Chapter Text
Chapter 4 - Seen
Elphaba woke up before dawn, just the same as most days since they'd moved to the farm from Nest Hardings. She stared at the rough beams of the ceiling and took in the stillness, the quiet.
Early mornings were her favorite, before Frex and his demands asserted themselves over her day. She didn't mind the farm work surprisingly. It wasn't the only thing she wanted to do for the rest of her life but the hands on work was satisfying in its own way.
She took a deep breath before pushing herself up and out of bed. Standing in front of her vanity, she poured water into the basin before taking a cloth and wiping down her skin and washing her face. The cool water felt good. This time of year, even the nights were hot.
She unbraided her hair, running the wide tooth comb through the length of it before winding it around her hand and weaving a hair stick through it, followed by a second one in the opposite direction.
Elphaba changed before quickly making the bed (Frex was known to randomly inspect her room and nag her about the state of her "ungodly squaller",) and slipped out the door, tiptoeing past her father's room and down the stairs.
She picked up the basket she usually used to gather eggs and went out the back door. Taking a deep breath of the clear, early morning air, she stepped off the porch and crossed the yard, feeling the soft grass covered in dew under her feet.
Opening the egg box, she was surprised to find that there were no eggs. That was odd but there was nothing to be done about it. She'd have to monitor the hens over the next several days to make sure they weren't sick.
The barn door moved almost soundlessly under her touch and she stared at it. She'd been meaning to oil the hinges for days because it was sticking and groaning in protest every time she opened it. But now, it moved back a forth easily as she pulled it open and closed several times.
There was no time to dwell on it now. She needed to milk the cow and feed the animals before making breakfast. She'd have to alter her plans because of the lack of eggs.
Absorbed in the mental tally of the contents of the pantry, she didn't notice anything amiss at first. The lack of sounds were what broke her from her thoughts.
Every animal was quietly eating and their water buckets were full.
Elphaba spun to look at Feldspur's stall.
Empty.
She crossed quickly to look over the wall. His saddle was slung over the side wall and the tack was still hanging from the pegs. The stall was clean and fresh hay had been laid.
Quickly surveying the entire barn, she was stunned to discover that every stall was in the same condition.
Then she noticed a pail setting next to a hay bale. She strode over and found the pail full of milk and, in a small basket next to the pail, eggs.
He'd already done all of her pre-breakfast chores.
She glanced out at the sky. She had almost half an hour before she had to start cooking judging by how light the sky was. Oz, she couldn't even remember the last time that had happened.
She gathered up the milk and eggs and made her way back to the house, wondering if there was enough light to read by in the kitchen until she had to start cooking.
~~~~~
Laundry day was one of Elphaba's least favorites. Not the washing itself. She found that part of it rather repetitive and it allowed for a lot of time alone, which she enjoyed. (Frex wanted nothing to do with the wet, backbreaking task and Nessa couldn't get the leverage over the wash tub.)
But the endless ironing and starching and folding that followed, that she could do without.
Not to mention, hanging the larger linens on the line all by herself was a bit challenging. Some days, when Galinda was visiting, Elphaba could convince her to put the pins over the line while Elphaba held the cloth (that was about the only manual labor Galinda was willing to do).
But today she was alone and the wind was especially troublesome. She'd already had to re-rinse a few of the bed linens twice because the wind had knocked one end into the dirt as soon as she let go.
"Ugh!!!" She threw her hands up letting the wet cloth plop back into the water. Pacing away and muttering darkly under her breath so as not to lose her temper, she didn't notice Fiyero until she stomped back to the tub.
"Need help?" His words were completely without judgment. Just an observation and an offer.
She still eyed him warily, not sure what to make of him, even if he had done all of the barn chores this week. She'd begun to read in the mornings.
"You want to help with laundry?"
He shrugged. "Want is probably the wrong word but it seems that you could use the help. So, show me how to help." As he talked, he'd been rolling up his sleeves.
Elphaba's eyes had caught on his forearms. His skin was darker than her father's, probably from spending so much time outside.
"Miss Elphaba?"
The cuffed shirt showed more of his skin than Elphaba had ever seen before and the way that his muscles moved on his forearms was oddly fascinating. There was also a beautiful dark blue pattern flowing over the newly exposed skin.
"Miss Elphaba?"
He had tattoos? She'd read about them but never seen any in person. The idea of marking yourself like that, of wearing so much of yourself for everyone to see both intrigued her and terrified her.
