AU: I'm not ever going to stop thanking you for reviewing! :) I think it's really awesome that you guys all like this story so much - every time I'm a bit stuck, I go online to see if there are any new reviews, and it always makes me so happy when there are that my motivation and inspiration just come flying back in a clock-tick, so to speak ^^.

I'm also going to do just a bit of self-promo here: I wrote two oneshots in the past few days, so if you like this story, would you please take a look at them and tell me what you think? They're called 'Sleep' and 'Looking at things another way'. I have to warn you beforehand not to read them if you don't like Elphiyero fluff, because I seem to be slightly addicted to it off late.

Disclaimer: It sounds truly crazy, and true, the vision's hazy, but I swear someday... Perhaps... I might just... Nah. Not going to happen.

By the time they reached the base of the Great Kells, Glinda sent the drivers and carriages back towards the Emerald City. They weren't sure what to think of all this – the mysterious prisoner, the even more mysterious patient, not to mention the mysterious destination of the journey – but Lady Glinda had assured them that she was on a secret mission of the uttermost importance and so they didn't question it.

Glinda entered the prisoner's carriage, where the Wizard was sitting in a corner. 'Now, your Ozness,' she said, walking up to him. 'We have to ride the rest of the way on horseback, so I'm going to let you out of here – but not without precautions.' She took a blindfold from behind her back. The Wizard quirked an eyebrow. 'Is that really necessary?'

'Absolutely,' she told him. She blindfolded him; then she pulled a black sack over his head. 'What's that for?' he protested, his voice muffled by the sack. Glinda stepped back for a moment, looking satisfied with the result. This way, she would be able to have him travel with them – she would tie the reigns of his horse to her own – without the risk of either Elphaba discovering his true identity or him discovering Elphaba's. 'I'm not going to answer that,' Glinda told him, pulling out a rope to tie him up. 'You'll just have to take my word for it if I tell you this is necessary. Now, please let me tie you up.'

He didn't even protest; he obediently waited for her to finish tying him up and he let her take him by the arm and lead him outside. 'Mind your step,' she warned him. He could hear voices – male voices, although he didn't recognise them – and he heard the snorting and whinnying of horses. He nearly tripped when Glinda suddenly came to a halt. 'This will be your horse for the time being,' she said. 'Put your left foot in this stirrup… yes, like that… now grab the saddle and pull yourself up – there you go.' She patted the horse's neck and looked up at the man sitting on top of the animal. 'Hold on tight – we wouldn't want you dropping all the way to the ground.'

Fiyero was watching her a bit wearily. 'And you actually think this is going to work?'

'I don't see any reason why it shouldn't,' she countered a bit offended. 'He can't see Elphie and Elphie can't see him, right?'

'Right,' Fiyero agreed. 'But don't you think that when Elphaba wakes up, she would want to know who the man with the black sack over his head is and why he is coming with us?'

Glinda shrugged. 'I'll make something up.'

'She can see right through you, Glinda, and you know that. If she sets her mind to it, she'll discoverate his identity in a clock-tick.'

'She would, normally,' Glinda conceded. 'But look at her – she's in no condition to play detective! And besides, did you have a better idea?' When he didn't answer that, she nodded. 'I thought so. It'll just have to do – at least until we get there. I'd imagine there to be some kind of dungeon at a hideout – or at least a room with a lock on the door.'

Fiyero sighed and gave in. 'If you say so. But I'm telling you, she's going to find out sooner or later.'

He looked down at her. She would now wake up every now and then, but she was still sleeping most of the time, and her fever just wouldn't go down, which worried him. She refused to eat, too, even though she had gotten dramatically thin over the past week – he could count her ribs with no effort at all. Doctor Quork had assured him that she would be saved if they got her to the Animal doctor, but Fiyero wasn't ready to believe that until he'd actually see it.

They rode in silence for a few hours, until the sun started to go down and they decided to stop for the night. There was a traveller's hut nearby; it was small, but comfortable, and a far better place to spend the night than outside in the cold. Fiyero gently put Elphaba down on the single bed there was in the room and went over to the fireplace. There were piles of wood stacked in a corner and he used those to start a small fire, while Doctor Quork once again examined Elphaba.

