An: First I want to thank all who had reviewed the last chapter, thank you so much! Reading those reviews were absolutely wonderful. Also, just an F.Y.I for those of you who had watched the Super Bowl the outfit which Elphaba is wearing is the same outfit which Beyonce wore. Just wanted to give a heads up, just in case if the outfit isn't described very well. Thanks again to those who reviewed and I hope you all enjoy this chapter. A little bit more is going to be revealed here, so, enjoy!
The crack of the whip struck the air, splitting emerald skin, causing a surfeit of crimson raindrops to spill to the ground in a cascade of gore. Old rustic chains, twisted metal and broken clatter in a faint whispering kiss to the darkened air, before the crack of lightning once again tears through the ebony darkness, shredding emerald skin once again.
Heavy panting echoed in the damp, dank room, mirrored in time to the thundering crash, and bite, of the leather whip. Shadows on the wall, dance to the symphony of pain, for with each violent crack of the whip, the naked figure of a woman, writhes and thrashes against her bonds.
A woman, tall, and lean, hangs in the air, her arms bound above her head by the rustic chains, whilst the tip of her toes barely touch the sandy ground; a lake of crimson blood, ripples with each violent beat of the whip, beneath her.
The rustic chains dig into her wrists, slicing the emerald skin beneath, all the way to the bone. Her entire body is covered in bruises, gashes, and lacerations deep enough, to reveal the ivory bones, stained in blood. Her raven hair clings to her sweat beaten forehead, caked in blood and other fluids. A bone, half cracked, protrudes from her hip, slowly cutting through the thin layers of skin. Her right arm hangs in a twisted position, dislocated at the shoulder and elbow.
The poor victim of violent tides writhes before the dancing flames, a perverse interplay of light and darkness. Twisted, and vile to those still touched, and protected by the wretched Light on high.
A dark Shadow towers over the beaten, broken woman. Her dark, chocolate eyes stare lifeless as the great hulking beast slithers closer towards her.
The Beasts form, faded and blurred, slowly comes into focus. A small gasp, slips past the woman's torn lips, as her eyes reveal at the creatures body massive, with rippling muscles glistening in the firelight.
Weakly, the woman's chocolate eyes dip below the creature's waist, to stare awestruck at its mighty hand, where black talons clutch tight to a chain glowing red in the darkness, sizzling the dew drops spilling from the dampened air.
With a roar, the Shadow flicks the red-hot chains towards the woman's back, searing and tearing the flesh away. A hiss of pain, slips past her lips as the Shadow draws back, and rakes the red-hot chains a few more times across her back.
''Scream!" roars the Shadow.
"Never" growls the woman, her voice straining due to the agonizing pain, seizing her body.
The flesh beneath the chains sizzles, as blood starts to bubble to the surface. The woman trembles as the chains once again crash down upon her body.
Clenching her teeth, the woman forces her body to remain upright, as another wave of agonizing pain, tears through her beaten form.
"I'll never scream!" roars the woman.
'Give in? Why fight it…your flesh is weak, as is your soul…screams, and all this suffering shall end" growls the Shadow.
"I'll never surrender to you! I'll never surrender! I'll never" replies the woman, her teeth and eyes clench as soul-crushing pain, slices through her body once more.
Something, from the pit of her stomach, starts to stir, growing stronger with each violent crash of the chains. A tingling rises within her, before consuming her entire body, filling her with a newfound strength, and determination.
Her eyes snap open, as the strange surge ignites within her. Her eyes flash towards the Shadow, the smooth chocolate vanishes, replaced by emptiness, and darkness.
"SURRENDER!" roars the woman.
Instantly, the power building within the woman's body ignites, causing a shockwave of power to explode outward, knocking the creature to the ground, and cutting the chains, binding the woman to the wall.
The Shadow watches awestruck, as the woman lithely lands in a graceful pose on the ground, her head bowed low.
Smiling, the Shadow rises to his feet once more. Slowly, he steps towards the woman. Reaching down, the Shadow's long, ebony talons lightly glide across the slender slope of the woman's chin, raising her head till her ebony eyes almost glare back into his icy blues.
"You…are ready. Take your place by my side. Herald the Darkness…Open the Gates of Darkness…and walk beside Chaos"
"Yes…master" bows the woman.
The Shadow smiles, revealing large, glistening ebony fangs, dripping with venom. Dropping the chains, the Shadow extends his talons out towards the woman.
"The Tyme of Darkness is upon us…go Deliverer…and strike the wretched chains which hold us prisoner…bring forth Chaos!"
Glinda stared out the double paned glass windows, watching absently as the scenery flew by. The vast emerald fields beheld an ocean of exotic flowers, each blooming in a variety of shades, sparkle within the golden sunlight. As Galinda stares off into the field, her mind, slowly starts to drift within the sea of memories, memories to that horrendible night, when her best friend, disappeared, swallowed into darkness.
The landscape fades blurring the fine lines between fantasy, and desire. The blonde's dark, cerulean eyes clouds over, as the phantom figure to the one both seek and desire, slowly begins to meld before her eyes.
