Taking it back

[emeraldroad]

Hey, I've been saying that if I could get around to it, I would post my ff that I've been writing on ff.net. It's my very first one (and personally I think I could do better with a little more practice . oh well) but I'm happy that people seem to like it . So, tell me what you think! P.S. Please excuse my grammer, tense usage, or spelling mistakes. (I'll post the prologue and the 1rst chapter since they're pretty short. You'll find the chapters have different lengths. I'll post more if people like it.)
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize from the book or play does not belong to me.
Taking it Back

Prologue

Glinda stood looking out the window, watching the wild festivities below. There were tears running down her cheeks as she clutched a large, old book to her chest. The Grimmerie. The only thing Glinda had to remind her of her dear friend. It had been exactly one year since she'd been melted, and while the people below were celebrating her death, she was up in her room crying and dreading when she would have to make an appearance. But she knew she had to. With a large sigh, she reached out and closed the window. "My, my, my." a mocking voice said behind her. She sharply turned around to see the Wizard leaning on his cane, surrounded by a few members of the Gale Force. "And to think I half expected to see Glinda the Good to be out celebrating the death of Oz's most hated enemy. But, no. Instead she mourns it." Glinda glared at him.

"What are you doing here?! I believe I told you to leave!,"

"And I did, my dear. But, suprisingly, it took me about six months to realize what I had left behind. So, I decided to return. It has taken me a while to gather up all my old friends back" he gestured toward the Gale Force "but now I believe I have enough to take back what is rightfully mine! Arrest her!" The Force grabbed Glinda, snatching the Grimmerie away from her, and dragged her to the Wizard. The Wizard lifted her glaring eyes up to meet his own. "Glinda the...Apparently-Not-So-Good," the Force snickered "you are under arrest for previously aiding, sympathizing, and collaborating with the Wicked Witch of the West."

Chapter 1
A month later, far off in the Vinkus, Elphaba woke to the sound of rumbling thunder. She carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake her husband, and walked over to the window, her arms crossed. She gazed curiously at the pouring rain. It had been raining for a week straight, but the Wet Season had already passed two months ago. Afterwards, it usually only rained for a day if it rained at all. She was beginning to feel that something wasn't right.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft groan. She turned to see her husband, Fiyero, just starting to wake up. Elphaba smiled. They had been married for almost a year, their anniversary only two days away. She excitedly brought a green hand down to her lower abdomen, knowing that she had the perfect suprise for him. She couldn't wait to tell himon their special day.

She walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. Slowly, Fiyero opened his eyes and smiled as he saw his wife sitting over him.

"Morning, Fae." he sat up and kissed her.

"Hungry?"

"Starving."

After breakfast, Fiyero went out hunting, unhappily groaning since he had to hunt in the rain. While he was gone, Elphaba sat in a chair by the fire she had made. She was reading a book that she had found in Kiamo Ko. She fondly looked around the small, comfortable house as her thoughts trailed to when they had been found in Kiamo Ko by Fiyero's younger brother, Kaphion (KAY-fee-on).

They had been living in Kiamo Ko for only two weeks when he had found them. He had become the new prince and had inherited the large castle after Fiyero had been presumed dead. Elphaba chuckled as she remembered his shocked expression when he found out that not only was the Scarecrow with the Wicked Witch of the West, but that he was also his thought-to-be-dead brother. However, instead of turning them in, he decided to secretly help them. And helped them he has. He was the one who gave Elphaba the solution on how to make Fiyero human again. When they had told him the story on how Fiyero became a Scarecrow and had explained that once a spell has been cast it can't be taken off, he had said, as if it was the most obvious thing in Oz, "Well...why don't you just cast another spell to make him human to cover the first one?" That had encouraged Elphaba to use every part of her brain in trying to remember a spell from the Grimmerie that she could use. The best she could come up with, though, was a curse that would change someone into a different creature. Probably a curse used to change princes into frogs or something like that she thought. She recited it the best she could, trying many times before Fiyero finally became human.

Kaphion had also even found an old, blind priest to marry them. He had offered to leave Kiamo Ko and let them have it, but they knew that that would arouse too much suspicion. So with grateful good-byes, they flew to almost the edge of the Outer Vinkus where they had found the small, abandoned house left with a few pieces of furniture. At first they had thought it a little unusual that a house was in a forest in the middle of nowhere, with the furniture still there no less, but it really didn't matter as long as they had a place to stay. There were two rooms: an upstairs and a downstairs. Downstairs, there was a stove and pantry on one end and a fireplace, a couch, and chairs and a table on the other with the staircase near the back wall. Upstairs, there was a two-person bed, a wardrobe, and a mirror. At first it had been filthy and covered with dust, but after a little cleaning up it was very cozy.

