It was the 1800's in America. A time when people were staring to travel to the Western Frontier in Wagon Trains. The prairies were full of wide open spaces, and the wagons could be seen going on forever in the distance.

Chapter 1: New Acquaintances

Elizabeth was busy watching after her younger siblings and cousins. Sometimes she resented being the oldest of the clan, and thus always left in charge. But there were times when it was worth it.

Elizabeth was already 16 years old, though she didn't dress like it. She was wearing a purple flowered calico dress with an off white pinafore and sunbonnet. Her thick, red curly hair was pleated in two braids down her back. She knew that the two braids made her look even more childish, but that was how she liked them.

When her family and her aunt's family had decided to move west about a year ago, Elizabeth had decided that her plain, simple children's cloths would be more practical for chasing after the children then the slightly fancier skirt and shirts most 16 year old girls couldn't wait to start wearing. Elizabeth had always been practical, especially were cloths were concerned. She was in charge of keeping her two younger brothers and younger sister properly clothed.

All in all, watching her three younger siblings and five younger cousins, that was eight children between the ages of four and ten she had to watch over every day. Thankfully they were all well behaved, and got along well. They had their little spats but they were quickly made up and forgotten. Elizabeth's only real job was to make sure they didn't' travel to far way from the wagon train. Though she allowed them to wander far enough so that the dust the wagons kicked up wasn't a problem.

They'd been traveling for two weeks already. Elizabeth had gotten used to the constant walking and the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements. She'd amazed many people with her ability to cook on the campfire and make hotcakes without any bugs in them. No one had been able to figure out why she could, and she hoped no one would ever guess.

She liked traveling on the wagon train, though she hadn't really made any friends yet. Everyone liked her, but no one was a really good friend, which was the same way it had been back home. But out here she didn't need any friends. There were plenty of animals to talk to, and lots of wide open space to practice her singing in. Also, plenty of flowers to pick and put in Mary's, Susan's, Rebeca's and her own hair. Mary was her little, adorable four year old sister, who adored her. Susan and Rebecca were two of her cousins, seven year old twins. They looked up to Elizabeth because she was a "big girl," and was very talented in music, cooking and sewing. Nick and Miky were her two brothers, ten and eight years old respectively. Justin was nine, Fred was six and Mathew was five years old, and they finished off the clan.

Elizabeth was singing one of her favorite songs, in her homeland Gallic. Elizabeth's family had come from Ireland when she was two, but her parents and aunt and uncle had taught all of the children Gallic. This song some people though Elizabeth had written, because there was no other explanation for how she had learned it. But Elisabeth knew the truth. For the last few days she'd had this feeling that someone was watching her, and it was when she sang this song that the feeling was strongest. She was hoping to lure this person out so she could meet them.

Sure enough it worked. When Elizabeth got to the last verse she saw a head with short, curly red hair on it in the distance. She knew it wasn't one of her boys, because the person was too tall. "Hey, Hello there!" Elizabeth called out, waving as she started to run towards the stranger. For a moment Elizabeth thought the person was going to turn around and leave, but as she got closer the boy shyly waved back at her. "It was you who's been listening to my songs the last few days, isn't it?"

The boy looked embarrassed, "Aye, it was me. I hope you don't mind."

Elizabeth smiled, no one could resist Elizabeth's smile, "No, I don't mind. I like it when people enjoy my singing. I'm Elizabeth Fuller, by the way."

"I'm Charlie C… Just call me Charlie," Charlie shook the hand Elizabeth offered him. "Nice to meet you Elizabeth."

"Oh, just call me Lisabeth today. I'm always Lisabeth when I'm happy."

Charlie looked at Elizabeth questionly, "Huh?"

Elizabeth giggled, she was the kind of girl who can giggle without sounding to silly, "My name, Elizabeth, can be shortened and changed into ever so many other names, that I use them for my differed moods. Lisabeth is when I'm happy, and because I'm happy a lot it's the most common one for me to go by. Elizabeth I use when I'm really serious or proper, or with people who don't know me that well."

Charlie smiled, "I think it's great that you can change your name like that." Charlie fell into step beside Elizabeth. He noticed her glance towards the children he'd seen playing a little ways away. "Are they friends of yours?"

"Yes, they're my brothers and sister and cousins," Elizabeth explained. "I look after them. They all like me, and won't get in trouble. I just have to make sure they don't go to far away."

"So you're traveling with your parents and aunt and uncle then?"

