OMG! Y'all, today is my 10th Fanficversary! I honestly can't believe I've been here writing Wicked fanfics for a whole ten years, and I've loved every second of it! This calls for a celebration throughout Oz!
Fiyero loved his princely life. He wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. He hated all the duties and responsibilities that came with it, but he endured that part, for he also got special perks and special treatment. He could have anything he wanted. He could have any girl he wanted. There wasn't a single girl in Oz who wouldn't want to marry a prince and become a princess.
So why was he dating the Governor of Munchkinland's outcast green daughter?
That was the question on many people's minds, and the question that came out of many people's mouths. He could have more swooning girls than he could count, and court the prettiest one, so why wasn't he doing that?
The answer was simple: she wasn't anything like them.
While all the other girls had batted their eyelashes at him, Elphaba Thropp had looked into his soul. While the other girls giggled and flirted with his title, Elphaba listened and connected to the person beneath the title. She never expressed an interest in his title, especially when they first met. That is what got Fiyero to pay attention to her.
Their friendship was tentative, since Fiyero had to learn how to appear genuine, and Elphaba was suspicious of his intentions, but they made it through the friendship stage and began dating their second year at Shiz.
That Lurlinemas would be their first as a couple, and Fiyero found himself trying to do his holiday shopping in late October. He wanted to get her the perfect gift, something personal and meaningful, and it took him a moment to realize that they hadn't had that deep of a conversation yet, so he was forced to ask around.
"What do you mean you don't know what Elphaba likes?" Fiyero blinked at the younger Thropp sitting across from him.
"I mean exactly what I said," Nessa said calmly. "I don't know."
"How do you not… she's your sister, Nessa."
"Yes, well… she doesn't have many interests other than books."
"Okay, I've seen her read almost everything. What's her favorite genre?"
"I don't know."
Fiyero felt like exploding. "Okay. Do you know anything about her?"
"I'm sure she will appreciate whatever you get her, Fiyero. Elphaba isn't materialistic."
"What are you getting her for Lurlinemas? Maybe I could riff off that."
Now Nessa started to look a bit sheepish. "Oh… Elphaba hasn't asked me to get her a gift. I didn't plan on getting her anything."
He knew Elphaba well enough to know that she never asked Nessa for anything, no matter how small. It didn't shock him to hear that the person Elphaba would move mountains for wasn't even planning on buying her a gift.
"Alright. Thanks, Nessa." He stood and quickly left the younger girl sitting under the tree.
Hopefully, Glinda would have better insight.
"Sorry, Fiyero. I'm in the same boat as you. I have no idea what to get Elphie for Lurlinemas."
"Let me save you the trouble and tell you not to ask Nessa. She wasn't any help. And if you'll believe it, she told me that she didn't plan on getting Elphaba a gift."
"I believe it. But, Fiyero, if I'm honest, I don't know if Elphie even likes gifts."
"How could someone not like gifts?"
"She didn't receive any growing up, and believed she didn't deserve them. She might've made herself feel better about never receiving any by telling herself that she doesn't even like them. It's not like you'll be able to change that while we're still in college."
That sounded like a challenge he could handle.
"No, Fiyero. I know that look." Glinda stopped and turned to him. "If you shower her with mountains of gifts all at once, it'll overwhelm her and possibly set off her paranoia. A few days ago, I gave her a skirt I ordered from a catalog that was too big, and she asked me if it was covered in itching powder. She couldn't accept that I was just giving it to her to be nice."
"You did give her that prank hat the night of the Ozdust last year."
"Well, though some people would've called it 'hideodious' –"
"Just like you did."
"That hat could've been considered fashionable… to some people. Just not to me."
Fiyero shoved his hands into his pockets as they continued walking. "I want to give her everything, but it's so hard when she doesn't want anything. She doesn't ask for much."
"She doesn't ask for anything."
For the next few days, Fiyero kept a close eye on Elphaba, trying to gauge her likes and dislikes. At first, there were no obvious signs that she liked something, but then he looked deeper. He noticed how she would stare at something that grabbed her attention. He picked up on the way her eyes sparkled when she saw a warm scarf or new cloak. She only looked at the necklaces on the trinket carts, never bracelets or rings. She liked practical things, nothing too sparkly or flashy, nothing that would draw even more attention to herself.
He had an idea for his Lurlinemas gift.
The evening after their last final before their break, Fiyero made his way to the girls' room, a small gift in his hand. He stopped in front of room twenty-two and knocked. The door opened to reveal Elphaba, her surprised face immediately replaced with a smile. "Hi, Yero."
"Hi, Fae. I just wanted to give you this before we leave for break tomorrow." He held it out to her with a large smile. "Happy Lurlinemas."
