We the authors are aware that we have used characters that were not yet in Eagle Station at the time this story takes place, but with both Bonanza and The Ponderosa being inconsistent with each other and to their own canon at times we felt justified in taking some literary license. Therefore this story will not always follow true canon of either show. It is, however, intended as a Ponderosa prequel.

A New Beginning
Part One:
The Arrival

Chapter one

"Joe, I know you're tired, but so are we." Adam said more gruffly than he meant to, but the journey was wearing them all down.

"Don't hafta snap at me. I'm just saying."

Before things could get out of hand Marie had her arms around her youngest son. "Why do you not walk on for just a bit longer and then you go and lie down in the wagon for a little while."

"I'm not a baby, Ma, I'm 8 and I don't need naps."

"I know you are not, mon petit." The mother soothed, but again Adam spoke up before she could continue.

"Well, you're sure sounding like one the last couple of miles…what am I saying..days!"

"Adam!" Marie glared at the 16 year old.

"Sorry, Ma, but I'm tired too."

Erik raised a hand to his mouth to cover the smirk that was forming on his lips as he listened to 8-year-old Joe whine, in his opinion, like a toddler. The last few days his younger brother had taken to doing just that and it would not be the first time Mama said he needed a nap.

"Yeah mon petit, you best goes and has a nap cause you is a bothering big brother right now."

Erik laughed at his own joke as he gave his older brother Adam a playful shot in the arm with his fist. Unfortunately Erik at 13 was almost as big as his old brother and the playful punch just about knocked the older boy off his feet. "And maybe ya just otta take big brother here with ya."

"Looks who's talking," Adam said as he recovered from the near tumble "Mr. "Paaaaa my feet hurt…you thought I didn't hear you yesterday, didn't you?"

"Oh yeah at least…"

"Boys…" Marie was a gentle woman most of the times, but she had a temper that could scare grown men. She also had a tone she didn't use often, but when she used it she meant business. This was one of those times. "We are all tired, but complaining about it will not help. Settle down or you can all sit in the wagon like little children for the rest of the day. And I mean all three of you!"

Erik gulped when he heard their mother start to speak and stopped what he was about to say to Adam right off. "Yes'm" But it didn't stop him from glaring at his older brother, who in his opinion had been getting a bit too big for his britches lately.

After giving it a second of thought he wondered if it might just not be worth incurring Mama's wrath to get the chance to sit in the wagon for a spell. This walking for hours on end was no fun.

As he drove the oxen on Ben had been listening to his sons' latest exchange and with a deep sigh was about to put an end to it himself when he heard his wife speak up. He chanced a look over his shoulder to see the boys' reaction and while they looked suitably chastised he also saw another look and decided to nip it in the bud before it went any further. "Boys, as your mother has said, this arguing stops now or you ALL will be taking a nap in the wagon…lying on your bellies" His tone, low yet firm, and the raised eyebrow a good indication to the boys of just what their Pa meant.

It had been the best part of four long months since Ben Cartwright, his wife Marie and their three sons Adam, Erik and Little Joe had packed up all their worldly possessions into the back on the Conestoga wagon and set off from New Orleans for a new life in California. They had talked about it for a few years, dreamt of it and had been saving as much as they could over the last years to make the dream of settling in California on their own piece of land a reality. Now here they were near four long months later just a few weeks away from their goal. He and the other men of the wagon train had a meeting last night and were told by the wagon master that if they kept up the pace they were on they should reach the settlement of Eagle Station by early afternoon tomorrow. There they would all take on supplies and rest for a couple of days before heading over the Sierra Mountains. It had been slower going then he would have liked as the train ran into a few problems but they all decided at the meeting last night that they could afford a few days rest for both the people and animals before that last leg over the rugged Sierra Mountains. They were sure they would still beat the first winter snows they had heard so much about.