It was her, just as she had remembered her, before that tragic night, when darkness came like a hunter, swooping down, and capturing its prey, before disappearing once again beneath a curtain of ebony silk.
Tears flood her eyes, at seeing the darkness once swirling like violent tides within her eyes, slowly fades giving way to smooth, velvety chocolate. Her long raven hair dances around her. Small strands, lithe like ebony silk, flicker across the emerald witch's face, darkening her features.
"Oz Galinda when will you grow up" echoes Elphaba's voice within the empty void, of Galinda's mind.
The tears bubbling along the fine edges of the blonde's eye, sparkle, before dancing down her slender cheek, once the ghostly whisper of her friend's voice echo within the emptiness surrounding her. The sarcasm laced deep within her words, still cannot mask the small traces of a teasing tone, hidden deep within.
"Galinda?"
Sniffling, Galinda turns to stare teary-eyed back at Fiyero, looking back at her, eyes filled with worry.
"Galinda…what's wrong?" asks Fiyero. Gently, he cups the blonde's cheek, as his thumb carefully wipes away a few stray tears.
"I miss her" croaks Galinda.
That one statement, so innocent, yet filled with pain, undid the barricade that Fiyero had set up around his heart, protecting it from heartache, from pain, and sorrow.
A pang of pain, sliced across his already broken heart, ripping open the old wound, and inflicting new ones to dart across his heart, making blood spill once more, showering his soul in a crimson waterfall.
Closing his heart off, Fiyero fights to keep the tears pooling within his eyes, from spilling. Chocking back his tears, Fiyero merely nods back at the blonde, as his throat constricts with the threat of his tears.
Seeing the pain reflected deep within Fiyero's eyes, undoes whatever restraints the blonde had successfully built up within her. Bursting into tears, Galinda buries her face into Fiyero's shirt. Her small body trembles violently with each heart wrenching sob, beating in an almost perfect tempo with her breaking heart.
Wrapping his arms around the blonde, Fiyero's eyes slowly drift towards the window, his mind, a thousand miles away. He simply could not look at the blonde, for if he did, all his self-restraint, would shatter, and he too, would become a sobbing mess. One of them needed to be strong, and that burden fell upon Fiyero's shoulders.
He missed Elphaba, more than he dared even admit to himself. He loved the emerald woman, more than life itself. And regardless of his pre-arrangement in the Vinkus, Fiyero was more than willing to defy his parents, his kingdom, even the throne, in order to spend the rest of his life, with the love of his life.
It was strange, not yet three days ago he and Galinda had stumbled upon a horrendible sight of Elphaba, lying limp, her body contorted in a most gruesome of positions, and bathed in a pool of blood, on the grounds of Shiz University. A mere three days ago, when they had found her, beaten, raped by Oz knows how many men. Three days passed, when Elphaba caved into darkness, attacking those who loved her, before disappearing into the night. Three days passed, when their perfect bubble of existence, shattered.
Fiyero never knew exactly what transpired, after Galinda rushed out of Nessa's dorm room. All he knew was that Galinda had returned hours later, with two tickets to the Emerald City and a personal invitation to see the Wizard himself.
Though skeptical, Fiyero still agreed to journey to the City of Emeralds with Galinda, hoping, praying, that whatever the blonde had up her sleeve, it would help lead him towards finding Fae.
Throughout the journey though, Galinda had been seized with horrendible nightmares. Nightmares, which left the blonde screaming, before bursting into tears, sobbing uncontrollably, almost inconsolable, for hours into Fiyero's shirt, before she finally passed out. She never revealed exactly what, her nightmares were of, but Fiyero could easily guess.
Days before boarding the train, Fiyero had locked himself within the musty confines of Shiz's elaborate library, reading everything he could get his hands on regarding Demonic Possessions, and Dark Magick. Galinda, quirked an eyebrow at him, before asking skeptically as to why, he would dare read such dark, twisted subjects.
Fiyero, merely shrugged his shoulders, half ignoring the blonde's glares as he nonchalantly waved her away, and returned to his reading.
A part of her was irritated by Fiyero's behavior, yet a another part of her; a much stronger part, couldn't help but smile, at the way Fiyero's mere wave of the hand, reminded Galinda of the many times the green girl, did the very same thing to her, dismissing her, before returning to the musty old pages of her books.
Galinda had asked many of times to the reasons why, he had chosen those particular books. Fiyero, though wanting more than anything to tell the blonde, merely bit his tongue, and returned to his pages. He knew it was killing her, but he simply couldn't reveal to the delicate blonde to the reasons why. For when Fiyero was going over all of Elphaba's injuries, he had negated informing the blonde, about the two strange intricate wounds, carved deep within Elphaba's inner thigh, near her center.
It was strange marking, one that Fiyero had never seen before. At first, he thought they were mere bite marks, another sign to the brutality which his Elphaba had suffered from by these brutes. But, upon closer inspection, the bite marks looked more intricate, as if symbolic to some horrendible cult. So, he searched, desperate to find the answers to the quandaries which encircled his head day and night.
