Chapter 6
What happened next was not exactly unexpected. Elphaba raised her hands to protect herself, not intending to use her magic but once again she had no say in the matter. The King froze in position, his hands reaching for the green woman's neck. The Queen gasped surprised at the show of power and Elphaba's eyes widened as Vinkun troops stormed into the room. She did not see Fiyero as they pointed their weapons at her, intending to do her deadly harm.
"Unfreeze the King!" The lieutenant bellowed. She nodded and attempted to do so by using a reversal spell. It did not work. Then she remembered that the last time she froze someone the only way the spell broke was by her leaving the room.
"I have to leave the room. It is the only way," she tried to explain.
"How will you fix him from out in the hallway? Unfreeze him!" The lieutenant bellowed again.
"Let her pass!" The Queen spoke up and quickly the men did as they were told. The moment Elphaba's body left the room, the King slumped down from his frozen position. Out in the hallway she found Sergeant Zetti, Fiyero, and Private Roth tied up. Before Elphaba could do anything, strong hands from behind her grabbed her arms.
"You are under arrest for assaulting the King. Flinch and I will instruct my men to gut you where you stand," the voice behind her said. His hot breathe was on her neck and she suddenly had a flashback to time where a similar occurrence happened. Fiyero could see the look on her face and saw that she froze.
"Release her!" Fiyero demanded.
"You have no authority here you traitorous bastard!" The soldier yelled.
"You don't understand! Please release her!" Fiyero was practically begging. His pleading went unheard and as the soldier attempted to tie Elphaba's hands behind her back, she began to seize and thrash violently. She clawed at the man in an attempt to get away and he released her which caused her to hit the floor.
"What in the name of Kumbrica are you doing?!" The Queen demanded as she exited the room. When she saw Elphaba on the floor she bent down and tried to hold her still.
"Fetch the doctor! Release my son and the Gale Force soldiers immediately!" She commanded.
"The King ordered them arrested. She assaulted the King! I will not fetch the doctor or release them!" The soldier defied her order and she stood as Elphaba's thrashing slowed. The Queen struck the man across the face before pulling him close by grabbing the lapels of his uniform.
"Do as I say or be thrown in the stockade and stripped of your rank. Do I make myself clear?!" She shouted. The soldier however did not quiver nor did he waver. He refused and the Queen was about to strike him again when the King finally exited the room.
"Take them to the cells. Drag the witch if you have to," the order given the soldiers moved quickly and Eliska rounded on her husband.
"Have you lost your mind?! He is our only son! What have you arrested him for?" She demanded to know.
"Treason. He turned his back on his people and is in league with a woman who is wanted for crimes against the Ozian state. He will learn that there are consequences for his actions," Havel explained.
"Did you not read Lady Glinda's letter? Do you know what you are doing?" Eliska wanted to know.
"Silence woman!" His large hand came across her face, the blow causing her to lose her footing and fall. Never once had her hit her before but his rage was uncontrollable at that point. One of the maids saw the incident and despite taking her own safety into question, she rushed out into the hallway and quickly took a look at the Queen. The King stalked off, going who knows where and she breathed a little sigh of relief.
"You'll need to see the doctor milady. Please let me help you," the maid said, noting the split lip and the bruises that were forming.
"I will be all right," Eliska tried to say but the maid cut her off.
"No, you will see the doctor and I will see that our young friend sees him too," she promised. The Queen only nodded as the young woman helped her to her feet and held onto her hand, guiding her to the doctor.
To Be Continued…