As Ben looked at his sons to see their reactions to his edict he thought to himself that this rest was coming none too soon. Four months was a long time on a trail with three active boys and although there had been a few stops for a day or two early on, this last month had been a long one with the wagon master pushing them to make up lost time to beat the snows. They headed out each day a good hour or so earlier then before and pushed on until fading light all about forced them to stop. The oxen were tired and Ben felt it not fair for even the extra weight of the three boys riding inside be added to their burden unless absolutely necessary. They were also down to only one saddle horse after losing one mid way through the journey, and at this time Ben didn't want the horse ridden, so the boys walked most of the day beside the wagon, or with friends they had made on the journey. Today they were all confined to walking on beside their own wagon as there had been a bit of mischief in the camp last night and Ben decided his boys would stay close to home today. This was a decision in some ways he was regretting as he and his wife had to listen to their constant bickering and even some whining, something he did not often tolerate. He had made many allowances over the past days as he knew the boys had done pretty well up to this point, but this past month of travel from sunup to sundown and confined quarters were taking its toll on them and they were at each other constantly for the past few days. If they didn't stop for a few days soon, he was sure that the boys would be only too happy to walk the rest of the way to California without complaint as they would not be able to sit at all comfortably. He knew they should all thank their Mother since if it had not been for her they would have each felt his displeasure with them by now. He had to chuckle to himself though as he really didn't know how much more patience Marie had left in her for their bickering either. As a matter of fact they had only escaped with their hides in tact last night thanks to their mother. He continued to chuckle to himself thinking it was not the first time on this journey that she saved one or all of their hides from him. On the occasion she was unable to dissuade him the boys were only too happy to walk for a day.

Adam blushed profusely as he felt his father's eyes on him and managed a quick nod "Yes, sir." He knew only too well his father would make true on his threat even if he couldn't help feeling just a little resentful at being talked to in the same manner as his much younger brothers, well younger in Adam's eyes, not necessarily in their parents' eyes. There was only a four...well...not quite four year age gap, but to the oldest Cartwright boy that was more than enough not to be treated like the kid Erik still was. Of course he had more sense than to actually let anyone see how he felt, especially not when his father was already starting to sound exasperated. So he made sure to give a polite answer.

Very much like his oldest brother Joe had no intention of making his Pa cross with him. And so the young boy walked next to where his father was sitting on the wagon and looked high up from under his eyelashes. "I won't say I'm tired no more, Pa. I'm sorry...Pa? Are we gonna stop somewhere again soon?" He quickly added "I ain't whinin' Pa, or tryin' to be a bothering brother...but I like it when we stop in a town. We ain't far from California now, are we? Only a few more weeks, right? Is California real pretty, Pa?"

Marie hid a smile as she draped her arm around Erik's shoulders and squeezed him gently.

Erik just looked up at her, the shame he felt at the moment for the bickering evident on his face and he gave her a shy smile.

Ben relaxed realizing that his boys got the message and with a little chuckle knew that once Joe got started like this he would continue for sometime. "You are forgiven as are your brothers this time Little Joe, and yes we are. If things keep on pace as they are now and we don't have to make unexpected stops like for misbehaving children then we should reach a settlement called Eagle Station in time for lunch tomorrow. There we will stop for three maybe four days. Again if things go smoothly Mr. Cutter says we should be in Sacramento in two weeks. As to what California is like, we will all have to wait and see son, as I have never been there myself. From all I have heard and read, yes, it is very pretty. We will be experiencing the sight of California for the first time all together as one big happy family."

'If we will manage to survive that long' Marie thought thinking back to all the bickering, but then she immediately smiled. "California will be magnifique! We will have a wonderful life there, I am sure."

"Maybe…" But Adam stopped speaking before he voiced his thoughts, his hopes.

"Yes, Adam?" Marie queried, her arm still around Erik's shoulders.

"Nothing, Ma." The boy said softly. He couldn't help thinking about the school books they had completely worked through already….twice. He yearned for more books, more learning, but knew money was tight and would not burden his father by asking for something he knew the man could not afford. Their goal was more important at that point. Maybe he could use the little money he had earned earlier on the trip, even if he had hoped to give that to his father. He quickly looked around to see something to take her mind off his near-question. "Oh look there! Pa, wouldn't that be a good spot for camp tonight?"

The Cartwrights were the lead wagon for the day and were to keep an eye peeled for a good stopping stop for the night. Ben looked at the spot Adam was pointing to and thought to himself that the boy had not lost his touch from all those years ago he and Ben were on the trail alone. There were trees around, some good pasture for the animals and a stream not far off. "By golly boy I think you are right there. Why don't you hurry on back and find Mr. Cutter and tell him with the sun now starting to set you have found a good campsite. Of course you had best add that it meets with my approval too. You know how he gets about smarty-pants kids as he puts it."

