Hello! It's good to see me again, isn't it? No need to respond, that was rhetorical. I apologize about the long break. After my last post, I found out my wife and I were expecting, and in spring we had a baby girl. As you can imagine, it's been an adjustment.

Either way, I plan to start posting every Monday with new chapters through the rest of the year to finish out this story. My goal is to end on the same week I started this duology ten years ago. So let's go! And enjoy.

"That could not have gone worse." Shell grumbled to the tall woman standing in a private meeting room of the palace. In a black dress that hugged her curves, she raised an eyebrow. "We weren't even able to hold onto her for a week!"

"It could have gone much worse." she replied coldly. "Consider yourself lucky they only brought Morrible's castoffs. Had it been Elphaba, your city may have been on fire."

"Why didn't they bring Elphaba?" Shell asked. "That would have made the most sense."

"Your martial upbringing is showing, Throne Minister. Subtly can be a greater advantage than power."

"I suppose you have a point there." Shell sighed. "Either way, they're gone for now. We don't have the strength yet to go into the Vinkus."

"Not yet, no."

"Speaking of which, how goes our project?"

"Slowly, as to be expected. The drakes of the Impassable Desert breed sluggishly in this weather. Only a few have produced any offspring. Of the flyers from the Ocean, only one survived the trip - a female. Perhaps we can crossbreed them, but there's the unfortunate task of getting close enough to do so. The losses from the stable hands have not been insignificant."

"What's the timeline?"

"Who's to say? Not until next year for certain. The drakes are useless in the cold."

"That's fine. They'll keep in the Vinkus." Shell answered curtly. " has been making noise about this since the beginning. Now that talks have stalled with Munchkinland, however, we're getting reports of them raising troops."

"You'll move against them in spring, then? The drakes would do well in Munchkinland Country."

"Not unless I have to." Shell shook his head. "I'd rather not burn my breadbasket to the ground."

"You may not have a choice."

" If it comes to that, hopefully the drakes will terrify them into submission."

"This is true." she responded absently, looking away. Shell could tell she was bored of the conversation.

"Considering the vast array of magical opponents we have, I was thinking of appointing a new Magic Grand Vizier."

"Mmhmm."

"I'm going to appoint you to that post."

She whipped her head around to give Shell a sharp look.

"That would be…unwise." was her drawn out response. "I will not be back until spring."

"But the dragon program-"

"Will be fine in the breeders' hands." she cut him off. "I've more important matters to attend to."

"More important than being Oz's Magic Grand Vizier."

"Most definitely." she sniffed. "I know this country is important to you, but it is small in the scheme of things."

"It's the most important country in the world!"

"That's not saying much." was her reply. "However, it does not change things. I will be busy elsewhere until when I return we can continue our plans."

"And what am I supposed to do until then?" Shell spat. "What if Elphaba or Glinda uses their sorcery to attack me?"

"They wouldn't." she flicked her fingers dismissively. "Now, is there anything else? I'm quite busy."

"No there isn't, Mombey." Shell replied. "Until spring then."

"Until then, Throne Minister." she answered. "Come along, Tip."

The young boy detached himself from the wall and followed the woman out. Shell gritted his teeth. Oz take all the damned sorcerers.

"The Animals still say there is no movement from the City." Elphaba said over the table.

Eating breakfast with Fiyero and Glinda in Kiamo Ko's Great Hall, they were hardly alone. Besides the retainers getting their food, Sarima was on Glinda's left. Her role as minder was even more important now as Glinda entered the third trimester. Fiyero sat across from Sarima and on Elphaba's left. Finally, a fiery redhead sat on Glinda's right.

Arriving on the back of Sarima's oar the day before, the trio had been surprised to see Wynne. She had sent a message to Sarima by way of Pfannee to come pick her up as she would not leave Glinda's protection to anyone else. Wynne had immediately asked Fiyero for permission for a small contingent of Dogs to be allowed to take up residence in the castle. Though Elphaba protested, Glinda agreed. The Prince's retainers had set out to meet and escort the Dogs there.

"It most likely won't be a large force." Wynne replied to Elphaba. "I doubt they want to have that big of a fight just for Glinda."