He did find, in many old, dusty tomes, regarding ancient prophecies and rituals for summoning demons, and other such mythical creatures of darkness. One story though, stuck out the most in Fiyero's mind; an ancient prophecy of a Seeker, a servant to the Dark entity known as Chaos, to search out a virgin vessel for its master. Upon marking her with the symbol, Chaos, and its Six Tempests of Darkness, would enter the vessel, consuming it from the inside out, hallowing the person from the inside out, before taking complete control.
The Vessel though, had to be special, one who was born with exotic blood unknown to this world or the others, with powers unimaginable, and a soul, shattered by the hatred of those who were blind. The Vessel would be the one to herald in the Darkness, plummeting the World into Chaos, enslaving all and beyond.
Course that alone wasn't what chilled Fiyero to the bones. No, what did was what the book foretold in regards to the Vessels soul. For as the demon's took possession over the Vessel, its soul, would slowly start to diminish, fading from this world, casting it into the Shadows of Silence, never to return.
If indeed this was what had happened to Elphaba, then he and Galinda had a limited amount of time to breaking Elphaba free from this Curse, before her soul would be cast into darkness forever.
"Fae where are you" whispers Fiyero, his eyes scanning the vast landscape leading towards the Emerald City.
Fiyero's mind wandered, as the great train heading towards the Emerald City entered into the last ebony tunnel, leading them to the entrance to the city.
There arrival to the Emerald City was no better, especially since Fiyero continued to grump over the attendant in the Box cars, the one who Galinda conveniently reminded Fiyero of her flirtatious behavior.
"Even you can't be that brainless to tell exactly what she wanted" retorts Galinda, fighting with all her might not to burst into giggles.
Fiyero and Galinda were making their way through the city, to the Emerald Palace cast-iron gates. Fiyero was trying yet failing to balance the thousands of personalized bags the blonde felt she needed for this trip, whilst trying not to run into anyone, or anything.
"And that would be?" growled Fiyero, swinging gracefully out of the way of a couple, who refused to part for the Prince.
Suddenly, Galinda stopped in the center of the city, her back rigid, as her eyes stared off into the distance. A light breeze swept past, taking with it a few loose strands of the blonde's hair.
Fiyero stared absently as the straggled pieces almost danced in the wind, like silk on the edge of the breeze, sparkling in the sunlight.
Slowly, Galinda turned back to face Fiyero, the look of calm on her pale, delicate features.
"She wanted to touch you" retorts Galinda, her voice smooth and even.
" . .Me?" repeats Fiyero, in a very low, dark voice.
"Yes" replies Galinda, before whipping back around, only of course to hide the large smile, currently pulling at the sides of her slender lips.
Regaining her composure, the blonde regally stepped down the cobblestone street, towards the large, imposing gates that separated the people of the Emerald City, from the Palace of Emeralds, and the Wizard.
"Again. Woman" repeats Fiyero flatly.
Sighing, Fiyero pulls the strap to one of Galinda's hand bags over his shoulder, before following the blonde towards the gates.
Fiyero stood frozen as the world around him, spun at an increasingly sickening motion, and he was unable to stop it, or speak. It had only been a few minutes past, when he and Galinda had stepped through the gates to the Emerald Palace, led to the great ornate doors which beheld the Wizard of Oz himself.
He had to admit, the great golden head was scary, but what he hadn't expected, was a timid old man stepping out from behind the great giant Oz head.
Fiyero eyed the man, taking in all his features. He was old, that much he could tell. What with the small, yet noticeable wrinkles around his eyes, and at the corners of his lips. His hair was silver; yet looked soft as silk, slicked back and half hidden beneath a large tan colored hat. He wore a tan colored jacked over a dark blue vest and black silk shirt. His pants were the same color, yet cut and shaped very oddly.
Course, that wasn't his only surprise. Not only was the Wizard a man, but he had no magickal powers what so ever. And to top it off, his new Press Secretary turned out to be none other than Madame Morrible herself…the codfish.
Fiyero remained numb, as the voices of the Wizard, and Morrible swirled around him. He listened, frozen, as they explained to the naive Galinda, how they knew that she was the talented one, not Elphaba. That the magick the strange emerald girl of Shiz possessed was merely just a mirage, an illusion, that her own magick was what allowed the Artichoke to do all those strange things.
Galinda merely stood there, rigid, with the Wizard on one side, Morrible on the other, both cackling in her ears. She tried with all her might, to shut out their voices, and more importantly, the voice of doubt starting to creep into her mind.
Fiyero watched helplessly, as Morrible placed the rustic tome in the blonde's outstretched arms. With a sneer, and a wave of her hands, the book flew open, the pages flipping Magickally by themselves, before settling on a particular page.
"What funny writing" murmured the blonde.
The pages were almost a golden color, with faint splotches of black. The ink however, was a darker gold color. But that wasn't what intrigued the blonde, for the letters on the page, seemed to swirl and twist on their own accord in a magnificent explosion of gold, purple and green, making deciphering the words, incredibly difficult.
"It's the long lost language of spells…only those talented in magick can read it" smiles Morrible.
"Can you?" squeaks Galinda.
