My dear knight-
Since I have come back to Denerim I have been bored. Truly, I don't know why you had to take this trip alone. I do have news from home though: Fergus is getting married next summer to Arl Wulff's daughter, a girl named Helena. They met when Fergus went to call on the West Hills to see if they needed any aid rebuilding. I think it's a good match. He's been so lonely since Oriana and Oren were killed, and I would love to see him happy again. Perhaps Highever will seem less empty the next time we visit.
After council with Eamon, I've decided definitely to wait until your return to announce the arrival of our heir. However, I have gotten very large very fast, and it will be difficult to avoid notice for too long. I have taken to receiving official visitors behind the great desk in your study instead of standing in the audience chamber, and I don't leave the palace grounds much. Wynne and her young apprentice Petra- you remember the girl from the Circle?- have been at me constantly; I can't touch anything pointy without getting shrieked at like a tea kettle. Yesterday I tried to draw a bow in the practice yard and got such a scolding. I know they're just trying to watch out for me and the baby, but by the Maker, being sedentary just doesn't suit me.
So I haven't touched a weapon in months, but I have knitted and sewn two dozen sets of baby clothes, and walked approximately a million times around the gardens with Dog. Do you remember when you asked me if I would miss roaming around the countryside fighting for our lives every moment? Sometimes I do! I suppose that's just my memory playing tricks though… All I care to remember when I think back are the accomplishments and successes we had, not the trouble and losses. It hasn't been so very long ago that I can afford to forget. But now, fat and happy, sitting in a nice warm palace in a peaceful city, it is sometimes hard to think that two years have passed since we were very nearly destroyed.
Ah well. On to happier things. Wynne has had some Grey Warden apprentices from the Circle sifting through the old records at the compound here in Denerim for information about the taint. I have had no word from Avernus, but I did not expect to hear from him so quickly. The Wardens have found some old accounts of children born to parents with the taint, and though it seems very rare, it appears the difficulty is in the conception and not the birthing of the child. We were encouraged by the news, however scant the information. Wynne and Petra, and an herbalist from the city for good measure, have been inspecting me every week and are assured that the pregnancy is progressing normally. I admit that I am worried but, Maker knows we have been through enough and come out unscathed, so I feel that things will be fine.
You may also be interested to know that I have found friendship in a strange place lately. Isolde has become a valuable companion since I spoke with Eamon about the baby. She had previously been rather cold to me—or rather us, I think—since coming to court, but now she is very friendly and has offered me wonderful advice. She has been telling me of Connor's progress at the Circle of Magi and it sounds as if the lad is very talented. His studies have been going especially well. She tries to see him as much as she can, but I think it's frowned upon as a distraction for the students.
There is one other item I must relay to you. It's not urgent, but you should note it. We have received our official envoy from Orzammar and now have an ambassador residing in Denerim. King Aeducan sends word that the city has been at peace for some time, and the dwarves are now willing to engage in peaceful, continual trade relations with Ferelden.
Maker speed your return, Alistair. I miss you. Do you realize this is the first time we've been apart for more than a few of days in years? Practically since we met? Please travel safely home to me.
Charlotte