A/N: Welcome to story #2 and the second half of "Choices We Make". If you have not read the previous story, this will be confusing, so please read that one first. Hope you enjoy!

The Battle for Oz

By 18lzytwner

Chapter 1

Elphaba heaved a sigh as she sat down on the bed she shared with Fiyero. It had been a long few days and now it seemed that the Gale Force was once again encroaching on the Vinkun territory. They had reached the border wall and were forced to move along until the found a gate, which was of course closed. Since the Gale Force then had to bust down the gate, they were now a day to a day and a half behind where the Queen had supposed they would arrive. The extra time was not getting complaints from anyone inside the Palace Walls as they needed all the time they could get.

All civilians who could not fight – the elderly, the sick, and children and their mothers, were sent away to the next city. Should things not end well, the Queen wanted them to be out of harm's way as much as possible. Morrible would not continue the fight into the Vinkus as it would serve no purpose in hunting down civilians when the target was obviously the King and Queen. The women that had no children were given the option to fight or to flee. Most agreed to stay and fight, something that would not occur in the other countries of Oz. However, in the Vinkus both men and women were taught to fight, a holdover from the old ways when there was fighting amongst the tribes.

The Gillikin had sent more troops and supplies while the Quadlings had agreed to reinforce their borders so that the Gale Force could not flank the Vinkuns from the South. The Quadlings had also started to take over the Gale Force posts throughout their country in order to starve the enemy of aid and comfort. Queen Ayla had sent word to the Munchkins to see what their stance was, knowing that they could not send troops to their direct aid. Originally they had sworn allegiance to the Wizard but she guessed that by now they were souring on the idea.

"Oz to Elphaba. Come in Elphaba," a voice brought the green woman back to the present.

"Yero," she gave him a look.

"Thought you'd like to know that my mother heard back from the Munchkins," he said, sitting down next to her on the bed.

"Oh and what are their thoughts?" She raised an eyebrow, supposing that they would just give in to what was easy and safe.

"Unnamed Godspeed. They have agreed that they will start pushing the Gale Force out of Munchkinland and secure their borders. I guess that the Quadlings sent them a letter as well. Once they saw how much of Oz is being a part of the rebellion, they were more than happy to join in," Fiyero explained.

"Just as I suspected. They change sides more than I change underwear," Elphaba heaved another sigh.

"Yes well my mother knows how to handle them and we'll worry about it later. I suspect that the Gale Force and Morrible will be here by tomorrow afternoon. The scouts have said that they are marching into the dark, which will make them tired but I'm guessing Morrible doesn't care. She's got to be steaming," he chuckled.

"I can imagine, especially since we executed the spy and that the King is on the mend. She was expecting weakness and instead she's going to be getting a strong united Oz," she said.

"On that lovely thought, we best get some sleep. Tomorrow will come early," Fiyero leaned over and kissed her on the temple. Elphaba yawned in response and they quickly got ready to turn in for the evening.

To Be Continued…