for one another, we know that, and that time helped teach us that."

Emmy took all of this in thoughtfully. "We sure spend a lot of time protecting Aunt Glinda, don't we?"

Emmy listened to her aunt's cackle-like laughter as she threw her head back. Just that sound made Emaurie happy and warm. "I suppose we do! She's worth it though, isn't she? She has more love inside than she knows what to do with."

Emmy nodded and pulled Elphaba by the hand. "We should help her now, Aunt Faba. She should know what I saw."

"Are you sure, little one?"

The child nodded ferociously. "I'm sure."

They walked back into the palace together and headed up to see Glinda. They held hands the whole way…two green hands, an adult one enfolding a small child's lovingly. As they mounted the staircase, the staff who knew and loved them both, suddenly all remarked on how alike they were; both walking with their heads held high, both backs straight, both with long black hair, both with intelligent brown eyes, both green…a lovely, exotic, green, both with a purpose.

Elphaba asked Emmy to wait in the hall with her father, Fiyero, and Elfie until she came for her. Entering Glinda's room, Elphaba found Maureen and the physician with a very conscious and agitated Glinda. When she saw her, Glinda began to cry even harder and Elphaba took her in her arms.

"Oh Elphie, it was horrific! Gorrian…he…he's… d-dead…oh Elphie!" She broke down in fresh sobs. The doctor had wanted to give her a sedative, but she had refused. Glinda needed to see and speak to Elphaba. Elphaba looked at her, knowing the kind of pain she was in. She had once thought Yero was dead. It had felt as if the world had stopped and spun outrageously backwards somehow. Still, Elphaba pressed on, "I know Glinda, I know. We know because Emaurie had a portent."

Damp blue eyes blinked in surprise. "Like you? Little Emmy?"

Her friend nodded and continued firmly. "Yes, Emmy. Now Glinda, this is her first portent and it's frightened her badly, but she wants to help. I think she had it so that we could help you. Now, she wants to come and tell you about it herself, but mark my words Glinda Upland; she's been upset enough! If you think you can remain in control of yourself, I'll have her come in and tell you what she experienced, but hear me! Do not start sobbing and lose control in front of her. She already thought it was her fault; please don't make her believe that for good."

"Her fault? Oh Elphie, no, she mustn't think that! I'll…I'll stay calm, I promise. Please, can I see her?"

Elphaba looked to Maureen, who nodded. She trusted her sister's judgment. If Faba wanted to try this, she must believe it would benefit not only Glinda but Emmy as well. Faba would never upset or hurt her niece. In no time, Elphaba had glided to the door and opened it just enough to stretch out her arm to Emaurie.

Maureen saw her daughter's hand grasp Faba's and she came in softly and confidently. Maureen closed her eyes to thank God and Faba and whatever forces had given her sister help in getting through to Emmy. There was no mistaking this calm she saw before her now. When she looked toward Glinda, she could only see a sad, quiet countenance on her face. She watched Emmy come toward her and smiled a glistening smile at her.

"Emmy, you've gotten so big! Just look at you, you're beautiful."

Emmy closed the distance and reached onto the bed to hug Glinda. For a moment, Maureen thought Glinda would start sobbing again, but she saw her catch Elphaba's eyes, which held a silent reminder.

Emaurie patted Glinda comfortingly. "It's okay, Aunt Glinda, you don't have to be polite right now. I know how sad you are, but I wanted you to know what I saw and what Aunt Faba helped me realize. I'm sorry about Ambassador Gorrian, but I know he's dead. I know because I was with him when he died."

Glinda made only a gasp at the shock of this news. Still Emmy continued, "I had a portent. I came into the room right after a monster attacked him. I saw part of the monster leave, but I know that the ambassador saw me. I told him I'd get Aunt Faba and Mommy to help, and that it would be okay. I know he heard me because we held hands and when he died…when he died, he squeezed my hand. Aunt Faba thinks that he was saying thank you and that he wanted to make sure that we took care of you. Does that help, Aunt Glinda? Does it help even a little bit?" Her eyes remained solemn and steady on Glinda who now let several tears roll quietly down her cheeks. Emmy reached out and wiped them away gently.

Then Glinda met her eyes. "Oh Emmy! It helps a lot! So, so much! I was afraid that he had passed…alone, all alone. Thank you for being there for him and helping him. He must have been so afraid, but seeing you and holding your hand must have made things easier for him. I know it did! He knew you would tell your mother and Aunt Faba. I'm sorry you had to be frightened so! Gorrian would want me to apologize to you for that, and he'd want me to thank you for him too. He thought the world of you and Elfie. He said he wanted…" Her voice caught and Elphaba thought it best that they end things here for now.

"Glinda, you need to rest. Now, I want you to do what the doctor says. You're safe with us, and…"

"Ooh! I know!" Emmy suddenly cried out and bolted toward the door. It was cracked and Maureen and Elphaba could hear her talking to someone in the hall. Then, she returned holding Chistery by the hand.

Glinda brightened immediately. "Chester!" Chistery came toward her and took her hand. "Emmy says…you need to feel safe. I will stay with you …Miss Glinda. Don't worry."

She seemed to settle almost immediately. They had been through a great deal together, Glinda and Chistery, or Chester as she liked to call him. They had a bond of trust that was unbreakable.

As Elphaba left the room with Emmy and Maureen, she stopped in the hall and knelt down before the girl, this time letting her see the tears in her eyes.

