Thank you to OpheliatheActress for reviewing. I'm glad you liked it and it met (or didn't) your expectations.
Thank you to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I'm glad you liked it. That's what I was going for.
Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing (both here and Reading the Signs). The library scene came from not-me. It was meant to end with the book not being there but half an hour later there it was. Writing is weird like that, as I'm sure you know.
Thank you to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Elphaba's reaction is…well, you have to read.
And what is it with people thinking Fiyero is alive? Don't Gelphie authors hate him with a passion?:)
My apologies for the lateness. I was going to post this a couple of days ago but food poisoning got the better of me. As for the week late I'll address that in an end author's note.
As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments, critiques and criticisms welcome.
4/2/14
Glinda was having the most amazing dream. Elphaba was holding her tight, kissing her neck and telling her how much she loved her. How she never wanted to be without her. Some part of Glinda knew it was a dream and it would be gone when she woke. She struggled to stay asleep but her cursed affliction was forcing her onward.
"Sleep well, my sweet." Dream Elphaba said and Glinda felt a light kiss on her neck. Glinda forced herself to focus and she fell back to dreaming for a while before her affliction returned more insistent. She groaned and woke, opening one eye. Her dream was so good that she even cursed the sunlight peeking through the blinds but she sat up anyway.
Only to fall immediately back down as the memories from the previous day (and night) hit her. Elphaba had kissed her. Not the other way around. She had driven Glinda onto the bed and they had spent the next couple of hours losing themselves in each other's embrace. Elphaba had been…enthusiastic, if unskilled. Glinda had reciprocated with everything she had and they exhausted themselves before dragging each other into the bathroom to get cleaned up.
Bathing each other, in hindsight, had probably not been the smartest idea as it quickly turned into much more. Afterwards both had almost fallen asleep in the tub; only the cooling water kept them awake. After struggling out and crawling to the bed they had been exhausted. It had not stopped them from partaking one more time before they passed out from exhaustion.
Glinda sighed. It had been good, great, amazing, spectacular, heavenly…she was letting herself get sidetracked. It was…all those things but also saddening. The desperation in Elphaba's kisses, the need in their lovemaking, filled Glinda with dread that she was merely a balm to Elphaba's wound. Glinda sighed again. They would need to talk about it. She glanced to her left but did not see Elphaba. This was not uncommon as she often woke before Glinda and read when they were at her villa in the Emerald City.
As she went to the bathroom she saw no sight of her, and afterwards she did not see her in the parlor either. She was not in the suite at all. Glinda dropped onto the bed and buried her face in her hands. Elphaba had fled, and Glinda had been right. She felt used. Glinda did not even try to hold back the sobs that came.
Elphaba walked. She had woken about a half an hour before and had to kiss Glinda half-awake as the blonde was cuddling her arm for dear life. The adorable grumbles had made her smile but drawn attention to their nakedness. She had flushed in embarrassment, and quickly threw the covers back over Glinda. Afterward she hurriedly dressed in an under tunic and stockings. Her original plan was to go down and grab some breakfast but once she started walking her feet led her where they may. The rafters and walkways welcomed her.
The previous day and night were a blur to her. She remembered the news of Fiyero's death. She had almost died at that moment, but saw that light again and smelled roses. Glinda had been like a beacon calling to her, and she fell towards her. The taste of her lips had saved Elphaba, brought her back to life, and she needed more. No; craved more. She could not, would not part with her. That had led them onto the bed and into new territory for Elphaba.
She was not a blushing virgin by any means. For one, she hardly ever blushed (though Glinda somehow still made her) and two, she was not a virgin. Her sexual experience, however, could be measured in months, not years; and those months had been filled with running, hiding, and planning, so it was not an everyday occurrence. In her (very) limited experience, she had never in her wildest (well, maybe wildest) dreamings could have foreseen being with a woman. And Glinda, to top it all off.
