Elphaba dropped to her knees once she'd reached the forest. She breathed heavily and tried to still her racing heart as her situation settled upon her. How could Nessa be so...so selfish?! Elphaba had done everything for Nessa. She'd only put up with Frex for all of those years because she cared for Nessa. She cared for Nessa. She did, she loved her sister, but Nessa did not love her. Nessa would not, nor would she ever care at all for Elphaba. Elphaba soon realized that she was to her sister, property like she was to her father, like she was to the Vinkun Family. She couldn't stay in the Vinkus anymore, not now that Nessa was going to turn her in. And now that she was a slave, she couldn't very well run away either. But she had too. She'd be even more wanted now. Elphaba looked up and realized it was dark, how long had she been in the forest? Even though it would be a risk, she had to go back to the castle to retrieve her things. Everything she owned was there. Her mother's bottle, clothes, a bit of money, her journal, a few pictures... She stood back to her feet shakily, breathing in jagged breaths as she shook back her tears. She took a deep breath, and began to run again. She ducked under branches and jumped over roots as she ran. It was dark; she didn't seem to even see the branches or roots. She felt as though she had memorized the woods, and she just knew which roots to jump over and which branches to duck under. She ran on adrenaline and anger and sadness and fear. Before she knew it, the castle was coming into view. She slowed her running and snuck in through the back door.

************

No one said a word as they trudged back to the castle. Nessa had tears pouring down her face, silently. She stared ahead and only sniffled when she had to. Galinda kept a comforting on Nessa's shaking shoulders. Fiyero kept a stone face as he stared straight ahead. Fiyero didn't know why the silly girl in the wheelchair was crying, probably because he'd yelled at her. He didn't feel guilty or sorry for her at all right now, but he figured later on his anger might cool down, and he might be sorry for yelling at Nessa. Losing Elias was like losing his best friend. In fact, it was losing his best friend.

As they opened the doors to the castle, they were met by a jovial Fredrick. He rushed at Nessa and hugged her, not seeming to notice they crowds mood and Nessa's tears.

"Nessa my darling, business is done here. We can go to the Emerald City tomorrow!" said ecstatic Fredrick. Nessa cursed Elphaba for making her sad. She wanted to be happy when Fredrick told her he was done with meetings. But no, she was sad, and she couldn't just pop up and be happy all of sudden, although she really wanted to laugh and smile and be happy with Fredrick and stay up all night, thinking about the Emerald City. All she could do was cry harder and out loud now that she couldn't be happy at this moment.

"Nessa?" said Fredrick, pulling back from the hug to look at Nessa's face, tear streaked and distressed.

"I-I'm sorry," said Nessa, "I'm fine." she sniffled and wiped at her face. Fredrick of course was not convinced. He stood up and glared at Fiyero.

"What did you do to her?!" he yelled.

"Nothing," said Fiyero, "It was her that stared everything in the first place!"

"Fiyero, calm down." said Galinda, tugging on Fiyero's arm.

"Look, you did something to her, and I want to know what!" Fredrick yelled.

"Sure, as soon as she tells me what she said to Elias!" Fiyero bellowed.

"Elias? Who the hell is Elias? This is about Nessa!" Fredrick yelled.

"Not everything is about Nessa!" Fiyero yelled, "Elias is my friend. He's missing since your little angel said something to him, I don't know what happened, because she won't tell me!"

"Nessa would never say anything hateful." said Fredrick, his face growing red.

"Well, fine, I don't know what her blasted problem is," Fiyero said, "All I know is that I'm bloody happy you're leaving tomorrow!" with that, Fiyero stormed away, leaving a red faced Fredrick, a tearful Nessa and a confused Galinda in the hall.

"Nessa, I want you to tell me what Fiyero did that made you cry." said Fredrick, leaning once again on his knee to meet Nessa's eyes.

"He didn't do anything," Nessa sighed, "It's my entire fault really. I-I need to go now, I'll just be in my room." Nessa quickly began to wheel herself away.

******************

All Nessa could think about was wishing that none of this had ever happened. She almost wished that she'd said yes in the beginning and gone to Shiz, but how could she wish that when Fredrick was so wonderful? Was she really being fair? She felt so horrible choosing Fredrick, a man she'd known for about a month or two over her sister, who she took advantage of and known her entire life. She wished she'd never had guessed that 'Elias' was really her sister, and that she'd never threatened to tell her whereabouts. She wished Elphaba would come back, just for a moment, so that she could apologize, or at least get Elphaba to change her mind. She wanted to let her know that she could still stay here and Nessa wouldn't tell their father where she was. Suddenly, Nessa remembered something. Surely her sister would be coming back, if only to get her belongings. Nessa remembered that Elphaba would never leave her only memory of her mother, the little glass green bottle. After Elphaba had run away from home, Nessa had gone up to her room and found her sister's belonging gone and the glass bottle gone. Elphaba would be coming back, she would. Nessa quickly got out a pen and paper and wrote a note.

When she was finished, she called for the maid.

"Take this to Elias's room and put it someplace where he'll immediately see it." Nessa ordered, "And don't you dare think of reading it." Nessa warned as an afterthought. The maid nodded and scurried out of the room. Nessa could only hope that she hadn't already missed Elphaba.

***************

The castle was dark, as everyone was sleeping, even the servants who were usually up till the crack of dawn. Elphaba ran lightly through the dark hallways in the servants chambers. It seemed no one had noticed she'd gone, except of course, Fiyero, Nessa and Galinda. She opened the door as slowly as she could, it creaked despite her efforts to evade sound. She opened it just enough to slip in. She grabbed her satchel and began to fill it with her clothes and everything she'd need. Lastly, she grabbed her mother's bottle. She was about to leave, when a piece of paper came into her peripheral vision. She turned to pick it up. It wasn't hard to figure out who it was from, Nessa's handwriting was something Elphaba knew well.

