Alan went through the Ordeal and survived and then it was my turn. That afternoon, I ranted to George about not knowing what to expect and he gave me something to drink, but drugged it. When I realized it was drugged, I snapped, "You drugged it! I hate you, George!" Then I fell asleep. That night, outside the Chamber, I meditated on the code as one was my nightly custom—normally I'd only meditate on one part, but tonight I'd go through the whole code—plus I'd just heard it.
"If you survive the Ordeal of Knighthood, you will be a Knight of the Realm. You will be sworn to protect those weaker than you, to obey your overlord, to live in a way that honors your kingdom and your gods. To wear the shield of a knight is an important thing. It means you may not ignore a cry for help. It means that rich and poor, young and old, male and female may look to you for rescue, and you may not deny them. You are bound to hold up the law. You may not look away from wrongdoing. You may not help anyone to break the law of the land, and you must prevent the breaking of the law at all times, in all cases. You are bound to your honor and your word. Act in such a way that when you face the Dark God you need not be ashamed. You have learned the laws of Chivalry. Keep them in your heart. Use them as your guides when things are their darkest. They will not fail you if you interpret them with humanity and kindness. A knight is gentle. A knight's first duty is to understand."
The following morning, I, too, entered the Chamber. The priests closed the door behind me and I gulped, nervous already. I was freezing suddenly, and then I tried to pace, to move to keep warm, but I was stuck on the ground. I shivered violently and then I heard voices, but only one was clear—Mother's. I whimpered, for it hurt to hear her voice, even sixteen years later, and I knew I wouldn't heal. I choked and murmured, "I'm sorry. Mother, you belong to the Black God now. May he give you rest." Then I saw Frexspar and he grabbed a switch and snarled, "Don't move, girl." I stiffened and watched as he began hitting me over and over again. I wanted to cry, but I'd never given him that satisfaction and I wasn't about to start now. Then I saw Nessa get hurt and I lunged to help, but I was held by nets. I struggled and watched helplessly. Then I saw Raoul lying dead, and I fought for control. I saw and heard Duke Roger say, "What are you going to do now without your precious Raoul?" I bit my lip, refused to allow myself to cry. Then I stumbled out of the Chamber, collapsing into Raoul's waiting arms. That evening, I was given my shield and then Alan and I accused Roger of treason. Then we fought him in a trial by combat and he revealed we were both girls. King Roald asked, "Who knew?" Coram said, "I did." Jon said, "I did—I've known Alan was a girl since the Black City." Then Queen Lianne entered, and said, "I did—I've known that Fabiethe was a girl." Everyone who knew confessed to knowing—including Jon, Thom, Coram, Raoul, Alex, Gary, Sir Myles and Queen Lianne—and King Roald was upset with Alanna and me and then we killed Duke Roger.
Then Alanna and Coram went south to the desert and I returned to Oz. I grabbed Raoul, and said, "Raoul, I love you, and that is why no one in Oz can ever know about us. If Father found out, he'd make you want Nessa, and I'd be left alone." Raoul nodded and whispered, "I love you. Be careful, Fabie." I nodded and said, "You can quit calling me that, if you want. I'm Elphaba now." He grinned and said, "I'll keep calling you Fabie." I grinned and I hugged him goodbye. Then I rode home—to Oz—where I knew I'd be grounded for eternity—I didn't look back because I knew it would be too painful, since I was leaving the one place where no one cared that I was green, and the one place where I felt like I truly belonged.