This is the Gelphie story I said I wanted to finish by January on my Tumblr, I did finish it then, but I decided I wanted to proof read the whole thing before posting it. That way I can have a regular update schedule. Unfortunately the longer I have spent on this story, the less happy I am with it. However, I believe if there is at least one person out there who will read this, and enjoy it, than I have achieved something.

I have taken some (read as: a lot) of liberties, the main one being with the position of Eminent, the book suggested they (as in the Thropps) weren't well known outside Munchkinland and the term Eminent itself just means someone high in society, not someone with a unique station that everyone would know of. That and the books suggests G(a)linda's family is not as high up as she acts, I could ramble a while more but I'm sure you'll see the other liberties I've taken when/if you read my story. Hopefully you won't have to suspend you disbelief too far.

Please do inform me of any out of character-ness, in accuracies, mistakes, grammar problems, etc. I can't improve my writing if I don't know what I am doing wrong. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, or just plain old criticism.

Thank you for reading my rambles and making it this far.

They had been greeted by a man of Munchkin stock with more hair on his chin then his head. With urgent motions he had quickly ushered them into a nearby carriage, which unlike their previous mode of transport, only had enough room for the three of them.

No more sharing. That was a plus.

Unfortunately, this also meant her options for discussion were limited. While before she could partake in some trivial exchange with her fellow passengers, now she had nothing to distract her but her own thoughts. And they were not particularly wanted, nor particularly comforting.

Though the downsides were somewhat balanced by the fact they were journeying as First class travellers, not now of course, but for the much longer stretch they had been – something her parents had spent a great deal of time saving up for. It brought Galinda some relief from the otherwise difficult and prolonged trip.

As she stared pointedly out of the window her thoughts wandered back to her University days, and all of the talk of extending the Great Gillikin Railway south. She only had a vague remembrance of it as she had always wished to visit the Emerald City. In spite of her dream, she had never wanted to travel for such long periods of time, as she currently was, so she had never gone.

Technically she had now been to the City, but there had been no time to explore, so she did not consider it as a trip. In the future, perhaps, she would get to visit it proper, likely when the transport there would be swifter.

Thinking of such things now? The journey had obviously taken its toll on her, more than she had thought.

Galinda tried to focus on the scenery, but aside from a few houses and farmsteads here and there, there was nothing of interest. The oddity that was the road had become lacklustre by now, though at some points she swore some of the bricks that made up the road were loosened, if not pried up completely. She recalled a friend she had met at University from Munchkinland (they had lost touch by now, something she was somewhat glad for), mentioning something about the road being pulled up. Apparently as some sign of rebellion. Was it by the Eminent? Or the general public? She could not fully recollect. Why were they even talking about such a thing in the first place? It seemed an awfully aware subject compared to their usual superficial topics. But the supposed damaged moved by in a blur, so easily it could have been a trick of her wearied mind. Her thoughts more so.

Lost in thought the surroundings distorted further still, now just a mass of dull green in the background as she inadvertently found her eyes drawn to her reflection. She raised her hand to rearrange a few curls, sighed and sat back, the seat squeaking annoyingly as she did so.

Her parents wanted what was best for her. That did not mean she was necessarily going to like what they thought was best, but she would have to learn to. Rightfully that lesson was supposed to have been drilled into her long ago. A stiff upper lip and all that other stuff. While it was true they wanted her to have the best she could in life, it was equally as true that they wanted what was best for the family.

And that is why she found herself in that cramped carriage, her ears annoyed with a faint buzzing.

They were colder than normal parents, she supposed, but only when with others. Others that were often even more indifferent. They had raised her to be as she was, to hide her true mind behind how the Upper, Upper classes behaved. A front, much like her home, the parts that were viewed by others extravagant, the other parts? Not so much. They were loving, forceful in some aspects, but still loving behind the closed doors of their home.

It was amazing really, that her parents had managed to arrange such a union.

She should have been pleased. There were many things she could and should worry about, and yet, foremost amongst them at that moment (as she spared a look at the hairy faced Munchkin) was the stature of the people. Not position wise, she already knew of that. No, she worried about their height. Childish perhaps, but it was preferably to her other worries. Her Ama insisted there was a difference between Munchkinlanders and Munchkins, which did little to settle her. That same friend from Munchkinland insisted she was a Munchkinlander but her height was even shorter than Galinda's own. She would hate if her Husband was to be shorter than her. What an embarrassment that would be! No matter his title or standing.

