(A/N: oksladokey. Thanks for all the reviews you guys! Alright, a lot of this chapter is just kind of random conversation, but so what! Anyhu, I'm glad you guys are enjoying the story. I apologize in advance for any grammatical or spellign errors, typos etc. But I had to type this really fast and didn't have time to go back. But hey, a typo-ed updated is better than no updat right? So, enjoy!)
"Your Oz--"
"James." James corrected warily.
"Uh...yes sir. Your carriage is ready." he said.
"Nessa, are you ready?" asked James. Nessa was coming along because, well, who knew how Elphaba would react when a complete stranger showed up saying he was her father and that he wanted her to come back to the Emerald City with him, not to them mention the fact that he was the Wizard of Oz.
"Yep." said Nessa.
"I'll see you when you get back," said Fredrick as he leaned down and kissed Nessa lightly.
"Alright," she smiled, "I'll see you soon."
***************
Fiyero, Elphaba and Galinda headed down to the plaza after lunch. Fiyero carried Elphaba everywhere because of her ankle. True, she could have used a wheelchair, but Fiyero's arms were much more preferable. People stared, but for once, she didn't care. They stopped at the dress shop first. It was just like before, Elphaba and Fiyero sat outside of the dressing room while Galinda changed. She would walk out and ask their opinion and they would mutter something that sounded approving but not even glance at what she was wearing.
"Elphie!" Galinda called, "I just found the perfect dress for you!" she squealed, "You have got to try it on!"
"Is it black?" asked Elphaba.
"No, it's dark blue, but it's super pretty and would look gorgeous on you!" Galinda said, hoping Elphaba wouldn't object to the color.
"Dark blue?" asked Elphaba.
"Yeah, really dark blue, but without being navy. Please try it on?" asked Galinda, "For me?"
"Yeah, try it on Fabala." said Fiyero, "For me?"
"Ugh, stop looking at me like that! Both of you!" Elphaba said, "Fine, I'll try the dress on, Galinda, will you help me?" Galinda squealed and bobbled her head and helped Elphaba into the dressing room. When once again, Galinda helped Elphaba out, Fiyero couldn't take his eyes off her. The dress was sleeveless and the material was a dark blue satin, or perhaps silk. It fit her perfectly and didn't clash at all with her skin. It went down to her knees about. She looked like a princess. Elphaba blushed as he stared at her.
"Well?" she asked.
"You look beautiful." Fiyero said. He walked forward and picked up Elphaba and kissed her. She laughed.
"You know, I don't think I've ever been in a dressing room before, I never tried on clothes in stores. I just helped Nessa, I feel so normal and girly." Elphaba said.
"Girly!" Galinda squealed, "Yes! I'm going to make you my new project!"
*************
They bought the dress and Fiyero insisted she wear it the rest of the day. Galinda took her leave sometime around four o'clock. Her father had arranged for a carriage to pick her up for some family bonding time or something along those lines. That left Fiyero and Elphaba.
"The beach?" Fiyero asked.
"The beach." Elphaba agreed.
*************
Elphaba was on Fiyero's back piggy back style as he walked down the beach by the shore.
"Enjoying the ride?" asked Fiyero.
"I don't know, you're kind of bony." Elphaba laughed, poking his back.
"Those aren't bones, those are just really, really, really buff muscles." Fiyero laughed.
"Hmm, well you must be getting quite the work out, carrying me around all day." Elphaba said.
"Ha! I'd hardly constitute carrying you as a work out." Fiyero said, "You and Galinda are as light as feathers."
"I can't believe how easily she liked me." said Elphaba, "And forgave me."
"Galinda's got a good heart. And besides, who wouldn't like you?" Fiyero said.
"Plenty of people." said Elphaba, "But still...how did Galinda react when she first found out?"
"She kind of went into shock and then she cried I think, but it was like, she didn't even pay any attention to the fact that you had technically lied to her, she was just so devastated over what happened to you." said Fiyero, "You know, the whole time you were unconscious, she came and to see you every day and check up on you."
"Really?" asked Elphaba, "I don't understand why Galinda would want to be friends with someone like me, but I'm so glad we're friends."
"Yeah, I'm glad you two have each other. If you ask me, Galinda could use a friend like you." said Fiyero.
"What do you mean?" asked Elphaba.
"Well, I've met some of her other friends. They're shallow and don't care about Galinda at all, but her parents are rich and practically rule Gillikin." said Fiyero.
"Oh, I see." said Elphaba, "And what about you? Do you have many friends?"
"I have Elias." said Fiyero grinning, "But he's on vacation right now. Other than him and Galinda, I don't really have too many friends. There's Avaric, but I haven't seen him in a year or so. He was kind of a pervert, but all guys are at least a little perverted."
"That's interesting." said Elphaba.
"What? That Avaric's a perv?" asked Fiyero, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I just thought you'd have a lot of friends." said Elphaba.
"I'm going to choose to take that as a compliment." Fiyero laughed, "A lot of people like to consider me their friend, but I don't consider them a friend," said Fiyero, "You know what I mean?"
"Well, I can't say I've ever had that experience," said Elphaba, "But other than that, I know what you mean."
