"Sir Reed! Look beyond that tree! The dragon has awakened!" I screamed at Howlland and then went to play the role of the said dragon. "Rawr!"

"Dun fear not, Sir Stark."

"Sir Lady Stark." I corrected while rolling my eyes, " And just 'Fear not', Howwie."

"Yeah, yeah" he nodded while grinning. I made a show of widening my eyes and point behind him.

"Watch out!" I shouted

He spun around and I took the opportunity to pounch on his back. We were still giggling on the ground when I heard a twig snap. I jumped to my feet. "Who's there?", I demanded while pointing my stick in that direction.

"It's just I, Sir Lady Stark." Came a female voice.

Howwie and I grinned at each other. Whoever that was, she wanted to play along.

I called out again, "Come forward so I may see you, my lady."

I heard a swish of starched skirts before the person came out. She was thin. Very much so. With clear yet slightly tan skin and beautiful black eyes. Her ebony curls were knotted on top of her head making her look so elegant that my mouth dropped open in awe as I gaped at her. Slowly my sword lowered.

"You're very pretty." I whispered.

Her young face smiled kindly, "Thank you but so are you."

I saw Howlland nod from the corner of my eye. I ducked my head bashfully, "No I'm not. Knights aren't called pretty."

That lady had the kind of presence which engendered kindness and gentleness around her. Even in her simplicity she resembled a princess. For the first time I felt my inadequacy as a girl.

I dropped the dirty stick and wiped my hands on my britches. "Who are you?"

Her smile dimmed a little but not completely at my action. She came forward and knelt, "Who do you wish me to be?" She picked the stick and held it up for me.

I knew she meant to play with me but I wished she and I were related somehow. She was young enough to be my sister, and with all my little heart I wanted a sister just like her.

"My sister." I blurted while wringing my pudgy hands.

Her laughter tinkled around us while she tucked my wayward hair behind one ear, "Truly? But we just met."

Encouraged by her familiar gesture I smile, "You know, Papa always says that sometimes to know someone a look is enough."

"What does my look say?"

Suddenly bashful again I murmured, "That you'll be kind to me."

She stared a little and I think she rummaged her mind how to reply best to a child. And Nan always said that only the wise think before they speak.

"I shall endeavor to meet your expectations, little knight." She took a leaf out of my hair. "And if I ever disappoint your trust, please be kind to me as well." Another smile.

As if I could ever be disappointed with her. I looked at her dubiously, "Are you staying with anyone from around?"

She stood up, "Oh I hope so, and Godwilling could leave with some hair still on my head." She looked askance while dusting her skirts.

I looked at her in confusion, "Who are you?" And asked again.

"Sister, friend, fellow lady knight or even a teacher. Would you like that? To learn from me?"

"You're the new governess?" I was aghast. "You can't be. Governesses are old and mean women. And they're also fat like me."

"Milady, is your luck it is."

"Shhh. Let me talk Howwie." I gave him a look.

When I looked back at her she was looking over Howie's head while frowning. "And who is this Howie?"

I sighed, "He's Mr. Reed's youngest lad of my age but he's thin and very short." In nodded in his direction.

"Hey!" He interjected.

I ignored him, "And I know he's too short to notice at first but it's rude to look over someone." I crossed my arms and frowned at her. What can I say? Howwie had been my friend longer.

She blinked with surprise and stared at him, "Hello, Howwie." She greeted hesitantly.

Embarrassed of the way she stared at him he made an awkward wave-like gesture. I laughed and told her he meant to say hello too. When I offered to show her a good place to sit by the creek she immediately agreed. We sat for quite a time talking. Well mostly she was, i just sat beside her and observed and didn't realize I was subconsciously mimicking her. She sat with a ramrod back with her hands softly folded in her lap. I must've looked a picture with my dirty appearance and rugged clothing copying to act like a lady because Howlland kept on snickering.

She told me her name was Elia Martell and surprisingly we were actually related but distantly. She came directly from London where she was living with very close family friends. She spent a season there, which advertently made her explain what it meant. I asked her if she was married to which she chuckled and told me that she going to have her come-out a year later. When I inquired about her age I was stunned to hear she was just 16! But she had completed her necessary education and went to observe the lady, which I imagined was the family friend, who also decided to take Elia under her wing. She couldnt stay longer because of her health. Country air suited her best, she said. When I asked her why she agreed to be my governess she told me that she volunteered when my father mentioned me.

