Windstorms Letter thread

[Adam Bond]

To her Majesty, Edfeil of Windstorm,


I have before me a sealed letter, from your person. It is with sorrow and regret, that I cannot deliver it to his Highness, the Emperor. He,the Duchy of Aeren and Greenleaf, and the army they had amassed have gone missing. All of it. Gone.

I return your letter to you, well aware of certain indescretions having occurred in your court as of late. Rest assurred I shall inform our border guard to keep our citizens from your lands, as not to trouble you further.

When the Emperor returns, I shall of course inform him that you were seeking to contact him. Until that time, we bid you prosperity and luck in your nuptials.

PS...Do tell Lady Dreams hello, and Lady Beren as well, for I know his Imperial majesty is fond of them.


Adam Bond, Office of the Chancellor

[Dream Loxley]

((ooc: Wishing you all well with your new ventures......ic: Hope to post something to tie everything together and allow for either a continuation of events or closure. Have enjoyed all the writing that stemmed from the original Husband seeking! ))

[Lady Edfeil]

*The letter had been written swiftly, and send to Caerfarnon by a messenger from the Queen's personal escort, who was known to the Castle. It had been signed by Edfeil's personal seal. A letter between friends of years*

Dear Anne,
I pray this missive will find ye well and healthy. I hesitate even to write, for what I put to ink be merely rumor and hearsay. Yet I thought it better iffen ye knew. Two days ago, a guest in me home, Lady Elizia mentioned she had overheard plans, mayhap rumours only, that the Norse be planning an attack on Wessex. I can nae be certain iffen 't be so, but if they try and do such, both Windstorm and Caerfarnon would be possible places of landing. And iffen their numbers be large enough to challenge even Wessex, it nae would bode well. I hope it be rumour or drunken braggard tales of a Norseman in a tavern. I am writing to Jarl Halfdane to see iffen he knows more, but in the mean time, I thought ye needed to know, even iffen 't be but a rumour. Ye know, as well as I, how many ships have sunk on mere rumours alone.
I hope these tidings nae disturb ye. I be making Windstorm as ready as I can, until I hear more. The cliffguards be warned, so should ye sail here, pritthe fly high the crest. I pray ye and all of yers be well.

Be loved and blessed, me friend.
Edfeil R.


*The reply had been immediate, send back on the next tide with twenty men already accompagnying it*

My dearest friend and sister,
This news I had heard nothing of, but shall do my best to find out more about this.

If your ship has room, I shall send Welsh 50 archers for you walls and 20 men at arms. Otherwise they shall set sail at high tide on the morrow. A Captain shall command them. If you have need of anything else, pray tell me and I shall do my best to help you.

With respect and affection,
Anne

Caera Anne Gwynedd, Regnant of Caernarfon
with my seal below

[Keiren]

To Lady Loxley of Windstorm

The letter read on it's outer layer, and it was carried off the ship, by a young and steadfast looking man with blonde hair and a winsome smile. He rented a horse and rode from the docks to the castle, where he asked for the lady, herself, and pressed into the hands of a kindly looking serving girl, the note. He'd wait he said, to see if her Mistress Loxley had a reply.

It was taken to the proper Madame Loxley, it's seal a dark purple hue, rich and stark against the creamy parchment..

Dear Lady Dream,

Greetings from Arahdan Enchantica. I know a birth announcement was sent to you and the lovely court of her Majesty at Windstorm, but I wished to send personal word, and see how all of you were. Harvest here is nearly in, and the weather cools already. The lad I send has with him some jars of honeyed oranges, grown south of here, that I thought might bring you pleasure and enjoyment. I am told they will last through winter if stored in the dark.

I hope all is well with you. Does Lady Beren still frequent the court? And how is good Sir Draven? You all must meet my lady Lele and the new baby soon. My lady wife is blind, so travel is a bit tricky...if we did come, I assume one of your ladies in waiting might assist her? New locations lead her to a lot of bruised shins.

But I'm really writing to tell you of a gift I have for you, of a far more genteel nature than foodstuffs. Enclosed you shall find three tokens of Arahdan's regard.

Give our kindest love to the court of Windstorm.

Be well,

Keiren







((Happy tenth, darling))

[Dream Loxley]

((Thank you soooooo much! I love them))

Dream did not recognise the parchment nor the seal, yet for one moment her heart skipped as it may have been from him.......she stopped then, breathing deeply and smiled to Mollie who seemed quite taken aback as always by the lad she had left in the Servants Quarters.

