Letters to Loved Ones


Author's Note: This is my entry for pic and fic to accompany artwork done by thenumbersoftomorrow. I was thinking with the theme of Past, Present, and Future, and the characters that had been drawn out that approaching this from the point of letters written by the characters would be a great idea. My apologies if this fails to do any justice to the artwork.


Allen,

I leave you this letter to offer some kind of explanation for my absence from our home. I needed to leave, and I hope that this letter will help you to understand why.

Do you remember when we were children? It feels so long ago that I cannot recall in specific detail. I know you remember it clearly, how we'd play in the fields that lay just beyond our home, I'd pick wildflowers and bring them to you and mother. My memories of that time feel more to me like a pleasant dream that fades upon waking. All I know of that time in certain detail is the stories you told me when I came home.

There is a big piece of my life that's missing. The memories of Dilandau are much more vivid than that of my childhood, but they are fragmented like a shattered mirror. Visions of fire and blood most often intrude on my dreams. Sometimes when I lie awake I can still hear the screams.

Some days are much worse than others. Those are the days that you insist I stay inside and try to rest. If only I could rest and get a reprieve from these terrible thoughts. I know you mean well, Brother, I truly do, but I cannot just stay inside with the same memories faded and broken.

You try to be responsible for what you call Dilandau's crimes all on your own, trying to protect me, but I never wanted you to shoulder that burden. Dilandau's past is also my past, and I have spent so much time not understanding my past as him and me. You may think it foolish of me to go out into the world and to try and better understand who I am now, and maybe I am foolish for it, but I do not want these memories to be the only ones I will ever have, of two lives lived apart within me. Do you believe a broken sword can be reforged?

I love you and ask that you not worry about me or come looking for me. I will come back home someday.

Celena


Green 11th Moon

My Dear Nephew Chid,

It grieves me to write you that your grandfather passed away the morning of the 9th Moon. I wanted to write to you personally rather than send word along through a messenger. I know that you two never had the chance to get to know one another, and I'm sorry it's now gone. If I had the power to turn back the clock, well, there's many more things I would want changed besides giving us all more time with our loved ones.

Soon after father's funeral, I will become Queen of Asturia. When I think back to the war, I was just so ready to abandon the throne for my own personal passions. How selfish of your aunt, huh? There was nothing more than I wanted than to be able to help people. I thought I could do that better as a healer than as a ruler. Your aunt Eries gave me some words of wisdom I still think on, that royalty must use its position for the sake of the people. I never wanted to admit to her that she had a point or that she was even right.

Your mother also gave me some wisdom in her actions, the day she left for Freid. I will always remember her courage to do the duty that was charged her, no matter how hard it may have been. I will also always remember her kindness. There is much of her in you, Chid.

I wish we were meeting again under better circumstances, but I am looking forward to seeing you again. Allen will escort you from your leviship to the castle when you arrive in Palas. I've disclosed other details pertaining the funeral and coronation ceremony. Take care, and safe travels.

Love,

Aunt Millerna