Author's Note: Wow. 6 days. Longest I've gone without posting. Don't worry, it wasnt becasuethe Muse wasnt there. It was because I was handwriting again and that always adds a day or two when transcribing. I have about three more chapters that are ready for transcribing so no worries there.
Thank you to OphleiaTheActress for reviewing. I'm happy you are enjoying the story. Your compliments on my writing actually made me blush a little.
Thank you to heatqueen for reviewing again. If you review again who knows? I may have a surprise in gratitude.
As always, comments and critiques are welcome. I hope you enjoy this chapter.
There was a light rap at the door. Elphaba stirred, and slowly untangled herself from Glinda. As she tried clearing the fog from her brain she passed a mirror. She paused to glance at her reflection.
I look terrible. She thought, and chuckled softly. She was definitely spending too much time around Glinda. She unlocked the door and eased it open. Duran was standing there holding a tray of assorted meats, cheese, bread, fruits, and eggs.
"Breakfast." He said with a smile. Elphaba grunted and walked back towards the bed. Duran followed with the tray.
"Whoisit?" Glinda grumbled from under the covers. All that could be seen of her was a mop of golden curls.
"Duran. He's got breakfast." Elphaba replied.
Glinda's head popped up at the mention of food. She looked at Duran, sleepily comprehending the situation, then squeaked and hid back under the covers.
"Elphie, you mean green thing! I'm not decent! I look absolutely hideodeous!" Elphaba shot Duran an exasperated look but he just smiled.
"I'll leave this here then."
"Thank you!" came the muffled response from under the covers. "Oh, Duran? Is there a bath tub? I need to wash up."
"Glinda," Elphaba admonished, "we have much more important things to worry about."
She popped up from under the covers again. "Elphie, we have to clean. That's just disgustifying!" she looked at Duran again, and re-hid. He laughed.
"I'll see if I can find a tub of sorts for you. Regretfully, I have no way of making fire, nor would I wish too since it could give us away. Do you have some sort of heating spell?"
"Yep." Came a muffled response.
"Ok. I'll be back in a little bit."
As the door shut Glinda popped out from under the covers. She rolled out of bed, clutching the sheet to her chest, and made her way over to the food. Examining it, she took a small bite and made a face.
"Get used to it. It won't be much better once were out."
"Why can't resistances be in big mansions with nice food" she grumbled. Elphaba joined her and they ate in silence for a few minutes. There was a knock at the door, and after moment it opened. In came Duran wheeling a tub full of water. He rested it in an open area and looked up. His face flickered with some form of emotion but his smile held.
"Here you go. That's all the water I could get so don't go wasting it."
"What will you use?" Glinda asked. He turned his full attention on her, and she saw that flicker again; not on his face but in his eyes.
"I'll use one of the many houses who owe me favors. But I can do that in the day time, unlike you two. I'll be back in about an hour. Be ready by then." A whirl of fabric and he was gone.
"Elphie, was he acting stranger?"
"Stranger?"
"Yes. When he came in, I thought there was something that…flashed across his face. And when he looked at me, it was there again but in his eyes."
"Probably because you're standing there in just a sheet and a tiny night dress. It is affects people, I can tell you."
Glinda blushed. "I completely forgot." A pause. "Surely you me it can affect men, right?"
"Take it from someone who has lived with you; the morning is when you are the most radiant. So no, it affects everyone." She quirked her lips into a smile. "It's kind of like morning sunlight. Pretty but blinding."
"That's one of the sweetest things someone ever told me. Have you gotten used to it by now?"
"One never gets used to it. They just learn to function in it better."
"So it still affects you?"
"Every time. Why do you think I put up with your incessant blanket stealing?"
Glinda huffed and Elphaba cackled. "I do not steal the covers!"
"Whatever you say my sweet. Now, would you like to go first?"
"Yes. Thank you."
True to his word, Duran returned an hour later. Both women had washed and changed into their new clothes but Glinda was moping because Elphaba had forbidden her from Glindafying. He smiled as he entered and set down two backpacks with attached sleeping rolls.
"I've got these for you. They have everything you'll need when you're on your own, including food and water. Once you're out of the city, you should head north through the forests to west of the Yellow Brick Road. It may take you some weeks but you'll be able to get to Gillikin safely."
"Some weeks! It will take closer to a month!" Elphaba countered.
"There will be some old Resistance members I can point you towards that can help out. They can show you the paths to get to Gillikin easier."
Glinda looked apprehensive. "You sure you haven't changed your mind?"
"No, tempting though it is. Besides, you won't need me."
"Ok."
"Now, I have a few more arrangements to prepare. I'll be back in a little bit, and then we'll go." With that, he spun in a cascade of cloth and left.
As the women began packing and double checking, Elphaba thought back to her previous experience. She was not as well prepared as she was now, but those pursuing her seemed much more capable. That worried her. She stole a glance at Glinda who had sat down on the bed. Her change in demeanor was puzzling. Yesterday she was strong, confident, and smart. This morning she seemed… little girlish. Almost like she reverted back to Galinda. Elphaba then noticed her sniffle, and sat down on the bed next to her.
"What's wrong, my sweet?" she asked softly.
"Nothing."
"It's obviously not nothing. What is it?"
"You'll think me dumb."
"No I won't. Tell me."
