Elphaba Freeze Water

The Grasstrail Train stopped on the side of a small tarn. The others said its water was refreshing, though Icy cold; Elphie didn't know or care about that. But in the middle was an island-a tiny thing, the size of a mattress, sprouting one leafless tree like an umbrella that has lost its fabric.

Before Elphaba could quite make it out-the evening light came early at this time of year, and even earlier in the mountains-Killyjoy had plunged feverishly into the water, and splashed and swum his way to the island, intent on some small movement or interesting scent he had picked up. He ferreted in the sedge, and then clamped his teeth-the most woiflike of his features-gently around the skull of a small beast in the grass.

Elphie couldn't see but it looked like a baby.

Oatsie screamed, Liir quivered like a blob of jelly, Killyjoy released his grip, but only to get a further hold; he was drooling over the scalp of the thing he had caught.

There was no way to go through the water-that would be death- But her feet went Out anyway- They hit the water hard, the water hit hard back-The water turned to ice as she ran-foot by foot of ice under foot by foot of hurry. A silvering plate formed instantly, cantilevering forward, making a cold safe bridge to the island-Where Killyjoy could be scolded, and the baby saved, though she hadn't dared hope she could be in time. She pried Killyjoy's jaws apart, and scooped up the thing. It shivered in terror and the cold. Its bright black eyes were alert and watching, ready to upbraid or condemn or love, same as any capable adult thing.

The others were surprised to see it, as surprised as they'd been to see the ice form, perhaps by some magic spell left on the tarn from some passing wizard or witch. It was a small monkey-of the variety called the snow monkey. A baby abandoned by its mother and its tribe, or maybe separated by accident?

- Wicked, Book 4