She stared at the present in his hands like it was a bomb about to blow up in her face. "I…" She looked up at him, searching his face for something unknown. Cautiously, as if she was handling a bomb, she took it from him. "Thank you. Should I… can…"
"Open it," Fiyero encouraged.
Elphaba carefully pulled the ribbon of the box and tore the paper. She opened the lid and gasped softly, pulling out a necklace with a small, tear-shaped, emerald pendant. It wasn't made to be extra sparkly or flashy, allowing the stone to gleam in its own right. She looked up at Fiyero.
"I saw you looking at it on the cart in town the other day." He turned her around and helped her put it on.
"It's beautiful. Thank you. But… I'm sorry, I didn't get you anything. I didn't think we were –"
"It's okay, Fae," Fiyero said, turning her back around and gently kissing her forehead.
"But you got me a gift, and I don't have anything for you in return."
Now you have the break to get me the best gift ever, Fiyero joked in his mind, but knew it wouldn't come off as a joke if he said it out loud. He also wanted to tell her not to worry, but knew that would only make her worry more. "I wasn't expecting anything in return."
She looked like she didn't fully believe him and wanted to argue, but fingered the necklace instead. "Thank you, Yero," she repeated, giving him a quick peck on the cheek and going back into her room, closing the door behind her.
Fiyero smiled and went back to his room. He'd give anything to make her happy, and he was glad he gave up his "playboy prince persona" for a real relationship with her.
Fiyero always knew that he would be king. It was ingrained into his being since before he was born. It followed him and hung over his head everywhere he went. He wasn't supposed to give it up for anything in the world.
When word got out that he had proposed to Elphaba and that she had accepted, it was met with varying responses, most of which centered around Elphaba's green skin.
"The Vinkus' stability relies on you choosing a person that will help you and support you in leading the country," his father had told him.
"Fae will help and support, Father," Fiyero assured him, but the king still wasn't too keen on this match.
This would be the best gift he could ever give her. The chance to have a happy life with him, away from her horrible past in Munchkinland. Nessa said she was happy for them, but she visibly wasn't pleased that her sister would be across Oz and not with her. Frex didn't put up too much of a fuss in public, but privately berated her for shirking her duties to Nessa. Nessa was able to put on an (albeit forced) happy smile for their father and convinced him that she was okay with this.
She sat through seemingly endless tutoring sessions and lectures as to what her life would be like as Crown Princess of the Vinkus, all the duties she would have, and the life she would lead.
"Aren't you happy to be marrying a prince?" Fiyero teased, watching her study all the materials and packets on Vinkun life and customs.
"I don't need all this fancy stuff to be happy, Yero. Just having you is enough."
"But the fancy stuff is a fun perk."
She chuckled. "Yes. It is."
After the wedding, Elphaba tried to quickly adjust and settle into her new life, role, and Bridon Weir Castle, but Fiyero could tell it was hard for her. She felt uncomfortable around the rest of the family, and they didn't go out of their way to make her feel welcome. She was constantly unsure of herself, which was unlike her. But she continued to support Fiyero as he trained for the throne.
That's why it came as a huge surprise that Fiyero would not be taking the throne.
He told his family a month after the king died. He wanted to make it official now that the mourning period had passed, and coronation plans could be underway.
"You're abdicating?" his mother asked calmly, as if she had a suspicion this was going to happen.
"Yes. In favor of Hannalyn." He looked at his younger sister. "I believe this is what's best for me, her, and the country."
The nineteen-year-old princess was very mature for her age, dutiful, and beloved by the people. She was smart, witty, and loved to dance, and had also been secretly training with Fiyero, unbeknownst to their mother and father.
"And you will accept this, Hanna?" their mother asked.
"Yes. I want to be queen. I am prepared to take on the task," Hannalyn nodded.
There were long meetings and discussions for the rest of the week, while the family came to terms with the news and the government planned to announce the abdication and prepare for their new queen.
"They're disowning you?" Elphaba exclaimed when Fiyero gave her the recap of his meeting with his advisors.
"No, Fae. They're not disowning us. The terms of the abdication are that we will no longer have access to the royal privileges, which means no staff or security detail. We can retain our titles, but we must live as become private citizens. We can have a small allowance at the discretion of The Crown, but we'll have to get regular jobs. But we are welcome at family events and other big appearances."
"This is what you've worked for your whole life."
"I've always wanted a simple life. Yes, I love being a prince with all the fun perks, but it wasn't fulfilling the way I needed it to be." He pulled her into his arms. "I'm fulfilled with you."
She snuggled closer. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"I'll have to sign a lot of papers and make a public address, but once that is over, you and I will be able to live our unrestricted, unexamined lives."
"And we'll be safe from the press in our private lives?"
"We'll be uninteresting private citizens."
