Chapter 12
The sun rose up over the distant mountains and the Palace was a bustle of activity. People were preparing breakfast, making sure the Dining Hall was ready for the meal and then quick cleanup for the meeting afterwards, and of course running around to get the King and Queen ready for the day.
Down in the infirmary, Elphaba sat up in bed, looking around the infirmary. It was clean and quite similar to the one at the Emerald Palace. She saw Doctor Mallard coming toward her and she smiled.
"Ready for your checkup?" He asked.
"Well it seems I won't be needing one," she smiled and quickly conjured up a spell which healed her shoulder quite nicely.
"Must be nice," he smirked.
"Makes your job easier," she replied as she got out of bed.
"Fiyero just went to wash up and get ready. I had your suitcase brought here so you could do the same. I believe Olaf and the other boys are getting ready and helping the Captain keep an eye on Lady Glinda," Duckie explained.
"Do you really think that the King and Sarima's family would risk losing Glinda as an ally after what happened with Munchkinland?" Elphaba asked.
"I think that neither one can see the forest through the trees, if you catch my drift," Duckie shook his head.
"They would lose support of the entirety of the rest of Oz in order to make a deal that will never happen, happen?" She looked at him questioningly.
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Sarima's family wants to rule the Vinkus. They were promised the hand of the Prince in marriage. If they cannot get it in marriage they will attempt to get it in death. The Vinkus was once tribes of people all under their own rule. The unification process was a long and hard one that resulted in chaos and death. Only once the Arjiki had fully used everything at their disposal did the joining of all the tribes occur with us as the victors. Since then it has been a struggle to remain as one country and keep all the tribes happy. Most are satisfied that the Kings have ruled with a fair hand; a few believe it to be an iron fist instead. You will never satisfy everyone but that is why the offer of marriage was given to Sarima's family. Their tribe would put aside their grievances for a slice of the pie as it were," he explained. Elphaba nodded, deep in thought.
"Come now, we must get you ready," he smiled before calling over a nurse to help Elphaba get ready.
Sometime later, after breakfast, the green skinned witch stood with Fiyero discussing their options when the Queen approached them. Fiyero's temper boiled at the bruises his mother had tried to hide.
"Your Highness, may I?" Elphaba asked. The Queen could only nod; her throat still raw from the previous day. Elphaba quickly chanted a spell and the bruises and pain disappeared.
"Why Miss Elphaba…" Eliska murmured.
"Do you feel better?" The witch asked.
"Much, thank you," the Queen smiled. There was so much to say that the woman did not know what to say. Fiyero on the other hand did.
"He hit you," he said.
"Do not worry Yero. He did not mean it," his mother tried to calm him.
"Didn't mean it? Just like he didn't mean to sentence me and my wife to death?" Fiyero gritted his teeth. His mother was about to say something when a group of people turned the corner and started walking toward them.
"Queen Eliska, it is very good to see you," a tall lanky man spoke first as he bowed. It was older than most of the group and Elphaba figured he was the patriarch.
"Senator Marek, I wish this meeting was under better terms. My husband and Lady Glinda await us in the Dining Hall," Eliska gestured toward the room. The green skinned woman was surprised no one had shouted out that she was the Wicked Witch when she got her wish.
"Witch! You have hexed Fiyero! I know it!" This could only be one person, Sarima.
"You will hold your tongue when speaking to my wife!" Fiyero stood protectively in front of Elphaba. She put a hand on his shoulder in an effort to calm him.
"She is nothing but a whore!" Sarima spat. The mixture of saliva landed squarely on Elphaba's face and Fiyero could feel the magic stir in the green woman's other hand which he quickly grabbed. As much as he wanted Sarima to pay for her remarks, Elphaba turning her into something before they had seated themselves for an actual meeting would not have been good.
"You will address her by her proper title, Princess of the Arjiki, or I will have that pretty face ruined when they cut out your tongue," Fiyero snarled.
"ENOUGH!" The booming voice from the doorway turned everyone's heads to see the King. They all bowed and he then ushered them in with a warning,
"If we cannot remain civil I will have my guards teach you some manners." Silence then reigned as everyone filed in for the meeting.
To Be Continued…