Chapter Text
October 31st was an ordinary day in the household of Governor Thropp. At least as far as he was concerned. Which was why his eldest daughter Elphaba rose before dawn as she always did. She dressed quietly and quickly. Careful not to wake her little sister Nessarose who was no doubt still asleep in the room across the hall. And even more careful not to wake her father who was asleep in the room down the hall. She made her way down the grand staircase. Making sure to avoid the step at the top that creaked. Then she made her way to the kitchen to help her nanny Dulcibear prepare breakfast as she always did.
“Happy sixteenth birthday little one” Dulcibear said smiling at her ward
“Thank you Dulcibear” Elphaba replied softly
The old bear hugged Elphaba tightly. Then presented her with one of the muffins she had baked that morning. Which had a small candle stuck in the center. It was pumpkin cinnamon Elphaba’s favorite.
“Make a wish” Dulcibear said softly
Elphaba closed her eyes and wished. She usually wasn’t one for superstitions. But there was something sacred about wishing on a birthday candle. She wouldn’t tell anyone this wish. Otherwise a small part of her believed it wouldn’t come true. She just wanted someone, anyone to truly understand her. Elphaba blew out the candle then opened her eyes. Dulcibear didn’t ask what she wished for. Sharing Elphaba’s belief about wishes.
“I know it’s not much little one” Dulcibear said apologetically
Elphaba shook her head then spoke.
“It’s more than my father has ever given me Dulcibear.” Elphaba replied
After their little celebration the two women got started on breakfast. They would be having their usual fair. Eggs and toast for the Governor, and pancakes and eggs for Nessarose. Elphaba would have her muffin and then whatever eggs were left over. Elphaba had been charged with making breakfast since she was ten years old. So her and Dulcibear were experts by now at working in sync. She was always grateful for these quiet mornings with her nanny. The old bear was the closest thing she had to a mother, since her own had died when she was two years old. Suddenly there was a knock on the back door.
“That must be the paper finally, will you grab it while I start the eggs?” Dulcibear asked
Normally it was up to Elphaba to make Nessa’s pancakes. By now she was an expert at making them exactly how Nessa liked them. But Dulcibear did always like to give her a bit of a break on her birthday. Elphaba opened the door to find a new paperboy at the door. He jumped back when he saw her. Elphaba rolled her eyes and grabbed the paper from him.
“Thank you” Elphaba sneered sounding harsher than she meant
Elphaba shut the door firmly then turned to take the paper into the dining room. She set it at the head of the table, where her father normally sat. She made her way back to the kitchen to help Dulcibear start on the eggs. They finished making breakfast then Elphaba took the plates out to the dining room loaded onto a tray. She wouldn’t eat breakfast with them. She never did, her unacknowledged birthday wouldn’t change that
“Good morning Elphaba” Nessa said cheerily
“Good morning Nessa.” Elphaba replied
Her father Frex simply nodded at her. Neither of them acknowledged her birthday. Which wasn’t a surprise but it still hurt a little. Then she made her way back to the kitchen where Dulcibear had finished their breakfast. They ate silently, just enjoying each other’s company.
“Why don’t you go read your book? I’ll come get you if you’re needed” Dulcibear said softly
“Thank you” Elphaba replied
Elphaba made her way out the backdoor of the Governor's mansion. Fall had well and truly dawned on the world. The backyard was awash with the colors of fall. Oranges, reds and golds blanketed the world. Elphaba took a deep breath in, relishing the cold morning air. She chose her usual spot under the large oak tree. Which was beginning to drop its leaves for the season. She settled into the base of the tree preparing for a much needed morning of reading. She didn’t get too far into her novel when a voice interrupted her.
“Hello?” A mysterious voice asked
Elphaba raised her head and looked around wildly. Searching for the source of the voice. Not finding it she picked her book back up from her lap and kept reading.
“Hellooooo?” The voice asked more insistently
“Whoever that is I can’t see you” Elphaba said to the air around her
“That’s cause I’m in your head silly” The voice replied
“What?” Elphaba replied confused
Well now Elphaba was going crazy. Great, happy birthday to her.
“You’re not going crazy.” the voice replied
“Excuse you, didn’t your mother ever teach you not to intrude on people’s thoughts” Elphaba spat
“Didn’t yours ever teach you not to be rude to your soulmate?” The voice shot back
My mother is dead, Elphaba thought. Before she remembered whoever this was could hear all her thoughts.
