Taking it back

[emeraldroad]

OK. I'll try. Thanx .

[emeraldroad]

Imperfectly_green: I'm really just copying the story from FF.net and pasting it. That's why it looks squished (I can't really move it farther apart unless I do every single line, but if you know of a shorter way I'm all for it!). Sorry .

Chapter 17

A year. It had been a whole year since Elphaba had been brought to the Emerald Palace. She mournfully looked out the locked and barred window of her room. She thought about all that had happened since she had been locked up in the dungeons. For weeks, she had been left there in misery, seeing only the Wizard, the guards, and the doctor. The only thing that had kept her determined to survive was the small chance of Fiyero escaping and the baby. She had finally been brought out, after the Wizard realized that keeping her there could do harm to the baby, only to be locked back up in her room. Bars had been put outside the windows, and they were only unlocked occasionally for fresh air. She dressed in simple black or white dresses and was 'persuaded' to constantly wear some kind of royal jewelry. The Wizard visited her for lunch or dinner from time to time. She would never talk to him, though. She would just stare at the ground as he would pull her into a fatherly embrace or (when she had still been carrying the baby) place his hands on her bulging stomach. He had sometimes brought the doctor in and watched attentively as he checked on her. The only person whom she was ever happy to see was Sarah. Sarah was what the Wizard considered Elphaba's 'personal slave'. If there was anything Elphaba wanted or needed, Sarah would get it for her, as long as she had the Wizard's permission.
A tear slid down her cheek as she remembered the night the baby had been born. It had come a little earlier than expected, and her water had just broken when the Wizard had came in for dinner. His eyes had gone wide and he had screamed at Sarah to fetch the doctor as quick as she could. It had taken many hours (and much effort) before the baby had been born. The Wizard's eyes had twinkled with pride when he had looked down at his new grandson as he was handed to his mother. Elphaba had cried and had kissed her son many times before she had fallen asleep with him in her arms. But the next day, after she had first nursed him, the Wizard had come in and snatched him away from her. Elphaba allowed more tears to escape as she played that day in her mind

"I'm sorry, Margaret," he said "but I cannot allow you to teach my grandson to hate me as you do. So, I'm afraid that you will have very little to do with his upbringing. But, don't worry. I'll allow him to see you sometimes." When he turned to leave, holding the wailing boy in his arms, Elphaba, still too weak to stand, cried out to him.

"NO!" she cried "Please! You've taken everything from me! My friend, my husband, my freedom, my name! Please, I beg you, do not take away my son as well!" The Wizard looked back to her with what almost could've been pity in his eyes.

"Margaret, my dear Margaret, ever since I found out you were my daughter, I've had the greatest feeling of regret that I was not there to love you and raise you as a daughter. But I am hoping that I can raise my grandson with the love I was never able to give you."

"It's not too late to give me that love." Elphaba said. She held her hands out "Please, Father. Give me my son." The Wizard stared at her a moment. He then shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Margaret. But I can't."

"Sir," Sarah, who had been in the room this whole time, said nervously "I could watch over the baby if you wish." The Wizard glared at her.

"Why?" he sneered "So you can bring him in here every night to see his treacherous mother?" He shook his head again and stomped out of the room, locking the door behind him. Elphaba sank into the bed, weeping with all the strength she had left.

That had been about six or seven months ago, and she hadn't seen her son since that day (she learned the Wizard had named him Hamilton, after his [the Wizard's] father). Her death celebration had been canceled, due to people knowing she was still alive, but the Wizard had told the people that he had made a deal with the witch to stay hidden in the mountains as long as no body went up there. That seemed to keep the people content, at least for now. For her anniversary, Elphaba had tied a string to her finger to substitute for her wedding ring. That hadn't made the Wizard very happy. He had made that clear when he grabbed the string off her finger and threw it in the fire. Elphaba had noticed that his temper had been getting worse. Sometimes,when she had refused to even acknowledge him, he would grab her arms and shake her to force her to look at him, but he would always apologize afterwards. She didn't question his strange behavior, though. Still didn't even particularly care. Right now, all she wanted was her son back. Her thoughts were interrupted by the door opening. Thinking it was the Wizard, she just continued to stare out the window.

