Chapter 91. A Child's Stone

Rifiuto: Non Miniera

Thanks to James Birdsong and Elphaba1Fan for reviewing 90.

Elphaba was able to get up and move around by herself by the end of the week. At the end of two weeks, she was able to attend meeting and sit through it without growing weak. By the time three weeks rolled around, she was back to her usual self- reading in the library, helping the cook and her staff in the kitchen, wandering the gardens in the early afternoon light. She was smiling and laughing again, chatting with Glinda about fashion or discussing the affiars of Munchkinland with Nessa. She'd discuss great Ozian literature with Boq, helped Candle and Liir plan the wedding, and spent time whispering with Fiyero again.

However, she had also become distant from the others. At first, no one noticed, but soon, they all became increasingly aware that Elphaba was pulling away from them. She'd get far away looks in her eyes, or spend time looking out the window. She'd curl into a side of the sofa or armchair, and play with loose strands of her hair. Fiyero at first attributed it as the last affects of the flu, but it soon became apparent that something else was bothering his queen.

So finally, one evening after dinner, Fiyero approached her.

His hands slid down her sides, and around her waist, pulling her gently too him. Her breath caught in a gasp, and she jumped.

"Did I scare you? I seem to have that affect on people." He whispered in her ear, before kissing her neck gently. Elphaba choked out a soft sob, tears gliding down her cheeks. She reached up and brushed them off her cheek, sobbing quietly. Fiyero gently pulled away and looked at her. "Fae? What's wrong love?"

No response.

Gently, his placed a soft kiss on her neck, and then gently rested his forehead against her temple.

"Tell me, sweetheart. What's got you so upset?"

"No!" Elphaba cried out, ripping herself from his embrace. She fled the castle, and rushed to the garden, leaving Fiyero and everyone else in stunned silence.

Breaking into a run, Elphaba gathered her skirts and rushed through the rose garden. Her feet soon brought her to the family cemetery. As she pushed the wrought iron gate open, her eyes scanned the old stones for one in particular. Taking shaking breaths, she moved towards it, skirting around the stone of Fiyero's great-grandfather. She passed by Amanida Merkin, Fiyero's aunt, who married Prince Merkin of the Kentanin and then died at age eighteen. Her death had been caused when poison had been slipped into the food of the Kentanin royal family, killing all of them.

Her skirt billowed out behind her, and snagged on a jagged part of Prince Irji's stone, the son of King Sarqu, Fiyero's great-great-great-great-great-grandfather. Elphaba tugged, and landed on her knees. The fall knocked the wind out of her. She stayed on the ground for a few minutes, catching her breath, and then got up slowly, before turning around and yanking at her skirt. The material ripped, and Elphaba then dropped the skirt, and continued on.

Finally, she made it to the desired stone. Collapsing on her knees, her eyes took in the small headstone.

White marble, with a little marble bouquet of roses on top. Elphaba's eyes ran down the front of the headstone.

Melena Linda Tiggular

May 31st, 1899

Beloved daughter, sister, and granddaughter

May you rest with the angels

Tears tumbled down her cheeks, as she wrapped her arms around herself. Letting out a sob, she rocked back and forth, her heart breaking.

Two hours later, footsteps disturbed the ground behind her. She didn't look up. The footsteps stopped, and soon, she felt hands resting on her arms. She choked out a sob, as Fiyero knelt behind her, and wrapped her tightly in his arms. He didn't say anything, but rested his chin on her shoulder, and kissed her ear.

"My darling."

"Y--Yero?"

"Yes, my love?" He whispered. Elpaba turned, reavealing long, red welts on her cheeks.

"W---Why did he have to take her?" She cried, breaking down completely.

He didn't say a thing, but pulled her into his arms, and rocked her gently back and forth, running his fingers through her hair in a comforting rhythm.