"Elphaba?" The touch of his hand on her arm nearly made her jump out of her skin. So few people touched her willingly that it was always a marvel.
"What?" Her voice came out about an octave higher than usual.
"Are you alright? Do you need to get out of the sun? I said your name several times but it was like you couldn't hear me."
Elphaba was glad it was hard to tell when she blushed because her entire face was suddenly burning. Oz she'd been mesmerized by his forearms. It was mortifying.
She turned away quickly. "I'm fine. If you really want to help, grab the cloth and help me wring it out."
He looked like he wanted to say more but changed his mind as he helped her gather the long linen and begin to wring it out.
She handed him a clothespin and started to explain out to secure the sheet but he effortlessly reached up and pushed the pin securely into place.
Elphaba stared at him.
"What?" he shrugged. "I've washed clothes before. Next one?"
Wordlessly she went back to the wash tub and together they hung up the rest of the big pieces.
It took less than half the time it normally did.
~~~~~~
Thwack.
Thwack.
Thwack.
Thwack.
From inside the house, she could just barely make out the rhythmic sound of an ax splitting wood.
She put down the shirt she was mending and walked outside. Even knowing logically what she would find, she was still surprised to see Fiyero splitting wood for the woodpile.
She'd noticed it was getting low yesterday when she'd grabbed wood for the stove but she hadn't had the time yet to move dry wood from the pile next to the barn and then chop more to replace it.
Thwack.
Looking at the woodpile now, she saw that it had been added to and rotated so that the oldest wood was on top, the newer down below, just like she usually arraigned it. It was also higher than she usually stacked it.
But not so high that she couldn't easily still get pieces down.
Thwack.
There was a strange sensation in her belly. She'd first noticed it the other day when he'd helped her with the laundry. Now it was back.
Turning, she saw him pause in his motions and grab the hem of his shirt and pull it up to wipe his face.
She squeaked and turned back around. But the image was already firmly planted in her mind. Flashes of dark blue ink, muscles she'd studied in her books from Dr. Dillamond, and a line of dark hair going down into the waistband of his pants swirled in front of her eyes, causing heat to rush to her cheeks.
"Are you alright Miss Elphaba?" Feldspur's voice startled her and she turned to him, hand pressed to her chest.
"Oh yes! I'm fine, I just didn't see you there."
Feldspur gave her an assessing look. "Are you sure? If you're feeling unwell, I'm sure Fiyero wouldn't mind-"
"No, no, that won't be necessary! Excuse me." She hurried back into the house and stood at the kitchen table with her hands pressed to her cheeks. She heard the sounds of the ax start up again and moved to the window.
She drew the curtain to the side just enough to see Fiyero. Her mouth went dry.
He'd forgone the shirt all together now.
The ink she'd seen on his arms and in the flash of his stomach moments ago flowed up his arms, over his chest and down to the edge of his pants. Does it go down further? she wondered absently.
He had hair on his chest that tapered down to the line she'd seen and she had the strangest urge to feel the texture of it under her palms.
He turned to grab another piece of wood and his back displayed more ink that seemed to ripple when the muscles of his back moved. Oz it was the most she'd ever seen of a man who wasn't sick or injured and the difference was startling.
In all of her time with Dr. Dillamond, she'd gotten good at seeing the only the parts of the body she needed to and blocking out everything else. But seeing Fiyero like this, there was nothing clinical about it.
As she watched, Feldspur walked over to him and Fiyero set down the ax. They seemed to be discussing something when Fiyero suddenly looked at the house.
She threw herself to the side as she let the curtains fall shut and buried her face in her hands. Had he seen her?
It doesn't matter she scolded herself. She shook her head and went back to her mending. You're not that girl Elphaba.
~~~~~~
She was finishing her baking prep when a knock sounded on the back door.
She swung the top of the door open and saw Fiyero on the other side. "Mr. Tigelaar, how can I help you?"
"Do you need anything from town? Feldspur and I have an order of fencing to pick up and thought maybe you'd like to join us."
Elphaba glanced around the kitchen. There were several things she was getting a bit low on, though none absolutely needed replacing today, it had been a few weeks since she'd gone to town.
Her father and Nessa had gone to make rounds to several of his parishioners for one reason or another. She'd been looking forward to getting some reading down without her father breathing down her neck but going to town…..
"If you don't want to that's fine. I just thought that maybe-"
"Yes." Her confident reply surprised them both.
"Yes?"
