Elphaba stared up at the ceiling, her hands folded on her stomach. She didn't know what time it was, but it was still dark, and she couldn't go back to sleep. She didn't know if she was feeling nervous or nauseous or anything else. Identifying it as nervous would probably make things easier. She rolled onto her side, shifting her view from the ceiling to the darkened tapestries lining the walls.

She felt ready to get married. She still wasn't fully won over, but she wasn't actively fighting against it. She had convinced herself that if she stopped dreading it, it wouldn't be worse.

While she knew she wouldn't go back to sleep, she settled for trying to calm her mind. She thought of her family, if they were thinking about her, or if they had already wiped her existence in their family from their memory. She thought of Nessa and Shell, and how Nanny was now the only one there to control their fights. She thought of her cousins; how Aurol and Eadgyth would be starting their official public appearances soon, and how Naoleine was starting a new chapter in her life with Loiln. She thought of her parents, and how they stood by and let the Eminent Thropp sell her across Oz and –

No. No, she promised herself no more anger. Fiyero had proven that he could look past the situation and care about her as a person. The least she could do to return the favor was to not blame or be angry with him.

Now restless, she kicked the covers from her body and slowly pushed herself up. She rested against the headboard for a moment before abandoning the warm bed. Her bare feet padded across the floor as she went to the window and peeked around the curtains. The darkness inhibited her view of the courtyard, and she grabbed her robe from the chair and silently opened the door. She was glad her years of sneaking around didn't leave her in this new country.

She roamed the dark and quiet castle corridors. The first thing she noticed was how this was a different type of night quiet than she was used to. She never considered that there could be different types of quiet. The quiet back at Wend Farleigh, and even Colwen Grounds, still had an air of security and safety. But the quiet here at Wistra Ir had an eerie air. She could faintly hear the nightly forest sounds that had greeted her with a scary welcome her first night. Her shadow seemed larger and scarier under the Vinkun moon, which she insisted was different than the Munchkin moon.

She didn't have a destination, so she continued wandering. She didn't run into anyone, which she was grateful for. Her relief was short-lived when something or someone collided with her side and knocked her off her feet.

Her glasses flew from her face, and she heard them land near the wall. She groped for them in the darkness and, finding them, quickly whipped around to see the offending disturbance to her peaceful walk.

There was enough moonlight through the window for her to see a little, dark-skinned girl in a nightgown, her black hair a curly, frizzy mess around her head and face. She looked familiar, but she couldn't remember seeing a little girl around the castle, except for when she came back from her wedding outfit fitting and those three children ran up to her. She had met Fiyero's two nephews the previous night, so this had to be his niece.

The little girl looked up at Elphaba and yelped, scurrying to hide behind the corner.

"Hello," Elphaba said to the small child peeking out from around the corner. She walked up and knelt in front of her.

The little girl wrinkled her nose. "You talk funny," she whispered, then stuck her thumb into her mouth.

She smiled slightly. "Yes, I suppose I do. I'm not from here."

"Why not?"

"I'm from Munchkinland."

Her forehead wrinkled. "Munchkinland? You're the woman marrying my Uncle Yero?"

She nodded.

"Why?"

Because we were told we had to. Because we don't have a choice. Because my family back home doesn't want me. Because that's life. "Because we –"

"Why are you green? Are all Munchkins green?"

She was having trouble understanding the little girl with her thumb in her mouth, but she thought she got the gist of the questions. "I don't know, and no, not all Munchkins are green."

"Oh."

"What's your name?"

"Nor. Just 'Nor'. I don't like 'Illianora'."

"Hi, Nor. I'm Elphaba."

"Elpabae?" she repeated slowly, completely mispronouncing it. "That's a weird name."

"It's Munchkin."

"Oh."

"Why are you up this late, Nor?"

"I'm hungry and want a snack. Amma doesn't like it when I have a late snack, so I have to get it without her knowing. But I don't like the castle when it's dark."

