Elphaba warily watched as the Baboynias arranged and sterilized his tools and prepared the tattoo ink. A breeze swept in through the open tent flap and she shivered. She wore a simple, thin-strapped dress with her arms exposed, but she felt completely exposed and naked. She had no idea why this had to be done outside when doing it inside was perfectly fine.

She met the tribal elder's gaze. He didn't look menacing, but she was still scared.

"Prinzinne," he bowed, his long, grey braids sweeping over his shoulder.

Elphaba nodded to him, but fidgeted in the cushioned chair. It was meant to be comfortable, but she couldn't calm her nerves enough to take advantage of it.

"Drink," he said, handing Elphaba a small cup of a dark purple liquid. "And try to relax."

The Chieftess told her she would be given medicine to numb the pain. She would still feel the needles, but it'd be bearable. She took a small sip and made a face. It was the most bitter thing she'd ever tasted, but a bit of bitterness was better than excruciating pain, so she finished it in a few gulps, wiping her mouth and wishing she had a glass of juice to wash the taste from her mouth.

The Baboynias numbed her arms with ice and Elphaba fought the urge to squirm away, but she nodded to the inquiry if the medicine was working, and the process began.

He took the small wooden stick with a small rake of needles attached to the end and a small mallet. He dipped the needles into the dark blue ink, grabbed her left arm, and gently hammered the needles into her skin.

She could feel the needles puncturing her skin, but the medicine and ice helped keep the pain under control. She was provided with a cloth to bite onto if the pain became unbearable, but she was handling it well so far. She held her arm completely still as the Baboynias went up from her wrist to her elbow. An hour later, that forearm was covered in the blue diamond links, and work on her right arm began.

He was almost finished when the medicine began to wear off and the pain sunk in. It was dulled and pulsating, and she swore the elder started working slower when she started moaning. She only got a quick look at her diamond links before he wrapped her forearms in thick bandages.

"Leave covered for four hours. No long baths for two weeks. Use anti-itch ointments until umvambos heal," he said, helping Elphaba up and giving her a deep bow. Elphaba turned and left the tent, hearing him clean his material behind her.

Tsie and Sissalíne were waiting outside the tent, and Elphaba wondered if they stood there the entire time. They had accompanied her down to the courtyard, and looked like they hadn't moved from their spots. Her arms felt stiff and sore, and hurt when she moved too much. Her intrusive thoughts tried to remind her that this meant she would forever be wearing chains, and she fought against those thoughts with all her strength.

"Prinzinne," Tsie said. "Chieftess is waiting for you in throne room."

Elphaba nodded and headed inside. She hoped whatever the Chieftess wanted wouldn't take a long time. Even though the tattooing only took a little over two hours, she felt like she had a full day.

She reached the door and made to knock, but the pain kept her from raising her arm high enough. Sissalíne stepped in to help and the Chieftess opened the door.

"Elphaba, come in," she said, stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter as the maids bowed.

Elphaba followed her in and turned as Baxiana closed the door. "Your Grandness," she bowed.

Baxiana smiled softly. "The Arjiki word for 'Grandmother' is 'Yuga'."

Yes. She remembered that from her vocabulary lessons. She knew what she really meant by telling her that.

"You're family now. I believe we can start using familial terms."

"… Yes… Yuga." An awkward, but valiant, first attempt.

Baxiana smiled. "How are you feeling? Is the pain bearable?"

"I'm fine. The pain's… dull."

She nodded. "I can't wait to see your umvambo once it's healed. But right now, I want to show you this." She unrolled a scroll onto the long table and Elphaba was met with long columns of elegant, calligraphic letter designs.

"Royal cyphers."

"Yes. You will need this for your official correspondence, uniforms of your staff and attendants, personal stationery, and other official items. Once you select the design you want, we will have a calligrapher draw it for your approval. Then it will be turned into a multicolored stamp."

"No signing each paper?" While the Thropps didn't have an official monogram, there was a specific, unique font they all had to use to sign their names on official documents. She had a vivid memory of learning how to sign her name as soon as she was old enough to learn how to read and write.

