Love Letters
Disclaimer-I don't own anything except my OCs.
Stayne sighed, leaning against a tree trunk. He was currently resting from a long ride that he had undergone earlier that day. He raised his gaze to the sky, staring in silent thought at the vast number of stars. He was on his Weekly Patrol, and missing his wife terribly. Although part of his job as Captain of the White Guards included patrolling Underland for days or even weeks at a time, he still felt the pain of being separated from Alannah. He knew deep in his heart that she was well looked after by all of Marmoreal, but he still missed her. He chuckled quietly as a thought occurred to him.
'When I was Captain of the Card Guards, Patrol was a welcome respite from Iracebeth. If I could have, I would have stayed away forever.' In fact, several times he had entertained the notion of simply trying to simply desert, only to return resigned to his fate.
Stayne's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone calling his name. He turned and looked at the Guard, a young man of about twenty.
"Captain, are you feeling alright?" the soldier asked, concern in his voice.
Stayne smiled. "I'm feeling a bit homesick, Corporal. I miss my Lady terribly."
The Corporal looked at him, slightly confused. "But surely by now you would have gotten used to being apart from her."
Stayne sighed. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? But the truth is, I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to being apart from her."
The Corporal nodded in understanding. "Is that why you wrote to her earlier today?" At Stayne's surprised look, he smiled. "The Lieutenant and I noticed you, and figured you couldn't be writing to anyone else. Especially since you seemed to keep changing what you were writing."
Stayne grinned. "Well, I wanted everything to be absolutely perfect, and I think I've managed. Now, Corporal-since you already know about the letter, would you be kind enough to deliver it for me?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it over to the Corporal, who carefully placed it in his breast pocket. The Corporal saluted.
"I will, Sir."
Alannah sat on the couch, watching as Katarina crawled about on the floor of the cottage. She sighed quietly. How she missed her husband! Tarrant and Alice were visiting, and Alice immediately noticed her best friend's glum mood.
"Alannah, is everything alright? You seem so sad."
Alannah had sighed, turning to Alice. "I don't know. I miss Ilosivic so terribly."
Alice nodded in understanding. "You always miss him, though."
"Yes, but not as badly as this. It's like there's something inside me that's making me physically ache to be apart from him."
Alice's eyes narrowed, then widened in surprise. "Have you ever felt this way before?"
Alannah nodded. "Only once, and that was when I was…" she suddenly gaped in shock at Alice. "Pregnant with Katarina." She finished in a shocked voice. "Oh Alice, you don't think…"
Alice smiled, pulling her friend into a hug. "It's a great possibility."
Alannah's eyes filled with tears. "I want Ilosivic!"
Tarrant, who had been entertaining Katarina, looked up at her in sympathy. "He should be returning from Patrol in a few days, Alannah."
Alannah gulped, and nodded. "I know."
She looked around as a knock came at the door. Alice walked over, and opened it.
"Yes, Corporal?"
"Miss Alice, I was asked to deliver a letter to Lady Stayne." The Corporal said, solemnly.
Alice smiled. "I'll give it to her, Corporal."
He smiled back, and handed her the paper. "No reading it, now, Miss Alice. It's for her Ladyship."
Alice laughed. "I'll try to restrain myself. Thank you, Corporal."
He saluted, and then left.
Alice walked over to the couch, and handed Alannah the paper. "Letter for you, Your Ladyship."
Alannah took it, unfolding it carefully. She gasped, and her eyes filled with tears. Alice, concerned, wrapped her arms around her.
"Alannah, what's the matter?"
Alannah swiped a hand across her eyes, then took a deep breath and began to read the letter.
My love,
I cannot begin to tell you how deeply and profoundly grateful I am that you came into my life all those years ago. You are, without a doubt the most precious gift I could have ever received.
I was a coward, a knave. I threw my lot in with a selfish, stuck up, bloody annoying brat, and regretted it constantly.
I knew nothing but gloom and despair while in the clutches of the bloody big head. But then, at a Masquerade Ball, I noticed a beautiful woman in blue. You captivated me with your voice, and from that moment on I was yours.
When I was sent into Exile, I began to despair. Not because I was chained to Iracebeth, but because I had to seriously consider the notion that I would never see you again. But thank Time that was not to be.
You saved more than my sanity and my life the day you set me free, my love. You saved my heart and my soul, and in the process managed to snare me more completely than any trap. You make me feel more complete than I ever have in my entire life.
I know in my heart that a mere letter will never be able to fully convey the sheer magnitude of my love for you, my beauty. But know this, I am yours. Completely, utterly, and totally.
Love,
Ilosivic.