Since food was mentioned, Elphaba figured that having a small snack wouldn't drastically affect the wedding. "How about we go together?"

Nor agreed and stood, pulling Elphaba with her, and the two snuck down to the kitchen. Elphaba found a few apples and offered them to Nor, but Nor pushed her hand away as she searched for the cookies. Not finding the sweet treat she wanted, she begrudgingly agreed to an apple, but made Elphaba cut it up for her.

The two snacked on the apple slices and got to know each other. The clock on the wall chimed the hour, causing both girls to jump and almost choke on their food. It was three in the morning. Nor yawned and Elphaba decided that they should both get back to bed.

Too tired to fight, Nor nodded and lifted her arms to be carried. Elphaba gently lifted her future niece into her arms and carried her back to where they bumped into each other. Nor sleepily guided Elphaba to her bedroom and got her to tuck her in.

"You're gonna be a good aunt to me," Nor admitted as she drifted off to sleep.

Elphaba had to smile. She liked Nor, and mentally made the cute girl another flower on her dirt path. Once she was sure Nor was fast asleep, she quietly slipped out, closing the door behind her, and made her way back to her own room.

Sissalíne and Tsie came to wake her at exactly eight o'clock. Elphaba insisted on a bath, and they indulged her, telling her that the other members of the royal family were all having morning baths. She was about to stop the two Vinkun women from following her into the bathroom when she noticed the jars they were carrying.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Bath salts, scrubs, and fragrances. For your bath," Tsie said.

Elphaba eyed them warily. She had never used bath salts before. She was never into beauty regiments like Nessa was, and never liked to just soak in a bath. She didn't know if trying something new the morning of her wedding was the best idea.

However, she was tired of arguing and fighting against everything, so she agreed. Sissalíne and Tsie followed her into the bathroom, and busied themselves with setting up the supplies while Elphaba undressed and slipped into the warm water. Instead of grabbing her usual soap, she simply waited until they were done. Tsie stepped behind her and took her hair down, carefully pouring the warm water on her head.

"Chebe powder, for soft hair," she said, taking the dark powder from the jar and mixing it with oil. She rubbed it between her hands, and carefully ran it through Elphaba's hair.

Sissalíne knelt next to her, taking a soft cloth and carefully running it over Elphaba's body, starting from her back and working her way forward and down. The soap smelt like strong spices, and Elphaba thought she smelt cinnamon. Then Sissalíne took a net sponge and covered it in a sugar scrub. The net sponge felt weird against her skin, but it wasn't painful. She squirmed a bit, and the maid tried to work more gently.

Elphaba took a deep breath. She wasn't crazy about all the touching, but tried to relax into it. They were trying to pamper her, probably on the Chieftess's orders.

Tsie was combing her hair and Sissalíne was now massaging her feet. This part of the pampering felt nice, and she allowed herself to fully relax, almost falling back asleep. All too soon, the water started to cool, and the two helped Elphaba out of the tub.

"Careful," Sissalíne warned, grasping Elphaba's arm when she almost slipped as Tsie wrapped a towel around her.

She didn't slip because of the water, she slipped because that was the most relaxed she'd ever felt in her entire life, and her center of gravity completely shifted. The maids dried her, helped her with her underclothes, and offered her a silk robe.

"Chieftess and High Princess will come for dressing ceremony," Tsie said with a bow, and Sissalíne did the same.

"Thank you. Both of you," Elphaba nodded.

The two gave her a soft smile and bowed, quickly leaving and closing the door behind them. Elphaba took the towel wrap down from her hair and finished trying it. She had to admit, her hair felt much softer. She found herself unable to stop running her hands through it.

She was alone for a few minutes before a single knock pulled her from her thoughts. Before she could allow entry, the door opened, and the High Princess and Chieftess came in, both wearing simple day wraps.

Elphaba wordlessly bowed, and the two older women hurriedly embraced her with a smile. Elphaba looked over Amalie's shoulder at the multiple maids bringing in trays of beauty objects, accessories, and clothes.