Elphaba felt like she should be extremely happy. She had a home, a husband, and now even a little "suprise"on the way. But as she listened to the loud thunder outside, she couldn't help but feel something was wrong.

Want more?

[I Will Be Popular]

Me want more! I have a feeling what the surprise is, but I won't say...

[emeraldroad]

Here's some more:
Chapter 2
Suddenly, Elphaba heard the door burst open and turned to see a very worried and very wet Fiyero. "Yero, what's...?" she noticed he was empty handed "Why haven't you caught anything? Losing your touch? That's a shame, you were very good at..."

"Elphaba, he's back. The Wizard is back in power." The playful grin on Elphaba's face quickly vanished.

"Fiyero, please, don't even joke about..."

"Elphie it's true. He's been back for about a month now. And not only him, but Horrible Morrible, too. He set her free and apparently she thinks that you might still be alive." Elphaba looked into Fiyero's eyes and saw that he telling the truth. The Wizard was back, Morrible was free, and Morrible had suspicions that she wasn't really dead. As another roll of thunder rang out, she realized that would explain why the rain hadn't stopped.

"But...how do you know? I mean, how did you find out?"

"Well, that's another thing." he shut the door and sat down beside her on the couch, takingher green hand in his own. "I don't think we're safe here anymore. You see, when I was just about to shoot the deer (and don't worry, it was a deer not a Deer)I had found, another shot rang out somewhere and killed it first. I stayed hidden as I saw two men come out to claim it. I recognized by their uniforms that they were members of the old Gale Force.They were loudly saying things to each other, and I stressed to hear what they were saying over the thunder. They were complaining about having to be out in the rain andone of them said 'Who does this Wizard think he is anyway! I mean, he leaves us for half a year and just decides to show up again from out of nowhere!' The other one nodded and said 'Yeah, and what about that Morrible? She's sending us here on a wild goose chase! What makes her so sure that the Witch of the West is still alive? There were witnesses who saw her die!' They carried the deer off and I wanted to follow them, but I knew I had to come back and tell you.," Elphaba stayed quiet, trying to let all ofthis sink in. After a while her eyes went wide. "What about Glinda?!"she said now more worried than ever"What's happened to her?" Fiyero's eyes went wide, too. "I...I don't know." Elphaba quicklystood up and said "Fiyero, hurry and help me get our stuff. We're paying your brother a little visit."

"No, Elphie, it's not safe!" he stood up and grabbed her arm as shewas starting towardsthe stairs "I know the Force's camp must be somewhere close, but I'd like to find out exactly wherebefore wedo anything."

"Fiyero, I can't just sit here and do NOTHING while Glinda might be in DANGER! I know the Wizard isn't going to tolerate her after her banishing him! Especially since she's the one who's supposed to be ruling Oz!"

"Elphaba, you're not thinking straight! What if the Gale Force is at Kiamo Ko?! What if they see us as we're flying there?! Elphie, we have to be careful!" Elphaba glared into his eyes, but she knew he was right. His hard expression softened ashe saw her eyes cast downin defeat. He enveloped her in a tight hug and buried his face in her long, black hair "I'm sorry, Fae. But there's not much we can do right now. Tomorrow I'll go and find where the Force's camp is and then we can start deciding what to do. Ok?" Elphaba nodded as she put her arms around her husband.She squeezed him tightly before she lifted her face up and kissed him long and hard.

"Just one more thing." she said as they pulled away.

"What's that, darling?"

"You didn't catch anything. What are we going to eat tonight?" They chuckled as Fiyero leaned down and kissed her again.

Chapter 3
The next morning, Fiyero left early to find where the camp was. Even though they had decided to wait before doing anything, Elphaba packed up what they had, her mind set on leaving as soon as possible. She had to know what was going on, and Kaphion was her best source of information. After she had gathered their few belongings, she worked on the gift she had made for Fiyero for their anniversary to calm her. It was a broom of his own that she had stressed to enchant so that it could fly. She had found the materials to make it easily enough, but putting it together and remembering the spell was a little bit more difficult than she cared to admit. But eventually she managed it and it didn't look (or fly) half bad. It just need to be smoothed a little more and some of the bristles were uneven. She sighed knowing that she couldn't hide it on their trip, so she would have to give it to him today. But there was still the other suprise so there was still something to look foward to.
She then stopped all of a sudden and listened. The rain had stopped and she could hear footsteps rushing towards the door. She quickly stood up as Fiyero rushed through the door and said quickly "Elphaba we have to leave NOW, the camp is much closer than I thought! It's only a matter of hours before they find us!"

