Thank you to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. Glad you liked the last line. And do you have speak on experience for love stories? And sharing is caring; that's an interesting idea. Lol.
Thank you to cestlavie23 for reviewing. We shall see.
Thank you to heatqueen for reviewing. No rest for wicked, you know. And yes, it was a musical reference. I can imagine Glinda in a swimsuit to be stunning and even more so to the sheltered Elphaba. No more veils, all badass. How's your stories coming?
Thank you to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Everything with time.
Thank you to Varia for reviewing. Humph indeed.
I apologize for the long wait. The last couple of weeks have been hectic, and I was not really pleased with this chapter so it underwent serious editing. I don't know if I'm still not happy with it, but they all cant be winners, so here it is.
As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and Critiques welcome.
6/9/14
The ride through the Pertha Hills was one of anxious silence. Elphaba, now unveiled, was on the lookout for anyone that might see her. She craned her neck to scan the surrounding areas and appeared even more hawk-like to the rest of the travelers. Glinda was nervous about traveling through the wild Vinkus; it would be very different than traveling over it by bubble. Glinda's parents were also quiet. Glinda thought it was because they were traveling with Elphaba in the open. After half a day, they were where the rolling hills met the grasslands of the Vinkus with Great Kells looming over them.
"Here we are you two. Are you sure you do not want company?" Vitorili asked.
"No." Elphaba replied before an unsure Glinda could waver. "It will be quicker, and I know the way. Thank you, anyways."
The two witches disembarked from the cart. Elphaba went about untying their horse while Glinda gave her parents hugs.
"Galinda," Larena said, "I hope you do not hate us for what we did. I would understand if you did."
"I could never hate you." Glinda replied. "I don't know if I will ever fully understand it, but I know it came from the best place. It's all in the past now."
"Thank you, cupcake." Vitorili said, and Glinda hugged both her parents again. There were tears in their eyes and none were ashamed to let them fall. Elphaba walked up behind them.
"It's time to go." She said softly. Glinda reluctantly broke away from her parents.
"It's like Shiz all over again." Her mother said and Glinda laughed.
"I'm so glad you did not let me stay home, Momsie."
"A proper lady is a cultured lady." Larena replied.
"Now, Miss Elphaba, you take care of my cupcake." Vitorili said and Glinda huffed.
"Popsicle, I am quite old enough to take care of myself."
"That you are, cupcake." He said with a wink towards Elphaba. Elphaba smiled and Vitorili held out his hand. She clasped it tightly. "Don't let any Vinkun ruffians try to marry her."
"From past experience, the Vinkuns have to worry more about her than she them." Elphaba retorted.
"Hey!" Glinda protested good naturedly.
"Elphaba, dear, we will miss having you around." Larena said. "I can honestly say I am glad your passion and dedication wore off on our Galinda."
"But not my manners." Elphaba replied with a smirk.
"Now now, a proper lady does not say such things."
"I can see where Glinda gets her grace from."
"Only so much. Most is natural." Larena replied and then opened her arms. Elphaba hesitated but stepped in and hugged the woman. "You always a place with us, even if the rest of the world won't have you."
"Thank you." Elphaba replied thickly.
Elphaba abruptly turned and mounted the horse. She held out her hand for Glinda, and helped her slide in behind her. The green woman then became a statue, a hunter for her prey. She clicked the reins and the horse started forward. Glinda turned around to give a last wave to her parents, eyes misty. Her parents waved, eyes similar.
They moved slowly south along the Great Kells. Elphaba, having traveled it before, had them stopped at small houses or shelters for the night. Some were occupied, some were not; some were in good shape, some were not. At those with occupants, Elphaba was either known by association or reputation; both gave them ease of access. Glinda was amazed by the look of the Vinkun people. While not all that similar to Fiyero, the dark skin and broad features were close enough to make both witches' hearts ache. One morning, a week into the trip, they awoke to find a Vinkun man waiting for them. He stood stock still in plain sight.
"What's he doing?" asked Glinda.
"Letting us see him."
"How could we miss him?"
"The Vinkuns believe in ancestors and spirits; sometimes those spirits deceive them. He is letting us know he is real, and means us no harm."
