Author's note: First off, thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing multiple chapters of this and my other stories. And nice connection. It's a literary indulgence of mine.
Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing a fourth time, and giving voice to exactly what Elphaba is thinking.
As always, I hope you enjoy, and comments, critiques, and reviews are welcome.
Glinda and Elphaba walked in line with the other maunts. They were about two thirds back hoping that they would escape scrutiny. Elphaba was nervous but did not let it show with practiced ease. She worried for Glinda but the blonde must have still been in disbelief because she was perfectly calm. As the maunts began to pass through the gate Elphaba resisted the urge to hold her breath. The guards started to inspect them but quickly grew bored and waved them through. Elphaba relaxed as she passed under the archway and let out a small sigh of relief.
"Hey, what are you two doing?" one guard said. Elphaba tensed, preparing to flee, but Glinda was right in between two guards. She gritted her teeth.
"They are shrouded sisters." Sister Superior said, coming up to the guard who had spoken. "They have taken a vow to retreat from the world the best they can, and not be heard or seen."
"I'm sorry Sister, but there are fugitives about. We have to check." He apologized and reached for Glinda's shroud. Elphaba coiled, preparing to strike him but jumped when the sisters began to wail. "Why are they doing that?" the guard asked.
"They are lamenting for the stain on our sisters' souls should their vow be broken. They are also crying for your soul, for you are breaking it."
"Why aren't those two wailing?" he asked, and Elphaba realized only her, Glinda, and Sister Superior were not.
"They will not compound your sins by willing breaking their vow."
"Fine! Just let them pass through." He finally said gruffly.
As they continued onward, Elphaba fell back to Sister Superior.
"How did you do that?" she whispered to Sister Superior.
"Hush. You should be silent." The maunt replied but continued. "I did nothing. The sisters believe you have actually taken your vows."
"Isn't it a sin to use the Unnamed God this way?" Elphaba continued, ignoring the maunts order.
"I've prayed on that very question for the last few days after Brother Dervel asked me. I received no answer, so I was left with my own choice. If it is a sin I will live with it to the end of my days. I cannot even confess because of the risk involved."
"What did he do for you?"
"He saved my soul. I was a cheap hooker before him. He freed me, and many others."
To that Elphaba had no response.
After a few hours of walking the procession stopped. Both Elphaba and Glinda were a little startled when the all maunts turned to them.
"Our sisters are leaving to find their own path to salvation. May the Unnamed God bless their path." Sister Superior intoned, and led the maunts in a prayer. She then approached them. "Continue north for another day. Your guide will find you there. May the Unnamed God cherish your soul."
"I have no soul." Elphaba whispered.
"You make think so, Sister Aelphaba, but I have no doubt." With that she left, leaving Elphaba no chance to respond.
Elphaba woke. The fire was a bare smolder of embers. She shifted painfully, forgetting how it was to sleep on hard ground. Sighing, she untangled herself from Glinda. The blonde was using her for a pillow and warmth. Glinda smiled and muttered something but took no notice of Elphaba. She gave the blonde a light kiss on the forehead, and whispered that she was getting more wood. The blonde mumbled back adorably. She spent about fifteen minutes gathering the driest pieces she could until she had an armful. As she approached the dim light she saw Glinda sitting up.
"What are you doing up?" she asked cheerfully. Glinda turned towards her with wide eyes.
"Elphie, watch o-" but was silenced as a black hand covered her mouth and a cloth over her eyes. Elphaba dropped the wood and spun but was doubled over by a blow to the stomach. She let out a deep gasp and fell to her knees.
Glinda heard Elphaba get struck as her world went black. Her arms were roughly bound to her sides but her hands still hand some free movement. They flew into the pockets of the dress, looking for something. Finding it, she squeezed it tight.
"Stand them up." She heard a gruff voice say and was roughly hauled to her feet. "Where's the book witch?"
"Have you checked the library?" Elphaba voiced was pained even through her sarcasm. There was a loud crack, and Elphaba let out a grunt of pain.
"Elphie! Don't hurt her!" Glinda yelled.
A hot breath in her ear asked, "Do you know where the Grimmerie is?"
"Do you think were stupid enough to carry it on us?" Elphaba groaned. Glinda heard the sound of objects hitting the ground.
"It's not here, boss. We searched both of their stuff."
"Where is it witch?" the first voice said.
"Like I'd tell you." Glinda could hear Elphaba's disgust.
There was smacking sound, and Elphaba's pained grunt. This began to repeat itself over, and over, and over. The only change was that Elphaba's started to let out gasps and finally cries of pain. Tears were streaming down Glinda's face. Every time she heard the sound she squeezed the object in her hand harder. Every time Elphaba cried out she squeezed it longer. After what seemed like an eternity to Glinda, the sound stopped.
"She's not going to talk. I can see it in her eyes. We could beat her all night and get nothing but tired." Another voice said.
"Well, what about her friend? We could work her over." A different voice answered, innuendo clear. Glinda whimpered and tried to sink to the ground but was held up.
"Leave her alone!" Elphaba yelled.
"Don't worry Elphie, I'll be fine." Glinda said, voice quivering. "Don't tell them anything."
"While the idea is…enticing, the boss said hands off. The princess has a public appointment with the gallows."
"How would he know? Seems a waste."
"Do you want to deal with him if he finds out?"
"Probably wants her all to himself."
"His prerogative."
"I wonder what they'll choose. Beheading's always interesting. I've gotten bored of seeing hangings."
"The paraffin necklace is always a treat."
"Enough!" the original voice said. "Stay focused."
There was grumbling, then the same voice said, "How about this?" there was a clacking sound. "You've got ten seconds, my Lady, before I put a bullet through this green freak. Ten."
"Elphie!"
"Nine."
"Don't do it, Glinda!"
"Eight!"
"It's not worth it, Elphie!"
"Seven."
"Don't! They can't use it!"
"Six."
"But Elphie!"
"Five."
"No Glinda-"
"Four."
"-they can hurt so many more-"
"Three."
"-with it than just me."
"Two."
"Elphie! Sir, please, don't!"
"One!"
"Glinda, I want to tell you-"
"Times up!"
There was a thunderous sound.
"Elphie!" Glinda screamed and broke down sobbing.