"I suspected just as much." she picked up the satchel that contained her thingshanded the broom to him "Here!" she said giving him a quick kiss "Happy anniversary!" She rushed out the door, grabbing her own broom as she went, and lept on to it as quickly as she could. She only looked back for a second as she saw Fiyero leap on to his new broom, stumbling a while as he got control of it. Elphaba was happy she had taught him how to fly before this. Otherwise, it could have created a nasty mess.

The rain had stopped but it was still pretty dark out, creating a fairly good cover. Fiyero caught up to her, softly guiding her where not to fly so they wouldn't run into the Gale Force. Kiamo Ko was still a long while away, and they had to be as quiet as possible.

Glinda was down in the City's dungeon, softly crying to herself. She had been kept here for so long she was sure they had forgotten about her. She was filthy, her clothes were torn, and her petite, delicate body was covered with scars, bruises, and cuts, both old and recent. She painfully remembered the first time she had been brought down here, after being beaten and humiliated by the Wizard himself. He had had her publicly tied to the ground as he had whipped the first few lashes on her back. By the time he had finished she had passed out. The next thing she knew, she had woken up in this cell, with only the torn remains of her clothes and the new deep gashes bleeding heavily on her back. This was her sentence. For "being the Wicked Witch of the West's ally" she was to suffer and rot in prison. The people, her people, had done nothing about it. They were glad that their "treacherous leader" was suffering. Only one person had spoken for her. The Tin Woodsman, who had used to be her friend Boq. The people didn't take too kindly with him as her spoke in her defense, when her public trial had taken place. She didn't know exactly what they had done with him, but she knew it couldn't have been good. But I'm sure it was no worse than what has happened to me she thought mournfully.

She then heard footsteps coming down the long hallway and stood up, thinking it was the guard bringing her food. But it was the Wizard being followed by many guards. He ordered her door unlocked and walked inside the cell.She glared at him as he looked her over and smiled cruelly. "And how is dear Glinda the Actually-Not-So-Good today?" he sneered. As the guards snickered, she tried to think up a witty remark, something that Elphie might say...

"Oh, that's very clever. Tell me, do you think up those clever remarks in your tower all by yourself while your not destorying people's lives?Or do you just make them up on the spot?" was what she came out with and it certainly did stop the guards snickers, but the Wizard was looking at her with an amused expression.

"Extraodinary. You almost seemed like the Witch just then. Even when you're at your lowest point you still choose show disrespect to your superiors. And no, actually, I hire a professional to think them up for me while I destroy other people's lives.," Glinda gave him a hateful look as the guards snickered once more."Anyway, my dear Glinda...," he waved the guards away and they left with discouraged faces. He then walked closer to her until he was barely an inch away from her face" I came to tell you that I have a very good reason to believe that my 'beloved daughter' might still be alive." Glinda's eyes widened in shock.

"You...your...your LYING! THAT CAN'T BE! I SAW HER MELT!"

"SILENCE!"he back handed her across her face. She clutched it in shock and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I don't want everyone to know yet!" he hissed. His face softened back into his calm expression. "Anyway, Madam Morrible had a lot of time to herself when you imprisoned her in this very cell. She soon realized that there was no possible way she could have melted. She was physically a normal human (except for the mere color of her skin) and water cannot melt humans, no matter how 'evil' they seem to be. She then used another one of her special talents to reach out and try to feel the magic that would be surrounding the green girl if she was still alive. She has felt it, and Madam Morrible is seldom wrong about these sort of things. She has sent the Gale Force to all parts of Oz, so it won't be long until the green Witch is found. Guards!" The guards came rushing back and locked the door as the Wizard turned out of the cell. He then sent them ahead as he smirked and took one last look at Glinda and began to leave. Glinda stood there in shock as she watched the Wizard's retreating back.

"WAIT!" she shouted. The Wizard turned once more "What are you going to do with her when you find her?"

"Well, she is MY daughter," he replied as he turned to leave once more "and as I told you before, I plan to take back what is rightfully mine!,"

When Glinda heard the door slam as the Wizard left, she sank down to her knees and wept freely. "Oh, Elphie," she whispered "if you're really still alive...please be careful!"

(NOTE): As for people who have read this on FF.net, you'll notice this is an editted (PG) version. I'm not sure if I should keep this PG-13 or not. Better safe than sorry ;D.

[emeraldroad]

Is no one reading this ?

[I Will Be Popular]

I am! ;D

[emeraldroad]

Oh, OK. Thanks ;D! I'm gonna post as soon as I can, I just need advice on whether this should be rated PG-13 on R (I've decided I don't like the PG version :.

[I Will Be Popular]

Hey, it's up to you. I think everyone is mature enough to handle anything.

[emeraldroad]

OK . (btw I love your signature!)

[I Will Be Popular]

Thanks! ;D I love your story!

