Thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. If you're half dead, aren't you going to do what you want, screw the consequences? That was really the only the reason Wynne flirted with her. Wynne knows. And glad you figured it out.

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Here you go.

Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing. Pfannee and Shenshen popped into my head when I was sketching out the climax of the story. It was more a one-off idea but needed seed all the way back here. And you'll get a bit of an explanation as to why in the next chapter. And making you hate her less was my plan.

Thanks to cestlavie23 for reviewing. Thank you. Strangely enough, action sequences are really my interest. It's been really hard not to turn everything into a Wicked action movie.

As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and critiques are very welcome.

4/15/14

The wheels clattered over the cobblestones. Elphaba held the horse to a fast trot. She knew the horse would be tired when they arrived but it would not be exhausted. Elphaba hoped the meeting would go off without an issue but she sorely doubted it. That is why she was to get there ahead of schedule and with a horse capable of running.

Glinda, for her part, was lost in her head. It had been over two years since had been home. She last came back to talk about the management of the apartments in the Emerald City. It had been a short, and not particularly warm, visit. She had still been de-stressing from her time as Throne Minister.

Gillikin was as beautiful in the late spring as she remembered. The flowers were in bloom, the trees had their full leaves, and the animals were about. They passed a little inn, the Witti-Frotti, which marked the border between Wittica and Frottica.

"Elphie." She said and Elphaba looked at her. "When you see a lake on the right side and a little sign that says Marigold, take a left at the fork."

Elphaba nodded. After about a half an hour she found the road and turned off on to it. The road quickly devolved into dirt and their progress slowed. Glinda was more alert now, scanning the road. Another hour passed before she pointed to an outlet. Elphaba steered the horse down the path slowly. The "path" was more like consecutive clear spots without trees or shrubs. There was no wheel tracks in the grass and weeds, which both pleased and distressed Elphaba. They had gotten there first, but she knew anyone coming down the path would know they were there.

The path ended by opening up into a clear grove. At its center was a pool of clear water that ran off in a little stream. There was a half-ruined circular colonnade at its edge. A large moss covered object sat inside of it. Elphaba pulled the horse to the edge of the clearing and tied it off to a tree. Glinda hopped down and walked to the colonnade.

As Elphaba followed she took in more of the grove. The structure was actually a crescent that followed the pool's edge and had a raised stone floor. The moss covered object was some sort of figure and as Glinda wiped some of the moss off Elphaba saw a smiling face. All the pieces came together for Elphaba. This was an old shrine to Lurline.

Glinda waved her wand and a crumbled mass of stone reformed into a bench. She sighed and sat down. Elphaba sat next to her.

"This was my hidden place for years. It's only about an hour ride from the manor." She said wistfully.

"Really? We're that close to Frottica?"

"Yes and no." Glinda replied distantly. "Frottica is a province of the country of Gillikin. The provincial capital is the city of Frottica. That's where the baron's meet. There are some other towns and villages, but mostly estates now. There are other regions in Frottica besides the Frottican region which surrounds the city of Frottica. Upland is one, as is the Pertha Hills. The manor is in Upland, which is near here."

"Ah."

"Yes. It can even get more confusing. I'm from the Upper Uplands, right next to the Pertha Hills, compared to the lower Uplands, which is nearer to Frottica."

"So that's why you are Glinda Arduenna of the Upper Uplands."

"Exactly. Arduenna is my family name, Upland is my regional name, with the distinguishing factor of the Upper uplands when needed."

"Munchkinland is nothing like that. It's all pretty much under the governor."

"Somewhere in history your family took over all of Munchkinland. Here, the barons kicked out our king, or perhaps they became the Ozma. They're not really clear."

"Most natural histories aren't." Elphaba replied, and paused a moment before asking, "How did you find this place?"

"My parents and I would go riding weekly. I loved it and always begged them to go out longer and longer."

"And I'm guessing they couldn't resist?"

"Could you? That was rhetorical; no need to get scrunchy faced at me."

"I deny my face was scrunchy."

"It was. Anyway, when I was old enough they let me go on my own. One time, when I was about fifteen, I found this place. It became our own little secret spots for picnics or for the few times we went camping. It was my safe haven. I actually put some work into cleaning it up myself. It took forever."

"It must make you sad to see it like this."

"I admit it is a bit overgrown but it is mostly how I left it. I like the ancient feel. It makes me feel like…like…like the world I lived in didn't exist. That I don't exist outside of myself here. That everything everyone expects of me doesn't exist." She said quietly. Elphaba leaned over and enveloped Glinda in her arms.