"Fair o' hair 'e be M'Lady......"

A curt look from Dream stopped Mollie in her tracks, now was not the time for yet another lost or found love. She frowned just a little as she broke the seal and opened the letter proper. It was beautiful in it's own right, such care and attention to detail, read it quickly......smiled softly and read it again, this time taking in every word with care lest she missed something. The package would wait until she was within the privacy of her chambers.

"Well fair of hair he may be indeed Mollie........would ye see that he be fed and made welcome........in a room of his own now.....and I shall furnish ye with a reply on the morrow. Ye nae be fussing over him ye hear.......'tis a goodly and honoured home he hails from and I nae be wishing him to take back any wrong notions of us."

Her face rather void of emotions, simply to show a little authority, yet she wanted to smile brightly as she knew the lad would indeed be made welcome and given the respect any visitor deserved. As Mollie disappeared with a flea in her ear, Dream took the letter and the package up stairs to her chambers, so very excited at what she may find within...........

((To be continued a.s.a.p.))

[Keiren]

And so the lad was sent to be well fed, and given his fill of a fine meat and veg stew, of good, hot brown bread with honey and butter, and a cider that sparkled on the tongue with spice and apples, rich and tart, all at once. From there he was allowed to wash up, and given a bed, that was quite nice, and comfortable, he slept the night away, happily under a fine roof, and dreaming of nothing at all.

His travel had left him dulled to anything but the soothing nourishment of sleep.

He woke to find the day already well into it's sunny beginnings, and seeing as no letter waited for him to snatch and dash off with it, he distracted himself with a large breakfast of eggs and porridge, toast with jam and apple butter, and a nice snack of ham and cheese wrapped in a clean kerchief, to save for later.

But being a growing young man, that later was maybe twenty minutes down the line, as he wandered the courtyard and then the town, peering into the smithy, and mulling about the market. Killing time, seeing the world, hearing their accents, listening to the patois of their talk, he immersed himself for half a day's time, ate apples and rolls, meat pies and a pudding, all bought in the market, before heading back to the castle to see what was what with the Lady and the letter.

[Dream Loxley]

She had lingered over the new gowns with such delight that already she was imagining wearing them and perhaps enjoying the glances of approval she may receive. It had been such a kindly gift, folk had been so very thoughtful, still, even now she doubted her own worth. Absently she brushed down her skirts and sat at the small desk within her chambers, reading the letter again to make certain of a proper and adequate reply.

Kind Sir and those of Arahdan Enchantica,

First may I congratulate you and your dear Wife on the birth of your new Son. May he always be blessed with the love surrounding him now and live a long and healthy life.

I have received your letter and the tokens therein with such delight I am almost lost for words as to repay your kindness. I shall be sure to share the jars of honeyed oranges with Queen Edfeil and look forward to tasting of such fine delicacies.

We all fare well within the Castle although Lady Beren still travels her homeland we hear word from her and expect her when time allows it. I shall be sure to pass on your kind regards when I do see her. Sir Draven continues to heal after a misadventure outside of our lands. Lord Dieter has the situation well in hand and we trust that all shall be as it should within a short period of time.

As to your intention of visiting here please let me assure you that I shall personally take responsibility for the welfare of your Wife and mayhaps I can become her eyes and show her how beautiful my homeland is through my speech. I would be most humbled if you would allow me this honour.

With kindest regards to all in Arahdan,

Dream Loxley
Chatelaine of Windstorm

Dream read over her words with a keen eye, she did not wish the attack on Kyle to become more than it should do, yet she did not truly feel at ease keeping it to such a lighter matter. Still, perhaps this way it would give the impression that we were not unduly concerned and all was well within Windstorm. She folded the parchment and pressed the Loxley seal down onto the dripped warm wax. Sitting back slightly in her chair she smiled and looked forward to their visit. I would be wonderful to entertain dignitaries and also bring work to many in the village.

Within a few moments she had placed the letter into Mollie's hand along with a small pouch that contained two silver coins for the lad.

"Make sure he gets them and bid him a safe journey home from us all now Mollie. Thankye kindly."

[Keiren]

Dear Lady Loxley,

The letter you sent was received at the end of a fine day, and by the light of one of the first fires of Autumn, the logs crackling cheerfully in the fire, and my wife grumpily scolding her knitting needles, by my side. She has been wishing to make baby attire, but counting and my talking to her at once, have left her with what she calls...a large wad and mess.

