confusifying | wicked | book 3/3

Elphie

I keep a firm grip around my shivering sister, despite knowing that she hates me, I continue to hold her tightly.
It's all I can do for her now, try to protect her from the blistering cold and the hateful winds.
I'm sat here begging to all that is good that my sister doesn't get another cold and end up needing medical attention out here in the emerald city.
We haven't even told Doctor tip about having to wake Nessarose up, if we take longer than four days, then she's going to find out when nobody calls her to inform her that Nessa has woken up.
My sister has barely said two words to me since we've been on this frightfully long trip to the emerald city.
I suggested that we travel via magic but Glinda didn't want to give in and said that the citizens of the emerald city may get far too scared by seeing a powerful display of magic.
They're going to be in quite a shock when they inevitably see the damage that my sister is capable of causing.

Subtly, I tilt my head down to have a quick glance at my sister, I notice that her eyes are shut and that she seems to still be shivering in the unforgiving wind.
As I attempt not to jolt Nessarose too much, I grab ahold of the part of her cloak that is the closest to me, gently, I pull it around her and drape it partially over myself, in the hopes that it will keep her warmer and not cause her to get unwell.
"I'm sorry, Elphaba." Glindas small voice mutters. "I just had to help, I've always had to help."
Glinda shamefully looks down at her hands, a sorry expression upon her face.
I can't be angry with her, not really, she's just trying to do what's best, I understand.
"It's okay Glinda." I reply softly, the wind clawing at face and neck.
Glinda looks up and glances hesitantly at Nessarose, whom I'm pretty sure is asleep or she's just so exhausted that She's just trying to rest her eyes.

"She looks so cold," Glinda comments, blatantly stating the obvious.
"I think getting her to the emerald city would do her some good." I mumble, looking out the window at the yellow path that seems to stretch on endlessly.
"Have you ever wondered why we can't seem to catch a break?" Glinda chuckles emptily.
I smile and nod.
"All the time Glinda, all the time" I reply bluntly.
Glinda looks out of the windows either said of herself and leans back in her seat, i watch as Glindas eyes scan my sister, tracing over every inch of her and the end up back on me.
I look down at my sisters relaxed, sleeping face and breathe calmly for a while, basking in the fact that Nessa looks okay and not unwell, she's cold, but not unwell.
I do hope this journey ends soon.

After what feels like another hour, the carriage rides over a bumb, the whole back portion of the carriage jolts and my sister wakes with quite a start, suddenly clinging onto me for reassurance.
I make it a point to hold her tighter so she doesn't feel alone, I can't tell if she's actually woken up properly or not.
Her eyes flutter hypnotically for a seconds and she takes in her surroundings.
"Oh Nessarose, your awake!" Glinda chirps, destroying any chance of Nessa going back to sleep.
"Glinda are we going to be here much longer?" Nessa questions drearily.
Glinda racks her brains and gazes unhelpfully out of the window.
"About another hour." Glinda replies after some time deliberating with herself.

Nessa abruptly jerks her head away from me slightly, wistfully staring out the window.
"Are you cold Nessa?" Glinda asks gently.
I sigh deeply because I know that Nessa won't admit to being cold because she refused to wear the shawl I told her to.
"A bit." Nessa responds hesitantly "I'm hoping it'll be warmer in the emerald city."
Glinda smiles and nods as we all look longingly outside the window, our faces light up suddenly as the glimmering glow of green start to fill our carriage.
I hear my sister gasp excitedly as we enter the city, people squeal with delight as they realise that Glinda has returned to them, she begins to wave politely to her onlookers.
The carriage grinds to a halt and Glinda and I get out, shocked faces stare at me and I begin to feel immensely uncomfortable.
I ignore the crowd and focus on hoisting my sisters wheelchair down from the back of the carriage, after I've done that I carefully place my sister into it, I hear her gasp as she realises quite how many people are staring at her.
"Glinda!" A woman cries, stepping out of the crowd towards us "Glinda you came!"
Glinda voice suddenly assumes a sickly sweet tone, like that of honey that flies become entangled with.
"Yes, yes I'm here." She chirps, gesturing strangely with her hands "if a small group of you could follow me, and please clear a path for our guests."

Two women and a man follow Glinda, Nessa and me off into a room.
All three of the citizens refuse eye contact with me, and look awestruck at Glinda, occasionally starring sympathetically at my sister who looks most uncomfortable.
I hope she's just annoyed that people are staring and she doesn't feel unwell.
"Has anything happened whilst I was gone?" Glinda asks with a voice like bubbles.
"The emerald city is dark without you Glinda," one of the women says.
Glinda smiles awkwardly.
"But the dreams about her are worrying." The other woman says, pointing at nessa.
"Who? Nessarose?" Glinda asks dumbly.
The man nods.
"Madame Governor, I believe your in great danger." He replies ominously.
Nessa gives me a perplexed stare, she's most definitely confused by the people still refusing to her as governor.
I am too.
"Thank you for visiting us Madame Governor, we will do our best to help you."
I'm very confused.