In truth Elia didn't want to burden my father, and wanted to keep herself busy by helping me. She was in a way my honorary governess, and often shared that she felt guilt over the course of my education. She believed she deprived me of a better learning experience from a proper governess. I believed she hung the moon in the sky and saved me from a horrid fate. Which made her laugh and gave her an excuse to teach me about the lunar deities in different cultures.

"So you're really going to help me change?"

"Why would I wish to change you?" Her speech was coaxing.

"Doesn't everyone?"

"I don't." Howlland supplied cheerfully.

"Except for Howwie", I gestured where he sat on the boulder beside me.

Elia again stared at him with a soft smile and decreed, " He seems to be a very wise person."

He preened under the warmth of her praise and my heart swelled with pride. Whenever we were caught playing, he would hide and sometimes, it was even urged by me. Not that I was ashamed of him. Far from it. He was the only good thing that happened to me when I decided to keep my distance from my brothers. I wanted to protect him from any unwarranted cruelty our friendship might've incited. But I introduced him to Elia. Maybe it was a child's trusting nature or a childish intuition I am still unsure but I'm glad it happened. It brought us closer. And nothing says conscientiousness more clearly than sharing a secret.

She was looking at me with an inscrutable gaze, when she uttered the words that stayed with me forever. "If I change who you are, Lyanna, then you wouldn't be what makes you, you."


"You know, only people with no social life read these kind of books. And I know, only because they make you sleepy so they wouldn't have to talk to other people. " I grumbled after an umpteenth yawn during one of my lessons.

It had been, maybe a full hour, since she asked me to read a chapter and then explain it to her. I was just so bored to simply sit there with a book in my lap. When she didn't reply I slapped it shut with a mutinous pout. Elia then looked up from her book. Her eyes drifted to the closed one in my lap and copied my actions. With , I don't know, a bit more finesse.

"Once upon a time there was an orphan being raised by her relatives. They were not particularly kind with her, neither did her robust nature helped her cause. One day she had been in a particularly severe tussle with her cousin and was sent away to a very strict boarding school without even a single regard to her wishes. She persevered her years in that horrid place and earned an education which was enough to become a governess." She smiled at that. "Immediately after leaving school she applied for a job to make her own way in this world and fortunately enough she acquired one. She arrived there and met someone who changed her life. She ran away when she was going to get married because something intervened at the last moment, leaving her heartbroken." She looked out the window pane at her last sentence.

"She wished every day she could go back and try to understand him." She stopped and kept on staring outside.

I was slumped back before she started the slowly slid on to the edge of my chair while listening. I had never known such people existed. I realize now how much sheltered I was. I couldn't even fathom people could lead miserable lives. I learned later on in life there were people with far more despondency to fill the tragedy section of a library with books of enough pages to fuel the fireplaces of a ducal mansion for life. It was an introduction into the land beyond Winterfell and Elia was my ferryman.

The way Elia narrated it mightve seemed casual enough for an adult, I suppose, but for I - it was fascinating enough to be frustrated when she stopped.

"Who did she meet? Who stopped her marrying?"

"Wedding." She corrected.

"Yes, yes. Where did she run away? Tell me Elia." No matter how hard I pleaded she didn't give in.

She quietly opened her book and started reading again.

"Elia! You're teasing me!"

She replied calmly, "Oh I'm sorry I thought you wanted to know the story."

"I do!" I cried.

"Well what are you waiting for then? It's all in that book on your lap." Just like that she dismissed me and continued reading.

I was smart enough to realize that I had just been taught a lesson and didn't question the wisdom of her actions. I opened that book with new eyes. Anticipation. Curiosity. And hope, that it all ends well for the orphan.


... "...Anna. You must leave or I would have to send you to a workshop, girl!"

Anna could scarcely believe her ears. Leave? Where would she go? All her life she's been lead to believe she was all alone with only her books as a refeee...refe...yoo..ref...fudge.j..."

"How do you pronounce, R. E. F. U. G. E. ?"

"Ref-yooj."

Right. I absently mumbled a 'thank you' and resumed reading.

...with only her books as a refuge. She stared in horror as her Aunt's maid threw her pellise by her feet, with a haughty sneer on her horridly cruel face. "Aunt, where will I go?" Anna implored while tears glistened her dark blue eyes...

