AN: I am so sorry this update took so long! My life has gotten absolutely crazy right now. I was dealt a major blow in my hopes of going to New York for school this fall and had a major meltdown. Well, after some major revision to my plans, it might still happen. So please hope and pray that this works. I have to make a final decision tomorrow after work and it all rests on one person who can give me the answers I need to make that decision. On top of that work has been putting me in a really bad mood recently, and if I never have to waitress again I will be very happy. I commend all fellow servers/food business people out there. It is not easy. Now that you know why I disappeared for a while, we can now move on to the story. BTW, there should be a link on my profile of the dress Elphaba wears to the ball in this chapter.
When Fiyero saw Elphaba enter, he stopped breathing.
"Fiyero! Son! Breathe!" Alain laughed and clapped his son on the back. Fiyero drew a breath, flushing bright red at being caught gaping at his girlfriend by his father.
"Don't worry son, that is the look I had on my face when I saw your mother in her wedding gown."
Elphaba stood at the door with a shy smile on her face as her father came up to her and bowed formally before her. "My daughter, you look absolutely stunning tonight."
He spoke the truth as Elphaba's black gown swept the floor and rustled with her movements. It was a halter strapped dress with silver threads flowing in ripples down the front of the dress with delicate spirals interspersed throughout. Her hair was swept back in a half bun, allowing her curls to spill down her back and held together with a silver band to match her dress.
As Oscar swept her out into her first dance, Elphaba found herself growing even more nervous as she felt the eyes of everyone on her. It wasn't until Fiyero asked to cut in that she felt the nervous tension slide away. She danced in Fiyero's arms and melted into him as he guided her expertly on the dance floor.
"You look beautiful Fae." She blushed and looked down. "Well I better because this dress is not very comfortable! I want out as soon as I can!" Fiyero laughed and pulled her closer.
The Ozians in attendance were awestruck at how mature Elphaba looked. Gone was the shy orphan, and in her place was a cool, confident young woman, dancing with the man she loves.
As the night progressed, Elphaba had to admit that she was having a good time. It was not her favorite thing in the world to do and she still preferred to be alone with her books, but with her father, Melena and Fiyero all by her side, she was enjoying herself.
She had just stopped to talk to her father when a commotion just past the doors to the ball room caused her to pause and look over. There in the door way stood Frex. She stiffened and grabbed Fiyero's hand instinctively, wondering why Frex had dared to show his face here.
She clung to Fiyero's hand as Frex made his way over. He stopped in front of her and hissed at her. "All high and mighty are we now? Well who made you that way? I did! If you had never come to my orphanage you would not be here now! You owe me for all the years I put up with you, and fed you, clothed you! You owe me! I am the one who should be honored tonight! Not you, a little nobody from nowhere. No one loves you or will care for you like I can!"
Elphaba's resolve returned at his words and she calmly let go of Fiyero's hand, but was secure in the knowledge that he was at her back, as was her family.
"No Frex. You are wrong. I do not owe you a thing. Yes, I had a roof over my head. But, that roof became my daily Hell with the beatings and punishments you handed down, simply for being me. I do not owe you for the time you locked me in the basement for 3 days with no food. I do not owe you for the daily beatings, or for the time you broke my ribs, just a few short weeks ago."
As Elphaba detailed what he had done to her in the past, a collective gasp ran through the room as she described the horrors she had lived with every day for almost 16 years.
"So you see, Frex, I have a family. I have a wonderful father and mother. I have a courageous and caring boyfriend. I have a family. You have nothing and I pity you for that. After tonight, I am done with you. You will no longer have any control, over my life and that part is over. I am done with you and the horrors you brought down upon me. I owe you nothing!" With that she turned away with her head held high and walked away.
As she finished speaking, a few Gale Force soldiers came up behind Frex and grabbed him as he started yelling and raving like the mad man he was. They threw him out of the palace and Elphaba never looked back.
The night progressed after the interruption and as the ball wound down, Elphaba and Fiyero walked hand in hand back to her rooms. They were quiet, both lost in their own thoughts. For Elphaba it had been a perfect night. The only dark spot had been Frex's interruption, but she was proud of herself and how she had handled it with calm and poise. She was done with him and it felt good. She was jolted back to reality however when Fiyero stopped in front of her door and spoke.
"What a beautiful evening, with the most beautiful girl in the world." She blushed, and was unprepared when his lips met hers. Closing her eyes, she sank into the kiss, opening her eyes only when he pulled back. He looked at her and stroked her cheek.
"I was never more proud to be yours than back there at the ball watching you confront Frex. I leave you here for the night. Goodnight and sweet dreams, Fae. I am proud of you." After he left, she touched a hand to her lips and smiled softly as she floated into her room on a cloud of bliss.
Her serenity was broken when pain exploded in the back of her skull, causing bright spots to appear before her eyes before her vision went black and she fell to the floor, unconscious.
