Chapter Text
The trial of former Councilman Lake did not last very long. There was no evidence to refute any of the claims that had been made by Glinda. The blonde was concerned that people in the Emerald City would think she was making it up but after having many of the people who had seen the Nome discovered back at the Vinkun Palace testify, that concern was laid to rest.
Not unsurprisingly, the Nome was found guilty of espionage. He had refused to give his proper name so everyone just kept calling him "the Nome". Balfour was a little confused by the move since it did not matter what his name was. No one in Oz had truly known him at all anyway and they knew no other Nomes.
Elphaba and Fiyero scheduled their trip to the Emerald City once the verdict was handed down. Promising to be there in a few days to carry out the sentence, the couple loaded up a carriage and began their journey. The Vinkun Tribal Leaders had just left the Palace themselves only a day before and the royals had been busy explaining the situation and the dragon. Everyone had agreed that Bonescraper was to remain safe inside the borders of the Vinkus, provided he did not pose an imminent threat to the people. Right now the dragon had disappeared and no one knew exactly where he'd gone.
"There they are, your Royal Highnesses," Khalil bowed upon opening the door to the Tiggular's carriage.
"Good to see you Khalil. How are things?" Fiyero asked, shaking the man's hand. His wife and daughter carefully exited the carriage and the driver took off towards the stables.
"Well. I feel like finding this spy has really cemented Glinda's future in the eyes of the people. Queen Zixi has retrieved Rivet and we decided that he could go without any consequence since they helped us avoid a Nome invasion," the Captain smiled.
"Excellent news. I think we all could use a breather from all this excitement," Elphaba smiled as well.
"Only if I get to see little Zara, whom I have heard so much about," Khalil smirked as he turned his attention toward the green woman. Elphaba chuckled and moved the blanket back from the baby's face.
"She is as beautiful as her mother. Thank Oz for that," the Captain teased Fiyero, who at one point had been called the handsomest of all the Princes in Oz. For that, the Captain got a look from Fiyero.
"You are too kind. I was concerned but no one else seems to be," Elphaba said.
"I think you'll notice how much we like green around here," he winked before leading them into the Emerald Palace to see Glinda.
The blonde was ecstatic to see them and quickly showed them to their room so that they could get settled. Zara was starting to get fussy and Elphaba wanted to feed her. A little while later, the three Vinkuns made their way down to dinner. Glinda, Balfour, Khalil, and Aytac were in the dining room waiting for them.
"Tomorrow we will execute the Nome. Hopefully, that begins a new peace here in Oz," Glinda smiled slightly as dinner was served.
"Peace would be nice. Any concerns from people regarding Bonescraper?" Elphaba asked.
"Concerns, certainly but nothing that makes me think we'll have trouble from the people. Not sure I can say the same about our new ally since no one really knows where he is," the blonde admitted.
"If I was him, I would be staying in the Nome Kingdom. Literally no one lives on the surface and with the Nomes below ground permanently, no one from the neighboring territories will have any reason to travel there," Balfour spoke up.
"Agreed which is why we need to look toward the future and the fact that my daughter has already exhibited signs she's her mother's daughter," Fiyero said.
"What is Zara up to Elphie?" Glinda was curious.
"Well a few times when she's frustrated, she's managed to create some energy crackles. Nothing that will do any harm but it certainly makes me wonder why her powers have manifested so quickly," Elphaba heaved a sigh.
"What's wrong?" Aytac wanted to know.
"I had hoped that she would get a little bit more of a normal childhood but it would seem that that might not be possible. Bonescraper said that it would be possible that Zara could be a Dragon Lord but he wouldn't be able to tell until she grew older," the Princess admitted.
"She'll have as normal of a childhood we can give her. If I wanted normal, I would have married normal," Fiyero teased and for which he received a playful slap on the shoulder.
"What are us old war horses supposed to do now?" Khalil chuckled.
"I mean really, Glinda, did you have to go ahead and bring peace to Oz?" Balfour teased her.
"The place needed a woman's touch. We all saw what happened when men led Oz," Aytac spoke up, unable to hide a smirk of her own. Elphaba had a large smile on her face while Glinda giggled.
"I think she's been talking to my mother behind my back," Fiyero chuckled.
"Vinkun women know a thing or two. Why do you think I married her?" Khalil smirked before leaning over and kissing Aytac's temple.
"Oh now I know she's been talking to my mother. What tribe are you sister?" The Prince wanted to know, swearing that the woman across from him looked familiar, but being unable to place it.
"Arjiki, much like yourself brother. I am the daughter of Ejder and Nida, cousin to your mother, Ayla," Aytac smiled. Fiyero practically spit out his pot roast and Elphaba had to make sure he wasn't choking.
"Why did you not say anything sooner?" Elphaba asked, once she was sure her husband was all right.
"It wasn't safe until the Wizard was gone and things had settled down. Only those in this room know and Khalil's family, outside of the Vinkus. Ayla and I couldn't communicate except in secret. If the Wizard knew that a member of the Vinkun royal family was here, he would have sought me out, and that was attention that neither your mother nor I wanted," Aytac explained.
"Well I hope that Adem would like to meet his cousin," Elphaba smiled.
"Sounds like a plan. Maybe tomorrow after things have calmed down," Khalil smiled.
"This is so exciting! We are most glad to have you here in the Palace. You are welcome anytime," Glinda was happy that things were certainly looking up. No one could argue with her. The next day would solidify the past as the past and they would move onto the future which was looking very bright.
THE END