I understand that I was unclear about how exactly Elphaba saved Fiyero…you see when she was flying towards the burning house and screamed "no!" her magic put out the flames but it also transported Fiyero far away and turned him into a human (magic is unpredictable and has unexpected effects…Elphaba's magic has odd outcomes when she's very emotional)
Within a day Glinda was already part of the Animal community. They all appreciated the work she'd done for them and were eager to listen to whatever the blonde had to say. Caya and the petite girl spent hours in the Tiger's shop discussing the latest Ozian fashions. Mar, the Black Bear mayor, was eager to talk politics with Glinda and ask how things were going in other parts of the country. Brrr was his usual shy and soft spoken self, but even he talked with the new arrival.
The blonde was back to wearing pink frilly dresses and practically bouncing from place to place. Knowing the truth had lifted a colossal weight off Glinda's shoulders. Still the threat of Madame Morrible hung like a dark cloud over the entire village. No one spoke of it, but thanks to the witches they all knew. "We're gonna have to do something," Caya pointed out one night when the whole gang was gathered around Mar's roaring fireplace. "That speciesist scumbag can't get away with this."
"It might be better to wait until Morrible makes the first move," Mar said wisely in his gruff Bear voice.
"So we should just sit around until she attacks us?" the Tiger snapped irritably. "It's been four days and according to the newspapers all activity in the Emerald Palace has been shut down. Madame Morrible told a reporter that an extreme calamity took place within the palace and an investigation is currently underway. The public assumes that she's returned to her place as Press Secretary."
"We can't just attack the Emerald Palace," Glinda piped up. "Our reaction to this threat must be carefully calculated."
"Who says we can't attack the Emerald Palace?" Fiyero snorted. "It's a viable option."
"Have you misplaced your mind?" the blonde witch gasped. "It's not like we've got an army at our fingertips."
"It would have to be a small attack," the Winkie allowed. "But I doubt Morrible's let anyone into the Emerald Palace beside her guards. She and Raeb are plotting out their next move. If a few of us could get into the palace I'm sure we could catch her."
"I like this plan," Caya growled in approval.
"Elphie you haven't said anything," Glinda observed, glancing at her oddly silent friend. The green girl was jolted out of the thoughts she'd been lost in.
"I like Fiyero's idea," Elphaba told them. "All we've got to do is capture Madame Morrible and it's over. It's not like she's got any politicians or the public on her side yet."
"I guess it's settled then," Mar huffed.
"What about my opinion?" Glinda squeaked indignantly. "I think Elphie and Fiyero are nuts."
"You've got the most powerful witch in Oz and the former Captain of the Guard saying that this attack is possible," Caya pointed out.
"Fine," the blonde girl pouted.
"Before you go through with this I think the two of you should talk to Jaybo," Brrr advised quietly, gesturing at the witches. "He can be an invaluable resource."
"Jaybo is just a crazy old Wolf," Caya sniffed. The Lion looked down at his feet, embarrassed by his suggestion. "But he has been correct on several occasions," Caya murmured, smiling apologetically at Brrr. He returned the gesture.
***
"So Jaybo's a fortune teller?" Glinda squeaked as they stood outside the Wolf's hut. "How cool! Has he read your fortune before?"
"No," Elphaba snapped, grasping the doorknob. "Just be quiet and respectful. He's blind." Then she opened the door and both witches moved inside. The interior of Jaybo's house was dim and occupied by only a short table set on the floor. Behind the old piece of furniture sat a thin Wolf in ragged clothes. His large eyes were covered with a thin, white film.
"Hello," rasped the old Animal. "It's nice to meet Oz's two famous witches."
"It's nice to meet you too," Glinda responded courteously.
"We've heard about your amazing talents," the green girl added.
"Don't be so modest," Jaybo chuckled. "I understand that you too possess the gift of prophecy."
"Just an inkling," Elphaba insisted. "My visions are few and those that I've had were hazy and hard to understand."