*****************
Elphaba and Fiyero sat on their rock. Before heading to the beach, they'd made a stop at the bookshop and Fiyero bought her the next Harry Potter book. She was reading it as they sat on their rock together. She sat in his lap and he ran his fingers through her silken hair.
"How's the ankle?" asked Fiyero after a while.
"I don't know, I haven't really walked on it today." she smiled, "Maybe I'll just make sure it never heals, I could get used to you carrying me everywhere."
"Ah, so you admit you enjoy it!" Fiyero said triumphantly.
"I might." she said, blushing. Fiyero chuckled and kissed her cheek. Elphaba went back to reading and Fiyero went back to watching her.
"Um...Fiyero?" asked Elphaba.
"Yes love?" asked Fiyero, making Elphaba blush. He smiled softly.
"There's something that's been bothering me or I don't know, concerning me I guess. Fiyero, just yesterday I was a slave and now--" Elphaba began, "—I just don't know what to expect for the future, or what will happen. I mean, I've nowhere to go, but I can't stay in the castle with you I don't think..."
"Elphaba," said Fiyero, "Don't' worry about any of that. Of course you can stay in the castle with me, you don't think I'd turn you out would you? Or let my asshole of a father? You'll stay with me, forever, unless of course you don't want to. I could always pay for you to stay somewhere else or something --" Fiyero had never considered the thought that Elphaba might want to leave him, or live somewhere else or have her own life or start anew, "After all, you're not a slave anymore and I won't force you stay. I mean, nobody owns you--"
"You do." Elphaba whispered, shocked at herself for admitting that.
"What?" asked Fiyero, misreading her words, "No Elphaba, I—you're not a slave anymore--"
"No Fiyero," Elphaba said, shaking her head gently and smiling softly at him, "I love you, and if you'll have me, I would love to stay with you in the castle. I meant you own my heart and that's all of me. As long as you're mine, I'll always be yours."
"I'll always love you," said Fiyero, kissing her, "And as long as you're mine, I'll always be yours."
*************
Three days of bliss followed that day. Fiyero and Elphaba spent every waking (and sleeping) moment together. Galinda joined them from breakfast till late afternoon usually. Every day was Sunday. Fiyero carried Elphaba around the castle and the servants all smiled every time the adorable couple passed by. Elphaba hadn't laughed so much in those three days than she had in a whole lifetime. Galinda and Elphaba were closer than ever and Fiyero and Elphaba were even closer. The morning of the fourth day changed everything though.
************
"Tonight." said Frex to the group.
*************
James helped Nessa out of the carriage. She looked up at the castle, it loomed above her and her throat clogged up at the almost exact same scene, only James wasn't Fredrick.
"We're here." she said. James could barely contain himself. Nessa hoped Elphaba wouldn't break his heart, "James, just---don't be too disappointed if Elphaba isn't exactly the daughter you've dreamed of. I warned you she looks different than most people and she doesn't exactly warm up to people quickly...so don't...you know, expect her to love you as soon as you did her."
"Do you think she'll come back with me?" asked James.
"I don't even know what's gone on since I last left." said Nessa, "You should probably ask to see Elias I guess." James nodded and walked up to the door, wheeling Nessa in front of him. The man at the door seemed to go into a bit of a shock.
"Your wizardship! Your Ozness! What-what are you doing here? I mean, I'll announce you, I mean--" The guard quickly stopped and opened the doors, announcing them, "The Wizard and King of Oz and Nessarose Thropp of Munchkinland." There were several gasps from servants as they peaked around the corners to catch a glimpse of the wonderful wizard of Oz. He truly was a loved man throughout Oz. The announcer was beaming like he'd just gotten an A on his homework from his favorite teacher. He looked rather proud of himself. James took no notice to any of their behavior as he waited for the King and Queen of the Vinkus to come. The King and Queen were there in a moment, looking shocked and flustered.
"Your Ozness." said the Queen. James kissed her hand and smiled.
"It's good to see you Lisa, and you too David." said James. He shook hands with the King.
"Your Ozness." said the King, "Did we miss an appointment?"
"No, no, I suppose I probably should have sent word first." said James, "But this couldn't wait."
"Would you like to join us for breakfast?" asked the Queen. She and the King had been eating together without Fiyero for a while now. He wouldn't leave Elphaba's side, and Elphaba didn't want to go near the King. Lisa couldn't say she blamed the poor girl. No one even really noticed Nessa, sitting their awkwardly. Fiyero bounded down the stairs then, out of breath. He'd been asleep with Elphaba when a servant had knocked on the door and woke him up. He told Elphaba to wait upstairs for him while he greeted the guest.
"Sorry," he panted, "I was just told that – oh, hey Nessa!" Fiyero didn't even notice the Wizard standing there as he went over to Nessa and gave her a quick one-armed hug. She smiled that he didn't hate her.
"It's good to see you Fiyero." she said.