"Shell said as much." Glinda added before pausing. Her interlude was only because the blonde was refilling her plate. Those at the table wondered at her voracious appetite.

"Shell?" asked Fiyero.

"Sheltergod the Throne Minister." Glinda replied after swallowing her food. Taking a sip of water, she continued. "We had a...talk before he threw me in Southstairs."

"Oh? The usual - threats, warnings, monologues?" Elphaba snarked.

"Not quite. He basically said that he was hoping that holding me would ensure good behavior from Elphaba." Glinda answered. The rest of that conversation was not for general ears.

"Sarima had said as much." Elphaba grimaced in disgust. "Considering he failed, what will he do now?"

"With winter almost here, they won't march forces into the Vinkus." Fiyero answered. "Trying to move soldiers over wet ground would be easy pickings for our own warbands."

"What about magical methods?" asked Wynne. Glinda held up a hand. Everyone waited for her to finish chewing her food and take a drink of water.

"Shell doesn't seem to have the capability. In fact, he seemed surprised at the magical assassin that went after Elphaba."

"Well, that's one problem we don't have to worry about." Wynne replied.

"But another question added." Sarima interjected. "If it wasn't the Throne Minister that sent the assassin, who was it?"

"I have a feeling it was the same person who put us on a collision course with the Yunamata." Glinda said. "Someone of considerable magical skills."

"But who? We've pretty much ruled out any that we know of." Elphaba commented. "I don't remember anyone that would have this sort of skill."

"There isn't anyone in Oz." Glinda agreed. "At least that we know of. All the Court Sorcerrers are limited in training and skill. Nor do any of the free sorcerers have the ability. I would know; I saw most come through my seminars."

"Someone outside the Three Countries, perhaps?" wondered Fiyero. "A Shaman from the Vinkus?"

"Unlikely." Glinda shook her head. "They would have to have deep reach in Oz, which would be difficult for them."

"So someone outside of Oz, then?" Wynne offered. "We saw Evian sorcerrers that were escorting you."

"That's my thought." Glinda replied. "And I am distubred by something else."

"What?" asked Elphaba.

"My instincts tell me this isn't something recent." Glinda paused. "It's something that has been present for a long time."

"For how long?" asked Fiyero. Glinda shook her head.

"I don't know. It's just a feeling."

Breakfast wrapped up shortly thereafter. Fiyero left to attend to last minute duties before the fast approaching coronation. Elphaba wanted to hover but Glinda shooed her away. There was a flash of anger and pain across her face as Glinda did not do the same for the other two women. Glinda felt the familiar weariness return. Elphaba needed to figure out her feelings if she could not realize the pair were only her retainers. The trio ended up in Glinda's room.

"Did you wish to get ready for the day, My Lady?" asked Sarima.

"Please, Sarima, call me Glinda."

"Perhaps in public, My Lady, but in private it is only right to be completely truthful."

"And what am I," interjected Wynne, "a chair?"

"As My Lady's personal bodyguard, you are not outside the circle of intimacy." Sarima replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world. However, the words caused Wynne to flush. Sarima stopped. "Are you not anymore? Did Duran's return relieve you from her service?"

"No. The Dogs are still in her service. It's just...the phrasing." Wynn answered. Sarima frowned.

"I'm sorry. Sometimes ideas from Garamanan do not translate well into Ozian. I meant the circle of trust and truthfulness only closest friends and advisors share."

"Confidence is the word you are looking for, Sarima." Glinda explained.

"Thank you, My Lady."

"But that does bring up an interesting topic." Glinda admitted. "How did your reunion with Duran go?"

"The first or second time?"

"There was a second time?"

"After he freed you. The first time I was just in shock at seeing him, and relieved. It was almost like...like a parent coming to take care of you. I knew once he appeared that everything was going to be fine."

"And the second time?"

"I slapped him."

"Oh my!"

"He deserved it." Wynne paused, smiling. "He even admitted he deserved it. To let us think he was dead while he slunk off to get healed. The gall of the man. But he told me the Dogs were still to be in your service because you need us."

"I believe he is right." Glinda said. "Though I have to go to Shiz sometime. There is a list of retainers there."