"Oh."
Elphaba threw her shawl over her shoulders and donned her hat. She waited until Glinda looked presentable before calling out to him. The man and her conversed quickly in Vinkun before they switching over to Ozian.
"It is an honor to serve the Night and Day Shamans." He said, bowing. Elphaba returned the bow and Glinda curtsied.
"We are making our way to Kiamo Ko." Elphaba said, and the Vinkun frowned.
"That will take you directly in the path of the Scrow encampment."
"What are Scrow doing on this side of the Great Kells at this time of year?" Elphaba asked. "Normally they are in the Thousand Year Grasslands during the summer months."
"True, Night Shaman. But this year their leader, Princess Nastoya, decreed they were going to remain at their winter encampment. Though she is a relatively new leader for the Scrow, she is very wise, and they follow her."
"I see. Will that be a problem?"
"The Scrow will demand some sort of tribute; however, I have done many such negotiations before. I shall lead you safely through and to Kiamo Ko."
"Thank you."
"I must give offers to the spirits for the trip; by the time the sun is directly above I will be ready. Is that fine for the Night and Day Shamans?"
"That shall be fine." Elphaba replied.
As the Vinkun walked away Glinda dropped her voice and asked,
"What was all that about?"
"The Vinkus has different tribal territories. This man, a rafiqi, negotiates amongst the tribes and travelers for safe passage. We are skirting the Scrow territory where their more…settled members live. At this time of year it isn't normally an issue; they're in the Grasslands. But for some reason this new leader, Princess Nastoya, had them camp on this side of the Kells. So now we will have to meet and possibly negotiate with them."
"Will that be a problem?"
"It shouldn't be. I've never met this Nastoya, but I've heard only good things."
"What's Day and Night Shamans business?"
"I'm guessing that's how they refer to us. It matches our outfits, to say the least." Elphaba replied jovially, looking at Glinda's all white ensemble. Glinda humphed in acknowledgement. Elphaba noticed something and frowned.
"Put your hat on. Otherwise you'll get burned."
"Elphie, it's barely morning." Glinda whined.
"Trust me, it doesn't matter."
Glinda huffed but put it on.
It was another week before they had made it to the encampment. Elphaba and Glinda continued their practice of water magic, which had greatly impressed the rafiqi. He had asked for a trade, some water spells for a lesson in shaman magic. Elphaba had agreed excitedly, and they had spent the week learning how to read animals and nature. Elphaba was still the prodigy but Glinda held her own, mostly due to having been exposed to shamanistic magic before.
The morning they had made it to the Scrow encampment the sky was smudged with the smoke from their fires. A small party of Scrow met them and the rafiqi spoke quickly in their own language. The words became faster and more heated until both sides seemed to reach an agreement. The rafiqi came back with a frown.
"It seems that the Princess has demanded the presence of you both. She has heard tales of you and wishes to see if they're true."
"Same old story." Elphaba grumbled. "What should we expect?"
"I honestly do not know. No one has ever been called to the Princess' presence that was not Scrow."
"Terrific. I'm guessing there's no other way?"
"Unless the Night Shaman cares to steal the winds from the sky, no." he replied and Elphaba smirked ruefully.
"I'm not exactly up for flying today."
"Then please follow me. They have a tent set up for you."
The pair followed the rafiqi and the Scrow delegation. As they crested a gentle hill the Scrow camp spread out before them. It was a series of concentric circles of sand colored tents with an enormous tent at the center which the women assumed that was the Princess'. As they moved into the encampment, Elphaba guessed there had to be roughly four hundred tents. That would mean about a thousand or so Scrow. Not small by any means.
The pair was led to a tent in the circle nearest to Nastoya's. Both the rafiqi and the women were surprised; they expected to be housed far from the center as they were outsiders. The women were shown into the sizable tent, and the rafiqi was led elsewhere. The floor was covered in hair-covered hide with a large pelt bed in a corner. From the structure of the tent flowers and incense were hung. Elphaba saw a hide with a painted marking and blushed.
"Elphie, what is it?" Glinda asked.
"This is a lover's tent." She replied hesitantly and at Glinda's confused expression added, "Think newlyweds or honeymooners. The plants and flowers are to aid in…consummation."