"Margaret, turn around." she heard his voice say. Slowly, she turned to see the Wizard standing, as usual, with Sarah holding a tray of food, but he was with a woman Elphaba guessed to be Glikkun whom she didn't know. The Wizard gestured to the woman. "This is Prince Hamilton's nanny, Katie. For months she has been requesting to have lunch with you. She claims it is a custom in the Glikkus for a child's nanny to have lunch with the mother, and as you know, I'm always open to new ideas" Elphaba resisted the urge to snort "so, enjoy." He walked over to her and gave her the usual kiss on her head before he left. Katie walked nearer to her as Sarah walked back into the parlor to lay the tray on the table. Katie smiled and sat down next to her.

"Miss Elphaba?" Elphaba looked up at her, shocked. She had not heard her real name spoken by anyone (not even Sarah since the Wizard ordered her to call her Madame or Madame Margaret) in a long time. "Miss Elphaba, despite what the Wizard told you, my name is Wendara (when-DAR-ah) of Glikkus. I'm part of a secret organization called the Galindaizers started by an old friend of yours, the Tin Woodman, Boq." Elphaba stared at the woman.

"Boq?" she breathed. The woman nodded. Sarah came back in and sat down on the bed as Wendara began to explain.

"You see, when Lady Glinda" Elphaba's heart sank at hearing her name "was sentence to life imprisonment, not everyone was happy with it, especially Boq. So, after he was exiled from the Emerald City for standing up for her, he traveled throughout Oz, trying to find people still faithful to Lady Glinda, myself included. After he had gathered enough of us, we spent much of our time on planning how to get Lady Glinda out of prison without creating a big scene. We sent in one of our men dressed as a guard, but the problem was on how to get her out unnoticed. We were all surprised when you and your husband tried to get her out, especially Boq. We were also very fortunate. When Lady Glinda and Fiyero were brought back to the prison, our man who was posing as a guard volunteered to stand guard at the cell door. He told Lady Glinda and Fiyero who he was and, after hearing that Fiyero knew of a secret way out, he let them out, gave them directions on how to find the rest of us, and told them to knock him out, so as not to make him look suspicious. They escaped and flew on the brooms that you and Fiyero had hidden in the trees to our hide out in the Glikkus. We then began working on a plan of how to save you. After many months, we heard that the Wizard was looking for a nanny for 'the child he had chosen to be his heir'. We knew immediately that it was your child he was talking about and that this was a perfect opportunity. We sent many of our people to apply for the job and I was the one chosen. I told the Wizard about our 'Glikkun custom' and practically begged him to let me see you. Well, he finally has, and I'm here to get you and your son out." Elphaba stayed silent for a long time, trying to take all this in. Glinda was still alive, both she and Fiyero were free, and they were helping her escape. Her breath quickened in happiness and she smiled for the first time in months. "Now," Wendara continued as she reached into her pocket and took out two vials full of a strange blue liquid "this is how we're going to get you out of here. This potion was made by Lady Glinda. She had found it in that book you gave her when she finally learned how to read it. It took a lot out of her trying to remember it and make it. But, unfortunately, she wasn't blessed with the power that you posses, so she was unable to say the spell that would make it work" she took out a piece of paper and handed it to her "so you must say it." Elphaba looked over the strange words that had clearly come out of the Grimmerie. She then raised an eyebrow.

"What will the potion do?" she asked Wendara.

"You and I will both drink it. What it does is switch the appearances of the drinkers for 24 hours. In other words, you will look like me and I will look like you. Oh, and you must also put a little of your hair in mine." Wendara opened one of the vials and held it up to her. Elphaba gave her a look.

"You mean, you'll take my place? No, I can't let you do that."

