Outtake: Emmet's letter to Edward

.

Well beloved brother, I greet you. I write this missive with a sorrowful spirit. I regret that I did not try harder to intercede on your behalf when our father began to press you to become what you are. I had suspected he did so not out of a desire for your happiness—though I do not believe he cared nothing for it—but that after he was stricken with the wasting sickness he thought only of a son well-placed to do what he wished. I should have pressed him harder to think more on the matter, especially after you told me of your fear that it was not the profession best suited to you. It was only recently that I realized the extent of my failure, and I beg your forgiveness, though my knowledge of you leads me to believe it has already been granted. As I consider the matters of which we will speak this day, I expect you will have need of what accompanies this letter. Use it well, and know that it is for your use alone, not to be handed over to any other, but to be used as you see fit for your health and happiness. If you do what I hope, know that I will forever keep you in my prayers, and that I shall miss you, Ned. May God have you in his keeping until we meet again.

Emmet Masson, written at Spero Manor this 26th day of August in the fifth year of Henry VIII


A/N: Okay, some explanations: Emmet is trying purposefully to be vague, since this letter could get both him and Edward in trouble. He's telling Edward that he should not give the money over to the church (which is what Edward is supposed to do), but use it either to save Isabella or to flee with her—moreover, that his hope is that Edward will choose the latter. Dangerous stuff for the time. Their father had pressed Edward to become a priest after being diagnosed with a wasting disease (a horrible way to die since you basically starve to death) because he wanted to know a priest would be dedicated to praying for his soul. The idea was that priests were closer to God and therefore more likely to have their prayers answered. He could have paid for prayers/masses to be done for him, but he liked the idea of Edward doing it better. He wasn't a bad guy or trying to make Edward unhappy, but in his shock over his illness he wasn't really listening to anyone's concerns either. Ultimately though, the fault lies with Edward, since no one forced him to take his vows. He knows this and never blamed anyone except himself for his predicament. Oh, and Spero means hope in Latin, and I named the manor that because I liked it. :)