"I'm happy you shared that with me, my sweet. Does that mean we don't exist besides here?" She whispered in Glinda's ear. Glinda turned and gazed up at Elphaba.

"I hadn't thought of it like that but I guess that's exactly what I'm feeling."

Elphaba bent her neck and they kissed gently. There was no urgency, no reason, only love.

The sound of wheels woke Elphaba. She started, jerking away from the column she was leaning against. She had not realized she fell asleep. Glinda was still curled in her arms from when they started cuddling. The blonde had not woken with Elphaba. The emerald woman noticed a wet spot on her chest.

"Glinda, wake up. Someone's coming."

For once the blonde did not need cajoling. She woke quickly and sat up, allowing Elphaba to stand. Glinda followed and both women started fixing their appearance. Glinda frowned and wiped some missed dried blood from underneath Elphaba's ear, and then with a smile some lipstick from her lips. In the days earlier excitement, Elphaba's eye makeup had run, making her appearance even more ghastly. Elphaba hissed when her ears picked up more than one voice.

"Didn't you tell him to come alone?" she growled.

"Yes. He may not have listened because I didn't use the code word."

Elphaba hissed again. She adjusted her bandana and placed the scarf around her face. Finally, the hood went up and she was almost completely obscured. Glinda was always surprised how well it hid her. Glinda moved to where she could see the entrance and Elphaba walked up behind her while drawing her wand.

A carriage came into view. There was a well-dressed older man driving it with three other older men in military uniforms in it. Flanking it were another dozen young men (almost boys) with muskets. Elphaba growled again.

"What's the plan now, Glinda?"

"Let me try to talk them down." She whispered. The men began to spread out in the clearing. The carriage pulled to a stop and the men got out. The non-military man led the way.

"I've come, as requested. What are your demands?" the man who had to be Glinda's father said.

"Father, please. There's no need for this. This person helped me." Glinda tried.

"I don't believe it. Your home was ransacked by armed men."

"Please, Popsicle-" Glinda tried again but her father cut her off.

"No! Whatever they are using to make you say this won't trick me!"

Glinda realized that she would not be able to persuade him without revealing too much. She decided to change tact.

"Grab me." She whispered to Elphaba.

"What?"

"Grab me." She repeated and Elphaba did so. "Oh, please, Father dearest! Please help! She's a dark sorceress!"

"What?" he father said, shocked. Her tone reminded him of something, some past interaction.

"What?" Elphaba hissed.

"Their guns." Glinda whispered and Elphaba flicked her wand. The muskets flew to the temple and at Elphaba's feet. The men were stunned.

"See, father dear, she's too strong! Please be careful!" Glinda wailed dramatically. Finally, her father placed it. Their game in the manor when she was young.

"My little princess, don't fear. We can handle it!" he said, his voice stern. Elphaba saw Glinda's ears turn pink from the nickname. She assumed the rest of Glinda's face was the same color.

"I'm so scared, father dear!" Glinda cried and saw it click with her father. He knew she was not in any real trouble but had to play it that way. She whispered, "Elphie, be evil. Not wicked witch evil, though."

Elphaba muttered something and then her voice, deep and smoldering, filled the grove.

"Your precious princess is mine. I only wanted to show her to you, and exhibit my power. There is nothing you can do to save her if you do not bow to my demands."

"You fiend!" Glinda's father yelled. Elphaba quirked a hidden eyebrow. This was fast turning into a farce.

"Good, Elphie." Glinda whispered. "Say something, I'll struggle and you pull me close."

"With Glinda the Good in my power, I shall rule Oz! This world-" Glinda started resisting and Elphaba pulled her close. The locked together, feigning struggling, and the men went to rush them.

"No!" Glinda's father yelled, and they stopped. "You may cause a magical reaction that could hurt her!"

"Elphie, can you still do that puff of smoke thing?" Glinda asked.

"Yeah, but it's only short distances."

"I'm going to break away and shoot my fireworks at you and you'll disappear. Got it?"

"Yes."

Glinda struggled some more, and then pushed away. She drew her wand and started chanting. Elphaba did the same, waving her wand above her head dramatically. Glinda shot the spell and when it got to Elphaba it went off. Fire and smoke exploded around her as she disappeared, but Elphaba could not help but give dramatic death wail. Glinda flinched, since it was the second time she had heard that scream of pain. Tears sprung to her eyes but she quashed them. Now was not the time. When the chaos subsided, Elphaba was gone.

Glinda surveyed the grove. The men were in shock and her father looked pleased. Elphaba was nowhere was in sight. She sighed and moved towards them.

"I thank you, gentlemen, for your outstanding courage in helping me defeat that dark sorceress. I am in your debt." She said regally.

