Hat? Check. Broom? No, the little Dorothy brat had taken it. It now rested somewhere in the Wizard's palace. Magic Book of Spells? No, that, along with her treasured bottle of green elixir was gone, away to the Emerald City with Glinda. Anything else I need? She turned to the scarecrow at her side. Only one and he's already here.
"You ready to go?" came the scarecrow's soft spoken words. His eyes were filled with love and concern, his face contorting with gentle emotion. She smiled.
"Yero, my hero, where are we going?" His face formed a smile. The expression seemed awkward on the face of the scarecrow and it pained her to watch the face struggle to match the heart.
"Well, my Fae, I was thinking we don't really have to leave Oz entirely. Maybe we can just travel around until we find somewhere to settle."
"The Animals have quite the extensive network throughout Oz. We could use it to keep track of what's going on around Oz while we're traveling."
"In what way can we contact them?" She thought for a moment. Her initial contact among the Animals had been through young Chistery, her favored Monkey friend, but he had followed Glinda back to the Emerald City, her way of staying in close enough contact with her best friend. Then, a thought occurred to her.
"I need to step outside." The face of the scarecrow twisted into a face of confusion, and it seemed to be the only expression that fell upon the tanned face that made any sense among its features. To her, such a thought was heartbreaking, and so she turned away from him and quickly found herself staring up at the night sky just outside the castle walls. Calming herself, she began to whistle, first softly and gradually growing in volume until the unique sound echoed out into the forest. The scarecrow appeared at her side, staring at her in wonder.
"What are you doing? No one is supposed to know we are here." He whispered. She smiled.
"We are still perfectly safe, Yero. No one knows we're here except the Animals, and they aren't intending to tell anyone." Before he could respond, an Eagle fluttered down in front of them. She looked at the scarecrow and grinned, then knelt down next to the Eagle.
"Hello, Miss Elphaba. You called?"
"Hello, Master Tip. I need to deliver a message to Chistery in the Emerald City. Do you know a way for me to do that without being discovered?" The young Eagle took a moment to think.
"I could deliver the message myself, Miss Elphaba."
"Are you sure, Master Tip? I would'nt want to cause you any trouble."
"I would not offer if it were troublesome, and please, just call me Tip. There is no need for honorifics." Elphaba smiled.
"I'll call you Tip if you call me Elphaba."
"I prefer Miss Elphaba, if you don't mind. You saved my life. You deserve the honor. I, a mere humble young Eagle, do not." His face was serious and she decided not to push the issue.
"If you insist, Tip. Thank you for your help."
"Anytime, Miss Elphaba. Now, what's your message?" She turned and looked to the scarecrow beside her.
"Where do you want to head first?" The scarecrow scratched his head and appeared to be deep in thought.
"I was thinking maybe we could head in the direction of Frottica. The Gillikin countryside would be a suitable place to vacation, I think." She turned back to Tip.
"Just make sure to tell Chistery that we'll be heading North, and that we'll have to use the Nest to keep in touch."
"Where will I find him in the City?"
"He'll be at the Wizard's Palace." She paused. "Tip, no one can know this message is from me except Chistery. You must exercise extreme discretion." The Eagle smiled.
"Haven't you heard, Miss Elphaba? There is good news spreading throughout all of Oz. The Wicked Witch of the West is dead." He lifted up from the ground, his great wings moving gracefully. "There is no need to fear anymore. I assure you, you are quite safe." Then young Tip flew away to the east toward the shining city of jewels. Elphaba and the scarecrow returned to the castle, gathering what little belongings they had and headed northeast, toward the beautiful Gillikin countryside. The young Eagle's words echoed in Elphaba's mind as she bid a final goodbye to what had been her home these many years.
There is no need to fear anymore. He'd said.
Little did any of them know, there was.