"Yes. Let me make a list really quick and I'll meet you by the wagon."
"O-okay. Good."
"Great." They stared at each other for a moment before Elphaba abruptly turned away and closed the door.
She grabbed the list she kept pinned next to the pantry and then grabbed her bag, hat, and coat and hurried out to the barn.
~~~~~~
They talked the entire ride to town.
If pressed, she couldn't have told you what they said but the conversation didn't lapse once. Feldspur chimed in with his own opinions and Elphaba enjoyed listening to the two friends bicker back and forth.
By the time they reached the bookstore, Elphaba realized she hadn't enjoyed a journey so much in years.
She started to climb down, and was startled by Fiyero's arm coming into her line of vision. "I can exit a wagon Mr. Tigelaar."
"Of course you can but that doesn't mean I won't offer."
She searched his face but found no malice, just a genuine offer. She slowly grabbed his arm and lowered herself the rest of the way to the ground before reaching for her bag and finding it being held out to her.
"Thank you." She didn't know how to accept help gracefully so she turned away and spoke to Feldspur. "I don't know how long I'll be but I'll try to be quick."
"Oh no Miss Elphaba. You take your time. Fiyero and I will be just fine if we complete our business first."
She smiled and reached out to stroke his nose.
"ELPHIE! What a nice surprise! You never come into town by yourself."
She found herself engulfed in one of Galinda's hugs, an impressive feat for someone as tiny as Galinda was.
"Miss Elphaba?"
The girls turned to find Fiyero watching them. "If you need any help with your supplies, just ask. I'm happy to help."
Elphaba nodded.
Galinda beamed. "Mr. Tigelaar! It's so nice to see you again!"
He tipped his hat. "It's nice to see you again, Miss Upland."
Galinda looked quickly between the two of them before pasting on a smile. "It's so kind of you to accompany Elphie into town."
"Of course. I'm always willing to help her." His eyes went wide and he quickly cleared his throat. "Ladies, if you'll excuse me, Feldspur and I must be going." Tipping his hat, he climbed back up on the wagon and signaled Feldspur to go.
Galinda stared for a few seconds then turned to Elphaba. "Tell. Me. Everything."
Elphaba started towards the grocer's. "There's nothing to tell."
"Please, Elphie. He didn't take his eyes off you except when he spoke directly to me. There's something to tell."
"There really isn't. He's just doing his job around the farm. It's been…..nice to have help."
Galinda pounced on the hesitation. "Nice?"
Elphaba rolled her eyes. "You know I've been doing all the chores by myself since we came here. It's nice that my father finally hired someone to help. It certainly made laundry easier."
Galinda pulled her to a stop. "He helped with your laundry?!"
"Shh! No! He helped hang some of the linens, the same as you've done before. It's not a big deal."
"Oh but it is! Elphie, he likes you!"
Elphaba let out a disbelieving laugh. "No he doesn't. He's doing his job."
Galinda gave her a pitying look. "Elphie I love you but you have absolutely no idea about men."
"Galinda, really there's nothing to know." She pulled open the door and consulted her list.
Grabbing a basket, she walked down the aisles and grabbed the things she was short on. Trying to divert the attention away from herself, she asked, "Are you still seeing Mr. Cherrystone?"
Galinda huffed. "Ugh no. He was perfectly dreadful when he came to call and I told Popsicle…."
Elphaba listened to Galinda's latest courting adventures, laughing occasionally. She was a good, if a bit hyperbolic, storyteller.
She got through the rest of her list and went up to the counter to speak to the shopkeeper about the larger bags of flour, sugar, and coffee to pick up later.
They stepped outside again and there was no sign of Fiyero or Feldspur.
"I want to go by Dulci's." She placed her hat on her head as she spoke to shield her eyes from the midday sun.
"Ugh. Fine. Let's go."
"You don't have to come with me."
Galinda waved her hand. "No, no let's go to the book place. And must you wear that ridiculous hat?"
"You gave it to me." Elphaba said with an amused tone.
"Well I didn't think you'd actually wear it all the time!"
"Too bad. I love this hat."
~~~~~~
The bell sounded over the door to Dulci's shop but Elphaba didn't look up from the book she was contemplating. Whoever it was wouldn't want to talk to her.
"Miss Elphaba? Are you ready to go?"
She whirled and stared. "Fiyero! I mean, Mr. Tigelaar!"
He looked a bit shocked at her accidental use of his first name but didn't comment on it. "Feldspur and I are loaded and ready to go. Do you need more time?" He gestured to the book she had clutched to her chest.
