Disclaimer: I do NOT own Little House on the Prairie. Only thing I can lay claim to is the story line and any "guest characters"

A/N I KNOW REVERAND ALDEN WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MARRIED THAT LONG ON THE SHOW. HOWEVER, SINCE THIS IS FANFICTION, HE HAS A WIFE WHO HE'S BEEN MARRIED TO FOR SOME TIME.

In Search of Peace

Chapter One

Opening Scene

The silence that hung over Walnut Grove would have been eerie to the stranger as she approached the town only it was Sunday. The woman was sure she would make more than one head turn-what with the way she was dressed. She didn't like dressing like a man. What choice did she have though? The railroad station had lost her luggage and she'd the the dumb luck of having an accident that ripped her dress in more than one spot. She had to make do with what was near by. In her case it had been a peddler with a need for an attitude adjustment.

Sure enough when she slipped into the back of the church and sat down she got more than one person looking at her strange. Boy, was she ever going to be glad when she could get her situation corrected. She did her best to keep her mind on the service despite the occasional stare someone would give her as they 'happened' to turn their head.

"That woman has alot of nerve," Harried muttered softly, "Coming into a church dressed like that."

If it wasn't for the fact he didn't want to be rude to Reverend Alden, Nels would have made a comment back.

Scene One

One by one the folks filed out of the church while the stranger remained seated; only after the last person had passed her did she stand up. Making her way out of the church she stood next to Reverend Alden. The smile upon the man's face was full of warm sunshine. She sure needed that.

"May I help you?" Reverend Alden asked. While he always enjoyed seeing a new face he couldn't help but wonder about the woman in front of him. He'd never actually seen a woman in pants; heard about a few just never seen them is all.

"Ya don't know me, do ya? Guess, I don't look as much like as my ma as some people seem to think I do." Elizabeth smiled.

Know her? Should he? He looked at her closely. No...wait...couldn't be, his eyes widened in astonishment, "Is Sarah Elder your mother? If so, which daughter are you?" He hadn't seen any of the Elder family in years. Last time he had though-there had been three daughters.

"Elizabeth, only," she looked in disgust at the clothes she wore, "I don't suppose ya would know anyone that would be willin' to lend me the things I need to mend my dress? That and someone who might be willin' to take the time to fix my buggy. I left it where it fell. I figured I was lucky to get away with only a few scrapes and a torn up dress," She went on to explain as to what had happened and added, "that 'nice gentleman' was good enough to put down the one horse who was hurt. I'm surprised this one wasn't. A real miracle-one I needed desperately."

"I have to make a few visits," Reverend Alden was now beaming from ear to ear. While he had not seen any member of Elizabeth's family for a number of years they had been among the salt of the earth, "come with me. I am sure one of the women will be more than happy to help you." He'd have to make his first stop the Ingalls. It was so unlike them not to be in church.

"Thank you." Elizabeth mounted her horse and followed

Scene Two

"Of course, I would be happy to help!" Caroline grinned as Elizabeth showed her the dress and, once again, went over the details of what had happened.

Caroline's smile to a concerned frown as she looked over the dress, "I would say you took more than a tumble. Thank heavnes it was the dress that received the blunt of the accident not you. Tell ya what. It will take more than a few minutes to save this dress. I just made this dress for me," she pointed to the dress she wore, "If you don't mind you are more than welcome to the old one."

"I'd be more than happy to pay ya for it." Elizabeth didn't want anyone saying she was looking for a handout.

"Pay me for that old thing?" Caroline laughed as she turned around, "You best save your money and either buy a dress or the material to make yourself one. The one I'm giving to you can still be used but only because it's an emergency. The thing won't last much longer than that."

Elizabeth started to follow then stopped dead in her tracks as she felt as if someone was watching them. She tilted her head upwards and saw a young boy and a young girl looking out the window. They were looking down at them.. It was all she could do to hide the shock she felt. Charles and the reverend followed her gaze. Charles started grinning, "That's my daughter, Laura and my son, Albert.'

"Yer son like...' Elizabeth cut her thoughts short. She hadn't expected this. She forced her eyes off the window and head for the front door.

Once inside Caroline handed her the dress, "You can change in there," she pointed to her own room, "I will shut the curtain for you."

"Thank you, ma'am." Elizabeth smiled politely.

"It's Caroline."

As she dressed she could hear the Reverend talking to Charles and Caroline. "The Elders were great people. I never thought I'd ever see any of them again though. They moved out west years ago. Elizabeth was only eleven or twelve when I saw her last."

"Did she say what brought her to Walnut Grove?" Charles lit his pipe and asked.

Again the Reverend shook his head, "She said she was going to be talking to Dr. Baker. She didn't say what for and that she'd be here about a week. Look, maybe I shouldn't ask this of you but any way you could make room for her until my Anna gets back tomorrow night? I don't like the idea of any of the Elder family having to stay in a hotel or out on a forced camp out."

"We'll make do." Caroline assured him.

Charles nodded, "If she is willing, we will make room for that long."