Not long after, the meadow was alive with the sounds of families setting up camp for the night. Each of the Cartwright boys had a job to do once they were stopped and they knew to get right at them if they hoped to have any free time after the evening meal was completed. While Ben and a few of the other men would go hunting for fresh meat for the evening meal, Marie, with Joe's help got out the things she would need to prepare the meal. Adam was responsible to see to it that the livestock was fed and watered while Erik got the wood for the evening fire and then set up their beds for the night.

The routine was the same every day, get up, chores, eat, break camp and move out. There would be an hour's break for lunch and then on the move again. Once a camp was picked out for the night set up was done, the meal eaten and cleared up.

Marie enjoyed the evenings. Of course she longed for a normal bed and having meals at a real dining table, wearing her beautiful dresses again at times and simply not having to set up her 'kitchen' again every single evening. But on the other hand she loved the time when everyone was sitting around the campfires in the evenings. Eating together, talking about the route to take, their dreams for their futures, making music and singing. Those were the moments Marie treasured, despite the hard journey.

They had made some good friends on the trail, Marie thought to herself as she looked over at the MacKenzie's wagon next to theirs. Vicki and Luke usually set up camp next to them and Vicki and Marie would make supper together. It saved on supplies to make one meal for both families instead of each of them cooking separately and they loved the company. Their two children Tommy and Dani got along well with her own three boys, even though their ages were closest to Erik's. Of course getting along also meant mischief at times and the inevitable bickering that seemed to be more and more a part of their daily lives as the journey went on, but Marie thought that was only to be expected. She could only hope to be able to help Ben keep his temper in check and keep him from strangling the boys in order for them to survive long enough to reach California. Ben had been ready to skin them alive a few times already, as had Luke.

For months now Vicki and she had been teaching the boys and Dani every day after dinner, giving them lessons to work on that the mothers would correct once the children were asleep and even a few other children had joined their little class. Both families felt strongly about their children's' education and were hoping they wouldn't fall behind too much.

"I'll be glad when we get to Eagle Station." Vicki said as she joined her friend. "Maybe it'll give the children some time to settle down a little."

"Today was not too bad" Marie was quick to defend them.

Vicki laughed. "Well, of course, they know they're on their last warning. Luke won't put up with any more and neither will Ben. So I didn't expect any trouble today."

"Oh I know. I just hope things will be better after a few days of …" She looked up as she heard someone approach and smiled as she saw who it was. "Ah Erik, my knight in shining armor. You are just in time with the wood. Merci, mon cheri."

A huge smile crossed the boys face as his Mama praised him but then he bit his lip trying to remember just the right words and the way to say them. Marie was not his birth mother but his stepmother, Pa marrying her when he was but 4 years old. She had been the only Mama the boy had ever really know as his own had died in an attack by Indians on their way west. Marie, his step Mama, was French and ever since she had come to them, he and his brothers learned some of her language. Erik, not always the best student, had enough trouble with his own English language let alone a foreign one but he always tried his best. When he thought he had his tongue around it he gave it a try yet again, this was perhaps one phrase that he did have down pretty good as he said it just about everyday, but he did have to give it thought to get it out right, slow and easy.

"De rien, Mama" Sure that he nailed it he smiled at Mama then to make sure she knew just what he said he repeated it in English, not trusting the French….." weren't nufin Mama."

Marie felt herself swell with pride and love and as the boy put the firewood down she wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so proud of you, Erik!" She was always an affectionate woman, who never shied away from hugging the children, even Adam, although she was careful choosing the right moment with the oldest. Adam wouldn't always accept a hug. It had nothing to do with her being their stepmother, but more with his personality. He was a more reserved and private person. Marie always made sure to keep that in mind. Erik on the other hand had loved the cuddles from the moment she had joined the family and even at his all so grown up age of 13 he still let her embrace him. She hoped he always would. "Now we can start cooking supper while you set up the beds. It won't take long." She knew the boy would be hungry.

"Hey, Erik!" Tommy stepped out from the back of the MacKenzie wagon. "Wanna play if we've got time before supper?"

"Can I Mama? Please! I promise I will do the beds as soon as supper is over"

"You know the rules, Erik: chores before playing. But if you two help each other you might be a bit quicker."

