The idea just came to me yesterday and I had to write it down. Another Gelphie onshot :D
They won’t bring us down
There was a thunderstorm. Dark shadows moved through the houses whenever lightning illuminated the nighttime sky. Thunder strong as hammer strokes shook the very foundations of the Emerald City and rain was pouring from the heavens as if there was no tomorrow. The heavens were crying and had every right to. The nature of Oz rose in protest of the evil and unjust deed committed only hours ago.
Glinda the Good couldn’t remember ever having seen a thunderstorm rage over the Emerald City. It had been said that their Wonderful Wizard had kept the forces of nature at bay but she knew better. It had been nothing but coincidence that there hadn’t been any thunderstorms during the dominion of their oh-so-wonderful Wizard. Maybe it had been due to the geographical location of the capital… Glinda couldn’t be sure, since she didn’t speculate much on such matters. She was a sorceress after all, Glinda the Good or so the people called her. The people of Oz gave names easily. The Wonderful Wizard. Glinda the Good. The Wicked Witch of the East. The Wicked Witch of the West. Yes, labels can be so ambiguous.
The thunderstorm had broken up the last celebrations of the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. The blond sorceress was more than grateful. She knew that there were still people in pubs singing and celebrating but the thunderstorm drowned any voice rising in delight at the deed. Glinda cried along with the heavens. She stood on the balcony of her house in the center of the Emerald City; she stood in middle of the raging storm soaked to the skin and sobbing in desperation. She wished she would melt into the rain, cease to exist as Elphaba had done at the hands of that stupid farm-girl Dorothy Gale from Kansas. She wished the water would burn her, melt her, as it had the Wicked Witch, and ease her suffering. If anyone were to look up to the Chuffrey’s villa they might think their Good Witch was summoning this storm to her and maybe she was. Or maybe it was the Unnamed God paying his tribute to Elphaba.
Glinda could have sworn there were voices in the howling of the storm and the thundering. “Elphaba lives.” They cried. Her cause would live on, she would not be forgotten. Not by those who knew her fate and purpose. Those who hadn’t been fooled by the Wizard. Those who Elphaba had fought for. The Animals were crying in all of Oz, mourning their greatest defender. “Elphaba lives.” It was the voice of resistance. The day would come when word would be spread through all of Oz and they would rise up to shake off the chains of slavery and suppression. But today wasn’t that day. Elphaba had died.
Glinda didn’t feel anything. Not the biting wind. Not her soaked blue dress against her delicate skin. She didn’t feel anything. She felt numb. Ever since the news of Elphaba’s untimely death had been carried to the Emerald City she felt numb. If the world ended tonight she couldn’t have cared less, in fact she would welcome it. Her world had ended. She was all alone. She had locked the door to the living room that led out onto the balcony. This way her husband, Sir Chuffrey, wouldn’t bother her. She would have laughed at the thought if her crying had allowed it. As if he would bother her to see if she was alright. He was nothing like a husband to her. She didn’t love him, she never had and he didn’t love her either. Sure, he was infatuated by her beauty and charm but then again, everyone was. He was old and Glinda had married him for that fact, his title and money, nothing else.
Glinda the Good had loved many people in her life but only one in a way that mattered. She looked down the balcony musing how easy it would be to put an end to her suffering and to be united with her love in the infinity of death. The thunder roared around her and she was unable to tell if it was protesting or encouraging her. Lightning flashed before her eyes and she recalled a night of lightning and thunder.
Galinda squeaked when the thunder came loud and hard.
“Did you feel that? All of Shiz is shaking!” She exclaimed in fear sitting up straight in bed. Elphaba lowered the book she was currently reading and surveyed her over the rim of her glasses.
“It’s just a thunderstorm, Galinda, we’re safe in here.” She assured her slightly irritated at her roommate’s jumpy nature.
“How can you possibly be this calm, Elphaba? After all you’re the one who melts at contact with water, aren’t you at least a little bit worried?” She demanded to know.
“As long as the storm stays outside I’m perfectly fine.” She replied returning to her reading. There was another peal of thunder and Galinda jumped again. She looked over at the green girl.
“Elphie?” She asked carefully and Elphaba gave her a disapproving look since she didn’t like it when she used that nickname.
“Yes, Galinda.” She sighed impatiently.
“Would you…” The blond girl bit her lower lip in embarrassment. “Would you mind if… I sit with you for a while, in bed, until the storm passes…” The Munchkin-girl raised an eyebrow but at sight of Galinda’s pleading expression she couldn’t refuse.
“Alright.” She sighed. “Come on over.” She didn’t need to be asked twice. Just in time before the next peal of thunder she slipped into bed with her roommate. She cuddled to her side while Elphaba remained ignorant of her and continued reading.