"Yup. What about you, traveling with your parents?"

"Only with my Da," Charlie replayed.

"Oh," Elizabeth didn't want to upset Charlie by asking where his mother was. "Well, do you want to play with us? Oh, you're probably too old to play with children. Mother says I am to. I suppose 16 is a bit old for playing, but I like spending time with all of them." Elizabeth had told Charlie her age on purpose. Many of the people she'd meet on this train thought she was only about 11 and she was tiered of it, so she had learned to insert her age somewhere into the conversation to stop any misunderstandings.

Charlie was a little surprised to find out that Elizabeth was 16, her appearance made him think she was younger, and sometimes the way she talked. But her presence made him think she was much older. Her eyes looked very old indeed. "I don't think you are ever too old to enjoy playing. Though my father has told me often enough that now that I'm 18 I need to settle down."

"Is that what you plan on doing when we get to Carvort town? Start your own farm and settle down?"

1"Maybe… I haven't decided yet."

Elizabeth and Charlie walked and talked for a while. The children saw this, but didn't come over. They knew Elizabeth didn't make that many friends and were determined not to be one of the reasons. So they played by themselves, but made sure they could always see her. Elizabeth suggested once more to Charlie that they join them, but he refused, and Elizabeth realized he was shy.

After a while Elizabeth thought of something. "You were listening to my songs, weren't you? They were in Gallic, could you understand them?"

"Yes, my family comes from Ireland as well. I think that's why I liked them so much." Charlie looked shyly at her, "Could you sing it for me again, please?"

Elizabeth blushed, "If you'd really like me to, sure."

Hold on to that dream

Tomorrow knows where and when.

It's true what you believe.

Don't let go, the road will never end.

The sunset melts into the deep blue sea

It terns a crimson shade

Oh, wonderful dream ball

I just want to have the wind take me far a way

I've cleared impossible hurdles before,

But I know that there's more,

And I know I can make it.

Who's to blame when it's not the best

That I can achieve?

Hold on, to that dream

Tomorrow knows where and when.

It's true what you believe.

Don't let go, the road will never end.

Keep trying to believe

The biggest part of you

And now you're ready to go

How much longer do I have to cry

Before tomorrow's now?

A night full of sorrow

All at once I found today I finally hit my limits

I'm sure that when you are falling in love

It's just like blinking your eyes

Before you know it, it flies away

I just want to learn how strong I can be

When I'm searching for love

Hold on to that dream

Tomorrow knows where and when

My lips tightly sealed

But you can still see it in my eyes.

I've traveled down that road

And found a greater love.

This time I know it is real.

I've cleared impossible hurdles before

But I know there are more

And I know I can make it.

But when I got up to the starting line

My legs where frozen with fear

Hold on to that dream

Tomorrow knows where and when

Reach out with both your arms

And take the key that opens up your heart

Hold on to that dream

Tomorrow knows where and when

It's true what you believe

Don't let go the road will never end

Keep trying to believe

The biggest part of you

And now you're ready to go

(Opening Theme song from Magic Knight Rayearth)

"Somehow that song seems familiar to me. But I don't' believe I've heard it before I heard you sing it," Charlie remarked.

"It's the same way with me," Elizabeth stated. "My family thinks I wrote it myself. But I'm sure that it was written by someone else."

"Oh, you write songs?" Charlie inquired.

Elizabeth blushed, "Yes. Many of them are for the fairy tale plays I make up for the children. It's a good way to keep them entertained."

Charlie was very impressed with Elizabeth's accomplishments. And if what he'd heard about her around the camps at night were true, then there was good reason to.

Charlie walked with Elizabeth the rest of the day. She assumed that, like herself, he had not made any other friends. When it was time to settle down for the night Elizabeth insisted on Charlie meeting the children and her parents. She called the children over to her.

"Lisabeth, look look. I found some pretty flowers," Mary cried when she ran up. Then she noticed Charlie and clung to Elizabeth's skirts.

Elizabeth put a hand on Mary's head, "This is my little sister Mary. She's rather shy around strangers."

Charlie knelt down so he was closer to Mary's height, and held out his hand, "Hello Mary. It's nice to meet you. You want to know a secret; I'm shy around strangers too."

Mary shyly smiled and took Charlie's hand, "Really, a big boy like you? How do you ever manage it?"

"Well, my secret is that, when I'm meeting someone for the first time, I just tell myself that that person is going to like me, and it makes me feel less shy," Charlie shared in a confidential sort of way.

