Thank you to RavenCurls for reviewing. She might. And no, not my wedding. Don't let my gf hear you say that. Lol. It was her brother's wedding, my brother's wedding and a close friends.
Thank you to Varia for reviewing.
Thank you to LillyFae for reviewing. One Flinda switch incoming.
Thank you to nursejoy7 for reviewing. Keep reading.
Thank you to chinaluv for reviewing.
Thank you to ExiticPeachBlossom for reviewing.
Thank you to MyLittleElphie. Private would have been better but like you said, better for repairing Elphaba's image. You'll have to read and see for the rest.
I apologize about the long wait. Holidays coupled with finishing graduate school has conspired against me. This chapter was alss rough to write as I felt I needed to get some stuff out of the way to get to the good stuff.
So there is probably at least one more chapter after this coming, maybe two. There will be an epilogue after that. I can post the first chapter to the sequel of you all want, but you should let me know….
Either way, this story will finish before the New Year.
Finally, thanks to everyone who voted for my stories in the Greg Awards. I'm honored to be nominated.
As always, read, enjoy, review Comments and critiques welcome, both publicly and pm.
12/20/14
Fiyero clasped the shorter man on the shoulders, but then frowned. Boq's face morphed into a nervous mask.
"What is it?" he asked, voice pitched slightly higher.
"You seem…taller than I remember." Fiyero answered. Boq looked Fiyero up and down.
"You don't."
"This is ridiculous." Milla said. She cautiously stepped over to the men. "Boq is not…."
"You were saying?" Fiyero asked with a smile.
"He is taller." Milla replied in disbelief.
"How do you know?" Boq asked.
"Because you used to be shorter than me. Now you're a couple inches taller. And more…robust" she replied, running her hands up Boq arms and to his shoulders. The not-so-short Munchkin's face turned rosy.
"Probably a side effect of the spell." Glinda interjected. "And while I don't wish to break up this reunion, there is still the issue of your armies in my city."
"We will retire to our camps tonight, and then set out for Restwater in three days' time." Milla said, her posture once again rigid. "From there we will begin negotiations."
"Why so late?" asked Glinda.
"To give our soldiers time to recover." Milla answered curtly.
"Agreed. Tomorrow at the Shiz Gate?" reminded Glinda.
"Indeed." Milla replied with a curt nod.
Milla strode off towards her women confidently, with Boq shuffling nervously after her. Milla's soldiers saluted promptly when she approached. She returned the salute and looked back towards Boq, nodding her head in the direction of the Munchkin Militia. Boq slowly moved over until he stopped in front of them. Looking at the Militia, there was a long pause before the front rankers snapped a salute, and the rest followed. Boq retuned it with growing confidence.
"Back to camp." He ordered with almost no waver in his voice.
The Militia turned and slowly filed out of the courtyard. The General Ess Tee watched them go intently. Shortly thereafter, Jinjuria's irregulars departed.
The circle of Emerald City citizens contracted with their absence. Glinda could see hard faces in the crowd. Angry murmurs ran through it, and soon some of the crowd moved ominously towards Elphaba. Another section flowed to cut them off. Knowing she had to avert a riot, Glinda once again struck the pavers with her staff. Light and sound burst forth once again, causing the crowd to jump back.
"As I am now Throne Minister, I will not tolerate any more of this violence." Glinda announced sternly. "Therefore, I order the citizens of the city to disperse and head back to their homes."
"What about the Witch?" someone yelled. All eyes fixed on Glinda. Elphaba began to fidget.
"Miss Elphaba Thropp," Glinda heard her own voice saying, "will be placed into my custody for her own protection against seditious elements in Oz."
There was silence. Glinda was not completely certain if the people in the crowd were breathing. Glancing at Elphaba, the green woman's eyes were wide and body like steel. Glinda gently placed a hand on her arm but Elphaba flinched at the contact. Glinda sighed.
"As I'm sure there is a lot to set right, I will leave now to get started." Glinda continued and then her voice turned hard. "But make no mistake: those who continue spreading violence in the City will suffer the full extent of the law."