The experience was…she could not describe it. It felt like a joining of two spirits, a pure expression of love, and a thousand other clichéd, over used poetic sentiments. But to her, it was. It was something she had never experienced before. The only thing that came close was that first night with Fiyero, but even that had not reached such heights. Or frequency. At that Elphaba did blush.
Yet was it true? Or was she just using Glinda for her own selfish needs and wants? Had she not just been grieving for Fiyero, the man who had stuck by her side these last six years? Is that not what set the entire chain of events off? If she loved him truly, why did she fall so easily from Glinda? If she loved Glinda truly, why did she stick so adamantly with Fiyero? Or did she fall from love to love so quickly? It had been just under a month since their flight from the Emerald City. Had she fallen out and into love so fast?
There were no answers for her questions. What she did know was that Glinda would be famished (as she was hungry herself) so she stealthed into the kitchen to get them some breakfast, and retreated to the suite. As she opened the door she heard crying.
"Glinda?" she asked, and the crying stopped raggedly but started again. Elphaba finally saw Glinda sitting on the bed with her head in her hands. "Glinda, what's wrong?"
"You left!" she cried. "I woke up and you were gone! I knew it was wrong, I knew it!"
"Glinda. I brought you breakfast." Elphaba said lamely.
"What?" Glinda sniffled. She finally looked up at Elphaba.
"Breakfast. I knew you would be hungry. I may have…gotten lost in my head on the way but breakfast was my intention."
"Oh." She replied, and sighed, with a smile appearing. Elphaba could not help but think she was no less beautiful with the last vestiges of tears in her eyes. As she walked forward to place the food on the end table, Glinda stood to help with the tray. Elphaba saw and the tray wobbled dangerously but Glinda caught it just in time. She looked at Elphaba confused but noticed where the emerald woman's stare was going. Smiling, she gave a little shake and Elphaba blushed deeply, and snapped her eyes to Glinda.
"Uh…breakfast." She stuttered and Glinda's smile grew wider.
"Not in here. We'll get crumbs on the bed." Glinda replied, and went to walk to the parlor. Elphaba quickly grabbed the tray and turned around.
"Perhaps you should put some more clothes on." She said shyly.
"Why? It's quite warm enough in here."
"You know why." Elphaba replied quietly and Glinda smiled. She took a step and wrapped her arms around Elphaba waist, knowing she would not be able to push her off. She pressed her body close. Elphaba tensed and said huskily. "Glinda."
"Oh my, Miss Elphaba, are you not wearing undergarments? Naughty." She teased and let her hands roam.
"You need to eat."
"I am hungry but I think I've got what I want right here."
"Glinda. Please."
The desperation in Elphaba's voice got Glinda to stop. She unwrapped her arms around the emerald woman. Still, Elphaba did not move. Glinda walked around to look at her.
"Elphie, what is it?"
"Glinda, I…we need to talk about this soon."
"Will it be a good talk or a bad one?"
"I don't know, but I do know it won't happen if you don't have some clothes on."
"Then maybe I'll stay naked forever."
"Glinda."
"Fine, I'll throw a robe on."
Glinda put on a white silk robe and sat at the table. She tried to focus on eating but the sway of Elphaba's body under her clothes kept drawing her eyes. Elphaba caught her staring a couple of times but Glinda quickly looked away. She was admiring the shifting of Elphaba's muscles as she moved when Elphaba's voice cut into her thoughts.
"Glinda, you're making me nervous."
"What? Why?" Glinda asked surprised as she broke out of her admiration.
"I feel like you're going to jump me any second."
"And how does that make you feel?" Glinda replied, giving her a feral grin.
"As I said, nervous."
"Why? You know I won't."
"Because part of me wants you to, and that scares me a bit."
"It's time, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"So?"
"Glinda, I don't want you to think that I regret last night. It was one of the most amazing things to happen to me."
"You're welcome. I aim to please." She replied jovially, and Elphaba scowled at her.
"I'm being serious."
"I know, and this conversation will become very serious. A little levity won't hurt."
"If you insist. Like I said, I don't regret it."