"Only a couple, but that was after hours upon hours of staring down at the pages" frowns Morrible, obviously unhappy at revealing her own inadequacies.
"Oh…and…what does that…have to do with me?" asks Galinda.
"Can you read it?" pipes in the Wizard's voice.
"Can I what?" asks Galinda surprised.
"Can you read it…can you decipher the words?" asks the Wizard, trying hard to keep his patients with the petite blonde.
Galinda's eyes drifted down towards the ancient parchment. Her brow furrowed, as her dark, cerulean eyes followed the dancing letters on the page. She tried with all of her might, to force the letters to move into a coherent sentence, a sentence or word which she could make sense of.
At one point, Galinda had thought a word had appeared. But just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared in a plum of color, receding back into the gossamer myst, swirling around the golden letters.
Letting out a sigh of frustration, Galinda turned back to the Wizard and Morrible, both looking anxiously back at her.
"I cannot" replies Galinda simply.
"You can't or wont?" sneers Morrible.
"I can't! The words will not sit still long enough for me to read them" whines Galinda.
"Then sending you here was a waste of time" snarls Morrible, before snapping the book closed.
"But…but Elphie…you promised!" cries Galinda.
"I promised to help you, if you could do one easy task for me! Obviously even that is too hard for a dim-witted egotistical socialite like yourself" snarls Morrible, before walking away.
Fiyero watched, as Galinda's tiny body began to tremble, her hands once resting placid by her side, fisted and shook with unrequited anger. Tears flooded her eyes and her cheeks began to turn red with rage, and humiliation. This was not how you treat a Upland. No one, not even her own servants, talked to her like this.
This concept was new to the blonde, one that she didn't particularly like. She didn't like it when Elphie spoke to her in such tonation, and she definitely didn't like it when Morrible did either.
He was about to take a step towards the former HeadShiztress, when Galinda's small voice, stopped him. Startled, Fiyero turned to stare shocked, at his friend.
The tears were gone, replaced by determination. The redness in her cheeks vanished, revealing her creamy, oleander skin.
"I cannot read the book…yet" quipped Galinda, before turning to face Morrible and the Wizard. A fire burned deep within her eyes, making the blue come alive "but I will"
Smiling, Morrible and the Wizard flash a small, confident smile, before stepping back up to the blonde. Morrible, wraps an around Galinda's shoulder, before gently prodding her to follow her down the long, emerald corridor.
"Excellent my dear…simply excellent"
Fiyero couldn't move, nor could he think. Did he just see what he thought he saw? Did Galinda just cave to the Wizards desire, had he been the only one, who picked up on the hidden meaning behind his words?
Though he pretended to be brainless, Fiyero actually was, a very smart young man, for he knew all too well what the Wizard and Morrible had planned.
It was simple really, a method he had seen his father use countless of times. To win the allegiance of many, you need only use a scapegoat, a black sheep in order to create fear, and panic. Add a hero with incredible power, and viola! You have the peoples trust, and love.
Unfortunately, Elphaba, was the ace in the hole, the trick up his sleeve that the Wizard needed in order to gain complete control over the people of Oz, by making her the great enemy of the land, forcing the people to come crawling to the Wizard, begging, pleading for his protection. In which, Galinda would rise as the people champion, a White Witch with incredible power, the power of Goodness on her side, to best the evil Wicked one.
Fiyero almost had to laugh at the sheer ludicrously of this whole ploy. Firstly, the Wizard nor Morrible truly knew, nor seemed to care of the circumstances which led the green girl of Shiz, to turn on her friends. Nor were they honestly concerned in helping her. All they were interested in was furthering their own agenda.
At times, Fiyero became suspicious that perhaps, the Wizard and Morrible somehow were a factor in all that had transpired up to this point. But then, why, and how in Oz was Morrible able to summon a demon to take possession over Elphaba's body?
Course, Galinda was quick to add, that it was not a for sure as to it really being a demonic possession, or the crude, ugly truth that their beloved friend back at Shiz, really was Wicked.
Course, what neither Fiyero nor Galinda realized was that once Elphaba was apprehended, Morrible would use the Grimmerie to gain control over her, wielding the greatest Oz had ever seen, to help her ascend to the Throne of Oz.
Morrible had convincingly lied to the blonde, telling her that if she took the position of the Speaker of Oz, then she would help train her in the ways of magick, teaching her spells from the Grimmerie, and then from the Book of Arycetia; a book of spells, even more powerful, then the Grimmerie.
The months turned into years, Galinda continued her training in sorcery, and eventually grew stronger with each passing day. Though her power grew, Morrible still wasn't satisfied, for her powers were still not to the level which Morrible would have liked, not to the level of her star pupil that is. She had finally mastered a Bubble spell, which would allow the blonde to travel throughout the land.
Fiyero, though reluctantly, joined the Gale Force, and eventually moved up to become Captain of the Guards. Which he guessed was largely due to his status as the Vinkun Prince.
Fiyero used his position as the Captain of the Guard, to journey throughout the Land of Oz, unnoticed, and not under the suspicious eyes of Morrible and the Wizard.