"Oh dear." Glinda said and began to giggle. Elphaba shot her a dark look, which caused Glinda to giggle even more.
"It's not funny. They think were…."
"Aren't we?" Glinda replied cheerfully and Elphaba blushed deeper.
"Yes but I don't want everyone to know about it!"
"Are you ashamed of me, Elphie?" Glinda teased.
"What? No!"
"Are you ashamed of loving me?"
"Of course not!"
"Then?"
"I'm a very private person." She said quietly.
"I know Elphie, but they're not trumpeting it down the streets of the Emerald City; they just gave us what they thought an appropriate tent. I think it's very thoughtful of them." Glinda said smiling.
"Yeah." Elphaba said, looking down. Glinda knew this was the time when Elphaba's passion (be it anger or embarrassment) had cooled and she was trying to stoke it in another direction. Glinda thought she would help.
"Elphie…." She pseudo-whined.
"What, my sweet?"
"It's hot in here."
"The tents are not good for ventilation. They are designed to keep heat on cold nights."
"I guess…" Glinda said and started slowly slipping one arm out of her blouse. Elphaba's eyes were drawn to her.
"What are you doing?"
"Cooling down."
"I don't think this is the time for that."
"For what?" Glinda played innocent. She slipped the other arm out of the blouse. "It's just so hot in here, Elphie."
"Glinda." Elphaba warned but Glinda pulled down the blouse to her waist, leaving her only in her brassiere.
"Elphie, this is so constricting. Can you help me get it off?" Glinda said and turned around but threw a pout over her shoulder.
"Do you really expect that to work?" Elphaba sighed, walking over.
"It did, didn't it?" Glinda giggled as Elphaba undid the laces.
The laces came free and Glinda slowly slipped the straps over her arms, dropping it to the floor. Elphaba inhaled (as always) as the sight of Glinda's bare torso. Glinda smiled and leaned back against Elphaba, wrapping her arms around her neck. Elphaba's hands slid across Glinda's waist, and her face nuzzled into her love's neck.
"Elphie," Glinda breathed, "it seems I am a bit occupied. Can you be a dear and help slip my clothes past my hips?"
Elphaba did not respond but her hands traveled lower to catch the ties and waist band of Glinda's riding skirt. She slowly worked the clothing down and off of Glinda's hips, with Glinda's shimmying assistance. As the clothes laid in a pile Glinda noticed Elphaba had taken her bloomers too.
"Why, Miss Elphaba, what mood are you in?" Glinda asked coyly.
"Must be the flowers and incense." Elphaba murmured into Glinda's neck. "It is supposed to be an aphrodisiac."
"Well, I guess it is too powerful to resist if you can't." Glinda smiled.
"The only thing too powerful for me to resist is you." Elphaba said and Glinda felt tingles from the bottom of her toes to the tips of her fingers. No longer in the mood for playing she turned around and fiercely captured Elphaba's lips in her own. When they broke, Glinda's hands dove into Elphaba's own clothes.
"You look very hot yourself, Elphie." Glinda said, starting to untie the various layers.
"Thank you." Elphaba replied with a smirk. Her hands began wandering Glinda, teasing and trying to distract her.
"You know if you keep that up it will take much longer to get to the fun part."
"But, my sweet, I'm already having so much fun."
"You wicked thing you."
"And I am in the West, and proudly a witch. I guess you can say that makes me the Wicked Witch of the West once again."
"I like this reason much better than last time." Glinda replied quickly as she finally divested Elphaba of her clothes. She gave a mild squeak of alarm as Elphaba scooped her up bridal style, and then knelt on the pelt bed, before gently placing Glinda down. Elphaba bent low over her.
"Then let me show you how wicked I am." She breathed and captured Glinda's lips in hers once again.
"Damn it, Elphaba, you're just too hot." Glinda said as she scooted away from her emerald lover. Elphaba laughed quietly and rolled above her.
"Thank you, my sweet. I think your absolutely stunning yourself." She replied and Glinda melted. Elphaba kiss her. As the kiss lingered, Glinda began to feel like she was melting and pushed Elphaba away. She then stood up and took a deep breath.