Baxiana smiled. "You will still need to sign papers. A cypher doesn't replace a signature."

"Oh. Do I need to learn a specific signing font?"

"No, child. Why would you -" She stopped, figuring it was a Munchkinland thing, and didn't want to offend her. "You'll be signing many papers, so however you're most comfortable signing your name is perfectly fine."

She looked back at the scroll. "When do I need to decide?"

"Not for at least a week. Fiyero also must choose his royal cypher, and you two may choose a joint one, but that's optional."

At least she had more time than with the tattoo. "Okay."

The doors opened and the two looked up as Amalie and Sarima came in, deep in conversation.

"Nor enjoyed herself at the wedding party last night," Amalie said, placing a placating hand on Sarima's shoulder.

The Young Dowager Princess glared at her. "I didn't want her to have any drinks."

"Eszno, Fiyero, and Hanna used to sneak drinks at formal events."

"But that's exactly my point!"

"Ahem!" Baxiana faux-coughed.

The two looked up. "Oh. Sorry, Amma," Amalie smiled sheepishly. "How are you feeling, Elphaba?"

The green girl rubbed her face. "I want to take a nap now." The tiredness and pain were starting to get to her, and she could sense that she was no longer needed in the throne room.

"Of course. You must be exhausted, and the medicine must be wearing off. I'll have more prepared for you," Baxiana nodded and dismissed her.

Elphaba bowed and hurried back to her room. On her way there, she passed the suite she shared with Fiyero after their wedding and stopped in front of the ajar door. They still had separate rooms, which confused her. They had been married for less than twenty-four hours, but still, no one had mentioned them sharing a bedroom, or even a bed. She had gone back to her room after the wedding reception, and no one, namely Fiyero, had said anything.

"Elphaba."

She turned and relaxed. "Fiyero."

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Just… tired."

He smiled sympathetically. "Did you want to sleep in there?"

"… I don't know. We still have our separate rooms, and… are we still supposed to?"

"Sleeping in here will ensure more privacy," he admitted. "And it's a royal tradition that we both retain separate rooms, but we will also have a shared bedroom in our new house."

"New house?"

He smiled and pushed their suite door open. Elphaba smiled and followed him inside, her tiredness momentarily forgotten.

"So… new house?" she repeated.

"Yes. Next month, we will move to Apline Dur."

"Where's that?"

"It's further west, deeper into the country, on the border of the Thousand Year Grasslands. It has the second-largest Arjiki population in the Vinkus. Our new house… it's less of a 'house', and more of a 'manor'. A wedding gift from my… our grandparents. It will allow us to have more of a private life, since we're not the direct heirs."

That was something she could relate to. "I grew up in Bright Lettins, which is a ways away from my heir cousins at Colwen Grounds. My mother insisted we have as much privacy as we could."

"It'll be nice to have more space to ourselves to create our own lives."

She smiled. "Yes. That would be nice." She sat on the bed and yawned.

He sat next to her. "As big as this castle is, the rooms aren't boundless."

"I thought we'd stay here like everyone else."

"Well, my parents still have their private residence in Mundrin Mor, but they've started using it exclusively as a vacation home ever since they became more involved in government. Sarima and the children are technically supposed to be living in Kiamo Ko Castle, but they moved here after Eszno died. Sarima said she didn't want to be in that large castle alone with three children and no support. When Hanna gets married, everyone hopes she'll move out and stay moved-out. We're doing exactly what's expected of us."

Elphaba chuckled and made to scratch her arms, but Fiyero quickly stopped her.

"Don't scratch." He held her hands. "I never asked how you're feeling after getting your tattoos."

"The pain medicine is wearing off. I should try to sleep."

"I'll let you rest." He kissed her cheek and made to stand, but she quickly grabbed his hand.

"You don't have to leave. I mean, if you want to leave, that's fine, but I'm not kicking you out. I want you to stay… if you want to stay. This is our room, after all."

The prince regarded her, but nodded and helped her into a comfortable position. It was hard to avoid touching her arms, but he got her settled on her back with multiple pillows.

"Thank you," she whispered, already drifting off.

"You're welcome." He stayed with her until he was sure she was asleep.