"I have that." answered Wynne. "After you were freed he sent me to Shiz to grab some things. He'll keep using the house, but the list is for you."

"Thank you. But I still don't know what to do with the Household."

"Duran is very hands off with us." Wynne shrugged. "While I'd guess he'll still use the Household when need be, if you don't need us we'll keep doing what we were doing: training, making money, and living."

"Yes." Glinda sighed. "We'll...we'll have to have some sort of remembrance for those that died when I was attacked."

"You are not fit to travel in this weather." Sarima said. Glinda scowled.

"I could travel by broom or bubble."

"I'm going to agree with Sarima." Wynne added. "Even if it wasn't the case you looked like you swallowed a house-"

"Thanks, Wynessa."

"-it is safest here. At least until you give birth."

Glinda huffed at their solid reasoning.

"Can you at least send my condolences?" she asked. Wynne shrugged.

"Sure. It's not something we're used to. We grieve, of course, but Duran has never sent any sort of condolences."

"Well I'm different from him."

"I'm sure the Household will appreciate it. We can send it to Emilia. Magically, as it would be the best way."

"Thank you. Sarima, can you find me a pen and paper?"

"Of course, My Lady."

Elsewhere in the castle, Elphaba was grumbling to Fiyero about the predicament. She paced back and forth across their shared room while Fiyero sat on the bed. For his part, Fiyero was listening patiently despite his resigned irritation. Finally, at a break he interjected,

"I suppose we better talk about this."

Elphaba started, and gave him a wide eyed look.

"Talk about what?"

"The fact Glinda will be living here and soon enough will be giving birth to your children."

"Oh." Elphaba frowned. "That's...I actually don't know how to describe it."

"Messy." Fiyero sighed. "Especially with all the politics going around right now. Even then, we have to figure out how to support her while she lives here. It's not like the Emerald City or Oz is safe."

"True." Elphaba shrugged. "I guess I hadn't thought much about it. I was focused on getting her back."

"That's fair. But eventually we will need to figure out her position. Especially when I'm officially Crown Prince and we will have to move to another castle."

"What?" Elphaba gasped. "Why would we move?"

"Kiamo Ko is too far out of the way for a Crown Prince...and Princess." Fiyero explained cautiously. "Besides, with Glinda here it would be sharing a castle with three retinues. It will get crowded really fast."

"And if I don't want to move?" Elphaba asked, crossing her arms. "I like Kiamo Ko. I'm comfortable here."

"That is something we will have to figure out." Fiyero replied. Seeing the hard set of her face, he added, "But not right now. It's just something to think about."

"Agreed."

Fiyero stood up.

"I have to finish up some arrangements." he said as he strode towards the door. He paused for a moment to give Elphaba the briefest of kisses. The woman relaxed, but only slightly. "I will see you tonight."

"See you tonight.

"Glinda." came a deep and gentle voice from behind her.

"Fiyero!" the blonde squeaked in surprise, turning around.

"Hungry?" he asked with a wide smile. It was a rhetorical question seeing how the woman was in the larder, cheese in one hand and bread in another.

"Maybe?" she tried bashfully.

"Carry on." he laughed. "Though if you want to grab some salted pork, I can make a sandwich."

"Precisely what I was thinking" she answered. "Catch."

Glinda tossed the bread and cheese at him. Nimbly catching both, he put them down on the counter. The tiny blonde soon appeared with a ham as big as her head. Plopping it down on a cutting board, she went to find a knife.

"Here let me do that." he said, plucking the knife from her hand. She scowled.

"I am quite capable, you know."

"I somehow think ham carving isn't taught in boarding school."

"Well, no, but I've had a lot of practice."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Ever since these twins have come I've been starving constantly."

"So that's what you're doing up late at night in the larder."

"I'm starving." she repeated as he began cutting the bread. "It's just embarrassing to get caught. Jonkel, my steward, once came to investigate when a shelf collapsed, putting jam all over me."

"Oh no."

"Oh yes. He comes down, and there I am covered head to toe in peach jam. He later told me he thought they'd had a thief or bad mice infestation. I nearly died of shame."

"Why not just get your staff to make you something?"

