AN: OK here you guys. Next chapter. Oh, and for those of you I promised, Fiyero is in this chapter, albeit briefly.
As Elphaba wandered the city with her new monkey friend, she was unaware that her fate was about to change for the better. High up in the Emerald Palace where the Wizard lived, a man and a woman sat talking.
"Well Melena, what does my schedule look like today?" Melena looked down at the file in her hands, and read off the schedule in her efficient manner.
"Sir, you have breakfast with the Gilikin Prime Minister at 9, then a council meeting with your advisors at 12:30. Sometime this afternoon, the Vinkun King and his son will be arriving to spend some time in the palace."
"Ah yes, young Fiyero is learning how to run a country so he can take over for his father when he steps down, am I correct? A fine young man, and he will make a fine ruler when his day comes." The Wizard looked at his assistant with a boyish grin on his face. Melena said nothing and just waited patiently, dreading what was to come next.
"And what of the daily approval ratings you insist must be measured?"
"Your Ozness, sir…"
"Well, what is it Melena? I don't bite you know. Spit it out."
"Well, sir, it seems your popularity is dwindling very quickly. The Munchkins are afraid that this winter is going to be too long, thus preventing them from planting their crops on time for a successful harvest, the Quadlings are upset over rumors of mines going in, and I won't even go into what the headmistress of Shiz is getting into a snit over now. Just know that you need to pacify her, or she will make a powerful enemy to be against you."
"Very well, what do you suppose I do, besides dealing with worried munchkins, angry Quadlings and an ornery educator?"
"If I may be so bold sir…"
"What? Of course! You know you may speak freely to me. I consider you family!"
"What if you were to invite a special guest to the palace for the Lurlinemas holiday. You could have them here as soon as tomorrow if need be. This guest would be treated like royalty, and have all the benefits as if they were the most important person in Oz."
"Sounds good so far. Go on. Who would this lucky person be? A Margreavefrom Gilikin? A scholarly student from Shiz University?"
"Actually, sir, I was thinking someone different entirely. I was thinking more along the lines of an…orphan."
"An orphan you say? Why an orphan? Wait, don't answer that. Let me tell you why and you can tell me if you agree. An orphan has no family, and everyone needs family on a holiday, especially during Lurlinemas. And, an orphan would show my goodwill to those less fortunate and raise the popularity ratings among the people, especially during these trying times. Would you agree?"
"Yes sir."
"Now, go do your thing and find me an orphan to take in for the holidays. I trust your judgment."
Neither the Wizard, nor his assistant Melena knew just how far this goodwill action would go towards changing the lives of all involved.
Elphaba was hungry. She was cold, exhausted and starving. She was regretting her decision to try and find her parents on her own and was trudging through the streets, trying to think of a plan. She could always go back to the orphanage, where at least it was semi-warm. No sooner had that thought crossed her mind when the scent of food cooking on a vendor's cart outside the palace made her stomach start growling. Chistery also started chattering excitedly at the thought of food.
"One problem there buddy, I haven't got any money."
Her stomach kept rumbling disagreeably and Chistery kept tugging at her to go get some food. She heaved a sigh and decided come hell or high water, she was going to get some food. She wandered over to the cart and decided to see if she could put her minimal acting skills to use successfully.
"Please sir. I'm so hungry and I haven't got any money and no home. I was wondering if you could perhaps spare some sausage for me and my companion. We are both so terribly hungry." She put on her best innocent child look, but her skills left something to be desired.
"Get away you little vermin. I don't give out freebies."
"Please sir!"
"I said go away before I call the Gale Force on you, you little urchin!"
Elphaba turned away with a dejected face. An idea came to her: if she waited until he was distracted, maybe she could snatch some food and make a clean escape. The idea of stealing did not sit well with her, but she knew she needed to eat if she wanted to survive.
She waited for a few minutes out of sight for the opportune moment. Soon enough, a small crowd had gathered to place their orders for food as they went about their business of the day. While the vendor was distracted she made her grab. She wasn't fast enough though, as the man grabbed her wrist, and dragged her closer. She twisted out of his grasp and ran.
"HEY! STOP THAT GIRL! THIEF!"
She chanced a look back, all the while keeping a tight grip on her prize. What she saw made her double her speed. As she ran, she wasn't paying attention to what was in front of her. She ran into a hard body and stumbled back in surprise.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Elphaba shouted this at the young man she had run into.
"Me? You're the one who wasn't watching where you are going. " He looked at her closely and did a double take at her green skin, grabbing her arm in order to get her to stand still. Sudden shouts from behind them made her stiffen and try to run away, but his grip was too strong.
The soldiers following her caught up to them. She tried even more to wrench away but he held her and looked at her curiously.
"Thanks kind sir, for intercepting this girl. She is a thief and will be punished." This came from one of the Gale Force soldiers. Elphaba stared daggers at the man who held her arm and prevented her escape. She knew it was useless by now, and that she would never get away again.
"What? No! That wasn't my intention!" The man holding her protested when they grabbed her from him.
"Hey wait a minute! Hold on!" One of the soldiers looked at Elphaba closely. "I think this is one of the Thropp's kids from the orphanage. What is she doing out here? We should take her back."
At this Elphaba went so pale, she was almost white.
"No! Please! I beg you! Take me to prison, throw me in the dungeon. I don't care but I can't go back there!"
The man she had run into stared in fascination as this spitfire who had plowed into him started begging and was dragged away back to the orphanage she was so desperate to get away from. The only good thing she could think about was that they had not noticed Chistery and he was safely hidden on her shoulder by her thick black hair.