"Trust me. I promise, we have it all planned out. But I can't explain now. Lady Glinda shall tell you what to do when you see her. Hurry, put a little of your hair in here and say the spell." Elphaba, still a little unsure, tore off a little piece of her hair and shoved it into the vail. She then murmured the spell and watched as the liquid in both vials turned purple. She took one of them from Wendara and gulped it down. Wendara did the same. They both felt a shock run throught their bodies and felt themselves begin to change. Sarah watched in awe as she watched them transform into each other until Wendara was sitting where Elphaba had been sitting and Elphaba was sitting where Wendara had been. "Good. It worked." Wendara/Elphaba said "Now we just have to switch clothes."After that had been done, Elphaba looked at Sarah as she styled Wendara hair in the style Elphaba's hair had been in.

"Can Sarah and her mother come with me?" she asked. Wendara sadly shook her head.

"Not today." she said apologetically.

"It's ok, Madame Margaret." Sarah said.

"Elphie." Elphaba corrected.

Sarah smiled "Miss Elphie. Mama and I will be fine." After she finished Wendara's hair, she walked back to the bed.

"OK" Wendara continued "what you're going to do is this. When you go downstairs, Prince Hamil...er, by the way, what did you decide to name him?"

"Liir." Elphaba answered, looking at Sarah "Is that ok with you and your mother, Sarah?" Sarah looked delighted.

"My father's name? Oh, Mada...Miss Elphie,that would be fine! I know Mama would be more than happy to let you name him after Papa!"

"Thank you, Sarah." she walked over to Sarah and gave her a tight hug. "I promise" she whispered "I'll find away to free both you and your mother." As she let go, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. She couldn't help but stare at the face looking back at her which was, for the first time in her life, not green. She looked back Wendara and finally knew what it felt to be a normal color and see a green girl. Wendara merely continued.

"Anyway, when you go downstairs, Liir will be waiting in a stroller for his afternoon walk.When I first came here, the Wizard had me followed for the first few weeks to make sure I didn't run off with him, but now he lets me walk unaccompanied so you shouldn't worry about that. You're going to walk down the main path until you come to the intersection near Oz Deer
Park. I usually go left, but you are going to go right. You then keep going straight until you reach a bookstore called Timbens. When you go inside, tell them my name, Wendara, and they'll be able to help you. OK?" Elphaba nodded.

"But how will you get out?"

"Don't worry about that now. Just hurry. You have to get to Timbles in at least an hour, but don't make it look like you're rushing. While we eat, I'll tell you how to act around the Wizard should you see him and you can tell me how to act."


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After an hour or so, the Wizard waited outside the door for Katie to come back out. He straightened as he heard the door open and saw Sarah and Katie walk out.
"Good bye, Madame Margaret!" he heard Katie say as she shut and locked the door.

"Well?" he said as he approached her "Did you have a pleasant lunch, Katie?" Katie shrugged.

"It would have been more enjoyable if she had at least said hello."

"Yes" the Wizard agreed "I know what you mean. She rarely even talks to me. Well, I assure you I shall have a long talk with her while you take Prince Hamilton for a walk."

"Oh, it's perfectly alright, Your Ozness." Katie said as she and Sarah walked towards the stairs "I wouldn't want to trouble you. There's really no need for it."

"No. She must understand that even though she is unhappy, she must show certain people at least a little of the proper respect." Katie sighed.

"Very well, Sir. If you think that is best. Well, Prince Hamilton is waiting. Good afternoon, Your Ozness!" she made a quick bow and rushed down the stairs with Sarah, carrying the empty tray, close behind. The Wizard then unlocked the door and stepped inside to see Elphaba still staring sadly out the window.


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Elphaba rushed to the entrance and looked around frantically for the stroller. When she found it near the two guards standing near the door, she ran towards and looked down to see the gurgling baby inside. Her son Liir. It was the first time she had seen him in months and she wanted to lift him up in her arms and never let go.But she got behind the stroller and waited as the guards opened the door. As she walked out into the sunlight, she took one last look at Sarah before the door was shut. She then took a deep breath and began to walk down the main path into freedom.