"I'm not going to wake them in the night just to feed me." she answered indignantly. Fiyero finished with the sandwiches and Glinda snatched one up. Taking a big bite, she chewed it expectantly. After a moment to swallow, she asked, "What are you doing up?

"Thinking."

"Oz forid."

"Hey now, I've become a much more thoughtful person since school." Fiyero replied with fake outrage. Glinda giggled.

"I know, Fiyero. What are you thinking about?"

"The future, mostly."

"Got pre-coronation jitters?"

"Yeah. It's a huge deal for the Arjiki."

"And for you."

"And for me," he paused. "But that's not really the most if it?"

"Oh?" Glinda sked, taking another bite of her sandwich.

"Yes." he took a deep breath. "Elphaba told me about the two of you."

"Oh." Glinda said, putting her sandwich down. In her meticulously even voice she said, "And?"

"And I was shocked at first, but then again I can understand how irresistible you are."

"Flatterer." Glinda gave his arm a soft pat. He gave her a small smile.

"Always. After she told me everything, I was a bit angry at how she treated you."

"Angry?"

"Yes. Despite being in a relationship with her, she still treated my friend poorly."

Glinda laid a hand on his arm. He looked into blue eyes filled with affection.

"You always were an overprotective softie."

"Guilty."

"And did you tell her that you are angry?"

"Yes. And disappointed in her."

"I'm sure that made her reflect on her actions."

"Yes but it seems…"

"Seems?"

"It seems to have clarified several things." he sighed and took a bite of his own sandwich. Glinda did the same, waiting for him to speak. After a while he said, "I think it clarified that we have grown apart."

"Oh, I see."

"Not completely unexpected, I supposed." Fiyero shrugged. "Times and situations change."

"Elphaba cares deeply for you, Fiyero."

"I don't doubt that." he answered. "I just don't think she's in love with me. And…"

"And?"

"And I don't think I'm in love with her." he finished and let out a deep breath. "That's the first time I've said that out loud."

"Wow." Glinda gasped. "Really? It isn't just some uncertainty from having a rough patch?"

"No." he shook his head. "We've been distant for a while now. Hell, we've not slept in the same bed for a week, and it was spotty before that. At first I missed her, but now I've realized I miss being near someone. And when I think of her being in bed with me, I don't yearn for it anymore than if it were someone else."

"Do you wish it to be someone else?" Glinda probed, seeing an opening. Fiyero shook his head.

"My head and heart are too jumbled for me to be clear about anything right now." he replied, easily sidestepping the question.

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to have to talk to her." he sighed. "It's going to be bad. Elphaba does not like endings."

"Elphaba does not like endings." Glinda agreed. "Even if it's for the best."

"Especially then." Fiyero gave a sad smile and slipped a hand into hers. "It's good to have you around. I missed talking to you."

"I missed you as well." Glinda gave his hand a squeeze. "And not just because you'll make me two sandwiches at midnight."

Fiyero barked out a laugh and started making Glinda another sandwich.

"Elphaba, we need to talk." Fiyero said. Elphaba looked up from her desk in the west tower. "About us."

Elphaba froze. Slowly taking her glasses off, she stood up.

"What about us?"

"Really?" he threw up his hands in exasperation. "You have no idea?"

"No…" she said in a small voice. Fiyero sighed. The timidity in her voice hurt him but he pressed on.

"Elphaba, it's time to face the truth. We're growing apart."

"Fiyero, I...it's…"

"You realize it too." he said quietly. "You spend more time in the tower than you do here."

"It's just the stress of everything lately, Fiyero."

"Elphaba, we both know that isn't true. When people are stressed, they hold their loved ones closer, not push them away. And you've been pushing me away."

"I'm sorry, Fiyero. I promise just give me a little bit and I can fix it."

"Fae, I don't want you to fix it." he paused. "I want you to be happy. And being with me won't make you happy. Or make me."

"I'm happy, Fiyero. I promise I am."

"No, you're not. You're just afraid of letting go." he replied. "You don't want to be a Princess of the Vinkus, or go to social functions, or deal with politics. You want to hole up here and study away the day. And none of that will be possible if we're together."

"So you're making my decision for me?" she snapped.

