A week had passed since she handed her response to the courier, instructing them to take it to Wisterun and ask to deliver it to Istel. She found herself feeling nervous, worried now at whether it would make it, and whether it was right that she responded to him. She felt guilty now for taking so long to reply, and hoped he didn’t take offense to ignore her as she almost did his. She felt guilty for even having done it, despite having her husband’s approval. In fact, William felt absolutely ecstatic that she had garnered such favor, rewarding her with a date at the Merryweather in the upper part of town, where he drank and boasted and praised her in front of the whole pub.

Despite his approval, she still felt guilty, and further felt guilty for feeling guilty, for she wouldn’t feel guilty in the first place if her heart stayed where it should. But perhaps she could redirect these feeling; lord Arstel had said she may think of him a friend, and she did enjoy his company and conversations as well. It would be nice to have a pen pal, and beneficial to her home and to her country. Yes, she could consider these feelings ones of friendship, she decided, though the thought caused that void within her to squirm.

It was when she was warming up in The Stray Arrow that his reply finally came, as she was enjoying a hot mug of mead with one of Anna’s famous pastries. The Theremore messenger strode in from the billowing snow, spotting her quickly, and handed her the scroll.

“Message for a Miss Merrium?” he inquired, to which Sybil bent in with curiosity.

“Oooh, a love letter! I wonder who it’s from nudgenudge,” she teased.

“Oh stop,” Merrium smiled, blushing a little. She knew exactly who it was from, and while she knew Sybil was only joking with her, it made it that much harder to solidify her decision for friendship. Nonetheless, she opened it, being careful to keep prying eyes off until she took in its contents.

‘Merrium,

I can not express how glad I was to finally receive your response! I feared perhaps it had gotten lost or damage, or that you may have rejected it, I must admit. I am very glad to have heard back from you. I don’t have much experience using the foreign post, but it seems everything is working accordingly.

In regards to your question, of course! You may ask me anything you desire. Well, perhaps not anything, as there are many things I cannot say, least of all through such an unsecured method. But I will do my best to answer as many as I can.

There is still no news as to when we may next visit, though I am trying to convince my father to allow me the journey to keep connections. He seems to think it hasn’t been that long at all, though to him I bet a decade would feel like a week!

Tell me about you time there, any old thing will do. Do you have a winter holiday? In Istel we have a few, depending on where in the country you go and which communities you attend. In the Ivory City we hold a huge festival to celebrate all races and cultures under our rule, there are lots of lights and music and delicious foods. I like to disguise myself as a commoner sometime so I can join in without causing anyone discomfort. First thing I do when I take the throne is to start abolishing the whole stiff-reverence to royalty. I feel the people should always be able to speak their thoughts freely, even -no, especially if it opposes how someone rules.

I hope to hear from you soon! I hope we may visit soon -I still have my promise to let you try some of my homeland’s cuisine, after all.

With Elation,

Arstel Istalri’

“That’s adorable,” Sybil said over Merrium’s shoulder, causing her to jump in surprise.

“Sybil! Privacy please!”

“I’m sorry dear, you know I can’t help myself.” She placed her hands together in front of her in the motion for forgiveness. “Still, that sounds like quite a celebration! I’d love to visit this ‘Ivory City,’ I bet it’s gorgeous.”

“Yes, it sounds lovely,” Merrium said with a slight air of wistfulness.

Sybil eyed her for a moment, and smiled with an idea. “Hey, maybe he’ll take you there sometime!”

“What?!” Merrium exclaimed, and then in a more hushed voice. “In what scenario would I ever travel to a foreign country?!”

“The scenario that requires aid,” she winked. “Like, say they’re having trouble with a rival, and need reinforcements from our Lord Victor. And say William gets drafted in, it would be unheard of if the King’s liaison did not go with her husband to the land in which she liasoning with.”

“That’s true,” she said, suddenly feeling very nervous at the prospect. She wasn’t even sure how far his kingdom lay, let alone the fact that she herself hadn’t even the opportunity to see the entirety of her own homeland.

These thoughts now followed her home and kept her awake. What would she do if she did have to travel? And how would she be expected to behave? She could see the whole trip being an anxiety-ridden mess, with William growing tired of travel and, as a result, in a very poor mood. She would have to be careful with her actions, and do above and beyond to keep him placated.

But, perhaps that would never have to come. From the soldiers in their entourage, his people seemed more than capable. If anything, it was more likely that her homeland would need future reinforcements.

She reflected her wonders and worries in her letter, as a friend would expect one to confide and as she knew prince Arstel would hope she would confide with him, and told him about their own festivities, how she looked forward to trying Istelian cooking, and how her days had been since he left. She spoke of her husbands approval of their correspondence, and his joyful mood since finding out. And she asked him what his favorite season was, just for fun, explaining to him that hers was summer, when it was warm and dryer and the plants were alive and thriving. She sent the letter off, feeling somehow lighter and more at ease at getting so much out of her head.

A week more had passed, and his response came back.

‘Merrium,

I don’t think you have to worry about travel, though the idea of something necessitating your coming here is a bit laughable. Please don’t take offense by that! Though, it may sound boastful to say that we are more than well prepared for any hardships. And I would love to say you need only to ask and you may visit, but our laws are actually very strict about letting in outsiders. I’m afraid I won’t be able to say much more on the matter.

Your celebrations sound very quaint and quiet, as I’m sure that would be how you would love to attend them. Imagining you at one of ours, I think it would be rude to force to stay around such energy. But a quiet celebration soundly lovely in it’s own right, like a rest from the hardships of the world. I hope you enjoy your holiday there when it comes.

I’m pleased to hear Sir William is in good spirits, though I must admit I believe he should see how much more he has to be pleasant about. I still feel his behavior towards you in my last visit was far too harsh, but perhaps it was simply due to the stress of our presence. I certainly hope it is. I would hate to hear of any mistreatment towards you.

As for my favorite season, I don’t believe I’ve ever thought about it. Summer suits you very well. I think some would assume my favorite would be winter. But...perhaps spring would be my favorite. The world is reawakening from a long, cold slumber, old friends are available for company once more, and the trees are vibrant and beautiful.

Incidentally, what is your favorite plant? And what would be your favorite color? I don’t have a favorite plant necessarily, though I do love trees, but my favorite color happens to be grey.

With Curiosity,

Arstel Istalri’