Glinda, in the meantime, had taken the Wizard outside. 'You'll be sleeping with the horses in the stable,' she told him in a tone of voice that made it clear there was no discussion possible. 'Here are some blankets and over there is some water and bread in case you get hungry or thirsty. Don't even think about escaping; I'm locking the door from the outside. If I catch you even trying to get away, I´m going to tie you up to that pillar over there and leave you there for the rest of the night. Got it?'

He merely nodded and she did, too. 'Good.' Then she left him alone and went inside, where Fiyero had gotten a nice fire going.

They spent the night in the traveller's hut – Glinda and the doctor wrapped up in blankets on the floor, Fiyero with Elphaba in the bed – and they took off again early the next morning. Again, they rode almost the entire day. The sun was just setting when they dismounted; they had to walk the final mile or so, leading their horses, because the path – if you could even call it that – was only barely accessible. Glinda, leading her own horse and the Wizard's, couldn't help but think of how incredibly strange the small procession would look to an outsider; first a doctor, leading two horses, followed by a man carrying a woman in his arms, both wrapped up in cloaks; behind them came a blonde girl in a ball gown wearing a tiara, who was also leading two horses, and finally a prisoner trudging behind the horses, his hands tied to the horses' reigns. She looked back so see how the Wizard was doing. He didn't complain; he didn't say anything, really, and she couldn't help but think that he might have changed. He had been genuinely shocked when he had found out that Elphaba was his daughter, and she suspected him to actually feel guilty and have regrets about what he had done – which he should, of course. She turned around again and called to Doctor Quork, 'How much longer do we have to walk?'

'We're almost there,' he replied. 'Just another mile or so.'

She nodded and they went on in silence again. Just when she was starting to think this to be the longest mile she had ever walked – she wasn't wearing the right shoes for such a walk, either – he stopped and exclaimed, 'Sweet Oz, Maráni, is that you?'

Glinda walked up to Fiyero, who was still carrying Elphaba, and whispered to him, 'Who's Maráni?'

'I'm not sure,' Fiyero whispered back, but Elphaba, who had been awake for a few minutes now, immediately brightened. 'Maráni's here?' she exclaimed, and she urged Fiyero to put her down, which he reluctantly did. She pulled back the hood of her cloak and with both Glinda and Fiyero supporting her on either side, she started limping towards where Doctor Quork was standing. Upon coming closer, Glinda and Fiyero could tell that he was talking to a big Wolf and they both gasped in surprise, but the doctor didn't seem the least bit concerned and neither did Elphaba. The Wolf looked up when she heard them approach and her eyes widened. 'Fabala!'

'It's me,' Elphaba confirmed, smiling. She let go of Glinda and Fiyero and limped forward so that she could wrap her arms around the Wolf. Maráni carefully licked her cheek – the one that wasn't bruised – and nuzzled her side. 'Sweet Oz, little one, I was convinced that you had died! Master Gold himself came by a few days ago to tell us that horrendible news!'

'It was a hoax,' Fiyero said, stepping up from behind the green girl. 'The original plan was for us to fake Elphaba's death and flee Oz together, but some of the palace guards discoverated her. She ended up getting awfully close to actually dying.'

'It was Morrible,' Elphaba said grimly. 'I should have known she wouldn't buy the whole melting thing – it was a bit far-fetched, after all.'

'The rest of Oz believed it,' Fiyero disagreed. Maráni nodded. 'Even we did. Sweet Oz, little one, am I glad you're still alive!' She licked the green girl's face again and Elphaba hugged the big Wolf. When she straightened herself again, she swayed a bit and Fiyero quickly slid his arm around her waist to support her. 'Careful. We need to get you to that doctor.'

'He's right,' Doctor Quork said. 'You two will have time to catch up later. This way, Fiyero.' He started walking. Fiyero lifted Elphaba bridal style and followed the doctor; Maráni was right behind them, but Glinda's voice stopped her. 'Maráni? Are there dungeons of any kind here?'

Maráni smiled as she noticed the blonde girl for the first time. 'Well, well. If it isn't Glinda the Good. I must admit, I never believed Elphaba when she told me there was so much more to you than it seemed, but your being here with her clearly proves I was wrong.' She tilted her head a bit and beckoned the blonde. 'Follow me – I'll take you to the dungeons. Dare I ask who you're planning to lock up in there?'

