With Love

Dear Peter,

I sat here for ten minutes trying to think of an elegant way of beginning this letter. We have never written before, and I suspect your standards of penmanship are superior to anyone I have ever corresponded with before. You are High King, after all, which is a fact that I can ignore when face-to-face with you, but somehow it seems daunting as I write to you. What does one say when writing to her husband, especially after making such a royal fool of herself?

I suppose I could start by telling you what I have done since you dropped me off here in Harden on the way back from the Lone Islands. Even though it was only yesterday, it strangely feels like much longer. Perhaps it is due to all of the work that has piled up in my absence. It is a good thing I came back when I did, otherwise my desk may have splintered from the weight of the scrolls upon it! At least this time I didn't have Lord Reine around trying to usurp my authority again.

I spent all day yesterday unpacking and settling back in. Even though Gilda was around to keep me company and all of the usual servants were around, the castle felt empty without Talia. As you know, she, Aravis, and the Princes stayed with Tumnus this summer, but they've been back at Anvard for a few weeks as planned. Talia will be leaving Anvard within the week, and I look forward to it. I've missed her in the time we were gone! I was struck with guilt at leaving her for the whole summer, and now I hope I can make it up to her.

Today I started raking through the papers on my desk, and I've made a small bit of progress. Truthfully, nothing is especially interesting around here compared to what happened this summer!

I can't think of anything interesting to add! I hope this letter finds you safely back at Cair Paravel.

Your wife,

Saedra

Dear Saedra,

You'll be amused to know that Susan is hovering over my shoulder like a vulture as I write this. She was thoroughly put-out that you didn't return to Narnia with us. And Ed's decision to stay in the Lone Islands and trace down the missing taxes only compounds her misery. Poor sister, at least she has Peridan to comfort her!

I laughed when you said that you were intimidated by writing to me. There is no reason whatsoever to have any worries; on the contrary, I think I must be the more afraid! It seems I never know the right thing to say to you, and I am at an even greater disadvantage writing to you, for I cannot see your face and judge your level of anger!

Since you told me about your day, I shall tell you about mine. The Splendor Hyaline pulled into port today, and I was bombarded by people trying to talk to me as I descended from the ship. It seems that work has piled up for me as well, even though Susan has been around to manage most of it. There are just some things that she prefers not to get involved in, such as land disputes and the like. Edmund is really the best for that job, but since he stayed behind, it falls to me to do it. Oh, the joy! Lucy refuses to get involved in them because she hates it when she can't make everyone happy. She is wise, but she is too compassionate at times.

After leaving the ship, I made my way to my chambers as quickly as possible. There, to my great joy, I found your letter! I quickly read it, but soon pages were coming in and reminding me of the things to be done, so I had to abandon it. I worked all day, and then after dinner Susan, Lucy, and I caught up on what has been happening with all of us. Of course you were the first person Susan asked about, and then I remembered your letter. I relayed to them some of what was in it, and then Susan urged me to reply quickly so that we might hear back from you sooner. And that's what I am doing now!

Oh, Susan wants me to add that she had started the preliminary planning for her wedding. You won't be surprised to find out that she has changed her mind-she does want a humongous wedding. We would expect nothing more of her, no? (Susan read that last line and punched my shoulder. Ouch!)

Well, my dear, I think that is all I have that you might be remotely interested in. I hope you are well. Send Talia my love when she comes to you!

With the Warmest Affection,

Peter

Dear Peter,

You will be amazed when you see Talia-she has grown almost half a foot since we last saw her! I've been scrambling all day to arrange getting new dresses made for her. The old ones are above her ankles! If she keeps up this growth spurt, she's going to be taller than me. She's already up to my shoulders, and she's only twelve! (By the way, her letter to you is enclosed. You can read for yourself what she has been up to).

Have you heard from Edmund yet? I'm very anxious to see if he has learned anything about the taxes yet. I must admit, I thought it was a bit strange when he decided to stay behind instead of coming back to the continent with us. He didn't even have his attendants stay behind with him! I sure hope Cedric is as trustworthy as he seems, because otherwise Edmund could be in grave danger!

Even though you haven't asked, you'll be pleased to know that I have been doing much better emotionally. I know that one night was traumatic for you to see me in such a mess, but I have been dealing with my insecurities in a much more composed manner now. I think getting it all out in the open was the best therapy I could hope for. I didn't tell you then, but it was very comforting that you were willing to sleep on the bed with me, strange as it sounds. I actually missed that when we were back on the Splendor Hyaline and Lucy and I were sharing the cabin.

