[Arestevana]

Elsa sighed happily. The caravan of wagons made for a thrilling sight. While the variety of belongings stacked haphazardly in the farm carts had a hurried and unorganized look, the wagons were solid and very sturdy, which she found comforting. She had found it quite upsetting to see their cheerful home empty and bare of furniture, but at the same time it had been immensely exciting.

It seemed that the entire town had come to see the wagons off. It had taken a good deal of time to find her friends in the crowd and to wish them farewell. Some were staying, many were coming. Several ladies Elsa knew who were not leaving Bree had said tearful goodbyes, predicting terrors on the road and pitying her for have to leave. Elsa smiled to herself, remembering how surprised they had been when she told them she wanted to go to the White Downs.

Glancing around her, Elsa noticed yet another acquaintance who was remaining in the town. “Marigold!” She called cheerfully. “Marigold Tunnelly!”
The other turned, caught sight of Elsa, and hurried over. “Oh, Elsa, I was just looking for you!” Marigold informed her friend brightly. “Good luck on your trip! Be sure to write as soon as you get settled!”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep in touch.” Elsa assured Marigold, giving her a quick hug.
Marigold nodded, smiling. “I’m sure you will. Hurry now, the Bolger brothers look impatient to go and you’d better make sure Alora and Crispin don’t get left behind!”
Elsa beamed at her friend and hurried off toward the Whitfoot’s wagon. She glanced ahead to where it stood further up the line. She could see Alora already aboard, waving to her friends. Elsa reached the wagon and paused a moment to pat the ponies, Staddle and Archet. Then she gathered up her skirts in one hand and hopped up into the wagon as best she could. She was just in time to hear her husband calling, “Is everybody ready back there?”
“Ready!” Elsa called back merrily. Alora gave an enthusiastic shout from where she stood, leaning out the back of the wagon, waving to her friends. Elsa was about to call for Crispin when he clambered into the wagon. “Sit down,” the boy told his sister gently. Alora sat, and the wagon began to move forward with the rest of the line as Kalimac goaded the ponies into motion.
Elsa leaned out to call last goodbyes to her friends. She watched the land roll slowly by under the heavy wheels of the wagons. The caravan moved slowly, but it was enough that it was moving. She felt a thrill of excitement: they were on their way.