Glinda turned towards the Palace. After a nod to the Captain of the Palace Guard, he turned and started to form up his men into two lines to keep the crowd at bay. Glinda motioned for Elphaba to come with her between the two, and Pfannee fell in behind. The General saluted Glinda and made to leave, but she motioned for him to follow. As Fiyero joined the knot at the center, Glinda nodded again and the group set off. Elphaba kept glancing between the two lines of soldiers. Glinda placed a hand on her shoulder and Elphaba relaxed. She tensed again when Fiyero slipped an arm around her waist. Glinda swore under her breath but maintained her composure.
When they made it through the Emerald Palace Gates, Glinda let out a sigh of relief. Walking up the steps, Glinda began planning her next moves. She was so engrossed she almost missed the guards' sudden stop. Nervously, Glinda scanned for the reason, but relaxed when she found it. Elphaba had stopped on the steps just before entering. Glinda smiled at her.
"I promise there are no giant heads this time." Glinda comforted. That brought a faint smile to Elphaba's lips.
"But it will be longer than a day." Elphaba replied.
"Of course. Didn't we warn this city the last time of our intention?" Glinda asked as her smile grew. Elphaba's own enlarged.
"That we did. It has known we were here."
"And soon, we'll make our lives again."
Elphaba nodded and took a step towards the doorway but stopped with a puzzled look. Glinda lifted one of her perfectly manicured brows. Elphaba smiled reassuringly but continued to look around.
"I'm just wondering what happened to that guard with that ridiculous mustache." Elphaba replied. A guard next to her laughed, causing Elphaba to jump.
"Old Whiskers? He's around somewhere." The man said and there were chuckles from the others too. Even Fiyero smiled.
"Quite right." Came a booming voice, causing the assembled party to jump. A large man in even larger uniform appeared in the hallway. His extravagant mustache and chin hair easily identified him. Unlike his counterparts with their pikes, he carried only a large sword at his hip.
"By Oz, Whiskers, do you have to do that?" asked one. The man beamed at him.
"Young man, it is my sacred duty to guard this gate. That means seeing everyone who comes in, and those that go out. Regardless of times and situations. Guard Captains may come and go," He said and winked at Fiyero, "but the Soldier with Whiskers has always been here."
He then looked directly at Elphaba and bowed.
"It is nice to see you again, Miss Elphaba Thropp. Let's hope your stay this time is more pleasant than the last." He said and Elphaba could tell he was genuine.
"You remember my real name?" Elphaba asked.
"Of course! I remember everyone who has ever passed through these doors. Miss Elphaba Thropp, Miss Galinda Upland, now our Throne Minister Glinda the Good; Master Fiyero Tiggular, our Winkie Prince Captain of the Guard; Madame Morrible's Adept, Pfannee Pfann; and our General Sh-"
"None of that, thank you!" Ess Tee cut him off. The Soldier bowed.
"Of course, General. As I said, Miss Elphaba, it is my duty to know who passes through these gates and what happens in these walls."
"So you know everything?" Elphaba asked cautiously. The Soldier with Whiskers nodded.
"Yes. But before you ask, I will never speak of what I know. I give to them the same honor I will give to you."
"How can you?" asked Elphaba, voice rising. "How can you protect monsters like that?"
"Miss Elphaba," the man voice softened, "it may be hard to understand, but I protect the institution of Oz. Can you imagine the chaos it would bring if the state's secrets were able to be bought and sold? What next? Assassinations? Though the institution may do terrible things, without it the Land of Oz would fall into chaos and destruction."
"It should be held accountable for what it does." Elphaba growled and the man nodded.
"Of course, but it should be held accountable by the people, not by those in its service. For if the Emerald Palace Guard were to wade into the politics of Oz, it would never get out. As of right now, we are impartial." He answered sternly. The men of the Guard nodded in reverence. Glinda quickly revised her opinion of the man. The Soldier with Whiskers smiled then. "As you are our guest, placed under the protection of a rightful ruler of Oz, no harm shall come to you on our honor. Regardless what any may want."
"Thank you." Elphaba replied and inhaled deeply. Closing her eyes she stepped across the threshold.
"The Wicked Witch must be executed! For Oz's sake!" thundered a man.
Avaric looked over at him lazily. It had been a few days since the ceasefire had been called, and it was the first the Barons felt safe to meet. Gathered in the Hall of Approval, Avaric could see the row of bodies stretch out in the long rectangular building. At one end, the Master of Ceremonies sat along with the Chamber's Speaker. Other aides were gathered around them. The Barons were seated on either side the main aisle that split on tiered rows.