Onward, Fiyero pushed his men, hoping, praying to find the mysterious green girl who stole his heart from Shiz, and disappeared silently, into the night. But as always, he came back empty handed, and no closer to finding the emerald sorceress.
When Fiyero wasn't spending time scouring the realms of Oz, he was with Galinda, discussing the goings on in the Emerald Palace. Course, as time went by, Galinda became more and more cautious over what, exactly she told Fiyero, which frustrated him to no end. He needed to know what the Wizard and Morrible were up to, especially if he wanted to stay one step ahead.
As time went by, the blonde became more and more distant from Fiyero, often opting to spend time with the Wizard, or Oz forbid, Morrible. Her nightmares though, were becoming increasingly worse.
At first, she refused to let spill exactly what her nightmares were about. But on one particular day, exhausted and suffering under the stress of a headache, Galinda finally caved.
"I'm standing in a field of corn…a house…I think it's a farm house, sits dilapidated off to the side…and…I think…a person is underneath it" replies Galinda, squirming beneath Fiyero's gaze.
The two had agreed to take tea together in the Solarium, a spot in the Emerald palace that overlooked the exotic gardens and fountains in the courtyard of the palace.
Galinda, wearing a soft, lavender gown, sat across from Fiyero, her little fingers lithely twiddling a piece of her skirt, whilst her cerulean eyes remained downcast to the floor. A silver tiara with crystal gems sat a top of her head, and a silver snow flake necklace adorned her neck.
Fiyero, dressed in his guard uniform, slowly leaned back in his chair, his sapphire eyes never leaving the blonde. Mechanically, Fiyero brings his hand up to rest at the corners of his mouth, as he waits for the blonde to continue.
"Anyways…Elphaba appears and-"
"Fae…she appears! What does she look like…is she alright!" gasps Fiyero, leaning closer towards the blonde.
Snapping her head up, Fiyero stares almost shocked at the tears pooling within her eyes. Obviously this dream has been doing more damage than he had originally thought.
"She's changed" replies Galinda slowly.
"Changed…how so?" asks Fiyero frowning.
"Her skin…no longer is that beautiful shimmering emerald…instead, its pale, and cracked looking…her eyes are black like ebony and theirs a coldness surrounding her. Her voice…her voice isn't even her own…gravely, and dark…demonic. And the fangs…oh Oz the fangs!" cries Galinda.
"What do you mean fangs?" asks Fiyero puzzled.
Unable to stop herself, Galinda dissolves into a fit of sobs. Her shoulders shake as the tears spill from her eyes, smearing her makeup.
Sighing, Fiyero rises from his chair and steps next to the blonde. Kneeling before her, he gently takes the sobbing girl into his arms.
Finally, after a few minutes, the blonde cries slowly diminish, and her breathing very slowly, starts to even back out at the feel of Fiyero's fingers, lightly combing through her blonde locks.
"Galinda…tell me…what else happens in your dream?" asks Fiyero gently, after a few minutes of silence.
"She for something that I cannot give" sniffs the blonde.
"Which is?" asks Fiyero, staring back at Galinda.
"Oz" replies Galinda.
"Fiyero Lirr Tiggular!"
Both Fiyero and Galinda jump at the sound of a high-piercing screech. Both turn wildly towards the sound of the voice. Fiyero freezes in place, at the sight of a tall, slender woman with sandy blonde hair, half pulled back in an elegant bun. Vinkun pearls are intricately strewn around her hair, giving her a regal look. A man, who stood a bit taller than the woman, matching sapphire eyes glared back at the two. He was thin, yet muscular, obviously a warrior in his youth.
"Mom…Pop…what brings you to the Emerald Palace!" chokes out Fiyero.
"Don't you hi us Fiyero…did you honestly think you would get away with this!" roars the woman, obviously the Vinkun Queen, and Fiyero's mother.
" ?…Mother what in Oz are you talking about?" asks Fiyero, thoroughly confused.
"The term for Shiz has long since passed…you been due back to the Vinkus years ago to wed the bride whom we had selected for you" replies the Queen, her voice rising an octave with each statement.
"Think how the people see this. There Prince, hiding away in the Emerald Palace…playing hero!" retorts the Queen, glaring menacingly back at Galinda.
She honestly didn't know who this woman was, but she didn't care. Any woman in her Fiyero's presence was unacceptable, especially since he had a bride waiting for him back home.
"I'm not playing hero mother…I've actually become Captain of the Guard…a position I earned" replies Fiyero, though sneering at the last part.
"Whatever you say Fiyero…now come…Sarima awaits!" replies the Queen.
"Mother, I'm not returning to the Vinkus" replies Fiyero, his voice stern.
"I beg your pardon?" growls the Queen, eyeing her son darkly.
"I'm not returning to the Vinkus. I'm staying here. I have a future here"
"And you have a future back at the Vinkus!" quips the Queen.
"With a bride I didn't choose, nor wish to marry!" snarls Fiyero.
"Fiyero…don't be stupid…you know as well as the rest of us that you are more than happy to marry Sarima…ascend the throne and rule over the Arjiki" snorts his mother.
