Hi King Dummy,

Life here is okay. They're having us do community living, basically. We farm for our own food, not in someone's service, we work together to make a bit of a life here. It's a small village and we're not even enough to fill three-quarters of the houses, so at least there's a bit of room for everyone.

First I wanna talk about your own letter a bit and wanna let you know how much I miss you. When that arrow came for me, I had my hands in the dirt, digging out a cluster of dipplings for dinner. The others were outside, too, so I didn't wanna open it up right away. Now I'm sitting in my bungalow, in front of the window, with a candle next to me, and I'm just grinning. Thanks for the letter, it made me really happy. I was gonna write soon, but I lost track of time a bit over the past week. So much to do in late autumn.

It's neat that Raszagal gave you a permanent escort and a flying Peryton. They're super rare and don't live for very long, so be sure to give him lots of love. Taking you home, he really deserves it. I hope Yasra behaves in Katolis and doesn't get too many crooked looks.

Otark's a big goof and it's good to know he was okay with you without the makeup. I was kinda hoping he would be that sort since I liked him. I really hope you're mindful of your eating, it'd be a little sad if you went back to the princely flab that you walked off in Xadia.

I really hope you get that that was a joke. Just to make sure. It's hard to put a light ribbing into a letter without sounding like a big jerk.

Talaar and Selchin. Did you give them back the book? I never really got the chance to read it all the way. It's so strange thinking about that room, now, it feels like ages ago. I'm still getting the fuzzies though. Here's where I realize again how much I miss you. During the day when it's busy, I barely notice, but then I get home, eat, lie down, alone and it's still just a bit strange. I feel a bit dumb writing this but I'm glad for the ring. Everytime I look at it, it tells me about that look you gave me, up in the cabin.

As for Kel, I guess it'd be nice for you to have some closure. I guess, her family, if she has one, deserves to know. Hopefully they won't hate you for what you had to do.

When you got to the border, were Noli and Honsa there, too? You didn't mention them, so I'm wondering. Good to hear Lessa's okay. I think I know Janai, hearsay-wise. She's some famous Prime Legate, but I can't remember what she did to stand out. I guess not everyone can have as good a memory as you, dummy. Them not trusting the Assembly isn't surprising, it's kind of what I'm picking up from the outside. People are very unhappy with all that happened. The Queen's been busy cleaning house. From what I know, Selendis and Zeratul aren't Regents anymore and Sol Regem's dead. I think this could be the first time that Moon isn't being guided by Archdragons. It's kinda weird.

I miss Ez too. It's kinda weird because I miss him like I miss you, but I'll see you again. I wonder if that feeling's ever gonna be easier to face than it is now. Sorry if the ink's a bit splotchy there. I couldn't help it. About Aanya, I don't know what to say. I don't know anything about her, sorry, but if they need a crazy king, I guess they have you, now!

When I read that line about sitting down the first time, I was already in bed. It's comfortable enough.

You're right, it wasn't easy to read. I'm a worrier, what can I say, but I also trust you. I also can't expect her to just flip from liking you to not, so, just be careful with her. Again, I trust you. Maybe not her, though. Call me unfair if you want. It's hard not to feel jealous of her right now, spending time with you. How weird that is, though. She probably feels something similar about me, heh.

I just spent a bit of time twisting the ring and smirking like an idiot. I love you, and I can see why humans like that sort of reminder that someone loves them back. It's a good tradition. The first week was really weird, having it. It was like I always felt it. Now it's just part of my hand. When I take it off for dirty work, it's missing and I catch myself looking for it all over only to grok that it's on my nightstand at home.

Her riding behind Yasra, oh man, I would pay you actual human money to have seen that. Please tell me you can draw me a picture for the next letter, I could use the laugh!

Viren can stay gone as long as he stops hurting people. I hope he got eaten by a Banther, that way he at least had some purpose in life. Soren's another sore point. Heh, that's funny, though, isn't it? He tried to murder me. I'm starting to feel like I say that about a lot of people you like. When I get out, meeting them is going to be one of the most awkward things I ever do.