Avaric, as befitting the Margreave of Tenmeadows, was in the first tier. The lesser Barons made up other tiers; however, the seats were half vacant as the Barons of Munchkinland were absent, as were some of Gillikin's. More chilling was the fact that Avaric knew most of the Gillikin absences were due to death than lack of interest.
"Are you saying we should go against Glinda? She pardoned the Witch, remember?" another man yelled.
"So what if Glinda the Good pardoned her?" sneered the man back. "Are you so afraid of a girl that you would quiver in fear of her?"
"Did you forget that girl wields some of the most powerful magic in Oz? And half of the City worships the ground she walks on!" the man retorted.
"The peasants!"
"A peasant with a knife can kill you the same as a rich man. And they'll do it for much less!"
Avaric sighed. The conversation had repeated itself in some aspect or another for the past couple of hours, and was liable to do so for another couple. Avaric had already measured the waters and knew that there would be no decision today. Some of the absent Barons would not be in for a few more days; then the tide would turn against Elphaba. War would come again. Avaric sighed again and stood.
"Margreave?" the Master of Ceremonies called out and the room quieted. "Where are you going?"
"This conversation has been going in circles. That half," he said a motioned to one side of the room, "is too scared move against Glinda and the mob. The other half believes they are invincible. Either way, no side will reach a quorum. So I might as well go do something worthwhile."
With that, he strode out the Hall. He handed a note to one of his footman who took off south. From the Hall of Approval it was short jaunt to the Palace. His station got him into the waiting room and his old personal ties got him a meeting. After an hour of waiting, the door swung open and a dark skinned man in red and white walked in. Avaric leapt to his feet.
"Fiyero! Heard you were back." Avaric exclaimed. "Granted, not who I expected to see."
"Hello, Avaric." He said and embraced the other man. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"Well, I'd love to say it is for your's and Elphaba's return…" Avaric started
"But you'd hate to lie." Fiyero finished.
"Too true. The fact is, Elphaba's return will be short lived if things keep going the way they are in the Hall of Approval." Avaric concluded and Fiyero gave him a hard stare.
"Let's go see Glinda."
"So what you're saying is that in the next few days there will be enough Barons in the Hall to call for Elphaba's execution." Glinda summed up impassively.
She, Fiyero, and Avaric were in a sitting room off the main receiving chamber. They did not invite Elphaba, not wanting to upset her. Being confined to a floor of the Palace had already caused some of her more paranoid tendencies to reemerge. Glinda hoped it was temporary.
"That's correct." Avaric confirmed.
"Even though I pardoned her for everything." Glinda asked evenly.
"The Hall of Approval has the power to create a writ of execution for any citizen of Oz as long as they feel they pose a threat to the country." Avaric answered.
"Without even a trial?" Fiyero asked. Avaric looked at him and nodded.
"Trials are only guaranteed for nobles." He replied.
"But Elphaba is a noble." Fiyero retorted. Avaric shook his head.
"Being an exiled noble of a hostile country doesn't exactly make things better."
"So I'll have to convince them to do otherwise." Glinda said. Avaric turned his gaze back to her.
"Thanks unlikely, Glinda. The Barons that want Elphaba's head actively despise you. Talking won't bring any around."
"Do they know that many in the City her as a hero? That it will cause riots?" Glinda asked. Avaric nodded.
"They do, but they just don't care. The problem is most of the Barons don't care about the Emerald City anymore." Avaric explained. "Ever since the Wizard showed up, they've slowly retreated into Gillikin. After he dissolved the Hall, there was an exodus. Only the oldest EC families stayed and their power has waned with repeated riots and violence in the City. When you reopened the Hall of Approval some Barons opened business down here again, but after you left they did too. Frankly, the EC is far too comfortable taking power and money from those that have it. Most Barons find the farther away the better. So if the EC burns, they will probably raise a glass."
"So what can we do?" asked Glinda.
"I don't know." Avaric shrugged. "Frankly, you don't have the Barons in the Hall to support you. Unless you get more Barons to back you, dissolving it is the only way to stay a writ of execution."
