Surprisingly, Elphaba hadn't gotten too sick. She was just exhausted. She had come to the decision to not attend anymore of the festival, but at lunch on the last day Galinda spoke up.

"Are you going to come to the last day, Miss Elphaba?" she asked.

Elphaba didn't look up from her soup.

"I don't think I'd be missed," she said. "I'll just stay here."

"Sure you would," said Fiyero. "In fact all those children have been asking when the fairy is coming back to make more magic."

Ah, so it was just the children who missed her.

"Very well," she said. "I suppose I should get ready then."

"I'll help you!" Galinda sang and looped their arms together.

She really left no room for debate, did she?

"Let's see what you have," said Galinda, opening the wardrobe.

Elphaba made sure to put her broom into her bag this time. She was glad for the spell that made it bigger on the inside.

"You don't really have much, do you?" said Galinda.

"I don't need very much," said Elphaba.

"And your wardrobe is so… dark. Lots of purples and blacks. Who died?"

"It's still early."

Galinda took out one of the dresses Elphaba brought with her and spun around with it, turning it into a pale yellow.

"Much better!" she said and handed it to Elphaba.

Elphaba sighed and took it. Might as well. She doubted it would make any difference anyway.

"You really should consider a more fashionable wardrobe," said Galinda, helping her lace up her corset.

"I'm sure you're right," said Elphaba, not caring either way.

Galinda also insisted on doing her hair in one of the latest styles.

"It's good your hair is so thick and curly," Galinda commented, looping it up. "I don't think you need a single rat."

A rat? When Elphaba was younger her hair was often compared to a rat's nest, but she couldn't imagine one being fashionable.

"Do you need your glasses?" Galinda asked, taking them off.

"Do you need to breathe?" Elphaba responded, taking them back. "Why bother with all this anyway?"

"Well if the image of Kiamo Ko is going to be my new project then you are included in that," said Galinda. "After all, Court Wizards have an image to maintain as well. I know if it were me I'd want to look as fabulous as possible."

"Been practicing magic long?" Elphaba asked.

"My entire life," she said. "I actually attended Shiz University to study sorcery. I graduated this spring, which is why there's quite the pressure on me to marry."

Elphaba hummed.

"I wish I could have gone to University," she said. "Father would never have allowed it and I had tutors and Dr. Dillamond to teach me but even so."

Galinda opened her bag and brought out a tube of something that turned out to be lipstick. Elphaba had only ever seen makeup in those palettes needing to be applied with brushes.

Father hadn't allowed it, obviously, but Elphaba couldn't really see how putting gunk on her face would make her prettier.

She ducked the tube.

"I don't want that," she said.

"Don't you want to look nice for that handsome bookseller?" she asked. "He asked after you the other day."

"Lin?"

"That's his name!" said Galinda. "He'll definishly be there tonight. He likes books, you like books. It's perfect!"

What was she getting at?

"And he's returning to the Emerald City tomorrow," said Elphaba, not coming to an answer.

"Well, let's go then," said Galinda.

Elphaba looked at herself in the mirror. Did she look okay? Maybe she should have taken Galinda's advice.

She kept to herself on the carriage ride to town, feeling out of place crowded together like this. Like she was taking too much space and it didn't matter how much she pulled her petticoats and knees in, she would only be out of the way if she just wasn't there at all.

Second verse, same as the first, everyone split up. Dr. Dillamond was greeted by some older people who happened to be doctors themselves forced out of town for some reason or other. Guess the medical school would be bigger than expected.

Chistery found his friends and future classmates.

Fiyero and Galinda went off together.

It was late in the day she could stay til sunset, then return to the castle to prepare for her inevitable solitude.

When the dancing began the children once again ran up to her asking for the magic.

Bubbles suddenly flooded the space and attention turned to Galinda. She made beautiful iridescent bubbles in pinks, blues, and yellows. The children squealed in delight and ran around, popping them or catching them in their hands.

Elphaba dropped her hands and the dragon disappeared. Galinda used the paper garland hanging up to make paper birds that flitted about and fluttered almost realistically.

So Galinda was a skilled witch.

Right.

Curling her hands in, Elphaba sat down.

"Miss Elphaba."

She looked up at Lin.