Callum the king has a lot to do. Just make sure you don't forget about Callum the person. I don't know if Opeli tells you to take breaks, so I will. Take a day off, ever so often. Relax. You can't control it all. Soon enough I'll be there to help out. As much as my common elf hands, heart and head can, anyway. I feel like I'll have a lot to learn, first. I can absolutely kick her in the butt for you, but I'll use my common elf feet for that.

I don't know if I have it worse. It's just different problems.

As for the picture - lose the beard until it actually grows, dummy, you look like a rotting head of brassica. I don't mind you with a crown, but you look just so unhappy. I'm sorry about the splotches, I had another moment over your cute mug, heh. I'll pin it over my bed. Keep sending me pictures of you, please.

So, about my own life, where to start?

The place is called Arrias. It's on a warmish, low plateau on the jungle-side Wall of Fire somewhere and there's about fifteen people here with me. Everyone has their own little farm to tend. It's kinda busy when you're scrambling to plant and harvest, collect firewood for the winter and learn all these new things. Even though I just came in, I have enough food for the winter, there's staff that tends all the farms when there's nobody there.

Almost everyone's really nice, they're not terrible people. A lot of them are like me, disobeying orders, dodging the draft after signing up for it, that sort of thing.

There's one murderer, Zala, but she's just sad about what she did, so not dangerous or anything. She was drunk when she killed her summand and reported herself to the civvies. I actually feel bad for her. Her house is next to mine and I'm sure we can hear each other sob at night. She's getting to be a pretty good friend, now that I think about it. She's a little younger than Lessa, I'm guessing.

My only real gripe is that there's this one guy who has a serious issue about giving me space. The guards told me if he doesn't leave me alone when they're not looking, I have permission to rough him up. The warden said they're looking to have him moved away, but that can take a bit because he hasn't actually done anything more than spouting bull.

His name is Ravak. He's probably around twenty-three, twenty-five and in here for something he doesn't wanna tell people. He won't shut up about my body. It's seriously creepy. He's so much older, it really makes me uncomfortable. If he was our age, it would still not be okay, but at least I'd get that maybe they're not really getting what they're saying. I know better and I'm not the smartest on the topic, so he probably knows exactly what he's doing.

I'm honestly just waiting for him to say something bad when the guards aren't there to set him straight for me! I'll polish that turd to a purple shine! Why can't everyone be as cute and courteous as you, dummy?

Sorry about the sloppy writing, I hope you can still read all that. He just makes me so mad! He turns everything I do or say into something dirty!

I'll give you an example. They asked me what I was in for and I told them. Queue weird looks and a half-friendly interrogation, obviously. His only question was about your size and how often we did things. I don't mean how tall you are, and I don't mean kissing. The guards locked him in his house for a day after that. He really needs help. Preferably from my balled fist. This is the first time I'm begging for an opportunity to hit someone, it's that bad!

Sorry, I'm rambling. I've just never had that sort of thing happen to me and it bothers me. He even made fun of my title, saying that I'm no Lady. I can guess what he means by that.

I'll stop writing about him now, it's bad enough that he has me angry enough to want to hurt him. I don't want to pass that feeling on to you. Probably too late, though, sorry.

On a more positive note, I now know how to grow dipplings, sort of. Zala said I'm pulling them out too soon, but the tenders told me it was time. I'll wait until she pulls hers. If they're nicer, I'll leave mine in a bit longer next year.

If you ever get the chance to farm a bit, I'd recommend it. It's calming, in a weird way, and there's something really satisfying about eating food that you made from scratch-scratch.

The winter crop is brassica. I'm gonna be running out of recipes to try and cook and preserve it all. We'll see.

Draw me more pictures for my wall, don't forget!

I'm gonna wet-kiss this letter and hope the spit imprint makes it to you.

That's super romantic, right?

I miss you, so much.

I love you, so much.

Please be well.

Your Queen Rayla

P.S. I sniffed your letter. I think I'll enjoy the occasional jelly tart.