Hello all. Well, here's the next chapter! This one is my favorite of the ones I've written so far, so hopefully you guys will like it. It's an extremely important chapter in the plot of this story. Anyway, I just want to say that the amazing reviewer response to this story makes me extremely happy. I haven't had a chance to respond to as many as I would have liked, but know that your reviews pretty much make my day.

Anyways, on to the next chapter.

Elphaba seemed completely taken aback by the fact that Fiyero had just used her real name. She stopped in her tracks for a moment, a look of obvious surprise written on her face, before she quickly recovered herself.

"That's not my name," she said sharply, her eyes narrowing into slits. Fiyero knew he should just back off, but he was feeling inexplicably bold. He somehow knew she wasn't going to harm him.

"That cub sure seemed to think it was," he insisted, glaring right back. He didn't understand why this woman shifted personalities so quickly. Why did she think she needed to scare people into hating her?

"That's not my name," she repeated adamantly, "Perhaps it was once, but I certainly haven't heard people call me by it for a long time. I go by the Wicked Witch of the West now. Elphaba doesn't exist anymore."

Fiyero shook his head, "Why do you do that?"

Elphaba looked confused by this question, but continued to glare as she asked, "What are you on about now?"

"Why do you insist on making yourself out to be what everyone says you are? I saw the way you just handled that Bear cub, and you certainly didn't look very wicked to me," Fiyero replied, looking Elphaba straight in the eye.

The woman actually seemed to be growing a bit uncomfortable under Fiyero's gaze, though her stance did not falter. Her voice grew harsher and she seemed to become annoyed, "I do not make myself out to be anything. I am the Wicked Witch of the West and that is perfectly fine with me."

Fiyero looked at her carefully for a moment before responding, "No it's not…or you wouldn't be so unhappy."

This seemed to catch Elphaba completely off guard, and she pulled her gaze from Fiyero's. She glanced down at the floor for a moment with an unreadable expression on her face before slipping back into her previous persona.

"Go back to your section of the cave," she demanded, pointing one long green finger toward the opening of the cavern across the room.

For a moment Fiyero considered just letting this whole matter drop and obeying. After all, this woman obviously had some serious issues, and of what consequence was it to him if she was really wicked or not? After all, he wasn't getting out of here either way, and he shouldn't really be so concerned with having this rather eccentric woman open up to him.

But for some strange reason, Fiyero couldn't just leave the matter alone. He had a feeling there was something going on here that he had no clue about. Not being informed had never bothered him before, but suddenly Fiyero felt a need to know why the Witch-or Elphaba, he supposed-acted this way.

Fiyero didn't budge, "You're really not the way everyone says you are, are you?"

Now she seemed more distressed than aggravated, "Why are you doing this? I captured and imprisoned you, isn't that proof enough that I'm a dangerous criminal? Do I have to brutally murder you before you'll be satisfied?"

"You wouldn't," Fiyero replied, feeling rather confident in that fact. Besides, he had a nagging suspicion that the green woman couldn't do anything without her spell book anyway.

Elphaba sank back onto the stone seat and dropped her face into her hands, looking defeated. "Please, just leave me the hell alone."

"I just don't understand why you feel you need to be this way. Why do you feel the need to harm innocents and defame the Wizard? What had anyone ever done to you?" he asked.

Elphaba was on her feet in seconds, looking livid, "You don't know the first thing about me! The Wizard is nothing but a manipulative bastard and you'd do well to remember it. I most certainly have never hexed anyone unless they damn well deserved it. Your beloved Wizard is good for nothing but spreading lies and instilling unnecessary fear."

Fiyero was a bit surprised by this rather abrupt tirade, and was unsure how to respond for a moment. He wasn't sure whether or not he believed Elphaba's claims. After all, what would the Wizard have to gain by ruining the reputation of a green witch and creating an enemy for himself. His voice was steady and somewhat suspicious as he spoke again, "If none of the things said about you are true, then why act the part?"

"Well what else am I expected to do? All of Oz has a set mentality about me, and Oz forbid that they should actually form their own opinion rather than believing everything they hear. I'm obviously not going to change them, so I might as well give the people what they want. The Ozians want the Wicked Witch of the West? Then I'll sure as hell give them the Wicked Witch of the West."

Fiyero considered Elphaba's response carefully. In all truth he saw her point. Had she acted any differently upon capturing him he probably would have thought it was a trick. No way would he have formed any knew opinion on her based on her actions, not when stories about her had been drilled into his head for two year.

"So…let's say you're not the way everyone makes you out to be. Why would the Wizard spread lies about you?" Fiyero asked carefully. Elphaba actually seemed eager to speak to him at this point. Fiyero wondered fleetingly how long it had been since she'd spoken to another human being.