"Which I will not do." Glinda answered resoundingly. "I will not dissolve the Hall. It would make me a tyrant."
"The people would probably crown you." Avaric pointed out but Glinda shook her head.
"A despot loved is still a despot." Glinda replied but then her eyes got a faraway look. "What we need is more diversity in the Hall."
"Yes, but how?" Avaric asked. "The Hall requires a certain property requirement."
"Let me take care of that." Glinda replied and stood. The two men rose also.
"I warn you; taking from the Barons to make your own will not endear you to any of them." Avaric said. Glinda smiled.
"Do not worry; I won't take anything that is rightfully theirs." She put out a hand and Avaric grasped it, kissing the top of her hand. "Thank you for telling us. It is nice to know we still have friends in Oz."
"I'm at your service." Avaric replied. Glinda nodded and glided from the room. The two men watched her depart, and then Fiyero made small conversation with Avaric as he led him to the exit.
"So what is that brain of yours cooking up?" Fiyero asked as he entered Glinda antechamber. The blonde was writing intently at her desk and looked up as Fiyero spoke.
"As I stated before: the Hall of Approval needs more diversity." She answered.
"And?"
"And what?"
"Fine. Keep your secrets." Fiyero said, and there was silence for a moment. "Tell Elphaba yet?"
"Yes."
"I thought I felt a rumble earlier."
"That's not funny." Elphaba said as she entered from a side door. She was wearing a loose fitting shirt and short breeches with a towel in her hand. From the light sheen of her skin, it was obvious she had been exercising. Both occupants watched her intently as she crossed the room.
"It was a little." Fiyero replied with a smile. Elphaba met his eyes but then looked away. Fiyero's smile faltered slightly.
"So what's the plan, Glinda?" Elphaba asked.
"Oh, so you'll tell her but not me?" Fiyero pouted before Glinda could answer.
"Of course she will. It's about me, after all." Elphaba gloated.
"Elphie's right." Glinda answered. "The plan is to add some diversity to the Hall."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Elphaba asked.
"Two ways. First, I plan to invite those who are not Gillikinese or from the City, but still qualify, into the Hall."
"Like?" Fiyero asked.
"Like your father, Fiyero." Glinda answered and he rocked back on his heels. "I know he qualifies, but I don't know if any others do."
"If things are still the same, there could be several." Fiyero answered thoughtfully. "My father, yes, but also the Regent of Kumbrica Castle. The mayor of Red Windmill. A couple other families."
"That's good. I also plan on inviting other Vinkun tribes. The Garamana, for one, but also the Scrow and perhaps the Zyma."
"The Zyma? You have to tell me when you encountered them. They may not qualify, or even want to come. The Garamana could send at least one."
"That's good. Any others?"
"The Lord of Kellswater. He pays nominal homage to my father but really could be considered an independent Baron." Fiyero answered. "But even with all of them, you may only get ten Barons, if you're lucky. Not enough to turn the tide, if what Avaric says is true."
"You let me deal with that." Glinda replied mysteriously. "I may be able to magick up some, but it will take a lot of work."
Even when pressed by both Fiyero and Elphaba, all Glinda would let on further was a coy smile and a head shake.
"How are you, Elphie?" Glinda asked as she walked into her friend's room. She saw the green woman hunched over at her desk. One benefit of being in the Emerald City was that Elphaba was less conscious of her skin. Even now she was wearing only a sleeveless tunic with short breeches that bared broad, chiseled shoulders and hard calves. Glinda appreciated Elphaba's diligence to her exercise. Crossing towards the desk, Glinda saw the expected book open in front of her.
"How do you think?" Elphaba snapped back.
Glinda sighed. It was one of those moods. She began unlacing her ornate gown and stepped out of the sparkling outer layer. She attacked the inner scaffolding of silk and lace where she could, shedding layers in her path to Elphaba. Finally, clad in only her under bodice, she stood next to Elphaba.
"Could you help with this, Elphie?" Glinda asked innocently.
"In a minute." Elphaba replied distractedly.
"But I'll get cold soon." Glinda pouted.
"And why would you…" Elphaba started irritably but stopped at the sight of Glinda.
"Can you help me?" Glinda pleaded.
