Chapter 61. An Engagement and the Rose Garden
Rifiuto: Non Miniera
Three days later, as the small group sat down to dinner, they discussed the upcoming war. Only when Elphaba and Fiyero entered, did they stand and wait until the couple sat down at the ends of the table. Once they arrived, the rest of the group sat down, and dinner was served.
"Elphie?" Elphaba turned to Glinda.
"Yes, Lady Glinda?" The blonde started, before remembering. The King and Queen had been in meeting all day, with the leaders of the Scrow and Yunamata, discussing how to possibly get out of war; it didn't look promising.
"Um, how did the meetings go?"
Bad thing to say.
Elphaba's face darkened, and instead of speaking, she returned to her dinner. Glinda waited.
"Elphie? How did the meetings go?"
Liir watched the whole exchange, and finally, after getting Glinda's attention, mouthed,
"Don't ask. Never ask how their meetings went. They won't answer. It's private, only between them and those who they meet with."
Glinda nodded, and dropped the matter.
After dinner, the group adjorned in the library for coffee. It was then, that Liir and Candle decided to break the news.
"Everyone, we have an announcement." Elphaba and Fiyero stopped their conversation and turned from the window, to face Liir and Candle. The young couple held hands.
The queen felt her husband's arms wrap around her waist, and they waited.
"Well, what is it son?" Fiyero asked, after a few minutes.
"I asked Candle to marry me, and she said yes. We're engaged."
Gasps and cheers were heard; the young couple was hugged, kissed, and congratulated. Neither the king or queen said anything. Elphaba released herself from her husband's grasp, took his hand, and silently led him out of the library. Not saying anything, they made their way outside, and moved to the garden.
"Oh Elphie, isn't it wonderful? You're going to have a daughter-in-law! Elphie?" Glinda looked around, before going to the window. Opening it, she called the others over. Looking outside, they saw the king and queen walking in the garden, hand in hand, whispering softly to each other. Then, they stopped near the gazebo, and kissed.
Liir smiled, watching his parents share a tender, loving kiss.
"Why are they out there? Why didn't they congratulate you?" Makinla asked. Liir looked at her.
"Because," He started, looking back at his parents. "they already knew about the engagement, we told them this morning before they went to meeting. They congratulated us this morning."
"But why are they out in the garden this late at night?"
"Because, they always walk in the garden at night. They star gaze. They've always done that, since before I was born. It's when they talk softly to each other; they love the evening. And it's where they sometimes spend the night."
"What do you mean spend the night?"
He looked back at Makinla.
"Fae was concieved in the rose garden."