Chapter 2

My world froze right there, just like it had done twelve years earlier when Ursula had proposed that I give up my voice for a normal appearance. That had seemed preposterous enough at the time, but this … I didn't even know what to say to it. I eventually managed, "No. No! I'm not doing that! That's ridiculous! You're ridiculous for thinking I would consider something like that! I am not-…"

"Can I get a word in edgewise, please?" Ursula yelled over me. "You were willing to help me before-…"

"Before I knew you wanted me to grow fins!" I interjected angrily. "Every time we meet, you're always trying to get me to do something insane. I'm thirty four; I'm too old to go romping around as a mermaid." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fiyero usher Melrina to her room.

"You're thirty four? Well, I'm seventy one; I've got a lot of years on you, and I'm not too old to go back and help my sister, and I was expecting you, as a friend, to support me. Especially after the favor I did for you back when you were Miss Wicked Witch."

I scoffed. "Favor?! I couldn't talk for nearly three months, all the while having to listen to all the lies about me and mine which I literally could not refute. It was hell for me!"

"Oh yes, absolute hell, having people treat you like a normal person and dancing with your little boyfriend who I'm sure your husband knows nothing about," Ursula said dryly. "You know me well, Elphaba, but I know you too. I know you're only refusing this because you finally have the normal life you've always wanted, and you don't want to screw it up. Well, I really need your help. Morgana needs to see you first so she doesn't think I'm a ghost, and then panic, and then destroy the entire ocean. Sometimes it's best if people work together. I thought your perky blonde friend taught you that." She was using guilt, but damned if wasn't working.

"Well, can't you just give me the ability to breathe underwater?" I asked, desperately to find some alternative to … this.

"A human in Atlantica would cause mass hysteria," Ursula explained with a sigh. "My brother's army makes the Gale Force look like refined gentlemen. Trust me, it wouldn't go well for you."

I let out a long stream of air, overwhelmed by Ursula's latest scheme. "I'll think about it. I'll let you know before Friday."

Her face lit up like a Lurlinemas tree. "Fabulous! I'm staying at the Hillside Hotel in town if you want to find me."

I did not discuss my meeting with Ursula in front of Melrina, but after she had gone to bed, I spilled my guts to Fiyero. "I mean, she expects me, a wife, a mother, and a teacher, to just leave all of it behind and go on this ridiculous quest!" I ranted. "It's ridiculous! I'm not cut out for that. In the stories about mermaids that Mama used to tell me, they were graceful and delicate. I am neither! I would look like an idiot!"

"Just so you know, you've used the word 'ridiculous' about ten times during this conversation," Fiyero said calmly. "I think you're letting yourself get so caught up in the physical aspect of this whole thing that you're losing sight of the meat of the matter. Ursula obviously cares about her sister, something I know you can relate to, and she respects you enough to ask for your help. Of course, it's completely your decision whether or not you help her, but I don't think the fins should be a deciding factor." Despite the "brainless" façade he had put on when we were at Shiz, Fiyero sometimes had more common sense and wisdom than I did. But even he could not fully convince me.

Monday, of course, meant it was back to school for Melrina and me. I teach a lively class of fourth years, and at the beginning of the week, things were pretty normal. But something happened on Wednesday when we were reviewing the Ixaan Revolution. "Who can tell me the names of the two main leaders of the Ixaan Revolution?" I asked them. "Yes, Andra?"

"Yakus Gorrian and Livver Crommstone," Andra, one of my best students, answered confidently.

"Very good. Five brain points." I had set up a system where the kids could earn "brain points" if they answered a question correctly or did something else that showed their knowledge. These could be given back to me in exchange for a homework free night. "Now, after the revolution, what did Gorrian and Crommstone disagree on? Can I get someone else besides Andra?" My eyes narrowed when I saw whose hand was in the air: Davvad, our troublemaker. He did all of the typical troublemaker things, putting frogs on girls' desks and the like, and he was one of the few students that I had who dared ask the only question I did not permit: "Mrs. Tigulaar, why are you green?" That had earned him three days of detention. But even so, he might have had a legitimate answer this time, so I said, "Yes, Davvad."

"Well, it seems to me that Gorrian wanted more government over everyone, right?" he said nervously, clearly unsure of his answer. "But Crommstone, he didn't like that. He wanted everybody to be free and stuff. Is that right, Mrs. Tigulaar?"

I nodded. "Exactly. Five brain points. Now, who knows-…"

"But weren't they friends during the revolution?" Davvad interrupted me. "They both wanted the king gone. I asked my dad about them last night, and he said that Gorrian considered Crommstone like a big brother. Gorrian asked for his advice a bunch of times. I guess they were so worried about little stuff that they forgot the big picture."

I looked at him open mouthed. This nine year old had summed up how silly I was being without even realizing it. I glanced up at the clock and, thank Lurline, it was noon! "Yes, I guess you're right. Alright! It's time for you all to head to lunch! When we reconvene, we'll get into improper fractions." There was a collective grumble as they all got up from their seats. Improper fractions were a challenge for all of them.

While my class was in the cafeteria, I ate my own lunch and thought about the pearl of wisdom that had come from Davvad, of all people. He was right. Fiyero was right. I had to help Ursula. I wanted to help Ursula. And if that meant looking like an absolute fool, so be it.