"Care to dance?" he asked, extending a hand.

Not really, but she didn't learn these damn things for nothing.

"I would," she said, allowing him to lead her up the steps.

It was strange being where anyone could see her like this. Elphaba stood in an empty square and followed the steps. She was sure she looked ridiculous. Her hair threatened to fly free and she wished she had put it in a bun like usual.

"I've never met anyone like you, Miss Elphaba," said Lin.

"Well, green skin isn't exactly common," she replied.

He laughed lightly.

"That's not what I mean," he said. "Do you believe in fate?"

"Sometimes yes, sometimes no," she said.

"Well as you know, I'm returning to the Emerald City tomorrow," he said. "And I was wondering, that is, I was hoping I could convince you to come back with me."

Elphaba frowned slightly.

"I don't understand," she said. "Like for a job in book copying?"

"No," he said, drawing her just a little closer. "I mean to just… be with me. To be my wife."

"I… I don't know what to say," she said.

"Say yes?"

He was instantly shoved aside and Fiyero took Elphaba's hands.

"I believe it's my turn," he said, leading her around the floor.

Elphaba frowned. "Fiyero, we were talking. Aren't you escorting Galinda?"

"The kids are making their requests," he said. "So I thought I'd dance with you."

A sting of anger shot through her.

"I see," she said coldly. "So I'm just a placeholder."

"Fae—"

She pulled her hands free and backed up. Lin came up looking miffed.

"Is it custom in the Vinkus to interrupt important conversations?" he asked, looking both confused and suspicious of Fiyero.

"An important conversation?" Fiyero scoffed. "What could possibly be so important?"

Elphaba could see an image of the prince Fiyero once was and she was infuriated. She thought he was getting better and that there was someone who could be a kind and effective leader. But no. He just saw himself as temporarily embarrassed.

"Why I've asked Miss Elphaba to marry me," said Lin importantly. "Who are you to intervene?"

Now people were looking. The music stopped. They were whispering.

Fiyero scoffed. "That's ridiculous!"

Something inside her snapped.

"Yeah? Well just because you find me hideous doesn't mean everyone is as thick-headed and shallow!"

Lin got a triumphant grin that made her even angrier. He didn't see it and put an arm around her.

"Seems she's made her decision," he said.

"Don't you dare, either!" Elphaba spat, pulling away. "How can I take it seriously when you never made your intentions known?"

She backed up too far and went over the side of the platform. She didn't remember hitting the ground but her head was spinning as she looked up at the sky.

Fiyero and Lin were making their way down to her but Avaric helped her to her feet. She could feel the mud against her back, cold and wet. Her hair was unwinding out of the elaborate style Galinda had done. She thought she might have been crying.

She started walking away so she could have some space for her take off. She was going home. She was sick of people looking at her.

"Fae! Hold on!" Fiyero grabbed her arm.

She whipped around and yanked his head off his shoulders. Two old women fainted and someone screamed.

"Hey!" Fiyero protested.

"KEEP AWAY!" Elphaba shrieked and tossed his head to Avaric, who caught it.

Fiyero's body staggered around trying to get his head back.

Elphaba backed up and held her hands up. His head was tossed to her again.

"Put me down!" Fiyero shouted.

She hurled his head into his arms, knocking him to the ground. She brought out her broom and straddled it, kicking off into the air.

The wind whipped around her, chilling her to the bone. She made it back to her tower in record time and paced around angrily.

Castle filled her wash tub with hot water and she undressed and cleaned the mud off her skin and out of her hair.

Her mind ran clear. That's what the old witch was saying. She needed to leave. There was no longer any place for her at Kiamo Ko.

Elphaba exhaled sharply and buried her face into her knees.

She should have expected this. After all, she wasn't actually welcome here to begin with. She just showed up and refused to leave.

She dried off and put on her work dress and wrangled her hair in a bun. She took a deep breath and took out her carpet bags.

"Higitus figitus zumbazing," she said, raising her hands. "I want your attention, everything."

