Elphaba barely made a sound as the bolt was removed from her shoulder. Fiyero thought that if she wanted to scream and wail like Galinda it would be her right. He didn't like that look in her eye. It was the same one she had when she had first arrived and just soldiered through her misery.

Whatever she was injected with didn't seem to do much more than just make sure her muscles didn't twitch and hold onto the bolt.

The leather strap carried perfect markings from her teeth.

"Here's something for the pain," said Dr. Dillamond, bringing out two glass bottles of tablets. "Don't take more than six in twenty-six hours."

Galinda sniffled and seemed to be doing better with a dose of morphine.

"I still need to see about Aella," said Elphaba.

Right. Her. Fiyero really would've preferred to keep the girl in that room until everyone went home, but Elphaba seemed determined.

Her shoulder was bandaged and her arm was placed in a sling. She walking steadily though the persistent sheen of sweat told Fiyero she was in a lot of pain.

He hovered, ready to catch her if she collapsed.

They returned to the room they locked Aella and the treasure in and Fiyero half expected to find the girl missing. Instead, she was huddled in the corner with her face buried into her knees.

"Miss Aella," said Elphaba.

The girl snapped to attention.

"With me."

Aella grabbed the carpet bag and scurried over, holding it up.

Fiyero took it.

The music and cheer echoed through the corridors of the castle. They went down to the servants' wing first. The rooms were full but there were spare uniforms. Elphaba took out a warm wool dress from the closet and held it up to Aella.

"That will do," she said.

The girl took it, her dark eyes wide.

"How old are you, Aella?"

"Seventeen, Miss."

Fiyero thought she was younger. She was small and thin-framed.

"Well, we don't need a scullery maid but I've been told I need an assistant," said Elphaba. "Can you read?"

"Yes, Miss."

"Then I'll continue your education," said Elphaba. "An assistant to the Court Wizard should have approximate knowledge in many subjects in order to best aid them. You understand that I need to keep you close by until we overthrow the soldiers, yes?"

"Yes, Miss," said Aella. "As long as I never have to go back to them." She gave Fiyero a side-eye and shuffled closer to Elphaba's other side. "He won't—"

"No," said Elphaba. "He's not like that."

"Like what?" Fiyero asked.

She waved her good hand dismissively.

"How much did you get paid before the soldiers came?" she asked Aella.

"I don't know, Miss. And Jarrod certainly never paid me." She shivered. "I saw Ione kill him."

"Tell me about her," said Elphaba as they walked back up the stairs.

"She wasn't a… a lady of the night," Aella whispered as if the walls had ears. "She was an assassin from Fliann, I hear, sent to kill the missing prince. He was banished by the Bog Fairy the night she was meant to end his life."

I suppose I should be grateful for that, Fiyero thought.

What was odd was that relations with Fliann were good. Was someone trying to start a war?

"She said she was unaffected by the enchantment the Bog Fairy lay down," Aella continued. "I suppose she and some other unaffected soldiers escaped."

"Not everyone is under the fog?" Elphaba asked.

"I couldn't say, Miss," she said apologetically.

"How do you know all this?" Fiyero asked.

"The maids know everything," said Elphaba. "I can attest to that."

They went back upstairs.

"Now, no one is to know where you lived," said Elphaba. "However, no one will look at another newcomer, we have them coming in every day. I'd like for you to tell me what you know about them."

"Yes, Miss," said Aella. "Do you acquire assistance now?"

Elphaba paused and tried to reach her back, then sighed and nodded.

"Just until my shoulder is recovered," she said.

"Ione is an excellent shot," said Aella, tugging her collar aside to show a scar on her neck. "She did this to me when I didn't mend the fires in time."

Elphaba pursed her lips and Fiyero knew that there was no way she was leaving that girl to fend for herself.

He still didn't trust her one twig and followed them up to Elphaba's tower. He planted himself on the steps just outside the door where he could be seen and available to help, but would also give Elphaba some privacy.

He really should have gone and gotten her a clean dress while she was in surgery but he didn't want to leave her.

"Change into that first," said Elphaba. "I imagine you're chilled to the bone. Tell me more about Ione. The men seemed ready to follow her lead."

"She's the real brains of the soldiers," said Aella. "She's been manipulating them for as long as I can remember. Jarrod was their general, so they held a respect for him, but they didn't start having good plans until she came around, they say. Oh! This water is warm!"

"Yes, the castle is enchanted," said Elphaba impatiently. "Go on."

"As I said, she's an assassin from Fliann, but instead of returning home she decided to stay and take advantage of the missing royals."

"Anything else?"

"She went off on her own quite a bit to meet someone," said Aella. "I don't know who, but I know Jarrod asked her once and she said the person was horrible. Perhaps a trader or some other bandit leader. There are other bandits but they have smaller territories. She is ruthless. If you have to fear anyone in that army it would be her."