"Then what do you regret?"
"What may come after it."
"How can you regret something that hasn't happened?"
"Because it can happen, may happen, or may be expected to happen."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"I fear that knowing your feelings I may have used you when I was hurting to help." Elphaba said meekly, then took a deep breath. "And in doing so, lead you on and hurt you. I don't want to do that."
"What do you want?" Glinda asked quietly.
"I don't know. I know what I wanted then; it was you. You pulled me out of that dark place, Glinda, that place I went to last time I lost him. But that's the problem, isn't it? I fell because I loved him, and then I fell into you after I lost him again. But do I love him? I mean, I fell for you so easily, and I know I love you but is it love love? Or am I confusing the two?"
Glinda walked around the table as Elphaba continued to babble on. As she put a hand on her shoulder, Elphaba looked up at Glinda and she could see the pain and confusion in those deep chocolate eyes. Glinda knew Elphaba's protective and passionate natures, the two where she drew her strength, were currently warring inside her. Glinda would have to be the strong one. With a light smile, she placed a finger to Elphaba's lips.
"Shh, my beautiful emerald. You're in pain and confused. I know this must be all very scary for you. Right now, you need to figure it out for yourself." Glinda said softly, lovingly. Elphaba went to protest but Glinda shook her head. "No, my dear girl, don't worry about me. You need to focus on you. Before you even contemplate it, I won't be angry if you come to the conclusion last night came from being in pain. I'll understand and we can just leave it there. Ok?"
Elphaba nodded and looked like she was going to say something. Glinda waited, and after a few moments her eyebrow raised and her lips quirked. It did not take the usually outspoken Elphaba long to say something.
"Glinda, I…thank you."
"Always. I'll always be her for you, no matter what."
"I don't…if it was a mistake-"
"Not a mistake, Elphie, a special exception."
"If it was a special exception," Elphaba echoed, a slight smile tugging at her lips, "I don't want you to be unhappy. Promise you'll move on?"
"You don't have to worry about that. If it's not meant to be, I'll find my happy somewhere." Glinda replied, and then could not help but add, "I mean, Wynne's pretty cute."
There was a flash behind Elphaba's eyes and she began to rise, her voice a growl. "That might have been the wrong thing to say, my sweet."
"No, no, no." Glinda said, placing her hands on Elphaba's shoulders to keep her at arm's length. "You are supposed to be sorting your feelings, not piling more on top of the mess. Now, go walk or whatever it is you do when you need to think."
Glinda spun her around. She could not help but give her a light swat on the butt for encouragement. Elphaba raised an eyebrow at that, but smiled and walked out of the room. Glinda let out a sigh of relief. She was having difficulty resisting jumping Elphaba herself. Glinda did jump, however, when the door opened and Elphaba strode back in.
"I need more clothes than this." She said.
"I disagree but you do what you feel best." Glinda replied with a laugh. Elphaba scowled and quickly threw on her numerous veils. She did not blacken her eyes as she felt it unnecessary where she was going. With that she once again left the room, but not without first casting a forlorn glance at Glinda.
Glinda sighed as she felt the tears coming. She knew she would break. She knew she would cry. It was what always happened after these types of things. But she did not want to. She did not want to be that girl anymore. A thought, a memory, came into her head and Glinda hurriedly got dressed. She would do as she used to, and it would help her. She slipped on her slippers and hurried out the door. It was waiting for her.
As she made her way through the dark corridors Elphaba had shown her she began to hum. Slowly but surely she picked up the intensity and marveled at the sound coming off the walls. It seemed even here, in the secret passageways of the Opera House, that the acoustics were beautiful. As she pulled on the hidden door she saw she was exactly where she wanted. Climbing the stairs from the pit she wistfully floated onto the stage.
It had been a long time she sang anything challenging; even longer since she sang the particular song. So, as she was taught, she began to warm up. Her voice carried easily across the concert hall. Most of the staff paid her no notice as they were used to performers practicing in the hall. One person did. He went to observe the noblewoman, almost a queen of Oz, sing. It would be a rare treat for him.
