And another scream escaped Galinda. The pain in her back was even worse than her arms. But she couldn't let go. If the situation were reversed, Elphie would hold on until Galinda came to her senses and Galinda would do the same. Elphie meant too much to her to let go of. She felt like she was going to pass out, sweet Oz it was hard to stay conscious. But she couldn't let go. She couldn't. Elphie was responding. She could hear it in her voice. This was the right course. No one else would have been able to do it. Just her.
Pulling her face from the crook of Elphie's neck, the blond gave a weak smile, tears falling from her eyes because, well, it really really hurt.
"Not... letting go... Ever...."
Whimpering as the pain became too much, Galinda slumped in Elphie's arms. She wasn't dead, she was just in so much pain that her mind forced her to pass out to keep from feeling it. But it wasn't like Elphie would know that at the moment.