And even if he were to be taller, he was still a Munchkinlander. Her thoughts quickly spiralled deeper into the thoughts she wished to avoid. She had always been told to marry above her social station, to marry within her own country. Only a Gillikinese was worthy of a Gillikinese. But, as she thought to herself before, there must have been a reason for her parents to break such an integral rule of their society.

The buzzing sound that had been simmering in the background grew louder, irritating her ears further. She rubbed at the spot below her right ear in the hopes of relieving herself of the annoyance, only to realise the sound was a muted conversation between her Ama and the Munchkin opposite them. Her curiosity rising, she cleared her head and focused on the already on-going conversation.

"…but I feel I must inform you this family follows the tradition of matriliny. It is rather unusual for a title to travel down in such a way, I know." The Munchkin said clearly clueless to the numerous families she knew off – including her own – that had a title which was passed down the female line, and she, of course, already knew that particular piece of information. As well as a few others. Munchkins did have small minds, perhaps he had forgotten.

This time, however, the mention caused her to hesitate in her thoughts, a small crease forming between her eyebrows. If the title was passed to the females in the line, and her betrothed had two sisters, then that meant he would likely never inherit the title – which she was sure was the important factor her family would gain from their joining.

Were they banking on something happening to the man's older sisters? So power would be passed to him, or would it be to her? It was not within her capabilities to figure that one out. Not at present.

Basing their future on a possible accidental death – or two – was remarkably morbid. Especially for her parents.

But still, an Eminent of a country, even if the title was not for certain, was infinitely better than a Marquess, a Brevet or a Margrave. Or any of those other lowly titles.

Always look on or for the brightside, she reminded herself. Something her Ama had told her on many occasions past and present.

"Now if you don't mind me asking..." That tone of voice, edging towards a gossiping whisper, it was just like her Ama to be nosy. She knew it would happen. She could always tell with the woman. Truthfully she was surprised it had not occurred already when she was lost in her thoughts.

"Mister Genfee." The Munchkin supplied.

Her Ama gave a nod of thanks, but did not halt in her words to do so, instead ploughing on with whatever questions had been bubbling beneath the surface since they had met the Munchkin. Likely long before that too.

"Why did they pick Galinda here, I mean aside from the obvious reasons, not that they would be much aware of how she looks. I can't quite put my finger on it, bothersome thin'. I'm sure you've thought about it Dear – don't shake your head, of course you have."

Of course she had.

She did not know the full details (or any) of why the Eminent, or whoever it concerned, agreed to the marriage. Though she had a rather sure feeling it may have something to do with her family's, or rather her Uncle's, acquaintances in The Glikkus.

Her Uncle had strong connections with the Emerald mines and in turn the Great Gillikin Railway. Not that she knew the full extent of this of course, the conversations were awfully mundane and trying, she tended to tune them out in favour of something else.

Her Uncle was buried in his work and as such was both spouseless and childless. When he passed over, his shares would be left to his brother, her Father, of course. The connections could quite possibly allow a stronger claim to the land – if they were passed to certain influential people. The emeralds, as well, were an important resource and very valuable.

But, of course it was not her place to know about these types of things. And as such she banished the thoughts from her head as she unfurled her fan and gave it a wave.

Was it always this hot in Munchkinland?

Genfee replied with some rambling speech on what he, personally, believed. Which in other words meant nothing, and as such she tuned him out. There was no point wasting any more time on him.

She gave her fan another wave and puffed her cheeks out in a vain attempt to combat the rapidly growing stuffiness in the carriage. Fewer bodies should have stopped that happening, but perhaps the more confined surroundings did not do much to help.

Tugging at the side of the window showed it would yield no further from where it already sat, the small amount of air it allowed in was far too little. She folded her fan and dropped it to her lap in annoyance. Perhaps not the smartest of moves.

"...after all Master Shell is still at University. I –

"What?" Glinda's head snapped towards the chatting pair, her neck clicking painfully at the sudden movement.

"Oh, joined us again Duckie?"

"He's still at school." She was marrying a child? Why did they all have to leave her in the dark on that particular piece of information? That was one of the most important facts! Even more so than his heritage, and all that other foolishness. He was younger!

"Now you stop before you start over exaggeratin'. Don't go giving me that look – He's at University."

"He may as well be a child." Galinda huffed; she snapped her fan out once more to cover her face as she discreetly repositioned herself on the plush seat. It squeaking in protest once more.

"This makes no sense anyway, the Gillikinese Eminent I could understand, but the Eminent of Munchkinland?" It just seemed so...random, despite her theory on the matter. Not to mention rather unappealing.