As she finished her warm up a feeling of timidity came over her. She did not know if she could do the song justice. Focusing, she pushed that feeling away. This was for her; it would be perfect if it was perfect or not. She started hesitantly, slowly, but soon slipped into it, as comforting as a warm bath. She lost herself in her song. It was a sad thing; of life and love and the losses along the way. She had not really understood it the last time she had sung it. She had been just a girl then, without the broken dreams, broken friendships, and entropy of possibilities that life brings as one grows older. Now, she knew how it felt and conveyed it into her song. As she finished and her voice died out she heard clapping.
"Beautiful." A man said, and Robiere appeared from one of the side doors. Glinda was slightly annoyed at his intrusion but realized she was in a public space in his Opera House.
"Thank you, sir." She replied graciously.
"So much talent to do it without accompaniment."
"Well, it was not exactly performance level by any means."
"You sell yourself short, my lady. Technically perfect, no; but emotionally perfect."
"Thank you again, sir."
"May I ask a favor?"
"It depends, sir, as I am not feeling well."
"Once more but let me accompany you on the piano? It would do this old fop's heart good."
"Of course, sir. You have been so kind to us already."
Robiere disappeared behind stage and came back pushing a small piano. He sat at it, and played a few measures to warm himself up.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yes."
Once again Glinda sang, and started with less feeling. However, the combination of the song and the music pulled it out of her. As she ended she was surprised to see Robiere wipe his eyes and smile.
"A good release." He said, and smiled at her look of concern. "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm a bit over emotional. You look tired, my lady. Perhaps you should rest."
"Thank you, sir. I think I shall do that." Glinda said, and left.
Elphaba walked the welcoming girders and passageways. She had to be more careful now as people were moving about. Her mind welcomed the darkness; it helped eliminate the distractions from her mind. She stopped in a secluded area where she had never seen a worker. Leaning against the junction of two beams she began to settle her mind.
She was worried about how this was all going to turn out. She did not want to lose Glinda in any way. However, she did not want to let her go. She wanted to have her but was afraid to in case something went wrong. She was also scared because she wondered if Glinda would leave her when she got to know Elphaba better.
Elphaba rubbed her eyes. This was not making any sense. First, Glinda knew Elphaba better than anyone else, and she still had not left her. But Elphaba could not guarantee something bad might not happen to Glinda, or that Elphaba would screw something up and push her away. She did not want to lose her like Fiyero.
And then again what about Fiyero? Did she not love him? Did she actually like women? Considering the previous night, Elphaba did not think back on it negatively. She was warmed by it. She did not know if it was anyone else other than Glinda that she would be attracted to. However, she knew many would be attracted to Glinda, so if she wanted her she had to make a decision. The thought of someone like Wynne having her made Elphaba, well, jealous. The thought of anyone having her made her jealous.
Elphaba let out a growl of frustration. She was still getting nowhere. Then she heard it. Something soft, melodious. Elphaba figured she must be near the Opera stage. She climbed down a hidden spiral staircase behind the boxes that led to a door hidden behind a service station to see who was singing on stage. Right before the signer came into view Elphaba placed the voice. It was Glinda. Elphaba sat there entranced as she watched Glinda warm up and then launch it a bitter sweet song she did not know. She was so entranced she missed Robiere moved up behind her.
"Mesmerizing, is it not?" he whispered. Elphaba started.
"Yes. She has a lovely voice."
"Not the voice. The soul. It speaks so clearly in the song."
"I would not know much on matters of the soul."
"And what of matters of the heart? Do you know why she sings such?"
"Frankly it's none of your business."
"You should go to her." He said and he noticed the song wind down.
"No. I'll let her have her peace."
"This is no peace to her and you know it."
"Frankly, I think you should stop talking now. It's starting to annoy me."
Robiere simply shrugged and stepped out of the shadow, clapping.