[emeraldroad]

Okay the. I guess this is going to be rated PG-13, but I am still going to change one or two things. So, if your still interested , enjoy:
(NOTE): Just in case your wondering, people of Oz still don't know the wizard is human. At Glinda's trial, they thought he was just the torturer...you know? He just wanted the full pleasure of hurting Glinda himself...Well now that that's cleared up...

Chapter 4
It was late at night when Elphaba and Fiyero reached Kiamo Ko. Fiyero carefully flew around the castle to make sure the Gale Force wasn't there as Elphaba stayed hidden in the trees. Her green skin and dark clothes blending in very well with tree's leaves and bark, Fiyero almost didn't see her when he motioned that it was safe.They flew to the balcony that extended from the master bedroom and quietly landed. "I'll check to see if Kaphion's in there." Fiyero said as he edged towards the opening, tightly gripping his broom.He peered inside.
"Well?" Elphaba said, a little impatient "he is in there?" Fiyero turned around nodding, clearly trying very hard not to laugh.

"He's in there all right" he squeaked " but I don't think he's exactly alone." Elphaba raised an eyebrow as she slid over and peeked inside. She could see the large bed and it clearly was holding more than one person. She could also see movement and hear faint moans of pleasure, and she also tried not to burst out laughing.

"So, now what?" Fiyero said "should we wait?"

"Nah." Elphaba managed to answer "Who knows when they'll stop?"

"OK then, but if he tries to kill us, you'll be first!" He moved closer to the entrance and knocked as loudly as he could. Elphaba could barely supress a giggle as she heard cries of shock and theheavy ruffling coming from the room.

"WHO'S THERE?" an angry, male voice shouted "WHO ARE YOU?"

"THE SEX PATROL!" Fiyero shouted back "WE'VE COME TO BE SURE YOUR PROPERLY PROTECTED!" At this, Elphaba had to at least let out a chuckle.

Kaphion's eyes widened as he heard his brother's mocking voice come from the balcony. "Oh! Um...Inchea (in-CHEE-uh), darling, I'm terribly sorry about this but...um" he reached down and picked up his new wife's clothes "you need to get out for a moment." he finishing, blushing with embarassment.

"What! But why? Who are those people, Kay? Why are they here? What do they want?"

"I'm sorry Chee," he said, pulling his pants on "but...well...it's complicated. I'll explain everything later. Promise." He threw one of his shirts over her, rushed her out the door, and handed her clothes back to her. "Go to the empty Guest Room down the hall and I'll be there in a minute. But, please don't come back in without at least knocking."

"Kaphion, what is going on? Your scaring me, my love. Darling, are you in trouble?"

"Please Chee, try to understand." he said pleadingly "I am VERY VERY sorry about all this, but I just can't tell you right now. I'll tell you later. I swear!" He gave her a quick kiss and angrily turned as he shut the door, his face red with anger and humiliation.

He saw his older brotherand his wife standing near the bed, looking like they were about to explode with laughter. "WHAT IN OZ'S NAME IS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU COULDN'T HAVE WAITED UNTIL AT LEAST MORNING?" he hissed through his clenched teeth. By then, Elphaba and Fiyero couldn't take it anymore.Their laughter escaped so loudly, that Kaphion had to rush over and try to cover their mouths. "Shut up!" he said "You want the whole palace to hear! Anyway it's NOT FUNNY!"

"Yes it is." Fiyero said still grinning.

"But what do you mean the whole palace?" Elphaba said after calming down "Are there others here?"

"Yes. Almost the whole family. They came for my wedding celebration. The whole damn castle, except for one room, is full. I just hope you haven't woken anyone up!"

"I don't think we have." Fiyero said "All the Guest Rooms, except for the one down the hall,are in the other tower. So I don't think anyone has heard us. And congrads on your wedding, Little Bro!"

"Still" said Kaphion still very annoyed "Why did you come here at this time of night? And on my wedding night no less."

"It's a long story" Elphaba said "So I suppose it could wait until morning. So, I guess,you can go have your wedding night after all!"

"Humph" Kaphion said "Well, if you need me, I'll be in the GUEST ROOM (of all places to spend your wedding night so I suggest you DO NOT disturb me again). You two can have this room.But don't leave until I come and get you in the morning!"

As he opened the door to go Fiyero called out "Hold on! You never assured me you were properly protected!" The door slammed shut as Elphaba giggled once more. Fiyero then looked at the bed and grinned mischievously at his wife. "Well Fae, our anniversary is tomorrow" he said seductively, sliding his arms around Elphaba's waist "and there no reason to let a perfectly good 'marriage bed' go to waste. So...since you gave me my gift early how bout I give you one of your gifts right now?" He began kissing her neck as he led her over to the bed.

"But wait!" Elphaba said smiling "Are you properly protected?"

