Now at Last There's Joy Throughout the Land

Goodness knows

It was rapidly reaching night in the Bad Lands and Fiyero was still despondent. Elphaba and Chistery had been worried throughout the day, however they had put his depressed state down to exhaustion. After all, it had been only a day since he had collapsed from his fatigue. Perhaps it was affecting his mood. Still, Elphaba crouched in front of Fiyeros' vertical body, placed a green hand on his cheek lovingly and asked the question that had been floating around her mind all day.

"Yero, are you okay?"

Fiyero looked at Elphaba. He didn't want to concern Elphaba with his thoughts and worries and he definitely wasn't going to tell her of his plans for when she falls asleep. No, it was better that she didn't know. Then, when he's gone, she can be pleasantly surprised when she is unable to find him.

"Yeah, i'm fine. Why?" Fiyero lied dully.

"Well, you've been acting different the entirety of today. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, i'm fine. Just tired." 

Elphaba placed a kiss on Fiyeros' burlap cheek and asked Chistery to take Fiyero into the tree. Fiyero refused, saying he'd stay on the floor. He made the excuse that he saw a suspicious animal in the forest that previous night and that he'd prefer to stay down and be able to tell for sure. Elphaba didn't buy his extreme lie and tried to convince Fiyero to allow Chistery to lift him into the tree, yet Fiyero stood strong in staying on ground level. Eventually, Elphaba was forced to give in. The whole ordeal had put her in a somewhat bad mood. Fiyero stayed silent as he waited for Chistery and Elphaba to succumb to sleep.

It was a few hours later and both of Fiyeros' companions had both fallen asleep. Fiyero rose from his position on the floor for the first time that day and started running north, towards the Emerald City. He made sure to not step on any branches, so he wouldn't wake Elphaba or Chistery. However, when he was further away, he reached a full sprint. If he kept up the speed, he could make it back to the Emerald City within the next two weeks, including when he stops and rests. He smiled internally at how close he was to being perfect for his Elphaba.

*ELPHABA'S POV*

I woke up as I would any other morning, yet today it felt.. different. Something was wrong. I suspiciously rose from my position on the branch, the argument with Fiyero yesterday fresh in my mind. He was acting weirdly yesterday and I know it's not just me, because Chistery picked up on it too. I wonder what was wrong? Perhaps he'll feel better today.

I'm brought out of my trance by a shrill shriek from Chistery. I look down, and he's standing where Fiyero was last night. He isn't there. 

"Chistery, calm down, he may have gone foraging for food." I reassure him. Chistery remains shaken and checks around the tree to make sure Fiyero hasn't moved. 

"If he doesn't return in the next couple of hours, then we'll worry. But until then, calm yourself Chistery."

Chistery resigned and crouched near where I was sat. I placed my verdigris  hand on the top of his head and proceeded to pat and continually reassure Chistery every few minutes.

In the Emerald City, Glinda was sat on her throne once again, having come out of her week long stay in the confines of her room. She felt rejuvenated, gleeful even, being back in her Throne Room, ready to help out her citizens. 

People came and went with their problems, and Glinda was easily solving the dilemmas they brought to her attention. Petty arguments such as the ones most Ozians experienced, reminded Glinda of her and Elphaba in their younger years. Every time she thought of the green skinned witch, her heart throbbed in longing. 

'No. I've done so well dealing with my grief and I cannot let myself be distractified now.' She thought to herself. For the umpteenth time that day, the Door opened. In came a member of the Gale Force, with an envelope enclosed in his gloved hand.

"Madam, I do believe this is for you." He said, before bowing and exiting, the Door shutting behind him. Glinda looked down at the parchment envelope in her hand and slid her fingernail under the flap, opening it without tearing the material. Inside, was a thin piece of bark from a birch tree. She turned it over, to the side with writing etched in what seemed to be berry juice. Squinting, Glinda could just about make out the writing.

'Dear Glinda, it's me. Fiyero. I am on my way to the Emerald City as you are reading this. I must ask a large favour of you. All will be explained when I arrive, but I warn you to brace yourself, for I no longer possess the looks you had come to be familiar with. See you soon,

Fiyero'