[emeraldroad]

Sorry I haven't posted in a while (been really busy) but I hope you guys are still reading this! And just FYI, the sequel (at least the first chapter) is already up on ff.net!

Disclaimer: Dancing through Life does not belong to me, but to Steven Schwartz.

As Elphaba made her way down the path, she couldn't help back glare angrily at the sight around her. All around, she could see Munchkin slaves working in the gardens or beating rugs or doing every other type of daily chore that their 'masters' could be more than capable of doing themselves. She could see some of these masters watching over the Munchkins, whips in hand, ready to beat any Munchkin that was slacking or disobeying. She turned sharply as she heard the sound of a whip ring out followed by a loud yelp. She saw one of the Munchkin men cowering on the ground as his master stood over him, raising up his whip, and bringing it back down on the poor Munchkin's back.

"I TOLD YOU I WANTED THIS GARDEN WEEDED BY NOON!" the master shouted as he raised the whip again"DIDN'T I SAY THAT? WHY THE HELL IS IT STILL FULL OF WEEDS, HUH?" The whip came down and again the Munchkin yelped,apologizing over and over again and begging for the beating to stop. Elphaba gripped the stroller tighter and stared hatefully at the whip. She felt the familiar surge of heated power fill her body as she saw the whip wrench out of the beater's hand and began hitting him instead. The other Munchkins and their masters looked at him in awe as the whip came down on him over and over again. As soon as Elphaba realized what was happening, after she actually noticed the cries of shock emitting from the tortured master, she quickly looked away and heard the whip fall to the ground.

She continued as hurriedly as she could down the path, never daring to look back once at the still dumbfounded crowd until she reached the intersection at Oz Deer Park. She turned left and didn't stop walking until she reached Timbens Bookstore. It was a small store between a large restaurant and an even larger dress salon. In front of the small building, she saw a man who looked about in his mid forties loading a wagon with books, curtains, and old pieces of furniture. He smiled as he saw Elphaba walk up to him.

"Good afternoon, Mam." he said kindly "Just clearing some old stuff out of my store. I'm Hateroy Timbles of Timbens Bookstore, by the way." he held out his hand "And who might you be?"

"My name is Wendara" she said giving his hand a quick shake.

"I see." he said softly, his expression never changing "Well, if you come back here with me, I think we can find just what you're after." He gestured for her to follow him and led her into the alley between the bookstore and the dress salon to the back of the building. Near what looked to be the back door, Elphaba saw a large old wardrobe. "Okay," Timbles said, looking down into the stroller and taking a bottle out of his coat pocket "now listen carefully. He seems to be asleep now, but if he should wake up on the way, give him some of this. It's a special kind of milk that's supposed to make babies fall asleep. It's really only supposed to be used if the kid has trouble sleeping, but I don't think it'll do him any harm. I'll be back in about two minutes with my boys to load the wardrobe onto the wagon, in which you and the kid will be inside (and don't worry about air, there are holes in there that look like knot holes so you'lll be able to breathe).Just put the stroller near the door. Got it?" Elphaba nodded. Timbles nodded back and headed for the alleyway to the front of the store. Elphaba stuffed the bottle into the apron pocket and got in front of the stroller. She looked inside at her sleeping son. Her arms trembled as she carefully picked him up and held him close to her chest. She could tears filling her eyes as she closed them and laid her cheek on his soft little head. She felt his fine, black hair tickle her cheek as she breathed him in. This was the first time in months that she had even touched him and she wanted to savor this moment.