'You wouldn't believe it if I told you,' was all Glinda said. The Wolf merely shrugged and started showing Glinda the way to the dungeons.

Fiyero followed Doctor Quork into a network of caves, carrying Elphaba in his arms. It was late, a few hours after sunset, and so they didn't encounter any other Animals on their way towards the Animal doctor – Fiyero assumed them all to be asleep. Doctor Quork quickly lead them through several smaller caves before coming to a halt in front of a wooden door. He knocked a few times and waited a few clock-ticks for the door to open and a Goat to poke his head out. 'Who in Oz dares to disturb me at this hour…' he began, before falling silent and staring at the strange party standing in front of him.

Doctor Quork smiled at the Goat and started to say something when Fiyero and Elphaba gasped in surprise at exactly the same time. 'Doctor Dillamond?!'

'Surprise!' Quork told them, smiling. Fiyero shook his head; Elphaba merely stared at him. 'But… but how?'

'Somehow, he managed to find his way here after escaping the palace,' Doctor Quork explained. 'He's been with us ever since. We taught him how to speak again and he slowly got back to his old self.'

'I always thought he taught History,' Fiyero said, frowning. 'What does he know about medicine then?'

'I've been a doctor for years before I even started teaching history, young man,' the Goat reprimanded him with a stern look. 'I know everything there is to know about medicine. What is going on here, Quork?' he then turned to the other doctor. 'Who are these people and why are they standing on my doorstep in the middle of the night?'

Elphaba nudged Fiyero softly and he, immediately knowing what she meant, carefully set her down on her feet. 'Doctor Dillamond,' she began cautiously, 'you'll probably remember us. We used to be students of yours when you taught History at Shiz University before those,' she bit back the very unladylike term that in her opinion described those people best, 'men took you away.'

'You were students of mine?' he asked in surprise. 'I didn't think any of my students would even remember me – they never seemed to pay much attention to my lectures, with a few rare exceptions. What are your names?'

Elphaba drew a breath. 'This is Fiyero Tiggular,' she said, pointing at Fiyero. He pulled back the hood of his cloak to reveal his face.

The Goat was obviously surprised to see him. 'Why yes, I remember you!'

Fiyero smiled and inclined his head a bit. 'It's good to see you again, doctor.'

Doctor Dillamond, however, was now staring at Elphaba, narrowing his eyes. 'Now wait just a clock-tick…' he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. 'Are you… No, you can't be.'

'I am,' Elphaba told him earnestly, pulling back the hood of her cloak just enough for him to see her green skin. He stared at her for a moment; then a smile slowly appeared on his face and he spread his arms. 'Why, Miss Elphaba! Of course I remember you! I had never expected to see you again!' Then he surprised everyone, including himself, by throwing his arms around the green girl and hugging her for a short moment. 'It's good to see you,' he told her sincerely. 'I was so sad when I heard of your apparent death. You were my best student back then and I have always been very fond of you – not to mention that if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be standing here today. I never had a chance to thank you for that – helping me escape from the palace.'

She gave him a somewhat weary smile. 'I'm glad you made it here and I'm even happier that you're talking again. I wasn't sure what had happened to you after I left.'

The Goat smiled fondly at her. 'So what brings you here, child?'

She hesitated for a moment and Fiyero stepped in. 'Doctor Quork will fill you in on the details, but the simple version is that she needs help.' He carefully lifted the cloak from Elphaba's shoulders, revealing some of her injuries – not even her worst injuries, but Doctor Dillamond's eyes still widened in shock. 'Miss Elphaba! What's happened to you?'

'That can wait,' Doctor Quork, who had noticed how tired Elphaba was, interrupted. 'I'll tell you everything, Dillamond, but first we need to get them a room – she really needs to lie down.'

'Of course,' Doctor Dillamond nodded quickly. 'Follow me, if you will.'

As soon as they had Elphaba settled on a bed, Doctor Dillamond became very businesslike. He chased Fiyero out of the room, but allowed Quork to stay and assist him. Fiyero, of course, didn't really like this state of affairs, but he didn't protest – he trusted Dillamond to know what he was doing. Instead, he waited in the next room. After a few minutes, he started pacing, and by the time Glinda had safely locked up the Wizard and came to look for him, a few hours later, he had worn a ditch in the carpet.