"I can believe that," said Elphaba. "AH!"

Fiyero whipped around, putting his hand on his dagger.

Aella jerked her hands back.

"Sorry, Miss!" she gasped.

"It's alright," Elphaba assured her. "I'll be sore while this mends."

Fiyero blinked and quickly snapped back around, not meaning to see so much and not wanting to be caught looking.

"Thank you, Aella," said Elphaba. "Fiyero will show you to your room. You may have the one at the base of the stairs."

That last sentence was directed at him.

Fiyero stood and re-entered the room. Elphaba was sitting in her armchair, her dressing gown was half-on, merely draped over her injured shoulder and a thick blanket was laid across her lap.

Aella evaded his gaze.

"With me," he said.

They went past the room in question, but Aella said nothing.

"Close your eyes," he said.

She obediently covered them with her hands. He pressed a hidden button in the wall and a panel clicked open. He set the carpet bag inside and closed it.

"You may open them," he said.

They headed to the ballroom where the party was still in full swing, though children were dozing on any spare space, holding their new toys and dreaming.

Fiyero stopped by the buffet and assembled a plate of food. He grabbed a tankard of steaming cider as well.

"Hey, Scarecrow," said Avaric. "Green girl okay?"

"She'll be just fine," he said.

Avaric looked around him and his face fell slack as he laid his eyes on Aella.

"Hello, miss," he said, bowing slightly. "I don't believe we've met."

"I… I'm new here," said Aella, clasping her hands together. "I'm Aella. I just arrived today… yesterday?"

"Not midnight yet," he said. "I take it you didn't know about the gift exchange?"

She shook her head and Avaric reached into his pocket, handing her a small parcel.

"Welcome to Kiamo Ko," he said. "Where are you staying?"

Aella took the present.

"Here," she said. "I'm Miss Elphaba's new assistant."

"Is that right?" he said. "Could I trouble you for a dance?"

Aella flushed deeply and shook her head.

"Some other time!" she said. "I should retire to my room."

"Pity. Until we meet again, Miss Aella." Avaric kissed her hand and walked away.

Aella watched him leave and sighed almost dreamily.

"Well, that was something to watch," said Fiyero and she jumped sky high. "Come on."

He brought her back to the room at the base of the tower and Castle kindly opened the door for him. He set the food and drink down on a small table.

"Eat up, get some rest," he said.

Aella seemed surprised. Fiyero stepped out and closed the door. If she was a threat he doubted Castle would have allowed her entry.

Still, he didn't trust her.

He sat down on the stairs, guarding the entrance to Elphaba's Tower. He was not going to let her get hurt.

He watched the light move under Aella's door. About an hour later, it mostly went out with just a faint glow signaling the fire was still going.

Fiyero went up the stairs to keep watch by Elphaba's side so he could be there if she needed anything.

For the first time since his curse began, he was glad he couldn't sleep.

He lit the candle as always and placed it where it would be in her view from her bed. He glanced in to find her sleeping on her right side, her left kept propped up by a pillow. Her brow was furrowed like she was in pain and she looked exhausted.

Fiyero sat down in front of the trunk and kept his eyes on the door and windows. He did not want to run the risk of some Bird getting in here and spying or harming Elphaba.

Nothing was going to harm his Fae.

Oz, she'd probably stick his head up a tree if he ever referred to her that way out loud.

Elphaba gasped sharply.

"Fiyero?"

He jumped and stayed still. Maybe she'd go back to sleep.

The door creaked open and blankets rustled. One dropped to the ground beside him and Elphaba came out after.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Want me to get you those tablets?"

She nodded slightly and he fetched the bottle and a glass of water appeared next to them. He gave her two and she swallowed them back, making a face. They must have tasted bad. Fiyero found a box of chocolates on the table by her chair and brought it to her. She plucked one out and popped it into her mouth, sucking on it to chase away the bad flavor of medicine.

Fiyero put the box back and sat next to her to prepare himself for the lecture on private space.

Rather than do that, Elphaba shivered and rested her head on his shoulder. He put an arm around her, wishing he had real body heat to share.

Elphaba picked up her crystal ball.

"Show me the soldiers," she said.

Red fog filled the crystal ball then cleared showing the soldiers approach Vadallet Du.

"What are we going to do now, Captain?" one man asked.

"We lie low," said Ione. "This was a fool's errand by that idiot Jarrod anyhow. Now that I'm in charge we can focus on the long-term. That witch and scarecrow won't know what hit them."

They entered the stables and seemed confuzzled as to why there was no hay or buckets or anything to tend to the horses.

"If this is some sort of prank that girl will be in a new world of pain!" Ione snarled and stormed into the castle. "ABBEE!"