I was at a particularly climatic part when unconsciously my eyes strayed to Elia just for a heartbeat while turning the page. I did a double take when I noticed she'd been observing me for a time now. Her book was lying on her lap upside down, only her finger was between the pages she was reading. She had her chin resting on the knuckles of her left hand, with the elbow on the arm of her chair.

I frowned and took in how I was seated. I sat leaning back with my bare feet on the cushion of the chair and my knees bent. I had to lean back so I could put the book on my knees because my fat restricted some maneuvering. Especially my tummy. I thought she was noting my posture or lack of it anyway and quickly dropped my feet on the ground. She just smiled wider.

"What?" I whispered. Not wishing to disrupt our comfortable silence.

She straightened too. "Nothing. I apologize if my staring disturbed you."

"Quite alright." I frowned and hesitantly returned my eyes to my book.


"Lyanna?" After some time she called me. It seemed that only some moments had passed but in actuality I was later told it had been more than 2 hours.

"Hmm." I made a sound without looking up. When she didn't answer I knew she was waiting for me to look up. So I did.

"It's time for bed."

I gasped, "What? Already?" She nodded and chuckled.

"Oh, alright." I ceded, dejectedly and got up. I carefully placed the book on the table while leaving a blank paper as a bookmark.

She was again staring in that enigmatic way. "Come here, Lia. I wish to tell you something."

When I reached where she sat on the sofa, she urged me to sit beside her, and affectionately ran a hand over my hair. She looked thoughtful.

"Lia I dont know who told you and made you believe that only the socially impaired read books. Which is not true by the by." She gave me a mock frown, making me giggle. "But tell me, beside Howlland, how many other friends do you have?"

I felt my cheeks heat, "None. But I did once. They were girls too but then I found they only came to see me to see Bran."

"Exactly, sweeting. People may disappoint and hurt you when you're most vulnerable. But these..." She ran her slim fingers on the cover of the book on her lap reverently. I was glad she didn't look at me for I was biting my lip to stop the hurt that threatened to overwhelm me as her words brought back all the distressing memories.

"But these never leave your side. They make the hurt go away and make you live so many lives as whatever you want. Soon they become the most trustworthy friends that you could ever ask for. Companions which entertain you selflessly. Books have so much to give without asking anything in return. Did you like your book?"

When I nodded she carried on, "I'm glad. Now, do you have any questions before we go to our beds?"

"Yes. What does 'socially impaired' means?"


Dear Deer! *an inky scribble*

How do you do? I am well. Papa is well. Ben is well. Nan was not well yesterday but she is fine. I caught a fish on Tuesday. I ate it for dinner. Papa said it was yummy I think Nan was sick because of it. She's fine now do not worry. I don't know what else to write. I think about your next gift. *a blot of ink* I liked the box too. I will put Elia's letters in it. Hope to see you soon.

Your servant,

Winter Rose.

"But yer not 'is servant, milady." Howlland frowned.

"No, but I saw Papa sign one of his letters like that. I always write this to him and he never said anything about it. So, hush, Howwie."


Days that I spent with Elia were a blessing in their own way. She came and went as she wasn't exactly obligated to my father regarding my studies but she did take my learning very seriously. She'd bring back new books and stationery for me or sometimes even ribbons. I always bawled whenever she left and only let go of her skirts when father had to pick me up and muscle me away from her. I many times caught glimpses of her tear filled eyes too.

She mostly went because her godmother wanted her next season and her come-out, to be perfect and thus urged Elia's participation in the preparations. She sometimes came back with some of her purchases and would model her dresses for me while I cooed over her elegant beauty.

"Will you take me under your wing for my season?" I asked one day while petting the skirts of her Amber colored silk dress.

She rubbed her arm which I learned was her nervous tick, "I hope I'd be a matron by then."

"Married?" She nodded bashfully in reply.

"You will be." I assured her confidently and set a thin metallic decorative head band on her onix curls.

"How do you know?"

"Because anyone would be a fool to let you go."

She also urged me to write her letters, which I did everyday, and presented to my father for post. Which went once a week normally and I'm sure she recieved a fattened package filled with my letters and only smiled, without feeling any sort of annoyance. She was sweet like that. And as expected she kept all my letters as I kept hers. She made me improve my letter-writting by discussing the ones I'd send her.