"Yeah." said Fiyero, "You too." then he seemed to see the Wizard, "Oh, dude, I mean, Ozhip," wait that's not his name, Ozguy, no, Ozgirl, no, Oz...man? Yeah, that's it. "Sorry your Ozman, uh...welcome to the Vinkus?" said Fiyero. Lisa rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile. David threw his arms up in the air in exasperation.
"This is our son Fiyero." said David, gesturing towards Fiyero. Fiyero and James shook hands. James laughed loudly at Fiyero.
"Nice to meet you." said James, "Call me James, although, I wouldn't mind Ozdude."
"Right," said Fiyero, "Ozdude."
"So, breakfast?" asked the Queen. James agreed, he didn't want to seem rude and just ask to see some servant and not accept their invitation to breakfast, but he really wanted to meet Elphaba.
************
Elphaba slept another ten minutes while Fiyero was gone and then got up and got dressed, careful not to put too much weight on her foot. She wore on of the dark blue casual sundresses Fiyero had gotten her. She read a book while she waited for Fiyero, but she finished it quickly. She looked around the room for anything else to entertain her. She sighed when she found nothing. The library sounded really fun about now, but how was she going to get there? It was the farthest room from the room she was in now and the castle was really big with several stair cases. She looked at her ankle and put a little weight on it. She could limp there, it didn't hurt that much. Perhaps she needed to stop babying her ankle anyway, then it would heal faster. Perhaps if she walked on it enough she wouldn't notice the pain. She was wrong on that part, her ankle hurt like hell, but she was closer to the library than her room now, so she kept going, it would be pointless to come all this way and then go back to her room, which was by now further away than the library. Shit, that really hurt. She winced again as she took a few more steps.
***************
Breakfast was very delicious and Lisa was glad to have her son back at the table with his family. Fiyero sat next to Nessa and talked her most of the time while James made polite conversation with David and Lisa.
"So Fiyero, where's your shadow?" asked Lisa.
"Well, I think she's sleeping." said Fiyero, "I should probably go back before she goes wandering around on ends up breaking her other ankle."
"Your shadow?" asked Nessa, "Galinda?"
"No," said Fiyero, for a moment he forgot Nessa and Elphaba were sisters, that they knew each other, so he didn't explain, "Someone else." Nessa was disappointed in his vague answer.
"The slave girl." said the King as a description.
"Stop calling her that!" Fiyero yelled, "She's got a name--"
"Fiyero, why don't you take James and Nessa on a tour of the castle?" asked Lisa before David and Fiyero got into another shouting match.
"Alright," said Fiyero, jumping at the chance to get away from his father. He left the dining room and James and Nessa followed, James pushing Nessa, "Um...I s'pose we can go to the library first." said Fiyero. It was silent as they walked down the hall. Nessa wanted to ask Fiyero who the servant girl was he was in love with. Nessa could tell that Fiyero loved whoever this servant girl was by the way he defended her and the look in his eyes. A pained but beautiful voice reached them, coming from around the corner. Nessa froze as she realized who it was. Elphaba, she was about to see her sister again. Fiyero immediately recognized the voice too. He saw Elphaba turn the corner then, one hand on the wall to help her walk as she limped slowly, cursing every time she took a step.
"Damn it!" she muttered as pain shot through her leg as she took another step. Fiyero quickly went to her.
"Elphaba!" Fiyero scolded, "I told you not to walk with your ankle like that. From one side of the room to the other I can understand but Oz Elphaba, your room is clear on the other side of the castle and there are all of those stairs...." he quickly scooped her up in his arms and pressed a kiss to her forehead. James froze as he saw the poor girl limping towards them, and he heard her name. Elphaba.....that was Nessa's sister's name, this was---this was his daughter! She was perfect, he had never expected any child of his to be so beautiful, or have such a beautiful voice. Her skin sure was something unusual, but in a beautiful way. Elphaba's resemblance to Melena made James' heart break and warm at the same time.
"Oh, thank Oz Fiyero, my ankle hurts like hell." she said, as she relaxed in Fiyero's arms, closing her eyes briefly in exhaustion.
"Are you ok?" he asked, worry etched on his face, "You probably made it worse you know."
"Probably." she sighed, "I was bored and you were taking forever and I wanted to go the library..."
"Elphaba?" Nessa said quietly. Elphaba's eyes snapped open as she heard that voice.
"Nessa?" she asked as Fiyero turned around and Nessa came into view, "What-what are you doing here?"
"What's going on? I thought you were Fiyero's servant and he didn't know you and stuff...I'm so confused!" Nessa said, "How much happened while I was gone?"
"A lot happened Nessa." said Fiyero, suddenly remembering Nessa was Elphaba's sister.
"Well, it seems with both got critical news to exchange." said Nessa.
"We'll discuss it in the library." said Fiyero. James quickly shot forward to open the door for Fiyero to the library. Elphaba suddenly took notice of him.
"Fiyero, is that the Wizard of Oz?!" she whispered into Fiyero's ear.
P.S - I'm going to ask you all's opinion because I can't choose, so which name do you guys like the best?: Ben, Daniel, Nate, Nathaniel or Aiden. If you have another name you like besides those for a guy, tell me. I'm not going to tell you why I need to know which name you guys like because that would spoil updates to come! Thank you!