The first night after leaving Glinda behind in the Emerald City, the words of the Great Mother Goddess came back to me. "Sir Elphaba Thropp of Trebond and Conté, you shall choose to do what is right but at the loss of a special friendship and the cost of a dream." I landed and said, "Oh, sweet Oz," realizing that she'd meant my dream of joining the Wizard and my friendship with Glinda. I grabbed the broom and walked back to Trebond, fighting tears the whole way there—I felt sick and empty from losing my only friend in Oz—this was my fault and I had to live with the consequences. I finally reached Trebond, late that night.
I shuffled inside Trebond Castle and said, "Leave me in peace—I have no desire for conversation." The servants nodded and they all resumed their work, being sure to not disturb me. I went into my room and sank onto my bed and biting my lip, whispered, "Oh, Glinda, I miss you so much."
The next day, I said, "I'm returning to Court." I had to get as far from Oz—and Glinda—as I could—if it meant returning to Court, so be it then. As I left, I kept thinking of Glinda and how sad she'd been when I left her behind in Oz. I brought the broom with me in case I decided to fly again.
When I reached Court, I went and talked to some of my other friends. Raoul, Jon, and Gary all said, "We're sorry about your friendship. We know it meant a lot to you." I nodded and said, "I miss her like crazy—her perkiness, her pinkness—oh, sweet Mother of Oz, I even miss running away from her when she's trying to give me a makeover."
Later I joined Alex, and said, "Hey, man." "How are you, Elphaba?" "Okay, I guess," I said honestly. "All things considered with what's been happening lately," I said—I didn't need to tell him or anyone else at Court—they already knew that I was a hunted criminal in Oz. He hugged me and said, "Listen, I still feel the same about you as I did when I first found out—well, learned, actually—you were a girl. I still love you." "Alex, I can't, not now." I said. "It's too dangerous. I won't be selfish and put you in danger... Oh man." "You do have feelings for me," he accused. "Okay, if I do have feelings for you, and I'm not saying I do," I said, "I'm just saying it wouldn't be fair to you for me to be selfish and be with you and make you be a hated person in Oz—make everyone want you dead." He rolled his eyes at my worries and caught my arm and said, "It doesn't matter, Elphaba." I glared at him.
I asked, "Alex, do you think I did the right thing, fleeing the Emerald City, and defying gravity and leaving my friend behind?" He calmly said, "Elphaba, we're all really proud of you, for standing up for what's right, unlike that cowardly blonde who was with you." My eyes narrowed and I felt a rush of such rage that I'd never felt before—not since leaving Glinda behind in the Emerald City—it felt wonderful. I glared at Alex and snarled, "Take that back!" "Why?" Alex asked. "She's Wicked." "No, she's not," I snarled. "She's only afraid—she can't take on being a fugitive—I can." I blinked rapidly when I saw Glinda glaring at me and she said, "Elphaba, why could't you have stayed calm instead of flying off the handle!" I took a shaky step forward and closed my eyes, whispering, "When I open my eyes, I'll glare only at Alex." Alex and I glared at each other and then I said, "You know the Code—a lady must always have a knight to fight for her honor—if Glinda so chooses, I shall be that knight."
Alex nodded and, I went and found Duke Gareth. "Your Grace?" I asked. "Elphaba, we are very proud of you. Of how you stood up for what's right, unlike..." I clenched my fists and said, "Don't you dare insult Glinda." He nodded and said, "Yes, yes, of course. What is it?" "If a lady is being insulted and two people are fighting—one knight to defend her honor and the other person insulted her—does that lady have to be present and choose her defender?" I asked. "Yes," he said. I said, "Then I wish to invite Glinda here to defend her against Alex." "Why?" "He insulted her—he doesn't understand how important her friendship is to me. I gave up everything for this life—being a fugitive," I said swiftly. "And, Glinda—she was—and is—my only friend in all of Oz—everyone else hates me. I can't stand by and do nothing and just let her be insulted."
He nodded and I sent Glinda word inviting her to visit me at Court. When Glinda arrived, I grabbed her by the hand and said, "C'mon." I walked right into the dining hall and said, "Your Majesties, I believe someone within our very presence has dared to insult Lady Glinda Upland of the Upper Uplands and she has requested that one of our knights defend her honor." Turning to Glinda, my father asked, "Who is the knight you have requested to defend your honor?" "Sir Elphaba Thropp of Trebond and Conté, princess of the Realm of Tortall, your Majesty," she said immediately. Turning to me, King Roald asked, "Who is the person who has attacked Lady Glinda's honor?" I said, "Sir Alexander of Tirragen, your Majesty."
Alex scowled at me and King Roald said, "We shall meet in the Great Throne Room in an hour." We all nodded and I took Glinda to my room. Later we all went to the throne room. I grabbed Thunder and hugged Glinda tightly. As I went downstairs, I squeezed her hand and said, "Glinda, there's something you should know." "What?" she asked. "Glinda, ever since I left you behind in the Emerald City, I've missed you like crazy, when Alex insulted you, I lost my temper, but then I saw something..." I broke off, watching Glinda afraid she'd think I was crazy. "Saw what?" she asked. "You," I whispered. "And you were upset and angry at me and worried about me too. And you said the same thing you said to me that day in the Emerald City..." I said, hoping she'd remember. "Elphaba why could't you have stayed calm for once instead of flying off the handle?" she guessed and I nodded. Alex and I fought and after I won, I went outside to think.