Authors Note: Thanks to NymeriaFae, Wickedly Hope Pancake (twice), and woodland59 for reviewing my story. Thanks to NymeriaFae for pointing out I should update my tags. With it being my first story, I'm still getting the feel for it. Also, to answer the question: this will be Gelphie (eventually). However, it probably won't be very cut and dry Gelphie.

Also, I will try to update at least once a week, if not more. I write much faster by hand then I can type, so the issue is getting the hand written pages into the computer.

Thanks again, and I hope you all enjoy the chapter.

"Ok, Elphie, before we go out we need to give you a name." Glinda said.

"Why?" Elphaba asked.

"Well, I can't go around calling you Elphie. First, it's not very Vinkun at all, and second, someone might remember your name."

"That makes sense. What did you have in mind?"

"Well, I thought you'd have some idea. You've spent time out there."

"I've always liked Nor." Fiyero said, and they both turned to look at him.

"People would be confused on whether she's addressing me or using a conjunction." Elphaba responded.

"Plus, not pretty enough." Glinda replied.

"What about Sarima then?"

Glinda brought a finger to her mouth. "Pretty, in an exotic sort of way, but plain enough not to draw much attention."

"Who was she?" Elphaba asked, looking intensely at Fiyero. This made Glinda scrutinize him also. He shuffled his feet and looked down.

"Just a girl from a neighboring tribe." He replied casually.

"Fiyero…" they both said.

"What?"

"There's more, Yero…" Elphaba warned.

"Nothing, I swear!"

"Fiyero," Glinda said sternly, "that's the voice you used to use when you were trying to hide something."

"Look, you have to understand, the Vinkus has its own customs that are unique."

"Enlighten us." Elphaba said evenly.

"The Vinkus…isn't ruled by any one family. There's a collection of tribes that jockey for position. My family is one of these."

"They said you were a prince." Glinda said, with a voice that contained something that sounded like hurt.

"That's because the people of the Emerald City need something to equate me to. I'm the heir to the most powerful tribe in the Vinkus, the Arjiki. Or, I was." He stopped and his gaze shifted away.

"Go on." Elphaba gently prodded.

"There are other tribes, like I said before, most notably the Scrow and the Yunamata. My grandfather raised the Arjiki to power by seizing several building from the Ozma Regent, of which one is Kiamo Ko."

"I see." Elphaba said.

"That makes sense. It's not the homiest of places." Glinda added.

"Agreed. Anyway, to maintain superiority one must engage in political alliances, just like here in the Emerald City. Sarima's tribe, though a smaller one, held a particular pass to the Thousand Year's Grassland that would make it easier for my tribe to travel there in spring and summer."

"I'm failing to see what this has to do with anything." Elphaba said.

"Wait!" Glinda yelled, and they both looked at her, "Are you saying…you were supposed to have a political marriage?"

"Yes."

"Fiyero!" Glinda said, and grabbed a pillow. She began hitting him with it. "I can't believe you lied to me!" Elphaba had to restrain Glinda, even though she was not doing any damage.

"I never lied. I just didn't bring it up." He said weakly.

"Glinda, it's true. We never asked." Elphaba said but shot him a dirty look. "Though I have half a mind to beat you myself. All these years, Yero?"

"Look, it was an arranged marriage. I never met the girl but once by accident." The next part he added quietly. "We were supposed to consummate it after I finished school."

"I'm going to tear you apart!" Glinda yelled and lunged at him but Elphaba ducked down and scooped her up over her shoulder. "I'm going to tear you apart and put you back together with one of my dresses and make you some girls doll!"

"How's that any different from when we were dating?" Fiyero shot back. Being around the two of them had caused some of his old personality to resurface.

"Grrr!"

"Fiyero, you're not helping. Glinda, calm down." Elphaba said.

"Why did you think I kept bouncing from school to school? My father didn't exactly pay attention to the bills being paid, and never went to university so he didn't know how long it was supposed to last. It didn't matter anyway. Once he found out I was with Glinda the Good and in the Emerald City Courts, he negotiated another deal and it was broken off. He thought I was going to be the one to actually make the Arjiki's a realm monarchy."

"Oh." Glinda said, now much calmer. Elphaba set her down.

"Yeah. So there was no need to tell you; either of you." He paused and got a far away stare. "I wonder how they're doing now."

"I wish I could tell you Fiyero, but I don't make it much Vinkus way. I make it out to Kiamo Ko every year but that's not really a social call."

"Why do you go there?" Elphaba asked suspiciously.

"To leave a letter for you to find in case you returned."

"Ah."

"I can make inquiries, Fiyero. I only met your parents once but I'm sure they wouldn't mind hearing from me again."

"Glinda, you never met my parents."

"I did at your funeral." She responded quietly. Silence hung in the air, but then Glinda shook her head. "Enough of this depressing talk. We have good times ahead. Come, Elp-Sarima, we have shopping to do."

"Ugh." Elphaba groaned but replaced the veils on her face.

"None of that. Oh, and one more thing. Fiyero?"

"Yes?"

"Start thinking up where you've been for the past five years. The public is growing uncertain about the stories told, and the court does not yet completely believe me. I'll need you to help seal the deal."

"Ok."

"Also, some information on the Vinkus. I don't want to make a fool out of myself."

"Too late." Elphaba grumbled, but Glinda merely straightened her tiara and walked out. Elphaba followed.

The rode in a covered carriage, sitting across from each other. For a long time they were silent, Elphaba examining the city and Glinda enjoying being out in her company of her friend. Finally, Elphaba could not hold out any longer.

"I don't like what you've become, Glinda." She said stiffly.

"And what's that?" Glinda replied evenly.

"A manipulator. A liar. A con artist."

"Well, see the fruits of your labor." Glinda bit back.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You left me in this coven of vipers to fend for myself. You left me with changing Oz even thought I was just a twenty-three year old girl in way over her head. I had to lie, every day, to make the progress you so wanted. Starting with cheering your death. Oz, you didn't even deem it worthy to tell me you were alive."

"It was for your own protection!"

"How? How was it for my protection?" the words were coming fast and hard now, the effect of trying to keep an argument quiet. "There is no way it could have hurt me. If the people of Oz had known my connection to you they would have lynched me, whether you were alive or dead."

"Then it was for our protection."

"How? The Emerald City has no power in other countries. It can't even keep Oz together. You probably could have hid in Kiamo Ko the rest of you lives and been safe."

"This all comes so easy for you Glinda."

"Oh, don't try that Elphie deflection tactic on me."

"But it does! The lying, the fake smile, the courts. It's where you thrive."

"Of course it is! I was raised for it. Only for one glorious year did I not care about what other people thought. Only one year, a year that was shattered when you left. Before then, I was a fake girl: Galinda. After that I was a fake woman: Glinda the Good. Only for that one year was I truly myself, and only then was I called by a name that represented who I was instead of what I was. Do you remember it?"

"My sweet." Elphaba said softly.

"Yes. You'd call me that, and I felt only you truly knew me. And then you flew away, taking that with you. So don't you tell me I haven't been true to myself. You took me with you that night, whether I knew it or not. What's been left is simply a mask made to serve someone else's agenda." The carriage had stopped. Glinda tidied herself up, preparing to exit.

"And whose agenda do you serve now, Glinda?" Elphaba asked harshly.

"Yours." She replied, and got out before the carriage man could open the door for her. Elphaba followed, feeling guilt at the truth of her words.