"It was our honor, my Lady." Said the lead military man, owing his head. Glinda looked at her father and they shared a silent conversation. She walked to the military man and gave him a kiss on his cheek. She did the same with the rest of the men. Her father followed, shaking their hands.

"My Lady, we could escort you back to your home." The commander offered.

"No thank you, sir." Her father answered. "Now my daughter has her wand, we are more than safe. You can take our carriage back to Frottica and I'll come for it later. We'll take the sorceress' carriage."

"If that's your wish, sir."

"It is. I will personally put in a recommendation for commendation for you and the other militia members."

"And I will personally sign it." Glinda added.

"Thank you, sir."

"If I may, I'd like to spend some time alone with my daughter."

"Yes sir. Come one, boys."

The militia gathered their weapons and left the area. Glinda sat by the pool of water and her father sat next to her.

"I'd really like an explanation, Galinda."

"In a few minutes, Popsicle. Let's wait until they're gone for sure."

They waited until the wheels were long gone.

"Well?" he asked.

"You remember my roommate at Shiz?"

"The Wicked Witch. Though recently you've been saying she's not wicked, or something."

Glinda heard something and saw Elphaba move up behind a column.

"Well, she wasn't. That was a Wizard thing, for political reasons."

"I see. When did you find that out?"

"I always knew." She said quietly. Glinda's father gave her a stern look.

"Always."

"Yes. But we're getting off topic."

"We'll revisit it later."

"Ok." Glinda said meekly. Elphaba felt uncomfortable watching the blonde be scolded. "Well, five years ago she didn't die. She left Oz."

"And?"

"And…Elphie?"

Elphaba rounded the corner and pulled her hood down, revealing herself. Glinda's father recoiled slightly at the sight of her painted face.

"I sort of called her back."

"Called her back?" Glinda's father said, still shocked.

"Yeah. I cast a spell and it kind of summoned her to me."

"How long ago was this?"

"Last year on the anniversary of her death."

"So she was the attendant you got?"

"Yes."

"This is a bit overwhelming. So not wicked you say?"

"Yes, Popsicle."

"Very well then." He said and straightened his jacket. He then strode over to Elphaba and offered out a hand. "H. Vitorili Upland. Pleased to meet you."

Elphaba was a bit taken aback, but the social grace she had learned over the last year kicked in.

"Elphaba Thropp. Pleased to meet you." She replied and shook his hand.

"Thropp? As is Nessarose Thropp, the governor of Munchkinland?"

"Yes. She was my younger sister."

"I see. My condolences."

"Thank you. I haven't heard that from many people."

"That's a shame."

"Thank you again. But can I ask that we continue this conversation somewhere else? We're a bit exposed out here."

"Of course. Back to the manor."

"So you weren't kidnapped. It was the Gale Force." Vitorili said. They were slowly making their way to the manor. He was driving and Glinda was sitting up next to him. Elphaba was in the back covered by a blanket.

"Yes."

"But, my cupcake," he continued, and Glinda heard a chortle behind her, "why would they do that?"

Glinda reached back and swatted the blanket. She had meant to hit Elphaba's leg but came into contact with something a bit fleshier. Elphaba yelped and Glinda blushed.

"Apparently I was making life very difficult for them. I guess the Throne Minister had nothing to lose by going to such lengths."

"I don't doubt that with what I'm hearing going on in the Emerald City nowadays. It's almost civil war. Bodies are being found in the street every night."

"Oh Popsicle, I didn't know it had gotten that bad! How are the tenants in the apartments, and the teachers, and the children, and-"

"Princess, I haven't heard anything so I assume they are as well as can be. Right now, I think we need to be more worried about you."

"I know. We put you in danger just coming here. Now I think about it, I don't know why I thought coming would be a good idea." Glinda said quietly, tears creeping into her voice.

"It's alright, my darling. You probably just wanted to be somewhere you feel safe."

"Yeah." She sniffled. "It's not been completely terrible, but it's not been home."

"I know, princess, I know."

"We won't even be able to stay long. People will know we've been here."

"And?"

"And the Gale force will be coming for us. Or that crazy dark sorceress."

"Dark sorceress? I thought you made that up."

"We were attacked in Wittica and barely got away. Elphie was hurt and one of our companions was hurt really bad. That's why we have to keep moving."

"Where will you go?

"Kiamo Ko. It's too far out to get us. Plus, flying Monkeys."

"Can Elphaba make the journey?"

"I'm still here, you know." Elphaba grumbled from behind them. "I'll be fine."

"Stay for a couple of days at least, princess. We'll send the staff away, except for the bare minimum, and you can rest safely."