"The Wizard spreads lies because he's afraid of me," she said, unable to keep the bitterness out of her voice, "He and that bitch Madame Morrible couldn't control me, so they had to keep me from becoming a threat to their power. I knew too much, so they ruined my credibility by turning all of Oz against me. The truth is that the Wizard has no real power. He keeps his grip on Oz by spreading fear and lies. It's for that same reason that he's restricting Animal rights. He told me himself that he believed the only way to keep people together was to give them a common enemy. Meanwhile, he's putting down a group of completely innocent Ozian citizens who have as much right to live their lives as we do," Elphaba was now growing passionate about the topic of conversation, and Fiyero could see that she harbored a lot of resentment. If what she said was true, then it seemed that she was more of a victim than a villain.

Now fascinated with the discussion taking place, Fiyero asked, "So…the Animals? That's why you're out here. You believe in fighting for their rights."

"So apparently you're not completely imbecilic. Surprising in one of the Wizard's men, I must say. I suppose it couldn't hurt to tell you, since you aren't going anywhere. There's a large Animal refugee camp nearby, which is why this cave is such a convenient location for me. I spend time there educating the young ones and helping the older Animals to hold on to their power of speech. The Wizard's goal is to keep all of the Animals from speaking, and that's what we're fighting against," Elphaba's eyes lit with fire as she spoke. She was completely and totally dedicated to her cause.

Fiyero was a bit surprised to hear Elphaba's news about the Wizard. He knew the Wizard disliked Animals, and Fiyero had always assumed that this was because Animals were uncultured and uncivilized. However, after actually meeting one of these creatures, he could clearly see that this was not true. Was the Wizard really trying to squash out a group of innocent bystanders who had done no wrong? Was the Wizard really the villain here, or was he just being tricked into playing a witch's mind games? Fiyero wasn't really sure what to believe anymore, but he found himself growing more and more fascinated with Elphaba with each passing moment.

"So…that Bear cub, she was one of the Animals you're helping?" Fiyero realized, putting two and two together. That was why the Animal had known Elphaba's name and why the two had appeared such good friends.

Elphaba nodded in response, "Yes, her name's Lorgen. She's one of the youngest children at the camp. She was playing too close to a ravine and she fell in and split her head on one of the rocks at the bottom. It was just lucky I happened to be nearby at the time and was able to give her proper medical attention."

"You really care about these Animals don't you?" Fiyero asked, his eyes softening.

Elphaba's eyes bore into his as she responded, "Yes well, Animals are a lot more understanding than most people in this world."

With that, Elphaba finally seemed finished with their conversation, and she stood from her seat on the stone. "Don't think that just because I've told you these things that anything's changed. I let my mouth run away with me only because I know you pose no threat. You are still my prisoner and will be treated accordingly."

Fiyero nodded, only half listening. He was still lost in thought about the conversation they'd had only moments ago. Finally he looked up, "Can I see them?"

Elphaba didn't seem to understand his question. "See what?"

"The Animals," he responded, dead serious. For some reason, it suddenly seemed very important that he see this camp Elphaba had spoken of. He had to know if everything she'd told him was true.

Elphaba looked at him as if he were insane, "You must be joking. You can't possibly think I'm that utterly clueless. You think I don't know that you're going to bolt the second I allow you to set foot outside this cave?"

Fiyero wouldn't give up, and he stood so he was now eye level with the green woman, "Fine, then cast some sort of spell on me so I can't leave. Do whatever you feel is necessary to ensure I don't escape."

Elphaba stared hard at Fiyero for what seemed like an eternity, looking him up and down as if trying to determine whether or not he was lying. It appeared she could find no reason not to take him along. After all, if she cast the right spells there was no way he could pose any sort of threat. After a few moments she finally spoke, "Fine, but you will allow me to cast any spells on you I deem necessary, and you will obey any orders I give you. Now get back to your cavern. We leave in the morning."

Fiyero didn't have to be told twice as he slipped into the separate section of the cave and heard the large boulder slide into place behind him.

I'm glad you guys liked Lorgen. I always get nervous about creating OCs, even minor ones. Her name actually came from a strange nickname my eight year old cousin gave me for reasons unknown. We actually will be seeing a bit more of her later.

Oh, and please don't kill me, but I feel I should announce this in advance. On June 30 I'm going away and I won't be returning until July 17. From June 30-July 7 I'm going to Long Beach Island with my family and one of my best friends, and then from July 8-July 17 I'm going to some medical forum summer program up in Philadelphia with a couple of my other friends. Either way, it doesn't seem likely that I'll have any internet time, and I don't think I'll have time to complete this story before I go. That means nothing for the next couple of chapters, but after that you might have to wait a while. I'm really, really sorry, I hadn't realized this when I posted this story. I swear you'll have a new update or two as soon as I get back!

OK, I'm sorry this author's note took up half a page. If you're still here, I'll end by saying please leave me a review and tell me what you thought and I'll have the next chapter up soon!

S.P.