“What are you reading?” The blond wanted to know and the green girl shrugged dismissingly.
“Just some philosophical texts…”
“Religion?”
“That too.”
“You read an awful lot of that lately.” Galinda mused. “You’re not becoming like your sister are you?”
“Oh of course not, Galinda, don’t be silly, it’s just… you know I don’t really understand the concept of religion and I don’t like not understanding something. I’m trying to gather as much knowledge as possible hoping I might understand why people believe in Lurline or the Unnamed God…” She explained patiently.
“And what have you gathered so far?” The Gillikan-girl wanted to know and Elphaba shrugged.
“A lot of concepts that don’t appeal to me.” She replied and then she asked out of the blue: “What do you believe in?” Galinda blinked.
“My, Miss Elphaba, that is an unusual question…” She said and the green girl shrugged again.
“It just occurred to me that I don’t know…”
“Well, if you’ve got to know, I haven’t really given it much thought… unlike you I haven’t been confronted with matters of faith my whole life.”
“Figures.” Elphaba snorted bitterly at the thought of her father.
“But all things considered I suppose I’m more of a Unionist.” She mused.
“Why?” The munchkin-girl wanted to know and added realizing it was a very person question: “If you don’t mind me asking…” Galinda sat up since she felt it was no longer appropriate to be lying for such a conversation as theirs.
“For one thing…” She said and placed her hand on the green girl’s chest right above her heart. “I believe in the Soul. I know the concept seems farfetched and hardly understandable to you but as much you may doubt that you’ve got one, I know you do.” She smiled at her warmly and Elphaba didn’t know anything to reply. All she felt was a warm sensation spreading from Galinda’s small hand that caused her to blush. She averted her eyes from her so she wouldn’t see. The blond took her hand from her chest and raised it to her cheek instead to force her to face her. She did reluctantly. “For another…” The Gillikan-girl continued. “I believe in the concept of love dictated by Unionism. I believe there is no right and wrong as far as love is concerned. Love is blind to color…” She ran her fingertips over her roommate’s emerald skin causing her to shudder. “And to gender. I believe love should be unconditional and humble and free from judgment.” There was a deafening roll of thunder and they both jumped. Galinda almost fell out of bed but Elphaba caught her beforehand and pulled her close.
“It’s just a thunderstorm.” She whispered into her blond locks. “We’re safe as long as we’re in here, don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. I’ll protect you, my sweet.”
Glinda sobbed. The memories of happier times, untroubled times seemed so far away now. Everything faded and was lost eventually. After that night Elphaba had called her “her sweet” on one occasion or another. But not until the day that their paths had irrevocably parted had she been able to see how much more she had always meant by it. It had been almost two years after that night of the thunderstorm when they had traveled to the Emerald City to see the Wizard. Long after Galinda had turned into Glinda.
Elphaba put her face against Glinda’s and kissed her. “Hold out, if you can,” she murmured, and kissed her again. “Hold out my sweet.” Glinda craned her head to see Elphaba drift back into the crowds. Elphaba hadn’t cried. Her head had turned away quickly, not to hide her tears but to soften the fact of their absence. But the sting, to Glinda, was real.
Glinda didn’t even notice when they finally set off on their journey back to Shiz. She was caught up in her own world of desperation, grief and uncertainty. How could Elphaba do this to her, leaving her all alone disappearing maybe… forever? Had this been the last time she had seen the green girl? How could Elphaba just walk away like that? Was it really that simple to her?
No probably not that simple. She hadn’t cried, true, but she never did. Tears burned her skin and hurt her severely. She hadn’t simply walked away. Glinda lifted her hand and carefully touched her lips. They still tingled. Her tears dropped onto her hand and she lowered it again. Elphaba had kissed her. Twice. They hadn’t parted just like that, no, Elphaba had given her what she had longed for for so long and driven a stake through her heart in the process.
Since then Glinda had died a little bit inside each day that they were parted. They did see each other again on one or two occasions throughout their adult lives but things were never the same again. Glinda had a husband now and was well established in the high society of the Emerald City. Elphaba had been branded the Wicked Witch of the West by the Wizard’s propaganda. She lived as an outcast in the deep Vinkus residing in the castle of Kiamo Ko which belonged to the Vinkie prince Fiyero. People said that he had been Elphaba’s lover prior to his death and Glinda thought it possible. After all they had known him from school at Shiz. People even said that the boy who came with her to Kiamo Ko was their son although he had neither her green nor his blue-diamond skin. Glinda didn’t trust what people said since she knew very well how much of it was usually made up. In this case however she was afraid it might be true. She forced herself to think of something else apart from Elphaba’s possible parenthood since she couldn’t take the thought of her being with someone else, even if it was Fiyero.