"Emaurie, you are an amazing young lady, and I love you more than you will ever know. Don't worry, little one. We'll deal with these portents." Then, Emmy was in her arms and Elfie stepped forward quietly. The others watched as Elphaba made room for both girls in her arms and they all held each other tightly. "So far, so good." thought Fiyero.

The day passed in a kind of quiet discomfort. Mark and Joanne had thought it best to stay out of the way as the family dealt with this crisis. Mark had a visitor, however. Elfie came to him as he looked through the books in the library. Joanne was sitting in a window seat reading quietly and wasn't sure if the child was even aware of her presence. She watched as Elfie walked up to Mark quietly and then pulled on his shirttail. The picture was enough to make Joanne stifle a giggle. Then she listened.

"Mark?"

Mark spun and knelt down to see Elfie eye-to-eye. His face was a mask of concern as he looked into Elfie's stunning blue eyes. "Elfie? You okay? Is there something you need?"

Elfie shook her head but took Mark's proffered hand. "I promised to tell you about last night. We're friends and I promised. Emmy's portent was scary, Mark, really, really scary. That's why they didn't wake me up. But we found out that Ambassador Gorrian did die. He was attacked by a monster, and he died but Emmy…Emmy was there when he died. That was her portent. She was there and helped him while he was dying. He could see her and feel her and touch her, so he wasn't alone. Mama thinks that maybe Emmy wasn't supposed to save the ambassador, but just to help him…him and Aunt Glinda. She loves…loved…Mark, is it 'loved' when someone is dead, or is it still 'loves'? I don't know which to say."

Mark pulled Elfie into a hug and then spoke to her honestly. "I don't know. Most people will tell you that it should be past tense, 'loved', when someone is dead, but I think as long as the love is alive…it should be 'loves'. Love doesn't die just because the person does."

Now the child looked uncomfortable, as if she was carrying the weight of the world on her small shoulders. Mark was gentle, soft, "What is it, Elfie? You can tell me when something's wrong? We promised."

The look in her eyes when they met his was full of guilty and sorrow. "Is it wrong that I'm glad I didn't get the portent? I love Emmy, and I hate seeing her scared and upset, but Mark, I'm really glad it wasn't me! Is that wrong?" Tears were balancing on her eyelashes.

Mark felt his heart breaking for her. She was only four years old, and trying to deal honorably with so much. He knew her heart was sweet and true and right now, that made things very difficult for her. Mark sat on the rug and pulled her into his lap. "No! No, that doesn't make it wrong or make you a bad cousin or friend, or anything like that. It makes you human. It's okay to be afraid of things that scare you…especially things like what Emmy saw."

"But why didn't I see it too? Is Emmy's magic stronger than mine?"

The Bohemian thought carefully and then answered from his heart. "Not a chance. Maybe Emmy had the portent this time and her magic is strong, but so is yours. I've seen it."

Elfie looked up at him with astonishment. "You have?!"

"Yup, I have. It's love. Elfie, your special magic is love. If it wasn't, you wouldn't care so much about Emmy and this ambassador. You wouldn't have been so upset when Joanne and I got here. Nope, I'll take love as magic any day. But maybe you have a job here too. It's not a portent, but it might be even more important. Maybe, your job is to help your cousin get through this and be strong for her when she needs it. Being somebody's 'safe-place' is as important as it gets. It's quite a job."

Elfie looked astonished and suddenly easier. With a big hug she jumped from Mark's lap. "Then I better start now. Emmy will have trouble sleeping tonight. I better be there to help her. Thank you, Mark!" With that she ran from the room leaving the two Bohemians stunned.

Joanne finally spoke up, "You know Mark, if you don't have kids one day, one way or the other, it will be a true waste. You were born for it."

Mark realized that in all the time he had known Joanne, this was probably the greatest compliment she'd ever paid him. He smiled as he stood up. "Now all we have to do is get back home so I can find the girl of my dreams, right?"

Joanne nodded. "It's a plan. All things in good time.

Later that night, Emrys and Maureen checked on the girls as they slept in the nursery. Opening the door, they were moved by what they saw. There, sitting on Emmy's bed was Elfie. She had fallen asleep while standing guard. Her aunt and uncle had no way of knowing that she had sung Emmy to sleep as well. When Emrys lifted Elfie to place her in her own bed, they found that the girls' hands were linked tightly. Moving her brought a moan from the child and she was startled until she recognized the arms of her uncle.

"Uncle Rys?"

"Yes, Pixie, go back to sleep."

"No! I have to stay here." She yawned. "Emmy needs me."

Maureen gently moved Emmy to the side of her bed, and made room for Elfie. Emrys laid his niece down beside his daughter…their hands still joined. Maureen adjusted the covers and they each kissed them both before stepping out into the corridor. It reminded them both of watching them share a cradle as infants. Maureen rested her head against Emrys's chest and then smiling through her tears looked into his eyes.

"She has palace guards, flying Monkeys, and us…but God help anyone who messes with Elfie Tiggular!"

They stood like that for a moment, and then Maureen noticed that Emrys was steering her back toward their bedroom suite. She stopped on the spot.

"No! Rys, I feel like I should be there with her."

"Tomorrow, perhaps." He answered calmly and evenly. "She's safe for now and Elphaba and Fiyero will check on them later. But for now, there isn't really much we can do. Get some rest; you'll think clearer with some rest, both of us will. Tomorrow we may know what it is we're truly handling, but not tonight. Come to bed. You'll feel better."

"I feel crappy." Maureen stated, once entering the room, with her husband right behind her.

"I know."

Then the door closed behind them, and the corridor was silent.