He wouldn't even have the title in all likelihood.

It was a waste.

"Don't go poutin'."

He Munchkin paid no attention to her sulking, choosing instead to launch straight back into dull conversation with her Ama. His high pitched voice even more of an irritation to her sensitive ears.

They had moved from the underwhelming bricks to a dirt road, and now were making their uncomfortable way across cobblestones. Thankfully the sun had moved from its high position in the sky to one that meant less heat beating down upon the roof of the carriage. No less warmth within unfortunately.

The squat buildings that passed her window were quaint, if she were to stretch what qualified as quaint in her eyes. Greatly stretch.

"You won't be seeing the Eminent much of course, he's been unwell or so I heard, and then there's Master Shell's father, he tends to keep to himself."

A household of recluses? Well that would not be too bad, as long as there were enough people to wait on her properly; she had not had many (okay, she only really had her Ama) at home but had grown accustomed to having her room cleaned and food cooked for her.

They rolled to a stop not too soon after. Three taps sounded on the roof above them, echoing in the sudden silence.

"We're here." The Munchkin said, pointing out the obvious.

Galinda leant forward as shrewdly as she could manage in order to increase the range of things that she could see through the window. Unluckily, she caught sight of very little before Genfee opened the door.

The Munchkin jumped down, a surprising feat for such small knees, astounding her that they did not shatter under the impact. He stumbled his landing slightly, but brushed it off with the ease of someone used to embarrassment.

Genfee turned back, scraping the gravel beneath his heel. The Munchkin offered his hand for her and her Ama in turn, it made no difference to the step down, he may as well have let her use his head as a counterbalance instead, it was further up and would have lessened the drop more effectively.

Galinda brushed at her skirts, and spared only a passing glance at the driver who was stepping around to the back of the carriage.

There was little to see in the waning light besides the building, which seemed of an acceptable enough standard. A large balcony of white wood stretched above the main entranceway, giving the building a certain impressiveness that others often lacked. Though admittedly there were a lot of features tacked upon what would have been an otherwise very beautiful structure. The off-white stone that made up most of the outside walls was surprisingly bright and its texture shone well in the light. Galinda wobbled slightly when a sharp elbow dug into her ribs in a quick nudge.

"Stop admirin' the building and hurry up inside. I need a rest."

"We've been sitting down the entire journey." Galinda dropped her gaze from the building. Sometimes she just got carried away.

"Now, now, you know what I mean." Her Ama said with a smile which dissolved into a cough. Genfee hurried ahead as fast as his legs could carry him, holding one of the large doors open for them. Informing that they should go ahead and introduce themselves, their bags would be brought in shortly.

They carefully walked up the steps leading into the building. Galinda had long ago mastered the art of appearing calm and comfortable, even if beneath her built up exterior she was rather frightened. Terrifyingly anxious.

It swept over her suddenly, making her step tremble. She caught herself quickly, masking the show of nervousness, My Ama is with me, she reminded herself whenever her mask slipped. Her eyes flickered shut as she repeated the mantra, once they opened, and took in the entrance hall before them, the destructive feelings were put back into their vault.

Upon entering an Eminence's house she expected at least some kind of show, perhaps an announcement could be allowed to slide – she wasn't one for that outside of a large gathering, and even then was not keen on the practice – but even so, at least some sort of acknowledgement would have been gracious.

Instead, a Munchkin looking much like the first, stiffly introduced himself as the Concierge, before turning swiftly on his heel and rushing off outside.

Galinda must have let her frown settle back on her face as she felt her Ama's elbow nudging her once more. This time thankfully much softer.

"Is this really necessary Nanny? It's an unwelcome interruption to my studies."

Off to the side of the entrance hall stood a young and an elderly woman. In the shadow of the faux grand staircase they had not been noticeable straight away, and probably would not have been if it weren't for the young woman's contemptuous voice.

The elderly woman tsked noisily.

Of course a greeting was paramount lest these people wanted strangers wandering among them. The young woman's attitude forced Galinda to bite her tongue, she had experienced such treatment in the past, she knew how to handle it. A smile and a slight usually worked.

"Dearie if you keep reading that book you'll end up just like your Father, thick in the head."

Or the elderly woman could do it for her. Either way was fine.

Galinda put on her practiced smile as they approached the pair, inclining her head graciously "Galinda Arduenna, it is a pleasure to meet you at last."

She did not know who they were.

Through the process of elimination she figured one of them was likely one of the sisters. Probably not the old one. Unless that is why her parents did not view the older sisters as a potential problem, that or they did not consider the obstacles they could be to whatever their assumed goal was.