"It's just…I don't want to travel through the wilderness, Elphie. I don't want to give up my life. I like it. Why can't everything just go back to the way it was? Everything was going so perfectly! It would have been just like old times." She leaned towards Elphaba and she enveloped the blonde in her arms.
"My sweet, sometimes these things happen. We'll keep moving forward, and everything will be ok. In the end it will make a great story to tell."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"You probably think I'm weak."
"No, Glinda, I don't. You're just not as hardened to the world like everyone else, and that's why I love you."
"I love you too, Elphie."
The women sat there for several minutes, taking comfort in each other but trying to suppress an uneasy feeling they could not place. A light rapping broke them apart, and Duran entered.
"Ready?"
Glinda was very grumpy. Here she was trudging through the same passageways as before (she refused to acknowledge their purpose) and carrying a heavy backpack. And, to top it all off, she did not even look good. This was not the life for her. To make it almost insufferable, Duran was whistling as they walked. She could have sworn he was enjoying this. She began to plan the ways she could get revenge on him. Maybe change that ever present scarf of his pink. She grinned at that thought and it made the trip easier. After a bit they stopped at a ladder with a trapdoor at the top.
"Here we are, Misses." He looked up it, and then at Glinda. "You have no trouble with ladders, I suppose. I know the other Miss is well acquainted with them."
"The only time I have trouble on ladders is when a boy is trying to peak up my skirts." She retorted haughtily.
"But not a girl?" Duran shot back mischievously. Glinda scowled.
"Why you-" the rest was lost in Duran's laughter which was deafening in the tight confines.
"No worries then. I'll go first." He swung up the ladder and, while Glinda contemplated knocking him off of it, gave a rhythmic five knocks. The trap door opened and the two witches were blinded by the sudden brightness.
"I was wondering what took you so long." A woman's voice met them.
"You know me; I like to take my time."
"Like now. Get up here and bring our guests."
The three climbed out of the tunnel. There was a short gasp as Glinda emerged but a much sharper inhale as Elphaba did.
"Duran! You didn't tell me you were bringing Her Goodness here! And-and-and- the Wicked-"
"The other one." Duran cut her off.
"Yes, the other one."
Glinda's eyes finally adjusted to the light. "Jui Lin?"
"Yes, Your Goodness."
"How many times do I have to say-"
"I know, Your Goodness."
"You know each other?" Elphaba asked.
"Jui Lin is in charge of one of the schools I support." Her face darkened. "Did support."
"Fear not, Your Goodness. We have more than enough for the year. Besides, you'll be back in no time."
"How many of your people are in the Resistance?" Elphaba asked rhetorically in disbelief, but Jui Lin answered.
"Most of the adults. When Her Goodness stopped being Throne Minister and started doing good we made it a priority to serve and shield her."
"So I heard from Maygon." Glinda said. "Which reminds me: when she introduced herself to me she said she was a Quadling but last night said she was Arjiki. I'm confusified."
"She's Quadling by birth but Arjiki by custom. She was an orphan adopted by Arjiki that lived in the city. She has learned many Quadling customs but she is strongly Arjiki also."
"Interesting." Elphaba said sincerely. That brought Jui Lin's attention back to her.
"Uh, Your Goodness, what is – um – what I mean is-"
"Why is the Wicked Witch of the West standing here?" asked a beaming Duran.
"Well, yes."
"You see, we brought her back from the dead-ooph!" Duran took Glinda's elbow to the gut.
"Her name is Elphaba, Jui Lin. She did not really die but has been in hiding for fear for her life." Glinda replied
"So, was she really wicked then? I mean, you seem on friendly terms with her." Jui Lin asked. Once again Duran beat Glinda to the punch.
"It depends on what you mean by wicked. Did she defy the Wizard? Definitely. Did she conspire his downfall with subversive elements, both Ozian and Animal? Certainly. Did she use magic to further said means? Absolutely. Was she in the West? For a little bit. But really, that could apply to any of us here. Does she really have a third eye? Can shed her skin? Is a jilted lover? Half-Dragon, half woman? Ravishes young maidens in the night? Not that I'm aware, but I'm willing to investigate the last one."
"Ravish young maidens?" Elphaba yelled. "When did that get added?"
"Yes, I've never heard that one either." Jui Lin added.
"Really? Seems to be popular in my circle." Duran added with a wink.
"I'm sure." Jui Lin retorted.
"Well, if it is not a rumor yet, give me a week. All of Oz will be locking their daughters away."
"Really!" Glinda interjected. "That would be most unhelpful considering our situation."
"I get that a lot."
"Where are we anyway?" Glinda asked.
"The Upland School for Young Minds." Jui Lin replied.
"Really? You think it safe for us to be here?"
"Sure. They searched the place yesterday. They completely missed the door in the closet that goes to the safe room upstairs."
"What if the Gale Force comes back?"
"We'll know far in advance. This block knows that the school is the only real hope for their children to have a decent life. They won't let anything happen to jeopardize it."
"Even go against the Administration?" Elphaba asked wearily.
"What has the Administration ever done for them?" Jui Lin shot back. "Her Goodness cared for them as Throne Minister; as soon as she was forced out, they cut off all funding. Now Her Goodness cares for them again. Every orphan, parent, family on this block loves Her Goodness and would do anything for her." Jui Lin came back angrily, and Elphaba could feel he conviction behind her words.
With that the conversation died.