"And have you finished your own chores, Thomas?" Vicki questioned her own son.

"Yes, Ma'am…all done…I'll help ya, Erik."

"But Mama, why does chores always has ta come first? I want ta go play with Tommy.

Please Mama, just this one time afore chores."

"Erik," Marie placed her hands on her hips. "chores have to come first because the live stock is our responsibility, because we need wood to cook supper on, because we need the beds shortly after supper and I do not want you to set them up when you should be working on your schoolwork and they have to come first because your father and I say they do. Now, go and finish your chores or there will be no time for playing at all as you will be in bed without supper." while talking Marie had worked up a temper and her French accent was coming through more and more, despite the fact that she kept speaking English. Tommy had grown really quiet.

Erik couldn't believe that he, he of the three boys had his mother going from being proud of him one second to raking him over the coals the next. It was not at all like him and he knew it. The boy looked down at his feet as he scuffed them in the dirt then he quietly spoke. "Sorry, Mama. Where do you want the beds set up?" his voice was full of remorse and shame as he knew the importance of each task they all did.

As quickly as Marie's temper had risen it disappeared seeing his remorse and she gave him a smile to show him he was forgiven and she briefly touched his face. "Apology accepted." Then she answered his question. "It is still warm enough despite the time of year, so under the wagon will be best."

"Come on Tommy ya can help me, then if Mama has no more chores fer me fer now maybe we can go play fer a bit. Kay Mama?"

"That is fine, cheri, I do not have any other chores for you." Marie started making a fire now that she had the wood and both women got to work while the two boys got the bedrolls out of the wagon.

"Hey, maybe we can play cowboys! We can be real outlaws…" Tommy was getting into the mood already. "We can even try an' capture Dani and tie her to a tree….maybe that'd quiet her up fer a change. She's been naggin' me all day. You'd think she's my Ma the way she's been carrying on."

"Sure, sometimes I think she thinks she is my sister too and the boss of me. That sister of yours can get bossier then old Adam at times and he has been bad nuf lately. Hey look here come's my Pa and yours and it looks like they done got us some nice big jack rabbits. Boy is we going eat good tonight!"

"Oh boy!" Tommy jumped up excitedly.

Hearing the excitement Marie and Vicki looked up as well and started smiling. Vicki straightened up while Marie started pouring the men some coffee.

"Thank goodness, something else to eat!"

Ben ruffled Erik's hair as he walked by the boy and passed him the two large jackrabbits he had managed to get. "Put these over there for me please son and I will get to skinning them in a minute."

"Sure Pa, then me and Tommy is going to play fer a bit. Mama said it was ok, chores are done."

"That's fine Erik. It sure will be nice to have something besides squirrel for supper for a change." Ben reached for the cup of coffee that Marie held out to him. "You wouldn't believe the signs we saw out there for game. This area is just teaming with it. We bagged these four rabbits in no time at all. The others had just as much luck."

Brushing his hands against his pants Adam joined them with Joe in tow. "Hey! rabbit tonight. Maybe if I had gone with you we'd have even more, Pa."

"Me too!" Joe piped in.

"But then the stock would not have been taken care of and we would not have had firewood." Marie said calmly handing Luke a coffee mug too.

"Thanks Marie, this is just what I needed. If your chores are done son, you may go with Erik, but remember the rules, no further than within calling distance and you keep the wagons in sight at all times."

"Vicki, where is Dani? I'm sure I remember you telling her before we set camp that she was on duty to peel vegetables tonight."

"Yes, she was and she disappeared the minute we stopped. Of course now that we're having rabbit there's no rush peeling, but I'd rather have them done now."

Tommy couldn't help grinning at Erik, he could only hope to see his sister in trouble after all the bossing around she'd done.

Just then Dani came around from the side of the wagon with a big smile on her face which only got deeper as she spied the large rabbits. "Hot diggity Papa, no squirrel tonight!"

"Girlie just where have you been? You know the first thing you do is help your mother and Mrs. Cartwright with dinner preparations."