"This is my Ama." The woman in question beamed at them, "Ama Clutch." She swiftly added, they wouldn't want to call her Ama after all. Nor would she have or let them do so.

The old woman greeted them with a semi-toothless smile, though she seemed as if there was something much more important for her to be doing. Like knitting or something equally droll.

The girl looked to her clearly uninterested though she at least put on the pretence of manners; she seemed neat enough in a deep blue dress and carefully combed hair. Though very peculiarly she lacked any arms.

Galinda blinked, and all but gaped, then quickly realised how unflattering that expression was on her.

No arms?!

"This here's Nessarose." The woman patted the girl on the shoulder causing her to stagger slightly under the sudden weight. It was then Galinda noticed the older woman was supporting the girl, which did make sense considering. More sense than having no arms made.

Much more.

Galinda's smile remained in place even if she was more than a little disturbed by the girl's malformed body. I hope to Lurline her brother is fully formed, at least in the visible parts.

Her train of thought was rudely cut off when the entrance hall was suddenly filled with the sound of muffled stamping. Galinda being naturally inquisitive, well more curious then inquisitive – she had never been that inquisitive – turned her head towards the sound and saw a woman stomping along the top of the stairs. The woman spotted them, straightened up and walked down the stairs in a rather more calm manner.

As soon as the woman's feet touched the smooth floor of the hall she walked straight up to their small group, she gave her and her Ama a passing look before turning to the elderly woman, "Another one? I am not caring for another one."

And with that she marched off.

Galinda blinked, her expression completely unflatteringly again, feeling thoroughly baffled, and so very, very confused.

"Oh never mind her, the old sourpuss." The old woman said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"I believe the term misanthrope is far more fitting." The new arrival shouted over her shoulder, her clear voice echoing through the hall.

"Now that can mean a lot of things –

A door slammed leaving Galinda wondering if what she had just witnessed was, in fact, not just a trick of the light. Or perhaps it could have been a hallucination brought on by travel exhaustion.

Yes, a hallucination. The awful journey had truly affected her delicate self. There was no such thing as green skinned people, there were red...she had never met one, but she had heard of their existence. But most certainly not green.

Her gaze wandered back to the armless girl.

Or perhaps not.

"Nanny'll just take Nessarose here back to her book, then I'll be back to show you to where you'll be staying."

"Thank you dear." Ama Clutch said as the old woman aided the armless girl out of the entrance hall. The young woman mumbling about how she cannot continue her studies if she does not have someone to turn the pages. Her complaints fading away as they left down a corridor to the left of the hall.

As soon as they were presumably out of earshot Galinda turned to her Ama with a screech, "Ama Clutch!"

"Oh don't be so theatrical Dear. It'll do you some good –

"And w–

– more than that University did. Those girls'll stab you in the back so much as look at you, you realise that don't you, of course you do. Don't think us Ama's didn't take notice of your tiffs."

"They were my friends; yes we had our fallings out. A lot of them I suppose. But that's what girls are like. What does this even have to do with what I was...whatever I was going to say?"

"You'd done a fair bit better if you hadn't been distracted by those fair-weather friends of yours."

"I passed!" She blurted out far too loudly, her voice vibrating of the faux marble walls. Her cheeks began to burn, why did her Ama always bring up things that she rather not have brought up? Thank Lurline they were on their own. (Where were her bags?)

"Not well enough and you know it."

...That effectively halted her tongue. She could not say it was not true, she did feel – could she call it 'deep'? Regret for her time at University. At not doing everything to the best of her being. Of course even if she had done as well as she could have, she was not going to become a teacher, that was both beneath and out of her reach. All the degree would be was something she could have cheerfully, and slyly, boasted about at balls and parties on the arm of her husband. It would have gained her nothing in the end. Surely!

At least she was able to say she went to University, Crage Hall no less, (the even more esteemed Universities were still Male only, something that did bother her to an extent, but she understood why), and had passed with a Degree in Sorcery. She did not have to say which class that degree was.

Unable to unstick her tongue from the roof of her mouth in order to come up with a reasonable comeback for her Ama, she chose instead to fold her arms, turn her head and huff.

"Really! You should have grown out of that habit by now."

Footsteps and a thump indicated her luggage had arrived, but Galinda paid no attention to her items or the person who had brought them in so ungracefully, her hand tighten on the fan she only just realised she was holding. Her mind caught up with only one thought.

What in Lurline's name what had her parents gotten her into?