"I'd enjoy that."

"It's too dangerous." Elphaba retorted.

"No more than trying to navigate the Vinkus without a guide while injured. Or are you planning to fly there?" Vitorili shot back.

"No. That would be far too obvious. And I you have a point."

"Good. In the meantime perhaps we can figure something more permanent out."

They arrived at the Upland Manor as it was getting dark out. Vitorili waved off the stable hands and drove the carriage around towards the back veranda. Glinda hopped out, and then so did a covered Elphaba. Glinda cast a light levitation spell that lifted them to her room's balcony. They quickly entered and shut the door behind them.

"Well, that went well enough." She sighed. When Elphaba did not respond with some cynical comeback she looked at her. "Elphie?"

"So much pink." Was the response. Glinda turned and looked at her room. It was the same from when she left it during her Shiz days. Pink frills and fluffs decorated the room; the most garish being her extra-large four poster bed.

"Oh, yeah. I haven't really been back since Shiz. Let me take care of that." Glinda said bashfully and waved her wand. The colors of the room changed to a dark purple. Elphaba raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Since when did you like purple?" Elphaba

"Since the night I saw what you look like after-" Glinda started.

"Ok! I get it." Elphaba cut her off, blushing the same shade as the room. Glinda smiled. There was a knock at the door and Elphaba glanced around nervously.

"There!" Glinda pointed and Elphaba dashed into a side room. As she just made it a porter came through the door carrying their baggage.

"Good evening, Miss Galinda." The man said.

"Good evening, Dale. How are you?" she replied.

"Well. Where's shall I put this luggage?"

"Just drop it there. I'll take care of it."

"Are you sure miss?"

"Positive, Dale. Thank you."

The man placed the bag down, and retreated. Glinda shut the door after him and sighed. Elphaba came out.

"Here we go again." Elphaba said with a smile.

"Hardly. Maybe a day or two." Glinda replied but it faltered as she saw Elphaba gasp and reach out towards the bed. Elphaba sat hard on the bed and took a deep breath. "Elphie, are you ok?"

"Fine." Elphaba squeezed out. "I'm just feeling a bit tired."

"That's your injury again, isn't it?"

"I'm fine, Glinda. Just sore."

"I'm calling Eleman tomorrow."

"No."

"Yes. There isn't anything you can do about it." Glinda replied with a finality that brooked no argument. So naturally Elphaba tried.

"Glinda, I'm fine. A couple of days rest and I'll be good as new."

"No. And that's final." Glinda rebutted with a swipe of her hand.

Elphaba gritted her teeth. She was in no shape to argue as she was pretty sure she had a broken rib. Normally she could have simply made herself a vitality draught and been fine, but she did not have the ingredients. Luckily for her the door opened and Glinda's father walked in. He scanned the room for a moment.

"I'm glad you are making yourself at home, cupcake." He said.

Elphaba now had time to examine him. Taller than her, he was of average build. His swept back hair may have once been light but was now gray. His eyes were a pale blue, a more piercing shade than Glinda's. A moment after she finished her examination a slight woman floated in the door after him. Short, almost as short as Glinda, she had long blonde hair that hung straight down her back and the same blue eyes as Glinda. Her bearing was real, so much so she barely missed a step at the sight of Elphaba.

"I see you have an interesting story to tell, Galinda." She said warmly, then looked to Elphaba "And who might you be?"

"Really?" Elphaba asked sarcastically.

"I somehow think Wicked Witch is neither your name nor your preference."

"Elphaba."

"Ah, the eldest Thropp sister. Rightful governor of Munchkinland."

"That was never my want."

"We sometimes get what we don't want. Which brings us to the story. If you change, there is dinner ready in the solarium. The staff has all been sent home, so come as you're comfortable. Say, fifteen minutes?"

"That will do fine, Mother." Glinda said.

"Galinda, what did I tell you to call me?"

"Sorry, Momsie." She replied with a smile. Her mother smiled back.

"Well, it's nice to see you two ladies." Glinda's mother said. She stood from the table and moved over to them. Glinda's father did likewise. "We have yet to be properly introduced. I am Larena Arduenna Upland."

"Nice to meet you." Elphaba replied, and curtseyed as appropriate, feeling quite strange. "I am Elphaba Thropp."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Thropp. I'm delighted to have you for dinner. Please let Highmuster seat you."

Elphaba raised an eyebrow and looked at Vitorili. He sat her, then Glinda, then Larena.

