A/N: Shouts outs to Lexie and ExoticPeachBlossom. Lexie, thanks for all your wonderful reviews. Hope you like this. ExoticPeachBlossom, this one is for you. ;)

Chapter 38

Weeks dragged on and the village was beginning to take shape again. The wall around the Village was in place within the first week and the remainder of the supplies used were spread to where they were needed. Some homes had quick and easy fixes while a few were stripped of what could be used and the rest was demolished. The barracks were fixed up and that allowed for anyone without a place to sleep to stay there. Sleeping in shifts, allowed for work to be done almost around the clock, and it was working. The weather was beginning to grow cold and it was getting to the point where there would not be enough room to sleep in shifts as everyone would soon be spending a good portion of their days inside.

"Well I've called this meeting due to the need for supplies. I know that we're all tired hearing about our supplies but we've hit a critical stage. We have at least thirty individuals who need somewhere to stay as the snow flies. Even if it is only for this winter, I do not intend for anyone to die," Doctor Dillamond spoke to the group which included King Brrr, Captain Khalil, Sergeant Zetti, Lieutenant Ronin, Elphaba, and what remained of Fiyero. The Scarecrow had begged Elphaba to put him back together but she had refused and quickly explained to him the trouble. Should he be stuffed willy nilly and she cast the spell then he could be missing all kinds of important pieces to keep him alive long enough for her to do what she needed. Besides then there was the matter of having all the soldiers see his face. There was too much at stake for him to become human again just yet. Elphaba made up a lie about not being able to fix him so that no one else tried to restuff the former Winkie Prince.

"I agree but without any help from the outside world, we are woefully short. We have people bunked in the houses that stand and in the barracks and we're still short. Another barrack would be the best solution but I do not know how we are going to achieve it," Captain Khalil pointed out.

"Part of the problem is that it takes three days to get to the Emerald City," Sergeant Zetti said.

"At best, two days to reach Kiamo Ko and see if we could salvage anything," Lieutenant Ronin heaved a sigh.

"The nails at Kiamo Ko wouldn't be worth a darn," Fiyero chuckled slightly trying to lighten the mood. Brrr gave a slight chuckle and spoke up,

"You find some metal to melt down and our resident blacksmith, Mr. Smythe, can handle it. If he reshaped Master Yero's rifle, he can make more nails out of just about anything."

"I hate to start melting down essentials to get nails though," the Captain said.

"There is a way for someone to get to the Emerald City a lot faster," Elphaba spoke up. The witch had been silent through most of the conversation and as soon as she said it, Fiyero looked at her unsure of just how far she was willing to go.

"We're all ears," Brrr smiled slightly as he worried too about how far she was willing to go.

"I can enchant the horses and a group of five could head to the city," she admitted. Everyone who knew her real identity heaved a small sigh of relief.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" The Captain asked.

"It only works on small numbers before I tire myself out," she admitted but Fiyero knew it was a lie. She could enchant an entire army if she wanted but the cost would be too great given her current state of affairs.

"Then in the morning, we'll head out. I'll take Private Roth, Corporal Stevens, and two more and we'll be back before you know it," Zetti offered.

"Lady Glinda will be pleased to hear of our progress. I will get on writing her a letter for you to take with you," Khalil smiled.

"Of course. Now if the Lieutenant wouldn't mind helping me get a supply list together…" Zetti trailed off.

"On it," the Lieutenant smiled. With that the group split up. Fiyero looked at Elphaba until they got into their room at the barracks.

"You must be careful Fae. I cannot lose you," he said.

"I know. But what choice did we have? We couldn't lose almost an entire week to get supplies. Besides, you know that Glinda hasn't been able to send any to us as she is already stretched thin in the Gale Force recruit department," she told him.

"I know but if they find out who you really are, I cannot idly be a lump. I need you to patch me back together, even if you turn me back into a Scarecrow until I can be made human again, I would gladly do so if it meant keeping you safe," Fiyero smiled slightly and ached to reach out and touch her. She heaved a sigh.

"I will see what I can do but I cannot lose you either and if this goes south I…" tears threatened to fall but she held them back. They'd been through too much to lose each other now.

"We'll figure it out, we always do," he said.

To Be Continued…