Fiyero and Elphaba never spoke of the moment they shared that night with anyone else, but there was now a mutual respect and warmth in their relationship that had not existed before, as both had only Galinda as the common factor in their friendship prior to that night. While Elphaba treasured Galinda as one of her closest female companions –– her only female friend, in fact –– Fiyero was another matter entirely. The side of Elphaba that was analytical, passionate and driven to discussion met its match in Fiyero, who had his own surprising side that no one else had apparently taken the time to find. Thus, the green girl and the playful prince began to engage themselves in heated debates with Galinda as peacemaker, and it is in such a scene where we find them in a blustery evening at Shiz.
"You must agree that both humans and Animals had a hand to do with the Great Famine, although Animals got the unfair majority of the –– subsequent –– blame," said Elphaba as she tried unsuccessfully to wrestle her hair into submission in the face of the wind.
"I do agree with that, but I think that the way it's handled now shows a great deal of improvement," argued Fiyero, masterfully keeping hold of his flapping papers. "With our integration of both Animal Law and human law …"
"What integration? The merger of our courts? That still doesn't solve the undercurrent of Animal marginalisation, and the decreasing representation in the judiciary and the civil service!" Elphaba huffed in frustration before throwing back her head. "Sweet Oz! Galinda, get behind me and help, will you? I can't hold my things, argue with Fiyero and tie my hair at the same time. It would've been more useful had when she decided to give me only two hands with the whole green thing!"
As Galinda renewed the war on Elphaba's tresses, Elphaba resumed talking. "I mean, look at Dr. Dillamond! He's the only Animal left on campus and we're not even sure where he's gone."
"His name is still on the office door, though," Galinda put in helpfully, as her capable hands twisted Elphaba's hair into a manageable plait.
"Yes, but where exactly is he?"
"I heard that he's taken a sabbatical for a few months, travelling around Oz to exchange ideas with other luminaries in his field … Oh, I'm sure that they're Animals!" Fiyero said drily. "Oh come on, Elphaba, the Great Famine was years ago and I'm sure the problems aren't as great as you think they are. Right now, I think our main problem is the dwindling supplies of natural resources from the Glikkus. Oz help us with the economy if …"
"We're talking History here, not Economics, Your Highness," Elphaba retorted. "Besides, finals are twenty seven days away and all these debates will be good practice for our essays."
"That's practically a month, Elphaba!" Fiyero laughed. "Are you telling me you've got a whole study schedule planned?"
If looks could kill, the one Elphaba gave him fell somewhere below that –– but it definitely told him that she had drawn up a study schedule.
"Aw, c'mon ––"
"I don't see what the fuss is about," Galinda said airily as she took her place beside Fiyero again. "I've always passed my exams with zero studying, and I can't afford to have wrinkles …"
"Oh no, Miss Galinda," Elphaba wagged her finger. "You're going to study with me whether you like it or not, otherwise you'll never going beat that sister of yours that you're always going on about.
"Elphie, you can't be serious …"
Two weeks later
"Elphie, you can't be serious," Galinda moaned for what seemed to be the hundredth time as she piled her head onto her hands. "It's almost midnight and you're still studying!"
"Sleep is for the weak, Galinda," Elphaba said severely. "Remember, all of this will be worth it when you see Malinda's face."
"Right now I don't give a –– a toss about what Malinda sees or feels or looks!" Galinda said petulantly. "I've got only History, Diplomacy and Sorcery –– and Madame Morrible won't even teach me the practical aspect of it so, in essence, I've got one and a half less subjects than you!"
"Alright, alright," Elphaba relented, rubbing her eyes. "I'm too exhausted to argue with you any further. Go and get your 'beauty sleep'."
Galinda bounced up immediately, the picture of happiness. "See you in the morning then, Elphie!" She chirped as she pecked Elphaba's cheek. "Don't stay up too late!"
Elphaba rolled her eyes, but with less irritation than she normally would have reserved for others acting like Galinda. In all honesty, she hadn't expected Galinda to endure their studying sessions as long as she had, and Galinda was right –– with the amount of class she was taking, she was probably going to pass with flying colours as it is.
However, the same thing could not be said for Elphaba, and so she prepared to face the first of many long nights in the Library with her books for company.
"Fancy a study buddy?"
Elphaba jumped as a familiar voice sounded behind her, and looked up accusingly at Fiyero as he dumped his bag on the table and pulled out the chair beside her.
"You startled me! I could've knocked over the candle and burnt my notes to a crisp."
"Oh, I didn't worry," Fiyero said nonchalantly. "You could just mutter some spell and they'll be as good as new."
"Spells don't work like that," Elphaba muttered as she turned back to her books. "Everyone thinks as if I can fix their problems with a swish of my wand."
"Come to think of it," Fiyero said as he settled down to study. "I've never seen you with a wand."
"That's because Madame Morrible doesn't allow me to use one." Elphaba said, never lifting her eyes off the page. "She thinks that I have enough magic not to need a wand. Wands are only for those who need an external device to direct their magic. The most advanced wizards and witches need only use their hands and their body."