"You know I love cuddling but it's far too hot here in the Vinkus, and you're like a billion degrees!" Glinda huffed.
Elphaba laughed and Glinda pouted, then went about fixing her hair and reapplying her make up. Cosmetological magic was a wonder and it gave Elphaba an idea. She grabbed her own wand and did a light chant. Glinda frowned, wondering what her love was doing, and turned around. Elphaba had sprayed herself down with a light mist of water, and Glinda was positive she saw steam coming off her.
"Better?" Elphaba asked. Glinda got that look in her eye. "Uh oh."
"Much better." Glinda growled and tackled Elphaba. The two went down with Glinda planting kisses starting at her face and wandering down.
"Night and Day Shamans: the princess requires your presence." Came the rafiqi's voice and Glinda growled. She opened her mouth to say something but Elphaba's finger to her lips stopped her.
"Thank you. We will be out after we get ready." Elphaba said.
"Of course."
Elphaba gasped as Glinda took Elphaba's finger into her mouth. Elphaba pulled it back with a pop.
"Stop that." She chastised. "You don't know where it's been."
"I know exactly where it's been." Glinda retorted and Elphaba blushed.
"We have to get ready."
"How should I dress?"
"How would you normally dress to meet the ruler of a tribal clan?"
"Oh! Sparkly it is."
Elphaba groaned.
"Did you really have to go that big?" Elphaba whispered as they were being led into the Princess' tent. They were stopped again for them to be checked of weapons. As one Vinkun got a bit too curious Elphaba snapped at him. "You watch your hands or I'll turn you into a toad!"
"Of course. When in the provinces one must show some style." Glinda replied calmly as if nothing had happened. The Vinkun trying to search her stared in confusion at her dress.
Unlike Elphaba (who was in her black outfit), Glinda was in a large green dress with sequins and crystals sewn into it. Elphaba always simultaneously wondered at how Glinda could so easily transform clothing into complex works of art, and thankful she had not discovered that talent while in school; otherwise their first friend lesson may have turned out differently.
"Are you quite finished, or do I need to follow through on my threat?" Elphaba bit out at the one searching her. He blanched and stepped back quickly. The one attempting to search Glinda looked at his compatriot for aid, but he shrugged and waved them on. They lifted a separating flap, and were finally in the throne room for the Princess of the Scrow.
The Princess Nastoya sat on a wooden throne at the far end of the room. She was a large (very large) woman with an overhung lip that folded back in on itself. Her eyes were ringed with kohl and her ears held large gold hoops. She was draped not just in the tribal accoutrements of the Scrow but also a sash of purple; an expensive item this far west. She had a wise air about her and the sight made the witches' heads spin. Or perhaps it was the incense. It was particular thick in here.
Her attendants began to chant and their rafiqi let them know they were asking the spirits and ancestors to bless the meeting. Elphaba caught little flecks of light in her vision and could smell the plains on the wind, but as she looked around there was nothing to cast the light, or wind blowing. Her mind searched for an answer, but her brain was too clouded by the heavy air. Finally, the chanting stopped.
"The Princess Nastoya." The head attendant said reverently. The Princess looked bored. Both Elphaba and Glinda inclined their heads in deference. "She wonders what your purpose is here."
"We seek passage to Kiamo Ko." Elphaba replied and the attendant translated her words. Elphaba glanced over at the rafiqi to makes sure they were being translated correctly and he nodded.
"She asks again, Night Shaman, what is your purpose here?" the head attendant said. Elphaba's brow furrowed.
"I seek passage to Kiamo Ko, stronghold of the Arjiki tribe."
"Why not just take the shape of a bird and soar there, then?" he asked.
"I did not believe it wise."
"And what of you, Day Shaman; what is your purpose here?"
"I also seek passage to Kiamo Ko, stronghold of the Arjiki."
The head attendant translated it, and the Princess seemed for the first time to break from her lethargy. She spoke slowly, deeply, and the attendant looked at her inquisitively. She stared at him in the same long manner. Finally, he bowed.
"The Princess wishes all except the Night and Day Shaman to leave."
There was a low murmur among the intendants and body guards. Elphaba cast an inquisitive look towards their rafiqi, who seemed distraught. He said some words quickly, but the attendant shook his head.
