Chapter 22
"Wha' 'appened?" Glinda mumbled as she squinted in the morning's light. Her head spun and she squeezed her eyes completely shut. Khalil, who hadn't moved from his seat, practically jumped out of it.
"How are you?" He asked cautiously.
"It feels like my head is full of stampeding horses," she said.
"I'll get the doctor. Just rest," her fiancé told her before getting out of the chair. His body refused to want to move after staying the same position all night and he practically fell over as he tried to walk.
"Whoa there son. You need to get your sea legs," Duckie chuckled as he caught him.
"And possibly some food. When was the last time you ate?" The doctor continued, noticing how pale the Captain of the Guard was.
"Breakfast yesterday," Khalil answered. That really wasn't that long but considering the stress he'd just been through, Duckie wasn't surprised.
"You work those kinks in your legs and back out and I'll see that Freddy helps you get some breakfast," the doctor said as he motioned for his assistant to come over. Khalil was about to object when Duckie gave him a stern look. He decided he'd skip the objections and do as he was told.
"Lady Glinda, I must say it is an honor although I'm sure we both would have preferred to meet under better circumstances," the doctor smiled as he sat in the seat that Khalil had been occupying.
"Forgive me for not greeting you properly but my head hurts," the blonde said.
"I expected it would," Duckie then went into the reasons surrounding her current predicament.
"Where is Elphie? They shouldn't have let her…" Duckie cut her off, while taking some cool compresses given to him by the nurse and placing them on her head.
"Miss Elphaba found and took care of the problem in question last night with the help of Prince Fiyero. I'm sure that the Scrow will think twice about attempting something like that again."
"What happened?" Glinda attempted to open her eyes but found that that was not a good idea.
"She turned the lad into a newt and fed him to one of the Birds that came to assist her earlier," he swallowed.
"Oh," clearly Glinda had something much worse in mind by her reaction. He gave her a look but decided to change topics. After all, she knew more about Elphaba than he did. Still the mysterious girl was beginning to make him wonder just what kind of life she had led. Later when things had calmed down, he'd see if he could talk to her.
Meanwhile, Fiyero awoke to find his beloved sitting at the window, staring out into the gardens below. He extricated himself from the tangled sheets and blankets to reveal his naked body. It felt good to be in his birthday suit, something he hadn't been able to do with other people in their house back in the Animal Village.
"You like to show off don't you?" The question came from Elphaba who did not need to turn around to know her husband was right behind her. She was more tastefully dressed in her nightgown.
"Well they say if you have it you should flaunt it," he chuckled slightly.
"I think common human decency doesn't really allow that in public. Although you know I don't mind," she smiled slightly and turned to him. He pulled her into his arms and put his head on top of hers.
"It's over and we can go home," he said.
"Yes, I suppose it is. After my demonstration last night, it seems the General and your father were able to come to an arrangement. I found a note under the door," she jerked her head slightly toward the piece of paper on the window sill. Her melancholy tone did not get missed by her husband.
"Even better. I'll make arrangements for us to swing home, get what we need, and head into the Emerald City. The time for Glinda's wedding is fast approaching," he noted.
"Yes it is," by now she was crying and he rubbed soothing circles with his hand on her back.
"I know you didn't want to do it but it was necessary. You saved us from going to war. That is worth one man who tried to harm Glinda," Fiyero told her.
"I have so little of my humanity left, I don't want to lose it entirely," she said, pulling her face away from his chest. He wiped the tears away from her cheeks and gently kissed her on the lips.
"You have more humanity than most of Oz. Never worry about it. You're not going to make it a habit. There were so many chances for you to cross that line from good to evil and at every turn you thwarted it. You are so much stronger than you think and you are so much braver than you believe. I love you more than you could ever know. All of you; every last bit," Fiyero said before kissing her soundly on the lips. She could feel his meaning and was tempted to give into the feelings she was having when there was a knock on the door. Fiyero grumbled and let go of her, quickly finding his robe and tossing her hers.
"Who is it?" Elphaba asked.
"Sergeant Zetti. Is everybody decent?" He asked.
"Yes, thanks," she said as he opened the door.
"Lady Glinda is awake and the doctor believes she can travel as soon as tomorrow. Shall I arrange our transportation as well?" The Sergeant wanted to know.
"I must speak to my father first. I'll get back to you on that," Fiyero smiled at his friend.
"Very good. Breakfast is being served and I'm heading down to see how Olaf is doing," Zetti informed them.
"We'll get dressed," Elphaba told him before he nodded and closed the door.
To Be Continued…