“Sorry” The voice said sheepishly
“Soulmates aren’t a thing anymore” Elphaba continued, brushing past that thought
“Then how do you explain this?” The voice asked
“Well I just figured all the isolation was finally getting to me” Elphaba said matter of factly
“They’re definitely still a thing, at least in the Vinkus. My parents are soulmates.” The voice replied
“The Vinkus? That’s so far away you’re on the other side of Oz!” Elphaba said
“Where are you?” The voice asked
“Munchkinland” Elphaba replied
Leave it to Elphaba to miraculously be granted a soulmate. Only for them to live on the other side of the country.
“We’ll find each other, don't worry. Soulmates always have a way of finding each other. No matter how far.” The voice said confidently
“Well I’m not so sure you’ll want to find me” Elphaba said softly
“Why?” the voice asked
“I’m green” She replied
“So?” the voice replied
“I mean my skin is green” Elphaba said more insistent
“Again so? Why should that stop me from wanting to find you?” the voice shot back
Well Elphaba didn’t know what to say to that. No one had ever seen past her skin like that. It wasn’t even a factor for whoever this was.
“My name is Fiyero Tigelaar by the way. And I’m so sorry life has made you feel this unlovable” Fiyero said softly
“I…. my name is Elphaba Thropp” She replied softly
“Like Governor Thropp?” Fiyero asked
“Yes, I wouldn’t be surprised if you hadn’t heard of me. He doesn’t exactly like to advertise me.” She replied sheepishly
“Well he should, I’ve only known you for five minutes and you are already absolutely enchanting” Fiyero said
“And you are a shameless flirt Mr. Tigelaar.” She replied
“Hey! I’m allowed to flirt with the woman the universe has ordained that I shall marry.” He replied a little too smugly
This boy was going to be the death of her.
“So how does this all work? You do seem to be the expert on this whole thing.” She asked
“What do you want to know?” Fiyero asked
“Well can you always hear my thoughts?” She asked
“No, obviously not when we’re sleeping. Though I’ve heard if one of us has a particularly strong dream, parts of that can seep through. And you can sort of push me out? If that makes sense, it’s like pulling a curtain closed in your mind. I promise I won’t get offended if you need privacy” He explained
“Thank you, I’m a very private person if you couldn’t tell” Elphaba replied
“Just don’t do it all the time please? I want to get to know you” Fiyero said softly
“I won't, I promise.” She said earnestly
“Anything else I should know?” Elphaba asked
“We can feel each other’s pain” He said
“Ouch” Elphaba winced at the thought
“Yeah my father has always been a klutz and my mother absolutely hates it.” Fiyero said with a laugh
“Please tell me you didn’t inherit that trait” Elphaba groaned
“Nope! Don’t worry, I’ve got cat like reflexes” Fiyero said cheerfully
“Thank Oz” She groaned
“Got any more questions for me?” He asked
“Not that I can think of. I think I just need time to process it all.” She replied
“I totally understand that. If you want I can leave you be so you can process.” Fiyero said softly
“Thank you. We can talk more tonight if you’d like?” Elphaba
“It’s a date.” Fiyero replied
With that Elphaba shut the curtain between them in her mind. Just like he told her she could. Her mind was finally blissfully quiet. She sat back against the tree and sighed. She was grateful that Fiyero had reacted well to her green skin. But something bothered her about the whole thing. She’d heard his name before she was sure of it. But she couldn’t place it. Her father would probably know if she asked. Being the governor Frex made it his mission to know whoever was worth knowing in Oz. But that posed a problem. Frex would want to know why his daughter was asking about the Vinkus. It wasn’t a question she was ready to answer. Frex hated her and if he knew she had a soulmate he’d find some way to ruin it for her. He’d keep her locked in the house for the rest of her life if it meant keeping her perpetually unhappy and under his thumb. She knew they had some Vinkun history books in their library. Maybe that would at least give her some clue as to who he was.
Elphaba made her way back into the house. Dulcibear wasn’t in the kitchen which wasn’t surprising. She was probably in the living room with Nessa. She walked into the dining room then ran across the hall to the library. She quickly shut the door behind her. Elphaba wanted complete privacy for this. She didn’t want anyone asking questions, not even her nanny. She quietly pulled the vinkun history tome off the shelf. She flipped through it, trying to find any mention of the name Tigelaar. After a few moments she found it. Her stomach dropped at the realization.
Her soulmate was Prince Fiyero of the Vinkus
“Shit” Elphaba said to the empty library
Her life just got so much more complicated.