She must have been standing there longer than she though because as soon as she opened her eyes, she heard voices coming back from the alley. She pushed the stroller next to the door and climbed inside of the wardrobe, shutting the door behind her. She heard footsteps come closer and she heard Timbles say to her through the wooden wall

"We're not going to be able to let you out until we're out of the Emerald City and reach the edge near Restwater. We'll then be able to stop for a short break, but then we'll have to continue as soon as possible in order to sneak into the Madeleines before you change back into your original form. Make no sound until you heard five slow knocks. Alright?" Elphaba knocked on the wall to say that she understood. She gripped Liir closer as she felt the wardrobe being lifted and loaded onto the wagon. She slid down the wall into a sitting position, keeping Liir between her knees and her chest, and closed her eyes. She hadn't slept very well ever since Liir was taken from her, but now that she had him back, she felt like she could finally rest.

She was awakened later by five long knocks. She opened her eyes as she felt the slight feel of movement on her chest. She looked down and saw her son beginning to wake up. She smiled as she saw him give a tiny yawn and gently stood up. She opened the door and cover Liir's eyes as she stepped out into the sunlight, so as not to hurt his eyes with the sudden amount of light. She slowly let her hand down and looked over her son. He was a gorgeous baby boy. He had his mother's black hair and his father's clear blue eyes, and she was overjoyed to see that he wasn't even the lightest shade of green, but a healthy peachy color like his father. Liir looked back at his mother, only seeming to recognize her as his nanny. Elphaba hoped that when she regained her original, green appearance, he wouldn't be afraid of her. She was a little startled as Liir began to whimper and then cry.

"What's wrong with him?" she asked Timbles as he appeared near her. He looked down at the complaining child.

"Oh, I bet he's just hungry." He said as he took out another bottle. "Give him this. This milk is normal and it should keep him happy until we reach the Madeleines." Elphaba took the bottle from Timbles and brought it to Liir's mouth. He stopped crying as soon as the bottle was in his mouth and suckled down the milk. Elphaba smiled, finally feeling like a true mother. Timbles looked at her curiously. "You've never taken care of this kid before, have you?" he asked. Elphaba shook her head as she looked up at him.

"No. The Wizard never gave me a chance. He just...took him away from me only a day after he was born." She looked back her son "But at least I have him now. And now that I have him I can't help but feel a little...nervous. And proud." she said as an afterthought. Timbles smiled at her.

"Well, don't worry. He'll soon be with his father, too, as soon as we reach that cave of yours in the Madeleines. That's where your husband and Lady Glinda are waiting for you." He pointed towards the mountains. "But we have to go very carefully. No one is allowed to set foot on any of those mountains since the Wizard announced you were hiding there. I can only drive you as far as to the base, but then you'll have to climb up on foot. You think you can find it on your own?"

"Yes," Elphaba said "but which cave are you talking about? Witch's Haven?" Timble looked a little confused.

"No, I don't think so. Your Fiyero called it Chistery's Cavern. It's opening is just a little sliver. You know what I mean?" Chistery's Cavern, Fiyero? Elphaba thought a little humored Was that your doing or Chistery's?

"Yes, I know what you mean." Elphaba answered.

"Good. Then as soon as that hungry little kid of yours is finished, we should start heading out." They waited patiently as Liir finished and Timble instructed Elphaba to place him near her shoulder and gently pat his back.

"You seem to know quite a bit about children." Elphaba said. Timble smiled proudly.

"I have six kids of my own; the two oldest are twins, so I've had plenty of experience. Well he looks fine, now. We should get going." Elphaba nodded in agreement and climbed back into the wardrobe. She sat back down on the ground as the wagon began to move. Not being used to traveling like this, Liir began to whimper again. Elphaba tried to shush him, but he just continued to whine. Thinking fast, Elphaba started to sing to him. As he heard her voice, Liir abruptly quieted and listened to her. Elphaba sang a bit of the song that Fiyero had sung when she first saw him.

Dancing through life,

skimming the surface, gliding where turf is smooth

Life's more painless, for the brainless

Why think too hard? When it's so soothing

Dancing through life

No need to tough it, when you can sluff it off as I do

Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters

It's just life so keep dancing through.

