A/N: A shout out to my anonymous reviewer! Glad you liked the last chapter. There is trouble indeed. ;)

Chapter 34

Elphaba heard the ruckus outside but could not leave her work with the Munchkin patients. Mesud helped her as they moved from patient to patient. He could tell that she was using a lot of energy but the very sick men in front of them needed her help. Truly, whatever story had been told had been wrong. This woman could wipe him out along with half the men here, yet here she stood, helping.

"I have a bad feeling that we're about to get more," he admitted to her.

"I had that same feeling. Let us hope they do not need this kind of help," Elphaba admitted.

"Mesud!" That was Fiyero. The young man swallowed hard and then left the green woman to see what his Captain wanted. Elphaba finished with the last patient and then collapsed into a nearby chair. One of the other wounded soldiers, she hadn't helped, stirred in his bed and despite her better judgement, she got up, and went to check on him.

"Easy, easy. You've been through a lot. We don't want you pulling out your stitches that Mesud worked hard to do," she said softly. The man blinked quite a few times perhaps unsure if his eyes were working right.

"It's ok. Your eyes are not deceiving you. I am here to help," Elphaba continued in her soft gentle tone. The man's mouth opened and closed a few times and the green woman went to get him some water.

"I bet your lips are parched. Let me get you sitting up," she said as she set the cup of liquid down on her chair before gently helping the man up. He had a nasty bump on his head and a bandaged bicep.

"Here you go," she handed him the cup and made sure he could drink from it. He swallowed it quite greedily and heaved a sigh.

"Better?" She asked.

"Why?" He wanted to know. Elphaba gave him a look and then a nod.

"Because there are those that need help. I imagine you didn't have the intention of fighting the Gale Force when you woke up the other day," she said. He nodded.

"What now?" The man seemed concerned.

"Worry about that later as we figure this out. A bit of uncharted territory, I'm afraid," Elphaba admitted. It was then that Mesud came in with people following him. They looked worse for wear and the green woman tried to assess how bad they were.

"Where did they come from?" The green woman asked the medic.

"They said they were trying to leave Nest Hardings. I think things are very bad," Mesud said before pulling her aside,

"We're running out of supplies. There are going to be more refugees if things are as bad as these people have said." Elphaba nodded.

"Where is Fiyero?" She asked.

"Talking to those who are not in as bad shape. I need help and Lieutenant Zetti is trying to get me some. More than Roth and Schultz, that is," Mesud said. The green woman nodded and patted him on the shoulder.

"I'll be back. Just give me a few minutes," she smiled and ducked out of the tent. Worming her way through the people moving about in the camp, she found her beloved pacing near the Yellow Brick Road.

"They're all saying a lot of the same things. Glinda and Bayram went back. We're going to need supplies, but I think even we won't have enough to handle this, if all of Munchkinland is in the same amount of trouble," Fiyero told her.

"Yes, it is a rather large issue. I need to get back as well. Perhaps there is a spell that could help," she said.

"You shouldn't be flying now. There is hardly any moon and I don't want anyone taking pot shots at you on your broom. Let Glinda handle things and in the morning, we'll do more. I just…" the Vinkun was obviously worried.

"Do your parents know what is going on?" Elphaba wanted to know.

"Glinda is sending a message when she gets back. She's hoping that they can help with supplies. Until we get some, pushing to the capital will be stupid. We'll have to stay here," he nodded. The green woman frowned. She could understand why he was concerned. The people that had come into the medical tent were suffering from malnutrition, blisters, and sores. If they did not come up with something quick, she could only imagine what else they might find as they pressed toward the capital.

"I must help Mesud. We'll talk more later," she gave him a slight smile before heading back to the medical tent.

To Be Continued…