I read your letter to her, and she sends her greetings and the warmest wish to meet you.

Blindness has not left her any ounce less spirited, nor precious to me. But it has left knitting something of a battle of wills and luck, so she now is dallying with the idea of learning another less sight dependent craft, for now. Bless her, but she is a darling, matters not to me if she ever stitches another thread, or darns another tear.

I was vexed of course to learn of Sir Draven's mishap, but I share your every confidence that the matter will swiftly resolve and those responsible, be brought to heel. Windstorm is a place of justice, in my mind's eye, and that impression of her is a strong one.

Please give him our regards, and let him know that if ever he needs for something we might provide, he need only ask, but we do know him to be in the capable hands of Windstorm's best.

Lord Dieter has our best regards, and we wish him good winds and fair weather as he seeks to bring order and justice to the situation.

I thank you for offering your own personal hand to assist Lele. It is an honor to know you'd help us on a visit.

Lele, she is amazing. She can fly across a room here in a flash, graceful and never nudging a thing, and she can do that in any room we have. Her ability to memorize the placement and position of things is incredible. I assure you, give her a few days in Windstorm and you'll be amazed.

How does Edfeil fare? No recurrence of the illness of last winter I pray? And the weather is holding well? How fares your son? He must be quite the lad now.

Do take care, and be good to yourself, dear lady.

Keir and Lele

Signed, and sealed, it was sent by messenger, the same lad again...he was getting quite well aware of the trip now!...and he was rather enjoying it. There were worse jobs than traveling, eating a lot of good food, and delivering things to pretty ladies.

He arrived and Windstorm, and with all haste, hustled the letter to the castle, where it was delivered to the lady for which it was intended. The lad was really hoping for apple pie this time, what with it harvest time and all. One could hope, right? Right! Huzzah for apples.

[Dream Loxley]

Dream had read the reply with great interest, she almost envied their relationship.......their closeness.....simply being together as a couple, so very much in love such was so clear. She sighed softly and took pen to parchment once again, wondering all the while if it may suit her to travel, perhaps take the children and visit the places she had read of, heard about, and knew to be safe. Perhaps......one day......but for now she had a reply to make and lifted the pen.

My dear friends,

I hope I may call ye both as such ye have become to me within my heart. Such also makes my heart smile to read of yer days together. I remain in wonderment of how Lele does seem to take most challenges in her stride, such bravery she must have and with yer support I am sure each new day shall give her renewed strength to enjoy them all.

I have word that Sir Kyle mends well and Lord Dieter has not informed me of any further problems within our lands. I rest easy at night knowing we are safe here still. I assure ye that if we are in need then we surely will call upon yer kind offer of aid.

My children grow like weeds, a loving term so oft used by Edfeil. Ellissia be now of nine summers and Thomas a close seven. Both fare well and continue their studies with me and those who teach within the village. Of course with my beloved Husband lost to us all, it is proving most difficult at times to be both Mother and Father to them.

Edfeil does seem to blossom of late, I hear tell that she has indeed decided upon a Husband, one closer to us than we had realised, but as such be nae more than gossip I can nae reveal the man's name to ye. Suffice to say it be a goodly match and I am sure the news will be made public in the very near future. The ruddy glow upon our Queen's cheeks be more that of love than any illness she may have caught thus far.

Our weather be still so fickle and we wake to a chill early morn, yet the Sun soon warms us during the day. I have to admit to using an extra quilt at night and keep my fire burning within my chambers. My hope is such that the weather holds for a while longer so ye may both visit us as the last of the harvests are brought in. Such times be made to celebrate and share in our bountiful blessings.

With kind regards to ye both,

Dream

Once again the parchment was sealed and given to Mollie who was quite excited to seek the young lad again. This time he had been kept in the kitchens and given his fill of freshly baked apple pies. Mollie was in no hurry to allow him free reign over the lands just yet, and was not about to share him with anyone!

[Keiren]

Being in Windstorm, according to one happy messenger, was the ticket. They fed you, he later explained once back in Arahdan, all the time. It couldn't be beat. There was pie and cider, and sausages and all manner of good stuff. Tiffin was something to enjoy there!

He had stuffed himself silly, and waddled back to the boat, bidding the cheerful maid staff of the scullery and lower floors a happy farewell, with promises to bring them some Caranian red wine, the good stuff, from Arahdan with his next note. Thus, waistlines, girth and sobriety aside, the staff of not one, but two castles were happy that Lady Dream and Sir Keiren and his wife were pen pals. It netted the staff good eats, and drink, after all!

