After a week, Elphaba was feeling well enough to sit up. Fiyero brought up a plush reading chair for her so she could sit by the fire and read comfortably without having to make the trek up and down the tower stairs. Her cough was still persistent to the point where she ended up only able to fall asleep if she was in her chair.

Fiyero brought up her meals for her, complaining the entire time. She insisted he didn't have to if it was an inconvenience, but he just told her to stop being stubborn. With some instruction, he was able to bring her some herbs that would help her feel better since he couldn't take a trip to the apothecary.

It was strange to be taken care of like this. She didn't think anyone had ever taken care of her since she had the dexterity to do it herself. She recalled many illnesses where she still had to get up and do everything herself, minding not to make anyone else ill while doing her daily chores.

With her voice almost back to full strength, Chistery started bringing her books to read. She still felt so weak. Maybe she had been working too hard. She couldn't even put her hair up, barely managing a plait.

Today's book was full of fairytales that made her heart ache for Nessa.

"As the fairy prince laid eyes on the little maiden, he thought she was the most beautiful of all he had ever seen. He took the gold crown from his head and placed it on hers, he asked her name, if she would be his wife, and queen over all of springtime; for a maiden who had befriended such a beast as a bird—all fairies were frightened by birds—must've been truly extraordinary. Perhaps she could befriend them all and ask them to stay away from the little kingdom—"

"It doesn't say that," said Fiyero.

"No, but I'm trying to think of a reason why this prince wants to marry Thumbelina for any reason other than her being beautiful," said Elphaba.

"What else is there?"

Elphaba could think of so many things.

However…

"I guess not much," she sighed. After all, her father said he married her mother because she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

And everyone in town placed so much weight on looks.

Chistery hooted in protest and tapped the book.

"We really need to work on your manners," Elphaba said and turned back to the book.

She read of the gifts the fairies gave Thumbelina including a name that suited her better and a set of wings so she could fly with them.

"Farewell, farewell, sang the swallow with a heavy heart. For he had grown to love Thumbelina for her kind heart and gentle nature. As such, he knew that she would fare better in a place with others who were like her. He stayed in the warm place through the winter and sang beautifully at her wedding with the prince. Content that she would have more happy days than sad, he returned to his homeland to sing her tale to those who listened. The end."

She drifted her fingers over the illustration of the fairy, particularly the wings. Maybe if she had beautiful wings like rainbows, if she were a fairy, she would have found acceptance rather than mere tolerance.

Nonsense. Elphaba closed the book firmly and settled back in her chair.

Chistery took it and left to put it away.

"What does he do when he's not with us?" Elphaba asked.

"Don't know," said Fiyero. "Amuses himself, I guess."

She hummed and looked into the fire.

"So you don't believe the prince fell in love at first sight?" he asked.

"I just don't see how you can fall in love without knowing someone," she said. "Maybe there's an attraction, an admiration, but love? Then again, what do I know? I've never loved anyone and no one else has ever loved me."

Fiyero hummed and rested his chin on his knee.

"Yeah… same here." He looked at her curiously. "Are you under a curse by any chance?"

"Not that I'm aware," she said. "If I were, then perhaps…"

She pursed her lips.

"Perhaps?" Fiyero urged.

"Perhaps my mother wouldn't have chewed milk flowers when she was pregnant with my sister to avoid green skin."

"Milk flowers…" Fiyero furrowed his brow. "I saw them in that guide I got your cold medicine from. They're a blood thinner, aren't they? How would they help give a baby skin that wasn't green?"

"I don't know," she sighed and pressed the corner of her shawl to her mouth to stifle a cough. "But she chewed them. All day, every day. I can still remember the smell of them. So sweet it made you sick. I guess she really didn't want another green baby. She died in childbirth."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Elphaba ran her hands over her braid. A habit she used to comfort herself since she was young, but Frex didn't like it, so she always kept her hair in a bun to avoid temptation.

"So," she said, connecting the dots. "You're under a curse?"

"I didn't say that!"

Elphaba raised an eyebrow and he cringed and nodded.

"Okay, yeah," he said. "I used to be a human. Dashingly handsome, suave, sophisticated. Everywhere I went, I made friends."

"So what happened?"

"Pissed off the Bog Fairy," he said. "The punishment was as much for my parents as it was for me, but I don't think they miss me."

"Why do you say that?"

He slumped back against her chair.

"Every letter I sent has been unanswered. Every time I get close to Uma Lu something happens and I end up destroyed."

"How long have you been here?" she asked.

"About ten years. I think I was… sixteen or seventeen when I was turned into a scarecrow and sent here. There's no where else for me to go and trust me, I looked."

