The woodlanders being able to join us is one reason I think it would be good to leap ahead some.
I didn't know the plan for the wagon train. Are they moving on, then? Wilheard is staying, right? I am sure we could find a reason for Elfthain to stick around. He could be kicked instead of his horse - it'd be more likely for him to be hurt by another horse's kick than Saff. Not that I'm trying to break other characters' legs here...
From reading the above posts it looks like we need to:
- Let Scyld give his letter to Eodwine, or decide to wait for a more opportune time
- Figure out how Elfthain sticks around
Anything else?