Trudging Through To Elphie’s Castle (Fanfic)

“Ow.  Ow, ow, ow,” Dorothy complained.  “Last time I walked this, it didn’t hurt my feet so much.”

“You were wearing those last time,” Glinda said, gesturing to the slippers in the girl’s hands.  “If they could provide Nessa the ability to walk, you think they wouldn’t provide some protection against hurt feet?”

“I guess so,” she murmured.  “Glinda . . . why did you tell me to take the slippers?  You made me promise you I would never take them off.  And you said they had to be really powerful, or she wouldn’t want them so much.”

Glinda sighed.  “Yes . . . I know.  I’m afraid I was feeling rather spiteful during all that.  A day or so before, I’d found out that the one I had been in love with actually loved Elphie.  Instead of being happy for her, or accepting defeat, I told that horrible Mme Morrible–“

“Mme Morrible?”

“She was headmistress to the wizard or some such.  She had powers that could control the weather,” Glinda said meaningfully.

“The weather . . . ?  Then, she brought my house into Oz?”

‘Somehow, yes.  And she was responsible for killing Nessa.  Yes, your house landed on her, but she felt a rumor of Nessa being in danger wasn’t enough to make Elphaba come out of hiding.”

“Who gave her the idea to tell others that her sister was in danger?” Dorothy demanded.

Glinda smiled sadly and looked at Dorothy.  “Me.  Out of jealousy.”

Dorothy cast her eyes down.  “A lot was going on that I didn’t know about, wasn’t there?”

“A lot went on that I didn’t know about.  And I’ve been in Oz since my days at Shiz.”

“Shiz?”

“The college of Oz.  That’s where Elphie and I met.”

“Oh.  Were you fast friends?”

Glinda stopped walking and Dorothy thought she’d said something to upset her.  But when she saw the witch’s face, Glinda was turning red from trying to hold back laughter.  Finally, she lost the battle and exploded into hysterics.  Dorothy merely stared at her, wondering what was so funny.  When Glinda regained her composure, she said, “Oh, my, I haven;t laughed that much since . . .  I don’t even know when.”

“What was so funny?” Dorothy asked.

“Oh, my dear girl, Elphaba and I hated one another at first.”  She laughed again.  “I called her an artichoke one time.  And when we were first assigned our dormitories and writing home to our parents, the best way that she described my personality was, ‘blonde.'”

Dorothy laughed.  “So, when did you actually become friends?”

Glinda reflected.  “I suppose one good thing came of me telling Boq to talk to Nessa.  I’ve gotten rid of him and Nessa was so happy that she had someone to go with.  She told Elphaba not to dare to say anything against me.”

“That was what did it?”

“Not entirely.”  Glinda explained bout the hat she’d given Elphaba as a joke and Elphie thinking it was such a nice gift, and helping Glinda get into the sorcery program she wanted to.  “Which was the only reason I’d come to Shiz at all.”

“Wow.  So it was another complete misunderstanding that you became friends.”

“Yes . . . But it was a misunderstanding I’d repeat in a heartbeat.”

Dorothy smiled.  “I felt that way, too.  When I met the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion.  Where are they?  Do you know?’

Glinda shifted her eyes and started walking a bit more swiftly.  “They’re probably around here.  Somewhere.”

“Glinda?”  Dorothy got the distinct impression she was hiding something, but had to start running to keep up with Glinda.  Though her feet pained her through every step, she jogged to keep up.  They were getting to the darker part of the Yellow Brick Road.  She knew soon that they would veer off and pass through the woods, closing in on Elphaba’s castle.

Dorothy was concentrating on running and didn’t notice when Glinda stopped short.  She banged into her and they both toppled to the ground, a large tangle of arms, legs, and lacey pink skirt.  When they righted themselves and were sure they were both all right, Glinda stuck two fingers in her mouth and let out a high-pitched whistle.  Dorothy covered her ears and closed her eyes.

When she opened them, there were a dozen or more winged monkeys sitting around her and Glinda was talking to one.  Dorothy started to back away.  She remembered these awful creatures.  They had attacked her and her friends and brought them to the witch’s castle.

“Chistery, do you think you and your frineds can carry us to the castle?  Our feet do hurt ever so much, and I’d be very grateful.”

“It’s all right, Miss Glinda,” the monkey said.  It gestured to the rest of them and soon Dorothy and Glinda were picked up and carried to the entrance of the castle.  It looked even more run-down and delapidated than the last time.

“Thank you, Chistery,” Glinda said.  She nudged Dorothy.  “Don’t be rude.  Thank them.”

“Uh . . . Um . . . Th-thanks,” Dorothy stammered.

The one called Chistery saluted and then they all flew off.

“We’re here,” Glinda said.  “Shall we go in?”

Dorothy gulped, gripping the ruby slippers tighter in her hands.  “Yes.  Let’s do it.”