"Well, you are just gonna have wait and find out!"

They chuckled as they fell onto the bed, kissing each other passionately...

Chapter 5
Fiyero woke up the next morning with his arms around Elphaba. He smiled and kissed her bare shoulder as her eyes slowly opened. She turned her body to look at her husband.
"Morning, Fae! Happy anniversary!" Fiyero said. Elphaba smiled. "Oh, I can't wait any longer!" he continued "I have to give you your...other...present now!" He gently released her and reached down over his edge of the bed and sorted through his clothes.

"Oh really?" Elphaba said sitting up, raising an eyebrow playfully "I thought you gave me all you had last night, and I must say it was quite...sufficient."

"Only sufficient!" he said, rising back up "Well if it was so sufficient, I guess you won't be wanting this?" He held up a gold chain with a little, flat, hexagon-shaped ruby surrounded by smaller, similarly-shaped diamonds dangling from the middle.

"Yero" she gasped "it's absolutely gorgeous!"

" It was my great-grandmother's. My mother gave it to me before I went to Shiz, to give it to my 'one true love when I found her'. That's the main reason they even sent me to Shiz in the first place. To find a bride for myself. And, well" he slid behind her and she raised her hair up as he clasped the necklace around her neck "I'm positive that I have definitely found her." He put his hands on her shoulders as he planted small kisses on the side of her neck. Elphaba moaned and brought his hands down to chest.

"You know" she said softly "I have another suprise for you, too."

"Oh? And what might that be?" he said between kisses.

"Well, Yero my Hero, I'm going to..." but before she could say have a baby,the door opened and Kaphion walked in. They both looked up as he said "Well, guys, the guests are just leaving and..." he cut off as he saw what he had just interrupted. "AH HA!" he exclaimed pointing at them "Now we're EVEN! You catch me with my wife, and I catch you with yours!" Elphaba was both relieved and embarassed that Fiyero's hands were still covering her chest. She brought the sheet up to her chest and Fiyero placed his hands back on her shoulders.

"Alright" Fiyero said,trying to look unnerved "fine, you caught us. So we're even."

"By the way, dear brother, I certainly hope you're 'properly protected'?"

"Are you kidding? Proper protection is rare and expensive! Especially around here!"

"Then what made you think I had any?"

"Like I said: we're even."

Elphaba grinned as she rolled her eyes. "So Kaphion." she said "What did you want?"

"Well, as I was saying, the guests are just leaving and I was wondering if you would like to join my wife and me for breakfast in the Banquet Hall?"

"We'd love to." Elphaba replied "Just let us put on...something more appropriate."

"Alright then" he said bowing "I shall see you soon then." He walked out the door, but before he shut it, he turned back and said "And, by the way, about my wife" his voice went lower "I have told her all about you and she's extremely nervous about meeting you so...be gentle, huh?" he smiled and closed the door.

"Well, Fae" Fiyero said, getting out of bed "I guess we'd better get going. But, what did you want to tell me?"

"Um...I think I'll leave it a suprise a little while longer.I have a feeling I'm going to need something look forward to today. I have a lot of questions to ask your little brother."

After they were dressed, Fiyero and Elphaba went down to the Banquet Hall. They saw Kaphion sitting with his wife, who was looking very nervous. "Fiyero, Elphaba" Kaphion said " this is my wife, Inchea. Chee, darling, this is my brother and his wife, Elphaba."

"Ch-ch-charmed, I'm sure." she stuttered with a weak smile. Elphaba smiled as looked at her young sister-in-law. She was a slightly plump, pretty thing with kind brown eyes and dark sandy hair.

"Please, sit down" Kaphion said "Fiyero, come sit across from me. Elphaba you can sit across from Chee. That's great. So, now, tell me, what brings you to Kiamo Ko since you obviously didn't come for the wedding?"

"Kaphion" Fiyero said "We heard that the Wizard and Madame Morrible are back in power. Is it true?" The smile on Kaphion's face vanished. He gave a large sigh and said "Yes, I'm afaid. It is true. But how did you find out?" They gave an account of what had happened two days earlier up to point when they arrived at Kiamo Ko. When they were done, Inchea nodded. "It was right of you to come here." she said "I've always disliked the Wizard, and Kaphion and I would be pleased to help in any way we can."

"Could you tell us about Glinda?" Elphaba asked "What's happened to her?" Kaphion and Inchea quickly glanced worriedly at each other.

"Sh-she was arrested and tried at a public hearing for callaborating with...you" Inchea said relunctantly "They...whipped her in front of the entire Emerald City and sentenced her to life inprisonment." Elphaba's eyes widened in shock and anger.My best friend was beaten and imprisoned because of ME! she thought.