Fiyero whistled. "So the wand that Madame Morrible gave Galinda …?"
"… Was only a training wand to pacify her," Elphaba replied.
"Does she know that?"
"I'm sure she does, if she learns the theory well enough. She doesn't need to do practical at all. Now enough talking, or I'm going to find a new place to sit."
"Okay, calm down …"
One week later
"So besides theory and practical, what else are there?"
"Oz, do you never stop asking questions?"
"Hey, I'm curious! How can one not be, talking to the only sorcery student in school that Madame Morrible has deigned to take on for the first time in who-knows-what years?"
Elphaba scoffed, though she was inwardly pleased at being called "the only sorcery student in school". "Well … Besides learning about theory and application, I also have to learn how to read potion books and brew things. It's quite useful seeing that I take Life Sciences as well. If I don't get to meet the Wizard, at least I can be a MediWitch."
"Or a very good cook," Fiyero said slyly. "Which would increase your chances exponentially in the marriage market, I imagine."
Elphaba cast a dirty look at Fiyero. "Stop that or else I'm going to stop talking to you."
"Why? You can't fault me for thinking about marriages." Fiyero leaned back in his chair. "I'm a Prince! I've been hearing about marriages –– both arranged and non-traditional –– since the moment I was born. Actually, I'm pretty sure my parents took the first minute of my life to marvel over the wonder that I am, before immediately discussing viable marriage prospects."
"Well, luckily for me, Father only has one daughter to worry about marrying off," Elphaba said drily. "It's evident that my luminous beauty will cause any suitor would drop dead on his feet –– of fear."
"No, he need only be addled enough to marry you." Fiyero quipped. "Considering your fearsome temper and formidable arguing abilities … OW!"
"Say more and that kick will be the least of it," Elphaba threatened. "Now get to work or else I'm finding another table for myself."
"You're being so kind to someone who's accompanied you for all the days Galinda called it an early night –– Alright, alright, I'm keeping quiet."
Three days later
It was two nights before Finals, and the Library had become increasingly populated with latecomers desperate to brush up their belated studying in order to scrape a decent grade. Amongst them were two bent heads ––, one jet black, and the other a mess of curls made worse by the hour –– seated together at a table far in a sequestered corner of the Library, which almost nobody paid mind to thanks to the heat of pre-Finals stress.
For the next hour, all that sounded were the quiet scratching of pen on paper, as well as the occasional page flipping and the sputtering of the candle. Outside the window, the sky darkened almost imperceptibly to an inky black as the night went on. One by one, the students in the Library began to call it a night, but the two figures silhouetted against the ancient walls took no notice as their pens raced to meet the dawn.
Finally, Fiyero threw down his pen and sighed, "I need a break."
"Mm, take it then," Elphaba replied distractedly as she pored over her textbook, scribbling notes in the margins.
Fiyero stayed quiet for a while, before clearing his throat. "Elphaba."
"What?"
"Have you really –– never thought about marrying?"
Elphaba looked up then, and saw that the previously teasing expression on his face had been replaced with genuine curiosity.
"What makes you ask that?" She laid down her pen and stretched. Despite her appearance of alertness, she really did feel the hours of studying weighing upon her back.
"Well, we were talking about suitors a few days ago, and you mentioned that your Father need only worry about marrying off one daughter. I just thought …"
Elphaba furrowed her brows and said slowly, "It just … Never occurred to me, I guess. I spent most of my childhood taking care of Nessa, and what remained of that childhood was watching boys run away from me. So no, I didn't really have the whole dream about meeting my one true love, or having that perfect wedding. I'm happier on my own."
"You sure are in a chatty mood tonight." Fiyero grinned. "Three nights ago, I would've received a kick to the shins by this point."
Elphaba gave a tired chuckle. "Well, finals are two days away. What I can absorb I already have, and I'm going to spend tomorrow sleeping in, so fire away."
"If you watched boys run away, how about the girls? Were you disappointed watching the girls run away?" Fiyero teased.
Elphaba laughed. "No, I don't lean in that direction. Wouldn't it be nice, though, if I were? Another thing my father could have an aneurysm about."
"But no boys ever liked you?" Fiyero pressed.
"There were some who were cordial and bothered to show some manners, but I don't think any were remotely close to falling in love with me," mused Elphaba. "But I haven't been what anyone would call a 'suitable' girl –– in fact, every time I heard someone say that word, I'm reminded of a Munchkin minister who droned on about a 'SUIT-able woman with a SUIT-able countenance'. His sermons made me want to run away and be the least SUIT-able woman in Quadling County –– not that I didn't have a headstart already." She quirked an eyebrow at Fiyero, who was trying very hard stifle his laughter at her impression of said minister. "Even you, Mr. Prince, are with the most SUIT-able woman in University."
Fiyero shrugged. "Galinda likes me because I'm a scoundrel, and there aren't enough scoundrels in her life. And I like her because …"
Elphaba waited as he trailed off. "Because?" She prompted.
