Dear Sir,
Belle turns one today, as agreed I am taking pen to paper to tell you of her. My daughter already grows beautiful, others who are not me or her doting father agree so, it is not loving blindness that makes me say so. Her hair is a lovely curly brown and her eyes have remained a startling shade of blue.
What is more remarkable is her love of learning. Those blue eyes take in everything around her, from her toys to the activities of myself and her nurse, to birds out the window anything and everything fascinates her.
The stuffed crocodile you sent has been given pride of place among her toys, she won't put it down and if we take her anywhere she insists we bring it along. The spools of gold have been tucked away until such time as she can make use of them.
Sincerely, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands.
Dear Lady Elaine,
I am pleased she likes the crocodile. I mostly sent the gold so as not appear a miser.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Wife,
Elaine, why do you let Belle play with that horrid thing? It could be cursed, and will undoubtedly give her nightmares!
Maurice
Husband
Stop fluttering dear, as The Spinner intends to marry her in her eighteenth year I highly doubt he plans on cursing her now.
Elaine
Dear Sir,
Another year already, and my Belle is two. My husband still frets, but all I can think, when I look upon my giggling child is that if it were not for you, neither she nor I would be here. Every mother knows that eventually she will give her daughter up to be married, and I have the advantage to know that she will be getting the finest match possible.
Onto Belle herself, her beloved crocodile is still her faithful companion and the wooden animal blocks you sent this year have entirely captured her I must say. Though her Nurse nearly fainted in fright the first time Belle got them to make noise, such a clever enchantment. She seems to like the lion the best; she keeps chasing everyone around with it, roaring in as close and approximation to it as she can. The blue velvet will make her a lovely gown for the midwinter festival.
She has of course nearly mastered the art of walking and has now moved onto running and from the contemplative looks she's been giving them, I fear tree climbing is next.
Sincerely, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Lady Elaine,
I must admit I had rather a good deal of fun making the blocks. As for the potential tree climbing, just encourage her towards the shorter ones first. Better she fall out of a small tree, that you know she's trying to climb, than a large tree she snuck out to climb.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Husband,
We shall have to find Belle a new nurse, the poor dear who has been looking after her just tried to burn her new animal blocks, fortunately none seem harmed, but Belle won't even look at the woman and the woman herself is positive that the blocks are possessed.
Elaine
Wife,
How do you know they're not? Not to worry, I'll let you find a new Nurse. Someone has to be brave enough to mind the Spinner's betrothed.
Maurice
To Sir Maurice, Lord of the Marchlands
Have you got yourself a son yet? Also an official message shall be soon delivered telling you that I am making a Royal Progress, with me will be both my wife and my son, Prince James, we will be stopping in Avonlea, I expect to see your family there, I wish to meet the Spinner's little bride.
His Majesty, King George
Dear Sir,
Time again for my yearly missive, I hope it find you well. I must again say that my Belle grows lovelier with each passing year.
You advice about the trees was good, we have an old stump near the back of one of the meadows that one of villagers attached study spokes about and Belle has had quite a time learning how to coordinate herself up and down them. She has had a few tumbles, yet each time, provided nothing truly painful has happened, she simply gets back up and tries again.
As she grows, so does her curiosity with the world around her. "Why" is still her favorite word, and she spent an hour the other day simply watching a group of women weaving baskets.
The book of tales you sent has become possibly more treasured than her crocodile or her blocks. The golden strand necklace and bracelet were happily accepted as well. She asked about you this year, why you send her presents and I told her that you were to be her husband when she grew up. She seems quite excited and wants to meet you. I was uncertain as to how to answer that. Might you visit? I will ensure Maurice's good behavior.
Sincerely, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Lady Elaine,
I think I will pop by. Don't make a fuss, I shan't stay the night, but the child does have the right to see her betrothed I suppose.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Dear Sir,
I do apologize for Maurice's behavior; I shall be speaking to him later. Belle is also quite upset with him as she had a bevy of questions for you and what with all the commotion, she didn't get to ask any. I never thought he come after you with a sword. Though you must admit, Belle striking him over the head with her crocodile was quite amusing…
Please except my apologies on his behalf, as he will undoubtedly not make any.
Belle also wished to send you her own letter, as such, she dictated and I wrote.
Sincerely and apologetically, Elaine, Lady of the Marchlands
Dear Sir,
I am sorry Papa tried to hit you with a sword. That was mean. I am going to marry you so he shouldn't be mean like that. Please come see me again soon, Mama says she'll make sure Papa is somewhere else when you do.
Also, Papa's sword makes a much better fish than it did a sword, we put it in the pond. Mama kept laughing.
Love, Belle
Dear Madam,
Not to worry, I think turning his enchanted lade into a fish was adequate punishment. You and your daughters laughter was an extra dose of justice I must say.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin
Dear Belle,
I shall try to visit you again. I'm glad you liked the fish.
Sincerely, Rumpelstiltskin