AN: Oh. My. Gosh. Guys! I can't believe the results of the Greg Awards - I seriously need someone to pinch me right now. Thank you all so, SO much! I never expected to win in that many categories... I'm speechless and completely overwhelmed. "Thank you" is not enough, but it's all I have, so thank you! Virtual dessert of your choice for all of you!

5.

"Blue. Definishly blue. It's Fiyero's favourite colour, after all, and it doesn't clash too badly with Elphaba's skin."

"Greendoesn't clash with Elphaba's skin at all! Why can't we use that for the colour scheme? At least that way, she'll fit right in with it all."

"I told you," Galinda said angrily, "pink goes good with green. Why isn't anyone even considering a shade of pink?"

"Because I want to keep my job, Miss Galinda," the wedding planner told her, "and I have explicit instructions from Miss Elphaba regarding the colour pink." He looked at the king and queen. "What do you want to do, Your Majesties? Blue or green?"

"How about orange?" Humberto suggested and his wife threw her hands into the air in exasperation.

"Listen to me." Galinda straightened her back and looked at the three adults. "If we go for champagne and apricot, it will give the entire thing a sophisticated look without seeming too fancy or forced and without clashing with Elphaba's skin. If you really want blue, I think we should go with azure, combined maybe with silver or white; but I think warmer colours would look better. Of course I would love a colour scheme in cerise and pale pink," she added with a scowl, "but since Mr Wedding Planner here refuses to even consider that because he's so afraid of poor Elphie, I won't push it. Eggplant and lavender would look lovely with Elphie's skin as well, as would pear and white… though that might not give the desired effect, given that white is a little harsh in combination with Elphie's skin colour and pear is maybe too close to it."

King Humberto, Queen Danna, and the wedding planner all stared at the blonde.

"Miss Galinda," the wedding planner announced, "I want you to be my assistant in planning the rest of the wedding."

Galinda beamed at him.

"We'll ask the bride and the groom themselves whether they prefer eggplant and lavender, or champagne and apricot." He nodded firmly and strode from the room, Galinda hot on his heels.

Danna pinched the bridge of her nose. "These wedding plans are grating on my nerves."

"Just admit it, Danna," the king said gruffly. "The bride is grating on your nerves. That's what's bothering you, isn't it? I know you."

She sighed. "I know it's wrong, Humberto, I do. I don't want to judge her. But that skin of hers is so odd, and she herself is… I don't know… not like any other girl I have ever met."

"I know." Humberto sighed. "But we have a deal with the governor, dear, and we can't just forsake that. Besides, my father spoke to me the other day and he was right – we hardly even know the girl. Maybe we should invite her over for tea and a conversation one of these days, to get to know her better."

"I suppose." Danna looked a little reluctant.

"It has to happen, dear." Humberto placed his hand on her arm. "We need the connection to Munchkinland and we need Fiyero to settle down, even if it is against his will."

His wife sighed and he kissed her cheek. "Who knows? They might even grow to like one another," he said, smiling.

Danna shook her head. "I doubt it," she said, "but we will see."

Elphaba, who had been taking a walk with Kevon, stared at her best friend in bewilderment.

"Why should I care if the colour scheme is purple or orange?" she asked.

Galinda stomped her foot. "It's not purple and orange!" she shrieked. "It's eggplant and lavender, or champagne and apricot. Purple and orange would look horrible with your skin, Elphie, surely you know that?"

Kevon laughed. "Yes, Elphaba – surely you know that?"

She grinned. "I guess I do now. Though I doubt whether I'll actually remember it." She waved her blonde friend away. "Go ask Fiyero, Glin. I don't care. I already told you – I don't care one bit about this wedding."

"Really?" Kevon asked her in interest. "You haven't been dreaming of planning your wedding ever since you were a little girl?"

Elphaba's face fell and Galinda softened. "No, she hasn't." She linked her arm with the green girl's and looked at the old king. "She never really thought she would get married at all."

"Why not?" Kevon asked curiously.

Elphaba gestured at herself. "Green, remember?" She shrugged. "I never thought anyone would want to marry someone… well, someone like me," she said, trying to pretend it didn't bother her, but Galinda knew better. "And hey, guess what? I was right. Only he's forced to, which is probably one of the reasons why he hates me so much. Not just because he doesn't like my personality or my skin; but also because he doesn't want to settle down and get married at all, and it's easier to blame me for that than his own parents."

"That much is probably true," Kevon acknowledged. He touched Elphaba's shoulder. "But, Elphaba… Fiyero doesn't hate you."

She snorted.

"He really doesn't." Kevon shook his head. "He's angry because he is forced to do this, yes, and he seems to be taking that out on you – which, of course, is wrong. He doesn't hate you, however. He told me the other day that he tried to talk to you and get to know you better, because he felt guilty for treating you the way he had. I do think he's making an effort."

Elphaba had stopped walking, her face blank. "What?"