The carpet bag gained its own air flow. As she chanted, her things marched into the bag. When that was done, she went downstairs to the library and packed up her research and books, leaving the copies behind. Galinda was a capable witch and people adored her. They tolerated Elphaba. She'd keep her crystal ball handy in case the soldiers attacked and backup was needed. Dr. Dillamond had a whole team of apprentices now, she wasn't needed there. Fiyero had a social life now so he no longer needed nor wanted her company. And Chistery was going to school now so he didn't need her anymore.

She went to the kitchen and took her favorite pots and pans and some food to get her started.

She didn't want to go to the Emerald City with Lin. She didn't like him enough to marry him. Maybe if she got to know him she would feel different, but she was a difficult person to live with, she saw that now. He'd eventually resent her and then where would she be?

There was one place…

Elphaba took out some paper and a pen. She wrote out a letter, mostly in hopes that she would see a reason not to leave. Finding none, she put it beneath a tea cup, then stepped out into the garden.

"Goodbye," she said and kicked off into the darkness.

~o0o~

Fiyero was quiet during the carriage ride back to Kiamo Ko. That had been a mess. He really didn't think that one through. He just saw Elphaba in the arms of some guy he didn't know and it was like an alarm had gone off in his head.

Next thing he knew, his foot was so far in his mouth it was a wonder he could keep speaking at all.

She didn't have to pull his head off.

"I hope Miss Elphaba is alright," said Dr. Dillamond. "She seemed perfectly fine earlier hadn't she?"

Fiyero nodded and looked at Galinda.

"Did she say anything to you?" he asked.

"Let's see. We talked about university," said Galinda. "And we discussed that bookseller she was dancing with, but that was earlier today."

Fiyero got a sick feeling, but since he no longer had a stomach, it just seemed to radiate through his body.

Kiamo Ko lit up as they approached and Fiyero was the first out of the carriage. They needed to talk and he was not going to let her hide away in her room.

He strode up the stairs but was surprised to find the tower pitch black. Elphaba hated the dark; she would at least have a candle or conjured a small orb.

"Fae?" he called, stepping into the room.

The fireplace spat to life and Fiyero flinched in shock to find it empty. It was as if she were never here save for the absent layer of dust.

He still staggered over to the bed and opened the doors. The blankets were gone as was the mattress.

"No…"

He ran back down the steps.

"Castle, where is she?" he called.

The torches spluttered in anger.

"No games! Tell me where she is!"

He was led to the kitchen, but it was empty, so he ran out to the garden and looked around.

"ELPHABA!" he shouted, the mountains carrying his voice.

He searched the skies hoping she wasn't too far. He stumbled over his own feet, landing in a rose bush. The thorns tore at his suit as he scrambled out. He righted himself and went back into the kitchen.

Finally, he spotted a letter sitting on the workbench. He snatched it up, barely registering the sound of a teacup shattering, and opened it.

He fell back against the counter, reading it in the dim light.

My dear Fiyero, Chistery, and Dr. Dillamond,

It has become clear that there is no longer a place for me at Kiamo Ko, so I will be taking my leave. I would hate to become a hindrance on your lives. Chistery, good luck with school. Make sure you study. Dr. Dillamond I wish you well with your new students. And Fiyero, I wish you and Galinda all the happiness. She will be an excellent addition to the castle and will fill in as Court Wizard easily. I hope she breaks your curse soon and I'm sorry I never could.

If there's one thing I've learned it's that partings are easier with a clean break.

So this is goodbye,

All my love,

Elphaba

Fiyero turned the page over hoping for some clue as to where she went.

"Fiyero, where is she?" Dr. Dillamond asked.

He silently handed over the letter. The old goat read it once quickly, then again slowly. He gave it to Chistery who mouthed the words as he read it. Finally, it went to Galinda who was reading it out of curiosity rather than it being addressed to her.

"I don't understand," said Dr. Dillamond. "Why would she think she no longer has a place here?"

"I don't know," said Fiyero. "She seemed happy about everything, right? Supportive?"

"Yes," the old goat agreed. "A little shocked perhaps, but I thought she'd be happy that she didn't have any more to learn from me. Now she can pursue her own research into medicine."

Chistery half-ran/half-flew away, no doubt to go to his room or perhaps to see for himself that she wasn't somewhere in the castle.

"Well, perhaps she saw a future with that nice bookseller," said Dr. Dillamond. "If that's what she wants, then I wish all the best for her."