"I'll be done shortly."
He nodded and she watched him walk back to the shop's door, nodding to Dulci, a quiet "Thank you ma'am" falling from his lips as he slipped out the door.
The door had barely closed when Galinda started in on Elphaba again. "Elphie that man is absolutely interested in you! Don't you think Dulci?"
The Bear looked thoughtful. "He certainly seemed focused on you Elphaba."
She rolled her eyes. "Not you too. He works for my father. He's only being polite. This one please." Elphaba set the book she'd been looking at on the counter. She pointedly ignored Galinda's opinions on her prospects and hugged Dulci in thanks before exiting onto the street.
She was busy putting her new book into her bag, when Galinda squealed. "Oh that is the sweetest thing! Elphie look!"
Fiyero and Feldspur were surrounded by a group of about 10 school aged children. Fiyero was putting each kid one at a time on Feldspur's back while the Horse talked to the others and ruffled their hair by blowing air out of his nose. The children all laughed in delight.
Fiyero had a big smile on his face as he talked to the kids, squatting down to their level and listening to every word they said.
He glanced up and spotted her, straightening up to tell the kids he had to go now. The children all expressed disappiontment before trickling away in twos and threes.
Elphaba greeted Feldspur before walking to place her bag on the seat of the wagon. "We have to go by the grocer's to pick up the larger sacks."
Fiyero shook his head. "Already went."
She turned to look at him, foot already up on the step to climb into the wagon. "What?"
He shrugged at her. "We already picked up your things. Feldspur wanted to restock his supply of oats and sugar cubes."
Feldspur shook out his mane. "Oh yes I'm the reason we went by the grocer's."
"Oh, well then I guess we can go straight home." She finished climbing up onto the seat. Out of the corner of her eye she would have sworn she'd seen Fiyero elbow Feldspur but when she looked, he was double checking the tack.
"Elphie, I'll come by next week for a visit and we can continue our conversation." She looked pointedly at Fiyero, who was now climbing up to sit next to her.
"There's nothing to discuss but you're welcome anytime. You know that." She added pointedly.
"Whatever you say Elphie." Galinda waved as they started moving.
"What conversation?" Fiyero asked, when they'd turned the corner.
Elphaba ducked her head to hide beneath the brim of her hat. "It's nothing. Galinda's got this wild idea that she won't let go of."
"She always seems….enthusiastic when I see her."
Elphaba laughed. "You're not wrong on that one. She's very opinionated when she wants to be."
"You seem very close."
"She's my best friend. The first one I made in fact."
He nodded and changed the subject. "Hungry? I picked up some food before I came to find you." He reached down and handed her a box. Inside was a jar of lemonade as well as a several things they could easily eat on the moving wagon bench.
"Thank you. What do you want?"
"I'll start with a sandwich."
They conversed easily as they returned to the farm, though this time, Elphaba couldn't shake Galinda's voice from her mind. Interested.
~~~~~~
When they reached the farm, Fiyero helped Elphaba unload the things from the grocer's and she noticed a mid sized crate. "What's that?"
Fiyero looked and almost tripped climbing down from the wagon. Without thinking, Elphaba reached out to steady him and they wound up face to face, his hands on her upper arms and hers bracing his chest.
They stared at each other for several heartbeats before realizing the position they were in.
"Sorry I-"
"Are you alri-"
She stepped back and gripped the fabric of her skirt tightly to try and forget how he felt under her hands.
Fiyero tugged his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. "It's just, uh, parts for the fence."
She furrowed her brow at his uncertain tone. "If you say so. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes tomorrow, it's laundry day isn't it?"
"Yes." It startled her to realize he knew her routine. She walked over to Feldspur to thank him and gave him the last two apples from the box.
"Oh thank you Miss Elphaba. The red ones are my favorite apples."
"I'll buy more next time for you then. Goodnight, Feldspur."
He nodded at her, mouth full of apple.
"Goodnight Mr. Tigelaar."
"Goodnight Miss Elphaba."
~~~~~~
The next morning, when she went to draw water for the day, she noticed something set up next to the tub.
Walking over she saw it was a clothes wringer, the black metal handle shining in the sun, the wooden rollers smooth and glossy. She'd seen advertisements for them but her father had deemed it an unnecessary expense and refused to order one.
She turned the handle and the rollers moved soundlessly.
Perhaps laundry day would be less miserable than usual.