"But that's not all theWizard has done." Kaphion said with disgust "He's allowed slavery to be legal. The Gale Force is raiding Munchkinland left and right and selling the Munchkins as slaves all over Oz. He reason for this is 'The Wicked Witches of the West and the East were both born to Munchkin parents. Clearly evil must run through Munchkin veins. We must supress them before they can give birth to another wicked witch!' And people are actually buying this shit! Elphaba! Hey, wait! Where're you going!" Elphaba had lept from her chair and was running out the door, anger and sadness carved on her face.

"Elphaba!" Fiyero shouted.

"No, don't!" Inchea said as Fiyero started to get up "Give her some time to herself. Poor thing. What she must be feeling!"

[defygravity13]

That is the one of the bestest Wicked fics on FF.Net!Wooo!!

[emeraldroad]

*blushes* Thanks.

[TrChSpHa13]

Wow thats a great fan fiction. More plz.

[emeraldroad]

I'm glad you guys like this!! I'm not getting many reviews at FF.net anymore, so it's nice to hear your positive reviews! I'm feeling very happy today, so I'll post 3 chapters instead of 2.

Chapter 6
Elphaba ran straight to the bedroom, slammed the door and quickly paced the room, trying to hold tears back. Glinda arrested, she thought Munchkinland in trouble, suspicions that I'm alive, Morrible released, WIZARD BACK IN POWER! She collapsed on the bed and buried her face in the pillow, letting a few tears escape. She hear the door knock and softly open.

"Fae?" she heard Fiyero's voice say. She heard him walk towards the bed and sit down next to her, running his fingers through her hair. "Listen Fae, I don't exactly know what I can do, but I promise I will do something about all this."

"No," Elphaba said sitting up "we will do something. Before you say anything" she added quickly when she saw Fiyero about to protest "I just want to remind you that it's my fault all this is happening, and I should be the one to..."

"No, Elphaba" said Inchea coming in with Kaphion behind her "It's the Wizard's fault, not yours. And I promise that we will do everything in our power to help you."

"Inchea, I don't want to put you and Kaphion at risk." she replied "Don't worry. Fiyero and I can handle it. We'll think of something."

"Besides," said Fiyero agreeing "you two still have a honeymoon to get to. And Elphaba's right, this is our responsibility. If we need your help we'll call, ok?"

"But what do you plan to do?" Kaphion said "Now that the Wizard thinks you're still alive, it'll be more dangerous than ever for you."

"You mean more dangerous than usual." Elphaba said "I've been able stay hidden while actively working against the Wizard before, and I'm sure I could do it again."

"And the Wizard doesn't know I'm still alive." Fiyero added "So I'll be ok."

"Are you sure?" Inchea said. Fiyero and Elphaba nodded "Then I guess the first step would be to find someplace safe to stay."

"I know where." Elphaba said "When I was 'still alive' I lived in a cave in the Madeleines near the Emerald City. If the Force hasn't found it, it will be a perfect place to hide."

"When do you plan to leave?"

"Tonight." Fiyero said, unexepectedly. Elphaba looked at him in suprise. "Well" he said "I care about Glinda, too. And besides I owe her. She stopped the Gale Force from killing me on the spot once, and I won't let her suffer now. So I think we should leave early as possible, right?" Elphaba smiled, knowing that the other reason he wanted to leave that night was because he knew she wanted to leave right away.

"Alright." Kaphion said, still a bit unsure "But if one or both of you get in trouble, we're going to help. Deal?"

"Deal." Fiyero said.

"Well" Inchea said "shall we go eat now?"

"Sure." Fiyero said "Come on, Fae. It'll make you feel better." Elphaba didn't feel very hungry, but she knew she had to eat,if not for herself then for the baby. So she nodded and followed them back to the Banquet Hall. But she could only manage a few fruits and some bread, although Fiyero urged her to eat. She was too anxious and upset over what was happening

They spent the rest of the day in the gardens. Elphaba and Inchea took a walk. Inchea talked about her life before she was married while Elphaba quietly listened. She was apparently a princess from the Yunamata and her marriage to Kaphion had actually been arranged, as to create an alliance between the Arjikis and the Yunatamas. "But I was fortunate." Inchea explained "I fell in love with Kay the moment I met him. We were good friends by the time we were married.So, tell me about you and Fiyero. All I understand is that you knew each other in school?" Elphaba nodded. "Shiz University." Inchea said dreamily "I had always wanted to go there, but my father disapproves of girls getting a proper education. Well, anyway, how long have you and Fiyero actually been together?"

"We've been married for a year, if that's what you mean. Today is our anniversary."

"Really! Oh my! Well, happy anniversary! Is that necklace you're wearing your gift from him?" Elphaba reached down and gripped it. Shehad forgotten she had been wearing it.