The smallest of moments with her were made more precious only because they were shared with her and Howwie. She encouraged me to express myself and tell her about my interests. Then she would plan my lessons together with Ben's tutor around those interests. But I only wanted to learn everything she knew and make her proud. She also never called me or my actions silly, fearing that it might suppress my inquisitive tendensies. Lord bless her, but I did do very silly things sometimes. One time we were practicing my letter-writting that I observed something. I immediately enthused.

"Look, Elia. Your name and mine have " Lia", in common!"

E Lia.

Lia anna.

"Your name is not spelled as such, Lyanna."

"Aye. Even I know is wrong that is." Howwies peered over my shoulder.

"I know but it sounds same, no?" My excitement was not to be deterred. It was like another secret but it'll be our little shared joke. I was so happy just thinking about the possibilities.

She looked again and smiled, "Do you know what that means?" We both shook our heads.

"You are the beginning of my end."


The day I learned how exactly the Martells were related to the Starks was when I met Elia's brothers for the first time. Not that I was surprised when I learned about the animosity between the families, really, there was always some dispute among one family or another. It all began when Elia's mother and my father's sister (yes we were first cousins and not distantly related), eloped with the tall, dark and handsome American who wanted to settle in England.

Little did she know that my uncle was a degenerate and a detestable fortune hunter. What better way to ensure an adjustment to go smoothly than to have powerful in-laws to help you?

When my grandfather disowned her after the debacle, she bid him goodbye and told him what she thought of his money and left Winterfell immediately with her head held high. She did all that under the illusion of love, and when the said love found out he's married a penniless lady, disowned by her family, he started showing his true colors. Kept her under his thumb. Embarrassed her by openly reverting to his philandering ways and paraded one mistress after another right in front of her. True to her blood she didn't come crying back but slept well and without a word on the bed she made for herself.

At some time Dorne started associating with another one of his kind, a wastrel of a duke known for his many scandals, which was a blessing in disguise for my Aunt since she finally found a dear friend in the duchess who shared her plight.

Thus, her status as Elia's godmother. I saw firsthand how much she doted on Elia. I wanted to embrace that lady and thank her for taking care of my cousin ever since Dorne and my Aunt died in a carriage accident a year before my 6th birthday. She died and Father couldn't even attend her funeral and mourn his only sister as Elia's brothers still resented the uncle who didn't come to their mother's aid. Dorne had been victimizing all of his family but especially his wife because she reminded him of a failed plan even if it was conceived in greed, and his children because they were birthed by that wife.

Elia and I were as usual busy in our lessons, that day I remember was all about Roman history. We were reading about Alexander VII and how he conducted the completion of St Peter's by his chief architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in the warmth of Papa's library, where he too sat submerged in his paperwork. In the peace of a country afternoon the sound of the gravel under carriage wheels was unmistakable. As well as the sounds of alarm which came inexhaustibly from the main hall.

"Out of my goddamned way, old bat. And you, you whoreson. If you touch me one more time..."

"Oberyn."

The name came as a warning to the voice spewing such vile language but Elia was the one startled by it and stared at the closed door, with her face completely devoid of color.

When father sighed and stood up, her eyes swung to him, "You should have known, Elia, that this day would come. They're actually late."

"You called for them?" She queried with wide eyes.

"It was the right thing to do, my dear. They have a right to know that their sister chose to forgive her uncle and has not been kidnapped." He said it so calmly that I had to crush my want to demand that he repeat himself. "It might have been worst if they heard it from the gossip. Or your godmother."

Uncle? I thought maybe he meant someone else. I was excited to see who was going to enter after such a boisterous entrance.

"I do not wish to see them disrespect you, my lord. I know my brothers. They never learned to forgive and forget from our father." She lowered her lashes in chagrin.

"Hush and let me worry about that, child."

Then suddenly the library doors were swung open and in came a small man-boy with Elia's coloring. He came straight towards her, "You. Do you have any idea how much I want to strangle you?" He shouted right in front of her face. "I rode day and night and got bloody blisters on my bloody ass to prove it!"

"All that bloody coming and going from bloody London to this damned cold place with only AN ABIGAIL?" He panted. He looked funny with his heaving shoulders, harried face and foul mouth.

"What the bloody goddamned fucking hell, Elia?"

Smack.

We were so busy staring at the furious boy-man that we didn't see a taller and manlier version of him coming from behind and hitting him on his head.

"Apologize." Just one word with a world of threat.

His bland face gave me goosebumps.