Guess Elphaba made the right call.

It did give Fiyero a sense of Schadenfreude upon seeing the soldiers realize everything was missing down to their undergarments and toothbrushes.

"I told Jarrod we needed to leave men guarding here!" Ione growled. "Clearly we were betrayed! ABBEE!"

She must mean Aella. Ten years and they couldn't get the kid's name right?

"They don't suspect us yet," Elphaba murmured. "It won't last forever. I want to steal everything they have stolen. I want to give money back to people. I want to figure out that teleportation spell so I can come to their aid when the soldiers try to take it back."

"They'll know it's you," said Fiyero.

"Yes, but I want to see their other bases first," said Elphaba. "They're going to try them all before they suspect us."

Fiyero hummed. They watched the army march to another castle to the south. It wasn't far but it was in worse shape than Vadallet Du. Fiyero went to the map on Elphaba's desk and marked the castle there. It had a village.

Ione shouted at the lieutenant there and checked the vault while the men spread the word of Jarrod's demise.

"Tonight we rest," said Ione. "Feed the horses. Tomorrow we find the rats who stole from us."

"And we'll be ready," Elphaba murmured and waved her hand over the crystal ball. "Alert me when they start to move."

It glowed brightly then returned to its clear form. Elphaba handed it to Fiyero and returned her head to his shoulder.

"This is all my fault," Fiyero sighed. "If I wasn't such a horrendible person maybe none of this would have happened."

"You don't know that."

"I know I wouldn't have helped matters," he muttered. "I wish I could tell the Bog Fairy I've changed. No kiss required."

"We'll do good," said Elphaba. "I know we can. And maybe when those soldiers are broken up she'll decide it is enough and free you."

"You should get some more rest," said Fiyero. "I can keep watch."

"Did Chistery get to bed okay?" she asked.

"Mm…"

She lifted her head to give him a stern look. "Fiyero."

"I'll go check on him," he said.

"Help me to my chair," she said. "I need to sit up a while."

He nodded and did just that, laying two blankets over her lap.

At the top of the stairs, he pulled the bracket to make it a slide. He could have done that to begin with and he knew she would point it out to him when she wasn't dizzy with pain.

He made it down in time to see the stragglers stumble out to their carriages and horses. Chistery was still in the ballroom, curled up on the king's throne, a small smile on his face.

Fiyero scooped him up and carried him to bed.

"Fresh dreams," he murmured, laying a blanket over him.

On his way back to Elphaba, he quietly opened the door to Aella's room. Mainly to see if she was still there.

She flinched, revealing she was awake, and cowered under the blanket. Fiyero closed the door and put the stairs to Elphaba's tower back to rights.

The green girl in question was awake but looked deeply uncomfortable.

"Fae? What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm just tired," she said. "My neck stretches the wrong way sitting up, but lying down I keep turning onto my shoulder."

"Well, if it isn't too bold," said Fiyero. "I could hold you steady while you sleep."

He cringed, waiting for her to shout or roll her eyes.

"Okay," she said softly.

Fiyero relaxed and helped her to her feet once more, keeping her steps steady. He climbed into the box bed first and settled down. She was next, wincing in pain as she adjusted.

Finally, she relaxed, burying her face into his chest and breathing in deeply.

"I like the smell of hay," she mumbled. "You smell nice."

"Well, thank you very much," said Fiyero, moving his arms around her to hold her steady while avoiding her shoulder.

They could have been on stone or a cloud for all he knew, but he felt her. Her leg between his own, her breath on his wooden neck, her hair against his cheek, her fingers clinging to his shirt, and every small shift she made.

"Chistery is fast asleep," he said. "All tuckered out from playing."

"Nn. Good."

Fiyero thought he felt her heart beat against where his should have been.

"Fae?"

"Nn?"

"Do you think we could have a future together? Even if my curse isn't broken?"

"Mmhm."

He smiled and kissed her temple.

"I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"Nn."

Oh. She was asleep. Probably had been since her head hit the pillow.

Fiyero tried not to feel too disappointed and instead focused on keeping her steady. Maybe it was better. He shouldn't ask to be in her bed and then confess his love to her.

What was he even expecting? That she would leap for joy? Kiss him senselessly and then his curse would melt away under her touch?

Why should she even believe him when he had hurt her so badly? She wouldn't believe it. Even worse, she might think he was making fun of her.

No. It was better to keep things as they were. He'd rather remain a scarecrow forever and be by her side, than try to love someone else.

But what if she was okay with him as he was?

These thoughts danced in circles around his head until the candle spluttered out and the sky lightened. Fiyero was glad Elphaba got the extra sleep instead of trying to wake up at her usual seven. Ten was much more reasonable, especially after last night's events.