One chore that I've had to do since returning that's been particularly unpleasant is comforting the families that lost sailors when the Forben sank. That has been heart-breaking, and I can't help but blame myself for what happened. In hindsight, there was nothing wrong with the decision to bring the Forben to have a more formidable presence in Narrowhaven, but it still was that decision that cost many sailors their lives.

Do not fear about not being able to see my face and judge my level of disapproval. I will be sure to tell you when I am angry! Haha!

Tell Susan that she had better wait until I come up before she gets married! I will be terribly vexed if I miss it.

Looking forward to your next correspondence,

Saedra

Dear Sae,

I'm amazed how Talia has progressed in her learning! She writes as well as any girl her age. You have done wonders with her, truly. (She told me how excited she is about getting new dresses. Now she is a true Princess...she is more excited about clothes than anything else!)

No, we have had no word from Ed yet. I agree with you about his safety. But as you know, no one knows how to take care of himself like he does. I also think that there was another reason that Ed stayed behind...it seems like after the episode with Lucy that he was very bothered about something. Did you notice that as well? My guess is that he stayed behind to deal with that as much as find the taxes. I do pray that he is safe and well.

About sharing the bed with you, it was my pleasure. I may be being very forward, but I hope that is something we may continue. Though as I think about it, I realize that we have been married half a year now. We shouldn't be having to plan whether we sleep in the same room or not! Such is the married life of a king, I suppose. Our marriage was arranged in many ways, so maybe it is better that we've approached this the way we have. Better that we get along before anything else, as dull as it sounds. Not that it's dull to get along! (I think I'm putting my foot in my mouth now!) Do you know what I mean?

I'm thrilled to hear that you're doing better. I was disconcerted at how affected you were by what happened, and even more disconcerted that I hadn't noticed it at all. I consider myself good at reading your face these days, so the fact that you could hide your misery so effectively worries me. I only hope that now you trust me enough to talk to me more now, because I truly want to be there for you when you need me.

Enclosed is my letter for Talia. Give her a kiss for me.

With Deep Affection,

Peter

Dear Peter,

Yes, I am quite proud of Talia's improvement. She is extremely intelligent and has caught on to her lessons amazingly well. I can't take all of the credit, though. Gilda has been teaching her most of her lessons, just as she did when I was little. I mostly teach Talia the basics of fencing and archery, though you know how bad I am at archery! I'll have to see if Susan is willing to teach Talia that when we get back. Talia's already as good as I am now at shooting. And maybe you could give both Talia and I sword lessons. You are the master, after all.

I did sense what you did about Edmund staying behind. He did seem bothered by something after the fight with Lucy. I didn't notice it much in the last days we stayed in Narrowhaven because you and I were spending so much time together, but when he and I said our goodbyes, I could see something in his eyes. I hope that he overcomes whatever is plaguing him soon!

Has it really been half a year that we have been married! My, the time has flown! Though it's true that we are progressing slowly...um, physically...but when you think about where we were when we got married, I think we have made a lot of progress. I mean, we were constantly fighting. Can you imagine us sharing sleeping chambers then? It's laughable! One of my conditions to marry you was that we would have separate rooms, remember? Well, in case you haven't noticed, I take it back.

This letter is shorter than the other, but Talia's more than makes up for it. (She had me proofread hers).

Affectionately,

Sae

Dear Sae,

The centaurs are saying that winter is coming early this year. I hope you can make it before then, because otherwise I might not see you until spring! Susan is aching for a winter wedding, so I hope you can make it up for that, and Ed too. She and Peridan have waited quite long enough to be married. I pity and admire their self-control.

I'm very pleased to see that you have retracted one of your conditions. Now I just need to make you take back the one about staying Duchess of Harden! No, I'm joking. You just wouldn't be yourself without your loyalty to your people. Though it will be harder and harder to be apart from you... Maybe I will arrange it so I can stay down there with you next time. Hopefully Ed will be back by then.

Talia told me all about her adventures with Cor, Corin, Aravis, and Tumnus this summer. It sounds like she has a little crush on our friend Prince Corin, no? Hm, I think I see an arranged marriage in her future. Hah!

Again, I must beg you to come up before frost comes. Winter will be very dull without the two of you.

With love,

P.