"Beautiful." He said and Glinda thanked him. He gave her some praise and then left to get a piano. They went through the song again and it more beautiful than the last time. Elphaba suppressed the tears in her eyes. She knew that she had not figured out the perfect solution but she knew what she was going to do. She watched Glinda leave and Robiere came back.
"Has it solved things for you?" he asked.
Elphaba simply nodded and spun on her heels while Robiere smiled behind her back.
Elphaba was tormented the entire way back to the suite by the smell of Glinda in the dark corridors. She had used the secret passages Elphaba had shown her, and must have been only a few minutes ahead. As Elphaba exited the secret passage she saw the door to the suite close. She entered in after and Glinda turned to her.
"Elphie. I did not expect you back so soon." She said tiredly.
Elphaba strode over and took her into her arms and kissed her. Glinda resisted for a moment but then relaxed into the kiss. As it continued she swooned and Elphaba held her. They broke for air and Elphaba noticed Glinda's eyes were closed. She watch Glinda lick her lips and wanted to taste them again.
"I assume you figured things out?" Glinda breathed and opened her eyes.
"You did, my sweet."
"Me?"
"Yes. I heard you sing and it helped put things into perspective." Elphaba said and thought Glinda's confused look was slightly adorable. She bent down and kissed her again.
"Elphie." Glinda breathed again. "You need to stop that."
Elphaba kissed her again. "Why's that?"
"I'm far too tired to follow where it may lead."
Elphaba kissed her a third time. "Well, then we shall have a nap."
"A nap?"
"Yes. I do know how you used to enjoy those. Has it changed?"
"No."
"Then a nap first."
"And then?"
"And then study."
"Study?" Glinda said, confused and mildly annoyed.
"Yes." Elphaba smiled at her. "Your studies are very important and we have been shirking them."
"Hmph." Glinda huffed and turned around. Elphaba laughed and Glinda awaited for Elphaba to say something. When she had not for a few moment she became concerned. "Elphie?"
"Well, are you coming?" came her voice from far behind her. She turned to see Elphaba tucked into bed.
"Of course!" Glinda replied and ran towards the bed. Bounding into it she nestled into her spot next to Elphaba. At that moment in time, Glinda would not have traded it for the world.
Robiere knocked on the door but there was no answer. He looked at Wynne, who shrugged. Doing it a second time the door slowly swung open. Robiere gave Wynne an apprehensive look but saw she had gone into protection mode. She moved in front of him and slowly stalked into the room, carefully half drawing her sword. As she rounded the corner into the bedroom she heard a giggle. She quietly sheathed the sword and looked toward the source. The two witches were sitting on the couch, cuddled close, with their wands out. As Glinda saw her, she gave another giggle and light finger wave.
"Hi." She said, sounding chipper.
"Hi." Wynne replied amused.
"We're practicing." Glinda explained and flicked her wand. The pillows that were laying around the room rose. They began to dance around each other in intricate circles. Wynne smiled.
"I can see that. And it's quite remarkable." Wynne stated and as she finished she thought she saw a hint of something behind Elphaba's eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Elphaba asked abruptly. Wynne saw Glinda give her a bit of a nudge at her tone.
"Miss Starflare and I came by to inform of our plans to move you in two days' time." Robiere said.
"Who? And two days; won't that be cutting it a little close?" Elphaba asked.
"Yes, but you'll be able to make it in a day easily. And Wynne is Miss Starflare." Robiere explained.
"Starflare? Your name is Wynne Starflare?" Elphaba asked in disbelief and Wynne glared.
"Properly, Wynnessa Starflare." Robiere answered, smiling.
"What kind of name is that?" Elphaba continued.
"What kind of name is Elphaba Thropp?" Wynne shot back.
"It's taken after a saint." Elphaba defended.
"Well, it must be nice to be named after a saint. I got to choose my name after I came of age, and I like the sound of it."
"Now, ladies, don't start." Glinda interjected. "I for one think it is a beautiful name."