Glinda looked down from the high balcony. Deep down the streets of the Emerald City lay abandoned. Nobody would be there to see her jump. People might think it was just an accident which would spare her husband the embarrassment of awkward questions. She took hold of one of the nearby pillars and climbed onto the balustrade. Suddenly the wind appeared to have ceased. It was as if the thunderstorm and all of Oz was holding its breath. Rain and tears streamed down her face alike as she looked down. There was no one there she was all alone. She looked up to the nighttime sky. The clouds hang low and dark and loomed dangerously above her. Rain, lightning and thunder came unchanged but all noises seemed to be drained from it, at least to Glinda. If it was the Unnamed God’s thunderstorm or her own didn’t matter now. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath; she saw Elphaba’s face in front of her raising a questioning eyebrow. Glinda smiled to herself, of course she wouldn’t understand.
Suddenly there was a loud noise, not thunder, not storm but crying, screaming.
“Elphaba lives!” Roared a loud voice that echoed through the empty streets. At the far end of the street Glinda recognized an enormous bear. No, it must be a Bear, for it was he who had roared. There were soldiers, soldiers of the Wizard who cornered him and tried to bring him down. “Elphaba lives! Let it be heard in all of Oz that Elphaba Thropp shall never die as long as we remember her and spread her cause!” There were cries of agreement. Cries of Animals incarcerated in the depth of Southstairs and slaves to the wealthy citizens of the Emerald City. “Elphaba lives!” Hundreds of voices chanted. “Behold the Wicked Witch. Elphaba Thropp lives. They won’t bring us down!”
Suddenly shots cut through the voices. The Wizard’s soldiers had shot the Bear. He tumbled and his massive body hit the ground to a stunned silence. And then there was lightning. It struck the soldier holding his gun highest. The soldiers scattered in fear and Glinda’s thunderstorm faded when she stepped down from the balustrade. The Animals started to chant anew. “You won’t bring us down! Elphaba lives!”
END.
Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoyed it! :D
Just wanted to say concerning the part about Unionism: I don't think it was ever mentioned what Unionists think of gay relationships, I made that part up. Hope it doesn't sound too far fetched... :)
They won’t bring us down
There was a thunderstorm. Dark shadows moved through the houses whenever lightning illuminated the nighttime sky. Thunder strong as hammer strokes shook the very foundations of the Emerald City and rain was pouring from the heavens as if there was no tomorrow. The heavens were crying and had every right to. The nature of Oz rose in protest of the evil and unjust deed committed only hours ago.
Glinda the Good couldn’t remember ever having seen a thunderstorm rage over the Emerald City. It had been said that their Wonderful Wizard had kept the forces of nature at bay but she knew better. It had been nothing but coincidence that there hadn’t been any thunderstorms during the dominion of their oh-so-wonderful Wizard. Maybe it had been due to the geographical location of the capital… Glinda couldn’t be sure, since she didn’t speculate much on such matters. She was a sorceress after all, Glinda the Good or so the people called her. The people of Oz gave names easily. The Wonderful Wizard. Glinda the Good. The Wicked Witch of the East. The Wicked Witch of the West. Yes, labels can be so ambiguous.
The thunderstorm had broken up the last celebrations of the death of the Wicked Witch of the West. The blond sorceress was more than grateful. She knew that there were still people in pubs singing and celebrating but the thunderstorm drowned any voice rising in delight at the deed. Glinda cried along with the heavens. She stood on the balcony of her house in the center of the Emerald City; she stood in middle of the raging storm soaked to the skin and sobbing in desperation. She wished she would melt into the rain, cease to exist as Elphaba had done at the hands of that stupid farm-girl Dorothy Gale from Kansas. She wished the water would burn her, melt her, as it had the Wicked Witch, and ease her suffering. If anyone were to look up to the Chuffrey’s villa they might think their Good Witch was summoning this storm to her and maybe she was. Or maybe it was the Unnamed God paying his tribute to Elphaba.
Glinda could have sworn there were voices in the howling of the storm and the thundering. “Elphaba lives.” They cried. Her cause would live on, she would not be forgotten. Not by those who knew her fate and purpose. Those who hadn’t been fooled by the Wizard. Those who Elphaba had fought for. The Animals were crying in all of Oz, mourning their greatest defender. “Elphaba lives.” It was the voice of resistance. The day would come when word would be spread through all of Oz and they would rise up to shake off the chains of slavery and suppression. But today wasn’t that day. Elphaba had died.