"The Princess will speak to them in plain Ozian." He replied. With a motion of his arms, he ushered the procession out of the throne room, and closed the flap himself. Nastoya turned one large eye to them.
"You can cast a silence spell, correct?" she rumbled. The witches started but Glinda nodded. "Good. I shall not want to be interrupted."
The Princess waited as Glinda took out her wand and cast the silence spell. Some darkness crept into Elphaba's vision. She shook her head and focused on the Princess.
"Why did you not speak to us in Ozian to begin with?" Elphaba asked after it was done. She was still a little off balance so it did not come out as forceful as perhaps she had hoped.
"One should never reveal the extent of one's knowledge quickly." Nastoya replied. "Now, what is your purpose?"
"We told you; to get to Kiamo Ko." Elphaba replied tersely. Nastoya looked at her with the same bored expression.
"For what reason?"
"Safety." Elphaba answered. Nastoya gave her a long look.
"And you think you will be safe from the Weather Witch there?" she asked, and both witches started. "I know of whom you flee, for it is the same as I."
Nastoya leveraged herself out of her throne and stood. She fell forward and Elphaba jerked to catch her before realizing there was no way for her to successfully do so. Nastoya's giant hands hit the ground, seeking purchase. Her covering fell off, her back rounded, and her lip unfolded. There stood not a woman, but an Elephant. Both witches recoiled in amazement and disbelief. They realized now her bored expression was simply one of long patience.
"An…Elephant." Glinda gasped.
"When the Wizard came I sought refuge amongst the Scrow. They revered Elephants and gladly accepted me. I watched your life with much interest, Elphaba, and was saddened by your demise. I watched how your mark on Glinda drove her over those years." She said. The women continued to stare wide eyed.
"Then, rumors of a tall Vinkun princess came to my ears," she said, and flicked her large ears, "and I began to wonder. Even I know there is no such tradition in the Vinkus. News came of the Goodnesss prodigious new skills, and I began to get more curious. A few rumors of the witch's ghost, and then a raid in the night. Since they had not made any mention of capturing you, I knew you would be coming this way eventually. I planted the Scrow here to intercept you."
"Why?" Elphaba gasped.
"We never met before. You were always too busy; the blessings of youth to have passion and energy."
"I apologize."
"Never apologize for passion. But as I asked before: what is your purpose?"
"To be safe." Elphaba answered again.
"To gain support." Glinda added, speaking up for the first time. The Great Elephant turned to her for the first time.
"Your Goodness sees much. You will need support to topple the Weather Witch."
"Just Glinda, please." Glinda breathed and Nastoya inclined her head.
"I'm sick of trying to change things." Elphaba said, a weary tone coming into her voice. "I just want to be safe and happy. To be selfish for once."
"And you think the Weather Witch let you?" Nastoya asked her.
"No." Elphaba admitted in despair.
"No one gets happiness, Miss Elphaba. One must fight for it."
"Why?" Elphaba asked. Her tone broke Glinda's heart.
"Because happiness is a great thing, and nothing great ever comes without struggle."
"I thought I knew that, but it just seems so…much."
There was silence for a long moment, and then Nastoya breathed deeply, and said,
"And what of each other? What is your purpose to each other?"
"What do you mean?" Glinda asked.
"You smell of each other. Smell of lover's. But there is something else; a lingering scent of sadness from one of you." She said and Elphaba stiffened. Nastoya noticed and turned her immense attention on Glinda.
"Glinda, can you please wait outside?"
"Why?" Glinda asked, concerned.
"I wish to speak to Elphaba alone."
"Go, Glinda." Elphaba said. "I'll be fine."
Glinda gave Elphaba a look and reached out to her. Elphaba grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze, and then after a moment a brief kiss.
"Go, my sweet. It is nothing."
"I highly doubt that." Glinda replied, and shot a warning look at Nastoya as she left.
"I'm sorry about that." Elphaba said after Glinda had left. Nastoya's face held something akin to amusement.
"She is very protective of you. I have no doubt I would not escape her wrath if I did something to harm you."
"So what is it you wish to speak to me about alone?"
