I don't own Wicked.

Part One

Glinda

Chapter One

"Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you...I have been changed for good."

Those words seemed to echo across twelve years as Glinda stood in front of Kiamo Ko with a heavy heart, staring up at the morose stone castle. The wind whispered mournfully around her, seeming to share the grief that filled her heart at the sight of this place.

"Hi, Elphie," the blonde woman murmured, smiling slightly in spite of the pain. "You didn't think I'd forget, did you? I come every year. It's just that there have been some rebels around, and I've been busy trying to keep them out of the Emerald City. You wouldn't believe how much things have—"

A sharp crack behind her made Glinda spin around, heart thudding with fear. "Who's there?" she demanded sharply, fist clenching in anticipation of an attack.

"Don't have yer guards now, do ya, Miss Glinda?" A face leered out of the darkness at her. It was a wrinkled, sun-worn face with stubble on the chin and a heavy smell of wine. "Yer all alone."

"Alaric," Glinda said coldly, recognizing the rebel. "What are you doing out here so late?"

"We could ask the same of you," said another voice. This one belonged to a younger man with icy green eyes. "What are you doing all the way out by the abandoned castle?"

"That's none of your business, Freidle," she snapped, furtively trying to find an escape route.

"Oh, but it is." The man named Alaric stepped forward, and in his hand glinted a jagged silver knife. Glinda's heart stopped as she saw the blade slowly swing toward her and then back again. "Th' poor Ozians will be heartbroken when they find ye out here," he chuckled. "Miss Glinda shoulda been a bit more careful, aye? Shoulda watched out for bandits."

"No, YOU should have watched out!" Chanting a spell from the Grimmerie, Glinda summoned a flock of ravens to her side. Screeching, the black birds attacked Alaric and Freidle, using their talons and beaks to stab and slash.

Freidle roared and swiped at the birds around his head. Eyes glittering with malice, he dove at Glinda. The blonde sidestepped, but she wasn't quite fast enough and his dagger cut from her shoulder to the middle of her forearm.

A blast of magic emitted from Glinda's body, forcing her attacker back. Sensing the danger, a clump of ravens left Alaric and bombarded Freidle, cawing in a tone that resembled the cries of a group of madmen.

Glinda turned and fled into the woods.