"Ohhh, " Mary breathed. "That's very cleaver of you."

Charlie stood back up and smiled at Elizabeth. "Nice job there, I think you just won her heart," Elizabeth whispered. "How'd you learn what to do with children?"

Charlie whispered back, "I just did what I liked adults to do when I was a child. And what I told her was completely true."

When the other children came up they were a little shy to be introduced to Charlie. They all liked him from the start, because, even though he was a big fellow, he didn't look down on them, or tease them. They could also tell that he liked Elizabeth.

They all walked back to the family wagons together. As they approached Elizabeth's mother noticed the younger man in there mist. What surprised her was that little Mary was holding his hand and talking with him.

When they got to the camp Elizabeth made introductions. Her parents and aunt and uncle all welcomed Charlie. They were all happy to see Elizabeth making friends, especially with such a nice looking younger man, whom all the children seemed to love. They invited him to join them for dinner, which Charlie readily accepted.

Elizabeth rolled up her sleeves and went to work cooking her, soon to be famous, stew. While she did Charlie talked with the children and adults around the campfire with equal courtesy, but the whole time he was watching Elizabeth. Elizabeth noticed and was thankful that the flush from the fire heat hid her blush. When Charlie tasted Elizabeth's stew he knew why everyone was starting to talk about her cooking.

When dinner was over and the children starting to fall asleep, Charlie started to say goodbye. The children made him promise to come and see them again tomorrow, and the adults told him he was always welcome. Elizabeth got up to walk part of the way back to his wagon.

"So, how do you like my family," Elizabeth wondered.

"They are all very nice," Charlie announced.

"I think the children are smitten with you. You handle them all very well," Elizabeth informed him.

"I'm no different then you," Charlie pointed out. "That's probably why they mind you so well."

When they were just about to loose sight of Elizabeth's fire Charlie stopped, "I'll say goodnight here, there's no need for you to walk all the way with me."

Elizabeth looked at her hands, "Will… Will I see you tomorrow then?"

Charlie put a finger on Elizabeth's chin and made her look at him, "Would you like to?"

"I know the children would..." Elizabeth started.

Charlie shook his head, "I didn't ask about the children, Lisabeth. I asked if you would like to see me."

Elizabeth played with the end of one of her braids, which went past her waist when drawn over her shoulder. Charlie was still holding her chin, "If it's not to bold of me to say, yes… yes I would like to see you tomorrow as well."

Charlie released Elizabeth's chin and smiled, "So you shall, then. I didn't want to have to use the children as an excuse to see you. I wanted to know that you liked my company as well. Goodnight then, Lisabeth."

"Goodnight Charlie," Elizabeth said and watched him walk off. Elizabeth had never felt this way about anyone before. She couldn't describe it, but she wanted desperately to see Charlie again. When she returned to her campsite she went to sleep with a smile on her face.

Charlie walked up to the first wagon. "Father, I'm back."

"Welcome back, Charlie," Mr. Carvot replied. "I haven't seen you all day."

"I was out making new friends," Charlie answered lightly.

"Oh, was this new friend perhaps a younger lady?" Mr. Carvot teased. "You know your mother and I want to see you settle down, son. That's why we let you travel back and forth with me each year. In hopes that you'll meet that younger girl of your dreams."

Charlie had heard this speech many times before, "For your information, I made friends with four younger ladies today. I think little Mary is the cutest."

Mr. Carvot was thrilled to hear this, "And how old is this little Mary?"

"Four," Charlie replied. Mr. Carvot looked shocked. "She's the little sister of Elizabeth. Mary is as shy as I used to be around strangers, so I gave her the same advice Mum gave me as a child."

Mr. Carvot did not appreciate Charlie's hummer, "Dare I ask how old this Elizabeth is?"

Charlie smiled at his father, "Why I believe she said she was 16, Father. And she introduced me to her family and invited me to walk with her again tomorrow, if you must know all my news."

"Oh, I bet her family was impressed with Elizabeth befriending you," Mr. Carvot remarked.

"Not in the least," Charlie corrected. "They don't know who I am, or, rather, who you are."

"I should have figured as much," Mr. Carvot sighed. "You never do tell people, but let them find it out for themselves."

"I just don't like people being nice to me just because I'm your son," Charlie explained. "I'm going to bed. I'm going to need a lot of energy to keep up with the clan tomorrow." Charlie went to sleep, not explaining who the clan was.