"Thank you, Miss Glinda."
"Now, what of our plans?"
"Well, for some reason the Resistance wasn't able to get anybody to help move you between here and this little inn not too far down the road called Fatemaker's. That means I'll be doing it." started Wynne. "We'll be moving out of here early in the morning, around daybreak. You'll get into a covered carriage inside the Opera House, like you arrived, and I'll drive you to the inn. From there, you'll meet a team that will escort you to Frottica and your parents. Have you thought of where you'll go from there?"
"Kiamo Ko." Elphaba answered. "The winged Monkeys should still be there, along with some guards. We can decide where to go from there. It's relatively safe from Oz's reach since they don't have much power in the Vinkus."
"Sounds good." Wynne replied, nodding her head. "I'll see you in two days' time."
Elphaba got out of bed and stretched. Her blonde lover was still fast asleep and Elphaba was content to leave it that way. She walked over to her closet (picking up her nightgown off the floor on the way) and began to dress. On went the layers but the veils stayed off for the moment. She packed the clothes they had brought and their other miscellaneous travel items. The spell books and wands went into the travel packs that stayed close. Finally, she did the same for Glinda's clothing, leaving out one outfit and some beauty materials.
As the sky began to lighten she walked over to the bed. Glinda slept like an angel and Elphaba regretted having to wake her up this early. However, they needed to get going.
"Glinda. Glinda my sweet it is time to get up." She tried softly. Grumbles were her only response. Elphaba smiled and bent low to start trailing kisses from her ear down her neck. The blonde sighed and spun to wrap Elphaba in her arms. "No cuddling, my sweet. We've got to go."
"Cuddles first."
"No, no. We've got to go. You've got to pretty, my pretty."
"Oh, boo. You're right." Glinda replied and Elphaba laid a nightdress on the bed for her. Glinda threw the covers back and went to start freshening up in the bathroom. Elphaba's breath hitched at the sight.
"I put a night dress there for you." Elphaba tried weakly. Glinda stopped and cocked a hip to the side to look back at her mischievously.
"I know." She replied with a big grin and continued to the bathroom with even more of a sway in her hips. As the door shut Elphaba found she could breathe again.
The two women walked into the stable to see the covered carriage ready to go. Wynne was speaking to Robiere, who looked very put out at being up this early in the morning. As he saw the two women he smiled.
"Well, my ladies, I can honestly say I will miss your presence. My Lady Glinda, you brightened up my world." He said and Glinda offered a hand. He kissed it and bowed.
"Thank you, Master Robiere." Glinda replied graciously.
"My Lady Elphaba. Your forward demeanor was a breath of fresh air, as was your ability to scare my staff. I shall say my life will be less exciting without you." He said to her, and offered a little bow.
"Uh…thanks?" Elphaba replied confused.
"It was a compliment. Excitement is hard to come by at my age. The both of you are always welcomed here at the Opera House, whether Oz welcomes you or not."
To that both witches did not know what to say. He gave them a final smile and left. During their talk Wynne had climbed up into the driver's seat of the carriage.
"You ladies coming?" she asked cheerfully. The two women stashed their belongings in the carriage and Elphaba helped Glinda in before herself.
"We're good." Elphaba called out.
"Next stop, Fatemaker's." Wynne called back and gave the reins a flick. The horses started and the carriage was on its way.
Elphaba's brow furrowed. She smelled something, something like peaches but a bit repugnant.
"Elphie, what is it?" Glinda asked.
"I don't know. It's…" Elphaba started. She saw a flash and the world began to spin, and all she could hear was Glinda's screaming.
Author's note: The reason this chapter took so long was I was having difficulty with how the relationship was going to work. My first direction was very angsty with Elphaba denying her but coming back every night. That went on for a bit until..well, I cant say. I didn't particularly care for it so i dropped it. The other was a happy one where Elphaba just realized she loved her but that didn't feel right. Finally, I decided to go more of a middle path. Doesn't all need to be solved now, does it? :)