"I smell your sadness. You pine after another, perhaps a lost one."
"I miss him, yes, but I wouldn't say I pine after him. He's dead now."
"And yet you are with Miss Glinda."
"I'd rather not talk about it."
"That was a statement of fact. I can smell her on you. But you have not completely given yourself to her."
"I am not going to talk about this." Elphaba reiterated harshly and turned to leave. She was shocked to find herself rooted in place. "What is this?"
"Just a bit of binding magic." Nastoya said. Elphaba focused, trying to snap the ties that held her, but they held firm. "That will not work. My tent is set up to enhance my magick; outside of it, I would have no chance of binding you."
"Release me!"
"What is your purpose here in the Vinkus?" Nastoya asked.
"To hide." Elphaba replied. Her face twisted in shock. That was not what she meant to say.
"A truth spell." Nastoya explained at Elphaba's unanswered question. "A very useful for a leader. Now, to hide from what?"
"The world."
"Why?"
"Because everything I touch dies. I don't want to do it anymore." Elphaba cried.
"You know hiding won't solve anything."
"So! I don't want to try anymore. Everyone I cared about has died! My mother, sister, father, Fiyero! They've all died. The only two that haven't are Glinda and Doctor Dillamond. And I put both of them in danger again!"
"Fiyero." Nastoya rolled over her tongue deeply. "The Prince of the Arjiki?"
"Yes."
"Your lost lover?"
"Yes." Elphaba breathed.
"Yet you still pine after him after joining yourself to Glinda?"
"Yes." Elphaba sobbed.
"What is your purpose for Glinda? Do you merely use her for your own end?"
"No! I don't know! All I know is I love her and don't want her to leave!"
"But yet you love the Arjiki?"
"Yes." Elphaba sobbed. She fell limply to the floor, finally unbound.
"I see. Elphaba, you know you cannot hide from the Weather Witch same as I. You will have to unseat her sooner or later. For that purpose, you must have support. You have mine, and the Scrow. Now go, and send Glinda in."
"Are you going to tell her?"
"No. You must figure this out for yourselves."
Elphaba stood shakily, but set her back and walked out. Glinda looked concerned.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"It's fine. She wants to see you now."
Glinda gave her a strange look but set her posture to become Good. She glided gracefully into the throne room. Elphaba sat down heavily. Though the experience had taken its toll, what knocked her off her feet was the realization of what she saw. She exhaled raggedly.
Glinda floated into the throne room. She was nervous about the meeting but outwardly appeared calm. She had many similar instances happen when she was Throne Minister. She came to rest comfortably in front of Nastoya and poised herself in an elegant looking position. Glinda felt a cold creep on her and she raised an eyebrow.
"Really! I don't think a binding spell is necessary. It is not as if I am going to flee the room." She said haughtily. Nastoya inclined her head and the cold crept away.
"My apologies. Elphaba was not so willing, nor did she notice me weave it. You have great talent."
"Thank you. I've studied hard to become so. My Elphie is a great sorceress but she tends to miss small details. Now what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"
"I wanted to ask you a few questions but I must put you under a truth spell first."
"The veritas spell?" Glinda said, crinkling her nose in disgust. "If you must."
Glinda with acquiescent she felt a warmth slide up her neck and seep deep into her throat. She knew now she would answer every question honestly. It was not impossible to resist, with the easiest way to do so simply not answer.
"What is your purpose her in the Vinkus?" Nastoya drawled
"To help my Elphie." Glinda replied easily, tilting her chin slightly upward. Both knew she would have answered the same without the spell.
"In what way?"
"In any way she needs it."
"Do you know that she pines after another?" Nastoya asked slowly.
"That would be Fiyero; my ex-fiancée and her former lover." Glinda replied matter-of-factly. She knew the last question had been meant to test her poise. As always, it was perfect.
"I thought as much. Does it not disturb you?"
"I am devoted to her as much as anyone can be. I would follow her through fire if I needed to. So no, it does not disturb me she still has feelings for a dead lover. It is to be expected."
"You were quite right. I did not need to place the spell upon you."
"Thank you."
"Now, give me a moment while I return to my previous form. The spell which conceals me can only be negated for so long."
"I see."