Fiyero took the letter back and read it again wondering if she had said that's where she was going. She seemed furious about the proposal, but maybe she thought about it and changed her mind?

He ran out and got Poppy from the stable, hurrying as fast as he could back to town. He dismounted and strode through the wagons searching for that bookseller.

The man she danced with. Brown skin, curly hair, dark eyes. Was he the one Elphaba had dreamed about?

Thoughts ran through Fiyero's mind of them together. Elphaba in that cream-colored wedding dress that belonged to her mother and smiling.

What the hell did she mean there was no place left for her here? Maybe she was just being polite in saying that she wanted to leave with whatshisname?

Well, not until they actually talked and she said she wanted to leave to his face. Two years together she could not leave like this.

He found the wagon and pounded his fist against the door.

The door opened and the bookseller appeared down to his combinations. Fiyero felt a surge of something.

"Where is she?!" he growled.

"Who?"

Fiyero stuck his head into the wagon. Piles of books, a cot half rolled out between the wall and a trunk. No Elphaba. He was shoved back and the man drew himself up, knocking his head against the top of his wagon.

"If you mean Miss Elphaba," he said, rubbing the spot, "she's not here. I don't know how it is here in the Vinkus, but in Neutraland shouting at someone for proposing is a good indication of a rejection."

"Dammit." Fiyero paced around in a circle. "Where did she go then?"

"You think she might have come here?" Lin asked hopefully.

"She left, if she was coming here she'd be here already," Fiyero said sourly.

Where would she go? Not back to Munchkinland that was for sure, she'd rather die.

Fiyero returned to Kiamo Ko and put Poppy back in the stable. He went back inside and plunked down on the stairs.

"Scarecrow— Fiyero."

He looked up at Galinda. She held up the letter.

"What does she mean by curse?" she asked.

Fiyero looked down at his hands.

"I'm cursed," he said simply. "That's why I'm a living scarecrow. A jack pumpkinhead."

"And what does it have to do with me?"

"I have to receive a kiss from the most beautiful woman in the world," he said. "It will turn me human and undo the curse on Uma Lu, too."

"And you've decided that's me?"

"Elphaba and I both agreed you're the most beautiful woman we've ever seen," said Fiyero.

She tossed her hair and giggled, then looked serious.

"I have read up on curses," she said. "Tell me exactly what the witch said."

"Bog fairy actually," said Fiyero. He closed his eyes. He could still remember that day clearly.

The taste of the food was a dream of a dream and he couldn't quite remember the music or if it had been warm or cold, but he remembered that old woman who crashed a good party. His parents looking down their noses at her, his little sister helping her up when she collapsed, and Fiyero making a remark asking what swamp she crawled out of. Then taking the flower she offered as a gift and stomping on it.

The fairy had risen up, her wings like a dragonfly's and still as old and wrinkled as if she spent her time in a bog but her eyes glowing with ancient wisdom.

"You o heartless man shall hereby be cursed," he said. "Cursed to live without death in a shell as hollow as you are in flesh and it shall be this way for all time until you meet the most beautiful woman in the world and earn her love. Only until you feel her lips upon yours will the curse be broken and you will return to flesh and blood."

After those words, he blacked out and woke up here. The castle he spent a few winters in as a child but had since been abandoned. Empty with no sign of life except for the bugs and vermin. The castle with a personality and the garden full of magic.

Fiyero opened his eyes now and jerked back upon seeing Galinda's golden curls. She moved away.

"Anything?" she asked.

He looked at his hands but they were still wood.

"I didn't even feel you kiss me," he said.

"Mm. If it were a witch's spell it might have worked," said Galinda. "I love the opportunity I am given here and if you think I'm the most beautiful woman in the world then it must count, but I'm afraid I couldn't actually give my heart to you Fiyero. Not really. I could play at it, but it wouldn't be real."

He blinked slowly, not understanding. She must've seen his confusion.

"I don't love like others do," Galinda explained. "I love my momsie and popsicle and I loved my little kitten when I was growing up but I was never in love. Even when the most perfect of men crossed my path I never felt more than a slight interest that never grew. I could play at it. Flirt and pretend, but I never felt what was described in the stories. That's why I was attracted to you when my auntie said you were a single man who must be in want of a wife. A scarecrow who could let me live the life I wanted without expecting wifely duties of me. As that is no longer the case, I believe it might be awkward if I remain."

