private correspondence

The wax seal on the outer letter bears the image of a pillar, like that once displayed in Gondolin. The Tengwar on the letter are precise, needing to communicate their message, yet artful and really quite attractive to read. This letter is bound to a thick packet of others, each one a business letter of some sort -- yet while their purpose is utilitarian, and these too are highly readable, the calligraphy is simultaneously so beautiful that one would think the writer had copied out poems for framing on one's wall as artwork.

My dear Lady Gilinnen,

My dearest Cousin Ivette,

Mum has written to me all about that lad from Stock. If my heart feels like it is breaking, I cannot even guess how horrible you must be feeling right about now. 

Dearest Mum,

First of all, I am simply outraged--I cannot believe that such a scoundrel could even exist, let alone do something like that to our Ivette. I shall be writing her a separate letter soon; honestly I just did not know what to say to her, but I am sure she is heartbroken.

Dearest Mum,

Dearest Mum,

I hope you and the cousins and Dad and Uncle Will and Uncle Ray and Aunt Gemma are all well. Everything is fine here in Brockenborings. 

I am sorry to hear that Lettice has been ill; please let me know right away if I should come home for a while. I am sure it is just a summer cold but please tell her to stay indoors and eat plenty of soup and not go playing in ponds. 

Strawberry tarts were cooling on the windowsill. In the sitting room, Rosafina sat at her writing table, clutching a quill. Quite a few crumbled pieces of parchment were scattered about the floor.

Master Vedoc,

She paused, frowned. The opening at least wasn't giving her trouble.

I was very impressed by your entry in the Pie Competition at the sixth anniversary of Green Dragon Friday

But maybe that was too formal? 

Dearest Mum,

I am hoping this finds you and dad and Uncle Will and Auntie Gemma and Uncle Raynald and all the cousins well! I am sorry Lettice did not get to make it down for the Spring Queen crowning, but I wanted to tell you all that Miss Acorne won and I think she is a perfect choice (and all the other lovely princesses were gorgeous too--Marigold would have really liked all the gowns). 

Dearest Mum,

I was very surprised to get your last letter to say the least! And I hope that you are not reading this particular letter to the cousins or I shall never hear the end of it from Lettice and Marigold (or Bert for that matter).

I honestly did not know that Ambrose would be taking my leaving so hard, but I am actually a bit angry   irritated that he did not say something himself. You have always told me that things like this are complicated but I must say I did not imagine this.

Dear Mum,

First off, hello to everybody back home, in case you are reading this letter to them. I am well and happy here in Oldfurlong and have even began to meet some of my neighbors, who have been most kind to me.

On Fridays when I am not too busy, as you know, I have been visiting the Green Dragon in Bywater (which is a very long walk, but there is often company on the road). I saw Cuthbert there as well just a few weeks ago, and it was nice to see Family again.

My Dearest Miss Dahlia,