"Let us begin," Baxiana said, lightly kissing her cheek and leading her to the center of the room.

Amalie carefully helped Elphaba remove her robe, leaving her clad in her slip, and led her to the large floor pillows. Elphaba sat and watched Baxiana pound spices in a mortar and pestle and mix it with oil, water, and a tiny bit of flour.

"This is a paste of ginger and pepper. This is a wedding morning ritual called 'The Yijoaju'," Baxiana said, showing the younger girl the reddish-orange paste. A maid helped her sit on one of the floor pillows, with Elphaba sitting in-between her and Amalie. The Vinkuns scooped the paste out, and gently massaged it onto Elphaba's face, arms, and legs.

Elphaba relaxed as soon as the cool paste hit her skin. It felt good, especially after her sugar scrub in the bath. Baxiana and Amalie sang a simple chanting song in a low voice as they methodically ran their hands over Elphaba's skin.

"It's a song of blessing on the marriage," Amalie exclaimed once they were done and wiped the excess paste from Elphaba's skin with a soft towel. They stood and helped Elphaba to her feet before helping her with her purple and white kemis and purple and gold embroidered kapa.

She hadn't worn or seen these since trying them on at the shop, and fiddled with the long, flowy sleeves. The thick, embroidered purple and gold cape didn't feel as heavy as the first time. She looked behind her at the train and her lips twitched.

Amalie braided her hair into four braids and twisted them together into a large, elegant bun. Baxiana opened a golden box and pulled out a beaded, golden wreath headpiece with teardrop jewels and carefully fixed it on Elphaba's head.

"There. You're ready," Baxiana declared, taking a step back to admire their work.

Elphaba looked at herself in the mirror. She had to admit, she looked nice. She felt refreshed, and that reminded her that this wouldn't be as tedious as she thought it would be. "Yes." Without warning, she turned and hugged Baxiana. She didn't know what compelled her to hug the Chieftess. Maybe it was in the absence of her own family, she really needed someone.

The Chieftess quickly gave her a warm hug only a grandmother could. She pulled away and gave Elphaba a significant look, communicating beyond words, and kissed her forehead. Amalie also hugged her, whispering a final compliment in her ear and telling her to wait in the room for someone to get her before following her mother-in-law out.

She only waited ten minutes before a guard came to escort her down. When she stepped out of the room, she saw five more guards. She was used to security back in Munchkinland, but this seemed excessive, especially for a walk down to the castle gardens, but said nothing and walked down to the garden door. The double doors were open, and a bridal palanquin was waiting for her with four bearers in matching blue dashikis and white pants.

They bowed to her, pulled back the sheen cover, and helped her into the palanquin. She sat cross-legged on the soft pillow and held onto the sides to keep her balance as the bearers lifted her into the air and started marching around the corner to the main courtyard. As they approached, she heard drums and singing. As they rounded the corner, she saw the last of the drummers and dancers go up the aisle.

There were multiple chairs on both sides of a carpeted aisle, all filled with faces she didn't know. She looked up and saw Fiyero, wearing a purple and white dashiki, white pants, and a kapa matching Elphaba's, standing at the altar with the officiant. His dreadlocks were tied in a low ponytail with a gold, silk ribbon. She couldn't tell if he was smiling or not, but his posture looked relaxed enough.

The palanquin bearers carried her down the aisle, setting her down at Fiyero's feet. The prince stepped forward, lifted the sheen curtain, and offered Elphaba his hand. She accepted, gracefully rose to her feet, and stepped out.

She didn't understand most of the ceremony, since she didn't get that far in her language studies. She wasn't required to say anything, but managed to get a genuine sounding 'I do' out during the vows.

They exchanged rings and had their first kiss in front of everyone. Fiyero was very gentle, and she didn't hate it. When they pulled away, she was able to catch the reactions of the front row. The Chief and Chieftess looked proud, Amalie and Raal were crying, the children were covering their eyes, and Sarima was begrudgingly clapping with a bored expression.