Glinda didn’t feel anything. Not the biting wind. Not her soaked blue dress against her delicate skin. She didn’t feel anything. She felt numb. Ever since the news of Elphaba’s untimely death had been carried to the Emerald City she felt numb. If the world ended tonight she couldn’t have cared less, in fact she would welcome it. Her world had ended. She was all alone. She had locked the door to the living room that led out onto the balcony. This way her husband, Sir Chuffrey, wouldn’t bother her. She would have laughed at the thought if her crying had allowed it. As if he would bother her to see if she was alright. He was nothing like a husband to her. She didn’t love him, she never had and he didn’t love her either. Sure, he was infatuated by her beauty and charm but then again, everyone was. He was old and Glinda had married him for that fact, his title and money, nothing else.
Glinda the Good had loved many people in her life but only one in a way that mattered. She looked down the balcony musing how easy it would be to put an end to her suffering and to be united with her love in the infinity of death. The thunder roared around her and she was unable to tell if it was protesting or encouraging her. Lightning flashed before her eyes and she recalled a night of lightning and thunder.
Galinda squeaked when the thunder came loud and hard.
“Did you feel that? All of Shiz is shaking!” She exclaimed in fear sitting up straight in bed. Elphaba lowered the book she was currently reading and surveyed her over the rim of her glasses.
“It’s just a thunderstorm, Galinda, we’re safe in here.” She assured her slightly irritated at her roommate’s jumpy nature.
“How can you possibly be this calm, Elphaba? After all you’re the one who melts at contact with water, aren’t you at least a little bit worried?” She demanded to know.
“As long as the storm stays outside I’m perfectly fine.” She replied returning to her reading. There was another peal of thunder and Galinda jumped again. She looked over at the green girl.
“Elphie?” She asked carefully and Elphaba gave her a disapproving look since she didn’t like it when she used that nickname.
“Yes, Galinda.” She sighed impatiently.
“Would you…” The blond girl bit her lower lip in embarrassment. “Would you mind if… I sit with you for a while, in bed, until the storm passes…” The Munchkin-girl raised an eyebrow but at sight of Galinda’s pleading expression she couldn’t refuse.
“Alright.” She sighed. “Come on over.” She didn’t need to be asked twice. Just in time before the next peal of thunder she slipped into bed with her roommate. She cuddled to her side while Elphaba remained ignorant of her and continued reading.
“What are you reading?” The blond wanted to know and the green girl shrugged dismissingly.
“Just some philosophical texts…”
“Religion?”
“That too.”
“You read an awful lot of that lately.” Galinda mused. “You’re not becoming like your sister are you?”
“Oh of course not, Galinda, don’t be silly, it’s just… you know I don’t really understand the concept of religion and I don’t like not understanding something. I’m trying to gather as much knowledge as possible hoping I might understand why people believe in Lurline or the Unnamed God…” She explained patiently.
“And what have you gathered so far?” The Gillikan-girl wanted to know and Elphaba shrugged.
“A lot of concepts that don’t appeal to me.” She replied and then she asked out of the blue: “What do you believe in?” Galinda blinked.
“My, Miss Elphaba, that is an unusual question…” She said and the green girl shrugged again.
“It just occurred to me that I don’t know…”
“Well, if you’ve got to know, I haven’t really given it much thought… unlike you I haven’t been confronted with matters of faith my whole life.”
“Figures.” Elphaba snorted bitterly at the thought of her father.
“But all things considered I suppose I’m more of a Unionist.” She mused.
“Why?” The munchkin-girl wanted to know and added realizing it was a very person question: “If you don’t mind me asking…” Galinda sat up since she felt it was no longer appropriate to be lying for such a conversation as theirs.
“For one thing…” She said and placed her hand on the green girl’s chest right above her heart. “I believe in the Soul. I know the concept seems farfetched and hardly understandable to you but as much you may doubt that you’ve got one, I know you do.” She smiled at her warmly and Elphaba didn’t know anything to reply. All she felt was a warm sensation spreading from Galinda’s small hand that caused her to blush. She averted her eyes from her so she wouldn’t see. The blond took her hand from her chest and raised it to her cheek instead to force her to face her. She did reluctantly. “For another…” The Gillikan-girl continued. “I believe in the concept of love dictated by Unionism. I believe there is no right and wrong as far as love is concerned. Love is blind to color…” She ran her fingertips over her roommate’s emerald skin causing her to shudder. “And to gender. I believe love should be unconditional and humble and free from judgment.” There was a deafening roll of thunder and they both jumped. Galinda almost fell out of bed but Elphaba caught her beforehand and pulled her close.