It took a number of days for the lad, named Milford, to return, this time, with a friend, a tall lanky fellow with a bit of a paunch and a slight case of the fly catching jaw, for Tarris had never been outside of Arahdan's capitol before, much less to a whole other nation. Milford carried a letter and two bottles in a satchel. Tarris had a larger bundle.

Milford, blonde, and Tarris, dark and staring, made their way to the kitchens, and once the letter and packages were sent to Lady Loxley, they produced the wine, a nice large set of two bottles, corked and marked from Caran. Ruby dark, it was highly prized and strong as a mule kick. They, therefore, cautioned the gents and ladies of the kitchen staff to sip slow.

Our dear Lady Loxley,

I am honored to have you as friend, and we do think of you as such. Each letter from you is read to Lele, and devoured with happiness and greed. She is, as am I, a fan of letters. They are satisfying, and droll, and sincere, and deep. That is something to enjoy, and we certainly do enjoy the letters we receive from you. Thanks be.

Your children are growing! My own daughter Carmella is eight, and our sons, Calendorian and Cambryn, are three and newborn, time has flown for us, like it perhaps has for you, too.

I can sympathize with the trial and hard work of managing to be both parents, to growing children...are they as bright and well mannered as their mother? I cannot imagine they lack for anything, with your hand at the helm. But....for you, I hear a lonely ring in your words, and would if I could, soothe such. It is not my place to inquire, but at the risk of rudeness, I shall, for friends are sometimes forgiven their bluntness...have you considered marriage, again? You would make any man alive, very happy and lucky, to call you his wife, I am sure. If I have said to much, my apologies, truly, are yours to claim.

As for Eddie, good on her. I'm happy she is happy, and that is enough for us. As soon as it is all official and announced, we shall arrive bearing gifts.

Speaking of, you will find enclosed something for you and the children. It is a small set of books, my own daughter enjoyed, and she thought to let Ellissia and Thomas have this set of story books, all full of tales on princesses and dragons, flying machines and bravery in the crux.

We look forward to a visit soon, in the hopes of spending many a night talking to you, and letting the young ones play together.

Keiren, First of his name, Arahdan Enchantica

[Leleanda]

She had in-so far not wrote anything of her own. She'd not ever met this Lady of Loxley, but over the course of the last few weeks she was starting to get a feel for her. Her husband spoke very highly over her, and for her that was good enough.

Therefore she decided to on the next round, send a letter of her own. Well, not in her own hand, for as competent as she was becoming, she had not yet mastered the pen once again. For now, it simply would have to be a dictated note, one that she had her dear friend Jessamine pen for her.

My dear Lady Loxley,

I think a good start would be for me to introduce myself, although by now I really do feel like we know one another. As you know I am Leleanda, but those that are closer to us call me Lele, as I hope that you will feel comfortable doing so.

You kind words of my bravery moved me, and made me want to reach out to you personally. Although I do not see it as brave, simply necessity. You asked how I manage. Keiren. That is the short and honest answer. He had been my biggest supporter. Without him I'd be lost. And my shins forever bruised.

Both me and my husband so enjoy receiving your letters, it gives us something to look forward to. I do so hope that we shall get to meet in person soon, whether it be us having the time to come and see your Windstorm, which I dearly would like to see. Or you coming to see us here in Fairhaven. Hopefully the future will allow for both.

Its not easy to find time to get away with the harvest coming in, and readying ourselves for winter as I am sure you are all feeling the same. That crunch to make sure everything is done before the cold hits. I for one, am not ready for it.

My warmest regards, that we may be able to speak in person soon.

Lele Al'thor

[Dream Loxley]

Mollie now had not one but two delicious looking young men to pamper and drool over, best she introduced them to her identical twin Millie! The servants were indeed enjoying the visits from young Milford, always eager to learn of his homeland and their ways. It was like the whole world had opened up to them as they indulged in such fine food and drink fare.

Dream was delighted to receive both letters, she read them with as much interest as the first, opening the parchments with care and quite amazed at the small scrolls that were obviously meant for young ones. These stories would be enjoyed by them all at bedtime and Dream, in truth, could not wait to begin sharing them with her children. She took pen to parchment once again, deciding to reply to both of her new found friends together.