Then there probably wouldn't be for her, a either.

"I did find Chistery that way, though," he said. "He was just a baby with two scraggly things for wings. He was left alone in the snow, no family around. I took him in and it's been nice to have some company. I just… I wish I could break my curse."

"What would you do if you turned human again tomorrow?"

"Probably stuff my face with a good meal," he said. "It's been so long, I can't remember what one tastes like. And then I'd take a very long nap in a comfy bed with lots of soft pillows. I miss being able to sleep. I miss being able to feel. I think I'd also stick myself with a needle just to feel some pain. The closest I've come to it is through fire. Growing smaller and smaller… but I always wake up in the pumpkin patch and have to put myself back together."

"There are times I wish I couldn't feel anything," Elphaba murmured. "So… you can't feel if something is soft or hard?"

"Well, I know instinctively it is," he said. "Except…"

"Except?"

"Well, when your father showed up here," he said haltingly like he wasn't sure he really wanted to tell her, "I poked around the wagon. I was bored and curious."

"Of course," she said. "I would do the same."

"There were these fabrics and I could feel them. Every stitch and bump. I took them and I like to hold them sometimes. Castle didn't like me stealing, so I put some treasure in their place. What I thought it would be worth."

Ah, that explained it, then.

Elphaba hummed. "Just those fabrics?"

He nodded.

"Strange."

He turned as if to say something else, then shook his head.

"What?"

"Just— I would think with fine textiles like that, he would be able to hire help," he said. "Instead of leaving his daughters to do the housework."

"It's just me, really," she said. "Punishment for being born this way. For killing my mother."

"You're not the one who got her pregnant and made her chew stink weed."

She kicked him, but her heart wasn't in it.

"Green is reason enough," she sighed. "I didn't mind the work when he was away. I actually find weaving a bit calming. I like to keep busy, I just… don't like expecting someone to yell at me if they don't like the pace I'm working at."

Noticing her shivering, Fiyero got up and tossed another log on the fire.

"What did you like to do before— before you came here?" she asked.

"Well, I was never short of something to do," he said. "I hate being bored. The gardening thing is more recent, but before I would go riding, hunting, I would train with the soldiers, and then, of course, there were the parties. My parents held the best galas in the Vinkus, and when they weren't hosting, somebody else was always throwing a party."

"And you enjoyed that?"

He stiffened and she knew she said something he didn't like.

"My life was great!" he said, standing up. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

"It was just a question," she said, looking away.

"Who are you to judge what makes a person happy? Were you happy living like a slave to your family?"

"Of course I wasn't," she said. "I had simply accepted that it was my lot in life. What did you like about the parties?"

"Dancing," he answered immediately.

"Yes, and?"

"And… the music!"

"And?"

"And?"

"The castle plays music and you can dance in this form," she said. "There's nothing stopping you from enjoying that here. Maybe it was the company?"

"Well… no, I usually danced to avoid conversation," he said. "When I was with a pretty girl I could keep it shallow, I didn't have to think. Flirting was fun, being asked what I thought about trade routes was less fun."

"So you were the prince."

Elphaba thought she remembered news about a tragedy in the royal family, but no one seemed bothered by it. It was obvious, really. Why else would he have an enchanted castle rather than a cottage in the woods? Or even just spending his life wandering along the yellow brick road?

Fiyero stared at her for a long time.

"You're really smart, you know that?" he said at last.

"Too smart for my own good," she said. "At least, that's what everyone says. Maybe if I was stupid like them, I'd be happier."

"Yeah, I was the prince," he said and plunked back down. "I doubt anyone would believe it if I told them anyway. There has to be a way to break the curse. Maybe there's magic more powerful than the Bog Fairy's."

"Worth a look," said Elphaba, feeling her eyes growing heavy. "When I'm better, I'll help you."

"You will?!"

"On the condition that when you're back to your princely self I still have a place to live," she said.

He laughed and took her hands.

"You've got a deal!"

It wasn't completely selfless, she just realized she could practice magic now without fear of being caught. Last time she was caught performing magic, she was unable to sleep on her back for weeks. Fiyero surprisingly didn't seem to mind magic in general. She was sure if she had been cursed she would hate it with a passion.

Fiyero quickly dropped her hands and backed up.

Was he still repulsed by her? Well, if he was human before, it would make sense he carried his biases with him.

"Tea!" he blurted. "I'm going to get you some tea."

Without waiting for a response, he left.

Elphaba settled back in her chair and closed her eyes. He promised. She would just have to hope he would keep it.