“It’s just a thunderstorm.” She whispered into her blond locks. “We’re safe as long as we’re in here, don’t worry, I’ll take care of you. I’ll protect you, my sweet.”
Glinda sobbed. The memories of happier times, untroubled times seemed so far away now. Everything faded and was lost eventually. After that night Elphaba had called her “her sweet” on one occasion or another. But not until the day that their paths had irrevocably parted had she been able to see how much more she had always meant by it. It had been almost two years after that night of the thunderstorm when they had traveled to the Emerald City to see the Wizard. Long after Galinda had turned into Glinda.
Elphaba put her face against Glinda’s and kissed her. “Hold out, if you can,” she murmured, and kissed her again. “Hold out my sweet.” Glinda craned her head to see Elphaba drift back into the crowds. Elphaba hadn’t cried. Her head had turned away quickly, not to hide her tears but to soften the fact of their absence. But the sting, to Glinda, was real.
Glinda didn’t even notice when they finally set off on their journey back to Shiz. She was caught up in her own world of desperation, grief and uncertainty. How could Elphaba do this to her, leaving her all alone disappearing maybe… forever? Had this been the last time she had seen the green girl? How could Elphaba just walk away like that? Was it really that simple to her?
No probably not that simple. She hadn’t cried, true, but she never did. Tears burned her skin and hurt her severely. She hadn’t simply walked away. Glinda lifted her hand and carefully touched her lips. They still tingled. Her tears dropped onto her hand and she lowered it again. Elphaba had kissed her. Twice. They hadn’t parted just like that, no, Elphaba had given her what she had longed for for so long and driven a stake through her heart in the process.
Since then Glinda had died a little bit inside each day that they were parted. They did see each other again on one or two occasions throughout their adult lives but things were never the same again. Glinda had a husband now and was well established in the high society of the Emerald City. Elphaba had been branded the Wicked Witch of the West by the Wizard’s propaganda. She lived as an outcast in the deep Vinkus residing in the castle of Kiamo Ko which belonged to the Vinkie prince Fiyero. People said that he had been Elphaba’s lover prior to his death and Glinda thought it possible. After all they had known him from school at Shiz. People even said that the boy who came with her to Kiamo Ko was their son although he had neither her green nor his blue-diamond skin. Glinda didn’t trust what people said since she knew very well how much of it was usually made up. In this case however she was afraid it might be true. She forced herself to think of something else apart from Elphaba’s possible parenthood since she couldn’t take the thought of her being with someone else, even if it was Fiyero.
Glinda looked down from the high balcony. Deep down the streets of the Emerald City lay abandoned. Nobody would be there to see her jump. People might think it was just an accident which would spare her husband the embarrassment of awkward questions. She took hold of one of the nearby pillars and climbed onto the balustrade. Suddenly the wind appeared to have ceased. It was as if the thunderstorm and all of Oz was holding its breath. Rain and tears streamed down her face alike as she looked down. There was no one there she was all alone. She looked up to the nighttime sky. The clouds hang low and dark and loomed dangerously above her. Rain, lightning and thunder came unchanged but all noises seemed to be drained from it, at least to Glinda. If it was the Unnamed God’s thunderstorm or her own didn’t matter now. She closed her eyes taking a deep breath; she saw Elphaba’s face in front of her raising a questioning eyebrow. Glinda smiled to herself, of course she wouldn’t understand.
Suddenly there was a loud noise, not thunder, not storm but crying, screaming.
“Elphaba lives!” Roared a loud voice that echoed through the empty streets. At the far end of the street Glinda recognized an enormous bear. No, it must be a Bear, for it was he who had roared. There were soldiers, soldiers of the Wizard who cornered him and tried to bring him down. “Elphaba lives! Let it be heard in all of Oz that Elphaba Thropp shall never die as long as we remember her and spread her cause!” There were cries of agreement. Cries of Animals incarcerated in the depth of Southstairs and slaves to the wealthy citizens of the Emerald City. “Elphaba lives!” Hundreds of voices chanted. “Behold the Wicked Witch. Elphaba Thropp lives. They won’t bring us down!”
Suddenly shots cut through the voices. The Wizard’s soldiers had shot the Bear. He tumbled and his massive body hit the ground to a stunned silence. And then there was lightning. It struck the soldier holding his gun highest. The soldiers scattered in fear and Glinda’s thunderstorm faded when she stepped down from the balustrade. The Animals started to chant anew. “You won’t bring us down! Elphaba lives!”
END.
Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoyed it! :D
Just wanted to say concerning the part about Unionism: I don't think it was ever mentioned what Unionists think of gay relationships, I made that part up. Hope it doesn't sound too far fetched... :)