"Glinda, I don't know if I can…I mean, I don't know if we should…"
"It's just a bodice, Elphie, I promise. I just need to change."
"Just change."
"Yes." Glinda replied and turned around. Reaching up, she pulled her hair above her head and gave herself a little wiggle. "So, can you?"
"Of course." Elphaba replied quietly, and set about undoing the laces. As the last laces slipped their cells, the bodice fell from Glinda. She gave a deep moan that sent heat to Elphaba's cheeks.
"That's one of the greatest feelings in the world. Now, give me a few moments to change and then I'll be back for you." Glinda said and floated out in her chemise.
Elphaba obediently stayed put. A few minutes later Glinda came back in a simple dress that laced in the back. She held out her arm for Elphaba and the tall green woman looped her own through it. Glinda smiled up at her and led them out of the room. Strolling quietly through the palace, Glinda nodded to the guards they passed. A winding staircase later, they emerged through a pair of double doors into a large garden. What amazed Elphaba the most was the glass sky above them.
"The occupants of the Palace wanted to be able to stride through gardens, but not worry about being seen, or intruders lurking in the shadows." Glinda explained as they took the path. It led them around to a small gazebo overlooking a pond. "They built this to meet their needs. It is one of the best kept secrets in Oz."
"It is extraordinary." Elphaba agreed. "But why did you bring me here?
"Besides getting you out of your room?" Glinda giggled. "Over the last few weeks we have been distracted by one thing or another, and haven't had much time to practice our sorcery."
Elphaba looked over at her friend (lover still?) with a slight quirk in her lips. Glinda returned the smile and held up Elphaba's wand.
"Shall we?"
"A cunning plan, Miss Glinda." Avaric was saying later that week. He, Glinda, Fiyero, and Elphaba were sitting on a veranda that overlooked the Palace gardens "But I agree with Master Fiyero. It's not nearly enough for a stay of execution."
"I can do the political math, Master Avaric." Glinda retorted. "I have other ways of getting members into the Hall of Approval."
Avaric sat up ramrod straight, his face a mask.
"Miss Glinda," he started slowly, "I advised against seizing lands to bequeath onto your followers."
"I will not do any such thing." Glinda answered sweetly. "However, there are lands that were illegally seized from Animals by the Wizard during his reign."
"The Wizard had authority to do so." Avaric countered.
"Yes, but it required a writ passed by the Hall when it came to Lords in the Hall of Approval, as outlined in the Charter of Considerations." Glinda rebutted. Avaric looked pensive.
"And since the House of Approval had been dissolved for at least five years at that point, there was no way to do that." He finished. Glinda smiled.
"Correct."
"I must change my assessment, Miss Glinda." Avaric said as he relaxed and a smile split his face. "A very cunning plan."
"Thank you. There's something for everyone." Glinda said and started ticking points off her fingers. "The Fiyero's father and the Vinkus gets recognized, the Animals get a voice which will please Elphie, and the Barons get to assert their authority."
"And you gain clients and allies from the Vinkus and amongst the Animals. Along with how the common folk love you, it puts you in a very strong position." Avaric summed up. Glinda frowned.
"Master Avaric, I have no intention of staying in politics. Once the Hall of Approval selects the next Minister, I will joyfully retire." Glinda replied evenly. Avaric arched an eyebrow.
"So, what do you need from me?" Avaric asked. The other members around the table looked confused, which only made Avaric's grin widen. "Please, spare me the confused and ashamed looks. I've been playing this game for nearly a decade now and rather not have to play it with you. I'm here because you need something from me."
"You're right." Glinda said. "We do need you."
With that she got up and turned away from the table, and they could see her clasp her hands. With a deep sigh, Glinda turned back to them.
"All of this falls is for naught if the Hall signs a writ before we can add our own voices. To that we need time."
"Easily done. I can stall them for at least a month. Between procedurals and vacations, I could probably stretch it for two." Avaric answered.
"Thank you." Glinda replied.
"What else? You could easily have gotten one of those still loyal to you in the Hall to do that."
"There's certain…traditions that must be gone through when inducting new members into the Hall. The first of which is the examination of the qualifications."
"And it is typically done by a member of the Hall." Avaric continued, his smile slowly leaving his face as his brow knit. He leaned forward. "You're asking me to do the examinations?"