"And Hanna will be alright?"
"Yes. She'll be a great ruler. And it's been a while since the Vinkus had a queen in her own right."
She pulled away. "Fiyero, tell me you're not abdicating because you saw how uncomfortable I was here."
"I'm not abdicating because I saw how uncomfortable you were here."
"Now say it like it's the truth."
"It is the truth."
She placed a hand on her hip. "I would have been alright eventually."
"Just because this is what I want doesn't mean that it can't be what's best for both of us. Ever since we became friends, my goal has always been to make you happy and keep you as safe as I could." He pulled her close again and kissed her cheek. "I didn't drag you halfway across Oz to leave you destitute and unhappy."
"And I didn't come halfway across Oz with you to let you leave me destitute and unhappy," she chuckled, kissing him back.
A few weeks later, Fiyero addressed his people for the final time, and signed all the documents, officially stepping down and giving his sister rule over the country.
"Outlaw early-work mornings on Mondays for me, okay, Hanna?" Fiyero asked with a smile.
The princess chuckled. "I'll see what I can do. Goodbye, Yero. Write to us, and visit whenever you can."
He said goodbye to his sister and mother, and walked to their waiting carriage as Elphaba did the same. When he turned around, he saw his mother whispering something to Elphaba before giving her another hug.
"What did my mother say to you?" Fiyero asked as they drove away.
"She said she's never seen you as happy as you are with me, and she wishes us well."
Fiyero turned around, watching the castle fade into the distance before it disappeared behind the trees. He had no choice but to look ahead. He looked over at Elphaba, who hadn't turned back to look at the castle, but kept her gaze on the horizon.
He didn't regret giving up his royal privileges for her.
"Hey! Heads should be in beds!" Fiyero shouted up the stairs, playfully shaking his head when he was met with a flurry of giggles. He quietly ascended the stairs, pausing right before the top step before peaking his head around the corner. "Boo!"
The three children who were hiding behind the corner squealed and ran down the hall, taking refuge in the eldest's room.
Elphaba and Fiyero had started their new life in Yon Dindin, a small town on the Vinkun-Ugabu border. It was close enough to the Vinkus to be able to go to family events, but far away enough to get the privacy they wanted. Since Fiyero stepped down on good terms without terrible scandals, he was still welcomed by the people when he was seen, but not sought after by reporters and paparazzi. The people of Yon Dindin accepted them rather easily, and treated them like normal people. Of course, Elphaba had to deal with some stares and whispers, but nothing was as malicious as she was used to, merely curious queries.
"When I said, 'heads in beds', I meant each head needs to be in its own bed," Fiyero said, seeing all three children climbing into the bed.
"Will you tell us a bedtime story, Daddy?" six-year-old Tsie, asked, bouncing on the bed.
"Okay. One story, then bed." He went over to the bookshelf, but his eight-year-old daughter, Kinslyn, stopped him.
"No, Daddy. We don't want a book. We want to hear a special story!"
"Yeah! Special story!" their son, three-year-old Elzo, bounced. He almost fell off the bed, but his sisters caught him and, with help from their father, righted him.
It amazed Fiyero how rambunctious his children were. No matter how hard he and Elphaba tried to tire them out during the day, they seemed to have an endless supply of energy, especially during bedtime.
"And Mama has to help you tell it," Tsie added.
"What am I being volunteered for?"
The four looked up to see Elphaba in the doorway, a dish towel over her shoulder and wisps of hair falling free from her bun. She looked tired, but her eyes were always filled with light and love when looking at their three beautiful children.
"You and Daddy have to tell us a special story," Kinslyn said.
"Special story? What did you have in mind?" Elphaba asked, coming into the room and sitting on the bed, folding the dish towel behind her.
"I dunno. Just tell us a story and make it special."
"Very specific," Fiyero said with an eye roll, then got to thinking. "I think I've got one. Once upon a time, there was a king. But before he was a king, he was a prince. This prince was very happy with his princely life. He had lots of servants, all the food he could dream of eating, attended swankified parties, and lots of people who wanted to be around him."
"The prince sounds like he's living a good life," Kinslyn said.
"He was, but he wasn't very happy."
"How could he not be happy with food and parties?" Tsie asked, scrunching her nose, which Fiyero playfully booped.
"Because he felt like everyone just wanted to be around him and give him things because he was royalty, not because he was a genuinely good person. Then one day, when he was at school, he stumbled upon this very pretty girl, and they became friends." He looked at Elphaba to continue.
Elphaba thought for a moment. "The prince talked to the pretty girl, who was a very good listener –"
Fiyero made a noise, and the girls shushed him.
"And they eventually started dating. Once they finished school, the prince asked her to marry him."
"Did she say yes?" Tsie asked excitedly.
