DISCLAIMER: in the first chapter...

A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful reviews. Two things. LaurenneTiggular... I haven't really explained Liir in a mor edetailed manner, but it's like Elphaba brought him back with her - without knowing of course. Second thing, I was told there are spelling mistakes... I apologize. When I have time, I'll go over each chap and correct them.

Now, more!! Hope ou continue liking it.

MARRIAGE & INTRIGUE

Brilly Tigullar considered herself a lady above all else. She was proud of that. And, even though she shared her husband's worry and, to a certain degree, suspicion where Elphaba Thropp was concerned, Brilly hadn't allowed herself to show it. Albe had all but screamed at their son, attempting to make him see reason. Fiyero had lost his normally even temper right back at his father.

"Absolutely not, Fiyero!"

"I am not requesting, Father!"

So, contained, Brilly had nothing else to do but watch the heated discussion and the green girl stuck in the middle of it. Elphaba had not lowered her head, as most would have. Yet, her eyes seemed focused so far away, that it was almost like she wasn't there at all. There was an old quality to her silence and the heavy weight upon her shoulders. Brilly felt deeply for the girl. Still, getting pregnant out of wedlock! Unacceptable. And, could it even be guaranteed that the child would be Fiyero's?

Though she wouldn't put it past her son.

The drawing came to the forefront of her mind. A ruse, perhaps?

"You are being irrational! Think of the future of your people, son!"

"I am! Their future prince is not being born outside the Vinkus or this palace!"

Fiyero, apparently, had nothing else to discuss. He stormed out. Elphaba didn't startle, as his parents did. With a soft rolling of her eyes, the green girl glanced briefly at Albe, then at Brilly.

"Your Majesties." With no further word or gesture, Elphaba left, probably retracing the Prince's steps. Brilly had to admire her composure.

"Stubborn boy!" Albe's face shone beet red. "Doesn't he realize the repercussions his actions have?" The king turned to face his wife. "Seduced so easily!"

"Fiyero, I'm sure, had a part in all of this. Besides… If the child is his… I don't think we have a choice but get this wedding over with before she starts showing." Brilly sighed. "I have my suspicions regarding this whole thing too, Albe, but she is the daughter of the Governor of Munchkinland. Be glad she isn't a nobody our son picked out of spite."

"How can we be sure the child is his? That girl is probably manipulating our son into getting married." Albe had yet to lower his voice.

Brilly, fighting with the lady propriety within herself that would be abhorred if she shouted back at her husband, shot him a poignant glare and made to follow the departed couple. The irate man protested, but went ignored. Knowing her son, he probably had stormed off towards the eastern garden, his favorite. Voices echoing around her proved her theory true once she neared the luscious garden.

"No, Fae, don't give me that look. He's not right!"

"Put yourself in his shoes, Fiyero. He is trying to protect you."

"From whom?"

"Me."

Now, as a lady, Brilly would never indulge in something like eavesdropping. That was for maids and giggling school girls. Still, hidden, accidentally of course, behind the arch, the garden's main entrance, Brilly couldn't bring herself to announce her presence. So, technically, it might be considered eavesdropping, but the Queen would never call it that. She was merely passing by.

"I don't want to be protected from you. I don't need to be protected from you!" The tenderness of that sentence was quickly replaced by anger.

"Yero. Please take a seat, you're making me dizzy with all this pacing."

"Elphaba! How can you possibly be calm! Don't you see what this could mean? Liir would be without a father!"

"Fiyero, there are too many exclamation points in your speech; it's giving me a headache. Please try not to be overly dramatic. You sound like Galinda."

"I don't care! Who does he think he is, telling me Liir is not my son!"

"Are you sure he is?" Elphaba's voice was so low, barely a whisper, that Brilly almost didn't catch it. "I told you a story. How can you believe it without proof?" The Queen was curious herself, though she didn't miss the sincerity in Elphaba's voice.

"I saw the drawing…" Elphaba scoffed. "I see it in your eyes, Fae. The love and the worry and the anguish."

The quiet rustling of fabric and the prolonged silence from the pair, drew Brilly curiosity and she chanced a glance around the green leaves that hid her from view. Fiyero's broad back was the first thing she saw. Another step forward. Elphaba's face appeared next. They were sitting together, eyes locked and hands entwined.