~o0o~

It was still bitterly cold, but Elphaba was feeling better. She promised to slow down and only spend every other day cleaning. It still bugged her that the castle was in such a state, but as Fiyero put it: neither of them were going anywhere, so might as well take her time.

What changed was that Fiyero started helping her. He grumbled about it, but he was helping regardless. She wasn't sure snapping at him would change anything. Sure, he belly-ached about it, but if he really didn't want to, he wouldn't do it. He never felt obligated to do anything. It had been a bit of a pain to teach him how to clean, but he caught on quickly.

On her non-cleaning days, she typically read or sewed. She wasn't comfortable venturing out into the snow, so exploring the grounds would have to wait until spring. She also eased into her magic, working on small things until she could be more comfortable using magic to break Fiyero's curse.

"Elphaba," Fiyero called. "Letter from your sister."

She nearly flung her book in the air as she scrambled to take it from him.

"Did you tip the messenger?" she asked.

"I would have, but he ran away screaming about a demon," said Fiyero. "Left his mailbag behind, too. I'll send it back into town tomorrow. Except for this newspaper, always good to keep up on current events."

Elphaba nodded and opened up the letter from Nessa. She read through it quickly, then once more slowly, then sighed. She was glad Nessa was thriving. Parties, socials, making new friends with her sewing circle and book club… but she hadn't been reading the letters Elphaba sent, had she?

I'm glad you and your husband are doing well.

Elphaba wasn't doing well at all until very recently. All her letters had been complaints about her life and how awful it had been to be away from all that she knew and that their dear father had misunderstood the scarecrow's intentions.

"Everything okay?" Fiyero asked.

"Dear Elphaba, my life is amazing. Sorry I haven't responded to your letters for the past four months you've been gone. By the way can you send money to pay for my caretaker until Father goes on his next trip?" Elphaba tossed the letter aside and hugged herself. "I thought maybe she remembered my birthday was today."

"I didn't know it was your birthday."

"Probably because I never told you."

"Well, happy birthday," he said. "I didn't get you anything."

"Why would you?" she said. "I never get anything. Well, that's not true. When I was thirteen I received my own loom and was told I had to work harder to earn my keep."

Fiyero was silent for a moment.

"Elphaba, no offense, but your father is an ass hat."

She snorted and shook her head, not denying it.

"Do you… want to do something for your birthday?"

"I… I think I'd just like to be alone for a while," she said softly.

He nodded. "I'll send Chistery to fetch you when dinner is ready."

She nodded curtly and hurried up to her room. She crouched down, hugging herself tightly. It's okay… It's okay, it's okay, it's okay.

It had always been this way, she shouldn't be surprised. But why did it hurt so much? Why did she always have to be the one to drag herself out of her despair? Elphaba was tired of being her own hero.

She squeezed through the small gap in her curtains and stood on her balcony, letting the cold wind and snow whip around her. She didn't want to be sick again, but she wanted a distraction from her hurt.

When she could no longer stand the cold, Elphaba ducked back inside and sat down by the fire. Her skin burned and prickled from the cold. She didn't cry, but she was hurt. She mentally argued back and forth about sending money, then decided to send some with a very underhanded letter pushing that Nessa should get married so someone else can take care of her.

She loved her sister, but it was very one-sided. She was tired of giving everything her all and getting nothing in return. No gratitude, no respect, no comfort.

Better write it now before she lost her nerve. It was getting close to dinner time anyway.

Elphaba took the slide downstairs. As she made her way to the vault for some money, she heard screaming and smelled something burning.

Oh no… did she accidentally use her magic?!

"Fiyero?! Chistery?!" She ran towards the sound and smell, following it down to the kitchens.

When she burst in, they both stopped their screaming and flailing to look at her. The kitchen was thick with smoke, there was white powder everywhere, and sitting on the work table was a black, bubbling mass of… something that was still glowing. Fiyero dropped the on-fire towel to the stone floor.

"What are you doing in here?" Elphaba demanded and coughed. "Castle, open the windows!"

She opened the entry and exit doors to create a draft. Her eyes burned from the smoke and Chistery sank low to the ground to keep out of it. She stamped out the fire and turned a massive copper cauldron over the bubbling mass to stifle the flames.

"We… that is… it was Chistery's idea!" said Fiyero.

Chistery grabbed a wooden spoon and chucked it at his head in protest.

Elphaba stood with her arms akimbo and raised an eyebrow. Fiyero looked down and muttered something.

"What?"

"It's meant to be a cake," he huffed. "For your birthday. I think the recipe is broken."

Elphaba blinked and took a better look at the state of the kitchen. There were dirty mixing bowls stacked up, flour had gotten everywhere, and she could see two more botched attempts smoldering on the fireplace. She burst out laughing.