"Yes. The word of a Margreave would be hard to challenge. Especially the Margreave of Tenmeadows." Glinda answered.
"Such flattery. However, to do this I would have to put my own reputation on the line. I would not do it without examining their credentials first myself."
Glinda turned her hand over and a scroll appeared. Avaric took it from her and unrolled it. His eyes flew across the words like a hawk tracing its prey. In those few minutes none around the table disturbed him. They knew Avaric to be as shrewd as he was pompous, and with a good intellect to bolster both. He exhaled and set the scroll down on the table, but used a saucer and cup to keep it unfurled.
"While the numbers look good I'd prefer a map….ah, thank you." He said as Glinda conjured one. He cross referenced what was on the map with the other document, and then looked up. "The preliminaries look good."
"Thank you." Glinda replied.
"But I still don't see what I get out of this." Avaric continued. Fiyero leaned back in his chair and Elphaba crossed her arms. Glinda's smile remained in place.
"Can't you do it for old friends?" she asked sweetly. Avaric smiled back.
"Stalling the Hall I could. But this examination?" he asked rhetorically and stood. He took a few steps away and turned around. "This examination will bring much attention onto me, and not the best kind. Despite all your assurances of flexing the Halls muscle, the Barons ae still an insular and bigoted lot who will not take fondly to adding new members. Especially non-Gillikin or Emerald City members. And my reputation will also be at risk. To do this will make me seem beholden to you, Miss Glinda."
"What would you want?" Glinda asked, her smile not leaving her face. Avaric returned it.
"First, there are a few others I'd like to add to this list." He said and gestured to the papers on the table. "All qualifying men; there just hasn't been a Hall to induct anyone into for years."
"Of course, Avaric. I trust you to make sure they are appropriate. What else?"
"I want a position in the Administration. Nothing too work intensive but something deserving of my station."
"Naturally." Glinda nodded. "Would official Hall Representative in Oz's discussion with Munchkinland suffice?"
"Yes." Avaric answered, rocking back on his heels. His voice grew wistful. "Yes it would."
"Then it is settled. I shall personally request you. Our first meeting is tomorrow, shortly after midday." Glinda said with authority.
"Won't Boq be surprised to see me?" Avaric's grin had grown wide.
"Most likely not. I sent ahead to expect you." Glinda retorted cheerfully. Avaric smile melted into his confusion.
"What?" he asked, and was echoed by Elphaba and Fiyero. Glinda's smile grew wider.
"All you men of power are alike. You think you're some deep and mysterious but dangle a chance at more power and you will always snap at it." Glinda replied and giggled. Avaric smile turned bashful.
"You've seem to have caught me, my Lady." He acquiesced softly.
"Quite. Good day, Master Tenmeadows." Glinda said and put her hand out. Avaric grasped and bowed low to kiss it. He bowed to the others and went to take his leave. As he was walking through the double doors to enter the Palace, Glinda called his name. He turned to look at her.
"Yes, my Lady?" he asked.
"I need you to prepare to introduce Boq in the Hall. He is going to make a speech to counter their next move." Glinda answered. Avaric looked confused.
"What next move?"
"After we introduce our new members, they will not have enough for a writ. Instead, they will try to sell Elphaba's execution as a good will gesture to Munchkinland." Glinda explained. Avaric brow unknitted.
"And by bringing him in to denounce that will take that away."
"Correct."
"I will begin preparing immediately." Avaric replied. He hesitated, and then asked. "Are you sure, my Lady?"
"Quite. I've had enough of this foolishness."
"'Tis a shame." Avaric replied and swept through the doors. He was sure now about seeing his old friend. Fiyero and Elphaba came over to Glinda.
"What's a shame about bringing Boq in?" Elphaba asked. Glinda looked at her askance but then her face melted into a smile. Slowly, Glinda began to giggle. Elphaba shot her an annoyed look. "What?"
"That's not what he was asking about." Glinda managed to get out before another giggle fit hit her.
"Then what?" grumped Elphaba. Glinda took several deep breath before finally getting her giggling under control.
"He was asking if I was sure about giving up my rule. He seems to think I play the game rather well."
"Leagues above me." Fiyero said and Elphaba could not agree more.