Chapter 3
The morning brought the two of them out of their home, bags packed. Fiyero promised to tell the Gale Force of their intention to leave and Elphaba headed over to the Dillamond home where Liir and Selvi were staying. Mrs. Dillamond insisted that the boy and his foster mother stay with them in order to give Elphaba some room and allow the newly married couple some space.
"Good morning Miss Elphaba," Doctor Dillamond smiled and pulled her into a hug when he answered the door.
"Good morning," she said.
"What brings you by?" He asked as he ushered her in before closing the door.
"Fiyero and I must travel to the Vinkus. His parents require his presence and I fear that if I do not go with him things will spiral out of control. I hate to ask any more of you but…" Doctor Dillamond waved his hoof at her.
"Think nothing of it. Do you want to say goodbye to the lad before you go?" He wanted to know.
"If he is awake I should. We need to be on our way, the two soldiers from the Vinkus are waiting," Elphaba explained. The Goat turned and went looking for the young boy.
"I thought I heard your voice," Mrs. Dillamond smiled as she wiped her hooves on her apron. She'd just come from the kitchen and she carefully embraced the young woman so as not to get the batter remnants on her apron on Elphaba's dress.
"Yes, Fiyero and I must head to the Vinkus. I wish I could say that I feel comfortable about it," the green-skinned woman admitted.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. Things are under control here so you don't have to worry," Mrs. Dillamond smiled. Elphaba nodded and then turned when she heard footsteps on the stairs.
"You're leaving?" Liir asked, breaking away from Selvi who had been helping him get ready for the day.
"I must. It seems Master Fiyero's parents have discovered he's here and they need to see him. I hope that we make it back before needing to head to Lady Glinda's wedding but I don't know," she admitted.
"But we have to return for Lady Glinda's wedding. School starts right after that," he was obviously upset and Elphaba felt terrible, which she was surprised at.
"I know. Think of all the good times we've had. I will send word as soon as I know something in regards to our return," Elphaba smiled slightly. Just then Fiyero entered the home and said,
"We must be on our way. It takes four days to get to the Palace."
"Goodbye Liir. We will meet again soon," she promised. He threw his arms around her and she tensed slightly but the boy didn't notice.
"Be safe," he said, after he let go.
"We shall," she gave him a tight smile and the two then quickly headed out the door. The carriage was right out front and she quickly climbed in.
"Sergeant Zetti! Private Roth! What are you…" she started.
"Lieutenant Ronin insisted we accompany two of Oz's greatest citizens to their destination. You need the extra protection. That and we would have told him we were going whether he liked it or not," Zetti smirked.
"That's very sweet of you but…" Elphaba was once again interrupted.
"Orders from Lady Glinda herself will be on the way to the Vinkus, stating that we must return you in time for her wedding. They'll probably arrive before we do," the Sergeant continued with a smirk.
"Well it'll be good to have you with us," Fiyero smiled and shook their hands.
"And of course our handy dandy assistant, Olaf, is our driver," Roth smiled.
"How'd you convince Theo to let him go?" Elphaba asked.
"Oh we said it was a matter of Ozian security and Miss Elphaba needed an extra set of hands," Zetti started.
"At which point, he practically kicked Olaf out of the house," Roth finished. This made Elphaba laugh.
"We can't thank you enough gentlemen. Hopefully your presence will aid my father in realizing that we cannot return to the Vinkus," Fiyero said.
"With any luck," Zetti nodded as he pounded on the carriage wall to let Olaf know they were ready. The carriage got underway and as the Village disappeared from sight, Elphaba got a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, like it might be the last time she would be there.
To Be Continued…