'Fiyero.' She went to stand right in front of him, so he had to stop pacing. She took his hands in hers and squeezed them. 'She's going to be fine, all right? You just have to have faith. Now why don't you sit down for a moment and tell me what happened?'

He hesitated for a moment, but finally gave in and took a seat across from Glinda. She was very surprised to hear that the Animal doctor Quork had spoken of was Doctor Dillamond. 'Elphie must have been happy to see him,' she said. 'I remember how much she liked the old Goat.'

Fiyero nodded. 'Well, to make a long story short, they have been in there ever since. I have no idea what he's doing or how much longer it's going to take.'

She squeezed his hand again. 'We'll just have to wait and see, then.'

It turned out they didn't have to wait that much longer after that; only about half an hour later, Doctor Quork came into the room. Both Glinda and Fiyero immediately jumped up and looked at him expectantly. He gave them a reassuring smile. 'He knows what he's doing, children, don't worry. It's looking good.'

Just as he was saying that, Doctor Dillamond entered the room as well. He smiled upon seeing Glinda. 'Well, well – if that's not another nice surprise! Miss Ggg-' he cleared his throat and tried again, 'Gálinda Upland of the Upper Uplands!'

Everyone was silent for a moment; then Fiyero burst out laughing. Glinda glared at him, but that didn't seem to have much effect – if any, it only made it worse. Finally, Glinda sighed and grumbled, 'It's Glinda now. With a Gl.'

Dillamond gave her a slightly surprised look until it finally dawned on him. 'Sweet Oz, now I see – you're Glinda the Good?' He shook his head. 'I have to admit, I would never have seen that coming back in the days you were in my class.'

'Neither would I,' Glinda admitted, smiling involuntarily as she thought of those times. She had been so different back then – so much more shallow, naïve, self-absorbed. It was amazing, really, how much a person could change if they really had to.

Fiyero interrupted her thoughts a bit impatiently. 'How is she, Doctor Dillamond? Is she going to be all right?'

'You made a wise decision bringing her to me,' the Goat told him earnestly. 'Her condition was – and is - quite grave and she is in a lot of pain, even though she's been trying her best to hide that from you. I did what I could to help her, though, and I don't think her life is in danger anymore.'

Fiyero and Glinda let out a collective sigh of relief at that. Fiyero asked a bit nervously, 'Can I see her?'

Doctor Dillamond smiled at him and nodded. 'She's awake and she wants to see you, too.'

Elphaba was indeed awake, and feeling – and looking – much better, when Fiyero came in. She smiled as he walked up to her, sat himself on the edge of the bed and laced his fingers through hers. It was only then she noticed there were tears in his eyes, which almost, but not quite, made her cry, too.

She carefully worked herself up on her arms and leaned over to kiss him. 'Please don't cry.'

He tightly wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, and she relaxed in his embrace. 'I love you,' he whispered in her ear and she cuddled closer against him. 'I love you, too.'

They sat like that for an everlasting moment, not feeling the need to say anything else. Then Glinda came barging in with a radiating smile on her face that immediately lit the whole room. 'Elphie! How are you feeling?'

'Better,' the green girl said truthfully. 'But Doctor Dillamond said it might take quite a while for me to recover completely.'

'But you will recover, won't you?' the blonde asked anxiously. Elphaba smiled. 'You know me – of course I will.'

'Yay!' Glinda exclaimed happily and she hugged her friend. 'Doctor Dillamond said you needed rest, though, so I'll be leaving you alone again. He said you could stay if you want to,' she continued, looking at Fiyero. He nodded. 'I will.'

'I'll be sleeping in the room next to this one, if you need me.' Glinda waved. 'I'm going to go now, before Dillamond comes back.'

'What, he doesn't know you're in here?' Elphaba asked. The blonde girl looked at her friend a bit sheepishly. 'He might have actually forbidden me to go in here because you needed to rest,' she admitted somewhat reluctantly. 'And I might just have ignored that and snuck in here when he went to get something.'

Elphaba chuckled softly. 'You'd better hurry back, then.'

Glinda gave her another sheepish smile, then spun around and hurried back to her own room.