Fiyero leaned back in his chair. "Because she's pretty and knows how to get me out of an awkward situation. She may be a little air-headed but that girl sure is a born socialite."
"Those don't seem to be very good reasons for love," Elphaba frowned. "In fact, they seem downright shallow."
"Hey, hey, I never said I loved her," Fiyero grinned. "I only said I liked her. Besides, what would you know about true love?"
"Nothing." Elphaba said truthfully. "But I just know it shouldn't be for whatever reasons you just said, like being a scoundrel or whatever. Shouldn't you be thinking of making a good match for your country?"
Fiyero shrugged. "There's plenty of time to find what my parents would call a 'good match', but right now, I can play around as long as no one gets hurt. I'm pretty sure Galinda doesn't mind me liking her for her looks and for her social skills. Plus, you can hardly say that she's in love with me, right?"
Not wanting to argue about something she knew was true, Elphaba yawned. "Well," she said, gathering up her books. "Lucky for both of us, I happen to like nice men. And I think I'd better get to bed … I feel tired enough to sleep off a century."
"I'll take your books," Fiyero offered, pushing back his own chair.
"I'm not a damsel in distress, Fiyero –"
"Elphaba, you're drooping in exhaustion and the amount of books you have can rival a small section of the Library. In contrast, I have just one book, so would you please let me do something nice for you?"
"Okay, okay, I surrender in the face of your helpfulness, your Highness," Elphaba laughed. "Here, take them if you're so bent on being a masochist."
"I'm just trying to show you that I can be a nice man too," Fiyero returned with a grin as they left the Library. "A nice scoundrel, if you like."
"A nice scoundrel?" Elphaba yawned again, before giving Fiyero a playful shove. "Such things are beneath your honour, Mr. Prince. What would the general public –– or rather, the gossip magazines –– say if Prince Fiyero stopped being a 'scandalacious reputation'?"
"I would prefer to think that he'd have grown up and left such scandalacious history in his past," Fiyero said as they turned a corner. "If such a thing happens, of course –– careful!"
"Sorry," Elphaba said, as his arm shot out to prevent her from stumbling into a column. "My sleepiness is making my eyes go cloudy."
"Well, prop them open, we're almost there," Fiyero said humouredly as he half-supported her and half-carried her books along the corridor.
Eventually, they reached the door marked "E. Thropp & G. Upland". The lack of light seeping underneath showed that Galinda had long gone to bed –– forgetting to leave a light on for Elphaba, as usual –– and Elphaba fumbled for her key to open the door.
"Thanks for carrying my books, Fiyero," she said as the key finally slid into the lock with a satisfying click.
"Oh, it's no problem," Fiyero said as he prepared to leave.
Elphaba paused in the doorway. "You know," she said slowly. "You can be a nice man –– if you didn't hide it under so much swagger."
Fiyero stopped and turned to face her. "Oh? What makes you think so?"
"I don't know, it's just …" Elphaba trailed off, her exhaustion making her thoughts go into all sorts of directions. "It's just … Times like this. When you help me without me asking, or when you're so nice to Nessa. Sometimes you look different too, when you don't think anyone's watching …" She shook her head. "I'm sorry, it's that time of the night when I'm probably babbling nonsense …"
"No, no, don't be sorry," Fiyero said absent-mindedly, taking a step forward. Elphaba gazed up at him in the dim light of the dormitory corridor, her exhaustion making her lean against the doorframe and wait for a response, instead of stepping into the room and ending the conversation as fast as she could. That was she would normally have done, but now she watched as he slowly lick his lips and open his mouth …
"It's late." Fiyero finally said quietly, his hand reaching out to tuck a stray curl behind Elphaba's ear. "You really should be going to bed."
"… Of course," Elphaba murmured, hoping that the dim light hid the sudden and unexplained flush on her cheeks. She suddenly felt quite awake, and also rather confused –– what had she been thinking about again? –– and hastily turned around to unlock the door. "Um, good night."
"Good night."
A/N: I've been putting off this chapter for a while due to my other commitments, but here I am and here it is! Before I continue any further, though, I would like to give a huge shoutout to fermataoso for leaving one review per chapter –– a whopping 16 emails I received from ! Another shoutout goes to Boogie08, Mintmermaid13 and BooksaremyBestbuddies for favouriting and adding this story to your Story Alerts. Every email alert I receive brings a smile onto my face!
As for what's going on with our favourite prince and green girl ... I hope this chapter suffices to show the slowly (ever so slowly!) growing relationship between them. Although I hated to go with any clichéd "romance in a dim passageway" sort of moment, this was where my fingers led me and this it will stay unless I get a sudden brainwave. I've also added two nods to books/popular culture in this chapter; first was the whole "SUIT-able" thing which was from one of my favourite childhood book series (about a red-haired girl ...), and the second is the whole "she likes me because I'm a scoundrel". Anyone who watcheda certain intergalatic space opera film recently would probably know what I'm talking about!
Anyway, Happy New Year's Eve –– and may the Force be with you always.