AN: Sorry I'm late! I'm a bit... off... lately... in basically every way imaginable. But thank you all so much for your reviews, they really mean a lot to me and they always cheer me up when I'm feeling down. (Especially yours, LillyFae, really made me smile. Thank you so much.)

And the 200th reviewer is... *drumroll* Severussnapefan123! Virtual brownies for you!

I personally really like this chapter.

15.

Saying goodbye to Galinda and Boq was hard, especially since the blonde burst into tears and could not stop sniffling; but Elphaba promised her she'd come to Gillikin in the spring for a week, to spend some girl time together, and Galinda said that she would come back to the Vinkus in the summer for a while. The two friends hugged one another and Elphaba waved as the carriage drove down the road.

"Now it's just us," she said with a sigh as she turned around.

"And me," Cyara said with a grin. "You're stuck with me, too. And, as a good sister-in-law should, I plan to be very obnoxious." She skipped next to Elphaba. "So, when am I going to be an aunt?"

Elphaba choked and Fiyero rolled his eyes. "Not yet, Cy."

Cyara giggled. "That's a shame. I'm sure the time will come, though." She knelt down and gathered up some snow. Before Fiyero realised what she was doing, she had thrown a snowball into his face.

Elphaba doubled over with laughter and Cyara dashed off, grinning widely as she hid behind a tree. When Fiyero went to catch her, she appeared from behind the tree and hurled another snowball at him, which smashed him in the chest. When he found a third snowball at the back of his head, he turned around to glare at his wife.

"Fae!" he complained. "You're supposed to be on my side!"

The answer was another snowball in his face.

They spent the next hour or so chasing one another and pelting each other with snowballs. It was much like that one time a couple of weeks ago, and so different at the same time; and not just because Galinda's squeals and shrieks were missing.

When they went back inside, Fiyero tenderly brushed the snow from Elphaba's face, before cupping it and kissing her. "I love you."

She laughed. "What was that for?"

"Just..." He shrugged. "Because you look beautiful."

"I look beautiful with my hair tangled and full of snow?"

"Shut up." He kissed her again. "You just look beautiful. Work with me here."

She laughed again. "Whatever you want, Yero."

They spent a lot of time together over the next weeks. Fiyero tried to ask Elphaba about her father a couple of times, as well as about her mother's death; but she refused to speak about it, always waving him off or changing the subject. It drove him a little crazy, but he decided to wait until she was ready. He was starting to realise that if Elphaba was not ready for something, he could push her, but that never ended well. It was easier to wait and give her the time she needed.

"I think she loved me," she said one day when Fiyero had dragged her down to the castle kitchens to get himself a snack. She was perched on the counter, swinging her legs back and forth as she watched him food-hunting.

He straightened from where he had been searching through a cupboard to look at her curiously.

"My mother," she clarified. "I think she loved me, but I... I'm not sure. I was only three. And I keep thinking... what if she didn't? What if I'm just telling myself that because it would be easier?"

"Elphaba," he said, frowning. "She was your mother. Of course she loved you."

She scoffed. "Just because she's my parent, doesn't mean she loved me, Yero. Just look at Father and tell me honestly – do you think he loves me?"

Fiyero opened his mouth to say "of course", but then realised how Frex had treated Elphaba while they were at Adurin Iir and he faltered.

"Exactly," said Elphaba.

Fiyero shook his head. "But –"

"It's okay." She smiled at him, but her smile was not entirely genuine. "Really. I'm used to it. Father never loved me. I suppose Nessa does, in a way... I just can't help but wonder if she did." She fingered a strand of her raven hair. "I just... I want to know if there was anyone who wanted me when I was born, you know?"

He stared at her. He didn't know what to say. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he knew she would either not believe him or scoff at him if he said them.

She sighed. "Don't look at me like that, Fiyero."

"Like what?" he asked, blinking.

"Like you're thinking, "Poor little Elphaba, her own parents didn't even love her"." She rolled her eyes. "It's not like it's anything new to me and I know it's new to you, but if you're going to make a big deal out of it, I'm not telling you anything ever again."

He wisely shut his mouth and tried to stop giving her sympathetic glances, but she just laughed at him. "You look ridiculous."

"Hey!" he protested. "What do you want from me? I can't feel bad about what you're telling me, I can't keep my mouth shut..."

She softened and hopped off the counter to kiss his cheek. "I know you mean well, Yero. You're very sweet. I'm sorry, this is just... it's a bit of a sensitive subject for me."

"I figured as much." He drew her into his arms and planted a kiss on the top of her head. "But I really want to know."

"I know you do." She sighed and extracted herself from his arms again, re-claiming her seat on the counter. "It's just... not very easy for me to talk about it. You're my husband, and I do love you, Yero, but... Galinda is the only one I have ever told about all this. You've got to give me some time."

