Chapter Text
"Come with me." Elphaba held the broomstick in one hand and stretched out the other to her friend.
There was a moment of silence as Glinda stared into her eyes, blinking away tears. Was she going to come? Elphaba wouldn't blame her if she didn't- she understood that while she herself had nothing to lose, Glinda had everything and everyone to lose.
Footsteps thundered towards the wooden doors. The guards were approaching. It was now or never, and Elphaba gave Glinda a parting glance before turning to the open window. So be it, she would fly solo if that what was what it took to be free.
Right before her feet hit the open air, a small hand tugged at her sleeve.
"Wait, Elphie!" Glinda cried. "I'm coming."
Elphaba's eye widened, then crinkled into a smile. "Then you'd better hold on tight, my sweet."
A high-pitched shriek, courtesy of Glinda, and a loud cackle, courtesy of Elphaba, tore through the sky as they soared past the guards. Elphaba clutched the broomstick and veered to the left, being mindful of her screaming passenger. Glinda sat behind her, thin arms wrapped securely around Elphaba's waist. Adrenaline faded to excitement, which morphed into exhilaration when they passed the borders of the Emerald City. They were free! And more importantly, they were together.
But where were they going to go next? Elphaba considered returning to her family home and asking her father for help, but shook away the idea. Knowing him, the Eminent Thropp was more likely to serve his green daughter's head on a platter to the Wizard. Likewise, entering Gillikan Country was sure to result in Glinda's parents "rescuing" her from Elphaba's clutches. The best decision right now was to lay low and find shelter somewhere less populated.
Elphaba settled on an abandoned flour mill in Munchkinland. The fields outside were overgrown with wheat, providing a bit of concealment for their activities. Taking Glinda's hand in hers, she swung open the door.
"How...quaint," Glinda remarked at their new living quarters. "I've never seen such an exceedingly humble abode before."
Much to Elphaba's horror, Glinda was actually being underdramatic. The inside of the mill was smaller than their old dorm room at Shiz. A layer of dust mixed with flour coated the wooden floors, while black mold crept along the walls. Several large flour sacks were piled in the corner. A spiral staircase with random boards missing led to the upper level, which was sure to be equally destitute.
Elphaba pushed a brave expression onto her face. "Well it's a good thing I brought a broom."
"I rather wish you had enchanted a queen-sized canopy bed instead." Glinda took a slight step to the side. "I'll be out here, let me know once you're done cleaning."
Amusement and exasperation flitted through Elphaba's mind. "You're not going to help? I hate to break it to you, but not having servants means we'll have to...GASP...do things ourselves."
Glinda beamed beneath her fluttering eyelashes. "Oh but Miss Elphaba, I do believe there is only one broom, and it only answers to you."
"You wicked little thing." Elphaba rolled her eyes, unable to be truly annoyed at her adorable companion. A stack of random farm equipment on the other side of the mill sparked an idea. There was a familiarly shaped object hidden among the pitchforks. "In that case, you can hold the dustpan."
After what seemed like hours of grunt work, primarily composed of Elphaba sweeping the dust and Glinda sneezing at the dust, the old mill was finally restored to a state of acceptable cleanliness. Ignoring the stale scent, Elphaba dragged a couple flour sacks together to form a makeshift bed. Her massive cloak would have to serve as a blanket for now. They were not, thank ozness, completely empty-handed. Each girl had a purse with whatever belongings they had brought to meet the Wizard with.
They unpacked every item that could potentially be useful onto a rickety table. Elphaba had a coin pouch, the stolen Grimmerie, her glasses, a pocket knife, a map, and a flask. All essential things that would serve her well. Glinda had a substantially heavier coin pouch, a hairbrush, four different lipstick colors, concealer, a white handkerchief, her training wand, and a bag of candy. Questionably essential, but at least she had money.
"Why did you need so much lipstick?" Elphaba questioned.
"In case I changed my mind," Glinda said. "Why did you bring a knife?"
"In case I met someone I didn't like. I should've used it on the Wizard."
"Goodness, Elphie." Glinda placed a hand over her chest in astonishment. "But I suppose it'll come in handy now that we're practically...feral."
A snort escaped from Elphaba's mouth. "Only you would liken a dusty room to being feral."
"The windows don't have shutters! What kind of uncivilized house has holes for windows? I much prefer my windows without holes."
"No holes would swiftly defeat the purpose of a window." When Elphaba was met with a quizzical expression, she sighed and gave Glinda's arm a stroke. "Let's try to get some sleep. I'm sure you're tired from flying all day."
As they laid side by side on the flour sacks, Glinda's window complaint proved to be valid. Drafts blew in easily, casting a chill over the room. The cloak failed to provide sufficient warmth against the night. Elphaba glanced at Glinda, who was pretending to be asleep but obviously shivering. The poor girl had probably never gone a day in her life without a plush bed and multiple comforters at her disposal. Would she be alright under the strain of travel?
Elphaba inched closer until their bodies were touching. Tentatively, she draped an arm over Glinda's cold shoulders. The corner of Glinda's lips twitched upwards as she turned to snuggle into Elphaba's chest, all while keeping her eyes closed to continue feigning sleep. Elphaba inhaled her sweet perfume, suddenly feeling much warmer. In that moment, she was flooded with gratefulness to have someone by her side. Her arms tightened around the smaller girl. She decided that Glinda Upland would be protected as long as Elphaba Thropp walked the earth.