"For what?" Man-boy who was named Oberyn grumbled while rubbing behind his head.

"For forcefully intruding in someone else's home and shouting obscenities like a fishwife to your older sister's face." His eyes briefly came to me and I offered a crooked smile and a wave.

Holy mother of God. He had Luwin's lip twitch right down pat.

He continued to stare down his brother till Oberyn had to concede, and bow in apology. He first bowed to my father with an exaggerated flourish which of course seemed mocking. Then stiffly to Elia. When he turned to me, ready to bow, but thought better of it and just flicked his fingers in dismissal.

"Hey!" I crossed my arms on my chest and pouted.

Obviously everyone ignored me.

Their elder brother shook hands with Papa in a reserved way followed by everyone taking their seats. I sat with Elia and held her hand. Expressing my support silently.

Doran started with a polite, "I appreciate that you informed us,my lord..."

"After I learned of her elopement, I went to see your mother." Papa always spoke to address the point directly. He said beating about the bush regarding a matter shows a poor attempt at evasion, and evasion is a sign of weakness.

Doran's mouth tightened, "I remember."

"It had been 7 years when I finally returned home only to find my elder sister gone. I decided not to confront her husband and meant to show my support to the match." Papa shook his head sadly. "It had already been so many years and she already had you. At first I didn't even know how to approach her."

"Bloody hell." Oberyn muttered but Doran just shifted in his chair uncomfortably.

"Please let me finish. I've been wanting to say that to you and hoped you would understand my reasons for not seeing my sister after that. Your father threatened to cry being cuckolded and prove you illegitimate. I remember him counting on his fingers the reasons he could procure and divorce my sister. She was sitting right beside me while his mistress served us tea."

Elia was quietly sobbing now. By the way father said it I knew it was someone vile, but I tucked the word mistress in my head to ask Elia later.

"She made me promise to stay away. Practically begged me. And I, helpless in my love for my sister and her future, walked out but never away because I just could not. I watched over her through the shadows. Never far. That fool was in debted to Lannister up till his top hat and that Devil had him dancing to his tune." He meant the very same devil duke. "He meant to sell everything. Everything." Father and Doran exchanged a significant look. "I want you to believe that I never left you, Doran." He used his Christian name as a plea. "Hang my honor. My LOVE didn't allow it."

We all waited for Doran respond to father's supplication. Lord Winterfell, though favoured mostly the country, was a force to be reckoned with. 'Respect is not given freely as someone's due because of the circumstances of one's birth but is earned.' , my father used to say that and I know the respect which instills fear is not earned by pleading and explaing your every action. But my father also used to say and more oftenly, ''Family, my flower, always comes first.'

"He made good on his threat. He pleaded for a trial to question my paternity." Dorne's knuckles were clenched tightly. "Only to make mother miserable. Not that anyone could doubt his blood in me..." He vaguely gestured at his person, "...but someone intervened and frightened the bloody hell out of him."

"I couldn't just sit idle while my sister and nephew were being ruined." Papa quietly confessed.

Elia gasped.

Boy-man jerked in surprise.

Dorne just calmly nodded, "I recently found out. Barrister Selmy told me."

Father laughed out loud, "By God but he's as sly as a fox. I'm darn satisfied he didn't disappoint though, young pup that he is."

"He even cautioned that had he really pursued what you started we wouldn't have been able to stay in England" another lip twitch, this time more pronounced.

Father waved is dismissal, "We would have ceded our bluff had Dorne been more than his usual think headed self."

"That's a relief." I wasn't sure but I think he made a joke. "Yet I wish you had, for I mean to spread my shipping to America."

A peaceful silence fell in the library and then father murmured, "Yes. Finally some relief."

When the tension was finally dissipated from the atmosphere, Elia further lightened things with the introductions, "Oberyn, Doran, I want you to meet our little cousin. This is Lyanna." She warmly smiled down at me. But boy-man and I just glared at each other.

"You know, you scream like a banshee." I let him know in my matter-of-fact tone.

"You look like a ball of flour stuffed into a tiny Chef's hat." He muttered back taking in my pure white frock and of course the fat that can't be over looked.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I added the lip-quiver for extra measure. Everyone noticed.

Elia slapped his arm, Luwin's younger twin hit him behind his head again and they both scolded, "Oberyn!" He looked around, harassed and opened his mouth maybe to apologize but I didn't let him I immediately grinned impishly at him and chortled, "Ha ha!"