"No mother…I don't"
Galinda meanwhile, having watched the exchange, knew exactly what was coming next. She had seen it many of times with the woman whom her mother entertained. And the best way to avoid a tantrum was to change the subject, abruptly, if possible.
"Your highness…perhaps I can intercede" Gracefully, Galinda strides up towards the fuming Queen.
Angrily, the Queen slams her staff on the emerald marble floors, halting the blonde in her tracks, enraged eyes sizing Galinda up.
"And who is this hussy!"
"I your majesty" replies Galinda through clenched teeth. "Am Galinda Upland of the Upper Uplands…daughter to Layrena Arduenna of Pertha Hills, and Meridian Upland of the Great Gillikin"
Fiyero stood there, silently admiring the blonde. He had to admit, her title alone, was enough to strike fear into the hearts of anyone who dared to cross the blonde. For her heritage was rich in Oz's past. Her father came from a wealthy line, all Dukes or had some ties with royalty. Her mother was technically a Duchess, having family of both royalty and of high nobility in the Gillikin. Not to mention her mother was considered a very powerful witch, and an expert in potions. Too bad none of that talent had went into her daughter.
"The Upland…of the-"
"Upper Uplands yes…and Fiyero's girlfriend and soon to be fiancée" replies Galinda. Absently, she reaches for Fiyero. Grabbing his arm, she pulls him roughly to her side.
"Fiyero…is this true?" quivers his mother.
"Uhm…yes" replies Fiyero, unsure how to answer.
"A marriage between the Gillikin and the Vinkus, would be a much better unification, than that with the Scrow" whispers Fiyero's mother, Queen Icysia.
"Besides that, the Scrow still fear us since the last we went to war with their tribe" grumbles King Meridian. In all honesty, Fiyero's father felt nothing for the Scrow. He regarded the Scrow as savages, beings who were not fit, to stand before or with the tribe of the Arjiki.
The two were whispering again, and Fiyero could only guess what his mother and father were discussing. It was no secret to Fiyero, how many his parents both hated the Scrow, yet they had agreed upon a marriage, between the Elder's daughter, and their son. If only to strengthen their stronghold against the tribe.
"Very well then Fiyero. We approve" replies Queen Icysia at last, turning to once again face her son, a small, forced smile, tugging at the corners of her slender lips.
"You approve what exactly?" asks Fiyero, confused.
"The marriage between you and Lady Arduenna" smiles Queen Icysia.
"Ack! Mother!" cries Fiyero.
Galinda steps in front of Fiyero, silencing his protests.
"How gracious of you your Highness" bows Galinda.
"What a fine wife she shall make for our son" whispers the Queen, to her husband.
"Yes…she already knows her place…most excellent" chuckles King Meridian.
Fiyero tries to suppress a chuckle as Galinda's face darkens in anger. How dare his parents speak to her like that!
The rest of the afternoon was uneventful. Fiyero's parents stayed for afternoon tea, before departing back to the Vinkus, happy and content with abolishing the marriage contract.
Little did Fiyero, or his parents know, that Sarima was secretly rejoicing over the news of her cancelled matrimonial arrangements with the Prince. For, like Fiyero, Sarima too had fallen in love. A pauper, but still a good man, and she knew, that with the marriage dissolved, her parents would have no reason whatsoever, to deny her right to marry the love of her life.
After the King and Queen of the Vinkus departed, a messenger came with urgent news from his superior Ozness.
"Thistle…what is it…what's wrong?" asks Galinda, startled by the sudden intrusion.
"An Ambassador from the West has arrived and seeks an audience with His Ozness, the Press Secretary…you and the Captain" quavers the messenger.
Thistle was a stalky man, slender, and awkward, with gangly limbs, and a small button nose. His long black hair was tied back in a low ponytail, and he wore the official emerald uniform of a servant to the Emerald Palace.
Over the course of the years since Galinda and Fiyero had moved into the palace, both had become very well acquainted with Thistle. In fact, they regarded each other not as master and servant, but as friend. Equal that's how Fiyero put it.
"An Ambassador from the West?" questions Fiyero, quirking an eyebrow in suspicion.
"Is there such a thing?" asks Galinda, watching as Thistle waddles his way back to the throne room.
"No, there hasn't been an Ambassador to the Western lands since my parents took reign over the Vinkus" replies Fiyero.
"Who do you think it could be?" asks Galinda.
"Don't know…but I have a bad feeling about this" replies Fiyero.
Galinda silently follows Fiyero back to the throne room, where Oscar; as both later found out to be the Wizards true name, sitting on the great throne of Oz ,with Madame Morrible by his side.
Galinda, having curtsied, took her place on the other side of the Wizard, whilst Fiyero stood off to the right, his hand hovering above the handle of his sword.
The great doors opened, revealing a figure swathed in an ebony cloak, the hood of the cloak casted a dark shadow over the figures face, hiding their appearance.
Walking beside the figure, a woman with long brunette hair and hazel eyes, a purple lotus blossom weaved within the tight braids in her hair. She wears a gown of lavender, the skirts pleated, and layered, as the ebony bodice of the dress hugged her figure, showing off every seductive curve.