"Yes, unfortunately." Vitorili sighed. "Highmuster was my grandfather's name. A very pretentious man. Wanted to remind us to always pass the high muster. It is a tradition to name the first son after him, or at least since my father. I compromised with using my middle name, but still have to introduce or sign everything 'H'."

"I remember that now." Elphaba said.

"Well, one good story deserves another." Larena said. "Galinda dear, how did you end up here?"

"Well, you see Momsie, last year-"

"Oh no dear." Larena interrupted. "I mean for you to start at the beginning. Last time I checked, you did not care for your roommate."

"Well, it's a long story."

"We've got time."

The Adept woke in an unfamiliar place. It was dark and she could feel the weight of something pressing down on her. She went to move but was entangled in something. Struggling, she fought to get free but only ended up careening over the side of the bed she was sleeping on and to the floor. She groaned as she was reminded of her injuries.

"If you keep that up, you're just going to hurt yourself worse." Came a voice from the darkness. The Adept did not need to see it to know who she was. It was her love. The world snapped into place and then the lantern lights came up.

"How long was I out?" the Adept groaned.

"Two and a half days. After the first I called in a doctor."

"I said no doctors." The Adept growled.

"You were unconscious for a whole day, and were injured." Shenshen responded coldly, then snapped, "And take off that face! You know I hate it."

"What face?"

"Your Adept face. Sometimes I wonder if it is the mask you say it is, or if Pfannee is becoming the mask."

Pfannee glared at Shenshen for a moment, but then sighed. She let all the implications, machinations, conspiracies, and contingencies slip to the back of her mind. As she did so, she visibly warmed and her face loosened. She climbed back into the bed with Shenshen's help.

"I'm sorry, Shenny. Maybe you're right; it seems to get harder to slip out of it with every time."

"Well, then I just have to remind you of who you really are." Shenshen replied and kissed her. It had been over a month since Pfannee had that kiss, and she drank in it like water in the desert.

"I don't know if your husband would approve of you kissing a woman in his marriage bed." Pfannee quipped as they broke. Shenshen looked at her seriously.

"My husband, though he takes lead in things financial and social, knows it is not wise to trifle with someone like you."

"Especially after last time."

"I do think that shattering that vase with a spell was unnecessary. It was my grandmother's."

"I apologized. But it worked."

"That it did." Shenshen replied and kissed her again. She then went and gathered a cup from the small table in the room. At that point Pfannee realized she was in a nightdress.

"Shenny, where's my clothes?"

"I had them destroyed." She called over her shoulder. "They were torn and bloodied."

"Destroyed!"

"Yes. I took anything important and placed it you know where. Then I had them destroyed before the doctor came. Your little rompus downtown was well known by that point and I couldn't have any evidence pointing to you. I won't let them take you from me."

"Your staff saw me."

"Yes. Fortunately, though, only a few. I told them you had been ambushed on the road. They jumped to the conclusion that they must have been the same people as in downtown, since the carriage was supposedly carrying a high born woman. That worked nicely."

"I have to get to Morrible. Something has come up and I can't trust the post."

"I'll order us train tickets for tomorrow. But first, you need to rest."" She finished whatever she was doing and brought over the cup.

"It can't wait."

"It can wait. Twelve hours isn't going to hurt anything but you. You'll barely be in the shape to travel, let alone hunt again. Especially not someone like the Witch."

"How did you know?" Pfannee hissed.

"You mumbled something cryptic about her being back before passing out." Shenshen handed her the cup. "Drink or you'll be in no shape to go anywhere tomorrow."

Pfannee did and made a face.

"That was terrible."

"You're still a baby about medicine."

"Well, only if it didn't taste so bad. But since you know, you realize it's imperative I go."

"And if you think Morrible will give you a break you're crazy. You're in no shape to fight the Witch. You yourself said she was the strongest magic user you ever saw."

"She has to know."

"And she will; tomorrow. Tonight, you'll rest." Shenshen replied with finality and shucked off her robe. The brunette got into bed next to Pfannee.

"What are you doing?"

"Going to bed."

"And you're not kicking me out."

"My husband can sleep in the guest room for one more night." She replied and cuddled up gently to Pfannee. Powerless to resist, the blonde gently put an arm around her.

"I guess I can't say no."

"Never could." Shenshen replied happily. "Pfannee, honey, who were you hunting? It wasn't the Witch if you didn't know she was going to be there."

"Glinda." Pfannee replied evenly. Shenshen started.

"Glinda? Why her?"

"I don't know. I only know I started after she disappeared so Morrible must be helping someone."

"Glinda and the Witch. Just like the old days."

"Yes." Pfannee replied.

"Goodnight, blondie bear." Pfannee said dreamily.

"Goodnight, Shenniggle."