Everyone looked momentarily stunned but then laughed along with me, even the boy-man looked genuinely amused.

"She is going to make them eat their hearts out at her come-out." Dorne commented, "Already knows all the female wiles."


Dear Deer,

I thank you for the birthday gift. I hope you liked the bookmarks that i made for you. I know you do not read anymore but I hope you start again. My cousin says books strengthen our minds and you need to be strong all over too. I drew a worm on one and hope you like it and find it as funny as I did, and smile whenever you read and remember me.

Yours truly,

Book worm.

Postscript: Next time do not stare at our maids like a madman. I do not like it.


There are only few people that my father ever deemed worthy enough to be trusted. One of them, unexpectedly was the duke of Stormend. Robert Baratheon's sire. Unexpected because they were nothing alike. Their personalities were like night and day, but Papa used to say that no matter the Duke's vices he was a very loyal friend and a worthy adversary. For I, two wrongs did not make a right. The duke was a gambling, whoring wastrel who was drunk the most part of his day. His famous escapade was when he was heart broken after the duchess died and went on a tour to the continent with half the whores of London.

Even during her life he had a bevy of kept women which he thought his duchess didnt know about. The whole ton believed it was grief and betrayal that slowly killed her but the duke swore he loved only one woman and that was his wife. I don't think much of this ridiculous reason he might have repeated in his head while bedding all those women. As I said before, 'tis a man's world.

With a father of such a disreputable reputation, Dragaestone wouldn't be left far behind. Though a friend of my quite and shy brother Ned, he was quickly getting noted in his own way while following his father's footsteps. The pair of them and their friendship resembled alot like our fathers'. For my childhood self though, he was still the handsome boy who awaited my jejune letters, sent me gifts and loved to show any sort of affection. Mainly physical.

At first I didn't like it, and how could I? It all seemed so queer to have a strange boy touch me so familiarly and I told him that. Which as usual made him angry and he refused to speak to me for many days of his stay. When I couldn't take it any longer I apologized to him, he only accepted after he made me endure his kisses for almost an hour. When he saw my strained face he yelled again and made me kiss him instead.

The first time I heard of his roguery, but didn't really understand any of it, was at the age of 9. Ned casually conveyed Robert's apology at dinner one evening, for not accompanying him because he wanted to stay with his father. To which Bran laughed out loud,

"Had our father celebrated my 16th year as the Duke did, I wouldn't leave his side either."

Father gave him a sour look, "So that's how it is, boy? To gain my eldest's loyalty?"

Ned and Bran exchanged a meaningful look. "Sir, I would happily lay my life for uhhh..." Bran frowned at me and then Papa, "to spend some time in Miss Delena Florent's company." He grinned again while eating, "Lucky son of a gun."

It was then his unusual courtship with Miss Delena, a celebrated star of Drury Lane, bloomed into an indecent proposition. Which earned him and his sire fame among fellow blackguards. Which as far as I can tell, favoured them both, while I lived oblivious, tucked away in the country - slowly and gently nursing my affections for him.

I sometimes find it funny, because of Elia, a voracious reader that I became I still had no inkling about the intimacies among the two sexes, so I pretended not to notice when I heard a particularly lusty female moan coming from a closed room whenever the boys were visiting. I accepted Robert's ardor as believing it is just like being with a family member, but more because he was actually not. I asked him once about this confused belief of mine, which he encouraged and had me accept that two friends really did act as such. It did not quell my dilemma at all. As I longed to mention Howlland, and how I could never kiss him but I restricted myself to expose my friendship. I shared everything with only Howlland. Not even Elia. He didn't know any better than I and sometimes we would sit and ponder on what something Robert did or said. Even with our combined brain power, Robert Baratheon's interest in me remained a mystery.


Dearest Deer,

Felicitations on graduating Eton. I hope and pray for your success in University as well, wherever you wish to go. You shall have your pick from the lot. How could any institution not admit Eton's best sport's captain? I have included a gift to congratulate you and pray it keeps me remembered. I heartily await your arrival to pester you for stories of your celebrations. Hope to see you soon.

Yours,

Artemis.

Postscript: You have to open the gift to understand my signature.

"Lia?"

"Hmm?"

"Where did you get that medallion?"

"I had Lia buy it for me."

"So who're you sending it to?"

"Just a pen friend."