"Welcome Ambassador to the City of Emeralds" greeted the Wizard.
Fiyero and Galinda glanced at each other, hearing the tightness within the Wizard's throat. It was obvious, that the Wizard, like them, were suspicious of this supposed Ambassador to the West. It was no secret, that Fiyero's family had abolished the need for Ambassadors since his family had ruled over the lands of the Vinkus and beyond the Thousand Year Grassland.
"The Ambassador thanks you for the warm welcome, and extends her gratitude, in allowing her entrance to your fine kingdom" replies the woman, standing before the cloaked figure.
"Why does she not speak for herself?" asks the Wizard.
Fiyero watches, as the lady half leans towards the cloaked figure. A ghost of a whisper to a conversation that only the woman and the cloaked figure could hear, took place before the stunned ruler of Oz. Never, had Fiyero, nor the Wizard, Morrible or Galinda, ever seen anyone hold a conversation in complete silence.
"The language my Lord speaks, is not one that you or anyone else can decipher…it is ancient…a forgotten language" replies the woman.
"And…who are you my dear?" asks the Wizard.
"Langwidere your Ozness" bows the woman.
Galinda gasps, at the purplish glint, sparkling within Langwidere's eyes as she bows before the great throne of Oz. Something wasn't right. She could sense powerful magick, dark magick, magick that suffocated the air from your lungs.
"Your Ozness" starts Galinda.
"Silence!" bellows a voice.
Galinda and the others jump, as a loud crack resounds off the walls of the palace. The cloaked figure, in her fury, had slammed her twisted staff onto the marble floor; both her hands are raised high above her head.
Fiyero's eyes widen, at the flash of emerald green, peeking out of the tucked corners of the cloak. Could it be?
Noticing the Prince's stare, the cloaked figure slowly lowers her hands, covering them once again with her cloak.
"How dare you show such disrespect for the Ambassador to the Western lands" snarls Langwidere.
"There is no Ambassador to the Western lands…the King and Queen of the Vinkus abolished such titles once ascending to the throne" growls Fiyero.
Slowly, Fiyero descends the stairs, his eyes staring intently at the cloaked figure. His hand, hovers mere inches from his sword, ready at any moment to unsheathe it, should this cloaked creature or her cohort, put one toe out of line.
Galinda holds her breath, as Fiyero steps in cat like steps of grace, towards the cloaked figure. Her heart beats wildly within her chest, for not only was the darkness she was sensing, growing stronger with each lithe step the Prince took.
"Be careful" whispers Galinda.
Standing toe to toe with the cloaked figure, Fiyero glares back at her, waiting, for her to either her, or her cohort to push him away.
A feeling of utter desire, to grab the hood and push back the veil, overtook his senses, for deep within, a feeling of urgency, beat in time with his heart. Fae, the name kept echoing within his mind, as he stood before the creature.
"Who are you" replies Fiyero, his voice soft, having lost the edge of steel his voice had once possessed.
"Wouldn't you like to know" smirks the cloaked figure.
"Fae" whispers Fiyero.
In a flash, Fiyero's hand reaches out, and tangles along the edge of the hood. About to pull it back, the Palace, as well as the sky, darkens, casting everyone in shadows.
"What in Oz is going on here!" roars the Wizard.
An icy cackle, echoes throughout the darkened throne room, making both Galinda and Fiyero shiver in both fear, and in realization, for they knew only one person, who's cackle could instill such fear.
"Elphaba!" screams Galinda.
The darkness vanishes, leaving everyone in the room startled and a little shaken. The cloaked figure stands rigid, at the center of the throne room. In her hand, she holds an umbrella, her emerald green hand almost glowing in the half sunlight.
"You wish to know who I' am…very well then" replies the cloaked figure.
The emerald hand reaches up, and tangles with the fabric of the hood. In one graceful motion, the figure pulls the cloak away, revealing her identity to all.
"It…it can't be!" gasps Galinda.
Fiyero stare wide eyed, at the person standing mere inches away from him. It was Elphaba, his Fae; at last, he had found her.
Though relieved, a sense of foreboding, wrapped an icy hand around his heart. She was different, her appearance, and her demeanor had changed. Her skin no longer held the ethereal glow of shimmering emeralds, for now it was lackluster, cracked, and marred with scars. Her long ebony hair was longer, and held a gentle curl at the ends; spilled over her bare shoulders, flying around her in the light breeze. The warm chocolate in her eyes are gone, replaced by darkness.
The outfit she wears, is an ebony leather bodice, at the ends, black silk lace clung to her legs, ending just at her upper thighs. Knee high, steel toed boots adorned her feet, giving her extra height, and pinched her toes.
To Fiyero, she looked menacing, yet beautiful at the same time. A warrior Princess.
"Fae" whispers Fiyero.
Smirking, Elphaba twirls the umbrella in her hands in a graceful motion, before resting it against her bare shoulder.
"I know not that name…for I' am the Wicked Witch…of the West" replies the emerald witch, her voice was icy, and dark.
