A/N: Only an epilogue to go on this one. I hope you all have enjoyed it. Now, I'm toying with an idea but I'd like my readers' opinions on the matter first. Would you rather I continue this series or should I start another? The idea for a new series popped into my head but I feel like there is some unfinished business here first. Thanks for listening!
Chapter 23
That evening, after returning from visiting his cousin, Kudret, Fiyero was informed at dinner by Sergeant Zetti that their carriage and bags would be ready to go by the morning. Fiyero was glad to hear it and more than happy to be leaving. It wasn't that he disliked the Vinkus, after all he'd spent most of his life there, but he found the lack of bringing the country into a more modern state to be backwards. He had already told his father that the Vinkus needed to be brought up to the times and that the longer they waited, the harder and longer it would take to get there. Traditions were one thing and certainly a great thing to have but some needed to be let go of in order for the peoples of the Vinkus to move forward.
The agreement struck between the Scrow and the Arjiki would start that ball rolling. Though there would be no heir to follow in Havel's footsteps, Fiyero's next oldest cousin, after Kudret, would take the crown when he became of age. He would choose a bride from either the Scrow or Yunamata tribes and would not be forced into an arranged marriage. A council would be formed with members from all three tribes to discuss the politics and concerns of their tribes with the King and keep everyone informed of new laws and new shifts in power. While the King and Queen would still rule and make final decisions, ultimately they would not rule absolutely.
Sarima and her soldiers were to be tried for crimes against the state. While Senator Marek wished there was another way, Havel could not be seen as being soft. She did try to assassinate Fiyero and Elphaba who, at the time were still considered the Prince and Princess. Neither would miss their titles nor would they miss Sarima, though Queen Eliska promised to send them word of the outcome of the trial.
Now alone, Fiyero sat back against the headboard and held Elphaba in his arms. They were just enjoying the moment when there was a knock on their door. Fiyero rolled his eyes and Elphaba gave him a jab in the ribs with her elbow before beckoning whoever was at the door to come in.
"I hope I'm not intruding," Duckie smiled.
"Of course not. We were just enjoying some quiet time," Elphaba smiled back and extricated herself from Fiyero, missing his warmth immediately.
"Good, you will need it. Lady Glinda has been bouncing around the infirmary for the last hour and is definitely ready to go home. Of course, if I was getting married, I'd want to go home too," he smirked.
"So what brought you by?" Fiyero wanted to know.
"Well, I was hoping to check on my patient. Everyone else seems to be doing well but I'm a little cautious when it comes to ladies with magical powers," he smiled slightly.
"I can assure you that I'm fit as a fiddle or rather mostly fit. Nothing physical to worry about," Elphaba smiled back.
"The physical is not what I'm worried about," Duckie admitted. Fiyero shook his head.
"I appreciate the concern, I do but I'm actually better than I was before we came here. Surprising what the threat of war will do to you," she said.
"All right then. Well if you ever need me, you know where to find me. It was good to see you again Fiyero and it was very nice to meet you Miss Elphaba," the doctor said.
"Likewise. If you're ever heading toward the Emerald City, you should stop by. We'd love to have you," Fiyero shook his uncle's hand.
"I'd love to do some travelling so maybe I'll look you up," he gave a wink before taking his leave.
"Did you really mean that you're better than before?" Fiyero asked, once he'd gone, and they started to change into their pajamas.
"Yes, I do," Elphaba smiled at him.
"How?" He was confused.
"Because for that one moment I realized what you and I used to do and what my father did to me were too different things," she admitted.
"You mean that moment in the woods? You were really nervous but I was too. You were nervous for different reasons though that I did not realize," Fiyero said.
"Well two different moments. You see in the moment in the woods, I realized that you and I were connected in a way that I had never had been with another person. What I saw in your eyes was love not hate. I also saw how nervous you were and I realized that I was just nervous, not afraid like I was with my father.
"The second moment was just before we were thinking we were going to war. I realized that once again, hate and fear were influencing my decisions. While I could not change Sarima's hate or the hate of her people, I could change my fear. I needed you more than I could have ever realized. You have always made me feel safe no matter what we're doing and I wanted that before anything bad happened to us. Your love makes me stronger than I could have ever been without it," she told him. There were no words that Fiyero could think of to say. That was the most she'd opened up to him in a long time. Instead of words, actions were needed. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. Their kiss soon morphed into roaming hands and heavy breathing as they struggled to loosen the articles of clothing still left on them. It wasn't long before they found the bed and the love that they had been missing.
To Be Continued…