The tone in her father's voice and the set of his jaw told her all that she needed to know and she had to explain fast and hope for the best. "Yes Papa I know that and in a way I was." Luke's head tilted slightly to one side, which also told the girl her father was questioning the truth of that statement. She continued on. "You see as we were pulling into this little meadow to camp, I was sure that I saw something by that little wooded patch we passed just a little way back. I was walking with Sarah Ames and I didn't know if she saw the same thing and in case she did I wanted to beat her to it. Just before the wagon's stopped Sarah went back to her own wagon. When we stopped I grabbed this basket from the wagon and ran back there." Dani passed the basket to her mother, which had cloth of the top of it. "Take a look at what I got to go with supper Mama. Between the rabbits and this we will feast tonight!"

With a questioning look Vicki took the basket from her daughter and lifted the cloth a little. As she did her face turned to a bright smile. "Goodness, that was quick thinking, Dani. You're right, we will have a feast tonight. These will make a perfect dessert."

She showed the others the wild blackberries in the basket, almost spilling over and Tommy licked his lips. Forgotten was his hope to see his sister in trouble. His stomach was more important. "MMmmmm good thinking, sis!"

"HOT DIGGITY IS RIGHT DANI." Erik too licked his lips as his eyes popped out of his head. "We ain't had us no berries in ages."

"You know Mama there is plenty more there and I bet while we get the supper going if the boys went back they could pick plenty for us to take with us and tomorrow after we arrive in that settlement you and Mrs. Cartwright could make some preserves."

"Dani, my girl, I guess your old man here can't be upset with you for this then, good girl. Just next time please take a minute to let one of us know where you are off too please."

"Yes Papa."

Vicki hid a small smile and then took another basket. "Why don't you two go and do just that?" As said as she handed Tommy the basket. "Preserves or pie...so many things you can make with blackberries."

"Sure, Ma!" But after his initial enthusiastic response Tommy glanced at his friend. "If you want to come too, that is."

"Can I come too?" Joe looked up at his brother.

"I think that would be a good idea.' Marie answered before Erik could. "Three will get more than two."

"I was looking forward to a game of cowboys, but heck pick'n berries ain't really chores when ya think of the jams and pies ya will gets ta eat. I's in. And sure Joe ya can come too. Just no berry throwing fights, we need all we can gets for the women folks ta do up."

Ben could not help but chuckle at his middle son. When it came to doing something that any connection with food, especially sweets, that boy never found it too much of a chore.

"Ok boys, but remember, you keep the wagons in sight, no going deep into those woods.

And Erik, no bringing anything back from there BUT berries."

The thought of a few nights ago when Erik went to do his business and found the small snake in the woods and brought it back with him darted through Ben's head. Well Erik thought it was a small snake and would make a great pet. It was too bad when it got of the hiding spot he had put it in and ended up in Mrs. Taylor's bonnet that she had placed down on a box while cooking. Boy could that woman scream loud.

Joe started to laugh and couldn't resist a little teasing. "That means no snakes no more, Erik. Wouldn't want Mrs. Taylor ta start screamin' again..that hurts yer ears too much!"

"And keep up talking about Mrs. Taylor that way and something else will hurt..." But Marie was smiling. "go on, you scamps."

Joe was already on his way. "we won't go deep into the woods, pa...and I'll make sure Erik don't bring any more critters."

Ben laughed at Joe as the boy grabbed a basket and took off in a flash. "You just make sure you don't bring anything back but berries yourself young man.!"

Ben sent Erik off with a light tap to his bottom. "You mind what you were told boy, any unwanted critters and this time it will be you an I taking a trip to the woods and it will not be to let a snake go."

Erik turned and saw the look on his Pa's face and that raised eyebrow and got the message as loud and clear as Mrs. Taylor's scream.

"Yes sir pa" The boy got his basket and soon the trio were off.

"Adam, you can help with the skinning of the rabbits and getting the pelts aready for curing."

"Sure, Pa." The prospect of eating rabbit was making Adam's mouth water and he didn't mind at all helping. He quickly went into the wagons, returning with the knives and quickly got to work. He had done this so many times that it didn't take much time at all. "Are you going to sell the pelts in Eagle Station, Pa?"

"No, I think we will hang on to them for a bit. Maybe while we are there we can add to them and your Ma's will be able to make some nice warm mitts for you children to keep you warm going through the mountains, or a nice rabbit stole."

"Yeah, Erik's hands have grown a lot, I bet his old mittens won't fit anymore."

To be continued