…

Fiyero carefully rounded the corner, a cup of pain medicine in one hand and a jar of healing ointment in the other. He had left to get Elphaba's pain medicine, and was surprised that his grandmother had already asked for it. He convinced the servant that he could deliver it to his wife, and was also given the ointment.

When he didn't find Elphaba in their suite, he went to check her room. He heard voices from inside, and was surprised to find the door open, with Tsie and Sissalíne standing in front of the bathroom door, knocking furiously.

"My princess, we must help you clean your umvambos now," Tsie said.

"No. Don't touch me," came Elphaba's muffled command from the other side.

"My princess, please. We will be gentle. We promise."

"No."

She looked at Sissalíne, then noticed Fiyero in the doorway. "My prince," the maids bowed.

"What's going on?" Fiyero frowned, stepping inside.

"The princess has locked herself in the bathroom. She forbids us from touching her," Sissalíne explained. "And it's almost time for luncheon."

He set the cup and jar down on the table. "Go, please. We will have privacy."

The maids exchanged another look, but bowed and left.

"Elphaba, it's me. Please let me in," he said softly, his lips close to the bathroom door.

A beat, then a click, and Fiyero was able to open the door. Elphaba blinked at him before turning and sitting on the edge of the tub.

"I brought more pain medicine." He offered Elphaba the cup.

The green girl stared at it, almost as if it was poison. "I do not wish to be touched."

"Okay. I won't touch you. But you should drink this."

She stiffly raised her arms to take it, and Fiyero held onto the cup for extra support. He waited until she relaxed before continuing. "Your tattoos must be cleaned now. It's been almost four hours."

"It hurts too much."

"Your maids promised to be gentle, but you must let them help you."

"I don't want to be touched."

"Elphaba, don't be childish. This is serious. You will get an infection if it's not taken care of properly."

Her eyes darkened as she glared at him. "I'm being childish? You have no idea the amount of pain I'm in. I had to sit through getting stabbed with multiple needles in my arms all morning, mostly against my will. Get out."

"Elphaba –"

"Get. Out."

He stomped out, closing the door behind him. Oz, she was being so stubborn for no reason. She knew she needed help. If that open wound got infected, she would get very sick.

He took a breath. He had to remember that she was nineteen, and she had more things to get used to than he did. He knew she was trying; he could see it. He had to remember that she was in a lot of pain, and while she would probably protest now, she would feel better once she was cleaned up.

The door was still closed, but he didn't hear the lock click. He tiptoed back and opened the door. Instead of sitting on the edge of the tub, Elphaba was sitting on the floor, her back leaning against the tub. She scowled up at him. "G-"

"I know you're in a lot of pain," Fiyero interrupted, and Elphaba closed her mouth. "I understand this is a lot for you, and that you don't want to be touched. But your tattoos need to be unbandaged and cleaned now. Once the healing process starts, you'll feel better."

"Tell me what to do and I'll clean it."

"It will be easier if someone helps you, just for the first few days. I know your arms are sore and it hurts to move too much. Please, Elphaba. I just want to help you. I'm sorry for calling you childish."

Her shoulders relaxed and she gave the tiniest nod. Fiyero still saw it and grabbed the healing ointment. He put the stool that was in the corner into the tub and turned on the water, waiting until it warmed.

Elphaba pushed herself to her feet, wincing in pain at the weight she put on her arms.

"Do you need help?"

"… Yes."

Fiyero carefully helped her take off her dress, mindful of her arms. He reached to help her remove her slip, but stopped, noticing her uncomfortable blush.

"You are my husband. I should feel comfortable with you… seeing me," Elphaba said. "You are trying to help me."

"I won't hurt you." He meant more than just her arms.

"You won't hurt me," she repeated, almost to herself, then nodded for him to help remove her slip.

"You don't need to be completely exposed if you don't want to be," Fiyero said, helping Elphaba into the tub, clad in only her underwear.

She sat on the stool. The warm water splashed against her legs, and she wiggled her toes.

"Drink the rest of this."