"Maybe it's just a trick of the Bog Fairy," said Fiyero. "To tell me that it can't be broken. Listen, you don't have to leave. I can just give you an official title and you can still do what you like."

He did feel like he did when he was human. Hollow and trying to force himself into believing he was happy.

"Maybe it's Elphaba," said Galinda.

"What's Elphaba?"

She looked at him as if he was the stupidest person in the world.

"The one to break your curse!" Galinda huffed.

"She's tried," he said. "She couldn't do it and now she's gone and I don't know where she went." He dropped his head against his knees. "Maybe the point is that I don't deserve to be human."

He stood up.

"I'm still the prince!" he declared. "And I can at least make sure Kiamo Ko is safe from those soldiers. I'm not heartless enough to leave them hanging."

He turned and went to his quarters. Oz, he wished he could sleep. He collapsed on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Maybe Elphaba had forgotten something and would come back.

Two years she had been living here. He couldn't recall what it was like before she came.

Swinging back up, he paced around his room, then plunked down at his desk. He opened his sketchbook to a new page, grabbed a piece of charcoal and just started drawing. He couldn't dream anymore, so he drew. His walls were covered with his "dreams" to the point where he couldn't see what was beneath. The dreams he wanted to cling to became paintings.

Whoever the royal painter was who lived here must not've needed his supplies anymore. There was a lot left behind.

Fiyero looked down at what he'd drawn. Dark curls framed a long, narrow face. Eyes magnified by thin wire frames stared up at him. A wide mouth neither smiled nor frowned beneath a thin nose and a pair of thick eyebrows upturned slightly above eyes that always seemed sad.

He plunked his cheek into his hand and carefully drew Elphaba's freckles. She had so many of them, spraying across her cheeks like stars. When she wore the dress he had bought her he had seen them on her shoulders as well.

That look in her eye before she pulled his head off his shoulders… Fiyero shuddered. He should have tried harder. Run after her instead of deciding to give her space.

What had happened?

He pondered over this until dawn when he decided to head back to town to see if perhaps she had spent the night at one of the inns to cool off.

Poppy just glared at him when he tried to saddle her up, so he walked. The path was long and winding, slightly slick with frost.

He wouldn't be surprised if the snow started to stick next week.

Back in town, there was a bustle as the merchants left. On the grounds, Fiyero found the sleepy-eyed Burgomaster conversing with several people. More stood around looking too exhausted to take a single step farther.

He spotted caravans and carts some pulled by horses or oxen and some seemed to be hand-pulled. Not all of the people were dressed for mountain weather and Fiyero recognized the tattoos of the Erba tribe from the thousand year grasslands. There were Foxes from the Huli tribe and Wolves from the Ze'ev tribe. There was even a family from as far south as the Ansi Tribe.

A young Wolf Pup was curled up in the back of a cart sleeping fitfully.

Fiyero approached.

"What is going on?" he asked.

Mr. Abolar jumped and looked at Fiyero.

"Ah, Your Highness," he said.

"Please," said a man, holding a baby. "We've heard that Kiamo Ko is safe from the soldiers. Can you grant us sanctuary?"

Fiyero looked at their weary faces and nodded.

"Are there any empty houses in town?" Fiyero asked.

"A few," said Mr. Abolar, taking him to the side. "Scarecrow, what if they are spies?"

Fiyero looked back at them all, shaking from hunger, eyes sunken with exhaustion, their animals thin, all their worldly possessions carried on their backs.

"Oh, yeah," he said sarcastically. "They just ooze with malice."

He went over to their makeshift leaders, heads of families who banded together in hopes of safety in numbers.

"Can you manage to travel a little further?" he asked. "I can offer refuge in my castle until we can find or build a place for you to settle down. It's warm and there's food."

"Remove your mask," said a She-Wolf.

"This is just my face," said Fiyero, pulling his head off his shoulders and holding it aloft. "I was manifested into existence at Kiamo Ko castle."

Not a lie, technically.

The act scared them, however, which meant that they weren't aware of his existence and therefore could not be in league with the soldiers.