"She said yes. She left her family behind in a different country and traveled to her husband's home to be his princess."
"Aww. She had to leave her family. That's so sad," Kinslyn pouted.
"Actually, she was happy to leave her family. She had a very different life than the prince growing up, and getting away was a breath of fresh air to her."
"Prince and princess happy?" Elzo asked, patting his mother's leg.
"Yes. The prince and princess were happy to be together, but something was still missing. Then it was time for the prince to become the king –"
"But he had a decision to make," Fiyero picked up. "He could either become king and miss out on true happiness, or he could give it up and be happy with just him and his wife."
"What'd he choose?" Elzo asked.
"He told everyone that he didn't want to be king, and he and his wife left the big, stuffy castle and settled into a quiet life."
"He didn't want the special royal treatment anymore?" Kinslyn asked. "Why would he give that up?"
"Because he really loved this pretty girl, and being king got in the way. He wasn't upset that he had to give it up. Yes, he sometimes missed the servants and fancy parties, but he loved his wife even more."
"He gave it all up for her?"
"Yes."
"He must really love her. Will he always be glad he made that choice?"
He flashed Elphaba a quick smile. "Always."
"Do they have kids?"
"They do, and a lovely home that they created all together."
"That's good," Tsie yawned. "They deserve to be happy."
"They couldn't be happier," Elphaba agreed, kissing her forehead. "I think it's time for heads in beds."
"No… want more story," Elzo frowned, though his eyelids were half-closed. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit Elphaba's shoulder.
The two put their children to bed with practiced ease, and settled on the couch for post-bedtime winddowns.
"How was your day?" Fiyero asked as he prepared their nightcaps.
Elphaba used her part of the royal allowance to open a bookstore. "Busy. We got seven new cases of books, and I had to help Vesse and Onun sort and shelve them. I have to do inventory tomorrow, so I might be late."
"I'll pick the kids up from school and take care of dinner. It's slow at the woodshop."
"Since it's slow, do you think you could make us another bookshelf? The one near the front corner looks like it's about to give way any day. I'll have to move the books tomorrow."
He hummed, sitting next to her and handing her her drink. "Is this a paid commission?"
She wiggled her eyebrow. "I think we can negotiate a suitable price."
He chuckled and kissed her. "What's that?" he asked when they pulled away, noticing the return address to a letter on the table.
"It's from your sister. She wants us to come back for the country's Quincentenary festival next month."
Just because Elphaba and Fiyero never subjected their children to royal life didn't mean they weren't close with their family. The dowager queen and Hanna made trips to Yon Dindin as often as they could, leaving their royal carriages and fancy gowns behind, and their security details expertly hidden. They loved the children and saw how happy Elphaba and Fiyero were. The children only knew their aunt as "Auntie Hanna, who always brings presents and candy", and not "Her High Royal Majesty, the Queen Hannalyn", which delighted the young queen. Every time they saw their grandmother and aunt, it was always in private, informal, and never at the castle.
Having children seemed to improve Elphaba's relationship with her father and sister, since Nessa was delighted with the children, and Frex had no problem spoiling his grandchildren.
"It's not completely right, but I'm willing to take it. The children deserve to have both sides of their family in their lives," Elphaba had admitted.
"An official invitation. It's been a while since I've seen one of these," Fiyero said, taking a sip and looking over the fancy, thick paper. "And a personal letter."
"I think we can start taking the children to the Vinkus. Kinslyn's old enough to know the truth about her family, Tsie will love being in a new place, and Elzo… well, we'll recap for him when he's older."
"I agree. The girls are at that age where they're fascinated with royalty, so finding out that they're princesses will be interesting."
"Hopefully 'good interesting', but I'm prepared to be bombarded with accusatory 'why aren't we living in a castle?' questions."
"Well, we told them our story, so maybe they'll understand."
"They don't know that it's our story."
"They'll figure it out."
She finished her drink. "Yeah. It could be nice to go back for a bit, knowing that we have our own little kingdom to come home to. I feel very settled as the queen of this castle."
He hugged her closer. "The Bookseller Queen and Woodworking King would sound great on the family tree and in the history books."
The couple stayed cuddled on the couch, then went up to bed, checking on their sleeping children once more.
Most people dream of a fairytale ending where the prince and princess live happily ever after in their castle. But to the prince, his fairytale ending was watching his wife sleep in the house they created for themselves and their family.
Fiyero was glad he gave up the expected ending for his own version of a simple, fulfilling life with his queen. And he wouldn't give this up for anything in the world.
Wow! What a decade it's been! I came here writing fanfics as a carefree, high school teenager. Now I'm an adult with bills and responsibilities, but I'm glad I still have this small thing that brings me joy.
Thank you all for reading! Here's to another decade! XD