"I tried to talk some sense into him, and it seems to have worked." Kevon looked at her. "You two would do well to give one another a chance, Elphaba."

She bit her lip. "He did apologise to me," she admitted. "And he tried to… to make amends, I guess… but I thought he was being insincere and I told him off." She buried her face in her hands. "Ugh, now I feel guilty."

Galinda shook her head. "Oh, Elphie. Why can't you just trust people?"

Her friend gave her a look and Galinda flushed. "Okay, stupid question. I realise that. I know how you've been treated all your life, after all." She started walking again, dragging Elphaba with her. "But not everyone is like that, you know, and people can change. Just… make an effort with Fiyero. It will make things easier for the both of you."

"It would." Elphaba nodded. "I'll try."

"Good girl," Galinda cooed, earning herself a glare from her former roommate. She giggled.

"Have you heard about the latest developments regarding the Animal Banns in the Emerald City?" Kevon asked Elphaba and the two lapsed into a discussion about said developments, leaving Galinda rather lost. She eventually abandoned the two to go in search of Cyara, intending to take the younger girl out shopping.

Even when Kevon went inside as well after a while, Elphaba stayed out, sitting on a bench in the gardens and watching the snow falling from the grey sky. She had now been here in the Vinkus for nearly two weeks already, she realised. She had purposefully stayed inside and around the castle, not wanting to be confronted with the Vinkun people, who all knew she was going to be their queen one day. She had never felt comfortable being the centre of attention, as she had told Cyara before, and she was a little scared, too. What if the people didn't like her because of her skin? What if she would be a horrible queen? She didn't want to let them down, but she was afraid she already had, merely by being who she was.

Despite all that, however, she felt an itch now to get off the castle grounds and out into the province she was meant to rule. How could she rule over people she had never even met?

And so she rose to her feet, took a deep breath, and left for the nearest village.

Even though she hadn't been outside of the gates since the day of their arrival, didn't mean she didn't know anything about the Vinkus. She had read a lot of books about the province, its people, and its customs, both before and after she had arrived – the royal library held many interesting books she had never been able to find either in Munchkinland or in the library at Shiz. She had also discussed many things about the Vinkus with Cyara and Kevon, always wanting to know more about everything.

She looked around her in wonder now, marvelling at the snow-covered roads, meadows, and grasslands, at the people she encountered, the way they dressed, and the way they held themselves. Once she reached the outskirts of the village, she saw buildings, too, and she stopped for a moment to admire the architecture. The stores looked small, but cosy – rather the same as the houses themselves – and the people she met mostly seemed happy and kind.

A young boy froze dead in his tracks when he saw her and for a moment, she was afraid he would start screaming because of her skin colour; but then he exclaimed, "Oh my Oz, you're the new princess!"

She let out a nervous laugh. "Not yet."

"Guys, look!" he shouted at his friends, who came running towards him. "It's the new princess! She's the girl Prince Fiyero will marry in a few weeks!"

One of the girls' eyes were wide as dinner plates. "Are you Miss… Miss El…" She clearly tried to remember Elphaba's name, and the dark-haired witch helped her.

"Elphaba."

"Miss Elphaba!" The girl beamed at her.

Another girl was frowning. "Why are you green?"

"Did you eat grass?" a boy asked earnestly. "Because Mummy always says I can't eat grass or I'll turn green."

She sighed. "No, I didn't eat grass. I was born this way."

"Why?" the boy wanted to know and she shook her head.

"No-one knows."

"Are you going to wear a pretty dress when you get married?" the first girl asked, her eyes shining. The other girl held her breath and looked at Elphaba with that same anticipation written all over her face, eagerly expecting her answer.

"I think so," said Elphaba, a bit taken aback when the girls both started squealing.

"Do you love Prince Fiyero?" the second girl asked.

Elphaba faltered.

"I heard he's a really good hunter," a boy offered.

His friend nodded. "And he is so strong, he can lift a bench with four girls on it with one hand."

"He runs faster than a Leopard."

"And he can eat more than a Bear."

That latter statement, Elphaba believed. She smothered a laugh in her hand.

"He's handsome, too," one of the girls said dreamily and the boys gave her disgusted looks.

Meanwhile, some of the adults had been alerted by the children's squealing and came to see what was so amazing. When they recognised Elphaba, they curtseyed.

"Your Highness," one of them began, but Elphaba waved him away nervously.

"I'm not married to him yet," she reminded him. "There is no need for all that. I just wanted to see some of the Vinkus."

A woman smiled. "Well, it's nice to meet you, then, Miss Elphaba." Elphaba could see her gaze linger on her skin, but the woman quickly shook it off. "We shall leave you in peace. Come on, children."

They all left and Elphaba leant against a building for a moment, catching her breath. She hated being sociable – she always felt so awkward and she had no idea what to say. She supposed she'd have to get used to that, too, now that she would become a princess. She suppressed a shudder at the thought.

Eep, I'm still not over the shock :P. I love you all in a non-creepy way!