Dancing through life, swaying and sweeping, and always keeping cool

Life is fraught less, when you're thoughtless

Those who don't try, never look foolish

Dancing through life

Mindless and careless, make sure you're where less trouble is rife

Woes are fleeting, blows are glancing

When you're dancing through life.

When Elphaba finished she let out a sigh of relief. Liir had fallen back to sleep after he had heard her sing and she decided to rest a while longer, herself.


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"Glinda!" Elphaba cried, running over to her friend. They was covered in blood, both her and the figure lying dead next to her.
"Oh, Elphie!" Glinda whimpered as life ebbed away from her "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"Ssshhhh, it's alright, Glinda." Elphaba said soothingly, tears blinding her "You've done nothing wrong. Not one damn thing." She picked up her friend's head gently and placed it on her lap, smoothing the dirty, blond hair from her blood splattered face.

"Elphie" Glinda said gasping for breath "I know...I'm not going...to...make it. So...you...have to...do something...for me."

"Don't say that Glinda! You're going to be fine, you're going to live!"

"Elphie...p..please. You...you must do this...for me." She reached for the arm of the dead figure next to her "For us." Elphaba looked at the dead person and then back at Glinda.

"Alright." she choked. "What do you want me to do?"

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK


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Elphaba woke up with tears in her eyes to the sound of the knocks. Liir was still asleep in her arms. She wiped the tears from her face,stood up, and opened the door, once again sheilding Liir's eyes from the sun.

"We're here." Timbles said to her, still in the driver's seat "Chistery's Carvern is just up there. When you reach it, call out "Is the witch home?" and they'll know it's you. You'll find your friends inside there. Good luck." Elphaba grabbed his hand and give it a soft squeeze.

"Thank you." she said.

"It was nothing, Mam." he said smiling "Anything for a friend of Lady Glinda's." He clicked the reins and headed back towards Restwater. "And by the way" he called back "you have a beautiful voice!" Elphaba grinned as she watched Timbles shrink in to the distance. She then looked up at the mountain and started up in the direction of where she thought the cave was.

She had been climbing for about half an hour before she saw the nearly hidden entrance of the cave. Shivering with joy, she strode up near the entrance and called inside "Is the witch home?" She held her breath as she saw as two figures rushing towards the entrance. As soon as they reached the light, all she could do was stare at them, holding Liir closely to her. She smiled as she saw her darlings Fiyero and Glinda rush outside to meet her.

They stopped as they saw what looked Wendara standing there, gripping the small child as if she was afraid she would drop him. Fiyero walked slowly up to her, looking deeply into the green eyes that were Wendara's.

"Fae?" he whispered "Is that really you?" Elphaba nodded.

"Yes, Yero my Hero. It's me. I'm home." Overcome with emotion at being sure that this was his wife, her enveloped her and his son, their son, into a tight hug. Glinda leapt on them as well, crying with happiness.

"Oh, Elphie! It is you! You're safe! You're free!"


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When the Wizard had emerged from his lecture with Elphaba, he couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. She seemed...different somehow. Everytime he had walked near her on his other visits, he could feel her cold hatred towards him leak out from every inch of her mind, as if it was a strong kind of power she constantly displayed. But the hatred he had felt when he had visited her this day was weaker, more human. More like a vibe than a power. He felt in his mind that something was going on behind his back and it made him furious. He strode into his Throne Room, climbed behind the giant head (because this made him feel more powerful), and called for his guards. As soon as they heard his loud, booming voice, they came rushing in.
"I want you to keep watch over the witch's room! Make absolute sure that no one goes in and, more importantly, that she doesn't come out! Now, GO!" He emerged as soon the guards left, pacing back and forth. After a while, Morrible came in and stopped as she saw the Wizard pacing.

"Why, whatever is the matter, Your Ozness?" she asked almost mockingly. The Wizard took no notice of her tone of voice.

"It is that daughter of mine. There is something different about her. I usually am able to feel a great feel of hatred come from her whenever I walk near her, but today, I felt hardly anything. Something is up, I intend to find out exactly what!"