The drummers returned, and guards formed a saber arch down the aisle for the new royal couple. Elphaba grasped Fiyero's hand, and they both walked back up the aisle. Once they were back inside the castle, they both exhaled a relieved breath, which turned into laughter. They broke into a run to the large room designated to their honeymoon suite, leaving the loud crowd and drums behind.

They stripped from their wedding attire, putting on the silk robes left for them. Elphaba gingerly removed her headpiece and took her hair down from the braids, running her fingers through her hair as she looked out the window. She saw Fiyero's reflection looking at her and she looked back at him.

"Hi," he said. He took a few steps towards her, but stopped, not knowing if she would be okay with him touching her.

She took a few steps towards him, but stopped. Her hands twitched, but she quickly controlled herself and closed the distance between them. She placed herself in Fiyero's arms. Her movements were stiff, which is why Fiyero didn't reciprocate.

"Elphaba, this… we don't have to do anything we're not ready for."

"We're married now and –" She pulled away, frowned at him, then walked back to the window.

"Elphaba, I thought we discussed this. I know we both have many valid reasons to hate this arrangement, but I have no reason to hate you as a person. We agreed to keep the hate to the situation, and not to each other."

"We did, but the two are almost synonymous." She turned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean… I just… I'm sorry. I don't hate you."

"May I hug you?"

A beat, then she gave the faintest nod.

Fiyero wrapped his arms around her and felt her melt into his embrace. "Do you remember when we met?"

"In the library?"

"Before that."

"Oh… you mean the night in the forest?"

He nodded.

She looked up at him. "Did you know who I was that night?"

"I figured it out. I was anxious about meeting you, especially since no one would tell me anything about you."

"No one would tell me anything about you, either, even after I arrived."

He smiled and they sat on the edge of the bed, using their alone time to talk and get to know each other.

"I'm not particularly religious, but I can go through the motions," Fiyero said. "I grew up Lurlinist, the people expect the royal family to keep up with the traditional religious appearances… outwardly, at least."

"Munchkinland is predominantly Unionist, and my father is a Unionist minister. I've had to go through the religious motions, or risk a lecture. My younger sister takes after him more than I do. If I'm honest, I missed most of the Lurlinist prayers. I didn't understand them."

Fiyero hummed. "Do you have an ear for language?"

"I learned Vinkun because I had to. I believe it's an exposure thing. I'll be learning more here than I was with my sister quizzing me back in Munchkinland."

"We all prefer to speak our native languages, rather than using 'Common Ozian'. Even in the Vinkus, the four tribes have their own languages, which are variations of the same words. That's the only reason we can somewhat understand each other."

"The four providences seem perfectly fine with the language barriers between them, since people's sense of nationalism is bound to their own countries, rather than Oz as a whole. They speak more Ozian in Munchkinland and the Gillikin than in the Vinkus and Quadling Country. Everyone prefers to speak their native languages, rather than a language that could unite us."

"Does this mean you'll teach me some Munchkin?"

Elphaba chuckled. "You'll never need to use it."

"Well, what if we wanted to have a secret conversation without anyone else knowing what we're saying?"

"I suppose that's a good reason."

"And if we go to Munchkinland, we can speak Vinkun."

Elphaba shrugged. "Maybe."

They were silent for a moment, then Fiyero chuckled.

"What?"

"I find it funny that we hate the politicalness of our union, yet we're bonding over politics."

Elphaba thought for a moment, then chuckled. "I guess we found our common ground."

The prince looked at the clock. "We still have a few hours before we must go to the reception. Do you want a nap before or –"

"I thought you said you wanted to learn Munchkin."

His lips quirked. "Let our lessons begin."

The picture of Elphaba's wedding headpiece is on my Twitter and Tumblr!

Also, voting for the Greg Awards is now open, until Saturday, December 30, 2023.