Love Letters Chapter Two

My Liege Lord

Alannah sat in Mirana's chambers, gaping in joy at her. "Are you sure?"

Mirana laughed gently. "Perfectly."

Alannah gulped, and then began to cry. "I…I wish Ilosivic was back. I want to tell him the news, I want to share this with him, I….I want him!" She finished, in a small voice.

Mirana gave her a gentle hug. "He will return from Patrol in a few days. But in the mean time, why not write to him? I know how happy it made you to receive his letter. It's very likely that he will be overjoyed to get a letter from you."

Alannah nodded. "That is an excellent idea, Majesty. Do you think I should tell him the news?"

Mirana smiled gently. "That is your decision."

Stayne was getting ready to return to Marmoreal. He silently thanked Time that once again his Patrol had revealed nothing unusual happening in the land. 'It looks as though the specter of Iracebeth is behind us forever.' he thought gratefully. He was just cinching the straps on Grey Star's saddle, when he noticed a plume of dust rising along the road, heading towards the camp. Stayne turned to one of his men. "Go and see who that is."

The soldier saluted and walked off. He returned a few moments later. "Sir, a messenger from the Castle has a letter for you. He says it's from Lady Stayne, and she gave him explicit instructions to place it directly in your hands."

Stayne's heart began pounding. "Then let him approach, so that I can get the letter from my Lady."

The messenger came forward, and bowed from atop his horse. "Captain Stayne, your wife asked me to deliver this letter into your hands." He reached into his pocket, and handed Stayne two pieces of folded up paper. "There's quite a lot here, I'd imagine," he said with a slight smile.

Stayne nodded. "There does appear to be a lot here. Thank you, Messenger."

The Messenger nodded and rode off. Stayne unfolded the letter, and silently read it.

My Lord,

I cannot adequately describe the joy and elation I felt when I read your letter. I laugh now that I was reluctant to go to that Masquerade; for as I've told you before, it was there that I first took notice of you. I have never told this to anyone, but had you not been touted about as the Red Queen's personal…favorite (or would you rather I called you her unwilling lackey, darling?) I would have found my way to your bedchamber. Accidently, of course.

Stayne snorted with laughter, and then continued to read.

As it is, Time decreed that we meet later, after the Battle, and looking back now I see what a blessing it was for me that you came into my life. I had been sorely hurt before, and was scared to open my heart to anyone.

That was one of my biggest reasons for living isolated from the world. I have given it much thought, and I have finally figured out why you were able to capture my heart as effortlessly as you did. You were the first man, be it suitor or admirer, to look past my surface. You did it quietly, without my even realizing it, and I love you all the more for it.

I will never forget when I told you about Lord Maxwell raping me. I was so scared that you would view me in a different light after that revelation. One thought was going through my head-'What if he leaves me, declares me to be a loose woman, or worse-a wanton whore?' I know that seems a harsh thing, but in all bluntness that had been the reaction of others when they found out.

But you held me as I cried, and swore by Time that you would never leave me. I never will be able to fully convey how much that meant to me.

When I was captured, I never gave up the hope that you would find me. I simply knew that if you had to tear apart all of Underland, you would not have hesitated. My thoughts were only of you, my love, and out of that dark moment came one of the most precious gifts we have ever received-our daughter.

Katarina is the most wonderful gift that you and I ever received, my Lord. But I have some wonderful news for you. If you are not sitting down, you should. (Or at least make sure that you are standing against something solid.)

I had been missing you terribly, even more so than I usually do. Alice, Time bless her, noticed, and insisted that I go and see if Mirana had something that would lift my spirits a bit. I did not have the heart to tell her that the only thing that would cure me was being in your arms. But Alice kept insisting. You know how persistent she can be.

Mirana did not have anything for me, for she had already figured out what I suspect Alice also knew. My hand can hardly stop shaking with joy as I write this, my love and Liege Lord.

I am with child. You are going to be a father again! Katarina has been informed, and is thrilled at the idea of being a big sister. Now all I need is for you to come home to me, my love. I await your return with more eagerness and joy than I can possibly say. I shall count the hours until you are once more in my arms.

Alannah.