She took the offered cup and finished the bitter medicine. She watched as Fiyero rinsed the cup, then filled a small basin with water. He washed his hands, and gently began removing Elphaba's bandages.

Elphaba felt something wet and cold on her arms as the bandages were removed and closed her eyes, refusing to look at the blood and other secretions. The iron-like, metallic scent of her blood filled her nose and made her want to throw up. She wanted juice, but sending Fiyero out would only prolong her suffering.

Fiyero noticed her actions and knew the reason behind them, but kept quiet. He sat on the edge of the tub and gently poured the warm, basin water over her arms, rinsing off the blood before lathering his hands with soap and gently running it over her skin.

"You're not supposed to use washcloths or hard scrubs to clean a tattoo," he explained. "Hands are gentlest."

She had to admit, Fiyero was being very gentle. He wasn't hurting her at all. His hands carefully moved up and down her arms, not too fast and not too slow. His touch was strong and gentle. "Okay."

"How does that feel?"

"Okay."

He finished cleaning and rinsed the soap off. He ran water over her arms until they rinsed clean. "Does that feel better?"

"Much." She opened her eyes and gazed down. While the skin looked red and irritated, there wasn't any blood or other secretions, and it felt cleaner. "Thank you."

Fiyero took a soft cloth and gently patted her arms dry and applied the ointment. He studied the tattoos, and his lips quirked into a smile. "You chose the armbands."

"Yeah."

"They'll look beautiful when they're fully healed." He helped her out of the tub, and Elphaba dried off the rest of her body. She put on a silk robe, then realized it was almost lunchtime.

"Could we eat lunch in here? I'd rather stay in this comfortable robe for now," she said.

"We can do whatever you want," Fiyero said as he washed his hands again and left the bathroom.

She rebraided her hair and followed him out. "I appreciate you helping me. And I'm sorry snapped at you."

"You snapped because I snapped first, and I'm sorry for that. But we're family now, and family cares for each other."

She thought about what Naoleine said about their great-grandfather caring for them in his own way. She thought of her limited interactions with heartfelt caring actions within her family. While she thought about that, she easily pictured herself getting used to Fiyero's caring. "Even when they're being childish while in pain?" she asked with a small smile, snugging into his strong arms.

He kissed her cheek, and melted when she melted against him. "Especially when they're being childish while in pain." He held Elphaba for a few moments before gently pulling away, claiming he had to inform the others of their lunch plans. "As much as I love private dining, we'll need to have at least one meal with the family before we leave," he chuckled as they ate. "May I ask you a question… about your skin?"

"It feels fine," Elphaba said, then looked up at Fiyero when he didn't answer. "Oh. You mean the green."

"I'm sorry –"

"No, it's fine. I was born this way. No one knows why or how. There were rumors that my mother was taking some sort of medicine when she was pregnant with me, but she wasn't prescribed anything, and she denies that she did. But that didn't stop the rumors. My great-grandfather made it a secret mission to find out, and hired private investigators to comb through my mother's financials and secretly trail her, but it turned up nothing. Everyone's forgotten about it." She took a sip of water. "Even though my sister was born paralyzed from the waist down, both hers and my younger brother's births were proof that my mother could give birth to two perfectly normal-colored, healthy children. I went to numerous doctors when I was a child, since I was clearly the problem, but all their tests came back negative."

"You were a sickly child?"

"I was a colicky baby, and Nanny loved to tell me how it would take hours for me to settle. Doctors thought the green had something to do with that, but it wasn't the case. If you're wondering if it's genetic and when we have children, if they'll be green, I can't answer that. No one knows what caused it, so no one knows how to fix it."

"I'm not worried about that now… yet… not yet. And I don't think you need to be fixed."

Her whole life, someone was always trying to fix something about her, from her hair, her clothes, her attitude, to her entire personality. But here was Fiyero, a man whom she'd just met and married, telling her that he liked her just as she was. It went against everything she'd heard and experienced in her life. "… Thank you."

Perhaps there'd be more to look forward to than she originally thought, especially when they got more private time in their own home.

I meant to post this yesterday on my birthday, but I had to leave for my event before I finished editing. Reviews make wonderful birthday gifts!