"Yes." she answered.

"What did you give him?"

"A broom. It flies." she added as she saw Inchea's confused expression. "I actually have another suprise for him, but I have yet to tell him."

"Ooooo, what is it?"

"You won't tell anyone? Not even Kaphion?" Inchea nodded.

"Promise." she said. Elphaba took a deep breath.

"I'm pregnant." she said finally. She winced a bit as she heard Inchea squeal with delight. Elphaba quickly tried to hush her.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Inchea said "But, Elphaba, congradulations! Oh, Fiyero's going to be a father! How many months are you?"

"I only discovered it about a few weeks ago. I decided to tell Fiyero today, but now I think I can't tell him at all right now. If I did, he wouldn't want me to climb a staircase much less travel to the Emerald City."

"I understand. But at least tell him before he finds out on his own, ok? Good. Now lets go back and see what our husbands are up to."

That night, as Fiyero and Elphaba got ready to leave, Inchea pulled Elphaba to one side and whispered "Remember, please be very careful. Especially with your...condition." Elphaba agreed and pulled Inchea into a tight hug. After they said their good-byes, Fiyero and Elphaba headed off to the Emerald City.

Chapter 7
In the Wizard's chamber, Madame Morrible was pacing and muttering under her breath, while the Wizard sat in his armchair near the blazing fireplace. He watched the dancing flames as he gripped a green, glass bottle. This is the reason she was born green he thought, grasping the bottle even tighter. I should have known she was my daughter when I had first seen her. Regardless of the green skin, she looks so much like her mother. "I must get her back." he said out loud. Madame Morrible stopped her pacing and muttering and looked up at the back of his armchair. "I came back to take what rightfully belongs to me. Well, she certainly qualifies as mine. She is my flesh and blood." He turns his face around to look at Madame Morrible "And I do not want her harmed in any way! Is that clear?"
"But, sir, she is an enemy! She must be given an enemy's punishment of death! Besides, when the Gale Force finds her, they shall have to restrain her, and if I know Elphaba, she will not give in without a fight. They won't have any choice but to harm her at least a bit."

"I won't have my only child harmed! Enemy or not!" he said standing up, holding the bottle tight in his fist "I never had the chance to love her as a father, and I plan to make at least a little up to her." he brought his eyes down to the floor "What kind of father would I be if I killed my own daughter?"

"And what kind of ruler would you be if you didn't kill your own enemy?"Madame Morrible shot back. He looked up at her, glaring. "The people will turn against you if you do not get rid of her...for good." she continued. The Wizard gave her a cunning grin.

"That is why, my dear Madame, I choose not to tell the people that she is still alive. Once I have her back, I plan to keep her here away from the rest of Oz, where she will be safe. I shall explain to the guards that I want to use her for her powers, and that they are not to tell a soul about her existence until she agrees to join me." he lowered his eyes again "In which I know she never would."

"Very well, Your Ozness. If that is what you wish.," Madame Morrible said, still looking a bit disapproving "But how will you prevent the Gale Force from hurting her when she is captured? You know they must. She is a strong fighter." The Wizard looked back up and grinned again.

"Why do you think I kept Miss Glinda the Good alive? When Elphaba finds out what has happened to her (and I know she will, she is a very clever girl), I'm sure that she will attempt to free her imprisoned friend. I have ordered my best guards to stay hidden and let anyone go inside the prison, but to never let them come out unless they are properly identified; if the person looks suspicious, they are to close off all means of escape and alert me immediatly. So, when my determined little emerald-girl steps inside to save her dear friend and is recognized by the guards, she will be trapped until I come and get her." Madame Morrible raised an eyebrow and displayed a grin to match the Wizard's.

"So, you are using Miss Glinda as bait to catch her. But what do you plan to do with Miss Glinda afterwards?"

"Use her as leverage." the Wizard said shrugging "I'll threaten to destroy her if Elphaba ever tries to run away."

"And if Miss Elphaba succeeds in rescuing Miss Glinda?"

"She won't." the Wizard said, turning once again towards the fire "She mustn't!"

Chapter 8
Elphaba and Fiyero reached the cave that would serve as their new home the next night, stopping to rest during the day. It was close to morning when they landed at the entrance of the cave. "Witch's Haven" Elphaba whispered "That was what I used to call it. To remind me of why I had to stay hidden."
"Witch's Haven. Hmm. Home sweet home." Fiyero said as he peered inside. It certainly looked like a witch's haven. There wasn't much there except for a bedroll, a table with one stool, and a cualdron hanging over a circle of large stones, the perfect place to build a fire.

"I know it's not much" Elphaba said as she walked toward the bed "but it'll have to do." She dropped her satchel on the bedroll and jumped when she heard a shriek. A furry head poked itself out from the blanket and looked around. When he caught sight of Elphaba, it's eyes widened in amazment.