The girl was gently caressing her son's dark hair, eyes fixed on his with profound intensity. Her lips held a sad smile; small and gentle. Love shone clearly from her, there was no denying it.

"I just… don't want to loose you again. Couldn't bare that." Tears welled into Elphaba's brown eyes as she spoke.

"I didn't die, though. I came back."

"Yeah… but for that little while, I really thought… Thinking you had been gone, because of me… I nearly lost my mind, Yero."

"Fae." A tortured sigh escaped Fiyero's lips. "Please don't use this as a sign to leave me. You've changed things. We can be happy now."

"A sign?" Elphaba seemed amused, but quickly turned serious. "Yero, my hero. Forget your own point of view for a second. Don't you see your father's argument has validity? This could weaken your control over the Vinkus."

"I don't care!"

"I know…" she grabbed his chin, making sure he understood her words. "I know what you would be willing to sacrifice for this, for us." Fiyero's hand enfolded her smaller one, tenderly. "What I need you to know is that I would be the one who would have to live with the consequences of your sacrifice." Choke. "And, I can't… not again."

"Like I told you, Fae, you've changed things. The Animal Bann's. The Wizard's plans…"

"Have I really? How can we trust that man's word, Fiyero."

"Everything is changing for the better. Why can't you be happy?"

Elphaba looked away, retreating into herself. "Happy ever after is just not for everyone, Yero."

Arms enfolded thin shoulders, green fingers clutching the black fabric of her own sleeves. Head fell forward, black curtains of thick hair hiding it from view. Embracing herself, hunched, Elphaba looked so very small. And fragile. Instead of being moved, though, Fiyero became angry. He jumped up, arms waving around, uncoordinated.

"That's it!?" Pause. "What about you? You can't return to your father's house. You're pregnant, so Shiz's out, too! The Wizard? I think, even considering the new developments, you wouldn't trust him! So, no money, no job, no home…No where to go! So, tell me, what are you going to do?"

Elphaba shock her head slightly and looked up. "I've been through worse, I can handle it! Besides, I don't own you any explanations! Maybe I should leave." Elphaba actually rose from her seat, making good on her threat.

"Stop!" Fiyero's yell was so passionate and thunderous that Brilly herself was startled; her sudden jerk upset the bush near her feet. Her son, his tirade far from over and Elphaba, too busy flinching, paid the disturbance no mind. Brilly sighed, relieved. "Stop pushing people away! Stop pushing me away!" As soon as he lost his patience, he deflated, voice softening. "You don' have to always be so strong, to be the one to take care of others." Sigh. "Let me take care of you, Fae." The Prince neared Elphaba, taking her hand in his.

"I don't need…" A slender finger landed softly on her dark lips, preventing anymore words from escaping.

"Don't you want to, though?

A tear sliding down a perfectly colored emerald cheek was the only answer Brilly was privy to. The Queen of the Vinkus, eyes shinning and heart heavy, stepped slowly away. The scene had grown too intimate and she felt guilty for invading it. Lost in thought, she wandered aimlessly through Kiamo Eiver's grounds.

No denying the strong bond between them….

"Brilly?"

Albe materialized in front of her an undetermined amount of time later. She raised her head, eyes meeting his worried ones. It was only when his thumbs brushed her cheek, wiping the wetness away, that Brilly took notice of her own tears.

"Bril? Honey?"

"I… I think we should allow them to marry. Soon. Before she starts showing." Albe knew, better than anyone, how his wife could be easily driven by emotion. Yet, gazing at her beautiful blue orbs, he saw more than that. They shone with determination, willing for him to understand what words didn't, or couldn't convey. The tall king slid an arm around his wife's slender shoulders; for comfort and for guidance. He led her to the their private room, carefully, and closed the door behind them.

Silence permeated the halls once more.

And…

In the eastern garden, a long way away, the loving young couple held onto each other fiercely. No room, or air, or doubt amid their bodies. Lips locked, arm's tangled, black hair flowing gently in the breeze. Time passed. The sun kissed the mountain in the distance, the sky darkened, save a few scattered rays of colors. Darkness was soon complete.

And, through it all, the couple remained, simply lost in each other.

For this single moment in time…they simply were.

Worries would be left for tomorrow.