My dear friends,

I am so happy that my letters have found ye both well and enjoying the new season. I can assure ye that the servants of Windstorm are quite delighted to be sampling such culinary delights ye are sending us all. I am most excited to imagine our children playing together and learning of each others homes. I do oft find myself wondering of the world as we are blessed to have visitors from far away lands I have nae even heard of. Such be a tad daunting to accept the lands and seas do in fact go on and on far more than the eye can see.

Keiren I am not offended in any way and your kind words do help me cope with the situation I find myself in. Truth be told my Husband, Robin, be lost for some time now but in my heart I know him to be alive and struggling to return to me and our children. I gave my heart to him and could nae ever believe I could share such a love with another, ever. I am comforted by your support and friendship. I do feel truly blessed by such. If I had nae my children then I would in truth nae have a reason to live.

My children will adore the books, and I also will enjoy reading them together, such stories will allow our imaginations to soar far and wide. I look forward very much to spending time in the company of ye both and truly am grateful for the time ye are giving to me and my family at this busy time.

Lele, I remain amazed at your strength and will. Your friendship is accepted with a happy heart and I hope time will allow us to meet in person. I have enclosed with this letter a jar of cream that I hope shall aid yer bruises. Tis containing a plant known as Arnica and used regularly here in our Infirmary.

I continue to hold ye all in high regard and wish ye all well and safe.

With affection
Dream

Once again the parchment was folded and sealed with the Loxley crest. Dream smiled as she did so for this correspondence had truly given her hope for the future.

[Keiren]

Twins. That IS something isn't it? Certainly not something you see everyday! And for the lads, this was only getting better and better. Attentive ladies that could cook, and didn't mind feeding them said cooked food, and to top it off, seemed to like doing so. And anyone happy to feed them good stuff, was a friend indeed, to cherish.

Plus the travel was no great hardship, the weather cool and crisp in morning and night, but balmy, in the last dying heat of summer, all through midday.

It made two adventure starved lads feel more men of the world, and less cloistered boys with no stories yet under their belts. Letter deliveries served as a new window for them, on the world.

Milford arrived one morning, as usual, light of step and cheeks a cheery, cherry, red from the chill early morning temperatures, letter in hand for Dream Loxley.

Dear Lady Dream,

I hope this note finds you in happiness and health, and that the children are as well, strong and hearty. The weather here rolls on towards winter, the mountains near the capitol got their first dust of snow last night, we woke to crystalline white peaks, shining in the sun. The leaves are all aglow and the shades race and dance along the spectrum, with everything going, from deepest blood red, to hottest burnt mustard in hue.

The apples are in, and the harvest is stored, the honey is gathered and all that remains is the first real snow, and butchering season to see to. Apple butter is the topic of the kitchens this week, and fat cauldrons on fires are continually going in the kitchen gardens. It smells of spice and smoke and sweet, and a more enjoyable season I cannot imagine.

I have thought much on you this seven day period, of your unending love for Robin, of your thoughts on your children. I think you wrong in a certain regard, though. Even if you had no son, no daughter. If Robin had never been, you would have reason for living.

People like you are far too few, far too rare, and you forget who needs you. Needs the smile you bring, the kind word you share, the tender mercy you bestow. All the world needs that, and so your reason is nations strong, and miles wide.

Be good to yourself, dear..

In friendship,
Keir

PS...Thank you for the salve, between the busy children, my wife, and my own mishaps, it's already been used twice! Works like a charm, too!

~K

[Leleanda]

My Dear Lady Loxley,

I can not thank you enough for the salve. While we have something similar, I must confess that this not only works better, smells better to. Its been a godsend here. You wouldn't believe the amount of times we've already used it.

If you would be so kind, you really must send us more. Or better yet, if it wouldn't be in imposition, perhaps the seeds so that we may grow it here, and the recipe to make it once it does? Perhaps there is something here I could offer in exchange? I have a scrub I use, wonderful for the skin, uses apricots. I'll send you some.

On a more personal note, I hope I do not offend as I know you not so well as my husband, but I do so hope that you are right and that he does some how find his way back to you. What a wonderful story that would make. In the meantime, I do hope you find things to fill your heart with joy and laughter.

All the best,

Lele

She cursed softly hearing the Milford had been sent already. Missing him by a few hours, twas a good thing Tarris was available. He had been mopping that he hadn't been able to go this time and thought he was going to miss the twins.

He perked right up, and promised he'd deliver the message on the double.

The twins! Oh boy!

[Lady Edfeil]

((Can not tell you how much I enjoy the writing!))