"Elphie" whispers Galinda.
Opening her eyes, Elphaba smirks, before slamming the tip of her umbrella down onto the marble floor. Leaning against the handle, Elphaba purses her lips seductively.
"I've come for the Grimmerie…bring it here…and I will not vaporize your precious city" laughs Elphaba.
"Elphaba!" growls Fiyero. Angry, Fiyero steps up next to Elphaba.
"Silence!" bellows Elphaba.
Without warning, Elphaba strikes Fiyero hard, across the head with her umbrella, sending him toppling to the ground. Turning on his back, Fiyero almost leaps back to his feet, freezes, as the metal tip of Elphaba's umbrella hovers mere inches from his eye.
"Stay" is all Elphaba says.
Giving him a dark smile, Elphaba once again returns her gaze back to the Wizard and Morrible. Twirling the umbrella once again, she points the metal piece up at the Wizard in a threatening manner.
"The Grimmerie…or I'll kill the Wizard!" threatens Elphaba.
"You wouldn't" starts Galinda.
Surprised, both Fiyero and Elphaba snap their attention towards the blonde, who silently stepped in front of the Wizard, blocking any attack.
"Oh…and how would you know my sweet?" chuckles the green witch.
"Cause I know you Elphaba…you wouldn't hurt anyone…you haven't got it in you" replies Galinda, in a confident tone.
"Oh…wouldn't I?"
"No" replies Galinda.
In a flash, Elphaba spins the umbrella as she gracefully pirouettes on the tips of her shoes. The end of her umbrella swings back, cracking Fiyero hard across the face.
Galinda, Morrible and the Wizard watch, as Fiyero is hurled towards the wall. All wince, as Fiyero's body slams into the wall, before crumpling to the ground.
"Wish to second guess my actions now Princess?" asks Elphaba, sarcastically.
"Elphaba…what happened to you!" cries Galinda.
"The book…or heads will fly next" snarls Elphaba, as she once again points the metal end of her umbrella at the Wizard.
Still not moving, Elphaba, in her rage, clenches her right hand into a fist. Pointing an elegant finger at Galinda, the blonde gives a screech of surprise, as she is hurled into the air.
Smiling, Elphaba motions her fingers, Magickally making the blonde smash into the great ceiling of the Emerald Palace.
Fiyero fights against the pull of darkness, slowly consuming him, beckoning him to fall deep into its silken folds. Wincing, he forces himself upright, his hand, cradles his bruised ribs. Paralyzed, he watches as Galinda's petite body continues to Magickally be slammed against the ceiling, leaving great cracks to spider web their way up the great dome.
"Give me the Grimmerie…or I continue to use your precious Galinda the Good as a wrecking ball!"
"Very well" replies Madame Morrible, silencing Fiyero's retort.
Fiyero and Galinda watch stunned, as Morrible waves her hand in the air. Magickally, the Grimmerie appears before her. Reaching up, the Press Secretary curls her gnarled fingers around the ancient tome.
"Here" is all Morrible says.
Elphaba brings her hand down to her side, as she does; Galinda's body plummets down from the ceiling. Fiyero, wincing against the pain, manages to rise to his feet. Running over to the blonde, Fiyero holds out his arms, catching her just before she would slam into the ground.
Skidding to the floor, Fiyero stares worried, back into Galinda's bruised face.
"Glin…are you alright?"
"Never better"
Holding out her hand, the Grimmerie Magickally floats out of Morrible' hand. Cutting through the air, Elphaba, gracefully snatches the Grimmerie at it hurtles towards her.
Cackling, Elphaba rummages through the pages, a gleam of lust sparkling within her eyes as her eyes dance across the ancient pages.
Reaching the end, Elphaba gives a roar of anger, before throwing the Grimmerie down to the ground. Kicking up the umbrella, she snatches the ebony handle and points it menacingly back at the Wizard.
"Where is it…where is the Ultimate spell!" roars Elphaba.
"I…I don't know what you're talking about" gasps Morrible.
Roaring in anger, Elphaba throws a bolt of dark lightning at her former HeadShiztress, knocking her to the ground and writhe in pain as the electricity sears her body.
"Where is the book…the Book of Arycetia!" roars Elphaba, pointing the umbrella now at the Wizard.
"It's not here" replies the Wizard.
"Do not play coy with me Wizard…now give me the Book, or perish" threatens Elphaba.
"I do not possess it!"
Snarling, Elphaba's eyes flicker to the open pages of the Grimmerie. Smiling, Elphaba falls to her knees. Closing her eyes, Elphaba raises both her hands high in the air, before gently pressing the tips of her fingers to the pages.
Fiyero and the others watch horrified, as the ebony spells once locked within the pages of the Grimmerie, absorb into Elphaba's lithe fingers, leaving the pages blank.
Okay, nice long chapter. Trust me, was not intending for it to be this long. Anywhoo, hope you all enjoyed the chapter. If you did great, let me know by dropping a review. Even if you didn't, I'd still like to hear your opinion. Reviews are love, and they help to inspire another chapter. A huge thank you to all who had left reviews before, you guys are the greatest!