Fiyero put his head back on.

"This way," he said.

Amazingly, they followed. He helped pull one of the hand carts. The owner looked to be a boy no older than thirteen and he carried his little sister on his back. The girl slept but it was uneasy, her brow twisted in discomfort.

A Calf loped unsteadily beside them, her pack keeping her back hunched forward like a question mark.

Fiyero looked ahead. He would look for Elphaba later. She'd be furious if he let a bunch of children freeze while the Burgomaster acted wishy-washy about their presence.

He liked Mr. Abolar, he was a good man, but in the end he still thought like a politician.

Castle opened the main doors and the doors to the stable.

"Your animals will have food and rest in there," he said. "The rest of you I think we can get some food and a warm bed arranged. Once you all are rested we can talk more about a permanent residence."

He turned to the adolescents.

"Where are your parents?" he asked.

The boy stared down at the ground and adjusted his sister on his back.

"Soldiers killed 'em," he said. "Cause they couldn't pay. We're all that's left of our home."

The Calf sniffled and rubbed her nose, which was already dry and cracked looking much like parched earth.

Fiyero set his jaw.

"Well, you're safe here," he promised.

Castle had set the dining table with a feast fit for a king. More chairs had materialized. The group heaved a collective sigh and started forward, then paused, looking at him.

"I don't eat," he said and gestured. "Have your fill."

They sat down. The children seemed to believe they were having a vivid dream and the adults didn't quite seem to believe they weren't.

The room was warmly lit by the fireplace and the sconces. The table was lush with bowls of fruit, tureens of rice porridge and soup, fresh bread, plates of hot and cold meats, fried and scrambled eggs, pickled vegetables, pots of hot tea and coffee, pitchers of cold juice and fresh water.

Galinda entered, dressed for the day and her expression fell into confusion.

"Who…"

Fiyero stepped out with her.

"Note," he said. "In front of company call me Scarecrow. I don't think anyone would believe I was the missing prince anyway. Two, these are refugees from the soldiers so we'll need to go to town today to figure out where to put them; and C… I lost my train of thought."

He paced around in a circle.

"What am I forgetting?" he asked.

"How in Oz would I know that?" Galinda replied and entered the room to sit down.

Fiyero frowned, feeling lost. He stood in that spot, half hidden in the doorway of the dining hall. Dr. Dillamond greeted him as he passed and had seemed surprised by the guests, but didn't question it and just sat down.

When the others had their fill, Fiyero led them to bedrooms. Giving suites to families and apologizing for some of the disuse and dust and promising he'd get them settled in town as soon as possible.

He stopped by Chistery's room and knocked, then poked his head in.

The bedroom was in disarray as if a twister had come through and Chistery was still curled up in his hammock.

"Chistery, don't you want breakfast?" he asked.

"Is Baba home?" Chistery asked. "Did you find her?"

"I… no. I got side-tracked. I'll be going back into town today. We have refugees from other towns so… don't be surprised to come across a stranger. Okay?"

Chistery sent him a nasty look and rolled over with a huff.

Fiyero cringed and approached.

"I'll find her," he promised. "And hey, maybe she'll come back before the week is out. You've got school tomorrow."

"I don't want to go anymore."

"But you were so excited," Fiyero coaxed. "And Elphaba was happy for you to start."

Chistery curled into a tighter ball, his wings curving around him like a roly-poly.

Fiyero wished he could do the same and left to handle things in town.

Were there more children across the Vinkus who had lost everything? Who were taking their meager possessions and trying to find a safe haven?

He stopped on the steps of the Castle and looked back.

"You brought Elphaba to me before," he said. "Could you do it again?"

Water was shuddered off some tiles and dumped over him in response. He couldn't really feel it, but it was the gesture that counted.

"Fine," he said. "Then can you find lost children in the Vinkus and bring them here? The ones who lost their families to the soldiers or hardship?"

The doors squeaked in an odd shrug. Moments later, the carriage and Poppy ran out of the stable and disappeared in a wave of magic.

At least he could be useful to someone. Fiyero straightened his suit jacket, not really caring that it was the muddy one from last night and ran to town to meet with the Burgomaster and the Town Planning Committee.