Addendum:

Chapter 5: The Journey

Maggie rose early the next morning, lighting a candle so she could see to dress. A yawn escaped her mouth, as she stretched out her aching muscles. She didn't get much rest last night. She had laid in bed anxiously after hearing Elesia's door open shortly after she had bid her goodnight. Being that the kitchen staff had made note of the food hardly touched on her plate, she surmised that Elesia was sneaking down to have a midnight snack. That did not concern her. The absence of a second click for an more than an hour is what contributed to her restlessness. After she finished dressing in a black day gown with a highneckline Maggie collected her candle and made her way towards Elesia's chambers.  Forgoing the formality of knocking she entered the room and crossed the floor to the bed where the linens were awry,draping off of the bed and onto the floor. Someone else must've slept as restlessly as she had she mused. She set the candle on the side table. and gently placed a hand on Elesia's shoulder and shook it slightly.
"Get up dear, it's time to go." She received a grumbling reply that was inaudible. Maggie shook Elesia again and again, eventually rousing her from her sleep.
Rubbing her eyes she asked "what time is it ?"
"It's before sunrise dear."
Elesia surveyed the room, noting that the windows were still shrouded in darkness. "So it is."
"Get up and get dressed and meet me in the kitchen."
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Elesia did as she was told and dressed in a pale yellow linen dress, tying her hair at the nape of her neck with a matching ribbon. She had located white slippers to match the ensembles and was headed out the door when she realized she had forgotten to pack the journal she had found the night prior. She placed the book in her satchel that would stay with her  in the carriage and walked toward the kitchens.

In the kitchens she found Maggie preparing a nap sack of food to take with her on her journey. She was adding goats cheese and apples along with some bread and pastries before tying up the cloth. On the counter sat two steaming bowl of oats and honey with brown sugar and butter. Though not her most favorite meal the scent was rather comforting this morning. The two women ate in silence, enjoying each others company. They made quick work of their meal and walked to the grand foyer where King Dominic stood waiting.

The king had a sad smile on his face and a forlorn look in his eyes. "I wish you a safe trip my dear."
"Thank you father." Came the curt reply.
"Did you find your gift?"
"I did, thank you."
"I hope you find it useful."
"I'm sure I will."
Just then the 'clip-clop' of the horses shoes hitting the stone driveway was heard as the carriage, loaded down with all of her trunks, pulled into view.
"I guess I should go," said Elesia.
"I guess you should."
She gave a parting hug to Maggie and began walking toward the carriage, she was halfway down the steps when she turned and bounded back up the steps, throwing her arms around her fathers neck.

The king melted into the hug. "I thought you were cross with me." A hint of questioning in his voice.
"I could never be cross with you." She said as tears filled her eyes. She released her arms from his neck and turned and walked toward the carriage, after climbing aboard, she felt a lurch as the carriage started down the drive, waving a tearful goodbye.
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Elesia stared out the window, gazing at the starry sky, pondering her future.  She thought about the prince that awaited her at the end of her journey, and speculated what he was like. In her opinion he had to be very presumptuous and spoiled to assume she'd come AND submit to a betrothal against her will. I mean, what kind of man depended on an arranged marriage to find love anyway? She heaved a sigh, And that was just it, it wasn't about love. Marrying for love was unrealistic in her world, but that didn't mean that it didn't or wouldn't come in time. Maggie had hinted that such was the case with her parents and the portraits depicting her parents certainly seemed full of love, but Elesia didn't think she could bear the the idea that she MIGHT grow to love her spouse. It seemed like a dreadful existence and one she refused to subject herself to. Her thoughts drifted to Eli and his half baked plan to run away. She wondered where they would go, and how they could possibly get there? She could sell her jewels that she had packed, but the thought sadened her. Eli had made mention of getting her a disguise, implying that she would be wearing men's clothes. That was the only way they could travel without leaving her reputation in ruins, unless of course they married. That thought startled her. Could she marry Eli? They had been close as children and remained close as teens despite the rules that were thrust upon them, but love? She didn't have romantic feelings towards Eli, at least not like the novels and playwrights described. Then again, what actually is love? She pondered. She allowed the rhythmic sound of the horses hooves and the lull of the carriage to rock her to sleep, dreaming of the life she and Eli could have if they ran away together.