"Why are you laughing?" he demanded.

Her cackles melted into sobs.

"Why are you crying?!" he asked in alarm.

She moved around the table and hugged him, not caring if she got her dress dirty. She could feel his thin frame and straw poked through holes in his shirt as she squeezed his middle.

"Thank you," she said.

"But— it's a mess! It isn't even edible!"

"Yes, but you still attempted to make me a cake," she said. "No one's ever made anything just for me before and I appreciate it. It's very sweet."

She let go of him and stepped back.

"Let's try making one together," she said, scrubbing her cheeks and fixing her glasses. "Maybe we can figure out what went wrong."

"I think what went wrong is that I'm an idiot," said Fiyero.

"Have you ever baked a cake before?"

"No."

"Inexperience does not equate stupidity," she said. "You wouldn't think I was stupid if I tried to go hunting but had never done it before, would you?"

"No… I guess not."

Elphaba grabbed a pot holder and picked up the pan.

"I think that pan is ruined," he said sheepishly. "And those two as well."

She scooped all of them up and tossed them out the window into the trash heap.

"What pans?"

He laughed and helped her clean up so they could start again. Elphaba looked over the recipe and gathered the ingredients onto the work space.

"So, when you were measuring out cups and tea spoons what were you using?" she asked.

He sheepishly gestured to the goblet and the tiny spoon used to stir tea. Elphaba poked around and found a teacup that seemed to be the right size as well as a spoon.

She measured out the dry ingredients, walking Fiyero through it, then set that bowl aside.

"Now the wet ingredients." She grabbed a small bowl and cracked four eggs into it.

"Oh!" Fiyero gasped.

"What?"

"I just tossed them in," he said. "I didn't know you were supposed to break them open."

She chuckled. "Yes, the shells aren't typically eaten, but we can use them for cleaning out the pots and pans. I also like to use them to keep snails out of the garden."

While Fiyero beat the softened butter with the honey, she checked the oven.

"This oven is ice cold," she noted. "How did you bake the others?"

"Well, fire cooks things, right?"

She looked at the roaring fireplace.

"Yes, but that might be why you made charcoal," she said. "The fire is too intense, we want to use the oven. See we start a fire in this part here and it warms this part here. It's not as hot, but it is perfect for baking."

Once the fire was stoked, she showed him how to add a little bit of the dry mixture at a time so it wouldn't fly everywhere while it was mixed.

"Be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl," she said, guiding his hand. "We don't want pockets of flour in the batter."

She greased the tin, poured the batter in, then stuck it in the oven.

"And now we wait," she said.

"For how long?"

"Until it's done."

He was not amused. "That's not helpful."

She grinned and looked at the clock. "It should be ready in forty minutes." She patted her pockets. "Oh, I forgot my book."

"I'll find us something to do," said Fiyero, dashing off.

While he was gone, she washed the dishes.

"Found them!" he announced, waving a deck of cards in the air. He stumbled on the steps and flailed. "Whoa!"

He crashed into the work table and his head toppled off his shoulders.

"Oof!" His head hit the cabinets and settled upside down. "Oh, bother."

Elphaba dried her hands and helped him.

"Here we are," she said, placing his head on his shoulders.

"Thanks." He seized the sides of his head and yanked down.

Crack!

Elphaba cringed at the sound. Fiyero moved his head side-to-side then retrieved the cards.

"You're very clumsy," she noted.

"Hard to find your footing when you can't really feel your feet," he countered.

"Fair enough. Shall we play gin rummy?"

They used barrels for chairs and played at the corner of the work table closest to the fire so Elphaba could keep warm.

They were both evenly matched in cards, which ended in a lot of yelling, but it didn't feel like before. It felt more… playful.

Chistery came back when the smell of smoke was replaced with the warm, sweet smell of cake.

Elphaba checked the cake and took it out. While it cooled, she walked Fiyero through making a syrup to pour over it.

"Moment of truth," she said when she could finally cut a piece.

She cut four. One for herself, one for Fiyero, one for Chistery, and one for Castle. The two for Fiyero and Castle were more symbolic, as were the cups of tea, but it was the thought.

"Looks good so far," she said and took a bite.

She closed her eyes and sighed softly.

"Is it good?" Fiyero asked.

"It's perfect," she said.

"Well… you did most of the work," he said and studied his piece. He took a bite and it disappeared, though he seemed confused about something.

Chistery scarfed down his slice and licked his fingers.

"More 'ease?" he asked.

Fiyero slid over Castle's slice. Elphaba ate her cake and sipped her tea, feeling much more at peace than she did earlier.

It was her best birthday ever.