As Nastoya returned to her human form and sat in her chair she said, "You will do great things, Glinda."
"I'm not so sure of that." Glinda replied, and looked startled as she had not realized the truth spell was still in effect. She felt it leave her afterwards. Nastoya smiled at the small victory.
"Please call in Elphaba." Nastoya asked. Glinda looked at the hidden Elephant quizzically but went to do so. She felt Elphaba sitting but when she saw Glinda she quickly got to her feet.
"What is it?"
"She wants to see us."
The two witches returned to the Throne Room.
"I have only one more thing to tell you. You both carry an item of great magic on you. No, I do not mean the Grimmerie or the other spellbook, mysterious as its origin is. I mean the stones. They are powerful binding magick, and I can see the threads even with my old eyes. The anchor on the other side is shrouded to me, but I can sense some hint of its nature. My word of advice is to be careful; a link that strong always has repercussion when pulled."
Nastoya let the words sink in for a few moments before requesting the witches get her attendants. They hurried to do so and as they returned Nastoya spoke in Scrow.
"The Princess says we are each guided by an animal." The rafiqi said. "They shall conduct the ritual to reveal the Night and Day Shaman's spiritual animal."
"I don't know if that…" Elphaba started but the rafiqi gave her a look that told her it was not a request.
The ritual began and the attendants started to hum. The choir of voices soon grew into chants and other attendants spread incense around the tent. It hung thickly in the air causing the women's heads to swim. The incense began to curl and coalesce, a sharp tendril squirming towards each of the two women. Both held their ground. The tendrils split and surrounded them causing the two to feel light headed. They heard a song in their ears and the thick air clung to their throats. Finally, like a gasp of air, the smoke fell to the ground and exploded.
In front of Glinda silver, translucent swan floated. The graceful bird looked at her demurely. She reached out her hand to touch it but a low roar from her right caused her to look at Elphaba. There, in a streaming mass of black with red eyes, was a creature she had only heard about in stories and seen in art. A dragon.
The shadowy behemoth stretched it large wings and glared at the shocked attendants. It craned its neck as if to examine them, and snapped its jaws at those closest to it. Glinda looked to Elphaba who was standing stock still, frightened. She went to comfort her lover, and at the same time her swan went to the dragon. As Glinda touched Elphaba to calm the woman the swan laid a wing upon the dragon's head. It snorted at the swan, but settled its wings and laid its head low. It still glared, but with the swan near it seemed to still.
At a word and the two figures disappeared in a puff of smoke. Nastoya gave out a low rumble.
"The Princess says that the ritual has been completed, and it is now time to celebrate. You will join us for feasting and dancing."
"I would prefer to go to bed." Elphaba replied distantly.
"Though that may be true, Daughter of the Dragon, dancing and feasting is what you need tonight. Come."
Elphaba inclined her head in acknowledgement, and followed as they were led to an area with long tables and much food. As the night wore on Elphaba relaxed. She drank deeply with the Scrow. They told stories and encouraged them to do likewise until Glinda told a ribald one that Elphaba was pretty sure she learned from Crope and Tibbett. The Scrow looked scandalized that such a dirty thing could come out of Glinda's mouth, and hooted and cheered widely at the end. They sang songs and Glinda offered Elphaba up to sing, to which Elphaba reluctantly agreed. The Scrow seemed entranced as she sang a song of home. At the end there were tears in nearly every eye.
Afterwards they got up to dance and Elphaba laughed and enjoyed herself. The dancing here was very different than the halls of the Emerald City and Glinda's skirt made many of her partners confused. Elphaba, however, knew just how to move around it and they danced freely together for the first time since they were in college. The pair did not know it but the room was entranced by the two women as they moved around each other. Afterwards, Elphaba was surprised how many of the Vinkun men vied for her attention.
As she sat recovering she had to admit that it was almost exactly what she needed. As Glinda sat next to her and Elphaba looked into her eyes she knew that the missing part would soon be filled. Long into the night the two women retired to their tent, and it was not until morning that they fell asleep in each other's arms.
When the two left the next morning with the Scrow blessing and in the direction of Kiamo Ko, both felt better. What they did not see, however, was a lone figure stalking them.