Elphaba shifted and breathed in deeply.

"Morning," Fiyero murmured.

"Mm… good morning." She yawned and burrowed closer.

He couldn't have been all that comfortable, but he was elated that she sought it from him anyway.

"Get a little more rest," he said and held up the crystal ball, which was steadfastly clear. "Nothing yet."

A knock came at the bedroom door.

"Miss Elphaba?" Aella called. "Do you require assistance?"

Elphaba cleared her throat.

"Yes, give me a moment," she replied and eased onto her back.

Fiyero supported her so all her weight wouldn't crash onto her shoulder. She climbed out and closed the doors on him.

"Did you sleep?" Elphaba asked.

"A little, Miss," said Aella. "And it's not that I wouldn't want to be your assistant, but I understand if you would prefer someone better suited. I know the scullery."

"Well, we don't really have a need for scullery maids," said Elphaba. "Castle provides hot water, tends the fires, and food appears on our table ready to serve. We only cook if we feel like it or want to make something special. People have been hired on in order to maintain the castle and keep her clean and I could place you with them I suppose, but I don't quite trust you yet and would prefer to keep you where I can see you."

"What would be my duties?"

"Until my shoulder heals, I'll need you to be an extra pair of hands for me," said Elphaba. "You'll also be a time keeper, making sure I take sufficient breaks for meals. I may also have you acquire things that I may need. Extra paper, ink for my pens, books from the shelves, that sort of thing. Think you can handle it?"

"Yes, Miss."

"And just know here and now, I'm not a patient person but I won't harm you for being slow or messing up. I won't be happy about it, but you have nothing to fear."

"Anything would be a dream compared to the nightmares behind me," said Aella.

"I understand," said Elphaba.

Fiyero knew he had a heart, because it was breaking.

Elphaba knocked on the bed door.

"You can come out now," she said.

He crawled out, feeling a bit sheepish as he did so, despite the fact nothing happened between him and Elphaba, even if they wanted it to.

"Forgive me!" Aella gasped. "I hadn't—"

Elphaba held up a hand. "Prince Scarecrow does not need sleep, so he was making sure I did not injure my shoulder further. He typically stays in his own quarters. Come now, let us go to breakfast."

Fiyero would be glad when she was back to her usual self. This prim, proper, polite Elphaba had a knack for making him feel like he was in trouble for no reason at all. He just told himself she was swallowing her pain.

Aella pointedly kept Elphaba between her and him. She looked a bit better than yesterday. She wore the wool dress Elphaba gave her and her face had been washed. She still had a shiner on her eye and her hair—newly washed—was still dull and mousy but wrangled into a bun and decorated with a beautiful wooden comb that seemed to be about the size of the gift Avaric had given her.

Elphaba pulled the bracket to turn the stairs to a slide and led the way down.

Aella gasped in amazement and followed with a muffled shriek.

Fiyero tucked the crystal ball into his pocket before following.

There were a few guests for the night but they had already left according to the butler Galinda hired.

Galinda, Chistery, and Dr. Dillamond were already at the dining table.

"Everyone, this is Aella," said Elphaba. "She's my new assistant."

Aella nodded her head politely.

"Have a seat," said Elphaba, taking a seat next to Chistery.

"I'm glad you made a decision, Elphie," said Galinda. "I thought this was going to be like pulling teeth!"

Galinda had a huge bandage over her ear and her hair wasn't even styled, instead hidden under a brightly patterned scarf. There were still a few streaks of dried blood on her neck and forehead.

"You feeling alright, Gal?" Fiyero asked.

"I took these pills and my ear still hurts," she said, though she didn't seem to really care one way or the other. Then her face twisted up. "What am I going to do? I can't walk around with just one ear!"

"Well, I don't have any ears," said Fiyero. "So you're already in a hundred percent better shape than I am."

Galinda threw a muffin at him.

"Oh, one ear and suddenly you're not the most beautiful woman in the world anymore?" Elphaba scoffed.

The blonde beamed and went on chattering away at twice the speed than usual.

"It's the pain tablets," Dr. Dillamond murmured to Fiyero.

"How can you tell?" he replied and the old goat laughed.

After breakfast, Elphaba wanted to go to the library to show Aella their work area. Fiyero followed along intending to shadow Elphaba until she yelled at him to get back to his own duties.

He opened the doors and Aella gasped, looking around in wonder.

"I've never seen so many books in my life!" she breathed and looked at Elphaba. "This place is wonderful!"

Elphaba smiled slightly. "This way, we'll begin by making a list of books for you to read in order to better assist me."

Fiyero heard faint voices and removed the crystal ball from his pocket.

"Fae," he said.

She looked at it and took it so the smoke could clear the rest of the way.

"Actually, we have something else we need to do first," she said.