"Mistress!" it said "You alive!"

"Chistery!" Elphaba said, bringing the little monkey into a hug "Oh, Chistery, I've missed you!"

"Who?" Fiyero said behind her. Elphaba turned to him, holding the monkey in her arms.

"Yero, this is Chistery. Chistery, this is my husband Fiyero."

"Chistery, huh? One of the monkeys who pulled me apart in the woods?" Fiyero said, raising an eyebrow. Chistery looked up at Elphaba quizzically.

"Chistery pulled Mistress's husband apart in woods?" Chistery asked.

"Oh, well...you see Chistery, Fiyero was the Scarecrow with that girl, Dorothy, that I told you to get. Remember?" Chistery looked at Fiyero.

"He not look like Scarecrow. Scarecrow made of straw. He made of skin."

"I turned him into a human, and we're married now"

"Oh, well, Chistery sorry, husband of Mistress, for pulling husband of Mistress apart."

"It's alright, Chistery." Fiyero said, reaching out a hand to pat Chistery's head "And you can call me Fiyero."

"Well" Elphaba said, putting Chistery down "It's almost morning, and I'm pretty hungry, so I think I'll go out looking for something to eat. In the meantime, why don't you get some rest?"

"Elphaba, don't you think I should be the one to go?" Fiyero asked.

"I'll be okay, Yero." she said, kissing him on the cheek "I know these parts very well, so I'll be fine. Trust me. Try and get some sleep. I'll be back later."

"Alright, Fae. Just be careful." Fiyero said, still a little unsure.

"I will. Chistery, I'm trusting you to take good care of my husband. Understand?"

"Chistery will, Mistress." Chistery said, as Fiyero grinned and rolled his eyes.

"Bye, my love." Elphaba said, giving Fiyero another kiss and heading out of the cave, broom in hand.

"Chistery told Mistress he would take good care of Fiyero." Chistery said, flying up to look Fiyero in the eye"So, Fiyero must do as Mistress said and get some sleep!"

"Alright." Fiyero sighed, lying down on the bedroll. As he fell asleep, he still couldn't believe he was taking orders from a monkey.

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO

"Boss" a voice whined "We've been walking around for hours without a breather! Couldn't we stop and rest a clock tick?"

"Not now, you fool!" another gruff voice answered "We have to find a gift for Lady Rheysilva (ray-SIL-va) by tomorrow. She wants a brand new man-slave, and she does not want some damn Munchkin. I heard a mysterious creature lives in these mountains, a 'Wildman' they call it. They say it comes out every morning looking for food and retreats to a secret place before the sun comes out. He is supposed to be a human-like creature with a face so handsome, a gal only needs to look at it once before she falls in love with it. That would be a perfect gift for Lady Rheysilva!"

"But, Bongar (BONG-ar),that's just an old myth! Besides, even if it is real, is it fair game? I mean, are we allowed to make it a slave?"

"Well...it's considered human-like, not human exactly, I'm guessin' it's a rare kind of Animal, like the kind they said the witches were."

"Which witches?"

"All of them, you idiot. Thats why they say Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the East were so captivatin' and why the Wicked Witch of the West was so revoltin'. They were actually a type of Animal born to human and Munchkin parents. This 'Wildman' must be the same thing. Get it, Fresbin (fr-EZ-bin)?"

"Could we still, please, take a break? My feet are killin me!"

The second voice, Bongar, groaned. "Fine. There's a cave up ahead. We'll stop and rest there." The two men walked up to a cave close by. They looked inside and were suprised to find stuff in it.

"Hey, Boss" Fresbin, the first voice,whispered "look over near those blankets!" Bongar looked to where Fresbin was pointing and walked over to the bedroll. He saw a handsome young man with blond hair asleep with a monkey resting on his stomach.

"This must be it!" Bongar whispered excitedly "This must be the Wildman! Oh, what luck! Look! It's even charmed a monkey!"

"Let's tie it up before it wakes up!" Fresbin said. Bongar nodded and pulled out a rope and a small vial. He gently lifted the monkey up, setting him on the ground and poured the liquid on a bit of the blanket. He held it under the 'Wildman's' nose and waited a while for the solution to take effect. As soon as he was sure the 'Wildman' was unconscious, he then tied his hands and feet together carefully and picked him up over his shoulder.

"No time for a breather now, Fresbin! We got to get this thing home!" Grinning like mad, they ran out of the cave, back to their home in the slums of the Emerald City...

HAHA...cliff hanger (grins evilly) I've always wanted to do that! Keep reviewing and I'll post more!!

[imperfectly_green]

Yay! You posted it here!! ;D