"But you always know when those you love are in danger," the Wolf pressed. "That is an invaluable talent." There was a pause and Jaybo shifted forward. "Give me your hand," he commanded. The green witch obeyed, trying not to flinch at the Wolf's paws. She was never one for physical contact. Jaybo's eyes closed and he hummed gently. A strong flow of magic pulsed within the ancient Animal and both witches could feel it. "You are like a sword; purposeful and razor-keen," Jaybo droned mysteriously. "Always you shall be in the front rank; a burning brand to your enemies, a brilliant fire to your friends. Yours is a restless life and never shall you know peace, though you shall be blessed by the peace you bring to others. Take comfort in the fact that, though you stand tall and alone, others shelter in the shadow that you cast." An abyss of silence opened up.
"Is that all?" Elphaba whispered.
"Your immediate future is clouded," the Wolf warned her. "So many events twist together that it would be impossible to untangle them all." Next Jaybo grasped Glinda's tiny hands. The blonde's face lit with excitement. "Your future too is knotted," the elderly Animal began. "But I can see that your strand in fate's loom is inexplicably woven with that of your sister."
"But I don't have a sister," Glinda interrupted.
"The girl I speak of is a sister not of blood but of bond," Jaybo continued. "Though you and this sister have hurt each other in the past you will always share a heart. To snip one thread is to unravel the other. The two of you are equal opposites, you balance each other. I also see a heart from your past pining away for you. Though ignored for the extent of your relationship he clings to the hope that you will someday value his unwavering loyalty. In fact this wounded heart is the very reason you came to this village alive. Yours is a lucky life. Many promising opportunities have been presented to you. However the choices you must make are hard, because the bright future you hope for may come at the expense of those closest to you." The old Wolf fell silent and released the blonde's hand. When he made no move to speak again the two girls got to their feet.
As they were opening the door to leave Jaybo stopped them. "There is one last thing," he barked. "To die for one's people is a great sacrifice. To live for one's people is an even greater sacrifice." Both witches left the fortune teller's hut with thoughtful eyes.
***
"If we're going to attack the Emerald Palace I figured you'd need some sturdier clothes," Caya explained, gesturing to the folded white garments before her. "Go ahead and check them out."
"Didn't you make any clothes for Elphie?" Glinda wondered, eyeing the Tiger's offerings doubtfully.
"Of course not," Caya retorted. "Elphaba refuses to wear anything that's not totally practical."
"I like her fashion choices," Fiyero informed them all from his place on the couch. The green girl was cuddled into his side. Though she hated to admit it this display of affection awakened a blossom of jealously in Glinda's heart.
"Well go ahead and try on your outfit!" the impatient seamstress prompted, ushering the blonde witch towards the bathroom.
"So what did Jaybo have to say about your future?" the Winkie asked his wife. "Did he mention me?"
"No," Elphaba replied, her eyes darkening with somewhat unpleasant thoughts. "He said my life would be restless and I would never know peace."
"Up until Morrible's return your life here was pretty peaceful," Fiyero pointed out.
"Which makes me worry that something will uproot us in the near future," the green girl sighed. "I thought I was finished running and fighting. My time as a fugitive contained enough restlessness for several lifetimes." Just then Oz's petite ruler emerged to model her new outfit.
It consisted of a plain, long sleeved white dress and a matching cape. Perched on the blonde's head was a white conical hat. Caya had taken Elphaba's iconic 'wicked witch' outfit and reproduced it in white for Glinda. The green girl's jaw dropped and her Tiger friend took on a smug expression. "Now all she needs is a broom," Fiyero chuckled. "Caya you're a genius."
"Feel free to bask in my glow," the Tiger gloated. However at that moment a barrage of frightened screams arched through the open window. Elphaba's blood froze in her veins and she leapt up to see what was going on. Pandemonium had broken out in the streets. Animals ran every which way, pursued by men in telltale green uniforms. The Gale Force had arrived.
What can I say? Cliffhangers are addicting…