"Of course." He stepped closer to her and looked into her eyes. "Take all the time you need."

"Thank you." She leant in a little and he got the hint, pressing his lips against hers. They kissed until they both jumped at the door slamming shut, signalling someone's arrival.

The Adurin Iir cook grinned at the couple when he saw them. "Hello there, Your Highnesses. Don't mind me, I'm just making a grocery list," he said, moving through the kitchen to search through cupboards; but neither Elphaba nor Fiyero moved until the man was gone.

She let out her breath in a huff. "That was awkward."

Fiyero chuckled. "Sorry." He dove back into one of the cupboards, re-emerging after a moment with a glint in his eyes and the biscuit jar in his hand.

Elphaba rolled her eyes, but she was grinning. "You really are a child, aren't you?"

"Yep," he grinned back at her, opening the jar and sticking his hand inside to pull out three chocolate biscuits, which he all stuffed into his mouth at once. Elphaba muttered, "Uncivilised ape," under her breath, but didn't decline when he offered her a biscuit as well.

"So," he said with his mouth full, spraying crumbs everywhere. She gave him a disgusted look and he quickly swallowed and cleared his throat before trying again. "So, your father..."

"I thought you agreed to give me time," she said, but she sounded more amused than angry.

"I'm impatient," he informed her lightly, stuffing another biscuit into his mouth.

She sighed. "For Oz's sake, Yero, I don't think I have ever met anyone more curious than you. Except for Galinda, maybe," she relented. She ran her fingers through her hair, which she was wearing loose on Fiyero's request, as she thought about what to say.

"He never loved you?" Fiyero prodded gently.

She shook her head. "Not that I know of," she said. "I think... I think he has been ashamed of me from the moment I was born, because of my skin colour. He hated the fact that I was born green. He still does. He tried to have as little as possible to do with me when I was younger. After Nessa was born and my mother passed away, he told me it was my job from now on to take care of my sister."

She looked at him. "He loves Nessa a lot," she said. "He does. He shows her off to everyone and he showers her with gifts... he's very proud of her. But he never takes care of her. That's my responsibility. I never really minded doing it, because she's my little sister and I love her very much. I would do anything for her."

"Why?"

She blinked. "Why? What do you mean, why?" she asked with a small, nervous laugh. "Because she's my sister and I love her, that's why. Are you not listening?"

He shook his head with a smile. "That's not what I meant. There has to be some other reason. Elphaba..." He took her hands in his. "You're one of the most fierce and independent people I know," he said. "No matter how much you love someone, you would never allow them to treat you like a slave... so why would you allow Nessa?"

"She doesn't treat me like a slave!" she protested, but he just gave her a look.

She sighed. "I can't tell you, Yero." She looked down, lowering her eyes. "I'm sorry. I can't."

"That's okay. Hey." He tilted her chin up and smiled at her, kissing her softly. "I can wait. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He held out the jar. "Chocolate biscuit?"

"Yes, please," she said with a soft chuckle, taking a bite of the sweet snack as she leant into Fiyero's side. He put his arm around her and they stayed like that for a while without saying anything.

"What do you want to do?" he murmured after a while. "We could read together for a bit, or take a walk in the snow..."

"I'm actually meeting your father and grandfather," said Elphaba, her eyes sparkling at the mere thought. "They want my advice on a matter regarding the Animal Banns and the alliance we now have with Munchkinland and Quadling Country."

She was already excited for the meeting. Humberto and Kevon had included her more and more in their political debates and meetings about the Vinkun policies, especially regarding the Animal Banns. It was a delicate balancing act, they had explained to her; they wanted to stop the Wizard and his allies from implementing the Banns any further and from hurting any more Animals, but at the same time, they had to avoid war if possible or this entire thing could blow up in front of them. The Emerald City Gale Force was less numerous than the Vinkun, Quadling, and Munchkin armies, but is was also much more disciplined and better trained. Between the Gale Force and the Glikkun army, the Vinkuns and their allies would not stand a chance.

Fiyero noticed how Elphaba said "we" when talking about the Vinkus, and a warm feeling spread through him. He loved that she already saw this place as her home. It was her home now, of course, but he wanted her to feel at home as well and he was glad she did... although maybe that was also because Munchkinland had never been much of a home for her, from what she had told him.

"Alright, then," he said. "I'll just amuse myself. I think I'll go out horseback riding."

"Be careful," Elphaba warned him. "Your father was talking about blizzards the other day."

Fiyero just laughed. "There are always blizzards in the Vinkus," he said lightly. "And in summer, there are sandstorms. I'm used to it. I'll be fine, Fae, don't worry." He kissed her gently and then hopped off the counter, helping his wife off as well. They kissed once more before Elphaba headed to the library and Fiyero went in the direction of the stables.