Dearest Sister, Elphaba,

I don't know what to say. And I know that half of what I write in this letter, you shall not believe. But believe me now, when I tell you that I will not tell Father you are here. I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am. I know the word sorry is extremely overused and taken advantage of, but I am truly sorry to you, for everything. I don't expect you could ever forgive me for the cruelty in which I have treated you, but if you ever did chose to forgive me, I would not take it for granted. I wish I could be speaking to you now, in person, but I doubt you'd wish to speak with me face to face. You probably resent even reading this letter, and I would not blame you. Elphaba, you are my sister, and I love you. I wish you could think of me as a sister, or a friend, even an acquaintance would make me happy. You must hate me terribly now, and usually I would say it was against the Unnamed God to hate, but I think you have good enough reason to hate now, though I wish you wouldn't.

Please don't leave the Vinkus. I think Fiyero would really miss you. And while I don't quite understand your relationship with him, I can tell he views you as an important person in his life, a very good friend. And while I don't know much about Fiyero, I think you might be his first and only good friend. I've come to care about Fiyero in the few days I've spent with him, and I think he deserves a friend like you.

Tomorrow Fredrick and I are leaving for the Vinkus. He's finished his business and meetings here. You are welcome to come with Fredrick and I to the Emerald City. The King is giving Fredrick some of the servants to wait on us in the Emerald City since his own servants are at his mansion in Munchkinland. Fredrick could ask for you and you would be free and live with us if you like. But of course, I can understand if you wish to stay here. I wish you well, and as much happiness is as possible for someone in your position. Remember I love you.

Nessa

Elphaba wanted to believe everything Nessa had written in that letter. True, she believed some of it, but the sentimental parts, she could not bring herself to fall for those lies so easily. Nessa had never told her she loved her before. Elphaba read the end again. She had a choice, to go with Nessa and Fredrick to the Emerald City, and be free. But she did not want to be with Nessa again, she would not face her. But was Nessa really the only thing that pushed Elphaba away from leaving, or was it Fiyero that held her back? She could probably live with being a slave. After all, the word was used loosely. She got days off, and good enough food and shelter. She was not technically being held her against her will, though if she ever chose to leave she wouldn't be able to. The work was not even hard, unless one considers following a prince around breaking a sweat. And as much as Elphaba hated to admit it, she didn't want to leave Fiyero. She didn't care that Fiyero thought she was a boy. She didn't care that she was Fiyero's servant. She just wanted to be with him, even if it meant staying in the Vinkus, a servant, rather than being waited on with Nessa and Fredrick.

***********************

Fiyero woke the next morning to find a tray of food at the end of his bed, he must hav missed breakfast. He drowsily sat up and ran his hands over his face to wake himself up more.

"Ah, you're awake. Did you want cream in your coffee?" , asked a familiar voice. Fiyero's head snapped up at the voice and he looked to his left to see Elias at his desk, pouring him a cup of coffee.

"Elias!" Fiyero exclaimed, "I thought you'd gone!"

"No," said Elias, "Just uh, got a bit...I needed to leave for a bit. I hope you'll forgive me for running off on you lot. Sorry you had to push Nessa, I should have been there to do that."

"Oh, that's alright, I needed the workout anyway." Fiyero joked. He was really glad Elias hadn't left for good, "Elias, what did Nessa say to you yesterday?"

"Nothing that you should be bothered with." said Elphaba.

"I want to know." said Fiyero.

"I don't want to tell you." said Elphaba more firmly.

"You know, I could order you tell me," said Fiyero lightly, "But I am not some tyrannical prince that throws a fit every time he doesn't get what he asks for; I am not my father. So I shall respect your privacy and let you be."

"That is most humble of you." Elias commented.

"No, just common courtesy." Fiyero said, shrugging his shoulders, even though he was itching to know what had gone down between Elias and that brat of a girl Nessa. Speaking of Nessa...., "So, Nessa and Fredrick are leaving today."

"I've heard."

"I've got to go wish them a jolly farewell," Fiyero smirked. He suddenly looked up at the clock, "Oh shit! We're late. Let's go."

**************

Fiyero ran down through the halls, Elphaba behind him. They reached the entrance hall quickly, but they were still late.

"Sorry I'm late." Fiyero apologized insincerely.

"Mph." his father replied gruffly. Nessa and Fredrick were by the door, posed ready to leave. Nessa's heart rate quickened as she saw 'Elias' behind Fiyero. Elphaba noticed Nessa staring at her. She looked at Nessa and nodded slightly, acknowledging that she'd gotten the letter. Nessa felt her heart deflate. So Elphaba had not forgiven her most likely. Fiyero walked up and gave Nessa a farewell hug. Elphaba remained in the background of the scene, looking away from her sister. Sister stared at her sister, trying to get her sister to meet her eyes, but she wouldn't. Soon, Nessa dropped her gaze and her eyes watered, but she did not cry.

"Thank you for your hospitality." said Fredrick, shaking his hands with the King, and kissing the Queens hand. Nessa thanked them as well, and then Fredrick was pushing out the door into the sunlight. Nessa cursed the bright happy sun for shining when she needed weather to match her mood. How could she feel better than sad when she had to be separated by her sister again, her sister who now hated her? Nessa sighed; did Fredrick really hold enough of her heart, to dull the pain of losing Elphaba? Was Fredrick wonderful enough to take the place of her lover and best friend? Did Nessa love him that much? She loved him enough to choose him. Some say love makes us better people, now it seemed loved just made us bastards.

****************

"As odd as this must sound, I might miss her." said Fiyero as he and Elias watched Fredrick and Nessa's carriage round the corner.

"Me too." Elphaba said.