"No." he answered. "I am making my decision for me."

"Is there someone else?" her voice had shrunk into a meek whisper. "Someone that'll make you happier?"

"This isn't about anyone else. This is about us." he answered much more calmly than he felt. Fiyero knew letting his own emotions show would just cause it to spiral downward.

"And what am I supposed to do?" Elphaba wrapped her arms around herself. "Where am I supposed to go?"

"Kiamo Ko is open to you until you don't want it to be. After the coronation I will probably have to look at moving to another castle."

"Abandoning me?"

"No, but I will have greater duties soon. Besides, I don't doubt we will both need time and space."

"Yeah…"

"I hope…"Fiyero paused. "I hope, after all of this, we can still be friends."

"Me too." she looked down. "I still want to be."

"Thank you, Fae."

"You're welcome, Fiyero."

Not long after there was a rap at Glinda's door. Curious, Glinda answered it. The disheveled mess that was a silently crying Elphaba stood there.

"Elphie? What's wrong?"

"Fiyero…he…he…"

"Yes."

"He…we…broke up."

Forewarned from her conversation with him, Glinda put on a concerned face for her friend. As she led Elphaba over to the bed to sit, her mind marveled at how far from Shiz they had come to have the green woman at her door crying over a breakup rather than her.

Sitting Elphaba on the bed, she began to stroke her hair. A flick of her wrist sent a message to Sarima to bring the tea. Otherwise, she just pet the woman as her sniffles grew to sobs. Glinda slid back to allow Elphaba to curl into bed with her head in her lap, her hand tracing comforting circles over Elphaba's head. After a few more minutes, the door softly opened.

As Sarima entered she took in the quiet scene. Elphaba did not move from Glinda. She brought the tea and saucers to the small desk near the duo. The sitting woman whispered a thank you. With a slight nod of acknowledgment, the other woman softly padded to the door. Outside a quick glance as she entered, Sarima noticed Elphaba had kept her eyes closed. She concluded it must be easier for her to be weak in front of someone if she did not see them. Or perhaps pretending they did not exist.

"So what did he say?" Glinda nudged gently.

"That we've grown apart."

"Have you?"

"Yes, but I thought it was just the stress of everything."

"Did you tell him that?"

"Yeah." Elphaba sniffed. "He said that people pull their loved ones closer when stressed."

"That's not always true. Was that the reason he broke up with you?"

"I mean, he's right." Elphaba let out a wet sigh. "We haven't slept in the same bed for a couple of weeks, and we haven't slept together in months."

"I…oh." Glinda replied. She had not expected Elphaba to be so forthcoming with that. "Well, yes, that does seem to be that you were growing apart."

"But, we've not really fought. Or had long periods of being cold or mean to each other. We still…I don't know…like each other?"

"Elphie," Glinda said softly, "sometimes love devolves into friendship. That isn't a bad or a good thing. It just is. The thing is, though, if you continue that type of relationship you start to resent the other person. That's when the relationship - the interpersonal, not romantic one - starts to fall apart. You start to wound each other. Once that happens, the best reconciliation you could hope for is tolerance, nothing more."

"So you're saying Fiyero did me a favor?" Elphaba's voice was harsh.

"I'm saying Fiyero showed how much he cared for you, and himself, by ending it." Glinda answered softly. "He doesn't want to hurt either of you more than necessary."

"But…it hurts so much." her voice was meek again.

"And it will for a while. But you'll heal."

Elphaba rolled onto her back so she could look at Glinda. The woman had to shimmy down her lap, something Glinda gave her a look for.

"Really?"

"Really. And you'll still have the chance of friendship with him."

"He said he'd like to be friends." she paused. "I want to try to be."

"Just give it some time."

Elphaba was quiet for a while. Her eyes gazed off, unfocused, on the corners of the room. Glinda stroked her hair and let her be to her own thoughts. Finally, Elphaba gave a soft chortle. Curious, Glinda asked,

"What?"

"You really do look like you swallowed a house."

"Alright. That's it. Out." Glinda scowled, voice playful.

"No, I'll be good."

"You better. One more comment like that and you'll be gone."

Elphaba snuggled closer and said nothing.